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Huxtable Quintet #1
First Comes Marriage
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Mary Balogh's The Secret Mistress.
Against the scandal and seduction of Regency England, New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh introduces an extraordinary family—the fiery, sensual Huxtables. Vanessa is the second daughter, proud and daring, a young widow who has her own reason for pursuing the most eligible bachelor in London. One that has nothing to do with love. Or does it?
The arrival of Elliott Wallace, the irresistibly eligible Viscount Lyngate, has thrown the country village of Throckbridge into a tizzy. Desperate to rescue her eldest sister from a loveless union, Vanessa Huxtable Dew offers herself instead. In need of a wife, Elliott takes the audacious widow up on her unconventional proposal while he pursues an urgent mission of his own. But a strange thing happens on the way to the wedding night. Two strangers with absolutely nothing in common can’t keep their hands off each other. Now, as intrigue swirls around a past secret—one with a stunning connection to the Huxtables—Elliott and Vanessa are uncovering the glorious pleasures of the marriage bed…and discovering that when it comes to wedded bliss, love can’t be far behind.
Against the scandal and seduction of Regency England, New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh introduces an extraordinary family—the fiery, sensual Huxtables. Vanessa is the second daughter, proud and daring, a young widow who has her own reason for pursuing the most eligible bachelor in London. One that has nothing to do with love. Or does it?
The arrival of Elliott Wallace, the irresistibly eligible Viscount Lyngate, has thrown the country village of Throckbridge into a tizzy. Desperate to rescue her eldest sister from a loveless union, Vanessa Huxtable Dew offers herself instead. In need of a wife, Elliott takes the audacious widow up on her unconventional proposal while he pursues an urgent mission of his own. But a strange thing happens on the way to the wedding night. Two strangers with absolutely nothing in common can’t keep their hands off each other. Now, as intrigue swirls around a past secret—one with a stunning connection to the Huxtables—Elliott and Vanessa are uncovering the glorious pleasures of the marriage bed…and discovering that when it comes to wedded bliss, love can’t be far behind.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2009
802 people are currently reading
4497 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 821 reviews
April 23, 2014
CHRIST ON A CRACKER THIS BOOK PISSED ME OFF
1. I have no problem with a "plain" heroine (in fact, I'd like there to be more normal looking women in romance) but FOR ALL THAT IS HOLY 30% of this book is Vanessa disparaging her looks (but, you know, in a comedic way for it is the plight of the fugly sister to have a happy disposition) or Elliot remarking upon how not pretty she is, internally at least. CONSTANTLY I GET IT. SHE IS NOT BEAUTIFUL. SHE IS A REGULAR LOOKING PERSON LIKE 99% OF ALL OTHER REGULAR LOOKING PERSONS. HOLY BALLS.
2. Elliot couldn't stop looking at her, or thinking about her, but he couldn't figure out why because she was not pretty. WTF. YOU ARE A GROWN ASS MAN AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT THAT YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO SOMEONE BASED ON QUALITIES OTHER THAN PHYSICAL BEAUTY.
3. Elliot constantly remarks she is not pretty. Vanessa constantly remarks she is not pretty. But when he calls her pretty and she denies it, he's all, "Whut? No one has every called you pretty?" GO FUCK YOURSELF.
4. Elliot is basically a Grade A asshole. When he finds Vanessa crying, thinking about her DEAD FORMER HUSBAND he gets all butt-hurt and then uses her as a fleshlight for a week. And then thinks that perhaps that was callous.
5. Vanessa instantly blames herself that Elliot's feelings were all butt-hurt because... reasons? I mean, it's her fault she had been previously married and is coming to terms with her new life. What's a sensible female to do? BLAME HERSELF DUH.
6. Elliot is huge fucking crybaby and annoyed the shit out of me. Oh? I learned a secret about my daddy? My cousin is a bad person? FUCK THE WORLD! I'M GOING TO TREAT EVERYONE LIKE SHIT. Get over yourself, dude.
And let's not forget the fact that he is a haughty, arrogant jerk-face that looks down on everyone that is NOT nobility. And somehow Vanessa is all, OMG I LURVE YOU?
A BASKETFUL OF OF MEHs
1. I have no problem with a "plain" heroine (in fact, I'd like there to be more normal looking women in romance) but FOR ALL THAT IS HOLY 30% of this book is Vanessa disparaging her looks (but, you know, in a comedic way for it is the plight of the fugly sister to have a happy disposition) or Elliot remarking upon how not pretty she is, internally at least. CONSTANTLY I GET IT. SHE IS NOT BEAUTIFUL. SHE IS A REGULAR LOOKING PERSON LIKE 99% OF ALL OTHER REGULAR LOOKING PERSONS. HOLY BALLS.
2. Elliot couldn't stop looking at her, or thinking about her, but he couldn't figure out why because she was not pretty. WTF. YOU ARE A GROWN ASS MAN AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT THAT YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO SOMEONE BASED ON QUALITIES OTHER THAN PHYSICAL BEAUTY.
3. Elliot constantly remarks she is not pretty. Vanessa constantly remarks she is not pretty. But when he calls her pretty and she denies it, he's all, "Whut? No one has every called you pretty?" GO FUCK YOURSELF.
4. Elliot is basically a Grade A asshole. When he finds Vanessa crying, thinking about her DEAD FORMER HUSBAND he gets all butt-hurt and then uses her as a fleshlight for a week. And then thinks that perhaps that was callous.
5. Vanessa instantly blames herself that Elliot's feelings were all butt-hurt because... reasons? I mean, it's her fault she had been previously married and is coming to terms with her new life. What's a sensible female to do? BLAME HERSELF DUH.
6. Elliot is huge fucking crybaby and annoyed the shit out of me. Oh? I learned a secret about my daddy? My cousin is a bad person? FUCK THE WORLD! I'M GOING TO TREAT EVERYONE LIKE SHIT. Get over yourself, dude.
And let's not forget the fact that he is a haughty, arrogant jerk-face that looks down on everyone that is NOT nobility. And somehow Vanessa is all, OMG I LURVE YOU?
A BASKETFUL OF OF MEHs
June 23, 2010
The title of this book is more than appropriate. There is no love between Vanessa and Elliot when they married. They didn't even seem to like each other. But, they had mutuals goals behind the marriage that Vanessa proposed. And it turned out to be the best thing possible for them both.
I loved Vanessa. She was such a sweet person. She overflows with enthusiasm and a joy for life, despite all the trials she's seen. I really admired her for how she approached her marriage with first husband, Hedley, who died young from consumption. Her love that she showed him really brought tears to my eyes. I normally don't really like romances where the H/h were married before and are mourning their lost spouses. It seems to take away from the present romance, which is clearly my focus. But, this was very well-done. It showed that the rooms in the heart never overflow or fill up. The heart has endless capacity for love, and there are many different kinds of love. It wasn't a conflict of interest for Vanessa to have loved her first husband so much, because it was clear how different her love was for Elliot. I think having Hedley in her life allowed her to heal and melt the ice around Elliot's heart. Vanessa is a very good example of the adage about inner beauty. She is the plainest person in her family, and no one lets her forget it. But, her good, good heart shines through and gives her the truest kind of beauty, from the inside out. She's one of those people that you can't help but love. And soon, Elliot falls for the genuine, loving person she is. I liked how he showed her in many ways how much she meant to him, although it took some initial shifting in his paradigms.
Elliot was a hard sell initially. He seemed like a full-on snob, and I have a very low tolerance for snobs. But I came to see that the recent trials in his life had hardened him, hiding a man with a broken heart, not from a woman who did him wrong, but from his father's betrayal of his family with his long-standing adultery and other family. And then, the betrayal of his best friend and cousin Con in taking advantage of his younger brother Jon, the heir to the earldom of Merton, who was mentally disabled--really shattered his ability to trust others. Elliot's plate was seemingly full to the brim, his shoulders heavily-burdened with the cares of taking care of his family. Luckily, Vanessa's light opens the rooms of his heart and brings the spring and sunshine back into his life, putting everything into perspective, and teaching him to enjoy the moments of happiness in every day.
