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Georgian #1
Heartless
Life has taught Lucas Kendrick, Duke of Harndon, that a heart is a decided liability. Betrayed by his elder brother, rejected by his fiancée, banished by his father, and shunned by his mother, Luke fled to Paris, where he became the most sought-after bachelor in fashionable society.
Ten years later, fate has brought him back home to England as head of the family who rejected him. Unwilling as he is to be involved with them, he must assume responsibility for his younger siblings, the family estate he once loved—and the succession. He faces the prospect of marrying with the greatest reluctance—until he sees beguiling Lady Anna Marlowe across a ballroom one night.
Anna, far from being the bright-eyed innocent Luke takes her for, is no more a stranger to the shadows of a painful past than he is. But for her, marriage cannot so easily solve what is wrong in her life—not when a tormentor stalks her to the very doors of Bowden Abbey, where Luke and Anna must learn to trust in each other or risk any chance they may have for a happy future.
Ten years later, fate has brought him back home to England as head of the family who rejected him. Unwilling as he is to be involved with them, he must assume responsibility for his younger siblings, the family estate he once loved—and the succession. He faces the prospect of marrying with the greatest reluctance—until he sees beguiling Lady Anna Marlowe across a ballroom one night.
Anna, far from being the bright-eyed innocent Luke takes her for, is no more a stranger to the shadows of a painful past than he is. But for her, marriage cannot so easily solve what is wrong in her life—not when a tormentor stalks her to the very doors of Bowden Abbey, where Luke and Anna must learn to trust in each other or risk any chance they may have for a happy future.
389 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1995
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3509 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
200 books6,337 followersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 609 reviews
January 11, 2010
I loved this book. Lucas was one unique (for me) hero. He is a bonafide dandy, but very much a man. That was odd for me at first. I haven't read as many Georgians, so the spiffied up, lace-bedecked, bewigged, powered, high-heel wearing hero was a different thing for me. But this man makes it look good. And he's got this long, black hair. (Fanning myself). Okay back to the review: He is rather ruthless, but at the same time, is a good husband for tormented Anna. He makes mistakes but manages to love her and to help her to heal.
I love the scene where they meet. Their eyes connect across the ballroom floor. Anna is not ugly, but is rather modest in her looks, but something about her appeals to Lucas. He pursues her very determinedly, and desperate to escape her situation, and swept off her feet by this handsome, sought-after duke, Anna quickly says yes to his proposal.
Anna was in a terrible situation that marriage to Lucas helped her to escape. But now she has to deal with a husband who thought she played him false. Boy that scene was pretty hot (that makes me feel kind of guilty to say that, but it was). Her prior situation keeps threatening to destroy her marriage, and she is counting down the time until it does. Poor Anna. You really feel for her, and you wish for her to open up to Lucas about her issues, but she's afraid to. And Lucas takes that to mean she's likely to be another faithless wife. It's a complicated situation, but Ms. Balogh writes it so well.
I love the books where the couple gets married early and has to get to know each other, and you watch their love grow over the course of the book. This marriage starts off a bit rocky, but I love how committed both of them are to the marriage. Lucas sowed his wild oats with other men's wives, but he is committed to fidelity with his own. That made me like him more (not the sleeping with other married women before his marriage, but his willingness to be faithful to Anna). He's a great reformed rake. Very arrogant and commanding as a duke is wont to be. They are raised for it. Sigh! Lucas--the best duke ever written in romance novels.
It's probably pretty clear that this is still my favorite Mary Balogh novel. I hope she writes more like this. If you know of some that are similar, please let me know.
Mild spoiler:
Lucas is such a great dad. I love how he's always carrying around his baby daughter. Something about daddy heroes for me. Those are my favorite scenes in the book.
This is a book that could be reread many times and I doubt it would get old.
Update: When I went home for Christmas, I saw that my mother had found my copy of this wonderful book. I was so happy. It was like another Christmas present!
I love the scene where they meet. Their eyes connect across the ballroom floor. Anna is not ugly, but is rather modest in her looks, but something about her appeals to Lucas. He pursues her very determinedly, and desperate to escape her situation, and swept off her feet by this handsome, sought-after duke, Anna quickly says yes to his proposal.
Anna was in a terrible situation that marriage to Lucas helped her to escape. But now she has to deal with a husband who thought she played him false. Boy that scene was pretty hot (that makes me feel kind of guilty to say that, but it was). Her prior situation keeps threatening to destroy her marriage, and she is counting down the time until it does. Poor Anna. You really feel for her, and you wish for her to open up to Lucas about her issues, but she's afraid to. And Lucas takes that to mean she's likely to be another faithless wife. It's a complicated situation, but Ms. Balogh writes it so well.
I love the books where the couple gets married early and has to get to know each other, and you watch their love grow over the course of the book. This marriage starts off a bit rocky, but I love how committed both of them are to the marriage. Lucas sowed his wild oats with other men's wives, but he is committed to fidelity with his own. That made me like him more (not the sleeping with other married women before his marriage, but his willingness to be faithful to Anna). He's a great reformed rake. Very arrogant and commanding as a duke is wont to be. They are raised for it. Sigh! Lucas--the best duke ever written in romance novels.
It's probably pretty clear that this is still my favorite Mary Balogh novel. I hope she writes more like this. If you know of some that are similar, please let me know.
Mild spoiler:
Lucas is such a great dad. I love how he's always carrying around his baby daughter. Something about daddy heroes for me. Those are my favorite scenes in the book.
This is a book that could be reread many times and I doubt it would get old.
Update: When I went home for Christmas, I saw that my mother had found my copy of this wonderful book. I was so happy. It was like another Christmas present!
September 18, 2021
2018: It seems I've never written a review of this one, but this time, I will. Let me say up front, this is one of my top 5 ever HR favs, and I've read it probably six or so times over the years since I first bought that pretty paperback copy. Maybe even more times than that? I've lost track. But each time I do another reread, I think to myself, oh, this time I'll be bored, as I know it too well. But no. It still feels fresh each time. Wow.
For me, this book is Mary Balogh at the top of her game. It's a beautifully written, perfectly paced and very moving Georgian romance.
Both MCs are emotionally damaged by events in their pasts. Luke was harshly kicked out by his family at the tender age of twenty, and built a shell around his emotions in order to survive. He has become 'heartless'.
Anna has had to be the mother figure to her younger siblings after the loss of their parents. She has also had her life ruined by a creepy stalker who is obsessed with her.
Luke and Anna have an immediate connection/attraction when they first meet, and they marry fairly early on in the book. But at first it's not all a bed of roses, as the two of them both suddenly realise that the other is carrying 'baggage'. But slowly and steadily they form a deep and loving connection. The ice around Luke's heart melts and cracks away. The creepy stalker is eventually and very satisfactorily dealt with.
A wonderful aspect of this book, quite apart from the beautiful relationship between Anna and Luke, is the fantastic range of secondary characters. Lady Sterne and Theo, the middle-aged lovers who scheme to successfully bring Anna and Luke together. Emily, Anna's deaf teenaged sister, who has such a beautiful soul. Luke's brother Ashley, young and a little wild, and needing a father (or brother) figure in his life. And the rest of their varied families. All of them are realistic and believable.
I also love the attention to detail in the costumes and settings. The beautiful Georgian clothes! And especially Luke, who has spent ten years in Paris and dresses at the cutting edge of men's fashion. But still so masculine. And when he lets that long black hair down in the privacy of their bedroom. Oh my!
It all adds up to a perfect book, for me. But I think the real power in it is the saving of the delightful Anna from her horrid former life, and the redeeming of Luke himself. As his tragic past is unfolded, and he has to come to terms with the terrible things that happened, his emotions start to work again. And it hurts! Those moving moments are so beautifully written.
I've read some reviews where readers ask questions like, why doesn't Anna just tell Luke about her past right at the start? But for me it's totally convincing. Balogh lets you inside the character's heads, and I can see why Anna is unable to share her past, much as part of her wants to. I love the way both Anna and Luke are written.
Overall for me this book is enjoyable on every level, and I highly recommend it.
BTW - side note - this book has one of the sweetest book covers ever - it's in two parts. There's a lacy pierced section on the (pink!) front cover that allows you to peep through to see Luke kissing Anna's hand. Then you turn over and see the full picture of them together. Although mine's a little worn now, and I've had to place clear plastic 'contact' over the lacy bit to protect it.
For me, this book is Mary Balogh at the top of her game. It's a beautifully written, perfectly paced and very moving Georgian romance.
Both MCs are emotionally damaged by events in their pasts. Luke was harshly kicked out by his family at the tender age of twenty, and built a shell around his emotions in order to survive. He has become 'heartless'.
Anna has had to be the mother figure to her younger siblings after the loss of their parents. She has also had her life ruined by a creepy stalker who is obsessed with her.
Luke and Anna have an immediate connection/attraction when they first meet, and they marry fairly early on in the book. But at first it's not all a bed of roses, as the two of them both suddenly realise that the other is carrying 'baggage'. But slowly and steadily they form a deep and loving connection. The ice around Luke's heart melts and cracks away. The creepy stalker is eventually and very satisfactorily dealt with.
A wonderful aspect of this book, quite apart from the beautiful relationship between Anna and Luke, is the fantastic range of secondary characters. Lady Sterne and Theo, the middle-aged lovers who scheme to successfully bring Anna and Luke together. Emily, Anna's deaf teenaged sister, who has such a beautiful soul. Luke's brother Ashley, young and a little wild, and needing a father (or brother) figure in his life. And the rest of their varied families. All of them are realistic and believable.
I also love the attention to detail in the costumes and settings. The beautiful Georgian clothes! And especially Luke, who has spent ten years in Paris and dresses at the cutting edge of men's fashion. But still so masculine. And when he lets that long black hair down in the privacy of their bedroom. Oh my!
