Helpful Score: 2
I read the second book first and found this one a little slow but still a pretty good read. Don't expect steamy sexy scenes. It's not that type of book. It's about two people overcoming their prejudices and working to come together.
It's a good introduction to the series. What I like is that there is no real bad guy. People do horrible things but there are always reasons.
It's a good introduction to the series. What I like is that there is no real bad guy. People do horrible things but there are always reasons.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is the first of a new series, call The Survivors' Club, about men ( & 1 woman) who have survived the horrors of the Napoleonic Wars, but still have serious scars within. This story is about how large Lord Trentham meets & falls for the widow Lady Muir. Quite honestly, the story plods along rather slowly, & you already know the ending. There are no interesting sub-plots or characters that catch your imagination, so (sorry Mary) I would pass on this one.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved Hugo and, to a slightly lesser degree, Gwen. I loved the members of the Survivors' Club (I'm looking forward to each of their stories), and I especially liked the incorporation of past characters of previous Balogh series'. As these members came across the page, I was wonderfully surprised that I could remember who was who and which story they belonged to, and they covered a span of years. Balogh did a great job of that. What I DIDN'T like was the constant I-wonder-if-I-want-you dance between Hugo and Gwen. That was very frustrating and made a very slow pace to their romance. I suspect the romance was designed that way so that we would witness the gradual affection for each other, which was okay--for a while. But I became just a little bored with the two of them. Balogh certainly has written more satisfying romances than this. If it weren't for the fact that this is the beginning of a new series, I'd say pass on this one. But it sets the tone by introducing new characters that I want to get to know. I'm crossing my fingers for a more successful book two. Three stars.
Helpful Score: 1
Finally Gwen's story. She appeared in two previous books and I kept rooting for her to match up with one of the Bedwyns but Balogh thought she deserved her own story. Gwen and Hugo are a good match although sometimes Balogh makes the obstacles seem kind of silly. I'm sure the social status of both parties was a real issue but it Balogh doesn't show WHY very clearly (she's done so in other efforts). I also liked the framework of the Survivor's Club and the characters about whom I am sure we will read in the future. Good book, not one of the greats but certainly a good summer read.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed The Proposal (Survivor's Club, Bk 1) on + 1726 more book reviews
I read the second book first and then this one. It really didn't seem to matter that much. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It is a different kind of story so don't be looking for steamy romance right off the bat. The story builds and develops as you learn more background on Gwen and Hugo. It was very sweet how they resist each other for only so long. A good read!
My first Balogh.
This is the first in a series that focuses on the survivors of war. There are: Vincent (blind), Flavian (stutters), Benedict (cripple), Ralph (facial scar), Imogene (witnessed murder and torture of spouse), and Hugh (emotionally wounded). They meet once a year at the Duke of Stanbrook's home. The Duke lost his only son in war. I enjoyed this group and the ease around each other. The ability to joke and kid each other.
This is Hugh's story. While at their yearly get together he rescues Gwen after she sprains her ankle on the beach. Both have had things happen, but have come out on the other side. Gwen lost her husband several years prior and she herself was injured after she fell off a horse. She also suffered an additional tragedy that she shares with Hugh. Hugh shares his guilt that so many died under his command; while he himself was uninjured.
Both characters had depth and I liked the writing (it may have been overly descriptive in parts). What dragged the rating down, was the slowness. I felt both (mostly Hugh) were too angsty when it came to their class differences. Gwen is a Lady. Did I mention she is a Lady? While Hugh's father was a merchant who was very good at it and made a shitload of cash. Hugh was granted his title by the Crown for his service in war, but he was raised middle class. Did I mention Gwen is a Lady? This was annoying after a time and went on far too long, IMO.
This was 2 people falling in love (slowly). No other conflict(s) (no kidnapping, blackmail, etc, etc). And did I mention Gwen is a Lady?
This is the first in a series that focuses on the survivors of war. There are: Vincent (blind), Flavian (stutters), Benedict (cripple), Ralph (facial scar), Imogene (witnessed murder and torture of spouse), and Hugh (emotionally wounded). They meet once a year at the Duke of Stanbrook's home. The Duke lost his only son in war. I enjoyed this group and the ease around each other. The ability to joke and kid each other.
This is Hugh's story. While at their yearly get together he rescues Gwen after she sprains her ankle on the beach. Both have had things happen, but have come out on the other side. Gwen lost her husband several years prior and she herself was injured after she fell off a horse. She also suffered an additional tragedy that she shares with Hugh. Hugh shares his guilt that so many died under his command; while he himself was uninjured.
Both characters had depth and I liked the writing (it may have been overly descriptive in parts). What dragged the rating down, was the slowness. I felt both (mostly Hugh) were too angsty when it came to their class differences. Gwen is a Lady. Did I mention she is a Lady? While Hugh's father was a merchant who was very good at it and made a shitload of cash. Hugh was granted his title by the Crown for his service in war, but he was raised middle class. Did I mention Gwen is a Lady? This was annoying after a time and went on far too long, IMO.
This was 2 people falling in love (slowly). No other conflict(s) (no kidnapping, blackmail, etc, etc). And did I mention Gwen is a Lady?
This novel is the opening of a seven-part series about members of the so-called Survivor's Club - people who sustained various wounds during the Napoleonic Wars. The author introduces the readers to each member of the club and then hones in on Hugo and Gwen's story.
I found reading about a romance across social lines to be very interesting. Hugo has become a lord through his heroics on the battlefield, not through birth. At the death of his father, Hugo became wealthy and the owner of a successful business. He promised his father that he would take care of the business and pass it on to his son. Now, Hugo is looking for a wife.
Lady Gwen has been a widow for seven years; she was married to an often depressed and morose man. Although she does not plan to remarry, if she did decide to wed, it would be to a quiet man.
Much of the story is about coming to grips with the choices one has made and the outcomes of those choices. When Gwen and Hugo meet, they are not really impressed with each other. However, there is a spark that will not die.
The author slowly allows the couple to understand each other. This is a great story. However, there seemed to be too much repetition of inner thoughts by each character. It seemed to slow the story down too much.
Survivor's Club
** 1. The Proposal (2012)
2. The Arrangement (2013)
3. The Escape (2014)
4. Only Enchanting (2014)
5. Only a Promise (2015)
6. Only a Kiss (2015)
7. Only Beloved (2016)
I found reading about a romance across social lines to be very interesting. Hugo has become a lord through his heroics on the battlefield, not through birth. At the death of his father, Hugo became wealthy and the owner of a successful business. He promised his father that he would take care of the business and pass it on to his son. Now, Hugo is looking for a wife.
Lady Gwen has been a widow for seven years; she was married to an often depressed and morose man. Although she does not plan to remarry, if she did decide to wed, it would be to a quiet man.
Much of the story is about coming to grips with the choices one has made and the outcomes of those choices. When Gwen and Hugo meet, they are not really impressed with each other. However, there is a spark that will not die.
The author slowly allows the couple to understand each other. This is a great story. However, there seemed to be too much repetition of inner thoughts by each character. It seemed to slow the story down too much.
Survivor's Club
** 1. The Proposal (2012)
2. The Arrangement (2013)
3. The Escape (2014)
4. Only Enchanting (2014)
5. Only a Promise (2015)
6. Only a Kiss (2015)
7. Only Beloved (2016)