This truly was a lovely story. Mary Balogh has proven herself to be a wonderful writer. She has a way with words in her books, giving the reader a resplendent romance, but also a rich story that shows the spectrum of human emotions and interactions. I must admit, I wasn't terribly eager to read this series, although I intended to do so at some point. Thanks to my Goodreads friend who picked this off my shelf for me to read, I ended up with a reading experience that I truly enjoyed. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in this series.
I loved Vanessa. She was such a sweet person. She overflows with enthusiasm and a joy for life, despite all the trials she's seen. I really admired her for how she approached her marriage with first husband, Hedley, who died young from consumption. Her love that she showed him really brought tears to my eyes. I normally don't really like romances where the H/h were married before and are mourning their lost spouses. It seems to take away from the present romance, which is clearly my focus. But, this was very well-done. It showed that the rooms in the heart never overflow or fill up. The heart has endless capacity for love, and there are many different kinds of love. It wasn't a conflict of interest for Vanessa to have loved her first husband so much, because it was clear how different her love was for Elliot. I think having Hedley in her life allowed her to heal and melt the ice around Elliot's heart. Vanessa is a very good example of the adage about inner beauty. She is the plainest person in her family, and no one lets her forget it. But, her good, good heart shines through and gives her the truest kind of beauty, from the inside out. She's one of those people that you can't help but love. And soon, Elliot falls for the genuine, loving person she is. I liked how he showed her in many ways how much she meant to him, although it took some initial shifting in his paradigms.
Elliot was a hard sell initially. He seemed like a full-on snob, and I have a very low tolerance for snobs. But I came to see that the recent trials in his life had hardened him, hiding a man with a broken heart, not from a woman who did him wrong, but from his father's betrayal of his family with his long-standing adultery and other family. And then, the betrayal of his best friend and cousin Con in taking advantage of his younger brother Jon, the heir to the earldom of Merton, who was mentally disabled--really shattered his ability to trust others. Elliot's plate was seemingly full to the brim, his shoulders heavily-burdened with the cares of taking care of his family. Luckily, Vanessa's light opens the rooms of his heart and brings the spring and sunshine back into his life, putting everything into perspective, and teaching him to enjoy the moments of happiness in every day.
This truly was a lovely story. Mary Balogh has proven herself to be a wonderful writer. She has a way with words in her books, giving the reader a resplendent romance, but also a rich story that shows the spectrum of human emotions and interactions. I must admit, I wasn't terribly eager to read this series, although I intended to do so at some point. Thanks to my Goodreads friend who picked this off my shelf for me to read, I ended up with a reading experience that I truly enjoyed. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in this series.
February 3, 2017
Un libro muy simple, en el sentido que sólo aborda la relación de los dos personajes principales y casi no hay conflictos adicionales; los pocos que hay, tampoco se resuelven en esta primera entrega de la serie.
Sin embargo, la historia es increíblemente dulce y, probablemente, su mayor mérito es que la relación se cuece a fuego muy lento durante toda la novela, y donde la autora demuestra mucha sensibilidad con sus personajes, sin dejar de lado situaciones y diálogos muy divertidos. Si la memoria no me falla, creo que es primera vez que leo un libro de este género, donde los sentimientos se generan después de estos matrimonios por conveniencia que tanto se mencionan en las novelas ambientadas en esta época.
Entretenido y se lee en un suspiro.
Sin embargo, la historia es increíblemente dulce y, probablemente, su mayor mérito es que la relación se cuece a fuego muy lento durante toda la novela, y donde la autora demuestra mucha sensibilidad con sus personajes, sin dejar de lado situaciones y diálogos muy divertidos. Si la memoria no me falla, creo que es primera vez que leo un libro de este género, donde los sentimientos se generan después de estos matrimonios por conveniencia que tanto se mencionan en las novelas ambientadas en esta época.
Entretenido y se lee en un suspiro.
August 1, 2015
First Comes Marriage was more of a philosophical exploration of love and life than a romance novel. It was devastatingly poignant and ruthlessly human in its portrayal of the characters. It really hurt to read this.
Elliot was arrogant and selfish at first. He was cruelly honest with his opinions about Vanessa, remarking that she was plain, that no one would ever find her attractive etc etc. Vanessa was a strong woman battling with her insecurities. She was determined to be happy despite of the pains that life seemed to throw at her. I'll be honest with you, it was so hard to like them. I almost gave up on Elliot, really, because he was so mean.
But damn, they turned out so beautifully. Even Elliot was able to redeem himself in the end.
I don't really know what to say, because this was such a complex read for me. It's a very beautiful story, but it was painful in its beauty. I don't think I would read this again in the future. Real life is real enough for me, I don't need fiction to complicate things further.
Elliot was arrogant and selfish at first. He was cruelly honest with his opinions about Vanessa, remarking that she was plain, that no one would ever find her attractive etc etc. Vanessa was a strong woman battling with her insecurities. She was determined to be happy despite of the pains that life seemed to throw at her. I'll be honest with you, it was so hard to like them. I almost gave up on Elliot, really, because he was so mean.
But damn, they turned out so beautifully. Even Elliot was able to redeem himself in the end.
I don't really know what to say, because this was such a complex read for me. It's a very beautiful story, but it was painful in its beauty. I don't think I would read this again in the future. Real life is real enough for me, I don't need fiction to complicate things further.
January 10, 2011
This book is PERFECT if you are doing a romance novel drinking game. Every time a character mentioned how un-pretty Vanessa was, I wanted to take a swig of something. It seemed that it was mentioned every few pages. Okay, I get it: She's not the most attractive thing to ever walk the earth, but come on, must you keep reminding me?! It got very tedious and distracted from what little of the story there was. Also, it felt like the author got trunky in the end as mostly everything was nicely wound up in just a few chapters. However, she left a big gaping hole in why one of the major characters acted the way he did, but I guess that leaves it open for some sequels, doesn't it. All-in-all, not to my tastes. I doubt I'll read another one of this author. *
* A coworker of mine told me that the third in the series was pretty much the same with the repetition, except it was always mentioned how old the main character was. Is this the way the author writes? If so, blech!
* A coworker of mine told me that the third in the series was pretty much the same with the repetition, except it was always mentioned how old the main character was. Is this the way the author writes? If so, blech!
September 12, 2018
A simple vista es un libro con una trama muy sencilla. La historia se centra en la historia de amor de Vanessa y Elliot, una pareja que se casa por conveniencia. Pero, al ir avanzando en la lectura la historia se va haciendo profunda, ya que la autora nos muestra las diferentes formas de amar. La diferencia entre estar enamorado de una persona, o querer a esa persona.
"Sin embargo, pensó ella, recordaría esa noche como una de las más memorables de toda su
vida. Además de todo el atractivo de la velada en sí, era la noche durante la cual se había
enamorado perdidamente de Elliott. Tanto era así que ya no distinguía entre estar enamorada y
quererlo con toda el alma y para siempre.
Esta novela me ha gustado tanto porque incluye varios elementos de los busco en una historia romántica:
- Los protagonistas no se gustan al conocerse, es más se casan sin caerse bien mutuamente. Su relación se va cociendo a fuego lento.
" Y así esperó el regreso de su prometida.
En sus recuerdos la veía más delgada y menos femenina, más corriente y muchísimo más
insignificante en el aspecto físico cada vez que pensaba en ella. Su lengua se hizo más afilada; su
sonrisa, fácil; y su risa, más irritante. Su beso se convirtió en el de una niña... o una monja.
También intentaba pensar lo menos posible en el vizconde de Lyngate, con quien se casaría en
menos de un mes.
Según pasaban los días lo recordaba más arrogante, más altivo, más serio... Todos sus defectos
se acentuaban cada vez que pensaba en él.
Iba a tener que esforzarse muchísimo para cumplir su promesa de hacerlo feliz, de complacerlo, de... ¿Qué era lo otro? Ah, sí. De facilitarle la vida para que se sintiera a gusto.
Y de conseguir que le fuera fiel.
- El otro elemento es que la protagonista no es una gran belleza, no es que sea fea, tampoco... es más bien que su aspecto es de una mujer corriente que no llama la atención. Pero es una persona que tiene una cualidad que hace que acabe conquistando a todo el mundo alrededor. Sabe vivir el momento, a encontrar la alegría en las pequeñas cosas de la vida cotidiana.