It all adds up to a perfect book, for me. But I think the real power in it is the saving of the delightful Anna from her horrid former life, and the redeeming of Luke himself. As his tragic past is unfolded, and he has to come to terms with the terrible things that happened, his emotions start to work again. And it hurts! Those moving moments are so beautifully written.
I've read some reviews where readers ask questions like, why doesn't Anna just tell Luke about her past right at the start? But for me it's totally convincing. Balogh lets you inside the character's heads, and I can see why Anna is unable to share her past, much as part of her wants to. I love the way both Anna and Luke are written.
Overall for me this book is enjoyable on every level, and I highly recommend it.
BTW - side note - this book has one of the sweetest book covers ever - it's in two parts. There's a lacy pierced section on the (pink!) front cover that allows you to peep through to see Luke kissing Anna's hand. Then you turn over and see the full picture of them together. Although mine's a little worn now, and I've had to place clear plastic 'contact' over the lacy bit to protect it.
June 2, 2018
4 Estrellitas. Este libro ha sido una sorpresa en toda regla, no sólo por su contenido, si no porque el sello editorial Titania, decidiera darle una oportunidad a esta obra tan antigua de la señora Balogh. Que mi querida señora Balogh, mi escritora favorita, tiene muchas más obras y series en su haber y más recientes ¿Por qué Titania se decidió por ésta obra, que se escribió hace más de veinte años, y no otra serie como “El Club de los Supervivientes” o los “Westcott” que son más recientes? Solo eso lo saben en la editorial, pero a mí me huele que es porque ésta serie son sólo dos atípicos libros, y no una serie de seis o siete libros, de los cuales solo publicarían dos o tres para luego cancelarla por falta de ventas; sí, veo que así funciona el mercado editorial en España.
¿Por qué una atípica serie? Porque la mayoría de obras de la señora Balogh están ambientadas en el período de la Regencia, mientras que esta serie, muy bien nombrada “Georgiana”, ocurre a mediados del siglo XVIII. Y es ése esplendor, lujoso y frívolo del siglo XVIII lo que ha querido la señora Balogh, transmitirnos a través de su protagonista masculino, como muy bien nos escribe a las lectoras en la primera página del libro.
He leído todo lo que se ha publicado en España de Mary Balogh, y aunque me parece maravillosa en todos sus libros, los tiene mejores y peores. Sería por las críticas que leí sobre este libro cuando lo publicaron hace un par de meses, pero a mí no me ha parecido mediocre, ni que sea una obra más. Escribo totalmente con falta de objetividad, porque no suelo serlo con la señora Balogh, pero a mí “Sin Corazón” me ha gustado y mucho. Me ha gustado la historia, y cómo la ha desarrollado, pues tiene detalles que no han tenido otras obras suyas, y eso es lo que consigue hacerla única, pero también me han gustado sus protagonistas, los dos, así como también los secundarios.
Y aquí es donde vamos con los protagonistas. Anna Marlowe es la hija mayor de un conde, con un hermano y tres hermanas en las que pensar una vez se quedaron huérfanos. Aunque ha dejado en casa a una hermana establecida, y su hermano a punto de casarse, sólo quedan ella, y las dos pequeñas. Pero Anna no tiene deseos de casarse, tiene veinticinco años, y está dispuesta a ser una solterona. Sólo decide acudir a casa de su madrina en plena temporada londinense para que su cuarta hermana pueda encontrar marido. En cambio los planes de su madrina son totalmente diferentes, pues entre esta y su amante, lord Quinn (tío de Luke), tienen planes para juntarla con el duque de Harndon.
Lucas Kendrick, duque de Harndon, acaba de volver a Inglaterra tras una ausencia de diez años. Con sólo veinte años fue traicionado y repudiado por su propia familia, si bien sus motivos fueron honorables; era muy joven y su rechazo le dolió tanto que decidió que era mejor vivir sin corazón, sin amor. De modo que los diez años que pasó en París los dedicó al placer, el derroche y la frivolidad.
Si algo llama la atención sobre el personaje de Luke, es que es todo aquello que no espera una lectora de novela romántica en un protagonista masculino. Su aspecto es el que debe tener un aristócrata parisino del siglo XVIII, ropajes caros y lujosos, camisas con puntillas y chorreras, sus cabellos empolvados, maquillaje, lunares falsos, zapatos con tacones rojos, y hasta un abanico. Sí, su aspecto, su comportamiento y sus maneras son un tanto afeminados, y esto es lo que más puede echar para atrás a una lectora, pero a mí me ha parecido tan novedoso, atípico y divertido, que me ha encantado.
Vaya donde vaya por Londres, Luke llama la atención y ésa es su intención más frívola, escandalizar, e imponer la nueva moda. Si Luke ha regresado a Londres, después de fallecer su padre y su hermano mayor, es por insistencia de su tío, lord Quinn, para que asuma sus responsabilidades ahora que es duque, pero Luke no quiere dejarse convencer, ha acudido a Londres para agradar a su tío, pero su intención es volver a París. Estar en Inglaterra sólo le recuerda la crueldad y el rechazo de su familia, a pesar de que las cosas han podido cambiar, pues su madre y sus hermanos, Ashley (sí, su hermano se llama Ashley), y Doris están en Londres para la temporada.
Será en un baile de sociedad donde Luke y Anna se conocerán, y a pesar de que ninguno de los dos quiere dejarse convencer por los casamenteros, su atracción es instantánea. En unos pocos días, Luke se convence de que la quiere por esposa, y tiene el apoyo de su familia. Así es como empezará un breve cortejo y un matrimonio que en principio no va a servir nada más que para lo básico, dada la intención que tenían los matrimonios aristocráticos de esta época.
Y esto es lo que más me alegra de los matrimonios de conveniencia, que me encanta cuando se van conociendo y apreciándose, cuando ves cómo nace el amor poco a poco entre sus personajes. Pero el matrimonio no será fácil para ninguno de los personajes, sobre ambos caen pronto los secretos y la humillación de su pasado, que parecen quebrar su unión llenándola de desconfianza. Luke tiene mucho que callar y reprocharse sobre lo que sucedió en su hogar cuando fue expulsado, aunque sus motivos se conocerán pronto y serán más fáciles de digerir. El caso de Anna es completamente distinto, ella sí tiene un pasado y mucho más que ocultar, pues si se descubre su secreto podría ser su destrucción.
A pesar de que Anna no quería, acaba aceptando el matrimonio con Luke, si no lo hace, vivirá con miedo, y Luke le dará la seguridad y estabilidad que necesita, si no por ella, por sus hermanas menores, sobre todo la pequeña Emily, sordomuda de nacimiento, y que necesita mucha guía y amor para sobrevivir en un mundo donde es tratada como un lastre retrasado e inútil. ¿Ya he dicho que me encantaron los protagonistas? Pues Emily se ha convertido en mi siguiente personaje favorito, a pesar de que es apenas una niña, solo tiene quince años, sabe y entiende más de lo que cualquiera cree, y ella sí tiene mucho amor para dar. Ella y Ashley me han encantado juntos, y me alegro muchísimo de saber que su libro es el siguiente de la serie.
No quiero contar mucho más porque sería desvelar la trama del libro entero, y hay mucho más. Personajes del pasado de los protagonistas que vuelven para atormentarlos, y que serán cruciales para el desarrollo del libro y para que su relación prospere. Todo en este libro tiene su por qué y está muy bien narrado y entrelazado; de tal manera se ha desarrollado la historia, pausada, pero tan bien contada que en seguida engancha y pasas los capítulos sin darte cuenta.
A mí me ha convencido y mucho, no creo que sea una obra mediocre de Balogh, ni mucho menos, solo distinta a sus otras novelas de Regencia, pero para mí ha tenido esa esencia y ese toque de calidad entre sus páginas, que hoy día cuesta encontrar entre muchas cosas que sí que son mediocres que se publican actualmente. Tras la sorpresa que me ha supuesto este libro, estoy deseando que Titania nos publique el siguiente, porque son solo dos libros, y por suerte el siguiente es la historia de Ashley y Emily.
¿Por qué una atípica serie? Porque la mayoría de obras de la señora Balogh están ambientadas en el período de la Regencia, mientras que esta serie, muy bien nombrada “Georgiana”, ocurre a mediados del siglo XVIII. Y es ése esplendor, lujoso y frívolo del siglo XVIII lo que ha querido la señora Balogh, transmitirnos a través de su protagonista masculino, como muy bien nos escribe a las lectoras en la primera página del libro.
He leído todo lo que se ha publicado en España de Mary Balogh, y aunque me parece maravillosa en todos sus libros, los tiene mejores y peores. Sería por las críticas que leí sobre este libro cuando lo publicaron hace un par de meses, pero a mí no me ha parecido mediocre, ni que sea una obra más. Escribo totalmente con falta de objetividad, porque no suelo serlo con la señora Balogh, pero a mí “Sin Corazón” me ha gustado y mucho. Me ha gustado la historia, y cómo la ha desarrollado, pues tiene detalles que no han tenido otras obras suyas, y eso es lo que consigue hacerla única, pero también me han gustado sus protagonistas, los dos, así como también los secundarios.
Y aquí es donde vamos con los protagonistas. Anna Marlowe es la hija mayor de un conde, con un hermano y tres hermanas en las que pensar una vez se quedaron huérfanos. Aunque ha dejado en casa a una hermana establecida, y su hermano a punto de casarse, sólo quedan ella, y las dos pequeñas. Pero Anna no tiene deseos de casarse, tiene veinticinco años, y está dispuesta a ser una solterona. Sólo decide acudir a casa de su madrina en plena temporada londinense para que su cuarta hermana pueda encontrar marido. En cambio los planes de su madrina son totalmente diferentes, pues entre esta y su amante, lord Quinn (tío de Luke), tienen planes para juntarla con el duque de Harndon.
