Dreaming of You

Loved. It. So much aaaaangst! And I LOVED Deric! And Sara! This was the perfect book to get sucked into on my afternoon off. (4.5 stars)

Originally read in May 2011. Re-read in May 2015 made me take it off the angst shelf and drop it down to 3.5 stars. Maybe it's because I've not read Kleypas in a while and the characters are less familiar, or just that I have difference opinions on historical romance than I did when I first started reading it, but while I liked it, it was not as amazing as I seemed to think the first time. (3.5 stars)

Why did I put off reading this book for soo long! After reading the first book in this series I was hesitant to read Derek's story. I shouldn't have been. This book was great! Sara and Derek had wonderful chemistry, and I enjoyed the story right up till the last word.

While doing research for her next novel, Sarah sees a man being assaulted in an alley and comes to his aid. It turn out it's Derek Craven, the notorious owner of Craven's Gambling Club. She shot one of attackers and he feels obligated to help her by allowing her to do research at his club. A lot of bickering, tension, and miscommunication before he realizes that he can't live without her. I'm really enjoying Lisa Kleypas' books.

I loved this novel. There were so many reasons why it worked. First, Sara and Derek were not your conventional pairing. Sara was truly awesome...she was mature, independent, a writer(!), patient, and more. When Derek sent her away, she did not collapse, even when her engagement to Perry did. Instead she said she would keep living in Greenwood and keep writing. I love that she never once compromised her values and principals. Derek's personality was exotic to her, but in a way that didn't seem like she was in it for the thrill of it or just for kicks. And to Derek's immense credit, he gave her independence, space, and freedom to pursue her writing. He didn't take that away from her no matter how much he claimed her as his "what's mine." Derek was overall a really interesting character, extremely complex and fascinating. Kleypas built his past to have so many components and contributing factors to why he was the way he was that it left me wanting to know more about him. He was not overly cocky or self-absorbed, either. He wasn't given to saying swoon-worthy proclamations of love until the end, so he didn't seem like some overly dreamy guy. The epilogue showed his paternal side of him, and I was touched by how happy he was to have a family. Good for you, Derek!

Another thing I liked about this novel is that it gave us ample time with the Happily Ever After. Too often I read books by authors who have absorbed the theory of "delay is better," and with romance novels it is so frustrating. Sometimes you can read a 350-page novel and the characters don't admit their feelings until page 325. That's so frustrating to me as a reader because it seems like it's a cheap stunt to get you to keep turning the pages even though hello, it's a romance novel so of course they are going to end up together in the end--we know it, you know it, just give it to us! Kleypas plotted her novel in such a way that there was indeed conflict and delay, but it felt like it arose out of sincere and genuine circumstances and emotions rather than something contrived. Then we got a good 100 pages of Derek and Sara happily together with minimal drama. I love it! That is the kind of reward we should all get from reading and sticking by a couple in their dark times.

I read "Devil in Winter" (Wallflowers #3) before this, so I was aware that Craven's burns down at the end. That gave the whole thing a kind of bittersweet coating because I knew their time at the club could not last.

I thought this was such an enjoyable read, and I am putting it up on my "to-keep" bookshelf so I can read it again one day.

In closing I leave you with this quote:

"He met her gaze defiantly, his jaw set. A small muscle twitched in his cheek.
Then she understood. 'Are you having problems with your sight, Mr. Craven?' she asked softly. 'Or is it your heart?'"

4.5 stars - another excellent novel by Lisa Kleypas. The character of Craven was so well written and I loved his complexity. Also great that Lily and Alex from the first book feature in this one. Great read.

Lovely, why we read Kleypas still, right? I just thought the pacing was weird or it coulda been 5.

I always like Lisa Kleypas. I enjoyed the story of two people in a historical romance where neither was a member of the Ton. I wish I had read this one instead of listened because I didn't love the narrator's voice for Derek.

What’s not to love about this book? This has all the feels! My favorite Lisa Kleypas book!

