Love in the Afternoon: Hathaways, Book 5

The Hathaway family is an unconventional family for the time, 1850s England, filled with love and amusement toward and with each other. This book is the fifth/last in the family series, featuring the youngest sister Beatrix. Beatrix loves animals and rescuing animals, so she has added a menagerie of pets to the Ramsey House which ramble about in the story adding many laughs. Beatrix falls in love with Captain Phelan, through a deceptive correspondance while he is in the Crimean War. Great history on this war and the affects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. LK writes dialogue between characters with much humor. She also makes the possessive love relationships endearing for all characters. Like all the Hathaways the love relationship is electric. Yet, it is more than a love story, Love in the Afternoon, also takes the reader inside the grief cycle, family dynamics, abandonment issues, and commitment. There are many bumps in the road you appreciate but everything gets stitched together nicely by the last chapter. It is a sweet and fun read. The narrator does a great job too!

LK has done a great job with the Hathaway series, and this installment is no exception. I recommend you start at the beginning to get a firm grasp of the characters that make up the rest of the family. If you like historical romance with witty dialogue, this series will not disappoint!

I liked the entire series and couldn't wait to see what would happen to Prudence as I feel we grew up with her as the youngest and she was always up to mischeif with her zoo. I thought Christopher a little bit of a turd even know he suffered from PPD. The stories were all well written and I was glad that the same narrator carried us threw the series and that we learned a little of how all their lives were holding up in each novel. The sex was great and not overdone as in some novels - but certainly not prudish. You should start with the first Hathaway novel and then after reading those resume with the "wallflower" series (2 of which are not on audible yet (are you listening audible) we need to know what is happening in volumes 3 and 4 expeccially #3 since we know what is about to happen from the end of #2. These novels are also rather humorus and you will laugh at some of the circumstances they get into. The men are all novel and are Loving not overbearing but very protective over their women. The women are strong and have strong family ties and are entirely lovable. The plots are intriguing and fast-paced. You'll fall in love with them all and wish they were your family.

This is a great conclusion to the "Hathaways" series. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy Beatrix's story, but I really did. The romance was genuine and sweet, and as always, I found myself laughing at the interactions of the Hathaways with each other. What a fun family! The narration was also excellent, Ms. Landor's narrations are always done very well. I highly recommend this book, along with the previous book in the series, "Married by Morning".

I absolutely loved this latest and last installment of the Hathaway series! So sorry it had to end but loved how it ended. I loved the dynamic between Christopher and Beatrix especially how their love grew over time. I know her focus is now on contemporary romances but I hope Ms. Kleypas will write more historical romance novels in the future! Unlike other authors she doesn't write heroes that are awful to their heroines by raping, etc...they have their discords but they are loving and passionate about their heroines...this is how true romance should be. Keep up the great work Ms. Kleypas!

I haven't read the print version of this book. I have a long commute, and get most of my "reading" done with the audio editions.

Beatrix - she is not perfect, although the relationship with the equally imperfect Christopher make them a perfect couple. The Hatheway series is populated with strong characters that Lisa Kleypas brings alive. Beatrix' story ends the series beautifully giving hope that there really is someone for everyone.

Her performance didn't detract from the story (as some of the readers do).

No - I wanted it to last as long as possible. I didn't want the series to end.

I am a big fan of Lisa Kleypas' historicals. Her contemporaries, not so much.

I was so happy that Beatrix met someone who appreciated her for the way she is. Totally enjoyed this series and again sorry that it came to an end. Lisa Kleypas is great and with her books being narrated by Rosalyn Landor how can you lose.

The Hathaways make you laugh and they make you cry and you gotta love them. The entire series is composed of effective well written stories.

This final installment about Beatrix and her soldier is no exception.

As with most of Kleypas' series, I always want to see the next one. even though I realize I've reached the end. The good thing is you can always listen to them as many times as you want.

I wish the characters had more siblings for Lisa to write about. This was a great read. I have to commend her on her writing skills. I've listened to a lot of her books and she does not, and will not let you down.

What can I say,she never disappoints.