Lucas Kendrick, duque de Harndon, acaba de volver a Inglaterra tras una ausencia de diez años. Con sólo veinte años fue traicionado y repudiado por su propia familia, si bien sus motivos fueron honorables; era muy joven y su rechazo le dolió tanto que decidió que era mejor vivir sin corazón, sin amor. De modo que los diez años que pasó en París los dedicó al placer, el derroche y la frivolidad.
Si algo llama la atención sobre el personaje de Luke, es que es todo aquello que no espera una lectora de novela romántica en un protagonista masculino. Su aspecto es el que debe tener un aristócrata parisino del siglo XVIII, ropajes caros y lujosos, camisas con puntillas y chorreras, sus cabellos empolvados, maquillaje, lunares falsos, zapatos con tacones rojos, y hasta un abanico. Sí, su aspecto, su comportamiento y sus maneras son un tanto afeminados, y esto es lo que más puede echar para atrás a una lectora, pero a mí me ha parecido tan novedoso, atípico y divertido, que me ha encantado.
Vaya donde vaya por Londres, Luke llama la atención y ésa es su intención más frívola, escandalizar, e imponer la nueva moda. Si Luke ha regresado a Londres, después de fallecer su padre y su hermano mayor, es por insistencia de su tío, lord Quinn, para que asuma sus responsabilidades ahora que es duque, pero Luke no quiere dejarse convencer, ha acudido a Londres para agradar a su tío, pero su intención es volver a París. Estar en Inglaterra sólo le recuerda la crueldad y el rechazo de su familia, a pesar de que las cosas han podido cambiar, pues su madre y sus hermanos, Ashley (sí, su hermano se llama Ashley), y Doris están en Londres para la temporada.
Será en un baile de sociedad donde Luke y Anna se conocerán, y a pesar de que ninguno de los dos quiere dejarse convencer por los casamenteros, su atracción es instantánea. En unos pocos días, Luke se convence de que la quiere por esposa, y tiene el apoyo de su familia. Así es como empezará un breve cortejo y un matrimonio que en principio no va a servir nada más que para lo básico, dada la intención que tenían los matrimonios aristocráticos de esta época.
Y esto es lo que más me alegra de los matrimonios de conveniencia, que me encanta cuando se van conociendo y apreciándose, cuando ves cómo nace el amor poco a poco entre sus personajes. Pero el matrimonio no será fácil para ninguno de los personajes, sobre ambos caen pronto los secretos y la humillación de su pasado, que parecen quebrar su unión llenándola de desconfianza. Luke tiene mucho que callar y reprocharse sobre lo que sucedió en su hogar cuando fue expulsado, aunque sus motivos se conocerán pronto y serán más fáciles de digerir. El caso de Anna es completamente distinto, ella sí tiene un pasado y mucho más que ocultar, pues si se descubre su secreto podría ser su destrucción.
A pesar de que Anna no quería, acaba aceptando el matrimonio con Luke, si no lo hace, vivirá con miedo, y Luke le dará la seguridad y estabilidad que necesita, si no por ella, por sus hermanas menores, sobre todo la pequeña Emily, sordomuda de nacimiento, y que necesita mucha guía y amor para sobrevivir en un mundo donde es tratada como un lastre retrasado e inútil. ¿Ya he dicho que me encantaron los protagonistas? Pues Emily se ha convertido en mi siguiente personaje favorito, a pesar de que es apenas una niña, solo tiene quince años, sabe y entiende más de lo que cualquiera cree, y ella sí tiene mucho amor para dar. Ella y Ashley me han encantado juntos, y me alegro muchísimo de saber que su libro es el siguiente de la serie.
No quiero contar mucho más porque sería desvelar la trama del libro entero, y hay mucho más. Personajes del pasado de los protagonistas que vuelven para atormentarlos, y que serán cruciales para el desarrollo del libro y para que su relación prospere. Todo en este libro tiene su por qué y está muy bien narrado y entrelazado; de tal manera se ha desarrollado la historia, pausada, pero tan bien contada que en seguida engancha y pasas los capítulos sin darte cuenta.
A mí me ha convencido y mucho, no creo que sea una obra mediocre de Balogh, ni mucho menos, solo distinta a sus otras novelas de Regencia, pero para mí ha tenido esa esencia y ese toque de calidad entre sus páginas, que hoy día cuesta encontrar entre muchas cosas que sí que son mediocres que se publican actualmente. Tras la sorpresa que me ha supuesto este libro, estoy deseando que Titania nos publique el siguiente, porque son solo dos libros, y por suerte el siguiente es la historia de Ashley y Emily.
July 21, 2014
2.5 stars
The book wasn't boring, Mary Balogh is a good storyteller, I even managed to warm up to the hero in the second half of the book but Anna? Probably the worst heroine. Ever.
*Update 1/1/14*
There are many ways for a book to go wrong and this one did in almost every one of them. Even though this is practically my first Mary Balogh book (apart from a novella of hers I've read and loved), I can see this writer has talent and I will try more of her books but this one didn't work for me. I liked it at the beginning, there was a mystery to it, I was intrigued by the characters but it all went down in a moment, like a castle made of sand.
The title, Heartless, goes to the hero. Because of a family drama, he was cast away from his family at the age of 20 and lived alone in France for 10 years. Now he's back because his brother, who was a Duke, died and Luke is in charge of the family and the dukedom now. However, in order to survive from the past drama and the exile he was practically forced into, he had to teach his heart how not to love. Now don't get me wrong, I feel for him, I sympathize with his troubles and everything but it was all just too much sometimes. He had a sister and a younger brother and he had to do some things to help them but, boy, he couldn't have handled things in a worse way. It would have been so easy to explain the whole situation but he just let his brother and sister assume the worst instead! And sometimes he was so blind, stupid and cruel. He really pissed me! Plus, he was a dandy, oh please! He wore heels and extravagant clothes, he powdered his hair, he carried a fan! This is not a hero that I find attractive.
Surprisingly, he improved in the second half of the book. And I mean like a lot. So much that I managed to warm up to him and really like him in the end. The heroine on the other hand. OMG! Worst. Heroine. Ever. She had problems, I know, but she was so lost in self-pity I wanted to vomit. She was supposed to be a brave woman, but all I ever saw was a coward. She had a dark secret in her past and she needed the hero's help. As I said, the hero was a Duke, so you would think he would be able to help her. She had like 20 gazillion opportunities to tell him what's going on and ask for his help and protection. He was her husband after all. But did she do it? No! We had to suffer 300+++ pages of Anna feeling sorry for herself instead. Couldn't the author have a little mercy on her poor readers? Plus, she felt so shallow to me. She was forever miserable, but wore a mask. She smiled all the time, she seemed frivolous, she hid behind this mask. I never felt like I really knew her, and I didn't feel like the hero knew her either. As if this wasn't enough, the reason Luke was attracted to Anna was because she was so happy and warm. Oh Please! Really? She was the most miserable person I've ever read about! Could this be more contradictory?
The heroine was in one word absolutely irredeemable. The interesting enough mystery, the good writing and the hero (only in the second part of the book) saved this book from going to the gutters, but I have to be honest. It was still one of the worst books I read in 2013.
The book wasn't boring, Mary Balogh is a good storyteller, I even managed to warm up to the hero in the second half of the book but Anna? Probably the worst heroine. Ever.
*Update 1/1/14*
There are many ways for a book to go wrong and this one did in almost every one of them. Even though this is practically my first Mary Balogh book (apart from a novella of hers I've read and loved), I can see this writer has talent and I will try more of her books but this one didn't work for me. I liked it at the beginning, there was a mystery to it, I was intrigued by the characters but it all went down in a moment, like a castle made of sand.
The title, Heartless, goes to the hero. Because of a family drama, he was cast away from his family at the age of 20 and lived alone in France for 10 years. Now he's back because his brother, who was a Duke, died and Luke is in charge of the family and the dukedom now. However, in order to survive from the past drama and the exile he was practically forced into, he had to teach his heart how not to love. Now don't get me wrong, I feel for him, I sympathize with his troubles and everything but it was all just too much sometimes. He had a sister and a younger brother and he had to do some things to help them but, boy, he couldn't have handled things in a worse way. It would have been so easy to explain the whole situation but he just let his brother and sister assume the worst instead! And sometimes he was so blind, stupid and cruel. He really pissed me! Plus, he was a dandy, oh please! He wore heels and extravagant clothes, he powdered his hair, he carried a fan! This is not a hero that I find attractive.
Surprisingly, he improved in the second half of the book. And I mean like a lot. So much that I managed to warm up to him and really like him in the end. The heroine on the other hand. OMG! Worst. Heroine. Ever. She had problems, I know, but she was so lost in self-pity I wanted to vomit. She was supposed to be a brave woman, but all I ever saw was a coward. She had a dark secret in her past and she needed the hero's help. As I said, the hero was a Duke, so you would think he would be able to help her. She had like 20 gazillion opportunities to tell him what's going on and ask for his help and protection. He was her husband after all. But did she do it? No! We had to suffer 300+++ pages of Anna feeling sorry for herself instead. Couldn't the author have a little mercy on her poor readers? Plus, she felt so shallow to me. She was forever miserable, but wore a mask. She smiled all the time, she seemed frivolous, she hid behind this mask. I never felt like I really knew her, and I didn't feel like the hero knew her either. As if this wasn't enough, the reason Luke was attracted to Anna was because she was so happy and warm. Oh Please! Really? She was the most miserable person I've ever read about! Could this be more contradictory?
The heroine was in one word absolutely irredeemable. The interesting enough mystery, the good writing and the hero (only in the second part of the book) saved this book from going to the gutters, but I have to be honest. It was still one of the worst books I read in 2013.
