Helpful Score: 1
I am a long time Mary Balogh fan, back to her first books for Signet in the 1980s. I've read them all and still have many of them. That's why I am astonished at what a disappointment this book is. It is overcrowded with a phone book's worth of characters (carefully listed as to their full names, titles, spouses and number of offspring so far) who play little or no role in the central story. The issue which separates the central couple, Philippa and Lucas, is skimped over and buried under an avalanche of park visits, tea drinking and gossip about everybody else. It just goes on and on. I found myself skipping and skimming and at the end I was just glad it was over with.
Instead of this book, I would recommend readers check out some of Balogh's early work such as Red Rose, The Secret Pearl, Secrets of the Heart, or the trilogy of Indiscreet, Unforgiveable and Irresistible.
Instead of this book, I would recommend readers check out some of Balogh's early work such as Red Rose, The Secret Pearl, Secrets of the Heart, or the trilogy of Indiscreet, Unforgiveable and Irresistible.
