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scarr77's review
4.0
This book kind of devastated me. Balogh wrote and actual RAKE - a fortune hunter who drinks, gambles, and sleeps around until almost the end! I interpreted Freddie's portrayal as sympathetic - he is living with addictions and he cannot just muster up some self control and stop doing things that are destructive to himself (because this is not possible for people experiencing addictions!). In the previous book, Courting Julia, Freddie abducted the FMC in that book to Gretna Green and threatened to rape her . . . which was a similar backstory to one Mr. Sebastian from Devil in Winter. However, imo, Balogh has the courage of her convictions and did not give Freddie a personality transplant simply because he had sex with his virgin wife. Freddie was never written and wholly bad just someone who is experiencing gambling addiction and is embarrassed by what he believes is his inability to "control" it. I think there are some issues within the text that do not hold up well or are not pushed back on but I am impressed with what Balogh attempted here.
(Clara is a disabled woman who has been unable to use her legs since childhood due to illness. As the story goes on, we learn Clara's late father prevented her from a full recovery due to his over-protection after Clara's mother died of the same illness. There is no magical cure for her legs but by the end of the book, she has begun to practice physical therapy with hopes of walking and possibly even dancing in the future.)
(Clara is a disabled woman who has been unable to use her legs since childhood due to illness. As the story goes on, we learn Clara's late father prevented her from a full recovery due to his over-protection after Clara's mother died of the same illness. There is no magical cure for her legs but by the end of the book, she has begun to practice physical therapy with hopes of walking and possibly even dancing in the future.)
crystald14's review
2.0
So, Freddie's life is blighted after Julia ends up choosing Daniel in [b:Courting Julia|690071|Courting Julia (Sullivan, #1)|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387744494s/690071.jpg|676420] and he needs funds to pay off his creditors and narrowed it to Clara Danford, who cannot walk. He fakes love for her and marries her. She marries him because she knows no one else will ask her and Freddie is a handsome man. Fair enough.
They have a blissful honeymoon where they grow to like the other and Freddie vows to never be a wastrel. And then Clara tells him to stop his BS and fake flattery, and Freddie is shamed because SHE KNOWS HE IS LYING. And that's when I want to hurl the book at the wall.
I abhor adultery as a topic. And I hate men who take their wives for granted I bore it in [b:The Obedient Bride|969586|The Obedient Bride|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387734640s/969586.jpg|954483] and hated Alex in [b:The First Snowdrop|690070|The First Snowdrop (Frazer, #1)|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387663664s/690070.jpg|676419] and Freddie joins that category. He goes back to his life : gambling, whoring, drinking. His one redeeming fact is that he helps Clara on the process to heal. But he is such an idiot.
Almost till the end of the book, he is the same wastrel and self loather. And Clara forgives him and takes him back. She says that she will always love him, no matter what he does. Geez.
I didnt hate the book, but this is definitely not one of my favourites. The next book [b:Tempting Harriet|690063|Tempting Harriet (Sullivan, #3)|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392091258s/690063.jpg|676412] is so much better!
Takeaway : None.
They have a blissful honeymoon where they grow to like the other and Freddie vows to never be a wastrel. And then Clara tells him to stop his BS and fake flattery, and Freddie is shamed because SHE KNOWS HE IS LYING. And that's when I want to hurl the book at the wall.
I abhor adultery as a topic. And I hate men who take their wives for granted I bore it in [b:The Obedient Bride|969586|The Obedient Bride|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387734640s/969586.jpg|954483] and hated Alex in [b:The First Snowdrop|690070|The First Snowdrop (Frazer, #1)|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387663664s/690070.jpg|676419] and Freddie joins that category. He goes back to his life : gambling, whoring, drinking. His one redeeming fact is that he helps Clara on the process to heal. But he is such an idiot.
Almost till the end of the book, he is the same wastrel and self loather. And Clara forgives him and takes him back. She says that she will always love him, no matter what he does. Geez.
I didnt hate the book, but this is definitely not one of my favourites. The next book [b:Tempting Harriet|690063|Tempting Harriet (Sullivan, #3)|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392091258s/690063.jpg|676412] is so much better!
Takeaway : None.
reading_historical_romance's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
amyiw's review
4.0
3 1/2
I thought I was going to end up really being disappointed, as we were getting to the end and the guy is just irredeemable. But the end is all about forgiveness and the benefits to forgiveness. Yet, we don't get to see Freddie truly turn around. So if you are offended by the rake, gambler, drinker, not mending his ways because of a good women, you are not going to be happy here. I thought I was not going to be happy either but the ending was a start, and a perhaps. Still, I don't know if I could forgive or trust him So I was hopeful at the end but not happy as it wasn't yet a HEA.