November 25, 2015
Written November 3, 2015
3 Stars - Nice but never fab
A historical romance by Mary Balogh can never be completely wrong. Not for me anyway. Or?
A good feeling when I started this 14 hrs audiobook narrated by Rosalyn Landor (a genre favorite) but I'm must admit this wasn't one of Balogh's better. Felt a bit corny and got a bit both longish and boring to be honest. No, Heartless wasn't more than just good enough for me.
I LIKE - good pro narrators
3 Stars - Nice but never fab
A historical romance by Mary Balogh can never be completely wrong. Not for me anyway. Or?
A good feeling when I started this 14 hrs audiobook narrated by Rosalyn Landor (a genre favorite) but I'm must admit this wasn't one of Balogh's better. Felt a bit corny and got a bit both longish and boring to be honest. No, Heartless wasn't more than just good enough for me.
I LIKE - good pro narrators
May 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It was so different from most hr. The H is a 1700s metro sexual who refuses to ever love again. Now that he is a Duke and he has to return home to the family who turned their back on him, including his ex fiancee. Enter Ana.
Ana has had to be strong for her family. She's given up her youth to raise her siblings and to protect them from their father's debt. Her Godmother offers her a chance to have a season. She embraces the freedom. Ana is able to laugh, flirt, and just enjoy herself for once.The two MC are immediately drawn to each other. Luke figures he might as well marry and Ana would make the perfect Duchess. Unfortunately, Ana harbors a dark secret and the man who has terrorized her has returned.
There were two big secrets in the book. The first one was obvious. It's sad it took Luke so long to figure it out. The h secret, on the other hand, was sooo frustrating. She is given so many opportunities to tell her husband. I found myself screaming through most of the book, " just tell him already!!!". She had the Scarlett O'hara mindset, "I'll think about that tomorrow ". Like problems go away if you ignore it. The man after her was crazy and dangerous. Now, i have to say the author did surprise me at the end. I thought I knew her secret but I was shocked to find out the details.
This is a slow romance. It took Luke a long time to open his heart. Ana was so kind, loving, and understanding. These two were perfect for each other and didn't have a lot of over the top drama ( thank God). They also trusted each other, another rarity in hr. Their problems were from outside the marriage.
I would highly recommend this read, though I don't know if it's worth the $11.00 I pd for it.
Ana has had to be strong for her family. She's given up her youth to raise her siblings and to protect them from their father's debt. Her Godmother offers her a chance to have a season. She embraces the freedom. Ana is able to laugh, flirt, and just enjoy herself for once.The two MC are immediately drawn to each other. Luke figures he might as well marry and Ana would make the perfect Duchess. Unfortunately, Ana harbors a dark secret and the man who has terrorized her has returned.
There were two big secrets in the book. The first one was obvious. It's sad it took Luke so long to figure it out. The h secret, on the other hand, was sooo frustrating. She is given so many opportunities to tell her husband. I found myself screaming through most of the book, " just tell him already!!!". She had the Scarlett O'hara mindset, "I'll think about that tomorrow ". Like problems go away if you ignore it. The man after her was crazy and dangerous. Now, i have to say the author did surprise me at the end. I thought I knew her secret but I was shocked to find out the details.
This is a slow romance. It took Luke a long time to open his heart. Ana was so kind, loving, and understanding. These two were perfect for each other and didn't have a lot of over the top drama ( thank God). They also trusted each other, another rarity in hr. Their problems were from outside the marriage.
I would highly recommend this read, though I don't know if it's worth the $11.00 I pd for it.
December 29, 2021
In the start, the book felt like a classic case of the Rake and Wallflower trope that ended in a Marriage of convenience and I didn't feel connected to either Luke(H) or Anna( h) which is new for me in Mary Balogh's book. But, then the author showed her spell in the super slow relationship development.
The H and h married just 7 days after their initial introduction. Both had awful pasts and secrets and the marriage was the result of initial attraction and as a solution to their family issues. So, when the doubts crept back, their relationship wasn't easy to develop.
I like Anna but I think her character was too flat. She did everything that was expected of her. Enjoyed the pleasant moments and just waited for the return of the trouble. However, MB did a great job in making us believe in the character arc of Luke. He was such a shallow character in the start and I liked that his transformation was not sudden. It was slow and believable.
The suspense around Anna's past was nicely done and I also liked the side characters. Overall, it's not MB's best work but still, I enjoyed it a lot.
The H and h married just 7 days after their initial introduction. Both had awful pasts and secrets and the marriage was the result of initial attraction and as a solution to their family issues. So, when the doubts crept back, their relationship wasn't easy to develop.
I like Anna but I think her character was too flat. She did everything that was expected of her. Enjoyed the pleasant moments and just waited for the return of the trouble. However, MB did a great job in making us believe in the character arc of Luke. He was such a shallow character in the start and I liked that his transformation was not sudden. It was slow and believable.
The suspense around Anna's past was nicely done and I also liked the side characters. Overall, it's not MB's best work but still, I enjoyed it a lot.
May 18, 2018
Reseña completa:http://masromance.blogspot.com.es/201...
En realidad es una novela que no pasa entretenida. Pero no soy objetiva con esta autora y podría ponerle 2 estrellas, pero entonces veo que se publicó en el 95 y, claro, tanto ha llovido, que ha perdido toda originalidad y quizás también yo soy más exigente.
Es de las primeras publicaciones de esta autora (que me encanta) y estoy muy contenta de que se hayan decidido a seguir publicándola, pero con las series más novedosas que tiene no entiendo por qué se han decidido por esta, la verdad.
Lo más llamativo es la época en la que transcurre. No soy de leer muchas novelas en las que los protagonistas parecen tan femeninos, maquillados y con postizos y eso me ha hecho mucha gracias.
Dos protagonistas con un pasado muy marcado. Quizás eso es con lo que más juega la autora... la parte de él es mucho más predecible porque se ve venir por dónde andará el tema.
La parte de ella me ha sorprendido algo más. Dura aunque la autora decide no profundizar demasiado y, al final, casi se lo agradezco
La relación entre ellos me ha gustado, muy de la época, educada y cordial, aunque sin darse cuenta se van metiendo cada vez en la boca del lobo y al final .
No es de las mejores novelas de la autora, y se queda en entretenida. Aunque bien escrita (que aunque se debería dar por hecho, últimamente n olo es tanto) Eso si, algunas cosillas me chocan con la condición de duquesa de ella, y no sé si en otras novelas de la autora lo he leído y no me ha chocado tanto...
Una escena sí que me ha molestado, no era necesaria y con una sola frase hubiera cambiado el sentido, el problema es que no se le da mayor importancia y ahora no sé si soy yo la que está exagerando.... y lo ha interpretado todo al revés, jajaja
En definitiva, una novela entretenida pero que no está a la altura del resto de las novelas que he leído de esta autora.
En realidad es una novela que no pasa entretenida. Pero no soy objetiva con esta autora y podría ponerle 2 estrellas, pero entonces veo que se publicó en el 95 y, claro, tanto ha llovido, que ha perdido toda originalidad y quizás también yo soy más exigente.
Es de las primeras publicaciones de esta autora (que me encanta) y estoy muy contenta de que se hayan decidido a seguir publicándola, pero con las series más novedosas que tiene no entiendo por qué se han decidido por esta, la verdad.
Lo más llamativo es la época en la que transcurre. No soy de leer muchas novelas en las que los protagonistas parecen tan femeninos, maquillados y con postizos y eso me ha hecho mucha gracias.
Dos protagonistas con un pasado muy marcado. Quizás eso es con lo que más juega la autora... la parte de él es mucho más predecible porque se ve venir por dónde andará el tema.
La parte de ella me ha sorprendido algo más. Dura aunque la autora decide no profundizar demasiado y, al final, casi se lo agradezco
La relación entre ellos me ha gustado, muy de la época, educada y cordial, aunque sin darse cuenta se van metiendo cada vez en la boca del lobo y al final .
No es de las mejores novelas de la autora, y se queda en entretenida. Aunque bien escrita (que aunque se debería dar por hecho, últimamente n olo es tanto) Eso si, algunas cosillas me chocan con la condición de duquesa de ella, y no sé si en otras novelas de la autora lo he leído y no me ha chocado tanto...
Una escena sí que me ha molestado, no era necesaria y con una sola frase hubiera cambiado el sentido, el problema es que no se le da mayor importancia y ahora no sé si soy yo la que está exagerando.... y lo ha interpretado todo al revés, jajaja
En definitiva, una novela entretenida pero que no está a la altura del resto de las novelas que he leído de esta autora.
May 19, 2010
Can Mary Balogh do no wrong? This is another GREAT book by this talented author. I'll give you a quick synopsis, and then tell you all the reasons why I think it's great!
Heartless tells the story of Lucas Kendrick, the Duke of Harndon and Anna Marlowe. Both are very wounded from their pasts and believe love is not in the cards for them. Anna believes that she is tainted and unworthy, Lucas has been burned once and has vowed never to be vulnerable again....fortunately for him, this is a romance novel! They marry "for duty and pleasure, but agree that both entered the marriage for convenience..(yah right!) Long story short, this book is about their marriage and how they mature not only in their marriage, but as individuals. It is remarkable. Spoilers ahead********
Here's some of the great parts of the book:
1. I love that Lucas verbalizes love first.
2. I love how Lucas defends Anna against his mother.
3. I love how devoted and loving Lucas is as a father to Joy.
4. I loved the love scenes between these two and how Lucas makes Anna feel beautiful.
5. I love how Balogh allows Lucas to work through the feelings he has for Henrietta and doesn't just assume his devotion and love for Anna are enough to quench all the feelings of his past,and yet he stays completely faithful to her.
