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The Incurable Matchmaker
It was well known that Diana Ingram was as impeccably virtuous as she was exquisitely beautiful. It was just as well known that the handsome and charming Marquess of Kenwood was the most insatiable and successful seducer in all of aristocratic society.
128 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1990
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641 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
200 books6,345 followersMary 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 curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 6, 2014
I loved it...haven't found an old Balogh that I never read in a while. This little ditty about Jack and Diana (so sorry, I just couldn't help it) has got one of my favorite premises, rake hero entering a bet to sleep with the heroine, and a developing emotional intimacy with friendship that allows me to believe the rake hero will stay faithful to the heroine for a true HEA. It has other elements I love: 1) Heroine has strength of character and real values, she is not just pure because she lacks desire.
2) Heroine truly loved first husband..ok their physical relationship was only mildly pleasurable given his reserve, and I really prefer when it was good (e.g.,The Madness Of Lord Ian MacKenzie ), but their love was beautiful as is her relationship with her in-laws. She knows exactly what she is looking for.
3) love an initial sexual scene in a case of mistaken identity, Lord Ruin style.
4) love hero's POV as he fights his feelings and exposes himself emotionally...he really thinks about the things heroine said to him, and her private thoughts and words have a huge impact on him.
5) love a rake/manHo who is not just playing with women because he thinks he's entitled but has fears/feelings that he isn't worthy of more...whether it's a regency age Marquess or rock star Kellan Kyle Thoughtless.
6) it was restrained and relatively clean (compared to what I read these days) but still hot in a restrained way. Balogh taps in to the raw sexuality beneath proper regency behavior. Lots of books talk of sex with mistresses and servants but she uses small details to show you what a rake really is, the way they would make free use of women's bodies as playthings. (There is a scene where hero plays with a chambermaid's breasts almost idly...honestly it's more evocative of the way he is than other authors showing actual intercourse with other women).
7) fun secondary characters who don't detract from overall story and are interesting in their own right. Her secondary romances are often just as interesting as the primary. That was the case here....
2) Heroine truly loved first husband..ok their physical relationship was only mildly pleasurable given his reserve, and I really prefer when it was good (e.g.,The Madness Of Lord Ian MacKenzie ), but their love was beautiful as is her relationship with her in-laws. She knows exactly what she is looking for.
3) love an initial sexual scene in a case of mistaken identity, Lord Ruin style.
4) love hero's POV as he fights his feelings and exposes himself emotionally...he really thinks about the things heroine said to him, and her private thoughts and words have a huge impact on him.
5) love a rake/manHo who is not just playing with women because he thinks he's entitled but has fears/feelings that he isn't worthy of more...whether it's a regency age Marquess or rock star Kellan Kyle Thoughtless.
6) it was restrained and relatively clean (compared to what I read these days) but still hot in a restrained way. Balogh taps in to the raw sexuality beneath proper regency behavior. Lots of books talk of sex with mistresses and servants but she uses small details to show you what a rake really is, the way they would make free use of women's bodies as playthings. (There is a scene where hero plays with a chambermaid's breasts almost idly...honestly it's more evocative of the way he is than other authors showing actual intercourse with other women).
7) fun secondary characters who don't detract from overall story and are interesting in their own right. Her secondary romances are often just as interesting as the primary. That was the case here....
July 20, 2018
2.5 stars
The marquess regarded his boots modestly and took another sizeable swallow from his glass.
"Can I help it if I was born irresistible to the fair sex?" he asked of no one in particular. He yawned until his jaws cracked.
"Women! They're the only thing that makes life worth living." His words sounded strange to his own ears. They were rolling themselves together around his tongue.
"I daresay there ain't a female in all England who could resist Jack if he set his mind to having her," Maurice said admiringly, addressing the company at large.
Mary Balogh. The Incurable Matchmaker (Kindle Locations 26-30). Kindle Edition.
The H of this novel is Jack, the Marquess of Kenwood and he's also the KING of all super manwhores who lack shame and will sleep with any passably attractive female once she's willing. I've read lots of novels with manwhore heroes and I've founds most of them to be sexy and redeemable but Jack just got on my last nerve. At the start of the story, he and his ass kissing male friends are at White's listing out the names of the 5 or 6 women that Jack has had sex with in the previous 3 weeks.That's not sexy in my opinion, especially at the beginning of a romance novel. Throughout the entire book, this is the impression I had of Jack:
As for his male pals, I have one thing to say about all of them:
These horny manwhores, who all worship Jack and place his penis on some kind of symbolic pedestal, come up with the following wager: they are so confident about their H's studly abilities when it comes to women, that they wager a couple of other guys that Jack can seduce a beautiful young vicar's widow called Diana Ingram. They choose Diana because she's was the belle of her debutante season and she refused marriage proposals from Earls and other titled guys because she felt that a nice decent vicar like Teddy Ingram would make a better husband. Diana's known as a conservative but kind woman who will not engage in any kind of promiscuous activity. These guys feel that Jack's super penis is so powerful that it'll enable him to seduce the unconquerable Mrs. Ingram. The one thing I disliked about the men was the fact that they ignored all sense of propriety and common decency. They thought that it was ok to bet on Jack seducing Diana because she wasn't a virgin ingenue but a young 23 yr old widow. They should've have more respect for her. The fact that she's hymenally challenged does not mean that she's lacking in virtue; Diana is one of the most virtuous heroines I've encountered. She's idealistic and even though she hadn't been passionately in love with her late husband Teddy, she had cared for him a lot and he had been a loving, kind and faithful husband. Her sex life with Teddy had been mechanical since they always did it in the dark and never saw each other naked. Jack and his pals think that as long as a female is not a virgin then it's fine for them to pursue her aggressively - even if the woman wants to be left alone.
The biggest idiot of the bunch is Ernest, Diana's brother in law. He was the one who had drunkenly suggested that his late younger brother's wife be the object of Jack's seduction in the wager. This fool then spent the rest of the story following after Jack and Diana trying to prevent the seduction from happening. Jack always came across as a drunkard manslut who was unable to turn down the opportunity to sleep with a willing female. In fact, there's one scene at an inn where Jack is not even in the mood for sex but he just sighs and thinks that he might as well go bang the slutty barmaid because she's been coming on to him desperately all evening. It's almost as if his penis is just an organ that he needs to feed everyday. The man has no concept of what it means to say "no" to a flirtatious skank. He even thinks he's "honour bound" to sleep with them when they're giving out such loud signals and begging for his attention. After all, he's a "gentleman" and can't bear to hurt some woman's feelings. That is just so wrong in my opinion. It's like Jack lacks the adult ability to evaluate right from wrong when it comes to casual sex with total strangers. The only reason he fails to bang the barmaid is because he walks into the wrong bedroom where he finds the heroine Diana. He ends up almost having sex with the heroine because she's been ill and had taken some laudanum to rest peacefully. Diana had been having an erotic dream and drowsily started to respond to the manwhore Jack. It's only when she groans and says something that he realizes that her speech is refined and not the common rural accent of the barmaid.
