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Lessons in Love #3
England's Perfect Hero
Lucinda Barrett's best friends ended up married to the men to whom they delivered their 'lessons in love'. So Lucinda decides to choose someone who definitely needs lessons, but someone who will not complicate her life. And that person is definitely not Robert Carroway.
Robert is nothing if not complicated, and though he is the brother of a viscount, he rarely goes about society, and finds the weather and hat fashions ludicrous subjects for discussion. Robert is attracted to Lucinda's unpretentious ways, her serenity and her kindness. When she chooses someone for her love lessons, Robert offers to help her deliver her lessons, but sets out to convince the woman he has fallen for to take a chance on love ... and on him.
Robert is nothing if not complicated, and though he is the brother of a viscount, he rarely goes about society, and finds the weather and hat fashions ludicrous subjects for discussion. Robert is attracted to Lucinda's unpretentious ways, her serenity and her kindness. When she chooses someone for her love lessons, Robert offers to help her deliver her lessons, but sets out to convince the woman he has fallen for to take a chance on love ... and on him.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2004
129 people are currently reading
4276 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Enoch
98 books2,633 followersSuzanne was born in Southern California sometime in the latter half of the 20th century. In the way that some people are born knowing they want to be astronauts or cellists, Suzanne always knew she wanted to be a writer. Early dreams of becoming a zoologist and writing true stories about her adventures in Africa were crushed, however, after she viewed a television special about the world’s most poisonous snakes; she did NOT want to write about how she’d been bitten and lost a limb to a cobra. Thankfully at the same time the movie “Star Wars” premiered, and she realized that she could make up adventures and write about them, and not be eaten by deadly predators while doing research.
She dabbled in romantic fantasy writing for a year or two after graduating with a degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, until her affection for traditional Regency romances led her to write one for fun. After several encouraging rejections from publishers, she snared the interest of the world’s best and most patient literary agent, who advised her to revise the manuscript. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, The Black Duke’s Prize, from Avon Books in the Spring of 1995. A second Regency, Angel’s Devil, followed that Fall.
When Avon folded its traditional Regency line, Suzanne was encouraged to try her hand at historical romance. As she remained keenly interested in England’s Regency period, she decided to attempt another manuscript set in that time. Lady Rogue hit the shelves in March of 1997. She wrote a total of 29 books for Avon, including two anthologies and a five-part contemporary series which received a pair of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. One of those books, Twice the Temptation, was named one of the five best romances of the year by PW in 2007.
In 2002 her well-known love of all things “Star Wars” led to an invitation to appear on the E! channel in the television special “Star Wars: The Force Is Back”, where she discussed the romance in the movie series and ended up with more air time than George Lucas.
In 2010 Suzanne left Avon Books for St. Martin’s Press, where she continues to pen historical romance novels. Her 31st book, Taming an Impossible Rogue, is set to arrive in March 2012.
Suzanne is known for her humorous characters, sexy bad boys, and whip-sharp, witty dialogue. She currently resides in Placentia, California with several hundred guppies and various other tropical fish, and handful of very loud, spinach-loving finches. And her collection of action figures and statues from “Star Wars”, “Lord of the Rings”, “X-Men”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Everybody needs some inspiration, after all.
www.facebook.com/SuzanneEnoch
She dabbled in romantic fantasy writing for a year or two after graduating with a degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, until her affection for traditional Regency romances led her to write one for fun. After several encouraging rejections from publishers, she snared the interest of the world’s best and most patient literary agent, who advised her to revise the manuscript. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, The Black Duke’s Prize, from Avon Books in the Spring of 1995. A second Regency, Angel’s Devil, followed that Fall.
When Avon folded its traditional Regency line, Suzanne was encouraged to try her hand at historical romance. As she remained keenly interested in England’s Regency period, she decided to attempt another manuscript set in that time. Lady Rogue hit the shelves in March of 1997. She wrote a total of 29 books for Avon, including two anthologies and a five-part contemporary series which received a pair of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. One of those books, Twice the Temptation, was named one of the five best romances of the year by PW in 2007.
In 2002 her well-known love of all things “Star Wars” led to an invitation to appear on the E! channel in the television special “Star Wars: The Force Is Back”, where she discussed the romance in the movie series and ended up with more air time than George Lucas.
In 2010 Suzanne left Avon Books for St. Martin’s Press, where she continues to pen historical romance novels. Her 31st book, Taming an Impossible Rogue, is set to arrive in March 2012.
Suzanne is known for her humorous characters, sexy bad boys, and whip-sharp, witty dialogue. She currently resides in Placentia, California with several hundred guppies and various other tropical fish, and handful of very loud, spinach-loving finches. And her collection of action figures and statues from “Star Wars”, “Lord of the Rings”, “X-Men”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Everybody needs some inspiration, after all.
www.facebook.com/SuzanneEnoch
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 472 reviews
July 8, 2024
I read this for one of my book groups and thought it was good and rate it 3.75* and round up to 4*. I don't know why I didn't love it as it has everything, I usually like...wounded soldier, spunky heroine, and a minor mystery. The mystery seemed to be just a throwaway part of the plot. Also I am not a fan of the long drawn out "thing" that cannot be spoken of till halfway through the book. It is always a let down. The plot of the book just never seemed to move smoothly for me like the sex scenes didn't add to the storyline and seemed to be checking off a box. I am sounding negative and shouldn't as it was a fine story with a hea.
April 10, 2009
I was a bit leery about this story so it took me a while to finally decide to read it because the hero is a reclusive, severely emotionally scarred man due to the war. Robert pops up in the previous book “London’s Perfect Scoundrel” as a war hero who barely says two words to anyone and just doesn’t seem all that interesting. He’s impossible to categorize too as an alpha, beta or gamma hero which was interesting to see. Basically I had a hard time seeing how he could be hero material. Well he turns out to be not only an incredible hero, but a man with a beautiful soul. He has such emotional strength when all is said and done that you can’t help but adore him.
There’s no squabbling or love/hate or any of the standard lines you often find in historicals to make the characters interesting. This one was very different with an unlikely man slowly coming into his own with the help of Lucinda Barrett. The demons he fights just to stay sane really give you the shivers. You can feel the battle he wages on a constant basis when these panic attacks hit him, but he wants to help Lucinda because it somehow helps him leave his solitary world and make it through the day. That might sound hokey and typical but I didn’t think it was at all. His strength of character is amazing especially in the face of hellish odds as you see his story unravel. The two start off as acquaintances, turn into friends and then friends “with benefits” ;-)
Enoch is a master at dialog. She’s excellent at showing interruptions in conversation so that you feel like you’re right there listening to the characters speaking. This is the kind of book that moves along so smoothly you’re surprised that it’s already over. The sexual tension between the “friends” is very high throughout the book and though it could’ve used a smidge more ‘bedroom scenes’ (what is there is very good though) the emotional side made up for it –which is saying a lot about how good a writer she is. There are some very sad moments as well as very funny ones. The parallel drawn between Robert’s growing roses and how they bloom is very good. Something that could’ve turned out to be cheesy or predictable was actually a nice touch to the whole story adding even more feeling. At the start of each chapter there are also a few lines from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. This sets the tone for the chapter so the reader knows if they should anticipate something good or bad as well as getting further insight into Robert who feels like he's a wretched outcast just as Frankenstein's monster felt --very well-done.
