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La Dernière Valse
A year after her Puritanical husband's death, a woman must face the new master of the household -- a man she once loved long ago, but now holds in the utmost contempt. Immediately, the rogue arranges to hold a Christmas party, shocking the woman with both his brazeness and refusal to behave according to the somber edicts of her dead husband. But at the Ball, the handsome man asks for her hand in the last dance, and she has no choice but to accept. For she cannot rightfully refuse the master of the house...or the rising flames of desire within herself
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1998
179 people are currently reading
735 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
195 books6,376 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 70 reviews
December 5, 2020
I enjoy holiday romance reads. Mary Balogh wrote some lovely Christmas stories years ago that were republished a few years back in two anthologies, Christmas Gifts and Christmas Miracles. Because I liked those two anthologies so much, I read two older holiday full-length novels last season, The First Snowdrop and Christmas Belle. Those two novels turned me off with the horrid misogynistic jerk heroes and put-upon heroines.
But this one is better. Yes, there's a lot of misunderstanding and hurt and hard feelings between the H and h because she threw him over ten years ago when he was poor to marry his cousin, who was titled and much better off than he. He runs off to Canada and makes a success of himself in the fur trade and only comes back to England when that cousin dies and he inherits the title of Earl of Wanstead.
Of course this ex-love and widow of the former earl lives at the estate he has inherited and he's not looking forward to seeing her again, so he invites several friends to come visit and spend the Christmas holiday with him there, somewhat as a buffer between the two.
So now we have resentment, antagonism, misunderstandings, blah, blah,blah, until they finally, finally talk to each other to learn about what had really happened in the past. There's also some warm Christmassy stuff going on with decorating and celebrating and playing games, etc. So there's that, but if you've read any other Balogh Christmas stories, that part is all a rehash. If you haven't, it will be enjoyable.
The heroine's young, troubled daughter and her budding relationship with the hero was sweet. That was my favorite part. My least favorite was the love scene in the book. I found it to be out-of-the blue and unexpected, strange, and rather clinical and passionless. But then Balogh is not famous for doing sexual intimacy well.
All in all, this did have some Christmassy feel to it and the hero wasn't as big a jerk as usual, so 3 stars from me.
But this one is better. Yes, there's a lot of misunderstanding and hurt and hard feelings between the H and h because she threw him over ten years ago when he was poor to marry his cousin, who was titled and much better off than he. He runs off to Canada and makes a success of himself in the fur trade and only comes back to England when that cousin dies and he inherits the title of Earl of Wanstead.
Of course this ex-love and widow of the former earl lives at the estate he has inherited and he's not looking forward to seeing her again, so he invites several friends to come visit and spend the Christmas holiday with him there, somewhat as a buffer between the two.
So now we have resentment, antagonism, misunderstandings, blah, blah,blah, until they finally, finally talk to each other to learn about what had really happened in the past. There's also some warm Christmassy stuff going on with decorating and celebrating and playing games, etc. So there's that, but if you've read any other Balogh Christmas stories, that part is all a rehash. If you haven't, it will be enjoyable.
The heroine's young, troubled daughter and her budding relationship with the hero was sweet. That was my favorite part. My least favorite was the love scene in the book. I found it to be out-of-the blue and unexpected, strange, and rather clinical and passionless. But then Balogh is not famous for doing sexual intimacy well.
All in all, this did have some Christmassy feel to it and the hero wasn't as big a jerk as usual, so 3 stars from me.
December 14, 2020
Not quite sure what to make of this one. At the core of this is a good idea and a good couple. Once upon a time out H/h were in love and then our heroine, Cassandra, went and married the horrid cousin of our hero, Gerard, seemingly because he has all the money and the title.
Years later, the cousin dies anyway and without any male children so Gerard inherits it all anyway and thus our H/h are thrown back together. Of course, there’s more to it than that. Cassandra’s decision wasn’t so simple and her marriage was pretty wretched.
So, there’s an inbuilt conflict, lovers reunited and ~~potential. Plus it’s Christmas: festive!
That potential was squandered somewhat by some very, very strange pacing. All the animosity lasts rather too long and is interspersed with moments when our H/h could have just for the LOVE OF GOD talked to one another. But, they don’t. And then at the end it’s all wrapped up far, far too easy.
All that said, I did enjoy this. My frustration at some of the pacing choices was there but it wasn’t all consuming unlike with some of my more recent Balogh reads. The book did feel pleasantly Christmassy and the secondary characters were pretty well drawn. Cassandra’s traumatic background was also dealt with very well.
