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Simply Quartet #2
Simplemente enamorados
A veces, las heridas del espíritu son más profundas que las de la carne. Anne y Sydam son dos personas que arrastran, cada uno a su manera, las cicatrices de la vida. Él vive apartado de todos desde que la metralla francesa desfiguró la mitad de su cuerpo durante la guerra. Ella también permanece al margen, rechazada por la rígida sociedad victoriana que no perdona a una mujer que sea madre soltera. Cuando el destino los une en la mansión de los Bedwyn, el comienzo no puede ser peor: Anne huye corriendo ante la visión de Sydam en mitad del bosque. Pero pronto estos dos espíritus tan especiales comienzan a acercarse, y descubren una fuerte atracción que culmina en una noche de pasión.
Ante ellos se abre ahora un futuro de esperanza: la ocasión derribar la muralla de soledad en la que se han refugiado, y de sacar a la luz sus más íntimos secretos.
Ante ellos se abre ahora un futuro de esperanza: la ocasión derribar la muralla de soledad en la que se han refugiado, y de sacar a la luz sus más íntimos secretos.
414 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2007
328 people are currently reading
2953 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
197 books6,305 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 648 reviews
March 6, 2014
I enjoyed this until the end, basically. 2.5 stars.
Anna is an unwed mother and teacher. She meets Sydnam, who is a war veteran and painter. THEY'RE LONELY AND FALL IN LOVE. Although it takes them a ridiculous amount of time to address their love because they're both too busy thinking they're not wo/man enough for the other.
Which was all well and good because both of them had things to work through! And the development of their friendship and subsequent relationship was pretty ace!
Except there's this Anna-has-a-family-she-doesn't-want-to-talk-about thing, and Syd cannot let that stand. I see how Balough tried to parallel it with Syd's feet-dragging on the painting thing, but it just didn't work for me. [trigger warning: rape; victim blaming]
You know, sometimes a person doesn't want to deal with their family, and sometimes that decision needs to be respected because it's important. It matters. It's valid and should not be ignored.
Anna is an unwed mother and teacher. She meets Sydnam, who is a war veteran and painter. THEY'RE LONELY AND FALL IN LOVE. Although it takes them a ridiculous amount of time to address their love because they're both too busy thinking they're not wo/man enough for the other.
Which was all well and good because both of them had things to work through! And the development of their friendship and subsequent relationship was pretty ace!
Except there's this Anna-has-a-family-she-doesn't-want-to-talk-about thing, and Syd cannot let that stand. I see how Balough tried to parallel it with Syd's feet-dragging on the painting thing, but it just didn't work for me. [trigger warning: rape; victim blaming]
You know, sometimes a person doesn't want to deal with their family, and sometimes that decision needs to be respected because it's important. It matters. It's valid and should not be ignored.
December 10, 2021
4.5 🌟 (Regency era, Unwed single mother, heavily scarred/disabled beta hero, Set partly in Wales, friends to lovers )
I always adore sweet, mature MCs of Mary Balogh's books who withstand the pain and suffering of their past and continue to remain resilient and endearing. However, after reading so many books by MB, I feel that although I can name some heroines by her, I have liked them as much as I appreciated Ann but no hero could be more perfect than Sydnam Butler. He deserves extra 3 stars for just existing in this book.
Things I adored about the book
The most kind-hearted Heroin-Ann is an unwed mother of 10-year-old David. She is working as a teacher in the lady's school in Bath. She has lost her family when she was raped and had her son. Now, she has a life around the school with her fellow teachers and her son.
She is asked to visit Wales with her son to visit and stay with Bedwyn's family in their castle for a month. Here she meets the steward of Bedwyn's family, Sydnam Butler.
The perfect beta hero- Sydnam was a painter but he lost his right hand and eye in the Peninsula War. Now, he works as a Steward and still suffers from PTSD. But, even after all, pain and torture, he is not a scowly beastly kind of hero but a sweet, caring guy.
The first meeting- The first meeting is so heartbreaking but so genuine. She is both horrified and amazed by looking at two sides of his face(it's not scarred but deformed) and he was hopeful one moment and then crushed at the same moment.
The relationship development- Mary Balogh's stories are about mature MCs who make rational decisions well fitted to the era. So, yes the book is relationship and character-driven with little plot.
The audiobook narration by Rosalyn Lander- No, a female narrator is as good as Miss Rosalyn for historical romances. She switches her voice not only according to gender but characters too.
Not recommended to you if
Not a standalone- I have not read the 1st book but that's not a big deal. Because in this book at least 10 couples from MB's previous books make their appearances. All the Bedwyns and some others too. I liked it because I have read a lot of these books but for those who have not, side charters will be frustrating.
Character-driven and relationship-driven with a little plot- I love character-driven stories, a lot of relationship development but if you want a lot of action, this is not the book for you.
When I started this book, I thought a disabled hero and a single unwed mom's story was going to be too angsty but instead, we got the sweetest hero and a lovely heroine. They both are troubled and insecure about their inadequacies. And, still, we get a hardworking, simply lovely story.
This would have been a perfect 5-star book if Ann would have not blamed fate in the end and forgiven her horrible family.
P.S- Before starting this book, I was checking out some reviews of it and someone has put this book under the 'Erotica' tag. I laughed and laughed because Mary Balogh's book in the erotica category is the biggest joke of the century.
I always adore sweet, mature MCs of Mary Balogh's books who withstand the pain and suffering of their past and continue to remain resilient and endearing. However, after reading so many books by MB, I feel that although I can name some heroines by her, I have liked them as much as I appreciated Ann but no hero could be more perfect than Sydnam Butler. He deserves extra 3 stars for just existing in this book.
Things I adored about the book
The most kind-hearted Heroin-Ann is an unwed mother of 10-year-old David. She is working as a teacher in the lady's school in Bath. She has lost her family when she was raped and had her son. Now, she has a life around the school with her fellow teachers and her son.
She is asked to visit Wales with her son to visit and stay with Bedwyn's family in their castle for a month. Here she meets the steward of Bedwyn's family, Sydnam Butler.
The perfect beta hero- Sydnam was a painter but he lost his right hand and eye in the Peninsula War. Now, he works as a Steward and still suffers from PTSD. But, even after all, pain and torture, he is not a scowly beastly kind of hero but a sweet, caring guy.
The first meeting- The first meeting is so heartbreaking but so genuine. She is both horrified and amazed by looking at two sides of his face(it's not scarred but deformed) and he was hopeful one moment and then crushed at the same moment.
The relationship development- Mary Balogh's stories are about mature MCs who make rational decisions well fitted to the era. So, yes the book is relationship and character-driven with little plot.
The audiobook narration by Rosalyn Lander- No, a female narrator is as good as Miss Rosalyn for historical romances. She switches her voice not only according to gender but characters too.
Not recommended to you if
Not a standalone- I have not read the 1st book but that's not a big deal. Because in this book at least 10 couples from MB's previous books make their appearances. All the Bedwyns and some others too. I liked it because I have read a lot of these books but for those who have not, side charters will be frustrating.
Character-driven and relationship-driven with a little plot- I love character-driven stories, a lot of relationship development but if you want a lot of action, this is not the book for you.
When I started this book, I thought a disabled hero and a single unwed mom's story was going to be too angsty but instead, we got the sweetest hero and a lovely heroine. They both are troubled and insecure about their inadequacies. And, still, we get a hardworking, simply lovely story.
This would have been a perfect 5-star book if Ann would have not blamed fate in the end and forgiven her horrible family.
P.S- Before starting this book, I was checking out some reviews of it and someone has put this book under the 'Erotica' tag. I laughed and laughed because Mary Balogh's book in the erotica category is the biggest joke of the century.
December 30, 2009
Simply Love is the second book in Mary Balogh's Simply series and it continues with many of the characters in her Slightly series. In fact, characters from 11 (at least) MB books appear in this book.
I have to start off by saying that I loved everything about this book. It's one of those books that you just can't put down and although it's over 400 pages, you wish for another 400 because you just don't want it to end. Did I mention that I loved it? ;)
Sydnam Butler was terribly tortured and maimed during the Peninsular Wars. Although his family wants him near so that they can protect him and shield him from the prying eyes of people who would regard him as a monster, Sydnam chooses to take charge of his own life. He accepts the position as steward to the Duke of Bewcastle at his Welsh estate. Sydnam makes a life for himself there, but he is terribly lonely. He accepts that he will never have the love and companionship of a woman because who would want him with his scarred body and missing arm? He could never "subject" a woman to being with him. He accepts what life has to offer and tries to make the most of what he has left.
