At Last Comes Love
by Mary Balogh
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Book Reviews of At Last Comes Love
Book Review: Number three....sure, I'll give it a go!
Summary: 3 Stars
At Last Comes Love is the third book in the Huxtable family series. I didn't read the first, it was painful for me to get through the second book, so I gave up, and the third was a pleasant surprise indeed. Balogh is a new author for me, despite being around awhile. I say the second book was painful because it couldn't hold my attention for long periods of time. The third book holds my attention easily, as the story is very, very sweet.
Margaret Huxtable is the oldest of the Huxtable family, who swore to their dying father she would take care of her brother and sisters and see them happy. Her sisters are married, her brother is now comfortable in his role as the Earl of Merton, and she is content with her life, except for one thing- love, and marriage of course. Long ago her lover Crispin Dew set off to fight the French, but not before asking for her hand in marriage with the promise to take her with him to the war. Margaret, the ever responsible, chose to take care of her family instead of living her own dream. Years later, when her family is content, Crispin returns home a widow and with a young daughter in tow. Margaret is torn between his cruel faithlessness and her deep feelings for him- until she meets him again. Having decided to marry over the winter to her dear friend the Marquess of Allingham (he's asked three times), Margaret is annoyed with Crispin and his assumption that she has been waiting for him all this time. In a fit of pique, she informs him she is secretly betrothed. The best laid plains, however, do not always come to light, and the Marquess has engaged himself to another. So, Meg, as her family calls her, is without a fiance and needs to produce one quickly. Enter the Earl of Sheringford, Duncan Pennethorne.
Years ago, on the eve of his marriage to Caroline Turner, Duncan ran off with Laura Turner, sister in law to Caroline. Duncan is back in London to see his grandfather, the Marquess of Claverbrook, who is about to cut him off entirely and give Woodbine, his ancestoral home, to his cousin Norm, who graciously stepped in to marry poor desserted Caroline. Duncan's grandfather, who is about to turn eighty in a few weeks, presents an ultimatum- marry before the birthday comes around, or cousin Norm will inherit Woodbine. Duncan has more than himself to look after, so the search for bride commences. It's dumb luck that Meg, or Maggie, as Duncan calls her, literally collide at a ball the next evening. The truth comes out about the real reasons Duncan ran off with Laura, and Meg understands and accepts his reasons. Our hero and heroine act out of character to all who know them the best, and before the birthday of the Marquess of Claverbrook arrives, Meg is the Countess of Sheringford. Their initial courtship, and the one that takes place after they're wed, is very sweet with many surprises and a few moments of angst.
Of course with formula romance, the hero must do something to anger the heroine, and a sweet reconciliation occurs. This book is no different. At Last Comes Love was a delightful read, with well written characters from the previous novels coming more to life alongside the two main characters. What is wonderful about Duncan and Maggie is the love they show for those they care about is increased tenfold when directed towards each other. They both have to learn to allow someone to love them, because loving someone is no hard task for them. Their are some dark aspects of this novel, and perhaps some implied scenes that might make a few squirm, also, the book could have used an epilogue, but don't let that stop you, it's definitely one to pick up.
Book Review: Romance for Over-Twenty Women
Summary: 5 Stars
Fans of Mary Balogh will not be disappointed with the third novel in her series around the Huxtable siblings. Whether one has recently discovered Ms. Balogh's writing or has already dedicated a shelf to hold these novels, At Last Comes Love will soon become a favorite.
The eldest Huxtable, Margaret, has put her dreams of love, marriage, and motherhood aside to see her siblings raised to adulthood and settled, even though she is not that much older than they when their father dies. Although still a great beauty at thirty when her promise is done, Margaret Huxtable fears she has waited too long and may face a future as Aunt Margaret to her nieces and nephews, always dependent on the charity of her siblings. She decides to go to London for the Season with the express purpose of soliciting and accepting a proposal. Despite her age, Margaret's beauty, poise, and respectability as the sister of the Earl of Merton has always drawn a number of admirers to her side, as well as a few offers each Season.