Y eso me lleva a otro punto que ha hechonqie disfrutará tanto de esta historia. El protagonista es un tipo altivo, malhumorado, que se toma la vida demasiado en serio, y que no cree en el amor (me encanta este tipo de protagonistas). Un par traiciones de personas muy cercanas a él lo ha convertido en este descreído, pero será Vanessa quien le hará ver que no todo el mundo es igual, que puede volver a amar sin temer que lo vuelvan a traicionar.
—Te necesito tanto como el aire que respiro —la interrumpió—. Tu belleza y tus sonrisas me
han cautivado, y me han llegado al corazón. Al alma. Me has enseñado a confiar y a amar de
nuevo, y confío y te quiero. Te quiero más de lo que nunca he querido a nadie. Más de lo que creía
posible que se podía querer a otra persona. Y si crees que me estoy poniendo en ridículo al ser
exageradamente romántico solo para que te sientas mejor por haber admitido que eres feliz,
tendré que tomar medidas muy drásticas.
"Sin embargo, pensó ella, recordaría esa noche como una de las más memorables de toda su
vida. Además de todo el atractivo de la velada en sí, era la noche durante la cual se había
enamorado perdidamente de Elliott. Tanto era así que ya no distinguía entre estar enamorada y
quererlo con toda el alma y para siempre.
Esta novela me ha gustado tanto porque incluye varios elementos de los busco en una historia romántica:
- Los protagonistas no se gustan al conocerse, es más se casan sin caerse bien mutuamente. Su relación se va cociendo a fuego lento.
" Y así esperó el regreso de su prometida.
En sus recuerdos la veía más delgada y menos femenina, más corriente y muchísimo más
insignificante en el aspecto físico cada vez que pensaba en ella. Su lengua se hizo más afilada; su
sonrisa, fácil; y su risa, más irritante. Su beso se convirtió en el de una niña... o una monja.
También intentaba pensar lo menos posible en el vizconde de Lyngate, con quien se casaría en
menos de un mes.
Según pasaban los días lo recordaba más arrogante, más altivo, más serio... Todos sus defectos
se acentuaban cada vez que pensaba en él.
Iba a tener que esforzarse muchísimo para cumplir su promesa de hacerlo feliz, de complacerlo, de... ¿Qué era lo otro? Ah, sí. De facilitarle la vida para que se sintiera a gusto.
Y de conseguir que le fuera fiel.
- El otro elemento es que la protagonista no es una gran belleza, no es que sea fea, tampoco... es más bien que su aspecto es de una mujer corriente que no llama la atención. Pero es una persona que tiene una cualidad que hace que acabe conquistando a todo el mundo alrededor. Sabe vivir el momento, a encontrar la alegría en las pequeñas cosas de la vida cotidiana.
Y eso me lleva a otro punto que ha hechonqie disfrutará tanto de esta historia. El protagonista es un tipo altivo, malhumorado, que se toma la vida demasiado en serio, y que no cree en el amor (me encanta este tipo de protagonistas). Un par traiciones de personas muy cercanas a él lo ha convertido en este descreído, pero será Vanessa quien le hará ver que no todo el mundo es igual, que puede volver a amar sin temer que lo vuelvan a traicionar.
—Te necesito tanto como el aire que respiro —la interrumpió—. Tu belleza y tus sonrisas me
han cautivado, y me han llegado al corazón. Al alma. Me has enseñado a confiar y a amar de
nuevo, y confío y te quiero. Te quiero más de lo que nunca he querido a nadie. Más de lo que creía
posible que se podía querer a otra persona. Y si crees que me estoy poniendo en ridículo al ser
exageradamente romántico solo para que te sientas mejor por haber admitido que eres feliz,
tendré que tomar medidas muy drásticas.
February 27, 2009
A lovely story that will play with your emotions yet keep you smiling. "First Comes Marriage" is the premiere novel in Mary Balogh's new series about three sisters and their younger brother who are lifted from obscurity when he is elevated to the title of Earl of Merton. The first to find love is the middle widowed sister, Vanessa.
Vanessa is the 'plain Jane' of the Huxtable family. She's heard it all her life and can see in the mirror for herself as well. But she's also the happiest and most joyful, finding pleasure in each day. When the terribly correct and arrogant Viscount Lyngate comes to inform the family of her younger brother's surprising inheritance, Vanessa is just as excited and fearful as the rest of her small family. But when it appears this same Viscount will propose a dutiful marriage to her older sister, Vanessa knows that just won't do. Her older sister deserves to have a chance at love so Vanessa proposes to the Viscount herself!
Elliott isn't sure which part of his duty is most onerous. Having to locate and guide the new Earl of Merton or having to sacrifice himself on the altar of marriage for his own title. It doesn't take him long to realize that what's really most irritating is the widowed sister of the new Earl. She doesn't stand in awe of him, she talks back to him, and now for some reason he seems to be attracted to her. But he must marry and heaven knows one chit is really as good as another so he might as well lighten his burden by marrying the oldest Huxtable daughter. Well...he would...if that irritating woman hadn't just proposed to him!
I found laughter and tears in this story; I also couldn't seem to stop reading once I started. Both of those are signs of an irresistible book for me. From the first page, Balogh sets up the premise of this entire new series and draws the reader in with a bit of mystery. While you are reading the story of Elliott and Vanessa, you also get bits of pieces of the mystery tossed in. The relationship between the main characters is complex and engrossing while the deepening of their feelings proceeds at a reasonable and smooth pace. I find myself anxious for the next book "Then Comes Seduction" which is the story of the youngest daughter. It should hit the shelves April and I'll look forward to reading more about the Huxtable family, the Earl of Merton, and the mystery of Constantine.
Vanessa is the 'plain Jane' of the Huxtable family. She's heard it all her life and can see in the mirror for herself as well. But she's also the happiest and most joyful, finding pleasure in each day. When the terribly correct and arrogant Viscount Lyngate comes to inform the family of her younger brother's surprising inheritance, Vanessa is just as excited and fearful as the rest of her small family. But when it appears this same Viscount will propose a dutiful marriage to her older sister, Vanessa knows that just won't do. Her older sister deserves to have a chance at love so Vanessa proposes to the Viscount herself!
Elliott isn't sure which part of his duty is most onerous. Having to locate and guide the new Earl of Merton or having to sacrifice himself on the altar of marriage for his own title. It doesn't take him long to realize that what's really most irritating is the widowed sister of the new Earl. She doesn't stand in awe of him, she talks back to him, and now for some reason he seems to be attracted to her. But he must marry and heaven knows one chit is really as good as another so he might as well lighten his burden by marrying the oldest Huxtable daughter. Well...he would...if that irritating woman hadn't just proposed to him!
I found laughter and tears in this story; I also couldn't seem to stop reading once I started. Both of those are signs of an irresistible book for me. From the first page, Balogh sets up the premise of this entire new series and draws the reader in with a bit of mystery. While you are reading the story of Elliott and Vanessa, you also get bits of pieces of the mystery tossed in. The relationship between the main characters is complex and engrossing while the deepening of their feelings proceeds at a reasonable and smooth pace. I find myself anxious for the next book "Then Comes Seduction" which is the story of the youngest daughter. It should hit the shelves April and I'll look forward to reading more about the Huxtable family, the Earl of Merton, and the mystery of Constantine.
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September 12, 2017Completely lost the plot for me after the prologue
It was almost as if the prologue belonged to another book.
It was almost as if the prologue belonged to another book.
August 13, 2014
4 stars – Historical/Regency Romance
I’d lowered my expectations for this after hearing from several friends that the Huxtable series isn’t among Balogh’s best work, and I mainly read First Comes Marriage in order to have the background for Then Comes Seduction that I checked out from the library, since I so love a good rake story.