Previous characters from other books (the other ladies who taught their ‘lessons’, Tristan, Saint, the Duke of Wycliff) all make an appearance which was nice to see. If you like series’ books this adds a nice touch of familiarity making you feel like you ‘know’ something that others may not. You’ll find yourself smiling also from start to finish –it’s the kind of read that just makes you feel happy.
The “Lessons in Love” series was fantastic and this final one was a fitting end to some smart women and their sexy, if flawed men. Keeper material :)
There’s no squabbling or love/hate or any of the standard lines you often find in historicals to make the characters interesting. This one was very different with an unlikely man slowly coming into his own with the help of Lucinda Barrett. The demons he fights just to stay sane really give you the shivers. You can feel the battle he wages on a constant basis when these panic attacks hit him, but he wants to help Lucinda because it somehow helps him leave his solitary world and make it through the day. That might sound hokey and typical but I didn’t think it was at all. His strength of character is amazing especially in the face of hellish odds as you see his story unravel. The two start off as acquaintances, turn into friends and then friends “with benefits” ;-)
Enoch is a master at dialog. She’s excellent at showing interruptions in conversation so that you feel like you’re right there listening to the characters speaking. This is the kind of book that moves along so smoothly you’re surprised that it’s already over. The sexual tension between the “friends” is very high throughout the book and though it could’ve used a smidge more ‘bedroom scenes’ (what is there is very good though) the emotional side made up for it –which is saying a lot about how good a writer she is. There are some very sad moments as well as very funny ones. The parallel drawn between Robert’s growing roses and how they bloom is very good. Something that could’ve turned out to be cheesy or predictable was actually a nice touch to the whole story adding even more feeling. At the start of each chapter there are also a few lines from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. This sets the tone for the chapter so the reader knows if they should anticipate something good or bad as well as getting further insight into Robert who feels like he's a wretched outcast just as Frankenstein's monster felt --very well-done.
Previous characters from other books (the other ladies who taught their ‘lessons’, Tristan, Saint, the Duke of Wycliff) all make an appearance which was nice to see. If you like series’ books this adds a nice touch of familiarity making you feel like you ‘know’ something that others may not. You’ll find yourself smiling also from start to finish –it’s the kind of read that just makes you feel happy.
The “Lessons in Love” series was fantastic and this final one was a fitting end to some smart women and their sexy, if flawed men. Keeper material :)
August 6, 2023
I’m very thankful my local library had a copy of this title, I would’ve been irritated paying for it.
It wasn’t necessarily a bad story. Writing was solid, the dialogue decent, and the overall plot was fine. They were just bland, underdeveloped characters.
The first time they were intimate, I was shocked that he showed no concern for taking her virginity, and leaving her an unmarried woman during this era. He didn’t feel he was worthy of her love blah blah blah, but still one would think a man with any kind of scruples would have been more careful with her reputation. Just saying.
It wasn’t necessarily a bad story. Writing was solid, the dialogue decent, and the overall plot was fine. They were just bland, underdeveloped characters.
The first time they were intimate, I was shocked that he showed no concern for taking her virginity, and leaving her an unmarried woman during this era. He didn’t feel he was worthy of her love blah blah blah, but still one would think a man with any kind of scruples would have been more careful with her reputation. Just saying.
July 7, 2018
I am re-reading all my 5 star rated romance novels. There are 60 on my shelf. This is book 19.
(Tropes: Unrequited Love, Tortured Hero (PTSD, limp)
This is how my 19th re-read held up.
*****
For three years he'd looked forward to seeing Lucinda, even from a distance. Close to her, interacting with her, she felt like daylight after a very long, very dark night. He couldn't help stretching his wings a little, yet he still lingered in the shadows, afraid the sun would burn him to ashes. But he'd made her a bargain, and she remained as alluring as candlelight to a moth.
*****
Quick plot: Lucianda Barret wants a husband who is aimable, one who will create no chaos in her orderly life, one who will help her take care of her father as he grows older. And she thinks she has found it in Lord Geoffrey. The why can’t she stop thinking about the wounded war hero, Robert “Bit” Carroway, brother of her best friend’s husband?
Robert is one of those characters, like Ian from The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie, you just want to heal with the power of hugs and love.
Although it probably would not do Robert’s PTSD any good. Because Robert is one wounded hero.
- Sweet Lucifer. What had he been thinking? That he could go back to who he used to be, that he could dance and laugh and find a woman attractive as if nothing had ever happened?
He had no right to any of it.
For God's sake, he was supposed to be dead. And the dead knew nothing but darkness.
He hunched down in the corner, rocking back and forth.
Stop it, stop it, stop it.
But unlike everyone else who tiptoes around him, Lucinda treats Robert normally. She sees the need in him to have something positive to focus on. So she teaches him about her hobby of tending roses.
- Flowers, plants, growing things. Things that didn't scream or bleed when they died. Things that wouldn't look at you oddly if you didn't know what the hell you were doing. By God, it actually made sense.
In exchange, he says he will help her snare the husband she thinks she wants. Despite really wanting her to himself.
- If he'd been himself, the Robert before the war, he would have thought Georgiana was matchmaking. Back then he would have pursued Lucinda, though in truth it would have been her looks that attracted him. Now she'd set her sights on someone else. And now it was her serenity, her peace, that drew him like a warm breeze on a cold day. And even though he enjoyed being around her, he resisted her, because he was supremely aware that he wasn't the old Robert any longer; he was Bit, a piece of what he'd once been.
While in Robert’s company, Lucinda keeps finding herself utterly drawn to his frankness.
- "I… got out of the habit of it, I think, and now I spend so much time thinking about it that the chance to speak sometimes passes me by."
"You talk to me."
"You're easy to talk to."
Her cheeks warmed.
And the rest as they say….
- Before he could convince himself of the idiocy of his impulse or think where their chaperone might be, he leaned over and touched his mouth to hers. For a second, for a heartbeat, time stopped. And then he made himself straighten, before she could pull away.
- "You didn't mean to kiss me," she interrupted, backing away and nearly tripping over his borrowed cane. "That's all right."
"No, I didn't mean to upset you," he countered, limping forward to retrieve the cane from the tangle of her skirts. "I meant to kiss you."
"Oh. Why?" she asked, still stammering and uncomfortably hot beneath her thin muslin gown.
"If I told you that, I don't think we would be able to remain friends," he said, his gaze still on her mouth. "And we are still friends, aren't we?"
- "You don't need my nightmares, Lucinda. You talk to me like I'm human, and that's enough."
They passed between a tall stand of pink rhododendron and an empty coach stopped at the edge of the street, and abruptly she couldn't stand it any longer.
