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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
mephala's review against another edition
3.0
You know those movies where there is a lot of talking, very little action, and... even less meaning?
Well, this book is somewhere in between. There is some meaning, I think. But other than that?
It was very dry, matter of fact, slow book. I admit, I haven't read the previous installments in the series, so this might partially be the reason why I had such a hard time finishing it.
For a romance novel, there is hardly any... well, romance. There is A LOT of talking, tho. Some characters have lines that span whole pages, and they go on, and on, and on. The plot is somewhat interesting, but it's pretty clear from the start that the main hero is not such a villain and there must be a twist at the end. And, to be honest, it wasn't the worst twist there is. But, unfortunately even if that two-three last chapters brought some life into this book, it's still very average read.
I also didn't really like the main couple; Margaret seemed too cheerful and pleasant to me, her forced positivity annoyed me - maybe I was simply not in the mood for such character -, and Duncan was almost too good and noble to be true.
And that lack of romance...
I'm giving this book about 3 starts, because maybe if I've read the series from the start I'd like it more? And it's pretty well written historical, just so very very dry and boring.
Well, this book is somewhere in between. There is some meaning, I think. But other than that?
It was very dry, matter of fact, slow book. I admit, I haven't read the previous installments in the series, so this might partially be the reason why I had such a hard time finishing it.
For a romance novel, there is hardly any... well, romance. There is A LOT of talking, tho. Some characters have lines that span whole pages, and they go on, and on, and on. The plot is somewhat interesting, but it's pretty clear from the start that the main hero is not such a villain and there must be a twist at the end. And, to be honest, it wasn't the worst twist there is. But, unfortunately even if that two-three last chapters brought some life into this book, it's still very average read.
I also didn't really like the main couple; Margaret seemed too cheerful and pleasant to me, her forced positivity annoyed me - maybe I was simply not in the mood for such character -, and Duncan was almost too good and noble to be true.
And that lack of romance...
I'm giving this book about 3 starts, because maybe if I've read the series from the start I'd like it more? And it's pretty well written historical, just so very very dry and boring.
rissahoo's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jefrang's review against another edition
2.0
In spite of the rating, I actually enjoyed this quite a lot and I am really glad I tried out Ms Balogh's work because there are so many things about this that were really lovely. Her lead characters and their situation were complex and interesting to read. Plot was good overall, though it did feel a little quick in certain places toward the middle-end. The drama was, as it often is for me, a little over the top, but it goes with the territory.
What I absolutely loathed enough to knock like two stars off of what would have otherwise been my rating was that the villain's rumoured homosexuality was the presumed foundation of his villainy. That's gross, and I can't in any good conscious recommend this to anyone though I already own another book by this author and I am happy to give it a go and see how that one is.
What I absolutely loathed enough to knock like two stars off of what would have otherwise been my rating was that the villain's rumoured homosexuality was the presumed foundation of his villainy. That's gross, and I can't in any good conscious recommend this to anyone though I already own another book by this author and I am happy to give it a go and see how that one is.
cakt1991's review against another edition
5.0
The best in the series so far. I love the way Duncan's actions and the reasons behind them were revealed. Meg is also an incredibly relatable, compassionate heroine.
Full review here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2018/02/18/review-of-at-last-comes-love-huxtable-quintet-3-by-mary-balogh/
Full review here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2018/02/18/review-of-at-last-comes-love-huxtable-quintet-3-by-mary-balogh/
mousegoddess's review against another edition
2.0
A one word review for this book would be "meh". It's not that it was horrible, it wasn't. I mean, it's Mary Balogh, so you know that it's not going to be complete crap. But it was just...how to explain... Okay, I'm not sure if you've ever gone tubing, but if you have this book is like lazy tubing. You just float with the current and meander. It's easy to fall asleep, and it's enjoyable, but there's nothing very earth-shattering about it. That's this book. I would not recommend *against* it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to say "YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!!1!!".
ashontheline's review against another edition
2.0
Not my favorite historical romance that just didn’t do much for me. It just moved too slowly and I wanted some more tension I guess
jacqueline1989's review against another edition
5.0
Summed up in a nut shell, this was a great book! I very much admired the hero and heroine, the story had wonderful pacing pared with consistent momentum until the very end. The climax was written beautifully, and the storyline was simple enough to be entertaining and complex enough to be legitimate.
