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Available
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Publication
Brilliance Audio (2008), Edition: Unabridged Audiobook, 9 CDs, 10 hrs 16 mins
Description
Haven Travis is the rebellious heiress of a wealthy oil family. But as Haven marries a man the Travises disapprove of, her life is set on a new and dangerous path. Two years later, when Haven returns to town, she is determined never to fall for the wrong man again. And Hardy Cates, an enemy of her family, is the last person she needs darkening her door.
User reviews
LibraryThing member samnreader
Well, you guys, I mother-f-ing hated this book. I'm about to unleash spoilery spoilers, but I will start with a few status updates to illustrate:
Oh the mansplaining....
-First the overprotective, boundary-less brothers & father. Because they are Texas Men. No. (Although one it's well-established Haven is the victim of an abusive marriage. And it's brutal. LK deserves credit for her vomit-inducing first 1/4 of this book. I felt it, I was there, I had a physical reaction.)
-Second the scene in the stairwell, Hardy says "There's a word, Haven, for a woman who does what you're doing." And "Like hell I was pushing you, you wanted it" Congrats Hardy, on being the worst hero ever. ADDING: THIS IS THE MOTHER FUCKING HERO. GIVE ME BACK TEENAGED HARDY CATES, PLEASE. WHO IS THIS STUPID ASSHOLE? To set the scene, they were getting hot & heavy and then of course Haven has a loss of desire and a mild freakout. Good luck recovering in my eyes, you jackass. Editorializing: No woman should be subjected to that judgement ever, because we all know this happens with relative ease. "Oh, I just thought of my grocery list." If you are victim of sexual assault, like so many women, well I guess I don't want the hero implying the survivor is a tease. I wish I was gif-talented, because this deserves a few choice ones.
If I thought it was over, I was sorely mistaken, enter stage right the best friend (MALE):
"You know if a woman's ready, aroused, it's not going to hurt. Especially if the man knows what he's doing, which I have no doubt Hardy does." Again Todd, I think you should definitely tell this woman how sex works for her. That's cool. (Adding):And also, PSA, not necessarily. Thanks and bye.
So what else?
Maybe this isn't as spoiler-y as I thought. But I just didn't get them. Eyes meet at Gage & Liberty's wedding, great stuff happens, then a few years pass and boom they are loving each other. I didn't see any evidence of an actual relationship outside the bedroom save for one thing that he listened to her about.
Or there is the scene where she's drowning in an elevator and Hardy comments no woman would handle it like she did without being hysterical. Oh, swoon. No woman huh?
A lot of things had me thinking, "What is this sexist piece of shit I'm reading." And also, the first 1/4 of the book? I was all for a gentle build in the trust between the characters after Haven's first marriage. I was all for the subtle rescuing from the ambitious hero (who I kind of adored & rooted for at the beginning of Sugar Daddy) what I was not prepared for was a heroine like Haven - I missed my Liberty (fierce & determined & loving as I recall) and the way the story centered her around her character. Haven felt passed from one patriarchal relationship to the next including her HEA. (Oh, right the first 1/4 of the book served very little purpose, we didn't really get to know Haven because of it just what she'd been through and the book may have been much better with little reveals in the relationship pointing us to her traumatic past. Because really, the last 3/4 felt like one incident after another with a whole lotta getting down....
I guess maybe it wasn't that spoiler-heavy....But I'm disappointed. Gage was cool, but otherwise, I am pretty much left with the feeling these are the types of men I'd like to run over. And oh, shit, I didn't even get around to the bullshit drunken rough sex scene.
tell me friends, is the third more of the same?
Oh the mansplaining....
-First the overprotective, boundary-less brothers & father. Because they are Texas Men. No. (Although one it's well-established
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why). I don't know, trust your sister and empower her maybe after her life events (Adding: -Second the scene in the stairwell, Hardy says "There's a word, Haven, for a woman who does what you're doing." And "Like hell I was pushing you, you wanted it" Congrats Hardy, on being the worst hero ever. ADDING: THIS IS THE MOTHER FUCKING HERO. GIVE ME BACK TEENAGED HARDY CATES, PLEASE. WHO IS THIS STUPID ASSHOLE? To set the scene, they were getting hot & heavy and then of course Haven has a loss of desire and a mild freakout. Good luck recovering in my eyes, you jackass. Editorializing: No woman should be subjected to that judgement ever, because we all know this happens with relative ease. "Oh, I just thought of my grocery list." If you are victim of sexual assault, like so many women, well I guess I don't want the hero implying the survivor is a tease. I wish I was gif-talented, because this deserves a few choice ones.
If I thought it was over, I was sorely mistaken, enter stage right the best friend (MALE):
"You know if a woman's ready, aroused, it's not going to hurt. Especially if the man knows what he's doing, which I have no doubt Hardy does." Again Todd, I think you should definitely tell this woman how sex works for her. That's cool. (Adding):And also, PSA, not necessarily. Thanks and bye.