I’m happy to report that after a somewhat slow beginning in which I almost abandoned it as a DNF, I ended up really liking this book, especially the cheerful, find joy in the everyday things and moments in life heroine. Unfortunately, I also as equally and emphatically disliked the stuffy, snobby, callous, condescending, and unappreciative hero, nor did I ever truly warm up to him, even after his fairly hasty, and rather late in coming, love realization and declaration. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it, despite that the hero might not have deserved such a whimsical, happy, optimistic, and loyal wife, so I’m rating it solid 4 stars. And I’m looking forward to reading Then Comes Seduction and more of Balogh’s (better) books. :)
I’d lowered my expectations for this after hearing from several friends that the Huxtable series isn’t among Balogh’s best work, and I mainly read First Comes Marriage in order to have the background for Then Comes Seduction that I checked out from the library, since I so love a good rake story.
I’m happy to report that after a somewhat slow beginning in which I almost abandoned it as a DNF, I ended up really liking this book, especially the cheerful, find joy in the everyday things and moments in life heroine. Unfortunately, I also as equally and emphatically disliked the stuffy, snobby, callous, condescending, and unappreciative hero, nor did I ever truly warm up to him, even after his fairly hasty, and rather late in coming, love realization and declaration. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it, despite that the hero might not have deserved such a whimsical, happy, optimistic, and loyal wife, so I’m rating it solid 4 stars. And I’m looking forward to reading Then Comes Seduction and more of Balogh’s (better) books. :)
December 10, 2018
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I don't know why I'd talked myself into thinking that this would be "average" MB (which doesn't mean average in the usual sense), but it was definitely above average MB.
Let me explain.
Lately, I've been reading backwards MB's books, from her most recent series to her earlier tried and trues. The Huxtable series I liked a lot, and this is not my first re-read of them. But I realize now that I like them even better than I did before, precisely because I read MB's later works right beforehand.
Perhaps it's the author's age, but her later novels are much less "passionate", much more TAME. As I said in a different review, the love scene was so quick and over with I had to double check I haven't skipped pages!!
But her earlier novels are more filled with passion, certainly not the same level as some of the other stuff I read, but nevertheless, there's passion and there's sexual connection. Something lacking in her more recent works.
Back to the book at hand.
I really adore Vanessa, the heroine. For her alone, I would give this 5 stars, because I always have low expectations for the heroine. All I want is to not be annoyed by her. I read for the Hero.
But Vanessa is a h after my own heart. She is plain, but she's full of love and life and laughter. She is an eternal optimist and so very giving. She's no pushover and I love the way she takes her stand with Elliot as an equal. I love that she grabs life by its horns and goes after what she wants. She asked HIM to marry her. She saw him and she wanted him and she got him :) Of course, she might fool herself into thinking she was doing her sister a favor, but no, she really just wanted to jump his bones (and she DID! to her heart's content!)
Like I said, a h after my own heart :)
Elliot is a wonderful hero. He's exactly my ideal physical description of a Hero, which always helps. He might look something like this:
A little young looking perhaps, but Elliot is dark haired, tall, fit, with blue eyes. So... :P
Or maybe this one:
Not blue eyes, but good lord those cheek bones! And Elliot is half Greek, with tanned skin... the model's name is Alexis Papas, he is Greek. I MUST GO TO GREECE!!! :P
Anyway... fanning self...
I love Elliot because he's austere, loyal, responsible, principled. He feels deeply but he holds it all inside. But he's oh so passionate in bed (or outdoors, as the case may be!) - it's one of my fav types of Heroes!
Always the gentleman, he had to refuse her offer of marriage and make his own to her instead on one knee. WHAT A MAN!!
Anyway, read this. Any fan of historical romance ought to read this series!
Let me explain.
Lately, I've been reading backwards MB's books, from her most recent series to her earlier tried and trues. The Huxtable series I liked a lot, and this is not my first re-read of them. But I realize now that I like them even better than I did before, precisely because I read MB's later works right beforehand.
Perhaps it's the author's age, but her later novels are much less "passionate", much more TAME. As I said in a different review, the love scene was so quick and over with I had to double check I haven't skipped pages!!
But her earlier novels are more filled with passion, certainly not the same level as some of the other stuff I read, but nevertheless, there's passion and there's sexual connection. Something lacking in her more recent works.
Back to the book at hand.
I really adore Vanessa, the heroine. For her alone, I would give this 5 stars, because I always have low expectations for the heroine. All I want is to not be annoyed by her. I read for the Hero.
But Vanessa is a h after my own heart. She is plain, but she's full of love and life and laughter. She is an eternal optimist and so very giving. She's no pushover and I love the way she takes her stand with Elliot as an equal. I love that she grabs life by its horns and goes after what she wants. She asked HIM to marry her. She saw him and she wanted him and she got him :) Of course, she might fool herself into thinking she was doing her sister a favor, but no, she really just wanted to jump his bones (and she DID! to her heart's content!)
Like I said, a h after my own heart :)
Elliot is a wonderful hero. He's exactly my ideal physical description of a Hero, which always helps. He might look something like this:
A little young looking perhaps, but Elliot is dark haired, tall, fit, with blue eyes. So... :P
Or maybe this one:
Not blue eyes, but good lord those cheek bones! And Elliot is half Greek, with tanned skin... the model's name is Alexis Papas, he is Greek. I MUST GO TO GREECE!!! :P
Anyway... fanning self...
I love Elliot because he's austere, loyal, responsible, principled. He feels deeply but he holds it all inside. But he's oh so passionate in bed (or outdoors, as the case may be!) - it's one of my fav types of Heroes!
Always the gentleman, he had to refuse her offer of marriage and make his own to her instead on one knee. WHAT A MAN!!
Anyway, read this. Any fan of historical romance ought to read this series!
June 27, 2025
Almost 5 years later and I am re-reading the first book to give this series a try. I still have the same opinion as before, the focus on the heroine's appearance was just ludicrous. But I loved reading this book so much.
______________
Okay, this is my second book from Mary Balogh in a row and I discovered something that makes her books not quite reaching the 5 stars in my opinion.
Each book there was something that she focused with an intensity that makes you bored. In this case was the too much focus on how the heroine was not a beautiful woman, even though she was incredibly beautiful on the inside, with a kind soul, someone who is not afraid to solve her problems and speak her mind. But all that seemed to not matter because the book focused so much about how she was not ugly but was also not pretty. Like that is the only important thing in a person!
So yes, I absolutely loved this book. Except for the wrong focus on the heroine.
______________
Okay, this is my second book from Mary Balogh in a row and I discovered something that makes her books not quite reaching the 5 stars in my opinion.
Each book there was something that she focused with an intensity that makes you bored. In this case was the too much focus on how the heroine was not a beautiful woman, even though she was incredibly beautiful on the inside, with a kind soul, someone who is not afraid to solve her problems and speak her mind. But all that seemed to not matter because the book focused so much about how she was not ugly but was also not pretty. Like that is the only important thing in a person!
So yes, I absolutely loved this book. Except for the wrong focus on the heroine.
February 20, 2024
”Someone needs to tell you the truth,” he said, “and it might as well be your husband. You have been coy with your beauty. You have hidden it from all except those who take the time to bask in your smiles and look deeply into your eyes. Anyone who does take the time will soon uncover your secret. You are beautiful.”
July 24, 2017
A good start to Balogh's new series - not as strong as the Bedwyn kick-off, but enjoyable (3.5 stars)
I am an almost-always faithful Balogh fan and I was not disappointed in Book 1 of the Huxtable Quintet, First Comes Marriage. Though I had some complaints which I have detailed below, on the whole I found the book very enjoyable and worth a quick rush to the bookstore (forgive me, Amazon.com) and the postponing of my schoolwork.
HUXTABLE FAMILY:
The Huxtable family is made up of four siblings; both of their parents are deceased (for 8+ years). Margaret Huxtable is the eldest at 25 years old and her story is in Book 3 (At Last Comes Love). Vanessa is the second eldest at 24 and she's featured in this book; she is technically no longer a Huxtable as she married Hedley Dew and is now Mrs. Dew, a widow (for details about her marriage, scroll down). Katherine is 20 years old and is the heroine of the next book (Then Comes Seduction). And finally there is Stephen, the youngest and the only boy; he's 17 years old and is the hero of the final book in the Huxtable Quintet (Seducing an Angel).
