Oh, this book. I haven’t read a book that made me feel this happy in a long time. I just want to hug my imaginary characters. It’s pretty much the perfect antithesis of Bollywood Bride. The entire story is about the characters communicating. And a sensible heroine to boot?! So completely here for it.
This is book four in the Survivor’s Club series about survivors of the Napoleonic Wars. This time we have Flavian (yes, his name is ridiculous and he knows it) a hoity toity viscount and widow Agnes a sweet, unassuming “nobody”. They meet in book two of the series, but here is where their story takes off. There’s light drama do to class differences and past trauma, but overall it’s a very gentle story.
I’m always much better at reviewing the ones that anger me. When I love them I just want to say “read it, read it, READ IT!” I love character communication. That’s the whole point of romance to me. Also, a heroine who knows who she is, sensible and practical is my lady catnip. Probably because they’re more relatable for me.
“She hated situations in which people did not talk out their differences.”
“Anyway, he thought as he made his way closer to home, if this week of his marriage had taught him anything, it was that openness and truth between partners were necessary if the marriage was to have a chance of bringing them any sort of happiness”
Sigh. All I want from a book right there. So if either of these sentences appeal to you I highly recommend this one. It’s now on my short list of favorite romances, and the perfect palate cleanser after an extremely angry book.
YAY! Our romance twinship continues unabated. I adore Flavian and this book. He’s such a great combination of droll and vulnerable. He may not understand what it is about Agnes, but he damn well is going to catch it while he can, and she is just so wonderfully sensible. It sounds boring, but it makes such a difference when romance plot drama is being thrown at her.
I am going to need my own copy of this book. I have borrowed it twice now. I nigh on about swoon each time Flavian says, “Yes, ma’am,”. I still think of it and smile.
This great review reminded me to check if it is on my recommendations short list and it is.
Oh the “yes ma’am”. It melted my cold bitter heart every time.
And there’s just something about a hero recognizing the “it factor” over the well, she’s a great beauty. I love how attracted Flavian is to her from the start by her inner beauty. Not that she’s a hideous monster, but he recognizes something in her character as special. Those heroes. Whoo-ee * fans self*
And her fabulousness is rewarded with a great relationship with someone who happens to be totally dreamy AS IT SHOULD BE!
So should I just skip the earlier books in this series and jump straight to Flavian’s book? While I am now guilty pleasuring myself through Christina Lauren’s Beautiful books, at least there’s a lot of steamy sex to distract me from the lack of plot. I’m not sure I have the patience for historicals that aren’t that engaging.
I liked Only a Promise a lot as well and The Proposal is sweet. Beth, do you agree?
The Proposal is quite solid. I would probably rate it higher now, because I find myself thinking back on it with enjoyment regularly. And I think, Malin, you’ll quite like The Arrangement, you’re more whimsical in tastes than me. I’ll let you know how Only a Promise goes as that ones next and on hold at the library for me!
I thought Only a Promise was #2 in this series after Flavian’s book. I think you’ll like it.
I believe the order is The Proposal, The Arrangement, The Escape, Only Enchanting, Only a Promise, Only a Kiss, Only Beloved (to be this summer and George’s book!)
I just double checked Ms Baloghs website to make sure.