Helpful Score: 2
This book is the first of a new series, call The Survivors' Club, about men ( & 1 woman) who have survived the horrors of the Napoleonic Wars, but still have serious scars within. This story is about how large Lord Trentham meets & falls for the widow Lady Muir. Quite honestly, the story plods along rather slowly, & you already know the ending. There are no interesting sub-plots or characters that catch your imagination, so (sorry Mary) I would pass on this one.
Helpful Score: 2
I read the second book first and found this one a little slow but still a pretty good read. Don't expect steamy sexy scenes. It's not that type of book. It's about two people overcoming their prejudices and working to come together.
It's a good introduction to the series. What I like is that there is no real bad guy. People do horrible things but there are always reasons.
It's a good introduction to the series. What I like is that there is no real bad guy. People do horrible things but there are always reasons.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved Hugo and, to a slightly lesser degree, Gwen. I loved the members of the Survivors' Club (I'm looking forward to each of their stories), and I especially liked the incorporation of past characters of previous Balogh series'. As these members came across the page, I was wonderfully surprised that I could remember who was who and which story they belonged to, and they covered a span of years. Balogh did a great job of that. What I DIDN'T like was the constant I-wonder-if-I-want-you dance between Hugo and Gwen. That was very frustrating and made a very slow pace to their romance. I suspect the romance was designed that way so that we would witness the gradual affection for each other, which was okay--for a while. But I became just a little bored with the two of them. Balogh certainly has written more satisfying romances than this. If it weren't for the fact that this is the beginning of a new series, I'd say pass on this one. But it sets the tone by introducing new characters that I want to get to know. I'm crossing my fingers for a more successful book two. Three stars.
Helpful Score: 1
Finally Gwen's story. She appeared in two previous books and I kept rooting for her to match up with one of the Bedwyns but Balogh thought she deserved her own story. Gwen and Hugo are a good match although sometimes Balogh makes the obstacles seem kind of silly. I'm sure the social status of both parties was a real issue but it Balogh doesn't show WHY very clearly (she's done so in other efforts). I also liked the framework of the Survivor's Club and the characters about whom I am sure we will read in the future. Good book, not one of the greats but certainly a good summer read.
