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Huxtable Quintet #3
At Last Comes Love
Stephen Huxtable, earl of Merton, is dashing, wealthy and unattached, which makes him a juicy target for widow Cassandra Belmont, but she soon learns that heartless seduction is not as easy as she'd hoped. As Stephen begins to probe her past, they find themselves actually falling in love. Surprisingly for a Regency romance, Balogh tackles themes like alcoholism, domestic violence, miscarriage and female independence. Cassandra's mistrust and vulnerability is understandable, and Stephen is a surprisingly mild, modern type who seems miscast as a Regency hero. While their conflict is believable—she fears a loss of freedom, he fears that she will never be able to trust—the conclusion feels overly contrived. Fans of the series will enjoy, though genre purists may find something off about the modern sensibilities.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2009
440 people are currently reading
2541 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
200 books6,337 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 560 reviews
January 25, 2015
I enjoyed this novel so much that I was actually smiling while I read it.
I was on a historical romance kick last week and read three Mary Balogh books in quick succession. This was my favorite of the three* because of the flirty dialogue between the rogue Earl of Sheringford and the seemingly prim Miss Margaret Huxtable. Margaret runs into the earl when she is trying to escape from an old flame at a ball, and the earl holds her and says, "What is your hurry? Why not stay and dance with me? And then marry me and live happily ever after with me?"
To which Margaret replies, "Does it have to be in that order?"
Teehee. That sentence turns out to be a spoiler for the rest of the novel, because they do dance together, and then marry, and then fall in love. Why did they get married before they fell in love, you ask? Well, to find out you'll have to read the book.
*FOOTNOTE ON RATINGS:
I have this hangup about giving certain genres 5-star ratings. For example, I consider historical romances to be a guilty pleasure, and not, you know, literature. Therefore, even if I read what I consider to be the best historical romance EVER, I would still probably only give it 4 stars. I enjoyed this Balogh series, but it is so similar to her other works that it doesn't rise to 4 stars. 3 stars is a fair rating, I think.
I was on a historical romance kick last week and read three Mary Balogh books in quick succession. This was my favorite of the three* because of the flirty dialogue between the rogue Earl of Sheringford and the seemingly prim Miss Margaret Huxtable. Margaret runs into the earl when she is trying to escape from an old flame at a ball, and the earl holds her and says, "What is your hurry? Why not stay and dance with me? And then marry me and live happily ever after with me?"
To which Margaret replies, "Does it have to be in that order?"
Teehee. That sentence turns out to be a spoiler for the rest of the novel, because they do dance together, and then marry, and then fall in love. Why did they get married before they fell in love, you ask? Well, to find out you'll have to read the book.
*FOOTNOTE ON RATINGS:
I have this hangup about giving certain genres 5-star ratings. For example, I consider historical romances to be a guilty pleasure, and not, you know, literature. Therefore, even if I read what I consider to be the best historical romance EVER, I would still probably only give it 4 stars. I enjoyed this Balogh series, but it is so similar to her other works that it doesn't rise to 4 stars. 3 stars is a fair rating, I think.
December 10, 2018
I really love the Hero of this book, Sherry, even tho he’s close to impossible to be real!
I wom’t Share too much - all spoilers anyway but that man is sooooo GOOD!
I like Margaret very well too. shes’s No one’s fool, a mature woman, loving and open minded.
I did get mad at her toward the end for not believing in Sherry, but I do understand that she was in love with him and very distraught and not thinking as clearly as she otherwise might have. I’m glad they didn’t let the misunderstanding drag on, but I do feel the mutual forgiveness was too sudden and unbelievable.
4.5 rounded to 5. Highly recommend!
I wom’t Share too much - all spoilers anyway but that man is sooooo GOOD!
I like Margaret very well too. shes’s No one’s fool, a mature woman, loving and open minded.
I did get mad at her toward the end for not believing in Sherry, but I do understand that she was in love with him and very distraught and not thinking as clearly as she otherwise might have. I’m glad they didn’t let the misunderstanding drag on, but I do feel the mutual forgiveness was too sudden and unbelievable.
4.5 rounded to 5. Highly recommend!
September 23, 2021
2 stars. Maybe I’m being harsh with my rating here, but I was REALLY disappointed by this book.
Just a warning that this review will be full of MAJOR spoilers - so read at your own risk.
The hero & heroine of this book are Duncan and Margaret Huxtable. Duncan left London 5 years prior to the start of this story by eloping with a married woman a day before his own wedding was supposed to take place. He is painted as a villain by society and is outcasted. He returns upon the death of his “lover”
Laura with their son, planning to live on his estate. He is the heir to a Marquess which normally comes with a property for him to use until he inherits. His Grandfather, the current Marquess, decides that he’s had enough and tells Duncan that he’s going to cut him off since he promised to be married by 30 and isn’t. Duncan tells his grandfather that he will be married before the man’s 80th birthday, which is only 2 weeks away. Duncan is willing to do anything to hold on to his property so that his son has a home, and a secure place to live and grow up. He goes out immediately to the first ton event and runs into Margaret, who is desperate to get away from a past love of hers. She pretends to be engaged to the hero and the story progresses from there… until they get married, decide to fall in love, and get a HFN ending.
So where do I even begin with my issues about this story??
1. In general, I was really disappointed by MB’s set up of this story. It didn’t feel as well thought out as most of her books are - there wasn’t a reason for a lot of what happened. The characters often made decisions that didn’t make sense, and better solutions were obviously available.
SECOND WARNING FOR MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
2. The relationship between the hero and Lauren, the woman he ran away with, was never really explained. This pissed me off to no end. To clarify for those who never read this book: Duncan ran away with Lauren because she was being abused by her husband. Her husband was beating her and since he himself was impotent, he allowed his half brother to rape her. The son turns out to be the product of that rape. Duncan becomes the boy’s father and raises him as his own. Supposedly, Lauren spent all the years away being depressed and she wasn’t much of a mother to her son. But it was still slightly implied that they were in a sexual relationship… which just doesn’t make any sense to me. He says he never loved Lauren, at least not romantically, etc. Did he really take her away from an abusive husband only to become her lover? Why? He had no real feelings for her and just wanted to rescue her… she had been abused and raped… how does his decision make sense? Why not pay to hide her? Why not pay to send her to America? Why continue to stay with a woman he didn’t love and seemed like a leech on his life and also maybe get into an actual relationship with her? This just made no sense to me, and there were no answers.
