Four young women were labeled wallflowers during a previous season so now, they've banded together and set into motion a plan to help each other find husbands. In this second book of the series, it is Lillian Bowman's turn -- but it is unclear who the wallflowers should set their sights on or the plan of action. But then, Lillian and her family along with the other wallflowers are invited to Stony Cross Park the home of Marcus, Lord Westcliff for a house party.

Lord Westcliff can be a domineering, manipulate, and he has an annoying belief in his own infallibility. Lillian believes Westcliff is the most arrogant man in England.

In Lord Westcliff's opinion, the Bowman sisters are the embodiment of the objective trend of American heiresses coming to England to husband hunt. He believes that they are graceless, loud, self important young women who are trying to purchase a peer with their parent's money. He seems to forget that both of his sisters are married to Americans. He also thinks that Lillian, herself is the most opinionated, stubborn hellion he has ever had the unfortunate pleasure to meet.

When by chance these two are thrown together the sparks fly. They can not believe the physical attraction they feel for each other. Lord Westcliff wants to control Lillian and Lillian is just as determined to be independent and put Westcliff in his place.

This is a delicious love story that has it all romance, passion and humor.

I love Lisa Kleypas's books and have read them all and this is one of her best. The characters are well developed, the story flows, and the dialog is wonderful. Not only do the characters from "Secrets of a Summers Night" appear in this story, so do some from her early book "Again the Magic". I read so many books that sometime I forget what is going on in a particular series. Ms. Kleypas has done an excellent job explaining the history of her characters and how they intertwine from her early books without being boring or tiresome. I really hate when authors/publishers waits a year in between books, and then spend half the next book repeating what went on in the previous book or they don't explain at all and you have to go pull the previous book to see what is going on. Best of all we are only having to wait a few month for each book in the series and not years. This book is well worth the price and I would recommend it whole heartily. The third book DEVIL IN WINTER is scheduled for release December 2005, and I will be one of the first in line to purchase it.

Book Summary

Four young ladies enter London society with one necessary goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband. So they band together, and a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.

It Happened at the Ball...

Where beautiful but bold Lillian Bowman quickly learned that her independent American ways weren't entirely "the thing." And the most disapproving of all was insufferable, snobbish, and impossible Marcus, Lord Westcliff, London's most eligible aristocrat.

It Happened in the Garden...

When Marcus shockingly -- and dangerously–swept her into his arms. Lillian was overcome with a consuming passion for a man she didn't even like. Time stood still; it was as if no one else existed…thank goodness they weren't caught very nearly in the act!

It Happened One Autumn...

Marcus was a man in charge of his own emotions, a bedrock of stability. But with Lillian, every touch was exquisite torture, every kiss an enticement for more. Yet how could he consider taking a woman so blatantly unsuitable... as his bride?