Arriving in London , she finds that Crispin Dew, the man she loved from the age of eighteen until he betrayed her by marrying another, has returned to England as a widower and expects to pick up where they left off twelve years previously, without benefit of any kind of understanding. Hurt and offended, she declines his offer of company under the pretense that her fiancé will not approve. Swearing Dew to secrecy, she explains that her betrothal has yet to be announced. Margaret feels sure that the lie will become truth once her most ardent admirer realizes she is in town. Unfortunately, Margaret discovers that a man can only be turned down a certain number of times before he seeks someone else who will have him. Horrified by the predicament she finds herself in; Margaret is desperate for a miracle.
Duncan Pennethorne, Earl of Sheringford, has also arrived in London with a mission to carry out. To keep from being cut off from his inheritance, he must woo and wed, within fifteen days, a respectable female of excellent breeding, and willing to align herself with him. A daunting task since the Earl is tainted by a scandal so dark that he is not received by any but those on the absolute fringes of the ton With nothing to lose and all to gain, when he collides with Margaret at a crowded ball, he makes her an extraordinary offer that may solve both their dilemmas.
Before Margaret and Duncan can devise a plan, she is betrayed yet again by Crispin when he breaks his vow and news of the betrothal is spread throughout the ton by the next morning. Her reputation at risk whether she accepts Duncan 's offer or not, she soon learns that there is more to Duncan 's situation than the loss of his inheritance. Some betrayals are worse than others and the truth is not always best revealed.
In this novel, Ms. Balogh takes up a theme explored in some of her previous novels - romance can and does occur for women older than twenty. Margaret Huxtable is thirty, an age that is not typical for the heroine of most historical romances. By choosing an older heroine, Balogh has added a certain depth to Margaret's character and as a result there is more complexity to this story than either of the first two novels in the series. It is a wonderful story and well worth making some time to read it.
Reviewed by Mairead Walpole of Crystal Reviews ([...]) Posted on May 29, 2009
Book Review: Best one so far
Summary: 4 Stars
Technically speaking this is third book in the series about the Huxtable family. The stories started with the middle sister Ve
margret favorite sister Vanessa, then the youngest of the sisters Katherine. Now it's the story of the eldest sisters Margaret. I don't believe that the other stories need to be read to follow this one however they are helpful. Many of the previous characters reappear in this story so it's nice to know who they are and what their history is. Having said that I think it's safe to say it can also be read as a stand alone.
When I started First Comes Marriage I really wished it was about Meg mostly because I identified with her the most. I couldn't wait to get to this book. Meg is the eldest of the Huxtable daughter, her parents died when she was young and she promised to take care of her siblings. Her brother is the earl of Merton and so they come into a lot of money and a different life style (This is all covered in the first book). She was in love at the time with Crispin, who she learned at the age of 25 got married while away at war. All this is previous history built in the first book connecting her to her sister's story.
At last comes love takes place two years after Then Comes seduction. At this point Meg has turned thirty, both her sisters are married and her brother has come of age. Meaning she has fulfilled her promise to her father. When she runs into Crispin she is angry and tells him that she is betrothed to someone. That lie leads her to accept a very tempting offer from a stranger. Duncan who has quiet the reputation needs a wife and he needs one fast so when he runs into Meg he offers her marriage. Once Meg discovers who he is she's not very happy about it but she gives him a chance anyway. She tells him that he has to convince her of marrying him and he takes the challenge. That's only half of the story.
There are many obstacles the characters go through with a very complex background story behind Duncan. I was afraid that either Meg or him would outshine the other character wise. However I was happy to see that they were both very strong well developed characters. They both were able to keep the other on their toes while sometimes having a sense of humor. I also really enjoyed the small discussions of how the society worked at the time relating to male dominance. It is a very perfect setting to bring up the issue even if it's for a brief time. The plot line actually seemed to deal with a little bit more than just two people and how they might or might not be together. There was a larger issue at hand that I think the author did a good job bringing forth.
I however had some problems with the book as well I will try to list them without spoiling anything. There was one character in particular who sounded much older than he was. It also was very typical to romance novels at many points. The good looking woman with the perfect body and long flowing hair who society thinks is a little old. The guy with the great masculine look and who is basically a player. Basically a lion and the lamb. The end also felt very rushed and very unrealistic. The whole story with Con which was in the first book never developed. I am not sure why he keeps showing up if we never learn anything new about him.