If she couldn't touch him, comfort him, do something, it would cause her physical pain. Tightening her grip on his arm, she pulled him around and leaned up to tangle her fingers through his hair, drew his face down, and kissed him.
- He waltzed well, she realized, easy and graceful and his limp barely noticeable. His knee would hurt tomorrow, probably, but she had to think that that was the least of his worries at the moment.
"I'm beginning to wish I was amiable," he murmured.
She swallowed, because she'd been thinking the same thing.
*****
5 stars!
(Tropes: Unrequited Love, Tortured Hero (PTSD, limp)
This is how my 19th re-read held up.
*****
For three years he'd looked forward to seeing Lucinda, even from a distance. Close to her, interacting with her, she felt like daylight after a very long, very dark night. He couldn't help stretching his wings a little, yet he still lingered in the shadows, afraid the sun would burn him to ashes. But he'd made her a bargain, and she remained as alluring as candlelight to a moth.
*****
Quick plot: Lucianda Barret wants a husband who is aimable, one who will create no chaos in her orderly life, one who will help her take care of her father as he grows older. And she thinks she has found it in Lord Geoffrey. The why can’t she stop thinking about the wounded war hero, Robert “Bit” Carroway, brother of her best friend’s husband?
Robert is one of those characters, like Ian from The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie, you just want to heal with the power of hugs and love.
Although it probably would not do Robert’s PTSD any good. Because Robert is one wounded hero.
- Sweet Lucifer. What had he been thinking? That he could go back to who he used to be, that he could dance and laugh and find a woman attractive as if nothing had ever happened?
He had no right to any of it.
For God's sake, he was supposed to be dead. And the dead knew nothing but darkness.
He hunched down in the corner, rocking back and forth.
Stop it, stop it, stop it.
But unlike everyone else who tiptoes around him, Lucinda treats Robert normally. She sees the need in him to have something positive to focus on. So she teaches him about her hobby of tending roses.
- Flowers, plants, growing things. Things that didn't scream or bleed when they died. Things that wouldn't look at you oddly if you didn't know what the hell you were doing. By God, it actually made sense.
In exchange, he says he will help her snare the husband she thinks she wants. Despite really wanting her to himself.
- If he'd been himself, the Robert before the war, he would have thought Georgiana was matchmaking. Back then he would have pursued Lucinda, though in truth it would have been her looks that attracted him. Now she'd set her sights on someone else. And now it was her serenity, her peace, that drew him like a warm breeze on a cold day. And even though he enjoyed being around her, he resisted her, because he was supremely aware that he wasn't the old Robert any longer; he was Bit, a piece of what he'd once been.
While in Robert’s company, Lucinda keeps finding herself utterly drawn to his frankness.
- "I… got out of the habit of it, I think, and now I spend so much time thinking about it that the chance to speak sometimes passes me by."
"You talk to me."
"You're easy to talk to."
Her cheeks warmed.
And the rest as they say….
- Before he could convince himself of the idiocy of his impulse or think where their chaperone might be, he leaned over and touched his mouth to hers. For a second, for a heartbeat, time stopped. And then he made himself straighten, before she could pull away.
- "You didn't mean to kiss me," she interrupted, backing away and nearly tripping over his borrowed cane. "That's all right."
"No, I didn't mean to upset you," he countered, limping forward to retrieve the cane from the tangle of her skirts. "I meant to kiss you."
"Oh. Why?" she asked, still stammering and uncomfortably hot beneath her thin muslin gown.
"If I told you that, I don't think we would be able to remain friends," he said, his gaze still on her mouth. "And we are still friends, aren't we?"
- "You don't need my nightmares, Lucinda. You talk to me like I'm human, and that's enough."
They passed between a tall stand of pink rhododendron and an empty coach stopped at the edge of the street, and abruptly she couldn't stand it any longer.
If she couldn't touch him, comfort him, do something, it would cause her physical pain. Tightening her grip on his arm, she pulled him around and leaned up to tangle her fingers through his hair, drew his face down, and kissed him.
- He waltzed well, she realized, easy and graceful and his limp barely noticeable. His knee would hurt tomorrow, probably, but she had to think that that was the least of his worries at the moment.
"I'm beginning to wish I was amiable," he murmured.
She swallowed, because she'd been thinking the same thing.
*****
5 stars!
June 16, 2024
4 to 4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book about a very damaged hero who had been imprisoned and tortured by some of Napoleon's henchmen around the time of the Battle of Waterloo. He had barely made it out alive, with severe physical injuries, but with even deeper mental scars. His PTSD chiefly manifested itself as withdrawal from society, even from his family.
The heroine, Lucinda, becomes involved with him when he accidentally overhears her (somewhat childish) plans to teach another man some lessons about the proper way to live one's life. Fortunately, this slightly silly aspect of the plot is soon left behind, as Robert, or 'Bit' as he is affectionately known by his family, gradually starts to come out of his shell, to find a way to the light, and begin to really live his life again.
There is no doubting that Robert is the key character in this book. Lucinda is kind and loving, but she acts as a kind of foil for this charming, wonderful man who has been so deeply hurt. His family love him very deeply but don't know how to help him. It's lovely to see his resigned patience with their fumbling attempts to understand and help him. It's also lovely to see how he gradually begins to heal under the warm, understanding 'sun' of Lucinda's patient, understated and caring attention to him.
The author writes Robert's slow and steady journey back to himself very well IMO. It was well-paced, and showed beautiful insight. It kept you reading. You SO wanted Robert to recover.
There was a mystery storyline in this book, and (as usual for me) it took me a while to work out who the bad guy was. I did figure it out (for once) before the actual reveal though LOL. The last section of the book was quite enjoyable, as Robert, aided by his delightful family and friends, chased down and caught the bad guy.
I thought Ms Enoch wrote the secondary characters very well: Lucinda's father General Barrett with his military interests, the up-and-coming Geoffrey who had hopes of gaining a promotion to major in India, and Bit's lovely brothers, including the youngest one who was a lively and interesting character all his own. We didn't see too much of Lucinda's female friends, but as I hadn't read the previous books that wasn't an issue for me.
I did like the short quotes from 'Frankenstein' at the start of each chapter. They were quite apt, and IMO really added to the story, especially as Robert had been, understandably, a little obsessed with rereading the book.
Overall, a sensitively written book showing excellent historical knowledge, and an insight into some of the challenges returned veterans would have faced. I enjoyed the romance aspect as well. The book's title is apt and clever. Nicely done, Ms Enoch. An enjoyable read.
I reread this book for the July 2024 BOTM for Historical Romance Book Club, 'Support Network' trope.
The heroine, Lucinda, becomes involved with him when he accidentally overhears her (somewhat childish) plans to teach another man some lessons about the proper way to live one's life. Fortunately, this slightly silly aspect of the plot is soon left behind, as Robert, or 'Bit' as he is affectionately known by his family, gradually starts to come out of his shell, to find a way to the light, and begin to really live his life again.