Derek Craven seems to be on a lot of ladies book boyfriend list but not me sadly. He's a bit too brash for me but I loved everything else about this book. Sara Fielding is my favourite type of heroine to read about. She's industrious and independent without having to shove it in peoples faces. She knows what she wants or has to do and just works towards it.

Now I get to talk about Dreaming Of You!! What a book, this is still one of my top favorites to read from this author!! I still can’t get enough of these two and most especially Derek Craven is one delicious hero and would make for the best book boyfriend. He is one of those heroes, that may not seem like the best heroes but he proves his love over and over and never needs to say it. Our hero, started from the bottom. He was raised by prostitutes, lived on the streets and learned how to survive, found his brain with math, and built himself up to his dream and runs the most famous gambling hell in London. He has everything he could ever need….wealth, estates, respect but there is one thing he doesn’t have….love and a family to come home to. But he makes a mistake in having an affair with a married woman—-who is a bitch (sorry for my language…but she is!) She is so crazy. Well he ends up injured and finds himself being resscued by a small country mouse of a woman, who likes to write and read. She is quite famous with her book, that is quite popular. She is working on her sequel, and needs to do her research in rookeries, brothels and gambling hells. When she comes across Derek Craven, and finds out who he really is….she is so excited. She is almost giddy to enter a gambling hell!! I loved her enthusiasm and spirited nature. She is sweet and kind, but is tough when needed. I love the way she turns Derek into a mess of emotions. He has never met a woman like her before, and I really enjoyed seeing her turn him inside out. Clinging to him desperately, Sara kept her mouth at his ear. “Listen to me.” All she could do was play her last card. Her voice trembled with emotion. “You can’t change the truth. You can act as though you’re deaf and blind, you can walk away from me forever, but the truth will still be there, and you can’t make it go away. I love you.” She felt an involuntary tremor run through him. “I love you,” she repeated. “Don’t lie to either of us by pretending you’re leaving for my good. All you’ll do is deny us both a chance at happiness. I’ll long for you every day and night, but at least my conscience will be clear. I haven’t held anything back from you, out of fear or pride or stubbornness.” She felt the incredible tautness of his muscles, as if he were carved from marble. “For once have the strength not to walk away,”she whispered. “Stay with me. Let me love you, Derek.”These two are quite wonderful together and once Derek realizes how he feels about her and admits it….then the ball really gets rolling on their story. He fights it there for a while, but once he stops fighting his feelings for Sara, he becomes the most devoted husband. I just loved that!! But the end there….really can get to your emotions. Big Time!! “I love you,” he told her, wiping impatiently at the tears that kept trickling down his face. “I couldn’t say it before. I couldn’t –” He clenched his trembling jaw, trying to control the hot flow of tears. It only made them worse. Giving up, he buried his face in her hair. “Bloody hell,” he muttered. Sara had never seen him so undone, had never imagined it possible. Stroking his dark head, she whispered meaningless words, trying to give him comfort. “I love you,” he repeated hoarsely, burrowing against her. “I would have given my life to have one more day with you, and tell you that.” I love how Kleypas developed this story…everything is just perfect for this book and it fits just right for the characters. I honestly can’t recommend enough to read this one if you haven’t picked it up yet!! Plus its on sale right NOW!!

Not bad. It's your standard tortured hero/innocent heroine trope - in some respects quite similar to EL James 50 Shades of Grey. Unfortunately the version I read had a lot of typos. I was constantly fixing words and sentences in my head. But that may be limited to the e-reader version of the book.

