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tostita's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Disappointing and Bland
This is not Mary Balogh’s best work. I felt no passion or connection between the protagonists at all. Their courtship and marriage was manipulated by others and never felt genuine to me. They just went along with it because it was easier than telling a meddling old man “no.” The MMC in particular had no backbone when it came to dealing with his grandfather and I had a hard time respecting him as a result. Frankly, the side characters were more interesting than either lead. I feel like Balogh really wanted to write a story about the old duke and duchess instead of their grandson. Will I read the next in the series? Of course. But I won’t be reading this one again at any point.
This is not Mary Balogh’s best work. I felt no passion or connection between the protagonists at all. Their courtship and marriage was manipulated by others and never felt genuine to me. They just went along with it because it was easier than telling a meddling old man “no.” The MMC in particular had no backbone when it came to dealing with his grandfather and I had a hard time respecting him as a result. Frankly, the side characters were more interesting than either lead. I feel like Balogh really wanted to write a story about the old duke and duchess instead of their grandson. Will I read the next in the series? Of course. But I won’t be reading this one again at any point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Child death and War
The treatment of the MMC’s sister, who seems to have something like post-polio syndrome and uses a wheelchair most of the time, would be considered highly problematic by modern standards. The words “cripple” and “crippled” are used repeatedly. Other characters talk about how inspiring it is that she never lets her condition hold her back, while also assuming that she will never marry and that no man could truly love her, only want her for her money.elspethm's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
3.5
The book seemed a bit all over the place, but it did have an overarching theme which tied in to "Remember Me" quite a bit. Though what I did like about this book was there is a line where Philippa does say "Remember me?" which worked great in the story.
Philippa had met and was infatuated with Lucas when she was just about to start her Season. He says something rude about her (which he doesn't really think she heard) and it causes her to be so upset that she ends up not having her season due to lack of confidence in herself (and a couple of family deaths). Four years later she has a season, and runs into Lucas again. Philippa had only told her brother Devlin about what happened.
Meanwhile Lucas' grandfather has determined that he will marry this season and give him an heir before hte dies.
Philippa meets the Duke / grandfather and he decides that she is the one to marry Lucas. He pressures her and Lucas into marriage and neither really fight against him, but he also doesn't know their back story., I found that part really frustrating, when it seemed Philippa was being manipulated into marrying Lucas by his family and hers.
Philippa does get to have a true Season, and the mystery of why Lucas said that is revealed, so they are back to being friendly but the grandfather still pressures her. Ultimately due to his poor health she does get pressured to marry Lucas, but by that time the grandfather likes her and has given her an out, if she wishes to take it.
Basically the story was about secrets, affairs, marriage and lasting love. The story of Lucas and Philippa was the true story but it almost paralleled on some level the marriage of the Duke and Duchess and his wish to see his grandson married and with an heir before he dies.
I do think the relationship between Lucas and Philippa could have been a lot more romantic (they only kiss once before they get married, and they take *forever* to tell each other they are in love, and it seems to come out of nowhere) and it was a very slow burn, but on some level it is secondary to the Duke/grandfather's will to see his grandson settled before he dies. Maybe that indicates that Mary Balogh didn't flesh the story out that well, and it was frustrating in the first half, but ultimately I enjoyed the book. I'd give it a 3.5 stars, since I didn't *love* it but the ending moved it up about a half star. It's more character than plot driven, and I enjoyed the characters so I'll keep reading the series. I hope Jenny gets her HEA someday too :)
I received an advanced copy and am giving an honest review.
Philippa had met and was infatuated with Lucas when she was just about to start her Season. He says something rude about her (which he doesn't really think she heard) and it causes her to be so upset that she ends up not having her season due to lack of confidence in herself (and a couple of family deaths). Four years later she has a season, and runs into Lucas again. Philippa had only told her brother Devlin about what happened.
Meanwhile Lucas' grandfather has determined that he will marry this season and give him an heir before hte dies.
Philippa meets the Duke / grandfather and he decides that she is the one to marry Lucas. He pressures her and Lucas into marriage and neither really fight against him, but he also doesn't know their back story., I found that part really frustrating, when it seemed Philippa was being manipulated into marrying Lucas by his family and hers.
Philippa does get to have a true Season, and the mystery of why Lucas said that is revealed, so they are back to being friendly but the grandfather still pressures her. Ultimately due to his poor health she does get pressured to marry Lucas, but by that time the grandfather likes her and has given her an out, if she wishes to take it.
Basically the story was about secrets, affairs, marriage and lasting love. The story of Lucas and Philippa was the true story but it almost paralleled on some level the marriage of the Duke and Duchess and his wish to see his grandson married and with an heir before he dies.
I do think the relationship between Lucas and Philippa could have been a lot more romantic (they only kiss once before they get married, and they take *forever* to tell each other they are in love, and it seems to come out of nowhere) and it was a very slow burn, but on some level it is secondary to the Duke/grandfather's will to see his grandson settled before he dies. Maybe that indicates that Mary Balogh didn't flesh the story out that well, and it was frustrating in the first half, but ultimately I enjoyed the book. I'd give it a 3.5 stars, since I didn't *love* it but the ending moved it up about a half star. It's more character than plot driven, and I enjoyed the characters so I'll keep reading the series. I hope Jenny gets her HEA someday too :)
I received an advanced copy and am giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
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