3. The fact that the son isn’t Duncan’s becomes clear when everyone learns the boy’s age. I’m wondering why as a precaution Duncan and Lauren didn’t tell the boy that he was younger than he was??? They try to pass him off as Duncan’s son… but theres an obvious issue of her being pregnant before they ran away together. She was only a few months pregnant when she ran off with Duncan. So why not lie to the boy and everyone else and give them a fake birthday? Wouldn’t that be safer and an obvious solution?
4. Another thing that didn’t make sense to me was why her son had to be the product of a sexual assault for it to be ok in everyone’s minds that he remains away from Laura’s Husband. Margaret freaks out thinking that the boy is actually the legitimate heir of THE ABUSOR and is disgusted that Duncan didn’t return him to his father. Supposedly the abuse of his wife didn’t matter at all, until she finds out about the sexual assault. Then that’s going too far… 🤨🤨
5. The way that Margaret reacts at the end is so out of character that it was laughable. She doesn’t even consider listening to the explanation and just flips her shit and doesn’t talk to him for a week. Even then she barely listens and acts like a psycho, and he forgives her without a real apology. Totally ridiculous.
Overall, like I said, this story left me with more questions than answers. I didn’t like it at all, I was constantly frustrated by the slow trickle of information and the nonsensical choices of the MCs.
The reason this book gets two stars from me, instead of one? Because the heroine left her asshole EX to stew in his regret. He left her to raise her siblings and went off to war. He promised he would come back and marry her, and she promised to wait for him. Margaret pined for him for years, until she finds out he married OW and had a child with her. At the start of this book he is widowed and returns for her, trying to get her to marry him. She turns him down repeatedly, which I could very much respect.
Safety: no others for either during the book that we saw… not really sure about the hero’s past, as I mentioned. The author seems to make some references to him going to brothels and not being able to stay faithful. It’s totally unclear to me why these remarks were made or what the author was trying to allude to, for all I know, they were just passing comments. Heroine wasn’t a virgin, but only had sex once before the asshole ex went off to war.
Just a warning that this review will be full of MAJOR spoilers - so read at your own risk.
The hero & heroine of this book are Duncan and Margaret Huxtable. Duncan left London 5 years prior to the start of this story by eloping with a married woman a day before his own wedding was supposed to take place. He is painted as a villain by society and is outcasted. He returns upon the death of his “lover”
Laura with their son, planning to live on his estate. He is the heir to a Marquess which normally comes with a property for him to use until he inherits. His Grandfather, the current Marquess, decides that he’s had enough and tells Duncan that he’s going to cut him off since he promised to be married by 30 and isn’t. Duncan tells his grandfather that he will be married before the man’s 80th birthday, which is only 2 weeks away. Duncan is willing to do anything to hold on to his property so that his son has a home, and a secure place to live and grow up. He goes out immediately to the first ton event and runs into Margaret, who is desperate to get away from a past love of hers. She pretends to be engaged to the hero and the story progresses from there… until they get married, decide to fall in love, and get a HFN ending.
So where do I even begin with my issues about this story??
1. In general, I was really disappointed by MB’s set up of this story. It didn’t feel as well thought out as most of her books are - there wasn’t a reason for a lot of what happened. The characters often made decisions that didn’t make sense, and better solutions were obviously available.
SECOND WARNING FOR MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
2. The relationship between the hero and Lauren, the woman he ran away with, was never really explained. This pissed me off to no end. To clarify for those who never read this book: Duncan ran away with Lauren because she was being abused by her husband. Her husband was beating her and since he himself was impotent, he allowed his half brother to rape her. The son turns out to be the product of that rape. Duncan becomes the boy’s father and raises him as his own. Supposedly, Lauren spent all the years away being depressed and she wasn’t much of a mother to her son. But it was still slightly implied that they were in a sexual relationship… which just doesn’t make any sense to me. He says he never loved Lauren, at least not romantically, etc. Did he really take her away from an abusive husband only to become her lover? Why? He had no real feelings for her and just wanted to rescue her… she had been abused and raped… how does his decision make sense? Why not pay to hide her? Why not pay to send her to America? Why continue to stay with a woman he didn’t love and seemed like a leech on his life and also maybe get into an actual relationship with her? This just made no sense to me, and there were no answers.
3. The fact that the son isn’t Duncan’s becomes clear when everyone learns the boy’s age. I’m wondering why as a precaution Duncan and Lauren didn’t tell the boy that he was younger than he was??? They try to pass him off as Duncan’s son… but theres an obvious issue of her being pregnant before they ran away together. She was only a few months pregnant when she ran off with Duncan. So why not lie to the boy and everyone else and give them a fake birthday? Wouldn’t that be safer and an obvious solution?
4. Another thing that didn’t make sense to me was why her son had to be the product of a sexual assault for it to be ok in everyone’s minds that he remains away from Laura’s Husband. Margaret freaks out thinking that the boy is actually the legitimate heir of THE ABUSOR and is disgusted that Duncan didn’t return him to his father. Supposedly the abuse of his wife didn’t matter at all, until she finds out about the sexual assault. Then that’s going too far… 🤨🤨
5. The way that Margaret reacts at the end is so out of character that it was laughable. She doesn’t even consider listening to the explanation and just flips her shit and doesn’t talk to him for a week. Even then she barely listens and acts like a psycho, and he forgives her without a real apology. Totally ridiculous.
Overall, like I said, this story left me with more questions than answers. I didn’t like it at all, I was constantly frustrated by the slow trickle of information and the nonsensical choices of the MCs.
The reason this book gets two stars from me, instead of one? Because the heroine left her asshole EX to stew in his regret. He left her to raise her siblings and went off to war. He promised he would come back and marry her, and she promised to wait for him. Margaret pined for him for years, until she finds out he married OW and had a child with her. At the start of this book he is widowed and returns for her, trying to get her to marry him. She turns him down repeatedly, which I could very much respect.
Safety: no others for either during the book that we saw… not really sure about the hero’s past, as I mentioned. The author seems to make some references to him going to brothels and not being able to stay faithful. It’s totally unclear to me why these remarks were made or what the author was trying to allude to, for all I know, they were just passing comments. Heroine wasn’t a virgin, but only had sex once before the asshole ex went off to war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2018
"We lie to convince the world, and to convince ourselves, that we are something that we are not..."
Once more, Mary Balogh delivers a completely swoon worthy romance that I could not stand to put down. At Last Comes Love is the third book in the Huxtable Quintet and the best one yet!
Magaret Huxtable, a woman well past her youth and marriageable years in the eyes of the ton, is on the hunt for a fiancé. When her embarrassing reunion with a former love who left her for war and married another forces her to lie about being betrothed, Margaret’s chances of finding love seem out of reach forever.
