Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers, Book 1)
by Lisa Kleypas
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Book Summary Information
Author: Lisa KleypasEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-10-26
ISBN: 0060091290
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Avon
Book Reviews of Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers, Book 1)
Book Review: Beautiful romance about struggling with England's class system
Summary: 5 Stars
This beautiful book shows up all the craziness of high class society in nineteenth century England, and just what it takes for a person to overcome the rules they've been brought up to believe in. The first book in a series, we meet four young women whose only job in life is to marry well - four women who have little hope of ever achieving that, for one reason or another. Secrets of a Summer Night tells us Annabelle Peyton's story. By the backwards attitudes of the time, she's almost without hope - almost twenty-five, no dowry, and from a family still clinging to upper class British snobbery while the world is changing and 'socially unacceptable' newcomers are finding fortune where the snobs are not. Annabelle's struggle to reconcile her love for a 'nobody' with the terrible expectations placed upon her makes for a wonderful book. Some readers have expressed their difficulty identifying with Annabelle, but the story is so appropriate for the time period and the society she was being to forced to fit herself into. I loved the relationship between Annabelle and Simon Hunt, and I thought it was wonderful how they found their way to each other.
Annabelle has no money. She literally cannot afford new shoes, or decent food. Her mother is sleeping with a revolting man just to have some of their bills paid. The British aristocracy is basically crumbling, with debt and huge families meaning often the glamour of their lifestyles is just an illusion. Despite being beautiful and desired, the best offers Annabelle receives are to become a mistress; without a dowry there are no wedding proposals, not even after years of `working' for them. Nobody wants her as a wife. Simon has been in love with her for years, but as a man who made his own money he's never going to be truly accepted into society - though he's far richer than just about anybody else. He's spent the years waiting in the background, knowing Annabelle could be his soon.
I loved the way Annabelle and Simon's relationship developed. I loved the small things he did for her, and the way he allowed her to have a chance at marriage to another man, thinking of what was best for her. I loved the way she finally gave in - even though she was about to get everything she was told she wanted, she couldn't go through with it because she wanted Simon more.
I also appreciated the way Simon's best friend - Marcus, Lord Westcliff - took his time coming around to see the situation from anybody's point of view but his own. It was realistic. This titled snob can't stand any of the unmarried young women he associates with, thinking they're only out for money. It's easy for him to be that way - he's got money and power - and he's a MAN - he was never going to be in such a terrible position as these women. I think Lisa Kleypas painted a realistic picture of the hypocrisy of British society at the time.
I have read that some people had trouble with Annabelle's attitude, but for me the author got it right. So many historical romances just gloss over the class issues to make the 'marrying up or down' story seem like Cinderella or something. The thing is, that's not how it was then and, in certain British circles, that's not how it is now. Just look at how India's caste system still runs Indian society today. Living in a modern egalitarian society it may be hard to picture, but Annabelle was raised to be a self-important snob - as were all the other people she associated with - and the fact she learnt to change her attitudes was an incredible achievement for her character. I especially loved her honeymoon in Paris, where she realised for the first time London wasn't the centre of the universe. I loved how surprised she was to discover French food and arts and everything else, and to discover that the entire world didn't look up to the English aristocracy as the only thing that mattered. Annabelle's learning curve and character transformation was enormous for someone in her position.
Lisa Kleypas does an excellent job with intimate relationships between her characters. Annabelle and Simon's wedding night was so good because it was realistic. The experiences aren't idealised - you believe they really could have happened. These scenes should teach you something about the characters, and you should see the way they are changing. I think we definitely saw the story progress through those scenes in this book - each one of them meant something for the story; they weren't just there for the sake of it.
The naughty, naughty author used 'gotten' again. Why does she insist on doing that when she's so careful about accuracy the rest of the time?!
The ending took me by surprise, but I liked it. It was a good way for the conflicts between Annabelle and Simon and Marcus and the families to be resolved. I also loved that the story was concluded in a satisfactory way, while also leaving you wanting more for the other `Wallflowers'. The antics between Annabelle and her wallflower friends, and between Annabelle and Simon had me smiling and laughing, just as the moments where it seemed like there was no hope made me want to cry. This book was wonderful, and kept me up very late at night!
Summary of Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers, Book 1)
Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband.So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.
Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing?and persistent?admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition . . . but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.
Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon?and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses . . . and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.
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