Where does that leave me? 3 stars, I think.
Years later, the cousin dies anyway and without any male children so Gerard inherits it all anyway and thus our H/h are thrown back together. Of course, there’s more to it than that. Cassandra’s decision wasn’t so simple and her marriage was pretty wretched.
So, there’s an inbuilt conflict, lovers reunited and ~~potential. Plus it’s Christmas: festive!
That potential was squandered somewhat by some very, very strange pacing. All the animosity lasts rather too long and is interspersed with moments when our H/h could have just for the LOVE OF GOD talked to one another. But, they don’t. And then at the end it’s all wrapped up far, far too easy.
All that said, I did enjoy this. My frustration at some of the pacing choices was there but it wasn’t all consuming unlike with some of my more recent Balogh reads. The book did feel pleasantly Christmassy and the secondary characters were pretty well drawn. Cassandra’s traumatic background was also dealt with very well.
Where does that leave me? 3 stars, I think.
February 11, 2021
Gerard Percy returns home to England as the new Earl of Wanstead, a title he had never envisaged holding, nor indeed desired. He would much rather still be in Canada, and certainly he would rather be anywhere than at Thornwood, where the widow of his predecessor lives. Said widow, Christina, the Countess of Wanstead, is also dreading the new Earl's arrival. How ironic that her fate should now lie in the hands of the man she rejected ten years earlier, if not quite for the reasons he assumes. As Christina and Gerard are reunited, will they be able to put the past behind them, and what will the future hold for them?
This was an absolutely delightful Regency romance, that had a festive theme, centred as it was around a Christmas house party in the country. I have never read anything from Balogh before, but on the basis of this, will certainly be checking out some more of her quite extensive collection!
I really enjoyed the theme of reunited sweethearts and second chances. It put me in mind a little of Austen's Persuasion, not that I am comparing the two as works of literature, however, just in terms of the tone of the story. There is a lot of regret and anguish between the two characters, particularly on Gerard's part, which takes time to thaw as he falls in love with Christina again, and understands her better as a character, including her motivations.
To begin with Gerard was quite cutting towards Christina, and yet even when he thinks he hates her, as the reader, we can appreciate through his thought processes, that he is still completely consumed by her.
Christina, as a character, comes across as quite cold and emotionally distant at the start of the story, yet as time progresses, we understand the reasons for this and see her slowly come back to life as she learns to allow herself to be happy again. I thought the backstory of her unhappy and troubled marriage was handled well, and in particular Balogh painted quite a tragic picture of what it was to be a woman in these times, and be dependent entirely on the men in one's life. Be warned, there are themes of abuse touched upon in this story, though there are no explicit depictions.
The romance is slow-burning, as these two characters get to know each other again and forgive past mistakes. As in many such novels, there is a reliance on a degree of misunderstanding and miscommunication between the characters, that takes almost to the very end of the story to finally resolve, yet I could forgive the trope, as overall this was done well. Furthermore, when the truth was revealed, I did understand Christina's situation at the time she initially rejected Gerard all those years ago.
The story has a tender poignancy throughout, and a mature and perhaps more serious tone than most Regency stories, which often tend to be more light-hearted. However, there are joyful moments too, particularly as the Christmas festivities get underway. It was interesting to read of many of the traditions of the time.
I liked the depiction of Christina's daughters, especially her eldest daughter, and thought the family scenes were well done. There were a number of lively and interesting secondary characters too.
There was perhaps a slightly jarring intimate scene about three quarters in, which was just rather oddly handled in my opinion. However, overall this was a charmingly told, tender story of second chances. 4.5 stars
This was an absolutely delightful Regency romance, that had a festive theme, centred as it was around a Christmas house party in the country. I have never read anything from Balogh before, but on the basis of this, will certainly be checking out some more of her quite extensive collection!
I really enjoyed the theme of reunited sweethearts and second chances. It put me in mind a little of Austen's Persuasion, not that I am comparing the two as works of literature, however, just in terms of the tone of the story. There is a lot of regret and anguish between the two characters, particularly on Gerard's part, which takes time to thaw as he falls in love with Christina again, and understands her better as a character, including her motivations.
To begin with Gerard was quite cutting towards Christina, and yet even when he thinks he hates her, as the reader, we can appreciate through his thought processes, that he is still completely consumed by her.
Christina, as a character, comes across as quite cold and emotionally distant at the start of the story, yet as time progresses, we understand the reasons for this and see her slowly come back to life as she learns to allow herself to be happy again. I thought the backstory of her unhappy and troubled marriage was handled well, and in particular Balogh painted quite a tragic picture of what it was to be a woman in these times, and be dependent entirely on the men in one's life. Be warned, there are themes of abuse touched upon in this story, though there are no explicit depictions.
