The Suitor

The Survivors' Club #1.5

by Mary Balogh

If circumstances were different, Philippa Dean would be happy to fall in love with Viscount Darleigh. He is certainly the perfect gentleman and everything her parents want: titled, handsome, respectable. His blindness only reinforces his quiet power and strength. But Philippa does not love him. Her heart is already taken and there is only one thing she can do: Thwart the matchmaking plans.

Julian Crabbe is desperate to rescue the woman he fell in love with two years ago. Then, he was a reckless cub, justly earning Philippa’s parents’ scorn. Now, he is every inch a respectable suitor and determined to prove it before it is too late. Intrude on the viscount’s house party? Gladly. Interrupt the match of the season? Happily. For nothing can stop the power of a love that will not be denied.
 
Includes a preview of Mary Balogh’s new novel, The Arrangement.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Novella, Regency, Historical Fiction, Fiction

50 pages, ebook

First published July 22, 2013

About the author

Mary 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.

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit of a bonus story more than an actual novella. It tells the story of a small side character who appears in The Arrangement, book two in the Survivors’ Club series. It’s a 30 page short story and very sweet. It’s included with the book The Escape and very quick to read.

[Ingie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written September 5, 2015

3 Stars - Nice and very short

The Suitor, a 1:30 hrs historical m/f audiobook novella (#1.5 in The Survivors Club series) narrated by Rosalyn Landor.



*********************************************************

Philippa Dean a young 18 years old debutant has been waiting for two years to once again meet Julian Crabbe. ...And for her father to accept her choice of man to be her future husband. Unluckily her father has other plans, he want her to fall in love with Viscount Darleigh (see series-part #2). The young, wealthy and very respectable viscount is for sure a very nice man, blind or not, but he is not the man Philippa dreams about.

*********************************************************

Maybe not very remarkable —too short, predictable and "light"— or a novella I'll remember for long, but a well written (Mary Balogh is by now a HR-favorite) and a nicely narrated audio (Rosalyn Landor is amazing doing historicals). ~ Perfect and enjoying when doing Saturday laundry.

I LIKE - every minute listening to Ms. Laundor


*******
For free as an extra novella in the series #3 - The Escape audiobook edition (4 happy stars from me).

[Dab · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very simple story with no drama, no third-act breakup and no sex scenes, and as we all know, the less sex scenes Mary Balogh writes, the better.

Philippa is the girl Vincent from The Arrangement did not want to marry. She was very annoying in The Arrangement, but as it turns out, she was only pretend-annoying. She just didn’t want to marry Vincent either, because she was already in love with Julian🥰.

This story was VERY short, *my reading goal likes it*.

[Alba Turunen · Rating 3 out of 5]

#RetoRita4 #RitaMary

3 Estrellitas. ¡Qué relato más corto! Apenas 50 páginas y me lo he ventilado en una mañana aunque ha sido en inglés. No tenía pensado leer otro libro éste mes para el Reto Rita, pero ya que leí "The Proposal" y quiero seguir con la serie decidí leer este relato corto.

"The Suitor" o "El Pretendiente" es un relato corto de la serie el Club de los Supervivientes, que puede leerse de manera independiente o como precuela de la serie, pues mucho no tiene que ver, salvo que sale Vincent, el vizconde Darleigh.

Lo cierto es que en 50 páginas no puede contarse mucho, pero Mary Balogh nos cuenta una historia que empezó dos años antes en Bath, cuando Phillippa Dean y Julian Crabbe se conocieron y enamoraron, pero ambos eran entonces muy jóvenes, ella apenas una colegiala y él un granuja con mala reputación.

Han pasado dos años y ambos no se han olvidado, Phillippa es amiga de Barbara, la prima de Julian y gracias a ella han mantenido correspondencia. Acaba de empezar la temporada y Phillippa está impaciente esperando la llegada de Julian cuando su madre le da una noticia: Vincent, el vizconde Darleigh los ha invitado a su casa de campo. Todos los deseos de Phillippa caen en saco roto, pues sus padres tienen la esperanza de que Phillippa y Vincent se casen. Así que antes de partir, Phillippa escribe una misiva a Barbara.

