BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Mary Balogh's The Secret Mistress.
Set against the seductive backdrop of Regency England... read full description
Set against the seductive backdrop of Regency England... read full description
reviews
Apr 06, 2008
Julie (jjmachshev)
rated it: 
Another emotionally satisfying book from Mary Balogh. The final of her "Simply..." series.
This is the story of Claudia Martin, school matron. Claudia doesn't like aristocrats, the ton, and men in general. She was terribly hurt as a young woman and vowed to rely only on herself while making a success of her life. She's in her mid-30s, firmly on the shelf, and satisfied with her life. The Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough, arrives on an errand from one of her former tea More...
This is the story of Claudia Martin, school matron. Claudia doesn't like aristocrats, the ton, and men in general. She was terribly hurt as a young woman and vowed to rely only on herself while making a success of her life. She's in her mid-30s, firmly on the shelf, and satisfied with her life. The Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough, arrives on an errand from one of her former tea More...
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Dec 29, 2011
Elvie
rated it: 
I consider myself a semi-discriminating romance reader. I demand a fair amount from my romances, but I don’t read them with my etymological dictionary (yes, I own one!) in the other hand. I insist on a high degree of historical accuracy, but forgive the author if she needed to move the date of a relatively minor historical battle by a matter of months to make her plot work (especially if she apologizes in an author’s note and provides the accurate information for the particular-minded). I don’t
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Dec 04, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
I was really excited to find "Simply Perfect" at a book sale yesterday. I had read books 1-3 of Ms. Balough's perfect series with much delight but had not been able to find this one, book 4. "Simply Perfect" was very good. The fact that I read it in one day attests to that. I found myself at a disadvantage though. It has been awhile since I read the Bedwyn and Perfect series. So, I spent a lot of time trying to remember characters and their stories. Even if I was brand new to
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Sep 17, 2011
Flame
rated it: 
I read this book a few years back. Though I don't really recall much of the plot anymore, I do remember one thing. I remember thinking that the book was worthy of its name, Simply Perfect.
Looking back though, I remember feeling that though the story wasn't particularly interesting and eye-catching, it was very addictive. I know I couldn't put the book down and I read it in about one sitting, maybe 3 hours? I do faintly recall it as being one of the first romance books I actually re- More...
Looking back though, I remember feeling that though the story wasn't particularly interesting and eye-catching, it was very addictive. I know I couldn't put the book down and I read it in about one sitting, maybe 3 hours? I do faintly recall it as being one of the first romance books I actually re- More...
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Jul 21, 2011
Romancing the
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Claudia Martin has owned and run her own school for years and resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood. That is until Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough enters her life and turns everything upside down.
Joseph wants to marry for love, but his station in life and pressure from his father has him proposing to a frigid woman. So, when Joseph keeps encountering Claudia and she starts coming out of her shell, he realizes that she might just be the perfect woman for him.
Simply Per More...
Joseph wants to marry for love, but his station in life and pressure from his father has him proposing to a frigid woman. So, when Joseph keeps encountering Claudia and she starts coming out of her shell, he realizes that she might just be the perfect woman for him.
Simply Per More...
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Mar 02, 2011
Michelle (Clover Hill Book Reviews)
rated it:
Also posted on my blog.
The cover on this is very visual. I love the shade of forest green used for the dress. Claudia Martin is the headmistress of St Martin's School for Girls. She enjoys her life bringing hope and culturing the girls in her school, many of whom are charity cases and would otherwise be living on the streets.
Joseph Fawcitt is an interesting character, he's played the field and knows how to turn his charm on...leaving the girls at St Martin's oogling over More...
The cover on this is very visual. I love the shade of forest green used for the dress. Claudia Martin is the headmistress of St Martin's School for Girls. She enjoys her life bringing hope and culturing the girls in her school, many of whom are charity cases and would otherwise be living on the streets.
Joseph Fawcitt is an interesting character, he's played the field and knows how to turn his charm on...leaving the girls at St Martin's oogling over More...
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Jul 07, 2010
Brigitte
rated it:
I have not read all of the "Simply" series, and after reading Claudia's story, I found I don't have to. As a few other reviewers have mentioned, all the former teachers as well as the Bedwyns, not to mention Ravensburg and Lauren (the gang's all here!) make appearances in this novel, and as each makes their appearance, there is a recap of their background. Flying off on these tangents took away from the main storyline, and when the focus would be returned to Claudia, it was like shifti
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Jul 07, 2010
Rebecca
rated it: 
I picked this up because I adore Georgette Heyer and I've read all of hers, and this one seemed from reviews as if it would have a bit more substance than typical series regencies. It did, and I liked that it was about a 35 year old woman (instead of an 18-22 year old) who had lived an independent life with a career. The philosophies espoused by the "good" characters, however, were decidedly 21st century idealized ones, which detracts from the atmosphere. I think you can get away with
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Jun 17, 2009
becky
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 19, 2009
Maria
rated it:
The best of the Simply series so far in my opinion. This one is about two 35-year-olds who meet and eventually fall in love. They have both the maturity and the experiences to make the book more than a simple love story. The addition of a blind 11-year-old and the different reactions of people to her blindness is complicated by the fact that she is illegitimate. A good commentary on the shallowness of society and its rules when rigidly applied.
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May 04, 2009
Melissa
rated it:
I really like Mary Balogh, and I enjoyed this book as usual. She can actually make me cry - yes, I know it's probably comparable to Lifetime TV movies, but when looking for a quick, easy read, especially since these are romance novels and not "serious" writing, she has excellent plots and her characters are well done.
Because this was the last book in the Simply series, it included just of the characters from the Bedwyn novels, as well as the other Simply couples. This mad More...
Because this was the last book in the Simply series, it included just of the characters from the Bedwyn novels, as well as the other Simply couples. This mad More...
Feb 03, 2010
notyourmonkey
rated it: 
Really interesting handling of women's independence and employment in the guise of a dress-up-doll historical romance; really egregiously bad handling of the illegitimate! blind! plotpoint! You don't get to be all enlightened or whatever about the role of women in society and then go on to have the same heroine unironically wonder if the illegitimate! blind! plot point! even has the capacity to learn or if her lack of sight means that she is utterly uneducable and capable of nothing more than be
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Feb 06, 2010
Rane
rated it:
In the last of the Simply Series, Claudia Martin wasn’t looking for love, she had her school and her students, but when Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough walks through her school doors and changes her and his world forever......
In the last of the Simply Series, Simply Perfect centers around the headmistress Claudia Martin, whose hand to claw her way in order for her school to be successful, her true pride and joy are the charity students whom go on to become successfu More...
In the last of the Simply Series, Simply Perfect centers around the headmistress Claudia Martin, whose hand to claw her way in order for her school to be successful, her true pride and joy are the charity students whom go on to become successfu More...
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(9 people liked it)
Mar 26, 2009
Ana T.
rated it:
Remember how on my last Balogh review I mentioned that her current books lacked the passion of her earlier ones? Well this one is a prime example of that.
Claudia Martin has been a secondary character in the earlier 3 books of the Simply series and she was mentioned I believe in some of the Bedwyn series. She was a sort of austere and strict woman, devoted to her work and hating all things Bedwyn. Even when she interacted with the other teachers in previous books I always felt that t More...
Claudia Martin has been a secondary character in the earlier 3 books of the Simply series and she was mentioned I believe in some of the Bedwyn series. She was a sort of austere and strict woman, devoted to her work and hating all things Bedwyn. Even when she interacted with the other teachers in previous books I always felt that t More...
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Jan 05, 2012
Shei
rated it:
★★★★★★
Y pensar que tenía renuencia a leer este libro...
Y es que la Srta. Martin no era un personaje que me atrajera mucho, pero al final no estaba tranquila sin terminar la serie y lo comencé.
El libro hace honor cien por ciento a su nombre,es Simplemente Perfecto...
Me enamoré por completo de Joseph ♥, dónde hay un hombre como él???
