Blue-Eyed Devil (Travis, #2)

by Lisa Kleypas

[stacey_is_sassy]

Hardy...a Devil???

It's not too often that you come across a contemporary romance author that can write a timeless book. Now, 2008 probably doesn't seem that long ago, but you would be surprised how quickly a book can seem out of date. Terminology, slang and modern technology changes quickly, daily even. I know in my own experience that my teen boys seem to even speak a different language to me. I've even had to translate hand-written notes for workmates because the cursive has changed so much in the twenty years between our schooling. Sure, some of the things we witness in Blue-Eyed Devil seem a little behind the times, but I think it had more to do with the characters than the times.

Haven was a bloody idiot. OK, that's probably a little harsh. I just found myself completely frustrated with her when she allowed herself to be mentally and physically abused. I know, I know, bad Sassy for being so judgemental and narrow-minded. I just can't see myself EVER putting up with what she dealt with and it wasn't just at the hands of her despicable husband. I could write a list and a ten-page essay on all the douchewaffles she's faced in her life. I guess those little hits to the self-esteem in your childhood really do leave you with permanent scars.

I have to admit that this was a LOT more emotional than I expected. I kind of wish I'd known how much before I decided to listen to the audio on public transport. No sunglasses, a train carriage full of blokes...it was not a pretty sight. There were plenty of highs and lows that kept me a bit of an emotional wreck through this one. Mind you, it was never OTT or made me want to discontinue. It was just a wee bit confronting. I felt like I was there, with my hands tied behind my back and my screams of warning falling on deaf ears. I sometimes hate feeling helpless...I get way too "into" my books.

Now, the narrator, she does a very...ah...Southern accent with a twist (quoting Wikipedia). I almost needed an interpreter at times and even had to replay it to catch the meaning. As I'm not from Texas or even America, it took a little more effort listening. Please excuse my ignorance if I got that all wrong. Let's just say that I knew it was a Southern accent, I'm just guessing that it was Texan.

After all that, the highlight for me was Hardy Cates. Oh boy, he made my heart flutter. A bad boy who was just waiting for the right woman to come into his life. Sure, he had his fun until she was ready, but boy does he use his experience well. Honestly, considering the characters in his midst, he was far from a devil. I think this story should have been called - Blue-Eyed...Sexy, Bossy, Dirty-talking, Bad Boy, with a heart of gold and a magic touch. But, obviously, that's a wee bit too long.

Lisa Kleypas is a bit of a legend. I am a HUGE fan of her historical romances but her contemporary romances are nothing to laugh at. If I had my way, she would write morning, noon and night and alternate between the two. Pretty please with sugar on the top.

I highly recommend Blue-Eyed Devil and will definitely be going on in the series.