So what else?
Maybe this isn't as spoiler-y as I thought. But I just didn't get them. Eyes meet at Gage & Liberty's wedding, great stuff happens, then a few years pass and boom they are loving each other. I didn't see any evidence of an actual relationship outside the bedroom save for one thing that he listened to her about.
A lot of things had me thinking, "What is this sexist piece of shit I'm reading." And also, the first 1/4 of the book? I was all for a gentle build in the trust between the characters after Haven's first marriage. I was all for the subtle rescuing from the ambitious hero (who I kind of adored & rooted for at the beginning of Sugar Daddy) what I was not prepared for was a heroine like Haven - I missed my Liberty (fierce & determined & loving as I recall) and the way the story centered her around her character. Haven felt passed from one patriarchal relationship to the next including her HEA. (Oh, right the first 1/4 of the book served very little purpose, we didn't really get to know Haven because of it just what she'd been through and the book may have been much better with little reveals in the relationship pointing us to her traumatic past. Because really, the last 3/4 felt like one incident after another with a whole lotta getting down....
I guess maybe it wasn't that spoiler-heavy....But I'm disappointed. Gage was cool, but otherwise, I am pretty much left with the feeling these are the types of men I'd like to run over. And oh, shit, I didn't even get around to the bullshit drunken rough sex scene.
tell me friends, is the third more of the same?
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LibraryThing member LaCello
I love this book! :)
LibraryThing member aapike
I am a fan of Kleypas' historical romances, but I was a little unsure if I would like a contemporary romance by her. But, as soon as I started reading the book, I was engrossed in the characters and the language of the novel. Kleypas is such a fluid writer and gives such depth to each of her
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characters. Even minor characters are developed well. While this novel starts with Haven being in an abusive marriage, it quickly moves on to her recovery and growth in personal strength and identity. When Haven begins to have another relationship, she has to overcome her past experiences and some new hardships. This novel is another splendid read by Kleypas. Show Less
LibraryThing member aznstarlette
Like "Sugar Daddy," "Blue-Eyed Devil" is more women's fiction than romance. However, Kleypas's trademark sensuality and multi-dimensional characters are still present, and so is her ability to turn a villain into a hero.
As the case with good books, I couldn't seem to put this one down until I
Haven finally wakes up to reality and removes herself from her marriage. She begins to attend regular therapy sessions and is starting a new life when she runs into Hardy Cates again. The chemistry is still there, but, understandably, Haven has trouble moving onto another relationship. Ambitious and strong, Hardy has all the usual elements that make Kleypas's heroes so intriguing.
The characters are well-developed, and Kleypas's very real portrayal of abuse adds a greater depth to the story. Hardy's TSTL moment can be forgiven, I think, since he does save Haven multiple times.
I don't normally like first person narratives - I like to read the perspectives of other characters - though Kleypas has a great writing talent that allows me to overlook it. A fantastic and worthwhile read!
As the case with good books, I couldn't seem to put this one down until I
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turned the last page. Haven Travis endures physical, emotional, and psychological abuse at the hands of her husband. This part of her life takes up almost the first half of the novel. She goes through all the cycles of a domestic abuse victim: she doubts herself to the point that she doesn't even think autonomously anymore; her husband's behaviour is rationalized and excused; she blames herself for his actions; and she becomes completely dependent on him. Haven's plight is painful and makes me physically cringe. It's akin to watching a friend or a loved-one go through a dangerous situation but feeling utterly helpless. The whole time I was urging her on and "willing" her to see the proverbial light.Haven finally wakes up to reality and removes herself from her marriage. She begins to attend regular therapy sessions and is starting a new life when she runs into Hardy Cates again. The chemistry is still there, but, understandably, Haven has trouble moving onto another relationship. Ambitious and strong, Hardy has all the usual elements that make Kleypas's heroes so intriguing.
The characters are well-developed, and Kleypas's very real portrayal of abuse adds a greater depth to the story. Hardy's TSTL moment can be forgiven, I think, since he does save Haven multiple times.
I don't normally like first person narratives - I like to read the perspectives of other characters - though Kleypas has a great writing talent that allows me to overlook it. A fantastic and worthwhile read!
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LibraryThing member vegetarianlibrarian
This is Book 2 of the Travis family series, which I have read out of order (I started with Smooth Talking Stranger), but that did not affect my enjoyment at all. This one centers around the girl in the family, Haven, who marries a man her father disapproves of and who quickly turns out to be
I also thought Haven's recovery was convincing - it was slow and she was bristly, but she did it. And she was a little bit aided by Hardy Cates - a roughneck! With a heart of gold. Let the romance commence...
This is a good comfort read which I can see myself reading again on a rainy weekend.