The incurable matchmaker in the story is Diana's mother in law the Countess of Rotherham. This lady is also a distant relative of Jack's and she's a lovable and kind but very interfering character. The countess has good intentions but, like all busybodies, she often interferes to the point where she becomes very annoying. In this novel, she decides to play matchmaker for Jack and Diana. She was also determined to set up her bumbling son Ernest with a sweet Mary Sue young girl called Angela. I would've rated this as a 1 star novel had it not been for the minor storylines with Ernest and Angela and the other guests at the house party. It was easier to believe that Ernest and Angela would find true and lasting love. Jack seemed very attracted to Diana but he continued to act like a big joking jackass all the time and he never took anything seriously. He was like a big stupid teenage boy full of hormones who didn't stop to think about the consequences of his behaviour. He didn't have sex with any other women during the course of the story, but he kept putting himself in idiotic compromising situations with them. In a couple of instances, he kissed a skanky chambermaid full on her lips, fondled her pendulous boobs and put a gold coin her bosom to make her feel better after he had rejected her offer of free sex ! The idiot also did this in front of the heroine ! He thinks he's being chivalrous and sweet in his method of rejection to the chambermaid Betsy, but the dumbass never stops to consider Diana's feelings.
I'm honestly not comfortable around a man who finds it so easy to flirt and give away lip kisses to strange women just to make them "feel better" ! How can the heroine ever trust him ? He might not cheat by banging other women but his reluctance to hurt other females' feelings will cause trouble. I don't know about other women, but I expect my man to put my feelings before all other women ! Jack also flirted a lot with a married woman who had been his former mistress. He didn't have sex with her, even though she wanted it, but he wasn't firm with her either. He kept complimenting her, being nice to her and even kissing her hand like some gallant swain. Some women who are interested in a man sexually, will tend to view such things as passive or latent encouragement. I prefer it when the H is a bit mean and firm to these skanky bitches ! Jack drove me up the wall and Diana was too good for his nasty ass ! He claimed he loved her in the end and that he wouldn't ever want other women but the author didn't prove that he had been sufficiently redeemed ( in my opinion ). This is not a novel that I will ever read again but it wasn't a total failure. The minor storylines and minor characters made it interesting but the actual main romantic storyline between the MC's was not that thrilling. There was some minor wannabe OM drama with a middle aged widower called Mr. Peabody but that failed to inspire my interest because Jack didn't even get jealous of the guy ! The H kept laughing at him as if he was a big joke while the poor heroine kept getting jealous of the married neighbour, the barmaid and the chambermaid. WTF kind of thing is that ? I much prefer it when it's the H who is all jealous and besotted.
The marquess regarded his boots modestly and took another sizeable swallow from his glass.
"Can I help it if I was born irresistible to the fair sex?" he asked of no one in particular. He yawned until his jaws cracked.
"Women! They're the only thing that makes life worth living." His words sounded strange to his own ears. They were rolling themselves together around his tongue.
"I daresay there ain't a female in all England who could resist Jack if he set his mind to having her," Maurice said admiringly, addressing the company at large.
Mary Balogh. The Incurable Matchmaker (Kindle Locations 26-30). Kindle Edition.
The H of this novel is Jack, the Marquess of Kenwood and he's also the KING of all super manwhores who lack shame and will sleep with any passably attractive female once she's willing. I've read lots of novels with manwhore heroes and I've founds most of them to be sexy and redeemable but Jack just got on my last nerve. At the start of the story, he and his ass kissing male friends are at White's listing out the names of the 5 or 6 women that Jack has had sex with in the previous 3 weeks.That's not sexy in my opinion, especially at the beginning of a romance novel. Throughout the entire book, this is the impression I had of Jack:
As for his male pals, I have one thing to say about all of them:
These horny manwhores, who all worship Jack and place his penis on some kind of symbolic pedestal, come up with the following wager: they are so confident about their H's studly abilities when it comes to women, that they wager a couple of other guys that Jack can seduce a beautiful young vicar's widow called Diana Ingram. They choose Diana because she's was the belle of her debutante season and she refused marriage proposals from Earls and other titled guys because she felt that a nice decent vicar like Teddy Ingram would make a better husband. Diana's known as a conservative but kind woman who will not engage in any kind of promiscuous activity. These guys feel that Jack's super penis is so powerful that it'll enable him to seduce the unconquerable Mrs. Ingram. The one thing I disliked about the men was the fact that they ignored all sense of propriety and common decency. They thought that it was ok to bet on Jack seducing Diana because she wasn't a virgin ingenue but a young 23 yr old widow. They should've have more respect for her. The fact that she's hymenally challenged does not mean that she's lacking in virtue; Diana is one of the most virtuous heroines I've encountered. She's idealistic and even though she hadn't been passionately in love with her late husband Teddy, she had cared for him a lot and he had been a loving, kind and faithful husband. Her sex life with Teddy had been mechanical since they always did it in the dark and never saw each other naked. Jack and his pals think that as long as a female is not a virgin then it's fine for them to pursue her aggressively - even if the woman wants to be left alone.
The biggest idiot of the bunch is Ernest, Diana's brother in law. He was the one who had drunkenly suggested that his late younger brother's wife be the object of Jack's seduction in the wager. This fool then spent the rest of the story following after Jack and Diana trying to prevent the seduction from happening. Jack always came across as a drunkard manslut who was unable to turn down the opportunity to sleep with a willing female. In fact, there's one scene at an inn where Jack is not even in the mood for sex but he just sighs and thinks that he might as well go bang the slutty barmaid because she's been coming on to him desperately all evening. It's almost as if his penis is just an organ that he needs to feed everyday. The man has no concept of what it means to say "no" to a flirtatious skank. He even thinks he's "honour bound" to sleep with them when they're giving out such loud signals and begging for his attention. After all, he's a "gentleman" and can't bear to hurt some woman's feelings. That is just so wrong in my opinion. It's like Jack lacks the adult ability to evaluate right from wrong when it comes to casual sex with total strangers. The only reason he fails to bang the barmaid is because he walks into the wrong bedroom where he finds the heroine Diana. He ends up almost having sex with the heroine because she's been ill and had taken some laudanum to rest peacefully. Diana had been having an erotic dream and drowsily started to respond to the manwhore Jack. It's only when she groans and says something that he realizes that her speech is refined and not the common rural accent of the barmaid.
