At Last Comes Love

At Last Comes Love
by Mary Balogh

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Book Summary Information

Author: Mary Balogh
Edition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-04-28
ISBN: 0440244242
Number of pages: 416
Publisher: Dell

Book Reviews of At Last Comes Love

Book Review: What it means to trust in love
Summary: 4 Stars

This is the third book in Ms. Balogh's Huxtable series and it is the best so far. In the first two books ("First Comes Marriage" and "Then Comes Seduction") we watched the Huxtable family adapt to life among the ton after the youngest member of the family, Stephen, unexpectedly inherited a title and a fortune. The first and second books were the the middle and youngest sister's (Vanessa and Katherine) stories. In these books we were also introduced to the eldest sister, Margaret. For many years Margaret functioned as the mother figure for her brother and younger sister. (They were orphaned when Margaret was 17 years old and she promised her father on his death bed that she would raise the younger children.) This book is Margaret's story.

In her youth Margaret was a beauty who could have had her pick of country gentlemen. Her family, while not wealthy, were genteel. She fell in love with Crispin Dew, the squire's eldest son, a friend from childhood. When Crispin chose a military career, he asked Margaret to follow the drum and join him in service as his wife. Margaret explained to Crispin that she could not leave the children but she would wait for him. Years passed and Margaret put her desires second to those of her sisters and brother. Then one day Margaret learned that while she had remained true to Crispin, he had forsaken her. Crispin had married someone else while on campaign and was expecting a child with this other woman. Margaret was by then at an age to be firmly on the the shelf. She buried her hurt and devastation and continued on as the cornerstone of her family, even refusing attentions and offers by other eligible gentlemen. Until at long last Margaret woke up and realized that she was thirty years old with two happily married sisters and a soon to be independent young brother. The family did not need her support any longer, in fact, soon she would become a burden upon them. When Crispin returns to town, newly widowed, he makes overtures to Margaret. Unfortunately these gestures speak more of pity than of long lost love. Margaret lashes back at him - his gestures will surely be unwelcome by her (imaginary) betrothed. Frantic that her lie will be easily uncovered, Margaret resolves to make this fantasy betrothal a reality by accepting the offer of one of her long time suitors, a good man who is more friend than potential lover. Alas, when she catches up with her intended fiancee (at an assembly) she discovers him already pledged to another. She spies Crispin on his way over to make the man's acquaintance and she rushes off plowing headlong into her future, in the person of Duncan Pennethorne, the infamous Earl of Sheringford.

Duncan Pennethorne (Duncan) is alleged to be the worst sort of scoundrel, deserting his bride on their wedding day to run off with the brides, very much married, sister-in-law. He has only very recently returned to society, having lived abroad with the woman until the time of her death, four months past. Duncan is in attendance at this assembly for one reason and only one reason: he must find and marry a woman who is acceptable to his grandfather, the Marquess of Claverbrook, He has less than 16 days to accomplish this task or he will be cut off. After Margaret nearly bowls him over, he steadies her and inquires, "Why not stay and dance with me?" "And then marry me and live happily ever after with me?" Her response? "Does it have to be in that order?" And so their story begins.

As always, Ms. Balogh tells an emotionally complex tale. Duncan and Margaret have each lovingly sacrificed their own happiness for the sake of others. Duncan is in a position where it appears he must do so once again, as in his case all is not at all what society perceives. Once Margaret gets a glimpse of the man behind the infamous facade, she realizes just how much Duncan needs her in his life and she begins to believe she just might find happiness with him. She married him expecting not love but contentment. Duncan comes to believe that Margaret might just be the woman he needs but he hesitates to trust her with all of the secrets of his past. He resolves to make her happy and even ventures a challenge, "Let us be rebels then." . . . "Court me too, Maggie,as I will court you. Make me fall in love with you. I will make you fall in love with me. There will be magic." Ah, no one writes dialog or constructs a romance like Mary Balogh. This is the story of two people who, while unafraid to give love, are hesitant to allow themselves to be open enough to be loved in return.

So, why not five stars? The villain(s), yes it seems there must be one in every piece. The tangible villains presented here are one dimensional at best. They pop up briefly engage in ridiculous antics and then go away. Even the back story associated with their villainy is ludicrous. Better to simply have left them out or made slight mention of their association. Ms. Balogh is talented enough to have made the intangible challenges Margaret and Duncan face villain enough for this piece.

While not a perfect book, this novel is one of Ms. Balogh's better works and that is saying something indeed.

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Summary of At Last Comes Love

Step into a world of scandal, intrigue, and enthralling passion as New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh sweeps us into the lives of an extraordinary family: the Huxtables. Margaret, the eldest, embarks on the most risqué adventure of her life and agrees to marry the most notorious man in London.?

Only desperation could bring Duncan Pennethorne, the infamous Earl of Sheringford, back home after the spectacular scandal that had shocked even the jaded ton. Forced to wed in fifteen days or be cut off without a penny, Duncan chooses the one woman in London in frantic need of a husband. A lie to an old flame forces Margaret Huxtable to accept the irresistible stranger?s offer. But once she discovers who he really is, it?s too late?she?s already betrothed to the wickedly sensual rakehell. Quickly she issues an ultimatum: If Duncan wants her, he must woo her. And as passion slowly ignites, two people marrying for all the wrong reasons are discovering the joys of seduction?and awaiting the exquisite pleasure of what comes after?.

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