MAIN CHARACTERS, Vanessa and Elliott:
Mrs. Vanessa Dew (24) has been a widow for over 1.5 years when we meet her. She's considered "the plain one" in the family - her siblings are all very good-looking. At first I found her difficult to get a handle on, which is not usually the case with Balogh characters. In the end I found her very likable, however. I do tend to be drawn to the unusual or quiet heroines, and the "plain Jane" aspect definitely delivers that. Vanessa is wonderfully forthright though and I greatly appreciated that when a problem or misunderstanding arose between her and Elliott, she addressed it and talked to him about it instead of letting the issue fester.
Balogh writes her as a very happy, cheerful woman who finds joy in making others smile and laugh and is almost always doing one of those herself. She also spars sometimes with Elliott and from the beginning will not let his airs effect her - and makes him know it. This combative side of her seemed to me to sometimes clash with her character of cheerfulness personified (which is at times a little much), and I think that some of these inconsistencies are what made it difficult for me to get attached to her right away. I'm not sure whether the disparity lessens as one reads on or I just stopped paying as much attention, but either way in the end I did like and enjoy her as a heroine.
Elliott Wallace, Viscount Lyngate and heir to a dukedom (29), is not a very likable hero at the beginning of the book. He comes of as a condescending and quite pompous a** - though Vanessa quite wonderfully keeps him in line at times and in such an innocent and forthright manner so that it doesn't even seem like that's what she's trying to do, but rather she's just being honest and speaking her mind (*great* setdown speech on p73!). He's serious and isn't very light-hearted; he used to be more so, but in the last few years various shocks and realities of life have changed him into a pretty dour and unsmiling man.
Balogh repeats certain scenarios and characters and in the hero and heroine of First Comes Marriage one sees similarities to her past creations. For those of you have read (and *LOVED* of course, because how could one not?!) Slightly Dangerous, the last book in the Bedwyn series, you will recognize Christine Derrick in Vanessa. You will also see traces of Bewcastle and Aidan Bedwyn (the hero of the first Bedwyn book, Slightly Married - also SO *great*!) in Elliot. I liked all three of those characters, but Balogh would either have to write Vanessa and Elliott just as vividly or she would have to write them differently enough to not make comparison inevitable, and she did neither.
COMMENTS:
~ Several laugh-out-loud moments; good chemistry between the hero and heroine and I did think they were well-matched. Not Balogh's best characters or pair, but still very strong and resulting in a good read.
~ The secondary characters were well-written and I am much looking forward to the other Huxtable siblings' love stories. I liked Lady Lyngate, Elliott's mother, and Vanessa's ex-parents-in-law were very sweet.
~ The "marriage of convenience" premise between Elliott and Vanessa is very, very weak - what propels them into marriage is not really reason enough to do so, however such a marriage is necessary for the plot and one feels like that's more of the grounds for having it than anything else. Basically, just don't examine it too closely, but rather suspend belief (and enjoy the scene where it's decided upon, since it's *highly* enjoyable and laughable!!).
~ I DO like heroines who are not drop-dead gorgeous (or gorgeous at all), but it definitely was repeated far too often and by far too many people that Vanessa was plain, not pretty, not beautiful, etc. The exchanges between her and Elliott on the subject were sweet (once he stopped continuously expressing amazement in his thoughts that he was attracted to her) and not de trop, but the 20 billion other mentions by almost every character in the book ...
VANESSA'S PREVIOUS MARRIAGE:
I'm ashamed to admit it and I know that it is so unlike real life (which is why I'm reading these books, lol), but I don't like there to have been a strong previous claim on the hero or heroine's affections/heart, so for those of you who are wondering about Vanessa's first marriage ... they were married for a year; he was sickly the whole time (they knew he had consumption before they married); though Vanessa did love Hedley, it was not a passionate romantic type of love.
I am an almost-always faithful Balogh fan and I was not disappointed in Book 1 of the Huxtable Quintet, First Comes Marriage. Though I had some complaints which I have detailed below, on the whole I found the book very enjoyable and worth a quick rush to the bookstore (forgive me, Amazon.com) and the postponing of my schoolwork.
HUXTABLE FAMILY:
The Huxtable family is made up of four siblings; both of their parents are deceased (for 8+ years). Margaret Huxtable is the eldest at 25 years old and her story is in Book 3 (At Last Comes Love). Vanessa is the second eldest at 24 and she's featured in this book; she is technically no longer a Huxtable as she married Hedley Dew and is now Mrs. Dew, a widow (for details about her marriage, scroll down). Katherine is 20 years old and is the heroine of the next book (Then Comes Seduction). And finally there is Stephen, the youngest and the only boy; he's 17 years old and is the hero of the final book in the Huxtable Quintet (Seducing an Angel).
MAIN CHARACTERS, Vanessa and Elliott:
Mrs. Vanessa Dew (24) has been a widow for over 1.5 years when we meet her. She's considered "the plain one" in the family - her siblings are all very good-looking. At first I found her difficult to get a handle on, which is not usually the case with Balogh characters. In the end I found her very likable, however. I do tend to be drawn to the unusual or quiet heroines, and the "plain Jane" aspect definitely delivers that. Vanessa is wonderfully forthright though and I greatly appreciated that when a problem or misunderstanding arose between her and Elliott, she addressed it and talked to him about it instead of letting the issue fester.
Balogh writes her as a very happy, cheerful woman who finds joy in making others smile and laugh and is almost always doing one of those herself. She also spars sometimes with Elliott and from the beginning will not let his airs effect her - and makes him know it. This combative side of her seemed to me to sometimes clash with her character of cheerfulness personified (which is at times a little much), and I think that some of these inconsistencies are what made it difficult for me to get attached to her right away. I'm not sure whether the disparity lessens as one reads on or I just stopped paying as much attention, but either way in the end I did like and enjoy her as a heroine.
Elliott Wallace, Viscount Lyngate and heir to a dukedom (29), is not a very likable hero at the beginning of the book. He comes of as a condescending and quite pompous a** - though Vanessa quite wonderfully keeps him in line at times and in such an innocent and forthright manner so that it doesn't even seem like that's what she's trying to do, but rather she's just being honest and speaking her mind (*great* setdown speech on p73!). He's serious and isn't very light-hearted; he used to be more so, but in the last few years various shocks and realities of life have changed him into a pretty dour and unsmiling man.
Balogh repeats certain scenarios and characters and in the hero and heroine of First Comes Marriage one sees similarities to her past creations. For those of you have read (and *LOVED* of course, because how could one not?!) Slightly Dangerous, the last book in the Bedwyn series, you will recognize Christine Derrick in Vanessa. You will also see traces of Bewcastle and Aidan Bedwyn (the hero of the first Bedwyn book, Slightly Married - also SO *great*!) in Elliot. I liked all three of those characters, but Balogh would either have to write Vanessa and Elliott just as vividly or she would have to write them differently enough to not make comparison inevitable, and she did neither.
COMMENTS:
~ Several laugh-out-loud moments; good chemistry between the hero and heroine and I did think they were well-matched. Not Balogh's best characters or pair, but still very strong and resulting in a good read.
~ The secondary characters were well-written and I am much looking forward to the other Huxtable siblings' love stories. I liked Lady Lyngate, Elliott's mother, and Vanessa's ex-parents-in-law were very sweet.
~ The "marriage of convenience" premise between Elliott and Vanessa is very, very weak - what propels them into marriage is not really reason enough to do so, however such a marriage is necessary for the plot and one feels like that's more of the grounds for having it than anything else. Basically, just don't examine it too closely, but rather suspend belief (and enjoy the scene where it's decided upon, since it's *highly* enjoyable and laughable!!).
~ I DO like heroines who are not drop-dead gorgeous (or gorgeous at all), but it definitely was repeated far too often and by far too many people that Vanessa was plain, not pretty, not beautiful, etc. The exchanges between her and Elliott on the subject were sweet (once he stopped continuously expressing amazement in his thoughts that he was attracted to her) and not de trop, but the 20 billion other mentions by almost every character in the book ...
