REVIEW: Brown-Eyed Girl by Lisa Kleypas

Posted August 3rd, 2015 by in Blog, Contemporary Romance, HJ Recommends, Review / 20 comments

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In Brown-Eyed Girl (Travis Family #4) by Lisa Kleypas, Avery Crosslin and her half-sister Sofia are making Brown-Eyed-Girla name for themselves as being the new go-to team for wedding and event planning. No one would know by looking at them that they have both been scarred by love in the past. Avery especially is adamant that she’ll never walk down the aisle herself or give her trust willingly again to a man.

‘We were alone, and the rest of the world was far away, and I knew somehow that if I slept with him, it would be extraordinary. To a woman who’d lived twenty-seven years of ordinary, one night with a man like this didn’t seem too much to ask.’

Then Avery meets Joe Travis. The huge, utterly gorgeous guy is intent on dating her but he is way, way out of her league. His family is Texas royalty so that must mean that he’s a playboy with too much time to spare, right? But it turns out that he’s a photographer who gives his time freely to help others and is as down-to-earth as a man can be. So how does Avery stand a chance at holding strong to her convictions with Joe smiling devilishly, whispering naughty things that are her undoing?

“Uncle Joe,” I heard Luke ask, “is that your girlfriend?”
I turned crimson, while someone choked back a laugh.
“Not yet,” Joe said easily, holding one of the French doors for me. “You have to work a little harder to get one of the good ones.”

Brown-Eyed Girl was an absolutely lovely romance and the fourth offering in the popular Travis Family series. Full of funny moments, soul-searching, and a persistent Texas hunk, I devoured this book in no time.

‘Sometimes dreams changed when you weren’t looking.’

Right away I have to say that Lisa Kleypas managed to create characters that were so realistic, they felt like they could be my close friends. And I enjoyed that immensely. There was an honesty to Joe, Avery, and the rest of the crew that drew me in to their collective and individual stories. It also helped that everything from the way the characters were described to their dialogue was genuine and detailed perfectly.

Now about our hero and heroine. I liked them both immediately. Joe was so tenacious in his pursuit of Avery while still being his laid-back, sexy Texas self. Given his wealth, he could have been egotistical, but he was the complete opposite. Joe is perfect book boyfriend material, especially with the way he treated Avery. And his ‘grand gesture’ at the end of the story was one of the cutest, sweetest, funniest, most romantic (running out of adjectives here) scenes I’ve read. *dreamy sigh*

Now, Avery…I know some readers will take issue with her reluctance to give Joe a chance at first. But when you get the lowdown on her past I think it will become clear why she resisted. Plus, I kind of liked that Avery made Joe work to earn her trust and prove he wasn’t a player. It made for some memorable scenes and it just really fit her character. I loved that we got to know Avery’s sister Sofia here as well and that she had her own romance going on: a friends-to-lovers–or more accurately, a frienemies-to-lovers romance that was fun and sweet.

Between the charming characters and the interesting storyline, I think contemporary romance lovers will be completely satisfied when they read this heartwarming novel.

 

Book Info:

4SPublication: August 11th 2015 | by Piatkus | Travis Family #4

Wedding planner Avery Crosslin may be a rising star in Houston society, but she doesn’t believe in love–at least not for herself. When she meets wealthy bachelor Joe Travis and mistakes him for a wedding photographer, she has no intention of letting him sweep her off her feet. But Joe is a man who goes after what he wants, and Avery can’t resist the temptation of a sexy southern charmer and a hot summer evening.

After a one night stand, however, Avery is determined to keep it from happening again. A man like Joe can only mean trouble for a woman like her, and she can’t afford distractions. She’s been hired to plan the wedding of the year–a make-or-break event.

But complications start piling up fast, putting the wedding in jeopardy, especially when shocking secrets of the bride come to light. And as Joe makes it clear that he’s not going to give up easily, Avery is forced to confront the insecurities and beliefs that stem from a past she would do anything to forget.

The situation reaches a breaking point, and Avery faces the toughest choice of her life. Only by putting her career on the line and risking everything–including her well-guarded heart–will she find out what matters most.

 

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20 Responses to “REVIEW: Brown-Eyed Girl by Lisa Kleypas”

  2. Loverofromance

    I just can’t for this one to come out. Although I think I might re read the first three books before getting to this one. I do remember really liking Joe…so carefree.

    • Michele H

      I think you’re one of many who will be scrambling to re-read the first three books and then get to know Joe better in this one. Exactly! A carefree attitude is totally what he conveyed. (Plus a LOT of sex appeal 😉 )

  3. Leanna

    I have already ordered this book! I am so happy she wrote Joe’s story, I remember reading several years ago that she wasn’t sure she would ever write Joe’s story.

  5. marcyshuler

    Thanks for the review. I love the sound of this book, but $12.99 is a bit steep for a 240 page e-book to me. I’ll add it to my wish list and also wish for a sale. LOL

    • Michele H

      Thanks, Marcy! Yikes…yeah, I forgot to check out the prices on Amazon and other retailers when doing the review. Here’s hoping the price drops quickly!

    • Michele H

      Thanks, Kathleen! You’re absolutely right…book three came out about FIVE years ago. Way to keep us readers in suspense, right? lol

  8. nikkiphilton

    I’m looking forward to this one. Wish I had reread the first three since it’s been a while. I’m also looking forward to her new historical that’s coming out this fall. Great review!

    • Michele H

      Thanks, Nikki! I have a feeling the details from the first three books will come roaring back when you start reading this one. (It can be read as a standalone, too. ) Ooooooh, I’ll have to check out her new historical. Thanks for the tip! 🙂

  9. Annie

    Looking forward to Joe’s story. Hope we’ll get to see more of the Travis Family!

  10. Diana

    Can hardly wait to read Joe’s story. Last week I re- read Jack’s story. I love the Travis sequel

    • Michele H

      Such wonderful stories, aren’t they Diana? If you’ve loved the others, I think you’ll really love Joe’s romance!