The Pleasures and Perils of Being a Hathaway

Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas
Series: The Hathaways #1
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: October 2, 2007
Source/Format: Bought || Kindle e-book

Reading a historical romance from Lisa Kleypas is like coming home. This is certainly the case with Mine Till Midnight, the first in the series about the Hathaways. I was charmed to no end by the Hathaway siblings. Their personalities are so different, making it easy to tell them apart, but their love and loyalty to one another is so, so strong. This novel is definitely the best way to first make their acquaintance! This story focuses on the eldest sister, Amelia. She's the mother hen of the group, especially after their parents died and their brother started acting out. Her sense of responsibility, her genuine love and concern and her obsession with managing the things around her made her endearing; her vulnerability made her relatable. It isn't until she meets the dashing Cam Rohan that she starts to loosen up a little bit, and allows other people to be her shoulder to lean on. Cam is, without a doubt, a wonderful guy. He's mysterious (it's his Gypsy nature), well-meaning and just really appealing. (You may remember him from the Wallflowers series!) It was really fun to read this one, as it's filled with humor, banter and swoon in spades. I loved watching Cam and Amelia's love story unfold, loved all the cameos (yes, there are familiar faces in this one!) and just loved seeing the Hathaways adjust to their new circumstances. It's a really great story to kick this series off!

Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas

Series: The Hathaways #2

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: April 1, 2010

Source/Format: Bought || Kindle e-book

What I love most about Seduce Me at Sunrise is that there is history behind Win Hathaway and Kev Merripen's relationship already. They've known each other for most of their lives, and there has always been an undeniable gravity that pulls them together. But, because of their own limitations (Win's frail condition and Merripen's personal demons), they haven't allowed anything to grow between them. The uniqueness of their circumstances is what makes this novel so utterly delightful to read. I was immediately rooting for them to get over all the hurdles in their way and finally be together. In addition to their romance, readers will enjoy getting to learn more about gypsy culture and the fun familial antics that are all a part of the eccentricities of the Hathaway siblings. I really enjoyed this one, particularly because I love Win as a character and because I love the sense of "meant to be" that characterizes her relationship with Merripen.

Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas

Series: The Hathaways #3

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: April 1, 2010

Source/Format: Bought || Kindle e-book

One of my favorite romance tropes is the hate-to-love relationship, and I truly believe Lisa Kleypas has the magical ability to tell that story. (You can find proof here and here.) That's the type of romance that is written about in Tempt Me at Twilight, which is the story of Poppy Hathaway and Harry Rutledge. I love that they have the most unlikely beginning, which is fitting considering neither one of them is very ordinary to begin with. Both of them are smart, stubborn, strong individuals; both of them have a deep yearning for someone to share their vulnerabilities with. The novel focuses heavily on their romance as a married couple, a circumstance that is difficult for them both since they can't trust each other enough to bare their hearts completely. I loved, loved, loved watching Harry and Poppy learn to understand each other. They eventually realize that they truly love one another, and it is one of the most beautiful moments (well, two, since they realize at different times) in the entire series. It might sound like this story is all serious and emotional; while it is, it also has enough comical antics from the rest of the Hathaways to make things a little bit lighter. I loved this one, and it definitely comes close to being my favorite (though it doesn't quite beat out my actual favorite...)

Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas

Series: The Hathaways #4

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: May 25, 2010

Source/Format: Bought || Kindle e-book

I've actually talked about this one before, but I figured it would make sense to discuss my impressions of Married by Morning after my reread. I still enjoyed the banter between Leo and Catherine a whole lot, and they definitely make sense as a couple. But I didn't wind up loving this one as much as the others. I'm not sure if it's because I wasn't particularly invested in either character (though I do harbor affection for both), or because it didn't make me swoon as much as it did the first time. Either way, I still found this one to be a fun addition to the series, and I loved the presence of all the other Hathaways + significant others that I've come to love.

Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas

Series: The Hathaways #5

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: June 29, 2010

Source/Format: Bought || Kindle e-book

I can declare that Love in the Afternoon is my favorite of this entire series. It feels even truer after having reread this story and fallen in love all over again with Christopher and Beatrix and their romance. I've gushed about it before (and predicted it would be my favorite), and everything I said before is still true. Beatrix has charming eccentricities that made her a beloved friend to me, even before this novel; Christopher was a revelation, and I couldn't help falling head over heels in love with the gruff exterior and wounded, vulnerable interior of his character all over again. The letters, the initial unexpected circumstances in which they encounter one another - they're enough to make a girl giggle and swoon and yearn. And when they finally admit their feelings to each other, it's absolutely wonderful. I really loved this story, these characters, this romance, and would happily revisit it all over again someday.