Anne Jewell is just as scarred as Sydnam, although her scars are on the inside. Raped and forced to bear a child as an unwed mother, Anne is an outcast among society and her family. After several years, she takes a position at Miss Martin's School for Girls in Bath where she tries to make a life for herself and her son. She knows that she will never marry because although she is very beautiful, what man would want her?
Sydnam and Anne meet when she travels to Wales with Joshua Moore and his family for a visit with the Bedwyns. Although she finds it very difficult to even look at Sydnam at first because of his scars, Anne eventually realizes that there's much more to the man than what she sees on the outside.
Watching Sydnam struggle with his desire for Anne and his certainty that no woman could ever want him in a romantic way was heartbreaking. It took Anne's acceptance and love for Sydnam to finally accept himself and stop seeing a monster when he looks in the mirror. Anne felt just as untouchable as Sydnam but with him she found the man she had always dreamed of but never believed would be hers.
This book is a definitely a keeper for me. I would recommend reading A Summer to Remember and the Slightly series before reading this book.
I have to start off by saying that I loved everything about this book. It's one of those books that you just can't put down and although it's over 400 pages, you wish for another 400 because you just don't want it to end. Did I mention that I loved it? ;)
Sydnam Butler was terribly tortured and maimed during the Peninsular Wars. Although his family wants him near so that they can protect him and shield him from the prying eyes of people who would regard him as a monster, Sydnam chooses to take charge of his own life. He accepts the position as steward to the Duke of Bewcastle at his Welsh estate. Sydnam makes a life for himself there, but he is terribly lonely. He accepts that he will never have the love and companionship of a woman because who would want him with his scarred body and missing arm? He could never "subject" a woman to being with him. He accepts what life has to offer and tries to make the most of what he has left.
Anne Jewell is just as scarred as Sydnam, although her scars are on the inside. Raped and forced to bear a child as an unwed mother, Anne is an outcast among society and her family. After several years, she takes a position at Miss Martin's School for Girls in Bath where she tries to make a life for herself and her son. She knows that she will never marry because although she is very beautiful, what man would want her?
Sydnam and Anne meet when she travels to Wales with Joshua Moore and his family for a visit with the Bedwyns. Although she finds it very difficult to even look at Sydnam at first because of his scars, Anne eventually realizes that there's much more to the man than what she sees on the outside.
Watching Sydnam struggle with his desire for Anne and his certainty that no woman could ever want him in a romantic way was heartbreaking. It took Anne's acceptance and love for Sydnam to finally accept himself and stop seeing a monster when he looks in the mirror. Anne felt just as untouchable as Sydnam but with him she found the man she had always dreamed of but never believed would be hers.
This book is a definitely a keeper for me. I would recommend reading A Summer to Remember and the Slightly series before reading this book.
January 1, 2018
This is second in the Simply Quartet series, though the school and previous characters have only a very small role. However, this is almost an extended epilogue for the Bedwyn Saga with the entire family and all spouses and children showing up and hanging around. Also, it's clear that I'm missing details from Kit and Lauren so even more books precede this one with character information that is given, but not completely, here. This did not enhance my reading experience, even with those books I had read before.
I'm . . . ambivalent about this story. Anne and Sydnam are both reclusive from having sustained physical and psychological damage through terrible tragedies. Those scars are very present in their current lives and they've become accustomed to mitigating their presence in social situations. So it's something of a miracle that they meet and connect, even a little bit. And that should have drawn my sympathy and pulled me into the story. And for a while, it did. But as it continued, several things pulled me out and disconnected me again and I had a really hard time engaging fully as a result.
What turned out to be the biggest problem grew toward the end until it came to overshadow the entire story by the time I finished. There's an underlying theme of fate and I think it came to a head near the end when Anne says that if things had not happened the way they had "I would have lost my chance for a lifetime of happiness." And that jumped up and slapped me in the face with the monster I had been watching grow all this time. She's saying that she couldn't have lived happy without going through the rape and cultural disgrace and being cast off by her family and all of that pain. And that's just stupid revisionist nonsense. She has no way of knowing what might have happened had she remained unmolested by a singularly monstrous dungpile in human skin. Yeah, I get making the best of all the unfair things that evil people do to you. And I'm glad that they've found each other and have found healing in their relationship. But if you break down the essence of what she's saying, she owes a huge debt of gratitude to her rapist for enabling her to live a happy life. And another to her family for casting her off. And another to the torturers who maimed her eventual husband. And that sits poorly in any context.
This dovetails into the second biggest problem I have with the story, and that's the "happy families" assumption that ends up underscored in the end, too. Yeah, the Bedwyns are awesome, but I don't mean those. I mean the times Sydnam
So yeah. This didn't work out so well. I gave the book the premise of Anne having the most fertile womb in England. It can happen, so whatever. But by the end I just couldn't stand Anne and Sydnam prancing around talking about how destined for happiness they are now that they've overcome all the bad things fate threw their way. And the final nail in that coffin dropping this down to two stars is how they turn into the cookie-cutter extroverts that all couples have to be by the end. I had hopes when I started this that they'd end up one of those quietly contented couples you may have had the good fortune to meet sometime. The ones who you'd be hard-pressed to notice because they're so busy being content at home reading and talking (and if so inclined, painting or whatever) that they just don't go out much. But no. They're going to be just like everybody else in the end and that kind of breaks my heart.
A note about Steamy: There are three explicit sex scenes, though the middle one is rather brief. One of the strengths of the novel is taking on the emotional trauma left after rape and that is extremely well-done here. I think. I mean, I have no way to judge, really, but if felt real and present and impactful in a way that allowed growth and healing and comfort in her new relationship where she is cherished and loved.
I'm . . . ambivalent about this story. Anne and Sydnam are both reclusive from having sustained physical and psychological damage through terrible tragedies. Those scars are very present in their current lives and they've become accustomed to mitigating their presence in social situations. So it's something of a miracle that they meet and connect, even a little bit. And that should have drawn my sympathy and pulled me into the story. And for a while, it did. But as it continued, several things pulled me out and disconnected me again and I had a really hard time engaging fully as a result.
What turned out to be the biggest problem grew toward the end until it came to overshadow the entire story by the time I finished. There's an underlying theme of fate and I think it came to a head near the end when Anne says that if things had not happened the way they had "I would have lost my chance for a lifetime of happiness." And that jumped up and slapped me in the face with the monster I had been watching grow all this time. She's saying that she couldn't have lived happy without going through the rape and cultural disgrace and being cast off by her family and all of that pain. And that's just stupid revisionist nonsense. She has no way of knowing what might have happened had she remained unmolested by a singularly monstrous dungpile in human skin. Yeah, I get making the best of all the unfair things that evil people do to you. And I'm glad that they've found each other and have found healing in their relationship. But if you break down the essence of what she's saying, she owes a huge debt of gratitude to her rapist for enabling her to live a happy life. And another to her family for casting her off. And another to the torturers who maimed her eventual husband. And that sits poorly in any context.
This dovetails into the second biggest problem I have with the story, and that's the "happy families" assumption that ends up underscored in the end, too. Yeah, the Bedwyns are awesome, but I don't mean those. I mean the times Sydnam
So yeah. This didn't work out so well. I gave the book the premise of Anne having the most fertile womb in England. It can happen, so whatever. But by the end I just couldn't stand Anne and Sydnam prancing around talking about how destined for happiness they are now that they've overcome all the bad things fate threw their way. And the final nail in that coffin dropping this down to two stars is how they turn into the cookie-cutter extroverts that all couples have to be by the end. I had hopes when I started this that they'd end up one of those quietly contented couples you may have had the good fortune to meet sometime. The ones who you'd be hard-pressed to notice because they're so busy being content at home reading and talking (and if so inclined, painting or whatever) that they just don't go out much. But no. They're going to be just like everybody else in the end and that kind of breaks my heart.
A note about Steamy: There are three explicit sex scenes, though the middle one is rather brief. One of the strengths of the novel is taking on the emotional trauma left after rape and that is extremely well-done here. I think. I mean, I have no way to judge, really, but if felt real and present and impactful in a way that allowed growth and healing and comfort in her new relationship where she is cherished and loved.
July 21, 2024
A lovely, satisfying story, of two wounded souls who find a deep love between them, and along the way help to heal each other. Ann was a governess as a younger woman, who was raped by the gentleman of the house (who later died). She became pregnant and was rejected by her family and in society. She kept her son and later became a respected teacher, but her life has been lonely and difficult.
We met Sydnam in the lovely A Summer to Remember, a prequel to the Bedwyn series. Sydnam was a soldier who was shockingly tortured, wounded and burnt during the Napoleonic Wars. He lost his right arm and right eye, and bears ugly, visible scars. His life has also been lonely and difficult.
Sydnam and Ann meet when the extended Bedwyn family is having a holiday at one of the Bedwyn properties in Wales. They are attracted to each other, and slowly build a lovely relationship. It's not all plain sailing, and there are some difficult and emotional moments before they reach their beautiful and well-deserved HEA. The ending of this book as they arrive back at Ty Gwyn together is beautifully done.
A well-paced and well-plotted book. I enjoyed this reread, after first reading it a few years ago, more than I did the first time around. I've read all of the related books now, and feel as if I know the characters and the extended families. As well as Ann and Sydnam's satisfying romance, there are lovely revisits with Wulfric and Christine (from Slightly Dangerous), among others. I'm sure this book could be read as a standalone, but if you've read the other books it adds extra depth to this story.
We met Sydnam in the lovely A Summer to Remember, a prequel to the Bedwyn series. Sydnam was a soldier who was shockingly tortured, wounded and burnt during the Napoleonic Wars. He lost his right arm and right eye, and bears ugly, visible scars. His life has also been lonely and difficult.
Sydnam and Ann meet when the extended Bedwyn family is having a holiday at one of the Bedwyn properties in Wales. They are attracted to each other, and slowly build a lovely relationship. It's not all plain sailing, and there are some difficult and emotional moments before they reach their beautiful and well-deserved HEA. The ending of this book as they arrive back at Ty Gwyn together is beautifully done.
A well-paced and well-plotted book. I enjoyed this reread, after first reading it a few years ago, more than I did the first time around. I've read all of the related books now, and feel as if I know the characters and the extended families. As well as Ann and Sydnam's satisfying romance, there are lovely revisits with Wulfric and Christine (from Slightly Dangerous), among others. I'm sure this book could be read as a standalone, but if you've read the other books it adds extra depth to this story.
October 25, 2017
Anne Jewell y Sydnam Butler son dos almas rotas, la primera marcada por un incidente que no es bien vista a ojos de la sociedad como es ser madre soltera y la segunda por las heridas que sufrió en la guerra que lo hacen abandonar sus sueños y refugiarse en sí mismo.
Su encuentro fortuito los llevará a mantener una relación que quizás les ayude a superar mutuamente sus males.
Simplemente amor. Así ha sido esta novela donde nos encontramos con dos personajes rotos de alguna manera y que mutuamente, primero gracias a su amistad y luego al amor logran recomponerse. Sin duda la autora ha sabido conquistarme con esta historia más que entrañable y con unos personajes con trasfondo, muy bien caracterizados.
Anne y Sydnam son una pareja que se complementa muy bien, más que nada son buenos amigos y esa es una buena base desde la que partir, lo que le falta a uno el otro se lo compensa y viceversa y creo que eso es importante en una pareja. La autora me ha “sorprendido” de muchas maneras, por darnos unos personajes que van más allá de una relación romántica, por darnos un Sydnam que es capaz de llorar como un crío, escenas entrañables a más no poder, momentos para reflexionar… en suma una novela en la que prima la aceptación y superación.
Si tengo que ponerle alguna pega quizás es que me faltó más emoción en los encuentros íntimos por lo menos para tratar/encauzar el tema de Anne pero bueno quizá son cosas de cada uno. La novela es muy especial y merece una alta puntuación.
Pd: apunte para el que hizo la portada y el del título es que no os fijáis, nop ;)
Su encuentro fortuito los llevará a mantener una relación que quizás les ayude a superar mutuamente sus males.
Simplemente amor. Así ha sido esta novela donde nos encontramos con dos personajes rotos de alguna manera y que mutuamente, primero gracias a su amistad y luego al amor logran recomponerse. Sin duda la autora ha sabido conquistarme con esta historia más que entrañable y con unos personajes con trasfondo, muy bien caracterizados.
Anne y Sydnam son una pareja que se complementa muy bien, más que nada son buenos amigos y esa es una buena base desde la que partir, lo que le falta a uno el otro se lo compensa y viceversa y creo que eso es importante en una pareja. La autora me ha “sorprendido” de muchas maneras, por darnos unos personajes que van más allá de una relación romántica, por darnos un Sydnam que es capaz de llorar como un crío, escenas entrañables a más no poder, momentos para reflexionar… en suma una novela en la que prima la aceptación y superación.
Si tengo que ponerle alguna pega quizás es que me faltó más emoción en los encuentros íntimos por lo menos para tratar/encauzar el tema de Anne pero bueno quizá son cosas de cada uno. La novela es muy especial y merece una alta puntuación.
Pd: apunte para el que hizo la portada y el del título es que no os fijáis, nop ;)
November 8, 2019
Es que este libro fue taaaaan triste!!!!
No sé si sea que ando hormonal o si en realidad este libro es así de emocional. Pero se me apachurraba el cora con todas las cosas que el había sufrido!
Me encantó también reencontrarme con mis queridos Bedwyn y amé locamente con locura todos los guiños que nos regaló la autora con ellos.
Es un libro altamente recomendable si quieren saber más de los Bedwyn y si quieren conocer una historia de supervivientes. Ella y él me encantaron por igual y la aparición de los pequeños también me gustó mucho.
Por cierto, la de frases que me llevé con este libro *suspiros*
No sé si sea que ando hormonal o si en realidad este libro es así de emocional. Pero se me apachurraba el cora con todas las cosas que el había sufrido!
Me encantó también reencontrarme con mis queridos Bedwyn y amé locamente con locura todos los guiños que nos regaló la autora con ellos.
Es un libro altamente recomendable si quieren saber más de los Bedwyn y si quieren conocer una historia de supervivientes. Ella y él me encantaron por igual y la aparición de los pequeños también me gustó mucho.
Por cierto, la de frases que me llevé con este libro *suspiros*
October 5, 2017
Qué bonita historia. Precioso
January 13, 2024
Wonderfully angsty couple. She'd been cast off by her family , H had been an artist, but wounds ended his dream. Loneliness drew them together, then she tells him she's to have his child. Love this sweet couple who deserved a HEA.
February 9, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up.
Sweet story of two wounded souls. They were really sweet with each other. Classic Balogh included family drama, a child that pushes the story forward and lot of beautiful wisdom about life heavily sprinkled through out the book.
Hero is missing right eye and right arm. What really took me out of the book was the logistics of one armed man laying on the grass on the side with no arm and using his other hand to pleasure our heroine. How is he able to hold balance? How is he able to be on top of the heroine when making love?
Missing an arm is a big disadvantage specially in bed and so I believe sex scenes should have been in different position than classic missionary and maybe more driven by our heroine.
Sweet story of two wounded souls. They were really sweet with each other. Classic Balogh included family drama, a child that pushes the story forward and lot of beautiful wisdom about life heavily sprinkled through out the book.
Hero is missing right eye and right arm. What really took me out of the book was the logistics of one armed man laying on the grass on the side with no arm and using his other hand to pleasure our heroine. How is he able to hold balance? How is he able to be on top of the heroine when making love?
Missing an arm is a big disadvantage specially in bed and so I believe sex scenes should have been in different position than classic missionary and maybe more driven by our heroine.
July 24, 2022
Ughh!! I don't think this series is for me. I am absolutely bothered by the one-night stand trope. I didn't realise that all the books in this series have the same trope. It'd work well for a contemporary, but sex with a stranger in a historical romance is very jarring. I'd doubt that women during this period could have sex with a stranger or a near stranger and blithely go their way the next day without thinking of the repercussions. The stakes were simply too high.
Furthermore, the heroine Anne already had an illegitimate child (a product of rape but still). She would have known what would and could happen. Sydnam is lovely even with his disabilities and scars. Unfortunately, he's not enough to keep me invested in this story. There were simply too many things that bothered me. Writing's lovely as always. Ms Balogh is a prolific author, and I'm sure I would enjoy her other books better. So, I'm going to stop this series with this book.
Furthermore, the heroine Anne already had an illegitimate child (a product of rape but still). She would have known what would and could happen. Sydnam is lovely even with his disabilities and scars. Unfortunately, he's not enough to keep me invested in this story. There were simply too many things that bothered me. Writing's lovely as always. Ms Balogh is a prolific author, and I'm sure I would enjoy her other books better. So, I'm going to stop this series with this book.