Overall however I liked this book the most.
Book Review: My favorite of the Huxtable books
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read the first two of the Huxtable family books (First Comes Marriage and Then Comes Seduction (Huxtable)) and enjoyed them. But this is my favorite one of the three.
I'll start with a caution because the very reason I loved this book will make lots of people not like it very much. This is not a book where the couple is swept away by passion and has many steamy love scenes. The love story in this book is more like a crock pot than a microwave: it starts out cool and gradually warms up and is more intentional than the usual romance where a couple is instantly infatuated (even if they "hate" each other). If you prefer your romances to have lots of passion and sex, you may want to pass on this one.
This book draws on events that have occurred in the previous two books so it is best to have read the earlier books. But if you haven't read them, you will be fine because there is enough explanation.
Meg is the oldest Huxtable and is still single because she promised their father she would keep them all together and she felt the obligation to take care of Stephen (the youngest and only boy) until he reached adulthood. Vanessa and Kate are now happily married and Stephen is an adult but Meg is now 30. The slow pace of the romance in this book fits the character of Meg because she has held her emotions in check during the first two books.
Duncan has been away from society for 5 years due to a scandal the reader learns more about as the book progresses. Now he is desperate to find a bride who will merit his grandfather's approval and get married within two weeks or he will lose his childhood home and source of income. Meg is also in a bind because she told Crispin Dew (her first love who married another and is now a widower) she was engaged but she learns the man whose proposals she had been rejecting (but expected to accept this time) was engaged to another woman. Duncan and Meg run into each other (quite literally) and that starts the plot rolling.
There is a lot in this book about love and trust and about deciding to love someone. The sex scenes come after marriage and are more about the love than pure lust; they are not particularly explicit. This love story felt more real to me than a lot of the quick passion ones and it was a comfortable read with an ending so sweet it made me get all teary.
I'm looking forward to the 4th of the Huxtable books (Seducing an Angel (Huxtable)) and hope Mary Balogh will then write a love story for Constantine Huxtable.
Book Review: In a league of her own....
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the third book in the series, and the best so far. Which is saying something. But with Mary Balogh, you can hardly ever go wrong. She writes characters of such depth and grace, and although she is less sexually blatant that many of her contemporaries, what she does write rings more true somehow. Her stories and characters are so rich in and of themselves, even without the sex scenes, that when they do come, they are perfectly right...they don't jar you. You don't feel like you're watching sex between strangers and that pull she exerts through setting, character and plot makes it impossible not to feel the depth of those characters needs and desires. You discover along with them and don't feel like a voyeur afterwards.
Margaret is a wonderful character, full of wit and self-knowledge with a remarkable spirit and sense of humor. And Duncan is the perfect foil for her. A man of remarkable honor and compassion. They both share a deep sense of loneliness and lives unlived. And remarkably, in the end, they find what they've lost in each other and come to the understanding, in a very believable way, that perhaps that's how things were meant to be for the two of them. A perfectly wonderful book that I'll read over and over as time goes by.
I've liked all these book, the first (Vanessa's story) more than the second. And now this third, as I said, best of all. It will be interesting to see what Ms. Balogh does with Stephen's story, the 4th in the series, which is due out later this year. I'm hoping we'll also see a book for Constantine somewhere down the line.
And don't think I have a problem with more graphic sex. I don't. If it's done well, I'm just as susceptible as anyone else. But you have to care about the people engaged in the activity; otherwise it's like watching really bad porno.
A prime example of that is the early Anita Blake books (a different genre, I realize); in those early books, Laurell Hamilton did a great job with characters and story, especially story. So that when the sex finally came, it mattered, really mattered in a big way. But somewhere after Obsidian Butterfly, she lost her way and the books became nothing but sex. I don't know if she realizes just how unpleasant she's made the character of Anita Blake by airing what can only be, I think, her own personal predilections through her character. A shame, but there are tons of threads devoted to that sad journey, and this is about Mary Balogh. I only use the Anita Blake reference as an example of what I mean. Someone should send Ms. Hamilton a few of Mary Balogh's books. But maybe not...I don't think she "gets it".
Thank the stars for Mary Balogh.