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The Proposal
(The Survivors' Club #1)
by
In Mary Balogh's engaging and seductive new novel of drama and romance, a woman comfortable in her solitude allows temptation to free her heart, when a daring war hero shows her how truly extraordinary she is.
THE PROPOSAL
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 fr ...more
THE PROPOSAL
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 fr ...more
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Hardcover, 311 pages
Published
May 1st 2012
by Delacorte Press
(first published April 13th 2012)
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3 Meh Stars
The Proposal was my first Mary Balogh book, and it was just okay for me. The first half went very slow. I found myself very bored at times. The second half was much better, but still kinda slow. I really liked Gwen. I found her to be sweet, smart, and loyal. Hugo on the other hand was hard to warm up to. He was wishy washy, very dull, and at times flat. I think the author meant for him to be broody, damaged, and deep. Instead he came off one dimensional. Hugo drove me nuts with h ...more

The Proposal was my first Mary Balogh book, and it was just okay for me. The first half went very slow. I found myself very bored at times. The second half was much better, but still kinda slow. I really liked Gwen. I found her to be sweet, smart, and loyal. Hugo on the other hand was hard to warm up to. He was wishy washy, very dull, and at times flat. I think the author meant for him to be broody, damaged, and deep. Instead he came off one dimensional. Hugo drove me nuts with h ...more

It's been a long while since I read a Balogh and, oh boy, this one hit a serious sweet spot for me. This, to me, is everything that's good about historical romance. Two well drawn characters, not too much drama for the sake of drama, lovely dialogue and the close examination of a growing romance. It's grown up, in the best way possible. I'll start with Hugo because he was great. I love that he spoke his mind and shocked Gwen so completely with it. His bluntness made me smile, even a passing comm
...more

I LOVED THIS BOOK! Mary Balogh weaves an intelligent and touching story of two people from different social classes who find love. It’s an emotionally satisfying, character-driven romance written with her insightful glimpses into the human heart.
This is the first book in the series about a group of survivors of the Napoleonic Wars, all left scarred (emotionally, physically or both) by their experiences, who form a close bond while convalescing. THE PROPOSAL tells Hugo Emes, Lord Trentham’s story ...more
This is the first book in the series about a group of survivors of the Napoleonic Wars, all left scarred (emotionally, physically or both) by their experiences, who form a close bond while convalescing. THE PROPOSAL tells Hugo Emes, Lord Trentham’s story ...more

I reached for this novel the same way a drowning man reaches for a life preserver.
After a difficult month, it was a relief to lose myself in a charming historical romance. We meet the brave and scowling Lord Trentham, who fought in the Napoleonic wars and feels guilty about all of the men who died under his command, and the lovely widow Lady Muir, who is nursing her own emotional wounds after a difficult marriage. Trentham feels pressure to marry, but Lady Muir has vowed never to marry again. O ...more
After a difficult month, it was a relief to lose myself in a charming historical romance. We meet the brave and scowling Lord Trentham, who fought in the Napoleonic wars and feels guilty about all of the men who died under his command, and the lovely widow Lady Muir, who is nursing her own emotional wounds after a difficult marriage. Trentham feels pressure to marry, but Lady Muir has vowed never to marry again. O ...more

I went into this book with fairly low expectations. Here's why:
(1) This is the first of a new series, involving the members of a group called "The Survivors' Club". Here is Mary Balogh's description of that club, taken from her website:
(1) This is the first of a new series, involving the members of a group called "The Survivors' Club". Here is Mary Balogh's description of that club, taken from her website:
The seven members of the club, six men and one woman, are survivors of the Napoleonic Wars, five of them former military officers. All seven were variously wounded during the wars and ended up spending several years at Penderris Hall, the Cornish estate of the Duk...more

3.5 stars
This felt strangely dispassionate in its passion. Maybe too stiff upper lip for me? Not sure but I really started to enjoy the couple more towards the end when they began to warm up to each other, teasing and being a little feisty. Definitely keeping on with the series.
Thank you to all that recommended :)
This felt strangely dispassionate in its passion. Maybe too stiff upper lip for me? Not sure but I really started to enjoy the couple more towards the end when they began to warm up to each other, teasing and being a little feisty. Definitely keeping on with the series.
Thank you to all that recommended :)

Conflicted, very conflicted about the book and quite unsure how to rate it!
And is it just me or are all tall, 'huge' Hs named Hugh or Hugo?
Conflicted not because it’s complicated or deals with complex issues. Rather it’s quite simple and straightforward in its premise – two people attracted to each other right from the beginning, have sex, are even halfway in love but not ready to take the final step forward to matrimony. Although the reason comes couched in many layers but it all boils down to ...more
And is it just me or are all tall, 'huge' Hs named Hugh or Hugo?
Conflicted not because it’s complicated or deals with complex issues. Rather it’s quite simple and straightforward in its premise – two people attracted to each other right from the beginning, have sex, are even halfway in love but not ready to take the final step forward to matrimony. Although the reason comes couched in many layers but it all boils down to ...more