VANESSA'S PREVIOUS MARRIAGE:
I'm ashamed to admit it and I know that it is so unlike real life (which is why I'm reading these books, lol), but I don't like there to have been a strong previous claim on the hero or heroine's affections/heart, so for those of you who are wondering about Vanessa's first marriage ... they were married for a year; he was sickly the whole time (they knew he had consumption before they married); though Vanessa did love Hedley, it was not a passionate romantic type of love.
August 4, 2022
My favourite plot is the h saving the H. The arrogant H looks down on her family, thinks they are country bumpkins. She's wonderful, has a wicked sense of humour and is not at all sweet. It's beauty and the beast, where H is the beauty. It's not a sweet love story as they hurt each other before they fall into trust, then love.
November 18, 2010
The rating here could be partially due to the fact that I was in a stressful mood when I gave this book a shot. But mostly I just kept thinking the writing here felt stuffy. I was 20 pages in and everything felt superficial and couldn't hold my interest. Poor stuffy rich gentlemen has to marry on his 30th birthday. Boo hoo. Oh poor happy but financially burdened family and it's poor young and kind sister who has to marry the rich stuffy gentlemen.
Bleeeeh.
In my opinion when everything is too idyllic, even in the set up, I just get turned off. Like I said earlier, it could also just be that I wasn't in the mood for a romance at the time. Either way I just couldn't feel interested in the story no matter how many times I tried.
Bleeeeh.
In my opinion when everything is too idyllic, even in the set up, I just get turned off. Like I said earlier, it could also just be that I wasn't in the mood for a romance at the time. Either way I just couldn't feel interested in the story no matter how many times I tried.
August 4, 2015
Historical Romance (The Book Club) August 2015 Group Read (Regency)
I'll chuck this one up to 2.5 out of 5 stars. This was my first ever Mary Balogh read and since I've heard so many good things about her I looked forward to reading this... I can say that I adore this author's writing style! I liked the story line too. Except certain things have ruined the book for me.
Elliot is a character that's definitely going to stay in my mind for a long time... I usually like stoic Heroes in my HRs but he took it to the next level. He is cold and calculating, and even more arrogant than Jane Austen's the renowned Mr Darcy.
Vanessa is a lovely character, constantly judged by her looks. This is my MAIN issue! She's so plain. She's not pretty. She's no beauty. She's not as lovely as her sisters. Why why why does this author have to keep throwing that to our face? It's like mentioned in every other page, said by every character we meet. Gee. I just want to jump right into that book and hug Vanessa and tell her, "F*ck them." I really didn't appreciate that.
Just because of that I almost DNF but I don't DNF unless I absolutely have to and I'm glad that I didn't. By the time I reached 90% I found that Elliot may be a redeemable character after all, but it took too long I think. I felt that he needed to do A LOT MORE groveling but I guess Vanessa just has a big heart. *shrugs*
I don't think this will be my last Mary Balogh book but it might take me a while before I decide to read her other books.
I'll chuck this one up to 2.5 out of 5 stars. This was my first ever Mary Balogh read and since I've heard so many good things about her I looked forward to reading this... I can say that I adore this author's writing style! I liked the story line too. Except certain things have ruined the book for me.
Elliot is a character that's definitely going to stay in my mind for a long time... I usually like stoic Heroes in my HRs but he took it to the next level. He is cold and calculating, and even more arrogant than Jane Austen's the renowned Mr Darcy.
Vanessa is a lovely character, constantly judged by her looks. This is my MAIN issue! She's so plain. She's not pretty. She's no beauty. She's not as lovely as her sisters. Why why why does this author have to keep throwing that to our face? It's like mentioned in every other page, said by every character we meet. Gee. I just want to jump right into that book and hug Vanessa and tell her, "F*ck them." I really didn't appreciate that.
Just because of that I almost DNF but I don't DNF unless I absolutely have to and I'm glad that I didn't. By the time I reached 90% I found that Elliot may be a redeemable character after all, but it took too long I think. I felt that he needed to do A LOT MORE groveling but I guess Vanessa just has a big heart. *shrugs*
I don't think this will be my last Mary Balogh book but it might take me a while before I decide to read her other books.
August 24, 2020
Primer libro que leo de la autora gracias al #RitaMary #RetoRita4. Y me ha gustado pero no encantado. La historia tiene una trama sencilla, centrándose en el matrimonio de conveniencia entre Elliot y Vanessa y cómo se cuece el amor a fuego lento entre ellos. Me han gustado mucho sus diálogos así como que traten de solucionar sus problemas hablando, pero no tanto esos monólogos filosóficos sobre las diferentes formas de amar y la felicidad, ni el constante recordatorio de que la protagonista no es ninguna belleza en boca de todos, pero sobre todo de ella misma.
La autora hace un buen trabajo a la hora de presentar a los secundarios, sobre todo al resto del clan Huxtable, aunque el personaje cuya historia más me llama la atención es el de su primo Constantine “Con”, así que seguramente seguiré con la serie para ver qué les depara el futuro a todos ellos.
La autora hace un buen trabajo a la hora de presentar a los secundarios, sobre todo al resto del clan Huxtable, aunque el personaje cuya historia más me llama la atención es el de su primo Constantine “Con”, así que seguramente seguiré con la serie para ver qué les depara el futuro a todos ellos.
July 28, 2020
2.5 stars
December 24, 2018
If you love historical fiction but haven’t read Mary Balogh, you are going to want to change that.
A strong willed yet sweet heroine, a serious, arrogant gentleman with a soft side and a hate to love storyline. We all know that there is nothing that could stop me from loving this book and I have been so exited to start reviewing this series.
When Vannessa's younger brother inherits a surprising title, the arrogant and morose Viscount Lyngate comes to lift the family from their obscure situation and into the bustle of the ton, dutifully picking up the mantel as their guide through this new life. But when Vanessa suspects Viscount Lyngate's plans to propose marriage to her older sister she knows she can’t let her siblings marry for anything but love. To stop the Viscount from asking a question that would never be refused, Vanessa asks him to marry her for their mutual convenience.
Ellitott was dreading having to train the new Earl of Merton and the mounting pressure to find a wife was starting to get on his nerves. Elliot hadn’t anticipated Stephen’s three elder sisters coming along for the ride. Elliot did his best to remain the perfect gentleman, but there was no helping him when Stephen’s widowed sister opens her mouth. Set on marriage, Elliot makes plans to propose to the eldest sibling and endure the sister in law. But who should propose to him first but the very widow he wishes he could throw out a window.
There is honestly nothing I didn't love about this book - we all know I'm a sucker for cheesy hate to love romance. I absolutely loved the plot and the writing style was amazing. Sure, it was a little predictable, but I still found myself dying from not knowing what was going to happen or from knowing what everyone was thinking as they lied to each other - that is some good writing.
I also loved that our leading lady didn’t need to be extraordinarily handsome, well mannered, or witty to be considered a heroine. That’s not so say that she wasn’t any of those things. She is a loving and lovable character who never lets people tell her how to live her life of how to act, who takes pride in her opinions and will always fight for those she loves. And yet, despite her firm opinions and blunt nature, there is nothing unfeminine, brash or improper in her manner because of it. She is still a sweet woman with a caring nature, charming eyes and the ability to make anyone around her both fall in love and feel endless joy.
As for our leading man, Elliot was proud and a bit of a stiff but such a sweetheart. Like all great overserious male leads, Elliot didn’t have the best childhood and grew up constantly concerned for his mother’s happiness. He worked to hard to not be like the rest of the men in his family. He wanted to be loyal to his wife, to make her happy, and to have his children grow up loved. He didn’t want his wife to have the life that his mother, and even his grandmother, had to endure. He only wanted to do well by everyone, he just didn’t know how to do it, the poor thing. If that doesn’t tell you anything about his character, I don’t know what will.
I seriously recommend you pick up this book, you won’t ever want to put it down. There are several steamy scenes so younger readers and those not comfortable with sex scenes be warned…
FULL REVIEW | MY BLOG
A strong willed yet sweet heroine, a serious, arrogant gentleman with a soft side and a hate to love storyline. We all know that there is nothing that could stop me from loving this book and I have been so exited to start reviewing this series.