July 11, 2024
Review from 2016
A for narration; A- for content, 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Simply Love is the second book of the four that make up the Simply Quartet of stories about a group of young women who teach at a girls’ school in Bath. We met Anne Jewell in the previous book Simply Unforgettable and learned that she has a young son, David, who lives with her at the school. Anne is an unmarried mother whose family turned their backs on her after her ‘disgrace’, and it is made clear quite early on in the book that David is the result of a rape that took place when Anne was around nineteen. David’s father is long-since dead, but his relation, Joshua Moore has been a good friend to Anne over the years, and it is thanks to him that Anne and David find themselves spending the summer at the Welsh estate of the Duke of Bewcastle.
Anne expects – and wants – to simply fade into the background and so is very surprised to find herself treated as a guest and invited to dine of an evening with the Duke and Duchess and their very extensive family. She tries to make herself scarce to start with, and it’s during an evening walk that she has taken in order to avoid making an appearance at the dinner table, that she encounters a stranger, a man whose profile is one of incredible beauty. When he turns to face her, however, she sees that the other side of his face is horribly scarred and that he is missing an eye and an arm. She is shocked into running away – only to feel so dreadfully ashamed that she decides she must return to the same spot to apologise. But the man is no longer there.
The last thing Anne expects is to encounter him again in the duke’s drawing room, so when he is introduced to her as Sydnam Butler, the duke’s steward, her composure is somewhat rattled. But she finds the opportunity to apologise for her behaviour on the night they first saw each other, and discovers that she enjoys talking to Mr. Butler, who immediately shows himself to be a kind, generous and very down-to-earth person in his speech and manner. Over the coming days and weeks, Anne and Sydnam are able to spend time walking about the estate talking and getting to know each other, becoming friends even as their growing awareness of one another develops into an intense attraction.
Both characters bear the scars of their respective pasts. Sydham was an officer in the army and was captured and tortured during the recent war, but when he returned home, he was determined not to be an object of pity and worked hard to adjust to his new circumstances. He can do almost everything someone with two arms and two eyes can do, and while he can never forget his injuries or how they were incurred, he is not given to fits of brooding and faces life and its challenges head on and with an outlook of general optimism. That’s not to say that he doesn’t have his own inner demons to face, though. Knowing how badly disfigured he is, he has resigned himself to a life alone, not wanting to ‘subject’ any woman to the sight or touch of his maimed body. And before he went to war, he wanted to be an artist, but now he can no longer paint. Even though he has learned to use his left hand to write, he refuses to try to paint again, afraid that the results will be horrible and that he will fail.
Anne has great strength of character and has made a good life for herself and her son, but she is still haunted by the rape and finds it difficult to contemplate the idea of physical intimacy. She also refuses to reconcile with her family; they disowned her and she wants nothing to do with them now, even though David is of an age to have started to ask questions about his relations, and why he doesn’t have a papa and cousins and grandparents like the Bedwyn children do.
As Anne and Sydnam become closer, they open up to each other as they have never done with anyone, and the depth of the understanding between them is so clearly conveyed as to be almost palpable. The way they work their way through each other’s barriers and help one another to overcome the things that are holding them back from real happiness is superbly written and there are moments – such as when Sydnam finally breaks down and confesses the truth to Anne about his reluctance to paint – which are profoundly moving. This ability to convey emotion, even about what can seem to be the smallest things, is one of Mary Balogh’s real strengths and is something I have latched on to in all the books of hers I have read or listened to. She has the ability to ground her characters and their emotional lives in reality in a way that not many romantic novelists do; she shows that families are not always easy and that relationships are messy, and that aspect of her writing is particularly apparent in Simply Love in the section towards the end. It’s difficult to write much without spoilers, but I’ve seen many reviews that criticise the way in which Anne finally comes to terms with her parents and siblings and say that things are settled too easily. I can agree with that to an extent, but mostly, it feels completely right. It’s NOT easy for Anne to do what she does, and things are not tied up in a neat bow. But that’s life – and I applaud the author for taking that stance, even though, yes, I couldn’t help being a little bit annoyed at the way Anne seems to accept her father’s explanation for what happened. But that’s the only thing I can find to criticise about this beautifully written and gently moving tale of two wounded souls finding each other and finding love.
Although this is not a brand new recording, the sound quality is absolutely fine and Rosalyn Landor shows yet again why she’s the narrator of choice for so many people when it comes to historical romance. Her mellifluous, contralto voice, her perfect enunciation and pacing, her ability to so clearly illuminate the inner lives and emotions of the characters… it all combines to make up yet another outstanding performance and a supremely ‘listenable’ addition to the growing catalogue of Mary Balogh audiobooks. There is a large secondary cast, principally consisting of the numerous members of the Bedwyn family (the author’s Slightly series is going to be re-released in audio from the end of September, I believe), and Ms. Landor differentiates between all of them very clearly, so that all the various ladies are distinguishable from each other, as are the gentlemen. From his lofty drawl, I could absolutely picture the auspicious Duke of Bewcastle and his infamous quizzing glass – but also glimpse the man beneath in the softer tones he adopts with his wife. Anne and Sydnam are perfectly portrayed, with Anne’s determination clearly audible beneath her softly-spoken dialogue, and Sydnam’s essential goodness – his gentleness and his humour – is clearly conveyed.
Simply Love is a deeply emotional romance that tugs at the heartstrings, brought to vibrant life by one of the best narrators around. Fans of historical romance shouldn’t miss it.
A for narration; A- for content, 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Simply Love is the second book of the four that make up the Simply Quartet of stories about a group of young women who teach at a girls’ school in Bath. We met Anne Jewell in the previous book Simply Unforgettable and learned that she has a young son, David, who lives with her at the school. Anne is an unmarried mother whose family turned their backs on her after her ‘disgrace’, and it is made clear quite early on in the book that David is the result of a rape that took place when Anne was around nineteen. David’s father is long-since dead, but his relation, Joshua Moore has been a good friend to Anne over the years, and it is thanks to him that Anne and David find themselves spending the summer at the Welsh estate of the Duke of Bewcastle.
Anne expects – and wants – to simply fade into the background and so is very surprised to find herself treated as a guest and invited to dine of an evening with the Duke and Duchess and their very extensive family. She tries to make herself scarce to start with, and it’s during an evening walk that she has taken in order to avoid making an appearance at the dinner table, that she encounters a stranger, a man whose profile is one of incredible beauty. When he turns to face her, however, she sees that the other side of his face is horribly scarred and that he is missing an eye and an arm. She is shocked into running away – only to feel so dreadfully ashamed that she decides she must return to the same spot to apologise. But the man is no longer there.
The last thing Anne expects is to encounter him again in the duke’s drawing room, so when he is introduced to her as Sydnam Butler, the duke’s steward, her composure is somewhat rattled. But she finds the opportunity to apologise for her behaviour on the night they first saw each other, and discovers that she enjoys talking to Mr. Butler, who immediately shows himself to be a kind, generous and very down-to-earth person in his speech and manner. Over the coming days and weeks, Anne and Sydnam are able to spend time walking about the estate talking and getting to know each other, becoming friends even as their growing awareness of one another develops into an intense attraction.
Both characters bear the scars of their respective pasts. Sydham was an officer in the army and was captured and tortured during the recent war, but when he returned home, he was determined not to be an object of pity and worked hard to adjust to his new circumstances. He can do almost everything someone with two arms and two eyes can do, and while he can never forget his injuries or how they were incurred, he is not given to fits of brooding and faces life and its challenges head on and with an outlook of general optimism. That’s not to say that he doesn’t have his own inner demons to face, though. Knowing how badly disfigured he is, he has resigned himself to a life alone, not wanting to ‘subject’ any woman to the sight or touch of his maimed body. And before he went to war, he wanted to be an artist, but now he can no longer paint. Even though he has learned to use his left hand to write, he refuses to try to paint again, afraid that the results will be horrible and that he will fail.
Anne has great strength of character and has made a good life for herself and her son, but she is still haunted by the rape and finds it difficult to contemplate the idea of physical intimacy. She also refuses to reconcile with her family; they disowned her and she wants nothing to do with them now, even though David is of an age to have started to ask questions about his relations, and why he doesn’t have a papa and cousins and grandparents like the Bedwyn children do.