Duncan Pennethorne, the notorious wife-stealer, was cast out from the ton and polite society after running off with his betrothed married sister on the morning of their wedding. Presented with an ultimatum that could mean his inheritance, home and what remained of his standing in society, Duncan must find himself a respectable wife, and in a very limited time.
When the pair cross paths Margaret risks everything to give Duncan a chance. But marriage doesn’t always mean love and, as their secrets pile up, they begin to question if any content marriage can survive without trust.
Following the dislike-turned-love cliché that I absolutely adore, At Last Comes Love filled me with so many happy feelings that I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
Margaret is probably the sweetest person in the world. These Huxtables are beautiful people and I feel like Margaret is the best of them. They aren’t shallow, they never judge others and they have such forgiving hearts. Duncan is also the biggest sweetheart – he is kind of the perfect man. With a heart full of love, completely loyal to those he cares for and always worried that people don’t like him, all I wanted was for Duncan to see how many people loved him. He’s one of those tortured souls who does anything he can to be good but never thinks it is enough.
"Did true love exist? Life would be very sad if it did not exist... Actually, it would be unbearable if the disappointments of romantic love turned a person into an incurable cynic."
As a couple, these two are a perfect fit. They are so trusting and caring and wish the best for everyone. Given a hard hand to play, Margaret and Duncan have a love story worth sticking around for. I feel because Margaret is such a rational and responsible person that the plot, which fits so well with her personality is the best fit for this book. The way their relationship plays out is adult and realistic but never once falls short on the heart-soaring romance that we all came for.
Perhaps my favourite thing about this book is that you don’t have to work really hard to get into it. Slow paced with a drawn out romance that sucked me in seamlessly, the book was a joy to read and I loved being able to experience their love building gradually. Some may find this bland and slow but I think of it more as real, as true romance.
At Last Comes Love is a must read for any lover of historical fiction!
FULL REVIEW | MY BLOG
November 29, 2015
Margaret Huxtable, looking for a fiance, runs headlong into Duncan Pennethorne, also looking for a fiance. IRONIC RIGHT. She decides to let him woo her; he does some woo; they get hitched; they talk about love; drama llamas arrive; end book.
1. I enjoyed the first half of this. Margaret and Duncan were very forthright with one another and their banter was pretty excellent. I thought the wooing was an interesting premise, and wanted more of it.
2. But basically, once they got engaged and then married, the narrative seemed to twist itself into a knot. Margaret and Duncan decide that they will fall into love with one another. I don't have a problem with this in theory as additional POVs on love and how that works for various people and personalities is an important raison d'etre for the romance genre, but the way this particular point of view--that falling in love with someone is entirely a choice--was a hard stone to swallow.
I've had that problem with some of Balogh's recent works, actually: the lack of impulse, instinct; instead, t's all discussed, dissected, and dry. I want adult, logical hero/ines, absolutely, but I also want the soaring, seeking sensation of love. I want to believe that love is something special and unique, that can be kept alive through the decisions of those who have fallen under its spell---not some pair of one-size-fits-all sweatpants.
3. The final plot-twist pertaining to Tobe was ridiculous and everyone involved with it should be ashamed.
4. I was also strangely annoyed by the Happy Family presence in this novel: I think with the oncoming storm that is the Holiday Season, I'm feeling peckish about the portrayal of families that are perfection and love and adoration? Which is completely silly, I KNOW, but honesty or whatever. UGH.
1. I enjoyed the first half of this. Margaret and Duncan were very forthright with one another and their banter was pretty excellent. I thought the wooing was an interesting premise, and wanted more of it.
2. But basically, once they got engaged and then married, the narrative seemed to twist itself into a knot. Margaret and Duncan decide that they will fall into love with one another. I don't have a problem with this in theory as additional POVs on love and how that works for various people and personalities is an important raison d'etre for the romance genre, but the way this particular point of view--that falling in love with someone is entirely a choice--was a hard stone to swallow.
I've had that problem with some of Balogh's recent works, actually: the lack of impulse, instinct; instead, t's all discussed, dissected, and dry. I want adult, logical hero/ines, absolutely, but I also want the soaring, seeking sensation of love. I want to believe that love is something special and unique, that can be kept alive through the decisions of those who have fallen under its spell---not some pair of one-size-fits-all sweatpants.
3. The final plot-twist pertaining to Tobe was ridiculous and everyone involved with it should be ashamed.
4. I was also strangely annoyed by the Happy Family presence in this novel: I think with the oncoming storm that is the Holiday Season, I'm feeling peckish about the portrayal of families that are perfection and love and adoration? Which is completely silly, I KNOW, but honesty or whatever. UGH.
May 15, 2009
I wanted to love this, due to external stress I seem to only want light reads ( good light reads. not so easy though!), so decided to catch up on Balogh´s new reads. But like others of her recent books, this is so bland, dragged too much of the feelings of falling in love all over the last half of the book. Dunno, maybe a shorter regency would be a better format for this story, but it´s so repetitive. Pity, I liked Meg and she had some great lines!
August 5, 2022
Unusual setting with ruined H forced to marry the prim and proper heroine. She's realised she's on the shelf and does not want being an object of pity. They are both good people navigating their way through a terrible situation. I really liked, and the little boy stole my heart. He made it a 5 star read.
October 28, 2010
I know I've been rating all the books (so far) in the series four stars. But, I guess there are different levels of starhood. Like this one. I loved it the best, but not enough to give it 5 stars.
Margaret Huxtable is nearly officially a spinster. And with the return of her ex-beau (who also married, had a child with a Spanish lady, and later been widowed), her unmarried state has become an embarrassment. To save face against ex-beau, she fabricates a fiance and gets herself betrothed to a man with one of the blackest reputation, Duncan. Duncan, on the other hand, needs to find a wife in 15 days so that he can keep his allowance to support him and his illegitimate son. His story is that he eloped with his fiancee's brother's wife on the day of his wedding. After learning more about Duncan, Margaret asks him to court her properly, until she actually says yes. Of course, there is all the emotional parts in which the couple who actually have baggage (emotional and otherwise) to unload on each other.
Margaret is definitely an interesting heroine. She is a paragon who faithfulness has left her a loser. I was unsure about liking her at first, but I understood her position, making her very real to me. Duncan is a dear. He sacrificed his and his family's reputation to save a woman from a horrid circumstance, and it has left him worn. I loved the parts when Margaret meets his family and he slowly remembers their love for him. Toby, aka. illegitimate son, is a dear, who thankfully, did not become the focal point of their love story.
The reason for Duncan's actions was convoluted, but not out of character. I actually enjoyed it, despite its melodrama. I love when the Duncan's cousin finally hears the truth. Felt bad for the man, but it was funny.
