Review: One Night for Love by Mary Balogh

Series: Bedwyn Saga Book .5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages:
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Dell

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

Enter the world of Mary Balogh—the glittering ballrooms and vast country estates of Regency-era England, where romance, with all its mystery, magic, and surprises, comes vibrantly alive.

It was a perfect morning in May . . .

Neville Wyatt, Earl of Kilbourne, awaited his bride at the altar—when a ragged beggar woman raced down the aisle instead. The cream of the ton saw him stare, shocked, then declare that this was his wife! One night of passion was all he remembered as he beheld Lily, the woman he'd wed, loved, and lost on the battlefield in Portugal. Now he said he'd honor his commitment to her—regardless of the gulf that lay between them.

Then Lily spoke her mind . . .

She said she wanted only to start a new life—wanted only a husband who truly loved her. She had to leave him to learn how to meet his world on her terms. So Lily agreed to earn her keep as his aunt's companion and study the genteel arts. Soon she was the toast of the ton, every inch a countess fit for the earl, who vowed to prove to his remarkable wife that what he felt for her was far more than desire, that what he wanted from her was much more than . . . One Night for Love.

Review

This was a very good book and definitely made me willing to read more Mary Balogh books. The first book had writing that wasn't quite for me, but this was exactly what I wanted.

Lily was great and went on quite the journey. Trigger warning for rape, but it was handled in such a respectful and non-dramatic way. She is so down to earth and naturally charming. But she does get embarassed and is very aware of the differences between her world and Neville's.

Neville is also a solid character, but I just like Lily more. I did love his loyalty to Lily even when she was trying to push him away.

Ms. Balogh did some interesting things with women in this story. They were very well-developed and diverse. You know like real people. Elizabeth-Neville's aunt-is probably my favorite and she's very wise. Then there are Gwen and Lauren. Now, I've read Gwen's story so it was odd to see such negative parts of her personality. In different ways, they had to deal with the pain Neville unnecessarily caused them. And it was very natural that they would be angry and "hate" Lily. I'm just glad Ms. Balogh was willing to go there.

The romance was solid and well-paced. The physical aspects are described, but on the tamer side. The main conflict is the class difference between Neville and Lily which is definitely a favorite of mine.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Proposal by Mary Balogh

Series: Survivor's Club Book #1
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 311
Rating: 3.5 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Delacorte Press

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

Gwendoline, Lady Muir, has seen her share of tragedy, especially since a freak accident took her husband much too soon. Content in a quiet life with friends and family, the young widow has no desire to marry again. But when Hugo, Lord Trentham, scoops her up in his arms after a fall, she feels a sensation that both shocks and emboldens her.
Hugo never intends to kiss Lady Muir, and frankly, he judges her to be a spoiled, frivolous--if beautiful--aristocrat. He is a gentleman in name only: a soldier whose bravery earned him a title; a merchant's son who inherited his wealth. He is happiest when working the land, but duty and title now demand that he finds a wife. He doesn't wish to court Lady Muir, nor have any role in the society games her kind thrives upon. Yet Hugo has never craved a woman more; Gwen's guileless manner, infectious laugh, and lovely face have ruined him for any other woman. He wants her, but will she have him?
The hard, dour ex-military officer who so gently carried Gwen to safety is a man who needs a lesson in winning a woman's heart. Despite her cautious nature, Gwen cannot ignore the attraction. As their two vastly different worlds come together, both will be challenged in unforeseen ways. But through courtship and seduction, Gwen soon finds that with each kiss, and with every caress, she cannot resist Hugo's devotion, his desire, his love, and the promise of forever.

Review

This was my first Mary Balogh book and I picked it up because of the DBSA podcast. I'm sure you're surprised. It did have my catnip all over it-the whole series does.

It was a solid book with strong characters. Gwen and Hugo are well-written characters who have gone through a lot. And I appreciate that Hugo has so many emotions to deal with from is time in the military. He can be stoic, but also shows his emotions, at least to some people, which is nice to read about.

The romance was nice. They have good banter and joke a lot which I like in a romance. I also thought it was fairly tame sexually. She does go into detail but it isn't constant or too much. Plus, a huge part of it was social-differences story since Hugo comes from the working class. These are some of my favorite conflicts/story lines and Ms. Balogh navigated it well.

Overall, I enjoyed this, but there was something about the writing that bothered me. Sometimes I felt a little distant from the characters and that frustrated me.

I do pan on reading more Mary Balogh books to see if she could be for me. In fact, I already bought the book that follows Gwen's brother because that story interested me.

Thanks for reading!
Holly