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horrible and abusive. The chapters on the abusive are horrible, if only because you see how her husband was able to slowly defeat her self-confidence and gain total control. I also thought Haven's recovery was convincing - it was slow and she was bristly, but she did it. And she was a little bit aided by Hardy Cates - a roughneck! With a heart of gold. Let the romance commence...
This is a good comfort read which I can see myself reading again on a rainy weekend.
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LibraryThing member hailelib
I've read several of her historical romances and enjoyed them so I thought I'd give this contemporary a try. It was pretty good and I would definitely read another contemporary by Kleypas. Just be warned that the book deals with domestic abuse and its aftermath.
LibraryThing member amf0001
Lisa Kleypas goes to a very hard place. Anytime you describe domestic abuse, especially violent abuse, it's going to press people's buttons - there were cries of why did she stay, it isn't believable, she would never have done that, but that's what every outsider thinks when they look in. It is
Ironically, t he part I had difficulty with was how quickly she managed to find love again. I would have made her work for a year before bumping into Hardy Cates, and I would have found a way for her to grow and fight for herself against the manipulative female boss, and through that experience, be ready for a man in her life. I just felt she went from 'broken' to well too quickly, and she didn't really find her feet as find another strong and this time sane man to lean on.
But I did stay up to 4am (really!) to finish this book so clearly it got it's hooks into me. I enjoyed it and think it's a keepe
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unbelievable, illogical and awful. So Haven, is Gabe sister. Gabe was the hero of Sugar Daddy and this book picks up slmost where the other left off. We open with Gabe and Liberty's wedding and Haven meet's Liberty's ex, the every charming Hardy Cates. However she is already engaged to Nick and off with Nick she goes, not into the sunset, but into a very dark night. I actually believed the abuse and thought Kleypas described it well. With a dominating distant father and a disapproving mother, Haven was an easy mark, desperate to prove how much she loved Nick, and unable, until almost too late, to see w hat was going on. That part I had no problem with.Ironically, t he part I had difficulty with was how quickly she managed to find love again. I would have made her work for a year before bumping into Hardy Cates, and I would have found a way for her to grow and fight for herself against the manipulative female boss, and through that experience, be ready for a man in her life. I just felt she went from 'broken' to well too quickly, and she didn't really find her feet as find another strong and this time sane man to lean on.
But I did stay up to 4am (really!) to finish this book so clearly it got it's hooks into me. I enjoyed it and think it's a keepe
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LibraryThing member ItsDamaris
WOW...
Out of the three books so far in Lisa Kleypas Travises series this is by far my favorite. I am happy that I started reading this series from book three though. If I would have read book one I would have never read the others. I started with Smooth talking stranger, then Sugar daddy and now
I really love the way Lisa Kleypas wrote this book. Everything fell into place and though it was a bit predictable, it was perfect.
Haven falls in love with Nick who asks her to marry him only Nick has not asked her father for her hand in marriage. Haven dances with her father and explains to him or at least tries to that she loves Nick and wants to marry him. Of course the dad disapproves and tells her that if she marries Nick he will cut off her funds and pretty much take her out the will.
Haven decides to take a chance on love and eloped with Nick. She loses touch with her family and moves to Dallas Texas with her new husband. Of course things start out fine, but soon life takes a toll on Nick and he changes with Haven. The things Haven goes through with Nick brought tears to my eyes about five different times while reading this book. Not only was she abused physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. I cried because it is so sad and women go through this all the time. They lose themselves in what they think is love and because of fear.
Some where down the line Haven finally has had enough and decides to reach for help. She goes back home and starts her life over. She meets Hardy, who is in the book Sugar Daddy, and instantly she feels something for him. Because of Hardy’s past though and her past Haven tries to keep her distance. She does not feel she is ready to let another man into her life or even have a little fun with a man.
It is very hard for Haven to get close to Hardy for a while, but Hardy who feels this pull to Haven does not give up even though the family hates him and thinks of him as the enemy. They both learn that they have similar baggage and learn to let go and move on together. I don't think either one of them expected anything to really kick off with one another.
This book can be a true story and a lot of women can relate to this book. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it. It has a little bit of drama, obsession, a little action and love and romance. It is one emotional ride good and bad with a happy ending.
Out of the three books so far in Lisa Kleypas Travises series this is by far my favorite. I am happy that I started reading this series from book three though. If I would have read book one I would have never read the others. I started with Smooth talking stranger, then Sugar daddy and now
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Blue Eyed Devil. I really love the way Lisa Kleypas wrote this book. Everything fell into place and though it was a bit predictable, it was perfect.
Haven falls in love with Nick who asks her to marry him only Nick has not asked her father for her hand in marriage. Haven dances with her father and explains to him or at least tries to that she loves Nick and wants to marry him. Of course the dad disapproves and tells her that if she marries Nick he will cut off her funds and pretty much take her out the will.