This has to be the best book of the series, so far, but I can't wait to read Stephen's and Con's love stories.
Margaret Huxtable is nearly officially a spinster. And with the return of her ex-beau (who also married, had a child with a Spanish lady, and later been widowed), her unmarried state has become an embarrassment. To save face against ex-beau, she fabricates a fiance and gets herself betrothed to a man with one of the blackest reputation, Duncan. Duncan, on the other hand, needs to find a wife in 15 days so that he can keep his allowance to support him and his illegitimate son. His story is that he eloped with his fiancee's brother's wife on the day of his wedding. After learning more about Duncan, Margaret asks him to court her properly, until she actually says yes. Of course, there is all the emotional parts in which the couple who actually have baggage (emotional and otherwise) to unload on each other.
Margaret is definitely an interesting heroine. She is a paragon who faithfulness has left her a loser. I was unsure about liking her at first, but I understood her position, making her very real to me. Duncan is a dear. He sacrificed his and his family's reputation to save a woman from a horrid circumstance, and it has left him worn. I loved the parts when Margaret meets his family and he slowly remembers their love for him. Toby, aka. illegitimate son, is a dear, who thankfully, did not become the focal point of their love story.
The reason for Duncan's actions was convoluted, but not out of character. I actually enjoyed it, despite its melodrama. I love when the Duncan's cousin finally hears the truth. Felt bad for the man, but it was funny.
This has to be the best book of the series, so far, but I can't wait to read Stephen's and Con's love stories.
September 2, 2021
I found the Huxtables to be the least appeaing of Balogh's series, and this book is the least enjoyable one in the series. It isn't bad, but I only enjoyed the first book. Forced marriage / marriage of convenience is a common theme in all the first three books.
Meg is a likable character, but the story is hard to get into. The circumstances surrounding Sheringdon's disgrace were hard to believe tbh, and I never got to the point where I was rooting for their HEA. Overall, not bad, but def not the most memorable of Balogh's work.
Meg is a likable character, but the story is hard to get into. The circumstances surrounding Sheringdon's disgrace were hard to believe tbh, and I never got to the point where I was rooting for their HEA. Overall, not bad, but def not the most memorable of Balogh's work.
November 1, 2022
This story has everything I love in an excellent historical romance. I definitely recommend it to everyone who loves hist.romance 😍
January 15, 2013
This book started off slow but got interesting towards the middle. It was amazingly well written and humorous of a book. I would recommend it to anyone to read.
Happy Reading!! :)
Happy Reading!! :)
August 8, 2024
”He did not smile often, did he? The expression imparted kindness to his face. He must be a kind man. A poor abused lady had confided in him when she had confided in no one else. It was to him she had run when she was in real trouble. He loved his young son first of anyone else in his life because the child needed him and the affection and security he had to offer.
It was a strange moment for such a revelation.
She was marrying a kind man, Margaret realized.
And it was enough. She moved toward him with hope.”
I enjoyed this story featuring:
A spinster older sister who sacrificed her youth to raise her siblings after their parents passed away.
A man with a dastardly reputation who turns out to be the most noble man.
And a wonderful cast of side characters including the hero’s sweet four-year-old son, crotchety grandpa, larger-than-life mother, and of course all the Huxtable siblings.
It was a strange moment for such a revelation.
She was marrying a kind man, Margaret realized.
And it was enough. She moved toward him with hope.”
I enjoyed this story featuring:
A spinster older sister who sacrificed her youth to raise her siblings after their parents passed away.
A man with a dastardly reputation who turns out to be the most noble man.
And a wonderful cast of side characters including the hero’s sweet four-year-old son, crotchety grandpa, larger-than-life mother, and of course all the Huxtable siblings.
May 27, 2009
I think that the Huxtable series is improving with every book that comes out and this third book is now my favourite in the series.
This is the story of Margaret Huxtable, the older sister of the Huxtables, the one that stayed home to take care of her siblings and that by doing that had to refuse an offer of marriage of her childhood friend, Crispin Dew, and despite them having an understanding she later discovered he had married while fighting in Spain.
When the story opens Meg has finally decided that it’s time to marry, her sisters are married and Merton is 23 and well settled as the Earl so they don’t need her anymore. She is decided that the next time the Marquess of Allingham proposes to her, as he has done for 3 times in the last 5 years, she will accept. She is usually a composed and sensible young woman but when faced with Crispin Dew, back from the war and widowed with a small child, she can’t resist showing him that she wasn’t affected by his desertion and she tells him she is engaged to be married but that the relationship is still a secret. Imagine her surprise when at a ball that same night, she finds out that the Marquess of Allingham has in the mean time betrothed himself to someone else so she will be caught out on a lie. But that is when she encounters Duncan Pennethorne, the Earl of Sheringford. Unexpectedly she feels unsettled and tells him about her situation and with Crispin Dew approaching Meg doesn’t resist telling yet another lie and introducing Duncan as her fiancée.
Now Duncan is hardly a spotless hero. Five years before, on the eve of his wedding, he run away with his bride’s sister in law and only just now returned to England, after her death. He has just had his funds cut off by his grandfather and he is in desperate need of a wife. If he can find a bride and marry in the next two weeks his grandfather will restore his allowance. So naturally, after Meg speaks to him he is very eager to pretend he is her fiancé and eventually make it real. Meg’s words soon are the subject of everyone’s gossip and even if she is prepared to admit to her lie and never see Duncan again, he now feels that he has to propose.
Considering his reputation no one in Meg’s family wants her to accept, very much like what happened in the previous book when she prepares to receive him, her whole family advises her against it. Maybe it’s not so surprising that Jasper seems to be the one willing to give Duncan the benefit of the doubt. It is a credit to Mary Balogh’s wonderful storytelling that she can convince us not only that sensible Meg would tell her most important and dear thoughts to a stranger in a crowded ballroom but that she would also consider marrying him despite his black reputation. And that we root for him to succeed!
I think one of the best things about this story is how honest the characters are. When he proposes Duncan tells Meg everything that is done, albeit not why, and why he has to marry in such a rush. Meg is tempted; she can’t help but be attracted to someone who seems so different from all the safe and boring young men she has met before. But since she doesn’t know him she gives him her condition. He will woo her and at the end of the two weeks she will decide if she will marry him or not. Duncan accepts and so they find themselves in each other’s company every day.
