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A Day for Love
A DAY FOR LOVE
The Substitute Guest
Claire Ward is invited at the last moment to a Valentine's house party when another guest withdraws. She soon feels very out of place, however, when she realizes the party is intended to be something wild. When each gentleman draws the name of the lady who will be his Valentine for the next three days, the Duke of Langford, the worst rake of them all, finds himself deliberately but quite inexplicably choosing the card of the lady he suspects is prim and virtuous-and very unlike any other he has known.
Golden Rose
The Master of Ceremonies in Bath has devised an intriguing plan for the annual Valentine's ball at the Assembly Rooms. Each gentleman is to send an anonymous favor to the lady of his choice and she is to wear it or carry it to the ball to discover the identity of her Valentine. But when Roger Bradshaw sends a golden rose to the lady of his choice, his mischievous young cousin, entrusted with delivering it, presents it to another young lady he considers more worthy.
A Waltz Among the Stars
Viscount Brandon, determined to put behind him his grief over the death of his young wife two years before, accepts an invitation to a Valentine's house party, where he plans to woo the young daughter of the house. However, he finds himself drawn instead to her older sister, who nurses a deep grief of her own while also living apart from her family under the disgrace of a youthful indiscretion.
The Substitute Guest
Claire Ward is invited at the last moment to a Valentine's house party when another guest withdraws. She soon feels very out of place, however, when she realizes the party is intended to be something wild. When each gentleman draws the name of the lady who will be his Valentine for the next three days, the Duke of Langford, the worst rake of them all, finds himself deliberately but quite inexplicably choosing the card of the lady he suspects is prim and virtuous-and very unlike any other he has known.
Golden Rose
The Master of Ceremonies in Bath has devised an intriguing plan for the annual Valentine's ball at the Assembly Rooms. Each gentleman is to send an anonymous favor to the lady of his choice and she is to wear it or carry it to the ball to discover the identity of her Valentine. But when Roger Bradshaw sends a golden rose to the lady of his choice, his mischievous young cousin, entrusted with delivering it, presents it to another young lady he considers more worthy.
A Waltz Among the Stars
Viscount Brandon, determined to put behind him his grief over the death of his young wife two years before, accepts an invitation to a Valentine's house party, where he plans to woo the young daughter of the house. However, he finds himself drawn instead to her older sister, who nurses a deep grief of her own while also living apart from her family under the disgrace of a youthful indiscretion.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2018
245 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
200 books6,343 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 45 reviews
July 17, 2023
reread 07/2023 the novella A WALTZ AMONG THE STARS
4,5 stars.
Sweet and heartwarming.
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03/2022
GOLDEN ROSE
Didn't touch me, sadly. The heroe, his actions, his thoughts, were unlikeable to me for most of the book. 2 stars.
A WALTZ AMONG THE STARS
A masterpiece of a short novella of 80 pages. Loved the storyline, the author had me invested with both main characters Barbara and Calum. I felt for them and loved every page of this heartwarming story. In my opinion one of Mrs. Balogh's most beautiful novellas.
5 stars.
THE SUBSTITUTE GUEST (although due to bad editing, the novel's title is spelled in the book "The substitute ghost" 😄)
Rather sweet story with likeable characters (to whom I sadly didn't feel the connection I hoped for).
4 stars (I really liked the storyline and Gerard's behaviour).
4 stars for the whole book.
4,5 stars.
Sweet and heartwarming.
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03/2022
GOLDEN ROSE
Didn't touch me, sadly. The heroe, his actions, his thoughts, were unlikeable to me for most of the book. 2 stars.
A WALTZ AMONG THE STARS
A masterpiece of a short novella of 80 pages. Loved the storyline, the author had me invested with both main characters Barbara and Calum. I felt for them and loved every page of this heartwarming story. In my opinion one of Mrs. Balogh's most beautiful novellas.
5 stars.
THE SUBSTITUTE GUEST (although due to bad editing, the novel's title is spelled in the book "The substitute ghost" 😄)
Rather sweet story with likeable characters (to whom I sadly didn't feel the connection I hoped for).
4 stars (I really liked the storyline and Gerard's behaviour).
4 stars for the whole book.
February 24, 2018
Read these separately in previous anthologies, but enjoyed them again.