There is no doubting that Robert is the key character in this book. Lucinda is kind and loving, but she acts as a kind of foil for this charming, wonderful man who has been so deeply hurt. His family love him very deeply but don't know how to help him. It's lovely to see his resigned patience with their fumbling attempts to understand and help him. It's also lovely to see how he gradually begins to heal under the warm, understanding 'sun' of Lucinda's patient, understated and caring attention to him.
The author writes Robert's slow and steady journey back to himself very well IMO. It was well-paced, and showed beautiful insight. It kept you reading. You SO wanted Robert to recover.
There was a mystery storyline in this book, and (as usual for me) it took me a while to work out who the bad guy was. I did figure it out (for once) before the actual reveal though LOL. The last section of the book was quite enjoyable, as Robert, aided by his delightful family and friends, chased down and caught the bad guy.
I thought Ms Enoch wrote the secondary characters very well: Lucinda's father General Barrett with his military interests, the up-and-coming Geoffrey who had hopes of gaining a promotion to major in India, and Bit's lovely brothers, including the youngest one who was a lively and interesting character all his own. We didn't see too much of Lucinda's female friends, but as I hadn't read the previous books that wasn't an issue for me.
I did like the short quotes from 'Frankenstein' at the start of each chapter. They were quite apt, and IMO really added to the story, especially as Robert had been, understandably, a little obsessed with rereading the book.
Overall, a sensitively written book showing excellent historical knowledge, and an insight into some of the challenges returned veterans would have faced. I enjoyed the romance aspect as well. The book's title is apt and clever. Nicely done, Ms Enoch. An enjoyable read.
I reread this book for the July 2024 BOTM for Historical Romance Book Club, 'Support Network' trope.
January 2, 2022
4.5/5. Rounded up because the Carroway sibling love is the real deal. A reread and it held onto its original rating in 2013. Robert makes a most unique hero. A PTSD afflicted hero is nothing new but Enoch describes his anxiety so well and he differs from others in that he is not willing to let it consume him, to give in to the rage and the darkness. No, he tries to fight it all the way, even as the sudden onslaught of an attack threatens to suffocate and consume him, he clings on to some glimmer of lightness - the budding of rose cuttings, his family's unconditional love, and the positivity and warmth of the luminous Lucinda Barrett.
Lucinda had a noticeable presence on the periphery of his sphere even before Robert went to war. Three years after his return from the Napoleon War, an acclaimed war hero but still a ghost of the charming, extroverted man he used to be. His physical injuries still cause him pain and disability but it is the psychological scars that have maimed his soul. Now a silent recluse even within the bosom of his well-meaning and protective family, his crippling panic attacks hinder his attempt to claw back his old life, even as he will his family not to give up on him.
Despite flailing in the dark, he does not allow himself to sink but grabs hold of a lifeline - Lucinda, a close family friend. He repeatedly and unexpectedly pops into her path and consciousness, simultaneously igniting her irritation and curiosity equally with a few chosen enigmatic words only to disappear as quietly as he arrived. They form a tentative partnership and friendship; in helping Lucinda with her project of training her chosen potential husband to be worthy of her, Robert finds a buoy to keep him afloat. He is a complex man with torturous, dark secrets - secrets that involve Lucinda's father, a highly respected general. Even as their friendship very slowly turns to deeper passion, there are such much in the way of a future together. His past, their present circumstances.
*Sigh* Thank you to my fellow buddy readers, because this was such a satisfying read. I can't stress enough how wonderful Robert is as a character. None of that self-pitying, rage-against-the-world behaviour we have come to expect of returned soldiers in HRs. And his siblings are so magnificent in their subtle and not so subtle unquestionable support of him. Lucinda too is a great character, astute and just as cunning a strategist as her father. Yes, the concept of her lessons are silly, hence the 1/2 star deduction, but the quality and depth of the writing permits the reader to easily overlook this.
Lucinda had a noticeable presence on the periphery of his sphere even before Robert went to war. Three years after his return from the Napoleon War, an acclaimed war hero but still a ghost of the charming, extroverted man he used to be. His physical injuries still cause him pain and disability but it is the psychological scars that have maimed his soul. Now a silent recluse even within the bosom of his well-meaning and protective family, his crippling panic attacks hinder his attempt to claw back his old life, even as he will his family not to give up on him.
Despite flailing in the dark, he does not allow himself to sink but grabs hold of a lifeline - Lucinda, a close family friend. He repeatedly and unexpectedly pops into her path and consciousness, simultaneously igniting her irritation and curiosity equally with a few chosen enigmatic words only to disappear as quietly as he arrived. They form a tentative partnership and friendship; in helping Lucinda with her project of training her chosen potential husband to be worthy of her, Robert finds a buoy to keep him afloat. He is a complex man with torturous, dark secrets - secrets that involve Lucinda's father, a highly respected general. Even as their friendship very slowly turns to deeper passion, there are such much in the way of a future together. His past, their present circumstances.
*Sigh* Thank you to my fellow buddy readers, because this was such a satisfying read. I can't stress enough how wonderful Robert is as a character. None of that self-pitying, rage-against-the-world behaviour we have come to expect of returned soldiers in HRs. And his siblings are so magnificent in their subtle and not so subtle unquestionable support of him. Lucinda too is a great character, astute and just as cunning a strategist as her father. Yes, the concept of her lessons are silly, hence the 1/2 star deduction, but the quality and depth of the writing permits the reader to easily overlook this.
February 25, 2011
5+ stars – Historical/Regency Romance
As much as I enjoyed the love/hate banter of The Rake and swooned at devilishly wicked, sinfully charming rake Saint’s feet in London's Perfect Scoundrel, England’s Perfect Hero ended up being my favorite book in Enoch’s wonderful Lessons in Love trilogy. It’s a beautiful, touching romance between an emotionally and physically scarred hero suffering from PTSD and the woman whose friendship helps heal his wounded soul and bring him back into the light. I absolutely loved it! My only complaint is the same that I had about London's Perfect Scoundrel, which is that it needed a bit more to the ending and an epilogue. But it’s still a heartrending, soulful love story worthy of big 5 stars!
As much as I enjoyed the love/hate banter of The Rake and swooned at devilishly wicked, sinfully charming rake Saint’s feet in London's Perfect Scoundrel, England’s Perfect Hero ended up being my favorite book in Enoch’s wonderful Lessons in Love trilogy. It’s a beautiful, touching romance between an emotionally and physically scarred hero suffering from PTSD and the woman whose friendship helps heal his wounded soul and bring him back into the light. I absolutely loved it! My only complaint is the same that I had about London's Perfect Scoundrel, which is that it needed a bit more to the ending and an epilogue. But it’s still a heartrending, soulful love story worthy of big 5 stars!