What is different about this novel is the writer's critique of the British class system or the entitled/privileged aristocracy vs. the self-made or new wealth. The villianess in the novel is Lady Joyce Ashby, who at the age of 15 was forced by her father to marry Lord Ashby in return for money. A common practice in romance novels. Not entirely sure it was in reality. Nor am certain when Ms. Kleypas novel takes place - I'm guessing Edwardian England, since the style is Edwardian and the word "ton" was used in that period. Also most of the Regency romance novels seem to take place during that period. Lord Ashby, when we finally see him, is described as looking a bit like the human version of a frog. And is in some respects more chilling in countenance than Lady Ashby. The heroine remarks that it is no wonder Lady Ashby is insane. And of course the worst punishment that Lady Ashby receives for burning a house to the ground, slashing the hero's face and almost killing him, and attempting to kill the heroine is banishment to Scotland. If she had been working class and her victims were aristocrats, she'd have been hung.

The hero is also a bit different in that he is working class, a self-made man. Climbed up from poverty.
Doesn't know his family. Gave himself a name. Everything he has he earned or gave himself. No family, no roots, no relatives. And once he becomes amongst the wealthiest men in England, having set up a world-class gambling house, he starts constructing hospitals and becoming a public benefactor.

The romance is to a degree captivating, but not that different than any of the others I've read. The hero can't live without the heroine. He can't tell her he loves her. He wants to have sex with her constantly. And is hard all the time. So in constant pain, because he just can't get any relief (Apparently no one knew how to masturbate back then?) The mistake Kleypas makes is she keeps trying to instil a level of reality in the sex scenes. As a result they are often jarring. Sara, the heroine, is understandably and realistically nervous about sex and worries over it. While Derek is pretty much a sex god. Yet described as a huge brute or animal. While Sara is described as little and fragile.
See? Jarring. Having read another of Kleypas' novels - I just don't think she writes sex scenes well.
They are admittedly difficult to write.

All in all...it's a quick and fun read. But not very memorable. And could have been a lot shorter. We spend a lot of time with the Raiford's who I alternately want to kick for their unhelpful aid. Not surprised that the hero often does just that.

It's all true what they say about Derek Craven. He's as deliciously bad as St. Vincent in Devil in Winter. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

Another Kleypas read! I loved Sara and her relationship with Craven.

My main criticism is that I felt there should have been more closure with her ex-fiance. Obviously they were going to break up but I felt with such a long relationship it should have been more than there was.

The antagonist was also a bit over the top.

Sara and Derek are favorites of mine. She is bookish and educated and he is so rough around the edges!1 What a great pairing!!

Much better than the previous. At least far less uncomfortably dubious in the consent. I think I really loved Sara and Derek both. Still a little too much rapeyness throughout. But much less so between the two main characters.

Dreaming of You
4 Stars

Researching her latest book, Sara Fielding finds herself in the slums of London at the exact moment to save the life of notorious gaming hell owner, Derek Craven. Now in her debt, Derek is duty bound to allow this innocent miss into his dark and seedy world only to realize that she is precisely what his lonely and cynical heart is looking for.

While the story is entertaining, it doesn't really live up to the hype. Kleypas certainly knows how to write a sexy, dark and tortured hero (although she has yummier ones than Derek), and Sara is an endearing mix of shy, sweet, intelligent and resourceful. Nevertheless, there are elements that simply don't work.

The main issues that detract from the romance are 1) the long separation during which time, Sara spends a great deal of time coming to the obvious realization that her fiancé is more attached to his mother than to her, and 2) the fact that while they are apart, Derek has sex with a prostitute who resembles Sara in appearance. Neither of these is conducive to a 5 star read.

The minor suspense plot goes a long way to spicing things up and there are some exciting and intense moments.

All in all, an enjoyable read despite the drawbacks and fans of Lisa Kleypas will definitely love it.

This is the first book of the series that I read and I loved it. It has to be one of the best Lisa Kleypas novels that I have read to date.
The premise is that Gothic author Sara Fielding, looking for more material for her next serial accidentally finds a man being attacked and saves him from certain death. This man is Derek Craven, a gambler turned business man/owner of an exclusive London club. And so starts their road to finding love.
I fell in love with Derek Craven the moment I met him. Course, gruff, he is the perfect tortured hero, in my opinion. Kleypas really made him up to be a “gentleman” despite his background and his attitude. I thought the way he was resisting Sara was romantic and this part made me like him more.