March 27, 2018
Don't go into the reading of this collection with any motive but to immerse yourself in Love. Then all three stories are quite satisfying. Some can even give you a lump in your throat at odd moments. There are characters here who have loved and lost tragically, some who are treated unfairly or unkindly by others, some who need a slight kick in the pants, a couple of rakish males who reform quite quickly and miraculously when meeting The One for Them...but HEAs abound, three to be precise, because there are three stories, from 1991, 1992 and 1993. They actually felt even older than that in their style and plots, but I suppose more than 2.5 decades is a long time ago.
Anyway, all three stories, especially the first two, are sweet. The first two also have children, one a mischievous adolescent, one a seven-year-old fatherless boy. The trickster adolescent was a fun and important part of the first story. The 7-year-old added even more poignancy to the second one. The third story had no cute or poignant elements, just a miraculous cure for rakishness and the unbelievable addition of an inexperienced, rather naive spinster as a guest at a rather risque house party.
I admit to liking the first two stories more than the third. The first is the most lighthearted and the second the most heartwarming. The third is just a head-scratcher for me, but YMMV.
All in all, the collection is worth the read for a Balogh fan. I have my usual complaint, of course, that I consider all her electronic reissues of old books and stories to be a bit overpriced, but, hey, I seem to be buying them anyway, don't I?
Anyway, all three stories, especially the first two, are sweet. The first two also have children, one a mischievous adolescent, one a seven-year-old fatherless boy. The trickster adolescent was a fun and important part of the first story. The 7-year-old added even more poignancy to the second one. The third story had no cute or poignant elements, just a miraculous cure for rakishness and the unbelievable addition of an inexperienced, rather naive spinster as a guest at a rather risque house party.
I admit to liking the first two stories more than the third. The first is the most lighthearted and the second the most heartwarming. The third is just a head-scratcher for me, but YMMV.
All in all, the collection is worth the read for a Balogh fan. I have my usual complaint, of course, that I consider all her electronic reissues of old books and stories to be a bit overpriced, but, hey, I seem to be buying them anyway, don't I?
December 31, 2020
Did not realize it was three short stories, quite good but rushed.
May 3, 2021
This was a great little read for a quiet Saturday - Sun was out and the family was sleeping in. Perhaps reading this while happy and a cup of hot coffee made all the difference but either way - I did enjoy my time with this.
This book is actually a collection of three novellas - though the last one is called “The Substitute Ghost” in the book - not guest 🤷♀️:
Golden Rose - 3 stars
This was a short and cute little break of a novella - it has a masquerade ball and mistaken identities which generally worked for me.
You can tell that this is an older romance in Mary Balogh’s oeuvre - with all the focus on the heroine’s looks. The hero constantly remarks on her golden hair and how beautiful she was - like a golden rose (that got a bit much).
The heroine was a little bland - sweet but mostly silent in the story. She read a little young but generally cute. The hero was a little better but there was not real angst or drama here which would elevate the book.
Cute read as a break - 3 stars
A Waltz Among the Stars - 4 stars
This novella felt more like a typical Mary Balogh plot - with more loss and angst than the first novella. As a result, not surprisingly, I enjoyed this more.
The novella followed our hero, Viscount Brandon, as he overcame the grief of the death of his wife. He is drawn to our heroine who has her own loss in her history.
I really like this hero. In describing his wife who is dying - he says: “I wanted the honour of being her widower” Awww - I liked this hero 🥰🥰🥰
Generally, this novella made me choke up. I do wish the author had handled the heroine a little differently but I liked the couple together. I also liked how her child fit into the romance - it added to the gentle but slightly sorrowful air associated with the novella.
The Substitute Guest - 4 stars
This novella followed our older heroine, Clair Ward - who was an over-the-hill 28 years (shocker!!) who meets our hero during a scandalous house party.
Ms Balogh’s writing was so good and she didn’t pull her punches. The house part was scandalous - there was stuff I was not expecting which enhanced the romance and quietness of the central romance.
There was something melancholy about the Duke and how he fell in love. He is older and jaded and realizes that his life has not left him a good place for someone to trust him. The heroine was both practical and swoony all at the same time:
“She was in love ... But that was irrelevant to anything. .. was it surprising that a romance starved spinster should fall in love with the first man to kiss her?” 🥰🥰🥰
Mary Balogh does that mix really well of ruthless practicality and romance starry eyes. I was a little sad there wasn’t more kissing but I got the desire to show this romance as a contrast to the superficial pleasures of the rest of the sybaritic house party characters.
Overall - 3.67 averaged rounded to 3.5 stars.
