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Falling in Love Again
Hell hath no fury like a bride scorned! Highborn country heiress Mallory Edwards was dutifully fulfilling family obligations when she exchanged marriage vows with a dashing gentleman she barely knew. But the charming beast abandoned her on their wedding night. Years later—facing prison because of her husband's debts—she has finally found the blackguard, John Barron, again. And she's not leaving until the faithless rogue grants her a divorce! John is enchanted by this delightful hellion who causes a scene at his London soirée. Could this be the forgotten rural miss whom his father once forced him to wed? Now that Mallory's reentered his life, John desperately wants her to stay—and not merely to help him snare the criminal who is ruining them both. But winning her hardened heart will take more than sweet words and sensuous kisses—he will have to become the caring, thoughtful husband who is truly worthy of her passion and her love.
384 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1997
87 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Maxwell
71 books2,191 followersCATHY MAXWELL spends hours in front of her computer pondering the question, "Why do people fall in love?" It remains for her the mystery of life and the secret to happiness.
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 1, 2025
Neither Mallory Edwards nor John Barron knew that their parents had agreed to an arranged marriage until the day it happened. The day after the wedding, John left without looking back. Mallory and her mother lived in their ancestral castle for seven years until creditors threw them out. After a long search, Mallory finally found John and demanded a divorce. John knew nothing about the debts that had been run up. He also didn't know what happened to the money that he had been sending to his wife all these years. With an enraged mob demanding money, John and Mallory go on the run in hopes he can figure out who took his fortune and clear their names.
John and Mallory change their names. He gets a job as an Estate Manager where he knows nothing about farming, animals, or how the estate works. Mallory has to coach him through his job and help him deal with the people who live and work on the estate.
This is a historical romance that was originally issued in 1997. This book did not age well. So much of the story was John groveling about how he abandoned Mallory. Their relationship would start to get better when suddenly she was mad at him again. There were also lots and lots of talks about the Harvest Home, a festival that the farmers held after harvesting the crops. That conversation seemed to come up every time John and Mallory were actually talking to each other. I was very bored with it. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
John and Mallory change their names. He gets a job as an Estate Manager where he knows nothing about farming, animals, or how the estate works. Mallory has to coach him through his job and help him deal with the people who live and work on the estate.
This is a historical romance that was originally issued in 1997. This book did not age well. So much of the story was John groveling about how he abandoned Mallory. Their relationship would start to get better when suddenly she was mad at him again. There were also lots and lots of talks about the Harvest Home, a festival that the farmers held after harvesting the crops. That conversation seemed to come up every time John and Mallory were actually talking to each other. I was very bored with it. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
March 31, 2019
*With spoilers*The book starts out promisingly but gets bogged down by the length which actually is a long grovel by the hero. As for his redemption, he’s a charming, easy-going rogue who seems to have rolled with the punches or rather where the wind took him in the past. And his taking everything so lightly is a tad annoying.
I was firmly on the h’s side who’s a practical, sensible person and even after forgiving him doesn’t want to bet on him. Understandable that. Still he’s all charm and affability and so she comes across as priggish and rigid. So my loyalties kept switching throughout.
They even exchange ILYs but the ‘hea’ is shortlived and she gets on a high horse again.
Coming to the long-ago wedding night and his squeamishness at deflowering a passed out bride was completely correct, while she remains unaware that she has been a virgin all these years. I couldn’t understand his apprehension in telling her of this as if she’d be really mad/disappointed at this. From her side, I agree that if she had known she could have applied for an annulment but still too much was made of this one thing. In fact it drives the last third of the book.
The whole hiding away from creditors while living as bailiff and wife on someone else’s estate is equal parts charming and stretching credibility too much. And could the villain have really disposed of the H’s inheritance and a castle as well? What about entailment?
The om seems like a good man and ideally the h would have been better off with him.
But as shown - sense loses out to the heart anyday in romances.
