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Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas, book cover

Book 5 of 5 in The Hathaways

Love in the Afternoon

by Lisa Kleypas

Spice 3 out of 5, Steamy3/5 · Steamy: Open door

As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man - just to avoid spinsterhood?

Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix's friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul - and it's becoming clear that Christopher won't come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru's disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru's letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep and when Christopher comes home, he's determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix's innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love - and a passion that can't be denied.

Spice
3/5
Burn
Slow
Pages
~384
Ending
HEA

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How spicy is Love in the Afternoon?

Love in the Afternoon is a 3 out of 5 on our spice scale: steamy (open door). On-page sex scenes, a handful of them, with some detail. Spice supports the plot. Spice starts around the middle.

  • Steam: Open door
  • Burn: Slow burn
  • When: Spice starts around the middle
  • Pairing: One man, one woman
  • POV: Dual POV (both leads)
  • Ending: Happily ever after

Content warnings

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Show 2 content warnings
  • Mental illness / anxiety / depression
  • War

Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.

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    Love in the Afternoon: quick answers

    How spicy is Love in the Afternoon?

    Love in the Afternoon is a 3 out of 5 on our spice scale: steamy (open door). On-page sex scenes, a handful of them, with some detail. Spice supports the plot. Spice starts around the middle.

    Is Love in the Afternoon a standalone?

    No. Love in the Afternoon is book 5 of 5 in The Hathaways. Start with Married by Morning. The series is complete.

    What tropes are in Love in the Afternoon?

    Love in the Afternoon features secret identity, military / soldier, hurt / comfort, victorian. It is a slow burn M/F romance that ends with a happily ever after.

    Does Love in the Afternoon have content warnings?

    Our notes for Love in the Afternoon include: mental illness / anxiety / depression, war. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.

    What should I read after Love in the Afternoon?

    If you loved Love in the Afternoon, try Unveiled by Courtney Milan, The Duchess War by Courtney Milan, The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan. They share its secret identity and military / soldier energy at a similar spice level.