The heroine Sara is also a likeable character. Although headstrong, stubborn and naive, I thought she was the perfect pair for the tortured hero. Derek proved himself worthy of Sara’s love by not running after her right away and seducing her. Their one sexual encounter was not even his own doing! I liked the fact that he thought the person was someone else other than Sara, who was masquerading so she could attend a ball held at Craven’s.

Their love story was simple yet believable, especially since both of them are not from the aristocracy. The twist in the end was perfect, with Sara leaving and trying to marry her fiancé and realizing that she had changed and didn’t want to be in a marriage where she was under her fiancé’s mother.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about tortured heroes.

I don't even know how to being to describe how much I liked this book. So, far every book I have read by this author(and there hasn't been too many since I just started reading LK), I've just loved. Besides It Happened One Autumn, Dreaming Of You is my favorite LK book. Our hero Derek Craven is just addicting, and intriguing - even when he's being an ass. I had a hard time putting this one down. Every time I thought of taking a break from reading I'd end up going on to the next chapter, cause I had to find out what happened next. :) This is the second book in the book in the Gamblers series, but it can be read as a stand alone. It's a must read!

Loved this book, first I read of Kleypas. The characters are interesting (if slightly unbelievable, a young spinster researching the London slums, alone?) especially in the fact that they are not of the aristocracy (almost a must for period romances) But the hero was suitably brooding and "damaged" made to seem bad, but truly insecure, and caring. The heroine, sweet, innocent in many ways, but not all, and able to see beyond class boundaries. All in all, a good read with a touching love story.

Kleypas is a wonderful author who knows how to write characters that show a wealth of feeling. This book is about Sara Fielding, a female author in Victorian England, who dares to write about destitute prostitutes and young men brought into poverty through gambling and addiction; and Derek Craven, a man who has risen above his station and become one of the wealthiest men in England. How these two meet is just one of the many exciting and surprising scenes in the novel.

This book comes right after another Lisa Kleypas novel " Then came you". You can read this first and not feel out of sorts. This is the story of Sarah and Derek. Derek is the owner of a seedy gaming hell and Sara is an author that needs inspiration for her next novel. She and Derek meet after she saves him for being murdered. Derek immediately takes a liking to Sara but feels he cannot have a relationship with her because he has a dark past. He was raised by prostitues in lieu of a mother. This is a great story! Sara and Derek make great characters and it's lovely to see Derek come to grips with his past with Sara by his side.