6. I love that Balogh isn't afraid to make her men into atypical hero's. This book is based in the Georgian Period when some men, including Lucas, wore makeup, heels, and powder in their hair! Don't worry, this really is a masculine man!
7. I love that I really don't have anything negative to say about this book except that it's out of print...if you can't find it at your local library, this one just might be worth the Amazon marketplace price.
Heartless tells the story of Lucas Kendrick, the Duke of Harndon and Anna Marlowe. Both are very wounded from their pasts and believe love is not in the cards for them. Anna believes that she is tainted and unworthy, Lucas has been burned once and has vowed never to be vulnerable again....fortunately for him, this is a romance novel! They marry "for duty and pleasure, but agree that both entered the marriage for convenience..(yah right!) Long story short, this book is about their marriage and how they mature not only in their marriage, but as individuals. It is remarkable. Spoilers ahead********
Here's some of the great parts of the book:
1. I love that Lucas verbalizes love first.
2. I love how Lucas defends Anna against his mother.
3. I love how devoted and loving Lucas is as a father to Joy.
4. I loved the love scenes between these two and how Lucas makes Anna feel beautiful.
5. I love how Balogh allows Lucas to work through the feelings he has for Henrietta and doesn't just assume his devotion and love for Anna are enough to quench all the feelings of his past,and yet he stays completely faithful to her.
6. I love that Balogh isn't afraid to make her men into atypical hero's. This book is based in the Georgian Period when some men, including Lucas, wore makeup, heels, and powder in their hair! Don't worry, this really is a masculine man!
7. I love that I really don't have anything negative to say about this book except that it's out of print...if you can't find it at your local library, this one just might be worth the Amazon marketplace price.
February 25, 2019
I definitely liked it. Mary Balogh has a special gift of writing. I can't express in words how much I liked her writing style. I liked the hero, luke but I was a bit frustrated with Anna. Again and again Luke confronted with her she refused to share any truth. She is one of the stupid heroines ever I must say. Maybe the relationship they share wasn't perfect but they worked through it somehow at the end.
I admire his relationship with Emily (next book heroine) very much. I liked his relationship with his family. Most importantly I am very hopeful for the next book of the series cause it featured Emily & Ashley. I loved their interaction which was innocent but very special.
And another thing I have to mention which is the hero's appearances. I never knew that French people
Paint there faces like that... 🤔 and the rest of the dress up was very peculiar to me.
Safety Issue: Luke has a mistress when he arrived in London after 10 years. He slept with the mistress two times after he arrived in London. What I gather is that he slept with his mistress before meeting the heroine Annwith proposed Anna on the third day of their meeting and he ended the liaison with the mistress immediately. He was very much faithful to her from the day they were engaged. And he was the one who said ILY first, I am Impressed. She wasn't a virgin but he accepted it. He suspected that she had a lover and asked her about it but she refused to answer and he accepted it also. He was respectable while there were lots of events when other people would have judged & shamed her because of the secrecy of her past. But, He continues to believe and support her as well as he could.
I admire his relationship with Emily (next book heroine) very much. I liked his relationship with his family. Most importantly I am very hopeful for the next book of the series cause it featured Emily & Ashley. I loved their interaction which was innocent but very special.
And another thing I have to mention which is the hero's appearances. I never knew that French people
Paint there faces like that... 🤔 and the rest of the dress up was very peculiar to me.
Safety Issue: Luke has a mistress when he arrived in London after 10 years. He slept with the mistress two times after he arrived in London. What I gather is that he slept with his mistress before meeting the heroine Annwith proposed Anna on the third day of their meeting and he ended the liaison with the mistress immediately. He was very much faithful to her from the day they were engaged. And he was the one who said ILY first, I am Impressed. She wasn't a virgin but he accepted it. He suspected that she had a lover and asked her about it but she refused to answer and he accepted it also. He was respectable while there were lots of events when other people would have judged & shamed her because of the secrecy of her past. But, He continues to believe and support her as well as he could.
December 13, 2014
Wow, I found this to be an annoying read. The majority of Balogh books I've read have fallen somewhere between "quite good" and "outstanding" on my personal bookometer, so this was really unusual for me and for this author.
Premise: in Georgian England, Anna - 25, nearly-a-spinster, the primary emotional and logistical support of her younger siblings since the death of their parents - goes to London with her younger sister at the behest of a godmother. Anna meets Lucas, Duke of something or other, who has only recently returned to England after spending 10 years in Paris pouting over his butthurt feelings after he had a falling-out with his family about a duel with his brother.
Anna and Lucas get married within a week of meeting each other. Much is made of the fact that Lucas is "heartless" and cannot possibly love, ever, the ability to love was ripped from him when he left England in disgrace a decade ago. Anna, for her part, is clearly hiding some kind of Dark Secret.
They're married by like 20% into the book. Then follows an absolutely interminable amount of what I can only describe as
THE JOURNEY TO MOUNT MISUNDERSTANDING.
Anna is hiding a secret. The secret is not that awesome. The secret is
My main complaint about this book is that Anna is toting around a secret she feels she can't tell Lucas about. Lucas keeps trying to get her to tell him, because he's not crazy and can see that something is wrong. But Anna maintains a weird cheerful attitude and refuses to share. That is the entire book. It just goes on and on and on and on and on. I only kept reading because I was so amazed that Balogh was determined to spin this out for so long. I highlighted a quote at 70% in where Anna thinks to herself that she should have told Lucas the truth about her Dark Secret when she prodded her for it the morning after their wedding. I certainly agreed with her assessment.
I am (to put it mildly) not a fan of romances that hinge on A Big Misunderstanding to keep the couple apart. I really dislike that particular trope, and find it dull and lazy and infuriating. It's such a cheap, fake source of conflict. Balogh is an excellent prose stylist, but it couldn't overcome the Big Misunderstanding and elevate this book.
I also pretty strongly disliked the sketches of the main characters. Lucas is a pretty stock Manly Dandy character (if you've read These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer, you've seen a much better version of this type of character) who has had some pretty silly His Heart Is Broken Forever By Life And He Will Never Love Again!!!!! painted over the top. He was pretty boring to me, to be honest. I found myself thinking uncharitable thoughts about how whiny he was.
Anna was an odd character. So much of her time is spent putting on a facade of lighthearted charm and cheer that I am at a loss to understand anything real about her true character. Lucas marries her because he instantly falls for her vivaciousness and good cheer - her propensity to be happy. But of course Anna isn't happy or vivacious or of good cheer, she's someone who has effectively been mentally tortured for years. However, there is never a moment when the reader (or Lucas!) realizes, no, THIS is the real Anna. She just maintains the same possibly-fake persona throughout.
I found it a very odd read and almost gave up many, many, many times. It kind of became a hateread by about 50%.
A disappointment; Balogh has been very reliable for me aside from this.
If you want actually heartless Georgian men, I think you want Anne Stuart. Lucas was just not an effective hero for me - I never felt that he was truly heartless, just mopey. He never felt particularly dangerous or unpredictable. And Anna was a cipher.
Premise: in Georgian England, Anna - 25, nearly-a-spinster, the primary emotional and logistical support of her younger siblings since the death of their parents - goes to London with her younger sister at the behest of a godmother. Anna meets Lucas, Duke of something or other, who has only recently returned to England after spending 10 years in Paris pouting over his butthurt feelings after he had a falling-out with his family about a duel with his brother.
Anna and Lucas get married within a week of meeting each other. Much is made of the fact that Lucas is "heartless" and cannot possibly love, ever, the ability to love was ripped from him when he left England in disgrace a decade ago. Anna, for her part, is clearly hiding some kind of Dark Secret.
They're married by like 20% into the book. Then follows an absolutely interminable amount of what I can only describe as
THE JOURNEY TO MOUNT MISUNDERSTANDING.
Anna is hiding a secret. The secret is not that awesome. The secret is
My main complaint about this book is that Anna is toting around a secret she feels she can't tell Lucas about. Lucas keeps trying to get her to tell him, because he's not crazy and can see that something is wrong. But Anna maintains a weird cheerful attitude and refuses to share. That is the entire book. It just goes on and on and on and on and on. I only kept reading because I was so amazed that Balogh was determined to spin this out for so long. I highlighted a quote at 70% in where Anna thinks to herself that she should have told Lucas the truth about her Dark Secret when she prodded her for it the morning after their wedding. I certainly agreed with her assessment.
I am (to put it mildly) not a fan of romances that hinge on A Big Misunderstanding to keep the couple apart. I really dislike that particular trope, and find it dull and lazy and infuriating. It's such a cheap, fake source of conflict. Balogh is an excellent prose stylist, but it couldn't overcome the Big Misunderstanding and elevate this book.
I also pretty strongly disliked the sketches of the main characters. Lucas is a pretty stock Manly Dandy character (if you've read These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer, you've seen a much better version of this type of character) who has had some pretty silly His Heart Is Broken Forever By Life And He Will Never Love Again!!!!! painted over the top. He was pretty boring to me, to be honest. I found myself thinking uncharitable thoughts about how whiny he was.
Anna was an odd character. So much of her time is spent putting on a facade of lighthearted charm and cheer that I am at a loss to understand anything real about her true character. Lucas marries her because he instantly falls for her vivaciousness and good cheer - her propensity to be happy. But of course Anna isn't happy or vivacious or of good cheer, she's someone who has effectively been mentally tortured for years. However, there is never a moment when the reader (or Lucas!) realizes, no, THIS is the real Anna. She just maintains the same possibly-fake persona throughout.
I found it a very odd read and almost gave up many, many, many times. It kind of became a hateread by about 50%.
A disappointment; Balogh has been very reliable for me aside from this.
If you want actually heartless Georgian men, I think you want Anne Stuart. Lucas was just not an effective hero for me - I never felt that he was truly heartless, just mopey. He never felt particularly dangerous or unpredictable. And Anna was a cipher.