Haven decides to take a chance on love and eloped with Nick. She loses touch with her family and moves to Dallas Texas with her new husband. Of course things start out fine, but soon life takes a toll on Nick and he changes with Haven. The things Haven goes through with Nick brought tears to my eyes about five different times while reading this book. Not only was she abused physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. I cried because it is so sad and women go through this all the time. They lose themselves in what they think is love and because of fear.
Some where down the line Haven finally has had enough and decides to reach for help. She goes back home and starts her life over. She meets Hardy, who is in the book Sugar Daddy, and instantly she feels something for him. Because of Hardy’s past though and her past Haven tries to keep her distance. She does not feel she is ready to let another man into her life or even have a little fun with a man.
It is very hard for Haven to get close to Hardy for a while, but Hardy who feels this pull to Haven does not give up even though the family hates him and thinks of him as the enemy. They both learn that they have similar baggage and learn to let go and move on together. I don't think either one of them expected anything to really kick off with one another.
This book can be a true story and a lot of women can relate to this book. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it. It has a little bit of drama, obsession, a little action and love and romance. It is one emotional ride good and bad with a happy ending.
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LibraryThing member michaelaA
this is definately one of my favorite books ever! I've read all three books in the Travis series and I can't believe that Lisa Kleypas wasn't planning on writing a fourth book on Joe!
LibraryThing member ColieCakes
The first part of the story was very engaging, however, I found it to just fall into a typical romance toward the end. Fast read though and pretty enjoyable.
LibraryThing member bhryk0
Haven Travis is surrounded by powerful men; her dad and her brothers. All her life she has struggled to find her niche in the Travis family and more often than not, what Haven wants and chooses, ends up singling her out, or causing a rift.
Such is the case when Haven marries who her family warns her
Haven is a heroine you can really admire and cheer for. She makes some mistakes, owns up to her share and does what she can to better herself. She doesn't make excuses and goes for what she wants. She is a smart and determined young woman that even after getting her spirit stomped on, lifts her chin and keeps on keeping on. I adored her.
Falling for Hardy Cates in Sugar Daddy, I was thrilled to see him matched up with Haven. We finally get some insight into what makes Hardy tick and Lisa Kleypas makes him even more delicious and desirable than he was in the previous book. Considering his appeal broke the loveability scales for this reader, I didn't think it would be possible to like him more, I was wrong.
The exciting sequel to Sugar Daddy did not disappoint at all. I flew through both books this past weekend and was treated two very well rounded and different tales about fabulous characters. There are some frightening and very emotionally challenging moments in this book; a few parts had me holding my breath in shock and shedding some tears. But there was also a lot of humor and the chemistry that smoldered between Hardy and Haven and the witty repartee they treated us to made it all worth while.
This book has easily shot up the ranks to one of my all time favorite reads and it is one I will revisit again and again. Enjoy!
Such is the case when Haven marries who her family warns her
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is the wrong man. Two years later, tail between her legs, Haven comes back to the family after that marriage ends. Coming home with more emotional and physical scars than one woman should carry, she struggles, once again, to find her niche in the Travis family. All that looks to be shaky again when she finds herself falling for Hardy Cates, the Travis family enemy number one.Haven is a heroine you can really admire and cheer for. She makes some mistakes, owns up to her share and does what she can to better herself. She doesn't make excuses and goes for what she wants. She is a smart and determined young woman that even after getting her spirit stomped on, lifts her chin and keeps on keeping on. I adored her.
Falling for Hardy Cates in Sugar Daddy, I was thrilled to see him matched up with Haven. We finally get some insight into what makes Hardy tick and Lisa Kleypas makes him even more delicious and desirable than he was in the previous book. Considering his appeal broke the loveability scales for this reader, I didn't think it would be possible to like him more, I was wrong.
The exciting sequel to Sugar Daddy did not disappoint at all. I flew through both books this past weekend and was treated two very well rounded and different tales about fabulous characters. There are some frightening and very emotionally challenging moments in this book; a few parts had me holding my breath in shock and shedding some tears. But there was also a lot of humor and the chemistry that smoldered between Hardy and Haven and the witty repartee they treated us to made it all worth while.
This book has easily shot up the ranks to one of my all time favorite reads and it is one I will revisit again and again. Enjoy!
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LibraryThing member rainrunner
I am very familiar with the effects narcissism personality disorder can have on a person. I had no idea that this book had a narcissist and his victim as characters. I was quite awed by Kleypas's descriptions of the behaviors of not only the narcissist, but the victim. Her research on this subject
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was quite thorough. Show Less
LibraryThing member dkthain
I had been looking forward to this one so much that I decided to do a different kind of review. This one is done in 'real time'
Well, I’m 102 pages into Blue Eyed Devil so far and whew has it punched me in the gut so far! This one, like Sugar Daddy is told in the first person rather than in the
This book is told by Haven Travis, Sugar Daddy Gage’s sister. It starts out with a bang as Haven mistakes Hardy, the hero/anti hero who didn’t get the girl in Sugar Daddy, for her boyfriend Nick in the wine cellar at Gage and Liberty’s wedding. She turns out the lights and kisses him only to discover much to her dismay that she has just locked lips with her family’s enemy. Although gob smacked by the kiss they share, she still goes on to marry her boyfriend.
This is where the book starts punching me in the gut. Nick, you see, is an abuser. Ms Kleypas (or I guess I should call her author Lisa) details it one step at a time how Haven is slowly stripped, one piece at a time, of her very self. It’s powerful, it’s real, it’s heartbreaking and it’s very believable! It’s superb!! Just the other day I read on DA that many romance books don’t tackle real life issues – which some authors just skim over tough issues. Not so this one.
But I’ve got past that part and now Haven is just starting to reclaim her life back – scarred and different, but she is on the road to recovery.
I have to take a break – one for relief and also ‘cause I’m having company and I have to get ready. But let me say, I am ITCHING to get back to this book!!!!
I managed to get a few pages in before company came. I’m at the part where she runs into Hardy at the bar! So what the heck am I doing writing this instead of reading more of the book?!?!?! I don’t know – except to say Haven has herself between a rock and a hard place with her new boss. Now – back to reading!
I’m on a bit of a break time but I’m anxious to get back to the book but I stopped here to write a bit more. I am loving this book! Haven and Hardy have reconnected and not wanting to say too much and spoil it for everyone – Haven is very conflicted at the moment. She’s still very emotionally damaged, yet she is very attracted to Hardy – and it seems vice versa. And her brother Jack who’s also her boss isn’t to happy at the moment that they are contact with each other.
Now – back to the book!
I had to take a dinner break – It was tough letting this book go I tell you! I’m over halfway done now and Hardy has entered Haven’s life with a bang. I don’t know Texas men at all, but if they are like Hardy – well – you lucky Texan women. He is one mighty fine hero. He’s after Haven and he ain’t takin’ no for an answer. Can I say I like that in a guy? She’s interested too, but she has a lot of baggage. What I’m really liking is the banter between them. It’s cute and it’s funny and it’s making me chuckle. And I hate, hate, hate her boss. Luckily I’ve never been faced with workplace harassment but I’m feeling for Haven. Her brothers though are bossy and adorable. If I had brothers like them I’d want to hug them, then brain them, then hug them again. They clearly love their little sister. And I like that we get to see Gage and Liberty again. They are integral to it but they aren’t overwhelming the story. But I have to get back the book now. Someone from her past has just made an appearance and I need to read what happens!
She made it through that, but I have a feeling it’s not the last we are going to see of this person. I’m headed to bed – to read so this will be my last ‘thought’ for the night. But once again Hardy - *shiver*. He’s just saved Haven’s life and then turned her down for a night of hawt lovin’ ‘cause he thinks that she’s not in the right frame of mind and doesn’t want gratitude sex. I love it when a hero does this!
Well – I finished it and I just had to turn the computer back on.
I’ll say this right off the bat. This one’s a fiver. At the end of Sugar Daddy – for those who haven’t read SD yet – read no further – Hardy did a pretty rotten thing to Liberty and Gage. One would think him unsalvageable at that point but Writer Lisa has a way of turning not so good guys into terrific good guys. She did it with Derek Craven. She did it with Sebastian St. Vincent. She did it with Nick Gentry. And she has done it with Hardy Cates. He is one heck of a good guy in the end, even if he did have a TSTL moment – the kind we usually equate with heroines. But she made me believe in the reason why he did. Now as wonderful and terrific Hardy is, because this is written in the first person, the one who we feel the most for is Haven Travis. Ms. Kleypas takes us on a wonderful and totally believable journey with Haven from a beaten down, unsure of her own thoughts woman to one who at the end of the book is strong, capable and ready to take on the world. This is really her story and a wonderful one it is. And for anyone wondering – yes this one is nice and steamy – very steamy.
For all those anxiously waiting for this book – for me the payoff is worth it. I loved it!
~~~~~~~~~~~
OK – now it’s the next day and I’ve had time to ponder and absorb this book. I’ve been dwelling on it all morning now and I reiterate what I said earlier. Ms. Kleypas takes a real life issue and deals with it realistically. Although the book is told from Haven’s point of view only, she manages to make Hardy a real, larger than life character and we don’t even miss not seeing his point of view. He had his flaws – we saw that from Sugar Daddy, but by the end of the book we sympathize with and cheer for him. For those who loved Sugar Daddy, I’m thinking you will love Blue Eyed Devil just as much if not more.