Realmente creo que sólo puede existir en las páginas de un maravilloso libro, porque si existiera en la vid More...
Y pensar que tenía renuencia a leer este libro...
Y es que la Srta. Martin no era un personaje que me atrajera mucho, pero al final no estaba tranquila sin terminar la serie y lo comencé.
El libro hace honor cien por ciento a su nombre,es Simplemente Perfecto...
Me enamoré por completo de Joseph ♥, dónde hay un hombre como él???
Realmente creo que sólo puede existir en las páginas de un maravilloso libro, porque si existiera en la vid More...
Jul 08, 2010
Sandy
rated it:
I seem to be going through a romance novel phase right now. I picked up "Simply Perfect" off the paperback exchange shelf at the library, and was less than impressed with this one.
There was a lot here that I wanted to like - the heroine, Claudia, is a woman in her 30s. She is not a virgin (although also not sexually experienced - heaven forbid a romance heroine has a satisfying sex life before she meets the hero of the story). She is the headmistress of a school educatin More...
There was a lot here that I wanted to like - the heroine, Claudia, is a woman in her 30s. She is not a virgin (although also not sexually experienced - heaven forbid a romance heroine has a satisfying sex life before she meets the hero of the story). She is the headmistress of a school educatin More...
Oct 15, 2011
Gloria75
rated it:
Davvero molto bello!
In questo ultimo libro della saga "simply" vengono proposti e affrontati al meglio diversi temi: figli illegittimi, matrimoni solo d'interesse, delusioni d'amore in giovane età che poi cambiano il corso di una vita intera....
Molto bello lo svolgimento della storia tra vari personaggi, davvero tanti protagonisti di altri libri dell'autrice che sembra si ritrovino tutti insieme nello stesso luogo nello stesso momento, un pò come una grande rimpatriata... More...
In questo ultimo libro della saga "simply" vengono proposti e affrontati al meglio diversi temi: figli illegittimi, matrimoni solo d'interesse, delusioni d'amore in giovane età che poi cambiano il corso di una vita intera....
Molto bello lo svolgimento della storia tra vari personaggi, davvero tanti protagonisti di altri libri dell'autrice che sembra si ritrovino tutti insieme nello stesso luogo nello stesso momento, un pò come una grande rimpatriata... More...
May 30, 2011
Michele
rated it:
Another terrific Mary Balogh book!! Almost a five star. I read this book in a day, I couldn't put it down. Joseph is such a sweet man. A monogamous man who adores his blind daughter? He's perfect! I appreciated how Claudia Martin's character was a modern career woman, but in a way that was realistic to the time period. A common theme in many Balogh books is how the woman might not be typically pretty, of correct social standing, or the man scared, but they are loved for who they are and therefor
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Oct 01, 2010
Linda
rated it:
This is the second best of the series to me because once again we're tangled up with the Bedwyns. We have an independent woman who is forward thinking but still tied traditionally to the aristocracy she resents. Claudia Martin finds love in different forms and the identity of her benefactor. Even the nasty Portia Hunt makes another appearance.
I really wish there was a giant chart somewhere that lays out all the nobles, their spouses, children and other relations.
I'll keep More...
I really wish there was a giant chart somewhere that lays out all the nobles, their spouses, children and other relations.
I'll keep More...
May 27, 2011
Kimberly
rated it:
Part of a series about teachers at Elite Academy for young ladies. Claudia Martin, the strong independent, once bitten twice shy young lady, gains the attention of handsome Marquess who holds a secret... a blind love child! The problem with story was the pace was S L O W... I kept reading because I liked Claudia's character, her friendship with Joseph The Marquess, and how she taught his daughter Lizzie. But it dragged on, lacked spice, intrigue and Joseph wasn't an interesting hero. Uninter
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Sep 27, 2010
R*beth*h
rated it:
When you've given up on love it can be the sweetest reward to find you really do deserve it! I have always been a fan of Eras gone by, simpler times. Of you truly believe life was more simple you are mistaken. Reading through the history of the ton and the lower classes through the eyes of Mary Balough can truly be an eye opener. Many of her stories follow the same pattern, visiting the same towns and sites. I most ways I enjoy that about her stories. I enjoy her strong female characters and the
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Sep 30, 2011
Diane
rated it:
I like this book more each time I read it - I have now read it 3 times. The characters are believable: Claudia Martin, the school mistress who is wise and loving and fierce in her care of charity pupils; Joseph Fawcitt, the heir to a dukedom whose love for his blind, illegitimate daughter creates a problem now that the time has come to settle down and beget an heir; and Lizzie, the little girl who has lived a circumscribed life because of her social life and disability. There are a few reasons w
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Jan 04, 2011
Bronwyn
rated it:
Another enjoyable story by Mary Balogh, this is 4th of 4 books in the Simply Quartet, which features teachers at Miss Martin’s School for girls. This story is about Claudia Martin herself.
Claudia does not trust titled gentleman, especially Dukes so when the future Duke of Anburey, Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough comes to her school with a note from her friend Susanna and says that he will accompany her and 2 of her students to London in 2 days time – she does not trust him.
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Claudia does not trust titled gentleman, especially Dukes so when the future Duke of Anburey, Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough comes to her school with a note from her friend Susanna and says that he will accompany her and 2 of her students to London in 2 days time – she does not trust him.
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Jun 03, 2008
Erin
rated it:
If you can suspend disbelief at the unlikeliness of this plot, it's an excellent romance novel. The characters seem like real people that you would actually want to know, and I enjoyed reading the story of how they came to fall in love. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I forgot to go to bed on time two nights in a row, reading first until I was halfway through, and then the second night reading until I was done...and it was by then 1:42 a.m. Oops.
I'd recommend this to any historical More...
I'd recommend this to any historical More...
May 30, 2008
Gail
rated it:
This is the story about the headmistress of the school in Bath. She’s a little anti-rich-aristocrats but has unbent enough to admit that she likes the rich aristocrats her former teachers and current friends have married. Still, she’s not fond of the breed as a whole. One senses old wounds. We already know she’s got a grudge against the Bedwyn family because of how awful her ex-student and her family was. And now this rich aristocratic gentleman has showed up on the doorstep of her school to inv
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Mar 16, 2011
Sababa
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Mar 14, 2009
Corie
rated it:
Oops, this is the one I accidently read the fourth book first. But still really enjoyed it. It takes you to a time when romance seems real and complete and customary. I am interested in reading the prior 3 books when my upcoming book schedule frees up.
I have read other series books by Mary Balogh, and really enjoy them, and they are not smutty or dirty love stories at all. The characters always seem regal and proper, yet slightly rouge. This was a good one.
I have read other series books by Mary Balogh, and really enjoy them, and they are not smutty or dirty love stories at all. The characters always seem regal and proper, yet slightly rouge. This was a good one.
Jul 17, 2010
Marlo
rated it:
This book is based back in the time of horse drawn carriages and set in and around England. It's about a single lady who owns a girls school who takes two of her pupils into London to meet their respective employeers to whom they will be nannies for. This trip changes her life and something happens that she never ever thought would take place in her life. This book has romance, adventure, there are a couple of love scenes but over all a good book.
Apr 26, 2008
Lorie
rated it:
I usually like Mary Balogh's books more than I did this one. I liked the story, although it was very predictable right from the start. The biggest problem I had in this one was the characters, or rather the number and addressing of such. There were way too many characters all forced together in this book, many from her past books in the series. Many times they were referred to by their titles, some times by their given names, and still other times they were of in reference to who their spouse
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Nov 24, 2009
Miss Purl
rated it:
This is the Mary Balogh that I love! The story of love between a man and a woman, not a ninny and an alpha male. Great (if idealistic) look at illegitimacy in the early 19th century. Certainly written to appeal to modern audiences, but I think I would not have been as satisfied with a story that deals with these issues if it had been written entirely from the viewpoints of people who were truly residents of the Regency era.