When Vannessa's younger brother inherits a surprising title, the arrogant and morose Viscount Lyngate comes to lift the family from their obscure situation and into the bustle of the ton, dutifully picking up the mantel as their guide through this new life. But when Vanessa suspects Viscount Lyngate's plans to propose marriage to her older sister she knows she can’t let her siblings marry for anything but love. To stop the Viscount from asking a question that would never be refused, Vanessa asks him to marry her for their mutual convenience.
Ellitott was dreading having to train the new Earl of Merton and the mounting pressure to find a wife was starting to get on his nerves. Elliot hadn’t anticipated Stephen’s three elder sisters coming along for the ride. Elliot did his best to remain the perfect gentleman, but there was no helping him when Stephen’s widowed sister opens her mouth. Set on marriage, Elliot makes plans to propose to the eldest sibling and endure the sister in law. But who should propose to him first but the very widow he wishes he could throw out a window.
There is honestly nothing I didn't love about this book - we all know I'm a sucker for cheesy hate to love romance. I absolutely loved the plot and the writing style was amazing. Sure, it was a little predictable, but I still found myself dying from not knowing what was going to happen or from knowing what everyone was thinking as they lied to each other - that is some good writing.
I also loved that our leading lady didn’t need to be extraordinarily handsome, well mannered, or witty to be considered a heroine. That’s not so say that she wasn’t any of those things. She is a loving and lovable character who never lets people tell her how to live her life of how to act, who takes pride in her opinions and will always fight for those she loves. And yet, despite her firm opinions and blunt nature, there is nothing unfeminine, brash or improper in her manner because of it. She is still a sweet woman with a caring nature, charming eyes and the ability to make anyone around her both fall in love and feel endless joy.
“My happiness has to come from within myself or it is too fragile a thing to be of any use to me and too much of a burden to benefit any of my loved ones.”
As for our leading man, Elliot was proud and a bit of a stiff but such a sweetheart. Like all great overserious male leads, Elliot didn’t have the best childhood and grew up constantly concerned for his mother’s happiness. He worked to hard to not be like the rest of the men in his family. He wanted to be loyal to his wife, to make her happy, and to have his children grow up loved. He didn’t want his wife to have the life that his mother, and even his grandmother, had to endure. He only wanted to do well by everyone, he just didn’t know how to do it, the poor thing. If that doesn’t tell you anything about his character, I don’t know what will.
I seriously recommend you pick up this book, you won’t ever want to put it down. There are several steamy scenes so younger readers and those not comfortable with sex scenes be warned…
FULL REVIEW | MY BLOG
February 26, 2018
I read this for the first time way back pre-GRs in 2014 and it’s been lingering on my re-read and review for GRs list since I set up my account. For reasons I couldn’t quite articulate, the first book in the wildly inconsistent and generally disappointing Huxtables series, had stuck with me.
That’s probably because, in my opinion (not shared by all), it’s the best in the series (I think At Last Comes Love takes the Crown for most readers).
What can I say? I am an absolute sucker for Balogh’s starchy, moody, dutiful, unromantic heroes. And in Elliott, we have an absolute humdinger. He refuses to do anything in this novel without complaint, even when those things are good for him, even when he enjoys them. He thinks he’s always right and is a very poor listener. He hates feelings. He’s an ass, a completely endearing ass. As he falls for Vanessa Huxtable those characteristics begin to unravel. He thinks about how other people are feeling. He laughs. He listens and explains himself. He was always a fundamentally good person, of course, but the love of a good woman makes him show it.
And Vanessa is a good woman. She’s happy and joyful and unfailingly positive, but, harbouring a deep insecurity about her looks. There are contradictions in Vanessa, who I thought was fairly one-dimensional when I first read this book, but Balogh subtly articulates her insecurities throughout this story such that, when they become a major plot point, it’s not jarring. In fact, it makes for a neat conflict without too much drama.
Perhaps more could have been done here, Vanessa is launched into life as a Viscountess (indeed, Duchess in waiting) and handles it all with aplomb (frankly, it’s somewhat skirted over - couple of balls, discussion of being presented to the Queen and ~fin, as if the Ton was so very easy and kind to country bumpkin newbies).
This isn’t spectacular enough for five stars and it lacks some fireworks, but, for me, it’s a lovely book. 3.5 stars, rounded up for The Feels.
That’s probably because, in my opinion (not shared by all), it’s the best in the series (I think At Last Comes Love takes the Crown for most readers).
What can I say? I am an absolute sucker for Balogh’s starchy, moody, dutiful, unromantic heroes. And in Elliott, we have an absolute humdinger. He refuses to do anything in this novel without complaint, even when those things are good for him, even when he enjoys them. He thinks he’s always right and is a very poor listener. He hates feelings. He’s an ass, a completely endearing ass. As he falls for Vanessa Huxtable those characteristics begin to unravel. He thinks about how other people are feeling. He laughs. He listens and explains himself. He was always a fundamentally good person, of course, but the love of a good woman makes him show it.
And Vanessa is a good woman. She’s happy and joyful and unfailingly positive, but, harbouring a deep insecurity about her looks. There are contradictions in Vanessa, who I thought was fairly one-dimensional when I first read this book, but Balogh subtly articulates her insecurities throughout this story such that, when they become a major plot point, it’s not jarring. In fact, it makes for a neat conflict without too much drama.
Perhaps more could have been done here, Vanessa is launched into life as a Viscountess (indeed, Duchess in waiting) and handles it all with aplomb (frankly, it’s somewhat skirted over - couple of balls, discussion of being presented to the Queen and ~fin, as if the Ton was so very easy and kind to country bumpkin newbies).
This isn’t spectacular enough for five stars and it lacks some fireworks, but, for me, it’s a lovely book. 3.5 stars, rounded up for The Feels.
August 26, 2020
No es una historia con una trama densa, intriga, etc. Es la historia de amor de Vanessa y Elliot, sin más. El camino que recorren hasta enamorarse. La verdad es que he disfrutado todo el camino y Elliot me ha dado muy buenos momentos con sus pensares.
Esta novela abre las puertas de la familia Huxtable , serie con la que seguiré porque me gustan todos sus miembros y me gusta mucho Mary Balogh.
Si queréis una historia de amor sin sobresaltos, os la recomiendo.
Esta novela abre las puertas de la familia Huxtable , serie con la que seguiré porque me gustan todos sus miembros y me gusta mucho Mary Balogh.
Si queréis una historia de amor sin sobresaltos, os la recomiendo.
October 31, 2022
To be clear right away, I had no expectations when I started reading the book.
Even so, I didn't feel any connection between the main characters. And if I saw just one more time how the heroine has such a low opinion of herself, I would go crazy.
Even so, I didn't feel any connection between the main characters. And if I saw just one more time how the heroine has such a low opinion of herself, I would go crazy.
May 20, 2012
Vanessa Huxtable Dew in her green Regency dress, who is decidedly prettier when she smiles.
Artist: Gilbert Stuart, circa 1802-1804*
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★★★★½ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Again, Anne Flosnik does a nice job of narrating in this, the first of the Huxtable Quintet. She doesn’t sound as stilted as she sometimes did in The Prize, by Julia Garwood. Nevertheless, she isn’t great at differentiating the voices, but more than acceptable in her inflection, pacing, cadence, and enunciation. I love this series by the wonderful Ms. Balogh, the Queen of Regency “marriage-of-convenience”; however, I wouldn’t say that Ms. Flosnik elevates this book with her reading; so, ★★★½✩ for narration.
*Thanks, Pamela (All Honey), for the find of the picture, posted on our joint Regency Pinterest Board.
Artist: Gilbert Stuart, circa 1802-1804*
[image error]
★★★★½ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Again, Anne Flosnik does a nice job of narrating in this, the first of the Huxtable Quintet. She doesn’t sound as stilted as she sometimes did in The Prize, by Julia Garwood. Nevertheless, she isn’t great at differentiating the voices, but more than acceptable in her inflection, pacing, cadence, and enunciation. I love this series by the wonderful Ms. Balogh, the Queen of Regency “marriage-of-convenience”; however, I wouldn’t say that Ms. Flosnik elevates this book with her reading; so, ★★★½✩ for narration.
