Falling for You • It Happened One Autumn

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
Series: Wallflowers #2
Previous Book: Secrets of a Summer Night
Publisher: Avon Romance
Publication Date: October 13, 2009
Source/Format: Bought || Kindle e-book

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?

When we last left the Wallflowers, Annabelle Peyton(the eldest) had found happiness with Simon Hunt. The next in line for matchmaking was Lillian Bowman - and It Happened One Autumn tells her love story. 

Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. The story drew me in completely, as much as the first book had. There were moments that had me howling with laughter, sighing with sympathy and in tears over the predicament the characters were facing. Lisa tells it beautifully, as always, with vivid images and turns of phrase. 

We see the reappearance of the Wallflowers and other people from the first book, but what really had me captivated were our two main characters - Lillian and Marcus, Lord Westcliff. 

I love Lillian! She's loud, irreverent, brash, opinionated, intelligent, stubborn and just generally enjoys having a good time. I love how she finds it an utter nuisance that the people in England can't seem to accept her for who she is, and how she does her best to fit in without compromising her personality. She's always up to one scheme or another and I love how quickly her thoughts and plans race along in this book. 

Westcliff, on the other hand, had redeemed himself in the first book, and I enjoyed getting to know him better. We get a chance to his more sensitive side, the playful side and we all (I'm assuming anyone who's read this when I saw it) end up liking him far more than we expected. He's the head of the household, he's strong and brave and he's the perfect romantic hero. When he was going out of his wits trying to find Lillian (towards the end of the book, if you haven't read it), I couldn't help but sigh and swoon at his determination and his insane need to have her be alright. 

Though they may have started out as opponents, I love how Kleypas weaves the story so that it's believable when their hatred turns to begrudging respect turns to like turns to love. We get to watch Lillian and Westcliff overcome the prejudices they have against each other, which is a beautiful journey in itself. 

That having been said, It Happened One Autumn ends on a note that had me completely intrigued by what would happen in the next installment, Devil in Winter. It's a great read, and I liked it better than the first book (or maybe just equal to the first book) and I recommend it for romance fans.