As Anne and Sydnam become closer, they open up to each other as they have never done with anyone, and the depth of the understanding between them is so clearly conveyed as to be almost palpable. The way they work their way through each other’s barriers and help one another to overcome the things that are holding them back from real happiness is superbly written and there are moments – such as when Sydnam finally breaks down and confesses the truth to Anne about his reluctance to paint – which are profoundly moving. This ability to convey emotion, even about what can seem to be the smallest things, is one of Mary Balogh’s real strengths and is something I have latched on to in all the books of hers I have read or listened to. She has the ability to ground her characters and their emotional lives in reality in a way that not many romantic novelists do; she shows that families are not always easy and that relationships are messy, and that aspect of her writing is particularly apparent in Simply Love in the section towards the end. It’s difficult to write much without spoilers, but I’ve seen many reviews that criticise the way in which Anne finally comes to terms with her parents and siblings and say that things are settled too easily. I can agree with that to an extent, but mostly, it feels completely right. It’s NOT easy for Anne to do what she does, and things are not tied up in a neat bow. But that’s life – and I applaud the author for taking that stance, even though, yes, I couldn’t help being a little bit annoyed at the way Anne seems to accept her father’s explanation for what happened. But that’s the only thing I can find to criticise about this beautifully written and gently moving tale of two wounded souls finding each other and finding love.
Although this is not a brand new recording, the sound quality is absolutely fine and Rosalyn Landor shows yet again why she’s the narrator of choice for so many people when it comes to historical romance. Her mellifluous, contralto voice, her perfect enunciation and pacing, her ability to so clearly illuminate the inner lives and emotions of the characters… it all combines to make up yet another outstanding performance and a supremely ‘listenable’ addition to the growing catalogue of Mary Balogh audiobooks. There is a large secondary cast, principally consisting of the numerous members of the Bedwyn family (the author’s Slightly series is going to be re-released in audio from the end of September, I believe), and Ms. Landor differentiates between all of them very clearly, so that all the various ladies are distinguishable from each other, as are the gentlemen. From his lofty drawl, I could absolutely picture the auspicious Duke of Bewcastle and his infamous quizzing glass – but also glimpse the man beneath in the softer tones he adopts with his wife. Anne and Sydnam are perfectly portrayed, with Anne’s determination clearly audible beneath her softly-spoken dialogue, and Sydnam’s essential goodness – his gentleness and his humour – is clearly conveyed.
Simply Love is a deeply emotional romance that tugs at the heartstrings, brought to vibrant life by one of the best narrators around. Fans of historical romance shouldn’t miss it.
August 6, 2018
Precioso. Una historia de amor y de superación de dos personas marcadas con fuego. Me hizo llorar, y es de los pocos que lo han hecho.
September 9, 2017
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Mary Balogh is a classic romance author, and I have been wanting to pick her up more and more. In Simply Love we have a story of two lonely people who need each other. Our heroine, Anne Jewell, teaches at a girls school in the country, and has a nine year old son she has had to raise on her own after being forced years ago. Then the cousin of the father of her son, invites Anne and her son to a house gathering for a month, many are relatives of her son. So she agrees, planning on keeping to herself and letting her son enjoy being with boys his own age. But there she meets the Duke of Bewcastle's steward. Sydnam, is a man who once was a talented artist, but sought out to prove himself. So he went to fight in the war, he came back after being tortured, scarred and damaged. He has built a new life for himself, but he still feels alone until he meets Anne who fills a space inside him that has been empty. Sydnam and Anne form a friendship which slowly turns into something more....can Anne and Sydnam find a future together?
I was really overwhelmed in some ways by this story, but not quite in the way that you would expect. Simply Love is a powerfully written story that is beautiful and one of the most poignant stories that I have ever read. There is so much you want for both of these two people. Anne and Sydnam both deserve to find happiness especially when you see how much they have dealt with and overcome. However both of them are pretty stubborn as well. Their friendship is what is the primary focus of the story, I did feel that the actual romance was lacking. That is really the only reason for the lower rating, I was expecting the romance to be more stronger than this story turned out to be. But it was wonderful seeing characters from the Bedweyn series being connected to this story.
“Life so often becomes a determined, relentless avoidance of pain - of one's own, of other people's. But sometimes pain has to be acknowledged and even touched so that one can move into it and through it and past it. Or else be destroyed by it.
Simply Love is a romance that will inspire and elighten, leave you happy and craving more stories just like this one!! SIMPLY MEMORABLE.
Mary Balogh is a classic romance author, and I have been wanting to pick her up more and more. In Simply Love we have a story of two lonely people who need each other. Our heroine, Anne Jewell, teaches at a girls school in the country, and has a nine year old son she has had to raise on her own after being forced years ago. Then the cousin of the father of her son, invites Anne and her son to a house gathering for a month, many are relatives of her son. So she agrees, planning on keeping to herself and letting her son enjoy being with boys his own age. But there she meets the Duke of Bewcastle's steward. Sydnam, is a man who once was a talented artist, but sought out to prove himself. So he went to fight in the war, he came back after being tortured, scarred and damaged. He has built a new life for himself, but he still feels alone until he meets Anne who fills a space inside him that has been empty. Sydnam and Anne form a friendship which slowly turns into something more....can Anne and Sydnam find a future together?
I was really overwhelmed in some ways by this story, but not quite in the way that you would expect. Simply Love is a powerfully written story that is beautiful and one of the most poignant stories that I have ever read. There is so much you want for both of these two people. Anne and Sydnam both deserve to find happiness especially when you see how much they have dealt with and overcome. However both of them are pretty stubborn as well. Their friendship is what is the primary focus of the story, I did feel that the actual romance was lacking. That is really the only reason for the lower rating, I was expecting the romance to be more stronger than this story turned out to be. But it was wonderful seeing characters from the Bedweyn series being connected to this story.
“Life so often becomes a determined, relentless avoidance of pain - of one's own, of other people's. But sometimes pain has to be acknowledged and even touched so that one can move into it and through it and past it. Or else be destroyed by it.
Simply Love is a romance that will inspire and elighten, leave you happy and craving more stories just like this one!! SIMPLY MEMORABLE.
Have you read Mary Balogh before? What are your favorite titles?
What is there to love about friends to lovers romances?
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September 8, 2010
My life is crazy and I can't string two thoughts together so the reviews will be short this month. I think this is my favorite Balogh book to date. I just loved everything about it. The two wounded characters who find love and healing within each others arms, simply perfect. It was a beautiful, engrossing, angst-filled read and I have no nits to pick. It totally captured my attention and will be one I save to reread.
November 5, 2019
This love story would've been good if it weren't for the ableist comments and the fact that the protagonist was raped and some characters of the book dare say to her that it was her fault.
July 14, 2016
Every time I read a Mary Balogh novel – new or old, I am struck anew by how much I love her work. She has covered every conceivable subject/scenario in her long and highly successful career with empathy and a deeply insightful understanding of human nature. In Simply Love, the second in her highly acclaimed
Simply Quartet
she highlights the issues and prejudices surrounding a single mother and her illegitimate child in Regency England. With great understanding, Ms.Balogh immerses us in the life of Anne Jewell, her nine year old son, David, and that of Sydnam Butler, a horrifically scarred veteran of the peninsula wars.
Anne and David are invited to spend a month on the south west coast of Wales in company with members of the powerful Bedwyn family. This unconventional family, with a duke at its head, thumbs its collective nose at the restrictions under which most aristocrats are obliged to live. Kind and thoughtful all, they welcome Anne and David to share their family holiday without reservation. Whilst walking the coastal path on the first evening, Anne happens upon the dreadfully scarred Sydnam Butler, and flees from him in fright. Sydnam is employed by the duke as steward of his estate, and is attempting to carve a life out for himself away from his own overprotective and loving family; he is a man completely lacking in self-pity and understands the picture he presents on first sight.
So expertly drawn is Mary Balogh’s description of this tragic but gorgeous man, that I shed more than one tear on his behalf. Anne is appalled at her own crass behaviour and apologises to him at the first available opportunity. Friendship flowers over the course of the month long holiday further developing into affection, and finally into something more sensual. The traumatic events that led to David’s conception and the ten years following it, have left Anne emotionally scarred. Sydnam too has scars that run far deeper than the obvious surface ones; it is therefore understandable that two people – starved of physical love and affection, and who have cocooned themselves against further hurt – will find comfort in each other.
Anne and Syndam are wonderful characters – to be honest, if I could hug each of them, I would! They feel so real; their sorrow, their hurt, their lack of confidence, even their prickliness; they belong together, and the tentative progress of their love affair is movingly beautiful. Of course, to quote Shakespeare…‘The course of true love never did run smooth’…they have a lot of soul searching to do before either of them can begin to feel really complete once more. Luckily, they have each other to help in their respective rehabilitation. Their traumatic journey is SO worth the reading or in this case the listening.