I was firmly on the h’s side who’s a practical, sensible person and even after forgiving him doesn’t want to bet on him. Understandable that. Still he’s all charm and affability and so she comes across as priggish and rigid. So my loyalties kept switching throughout.
They even exchange ILYs but the ‘hea’ is shortlived and she gets on a high horse again.
Coming to the long-ago wedding night and his squeamishness at deflowering a passed out bride was completely correct, while she remains unaware that she has been a virgin all these years. I couldn’t understand his apprehension in telling her of this as if she’d be really mad/disappointed at this. From her side, I agree that if she had known she could have applied for an annulment but still too much was made of this one thing. In fact it drives the last third of the book.
The whole hiding away from creditors while living as bailiff and wife on someone else’s estate is equal parts charming and stretching credibility too much. And could the villain have really disposed of the H’s inheritance and a castle as well? What about entailment?
The om seems like a good man and ideally the h would have been better off with him.
But as shown - sense loses out to the heart anyday in romances.
December 19, 2016
Skimmed most of it. Sure he's better in the second half, but he never accepts accountability for his treatment of her in the first 7 years of their marriage. He accepts blame for not keeping track of his finances, but not his mistress' and so-called-friends' treatment of her... To me, he seemed unforgivable. As usual with selfish heroes worst epilogue ever. It was like an epitaph for a grave stone. I mean why even bother??
May 21, 2022
England 1806 & mostly in 1813. Gave it 4 stars.
20 YO John & nearly 17 YO Mallory, barely knew each other,
but wed under parental pressure. John abruptly joined the
Army the day after the wedding.
7 yrs on, these two met again, when the heroine journeyed
to London to demand a divorce from the H, now a viscount.
While away at war, John's uncle diverted funds ear-marked
each month for Mallory, leaving her with insufficient funds
and persistent creditors. John now unknowingly had a huge
debt (uncle borrowed funds too).
These 2 fled a mob of creditors & John took a position under
an assumed name. No longer: an Army officer, wealthy or
connected, John and wife had to fend for themselves & then
both began to thaw & during this process: became closer.
John gifted his wife with badly needed shoes: a sweet scene.
These 2 imperfect people grew on me & their love felt real.
20 YO John & nearly 17 YO Mallory, barely knew each other,
but wed under parental pressure. John abruptly joined the
Army the day after the wedding.
7 yrs on, these two met again, when the heroine journeyed
to London to demand a divorce from the H, now a viscount.
While away at war, John's uncle diverted funds ear-marked
each month for Mallory, leaving her with insufficient funds
and persistent creditors. John now unknowingly had a huge
debt (uncle borrowed funds too).
These 2 fled a mob of creditors & John took a position under
an assumed name. No longer: an Army officer, wealthy or
connected, John and wife had to fend for themselves & then
both began to thaw & during this process: became closer.
John gifted his wife with badly needed shoes: a sweet scene.
These 2 imperfect people grew on me & their love felt real.
January 27, 2019
Yazarın bizde okuduğum ilk kitabından sonra okumamaya karar vermiştim ama leydilerim sağ olsun fikrimi değiştirdi ve Geç Kalmış Aşk'ı okudum.İlk kitaptan sonra fena şaşırttı beni.Demek ki yayınevi yazarı bize orta karar bir kitapla tanıtmış.Diüer kitaplarını da okuyacağım.
January 19, 2020
Günde bir kitap okuduğum günlere geri dönmek ne mutlu! Okuduğum historicallara göre hikayesi oldukça sıra dışı ve keyifliydi. Birkaç detayı sevmedim onun haricinde bence süperdi.
September 30, 2015
Mallory Edwards was forced to marry John Barron in order to keep her home. After their wedding night, he left to join the army and she hasn't seen him since. When she shows up at the home of his mistress, during a party, she's steaming mad and ready for a divorce. She accuses him of neglecting his properties (namely her home) and neglecting her these past 7 years. Before long, John discovers that someone has indebted him and he is in some serious trouble.
