FIVE STARS!!!Lisa Kleypas is simply a master Historical Romance writer!!If you've read her, then you know what I mean. If you haven't, DO IT NOW!!! You're missing out on some of the most heartfelt, swoony, so-romantic-your-eyes-fill-with-tears stories. Seriously, I teared up at least three times while reading Again the Magic. My chest actually hurt. And these aren't sad tears. They're over the top girlie tears that only happen when I gain a new book boyfriend. McKenna is a classic LK hero in that he rides the razor's edge of unlikeable for quite some time. But he just never quite inches his way across. And when he redeems himself, Aaah! He's been in love with Aline since childhood. And she with him. As they become young adults and more mature feelings arise, they both know that Aline, as an upper class lady, has no chance of marrying the hired hand. But their passion knows no limits...one thing leads to another...and they are caught. To save McKenna, Aline must make him go away. She is cruel and heartless in her execution and McKenna is crushed. His sorrow turns to bitter anger throughout the years. When he returns, he is rich, angry, and ALL GROWED UP!! "She swallowed against the tightness in her throat, willing the surge of unruly emotion to recede. "McKenna," she whispered, "how you devastate me."And I was also devastated. How does your heart break when something isn't even sad? Cue those sloppy, girlish tears!!! You know how certain authors words just speak to you? This author does that for me. I feel as if I'm not just an observer. I feel like I'm right there. Here is a part in which McKenna just holds Aline. Nothing more...it doesn't lead anywhere but comfort. If you've ever been held by someone that you know without a doubt loves you, there is such a comfort in that, and these words are that feeling on paper. I just think it's beautiful. "The delicious smell of his skin drew a catch of pain from beneath her ribs, a sting that quickly eased into fluid warmth. It went far beyond sexual pleasure, standing there with his hands on her, one at her back, one at her nape. It was bliss. Completeness. The heat of his touch sand through her skin and leaked down into the marrow of her bones. His thigh pressed between her legs, nudging so gently, as if he know of the urgent fullness that was gathering in her tender flesh. And he held her, just held her, with his mouth against her temple and his hot breath blowing over her skin. Their bodies were so close, and yet not close enough. She would gladly give away the rest of her life in exchange for one night of pure intimacy, to feel the naked skin of his body, skin to skin, heart to heart." Aline has her own issues. It's slightly spoilerish, so I won't put it here. Suffice it to say that she doesn't trust that McKenna can love who she is, the way that she is. She just doesn't understand what love is, and how it overlooks all physical flaws. And my GOSH! Does McKenna prove it to her! When he finally realizes why she's kept him away from her all of these years, the utter RAGE in him is magnificent! Rage is a passion, after all...and he is so very passionate about her. One more quote, and I'm done. It is taken from close to the end of the book, so if you don't want the HEA spoiled, don't read on:"For twelve years I have been in constant torment, wanting you in my arms and believing it would never be possible. I want you for a thousand reasons...I want you for no reason at all, other than the fact that you're you. I want to shove myself deep inside you and stay for hours...days...weeks. 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."I realize that this is a very quote-y review, and I apologize. There were just so many moments that I want to remember, moments that moved me. I can't recommend this author or this series enough. If you want a HR recommendation, read the Wallflowers series, starting with this book. It is one of my top favorite series of all time! And it segues into the Hathaway series, which is another favorite. So, so fabulous!!