The supremely talented Rosalyn Landor gives a stupendous performance in this audiobook, bringing this tremendously poignant story with its large and varied cast of complex characters to three dimensional radiance. I loved all four books in this series but Simply Love is, in my opinion, by far the most emotionally charged. The very fact that this is such a heart-rending story makes the performing of it more difficult, but Ms. Landor handles each character with individuality, consummate skill, aplomb and downright brilliance.
I adored the audio version of Simply Love - and it is not necessary to have read or listened to the first in the series, as Ms. Balogh gives us plenty of background information. However, we do meet many old favourites from other series’; in my case, from books read years ago. I was surprised at how vividly I remembered the characters. Such is the power of a great and memorable author. This is highly recommended.
Anne and David are invited to spend a month on the south west coast of Wales in company with members of the powerful Bedwyn family. This unconventional family, with a duke at its head, thumbs its collective nose at the restrictions under which most aristocrats are obliged to live. Kind and thoughtful all, they welcome Anne and David to share their family holiday without reservation. Whilst walking the coastal path on the first evening, Anne happens upon the dreadfully scarred Sydnam Butler, and flees from him in fright. Sydnam is employed by the duke as steward of his estate, and is attempting to carve a life out for himself away from his own overprotective and loving family; he is a man completely lacking in self-pity and understands the picture he presents on first sight.
So expertly drawn is Mary Balogh’s description of this tragic but gorgeous man, that I shed more than one tear on his behalf. Anne is appalled at her own crass behaviour and apologises to him at the first available opportunity. Friendship flowers over the course of the month long holiday further developing into affection, and finally into something more sensual. The traumatic events that led to David’s conception and the ten years following it, have left Anne emotionally scarred. Sydnam too has scars that run far deeper than the obvious surface ones; it is therefore understandable that two people – starved of physical love and affection, and who have cocooned themselves against further hurt – will find comfort in each other.
Anne and Syndam are wonderful characters – to be honest, if I could hug each of them, I would! They feel so real; their sorrow, their hurt, their lack of confidence, even their prickliness; they belong together, and the tentative progress of their love affair is movingly beautiful. Of course, to quote Shakespeare…‘The course of true love never did run smooth’…they have a lot of soul searching to do before either of them can begin to feel really complete once more. Luckily, they have each other to help in their respective rehabilitation. Their traumatic journey is SO worth the reading or in this case the listening.
The supremely talented Rosalyn Landor gives a stupendous performance in this audiobook, bringing this tremendously poignant story with its large and varied cast of complex characters to three dimensional radiance. I loved all four books in this series but Simply Love is, in my opinion, by far the most emotionally charged. The very fact that this is such a heart-rending story makes the performing of it more difficult, but Ms. Landor handles each character with individuality, consummate skill, aplomb and downright brilliance.
I adored the audio version of Simply Love - and it is not necessary to have read or listened to the first in the series, as Ms. Balogh gives us plenty of background information. However, we do meet many old favourites from other series’; in my case, from books read years ago. I was surprised at how vividly I remembered the characters. Such is the power of a great and memorable author. This is highly recommended.
September 12, 2019
Simply Love was simply the right book at the right time. I didn't even know I wanted this story until I was in the middle of it. It was gently-paced, heartbreaking at times, and a very slow burn romance. It was an exquisite story and foreshadows the author's fabulous Survivor's Club series and returns the reader to the world of the Bedwyns at the same time.
Simply Love is the second of four books that give four very different and differently hurting women who run a girls' school a chance at love. These are standalone romances that are closely connected and closely connected to the Bedwyn Saga series, particularly this one so I don't recommend them out of order.
Anne Jewell plans to spend the summer with her two friends at the school looking after the charity students who live at the school year round. But, then an invitation to spend the summer with the intimidating, aristocratic Bedwyns for a month on the coast of Wales is not to refused when she knows what it will mean for her son to be around all the children and be exposed to good male role models. Anne is beneath the Bedwyns as an unwed mother. She can't understand how they even tolerate her presence let alone encourage her with their friendship, but they do and refuse to let her hide away in the nursery with the small children. This leads to an unforgettable encounter with the Duke of Bewcastle's estate steward, Sydnam Butler. She shrinks from his scars at first and shrinks from him because of her first time being attracted to a man after her rape. She wants to deny the unwelcome attraction to Sydham behind a barrier of polite friendship.
Sydham has found a new life for himself. It wasn't what he wanted, but he won't let his family coddle him and without his right arm and an eye he lost his ability to paint since he was right-handed. Without his looks, he prefers his solitary life in the small Welsh village as Bewcastle's steward. Now, with the beautiful Anne visiting the estate with the rest of the Bedwyns he knows he is lonely and wishes he were a whole man once again. Not that she will allow anything beyond friendship. Until the attraction pushes them into something deeper and they end up challenging each other to make peace with their pasts so they can have a happy future.
I ended up caring deeply for both Anne and Sydham. Tragedy hit them and left them working so hard to keep their heads above water that they never realized how lonely their lives have become. This is a friendship with a sizzling undertone of attraction. They won't do anything about the attraction because she can't be touched by a man without freezing up and she thinks she's unworthy. Meanwhile, Sydham thinks his physical scars prevent him from being worthy of courting such a beautiful woman who sees herself as damaged. I loved how her son was cherished by her and befriended by him throughout their unconventional courting.
Once again, the author isn't afraid to explore darker and deeper concerns beyond the romance with rape, rape survivor, war, torture survivor, illegitimacy, and how family, friends and society respond to these issues.
This story is subtle and requires patience for it to tease out. As I said, it was the right book for the right mood. I love the author's writing and I look forward to my next encounter with this series. Definitely a recommend to historical romance lovers.
Simply Love is the second of four books that give four very different and differently hurting women who run a girls' school a chance at love. These are standalone romances that are closely connected and closely connected to the Bedwyn Saga series, particularly this one so I don't recommend them out of order.
Anne Jewell plans to spend the summer with her two friends at the school looking after the charity students who live at the school year round. But, then an invitation to spend the summer with the intimidating, aristocratic Bedwyns for a month on the coast of Wales is not to refused when she knows what it will mean for her son to be around all the children and be exposed to good male role models. Anne is beneath the Bedwyns as an unwed mother. She can't understand how they even tolerate her presence let alone encourage her with their friendship, but they do and refuse to let her hide away in the nursery with the small children. This leads to an unforgettable encounter with the Duke of Bewcastle's estate steward, Sydnam Butler. She shrinks from his scars at first and shrinks from him because of her first time being attracted to a man after her rape. She wants to deny the unwelcome attraction to Sydham behind a barrier of polite friendship.
Sydham has found a new life for himself. It wasn't what he wanted, but he won't let his family coddle him and without his right arm and an eye he lost his ability to paint since he was right-handed. Without his looks, he prefers his solitary life in the small Welsh village as Bewcastle's steward. Now, with the beautiful Anne visiting the estate with the rest of the Bedwyns he knows he is lonely and wishes he were a whole man once again. Not that she will allow anything beyond friendship. Until the attraction pushes them into something deeper and they end up challenging each other to make peace with their pasts so they can have a happy future.
I ended up caring deeply for both Anne and Sydham. Tragedy hit them and left them working so hard to keep their heads above water that they never realized how lonely their lives have become. This is a friendship with a sizzling undertone of attraction. They won't do anything about the attraction because she can't be touched by a man without freezing up and she thinks she's unworthy. Meanwhile, Sydham thinks his physical scars prevent him from being worthy of courting such a beautiful woman who sees herself as damaged. I loved how her son was cherished by her and befriended by him throughout their unconventional courting.
Once again, the author isn't afraid to explore darker and deeper concerns beyond the romance with rape, rape survivor, war, torture survivor, illegitimacy, and how family, friends and society respond to these issues.
This story is subtle and requires patience for it to tease out. As I said, it was the right book for the right mood. I love the author's writing and I look forward to my next encounter with this series. Definitely a recommend to historical romance lovers.
May 16, 2021
The real meaning of things lies deep down and the real meaning of things is always beautiful because it is simply love.
Dammit, I’m tearing up again...
So beautiful and so tender, I loved this story about Sydnam and Anne, I hardly know if I can write a review that will do it justice.
Mary Balogh is simply a master of building up all the feels, your heart will burst at the seams with love for these two wounded survivors.
Bonus: there is a wonderful reunion of Bedwyns and their respective families. So much joy! ❤️❤️❤️
Dammit, I’m tearing up again...
So beautiful and so tender, I loved this story about Sydnam and Anne, I hardly know if I can write a review that will do it justice.
Mary Balogh is simply a master of building up all the feels, your heart will burst at the seams with love for these two wounded survivors.