The story of their romance really starts when they find positions as servants (steward and his wife) at a manor. Here John, who is a selfish rakehell who with a very light-hearted approach to life, despite being in the military, has to learn the value of hard work, honesty and definitely trust. Mallory, a practical, sometimes uptight lady with a tendency toward shrewish behavior, will have to learn to let her hair down and to be comfortable with others.
I have to admit, given John's behavior at the beginning of this story (and even his personality later on - he had a tendency to take things too lightly and to focus entirely on what he wanted, rather than how they would affect his wife) I wasn't entirely sure that he was a forgivable Hero. The heroine constantly brought up his past deeds, the things that are wrong with his personality, etc. She spent a lot of time being angry with him. Yet I think the author found a decent balance - because even worse would have been for the heroine to forgive him too soon. The one downside to this book was that the ending felt rushed. I could see things starting to wrap up and realized there were only 25 pages left and knew I would be disappointed with the detail regarding the ending. And I was. Just wish it had been longer and a more satisfying conclusion. Overall it was a good story though!
The story of their romance really starts when they find positions as servants (steward and his wife) at a manor. Here John, who is a selfish rakehell who with a very light-hearted approach to life, despite being in the military, has to learn the value of hard work, honesty and definitely trust. Mallory, a practical, sometimes uptight lady with a tendency toward shrewish behavior, will have to learn to let her hair down and to be comfortable with others.
I have to admit, given John's behavior at the beginning of this story (and even his personality later on - he had a tendency to take things too lightly and to focus entirely on what he wanted, rather than how they would affect his wife) I wasn't entirely sure that he was a forgivable Hero. The heroine constantly brought up his past deeds, the things that are wrong with his personality, etc. She spent a lot of time being angry with him. Yet I think the author found a decent balance - because even worse would have been for the heroine to forgive him too soon. The one downside to this book was that the ending felt rushed. I could see things starting to wrap up and realized there were only 25 pages left and knew I would be disappointed with the detail regarding the ending. And I was. Just wish it had been longer and a more satisfying conclusion. Overall it was a good story though!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2017
Ay, ay çok sevdim kitabı ya. Yine klişeydi tabii ama bence Maxwell de özüne dönmeye başlamış. Çok güzel ele almış. Hele kadın karakter ne güzeldi öyle. Jack, beni sinir etti gerçi ama Mallory iyiydi.
Yani şimdi ben mi fazla takıntılıyım bilmiyorum ama sen 7 yıl eve gelme, üstelik gününü gün et ve geldiğinde kadını bıraktığın gibi bulmayı bekle. Cidden sinirleniyorum. Kadınlara da kızıyorum gerçi ama evlilik yeminine sadakat olduğundan bir şey diyemiyorum. Sonuçta sen o adama değil, sözüne sadık kalıyorsun. O yüzden benim hedefim de direkt erkekler oluyor.
Jack bu açıdan güzel yola geldi ama bir parça aşkına inanmadım desem yeridir. İçindeki âşık adamı keşfetmesi biraz hızlı olmadı mı?
Sanıyorum yazılmamış ama Jack'in sadık arkadaşı da bir kitabı hak ediyor. Biz zaten okuyamayız, onu kabul ettim de adamcağızın mutluluğu yeniden bulduğunu bileyim yeter ya. Aa bir de Hal var tabii. Ona da bir kitap lütfennn.
Redaksiyonda daha iyilerini gördük tabii ama mevzubahis Pegasus olunca buna da şükür diyorum.
Yani şimdi ben mi fazla takıntılıyım bilmiyorum ama sen 7 yıl eve gelme, üstelik gününü gün et ve geldiğinde kadını bıraktığın gibi bulmayı bekle. Cidden sinirleniyorum. Kadınlara da kızıyorum gerçi ama evlilik yeminine sadakat olduğundan bir şey diyemiyorum. Sonuçta sen o adama değil, sözüne sadık kalıyorsun. O yüzden benim hedefim de direkt erkekler oluyor.