Dec 03, 2011
Shawna
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Fans of regency romance, tortured heroes, & resilient heroines
4 stars – Historical/Regency Romance
This is a nice start to a very promising new septet series by the refined queen of traditional, authentic Regency era romance, Mary Balogh. The relationship between Gwendoline, Lady Muir and Hugo, Lord Trentham was engaging, refreshing, and heartfelt. But what I loved most about it is the deep bond and earnest affection between the seven members of the “Survivor’s Club”, and I look forward to the other books, particularly Flavian, Viscount Ponsonby’s and Vince ...more
This is a nice start to a very promising new septet series by the refined queen of traditional, authentic Regency era romance, Mary Balogh. The relationship between Gwendoline, Lady Muir and Hugo, Lord Trentham was engaging, refreshing, and heartfelt. But what I loved most about it is the deep bond and earnest affection between the seven members of the “Survivor’s Club”, and I look forward to the other books, particularly Flavian, Viscount Ponsonby’s and Vince ...more

So it turns out this is my first by this author. It won't be my last. Yes, I enjoyed it very much. I'm not entirely sure what to say about the book, so this is likely to be a bit disjointed.
First, Balogh transplants some modern sensibilities into the Regency era, but does so in consistent enough ways that I didn't really mind. Yeah, group therapy and a man who is obviously fast-cycling bi-polar being described as "ill but not mad" are both rather modern constructs transplanted into that time. An ...more
First, Balogh transplants some modern sensibilities into the Regency era, but does so in consistent enough ways that I didn't really mind. Yeah, group therapy and a man who is obviously fast-cycling bi-polar being described as "ill but not mad" are both rather modern constructs transplanted into that time. An ...more

We first meet Gwen, Lady Muir in One Night for Love. She is the slightly lame sister of the hero, Neville, of that book. Although One Night For Love has spawned a metric ton of spin-off books (The entire Bedwyn series being one of them), at no time did I ever suspect we'd be getting Gwen's story.
It took me awhile to realize the connection, but it was a fun aha! moment when it did. Gwen is long widowed with a lot of buried guilt regarding her marriage. She is visiting a friend who is newly widowe ...more
It took me awhile to realize the connection, but it was a fun aha! moment when it did. Gwen is long widowed with a lot of buried guilt regarding her marriage. She is visiting a friend who is newly widowe ...more

I'm in a generous mood. I do love the Hero, Hugo. I love Heroes who are "pure" and straightforward and kind and blunt. He is all of those things, a great boulder of a beautiful man. So sweet inside, so male in the way he approaches the world, and so innocent too.
I love the push and pull between Hugo and Gwen. She is much more sophisticated than him, but he appeals to the woman in her - class be damned!
I love that she makes him court her, and that he refuses to do so, instead wooing her in his ow ...more
I love the push and pull between Hugo and Gwen. She is much more sophisticated than him, but he appeals to the woman in her - class be damned!
I love that she makes him court her, and that he refuses to do so, instead wooing her in his ow ...more

My least favorite of the Survivor's Club, but still a 3 star if for no other reason that it launches the other romances and introduces the members of the SC, and it's still well written.
Three stars for the sweetness and the love that the six men and Imogen share as they try and overcome the horror of war as well as the personal vagaries of life.
I could never really warm to the heroine who was distant, and I wanted to take a skillet to the head of Hugh the stubborn horse's patoot and society humb ...more
Three stars for the sweetness and the love that the six men and Imogen share as they try and overcome the horror of war as well as the personal vagaries of life.
I could never really warm to the heroine who was distant, and I wanted to take a skillet to the head of Hugh the stubborn horse's patoot and society humb ...more

Somewhat disappointing. It started out very strong with a great premise, but it just fizzled out and got very long winded in certain places. Just when I thought there was going to be a compelling conflict that would grab my interest and keep me turning those pages, things turned lukewarm. I actually fell asleep at one point, which is unheard of when reading an MB regency romance.
2.5 stars
2.5 stars

4.5 stars
After rereading this novel, I'm bumping the rating up and updating my review.
******************************
I loved this book. I like most books by this author, so I wasn’t surprised. Looking back though my reviews, I can see that I read and reviewed this novel before, when it first came out in 2012, but I didn’t remember the story, so it felt like a fresh read.
The tale is a classic historical romance. Gwen and Hugo belong to different classes. She is a lady, with many generations of a ...more
After rereading this novel, I'm bumping the rating up and updating my review.
******************************
I loved this book. I like most books by this author, so I wasn’t surprised. Looking back though my reviews, I can see that I read and reviewed this novel before, when it first came out in 2012, but I didn’t remember the story, so it felt like a fresh read.
The tale is a classic historical romance. Gwen and Hugo belong to different classes. She is a lady, with many generations of a ...more

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Audible Romance Package in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Proposal is the first book in the Survivors' Club Series by Mary Balogh. I have been wanting to get to this series so badly and so when I saw the first book up on the Romance Package at Audible, I knew I needed to try it and get my historical fix that I was in the mood of. A ...more

The Proposal is the first book in the Survivors' Club Series by Mary Balogh. I have been wanting to get to this series so badly and so when I saw the first book up on the Romance Package at Audible, I knew I needed to try it and get my historical fix that I was in the mood of. A ...more

When it comes to Regency Romance, Mary Balogh is really in a class of her own. The Proposal is another example, along with countless others, that prove why this statement is true.
I think what I have come to appreciate and expect from Balogh is a story that is filled emotion and characters that come to life. You won't find "edge of your seat action" but you will find a story that has the ability to capture your heart and engage your emotions. This is what I appreciate about this author.
Hugo and G ...more
I think what I have come to appreciate and expect from Balogh is a story that is filled emotion and characters that come to life. You won't find "edge of your seat action" but you will find a story that has the ability to capture your heart and engage your emotions. This is what I appreciate about this author.
Hugo and G ...more

Not my fav Mary Balogh book, but it wasn't too bad. I like the idea of the Survivors Club, and a grim, serious ex-military man is usually a delicious fav of mine. Unfortunately the book dragged a little in parts. There was a little too much I love you but can't be with you will you court me no I won't court you yes I will court you I love you will you marry me.... It dragged on a little too much and started to feel a little repetitive.
I did like the last part of the book where we started to see ...more
I did like the last part of the book where we started to see ...more

I loved this book. I think it's the best Mary Balogh novel I've read since A SUMMER TO REMEMBER. At the same time, though, it was obvious throughout that this legendary romance superstar is no longer writing with the unbelievable intensity and passion of twenty years ago. But that's life.
Hugo Emes is just a great big teddy bear with a heart of gold. Born to a fabulously wealthy merchant family, he joined the army merely as a way of avoiding certain family problems. Not to worry, he immediately ...more
Hugo Emes is just a great big teddy bear with a heart of gold. Born to a fabulously wealthy merchant family, he joined the army merely as a way of avoiding certain family problems. Not to worry, he immediately ...more

15/08 - This wasn't too bad, but I would have enjoyed it much more if Trentham had been less clinical during the sex scenes. I felt like I was reading a step-by-step manual - 1. put your hand here 2. now kiss her here, and so on. I felt like saying to Balogh "just because they're old (30s), doesn't mean everything has to feel rehearsed or choreographed, they can be just as spontaneous as the younger couples of other romance books." I enjoyed the relationship between Trentham and the rest of the
...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Mary Balogh, in most of her books, follows a very specific, somewhat annoying formula: hero and heroine meet, they slowly realize they have feelings for each other, they have sex -- once -- he offers for her hand and she refuses it, and then they go their separate ways only to be thrown together again and eventually propelled into marriage. Except for a very very few of her books, this formula is a guarantee and it seriously pushes all my "wallpaper historical" buttons. HOWEVER, I read her books
...more

It is both a blessing and a curse to be a heroine whose story readers have yearned for lo these thirteen years. The Proposal, the first book in Mary Balogh’s new series, the Survivors’ Club, is the story of Gwendoline, Lady Muir, whom we first met in One Night For Love, which was published in 1999.
Gwen is a loving sister, daughter, cousin, aunt, friend, and all of Balogh’s readers have come to appreciate her. She is a widow with a permanent limp because of a riding accident that not only injure ...more
Gwen is a loving sister, daughter, cousin, aunt, friend, and all of Balogh’s readers have come to appreciate her. She is a widow with a permanent limp because of a riding accident that not only injure ...more

Dec 02, 2013
Sophia
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-romance
I did things a little backward with this series and read books two through five first. I love the series and was always curious about how it all got started with Hugo and Gwen's story.
The book started slow as it set up the series with the background of The Survivor Club. Then in alternating perspectives Gwen and Hugo contemplate their quiet, serene existence.
Gwen discovers that she is lonely as a widow seven years after her husband's death and decides that it might be time to finally rejoin lif ...more
The book started slow as it set up the series with the background of The Survivor Club. Then in alternating perspectives Gwen and Hugo contemplate their quiet, serene existence.
Gwen discovers that she is lonely as a widow seven years after her husband's death and decides that it might be time to finally rejoin lif ...more

