Reviews

Le banni by Mary Balogh

akalgesch's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jackiehorne's review against another edition

4.0

3.5

birdloveranne's review against another edition

3.0

I liked this book a lot. The heroine drove me nuts at times though, so I only gave it three stars.

lenchi's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Minor: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Pregnancy

minamean's review against another edition

0.25

Although the miscommunication trope actually make sense within the plot, this book is infuriating. He finds out she's not a Virgin on their wedding night and proceeds to treat her like a hole for almost the whole book. In the last few pages when he finds out the very good reasons why she had no hymen, he issues a quick apology. She waves it away and they have a happily ever after.
BULLSHIT

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Stalking

sarah_moynihan's review against another edition

2.0

This is a more traditional styled romance genre novel than the other two books by her that I have read, which is not really my cup of tea. I'm not really a fan of romance novels that center on characters ripping each others' clothes of constantly. That being said, she did make sure there was plot to her story. She didn't just surround sex scenes with a hint of plot, there was an actual storyline that the book followed. I will admit though that there was the obnoxious trope of the man being skilled in the art of pleasing a woman, taught by the best of lovers and he teaches her how pleasurable sex can be. Bleh. But I knew she was a good author from the books I had already read and decided to continue reading. There was a good storyline, with some decent plot twists (even if a bit predictable at times). The ending was a little cheap to me though. Mind you, not the whole conclusion of the story, just about the last five or so pages. After the the major conflict of the book was resolved it just felt a bit like "I was right, you were right, WE were right. I love you" the end. And Anna's unwillingness to share her secret, even after her husband had shown he was not the type to beat his wife or turn her out of the house with no means to support herelf, became a little tedious and things wouldn't have gotten to the extremes they did had she just confided on one of the numerous occassions that he asked her. This book was written a solid decade before the other books I've read by her though, and I can without a doubt say that her writing is so much better now. I'll probably stick to her newer books from here on out. I really like Emily, Anna's youngest sister though, so I'll probably read SIlent Melody centering on her character even though it is still one of Balogh's earlier works.
I would probably give this book a higher rating than two stars if I were a bigger fan of romance novels, but I didn't feel right giving it three either. So let's call it a 2.5.

faveroalessia's review against another edition

relaxing medium-paced

3.75

hvngryeyes's review against another edition

2.0

yawn. no passion between at all.

iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition

3.0

From New York Times bestselling legend Mary Balogh—and the beloved author of Longing, Silent Melody, and Beyond the Sunrise—comes a ravishing novel of passion and duty, love and menace....

Life has taught Lucas Kendrick, Duke of Harndon, that a heart is a decided liability. Betrayed by his elder brother, rejected by his fiancée, banished by his father, and shunned by his mother, Luke fled to Paris, where he became the most sought-after bachelor in fashionable society.

Ten years later, fate has brought him back home to England as head of the family who rejected him. Unwilling as he is to be involved with them, he must assume responsibility for his younger siblings, the family estate he once loved—and the succession. He faces the prospect of marrying with the greatest reluctance—until he sees beguiling Lady Anna Marlowe across a ballroom one night.

Anna, far from being the bright-eyed innocent Luke takes her for, is no more a stranger to the shadows of a painful past than he is. But for her, marriage cannot so easily solve what is wrong in her life—not when a tormentor stalks her to the very doors of Bowden Abbey, where Luke and Anna must learn to trust in each other or risk any chance they may have for a happy future.

**

From New York Times bestselling legend Mary Balogh—and the beloved author of Longing, Silent Melody, and Beyond the Sunrise—comes a ravishing novel of passion and duty, love and menace....

Life has taught Lucas Kendrick, Duke of Harndon, that a heart is a decided liability. Betrayed by his elder brother, rejected by his fiancée, banished by his father, and shunned by his mother, Luke fled to Paris, where he became the most sought-after bachelor in fashionable society.

Ten years later, fate has brought him back home to England as head of the family who rejected him. Unwilling as he is to be involved with them, he must assume responsibility for his younger siblings, the family estate he once loved—and the succession. He faces the prospect of marrying with the greatest reluctance—until he sees beguiling Lady Anna Marlowe across a ballroom one night.

Anna, far from being the bright-eyed innocent Luke takes her for, is no more a stranger to the shadows of a painful past than he is. But for her, marriage cannot so easily solve what is wrong in her life—not when a tormentor stalks her to the very doors of Bowden Abbey, where Luke and Anna must learn to trust in each other or risk any chance they may have for a happy future.

**

chocolatequeen's review against another edition

2.0

All the drama--melodrama even--of an 80s/90s era romance novel with no actual romance. I never felt the hero and heroine truly knew each other or loved each other. Very disappointing from an author I usually enjoy.