Jack bu açıdan güzel yola geldi ama bir parça aşkına inanmadım desem yeridir. İçindeki âşık adamı keşfetmesi biraz hızlı olmadı mı?
Sanıyorum yazılmamış ama Jack'in sadık arkadaşı da bir kitabı hak ediyor. Biz zaten okuyamayız, onu kabul ettim de adamcağızın mutluluğu yeniden bulduğunu bileyim yeter ya. Aa bir de Hal var tabii. Ona da bir kitap lütfennn.
Redaksiyonda daha iyilerini gördük tabii ama mevzubahis Pegasus olunca buna da şükür diyorum.
October 13, 2016
Hiç ummadığım kadar zevkli bir okuma oldu benim için. Konu sıradan bir kurgu olsa da oldukça başarılı bir romandi.
Yayınevine sormak istiyorum nereden buldunuz o kapağı ??
Daha önce başka bir kitapta kullanılmış kapağı bu güzel kitaba hiç yakıştıramadım zira romanı golgeleyen bir kapak...
Yayınevine sormak istiyorum nereden buldunuz o kapağı ??
Daha önce başka bir kitapta kullanılmış kapağı bu güzel kitaba hiç yakıştıramadım zira romanı golgeleyen bir kapak...
April 25, 2017
Eh işte...
Ne çok sevdim ne de nefret ettim..
Konusunu beğendim, ama karakterlerden mütevellit midir artık nedir bilemiyorum çok da bayılarak okuyamadım.
Bu yazara 3 yıldızdan fazla vermediğimi de şimdi fark ettim bu arada...
Umarım Marriage serisi daha güzeldir.
Ne çok sevdim ne de nefret ettim..
Konusunu beğendim, ama karakterlerden mütevellit midir artık nedir bilemiyorum çok da bayılarak okuyamadım.
Bu yazara 3 yıldızdan fazla vermediğimi de şimdi fark ettim bu arada...
Umarım Marriage serisi daha güzeldir.
April 8, 2024
fantastic
Cathy Maxwell is one of my very favorite authors. I have loved every one of her books. This one is no exception.
Cathy Maxwell is one of my very favorite authors. I have loved every one of her books. This one is no exception.
April 2, 2022
3.5 stars
Falling in Love Again tells the story of Mallory and John who have been married for 7 years, however the last time they saw each other it was on theirs wedding night. Now Mallory went to meet her estranged husband, due to the fact she was evicted of their property because of John's debts.
This book started SO GOOD. I was really excited for it, then it took a turn that I did not see it coming, but I quite enjoyed the times they spend disguised as farmers, it was really fun read a little bit of British historical romances without the aristocracy as the main subject. However the ending was so disappointing. Not bad, but so rushed. I was let down.
Their romance was really good. And I totally enjoyed Mallory and how she made John work for it. I wished there was more grovel, because I really like a groveling hero, but I was satisfied she didn't run to his arms as soon as he decided to open them. I thought she really was a strong heroine and he a strong hero.
About the debt storyline I enjoyed how from the begging it was told to us and the characters who was stealing from John, because it was pretty obvious, however this is the main story of the book. This is why the couple reunite after seven years, and the way it was put aside a lit bit while they were disguised didn't bothered me. But the way the story was finished was a let down. That's why I didn't really enjoyed the end.
This is the second book I've read from this author, and I liked a little bit than the last one. Can't wait to try more of her books (I own most of hwr backlist). I can feel that I will find a lot of stories that I will love from this author. So far I liked her books. And thanks to him I got out a begging of reading slump that another book was bringing to me.