The romance is slow-burning, as these two characters get to know each other again and forgive past mistakes. As in many such novels, there is a reliance on a degree of misunderstanding and miscommunication between the characters, that takes almost to the very end of the story to finally resolve, yet I could forgive the trope, as overall this was done well. Furthermore, when the truth was revealed, I did understand Christina's situation at the time she initially rejected Gerard all those years ago.
The story has a tender poignancy throughout, and a mature and perhaps more serious tone than most Regency stories, which often tend to be more light-hearted. However, there are joyful moments too, particularly as the Christmas festivities get underway. It was interesting to read of many of the traditions of the time.
I liked the depiction of Christina's daughters, especially her eldest daughter, and thought the family scenes were well done. There were a number of lively and interesting secondary characters too.
There was perhaps a slightly jarring intimate scene about three quarters in, which was just rather oddly handled in my opinion. However, overall this was a charmingly told, tender story of second chances. 4.5 stars
December 9, 2020
3 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Waltz tells the story of lost love and second chances.
I've read a few books from Mary Balogh which I've enjoyed, and I have to be honest this wasn't her best.
Despite it being a romance, the story felt very dull and the romance between the couple suffered from a proper build up.
There was no smooth build up to the rekindled romance between Christina, the 28-year-old widowed Countess of Wanstead and the new Earl of Wanstead, Gerard Percy.
Gerard and Christina were former sweethearts when they were younger, however due to unforeseen circumstances, Christina had to marry Gerard's cousin Gilbert, the Earl of Wanstead. Heartbroken, Gerard leaves to Canada and Christina moves on with her new marital life.
After 9 years of marriage, Gilbert passes away and with no male heir to take over Thornwood, the title goes to Gerard making him the new master that must return to England and claim his new role. Gerard must also face his past knowing that he will have to confront the widowed Countess and his former sweetheart.
I can't deny that I felt a lot for what Christina had suffered through. How her choices to flee from suffering, led to more of it. How her fear of reliving her traumatic childhood led her to a life of even more misery.
The author highlights an important theme in the book which is domestic abuse. She showcased the behavior of a victim in Christina accurately. From a young girl full of life to a miserable woman.
Christina—his beautiful, sunny-natured, warm, passionate Christina—had been the terrorized victim of a wife-beater, who had hidden his vicious-ness behind a mask of religion and morality. And now she blamed herself.
I only wished the author did not prolong Christina's sadness.
The Last Waltz tells the story of lost love and second chances.
I've read a few books from Mary Balogh which I've enjoyed, and I have to be honest this wasn't her best.
Despite it being a romance, the story felt very dull and the romance between the couple suffered from a proper build up.
There was no smooth build up to the rekindled romance between Christina, the 28-year-old widowed Countess of Wanstead and the new Earl of Wanstead, Gerard Percy.
Gerard and Christina were former sweethearts when they were younger, however due to unforeseen circumstances, Christina had to marry Gerard's cousin Gilbert, the Earl of Wanstead. Heartbroken, Gerard leaves to Canada and Christina moves on with her new marital life.
After 9 years of marriage, Gilbert passes away and with no male heir to take over Thornwood, the title goes to Gerard making him the new master that must return to England and claim his new role. Gerard must also face his past knowing that he will have to confront the widowed Countess and his former sweetheart.
I can't deny that I felt a lot for what Christina had suffered through. How her choices to flee from suffering, led to more of it. How her fear of reliving her traumatic childhood led her to a life of even more misery.
The author highlights an important theme in the book which is domestic abuse. She showcased the behavior of a victim in Christina accurately. From a young girl full of life to a miserable woman.
Christina—his beautiful, sunny-natured, warm, passionate Christina—had been the terrorized victim of a wife-beater, who had hidden his vicious-ness behind a mask of religion and morality. And now she blamed herself.
I only wished the author did not prolong Christina's sadness.
August 8, 2010
2 1/2 stars. Such a sad sad heroine. She was married to an utter brute. I enjoyed her transformation and the return of love to her life but oh, what she endured. The children were portrayed very well, very authentically I thought.
January 7, 2011
There is no author of romance who comes even close to Mary Balogh in her understanding and knowledge of the human heart. I don't know how Balogh does it, but she nearly always manages to pull me right into the story in the first few pages and I can't stop reading until it's finished. Very few other romance authors do this so consistently and so well.