The incurable matchmaker in the story is Diana's mother in law the Countess of Rotherham. This lady is also a distant relative of Jack's and she's a lovable and kind but very interfering character. The countess has good intentions but, like all busybodies, she often interferes to the point where she becomes very annoying. In this novel, she decides to play matchmaker for Jack and Diana. She was also determined to set up her bumbling son Ernest with a sweet Mary Sue young girl called Angela. I would've rated this as a 1 star novel had it not been for the minor storylines with Ernest and Angela and the other guests at the house party. It was easier to believe that Ernest and Angela would find true and lasting love. Jack seemed very attracted to Diana but he continued to act like a big joking jackass all the time and he never took anything seriously. He was like a big stupid teenage boy full of hormones who didn't stop to think about the consequences of his behaviour. He didn't have sex with any other women during the course of the story, but he kept putting himself in idiotic compromising situations with them. In a couple of instances, he kissed a skanky chambermaid full on her lips, fondled her pendulous boobs and put a gold coin her bosom to make her feel better after he had rejected her offer of free sex ! The idiot also did this in front of the heroine ! He thinks he's being chivalrous and sweet in his method of rejection to the chambermaid Betsy, but the dumbass never stops to consider Diana's feelings.
I'm honestly not comfortable around a man who finds it so easy to flirt and give away lip kisses to strange women just to make them "feel better" ! How can the heroine ever trust him ? He might not cheat by banging other women but his reluctance to hurt other females' feelings will cause trouble. I don't know about other women, but I expect my man to put my feelings before all other women ! Jack also flirted a lot with a married woman who had been his former mistress. He didn't have sex with her, even though she wanted it, but he wasn't firm with her either. He kept complimenting her, being nice to her and even kissing her hand like some gallant swain. Some women who are interested in a man sexually, will tend to view such things as passive or latent encouragement. I prefer it when the H is a bit mean and firm to these skanky bitches ! Jack drove me up the wall and Diana was too good for his nasty ass ! He claimed he loved her in the end and that he wouldn't ever want other women but the author didn't prove that he had been sufficiently redeemed ( in my opinion ). This is not a novel that I will ever read again but it wasn't a total failure. The minor storylines and minor characters made it interesting but the actual main romantic storyline between the MC's was not that thrilling. There was some minor wannabe OM drama with a middle aged widower called Mr. Peabody but that failed to inspire my interest because Jack didn't even get jealous of the guy ! The H kept laughing at him as if he was a big joke while the poor heroine kept getting jealous of the married neighbour, the barmaid and the chambermaid. WTF kind of thing is that ? I much prefer it when it's the H who is all jealous and besotted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2023
I am always surprised at how enjoyable these old books are. This one was no exception. I have learned that to enjoy at its most, I need to read Mary Balogh's books a few months apart. Actually, that is true to almost all HR authors.
Anyway, this is a wager of a rake story which I don't usually appreciate but as the story develops I started to like the hero more and more.
If you want an easy and slow burn romance to read in one sitting, this one was simply great.
Anyway, this is a wager of a rake story which I don't usually appreciate but as the story develops I started to like the hero more and more.
If you want an easy and slow burn romance to read in one sitting, this one was simply great.
May 15, 2021
***Slow Burn***
Cette romance est très sympa ! Tous les éléments qui font d'une romance historique un bon moment lecture y sont réunis.
On ne va pas juste suivre nos protagonistes, mais également suivre des personnages secondaires. Même si c'est brièvement cela permet de donner un bon rythme à notre lecture et de souffler si besoin est.
Les personnages sont tous attachants.
Le décor est très bien décrit, on pourrait s'y croire.
J'ai aussi ri lorsque l'on se retrouvait en face de quiproquos.
L'humour est de la partie.
Je recommande !
Cette romance est très sympa ! Tous les éléments qui font d'une romance historique un bon moment lecture y sont réunis.
On ne va pas juste suivre nos protagonistes, mais également suivre des personnages secondaires. Même si c'est brièvement cela permet de donner un bon rythme à notre lecture et de souffler si besoin est.
Les personnages sont tous attachants.
Le décor est très bien décrit, on pourrait s'y croire.
J'ai aussi ri lorsque l'on se retrouvait en face de quiproquos.
L'humour est de la partie.
Je recommande !
February 7, 2017
This novel manages to wrap three classical romance plots into one : the wager, the mistaken room/identity, and the matchmaking. Oh and the weather helped, too.
It was a bit of an overkill, I dare say, the poor rake didn't stand a chance against all these odds ;)
Fun, sweet, with some few hot scenes in between and a nice secondary story. What's not to like ?
It was a bit of an overkill, I dare say, the poor rake didn't stand a chance against all these odds ;)
Fun, sweet, with some few hot scenes in between and a nice secondary story. What's not to like ?
January 9, 2020
It wasn't the best Mary Balogh story I've ever read, but it was entertaining
May 23, 2020
This is a weird scenario where I was actually pretty into this book, because the scenario showed a lot of promise and the tone is fluffy, but ultimately I didn't believe in this romance. The Marquess of Kenwood is a true rake, and he does more than flirt with almost every woman he encounters. Add the bet to seduce to Diana Ingram to everything, and I don't believe he can be reformed by love. Sure, he's like this because his dad's infidelities made him feel like he would be like that, so he wants to avoid commitment so he can't fail at it. The problem is that, even with the best of intentions, accepting attention from women is habitual for him. Even if he doesn't cheat on purpose, I suspect he will cheat on accident. Even once he has "feelings" for Diana, he still kisses a maid and an ex sex partner. It's referenced early on that he never turns a woman down, even if he didn't invite her interest, which made me feel really uncomfortable and also speaks to how much of a habit it is of his. More generally, I also just don't see any true emotional or intellectual connection between the Marquess and Diana.