Falling in Love Again tells the story of Mallory and John who have been married for 7 years, however the last time they saw each other it was on theirs wedding night. Now Mallory went to meet her estranged husband, due to the fact she was evicted of their property because of John's debts.
This book started SO GOOD. I was really excited for it, then it took a turn that I did not see it coming, but I quite enjoyed the times they spend disguised as farmers, it was really fun read a little bit of British historical romances without the aristocracy as the main subject. However the ending was so disappointing. Not bad, but so rushed. I was let down.
Their romance was really good. And I totally enjoyed Mallory and how she made John work for it. I wished there was more grovel, because I really like a groveling hero, but I was satisfied she didn't run to his arms as soon as he decided to open them. I thought she really was a strong heroine and he a strong hero.
About the debt storyline I enjoyed how from the begging it was told to us and the characters who was stealing from John, because it was pretty obvious, however this is the main story of the book. This is why the couple reunite after seven years, and the way it was put aside a lit bit while they were disguised didn't bothered me. But the way the story was finished was a let down. That's why I didn't really enjoyed the end.
This is the second book I've read from this author, and I liked a little bit than the last one. Can't wait to try more of her books (I own most of hwr backlist). I can feel that I will find a lot of stories that I will love from this author. So far I liked her books. And thanks to him I got out a begging of reading slump that another book was bringing to me.
November 1, 2015
I'm not sorry to rated this story at two stars.
I can't forgive John no matter how fab he appeared to be from the middle of the story to the end. I've read many separation stories and I can forgive the hero if the separation is forced on him, like he couldn't control the event that forced him to go away.
Putting the excuse of "I was young and immature at that time" is not it for me. John was like this, unknowingly insulted Mallory's pride in front of his misstress (he didn't even know his wife's name, hah!!) and when Mallory slapped him and demanded divorce he suddenly went into caveman mode? He suddenly wanted his wife who he deserted without any ounce of remorse for seven years?
Yes, I'm giving you a judging stare, John!
I wanted Mallory to give Hal a chance and maybe see where their relationship could go (because I want John to grovel more) but alas, Mallory played cat and mouse with John it almost made me wanted to throw the book across the floor.
I can't forgive John no matter how fab he appeared to be from the middle of the story to the end. I've read many separation stories and I can forgive the hero if the separation is forced on him, like he couldn't control the event that forced him to go away.
Putting the excuse of "I was young and immature at that time" is not it for me. John was like this, unknowingly insulted Mallory's pride in front of his misstress (he didn't even know his wife's name, hah!!) and when Mallory slapped him and demanded divorce he suddenly went into caveman mode? He suddenly wanted his wife who he deserted without any ounce of remorse for seven years?
Yes, I'm giving you a judging stare, John!I wanted Mallory to give Hal a chance and maybe see where their relationship could go (because I want John to grovel more) but alas, Mallory played cat and mouse with John it almost made me wanted to throw the book across the floor.
January 8, 2011
I loved this book. This was like a guilty pleasure type book. It wasn't a deep, emotional book... But I liked the dynamic between the two characters, and how funny it was. I think for someone wanting a quick, get lost in a romance type read.... This book would be perfect. Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught has been one of my fav romances. I've been looking for a similar book for a while, and I thought this one had a lot of similarities. Heroine is a strong girl with fiery spirit. Hero is a rake and of rank. There is a marriage of convenience. Hero is absent... Comes back to find a beautiful woman to replace the girl he married. However, the woman isn't the complacent, moon eyed girl he married. Circumstances bring them together and hero falls in love for first time, and heroine falls in love again :)
June 19, 2011
Overall, this was probably more of a 3/3.5 star read for me, but I'm giving "Falling in Love Again" 4 stars mainly because I liked that the plot was quite different from the average historical. It was interesting to see what happened after John, the hero, discovered that his uncle had stolen his entire fortune, forcing him to go on the run and take a job as an estate steward to support himself and his wife, Mallory, while they searched for his uncle. For this reason, the vast majority of the book took place outside of London, which was a refreshing change.
