Scan barcode
jemcam's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I finally finished First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh, and I strongly recommend it to Regency fans. Especially to Regency fans that are feeling a little burnt out by the genre.
Why do I recommend this book as something different? Well, you might assume that it is because of the charming fish out of water storyline, where four siblings are taken out of the village they grew up in to become full members of the ton after the family inherits a title. And while this is a great storyline, it isn't the only reason I recommend the book.
No, the reason I recommend this book is because no one was kidnapped, thrown from a horse, endangered at sea, caught in a compromising situation, challenged to a duel or took on another person's identity as a plot device. Instead all challenges to the happiness of the main characters were solved through conversation and communication, marking First Comes Marriage as one of the most unique Regency romance novels that I have read in a long long time
Why do I recommend this book as something different? Well, you might assume that it is because of the charming fish out of water storyline, where four siblings are taken out of the village they grew up in to become full members of the ton after the family inherits a title. And while this is a great storyline, it isn't the only reason I recommend the book.
No, the reason I recommend this book is because no one was kidnapped, thrown from a horse, endangered at sea, caught in a compromising situation, challenged to a duel or took on another person's identity as a plot device. Instead all challenges to the happiness of the main characters were solved through conversation and communication, marking First Comes Marriage as one of the most unique Regency romance novels that I have read in a long long time
sadie_rae's review against another edition
3.0
So Mary Balogh is a rather popular author, or at least that's what I gather from the countless books that I've seen of her's in stores, but I got to say I'm a little disappointed. It took quite a while for me to get into this story, and where the prolog started with an event that was the start of the plot it still took me till chapter 7 to realize what was going on and how it tied in. I am on pain med's right now so that may or may not have something to do with my response to this book. For however long it took for me to get into the story I still enjoyed it. As this is part of a series I'm hoping that questions left unanswered in this book will be addressed as the series progresses. 3.5 stars.
bec_grayling's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
planetarypan's review against another edition
3.0
Aside from the prologue, which was different and interesting, this book started off very awkwardly, and I had no like for the hero (who is NOT the character in the intro). The heroine seemed really blah and wishy washy as well. Even their fireworks felt artificial, and the other story lines did nothing. The story picked up once we got the marriage portion, and the couple became interesting suddenly. I almost felt like I read about two separate couples. Overall, the way the couple handles their marriage is far better than how they handled the weeks prior. I'll give the series another try in the hopes that the next sister's novel is more interesting right off the bat.
ljjohnson8's review against another edition
3.0
I was a lucky winner of this book through the First Reads contest, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I read my first romance the summer I was 15, and I have read several a year ever since. Romances are my guilty pleasure, though I really don't feel guilty about them. But I don't read them constantly - it would be like a steady diet of chocolate and red licorice; both a great treat but sickening if indulged in constantly. This was my first title by Mary Balogh though she's written many. She fits in perfectly with my other favorite romance writers: Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught and those ladies who started it all like Rosemary Rogers, Valerie Sherwood, Kathleen Woodiwess.
This is the first of a series about the Huxtable family and its heroine is Vanessa, the second oldest sister. Like the best romance heroines, she infuriates, confuses, and enraptures her one true love, the Viscount Lyngate. There is plenty of humor, a little intrigue, a great proposal scene, and a luscious time in a field of daffodils. I will definitely read the next Huxtable novel.
I read my first romance the summer I was 15, and I have read several a year ever since. Romances are my guilty pleasure, though I really don't feel guilty about them. But I don't read them constantly - it would be like a steady diet of chocolate and red licorice; both a great treat but sickening if indulged in constantly. This was my first title by Mary Balogh though she's written many. She fits in perfectly with my other favorite romance writers: Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught and those ladies who started it all like Rosemary Rogers, Valerie Sherwood, Kathleen Woodiwess.
This is the first of a series about the Huxtable family and its heroine is Vanessa, the second oldest sister. Like the best romance heroines, she infuriates, confuses, and enraptures her one true love, the Viscount Lyngate. There is plenty of humor, a little intrigue, a great proposal scene, and a luscious time in a field of daffodils. I will definitely read the next Huxtable novel.
alotte's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.0
writer595's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ikepauh's review against another edition
5.0
First Comes Marriage is precious and I am happy to be afforded all my faculties to read it. Many times I was giggling away, shedding tears (at all the pain and inferiority) and or unwillingly thrown into moments of introspection while reading this amazing book. Tons of highlighted and bookmarked sections that I am certain I need to get a physical copy of First Comes Marriage. I don't know if I will reread it soon though because like most of my favourites; the book, the characters are at times too human. Like one reviewer puts it, "It's a very beautiful story, but it was painful in its beauty". In my list of Mary Balogh favs, First Comes Marriage is on par with A Matter of Class; another one of the author's great works that plays with genius twist.
I remember reading a Huxtable in my teens and finding it boring. I think it was one of the other works in the Huxtable Quintet, either A Secret Affair or Then Comes Seduction. From there, I unfairly judged the quintet to be one of Mary Balogh's less appealing series. Looking back, it could be that it was not the right time for me to read and fully appreciate it. Or maybe I started with the wrong book? We'll see because upon completed reading First Comes Marriage, I am tempted to try out the next book [b:Then Comes Seduction|3975368|Then Comes Seduction (Huxtable Quintet, #2)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1438137907l/3975368._SY75_.jpg|4021133].
I am glad I gave the series a second chance. I was intrigued and wanted to test what this reviewer (Starrfish Rivers) meant when she said First Comes Marriage or really, some of Balogh's earlier works contained more passion and sexual connection. It is true!
Love Vanessa, Elliot, the writing, the pace, the Huxtable family bond, the prologue which set up a supposed "baddie" who just leaves me more curious about what is true and what is hearsay. This is my spoilery theory about Con:
I remember reading a Huxtable in my teens and finding it boring. I think it was one of the other works in the Huxtable Quintet, either A Secret Affair or Then Comes Seduction. From there, I unfairly judged the quintet to be one of Mary Balogh's less appealing series. Looking back, it could be that it was not the right time for me to read and fully appreciate it. Or maybe I started with the wrong book? We'll see because upon completed reading First Comes Marriage, I am tempted to try out the next book [b:Then Comes Seduction|3975368|Then Comes Seduction (Huxtable Quintet, #2)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1438137907l/3975368._SY75_.jpg|4021133].
I am glad I gave the series a second chance. I was intrigued and wanted to test what this reviewer (Starrfish Rivers) meant when she said First Comes Marriage or really, some of Balogh's earlier works contained more passion and sexual connection. It is true!
Love Vanessa, Elliot, the writing, the pace, the Huxtable family bond, the prologue which set up a supposed "baddie" who just leaves me more curious about what is true and what is hearsay. This is my spoilery theory about Con:
Spoiler
Could Constantine Huxtable be hiding the failings of his father? Or is he is truly as immoral as Elliot believes him to be?nicolesnook's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't impressed with the first Mary Balogh book I read. But, I kept hearing good things, so I decided to give her another try. I'm glad I did. I could not put this book down! I loved her descriptions and the storyline. While there were the usual misunderstandings associated to expected in a regency romance, I found it refreshing that they weren't drawn out. The characters actually talk to each other and work out their differences instead of staying made over something silly. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
tiredfangirl's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0