Julian sabe que no es un dechado de virtudes, pero desde que conoció a Phillippa ha hecho lo imposible por reformarse y ser un perfecto caballero para merecérsela, además es el sobrino de George Crabbe, el duque de Stanbrooke y su heredero. Julian está dispuesto a partir a Londres, pero su prima acaba de llegar con la noticia de que Phillippa espera prometerse al ciego vizconde Darleigh. Julian conoce a Vincent y aunque lo aprecia no dejará escapar a su chica y parte hacia la casa solariega de Vincent, con la esperanza de reconquitar a Phillippa.

La verdad es que contar no cuenta mucho más porque es muy corto, pero está bien escrito y me ha dejado con ganas de más, y de saber qué ha pasado con Vincent o qué ha sido de él. No es un relato de obligada lectura pero a la vez complementa la serie, me ha gustado.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philippa Dean was the young woman that Viscount Darleigh’s family had endeavoured to matchmaker the blind Darleigh with. Phillipa had plans of her own that included waiting for the reckless young lord lordling about town Julian Crabbe to redeem himself in the eyes of her father.
That moment is Now. This is definitely not the time to accept a proposal from a man she’s never before met.

[Lady Wesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet, but slight, short story, published as an ebook for US$1.99. There is a scene in the sneak peek of The Arrangement, the upcoming book two of Mary Balogh's new Survivor's Club series, where Vincent Hunt, Viscount Darleigh, is introduced to the young woman who his mother and sisters have chosen to be his bride. He is not interested in getting married, but because he has been blinded in the Peninsular Wars, his family decides that they know best. Darleigh has nothing against the girl, who along with her family has come to visit his country home, so he tries to make her dislike him before fleeing ignominiously with his valet. The Arrangement tells the story of what happens next.

This story, however, focuses on the blameless young lady, Phillipa Dean, who is no more desirous of marrying Darleigh than he is. She has someone else in mind. Someone who does not meet with her parents' approval. As I said, her story is sweet, but there's not much there there.

[Debby *BabyDee* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novella by Mary Balogh that tells the story of how Philippa meets Vincent, Viscount Darleigh and practically dumps him for Julian Crabbe, her first love.

Philippa Dean has fallen in love with Julian, subsequent heir to the Duke of Stanbrook. Not having sowed his wild side, he is caught holding hands with Philippa who was 16 years of age and to the outrage of her father, he is sent away and told never to see his daughter again. Two years later, he has redeemed his ways and is on a quest to present himself to her father, however is stopped because she is being introduced to Viscount Darleigh as a prospective bride.

This was a very short, too predictable novella. Would have wanted to see more interaction of Viscount Darleigh as this was a prequel to his story in the series. It was just okay and could have been much more than what I am use to with MB’s novellas.

[Ilze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story, but not up to Mary Balogh's usual standard. The only interesting character is Viscount Darleigh, and he does a very sensible thing about half-way through the story - he absconds.

[mirada · Rating 3 out of 5]

01-02-2015: Cortito, cortito, así que no se puede decir mucho sobre este relato salvo que no está mal, y vemos el punto de vista de la protagonista ante un compromiso impuesto y no deseado ni pedido.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the survivors' Vincent the Viscount Darleigh may be interested in offering for Philippa Dean. He is a fine looking man who's come back from staying at George Crabbe's home recovering. Vincent had lost his vision in the Napoleonic Wars.

Philippa noticed his family and how they treat him and uses that in an attempt to make him not want to offer for her.

Philippa is in love with Julian Crabbe, George Crabbe's nephew and heir. They had met several years before and he was waiting for her to grow up. She was only sixteen when they first met.

This short story is sweet and loving. The story is an easy fun read that speaks highly of waiting for love. Mary Balogh tells a sweet story whether it is in written in 400 pages or in just 50 pages, it is equally beautiful.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read A Matter of Class, you've pretty much read this book as well. Different setting, slightly different plot, same ending.

[herdys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was short, even for a short story lol

[Danielle Book Boss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick novella

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost perfect sweet novella

[OLT · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was fortunate to read Balogh's novel The Arrangement through Amazon's Vine Program. This short story gives us more information about Philippa Dean, the young woman that relatives of Vincent, Viscount Darleigh, the blind hero of that novel, were hoping to match him up with.