April 26, 2009
Mayhap SE is just not my cuppa, 'cuz this book was simply ho-hum. The storyline was blah, the H/H & 2ndary characters weren't well-rounded. From the get-go, it's quite obvious who stole the papers from House Guards. Too much dialogue & too many characters were crammed in-between the covers, 'overcrowded' = the operative word here. Bit has been living w/ his sibling since his horrific captivity, so his clandestine meetings w/ Luce took place @ her home. When I think of a 'reclusive' hero, I visualize him living in his own domain =)~. He's quite helpless in his attempts to clear his name. Sexual tension = nada, @ least, none that I could discern. Luce was obtuse, putting 2 & 2 together & coming up w/ 3, w/ all the incriminating clues pointing @ her suitor as the culprit. I'd have liked her a li'l bit more if she'd put more faith in Robert & less in her suitor, plus, she didn't want to help Bit out. She chose to be neutral & it was way too late - for me - when she finally changed her tune. The whole book was a major exercise for Bit to 'live' again, thru' the process of falling for Luce & growing roses, w/ the lame intrigue mixed in the pot. The abrupt ending was unsatisfactory.
March 25, 2020
A comfort re-read and very satisfying in these troubling times, so thank you Ms. Enoch.
Robert, the H, suffers from PTSD as a result of being tortured in a French prison for seven months. If that weren't bad enough no one knows what happened to him so it's easy for rumors to begin circulating that he was/is a potential traitor.
The heroine is caught between a rock and a hard place as she has her eyes on a more suitable hero, one that her ex-General father approves of and can easily ring his own bell, but becomes attracted to the very unsuitable and uncommunicative hero.
Best friends with his SIL, there is a very slow burn attraction between Robert and Lucinda as she wants to help him adapt to real life. After three years of being shut down, he is slowly ready to embrace life. The heroine helps him set up a rose garden for him to tend that serves as a nice metaphor for his reintroduction to life. Enoch could have done more with it.
Enoch provides extra layers of story with the friendship between Lucinda and the other heroines in this series as well as the strong, supportive and loving relationship between the hero and his brothers. His relationship with his brothers is a big plus and the H has a lot of brothers.
The weakest point is the McGuffin of the purloined letters that may drag England back into a war. This is a level of MI6/007 espionage Regency style that I don't feel is dealt with appropriately. Would it really have been that easy to steal something that could drag England back into war and what kind of papers could they be?
Ah well, it doesn't really matter as we have an emergent hero befuddled with a heroine who leads him to the light.
Robert, the H, suffers from PTSD as a result of being tortured in a French prison for seven months. If that weren't bad enough no one knows what happened to him so it's easy for rumors to begin circulating that he was/is a potential traitor.
The heroine is caught between a rock and a hard place as she has her eyes on a more suitable hero, one that her ex-General father approves of and can easily ring his own bell, but becomes attracted to the very unsuitable and uncommunicative hero.
Best friends with his SIL, there is a very slow burn attraction between Robert and Lucinda as she wants to help him adapt to real life. After three years of being shut down, he is slowly ready to embrace life. The heroine helps him set up a rose garden for him to tend that serves as a nice metaphor for his reintroduction to life. Enoch could have done more with it.
Enoch provides extra layers of story with the friendship between Lucinda and the other heroines in this series as well as the strong, supportive and loving relationship between the hero and his brothers. His relationship with his brothers is a big plus and the H has a lot of brothers.
The weakest point is the McGuffin of the purloined letters that may drag England back into a war. This is a level of MI6/007 espionage Regency style that I don't feel is dealt with appropriately. Would it really have been that easy to steal something that could drag England back into war and what kind of papers could they be?
Ah well, it doesn't really matter as we have an emergent hero befuddled with a heroine who leads him to the light.
July 12, 2024
Read: 7/12/24
2 generous star!
This was a letdown! Book 2 had a charming rake and adorable h to distract from the modern but cute story. I couldn't find the charm in this book. I like the wounded soldier trope for about a minute and then it just got boring. I could have cared less about the mystery. The last 100 pages were a chore.
This was definitely not SE at her best
2 generous star!
This was a letdown! Book 2 had a charming rake and adorable h to distract from the modern but cute story. I couldn't find the charm in this book. I like the wounded soldier trope for about a minute and then it just got boring. I could have cared less about the mystery. The last 100 pages were a chore.
This was definitely not SE at her best
April 23, 2015
4.5 stars . Touching tale about a damaged hero, who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, and the lady who saved him from its perpetual darkness.
February 23, 2009
I loved Robert, the tortured hero who suffered from PTSD, and I liked following his journey towards recovery - even though it wasn´t easy to "witness" his panic attacks.
I adored his family (his brothers - especially little Edward, the Runt - and his sister-in-law Georgie) and friends (Saint and Evie), who played more than secondary roles in the story. That was good, as it´s unusual to see secondary characters acting out like that.
At first, I liked Lucinda, the heroine, but she wasn´t nothing "out of this world". I mean, she was nice, sensible and kind, something like "the girl next door". Then, BAM!, she went and betrayed Robert´s confidence and, no matter how quickly this issue was resolved between them - thank you, Ms. Enoch, for not dragging us into a "Big Misunderstanding" plot device - and how she immediately redeemed herself, I couldn´t forget that.
As for the story, I really liked it. It was kinda slow at first, but that was expected considering that Robert was still in the first stages of his recovery. The second half, when he had to fight for his innocence, was more action paced and I was almost biting my nails when Robert, his brother Tristan and his friend Wycliffe broke into Geoffrey´s house. BTW, it was pretty easy to figure out who the villain was, but that didn´t detract me from the story because I wasn´t reading this book for its mystery/suspense part.
I adored his family (his brothers - especially little Edward, the Runt - and his sister-in-law Georgie) and friends (Saint and Evie), who played more than secondary roles in the story. That was good, as it´s unusual to see secondary characters acting out like that.
At first, I liked Lucinda, the heroine, but she wasn´t nothing "out of this world". I mean, she was nice, sensible and kind, something like "the girl next door". Then, BAM!, she went and betrayed Robert´s confidence and, no matter how quickly this issue was resolved between them - thank you, Ms. Enoch, for not dragging us into a "Big Misunderstanding" plot device - and how she immediately redeemed herself, I couldn´t forget that.
As for the story, I really liked it. It was kinda slow at first, but that was expected considering that Robert was still in the first stages of his recovery. The second half, when he had to fight for his innocence, was more action paced and I was almost biting my nails when Robert, his brother Tristan and his friend Wycliffe broke into Geoffrey´s house. BTW, it was pretty easy to figure out who the villain was, but that didn´t detract me from the story because I wasn´t reading this book for its mystery/suspense part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2020
After reading Dare and Georgie Story. I already had a soft spot for Robert(bit) and his brothers.
Robert came back from being in a French prison. Where he was tortured for the seven months, he was there. Bit's family loved and cared for him . But it take Lucinda, to make him want to live his life again. Nice read, with lots of good humour, between the brothers and friends. Loved the Runt (Edward)
Was shocked at the ending, thought it would have had a Epilogue. With a glimpse into there future
Robert came back from being in a French prison. Where he was tortured for the seven months, he was there. Bit's family loved and cared for him . But it take Lucinda, to make him want to live his life again. Nice read, with lots of good humour, between the brothers and friends. Loved the Runt (Edward)
Was shocked at the ending, thought it would have had a Epilogue. With a glimpse into there future
October 21, 2025
“I would die again for you, Lucinda,” he murmured.
