Scan barcode
haewilya's review
3.0
I like this story even if it is so sad. I feel for the hero more than the heroine. He did the honorable thing and all he got from it is grief. This kinda reminds me of Jane Eyre with a more honorable hero than Mr. Rochester.
reading_rainy's review
4.0
This story is quintessential early 90s historical romance. With the exception of the first chapter, that was shockingly graphic for this kind of story. I really adored this love story.
✔️A wounded veteran
✔️A woman forced to sell the only thing she has of value
✔️Forced proximity
✔️The best slow burn
✔️One of the best heroes
✔️A non-simpering heroine
Yes, this book does deal with cheating (not between the H/h), but please don't let that stop you from reading it. You'll understand once you get the entire picture. The angst, the guilt, the unrequited love, the murder mystery, the bitchy sick cheating wife, the asshole younger brother, and the virgin whore. It had everything! First published in 1991, there are parts that completely felt Austen-like in the BEST way. The pinky holding in the carriage?? Come on, I could feel the swoony from my comfy reading chair.
Unfortunately, I've become accustomed to modern romances, so there were large chunks of this story that felt incredibly dry and yawn inducing. Still, I wish modern romances had more of this kind of heart and passion. How many book boyfriends would wait a year for the woman they love? They be out nursing that wounded heart on a club bunny or some woman picked up at a bar until the love of their life came back again. Pffffffft!
✔️A wounded veteran
✔️A woman forced to sell the only thing she has of value
✔️Forced proximity
✔️The best slow burn
✔️One of the best heroes
✔️A non-simpering heroine
Yes, this book does deal with cheating (not between the H/h), but please don't let that stop you from reading it. You'll understand once you get the entire picture. The angst, the guilt, the unrequited love, the murder mystery, the bitchy sick cheating wife, the asshole younger brother, and the virgin whore. It had everything! First published in 1991, there are parts that completely felt Austen-like in the BEST way. The pinky holding in the carriage?? Come on, I could feel the swoony from my comfy reading chair.
Unfortunately, I've become accustomed to modern romances, so there were large chunks of this story that felt incredibly dry and yawn inducing. Still, I wish modern romances had more of this kind of heart and passion. How many book boyfriends would wait a year for the woman they love? They be out nursing that wounded heart on a club bunny or some woman picked up at a bar until the love of their life came back again. Pffffffft!
ccgwalt's review
5.0
This book contains a trope I usually don't like, but Mary Balogh manages to write it with such skill that, while still not condoning it, I felt like plot, and the different characters' reaction to it, fit the situation.
There is a lot going on in this book, but the story doesn't feel cluttered or forced. The reader gets to experience a wide range of human emotions and faults, as well as self-sacrifice and honor.
But before you think "Yawn--what a prosy book" let me assure you it is well written and engaging all the way through. Highly recommended.
There is a lot going on in this book, but the story doesn't feel cluttered or forced. The reader gets to experience a wide range of human emotions and faults, as well as self-sacrifice and honor.
But before you think "Yawn--what a prosy book" let me assure you it is well written and engaging all the way through. Highly recommended.
eacastillo84's review
1.0
LOVE Mary HATE this book! Weak, weak hero. Yuck he makes himself and the heroin miserable forever because of his overdeveloped sense of moral duty. Frankly the hero needs to stand up for himself and stop letting the people in his life use him. The heroin is better because she finally grows a backbone and stands up for herself.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
3.0
Very difficult/frustrating to read in places (chapter one and almost all of Fleur's interactions with Matthew) but also quite compelling. It slowed down about three-quarters of the way through but was still a good read. I did add it to my multiple couples shelf despite the toxic secondary couple.
nyllia's review against another edition
3.0
Les romances historiques sont mes petits péchés mignons. Et c'est totalement par hasard que je suis tombée sur celle-ci. Et c'est un coup de coeur. L'histoire est assez dure, surtout pour Fleur qui pourtant garde toujours la tête haute. Les deux héros sont très attachants et très vite on se prends à espérer le meilleur pour eux.
kimberlycarrington's review against another edition
4.0