Helpful Score: 4
Once again an solid story from Balogh, if a little more formulaic given it is the fourth in the series and I now know what to expect. Still, I genuinely liked Cassandra and found the supporting cast believable. The story I really want is Con's, and I'm hoping that comes next! Highly recommend.
Helpful Score: 3
This was my favorite book of the series. Even though you may want to shake some sense into Cassandra, it's easy to see why she puts up a wall around herself. Stephan is the ultimate knight in shining armor. He's masculine but sensitive due to the influence of his three sisters. Mary Balogh is one of the most gifted authors around. She has the ability to make you really care about her characters. I read this in one night and didn't want it to end. I too hope Con's story is yet to come.
Helpful Score: 2
This is the 4th in the Huxtable series and is the long awaited Stephen's story. I love this series and have Con's story on my wish list. This was not my favorite book maybe because it didn't seem to have that edgy feel of the previous stories. Stephen is such a sweetheart and I was so glad he found his true love. The story gave good insight into the fate of a noblewoman alone without a father/brother/husband to protect her. But there seemed to be something missing and I can't quite decide what. I did like the book and all the sisters showed up to lend support which I loved. I would recommend this addition if you have been following the Huxtables and I have high hopes for Con's story - he is such a mystery man.
Helpful Score: 1
Not the best of the series but good story.
Helpful Score: 1
This might have been my least-favorite in the series. Part of the problem is that it is largely the same as the previous book except that the woman is notorious and the man is the paragon of virtue. And of course there is an explanation for everything and strangely even that is too similar to At Last Comes Love.
Also I must confess I was very disappointed in the love scenes. There are a couple early on in the book but Balogh makes it clear that Cassandra never really enjoys the experience and I think she (unwittingly?) paints Stephen to look a bit like a selfish boob in the bedroom. So when they finally make love the right way, under the right circumstances, Balogh basically skips it. I hope it doesn't sound salacious to say that I enjoy reading those parts and I was so disappointed that this couple never had a proper love scene.
Also I must confess I was very disappointed in the love scenes. There are a couple early on in the book but Balogh makes it clear that Cassandra never really enjoys the experience and I think she (unwittingly?) paints Stephen to look a bit like a selfish boob in the bedroom. So when they finally make love the right way, under the right circumstances, Balogh basically skips it. I hope it doesn't sound salacious to say that I enjoy reading those parts and I was so disappointed that this couple never had a proper love scene.
