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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Pleasant post-war regency romance. Second in "The Survivor's Club" series, which is a group of people healing together from their experiences in the Napoleonic wars. Our ML in this one is Vincent, Viscount Darleigh who was blinded for life essentially as soon as he stepped on the battlefield and is being driven crazy by his (entirely female) family who won't stop coddling him every moment. He runs away from home, meets our FL and rescues her from a dire situation (she is a poor relation and is tossed out when she ruins their plans to trap Vincent into marriage with the family's daughter).
There is a lot of healing in this book, if that's a thing you are looking for. Healed people, healed hearts, healed rifts in families, etc.
Lesser Mary Balogh in the grand scheme of things but she always has a way with things.
There is a lot of healing in this book, if that's a thing you are looking for. Healed people, healed hearts, healed rifts in families, etc.
Lesser Mary Balogh in the grand scheme of things but she always has a way with things.
First half--yes. Viscount blind, Sophia kicked out of haughty aunt's family because she protected him from their fortune hunting daughter. Second half--no. Contrived misunderstandings to the extreme as well as very slow. I wanted to like this a lot and will probably read more books of hers, but this one just didn't do it for me.
Oh, I do love Ms. Balogh's books!
Afraid of a boring life, Vincent Hunt took a military commission, which promptly rendered him sightless in his first battle. Now, as the heir to a rambling estate, his mother and sisters are smothering him with solicitousness, to the point of trying to shackle him with a wife who "doesn't mind" that he can't see. What else can he do? He runs away with his valet to his humble beginnings.
Sophia has led a difficult life. Born into the gentry, she has had to endure a reprobate father, a runaway mother, and upon losing both of them, she has been handed off to uncaring aunts who, each in their turn, turned her into a silent mouse left to sit in the corner to observe, rather than partake in life. But when her snooty aunt and uncle take it upon themselves to secure a wealthy, titled bachelor for her cousin, Sophia rescues Vincent from being led astray by her scheming relatives, and is thrown out for her trouble.
Well aware of his predicament, Vincent is grateful for the rescue, and then horrified by the results of Sophia's kind assistance. What is an impulsive man to do? He can't leave her to wallow in squalor on the streets of London after her service. So he marries her instead.
The story is brilliantly crafted. Like most marriages in that time period, the bride and groom hardly know each other, and yet there is a sympathy between them. They each want to be their own person, Vincent to regain his life and not use his blindness as a crutch, and Sophia to emerge from her silent corner to finally live her life.
Ms. Balogh's novels are often a study in redemption. Her characters in this novel are well crafted, with both flaws and virtues. The creativity of the heroine neatly matches the desires of the hero, and the conflict that separates them is believable and not overdone. Her handicapped hero is likable and appealing, and there is no better foil for him than the once unattractive Cinderella-like character of Sophia. This novel is a keeper for my shelves, one that I will read many more times in the years to come.
Afraid of a boring life, Vincent Hunt took a military commission, which promptly rendered him sightless in his first battle. Now, as the heir to a rambling estate, his mother and sisters are smothering him with solicitousness, to the point of trying to shackle him with a wife who "doesn't mind" that he can't see. What else can he do? He runs away with his valet to his humble beginnings.
Sophia has led a difficult life. Born into the gentry, she has had to endure a reprobate father, a runaway mother, and upon losing both of them, she has been handed off to uncaring aunts who, each in their turn, turned her into a silent mouse left to sit in the corner to observe, rather than partake in life. But when her snooty aunt and uncle take it upon themselves to secure a wealthy, titled bachelor for her cousin, Sophia rescues Vincent from being led astray by her scheming relatives, and is thrown out for her trouble.
Well aware of his predicament, Vincent is grateful for the rescue, and then horrified by the results of Sophia's kind assistance. What is an impulsive man to do? He can't leave her to wallow in squalor on the streets of London after her service. So he marries her instead.
The story is brilliantly crafted. Like most marriages in that time period, the bride and groom hardly know each other, and yet there is a sympathy between them. They each want to be their own person, Vincent to regain his life and not use his blindness as a crutch, and Sophia to emerge from her silent corner to finally live her life.
Ms. Balogh's novels are often a study in redemption. Her characters in this novel are well crafted, with both flaws and virtues. The creativity of the heroine neatly matches the desires of the hero, and the conflict that separates them is believable and not overdone. Her handicapped hero is likable and appealing, and there is no better foil for him than the once unattractive Cinderella-like character of Sophia. This novel is a keeper for my shelves, one that I will read many more times in the years to come.
The story of a young man who is rejected and how he finds true love. I liked how Balogh considers Vincent's feelings about his disability, and how it would affect his day-to-day life, but not in the way his family does. The romance is lovely.
This is a Cinderella, marriage of convenience story with an inspiring hero and a lovable heroine. It’s sweet and the romance is better than in the first book.
Vincent went to war when he was 17 and during his first battle he lost his hearing and his eyesight. The hearing came back eventually but the eyesight did not. He went through hell and still suffers from panic attacks, but his story is an uplifting example of a man in control of his life and happiness despite the circumstances.
I loved how realistic this book was; the characters had doubts and second thoughts, it wasn’t all easy and problems didn’t magically disappear. Sophia’s down-to-earth approach to Vincent’s blindness and his constant emotional support made them a perfect match. Yet it was clear that even though life became easier after they got together, they each had to work on their own issues.
My main complaint is that the sex scenes were very unsexy. Either let the heroine enjoy it properly or just close that door, Mary
Vincent went to war when he was 17 and during his first battle he lost his hearing and his eyesight. The hearing came back eventually but the eyesight did not. He went through hell and still suffers from panic attacks, but his story is an uplifting example of a man in control of his life and happiness despite the circumstances.
I loved how realistic this book was; the characters had doubts and second thoughts, it wasn’t all easy and problems didn’t magically disappear. Sophia’s down-to-earth approach to Vincent’s blindness and his constant emotional support made them a perfect match. Yet it was clear that even though life became easier after they got together, they each had to work on their own issues.
My main complaint is that the sex scenes were very unsexy. Either let the heroine enjoy it properly or just close that door, Mary
2020 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge: Read a book with a protagonist or main character with a disability.
A sweet little romance that I’ll forget I ever read, but I liked it enough for 3.5 stars, which are rounded to 4.
A sweet little romance that I’ll forget I ever read, but I liked it enough for 3.5 stars, which are rounded to 4.
Really enjoying this series. I'm glad that it didn't go quite the direction I expected with some of the secondary character interactions. Nice twists and turns to make the main characters real people.
Every time I pick up a Balogh book, I get roped into glomming the whole series!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes