alisonb's review
3.0
I was looking forward to this story after having read [b:Heartless|110299|Heartless (Georgian, #1)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392637219l/110299._SY75_.jpg|106298].
This book met some of my expectations, but I found myself skimming when it felt too slow moving with a lot of side plots and secondary character drama and events.
I was also not fond of the hero in any way. He seemed selfish and the intimate moments didn’t feel very intimate. They felt like strange therapy sessions. I’m not sure how else to word it at this time.
This book met some of my expectations, but I found myself skimming when it felt too slow moving with a lot of side plots and secondary character drama and events.
I was also not fond of the hero in any way. He seemed selfish and the intimate moments didn’t feel very intimate. They felt like strange therapy sessions. I’m not sure how else to word it at this time.
kblincoln's review
4.0
Interesting take on how a deafmute heroine and hero might interact. Super, extremely over-the-top angsty. The hero blames himself for the death of a wife and child and the also has somehow suppressed the memory of being attracted to the much younger and more vulnerable heroine. Still, quite interesting if a little bit old-skool in the treatment of the their physical relationship (almost cringeworthy with the "taking" and "having" and "mounting" etc.)
heyhaley17's review
2.0
I've been wanting to read this book for a very long time as the concept of a deaf/mute heroine is quite unique and along with the insinuation that there is a deep friendship between her and the hero before their romance made it even better.
The first half of this book becomes really bogged down with too much introspection-- and not particularly good/life changing realization introspection.
I didn't read the first book where the two characters are apparently introduced, but enough is implied that Ash returning having completely blocked out his relationship with her and never thought of her once since leaving 8 years ago and she never even crossed his mind in returning...I just find that really backtracking and actually taking away from the development of the relationship, because it made it seem the suddenness of the sexual aspects of the relationship were really one sided and wholly unromantic (which even the characters admit to). Ashley constantly stating that he wishes Emily was still his little fawn (which is odd considering he literally forgot all about her) and his brotherly views of her got fairly annoying-- more so as they continued after their first sexual encounter. Considering the wallowing, introspection, and lack of redeveloping the relationship between the leads I was left feeling bored by the half way mark. The wallowing is obviously developing for reveals and plot points in the second half, but its just so drawn out and focused on only a single character at a time rather than actually using it to develop relationships (after all it is a romance novel) I just got bored and annoyed with the characters-- which is typically not good for going into the next half of the book. The fact that I liked Luke way more than Ashley was also a problem-- there is a point where I just began to find him misleading and sad without much personality.
At some point I started skimming until it got to bits I felt were actually developing the characters, romance, and plot. What I did like, I really liked, but I just felt disappointed.
The first half of this book becomes really bogged down with too much introspection-- and not particularly good/life changing realization introspection.
I didn't read the first book where the two characters are apparently introduced, but enough is implied that Ash returning having completely blocked out his relationship with her and never thought of her once since leaving 8 years ago and she never even crossed his mind in returning...I just find that really backtracking and actually taking away from the development of the relationship, because it made it seem the suddenness of the sexual aspects of the relationship were really one sided and wholly unromantic (which even the characters admit to). Ashley constantly stating that he wishes Emily was still his little fawn (which is odd considering he literally forgot all about her) and his brotherly views of her got fairly annoying-- more so as they continued after their first sexual encounter. Considering the wallowing, introspection, and lack of redeveloping the relationship between the leads I was left feeling bored by the half way mark. The wallowing is obviously developing for reveals and plot points in the second half, but its just so drawn out and focused on only a single character at a time rather than actually using it to develop relationships (after all it is a romance novel) I just got bored and annoyed with the characters-- which is typically not good for going into the next half of the book. The fact that I liked Luke way more than Ashley was also a problem-- there is a point where I just began to find him misleading and sad without much personality.
At some point I started skimming until it got to bits I felt were actually developing the characters, romance, and plot. What I did like, I really liked, but I just felt disappointed.
lily_maid's review
2.0
Recently, I've been reading some of the back catalog of several big name historical romance writers from the 1990s and 2000s. Overall, it's been an enjoyable process. I discovered some real gems that have clears ties and influences to more recent books. However, others have been misses. Silent Melody was the first book I've read that really felt dated.
It's common to think that historical romance novels reflect the period they're set in, but they also reflect the writer's worldview. Sarah MacLean's Scandals and Scoundrel series is historical but the influences of the Kardashians and feminism are very modern.
This was a book that was probably seen as progressive when it was published- the inclusion of a heroine with a disability alone was unique for when it was published. In ways Emily seems ahead of her time- she attempts to communicate with Ashley using a form of sign-language, she begins to learn to read so she can write letters, and she can read lips. She also is able to mix with society in a way that a real deaf woman in this time period would be unable to.
However, the relationship between the hero and heroine has a very uncomfortable power dynamic.
The hero refers to Emily as his "little dear fawn" and a "sweet child", and her simplicity and a quasi-religous connection to nature is emphasized. Emily has an obvious affection for the hero, who was her teenage fantasy, but Ashley's attraction to Emily which was mixed up with their childhood relationship in a way that made me unseasy. Emily does seem to want and have agency in her sexual life- she likes that Ashley sees her in a sexual way unlike another suitor who prefers that she is a captive listener and wants a quiet obedient life.
The result is a book that feels both dated and untrue to the period. This was a book I really wanted to enjoy, but found it difficult and the ideas dated. I've liked a number of Balogh's other novels especially [b:A Matter of Class|6440767|A Matter of Class|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1439762137i/6440767._SX50_.jpg|6630688] and the Bedwyn series, and I think it's time for me to take a break from older romances and check out another genre for a bit.
It's common to think that historical romance novels reflect the period they're set in, but they also reflect the writer's worldview. Sarah MacLean's Scandals and Scoundrel series is historical but the influences of the Kardashians and feminism are very modern.
This was a book that was probably seen as progressive when it was published- the inclusion of a heroine with a disability alone was unique for when it was published. In ways Emily seems ahead of her time- she attempts to communicate with Ashley using a form of sign-language, she begins to learn to read so she can write letters, and she can read lips. She also is able to mix with society in a way that a real deaf woman in this time period would be unable to.
However, the relationship between the hero and heroine has a very uncomfortable power dynamic.
The hero refers to Emily as his "little dear fawn" and a "sweet child", and her simplicity and a quasi-religous connection to nature is emphasized. Emily has an obvious affection for the hero, who was her teenage fantasy, but Ashley's attraction to Emily which was mixed up with their childhood relationship in a way that made me unseasy. Emily does seem to want and have agency in her sexual life- she likes that Ashley sees her in a sexual way unlike another suitor who prefers that she is a captive listener and wants a quiet obedient life.
The result is a book that feels both dated and untrue to the period. This was a book I really wanted to enjoy, but found it difficult and the ideas dated. I've liked a number of Balogh's other novels especially [b:A Matter of Class|6440767|A Matter of Class|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1439762137i/6440767._SX50_.jpg|6630688] and the Bedwyn series, and I think it's time for me to take a break from older romances and check out another genre for a bit.
writer595's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
squishies's review
1.0
1.5 stars
When I read [b:Heartless|6261976|Heartless|Diana Palmer|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348055735s/6261976.jpg|6445202] I thought Ashley and Emily had a sweet companionship thing going on.
And then he kissed her and he freaked out, which was a bit... hmmm, something.
I've always wondered if Balogh was going to write about their story (though strangely enough, I never bothered to check) and when I found out they did, I was pretty excited.
Sad to say it wasn't what I had expected.
So. Much. Angst.
But not in a good way.
And so much drama! I don't know if it was really necessary, but at least it made the story more interesting when Emily and Ashley were in the midst of trying to save each other by not being together - basically being unnecessarily angsty.
When I read [b:Heartless|6261976|Heartless|Diana Palmer|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348055735s/6261976.jpg|6445202] I thought Ashley and Emily had a sweet companionship thing going on.
And then he kissed her and he freaked out, which was a bit... hmmm, something.
I've always wondered if Balogh was going to write about their story (though strangely enough, I never bothered to check) and when I found out they did, I was pretty excited.
Sad to say it wasn't what I had expected.
So. Much. Angst.
But not in a good way.
And so much drama! I don't know if it was really necessary, but at least it made the story more interesting when Emily and Ashley were in the midst of trying to save each other by not being together - basically being unnecessarily angsty.
shogins's review
3.0
Ashley is such an idiot. He should've known better than to believe his wife about anything.
The representation of Emily is interesting. I know nothing about the actual history of sign language and I doubt anything would've turned out so rosily for an IRL Emily, but it's definitely different than the tropes in a typical period romance novel!
The representation of Emily is interesting. I know nothing about the actual history of sign language and I doubt anything would've turned out so rosily for an IRL Emily, but it's definitely different than the tropes in a typical period romance novel!
kgroberts13's review against another edition
3.0
Good, but not as good as the first book, [b:Heartless|110299|Heartless (Georgian, #1)|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392637219s/110299.jpg|106298].
Too many secondary characters for which I cared little about, too many narrative threads involving those secondary characters, and a few misunderstandings that keep the hero and heroine from one another for much too long. (Though I love Uncle Theo and godmother Lady Sterne, and their behind the scenes conspiring and their own sweet love story.)
Balogh is amazing with stories of reconciliation and people coming to grips with their past. My favorite of hers for this trope is [b:Simply Love|71644|Simply Love (Simply Quartet #2)|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388375903s/71644.jpg|427962].
Too many secondary characters for which I cared little about, too many narrative threads involving those secondary characters, and a few misunderstandings that keep the hero and heroine from one another for much too long. (Though I love Uncle Theo and godmother Lady Sterne, and their behind the scenes conspiring and their own sweet love story.)
Balogh is amazing with stories of reconciliation and people coming to grips with their past. My favorite of hers for this trope is [b:Simply Love|71644|Simply Love (Simply Quartet #2)|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388375903s/71644.jpg|427962].
gemmalaszlo's review
3.0
Why would the heroine not tell the hero that his supposed friend tried to rape her? Why why why???
Sorry, but this drove me nuts. Every time the hero asked her what had happened, and she refused to tell him I wanted to smack her one. I don't get why she was protecting a guy who tried to rape her.
Sorry, but this drove me nuts. Every time the hero asked her what had happened, and she refused to tell him I wanted to smack her one. I don't get why she was protecting a guy who tried to rape her.
thebookcoyote's review
3.0
First off, this book is Georgian, not Regency, but I'm including it here because Mary Balogh is, for the most part, a Regency writer. This book is also the sequel to "Heartless." I truly enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure at first whether having a deaf-mute heroine would even work - it sounds difficult to transfer facial expressions, etc, into words in a book, but Mary Balogh succeeds in doing so, and in making Emily a warm and complex character. Ashley, on the other hand, is a tortured and hurting man, filled with guilt over the accidental deaths of his wife and son in India. In Emily he finds the comfort of a long friendship, and with the realization that she is a woman, and not a little girl, he finds the hope of a great deal more. This book has more of a plot than many of Mary Balogh's books, and it's a good plot that unravels at a reasonable pace - it's not thrown at you, but it doesn't slow down the book either. Truly an enjoyable work!