I think this was my favourite part of the book. Them getting to know each other, Meg realizing that there’s more than meet the eye about Duncan while being exposed to everyone else’s opinion of him. And Duncan who starts to appreciate Meg for who she is but unwilling to tell her the whole truth and wanting her to accept him with his black reputation. However, he is forced to share some of it and Meg does decide to marry him. The truth about what really happened five years ago eventually comes out and that’s the only thing that I found, well not unreal, but maybe a bit too convoluted to be entirely believable. I find it a bit unbelievable that someone would ruin his reputation and possible happiness, just to help someone that is virtually a stranger. Also the villains were a bit over the top, just there to insult the main characters and nothing more. But I suppose we had to have something really shocking and then there had to be some villains to make Meg’s family rally in support of the newlyweds. Still I’m very happy with it; it reminded me of those early Balogh’s I’m always saying are my favourites.
I can’t say I’m very curious about Merton’s story; he just seems the usual nice young man who will find a bride, marry her and have lots of babies, end of story. However I already know it won’t be like that as Mrs. Balogh decided to pair him up with someone of a different type. I continue very curious about Con’s story and I hope we start having clues soon about what’s going to happen to him.
Grade: 4.5/5
This is the story of Margaret Huxtable, the older sister of the Huxtables, the one that stayed home to take care of her siblings and that by doing that had to refuse an offer of marriage of her childhood friend, Crispin Dew, and despite them having an understanding she later discovered he had married while fighting in Spain.
When the story opens Meg has finally decided that it’s time to marry, her sisters are married and Merton is 23 and well settled as the Earl so they don’t need her anymore. She is decided that the next time the Marquess of Allingham proposes to her, as he has done for 3 times in the last 5 years, she will accept. She is usually a composed and sensible young woman but when faced with Crispin Dew, back from the war and widowed with a small child, she can’t resist showing him that she wasn’t affected by his desertion and she tells him she is engaged to be married but that the relationship is still a secret. Imagine her surprise when at a ball that same night, she finds out that the Marquess of Allingham has in the mean time betrothed himself to someone else so she will be caught out on a lie. But that is when she encounters Duncan Pennethorne, the Earl of Sheringford. Unexpectedly she feels unsettled and tells him about her situation and with Crispin Dew approaching Meg doesn’t resist telling yet another lie and introducing Duncan as her fiancée.
Now Duncan is hardly a spotless hero. Five years before, on the eve of his wedding, he run away with his bride’s sister in law and only just now returned to England, after her death. He has just had his funds cut off by his grandfather and he is in desperate need of a wife. If he can find a bride and marry in the next two weeks his grandfather will restore his allowance. So naturally, after Meg speaks to him he is very eager to pretend he is her fiancé and eventually make it real. Meg’s words soon are the subject of everyone’s gossip and even if she is prepared to admit to her lie and never see Duncan again, he now feels that he has to propose.
Considering his reputation no one in Meg’s family wants her to accept, very much like what happened in the previous book when she prepares to receive him, her whole family advises her against it. Maybe it’s not so surprising that Jasper seems to be the one willing to give Duncan the benefit of the doubt. It is a credit to Mary Balogh’s wonderful storytelling that she can convince us not only that sensible Meg would tell her most important and dear thoughts to a stranger in a crowded ballroom but that she would also consider marrying him despite his black reputation. And that we root for him to succeed!
I think one of the best things about this story is how honest the characters are. When he proposes Duncan tells Meg everything that is done, albeit not why, and why he has to marry in such a rush. Meg is tempted; she can’t help but be attracted to someone who seems so different from all the safe and boring young men she has met before. But since she doesn’t know him she gives him her condition. He will woo her and at the end of the two weeks she will decide if she will marry him or not. Duncan accepts and so they find themselves in each other’s company every day.
I think this was my favourite part of the book. Them getting to know each other, Meg realizing that there’s more than meet the eye about Duncan while being exposed to everyone else’s opinion of him. And Duncan who starts to appreciate Meg for who she is but unwilling to tell her the whole truth and wanting her to accept him with his black reputation. However, he is forced to share some of it and Meg does decide to marry him. The truth about what really happened five years ago eventually comes out and that’s the only thing that I found, well not unreal, but maybe a bit too convoluted to be entirely believable. I find it a bit unbelievable that someone would ruin his reputation and possible happiness, just to help someone that is virtually a stranger. Also the villains were a bit over the top, just there to insult the main characters and nothing more. But I suppose we had to have something really shocking and then there had to be some villains to make Meg’s family rally in support of the newlyweds. Still I’m very happy with it; it reminded me of those early Balogh’s I’m always saying are my favourites.
I can’t say I’m very curious about Merton’s story; he just seems the usual nice young man who will find a bride, marry her and have lots of babies, end of story. However I already know it won’t be like that as Mrs. Balogh decided to pair him up with someone of a different type. I continue very curious about Con’s story and I hope we start having clues soon about what’s going to happen to him.
Grade: 4.5/5
July 24, 2017
Another great Balogh book; I wasn't sure how she was going to make the hero running away with his fiancee's sister-in-law the day before his wedding five years ago okay, but the truth and secrets that come out do indeed do that and on the whole, they were mostly unexpected, which was nice since it keeps you guessing. The villains were unbelievably villainous - disgustingly so ...
Three petty annoyances:
(1) Two or three times Balogh has the heroine - who is by no means one of those annoying weepy ones - not realize she's crying until the hero wipes away her tears ... sorry, but how do you NOT realize you're crying? It's sweet and nice and all when he wipes away her tears, but I just found that kind of ridiculous.
(2) She uses the expression "head over ears in love" in all of her books and it never fails to drive me nuts - first, it's not the correct idiom and I find it odd that all characters seem to not know the right one, and second, it just doesn't make sense - your ears are on your head ...
(3) I'm probably going to be stoned by other HR fans for saying this, but there was a little too much talk about love and falling in love and loving each other and deciding to love each other and growing to love one another and on and on and on - was just a little too excessive for me. Now that I think about it, after they marry the talking about their relationship overall was just too much too often.
But truly, this book was very enjoyable and the H&H were absolutely wonderful; *LOVED* Duncan, who was so honorable and moral that he repeatedly chose to do the right thing even though it cost him so, so, so much - his reputation, his standing in society, his home and friends/family for five years, etc.
Three petty annoyances:
(1) Two or three times Balogh has the heroine - who is by no means one of those annoying weepy ones - not realize she's crying until the hero wipes away her tears ... sorry, but how do you NOT realize you're crying? It's sweet and nice and all when he wipes away her tears, but I just found that kind of ridiculous.
(2) She uses the expression "head over ears in love" in all of her books and it never fails to drive me nuts - first, it's not the correct idiom and I find it odd that all characters seem to not know the right one, and second, it just doesn't make sense - your ears are on your head ...
(3) I'm probably going to be stoned by other HR fans for saying this, but there was a little too much talk about love and falling in love and loving each other and deciding to love each other and growing to love one another and on and on and on - was just a little too excessive for me. Now that I think about it, after they marry the talking about their relationship overall was just too much too often.
But truly, this book was very enjoyable and the H&H were absolutely wonderful; *LOVED* Duncan, who was so honorable and moral that he repeatedly chose to do the right thing even though it cost him so, so, so much - his reputation, his standing in society, his home and friends/family for five years, etc.
June 11, 2009
It has become obvious to me that the 'overriding theme' of the Huxtable quintet is that of couples who are forced by various circumstances to marry in haste; who then come to know, and later, love each other.
The third book in this series was going along well with that theme and I was enjoying it until about page 342 when my suspension of disbelief hit the wall. Margaret (Maggie) jumped to some very inobvious conclusions and I stopped liking her very much when her emotionalism took over her brain and away from her previously level-headed self. Then the villain turned out to have been blacker than black and way to silly and obvious for me. (Restraint was needed here. This plot became dumb.)
Up until page 342 this was a 3 or 4-star read for me. Due to the strange and out-of-character ending, I dropped it down to a 2-star.
Sorry, but this was not one of Balogh's best, imo.
The third book in this series was going along well with that theme and I was enjoying it until about page 342 when my suspension of disbelief hit the wall. Margaret (Maggie) jumped to some very inobvious conclusions and I stopped liking her very much when her emotionalism took over her brain and away from her previously level-headed self. Then the villain turned out to have been blacker than black and way to silly and obvious for me. (Restraint was needed here. This plot became dumb.)
Up until page 342 this was a 3 or 4-star read for me. Due to the strange and out-of-character ending, I dropped it down to a 2-star.
Sorry, but this was not one of Balogh's best, imo.
July 15, 2009
Normally, any book that causes me to plant myself in the reading chair for three hours in an 'I intended only to dip into the first chapter but now I must finish this' kind of way would automatically get full marks. But I wish Balogh had gone all out with the ending and hadn't thrown in that last plot twist. Did Toby really need to be the product of solicited sexual assault? Because the alternative of just being the product of escalating spousal abuse wasn't enough? The author actually wishes to purport the position that the biological factor here is the factor that should influence moral obligation? And why was fudging on Toby's precise date of birth not even mentioned as an option?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2020
4.25 stars
Huxtable book #3, At Last Comes Love, is much better than First Comes Marriage or what little I read of Then Come Seduction. We meet the hero, Duncan Pennethorne, Earl of Sheringford, when he returns to England after a long stay in Scotland. Duncan has a dependent named Toby who we don’t meet for a while, but it’s clear that Duncan will do almost anything for Toby, including try to find a wife within ten days—all the time his grandfather will permit him before giving his childhood home to a priggish cousin.
Duncan is ruined in the eyes of good society. Five years earlier he was engaged, but he broke it off to run away with his fiancée’s sister-in-law on what would have been his wedding day. His former fiancée married the priggish cousin, and all of society’s sympathy swung to her. Duncan is persona non grata to the ton.
Meg Huxtable once loved Crispin Dew, and now, years after going back on his promise to marry her, the army officer is widowed and back in England. Meg knows Crispin isn’t worthy of her, but she fears she still might feel something for him. To avoid falling into his clutches, she decides to marry a gentleman who has asked for her hand in marriage twice in the past few years.
But just when Crispin appears at the first ball she attends that season to try to insinuate himself back into her life, the other gentleman introduces Meg to the woman he intends to marry. Meg tries to escape and (literally) runs into Duncan. He abruptly proposes marriage and later agrees to court her, though if she says no, it may cost him the few days he has left in which to find a wife.
I more-or-less guessed at Duncan’s backstory (it reminded me a bit of Gabriel’s history in Balogh’s Dark Angel). But I still loved the book. I loved Duncan and Meg’s dialogue—it wasn’t banter, exactly, but very nice back-and-forth. I could really feel them falling for each other (this made it a bit weird, though, when later they said that they loved one another but had not yet *fallen* in love).
I don’t always get excited over Balogh’s heroines because some of them have a tendency to cower. Meg was strong and I loved that about her. She spoke her mind and challenged Duncan and (after the very beginning) displayed a strong sense of self-worth.
I liked Duncan a lot too. I had difficulty picturing him, since he was said to be almost ugly but when he smiled, he was handsome. I don’t think a smile can transform a person’s appearance that much. But that’s a minor point. I loved Duncan’s devotion to Toby. His willingness to sacrifice so much for Toby made me care so much about him (Toby, when we finally met him, was delightful too).
Except for holding one or two things back, Duncan was honest, even blunt, with Meg, and she was candid with him. That was part of what made their dynamic satisfying.
I also loved Duncan’s mother. She was a very different kind of maternal figure; seemingly vain and shallow but with hidden depths—although why she hid those depths wasn’t clear. There were also some nice bits involving Duncan’s tough-love recluse of a grandfather. The only signifcant thing that felt wobbly to me was a piece of the backstory having to do with the backstory of how Toby came to be Duncan’s dependent.
This was an enjoyable and emotional read.
Huxtable book #3, At Last Comes Love, is much better than First Comes Marriage or what little I read of Then Come Seduction. We meet the hero, Duncan Pennethorne, Earl of Sheringford, when he returns to England after a long stay in Scotland. Duncan has a dependent named Toby who we don’t meet for a while, but it’s clear that Duncan will do almost anything for Toby, including try to find a wife within ten days—all the time his grandfather will permit him before giving his childhood home to a priggish cousin.
Duncan is ruined in the eyes of good society. Five years earlier he was engaged, but he broke it off to run away with his fiancée’s sister-in-law on what would have been his wedding day. His former fiancée married the priggish cousin, and all of society’s sympathy swung to her. Duncan is persona non grata to the ton.
Meg Huxtable once loved Crispin Dew, and now, years after going back on his promise to marry her, the army officer is widowed and back in England. Meg knows Crispin isn’t worthy of her, but she fears she still might feel something for him. To avoid falling into his clutches, she decides to marry a gentleman who has asked for her hand in marriage twice in the past few years.
But just when Crispin appears at the first ball she attends that season to try to insinuate himself back into her life, the other gentleman introduces Meg to the woman he intends to marry. Meg tries to escape and (literally) runs into Duncan. He abruptly proposes marriage and later agrees to court her, though if she says no, it may cost him the few days he has left in which to find a wife.
I more-or-less guessed at Duncan’s backstory (it reminded me a bit of Gabriel’s history in Balogh’s Dark Angel). But I still loved the book. I loved Duncan and Meg’s dialogue—it wasn’t banter, exactly, but very nice back-and-forth. I could really feel them falling for each other (this made it a bit weird, though, when later they said that they loved one another but had not yet *fallen* in love).