The secondary romance also didn't work for me. Again, I felt like they genuinely didn't like each other, and their age gap (28/18) kind of grossed me out, given that she fell for him at 14. He's so bossy and constantly trying to make her be less energetic. Not a fan.
It was very readable, and I do feel like I could love a book with this premise, but the romances did not work for me, so this book didn't work.
The secondary romance also didn't work for me. Again, I felt like they genuinely didn't like each other, and their age gap (28/18) kind of grossed me out, given that she fell for him at 14. He's so bossy and constantly trying to make her be less energetic. Not a fan.
It was very readable, and I do feel like I could love a book with this premise, but the romances did not work for me, so this book didn't work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2022
At least this book was a bit more historically aware in that the premarital sex occurs between a libertine and a widow and not some ingenue. However, I'd much rather read about a heroine who manages to avoid this particular plot device. For example, what would have happened if Diana's maid Bridget had overheard the men talking in the public room of the inn about their infamous bet and told Diana? A much more intricate and interesting book, that's what. I also felt that the incurable matchmaker kept creating situations that could easily put the ladies in jeopardy. Perhaps it should have been called The Procurer.
July 25, 2012
2.5 stars. This story was slow going and a bit boring, and I didn't really like the heroine. she was too dull for the hero. It took me a long time to read because I kept picking up other books to ease the boredom a little. It was also too short a book to have a secondary story involved. I would have liked the story more if it was just focused on the leads. I give it 2.5 stars instead of only 2 stars because I love books with rakes wagering over seducing the heroines, and I liked the hero's rakish personality, but this one just had too much going on and didn't give the reader enough quality time with the hero and heroine. Not one of my favorite Mary Balogh traditional regencies.
March 14, 2014
I did not like this at all. I thought Jack was obnoxious and disrespectful to Diana. The ending felt rushed and the secondary love story was irritating!
October 8, 2023
this book is much longer than the number of pages listed here, someone should probably look into correcting that. anyway, i did not like this. the first quasi sexual encounter between the hero and the heroine was exceedingly creepy (i count myself fortunate there was no rape), but even beyond it the hero disgusted me for a great chunk of the story, and it was jarring as hell to have jack and diana declare their love at the end when i know more about either of my next door neighbors than they did about each other. seriously. they spent two whole weeks together and had just as many meaningful conversations during that time. diana never even found out about the wager to seduce her which was the entire reason jack approached her in the first place. i am so disappointed, the only reason i am not giving a lower rating is because of the quality of the writing. but let it be known that i am PISSED
June 28, 2021
Voici le 2ème roman que je lis dans la collection Regency et je prends un énorme plaisir à découvrir ces titres et ces auteurs. Marie Balogh est une auteur que je découvre et j'adore ces romances historiques où nos héros vont devoir ici éprouver un changement de vie.
je me suis régalée avec Le petit défaut de Lady Rotherham car j'ai retrouvé tous els ingrédients que j'aime dans une romance historique. Les personnages ne sont pas ceux qu'ils semblent être et on attend donc avec impatience le dénouement final. Les badineries auront elles le dessus sur l'amour?
Chronique complète à lire sur : https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
je me suis régalée avec Le petit défaut de Lady Rotherham car j'ai retrouvé tous els ingrédients que j'aime dans une romance historique. Les personnages ne sont pas ceux qu'ils semblent être et on attend donc avec impatience le dénouement final. Les badineries auront elles le dessus sur l'amour?
Chronique complète à lire sur : https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
August 8, 2010
How can it be angsty goodness and humourous? Well the aunt and the 2nd'ary couple were very amusing. The angst comes from the deep seated fears of both h/h. It was lovely to see heroine turn the tables on the world-weary rakish hero. Worth looking for!
July 18, 2022
The H is a manwhore. The novel ends with his friends laying bets on whether he'll be faithful to his soon-to-be wife. Aww, how romantic! Not!
January 3, 2022
3.5/5
https://my-bo0ks.over-blog.com/2021/1...
Je n'ai pas pu résister à l'idée de me plonger dans un autre roman de Mary Balogh. A peine déballé, que déjà commencé et terminé. La plume de Mary Balogh est très fluide et ses romans se dévore comme des petits fours !
Dans Le petit défaut de Lady Rotherham, nous faisons la connaissance du Marquis de Kenwood, libertin assumé qui enchaine les relations sans attaches. Mais voilà qu'avec sa bande d'amis alors qu'ils avaient trop bu lors d'une de leurs soirées au club, il accepte un pari. Séduire Diana Ingram. C'est lors d'un séjour à la campagne que celui-ci compte bien arriver à ses fins. Mais la belle Diana n'est pas tombée de la dernière pluie et cette jeune veuve compte bien le lui prouver.
Comme toujours avec Mary Balogh, nous avons une héroïne qui change un peu des jeunes femmes de l'époque. Diana, veuve depuis peu, a toujours été différentes des autres. D'un tempérament calme, douce et réservée, la jeune femme passe pour une personne froide et prude. Un véritable défi pour notre libertin. Cette opposition entre les deux personnages donnent lieu a de nombreuses scènes cocasses et pleines d'humour. C'est d'ailleurs la marque de fabrique de l'autrice et ce que j'apprécié le plus dans ses romans.
Parlons un peu personnage. Pour le coup, je reste tout de même assez mitigé sur notre Marquis, dans le sens où clairement il s'assume dans ses penchants de libertin et j'ai envie de dire, tant mieux mais en même temps, avoir son point de vue ne le rend pas forcément plus sympathique pour autant. Ses manières m'ont quelques fois dérangées et surtout, la morale derrière tout cela. J'aurais apprécié voir une évolution plus développée de son personnage et voir une réelle remise en question de son côté. Car cet aspect n'arrive qu'à la toute fin du roman et de façon un peu rapide. Je pense que son capital sympathie aurait pu être meilleur si son comportement n'était pas si frivole.
De son côté, Diana est un personnage que j'ai apprécié, notamment au début. J'ai aimé cette volonté de lui faire prendre conscience de ses actes mais aussi son attachement encore profond pour son époux décédé. Même si son mariage n'était pas parfait, elle prend tout de même beaucoup de recul. Ce que j'ai le plus apprécié, c'est ses liens avec les autres personnages.
Je pense bien sur à Ernest, dont la relation est très forte et belle à la fois ou encore la rapidité avec laquelle elle se lie d'affection avec les autres, notamment Angela. D'ailleurs, une fois encore, Mary Balogh, n'oublies pas ses personnages secondaires. Mention spéciale pour le couple Rotherham, la comtesse fait une marieuse hors-pair, mais aussi cette romance naissante entre Angela et Ernest.
Concernant la romance centrale, qui concerne donc Diana et Jack, je l'ai apprécié et en même temps, elle n'est pas sans défauts. J'ai aimé ce petit jeu du chat et de la souris, tout comme cette tension qui augmente au fil des pages. J'ai également beaucoup apprécié les petites piques qu'ils se lancent et malgré sa prévisibilité, l'issue finale de l'histoire.
Pour autant, j'ai trouvé que leurs sentiments allaient bien trop vites. Jack, passe de baisers et flirts incessants avec chacune des femmes qui passent à LA seule et unique en un rien de temps. On a du mal à croire à ses sentiments et un tel revirement de situation. Quant à Diana, j'ai trouvé que son opposition à Jack était assez peu développée finalement. Elle tombe rapidement sous son charme et fait juste un peu de résistance après avoir soufflé le chaud puis le froid. J'aurais voulu que la relation entre les deux soient plus approfondies, notamment sur la fin.
En conclusion, j'ai passé un très bon moment de lecture avec Le petit défaut de Lady Rotherham. Mary Balogh nous plonge dans une belle histoire à la campagne avec des personnages haut en couleurs dans laquelle humour et amour sont de la partie. Les personnages sont attachants et j'aime beaucoup le style à la fois simple et efficace. J'aurais voulu une romance un peu plus développée notamment concernant les sentiments de nos personnages mais j'ai tout de même passer un bon moment de lecture. Sans doute, suis-je un peu influencée par ma dernière lecture des Bridgerton.
https://my-bo0ks.over-blog.com/2021/1...
Je n'ai pas pu résister à l'idée de me plonger dans un autre roman de Mary Balogh. A peine déballé, que déjà commencé et terminé. La plume de Mary Balogh est très fluide et ses romans se dévore comme des petits fours !
Dans Le petit défaut de Lady Rotherham, nous faisons la connaissance du Marquis de Kenwood, libertin assumé qui enchaine les relations sans attaches. Mais voilà qu'avec sa bande d'amis alors qu'ils avaient trop bu lors d'une de leurs soirées au club, il accepte un pari. Séduire Diana Ingram. C'est lors d'un séjour à la campagne que celui-ci compte bien arriver à ses fins. Mais la belle Diana n'est pas tombée de la dernière pluie et cette jeune veuve compte bien le lui prouver.
Comme toujours avec Mary Balogh, nous avons une héroïne qui change un peu des jeunes femmes de l'époque. Diana, veuve depuis peu, a toujours été différentes des autres. D'un tempérament calme, douce et réservée, la jeune femme passe pour une personne froide et prude. Un véritable défi pour notre libertin. Cette opposition entre les deux personnages donnent lieu a de nombreuses scènes cocasses et pleines d'humour. C'est d'ailleurs la marque de fabrique de l'autrice et ce que j'apprécié le plus dans ses romans.
Parlons un peu personnage. Pour le coup, je reste tout de même assez mitigé sur notre Marquis, dans le sens où clairement il s'assume dans ses penchants de libertin et j'ai envie de dire, tant mieux mais en même temps, avoir son point de vue ne le rend pas forcément plus sympathique pour autant. Ses manières m'ont quelques fois dérangées et surtout, la morale derrière tout cela. J'aurais apprécié voir une évolution plus développée de son personnage et voir une réelle remise en question de son côté. Car cet aspect n'arrive qu'à la toute fin du roman et de façon un peu rapide. Je pense que son capital sympathie aurait pu être meilleur si son comportement n'était pas si frivole.
De son côté, Diana est un personnage que j'ai apprécié, notamment au début. J'ai aimé cette volonté de lui faire prendre conscience de ses actes mais aussi son attachement encore profond pour son époux décédé. Même si son mariage n'était pas parfait, elle prend tout de même beaucoup de recul. Ce que j'ai le plus apprécié, c'est ses liens avec les autres personnages.
Je pense bien sur à Ernest, dont la relation est très forte et belle à la fois ou encore la rapidité avec laquelle elle se lie d'affection avec les autres, notamment Angela. D'ailleurs, une fois encore, Mary Balogh, n'oublies pas ses personnages secondaires. Mention spéciale pour le couple Rotherham, la comtesse fait une marieuse hors-pair, mais aussi cette romance naissante entre Angela et Ernest.
Concernant la romance centrale, qui concerne donc Diana et Jack, je l'ai apprécié et en même temps, elle n'est pas sans défauts. J'ai aimé ce petit jeu du chat et de la souris, tout comme cette tension qui augmente au fil des pages. J'ai également beaucoup apprécié les petites piques qu'ils se lancent et malgré sa prévisibilité, l'issue finale de l'histoire.
Pour autant, j'ai trouvé que leurs sentiments allaient bien trop vites. Jack, passe de baisers et flirts incessants avec chacune des femmes qui passent à LA seule et unique en un rien de temps. On a du mal à croire à ses sentiments et un tel revirement de situation. Quant à Diana, j'ai trouvé que son opposition à Jack était assez peu développée finalement. Elle tombe rapidement sous son charme et fait juste un peu de résistance après avoir soufflé le chaud puis le froid. J'aurais voulu que la relation entre les deux soient plus approfondies, notamment sur la fin.
En conclusion, j'ai passé un très bon moment de lecture avec Le petit défaut de Lady Rotherham. Mary Balogh nous plonge dans une belle histoire à la campagne avec des personnages haut en couleurs dans laquelle humour et amour sont de la partie. Les personnages sont attachants et j'aime beaucoup le style à la fois simple et efficace. J'aurais voulu une romance un peu plus développée notamment concernant les sentiments de nos personnages mais j'ai tout de même passer un bon moment de lecture. Sans doute, suis-je un peu influencée par ma dernière lecture des Bridgerton.
June 3, 2022
Very Georgette Heyer style.
I have enjoyed much more other Mary Balogh books.
Just nice.
I have enjoyed much more other Mary Balogh books.
Just nice.
October 11, 2023
Comme toujours, les romans de Mary Balogh sont un 5 sur 5. L'histoire est passionnante, l'intrigue nous tient jusqu'à la dernière page.
March 10, 2010
3 stars for the main characters, 5 stars for the secondary characters- they were much more interesting, and much funnier. The main characters were a little boring, wish Ms. Balogh wrote the secondary characters as the main characters and visa-versa.
Diana Ingram is newly widowed and her (ex-)mother-in-law (the Countess of Rotherham) is determined that she marry again- and she has provided the perfect opportunity- a huge get together of family and friends on her estate to celebrate her husband's birthday (over a three week period). Jack (the Marquess of Kenwood) is fairly well known for being a seducer. However, as the countess pushes them together in one of her matchmaking schemes, they realize there might be more between them that meets the eye. The secondary characters/romance is what intrigues me even more about his book, and is the reasons that I re-read it. Angela Wickenham is much younger (10 years) than Ernest (Lord Crensford); nevertheless, she has been in love with them since she was 14, while he thought of her as nothing more than a child. Angela arrives at the estate for the "birthday party" (4 years after meeting Ernest the first time). Lord Crensford realizes that Angela is not the child he knew, but now looks like a woman (though she doesn't always act like one). And with the help of the matchmaking countess, Ernest realizes that he returns Angela’s love.
This is a sweet book, whether your favorites are the hero/heroine or Ernest and Angela. The countess is also funny with how she manipulates everyone (in a very caring and loving way) to her matchmaking schemes.
Diana Ingram is newly widowed and her (ex-)mother-in-law (the Countess of Rotherham) is determined that she marry again- and she has provided the perfect opportunity- a huge get together of family and friends on her estate to celebrate her husband's birthday (over a three week period). Jack (the Marquess of Kenwood) is fairly well known for being a seducer. However, as the countess pushes them together in one of her matchmaking schemes, they realize there might be more between them that meets the eye. The secondary characters/romance is what intrigues me even more about his book, and is the reasons that I re-read it. Angela Wickenham is much younger (10 years) than Ernest (Lord Crensford); nevertheless, she has been in love with them since she was 14, while he thought of her as nothing more than a child. Angela arrives at the estate for the "birthday party" (4 years after meeting Ernest the first time). Lord Crensford realizes that Angela is not the child he knew, but now looks like a woman (though she doesn't always act like one). And with the help of the matchmaking countess, Ernest realizes that he returns Angela’s love.
This is a sweet book, whether your favorites are the hero/heroine or Ernest and Angela. The countess is also funny with how she manipulates everyone (in a very caring and loving way) to her matchmaking schemes.
October 11, 2020
2 stars is for the lovely writing of Ms Balogh, which rose above the crass distasteful story which this is.
The Hero (NOT) is a manwhore who did not deserve the heroine at all! He can have any woman he wants; barmaids, chambermaids and bored ladies, which he does! Every single time. He did not sleep with anyone throughout the course of the story but even after he meets the heroine, he shares kisses with all these kinds of women, its implied he cant help himself...
It annoyed me to no end that even the oh so virtuous heroine could not resist him in the end, which also just proves the whole point of the shameless wager at the start. The reader, the author and the Hero all know he won that gamble so it spoils the whole story.
Though the heroine is the one that tames him and brings him up to scratch in the end, the fact still remains that she was just as susceptible as ALL the other females.
I can imagine that throughout the course of their married life she would have to keep an eye out for him. He would be stealing kisses from every barmaid and chambermaid or country lass they may encounter. 🤮
Ah nope. 👎🏻
The Hero (NOT) is a manwhore who did not deserve the heroine at all! He can have any woman he wants; barmaids, chambermaids and bored ladies, which he does! Every single time. He did not sleep with anyone throughout the course of the story but even after he meets the heroine, he shares kisses with all these kinds of women, its implied he cant help himself...
It annoyed me to no end that even the oh so virtuous heroine could not resist him in the end, which also just proves the whole point of the shameless wager at the start. The reader, the author and the Hero all know he won that gamble so it spoils the whole story.
Though the heroine is the one that tames him and brings him up to scratch in the end, the fact still remains that she was just as susceptible as ALL the other females.
I can imagine that throughout the course of their married life she would have to keep an eye out for him. He would be stealing kisses from every barmaid and chambermaid or country lass they may encounter. 🤮
Ah nope. 👎🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2019
I have most of Mary Balogh's old Signet Regencies in paperback on a dedicated shelf in my basement, but my vision isn't getting any better and the print is so tiny. I'm glad they are slowly being re-released in Kindle format to make them easier to re-read.
I remembered bits and pieces of this one from way back when. Most of Balogh's books are character studies; this one is no different. The initial scene in the inn when the rake accidentally gets into bed with widow seems so far fetched and over the top, but I always trust Balogh to really get in the heads of the characters and let the reader know precisely why they behave the way they do. This book does not disappoint.
The secondary characters are a hoot. Carter, the long-suffering valet, has very little page time, but his character is very well drawn. I can picture him clearly. The resolution of the two love stories is a little rushed in the end, but it's all good. I always enjoy a trip to Regency England courtesy of Mary Balogh.
I remembered bits and pieces of this one from way back when. Most of Balogh's books are character studies; this one is no different. The initial scene in the inn when the rake accidentally gets into bed with widow seems so far fetched and over the top, but I always trust Balogh to really get in the heads of the characters and let the reader know precisely why they behave the way they do. This book does not disappoint.
The secondary characters are a hoot. Carter, the long-suffering valet, has very little page time, but his character is very well drawn. I can picture him clearly. The resolution of the two love stories is a little rushed in the end, but it's all good. I always enjoy a trip to Regency England courtesy of Mary Balogh.
November 5, 2019
No one writes of two people warming to each other like Mary Balogh. Her protagonists are often flawed, wounded and wary but they learn to trust and eventually to love. The characters’ evolutions are revealed through the author's incomparable dialogue. Her exploration of human emotion is always engrossing. Her characters know pain and fear; they stumble and recover; they eventually find themselves and they find love. There is no explicit sex in the author’s books but there is real passion. This is not one of her best books but it’s still very good.
November 15, 2019
Usually love this author
I usually love this author but this was not the best. I could not see how the h could have changed her mind about the H so quickly when so many of his actions appeared so repulsive. For both couples in the story, the H's seemed like schmucks. Also I always want to be able to laugh at the jokes during the witty repartee, but nothing made me laugh as well. The characters essentially had the same conversations, even basically the same lines, over the whole story and then snap somehow the reluctant party randomly realizes they actually love the person. I really wanted to like this one, but I have to say, don't spend your money on it - it's not even in Kindle unlimited. 2.3/5 overall. 4/10 sex-o-meter.