In the novel, Philippa doesn't come off looking like a very sympathetic character, but Balogh uses this short story to reveal the extenuating circumstances that led her to behave the way she did in the novel. So Philippa turns out to be a perfectly fine young woman who just happens to be in love with somebody else and has been for 2 years.

Her love, Justin Crabbe, was a bit wild and her parents did not take to him, but Philippa is hoping that time will be in their favor as he matures and becomes more responsible. But that won't happen if she has to marry Viscount Darleigh.

This is Philippa and Justin's love story and a boring one it is. No conflicts, nothing very interesting happening, truly non-eventful and dull. Its only reason for existing that I could see is to make readers feel a bit more sympathetic to Philippa and, perhaps, also for Balogh to get with the HR author program of releasing short stories of little substance for more money than they're worth.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
A sweet, short story.
I didn't much like the heroine that's why the lower rating. I hated how she treated Vincent. I hope she gets to apologize to him in one of the book down the line. And also the story was way too short.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet and sigh-worthy short story. No real conflict, just the lovely tale of two people finding their HEA after two years of waiting. I love Ms. Balogh's writing!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute enough and a nice side story regarding Philippa Dean's POV during the first few chapters of The Proposal. No real meat to the story but a sweet filler. And they lived happily ever after..

[Inna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Absolutely adorable. No angst at all, just purely sweet.

Safe & clean

[Sandra Moreira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice reading and very, very short (and I don't if it's a good thing...)

[Connie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1.5 in The Survivors' Club Regency romance series

This was such an enjoyable novella in this series, and it was fun to fill in the blanks about a previous incident. This involves the situation where Vincent, Viscount Darley, finds himself manipulated into a potential marriage with Philippa Dean. Neither of them wants to marry the other, and in a previous book we saw Vincent's impulsive reaction and how it led to his romance with Sophie. In this story we see the action from Philippa's point of view and discover that she isn't the stuck-up lady we thought she was. Since she has been in love with Julien (the Duke's nephew) since she was 16 (and he with her), she is doing everything she can to put off Vincent and wait for Julien to declare himself, including treating Vincent with overly solicitous care and mindless agreement even though she knows it annoys him. It was totally fun to hear her thoughts and watch Vincent's reactions from the other side. Brief but pleasant, ably read by Rosalyn Landor.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. Great add-on that does enhance the original story.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story, not even a novella, so it's really hard to give much focus to the main characters. The whole point seems to be setting up Vincent's book, and I'm very excited for it.

[Amyiw · Rating 4 out of 5]

re-read Feb 11, 2015 Still feel the same, maybe even 3 stars, hard choice. I leave it where I first rated it.
First read Oct 9th, 2013
3 1/2
Most of what is wrong with this story is its length. The meeting again and changing has to happen in a short time frame so is not very fleshed out. I easily read it in one sitting.

Philippa and Julian meet in Bath when she is 16 and he is 21?(20) I only remember it being a 4 or 5 year difference. Now today that might seem like robbing the cradle but, although most regency novels make the come out always at 18, Jane Austin had Lydia coming out at 15 and the complaint was not here age but that the sister in front of her had not settled yet... so. Since my Grandfather and Grandmother met at the turn of the 20th century when she was 16, I don't think that even 100 years ago it was considered improper. The problem with the match was more that it was clandestine and he was a rake/rogue. He did not compromise her in anyway. So...

Improperly, as they were split, they keep a correspondence and kept their attachment. During the season of her come out, he waits too long and her parents try to force a match with Viscount Darleigh. He is the blind survivor's club member, if you are reading the series and his book is next. So she is thrown at Darleigh which she sees is not what he wants either but instead of speaking to him, she tries to hint at her displeasure. Although he gets it, I think it was done a little meanly on her part. Still, she really want to get back to the season and wait for her beaux. Jason tries to ride to the rescue but by the time he gets there she has rescued herself. Now to try to convince the family.

I don't think it is hard to convince a family when your estate seems to be doing well and for the last 3 years you've been reformed and very proper. On top of that, you are a duke's grandson and nephew. The current Duke very old with no heir but you.... no brainer.

It was good and kept my attention with little things that irritated. I may round down at a latter date but a couple of days latter, I still liked it.

[Michelle Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet, very short story. And when I say very short I mean very VERY short. A well spent couple of hours.
What I liked best about the story was the introduction of Viscount Darleigh's character. Looking forward to reading his book in the series.

