Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Dearest Friend : My Dearest Enemy, June 3, 2009
In this book we are introduced to Robert Blake, the Duke of Lear, son of Dominic from another of Hazel Statham's novels. This is a story of two halves and how the course of true love often does not run down the smoothest path.
When we meet Robert, he is alone, his parents apparently long dead and his beloved younger brother dead in Spain from battle wounds. His demise has left Robert utter devastated and so deep in grief that he seems utterly without emotion. Jane Chandler is a neighbour who comes to call at his door one day. Jane lives alone, the daughter of a deceased gambler, whose brother Harry is also a soldier and now lies gravely wounded following the siege at Badajoz. She is desperate to reach him and fetch him home and thus seeks Robert's advice on obtaining transport to Portugal and then Spain. Robert, now given something meaningful to do with his life, decides to accompany her in order to assist her in her quest and, without telling her in advance, appears on board the yacht he has loaned to her when they cast off from Portsmouth. Slightly improper to be sure as she is headstrong and has insisted on going to the peninsula alone and without a duenna of any sort. However, the first half of the book is about their journey to Elvas where Harry is billeted. They fall deeply in love - two lonely and emotionally vulnerable people who are, it would seem, made for each other. The description of them learning to know each other is lyrical - I felt so deeply empathetic to them. However, the first half of the book, though celebrating the renewing properties of a deep and mutual love, does have a dark undertone. You just feel an impending sense that something will go amiss and spoil such happiness.
Married whilst in Spain, they return to blissful life together in England with a recovering Harry. However, that sense of doom is now fully awakened for what happens in the second half of this lovely story is The Great Misunderstanding. Robert still has his vulnerabilities and Jane has enjoyed a degree of independence so does not react well to any criticism or inadvertent unreasonableness on the part of Robert. You want to shout at both of them to stop being so blind and stubborn but, of course, this is a romance, and despite his consuming jealousy and her refusal to listen to the man who truly adores her, they eventually reconcile.
Once again I have been delighted by the beautiful quality of the author's prose, particularly the very high quality of her narrative skills and her feel for the somewhat formal and stately language of the early 19th century. She has created a memorable H/H and an accompanying cast of wonderful supporting characters. I like the way the author gets inside the heads of her heroes and gives them faults that they must overcome. Her heroines are girls who stand up for themselves but are firmly planted in the regency soil. I am so pleased to find an author who is ticking my boxes and who seems determined to write in the style of the traditional regency so much loved by many of us and now so hard to find. Highly recommended; a keeper.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring, November 4, 2009
A story of two people. Two people who are the best of friends and find love and marriage amidst that treasured friendship.
I was awed by this story. The author did a wonderful job at portraying life during the 1800's in England. She did a magnificent job at witting about past obstacles trying to threaten the love between Robert and Jane and they over came the obstacles and found that their love was impenetrable. Though Robert was a wonderful character, I found myself drawn more to Jane in her quiet nature. Like me, she is quick to please and help others but she still gets hurt easily. However, Robert is total opposite in his ways. He is not afraid to speak up and is serious and passionate in nature.
This is truly a wonderfully written story. I enjoyed every minute of reading this book and I definitely recommend this historical romance to those of you looking for a sweet and loving read.
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