“I don’t want you to die for me. I want you to live.”
I’m always up for a damaged hero, and Robert Carroway is a prime example. He’s a former soldier, suffering from PTSD due to the atrocities of war, and lives a reclusive life in the circle of his family. He doesn’t talk much to his relatives and even less to strangers, he doesn’t go out and people say he’s not “quite right”. His PTSD symptoms—the dislike of huge crowds and close spaces, insomnia and nightmares, the panic with walls closing in, the uncontrollable shaking of his hands and body—are described very well and realistically. However, I thought it was a bit too easy for him to eventually control his attacks, but a book has only so many pages, so I suppose it’s excusable.
Robert’s war experiences are shrouded in mystery; there’s something that makes him feel guilty and weighs on his conscience. There's also some kind of problem between him and the heroine's father related to the war. The past remains in the dark for a long time and feels drawn out quite a bit. And even after the events are finally revealed, we still don't know exactly what Robert experienced during his captivity that haunts him so much. Perhaps I'm being voyeuristic, but I would have liked more details.
Lucinda is a wonderful, sweet FMC with a golden heart, but she clearly takes a backseat to Robert. It is his story that is being told here. However, Lucinda is out to chase down a husband, and unfortunately for Robert, this man is NOT him, but a fellow war hero with much more charisma, Lord Geoffrey Newcombe. Pretending to want to help Lucinda win Geoffrey over, Robert takes action and gives in to his long-time feelings for her.
I loved the main characters, the slow development of their relationship and their interactions. I loved the Carroway family (except for Edward, the pain in the ass little brother) and their unlimited support for Robert, and I loved the friendship between the three girls. What I absolutely didn’t love was the anachronistic sexual aspect of the story. One night, Robert comes to Lucinda’s room in her father’s house and deflowers her, and neither she nor he ever talks or even thinks about it again. I mean, hello? She is ruined after that, ffs. You can’t just go on and act as if nothing has happened. Especially since she still wants to marry Geoffrey at that point. Later, they even have sex in broad daylight behind the stables of Lucinda’s home, and in the end, they kiss in public, in front of her father. Sorry, but no! That’s not how you handle sexuality if you want to be taken seriously as an HR writer.
Overall, the book is still a very good read with an amazing story and great characters.
“I don’t want you to die for me. I want you to live.”
I’m always up for a damaged hero, and Robert Carroway is a prime example. He’s a former soldier, suffering from PTSD due to the atrocities of war, and lives a reclusive life in the circle of his family. He doesn’t talk much to his relatives and even less to strangers, he doesn’t go out and people say he’s not “quite right”. His PTSD symptoms—the dislike of huge crowds and close spaces, insomnia and nightmares, the panic with walls closing in, the uncontrollable shaking of his hands and body—are described very well and realistically. However, I thought it was a bit too easy for him to eventually control his attacks, but a book has only so many pages, so I suppose it’s excusable.
Robert’s war experiences are shrouded in mystery; there’s something that makes him feel guilty and weighs on his conscience. There's also some kind of problem between him and the heroine's father related to the war. The past remains in the dark for a long time and feels drawn out quite a bit. And even after the events are finally revealed, we still don't know exactly what Robert experienced during his captivity that haunts him so much. Perhaps I'm being voyeuristic, but I would have liked more details.
Lucinda is a wonderful, sweet FMC with a golden heart, but she clearly takes a backseat to Robert. It is his story that is being told here. However, Lucinda is out to chase down a husband, and unfortunately for Robert, this man is NOT him, but a fellow war hero with much more charisma, Lord Geoffrey Newcombe. Pretending to want to help Lucinda win Geoffrey over, Robert takes action and gives in to his long-time feelings for her.
I loved the main characters, the slow development of their relationship and their interactions. I loved the Carroway family (except for Edward, the pain in the ass little brother) and their unlimited support for Robert, and I loved the friendship between the three girls. What I absolutely didn’t love was the anachronistic sexual aspect of the story. One night, Robert comes to Lucinda’s room in her father’s house and deflowers her, and neither she nor he ever talks or even thinks about it again. I mean, hello? She is ruined after that, ffs. You can’t just go on and act as if nothing has happened. Especially since she still wants to marry Geoffrey at that point. Later, they even have sex in broad daylight behind the stables of Lucinda’s home, and in the end, they kiss in public, in front of her father. Sorry, but no! That’s not how you handle sexuality if you want to be taken seriously as an HR writer.
Overall, the book is still a very good read with an amazing story and great characters.
April 24, 2025
The H is like sleeping beauty, due to PTSD. The h is kind to him, helping him to re-enter society. His family is thrilled and hope for more, but she's also being courted by a man with a hidden agenda. The couple eventually reveal an awful secret that shows the H was a true hero. Loved it on my 2nd read.
February 5, 2021
I enjoyed this so much! Until the heroine did a thing. Ugh.
I think what I want to say is too spoilery. I’ve tried three times to write this. Suffice it to say, familiarity bred contempt.
I think what I want to say is too spoilery. I’ve tried three times to write this. Suffice it to say, familiarity bred contempt.
October 16, 2018
Old school romance is still the best!
I love the heroin, but I love the hero more 😜😜.
It's just the PDAs were too much, and spoiled it a bit for me.
ps - I love this trope but I don't know what it was called.
I love the heroin, but I love the hero more 😜😜.
It's just the PDAs were too much, and spoiled it a bit for me.
ps - I love this trope but I don't know what it was called.
July 26, 2015
Rating Clarification: 4.5 stars
It would have been a perfect book to me if the ending hadn't felt too rushed and if there had been an epilogue. I really would have liked to see how everyone's lives turned out considering this was the last book of the series.
It would have been a perfect book to me if the ending hadn't felt too rushed and if there had been an epilogue. I really would have liked to see how everyone's lives turned out considering this was the last book of the series.
June 15, 2020
I was very curious about Robert and his story and I have enjoyed the first half of the story. The second half started to drag and wasn’t so interesting. The first half was about romance and second was about mystery which wasn’t much of mystery.
April 28, 2015
4.5 "Wonderful Final Book in Lovely Series" Stars
January 13, 2016
This was an interesting read for me. I don't usually like a book if I cannot feel the chemistry between the characters, which is true about this book, but I read it to the last line and followed its rather developed plots to the end, which is also a new experience with an Enoch book.
I was happy to find out that the hero for the 3rd book would be Robert, Tristan's war-injured brother. I literally went "yay" to my kindle. I thought him an interesting character in Tristan's story. Same thing goes for Lucinda. I liked how level-headed and kind and considerate she is (unlike Georgiana who would be usually too headstrong and impulsive for me and Evie who is kind of boring).
But lord do they make a boring couple. I kept turning the page waiting for the chemistry to happen. But it didn't happen for me in this book. For the life of me I just couldn't feel the attraction between them. Their interactions were missing something for me, I do not know what. Maybe it is Robert. I don't do well with a male leading character who is somehow a patient and the woman is his savior who saved him from his near-mental/near-death state. (This is usually the time I cue Flowers from the Storm.) And Lucinda telling her father what Robert asked her not to tell another soul, I thought that was very uncool. I can understand why she did it, being close to her father and having faith in him and all, it was not that far-fetched an idea for her to do it. But it did not help with her character.