This book is actually a collection of three novellas - though the last one is called “The Substitute Ghost” in the book - not guest 🤷♀️:
Golden Rose - 3 stars
This was a short and cute little break of a novella - it has a masquerade ball and mistaken identities which generally worked for me.
You can tell that this is an older romance in Mary Balogh’s oeuvre - with all the focus on the heroine’s looks. The hero constantly remarks on her golden hair and how beautiful she was - like a golden rose (that got a bit much).
The heroine was a little bland - sweet but mostly silent in the story. She read a little young but generally cute. The hero was a little better but there was not real angst or drama here which would elevate the book.
Cute read as a break - 3 stars
A Waltz Among the Stars - 4 stars
This novella felt more like a typical Mary Balogh plot - with more loss and angst than the first novella. As a result, not surprisingly, I enjoyed this more.
The novella followed our hero, Viscount Brandon, as he overcame the grief of the death of his wife. He is drawn to our heroine who has her own loss in her history.
I really like this hero. In describing his wife who is dying - he says: “I wanted the honour of being her widower” Awww - I liked this hero 🥰🥰🥰
Generally, this novella made me choke up. I do wish the author had handled the heroine a little differently but I liked the couple together. I also liked how her child fit into the romance - it added to the gentle but slightly sorrowful air associated with the novella.
The Substitute Guest - 4 stars
This novella followed our older heroine, Clair Ward - who was an over-the-hill 28 years (shocker!!) who meets our hero during a scandalous house party.
Ms Balogh’s writing was so good and she didn’t pull her punches. The house part was scandalous - there was stuff I was not expecting which enhanced the romance and quietness of the central romance.
There was something melancholy about the Duke and how he fell in love. He is older and jaded and realizes that his life has not left him a good place for someone to trust him. The heroine was both practical and swoony all at the same time:
“She was in love ... But that was irrelevant to anything. .. was it surprising that a romance starved spinster should fall in love with the first man to kiss her?” 🥰🥰🥰
Mary Balogh does that mix really well of ruthless practicality and romance starry eyes. I was a little sad there wasn’t more kissing but I got the desire to show this romance as a contrast to the superficial pleasures of the rest of the sybaritic house party characters.
Overall - 3.67 averaged rounded to 3.5 stars.
February 19, 2018
Triple Winner!
A soft 5. Mary Balogh is the master of the short story. These were a pleasure to read. Just pure romance. The third was my favorite but they were all good.
A soft 5. Mary Balogh is the master of the short story. These were a pleasure to read. Just pure romance. The third was my favorite but they were all good.
April 1, 2018
Cute short stories.
February 21, 2019
Three lovely stories set around Valentine’s Day. I like them all and have read them many times since they first came out as part of Signet Regency Valentine anthologies.
May 6, 2018
I have to say that I love it when the woman who isn't supposed to be the one to catch the man is the one to catch the man. So many women have been told that they are not capable of deserving another's love when really it is that they have not yet found the right partner who will value them.
October 9, 2023
this was so cute and made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside... i liked all three stories but my personal ranking would be the substitute guest > a waltz among the stars > golden rose. the substitute guest in particular had me giggling and swinging my legs back and forth in the air the whole time i was reading it, i am definitely going to revisit that story in the future. and now i am left wishing i had someone to be my valentine next year. alas, books will continue to be here for me and see me through the absolute lack of real romance in my life <3 on to the next balogh anthology
February 27, 2025
3 Cute stories, timely to read around Valentines Day by on of my favorite historical romance authors
May 7, 2023
3.5⭐️
3 lovely valentine stories.
3 lovely valentine stories.
October 23, 2019
"Golden Rose"
This novella has a cute concept: a masquerade ball on Valentine's Day for which the gentlemen send anonymous tokens, of which each lady will choose one to wear, making that man her valentine. There's also a scheming scamp who delivers his uncle's letter and token to a different woman than he intended. However, Roger, the hero, is a rake, and his only other real point of characterization is having spanked his nephew over a prank that ruined his fancy boots. Not exactly appealing. Yet he's still more developed than Emily, the most milquetoast of heroines. She has no verve; she's a Fanny Price sort and just as boring as that lady.
"A Waltz Among the Stars"
A widower heads to a house party with the plan of a marriage of convenience, only to meet the secret eldest daughter of the family. Barbara is unmarried but has a child, her love having gone off to war unexpectedly before they could wed and having then died soon after. Essentially, they are both widows, and they bond over that feeling of loss and over their joy in her son. It's not my sort of romance precisely, but it's very sweet and soft.
