Finished Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas. This is the second book in her contemporary romance series about the lives and loves of the Travis family.

Sugar Daddy, the first book in this series, was my favorite read in 2008, so I had high, high hopes for BED — and I’m happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed.

This book is about Haven Travis, the sister in the super-rich Travis family. Haven meets the rough, rugged, wealthy oilman Hardy Cates at her brother Gage’s wedding to Hardy’s childhood love, Liberty. Haven and Hardy share a steamy kiss at the wedding but go their seperate ways. Haven eventually marries her college boyfriend Nick, despite her family’s disapproval.

Things are fine for a while, but Nick shows his true colors and becomes more and more abusive toward Haven – beating and raping her before she finally summons up the courage to leave him. With the help of her family, Haven divorces Nick and starts a new life. And who does she run into at a bar one night but Hardy, who still sparks something deep inside Haven that she thought she’d lost after Nick’s abuse …

This book is classified as contemporary romance, but it has heavy themes of domestic abuse and is basically about Haven’s journey to become strong and independent. Normally, I don’t like books where women are victimized, but I thought Kleypas handled the subject with dignity and grace. Nothing was gratuitous, and Haven didn’t miraculously recover overnight from what Nick did to her. Everything was realistic (if painful).

I also thought the romance between Haven and Hardy was at turns sweet, poignant, and hot. Hardy helped Haven heal, and she did the same for him and his issues. They were both independent people who found something more together, which is what I think a romance should be.

My only real quibble was the ending with Vanessa, Haven’s bitchy boss. Vanessa basically gives Nick the keys to Haven’s apartment and almost gets her killed when Nick holds Haven at gunpoint. I would have liked Vanessa to do some jail time right along with Nick for that stunt.

Also, I would have liked to know a little bit more about Hardy’s family, since they’re the root of his issues and problems. But this was Haven’s story, and she really shined in it.

Blue-Eyed Devil wasn’t quite as good as Sugar Daddy, but it’s easily the best book I’ve read so far this year. I loved it and hope the next book in the series, Smooth-Talking Stranger, is just as good. Big thumbs up.

Up next: Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

Books in my TBR pile: About 25.