But kudos to Enoch: I followed the story to the end because I just wanted to read on. She made me want to find out what happened in the story even though I was disappointed in the romance. In the end I read it like a myestery/war story. The romance was barely there. I never felt that Robert and Lucinda had feelings for each other, I was bored reading the 2 sex scenes, the stable one shocking. I also noticed that Enoch's heroines don't seem to know propriety. They are often virgins who have absolutely no problems losing their virginity to men who are at that time unlikely to pop the question. Not that I think you need the question to have sex, but do these women never think about the future? I find that a little hard to believe. They all give in a little too easily. I do not question the decision, but I question the ease with which they made the decision.
The entire series appears to be one of Enoch's most popular series. I have consistently given all of them 3 stars. I don't know what to think of that.
I was happy to find out that the hero for the 3rd book would be Robert, Tristan's war-injured brother. I literally went "yay" to my kindle. I thought him an interesting character in Tristan's story. Same thing goes for Lucinda. I liked how level-headed and kind and considerate she is (unlike Georgiana who would be usually too headstrong and impulsive for me and Evie who is kind of boring).
But lord do they make a boring couple. I kept turning the page waiting for the chemistry to happen. But it didn't happen for me in this book. For the life of me I just couldn't feel the attraction between them. Their interactions were missing something for me, I do not know what. Maybe it is Robert. I don't do well with a male leading character who is somehow a patient and the woman is his savior who saved him from his near-mental/near-death state. (This is usually the time I cue Flowers from the Storm.) And Lucinda telling her father what Robert asked her not to tell another soul, I thought that was very uncool. I can understand why she did it, being close to her father and having faith in him and all, it was not that far-fetched an idea for her to do it. But it did not help with her character.
But kudos to Enoch: I followed the story to the end because I just wanted to read on. She made me want to find out what happened in the story even though I was disappointed in the romance. In the end I read it like a myestery/war story. The romance was barely there. I never felt that Robert and Lucinda had feelings for each other, I was bored reading the 2 sex scenes, the stable one shocking. I also noticed that Enoch's heroines don't seem to know propriety. They are often virgins who have absolutely no problems losing their virginity to men who are at that time unlikely to pop the question. Not that I think you need the question to have sex, but do these women never think about the future? I find that a little hard to believe. They all give in a little too easily. I do not question the decision, but I question the ease with which they made the decision.
The entire series appears to be one of Enoch's most popular series. I have consistently given all of them 3 stars. I don't know what to think of that.
October 29, 2016
La he disfrutado más aún que la anterior entrega de la serie y creo que, en su conjunto (personajes, trama, historia de amor), es la mejor de la trilogía. ÉL me ha robado el corazón. Su lucha interior, sus esfuerzos por ocultar su enamoramiento y que son precisamente los que le llevan a enamorarla a ella, la ternura con que trata a su hermano pequeño y la valentía con que afronta finalmente su pasado conforman uno de esos protagonistas masculinos ante los que me quito el sombrero (por eso lo he puesto en mayúsculas) Y es que a mí, cuando "él" está bien construido, es de los que cargan con un peso sobre sus espaldas y se salen del típico mujeriego, me enamoran. Ella es el contrapunto perfecto y además, también poco común: no busca el amor sino un marido que le dé tranquilidad y un futuro seguro, no pide pasión ni que estallen fuegos artificiales cuando sus miradas se encuentren. Por esta descripción, parece sosa, pero no lo es. Ella tiene muy claro lo que quiere, cómo es la sociedad en la que vive y la familia a la que pertenece y se siente a gusto con ello. ¿Para qué cambiarlo?
La trama que los envuelve y que se basa en el secreto pasado de Robert (ÉL) está muy lograda en su sencillez. El estilo de la autora se mantiene en la línea de la serie: no se regodea en el drama y nos hace sonreír de vez en cuando. Muy recomendable para las adictas a la romántica histórica.
La trama que los envuelve y que se basa en el secreto pasado de Robert (ÉL) está muy lograda en su sencillez. El estilo de la autora se mantiene en la línea de la serie: no se regodea en el drama y nos hace sonreír de vez en cuando. Muy recomendable para las adictas a la romántica histórica.
January 28, 2018
Robert is the loveliest of heroes. So troubled, so locked into himself and his pain and at the same time so intelligent, so sweet and so capable of love.
Lucinda is also a great heroine. She is not annoying, fearful or coward. I love that she never doubted him, never put anyone else’s interest before his. Even though she loves and respects her father, she did not let his poor judgment stand between them.
This story is the best of the series to me. I loved the story of Dare and Georgiana and afterwards Eve and Saint, but Robert and Lucinda’s was way deeper, was more emotional than the others.
Another lovely thing in this book is how the Dare family and close friends stick together no matter what. How their joint forces succeed in given our couple their HEA.
Great book! Great series!
Lucinda is also a great heroine. She is not annoying, fearful or coward. I love that she never doubted him, never put anyone else’s interest before his. Even though she loves and respects her father, she did not let his poor judgment stand between them.
This story is the best of the series to me. I loved the story of Dare and Georgiana and afterwards Eve and Saint, but Robert and Lucinda’s was way deeper, was more emotional than the others.
Another lovely thing in this book is how the Dare family and close friends stick together no matter what. How their joint forces succeed in given our couple their HEA.
Great book! Great series!
July 13, 2019
According to Goodreads, Suzanne Enoch wrote eleven series and ‘Lessons In Love’ was her most popular. I read England's Perfect Hero, the 3rd story, as a standalone. I enjoyed the followup with the characters from the first two stories. But, ‘You just said you didn’t read the first two books!?’ That is correct but I found the easy introduction of best friends with their now-husbands and family members a fun romp. Because of Ms. Enoch’s style of writing, I glided into the storyline.
Miss Lucinda Barrett was the last of three friends to teach a man his ‘lessons’ and marry. She decided to take on a soldier and gentleman her father -a military man- favored. Little did she know that Robert Carroway, the younger brother of Tristan Carroway -Lord Dare- from the first story, was fascinated with her. While discreetly pursuing Geoffrey Newcombe, Robert was following Lucinda. It sounds crazy but the romance was pretty good.
Robert was a former soldier with a big secret. He had PTSD and I appreciated Ms. Enoch not sugar-coating this awful disorder. My quibble was with Lucinda. She was a ‘good’ daughter and, because of that, she obeyed the general even though she knew what he asked of her was wrong.
I see from all my GR friends that the jury is still out with this story. Some loved it and others gave it one or two stars and they all have valid reasons. I refer to England's Perfect Hero as a modern historical romance. When I read something of this nature, I expect the author to take liberties with the era. As for myself, I was won over because of the hero and his brothers.