June 9, 2024
Loved this book and the romantic suspense. I knew it would have a happy ending but it was quite a journey to get there. Engaging characters. Great story. Loved it!
February 14, 2023
The story and the characterization was good, but it ended up being one of those, omg just have a conversation with each other
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
May 12, 2022
A very well written formal, traditional regency romance. The romance scenes are tasteful, brief and only have a hint of steam, as is usual for one of Ms Balogh's earlier works. Unfortunately I found it rather tedious in places and I admit I picked this book up and down a few times over the past couple of months, until I finally finished it today. I liked it, but I didn't love it. It's a second chance romance set at Christmas and there are quite a few side characters to wrap your head around.
December 6, 2020
3.5 stars. Cute and good as all Mary Balogh books are but would have liked to see more resolution to the plot line with her father. Also would’ve liked more Canada stuff. But it’s one of her older works.
January 11, 2023
Une romance de Noël qui se lit bien. Néanmoins c'est un mélange étrange de guimauve de Noël avec une héroïne au passif qui n'est pas évident, avec une fin très rapide. Bref, un peu bancal pour ma part.
September 13, 2020
I'm a sucker for angsty second chance stories, and this one was definitely that.
Balogh addresses how difficult of is to be a woman within the social and familial context of the 19th century. The pressure, the judgement, the need to look into the future to prevent the possibility of being alone without money. Marrying for love was not so simple.
I enjoyed the way Christmas was woven into the sorry. It wasn't sappy or cheesy, but woven into the fabric of these characters lives, showing me how important it was to them.
I also really enjoy Balogh's child characters. They aren't cute and tedious, but are real children with real worries and concerns. They are humanized.
In most HR it is the hero that saves the heroine from something, but in this it was the heroine who steps up and saves thean she loves. I adore the subversion of the trope, and it was executed beautifully here.
Balogh addresses how difficult of is to be a woman within the social and familial context of the 19th century. The pressure, the judgement, the need to look into the future to prevent the possibility of being alone without money. Marrying for love was not so simple.
I enjoyed the way Christmas was woven into the sorry. It wasn't sappy or cheesy, but woven into the fabric of these characters lives, showing me how important it was to them.
I also really enjoy Balogh's child characters. They aren't cute and tedious, but are real children with real worries and concerns. They are humanized.
In most HR it is the hero that saves the heroine from something, but in this it was the heroine who steps up and saves thean she loves. I adore the subversion of the trope, and it was executed beautifully here.
November 28, 2021
Je découvre le 4ème roman écrit par Mary Balough qui entre dans la collection Regency parue chez J'ai Lu et une fois de plus , je me suis régalée avec cette romance historique qui tire son son épingle du jeu en nous présentant des personnages qui détonnent dans leur époque.
j'ai passé un bon moment de lecture avec ce nouveau roman . La dernière valse est un roman sur les secondes chances, sur les choix d'une femme dans une société où les hommes ont tous les pouvoirs. Mary Balough nous offre un historique aux valeurs universelles.
Avis complet à lire sur : https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
j'ai passé un bon moment de lecture avec ce nouveau roman . La dernière valse est un roman sur les secondes chances, sur les choix d'une femme dans une société où les hommes ont tous les pouvoirs. Mary Balough nous offre un historique aux valeurs universelles.
Avis complet à lire sur : https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
October 9, 2020
Vintage Balogh. Well-written with the right amount of angst and romance. 4/5 stars!
May 1, 2021
One of her older novels. It is an interesting story about a woman who gave up a lot to survive. The story is her re-emergence.
December 25, 2022
Jolie romance de Noël sous la régence, vibes de Noël traditionnel 🥰😍
January 30, 2022
I just love Mary Balogh. This was great too, first half very good and then it dragged a bit. Still great though (any other author this would’ve been a five-star read).
January 4, 2022
https://www.my-bo0ks.over-blog.com/20...
Après avoir découvert La lady au parapluie noir, j'avais hâte de découvrir un autre roman de l'autrice. Alors c'était une évidence de que La dernière valse ferait partie de mes lectures. D'autant que La dernière valse se déroule au moment des fêtes avec notamment l'organisation d'un bal de Noël.
Dans La dernière valse, nous faisons la connaissance de Gerard et Christina. Alors que Gerard rentre de son voyage au Canada parce qu'il est devenu Comte et maître de Thornwood Hall pour mettre en ordre ses affaires, il est bien décidé à prendre sa revanche sur la veuve son cousin, la comtesse Christina, qu'il autrefois aimé et qui lui a brisé le cœur. Voilà qu'il organise un bal de Noël et fait venir la crème de la crème dans son domaine et sollicite Christina pour l'organisation.
