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vicia's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
What an exciting, drama-filled set up for the rest of the book! Probably the best first-five-chapters set up of a book I have ever read -- in reading more than 200 historical romance novels. The rest of the book watched love grow and drama get resolved, one piece at a time. It was a calming and enjoyable read, with very likable characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape
jillsreadsbooks's review
5.0
This book was really good. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story and I grew to really like both of the main characters in this one. Duncan is the best husband so far.
nicolesa's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
franwiththebookaddiction's review
3.0
2.9 stars.
What is it with Mary Balogh’s obsession with quizzing glasses? I cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, see them on a romance novel hero. It’s just wrong.
Perhaps she has a quizzing glass fetish?
I believe every single Balogh novel I’ve read at some point has the hero wearing one and it’s just the biggest turn off ever.
The foppish, affected villain wearing one is quite acceptable but I have read quite a few of her novels and each time the hero decides to put one on I think “wtf?!” Who would ever think THAT sexy or hero like? It’s WRONG.
Hence- three stars for this one. I was with it until the quizzing glass part at which point I completely disengaged and got irritated by every character and plot point.
I had wondered why it had been so long since I picked up a MB as she’s an eloquent and well researched historical romance writer.
This reminded me.
Quizzing glasses.
What is it with Mary Balogh’s obsession with quizzing glasses? I cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, see them on a romance novel hero. It’s just wrong.
Perhaps she has a quizzing glass fetish?
I believe every single Balogh novel I’ve read at some point has the hero wearing one and it’s just the biggest turn off ever.
The foppish, affected villain wearing one is quite acceptable but I have read quite a few of her novels and each time the hero decides to put one on I think “wtf?!” Who would ever think THAT sexy or hero like? It’s WRONG.
Hence- three stars for this one. I was with it until the quizzing glass part at which point I completely disengaged and got irritated by every character and plot point.
I had wondered why it had been so long since I picked up a MB as she’s an eloquent and well researched historical romance writer.
This reminded me.
Quizzing glasses.
reading_historical_romance's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
pseudowoodo's review against another edition
2.5
My least favorite of this series. His backstory was over the top and her reaction to the very obvious last minute twist was awful
simplyparticular's review against another edition
2.0
I was looking forward to margaret's story, since Balogh makes a point of pointing out how worthy she is. And Duncan is a worthy hero, but this book dragged for me. It also didn't set me up to want to read #4 now, based on the tease included.
ssejig's review
3.0
Margaret Huxtable, the oldest of the Huxtable siblings, is, at thirty, unmarried. But she's run into her old flame, the man she gave up in order to care for her siblings. He went off to war, promising to love only her, but marrying a Spanish woman. Now he's back, looking at her with pity, so she invents a fiance. But the man that has twice offered for her in the past is now engaged to someone else. What is she to do?
Duncan Pennethorne, Earl of Sheringford, kicked up quite the scandal when he absconded with his fiancee's sister-in-law. Now he's back and has fifteen days to marry in order to gain his inheritance. He has a son to support and his servants so he's in somewhat of a fix.
He needs to get married, she needs to get married... it works out perfectly. Or... maybe not. The course of true love never did run smooth and Duncan and Meg have their own hurdles to get over.
Duncan Pennethorne, Earl of Sheringford, kicked up quite the scandal when he absconded with his fiancee's sister-in-law. Now he's back and has fifteen days to marry in order to gain his inheritance. He has a son to support and his servants so he's in somewhat of a fix.
He needs to get married, she needs to get married... it works out perfectly. Or... maybe not. The course of true love never did run smooth and Duncan and Meg have their own hurdles to get over.
kecresser's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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