Well, I’m 102 pages into Blue Eyed Devil so far and whew has it punched me in the gut so far! This one, like Sugar Daddy is told in the first person rather than in the
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third person. While I didn’t used to like this style, the Stephanie Plum books softened me up and as you may (or may not) remember I loved Sugar Daddy.This book is told by Haven Travis, Sugar Daddy Gage’s sister. It starts out with a bang as Haven mistakes Hardy, the hero/anti hero who didn’t get the girl in Sugar Daddy, for her boyfriend Nick in the wine cellar at Gage and Liberty’s wedding. She turns out the lights and kisses him only to discover much to her dismay that she has just locked lips with her family’s enemy. Although gob smacked by the kiss they share, she still goes on to marry her boyfriend.
This is where the book starts punching me in the gut. Nick, you see, is an abuser. Ms Kleypas (or I guess I should call her author Lisa) details it one step at a time how Haven is slowly stripped, one piece at a time, of her very self. It’s powerful, it’s real, it’s heartbreaking and it’s very believable! It’s superb!! Just the other day I read on DA that many romance books don’t tackle real life issues – which some authors just skim over tough issues. Not so this one.
But I’ve got past that part and now Haven is just starting to reclaim her life back – scarred and different, but she is on the road to recovery.
I have to take a break – one for relief and also ‘cause I’m having company and I have to get ready. But let me say, I am ITCHING to get back to this book!!!!
I managed to get a few pages in before company came. I’m at the part where she runs into Hardy at the bar! So what the heck am I doing writing this instead of reading more of the book?!?!?! I don’t know – except to say Haven has herself between a rock and a hard place with her new boss. Now – back to reading!
I’m on a bit of a break time but I’m anxious to get back to the book but I stopped here to write a bit more. I am loving this book! Haven and Hardy have reconnected and not wanting to say too much and spoil it for everyone – Haven is very conflicted at the moment. She’s still very emotionally damaged, yet she is very attracted to Hardy – and it seems vice versa. And her brother Jack who’s also her boss isn’t to happy at the moment that they are contact with each other.
Now – back to the book!
I had to take a dinner break – It was tough letting this book go I tell you! I’m over halfway done now and Hardy has entered Haven’s life with a bang. I don’t know Texas men at all, but if they are like Hardy – well – you lucky Texan women. He is one mighty fine hero. He’s after Haven and he ain’t takin’ no for an answer. Can I say I like that in a guy? She’s interested too, but she has a lot of baggage. What I’m really liking is the banter between them. It’s cute and it’s funny and it’s making me chuckle. And I hate, hate, hate her boss. Luckily I’ve never been faced with workplace harassment but I’m feeling for Haven. Her brothers though are bossy and adorable. If I had brothers like them I’d want to hug them, then brain them, then hug them again. They clearly love their little sister. And I like that we get to see Gage and Liberty again. They are integral to it but they aren’t overwhelming the story. But I have to get back the book now. Someone from her past has just made an appearance and I need to read what happens!
She made it through that, but I have a feeling it’s not the last we are going to see of this person. I’m headed to bed – to read so this will be my last ‘thought’ for the night. But once again Hardy - *shiver*. He’s just saved Haven’s life and then turned her down for a night of hawt lovin’ ‘cause he thinks that she’s not in the right frame of mind and doesn’t want gratitude sex. I love it when a hero does this!
Well – I finished it and I just had to turn the computer back on.
I’ll say this right off the bat. This one’s a fiver. At the end of Sugar Daddy – for those who haven’t read SD yet – read no further – Hardy did a pretty rotten thing to Liberty and Gage. One would think him unsalvageable at that point but Writer Lisa has a way of turning not so good guys into terrific good guys. She did it with Derek Craven. She did it with Sebastian St. Vincent. She did it with Nick Gentry. And she has done it with Hardy Cates. He is one heck of a good guy in the end, even if he did have a TSTL moment – the kind we usually equate with heroines. But she made me believe in the reason why he did. Now as wonderful and terrific Hardy is, because this is written in the first person, the one who we feel the most for is Haven Travis. Ms. Kleypas takes us on a wonderful and totally believable journey with Haven from a beaten down, unsure of her own thoughts woman to one who at the end of the book is strong, capable and ready to take on the world. This is really her story and a wonderful one it is. And for anyone wondering – yes this one is nice and steamy – very steamy.
For all those anxiously waiting for this book – for me the payoff is worth it. I loved it!
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OK – now it’s the next day and I’ve had time to ponder and absorb this book. I’ve been dwelling on it all morning now and I reiterate what I said earlier. Ms. Kleypas takes a real life issue and deals with it realistically. Although the book is told from Haven’s point of view only, she manages to make Hardy a real, larger than life character and we don’t even miss not seeing his point of view. He had his flaws – we saw that from Sugar Daddy, but by the end of the book we sympathize with and cheer for him. For those who loved Sugar Daddy, I’m thinking you will love Blue Eyed Devil just as much if not more.