June 26, 2022
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 - Solid 2 – might feel like more to others. There’s a decent amount of scenes but may were short/vague so I didn’t count them.
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine’s perspective
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Basic plot:
After some devastating family drama including betrayal by his brother and fiance, Luke leaves to France. He doesn’t return to England for 10 years – and when he does he finds himself quickly married to a woman that immediately entices him – Lady Anna Marlowe.
Give this a try if you want:
- Low to mid steam – multiple scenes in this book! Many are short/vague but definitely at least 2 full scenes, might feel even hotter to you
- You’re okay with or prepared for serious content warnings (see end)
- Georgian time period (I do see prologue of book 2 is 1756, so I guess 1750s) – I don’t know what year exactly this was, but the dress is much more flamboyant and pre-Regency
- A mix of London and country estate setting (mostly country setting)
- A protective hero within a rescue plot
- A mix of romance and danger/villain (leaning heavily on the villain)
Ages:
- Heroine is 25, hero is 30
My thoughts:
So many lovely things I found in this story! First, the time period was fun. I hardly ever read early Georgian and I loved the notes to fashion in this book, especially how the hero enjoyed dressing himself and using cosmetics.
I LOVED THE HERO! He was so, so steadfast and wonderful. Really, just dreamy, protective, understand romance materials of the best kind. Truly. He gave me enjoyment in this story, even though the sex and sexual tension (for me at least) took a way back seat in this novel. Super romantic. He does romantic things, says romantic things and is just perfection.
The heroine was...well I hate to say she annoyed me. Because her trauma and worry was extreme. And I could understand her always needing to keep her worries and fear to herself. But she finds the confidence to stand up to her villain but doesn’t find the ability to share her fears with her husband until the very end.
For me, the middle and end was completely take over by the villain. It was a lot, it was heavy, and the romance started to dwindle for me. The ending dragged a bit – it felt like a really long book – but then the actual very end was kind of abrupt. I’m sure we get some more time with them in the follow up, Silent Melody.
This is the not the first Mary Balogh I’ve read that she includes special needs characters and I fucking love her for it. The heroine’s sister is deaf and mute and has her own story in Silent Melody, which I’ll get to soon (but this book was also really heavy for me and I think I need a little break before diving into the next one.)
Notes/quotes – okay so I tried to grab these from an audiobook so these are paraphrased and possibly off a bit especially with spelling
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 - Solid 2 – might feel like more to others. There’s a decent amount of scenes but may were short/vague so I didn’t count them.
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine’s perspective
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Basic plot:
After some devastating family drama including betrayal by his brother and fiance, Luke leaves to France. He doesn’t return to England for 10 years – and when he does he finds himself quickly married to a woman that immediately entices him – Lady Anna Marlowe.
Give this a try if you want:
- Low to mid steam – multiple scenes in this book! Many are short/vague but definitely at least 2 full scenes, might feel even hotter to you
- You’re okay with or prepared for serious content warnings (see end)
- Georgian time period (I do see prologue of book 2 is 1756, so I guess 1750s) – I don’t know what year exactly this was, but the dress is much more flamboyant and pre-Regency
- A mix of London and country estate setting (mostly country setting)
- A protective hero within a rescue plot
- A mix of romance and danger/villain (leaning heavily on the villain)
Ages:
- Heroine is 25, hero is 30
My thoughts:
So many lovely things I found in this story! First, the time period was fun. I hardly ever read early Georgian and I loved the notes to fashion in this book, especially how the hero enjoyed dressing himself and using cosmetics.
I LOVED THE HERO! He was so, so steadfast and wonderful. Really, just dreamy, protective, understand romance materials of the best kind. Truly. He gave me enjoyment in this story, even though the sex and sexual tension (for me at least) took a way back seat in this novel. Super romantic. He does romantic things, says romantic things and is just perfection.
The heroine was...well I hate to say she annoyed me. Because her trauma and worry was extreme. And I could understand her always needing to keep her worries and fear to herself. But she finds the confidence to stand up to her villain but doesn’t find the ability to share her fears with her husband until the very end.
For me, the middle and end was completely take over by the villain. It was a lot, it was heavy, and the romance started to dwindle for me. The ending dragged a bit – it felt like a really long book – but then the actual very end was kind of abrupt. I’m sure we get some more time with them in the follow up, Silent Melody.
This is the not the first Mary Balogh I’ve read that she includes special needs characters and I fucking love her for it. The heroine’s sister is deaf and mute and has her own story in Silent Melody, which I’ll get to soon (but this book was also really heavy for me and I think I need a little break before diving into the next one.)
Notes/quotes – okay so I tried to grab these from an audiobook so these are paraphrased and possibly off a bit especially with spelling
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
September 16, 2021
Audiobook Review:
A fan of Mary Balogh as an author, this book didn't disappoint. It was absolutely wonderful and had my attention captivated from begging to end. I love the plot and thought that Lucas and Anna were truly made for one another. It is unfortunate that they had to overcome some circumstances that crippled them along their journey to finding their HEA. The story transitioned very well for this reader and I simply enjoyed it very much.
Narration...one of my favorite Rosalyn Landor did an exceptional job and I truly love her narrative of the characters.
A fan of Mary Balogh as an author, this book didn't disappoint. It was absolutely wonderful and had my attention captivated from begging to end. I love the plot and thought that Lucas and Anna were truly made for one another. It is unfortunate that they had to overcome some circumstances that crippled them along their journey to finding their HEA. The story transitioned very well for this reader and I simply enjoyed it very much.
Narration...one of my favorite Rosalyn Landor did an exceptional job and I truly love her narrative of the characters.
November 12, 2018
Lady Anna Marlowe va a Londres con su hermana a pasar con su tía la primavera, tiempo en que las fiestas y bailes están en su auge y poder así encontrar un marido. Anna no ha tenido una vida nada fácil los últimos años, tras la muerte de sus padres tuvo que hacer de madre para sus hermanos, pasando así su edad para casarse. Ella también esconde un secreto, uno que hará que no pueda casarse...
Lucas Hendrick fue repudidado por su família hace diez años, fue a París dónde se convirtió en uno de los solteros más deseados, creando su fortuna desde cero. Ahora debe regresar a Londres y se ve obligado a asumir sus responsabilidades familiares como nuevo duque.
El encuentro de los dos en un baile, hará saltar chispas, pero... ¿Será Lucas capaz de amar?. ¿Hasta cuando podrá ocultar Anna su secreto?
OPINIÓN: me ha gustado mucho, es una historia de amor que se va creando poco a poco, con secretos entre los protagonistas. Me ha gustado la ambientación de la novela en el siglo XVlll, ya que la ropa y la forma de vivir era muy distinta a la actual.
He amado todos los personajes secundarios y he sentido pena y rabia por otros.
Ya estoy deseando coger la segunda parte.
Lucas Hendrick fue repudidado por su família hace diez años, fue a París dónde se convirtió en uno de los solteros más deseados, creando su fortuna desde cero. Ahora debe regresar a Londres y se ve obligado a asumir sus responsabilidades familiares como nuevo duque.
El encuentro de los dos en un baile, hará saltar chispas, pero... ¿Será Lucas capaz de amar?. ¿Hasta cuando podrá ocultar Anna su secreto?
OPINIÓN: me ha gustado mucho, es una historia de amor que se va creando poco a poco, con secretos entre los protagonistas. Me ha gustado la ambientación de la novela en el siglo XVlll, ya que la ropa y la forma de vivir era muy distinta a la actual.
He amado todos los personajes secundarios y he sentido pena y rabia por otros.
Ya estoy deseando coger la segunda parte.
February 23, 2021
The beginning felt a little like I was reading These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. All talk about Paris, fashion, how amazingly good the guy was with women and basically nothing more.
I don't like when a book focus too much on fashion and spend an enormous amount of time describing clothes, specially if it is wigs, it gives me shivers 😆
So, I had to force myself to keep reading, after a while it started to get good. I liked this book because of the simple fact that we saw it all. The meeting, the engagement, the marriage, the pregnancy, the families, the house and their life together while both had deep secrets.
His secret was super easy for me to see what had happened from the beginning. But what kept me interested was that I wanted to discover her secret because it just didn't make any sense... until you understood it all.
I don't know if I recommend this book. Its not that it is great. It is just that it keeps you wanting to know more.
I don't like when a book focus too much on fashion and spend an enormous amount of time describing clothes, specially if it is wigs, it gives me shivers 😆
So, I had to force myself to keep reading, after a while it started to get good. I liked this book because of the simple fact that we saw it all. The meeting, the engagement, the marriage, the pregnancy, the families, the house and their life together while both had deep secrets.
His secret was super easy for me to see what had happened from the beginning. But what kept me interested was that I wanted to discover her secret because it just didn't make any sense... until you understood it all.
I don't know if I recommend this book. Its not that it is great. It is just that it keeps you wanting to know more.
June 15, 2025
《3.5 ☆》
entertained with the banters but he could've think better in final moments.
big rtc, i want to spoiled myself with endless reading marathon, before starting another sem again 🤮🤢
entertained with the banters but he could've think better in final moments.
big rtc, i want to spoiled myself with endless reading marathon, before starting another sem again 🤮🤢
February 26, 2019
This started out so promising with a damaged, overly urbane hero and a strong heroine with a spine. 4 star rakish hero who has good reason to be bitter and “heartless” but still grows into a living and honorable man in spite of himself. He reminds me of an Elizabeth Hoyt hero. Anyone remember the hero who wore red heels? Unfortunately, I also ended up saddled with what I thought was a strong and likable heroine who revealed herself to be one of the more stupid heroines I’ve encountered.
