NEW REVIEW: Again The Magic by Lisa Kleypas

Again The Magic by Lisa Kleypas

Published by Harper Collins

Published on October 13, 2009

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 421

She gave him her innocence…Lady Aline Marsden was brought up for one reason: to make an advantageous marriage to a member of her own class. Instead, she willingly gave her innocence to John McKenna, a servant on her father's estate. Their passionate transgression was unforgivable—John was sent away, and Aline was left to live in the countryside…an exile from London society.…and he took her love.Now McKenna has made his fortune, and he has returned—more boldly handsome and more mesmerizing than before. His ruthless plan is to take revenge on the woman who shattered his dreams of love. But the magic between them burns as bright as ever. And now he must decide whether to let vengeance take its toll…or risk everything for his first, and only, love.

 “I want morning and noon and nightfall with you. I want your tears, your smiles, your kisses...the smell of your hair, the taste of your skin, the touch of your breath on my face. I want to see you in the final hour of my life...to lie in your arms as I take my last breath.” 

This is my second historical romance this year and I've added it to my favourite reads of 2016. Lisa Kleypas where have you been all my life?! A few friends have recommended this series to me and I kept thinking..."Nah, it's not for me." And I could kick my own butt right now because I'm now reading the 1st book in the Wallflowers series (Again the Magic is a prequel of sorts 0.5). One thing I've come to realise is that Lisa Kleypas is one hell of an author and secondly... she owns the historical romance genre. Her writing captures the emotions of her characters so vividly that you can't help but get swept up in the story.

Before I get sidetracked let me tell you about my thoughts on Again The Magic. Our main characters Aline Marsden and John McKenna (also known as just McKenna) grew up together, they were inseparable despite their different stations in life. And when their connection grew into something deeper than just friendship they tried everything to make it work but when they're found out, Aline is forced to hurt McKenna in the worst possible way in order for him to lose all hope in them being together. Fast foward a decade and McKenna has become a successful entrepreneur, he never forgot about Aline and is determined to exact his revenge on her.

“No miles of level desert, no jagged mountain heights, no sea of endless blue
Neither words nor tears, nor silent fears
will keep me from coming back to you.”

Aline has so many secrets, she's become the best hostess for her brother's guests in their family home and despite being "on the shelf" men still admire her beauty. She lives a life of regret and loneliness until McKenna comes back and she decides that although they can never be together she will allow herself just one night with the only man she's ever loved. The wonderful thing about this book is that as the reader you're just begging the characters to sit down and just talk through their differences because obviously old misunderstandings would be put to rest and they could live happily ever after. But Lisa Kleypas takes the reader on a journey full of tension, sensuality and love that makes you hurt right along with the characters.

Apart from McKenna and Aline's story there is a subplot with Aline's sister and McKenna's good friend and business associate it was absolutely charming. This story was absolutely fantastic and if you aren't a Wallflower fan yet, I'd definitely recommend that you get on the bandwagon and start with this one! I'm off to finish Secrets of a Summer Night!

 “Sleep, my love," He whispered, smoothing her long hair, lifting the damp locks away from the back of her neck. "I'll be here to watch over you."

"You sleep too," she said groggily, her hand creeping to the center of his chest.

"No." McKenna smiled and pressed a soft kiss against her temple. His voice was husky with wonder. "Not when staying awake is better than anything I could find in a dream.”