On the negative side, I felt like this book was missing some of the humor of Cathy Maxwell's other works. There were many situations where humor could have been put to good use, so it feels like a missed opportunity.
On the negative side, I felt like this book was missing some of the humor of Cathy Maxwell's other works. There were many situations where humor could have been put to good use, so it feels like a missed opportunity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2021
More of a 2.5 rating really but I’m feeling generous today.
I read a book years ago by Maxwell called ‘All Things Beautiful’ and I LOVED IT!! Since then I’ve picked up a few more by her and sadly they’ve never done much for me. ‘Falling in Love Again’ was just too cheesy. I also got tired of Mallory’s shenanigans. I’m all for a spirited lass but eventually her revenge tactics wore even on my patience.
I read a book years ago by Maxwell called ‘All Things Beautiful’ and I LOVED IT!! Since then I’ve picked up a few more by her and sadly they’ve never done much for me. ‘Falling in Love Again’ was just too cheesy. I also got tired of Mallory’s shenanigans. I’m all for a spirited lass but eventually her revenge tactics wore even on my patience.
August 20, 2016
Gec Kalmış Aşk kurgu olarak başarılıydı, yazımı da iyiydi ama niyeyse cok içine alamadi beni. Daha baskın irkekksiii höt dedik karakterleri sevdigimden belki de... Kızımız hakliydi ama erkegi biraz fazla hirpaladi sanki gerci oglumuz da pek baskın bir karakter gibi durmuyordu. Okunabilirdi türü sevenlere oneririm :)
September 16, 2017
The book was cute. I really enjoy a reformed take. There was good chemistry between the two, but I felt the ending wrapped up too quickly and the leads weren't incredibly deep characters. However the book was a fun and easy read.
August 19, 2016
Cathy Maxwell benim için hep üç yıldızlık bir yazar oldu bu güne kadar ama bu kitabını bir tık daha sevdim.Mallory'nin son ana kadar affetmeyip John'u süründürmesi kitabın en eğlenceli yeriydi.Sadece iki kısımdan pek hoşlanmadım.John çok çabuk aşık oldu birde amca meselesi çok oldu bittiye geldi.
August 17, 2025
I honestly thought this book was a disaster in character and structure. It's got a wrapping that is totally different from the rest of the book, and it doesn't do either the daring adventure bookend or the forced into proximity love story bits very well.
The FL and ML were basically surprise forced into marriage by the ML's father, and the ML runs off to join the army the next morning without saying goodbye. He's gone for seven years, doesn't tell anyone he's married and lives a big life while he thinks his hidden wife is doing fine because he's done some arrangements he never really looked into to make sure they were being carried out (so of course they weren't).
After he's back in the country (in London, not going to check in on her) living up a big life for six months, the FL comes to confront him after she and her mother have been tossed off the family estate because of his debts. She bursts into a party his mistress is throwing him, nobody knows he's married and he doesn't even remembered her name. ML also apparently has never bothered taking care of his own affairs or even looking into anything and is like "What do you mean debts I left you so well off" and then a bunch of bruisers come to beat him up and throw them in debtor's prison and other stuff. ML grabs FL and they run off under cover with the help of an army friend to figure it out.
The cover they go under is steward/land manager at a neglected estate of the family of the ML's family friend. FL knows how to do stuff like making bread, which is weird but I assume it's because she's been living and working hard since her husband ran off to join the army. They muck about on the estate, and don't do any direct action around finding out where the guy who stole the ML's huge hoard of money is until they've fallen in love and the story is ready to move forward to the end phase. ML somehow transforms from the hedonist in the first part of the story to wife guy, and frankly it's absurd. He's a huge ignorant himbo (derogatory) who never thought about anything but himself. You went away for 7 years, have been back for 6 and never thought to like, ask your solicitor for an accounting of money?