Lorsque j'ai commencé ma lecture, j'ai été ravie de retrouver cette ambiance de l'époque Régence alors avec une petite touche de Noël et quelques événements en lien, c'était vraiment sympa, le temps de quelques pages de se laisser embarquer par l'histoire.
Gerard est un personnage masculin plutôt agréable. Il veille sur chacun de ses invités et a quelques amis particulièrement loyaux. J'ai d'ailleurs apprécié ses liens avec le frère et la sœur, dont la franchise était rafraichissante. Au fil des chapitres on le découvre tantôt attentionné envers les deux filles de Christina dont l'affection réchauffe le cœur et d'autres fois rongé par ce cœur brisé qu'il a eu autrefois. J'ai apprécié son évolution et les petits changements qui s'opèrent en lui.
De con côté Christina n'est pas du tout la femme à laquelle je m'attendais. Veuve et mère de deux filles, elle a toujours été sous le contrôle de son époux. Et autant dire qu'elle a été bridé pendant toutes ses années de mariage. Ni amusement, ni propos déplacés, ni même un quelconque avis différent. Son personnage est donc à l'opposé des héroïnes de la collection (que j'ai rencontré). Très soumise depuis son mariage, elle va finalement découvrir la liberté grâce à Gerard, qui va la pousser à s'affirmer.
La relation entre nos deux personnages a débuté il y a bien des années. Sur le point de se fiancer, Christina lui a préféré son odieux cousin. Depuis, il garde cette rancœur au fond de lui. Pourtant, la retrouver après toutes ses années et découvrir ce qu'elle est devenue va remuer le passé et tout changer. Durant la moitié du roman, ils se chamaillent plus qu'autre chose, ce qui est assez comique de voir la si calme Christina s'ouvrir. Puis, tout s'enchaine assez vite (un peut trop) et même si j'ai apprécié leur relation dans son ensemble, tout n'était pas parfait.
J'ai été frappé par le côté "sombre" de l'histoire. Christina n'a pas eu la vie facile et Gerard va le découvrir au fil des chapitres. Violences conjugales, manipulation et condition de la femme sont évoqués durant La dernière valse. Autant de choses révoltantes. Heureusement, les festivités et la présence des deux petites, Tess et Rachel, sont une bouffée d'air frais.
Une fois encore, ce roman de Mary Balogh se lit à la vitesse de l'éclair. J'ai passé un très bon moment avec Gerard et Christina. Ces deux là avaient tellement à donner. Je me suis laissée embarquer dans l'histoire sans problème, même si ce n'est pas mon préféré de la collection ou de l'autrice, j'ai apprécié ma lecture et j'ai hâte de découvrir les suivants.
Après avoir découvert La lady au parapluie noir, j'avais hâte de découvrir un autre roman de l'autrice. Alors c'était une évidence de que La dernière valse ferait partie de mes lectures. D'autant que La dernière valse se déroule au moment des fêtes avec notamment l'organisation d'un bal de Noël.
Dans La dernière valse, nous faisons la connaissance de Gerard et Christina. Alors que Gerard rentre de son voyage au Canada parce qu'il est devenu Comte et maître de Thornwood Hall pour mettre en ordre ses affaires, il est bien décidé à prendre sa revanche sur la veuve son cousin, la comtesse Christina, qu'il autrefois aimé et qui lui a brisé le cœur. Voilà qu'il organise un bal de Noël et fait venir la crème de la crème dans son domaine et sollicite Christina pour l'organisation.
Lorsque j'ai commencé ma lecture, j'ai été ravie de retrouver cette ambiance de l'époque Régence alors avec une petite touche de Noël et quelques événements en lien, c'était vraiment sympa, le temps de quelques pages de se laisser embarquer par l'histoire.
Gerard est un personnage masculin plutôt agréable. Il veille sur chacun de ses invités et a quelques amis particulièrement loyaux. J'ai d'ailleurs apprécié ses liens avec le frère et la sœur, dont la franchise était rafraichissante. Au fil des chapitres on le découvre tantôt attentionné envers les deux filles de Christina dont l'affection réchauffe le cœur et d'autres fois rongé par ce cœur brisé qu'il a eu autrefois. J'ai apprécié son évolution et les petits changements qui s'opèrent en lui.