"The Substitute Ghost"
This one's easily my favorite story in the collection. A local spinster receives an invitation to a house party attended by a fast set; she was not going to go, but everyone told her that she must not, so she had to. Imagine her shock when it turns out that "fast" means the party is a planned orgy, with each of the six ladies having one of the six gentlemen as her valentine for the three days and nights of the party. Claire's believably reserved but with a subtle humor to her, and I took to her right off. Gerard's a true rake, but his connection to her is convincing enough for the story to work. Definitely the shippiest of the bunch.
This novella has a cute concept: a masquerade ball on Valentine's Day for which the gentlemen send anonymous tokens, of which each lady will choose one to wear, making that man her valentine. There's also a scheming scamp who delivers his uncle's letter and token to a different woman than he intended. However, Roger, the hero, is a rake, and his only other real point of characterization is having spanked his nephew over a prank that ruined his fancy boots. Not exactly appealing. Yet he's still more developed than Emily, the most milquetoast of heroines. She has no verve; she's a Fanny Price sort and just as boring as that lady.
"A Waltz Among the Stars"
A widower heads to a house party with the plan of a marriage of convenience, only to meet the secret eldest daughter of the family. Barbara is unmarried but has a child, her love having gone off to war unexpectedly before they could wed and having then died soon after. Essentially, they are both widows, and they bond over that feeling of loss and over their joy in her son. It's not my sort of romance precisely, but it's very sweet and soft.
"The Substitute Ghost"
This one's easily my favorite story in the collection. A local spinster receives an invitation to a house party attended by a fast set; she was not going to go, but everyone told her that she must not, so she had to. Imagine her shock when it turns out that "fast" means the party is a planned orgy, with each of the six ladies having one of the six gentlemen as her valentine for the three days and nights of the party. Claire's believably reserved but with a subtle humor to her, and I took to her right off. Gerard's a true rake, but his connection to her is convincing enough for the story to work. Definitely the shippiest of the bunch.
March 27, 2018
I don't think these Valentine novellas are as good as Balogh's Christmas novellas, but I'm not going to turn down a chance to reread any reissued Balogh. I liked the middle story best.
February 4, 2023
GOLDEN ROSE: F*** yes, reformation of a rake + fun child character!!!
A WALTZ AMONG THE STARS: F*** yes, widower + "fallen" woman!!!
THE SUBSTITUTE GUEST: F*** yes, naughty house party!!!
A WALTZ AMONG THE STARS: F*** yes, widower + "fallen" woman!!!
THE SUBSTITUTE GUEST: F*** yes, naughty house party!!!
June 16, 2018
Stories:
Golden Rose - Roger Bradshaw in Bath to escape angry husband. Emily Richmond, companion to Lady Copeland, Roger's Aunt, rector's daughter newly in service . On V day, man sends woman anonymous token, she choose one to wear to masked Ball. At last waltz, they unmask and share dance.
A Waltz among the stars - Caleb White, Viscount Brandon, widower for 2 yrs. Lady Barbara Hanover, Duke of Durham daughter. At Dukes V day house party
The substitute Ghost (copyright says Guest) - Clare Ward, spinster. Gerard, Duke of Langford. At Lady Florence's risque V day house party.
All take place leading up to and at Valentine day parties. The substitute Guest is my favorite
Golden Rose - Roger Bradshaw in Bath to escape angry husband. Emily Richmond, companion to Lady Copeland, Roger's Aunt, rector's daughter newly in service . On V day, man sends woman anonymous token, she choose one to wear to masked Ball. At last waltz, they unmask and share dance.
A Waltz among the stars - Caleb White, Viscount Brandon, widower for 2 yrs. Lady Barbara Hanover, Duke of Durham daughter. At Dukes V day house party
The substitute Ghost (copyright says Guest) - Clare Ward, spinster. Gerard, Duke of Langford. At Lady Florence's risque V day house party.
All take place leading up to and at Valentine day parties. The substitute Guest is my favorite
September 27, 2023
3 Stories; 1 Review
Three strong heroines, in unenviable positions, but proud (in the best way), intelligent, and not wallowing in sorrow for themselves or the positions they find themselves in.
Two good and decent heroes, one hero, reformed by love, shows his good and honourable core.
Three great stories filled with delightful romance, heart-stirring actions, and tearful happy ever after.
My favourite is the Substitute Guest. ❤️
Mary Balogh rarely fails to please; she certainly doesn’t with this anthology.