I usually love this author but this was not the best. I could not see how the h could have changed her mind about the H so quickly when so many of his actions appeared so repulsive. For both couples in the story, the H's seemed like schmucks. Also I always want to be able to laugh at the jokes during the witty repartee, but nothing made me laugh as well. The characters essentially had the same conversations, even basically the same lines, over the whole story and then snap somehow the reluctant party randomly realizes they actually love the person. I really wanted to like this one, but I have to say, don't spend your money on it - it's not even in Kindle unlimited. 2.3/5 overall. 4/10 sex-o-meter.
February 12, 2019
I have to admit I found it rather tasteless compared to other works from this author. I couldn't get a connection between the pairs, it all seemed like splash, voila! In the end, it felt like a story of attraction rather than love.
October 16, 2019
Not the worst book I’ve ever read, but a definite waste of time. I found this to be dull, poorly written and constructed. The characters were unlikable, with all the dimension of a stick figure.
Don’t waste your time.
Don’t waste your time.
December 26, 2019
I don't like enemies-to-lovers generally; and in this story, I can't figure out why either of the two couples stopped hating each other. "He doth protest too much" is not enough reason to hold up a novel. Definitely an early Balogh.
November 11, 2021
a hilariously delightful read (despite problematic bits)
Read
August 13, 2021The Incurable Matchmaker was about Jack, the Marquess of Kenwood, a notorious libertine, and Mrs. Diana Ingram, daughter of Sir Godfrey and Lady Winters, and the widow of Reverend Edward "Teddy" Ingram, the youngest son of the Earl and Countess of Rotherham, and known to be of unquestionable virtue.
Side note: WHY was the book titled "The Incurable Matchmaker"? That wasn't Jack or even Diana, but instead, it was her mother-in-law...and the book was NOT about the mother-in-law...was it?
Out at his club with friends where they were celebrating someone's birthday, the men were talking about how no female had ever turned down the overtures of Jack, to which he boastfully, and quite inebriating agreed. Taking advantage of his drunken state, Elwood Rittsman (still very sober) took the opportunity to challenge Jack to a wager over his boast which gave him a month to woo and bed a woman of the other men's choice. Even though he was feeling uneasy, he accepted the challenge. The woman they chose...was Diana Ingram, Lord Crensford's late brother's widow. Equipped with the knowledge that he and Diana would be attending the same three-week-long house party, he sealed the wager and prepared to win. He would not hesitate to destroy her virtue and her reputation...for a mere 500 guineas.
Diana wasn't looking forward to seeing her late husband's family as she had been forewarned by her mother-in-law that the party wasn't just to celebrate the Earl's 65th birthday, but that the Countess, an incurable matchmaker, was also planning to find Diana a new husband. However, she was not really given the option to decline. The invitation had been more of a summons than anything else.
Several of the guests who were to attend the house party, two of which were Jack and Diana, encountered an unanticipated rainstorm that made the road nearly impossible to continue on. Thankfully the incident happened quite close to a small inn, and everyone chose to stop to gather their wits about them. Because of the condition of the road, all of the travelers were forced to take a room for the night.
Jack's ego was boundless. Even though he considered the wager (once he sobered up) to be silly, undoubtedly vulgar, and tasteless, he nevertheless felt honor-bound to fulfill it. He also believed since she had been a widow for a little more than a year, "that she was panting for a man's attention", so why not slake both their desires at the same time. Plus he was just plain bored, so why not make a sport of it with Diana? Who cared whether or not it was something she wanted, he was determined to follow through with wooing and bedding her so that "Diana will know the most pleasurable hour of her life."
Unfortunately for Jack, he did not make the best first impression with Diana. He had, once again, imbibed a little too much liquor in the bar of the inn and had mistaken her room for his. Then the next morning he was making sport with the barmaid in front of the others in the bar.
After he had been formally introduced to Diana, there was nothing Ernie said to him that could convince him to drop the wager. He was more determined than ever to seduce her. With her mother-in-law throwing them together at every opportunity, Jack had multiple chances to fulfill the wager. However, he was determined to tempt, tease, and irritate him into doing what he wanted.
The more I read, the angrier I got at Jack's cavalier attitude. The fact that he could pursue Diana to win the bet and still go from woman to woman was despicable. He had no problem with flaunting his current, and past, mistresses in front of Diana, even the married ones. Jack could not have been a worse choice for the Hero of a book than he was. Sure he finally made changes in his life, but it took too long and he had done too many injurious things (not the least of which was lying to her by not telling her about that blasted wager) to Diana to merit winning her heart.
Not only did I detest Jack, but I also hated the way the book ended. So many things were unresolved. So many secrets were kept hidden, and nothing made sense. Nope, no stars for this book and no love lost from the reader. Not one of the better love stories. No chance of this book being added to a collection of favored books. Not at all what a love story should be. Such a disappointment.
Side note: WHY was the book titled "The Incurable Matchmaker"? That wasn't Jack or even Diana, but instead, it was her mother-in-law...and the book was NOT about the mother-in-law...was it?
Out at his club with friends where they were celebrating someone's birthday, the men were talking about how no female had ever turned down the overtures of Jack, to which he boastfully, and quite inebriating agreed. Taking advantage of his drunken state, Elwood Rittsman (still very sober) took the opportunity to challenge Jack to a wager over his boast which gave him a month to woo and bed a woman of the other men's choice. Even though he was feeling uneasy, he accepted the challenge. The woman they chose...was Diana Ingram, Lord Crensford's late brother's widow. Equipped with the knowledge that he and Diana would be attending the same three-week-long house party, he sealed the wager and prepared to win. He would not hesitate to destroy her virtue and her reputation...for a mere 500 guineas.
Diana wasn't looking forward to seeing her late husband's family as she had been forewarned by her mother-in-law that the party wasn't just to celebrate the Earl's 65th birthday, but that the Countess, an incurable matchmaker, was also planning to find Diana a new husband. However, she was not really given the option to decline. The invitation had been more of a summons than anything else.
Several of the guests who were to attend the house party, two of which were Jack and Diana, encountered an unanticipated rainstorm that made the road nearly impossible to continue on. Thankfully the incident happened quite close to a small inn, and everyone chose to stop to gather their wits about them. Because of the condition of the road, all of the travelers were forced to take a room for the night.