I don’t always get excited over Balogh’s heroines because some of them have a tendency to cower. Meg was strong and I loved that about her. She spoke her mind and challenged Duncan and (after the very beginning) displayed a strong sense of self-worth.
I liked Duncan a lot too. I had difficulty picturing him, since he was said to be almost ugly but when he smiled, he was handsome. I don’t think a smile can transform a person’s appearance that much. But that’s a minor point. I loved Duncan’s devotion to Toby. His willingness to sacrifice so much for Toby made me care so much about him (Toby, when we finally met him, was delightful too).
Except for holding one or two things back, Duncan was honest, even blunt, with Meg, and she was candid with him. That was part of what made their dynamic satisfying.
I also loved Duncan’s mother. She was a very different kind of maternal figure; seemingly vain and shallow but with hidden depths—although why she hid those depths wasn’t clear. There were also some nice bits involving Duncan’s tough-love recluse of a grandfather. The only signifcant thing that felt wobbly to me was a piece of the backstory having to do with the backstory of how Toby came to be Duncan’s dependent.
This was an enjoyable and emotional read.
January 24, 2012
Having read the fourth in the series (this being the third) I was severely frustrated to see Balogh re-use many character description and character morals. I'm all for subtly using the same character in different books as long as it is consistent HOWEVER Balogh has made the faux pas of using the same character description..FOR A DIFFERENT SECONDARY CHARACTER! I was not impressed to read that Mrs (or Miss-who cares) Hunter was of a perfect figure and having slightly slanted green eyes...THE SAME APPEARANCE AS THE HEROINE OF THE NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES!! And then the whole wife-beater thing, I am all against that and all for married womens right's but in "At Last Comes Love" the story was dragged out (even though it was obvious what dastardly thing was done) and then the hero reveals everything to boring Margarate in a paragraph after keeping it a secret after 5 years.
I could see what Balogh was trying to do-implying the sensible Miss Huxtable (of three books previously also) had a rebellious streak in her and wanted the bad boy all along because they all secretly have a kind heart, but it was coming at it too strong-no lady would discuss the bedroom intimacies in public...IN A THEATRE BOX! That was not "oooooo you silver tongue charmer" it was more "where is your decorum girl?!".
Extremely disappointing-the actual story could have been done in about two pages and it still would have been terrible.
I could see what Balogh was trying to do-implying the sensible Miss Huxtable (of three books previously also) had a rebellious streak in her and wanted the bad boy all along because they all secretly have a kind heart, but it was coming at it too strong-no lady would discuss the bedroom intimacies in public...IN A THEATRE BOX! That was not "oooooo you silver tongue charmer" it was more "where is your decorum girl?!".
Extremely disappointing-the actual story could have been done in about two pages and it still would have been terrible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2015
3.5 stars. I love Margaret and it was so great to read her story. This book was Marvy until the point of the wedding. Then it was just so much introspection and going over and over and over can we be in love? Can we make this work. And then right before the big climax, Margaret has an extreme overreaction to some information. To the point of avoiding her husband for a week. At that point the story kinda lost me. Still enjoyed it though.
February 5, 2024
I can say that the sole negative point about this book is the absence of an epilogue.
This novel is a marriage of convenience trope where we are shown by the author the progressive falling in love of the MC in such a realistic way that is is really moving.
This novel is a marriage of convenience trope where we are shown by the author the progressive falling in love of the MC in such a realistic way that is is really moving.
April 24, 2017
This is by far my favorite book ,in this series. It is the story of Margaret, the oldest daughter, and left to raise her siblings to adulthood. It indeed, was past time she found a love of her own. That loves turns out to be,a gentleman, who has become past the pale, and turned on by the ton, or the elite. He left one woman, at the alter, and ran off with a married woman. Is Duncan as evil, as everyone believes. He admits to her, that he indeed do those things, and her family, wants her to ignore his attention. Meg feels there is more to the story, a mystery. He will not answer her questions, even though the woman involved , in the scandal has died. It was thrilling, and funny, and exciting. They are both afraid of love, and commitments, each having been hurt in the past. Can a marriage between them be happy? Then there is Toby, and another mystery surrounds his life,as well. It had me in tears, and then so mad I wanted to throttle a couple of people for being such useless human beings, and one lady for being a planner, and enabler, of all things ugly. The ending was perfect, but I wanted retribution, and perhaps it will still come, in the next book. This series is getting really good. I am almost sorry I borrowed this one from the library, as I would read it again. I truly like Meg, and her quick mind, and direct way of doing things. I think with Duncan, she may have found a home of her own. I guess time will tell, since this one did not answer every question .I loved most of her family, and his. I enjoy books about large close families, and their adventures. Rating 5 stars. I would gladly own it, and read it again.
July 9, 2014
Merecidas 5 estrelas porque não me permitiu abandoná-lo enquanto não terminei.
Duncan é o herói carismático, renegado por uma sociedade que o condenou quando no dia de seu casamento fugiu com a cunhada da noiva! Um v-e-r-d-a-d-e-i-r-o escândalo!
Maggie é um solteirona que criou seus irmãos desde os dezessete anos e jurou para o pai no leito de morte que cuidaria deles. e agora livre das responsabilidades, aos trinta, deseja ter seu próprio lugar e sua família, mas seus possíveis candidatos são um ex-amor que foi embora para guerra e por lá se casou, outro é um velho amigo que li pediu em casamento 3 vezes. Mas, o destino, num esbarrão deles fez que a história mudasse. O avô de Duncan decide deserdá-lo, só que ele precisa desesperadamente de um lugar para viver, motivo que a gente vai sabendo aos poucos no decorrer do livro.
Assim eles dois acabam se envolvendo, e terminam por casar e no casamento que vão aprender a conhecer um ao outro.
Duncan nunca negou o que fez e nem se arrependeu. Mas não foi feliz...
Maggie deu-lhe um voto de confiança quando soube sua verdadeira história...
Personagens pra lá de cativantes a mãe e o avô dele.
Diálogos perfeitos...
Família dela unida e que se envolvem quando precisam deles.
Duncan é o herói carismático, renegado por uma sociedade que o condenou quando no dia de seu casamento fugiu com a cunhada da noiva! Um v-e-r-d-a-d-e-i-r-o escândalo!