De con côté Christina n'est pas du tout la femme à laquelle je m'attendais. Veuve et mère de deux filles, elle a toujours été sous le contrôle de son époux. Et autant dire qu'elle a été bridé pendant toutes ses années de mariage. Ni amusement, ni propos déplacés, ni même un quelconque avis différent. Son personnage est donc à l'opposé des héroïnes de la collection (que j'ai rencontré). Très soumise depuis son mariage, elle va finalement découvrir la liberté grâce à Gerard, qui va la pousser à s'affirmer.
La relation entre nos deux personnages a débuté il y a bien des années. Sur le point de se fiancer, Christina lui a préféré son odieux cousin. Depuis, il garde cette rancœur au fond de lui. Pourtant, la retrouver après toutes ses années et découvrir ce qu'elle est devenue va remuer le passé et tout changer. Durant la moitié du roman, ils se chamaillent plus qu'autre chose, ce qui est assez comique de voir la si calme Christina s'ouvrir. Puis, tout s'enchaine assez vite (un peut trop) et même si j'ai apprécié leur relation dans son ensemble, tout n'était pas parfait.
J'ai été frappé par le côté "sombre" de l'histoire. Christina n'a pas eu la vie facile et Gerard va le découvrir au fil des chapitres. Violences conjugales, manipulation et condition de la femme sont évoqués durant La dernière valse. Autant de choses révoltantes. Heureusement, les festivités et la présence des deux petites, Tess et Rachel, sont une bouffée d'air frais.
Une fois encore, ce roman de Mary Balogh se lit à la vitesse de l'éclair. J'ai passé un très bon moment avec Gerard et Christina. Ces deux là avaient tellement à donner. Je me suis laissée embarquer dans l'histoire sans problème, même si ce n'est pas mon préféré de la collection ou de l'autrice, j'ai apprécié ma lecture et j'ai hâte de découvrir les suivants.
May 16, 2023
3.5 stars ⭐️
Another Christmas story. A sad one, a second chance for the couple who were in love when they were young but separated through circumstances and misunderstandings.
Another Christmas story. A sad one, a second chance for the couple who were in love when they were young but separated through circumstances and misunderstandings.
January 23, 2021
Lovely
I don't usually enjoy stories as bout people kept apart by misunderstandings and lis. However you can trust Ms Balogh to write it so well that a least favoured trope shines !
I don't usually enjoy stories as bout people kept apart by misunderstandings and lis. However you can trust Ms Balogh to write it so well that a least favoured trope shines !
January 11, 2021
A Great Romance!
I love a good book and Mary Balogh delivers evaery time! I laughed and I cried! I have read all of her books, sometimes more than once!
I love a good book and Mary Balogh delivers evaery time! I laughed and I cried! I have read all of her books, sometimes more than once!
June 7, 2011
Early Mary Balogh and working in a much shorter form so everything happens in a compressed time frame. Since the two main characters knew each other a decade ago, that works to have them at odds and then in agreement. Christina loved Gerard but dumped him for his titled cousin. Ten years and two daughters later she's a widow and Gerard inherits the title.
He returns to his estate before his guests for a planned Christmas house party. He finds an aunt, a cousin and Christina with her daughters. They are used to living a spartan, joyless life. He's not used to that after years in the wilderness of Canada.
Compromises and conflicts surround Christmas magic.
He returns to his estate before his guests for a planned Christmas house party. He finds an aunt, a cousin and Christina with her daughters. They are used to living a spartan, joyless life. He's not used to that after years in the wilderness of Canada.
Compromises and conflicts surround Christmas magic.
May 13, 2009
Although it took me a while to get into this one, I found it both interesting and not at all what I would have expected after reading the first few chapters. The reader watches Christina blossom slowly after having been restrained for years by an abusive husband, now dead. At times, it is frustrating that she reacts so slowly to her new freedom. At others, it is very believable that it should take so long to realize she is free.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2020
Lovely
What a romance should be. Good characters, an interesting plot, nice pacing and a happily ever after. This is romance, not simply sex. The hero has inherited after many years and comes to meet the woman who jilted him and married his cousin instead. Over the time of a country party they understand the motivations from the past and what it takes to move forward
What a romance should be. Good characters, an interesting plot, nice pacing and a happily ever after. This is romance, not simply sex. The hero has inherited after many years and comes to meet the woman who jilted him and married his cousin instead. Over the time of a country party they understand the motivations from the past and what it takes to move forward
December 11, 2014
Sweet little Christmas story in the true tradition of the seasonal romance. Slight religious "meaning of Christmas" overtones, forgiveness and whatnot but nothing obtrusive. The children in it were lovely.
December 7, 2020
A heart for love
The path of one's life is full of turns some for the best some of a life without love. Only Mary Balogh can bring together star crossed lovers together out of a life apart.