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LibraryThing member DamarisGCR
WOW... Out of the three books so far in Lisa Kleypas Travises series this is by far my favorite. I am happy that I started reading this series from book three though. If I would have read book one I would have never read the others. I started with Smooth talking stranger, then Sugar daddy and now
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Blue Eyed Devil. I really love the way Lisa Kleypas wrote this book. Everything fell into place and though it was a bit predictable, it was perfect. Haven falls in love with Nick who asks her to marry him only Nick has not asked her father for her hand in marriage. Haven dances with her father and explains to him or at least tries to that she loves Nick and wants to marry him. Of course the dad disapproves and tells her that if she marries Nick he will cut off her funds and pretty much take her out the will. Haven decides to take a chance on love and eloped with Nick. She loses touch with her family and moves to Dallas Texas with her new husband. Of course things start out fine, but soon life takes a toll on Nick and he changes with Haven. The things Haven goes through with Nick brought tears to my eyes about five different times while reading this book. Not only was she abused physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. I cried because it is so sad and women go through this all the time. They lose themselves in what they think is love and because of fear. Some where down the line Haven finally has had enough and decides to reach for help. She goes back home and starts her life over. She meets Hardy, who is in the book Sugar Daddy, and instantly she feels something for him. Because of Hardy’s past though and her past Haven tries to keep her distance. She does not feel she is ready to let another man into her life or even have a little fun with a man. It is very hard for Haven to get close to Hardy for a while, but Hardy who feels this pull to Haven does not give up even though the family hates him and thinks of him as the enemy. They both learn that they have similar baggage and learn to let go and move on together. I don't think either one of them expected anything to really kick off with one another. This book can be a true story and a lot of women can relate to this book. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it. It has a little bit of drama, obsession, a little action and love and romance. It is one emotional ride good and bad with a happy ending. Show Less
LibraryThing member retlibrary
Hated the whiney, inadequate heroine who allows herself to be abused despite having had all the advantages in life. Kleypas tries unsuccessfully to justify this woman's weakness, but it was not convincing--just irritating. She was not at all likable. This is the first Kleypas book I've read and
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will likely be the last. There are too many other writers presenting strong, intelligent, independent women. If this is a typical Kleypas protagonist, all her books must be maudline and trite. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kaetrin
Both the book and the audiobook (narrated by Renee Raudman) are excellent. I loved it when I read it and I loved it when I listened. I do like when Hardy rumbled that there's not gonna be enough left of scumbag Nick to fill a matchbox. Excellent narration. Excellent story.
LibraryThing member phyllisd
Labeled as a contemporary romance, I feel a better classification is women's fiction. The characterization of the behavior of the ex-husband and the discussions between Haven and her therapist were very thought-provoking. I thought the portrayal of her recovery was very realistic. And the romance
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with Hardy was everything that a good romance should be. Excellent read. Show Less
LibraryThing member wirtley
Suspenseful. The main character totally draws you in to her story. A very rich woman decides to marry a man against the wishes of her family. She is cut off from the family fortune. Her new husband is very abusive. She escapes. She begins working for her brother. She sees a new man and begins
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falling in love with him. There are trials and her family is against the new man as well. Enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member lrobe190
Haven Travis is the only girl in the wealthy influential Travis family. Against her family's wishes, she marries Nick, someone she met at college. When Nick turns out to be an abuser, she returns to her family, feeling ashamed. Her family loves her and helps her try to recover from the devastation
Haven and Hardy are both stong-willed and the romance between them is hot. It's fun to meet characters from Kleypas' former novel, "Sugar Daddy". I wonder if we'll see more of the Travis family in future novels. A great, entertaining read.
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of the experience. Then she meets Hardy Cates, a rough-neck oil man from a poor family who has made his fortune the hard way. Hardy helps Haven learn to trust men again, but Hardy has demons of his own and when Nick returns to Haven's life, she has to stand up to him on her own.Haven and Hardy are both stong-willed and the romance between them is hot. It's fun to meet characters from Kleypas' former novel, "Sugar Daddy". I wonder if we'll see more of the Travis family in future novels. A great, entertaining read.
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LibraryThing member gogglemiss
Good storyline, but I could have strangled Haven for staying so long with her abusive husband, Nick. Being a rich girl, she should have been more assertive.
LibraryThing member mrsdanaalbasha
[Saturday, April 06, 2013] I started reading the book yesterday evening and I wanted to KILL Haven! I can't believe she let that asshole of a husband treat her this way for so long! He abused her body and soul! I was on fire with anger till chapter 6, and that's when I fell asleep, I hope
[Wednesday, April 17, 2013] I really liked the book, but I didn't like how Haven had dealt with so many things, I mean she is from a rich strong family, I would have sent someone to knock my ex around until he forgot my name, and as for her manager, she shouldn't have stayed silent, her brother owns the company... good story but I wanted Haven to act differently. Hardy Cates is so hot, I like him very much.