Jack's ego was boundless. Even though he considered the wager (once he sobered up) to be silly, undoubtedly vulgar, and tasteless, he nevertheless felt honor-bound to fulfill it. He also believed since she had been a widow for a little more than a year, "that she was panting for a man's attention", so why not slake both their desires at the same time. Plus he was just plain bored, so why not make a sport of it with Diana? Who cared whether or not it was something she wanted, he was determined to follow through with wooing and bedding her so that "Diana will know the most pleasurable hour of her life."
Unfortunately for Jack, he did not make the best first impression with Diana. He had, once again, imbibed a little too much liquor in the bar of the inn and had mistaken her room for his. Then the next morning he was making sport with the barmaid in front of the others in the bar.
After he had been formally introduced to Diana, there was nothing Ernie said to him that could convince him to drop the wager. He was more determined than ever to seduce her. With her mother-in-law throwing them together at every opportunity, Jack had multiple chances to fulfill the wager. However, he was determined to tempt, tease, and irritate him into doing what he wanted.
The more I read, the angrier I got at Jack's cavalier attitude. The fact that he could pursue Diana to win the bet and still go from woman to woman was despicable. He had no problem with flaunting his current, and past, mistresses in front of Diana, even the married ones. Jack could not have been a worse choice for the Hero of a book than he was. Sure he finally made changes in his life, but it took too long and he had done too many injurious things (not the least of which was lying to her by not telling her about that blasted wager) to Diana to merit winning her heart.
Not only did I detest Jack, but I also hated the way the book ended. So many things were unresolved. So many secrets were kept hidden, and nothing made sense. Nope, no stars for this book and no love lost from the reader. Not one of the better love stories. No chance of this book being added to a collection of favored books. Not at all what a love story should be. Such a disappointment.
November 7, 2022
Jack, le marquis de Kenwood est connu pour sa réputation dans tout Londres, aucune femme ne lui résiste. Ses amis le mettent alors au défi de séduire et de mettre dans son lit, une jeune veuve qui n’est pas passée inaperçue lors de sa première saison londonienne, il y a 4 ans. Très belle, Diana Ingram est aussi connue pour sa réserve et sa pudeur. Elle a épousée un jeune pasteur, frère de son ami Ernie, qui regrette bien que ce soit le nom de sa belle-sœur qui a été cité. Invité à l’anniversaire du Comte de Rotherham, les voilà en route vers une nouvelle aventure qui va leurs réserver bien des surprises…
Voilà une intrigue quelque peu banale, avec un coureur de jupon qui se voit lancer un défi de séduire une jeune femme en dehors de Londres, lors d’une partie de campagne, où une dame marieuse est aussi présente. Mary Balogh a d’ailleurs déjà développé ce sujet dans un précédent roman, mais je me suis tout de même laissée prendre au jeu. On finit par s’attacher à nos héros et on comprend d’où vient leur réputation. En plus du couple Diana-Jack, on en suit d’autres, ce qui donne un peu de dynamisme au roman. Diana n’est pas prête à céder, elle a dû caractère comme Jack. Même si j’avoue, j’aurais aimé encore plus de joutes verbales entre eux. Finalement, ce qui m’a le plus gênée, c’est la fin qui arrive très rapidement alors que certains points n’ont pas été développés.
En bref, un bon moment de lecture détente avec une intrigue classique, mais qui ne restera pas gravée.
Voilà une intrigue quelque peu banale, avec un coureur de jupon qui se voit lancer un défi de séduire une jeune femme en dehors de Londres, lors d’une partie de campagne, où une dame marieuse est aussi présente. Mary Balogh a d’ailleurs déjà développé ce sujet dans un précédent roman, mais je me suis tout de même laissée prendre au jeu. On finit par s’attacher à nos héros et on comprend d’où vient leur réputation. En plus du couple Diana-Jack, on en suit d’autres, ce qui donne un peu de dynamisme au roman. Diana n’est pas prête à céder, elle a dû caractère comme Jack. Même si j’avoue, j’aurais aimé encore plus de joutes verbales entre eux. Finalement, ce qui m’a le plus gênée, c’est la fin qui arrive très rapidement alors que certains points n’ont pas été développés.
En bref, un bon moment de lecture détente avec une intrigue classique, mais qui ne restera pas gravée.
March 16, 2023
I am a fan of Ms Balogh’s writing. She creates characters who draw me into a story.
I was disappointed in this story. The plot could have been more fun. I would have enjoyed more of the humor which Ms Balogh can create in a story.
Diana is a widow. She is one of the most beautiful of women. After a year of mourning, she is ready to find a man to marry and love.
Jack has a public bet that he will be able to seduce Diana within 3 weeks. When he makes this bet, he does not even know her.
Diana is not a particularly likable woman. She is very judgmental. And she finds Jack disgusting, until she doesn’t.
Jack is a dog. He is willing to have sex with nearly any female who passes within a few feet of him. Or if he does not have sex with them, he implies that it is only lack of time and opportunity that is preventing it.
The writing is very well done as I would expect from Ms Balogh. The atmosphere is filled with a house party of people of leisure and privilege.
The two main characters are simply not people with whom I would want to spend a great deal of time. The secondary characters add to the story, but there was not anyone there who I found charming.
This book mostly takes place over a 3 week period at a house party. If I would have been there, I believe I would have escaped, caught a farmer’s wagon and tried to find my way home.
I was disappointed in this story. The plot could have been more fun. I would have enjoyed more of the humor which Ms Balogh can create in a story.
Diana is a widow. She is one of the most beautiful of women. After a year of mourning, she is ready to find a man to marry and love.
Jack has a public bet that he will be able to seduce Diana within 3 weeks. When he makes this bet, he does not even know her.
Diana is not a particularly likable woman. She is very judgmental. And she finds Jack disgusting, until she doesn’t.
Jack is a dog. He is willing to have sex with nearly any female who passes within a few feet of him. Or if he does not have sex with them, he implies that it is only lack of time and opportunity that is preventing it.
The writing is very well done as I would expect from Ms Balogh. The atmosphere is filled with a house party of people of leisure and privilege.
The two main characters are simply not people with whom I would want to spend a great deal of time. The secondary characters add to the story, but there was not anyone there who I found charming.
This book mostly takes place over a 3 week period at a house party. If I would have been there, I believe I would have escaped, caught a farmer’s wagon and tried to find my way home.
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