Miss Lucinda Barrett was the last of three friends to teach a man his ‘lessons’ and marry. She decided to take on a soldier and gentleman her father -a military man- favored. Little did she know that Robert Carroway, the younger brother of Tristan Carroway -Lord Dare- from the first story, was fascinated with her. While discreetly pursuing Geoffrey Newcombe, Robert was following Lucinda. It sounds crazy but the romance was pretty good.
Robert was a former soldier with a big secret. He had PTSD and I appreciated Ms. Enoch not sugar-coating this awful disorder. My quibble was with Lucinda. She was a ‘good’ daughter and, because of that, she obeyed the general even though she knew what he asked of her was wrong.
I see from all my GR friends that the jury is still out with this story. Some loved it and others gave it one or two stars and they all have valid reasons. I refer to England's Perfect Hero as a modern historical romance. When I read something of this nature, I expect the author to take liberties with the era. As for myself, I was won over because of the hero and his brothers.
August 3, 2015
DNF at 30%. I know it's too early to give up on a book, but the injustice done to Robert's character made the story too unbearable for me. Lucinda was such a bitch, and she clearly didn't deserve him. My annoyance for her grew with every page, until it got to the point where I became sure that I hated her, that she wouldn't be able to completely redeem herself. I might try to finish this in the future, just for Robert's sake, but now I'm just going to drown my frustration with a glass of wine. Uuuuugh.
July 19, 2025
On re-read: still just as enjoyable the second time around. And bc it had been a while, it still felt fresh. Gosh I love when this happens. Most of Enoch’s books have been holding up for me over the years and it makes me happy. She’s so good.
Original:
LOVED THIS BOOK!! I read it in a day despite work and preparing to move to a new house. What a great escape--this was one of my favorite books I've read this year. The only downside? I didn't want it to end! I desperately wanted an epilogue. Now, I'm going back to read the other books in the series!
Robert is the reclusive Carroway brother. He faced unimaginable pain and suffering during the war that we slowly learn about throughout the story. Despite his constant panic attacks and difficulty dealing with society, he is drawn to Lucinda Barrett like a moth to a flame. Lucinda is feeling the pressure of selecting her man for Lessons in Love. Both of her friends married the objects of their lessons and Lucinda worries about who she will select. Robert wants to be around Lucinda, even if it means helping with her Lessons in Love, and he slowly starts waging a campaign to win Lucinda's heart. I loved these two characters together. Robert is a wonderful person who is struggling to recover from past trauma. Lucinda is a gentle soul who desperately wants love and a comfortable life. The two complete each other so well that despite dark undertones, I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time I was reading.
There is a sub-plot with intrigue and treason and all of the characters in the Carroway family and the St Aubyn family make an appearance. There was some similarities to another book of Enoch's, Something Sinful, where all the characters band together to take on the threat. Some people don't like this because they think it's like a Scooby Doo caper, but to me, I love it. Enoch is brilliant with dialogue and creating a scene of family bonds and intimacy that I love to read about.
I think this book would have benefited from and epilogue to wrap up the series, but that is the only thing I would change. This book will be going on my keeper shelf and will be reread again and again. 5 stars.
Original:
LOVED THIS BOOK!! I read it in a day despite work and preparing to move to a new house. What a great escape--this was one of my favorite books I've read this year. The only downside? I didn't want it to end! I desperately wanted an epilogue. Now, I'm going back to read the other books in the series!
Robert is the reclusive Carroway brother. He faced unimaginable pain and suffering during the war that we slowly learn about throughout the story. Despite his constant panic attacks and difficulty dealing with society, he is drawn to Lucinda Barrett like a moth to a flame. Lucinda is feeling the pressure of selecting her man for Lessons in Love. Both of her friends married the objects of their lessons and Lucinda worries about who she will select. Robert wants to be around Lucinda, even if it means helping with her Lessons in Love, and he slowly starts waging a campaign to win Lucinda's heart. I loved these two characters together. Robert is a wonderful person who is struggling to recover from past trauma. Lucinda is a gentle soul who desperately wants love and a comfortable life. The two complete each other so well that despite dark undertones, I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time I was reading.
There is a sub-plot with intrigue and treason and all of the characters in the Carroway family and the St Aubyn family make an appearance. There was some similarities to another book of Enoch's, Something Sinful, where all the characters band together to take on the threat. Some people don't like this because they think it's like a Scooby Doo caper, but to me, I love it. Enoch is brilliant with dialogue and creating a scene of family bonds and intimacy that I love to read about.
I think this book would have benefited from and epilogue to wrap up the series, but that is the only thing I would change. This book will be going on my keeper shelf and will be reread again and again. 5 stars.
May 15, 2023
Robert Carroway is geestelijk en lichamelijk aanzienlijk beschadigd uit de oorlog gekomen en lijkt niet meer op de man die hij was van voor de oorlog . Hij heeft nachtmerries en leeft bijna als een kluizenaar omringt door zijn broers en Georgiana de vrouw van zijn oudste broer in hun familie huis .
Lucinda Barrett is een van de beste vriendinnen van Georgiana en komt regelmatig op bezoek en na een kort gesprekje met Robert weet ze hem te overtuigen dat hij misschien een hobby nodig heeft om zijn zinnen te verzetten . Robert weet dat zij een rozentuin onderhoud en vraagt haar om hem te helpen om zelf ook een rozentuin te beginnen . En hoe vaker zij in elkaars aanwezigheid zijn hoe beter Robert zich gaat voelen . Dit tot grote ergernis van een andere man die Georgiana als zijn bruid had uitgekozen .
En wie brengt op een zeer vileine manier Robert in diskrediet ??
Een aangrijpend en spannend verhaal die van mij de volle 5 sterren verdiend .
Lucinda Barrett is een van de beste vriendinnen van Georgiana en komt regelmatig op bezoek en na een kort gesprekje met Robert weet ze hem te overtuigen dat hij misschien een hobby nodig heeft om zijn zinnen te verzetten . Robert weet dat zij een rozentuin onderhoud en vraagt haar om hem te helpen om zelf ook een rozentuin te beginnen . En hoe vaker zij in elkaars aanwezigheid zijn hoe beter Robert zich gaat voelen . Dit tot grote ergernis van een andere man die Georgiana als zijn bruid had uitgekozen .
En wie brengt op een zeer vileine manier Robert in diskrediet ??
Een aangrijpend en spannend verhaal die van mij de volle 5 sterren verdiend .
September 13, 2022
Robert was a great character, a recluse suffering from terrible panic attacks after returning to England with serious injuries and PTSD as a result of the Napoleonic wars. He befriends Lucinda and begins to open up to her, confiding a secret not even his close family knows. After promising she’ll tell no one, she betrays him less than a day later by telling her father, causing Robert significant problems. Between that and the fact that after becoming intimate with Robert and thinking about him all the time she still considered marrying Geoffrey, an "amiable" war hero, I wasn't a fan of hers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2008
I really liked the war veteran/PTSD issue that was brought up here and how the heroine really started bringing him back to society and life. His ruse in helping her find someone else was great because their love just snuck on them. Excellent end to the series!
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