Bonus: there is a wonderful reunion of Bedwyns and their respective families. So much joy! ❤️❤️❤️
April 30, 2017
Beautiful story that takes your breath away and makes you ache at the same time. Balogh's weaving of words is almost poetic. Anne and Sydnam could not have been more perfect for each other.
This was my first try at Mary Balogh and I was thoroughly enchanted. There were a few things that slowed it down for me personally in the last 80 pages or so and it became a little too repetitive but the heart of the characters and story were quite enjoyable. I thought her attention to detail to the scenaries and thought process and breaking down of visual images from a painter's POV was wonderfully handled and spot on. The smells of the paint, mixing of colors and artists eye to picking up details etc. Superb! As a painter myself I devoured those scenes and made my heart ache even more for the quiet introverted artist hero. If anything this just made me itch to pick up a brush so thank you Mary Balogh for that! :D
"It must be wonderful to have someone to draw one's smiles."
"Anne," he said, "I cannot paint again. I cannot. Yet I cannot live without painting."
Those final words were wrenched unwillingly from him and horrified him. After that he could not stop the sobs that tore at his chest and embarrassed him horribly. He turned to stumble away, but two arms came about him and held him tightly even when he would have broken away from them.
"No," Anne said, "it is all right. It is all right, my love. It is all right."
Not once before now had he wept.
"What if those words had been spoken of him, Sydnam Butler, instead of David?
...my heart yearns for him."
"They stood side by side listening intently.
But after a while it seemed to Anne that it was her heartbeat she heard.
Or his.
And she was terribly aware that she was alive. Not just living and breathing, but...alive.
She reached up her hand then and cupped it about the right side of his face. He closed his eye and leaned into her hand. He had not realized just how much he craved someone's touch--a gentle touch after all the violence. It felt almost as if healing flowed through her hand, as if after she had lifted it away his flesh would be whole again.
"You were there waiting," he said, "even before all this happened to me, your own experiences preparing you to come to my rescue. And even before all this happened to me I was being prepared to come to yours. Tell me I am right. Tell me we can help each other."
This was my first try at Mary Balogh and I was thoroughly enchanted. There were a few things that slowed it down for me personally in the last 80 pages or so and it became a little too repetitive but the heart of the characters and story were quite enjoyable. I thought her attention to detail to the scenaries and thought process and breaking down of visual images from a painter's POV was wonderfully handled and spot on. The smells of the paint, mixing of colors and artists eye to picking up details etc. Superb! As a painter myself I devoured those scenes and made my heart ache even more for the quiet introverted artist hero. If anything this just made me itch to pick up a brush so thank you Mary Balogh for that! :D
November 27, 2021
Una historia agridulce, más de personajes que de trama. En cuanto empecé a leerla, me dije que Mary Balogh es valiente. Muy valiente. En un género dominado hasta límites ridículos por la perfección física de los protagonistas se atreve como Sydnam Butler, muy dañado físicamente por la guerra. Cuando Anne Jewell lo conoce, en un solitario acantilado galés, se queda horrorizada y tiene miedo, sale huyendo, aunque pronto se avergüenza de su reacción y vuelve a disculparse. Esta es una historia de emociones. La vida no les ha ido como esperaban, pero hacen de tripas corazón. Se conocen, se empiezan a tratar, se gustan, pero son muy cautelosos. Ninguno de ellos espera amor o pasión en su vida. Y recelan: de ellos y del otro. No pasan muchas cosas, toda la peripecia es, por así decirlo, emocional. Es melancólica, aunque nunca llega a ser dura o desgarradora.
Crítica, en mi blog.
Crítica, en mi blog.
December 19, 2014
What a great book! I believed it would be depressing, because of the hero's disfigurement, but it was simply emotional and heartwarming. I loved every single page of it and Sydnam was an awesome hero. But what I sorely missed was an epilogue. I so felt it needed one in order to be simply perfect:( I think I'll go on with the rest of the Simply series after all, as soon as myself imposed prohibition is over!
July 8, 2025
Me ha encantado Mary Balogh casi nunca defrauda. Aquí vemos a dos personas heridas que se complementan.
Me ha encantado que salen muchísimos personajes de otros Libros de los Bedwyn y precuelas y que hagan de casamenteros y saber cómo van sus vidas.
Ha sido un libro muy emotivo y cuando pensaba que no podía superarse se volvía a superar Mary Balogh es una maestra de las emociones y escribe muy bien y en todo momento tienes la sensación de estar en la época que narra cosa que agradezco mucho. No me gustan las nuevas autoras que están saliendo con sus libros llenos de modernezes que no me creo que estén en la época que dicen que están. Para mi Balogh es zona segura. Venía de un bloqueo lector que nada me llenaba y me he leído este me he enganchado como hace tiempo no lo hacía. Muy recomendable le pongo 5 estrellas como una casa.
Me ha encantado que salen muchísimos personajes de otros Libros de los Bedwyn y precuelas y que hagan de casamenteros y saber cómo van sus vidas.
Ha sido un libro muy emotivo y cuando pensaba que no podía superarse se volvía a superar Mary Balogh es una maestra de las emociones y escribe muy bien y en todo momento tienes la sensación de estar en la época que narra cosa que agradezco mucho. No me gustan las nuevas autoras que están saliendo con sus libros llenos de modernezes que no me creo que estén en la época que dicen que están. Para mi Balogh es zona segura. Venía de un bloqueo lector que nada me llenaba y me he leído este me he enganchado como hace tiempo no lo hacía. Muy recomendable le pongo 5 estrellas como una casa.
November 10, 2021
"Adaptamos nuestra vida a las circunstancias y cogemos la felicidad donde la encontramos, aún cuando sólo sea en momentos pasajeros. O hacemos eso o nos perdemos la oportunidad de aceptar la gracia en nuestra vida. Este es un momento feliz. Lo recordaré".
Este libro me emocionó tanto que lo AMÉ. Es una historia sencillamente PRECIOSA y emotiva, con personajes que logran llegar al corazón, me daban ganas de abrazarlos y también de repente zarandearlos para que reaccionaran pero en conjunto me regalaron unas horas de lectura hermosa y emocionante.
Sydnam es un ex militar que fue capturado en una misión y durante días lo torturaron para que diera información y al negarse, lo fueron hiriendo causando que perdiera un brazo, un ojo y la mitad de su cuerpo esté cubierto de marcas que asustan a Anne cuando lo ve por primera vez, pero ella se da cuenta que su acción no fue acertada y se acerca a él para disculparse dándose así la opción de comenzar de nuevo y forjan una amistad muy tierna, sin embargo, Anne solo está de visita por un mes en la propiedad del Duque de Bewcastle donde Sydnam es el administrador, así que, su tiempo juntos es limitado pero cada momento que pasan está lleno de ternura, confesiones y sensaciones de intimidad y anhelo que no se atreven a expresar.
Yo tenía muchas ganas de conocer la historia de Sydnam y Anne, ambos son personajes que ya conocía por la serie de Los Bedwyn y La escuela de Miss Martín y definitivamente fue un gran acierto que la autora los juntara en este libro porque ambos han sido lastimados y tienen heridas difíciles de sanar pero la amistad y comprensión del otro los ayudará, llevándolos a reconocer cosas que no se atrevían a pensarlas y menos expresarlas. Fue bonito ver como ellos mismos aceptan que les atraía saber que el otro se podía sentir solo e indigno de ser amados pero ambos logran ver más allá de las marcas en el cuerpo de él y los prejuicios que envuelven a Anne por ser una madre soltera.
Es una historia preciosa que me hizo derramar lágrimas por la desdicha que ambos vivieron, fui feliz al ver su evolución; la manera en que trataron de sanar y ayudar al otro a superar todo lo que seguía lastimándolos para encontrar una felicidad juntos. Pero también me hizo reír con la intervención de toda la familia Bedwyn como casamenteros. Sin duda fue una lectura maravillosa que se ganó un lugar especial en mi corazón.
Este libro me emocionó tanto que lo AMÉ. Es una historia sencillamente PRECIOSA y emotiva, con personajes que logran llegar al corazón, me daban ganas de abrazarlos y también de repente zarandearlos para que reaccionaran pero en conjunto me regalaron unas horas de lectura hermosa y emocionante.