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the book turns into a more positive track. Her husband reminded me of someone I would rather forget, a true monster. All I wonder about is how she will retrieve her aunt's charms bracelet. I hope the series carries on to Carrington and Joe.[Wednesday, April 17, 2013] I really liked the book, but I didn't like how Haven had dealt with so many things, I mean she is from a rich strong family, I would have sent someone to knock my ex around until he forgot my name, and as for her manager, she shouldn't have stayed silent, her brother owns the company... good story but I wanted Haven to act differently. Hardy Cates is so hot, I like him very much.
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LibraryThing member thtlam
This was the first book that introduced me to Lisa Kleypas and lets just say she made me a fan. At that time I didn't know the Blue-Eyed Devil was book 2 in the Travis Family but it was recommended to me by a friend so I checked it out of the library. I was literally blown away by her writing. On
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the surface the plot was the typical tall dark and handsome guy meets hurt and scarred girl. It has been repeated by so many authors but don't let that fool you, this story is so much more than what you see on the surface. Both Hardy and Haven are complicated people with scarred past who were able to move past that. I think this was a very difficult subject to write but Mrs. Kleypas weave it into a beautiful love story that was believable. Show Less
LibraryThing member Anna_Erishkigal
I have mixed feelings about this book, so I will break it down what I liked and didn't like, and then you can make your own decisions as to whether it's a recommended read.
What I liked whenever Travis and Hardy were together, the story flowed. There was nice chemistry between these two, and the
What was 'meh' - this book delved deeply into the psyche of a battered woman. As somebody who works with battered women a lot in her 'day job' I have to say every bit of research the author did into how a narcisstic batterer lures in, and then slowly breaks down, the psyche of their love interest was accurate. If you are somebody who has teetered at the brink of being battered yourself, consider this a must read because you will see yourself in these pages. If this were a psychology or treatment textbook, or a case-study of a battered woman, it would be worthy of 5 stars. Why, then, do I consider this portion of the book to be only 2-star worthy?
The author is an exceptionally talented writer, but this portion of the book (almost half of it) was nearly 100% telling and no showing. This is a work of fiction, not a non-fiction treatise on the psyche of battered women, and at no time did I feel that I was walking in Travis's shoes. I don't know if this is because the author has never actually been in such a situation and therefore was unable to take that last step into hell to make us feel what Travis felt as she lived through it? Or if perhaps she has lived through it and still teeters at that point of healing all domestic violence victims reach where they can flatly state 'this happened to me' but are not yet ready to deal with those issues on an emotional level. Whatever the reason, although I felt sorry for Travis as she lived through these things, at no time was I ever able to completely empathize with her or get into her head.
Overall, as a work of fiction and a romance novel I am going to give this book 3 stars, but if you are yourself healing from a domestic violence situation, then consider this book a 5-star book because as a quasi-fiction DV case study it is likely just what you need to read to feel as though you are not alone.
3 Stars
What I liked whenever Travis and Hardy were together, the story flowed. There was nice chemistry between these two, and the
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writing, and descriptive prose, and the supporting characters were all well done. That part, I give 4 stars.What was 'meh' - this book delved deeply into the psyche of a battered woman. As somebody who works with battered women a lot in her 'day job' I have to say every bit of research the author did into how a narcisstic batterer lures in, and then slowly breaks down, the psyche of their love interest was accurate. If you are somebody who has teetered at the brink of being battered yourself, consider this a must read because you will see yourself in these pages. If this were a psychology or treatment textbook, or a case-study of a battered woman, it would be worthy of 5 stars. Why, then, do I consider this portion of the book to be only 2-star worthy?
The author is an exceptionally talented writer, but this portion of the book (almost half of it) was nearly 100% telling and no showing. This is a work of fiction, not a non-fiction treatise on the psyche of battered women, and at no time did I feel that I was walking in Travis's shoes. I don't know if this is because the author has never actually been in such a situation and therefore was unable to take that last step into hell to make us feel what Travis felt as she lived through it? Or if perhaps she has lived through it and still teeters at that point of healing all domestic violence victims reach where they can flatly state 'this happened to me' but are not yet ready to deal with those issues on an emotional level. Whatever the reason, although I felt sorry for Travis as she lived through these things, at no time was I ever able to completely empathize with her or get into her head.
Overall, as a work of fiction and a romance novel I am going to give this book 3 stars, but if you are yourself healing from a domestic violence situation, then consider this book a 5-star book because as a quasi-fiction DV case study it is likely just what you need to read to feel as though you are not alone.
3 Stars
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LibraryThing member JudithDCollins
"Awesome! Great author - leaves you wanting more and could not put it down! A must summer read!"
LibraryThing member Dawn772
I listened to audio version of this story having read it four years ago and it's still as good as I remember. It deals with a serious issue and made me think about the amount of abuse a victim endures. Haven is attracted to Travis during a chance encounter at her brothers wedding.
Subjects
Awards
AAR Annual Reader Poll (2009)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008-03-25
Physical description
352 p.; 9.46 inches
ISBN
1597378615 / 9781597378611