Dreaming of You is one of Lisa Kleypas’s most beloved titles and one I’ve been looking forward to reading for a while. I can see why so many readers love it, as it certainly didn’t disappoint. It’s the story of two people who couldn’t be more different if they tried, but somehow they fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. The main thing they seem to have in common is that neither comes from aristocratic stock, which is rather unique to the Regency romance sub-genre. Derek is a cynical, ambitious man who has literally clawed his way up from the bottom and would do almost anything to never return to the gutter where he was born. Yet all the money in the world can’t buy him happiness. Sara is anything but the type of woman he typically goes for, but her sweetness and light inspire loyalty and fidelity in a man who generally doesn’t trust women and has never believed he could feel that way about one. I loved how these two came together and fell in love despite the odds and how they adore each other unconditionally. Derek’s jealous former paramour adds a bit of intrigue and suspense, but the story is mostly about how these two very different characters find love with one another and how Derek overcomes a lifetime devoid of love to discover that he really does have a heart underneath the jaded exterior. It was a great read and one that I definitely recommend.Derek is a man who has known little kindness or gentleness in his life. Born in a drainpipe to a prostitute who abandoned him at birth, he never knew his parents and was partially raised by other prostitutes. But when he was old enough to begin working, which was at a very young age, he did. He’s done all manner of things in his life, many of which were just the other side of the law, but all along he dreamed of getting out of the gutter and becoming a wealthy man. His ambitions took him to all sorts of places respectable men don’t go, but over time, he built an empire and amassed a fortune as the owner of the premier gambling hall in London. He lives to gain more wealth, but no matter how much he owns, it’s never been enough. Something was always missing from his life. When Sara saves his life one night and then asks to be allowed into his world to do research for her next book, Derek dares not get too close to her. She makes him feels things he’s never felt before and although he’d never admit it, that scares him. He wants her more than he’s ever wanted anything in his life, and yet he’s all too aware that he isn’t good enough for her. Derek is a pretty intense alpha male who tends to push Sara away, fearing that he’ll ruin her with his jaded past. Although he can sometimes be a bit harsh, there’s always a vulnerability lurking beneath the outward reserve, while the facade of the confident, cynical club owner covers for the broken little boy inside who’s never experienced unconditional love. Derek is definitely a man tormented by the demons of his past and a lifetime of hard-living who doesn’t feel worthy of someone like Sara. But I love how when he finally allows her to love him, he gives back full measure even when he isn’t able to say the actual words to her.Sara is as sweet as sweet can be and as different from Derek as night and day. She’s an innocent country lass, who is a bookish writer, and her novels have become popular bestsellers. She’s in London doing research for her next book, when she happens to see Derek being attacked by ruffians and decides to step in to put a stop to it. After helping the injured man back to his club, she asks permission to come back to do research. Derek isn’t inclined to grant it, but his factotum, Worthy, does. Sara is a gentle, open-minded sort who gets along famously with everyone from the temperamental chef to the house wenches. As he watches her from a distance, Derek develops a fascination for Sara, but he refuses to allow himself to be vulnerable to her. When he coldly sends her away, she returns to her little village where her longtime beau lives, but the man she thought she’d been in love with for so long pales in comparison with Derek. Eventually one thing leads to another and Sara and Derek are reunited, but she has an uphill battle convincing him that they should be together. I absolutely adored Sara and related to her incredibly well. She and I are alike in so many ways. I love how easy-going she is and how she can relate to almost anyone and earn their trust and respect in return. But what I enjoyed most about her is her infinite patience with Derek. There’s nothing he can tell her about his past that she doesn’t accept and take in stride, while she sees beneath the jaded surface to recognize the broken man underneath and doesn’t hesitate to give all of herself to him in spite of it. She was a wonderful heroine who was totally perfect for me.Dreaming of You has connections to several other books that Lisa Kleypas as written. For starters, and most importantly, as the second book in her Gamblers of Craven’s series, we have Alex and Lily, the hero and heroine of the first book, Then Came You, in meaty secondary roles. They’re loyal friends to Derek who offer their support and often try to talk sense into him when he’s sabotaging his own best interests, while Lily also plays matchmaker. In addition, she befriends Sara, while still being the fiery spirited lass I came to love in her own book. The final novella of the series, “Against the Odds” from Where’s My Hero? pairs Derek and Sara’s daughter, Lydia, with Dr. Jacob Linley from Ms. Kleypas’s Bow Street Runners series. Lastly it’s also loosely connected to The Wallflowers series in that Ivo Jenner, father of Evie Jenner (Devil in Winter), puts in a few appearances as Derek’s chief rival in the gambling club business and someone who is wont to cause trouble for him from time to time.Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better read than Dreaming of You. It had everything I read romance for and then some. Although he can be stubborn and difficult at times, I understood Derek and fell for him anyway, because of the way that he gives all of himself to Sara and adores her to pieces. Sara was the perfect heroine, relatable in every way. Their love for one another is deep and intense with some fairly steamy scenes. Derek’s struggles to overcome his past and his obsessive former lover provided enough conflict to keep me turning the pages to see just how our lovebirds were going to get their HEA. I simply loved everything about the book and recommend it to all romance readers who love seeing a bad boy hero reform for his heroine.