Thursday, September 5, 2013

Book Review: The Proposal by Mary Balogh

The Proposal 
By Mary Balogh
Release Date: May 28, 2013
Source: Librarything
Summary: Gwendoline, Lady Muir, has seen her share of tragedy, especially since a freak accident took her husband much too soon. Content in a quiet life with friends and family, the young widow has no desire to marry again. But when Hugo, Lord Trentham, scoops her up in his arms after a fall, she feels a sensation that both shocks and emboldens her.
 
Hugo never intends to kiss Lady Muir, and frankly, he judges her to be a spoiled, frivolous—if beautiful—aristocrat. He is a gentleman in name only: a soldier whose bravery earned him a title; a merchant’s son who inherited his wealth. He is happiest when working the land, but duty and title now demand that he finds a wife. He doesn’t wish to court Lady Muir, nor have any role in the society games her kind thrives upon. Yet Hugo has never craved a woman more; Gwen’s guileless manner, infectious laugh, and lovely face have ruined him for any other woman. He wants her, but will she have him?
 
The hard, dour ex-military officer who so gently carried Gwen to safety is a man who needs a lesson in winning a woman’s heart. Despite her cautious nature, Gwen cannot ignore the attraction. As their two vastly different worlds come together, both will be challenged in unforeseen ways. But through courtship and seduction, Gwen soon finds that with each kiss, and with every caress, she cannot resist Hugo’s devotion, his desire, his love, and the promise of forever.


Review: Oh historical romances, how I've missed you! It's been too long since I've read a historical romance, so I was one happy girl when I cracked open this one and entered the prim and proper world of the lords and ladies of London. 

Hugo is used to his quiet, middle class life. Even when he's given the title of a Lord and all the money that comes with it after leading a suicide mission during the war that helped his side win, Hugo can't stand that lavish lifestyle. However, with his new title comes a duty and he knows he must find a wife soon. And Gwendoline is the last person who wants that role. After her husband died, Gwen is perfectly content to live her widowed life in society with her friends and family. But when Hugo rescues her from a nasty fall, nurses her back to health, and shows up at her home to ask for her help with his sister, there's no denying this Lord is captivating. Is Gwen ready to settle down again, and could Hugo really have found the woman he's always wanted? 

From the very beginning, you know Hugo and Gwen's relationship is going to be entertaining. As soon as they meet, Hugo is hard-headed and Gwen isn't going to let a man throw her around. As they butt heads, their banter is so fun and I love how they can let their true selves show with each other instead of always being proper and perfect. 

Hugo and Gwen's relationship doesn't start off too well, so I loved watching their relationship grow and how they fall for each other as the story progresses. Two people as stubborn as Gwen and Hugo couldn't be more perfect for each other. Though this book lacked any extreme "wow" moments, it was still a sweet read. The addition of the side stories and romances of the other characters was cute and let us get to know everyone in the main characters' lives. 

While this one wasn't the best historical romance I've read, it was a sweet, easy read that I still enjoyed. The way the characters interacted was fun and the historical London society was perfect. For an enjoyable historical romance, go ahead and pick up Mary Balogh's latest release. Now, all I can do is wait for the second book in the series to come out in August. I can't wait to read Vincent's story next!


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