74 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
What it means to trust in love, April 30, 2009
This is the third book in Ms. Balogh's Huxtable series and it is the best so far. In the first two books ("First Comes Marriage" and "Then Comes Seduction") we watched the Huxtable family adapt to life among the ton after the youngest member of the family, Stephen, unexpectedly inherited a title and a fortune. The first and second books were the the middle and youngest sister's (Vanessa and Katherine) stories. In these books we were also introduced to the eldest sister, Margaret. For many years Margaret functioned as the mother figure for her brother and younger sister. (They were orphaned when Margaret was 17 years old and she promised her father on his death bed that she would raise the younger children.) This book is Margaret's story.
In her youth Margaret was a beauty who could have had her pick of country gentlemen. Her family, while not wealthy, were genteel. She fell in love with Crispin Dew, the squire's eldest son, a friend from childhood. When Crispin chose a military career, he asked Margaret to follow the drum and join him in service as his wife. Margaret explained to Crispin that she could not leave the children but she would wait for him. Years passed and Margaret put her desires second to those of her sisters and brother. Then one day Margaret learned that while she had remained true to Crispin, he had forsaken her. Crispin had married someone else while on campaign and was expecting a child with this other woman. Margaret was by then at an age to be firmly on the the shelf. She buried her hurt and devastation and continued on as the cornerstone of her family, even refusing attentions and offers by other eligible gentlemen. Until at long last Margaret woke up and realized that she was thirty years old with two happily married sisters and a soon to be independent young brother. The family did not need her support any longer, in fact, soon she would become a burden upon them. When Crispin returns to town, newly widowed, he makes overtures to Margaret. Unfortunately these gestures speak more of pity than of long lost love. Margaret lashes back at him - his gestures will surely be unwelcome by her (imaginary) betrothed. Frantic that her lie will be easily uncovered, Margaret resolves to make this fantasy betrothal a reality by accepting the offer of one of her long time suitors, a good man who is more friend than potential lover. Alas, when she catches up with her intended fiancee (at an assembly) she discovers him already pledged to another. She spies Crispin on his way over to make the man's acquaintance and she rushes off plowing headlong into her future, in the person of Duncan Pennethorne, the infamous Earl of Sheringford.
Duncan Pennethorne (Duncan) is alleged to be the worst sort of scoundrel, deserting his bride on their wedding day to run off with the brides, very much married, sister-in-law. He has only very recently returned to society, having lived abroad with the woman until the time of her death, four months past. Duncan is in attendance at this assembly for one reason and only one reason: he must find and marry a woman who is acceptable to his grandfather, the Marquess of Claverbrook, He has less than 16 days to accomplish this task or he will be cut off. After Margaret nearly bowls him over, he steadies her and inquires, "Why not stay and dance with me?" "And then marry me and live happily ever after with me?" Her response? "Does it have to be in that order?" And so their story begins.
As always, Ms. Balogh tells an emotionally complex tale. Duncan and Margaret have each lovingly sacrificed their own happiness for the sake of others. Duncan is in a position where it appears he must do so once again, as in his case all is not at all what society perceives. Once Margaret gets a glimpse of the man behind the infamous facade, she realizes just how much Duncan needs her in his life and she begins to believe she just might find happiness with him. She married him expecting not love but contentment. Duncan comes to believe that Margaret might just be the woman he needs but he hesitates to trust her with all of the secrets of his past. He resolves to make her happy and even ventures a challenge, "Let us be rebels then." . . . "Court me too, Maggie,as I will court you. Make me fall in love with you. I will make you fall in love with me. There will be magic." Ah, no one writes dialog or constructs a romance like Mary Balogh. This is the story of two people who, while unafraid to give love, are hesitant to allow themselves to be open enough to be loved in return.
So, why not five stars? The villain(s), yes it seems there must be one in every piece. The tangible villains presented here are one dimensional at best. They pop up briefly engage in ridiculous antics and then go away. Even the back story associated with their villainy is ludicrous. Better to simply have left them out or made slight mention of their association. Ms. Balogh is talented enough to have made the intangible challenges Margaret and Duncan face villain enough for this piece.
While not a perfect book, this novel is one of Ms. Balogh's better works and that is saying something indeed.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Much better than the first, and slightly better than the second., April 29, 2009
This book is SO good! I was dissapointed with the first and second books in this series (First comes Marriage, and Then Comes Seduction) because those were simply not up to the standards of Ms. Balogh's fabulous writing! Then Comes Seduction was pretty good, but just not up to standards with the usual Balogh. First Comes Marriage was just boring. Luckily, in this book, the series is redeemed. This is a heartwarming, INTERESTING story between Margaret and Duncan. It's one of those books that you could just FEEL the characters falling in love. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable. Margaret is a strong character whom I could relate to. She felt real. I thought she was a bit more of a complex character than Duncan was, but Duncan was is possibly one of my favorite heroes EVER. He's a rake and is completely sweet. He's not one of those aloof heroes who really annoy me (aka, Elliot). But this book is really good and possibly one of my favorite Balogh books! Enjoy :)
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Completely predictable, June 8, 2009
This is a workmanlike story with a beginning, middle and end, all meticulously plotted, and therefore dull. The marriage so he can inherit, her marriage so she will not be left on the shelf, has all been seen before.
The component of his scandal and being the equivalent of a widower with an illegitimate son is sensationalized on the one hand, and then tidied away in a few pages on the other hand.
On hand are the dull Huxtable siblings, and Con waiting in the wings, no doubt for his own romance in book 5, but we don't get to catch up, see how happy they are, and so on.
Then there is the big misunderstanding. The heroine does not even give him a moment to explain, just withdraws as if the marriage is over. We never get into the real mind of the hero, of either of them, really. It is all tell, not show. The 'love scenes' are like building Lego. This part goes here, that one goes there-- etc.
Totally unromantic. And why her heroes still hold her hands over the women's heads hearkens back to the olden days of nonconsensual love scenes and exercising marital 'rights', which he enforces, rather than give her a change to get to know him when they have met less than a fortnight ago. And especially given the past of the woman he supposedly 'saved' from a bad marriage!
Flat conversation, indeed, them practicing trying to be silent with one another, makes this a dull book only redeemed by Toby the child.
I am giving up on this series as too dull for my tastes. I prefer something with more vivid characters than Margaret, or indeed, most of Balogh's men these days. They are too tedious.
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