Highly recommended
Three strong heroines, in unenviable positions, but proud (in the best way), intelligent, and not wallowing in sorrow for themselves or the positions they find themselves in.
Two good and decent heroes, one hero, reformed by love, shows his good and honourable core.
Three great stories filled with delightful romance, heart-stirring actions, and tearful happy ever after.
My favourite is the Substitute Guest. ❤️
Mary Balogh rarely fails to please; she certainly doesn’t with this anthology.
Highly recommended
March 16, 2018
These Valentine romances are like the Valentine cards we used to exchange in school. Small, colorful, compact and full of the excitement of possibility. Sweet and yes formulaic, but that last is the genre after all.
April 20, 2018
Romance is alive
Romance is alive and well in Mary Balogh books. I never hesitate to purchase one of hers. Great characters that come alive. This book delivers 3 interesting heroines and romances.
Romance is alive and well in Mary Balogh books. I never hesitate to purchase one of hers. Great characters that come alive. This book delivers 3 interesting heroines and romances.
October 28, 2018
Okay stories
I have come to expect a certain standard when Mary Balogh books are mentioned. I buy them on release date. This was not upto expectations. I'm mildly disappointed. The price was a bit high for three short stories.
I have come to expect a certain standard when Mary Balogh books are mentioned. I buy them on release date. This was not upto expectations. I'm mildly disappointed. The price was a bit high for three short stories.
February 9, 2019
No disappointment
Apart from my all time favourite Regency author Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh is the next best thing she writes as though she is there and there are no Americanisms to spoil the flow
Apart from my all time favourite Regency author Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh is the next best thing she writes as though she is there and there are no Americanisms to spoil the flow
September 27, 2023
A lot of angst especial in A Waltz Among the Stars, favorite was The Substitute Guest with Clair being the odd man out so to speak, she and Langford made a great couple. Golden Rose was a nice story but I don't recall it very well .
February 21, 2025
Mary Balogh is one of those writers that you always find something extraordinary about her novels, even her older ones. She has a natural ability to draw you into her worlds and make them believable. This was one where I had my doubts. Claire Ward and a duke? Doubtful. But the world-building she does turns the tables on this unlikely match. The duke is warned of the prudish and virtuous Claire Ward so he can avoid her, as she is only invited to make up numbers. The contrast between her virtues and his circle of friends, careless and hedonistic pursuits, intrigues the duke. While at the same time, the superficial gaiety of his friends rings hollow. He challenges himself to tempt the spinster and gives himself the length of the party to do it. Testing his rakish reputation, he finds something more than a spinster in the virtuous woman. As time runs out on his game, he sees this may not be a game, and he seeks more than the ephemeral thrills of the nightly soiree.
February 18, 2018
Master of shortstories
Never read anyone that writes better shortstories. I havs all in bookformat but now when they are available in electronic format I buy them again!
Never read anyone that writes better shortstories. I havs all in bookformat but now when they are available in electronic format I buy them again!
February 22, 2018
Sweet
Just right for Valentine's day fantasies of romance. Just like Balogh to pair up these unlikely couples and create charming stories.
Just right for Valentine's day fantasies of romance. Just like Balogh to pair up these unlikely couples and create charming stories.
February 25, 2018
The first story was okay, the second was better, and the third was my favorite.
March 23, 2018
Three Valentine’s Day romances. All novellas. Cute. A fast read. Not a lot of depth.
April 13, 2018
Three sweet stories. I especially liked the Substitute Guest.
May 9, 2018
All of the novellas in A Day for Love were quite sweet. I really appreciated the family stuff in the second story.
May 29, 2018
(The stories are out of order in the synopsis)
Golden Rose
4/5
Bit Insta-lovey but not bad.Manwhore rogue Roger (really a rogue named Roger?) who has been chased out of London by an angry husband is out-smarted by his precocious young cousin who matches Roger with his grandmother's companion instead of the buxom widow he desired.
A Waltz Among the Stars
3.5/5
Sweet story about a widower and widow (sure she was never married to her son's father but she grieves the same).
The Substitute Guest
3.5/5
Jaded rogue falls for the virgin/seat filler at a countryorgy house party
Golden Rose
4/5
Bit Insta-lovey but not bad.
A Waltz Among the Stars
3.5/5
Sweet story about a widower and widow (sure she was never married to her son's father but she grieves the same).
The Substitute Guest
3.5/5
Jaded rogue falls for the virgin/seat filler at a country
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews