Not my favorite in the series by a long shot, but I'm glad to have finally found out the true nature of George's background. Still, his relationship with Dora was too staid for my taste. I wanted a passionate romance for the couple who missed out on so much earlier in life. Even though they told themselves their marriage was more for companionship, more of everything physical would have been entirely appropriate. I feel rather let down. 3.5 stars.
I adore Mary Balogh, especially her early books, but I can't praise this one. It seemed to me strangely mechanical and uninvolving -- more a matter of tying up loose ends and leftover characters than anything new and striking. What little drama there is to the story seems ginned up and not organic to the story or the characters. It is also plagued with pages and pages of those repetitive "family reunion" things. I think it the weakest book in this series. That said, even disappointing Balogh is way above what most current day romance authors are capable of. I would recommend it, but only if you like Balogh a lot and have been following this series.
The Duke of Stanbrook/George is a major character; he created the environment in which the other characters could heal. I knew his story would be interesting but it moved more slowly than I would have liked. George and Dora were dignified and staid; the story was rather predictable, except for the Earl of Eastham's secret.
When all of the Survivors decide to marry, George starts to think of his own future and realizes he is alone and lonely. He decides to ask Dora, the older sister of Agnes, to be his wife. The only thing that mixed up the predictability of the story was the Earl of Eastham. Still, it was nice to see that all of the members of the Survivor's Club married wisely and found happiness.
Survivor's Club
1. The Proposal (2012)
2. The Arrangement (2013)
3. The Escape (2014)
4. Only Enchanting (2014)
5. Only a Promise (2015)
6. Only a Kiss (2015)
**7. Only Beloved (2016)
When all of the Survivors decide to marry, George starts to think of his own future and realizes he is alone and lonely. He decides to ask Dora, the older sister of Agnes, to be his wife. The only thing that mixed up the predictability of the story was the Earl of Eastham. Still, it was nice to see that all of the members of the Survivor's Club married wisely and found happiness.
Survivor's Club
1. The Proposal (2012)
2. The Arrangement (2013)
3. The Escape (2014)
4. Only Enchanting (2014)
5. Only a Promise (2015)
6. Only a Kiss (2015)
**7. Only Beloved (2016)