The plot of the novel contains many surprises and the characters, most especially the hero Duncan, was very interestingly structured. Nothing is as it may appear in regards to this male lead. One of the most best aspects to this book, in my humble opinion, is the fact that the reader genuinely connects with, and care for, both Duncan and Margaret.
It's sometimes difficult to put into exact words why a book is necessarily good, or bad.
I think what is most impressive in regards to this book is the fact that it is actually surprising how well this plot works. One would think, based on the description of the book, that the storyline would be too simplistic to be so enthralling. However, because Balogh has written such wonderful characters to begin with, the plot doesn't need to be overtly flashy. We simply want it all to work out well for our characters, and that was the forethought in my mind as I read this book.
And yet, my admiration for this novel goes past the simple reasons, too. I am rather impressed with the fact that Ms. Balogh takes somewhat of a different turn with her characters. Without giving away too many spoilers, I am impressed with the honesty between the hero and heroine in regards to each other after their marriage. Although, don't get me wrong, without question there are secrets between the two, however I'm referring more along the lines from the romantic standpoint between the two. Often enough whenever I read a romance, I notice that if an author is playing the "arranged/forced to marry" card with their characters, both parties simply ignore a romantic light to the marriage- and never discuss that aspect at all. Such was not the case with At Last Comes Love, and this was something that singularly stood out in my mind while finishing the story.
Finally, the last note I have as far as this book is concerned are one point that I absolutely love seeing in romance novels of any sub genre. Strength. Both Duncan and Margaret are very strong characters, yet not in an obnoxious sort of light. They stand firm for what they believe is right, despite what their family or society might think otherwise. This is one facet to the book that I truly loved above all else!
And, while nothing can be perfect with any novel, this book comes very, very close.
The plot of the novel contains many surprises and the characters, most especially the hero Duncan, was very interestingly structured. Nothing is as it may appear in regards to this male lead. One of the most best aspects to this book, in my humble opinion, is the fact that the reader genuinely connects with, and care for, both Duncan and Margaret.
It's sometimes difficult to put into exact words why a book is necessarily good, or bad.
I think what is most impressive in regards to this book is the fact that it is actually surprising how well this plot works. One would think, based on the description of the book, that the storyline would be too simplistic to be so enthralling. However, because Balogh has written such wonderful characters to begin with, the plot doesn't need to be overtly flashy. We simply want it all to work out well for our characters, and that was the forethought in my mind as I read this book.
And yet, my admiration for this novel goes past the simple reasons, too. I am rather impressed with the fact that Ms. Balogh takes somewhat of a different turn with her characters. Without giving away too many spoilers, I am impressed with the honesty between the hero and heroine in regards to each other after their marriage. Although, don't get me wrong, without question there are secrets between the two, however I'm referring more along the lines from the romantic standpoint between the two. Often enough whenever I read a romance, I notice that if an author is playing the "arranged/forced to marry" card with their characters, both parties simply ignore a romantic light to the marriage- and never discuss that aspect at all. Such was not the case with At Last Comes Love, and this was something that singularly stood out in my mind while finishing the story.
Finally, the last note I have as far as this book is concerned are one point that I absolutely love seeing in romance novels of any sub genre. Strength. Both Duncan and Margaret are very strong characters, yet not in an obnoxious sort of light. They stand firm for what they believe is right, despite what their family or society might think otherwise. This is one facet to the book that I truly loved above all else!
And, while nothing can be perfect with any novel, this book comes very, very close.