*Thanks, Pamela (All Honey), for the find of the picture, posted on our joint Regency Pinterest Board.
August 24, 2016
Recordaba una cosa totalmente diferente sobre este libro. Elliot debe ser el prota menos agradable de los que tuve el placer de leer. Es arrogante, creído, sobrante. Nos recalca mucho lo fea que le resulta Vanessa y lo irritable que le pone cruzarse con ella. Nunca cambia, solo que esta personalidad tan suya decide que podría estar enamorándose de su esposa. Podría.
Vanessa no lo muestra pero ser "tan poco agraciada" en comparación de sus hermanos la acompleja y la llena de inseguridades, su única constante es ser la alegría en la vida de todo el mundo. ¿Y no es eso maravilloso? ¿Lo más precioso que han visto en toda su vida? (Sí, Vanessa habla así).
Es una lectura entretenida, leer Balogh siempre es bonito y este título no lo leía desde que estaba en secundaria.
Vanessa no lo muestra pero ser "tan poco agraciada" en comparación de sus hermanos la acompleja y la llena de inseguridades, su única constante es ser la alegría en la vida de todo el mundo. ¿Y no es eso maravilloso? ¿Lo más precioso que han visto en toda su vida? (Sí, Vanessa habla así).
Es una lectura entretenida, leer Balogh siempre es bonito y este título no lo leía desde que estaba en secundaria.
February 5, 2021
Precioso, precioso, precioso.
Un libro que me ha encantado, Mary Balogh ha conseguido otro personaje masculino algo estirado que es un amor (aunque ninguno como Wulfric Bedwyn).
La historia me ha parecido maravillosa.
Un libro que me ha encantado, Mary Balogh ha conseguido otro personaje masculino algo estirado que es un amor (aunque ninguno como Wulfric Bedwyn).
La historia me ha parecido maravillosa.
March 14, 2015
Para mí el mejor de la saga, me encantan los dos protagonistas y hay una escena en particular que me pareció muy original
August 26, 2015
Vannessa
Elliott
This book is one of my favorite HR ever!!!!though sometimes i wanted to smack Elliot for how unappreciative and ignorant he was toward Vanessa's feelings!
Elliott
This book is one of my favorite HR ever!!!!though sometimes i wanted to smack Elliot for how unappreciative and ignorant he was toward Vanessa's feelings!
July 9, 2025
Esta es una autora que gusta muchísimo pero que todavía no me ha dado una lectura redonda, me han gustado un par de libros suyos, pero otros sinceramente me han aburrido bastante.
La historia es sencilla, un matrimonio de conveniencia y todo lo que eso conlleva. Y una espera encontrar esa evolución de la conveniencia al amor, y desde luego no la he visto.
El personaje de Vanessa es lo mejor del libro. El patito feo de la casa, que su falta de belleza la suple con otros encantos y virtudes mucho más importantes. He sentido su baja autoestima, y he esperado que Elliot la ayudara a encontrarla, a ganar confianza y darse el valor que realmente tiene, porque ella sí que le ayuda a crecer y a ser mejor. Por lo que se me ha quedado un desequilibrio patente entre lo que uno da y recibe.
La conexión física no era mal comienzo para construir una bonita historia de amor, el trampolín para crecer ambos y hacerse feliz el uno al otro. Me quedo con la sensación de que la autora no ha aprovechado el estupendo personaje que tenía en Vanessa, y se ha perdido en dar escenas a los numerosos secundarios que para mí han quitado tiempo y presencia a la pareja principal, a sus posibilidades, que eran muchas.
Es el primero de una serie que no sé si seguiré, aunque la hermana mayor parece interesante, no sé si me decidiré. Una clásica que creo que no encaja mucho conmigo.
La historia es sencilla, un matrimonio de conveniencia y todo lo que eso conlleva. Y una espera encontrar esa evolución de la conveniencia al amor, y desde luego no la he visto.
El personaje de Vanessa es lo mejor del libro. El patito feo de la casa, que su falta de belleza la suple con otros encantos y virtudes mucho más importantes. He sentido su baja autoestima, y he esperado que Elliot la ayudara a encontrarla, a ganar confianza y darse el valor que realmente tiene, porque ella sí que le ayuda a crecer y a ser mejor. Por lo que se me ha quedado un desequilibrio patente entre lo que uno da y recibe.
La conexión física no era mal comienzo para construir una bonita historia de amor, el trampolín para crecer ambos y hacerse feliz el uno al otro. Me quedo con la sensación de que la autora no ha aprovechado el estupendo personaje que tenía en Vanessa, y se ha perdido en dar escenas a los numerosos secundarios que para mí han quitado tiempo y presencia a la pareja principal, a sus posibilidades, que eran muchas.
Es el primero de una serie que no sé si seguiré, aunque la hermana mayor parece interesante, no sé si me decidiré. Una clásica que creo que no encaja mucho conmigo.
June 27, 2010
I really wanted to like this book, and I did kind of. However it didn’t seem to capture my imagination and romantic fancy as many other historical romances do.
Although I liked the main characters of Mrs Vanessa Dew nee Huxtable, I found her unrelenting happiness despite the callous way she was often treated by the hero, Elliott Wallace Viscount Lyngate, to be supremely irritating, which, no doubt makes me seem slightly grumpy! As for Elliott, I sympathized with him as he had a lot of bad things happen to him in the recent past, I just couldn’t quite bring myself to like him more than a little. Where I think he was supposed to appear aloof and cold, I just thought him to be sulky and callous. However, towards the end of the book he did get a bit better. As for the romance between the two, I just couldn’t see it, even when he realized it, it just didn’t seem authentic.
What I did like about this book was the other characters, namely the Huxtable sisters and brother, and Constantine Huxtable their second cousin. I liked the family relationship between them all and how they care about eachother and I found I had particular sympathy for the eldest Margaret (Meg) Huxtable, and I look forward to reading her book. The other character that stood out to me is Constantine Huxtable, I found him very intriguing and I think that the Prologue of this book is actually the best part and earned a star all by itself. I hope at some point he gets his own book, as he is by far the most interesting character. And I think I should just briefly mention Jon, as although he is dead by the start of this book and you only see him through other people’s memories, I thought he was lovely.
So, this book wasn’t awful, and the writing in it was solid but for me it didn’t have that spark that made it a really good historical romance, however, I will read on just because I want to learn more about Con and Meg.
Although I liked the main characters of Mrs Vanessa Dew nee Huxtable, I found her unrelenting happiness despite the callous way she was often treated by the hero, Elliott Wallace Viscount Lyngate, to be supremely irritating, which, no doubt makes me seem slightly grumpy! As for Elliott, I sympathized with him as he had a lot of bad things happen to him in the recent past, I just couldn’t quite bring myself to like him more than a little. Where I think he was supposed to appear aloof and cold, I just thought him to be sulky and callous. However, towards the end of the book he did get a bit better. As for the romance between the two, I just couldn’t see it, even when he realized it, it just didn’t seem authentic.
What I did like about this book was the other characters, namely the Huxtable sisters and brother, and Constantine Huxtable their second cousin. I liked the family relationship between them all and how they care about eachother and I found I had particular sympathy for the eldest Margaret (Meg) Huxtable, and I look forward to reading her book. The other character that stood out to me is Constantine Huxtable, I found him very intriguing and I think that the Prologue of this book is actually the best part and earned a star all by itself. I hope at some point he gets his own book, as he is by far the most interesting character. And I think I should just briefly mention Jon, as although he is dead by the start of this book and you only see him through other people’s memories, I thought he was lovely.
So, this book wasn’t awful, and the writing in it was solid but for me it didn’t have that spark that made it a really good historical romance, however, I will read on just because I want to learn more about Con and Meg.
August 25, 2024
4 stars
Another solid story by Balogh.
I was really interested in Meg’s story but the synopses of the series had not been enticing.
I’m also super curious about who was the guilty party if not Con in the theft and debauchery.
Feel free to let me know here.
Another solid story by Balogh.
I was really interested in Meg’s story but the synopses of the series had not been enticing.
I’m also super curious about who was the guilty party if not Con in the theft and debauchery.
Feel free to let me know here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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