I just do not have the patience for any of these MLs who are like "Well I never actually followed through to make sure things were happening" -- how are you running around London for six months spending like a nut and it doesn't come out that you owe over 90K pounds in the early 1800s????
The FL is a constant victim--she is not treated fairly at all once in the book. She is seeking a divorce initially so she can marry the local squire who isn't a jackass. I won't touch upon the absurdness of the divorce idea in the time period, but it exists so that she can be mad about another huge lie the ML told: Their marriage was not consummated but she believes it was because she was drugged, and he left the next morning without speaking to her or anyone so she has no idea to think otherwise. If he had been truthful with her she could have sought out an annulment and married her beau who actually knows her name.
Then the book ends with another big set piece that is completely out of a different title and not the quiet farm life we've been living. One of the oddest bookend framings I've seen.
I tried to read this book three times before I was able to get through the whole thing. I've been trying to find a Cathy Maxwell I like and I think it's a losing battle, for me.
The FL and ML were basically surprise forced into marriage by the ML's father, and the ML runs off to join the army the next morning without saying goodbye. He's gone for seven years, doesn't tell anyone he's married and lives a big life while he thinks his hidden wife is doing fine because he's done some arrangements he never really looked into to make sure they were being carried out (so of course they weren't).
After he's back in the country (in London, not going to check in on her) living up a big life for six months, the FL comes to confront him after she and her mother have been tossed off the family estate because of his debts. She bursts into a party his mistress is throwing him, nobody knows he's married and he doesn't even remembered her name. ML also apparently has never bothered taking care of his own affairs or even looking into anything and is like "What do you mean debts I left you so well off" and then a bunch of bruisers come to beat him up and throw them in debtor's prison and other stuff. ML grabs FL and they run off under cover with the help of an army friend to figure it out.
The cover they go under is steward/land manager at a neglected estate of the family of the ML's family friend. FL knows how to do stuff like making bread, which is weird but I assume it's because she's been living and working hard since her husband ran off to join the army. They muck about on the estate, and don't do any direct action around finding out where the guy who stole the ML's huge hoard of money is until they've fallen in love and the story is ready to move forward to the end phase. ML somehow transforms from the hedonist in the first part of the story to wife guy, and frankly it's absurd. He's a huge ignorant himbo (derogatory) who never thought about anything but himself. You went away for 7 years, have been back for 6 and never thought to like, ask your solicitor for an accounting of money?
I just do not have the patience for any of these MLs who are like "Well I never actually followed through to make sure things were happening" -- how are you running around London for six months spending like a nut and it doesn't come out that you owe over 90K pounds in the early 1800s????
The FL is a constant victim--she is not treated fairly at all once in the book. She is seeking a divorce initially so she can marry the local squire who isn't a jackass. I won't touch upon the absurdness of the divorce idea in the time period, but it exists so that she can be mad about another huge lie the ML told: Their marriage was not consummated but she believes it was because she was drugged, and he left the next morning without speaking to her or anyone so she has no idea to think otherwise. If he had been truthful with her she could have sought out an annulment and married her beau who actually knows her name.
Then the book ends with another big set piece that is completely out of a different title and not the quiet farm life we've been living. One of the oddest bookend framings I've seen.
I tried to read this book three times before I was able to get through the whole thing. I've been trying to find a Cathy Maxwell I like and I think it's a losing battle, for me.
July 28, 2023
Mallory and John marry when they are very young and he is gone before morning, run off to join the army and when he returns 7 years later after his father passes away he doesn't go home to her he galivants about London like a stag in rut instead.
So Mallory decides to go to London and demand a divorce, Unfortunely she does it by slapping him in front of many people at a house party including John's mistress and Prinny himself. When they get out of there and he tries to take her home with him where he finds that all of his possessions have been seized and he's wanted for bankruptcy.
