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A review by ikepauh
At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh
2.0
Even at Mary Balogh's lowest (according to me), she always delivers a story of which that is something to be admired. In the case of At Last Comes Love, 2/3 of the book were perfectly acceptable and even touching.
Margaret Huxtable, the eldest who has sacrificed much in the name of family; is now contemplating a dull dog life as possibly Aunt Margaret or Great Aunt Margaret and finding it to be a truly wretched thought. In her hearts of heart, what she wants is her own home to care and love. Could she have that with a widowed old flame who's come to town? Only to find that old flame ain't as hot as he was before and while putting out the flames of the past, Margaret bluffs herself to be soon to be wed to another. Who? Meet Duncan who is also in town on a bride-hunt to ensure he continues to have the means of a gentleman, for a cause as precious as family. Gainful employment is the last resort, huh? At least Duncan knows there's no a way anyone would hire him, skill-less and all? Or would they, if only Duncan would apply himself? But I digress. Duncan had been wasting away, living the life of a social pariah, away from loved ones for doing the right thing. He is somber, rarely smiles and is truthful about some things. Margaret and Duncan are pulled together by a chance encounter at a ball and by petty ton gossip (later on) and luckily for them, it leads to something permanently in their favour.
I thought I would try my hand at summarizing At Last Comes Love. The last stretch of the book is where I experienced a shift in opinion from "good book" to "a book that is sufficient, when will it end" for it was the section I liked least. The last stretch is when the two agree to find some peace in their married life by endeavoring to court each other, to fall in love with one another. The most minor of quibbles but I found myself a little bored of some of the conversation. On to the most offending part...Then, remember how I said Duncan is somewhat a truthful man? That is in reference to his wooing capabilities during the convince-me-to-marry-you period. His instinct to keep himself (and his dependents) protected by not putting all his cards on the table inevitably brings something unsettling and a Conflict occurs. What happened to trusting one another and hearing them out before jumping to conclusions? Even one of the characters thinks of this but because much time has passed since their misunderstanding, they are unable to pursue the matter without lowering themselves.
In my review of First Comes Marriage, I pointed out that it was either this book or A Secret Affair that bored me to tears when I first read in my teens. It was A Secret Affair because this is the first time I have read At Last Comes Love.
Margaret Huxtable, the eldest who has sacrificed much in the name of family; is now contemplating a dull dog life as possibly Aunt Margaret or Great Aunt Margaret and finding it to be a truly wretched thought. In her hearts of heart, what she wants is her own home to care and love. Could she have that with a widowed old flame who's come to town? Only to find that old flame ain't as hot as he was before and while putting out the flames of the past, Margaret bluffs herself to be soon to be wed to another. Who? Meet Duncan who is also in town on a bride-hunt to ensure he continues to have the means of a gentleman, for a cause as precious as family. Gainful employment is the last resort, huh? At least Duncan knows there's no a way anyone would hire him, skill-less and all? Or would they, if only Duncan would apply himself? But I digress. Duncan had been wasting away, living the life of a social pariah, away from loved ones for doing the right thing. He is somber, rarely smiles and is truthful about some things. Margaret and Duncan are pulled together by a chance encounter at a ball and by petty ton gossip (later on) and luckily for them, it leads to something permanently in their favour.
I thought I would try my hand at summarizing At Last Comes Love. The last stretch of the book is where I experienced a shift in opinion from "good book" to "a book that is sufficient, when will it end" for it was the section I liked least. The last stretch is when the two agree to find some peace in their married life by endeavoring to court each other, to fall in love with one another. The most minor of quibbles but I found myself a little bored of some of the conversation. On to the most offending part...Then, remember how I said Duncan is somewhat a truthful man? That is in reference to his wooing capabilities during the convince-me-to-marry-you period. His instinct to keep himself (and his dependents) protected by not putting all his cards on the table inevitably brings something unsettling and a Conflict occurs. What happened to trusting one another and hearing them out before jumping to conclusions? Even one of the characters thinks of this but because much time has passed since their misunderstanding, they are unable to pursue the matter without lowering themselves.
In my review of First Comes Marriage, I pointed out that it was either this book or A Secret Affair that bored me to tears when I first read in my teens. It was A Secret Affair because this is the first time I have read At Last Comes Love.