This is my first book by Mary Balogh and I have to say Wow!!
The title of the series caught my eyes at first, and then the idea itself, the members f the survivor's club and their camaraderie pulled at me. Bonds between people whither they were family or strangers always was my favorite things to see in books. And this series had it.
Hugo was honestly adorable, and as I mentioned in previous reviews I have a soft spot for huge bulking brutes, and Hugo was definitely huge. Yet to his family he was ...more
The title of the series caught my eyes at first, and then the idea itself, the members f the survivor's club and their camaraderie pulled at me. Bonds between people whither they were family or strangers always was my favorite things to see in books. And this series had it.
Hugo was honestly adorable, and as I mentioned in previous reviews I have a soft spot for huge bulking brutes, and Hugo was definitely huge. Yet to his family he was ...more

A solid regency from Mary Balogh. It's the start of a new series. There was not a high level of angst but there were some issues brought up that we are familiar with now and it was interesting to see them in an historical context: PTSD and bipolar disease.
The interactions between the hero and the heroine were charming. Their relationship felt real. There was some out of wedlock nooky but it wasn't raunchy and superfluous. They were older characters and the heroine was a widow so their relationsh ...more
The interactions between the hero and the heroine were charming. Their relationship felt real. There was some out of wedlock nooky but it wasn't raunchy and superfluous. They were older characters and the heroine was a widow so their relationsh ...more

This book was too similar to Slightly Dangerous for me to give it any more than 3 stars...the whole setup...from denial to full revelation of love...from first proposal being rejected and house party being held to change the outcome of said proposal...to class differences although it was reversed in this case to the gruff and slightly autistic and socially awkward hero, and the appearance, although welcome, of Bewcastle and Christine...the book had some great unique moments and the romance was v
...more

First of all I would like to thank the publisher and Library Thing early review program for the beautiful paperback of this re-released Mary Balogh regency period romance. This version has a new cover and inside cover page.
This is the first book in the Survivor's Club series.
Gwen is a widow and living in relative peace and contentment. She enjoys her extended family and friends and doesn't wish to marry again. When an old friend writes and begs her to visit, Gwen feels empathy for the woman an ...more
This is the first book in the Survivor's Club series.
Gwen is a widow and living in relative peace and contentment. She enjoys her extended family and friends and doesn't wish to marry again. When an old friend writes and begs her to visit, Gwen feels empathy for the woman an ...more

3.5 stars, rounded up because I think the narration may have tainted it for me a bit
Spoilers ahead!
This is the beginning of a new series, The Survivors Club, about 7 survivors of trauma related to the Peninsular Wars, and boy, has she set herself a task in crafting romances for each of these very wounded people. This hero is perhaps the easiest to imagine an HEA for since we all know the love of a good woman can cure a multitude of ailments, but I think it will be tougher to find ways for the ot ...more
Spoilers ahead!
This is the beginning of a new series, The Survivors Club, about 7 survivors of trauma related to the Peninsular Wars, and boy, has she set herself a task in crafting romances for each of these very wounded people. This hero is perhaps the easiest to imagine an HEA for since we all know the love of a good woman can cure a multitude of ailments, but I think it will be tougher to find ways for the ot ...more

Not going to rate the book, because frankly I don't remember most of it.
I will say that I started the book on February 22, 2014 ... three days later I wrote the following GR status update: "I'm on page 312 of 384 of The Proposal: I love Balogh and this book has 2 wonderful leading characters, however ... I don't know. There's something missing. It's a little ... bland? Boring? ::sigh:: :-|" ... and then basically forgot completely about the book until I randomly picked it up yesterday and then r ...more
I will say that I started the book on February 22, 2014 ... three days later I wrote the following GR status update: "I'm on page 312 of 384 of The Proposal: I love Balogh and this book has 2 wonderful leading characters, however ... I don't know. There's something missing. It's a little ... bland? Boring? ::sigh:: :-|" ... and then basically forgot completely about the book until I randomly picked it up yesterday and then r ...more

Gwendoline Grayson was left widowed, with a permanent limp and probably barren womb. Hugo Emes was given a lordship for his brave leadership during the war, but now he is plagued with guilt for surviving after leading so many men to their deaths. They meet by chance on a rocky shoreline, and Gwen's weak ankle forces them to stay together for a few weeks. Although Gwen is initially scared by Hugo's forbidding expression and hulking size, and Hugo thinks Gwen is an empty-headed lady, they are draw
...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Cannonball Readers: Which authors can you count on for good characters? | 3 | 3 | Dec 19, 2020 01:18PM | |
Play Book Tag: The Survivor’s Club - a seven book series by Mary Balogh | 3 | 12 | Aug 13, 2019 02:14PM | |
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Historical romance peninsula war forlorn hope. [s] | 4 | 23 | Sep 26, 2018 07:35AM | |
The Proposal by Mary Balogh | 1 | 17 | Jun 20, 2015 07:36AM | |
Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 1 | 2 | Feb 15, 2015 09:48AM |
Mary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curl
...more
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The Survivors' Club
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