Maggie é um solteirona que criou seus irmãos desde os dezessete anos e jurou para o pai no leito de morte que cuidaria deles. e agora livre das responsabilidades, aos trinta, deseja ter seu próprio lugar e sua família, mas seus possíveis candidatos são um ex-amor que foi embora para guerra e por lá se casou, outro é um velho amigo que li pediu em casamento 3 vezes. Mas, o destino, num esbarrão deles fez que a história mudasse. O avô de Duncan decide deserdá-lo, só que ele precisa desesperadamente de um lugar para viver, motivo que a gente vai sabendo aos poucos no decorrer do livro.
Assim eles dois acabam se envolvendo, e terminam por casar e no casamento que vão aprender a conhecer um ao outro.
Duncan nunca negou o que fez e nem se arrependeu. Mas não foi feliz...
Maggie deu-lhe um voto de confiança quando soube sua verdadeira história...
Personagens pra lá de cativantes a mãe e o avô dele.
Diálogos perfeitos...
Família dela unida e que se envolvem quando precisam deles.
February 24, 2016
As many regency romances, this one is about love and marriage. Margaret is 30 years old. She wants to get married this season. Duncan doesn’t want to get married at all, but his grandfather threatens to cut his inheritance down to zero, if Duncan doesn’t get married by his grandfather’s 80th birthday, 15 days hence.
A match made in heaven, do you think? Not really. It takes lots of work on both protagonists’ parts to bring their courtship to a satisfying conclusion and the inevitable L word. Of course, Duncan has secrets, terrible secrets that endanger his new relationship with Margaret. In general, secrets are not good for any relationship, nor they are conducive to family life. It was true during regency and it still holds true today. Fortunately, by the end of the book, the secrets are revealed, Margaret forgives Duncan, and they live happily ever after, as the genre dictates.
The novel is written very well, like most of this author’s books. Its pace is satisfactory, its characterization works, and its plot contains both tragic undertones and subtle humor. It might not be the best book of this writer but it served its general task: to get me diverted and entertained. I liked it.
A match made in heaven, do you think? Not really. It takes lots of work on both protagonists’ parts to bring their courtship to a satisfying conclusion and the inevitable L word. Of course, Duncan has secrets, terrible secrets that endanger his new relationship with Margaret. In general, secrets are not good for any relationship, nor they are conducive to family life. It was true during regency and it still holds true today. Fortunately, by the end of the book, the secrets are revealed, Margaret forgives Duncan, and they live happily ever after, as the genre dictates.
The novel is written very well, like most of this author’s books. Its pace is satisfactory, its characterization works, and its plot contains both tragic undertones and subtle humor. It might not be the best book of this writer but it served its general task: to get me diverted and entertained. I liked it.
September 18, 2010
Full review (rather, set of reviews) here.
So, I sort of have a thing for marriage of convenience narratives. This book has one of those, written extremely well, with characters who I would totally hang out with in real life (assuming the existence of time travel, etc.). On top of that, the secondary characters aren’t just background – the heroine’s family are a big part of her life, and important to the progression of the story.
But what really set this book apart for me was that even though the plot is convoluted and sometimes farcical (in the good way!), the main characters actually do talk to each other and tell the truth about things, most of the time, instead of dragging misunderstandings out. And though a lot of the background plot material is really grim, the central love story is sweet in the best way. I’d never read any of Balogh’s books before this one, and am delighted that there are several for me to catch up with.
So, I sort of have a thing for marriage of convenience narratives. This book has one of those, written extremely well, with characters who I would totally hang out with in real life (assuming the existence of time travel, etc.). On top of that, the secondary characters aren’t just background – the heroine’s family are a big part of her life, and important to the progression of the story.
But what really set this book apart for me was that even though the plot is convoluted and sometimes farcical (in the good way!), the main characters actually do talk to each other and tell the truth about things, most of the time, instead of dragging misunderstandings out. And though a lot of the background plot material is really grim, the central love story is sweet in the best way. I’d never read any of Balogh’s books before this one, and am delighted that there are several for me to catch up with.
October 8, 2011
This one was a little slow. But I liked the ending. It seemed as though their love developed slower, so it was more believable. I loved that Duncan was actually a good, honorable guy even though everyone thought he was the worst of the worst.
I also liked that Elliot laughed and joked in this book. I like that Balogh is continuing the other stories in a way. I like that she is showing how he is still changing.
Something I really didn't like, was when Margaret got mad at Duncan at the end, and she went off on him not letting him explain. She said some really hurtful things that in reality would be hard to forgive so quickly. She told him she hated him. I just don't think she would have reacted that way. She jumped to conclusions and assumed the worst Duncan immediately. That made me mad because when he kept trying to tell her it wasn't what she thought, she would cut him off and start ranting about what she thought had happened.
I also liked that Elliot laughed and joked in this book. I like that Balogh is continuing the other stories in a way. I like that she is showing how he is still changing.
Something I really didn't like, was when Margaret got mad at Duncan at the end, and she went off on him not letting him explain. She said some really hurtful things that in reality would be hard to forgive so quickly. She told him she hated him. I just don't think she would have reacted that way. She jumped to conclusions and assumed the worst Duncan immediately. That made me mad because when he kept trying to tell her it wasn't what she thought, she would cut him off and start ranting about what she thought had happened.
May 11, 2009
Balogh's 3rd book in the Huxtable series, this book is about Margaret the oldest sister. Left by her childhood sweetheart when he went off to war, Margaret stayed to raise her 3 younger siblings. More than a dozen years later, her younger brother is now an Earl and her sisters happily married, her former love returns and she impulsively agrees to marry a stranger to make him jealous. Duncan an outcast Earl after a scandal 5 years earlier needs a wife and quickly. This unlikely couple marries and adapts to the hostility of the ton as well as Duncan's big secret. Another good read by Balogh, Margaret and Duncan's romance is forced at the start but quickly develops into 2 people meant for each other.
January 13, 2014
Once more, I really enjoyed the first part of the story, when the noose seemed to hang closer and closer to both main characters' necks. The plot had also several very unusual and almost disturbing twists, some of them were obvious, while others I did not expect.
I rather liked how they decided to become more intimate with each other. However all their discussions regarding their feelings and how to help those grow felt really cold-blooded and as unromantic as could be.
I rather liked how they decided to become more intimate with each other. However all their discussions regarding their feelings and how to help those grow felt really cold-blooded and as unromantic as could be.
April 13, 2012
I am loving this series and this book is my favorite so far. Of course, Margaret was a wonderful, mature character, but this story wouldn't be so good without Duncan, the main hero. He was simply perfect: kind, generous, loyal, compassionate, suave... "At Last Comes Love" kept my interest thanks to its rich characters & original plot. I definitely recommend this book.
October 19, 2015
A sweet and cute addition to the series. Although this one was a bit more serious.
December 21, 2016
See my review for A Secret Affair
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