The path of one's life is full of turns some for the best some of a life without love. Only Mary Balogh can bring together star crossed lovers together out of a life apart.
September 8, 2007
An enjoyable Regency romance about two people reunited with their old loves at Christmas.
November 28, 2020
Never disappointed
I am never disappointed during reading or after finishing a Mary Balogh book. Her characters are wonderful and stories enchanting.
I am never disappointed during reading or after finishing a Mary Balogh book. Her characters are wonderful and stories enchanting.
May 13, 2024
Affidabile come l’amore
Dalla vostra Lyanne Quay!
Evviva! Abbiamo un bel libro! Questo Ultimo Valzer del 1998 ha le battute di chiusura più belle di sempre. La Balogh affronta un dramma vero e molto comune tra le donne “la preferenza per la stabilità”, posso dirlo perché mi rispecchia: la figlia del farabutto che si ripromette di sposare l’uomo più dissimile dal proprio padre e dunque di preferire sempre e comunque la stabile affidabilità, all’avventura. Ma la Balogh ci ammonisce in questa storia che la stabilità non è sinonimo di affidabilità. Anzi, laddove è espressione di grettezza e meschinità diviene stabilità del male e mortifera.
Ci mostra che la ricerca del bene e del meglio è per forza instabile, ma molto più affidabile. Lo fa mettendo in pagina personaggi approfonditi, dalle sfumature sentimentali sottili, suggerite più che descritte. A fare da sfondo, come sempre o quantomeno spesso, nelle storie d’amore, un pregresso, l’opera del malvagio di turno. Ecco avere un vero malamente da operetta è il limite del romanzo, ma è peccato veniale ispirato probabilmente dall’intento di rendere più nitida la filigrana argomentativa della storia, rassicurare un pubblico più vasto con elementi di trama di interpretazione inequivoca. Sì, sono stata troppo astratta, ma ora do qualche elemento di trama e, spero, sarò più chiara.
Lei, figlia di un farabutto – estremamente simpatico in società e insospettabilmente rovinoso in famiglia –, tra l’amore di Gerard – giovanissimo, irruente, passionale e senza beni al sole –, nonostante, l’amore viscerale che la sospinge tra le sue braccia, decide di sposare un uomo solido e stabile appunto. Dopo dieci anni, lo “stabile” muore e nella vita di Christina riappare Gerard.
Lui la odia, e lei odia lui per non odiare se stessa per l’errore della scelta di allora. E ciò sarebbe bastato per rendere questo il romanzo splendido che è. Balogh invece per rendere tutto più nitido, per rendere evidente a tutte le lettrici che il marito stabile era stato una pessima scelta, lo rende puritano, sadico e violento. Non ce ne sarebbe stato bisogno. Intendiamoci noi non vediamo queste scene da un matrimonio fallito. Esse entrano nella memoria di lei. Sono background.
Quando Gerard riporta il sogno e il calore nella vita di Christina, lei si destruttura, le passioni e i sentimenti affiorano innegabili insieme ai sensi di colpa, all’odio di se stessa, a una disperazione inconfessabile. È tanto completa questa destrutturazione che nel finale sarà la vedova algida a uscire allo scoperto, a confessare l’amore, a supplicare. Qui la scena… che vale un Perù: ve la metto, sono poche battute:
— Gerard...
— Christina? — pronunciò quel nome con lo sguardo sognante.
— Se volete veramente tornare in Canada...
— Non lo voglio.
— Se vi facesse piacere rimanere qui, non solo in Inghilterra, ma proprio qui a Thornwood...
— È quello che voglio.
— Se c’è una possibilità che sentiate ancora qualche cosa...
— C’è.
— Anche per me — disse lei.
Si erano compresi perfettamente.
— Vi amo.
— Anch’io. Vi amo tanto.
— Volete sposarmi?
— Sì.
— Posso annunciare il nostro fidanzamento, allora?
— L’avete già fatto.
Direi proprio cinque stelle
Dalla vostra Lyanne Quay!
Evviva! Abbiamo un bel libro! Questo Ultimo Valzer del 1998 ha le battute di chiusura più belle di sempre. La Balogh affronta un dramma vero e molto comune tra le donne “la preferenza per la stabilità”, posso dirlo perché mi rispecchia: la figlia del farabutto che si ripromette di sposare l’uomo più dissimile dal proprio padre e dunque di preferire sempre e comunque la stabile affidabilità, all’avventura. Ma la Balogh ci ammonisce in questa storia che la stabilità non è sinonimo di affidabilità. Anzi, laddove è espressione di grettezza e meschinità diviene stabilità del male e mortifera.
