Again the Magic

There are several plot summaries here so I will just give my review: I am a huge fan of Lisa Kleypas and this book is one of my favorites. I couldn't put this book down. I began it late one night before going to bed and ended up staying up most of the night until the book was finished! The story of Aline and McKenna was interesting and in-depth and the characters were well developed. I do understand people's dislike of the side story Aline's sister, Olivia, and her marriage to an American, Gideon Shaw. In most cases I don't like it when there is a romantic subplot, but, in this case it worked for me. Olivia's story was too small for a story of its own and seemed to work in coincidence with Aline's story. I thought the Aline's growing up and acceptance lead way for Olivia to do the same. Gideon Shaw's, flawed character was likable. Olivia's story did seem a little rushed towards the end of the book, however, and that comes when you have two smaller plots happening in one novel. I also love how this book leads into the Wallflower series where we get to see what happens to Aline and Olivia's brother Marcus!

Setting - Hampshire, England, 1832 --- Neglected by her aristocratic parents it wasn't surprising when the daughter of the house, Lady Aline Marsden would seek out a friend amongst the servants, and so, she and the young stable boy, John McKenna become bosom friends. As they grew older the childhood closeness they shared turned to a sensual desire of a love that they both knew could never be -even if they dreamed otherwise. When their growing attachment was revealed to the Earl, her father threatened Aline with plans to destroy McKenna if she didn't break it off permanently. Knowing the heartlessness of her father, Aline told McKenna the lies that she knew would send him away and never return - all the while breaking her own heart as she was forced to break his. Twelve years later, McKenna, wealthy and successful beyond belief has returned to exact retribution on the woman that spurned his love and lowly status so many years before. His plans were to seduce and then abandon her, hopefully leaving a remnant of the `bastard' she had spurned. Nursing his hatred for all those years, he was not at all prepared once he saw her again for the flame of passion that still burned in his heart - not of vengeance but of a love that had never died. Try as he might, McKenna was kept in the dark as he did his best to discover the secrets Aline kept, both of the supposed `sickness' that had befallen her and of the lies she'd been forced to tell. In a spine tingling, climax that will have your heart in your throat, Aline would have to confront her greatest fear and trust that the love she still felt for McKenna would hold true and that the love he'd once felt for her hadn't been completely destroyed. A love that that still burned brightly and defied all time. I know when I pick up a Kleypas novel that I will find another of her very powerful, and sensually filled romantic love stories and once more with, AGAIN THE MAGIC, she has captivated me again. This had not only one, but two very distinct and totally different romances, both featuring characters with overriding obstacles to overcome that were blended beautifully together. Kleypas has a gift for creating characters that simply are so real and multi-faceted that the reader cannot help but become emotionally involved with the many passions and moods her eloquence with the written word creates. She has once again whetted my appetite, and now, I suppose I am going to have to faithfully wait for what I hope will be her next book featuring, Aline and Livia's brother Marcus' story. A warning must be given though, not to start any of her books late in the day, as this one again proved to be one I simply could not put down until finished! When it comes to writing in the historical romance genre - Kleypas proves once more she is the 'Master of this Game'!... --- Marilyn Rondeau, (...)

I like Kleypas. I haven't read one of her books that didn't thrill me to the point of searching out the shelves for another by her. And this book is no different. I like a hero with a vengence. A purposeful vengence mind you. I hate the books that have a plot based on micommunication between the characters. Dramatic irony belongs in Shakespeare. McKenna has a reason to be angry with Aline. Though he thinks she sent him away the real issue is his inability to think of himself as worthy of her or of his new status. His anger and apprehension both are believable. And I really like to see a hero struggle with his only feelings and try to hide them becuase he thinks the lady is unaffected by their tryst. The statement he makes after he takes her on her knees...oh man, he is too good. I don't normally like heroines that are gimpy but I liked Aline. I have seen burn scars and they aren't pretty. But she never lets it change who she is, just her wilingness to show anyone. And the extra bit with her sister and Shaw was just the right amount to not distract from the main storyline. It's a good read. I recommend it highly.

First, I've got to say that I'm a huge Lisa Kleypas fan. I adore her writing style and choice of words, but above all, I enjoy the very real emotion she brings to her work. Needless to say, I've read all of her books so far (in addition to MANY other romances), and thus have a large basis for comparison. That being said, I truly found Again the Magic to be special. I'd even go so far as to say it is my second favorite book of Kleypas' next to Dreaming of You. Some other reviewers have brought Dreaming of You up as a contrast with this book, saying that Again the Magic doesn't compare and that Derek Craven was a far better hero. I beg to differ. I think a large part of why I loved this book so much was that, in a lot of ways,it reminded me of Dreaming of You. Not so much in terms of plot, but in the way I felt while reading it. It's difficult to put into words, but for both books I believe I felt so enthralled because I could really sense the 'power' behind the love stories. In both cases the love is not gentle with flowers and poems, nor is it particularly kind, but it's tangible and gut-clenching. In Again the Magic's case, it is true that Aline's stubborn inability to trust McKenna is frustrating, but it is also entirely believable, and, in my opinion, realistic. It also contributes to the razor-edged tension that when finally resolved in the end of the book makes for one hell of a scene that had me weaping and breathless. Plus, I'm always a sucker for a hero who cries. *grin*Again the Magic may not be an easy read--it's far from light and fluffy--but the journey is well worth it. Gosh that's cliched, but it's true. The story stayed on my mind for many days after I finished it, and I know I will be returning to it many times in the future.