[Vania Nunes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Numa sacada interessante, a autora decide apresentar aos leitores parte da história da suposta pretendente de Vincent Hunt, provando, assim, que toda história tem mais de um lado.

Ao lermos o livro #2, onde ficamos sabendo que Vincent estava sendo coagido pelas mulheres de sua família a fazer um casamento com o único objetivo de ter uma esposa para cuidar-lhe pelo fato de ele ser cego, tomamos um certo "ranço" ao ver o quanto Philippa era tão sem opinião a respeito dos assuntos mais bizarros (segundo um teste feito pelo próprio Vincent).

Mas daí, descobrimos que isso também foi uma estratégia. DELA.

Senão, vejamos:

Philippa havia finalmente feito 18 anos e debutou na sociedade londrina. Passou pelas patronesses do Almack's (ainda não tinha permissão para valsar, mas sua apresentação havia sido um sucesso) e tinha beleza suficiente para chamar atenção de alguns bons partidos.

Acontece que o coração dela já estava há dois anos tomado por Julian Crabbe.
Este era o herdeiro presumido do duque de Stanbrook, George Crabbe, aquele mesmo que perdera o filho para a guerra; a esposa para o suicídio e transformou seu lar na Cornualha no Clube dos Sobreviventes.

Aos 16 anos, num baile, Philippa havia conhecido Julian, mas naquela época ele tinha uma fama nada boa.
Quando o pai de Philippa viu a filha sozinha no jardim com tamanho canalha, proibiu a filha de ter qualquer contato com ele.
Mas dali surgiu a fagulha de um interesse.

Através da amiga Barbara Redford, prima de Julian, os pombinhos mantiveram uma troca de correspondências secreta.
Enquanto Philippa esperava com ansiedade a chegada de seu 18° aniversário, sua apresentação à sociedade e a permissão para casar, Julian ia endireitando a sua vida.

Um pouco depois daquele incidente no jardim, o pai dele faleceu e ele precisou tomar à frente dos negócios familiares. Eram muitos os problemas, mas as contas foram pagas e em breve o lucro de certos investimentos e das plantações seria muito bom.
Julian concordou que Philippa merecia se divertir um pouco antes que eles pudessem firmar compromisso. Desde que ele mudara a sua reputação e não estava atolado em dívidas, não havia por que de o pai dela proibir o compromisso.

Mas nesse ínterim, houve a possibilidade de Philippa tornar-se Viscondessa Darleigh. A família dela havia abandonado a temporada em Londres para ir à casa de campo do Visconde.

Desesperado, Julian vai atrás, com a desculpa de estar visitando um amigo nas redondezas e, como Vincent era amigo do tio de Julian, nada como fazer-lhe uma visita de cortesia.
Mas ao chegar lá, a maior das surpresas: o anfitrião havia desaparecido.
Agora, era aguardar o retorno dos Dean para Londres e seguir com o planejamento inicial do casal.

Como dito, é um conto, poucas páginas, e, apesar da rapidez, tira aquela má impressão que tivemos com a personagem.
4 estrelas

[Ynis Ainu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally like Mary Balogh, but this was a disappointing read. I liked most other books of the Survivors' Club series, but this felt very much just like a gapfiller, written to just get out another book, no matter how. The story between the main protas, Philippa and Julian, feels poorly executed, more like a writing exercise without much enthusiasm, while the introduction of Darleigh was blown up to a size which left me with a feeling of disappointment that it simply ended mit-plot when he went away, and his character remains just an outline put there for plot reasons.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful novella about the girl Viscount Darleigh (Vincent, the blind Survivor) ditched.

This novella is tacked on to the end of my library's paperback copy of The Escape and works perfectly as a lead-in to Vincent's story in The Arrangement (which I have already read).

[Mak ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encantador, lindo, perfect..

🥰🥰

Dois anos?!!

Sim...

Esse foi o tempo em que eles esperam para ficar juntos...

Philippa Dean e Julian Crabbe

Não tem muito o que falar desse lindo conto, somente que ambos lutaram e conseguiram o final feliz que esperaram...

🤭😍

#BoaLeitura #GoodReading

🎀😘

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, a great read.