Ci mostra che la ricerca del bene e del meglio è per forza instabile, ma molto più affidabile. Lo fa mettendo in pagina personaggi approfonditi, dalle sfumature sentimentali sottili, suggerite più che descritte. A fare da sfondo, come sempre o quantomeno spesso, nelle storie d’amore, un pregresso, l’opera del malvagio di turno. Ecco avere un vero malamente da operetta è il limite del romanzo, ma è peccato veniale ispirato probabilmente dall’intento di rendere più nitida la filigrana argomentativa della storia, rassicurare un pubblico più vasto con elementi di trama di interpretazione inequivoca. Sì, sono stata troppo astratta, ma ora do qualche elemento di trama e, spero, sarò più chiara.
Lei, figlia di un farabutto – estremamente simpatico in società e insospettabilmente rovinoso in famiglia –, tra l’amore di Gerard – giovanissimo, irruente, passionale e senza beni al sole –, nonostante, l’amore viscerale che la sospinge tra le sue braccia, decide di sposare un uomo solido e stabile appunto. Dopo dieci anni, lo “stabile” muore e nella vita di Christina riappare Gerard.
Lui la odia, e lei odia lui per non odiare se stessa per l’errore della scelta di allora. E ciò sarebbe bastato per rendere questo il romanzo splendido che è. Balogh invece per rendere tutto più nitido, per rendere evidente a tutte le lettrici che il marito stabile era stato una pessima scelta, lo rende puritano, sadico e violento. Non ce ne sarebbe stato bisogno. Intendiamoci noi non vediamo queste scene da un matrimonio fallito. Esse entrano nella memoria di lei. Sono background.
Quando Gerard riporta il sogno e il calore nella vita di Christina, lei si destruttura, le passioni e i sentimenti affiorano innegabili insieme ai sensi di colpa, all’odio di se stessa, a una disperazione inconfessabile. È tanto completa questa destrutturazione che nel finale sarà la vedova algida a uscire allo scoperto, a confessare l’amore, a supplicare. Qui la scena… che vale un Perù: ve la metto, sono poche battute:
— Gerard...
— Christina? — pronunciò quel nome con lo sguardo sognante.
— Se volete veramente tornare in Canada...
— Non lo voglio.
— Se vi facesse piacere rimanere qui, non solo in Inghilterra, ma proprio qui a Thornwood...
— È quello che voglio.
— Se c’è una possibilità che sentiate ancora qualche cosa...
— C’è.
— Anche per me — disse lei.
Si erano compresi perfettamente.
— Vi amo.
— Anch’io. Vi amo tanto.
— Volete sposarmi?
— Sì.
— Posso annunciare il nostro fidanzamento, allora?
— L’avete già fatto.
Direi proprio cinque stelle
August 8, 2022
3.5 stars.
A lovely second chance holiday romance. The heroine had a very tragic past, before and after she met the hero 10 years ago, and he believes she deserted him for a title and money. He hoped she would regret her decision and boy did he get his wish.
When they meet again after the death of the heroine's husband, which makes the hero the new earl and owner of the estate her, her daughters, her sister-in-law and aunt reside in, they both have negative feelings towards one another and are not afraid to express them. Especially the hero who was the wronged party.
She lived a quiet sectarian life because of her late husband and believes him to be wild and sinful. He thinks she's become a judgmental snob and no longer the vivacious girl he once knew. Not all is as it seems.
Discoveries are made and feelings resurfaced at the Christmas houseparty the hero has thrown to find a wife. I do wish we got more out of the ending but that has become a theme with MB's earlier novels. They're all in need of an epilogue.
A lovely second chance holiday romance. The heroine had a very tragic past, before and after she met the hero 10 years ago, and he believes she deserted him for a title and money. He hoped she would regret her decision and boy did he get his wish.
When they meet again after the death of the heroine's husband, which makes the hero the new earl and owner of the estate her, her daughters, her sister-in-law and aunt reside in, they both have negative feelings towards one another and are not afraid to express them. Especially the hero who was the wronged party.
She lived a quiet sectarian life because of her late husband and believes him to be wild and sinful. He thinks she's become a judgmental snob and no longer the vivacious girl he once knew. Not all is as it seems.
Discoveries are made and feelings resurfaced at the Christmas houseparty the hero has thrown to find a wife. I do wish we got more out of the ending but that has become a theme with MB's earlier novels. They're all in need of an epilogue.
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