Sydnam es un ex militar que fue capturado en una misión y durante días lo torturaron para que diera información y al negarse, lo fueron hiriendo causando que perdiera un brazo, un ojo y la mitad de su cuerpo esté cubierto de marcas que asustan a Anne cuando lo ve por primera vez, pero ella se da cuenta que su acción no fue acertada y se acerca a él para disculparse dándose así la opción de comenzar de nuevo y forjan una amistad muy tierna, sin embargo, Anne solo está de visita por un mes en la propiedad del Duque de Bewcastle donde Sydnam es el administrador, así que, su tiempo juntos es limitado pero cada momento que pasan está lleno de ternura, confesiones y sensaciones de intimidad y anhelo que no se atreven a expresar.
Yo tenía muchas ganas de conocer la historia de Sydnam y Anne, ambos son personajes que ya conocía por la serie de Los Bedwyn y La escuela de Miss Martín y definitivamente fue un gran acierto que la autora los juntara en este libro porque ambos han sido lastimados y tienen heridas difíciles de sanar pero la amistad y comprensión del otro los ayudará, llevándolos a reconocer cosas que no se atrevían a pensarlas y menos expresarlas. Fue bonito ver como ellos mismos aceptan que les atraía saber que el otro se podía sentir solo e indigno de ser amados pero ambos logran ver más allá de las marcas en el cuerpo de él y los prejuicios que envuelven a Anne por ser una madre soltera.
Es una historia preciosa que me hizo derramar lágrimas por la desdicha que ambos vivieron, fui feliz al ver su evolución; la manera en que trataron de sanar y ayudar al otro a superar todo lo que seguía lastimándolos para encontrar una felicidad juntos. Pero también me hizo reír con la intervención de toda la familia Bedwyn como casamenteros. Sin duda fue una lectura maravillosa que se ganó un lugar especial en mi corazón.
April 17, 2017
Esta ha sido una lectura maravillosa y un tanto inesperada. Cuando decidí comprarme el libro sabía algo sobre él y tenía las expectativas altas, pues Mary Balogh ya me ha demostrado que sabe escribir historias muy profundas, y tengo la suerte de decir que ha cumplido con esas expectativas.
Esta es una novela de personajes y me ha fascinado ver como la autora, sin tener una trama compleja, saber hacer que la historia no decaiga en ningún momento y nos interese tanto, cuando en realidad vemos el comienzo de una relación, de una amistad, entre dos personajes que han sufrido en la vida y, de alguna manera, viven al margen de la sociedad.
El conocimiento de la psicología humana y la capacidad de la autora para conseguir que se exprese con verosimilitud me parecen loables, ya que estoy cansada de leer muchas novelas en las que esto no se consigue. Aquí eran muy importantes los miedos, deseos, anhelos, frustraciones y reflexiones de los personajes y los errores que comenten son creíbles, así como la evolución que viven.
Creo que esta es una novela de gran calidad, que tal vez se sale un poco de la norma dentro de la novela romántica al tener un protagonista que es atractivo físicamente y un amor que avanza lentamente, en el que no todo es perfecto, pero eso hace que sea mucho mejor. Es una lectura que recomendaré sin cansarme, directa a mi TOP de mejores novelas románticas históricas.
Esta es una novela de personajes y me ha fascinado ver como la autora, sin tener una trama compleja, saber hacer que la historia no decaiga en ningún momento y nos interese tanto, cuando en realidad vemos el comienzo de una relación, de una amistad, entre dos personajes que han sufrido en la vida y, de alguna manera, viven al margen de la sociedad.
El conocimiento de la psicología humana y la capacidad de la autora para conseguir que se exprese con verosimilitud me parecen loables, ya que estoy cansada de leer muchas novelas en las que esto no se consigue. Aquí eran muy importantes los miedos, deseos, anhelos, frustraciones y reflexiones de los personajes y los errores que comenten son creíbles, así como la evolución que viven.
Creo que esta es una novela de gran calidad, que tal vez se sale un poco de la norma dentro de la novela romántica al tener un protagonista que es atractivo físicamente y un amor que avanza lentamente, en el que no todo es perfecto, pero eso hace que sea mucho mejor. Es una lectura que recomendaré sin cansarme, directa a mi TOP de mejores novelas románticas históricas.
August 20, 2018
3.5 stars
July 20, 2022
This one was slow, but well done.
Hero was a scarred mess from war torture
Heroine was a rape survivor impregnated by her rapist and thrown away like trash by her family.
These two injured souls find friendship and love. It was s 3.5 star read. Just kinda slow and felt like it dragged on. I enjoyed the characters and their personalities, and look forward to the next book.
Hero was a scarred mess from war torture
Heroine was a rape survivor impregnated by her rapist and thrown away like trash by her family.
These two injured souls find friendship and love. It was s 3.5 star read. Just kinda slow and felt like it dragged on. I enjoyed the characters and their personalities, and look forward to the next book.
June 11, 2009
Why give this three stars? Well, because I was glad to have a hero who was as vulnerable as Sydnam. I did not, however, like this one nearly as much as I liked Simply Magic. Despite the interesting premise, I felt quite unsatisfied.
*****SOME SPOILERS AHOY*****
What I felt most disappointed by was how much both characters wallowed in their misery. They had found someone who understood them, and yet it took them the greater part of the book to discover that the other person was not repulsed by them. I have seen similar premises done better, but I also had a similar experience with Balogh's First Comes Marriage (he thinks you're beautiful, you can STOP HATING YOUR LOOKS NOW PLZKTHX).
I feel that Balogh could have made the transition more gradually instead of wallowwallowwallowwallowohyoulikemethisistheendbai. We hardly had any happy sex between them at all - would have been nice to have at least one scene post-discovery where they both enjoyed themselves.
However, the nightmare scene was splendid. Anne's reaction to Sydnam's nightmare was touching - MORE OF THAT PLZ. We hardly saw any of that in her before this moment; we had previously only known her as a guilt-ridden mother who jealousy guarded her son because it was the only control she had in her life. It would have been lovely to see some interactions with schoolgirls, SOMETHING that showed a better side of her. Just coming to Sydnam and apologizing isn't enough - especially when you still cringe away from him.
Anywho, despite how much I didn't like the misery-wallowing, Sydnam is such a great character. His determination to overcome his fear of painting, though late in the game, touched me. David as a catalyst for both Sydnam and Anne's healing was lovely. Nosy kid, yes, but at least he said what needed to be said. From the mouths of babes...
EDIT: Reading some of the other reviews on goodreads, I feel puzzled. Maybe it just dragged on too long for me; as I said earlier, the revelation coming sooner would have helped IMMENSELY. Perhaps the book is just too long - I think cutting it down might have improved my view. I still think it's a good read (ohhoho, I'm so punny!)
*****SOME SPOILERS AHOY*****
What I felt most disappointed by was how much both characters wallowed in their misery. They had found someone who understood them, and yet it took them the greater part of the book to discover that the other person was not repulsed by them. I have seen similar premises done better, but I also had a similar experience with Balogh's First Comes Marriage (he thinks you're beautiful, you can STOP HATING YOUR LOOKS NOW PLZKTHX).
I feel that Balogh could have made the transition more gradually instead of wallowwallowwallowwallowohyoulikemethisistheendbai. We hardly had any happy sex between them at all - would have been nice to have at least one scene post-discovery where they both enjoyed themselves.
However, the nightmare scene was splendid. Anne's reaction to Sydnam's nightmare was touching - MORE OF THAT PLZ. We hardly saw any of that in her before this moment; we had previously only known her as a guilt-ridden mother who jealousy guarded her son because it was the only control she had in her life. It would have been lovely to see some interactions with schoolgirls, SOMETHING that showed a better side of her. Just coming to Sydnam and apologizing isn't enough - especially when you still cringe away from him.
Anywho, despite how much I didn't like the misery-wallowing, Sydnam is such a great character. His determination to overcome his fear of painting, though late in the game, touched me. David as a catalyst for both Sydnam and Anne's healing was lovely. Nosy kid, yes, but at least he said what needed to be said. From the mouths of babes...
EDIT: Reading some of the other reviews on goodreads, I feel puzzled. Maybe it just dragged on too long for me; as I said earlier, the revelation coming sooner would have helped IMMENSELY. Perhaps the book is just too long - I think cutting it down might have improved my view. I still think it's a good read (ohhoho, I'm so punny!)
April 28, 2014
3 1/2 stars (rounded down to 3 stars, because I felt that Sydnam and Anne's friendship was stronger than their love and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have ended up together if )
June 7, 2020
Pienso que es superior al anterior en la serie. Los personajes mucho más interesantes, la relación entre ellos muy trabajada, va surgiendo todo poco a poco lo que siempre me gusta mucho, con situaciones y diálogos divertidos y en general una buena historia.
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