Set in Georgian England, Luke (is that a nobleman’s name) has reluctantly returned to England from France. Luke left under a cloud of shame when he challenged his brother to a duel and shot him in the shoulder. He was actually aiming for a tree but was such an atrocious shot he hit his brother’s shoulder. Once idealistic, he is now a Frenchified Georgian dandy down to his powdered and rouged face as well as his fan that he uses effectively as a means of seduction. In a genre with towering and hairy alpha males, Duke Luke is an oddity.
His loving but interfering uncle encourages him to jump back into the fray which means leaving France, confronting what is left of his family (his mother, brother and little sister), getting married and making little Dukes. The H meets the Anna the h and end ups in a MOC pretty quickly.
There’s some siblings including Anna’s sweet fey deaf/mute little sister who has a crush on the H’s little brother and has her own story later. An evil SIL,Henrietta, the ex fiancee who seems to forget that a man may not marry his brother’s wife yet slithers and manipulates with a heavy hand as well as a suspense backstory.
Where it drops is the Anna’s deep dark secret.
Anna's stupidity…
Luke’s stupidity…
Worthy of reading despite their idiocy. Definitely interested in Emily and Ashley’s story and ever hopeful that the hateful Henrietta rears her treacherous head
Set in Georgian England, Luke (is that a nobleman’s name) has reluctantly returned to England from France. Luke left under a cloud of shame when he challenged his brother to a duel and shot him in the shoulder. He was actually aiming for a tree but was such an atrocious shot he hit his brother’s shoulder. Once idealistic, he is now a Frenchified Georgian dandy down to his powdered and rouged face as well as his fan that he uses effectively as a means of seduction. In a genre with towering and hairy alpha males, Duke Luke is an oddity.
His loving but interfering uncle encourages him to jump back into the fray which means leaving France, confronting what is left of his family (his mother, brother and little sister), getting married and making little Dukes. The H meets the Anna the h and end ups in a MOC pretty quickly.
There’s some siblings including Anna’s sweet fey deaf/mute little sister who has a crush on the H’s little brother and has her own story later. An evil SIL,Henrietta, the ex fiancee who seems to forget that a man may not marry his brother’s wife yet slithers and manipulates with a heavy hand as well as a suspense backstory.
Where it drops is the Anna’s deep dark secret.
Anna's stupidity…
Luke’s stupidity…
Worthy of reading despite their idiocy. Definitely interested in Emily and Ashley’s story and ever hopeful that the hateful Henrietta rears her treacherous head
August 12, 2025
Multiple old school romance writers pivoted to writing thrillers and I feel like Balogh would’ve been amazing at that. She wrote the most dastardly villains back in the day. Complete with a fiendish psychological profile. Sometimes I’m reading an old Balogh, and I’m like, wow this is really sick, what is going on in your mind, ma’am?
When I first read this book in 2022, I got so angry because it has one of my most hated tropes in it, but upon rereading, I have to admit that it was written well.
I forgive it for the frustration because the angst is great.
Slightly spoiler ish but it’s hinted in the blurb…
the heroine is groomed and manipulated by the villain from a young age and she hides this secret from the hero - this is something that occurs in many romances and it’s usually written in a nonsensical way, contrived to drum up conflict in the relationship and up the stakes but in this book, nobody acts out of character. I feel like Balogh did a good job of explaining the heroine’s thought process (there are plenty of other books where she does not). She really nails the psychological impact.
I also get frustrated with the hero, how long he takes to act decisively, but again, it makes sense for him, he’s used to being privileged and not having anything to lose. He blocks stuff out (literally what the title is referring to) so it also makes sense how he didn’t initially dig deeper.
And so, upon reread, knowing what was coming, I feel like I actually listened to the characters and I ended up really enjoyed this, it is not for everyone, more for romance readers who don’t mind dark themes.
Anyone who is a fan on Balogh’s recent work should steer clear of this one!
When I first read this book in 2022, I got so angry because it has one of my most hated tropes in it, but upon rereading, I have to admit that it was written well.
I forgive it for the frustration because the angst is great.
Slightly spoiler ish but it’s hinted in the blurb…
the heroine is groomed and manipulated by the villain from a young age and she hides this secret from the hero - this is something that occurs in many romances and it’s usually written in a nonsensical way, contrived to drum up conflict in the relationship and up the stakes but in this book, nobody acts out of character. I feel like Balogh did a good job of explaining the heroine’s thought process (there are plenty of other books where she does not). She really nails the psychological impact.
I also get frustrated with the hero, how long he takes to act decisively, but again, it makes sense for him, he’s used to being privileged and not having anything to lose. He blocks stuff out (literally what the title is referring to) so it also makes sense how he didn’t initially dig deeper.
And so, upon reread, knowing what was coming, I feel like I actually listened to the characters and I ended up really enjoyed this, it is not for everyone, more for romance readers who don’t mind dark themes.
Anyone who is a fan on Balogh’s recent work should steer clear of this one!
August 17, 2018
Este es el primer libro que leo de la autora y no estuvo tan mal.
Al principio no me estaba gustando y no era por los personajes y la historia sino que no estoy acostumbrada a leer libro que están ambientados en el sigo XVIII entonces la vestimenta me estaba chocando, sobre todo de los hombres principalmente del protagonista que era más femenino que yo, usaba polvos para el cabello (que era habitual en la época), cosméticos, blush, ropa extravagante y un abanico me lo imaginaba y mi mente lo rechazaba asi de NOPE NOPE NOPE, aunque me encantaba su personalidad , lo bueno de todo es que después ya no mencionaban tanto su apariencia.
La historia me gustó porque es un matrimonio de conveniencia, los dos no se querían casar pero sabían que tenían que hacerlo, ella por protección y no quedarse solterona y él por apariencia y deber. Me gusta que en este tipo de historias se van conociendo durante y el matrimonio y se van enamorando.
Los dos protagonistas tienen pasados oscuros y tormentosos por parte de él fue muy predecible pero de ella no me lo esperaba y si me agarró de sorpresa.
Una historia con romance, secretos y misterios.
PD. Ahora le voy a seguir con la historia de Ashley y Emmy que tiene mucho potencial sus escenas fueron mis favoritas de este libro.
Al principio no me estaba gustando y no era por los personajes y la historia sino que no estoy acostumbrada a leer libro que están ambientados en el sigo XVIII entonces la vestimenta me estaba chocando, sobre todo de los hombres principalmente del protagonista que era más femenino que yo, usaba polvos para el cabello (que era habitual en la época), cosméticos, blush, ropa extravagante y un abanico me lo imaginaba y mi mente lo rechazaba asi de NOPE NOPE NOPE, aunque me encantaba su personalidad , lo bueno de todo es que después ya no mencionaban tanto su apariencia.
La historia me gustó porque es un matrimonio de conveniencia, los dos no se querían casar pero sabían que tenían que hacerlo, ella por protección y no quedarse solterona y él por apariencia y deber. Me gusta que en este tipo de historias se van conociendo durante y el matrimonio y se van enamorando.
Los dos protagonistas tienen pasados oscuros y tormentosos por parte de él fue muy predecible pero de ella no me lo esperaba y si me agarró de sorpresa.
Una historia con romance, secretos y misterios.
PD. Ahora le voy a seguir con la historia de Ashley y Emmy que tiene mucho potencial sus escenas fueron mis favoritas de este libro.
May 18, 2019
I enjoyed this book despite a H who dresses up like a drag queen – complete with cosmetics and accessories, and a h who takes tstl-ness to heights. But still way better than book #2!
An almost moc between a ‘heartless’ H with an emotionally scarred past and who has hardened his heart to love – even his family’s, and a h running scared and on borrowed time whilst an obsessed nutcase villain tracks her every move.
Predictably the h opens his heart to love and possibilities even as she doesn’t trust him enough to share her own secrets, making for a climactic action packed finale. I feel like banging my head against the wall when hs keep such huge secrets despite getting so many chances and reasons to share.
The villain is hair-raisingly omniscient and the ow is suitably selfish and nasty. Rest of the cast make up the loving but estranged family to whom he has to redeem himself.
Even as the h/H spend a year together as a, if not altogether happily then definitely content married couple and even have a child together, there was a lack of depth and a distance in their connection. That was vaguely dissatisfying and made the book a disappointment.
An almost moc between a ‘heartless’ H with an emotionally scarred past and who has hardened his heart to love – even his family’s, and a h running scared and on borrowed time whilst an obsessed nutcase villain tracks her every move.
Predictably the h opens his heart to love and possibilities even as she doesn’t trust him enough to share her own secrets, making for a climactic action packed finale. I feel like banging my head against the wall when hs keep such huge secrets despite getting so many chances and reasons to share.
The villain is hair-raisingly omniscient and the ow is suitably selfish and nasty. Rest of the cast make up the loving but estranged family to whom he has to redeem himself.
Even as the h/H spend a year together as a, if not altogether happily then definitely content married couple and even have a child together, there was a lack of depth and a distance in their connection. That was vaguely dissatisfying and made the book a disappointment.
January 18, 2024
It either takes a bucketload of skill to write about two characters determined to think, do, or say the absolutely stupidest thing in every situation, or it takes none at all and in this case I’m undecided. I was onboard for the convoluted plot, even the gothic elements, but darned if I had any respect for a weak, passive, naive heroine who lied from the beginning of this book until the last chapter. The hero was almost as bad—if he handled the rest of the world as poorly as he handled his family, how on earth did he make an independent fortune and become the toast of Paris?
Readable, but be prepared to want to strangle Anna.
Readable, but be prepared to want to strangle Anna.
Read
October 19, 2020I have many GR friends whose opinions I greatly respect who LOVE this book. It's just not for me. Humans are imperfect and make mistakes and bad decisions. We all have flaws. Bad experiences and pain caused by those we love can change our attitudes and behaviors. I love a well-written story of redemption, but I don't think someone who is truly heartless can be redeemed. To top that off, the heroine was just as unlikable as the hero.