This all happens in the first two chapters and it just gets more entertaining from there. Mallory is a really strong FMC and she manages to put her rakehell of a husband in his place, I also enjoy that a good 35 -40% of this book is groveling, she made him work for it which was awesome.
So Mallory decides to go to London and demand a divorce, Unfortunely she does it by slapping him in front of many people at a house party including John's mistress and Prinny himself. When they get out of there and he tries to take her home with him where he finds that all of his possessions have been seized and he's wanted for bankruptcy.
This all happens in the first two chapters and it just gets more entertaining from there. Mallory is a really strong FMC and she manages to put her rakehell of a husband in his place, I also enjoy that a good 35 -40% of this book is groveling, she made him work for it which was awesome.
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September 10, 2021It started out well, then it proceed into a kind of story that I am not accustomed to. The turn of events was quite unexpected that I had a hard time processing it. Although the story was not something that I am usually accustomed to, at least it still kept me interested to read what's next and did not make me feel like dropping the book for something else.
Altogether it was quite a good read. Didn't expect to enjoy this. This novel has the trope of from-riches-to-rag. One that I don't usually read. But it is imperative for the characters' development. Although I would say at times the writing sounds quite contemporary and less historical. Could have been better though.
Altogether it was quite a good read. Didn't expect to enjoy this. This novel has the trope of from-riches-to-rag. One that I don't usually read. But it is imperative for the characters' development. Although I would say at times the writing sounds quite contemporary and less historical. Could have been better though.
March 5, 2018
Well that was dull and boring. I think the characters could have been more interesting if their journey had been remotely adventurous. Confronting the villain was anticlimactic. It should have been a fun mystery and romp through the English countryside. But no, lets get jobs for a long time. And the hero wanted the heroine 'because duty demanded it'...ok. The fact that he dumped her, he fought in a war were never interesting plot points. The 'you lied to me' was barely anything to fight over. Just too much wasted potential. Don't read.
January 6, 2024
I liked how this book was written. Enjoyed the adventure and them running through London. I also liked the side characters. Overall the story was great. My only complain is that there wasn’t enough grovel from the MMC. I don’t think he really felt bad for leaving her and cheating on her for that long. If she wouldn’t have found him, he wouldn’t have looked for her. So that part of the story bothers me.
December 25, 2024
A very good story
Not the usual expectations, for sure. I believed I wouldn't like John very much when Mallory first meets up with him seven years after they were married. He came across as a typical jackass. But with each chapter, he redeemed himself. Mallory was a little trickier. I lost ked her spirit and her independence but she also acted slow gently privileged at times.
The story line was quite good, overall.
Not the usual expectations, for sure. I believed I wouldn't like John very much when Mallory first meets up with him seven years after they were married. He came across as a typical jackass. But with each chapter, he redeemed himself. Mallory was a little trickier. I lost ked her spirit and her independence but she also acted slow gently privileged at times.
The story line was quite good, overall.
March 22, 2025
The first few chapters were promising but when they hid out at that estate for weeks, it became boring. I skimmed through. I might be in the minority here but I didn't get why he needed to grovel. Yes he was dumb to let his uncle control things and he should pay for that, but I wasn't sympathetic of her for him leaving. I would be more sympathetic if she wrote him letters and he ignored it, but she did nothing except wait...
November 17, 2018
Once again this author has offered a unpleasant couple. The h is pretty pathetic, based on her story she should have been more skilled and stronger, and the H was very lazy and dissolute, and I didn't care if he got his estate back or not. They dithered over their relationship, she was tedious. I finished it, I found the side characters had more depth than either of the leads. Disappointing.
May 4, 2017
This was another great story from Cathy Maxwell. I have been collecting her books since reading my first one a few months ago. This book was enjoyable on dealing with a wayward husband in a humorous way.
April 20, 2022
Ending was anticlimactic and felt rushed. Otherwise, really well done and my my opinion of the H surprisingly changed for the better. The two were a great balance that brought out the best of the other.
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