I loved the beginning of this right after they get married. Yes, it is all based on lies but they mesh so nicely. Then his self loathing comes and he lashes out, really at himself. And then it looks like again that it is starting to become good again, they are really starting to care for one another and again, his self loathing comes to the front and he lashes out at her and himself again. He has the addictive personality and Balogh has it to the T here. He recognizes it and that is the start. I was just hoping for more.
I thought I was going to end up really being disappointed, as we were getting to the end and the guy is just irredeemable. But the end is all about forgiveness and the benefits to forgiveness. Yet, we don't get to see Freddie truly turn around. So if you are offended by the rake, gambler, drinker, not mending his ways because of a good women, you are not going to be happy here. I thought I was not going to be happy either but the ending was a start, and a perhaps. Still, I don't know if I could forgive or trust him
Spoiler
especially about bringing home diseases. The whole time I was so sorry for Clara because it was/is a disaster waiting to happen.I loved the beginning of this right after they get married. Yes, it is all based on lies but they mesh so nicely. Then his self loathing comes and he lashes out, really at himself. And then it looks like again that it is starting to become good again, they are really starting to care for one another and again, his self loathing comes to the front and he lashes out at her and himself again. He has the addictive personality and Balogh has it to the T here. He recognizes it and that is the start. I was just hoping for more.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
3.0
Reread 2017: I think I liked this more the second time around. However, I read it first back in the 90s, so it is hard to say. It is definitely not a traditional romance, rather I find it more of a character study of a quite flawed individual. Freddie is not all bad, but he is pretty bad. And the frustrating thing is that he couldn't help himself, would then hate himself, and then not help himself again. It was a vicious cycle. That being said, this was a compelling read, and I found myself interested in both Clara and Freddie's struggles. I might have rated it higher if the final chapter (and the reunion) had been more developed.
tita_noir's review
5.0
Freddie Sullivan is quite desperate. He has run up gambling bills so high that he is to the point where he can't pay them and may have to be sent to debtor's prison. He is ashamed to ask his father to bail him out yet another time so he heads to Bath to find a rich bride. There are three possibles and he settles on Clara Danvers -- the richest and the one who doesn't have a guardian or father to scuttle his chances.
Clara is struck by Freddie's beauty and charm. She is under no illusions about him. She knows he needs a rich wife and she is certainly rich. But she is not beautiful and because of a childhood illness in India she can't walk.
She accepts his proposal and the two marry and embark upon a marriage that is at times wonderful, painful, and revelatory.
Over the years, I had heard a lot about this book. Most people either love it or hate it. The people who hate it are those who point to Freddie's adultery as a deal breaker. He is a terrible hero and thus this is a terrible story and not worthy of being labeled a romance. I disagree. I think anyone who focuses solely on that one aspect of Freddie really misses out on the larger, largely wonderful and moving story.
Freddie isn't simply an adulterer. He is a charming, beautiful man who has two evils: he has a gambling addiction and he hates himself. The two things feed on each other quite destructively. And he does things to constantly punish himself. Before he married Clara, he justified it as the life of a merry bachelor. But after Clara, guilt is added to the stew and his demons gnaw at him in newer ways.
This is not to say this book is a downer or even heavy. No, Balogh uses a very light, deft touch with these issues. Freddie is after all charming and wonderful. Everything is delivered with a smile and bedroom eyes.
I have to admit that when I was reading the early chapters after Freddie proposes to Clara, I despised him. His inner dialogue lets the reader know that he does not find Clara at all attractive and yet is constantly telling her how he has fallen instantly in love and he loves her. It is quite sickening. I mentally kept calling him an asshole and a jerk (well as this is a Regency probably cur, rake, scoundrel or roue would be more apropos).
But my distaste did not last. Freddie is, under it all, a decent person and he takes pains to try to make Clara happy. He respects her and begins to see her as a person. And most of all, he begins to reverse the damaging effects that her father's coddling has wrought for years.
Clara for her part is under no illusions about Freddie. She marries him because, as she puts it, she wants his beauty for herself. She is a pragmatic woman who deals very much in reality. There is one point where Freddie is having the mother of all pity parties and Clara very nicely calls him on his crap and tells him they don't have time for him to feel sorry for himself anymore.
What I found so incredibly gratifying about this story is how these two people actually do grow in love in a way that feels to me to be very grounded in realism to me.
I am absolutely loving my foray into Mary Balogh's early regencies. And this one tops the list.
Clara is struck by Freddie's beauty and charm. She is under no illusions about him. She knows he needs a rich wife and she is certainly rich. But she is not beautiful and because of a childhood illness in India she can't walk.
She accepts his proposal and the two marry and embark upon a marriage that is at times wonderful, painful, and revelatory.
Over the years, I had heard a lot about this book. Most people either love it or hate it. The people who hate it are those who point to Freddie's adultery as a deal breaker. He is a terrible hero and thus this is a terrible story and not worthy of being labeled a romance. I disagree. I think anyone who focuses solely on that one aspect of Freddie really misses out on the larger, largely wonderful and moving story.
Freddie isn't simply an adulterer. He is a charming, beautiful man who has two evils: he has a gambling addiction and he hates himself. The two things feed on each other quite destructively. And he does things to constantly punish himself. Before he married Clara, he justified it as the life of a merry bachelor. But after Clara, guilt is added to the stew and his demons gnaw at him in newer ways.
This is not to say this book is a downer or even heavy. No, Balogh uses a very light, deft touch with these issues. Freddie is after all charming and wonderful. Everything is delivered with a smile and bedroom eyes.
I have to admit that when I was reading the early chapters after Freddie proposes to Clara, I despised him. His inner dialogue lets the reader know that he does not find Clara at all attractive and yet is constantly telling her how he has fallen instantly in love and he loves her. It is quite sickening. I mentally kept calling him an asshole and a jerk (well as this is a Regency probably cur, rake, scoundrel or roue would be more apropos).
But my distaste did not last. Freddie is, under it all, a decent person and he takes pains to try to make Clara happy. He respects her and begins to see her as a person. And most of all, he begins to reverse the damaging effects that her father's coddling has wrought for years.
Clara for her part is under no illusions about Freddie. She marries him because, as she puts it, she wants his beauty for herself. She is a pragmatic woman who deals very much in reality. There is one point where Freddie is having the mother of all pity parties and Clara very nicely calls him on his crap and tells him they don't have time for him to feel sorry for himself anymore.
What I found so incredibly gratifying about this story is how these two people actually do grow in love in a way that feels to me to be very grounded in realism to me.
I am absolutely loving my foray into Mary Balogh's early regencies. And this one tops the list.
taisie22's review
5.0
Ms. Balogh's earlier books can be hit or miss, but this one from her back catalog is a delight. Freddie Sullivan is a gambler and needs a rich wife desperately. The trouble is all the heiresses and their mamas are onto him. Clara Danforth is wheelchair-bound due to a wasting disease and cynically decides to marry Freddie; she's rich enough to afford him and wants a handsome husband.
It's a thoroughly enjoyable read. Freddie does have some good qualities and Clara learns to trust her rapscallion husband and herself a bit too. It's not your typical Regency romance which makes it all the better in my opinion.
It's a thoroughly enjoyable read. Freddie does have some good qualities and Clara learns to trust her rapscallion husband and herself a bit too. It's not your typical Regency romance which makes it all the better in my opinion.
melissad75's review
1.0
The hero of this book is the WORST. I'm all for flawed heroes, but this guy's flaws (compulsive gambling and serial adultery) continue right up to the end of the book. Even in the final scene, when he's crying to his wife about how much he loves her, he's still not sure he's really going to be able to change his ways, much as he wants to. And the doormat heroine is all I'll forgive you over and over and over if I have to. That's the happy ending. Their relationship is a Dr. Phil episode waiting to happen.
I also hate the fact that the disabled heroine wasn't really disabled. She'd been told by her controlling, overprotective father since childhood that she couldn't walk, but she was really fine. Nothing that some exercising wouldn't cure. Oy vey. 1.) Would it be so terrible if a heroine actually was disabled and remained so? and 2.) This poor woman went from one co-dependent relationship, with her late father, right into another one with her fortune-hunting wastrel of a husband. It's pretty depressing.
This is the 2nd book in a series, something I didn't realize until I got into it and there were characters and past events I was clearly meant to know about. Even setting that aside, though, this was a frustrating read.
I also hate the fact that the disabled heroine wasn't really disabled. She'd been told by her controlling, overprotective father since childhood that she couldn't walk, but she was really fine. Nothing that some exercising wouldn't cure. Oy vey. 1.) Would it be so terrible if a heroine actually was disabled and remained so? and 2.) This poor woman went from one co-dependent relationship, with her late father, right into another one with her fortune-hunting wastrel of a husband. It's pretty depressing.
This is the 2nd book in a series, something I didn't realize until I got into it and there were characters and past events I was clearly meant to know about. Even setting that aside, though, this was a frustrating read.