June 6, 2018
Me ha gustado mucho , volver a encontrarme con Mary Balogh...
La historia tiene un poco de todo, amor, misterio, malos muy malos y una historia que no da tregua y que hace que quieras seguir leyendo...
Cual sera la siguiente historia? Ashley y pequeño cervatillo? deseandolo estoy
La historia tiene un poco de todo, amor, misterio, malos muy malos y una historia que no da tregua y que hace que quieras seguir leyendo...
Cual sera la siguiente historia? Ashley y pequeño cervatillo? deseandolo estoy
June 12, 2017
I'm always pleased to see more of Mary Balogh's back list coming out in Kindle editions -- the latest being her Georgian series from the mid-1990s. Since the Rosalyn Landor audio version is also available, I chose to listen rather than read.
My ratings: 3.5 stars for the story; 5 stars for the narration.
The love story is beautiful -- classic Mary Balogh -- especially Lucas's gradual realization that he really isn't "heartless" after all. Anna's Big Secret, however, was dragged out too long, although it was so awful that I could understand her reluctance to confess it to her husband.
As for the Georgian setting -- I didn't feel it -- other than mentions of the clothing and hairstyles. Perhaps I'm spoiled, having just read several titles by the consummate Georgian-era author, Lucinda Brant.
Mary Balogh can't write a bad book, though, so if you're a fan like I am, try this one. I will definitely read the sequel, Silent Melody.
My ratings: 3.5 stars for the story; 5 stars for the narration.
The love story is beautiful -- classic Mary Balogh -- especially Lucas's gradual realization that he really isn't "heartless" after all. Anna's Big Secret, however, was dragged out too long, although it was so awful that I could understand her reluctance to confess it to her husband.
As for the Georgian setting -- I didn't feel it -- other than mentions of the clothing and hairstyles. Perhaps I'm spoiled, having just read several titles by the consummate Georgian-era author, Lucinda Brant.
Mary Balogh can't write a bad book, though, so if you're a fan like I am, try this one. I will definitely read the sequel, Silent Melody.
April 4, 2018
This potentially wonderful book was ruined by Anna's blatant lies and drama. The trope of big misunderstandings and secrets are not for me. I am an impatient reader with a decisive personality. The dragging of the secret to the end of the book....the constant indecisions of Anna, the many beautifulIy missed opportunities for confessions infuriated me. I derive so much more satisfaction when a character reveals a secret out of a sense of loyalty and trust then withholds it because of fear. The heroine of this book and that one thing ruined this entire book for me. It was also the terrible and unrealistic decisions the characters were making. Anna knew her husband is one of the most powerful people in England then why fear the ridiculous things she was being blackmailed with???and Even Luke.....to leave Anna after coming to conclusion something was wrong was just out character for an intelligent and caring man. These unrealistic things writers make characters do to move along plots get on my nerve. There were some wonderful moments in this book...and I really enjoyed the way Luke's feeling for Anna changed overtime and the moment he held the little one in his arms was so poignant it brought tears to my eyes. I really want to read Ashley and Anna's sister's story...it has wonderful potential to see him return to her and teach her how to communicate and express herself. Hope my next Balogh is better.
August 24, 2012
This book started off so good, but then it got bogged down in the middle and was long winded towards the end. The hero was very unique. He was a dandy through and through. I loved that about him. There was nothing I really loved about the heroine though. She was just TSTL and I couldn't help feeling frustrated with her throughout the book for enabling the villain to use her the way he did while she continued to lie to her husband. The hero was a duke so you would think that there would have been some confidence that he would have been able to help her, but all she had confidence in, was being a doormat for the villain. She lied to the hero telling him there was nothing wrong until the end and he didn't find out what was happening to the heroine until the last chapter, which was way too late IMO. The story-line was interesting and different, but the execution of it did not come together to make the book as engaging as it could have been. In the end it all just seemed very predictable and that is a shame because if this story was done right it could have been a five star read. 2.5 stars.
January 4, 2018
Outstandingly Wonderful!!!!
I didn’t know what to expect because this is an old book in the Mary Balogh oeuvre. Sometimes it can be disappointing when you go back and read early titles of a favorite author, but no such thing with this book.
I never saw an MC with so much heart as Harndon, try to convince everyone that he was heartless.
He was so kind to Anna. While he was busy telling Anna 24/7 that he did not/could not love, he betrayed himself with his kind and considerate treatment of her in ways that mean so much more than giving lip-Service to his feelings by just saying “I Love You.”
I also like Mary Balogh’s handling of “the big misunderstanding.” Anna and Harndon remained on good terms and were able to trust each other in other important ways throughout the “big misunderstanding. Both were reasonable and rational.
There was angst but the drama was not turned into “melodrama.”
Nothing foolish here and I enjoyed every minute of Harndon’s fabulous wardrobe!
I didn’t know what to expect because this is an old book in the Mary Balogh oeuvre. Sometimes it can be disappointing when you go back and read early titles of a favorite author, but no such thing with this book.
I never saw an MC with so much heart as Harndon, try to convince everyone that he was heartless.
He was so kind to Anna. While he was busy telling Anna 24/7 that he did not/could not love, he betrayed himself with his kind and considerate treatment of her in ways that mean so much more than giving lip-Service to his feelings by just saying “I Love You.”
I also like Mary Balogh’s handling of “the big misunderstanding.” Anna and Harndon remained on good terms and were able to trust each other in other important ways throughout the “big misunderstanding. Both were reasonable and rational.
There was angst but the drama was not turned into “melodrama.”
Nothing foolish here and I enjoyed every minute of Harndon’s fabulous wardrobe!
October 24, 2020
4.5 stars Anna and Luke. I enjoyed this one even though this is a darker story. Luke is handsome, long hair, not tall, and very slender. Anna is his sunshine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2018
RESEÑA COMPLETA EN EL BLOG:
https://www.virivillarreal.com/2018/0...
¿Qué si me gustó?
Es una historia entretenida, eso no lo voy a negar. Pero la narrativa algunas veces me resultó un poco lenta y aburrida. Esto se debe, creo yo... a la falta de diálogos entre los personajes. Los diálogos hacen más fluida una historia y en este libro la autora solo nos narra los acontecimientos sin permitir al lector conectar completamente con los protagonistas.
Había lapsos de tiempo que no pasaba nada y sentía que no avanzaba. El principio fue difícil porque me costó cambiar el chip y entender las costumbres de la época en cuanto a su vestimenta y lenguaje, pero por lo demás estuvo correcto. No es la mejor lectura de la autora y tampoco una que recomendaría para comenzar con su pluma, pero si es una novela entretenida, aunque no destaca mucho. Además, las escenas hot 🔥son el punto cojo de este libro. Los protas se lo pasan haciendo como conejos y nosotros ni enterados jajajajjaja. Upsss...
No me malinterpreten, que la historia me gustó y entretuvo, pero francamente esperaba mucho más porque sé que Mary puede hacerlo mejor.
***2.5 sin corazón STARS***
https://www.virivillarreal.com/2018/0...
¿Qué si me gustó?
Es una historia entretenida, eso no lo voy a negar. Pero la narrativa algunas veces me resultó un poco lenta y aburrida. Esto se debe, creo yo... a la falta de diálogos entre los personajes. Los diálogos hacen más fluida una historia y en este libro la autora solo nos narra los acontecimientos sin permitir al lector conectar completamente con los protagonistas.
Había lapsos de tiempo que no pasaba nada y sentía que no avanzaba. El principio fue difícil porque me costó cambiar el chip y entender las costumbres de la época en cuanto a su vestimenta y lenguaje, pero por lo demás estuvo correcto. No es la mejor lectura de la autora y tampoco una que recomendaría para comenzar con su pluma, pero si es una novela entretenida, aunque no destaca mucho. Además, las escenas hot 🔥son el punto cojo de este libro. Los protas se lo pasan haciendo como conejos y nosotros ni enterados jajajajjaja. Upsss...
No me malinterpreten, que la historia me gustó y entretuvo, pero francamente esperaba mucho más porque sé que Mary puede hacerlo mejor.
***2.5 sin corazón STARS***
March 24, 2019
Reseña completa: https://wp.me/p2fcC1-8BA
3.8 en realidad. Son pocos los libros que he leído en la época Georgiana, pero la experiencia con este ha sido agradable, debido a que la autora tiene una pluma excepcional para mostrar descripciones sin resultar en lo tedioso. Mi único problema es que se redundaba mucho en los temas centrales de la trama. Ya nos había quedado claro el problema, pero Balogh le daba y le daba al asunto sin parar. Era como un "avancemos, por favor". Lo bueno del asunto es que cuando ya salimos de aquello, todo aterriza de manera estupenda. No le ha faltado intensidad y profundidad. Hasta diría que es un libro controvertido... Y es que ESA escena, ¡Madre Mía! De verdad que me afecto... Muero de ganas por leer el que sigue. Este libro es estupendo para empezar mi año lector.
3.8 en realidad. Son pocos los libros que he leído en la época Georgiana, pero la experiencia con este ha sido agradable, debido a que la autora tiene una pluma excepcional para mostrar descripciones sin resultar en lo tedioso. Mi único problema es que se redundaba mucho en los temas centrales de la trama. Ya nos había quedado claro el problema, pero Balogh le daba y le daba al asunto sin parar. Era como un "avancemos, por favor". Lo bueno del asunto es que cuando ya salimos de aquello, todo aterriza de manera estupenda. No le ha faltado intensidad y profundidad. Hasta diría que es un libro controvertido... Y es que ESA escena, ¡Madre Mía! De verdad que me afecto... Muero de ganas por leer el que sigue. Este libro es estupendo para empezar mi año lector.
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