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turophile's review against another edition
3.0
As mentioned in my review of [b:Then Comes Seduction|3975368|Then Comes Seduction (Huxtable Quintet, #2)|Mary Balogh|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320432687s/3975368.jpg|4021133], it's never a good idea for me to read too many Mary Balogh books, particularly from the same series, in a row. Too many similarities - you forget which book you're reading.
(Ahoy - watch out for spoilers)
So you thought Jasper in Seduction (who married Kate, the sister of our heroine Margaret Huxtable) was a Rakehell. Wait until you meet Duncan. He didn't just sow his wild oats, he left his bride at the altar and ran off with the jilted bride's sister-in-law. Five years later his grandfather's about to cut his funds off unless he marries in two weeks. He literally runs in to Margaret and proposes marriage. Everyone in London, her family, his jilted bride, everyone warns her to stay away from hi. Does she listen? Of course not. As the scandal grows, her family pressures her to back away but she agrees to marry him after learning the true reason for his seemingly bad behavior. So she decides to marry first, then expect her husband to fall in love. (I'll give Ms. Balogh credit, however, Margaret does at least acknowledge how similar it is to her sister's situation - but still).
Let's see what other similaries - in Seduction we had the crotchety old guardian who sees through the evil cousins, here we have the crotchety grandfather who also sees through evil cousin. Did I mention evil cousins plotting against the Huxtables in both books?
And naked swimming - what's a book without the naked swimming? In Seduction we had the sister to protect, here it's the young boy. I'll stop the comparisons.
The other thing that troubled me was that I thought the author went overboard in how the story of Duncan's former lover played out - the contrast of good (Duncan) and bad (jilted bride and brother) was so stark it almost seemed unbelievable.
On the plus side, Balogh does write well and if you don't read her books back to back (or similarities don't drive you crazy) you may love this book. Another strong heroine who can take care of herself but stil finds room in her life for love. Descriptions that paint a vivid picture without going overboard. There is much to admire.
*Rated on my 5 star romance scale
(Ahoy - watch out for spoilers)
So you thought Jasper in Seduction (who married Kate, the sister of our heroine Margaret Huxtable) was a Rakehell. Wait until you meet Duncan. He didn't just sow his wild oats, he left his bride at the altar and ran off with the jilted bride's sister-in-law. Five years later his grandfather's about to cut his funds off unless he marries in two weeks. He literally runs in to Margaret and proposes marriage. Everyone in London, her family, his jilted bride, everyone warns her to stay away from hi. Does she listen? Of course not. As the scandal grows, her family pressures her to back away but she agrees to marry him after learning the true reason for his seemingly bad behavior. So she decides to marry first, then expect her husband to fall in love. (I'll give Ms. Balogh credit, however, Margaret does at least acknowledge how similar it is to her sister's situation - but still).
Let's see what other similaries - in Seduction we had the crotchety old guardian who sees through the evil cousins, here we have the crotchety grandfather who also sees through evil cousin. Did I mention evil cousins plotting against the Huxtables in both books?
And naked swimming - what's a book without the naked swimming? In Seduction we had the sister to protect, here it's the young boy. I'll stop the comparisons.
The other thing that troubled me was that I thought the author went overboard in how the story of Duncan's former lover played out - the contrast of good (Duncan) and bad (jilted bride and brother) was so stark it almost seemed unbelievable.
On the plus side, Balogh does write well and if you don't read her books back to back (or similarities don't drive you crazy) you may love this book. Another strong heroine who can take care of herself but stil finds room in her life for love. Descriptions that paint a vivid picture without going overboard. There is much to admire.
*Rated on my 5 star romance scale
priyastoric's review against another edition
3.0
Oh. The. Drama. Balogh really knows how to build a story - of people who aren't quite what they seem but also of ladies trusting their instincts and taking a chance. I really kind of love Margaret in this story (Duncan's not too shabby either). While romance novels often get a bad rap for being unrealistic I find that Balogh's novels do a good job of taking those tropes and turning them on their head.
laurla's review against another edition
"she realized something as her family all looked at her in love and concern. she was ripe for rebellion. or else she was just stubborn."
"the pain is caused by the realization that he was never the man i thought him to be."
"the pain is caused by the realization that he was never the man i thought him to be."
prgchrqltma's review against another edition
3.0
Characters:
World Building: Continues the family series.
Plot: Largely internal/emotional. Internal mismatch to the perceptions of others.
Sex: Medium. Somewhat offstage.
Read another: Maybe.
World Building: Continues the family series.
Plot: Largely internal/emotional. Internal mismatch to the perceptions of others.
Sex: Medium. Somewhat offstage.
Read another: Maybe.
kwcook's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
crescentmoonfaery's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
katherineep's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one much more than book 2 but not quite as much as book 1. It was good to see Meg get a story of her own and I thought the way Balogh handled the Crispin issue was interesting. I truly expected Meg's story to be about Crispin. Meg and Duncan were both nice people who deserved happiness and it was believable that they would find happiness together.
morganborders's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual content