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Simply Quartet #1
Simplemente inolvidable
Una fortuita tempestad de nieve ha dejado aislados, en una hospedería de montaña, a dos personas que de otra manera nunca tendrían nada que ver. Lucius, vizconde de Sinclair es un aristócrata altivo y acostumbrado a imponer su voluntad. Frances es una profesora sencilla, inteligente y audaz. Contra todo pronóstico, crece entre los dos una atracción irresistible. Lucius descubre, para su sorpresa, que es capaz de ayudar en la cocina, de trabajar con sus manos... y de enamorarse de alguien a quien su familia jamás aprobaría. Pero tras la tempestad, la realidad vuelve a imponer su cara más fea. A Lucius le espera el lujo de Londres y la promesa de un matrimonio de alcurnia, a Frances un trabajo al que no quiere renunciar. Atrapados cada uno en su mundo, lo que parecía una aventura fugaz se resiste a borrarse de sus corazones. ¿Serán capaces de aceptar la renuncias necesarias y hacer caso a sus verdaderos sentimientos?
Mary Balogh nació en Gales, Gran Bretaña, pero vive en Canadá junto a su marido. Profesora de inglés, encontró tiempo para su verdadera vocación, la escritura, cuando su hijo mayor cumplió los seis años. Su primera novela ganó el premio Rita de Novela Romántica.
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Mary Balogh nació en Gales, Gran Bretaña, pero vive en Canadá junto a su marido. Profesora de inglés, encontró tiempo para su verdadera vocación, la escritura, cuando su hijo mayor cumplió los seis años. Su primera novela ganó el premio Rita de Novela Romántica.
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347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2010
378 people are currently reading
2879 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
198 books6,328 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 656 reviews
April 3, 2014
I've been struggling to write this review for days, collecting my thoughts and, I confess, trying to find a reason to raise my 3-star rating. Sadly, I found none. :( 3 stars isn't bad in my rating scale, but I'm not used to giving Ms. Balogh less than 4 stars. I love her writing and the romantic feel she always evokes in me when I read her books, but alas, I'm disappointed to say that she missed the mark in this one.
Simply Unforgettable is the first installment in the Simply series, a quartet of books about three schoolteachers and the headmistress of Miss Martin’s School for Girls in Bath. They're all introduced in this first book and their different personalities are aptly drawn by Ms. Balogh, as usual. Schoolteacher Frances Allard was the chosen one to kick off the series and this is her story.
After spending Christmas with her great-aunts in Somersetshire, Frances is on her journey back to Bath when a not-so-unexpected snowstorm makes her carriage overturn. Help comes in the form of Lucius Marshall, Viscount Sinclair, who's on his journey home to Hampshire after spending the holiday with his family in, guess where, Somersetshire. Considering their vastly different social status, Frances and Lucius have never met before - and things would have remained that way if fate hadn't intervened, stranding both in the middle of nowhere during a snowstorm. Even though Frances blames Lucius for her carriage accident, she has no option but to accept his offer to join him in his carriage so they can find shelter in some obscure country inn down the road.
Luckily, they find an inn right before the snowstorm gets worse. As they're forced to spend the next few days together, stranded in the inn, the initial animosity they felt for each other turns into a sizzling sexual attraction that neither can deny. But once the snowstorm is over, the road is clear and Lucius takes Frances to Bath and drops her at Miss Martin’s School for Girls' doorstep, they part ways. They have to - after all, any relationship between them is clearly impossible.
Well, fate doesn't think so and throw them back together again a few months later. That's when Lucius realizes he isn't over Frances and decides to pursue her, only to be rejected with no explanation. That happens more than once, to his increasing frustration. He guesses that something in her past prevents her from accepting his love, but she refuses to reveal her big secret. The truth will have to come out sooner or later, though. What will happen then? Is Frances' secret so damning that any chance of happiness will forever be denied to her?
What can I say? I loved the beginning of this book and I was sure I was going to be an exception to the many so-so reviews/ratings I'd seen. Ms. Balogh's depiction of Lucius and Frances' days at the inn was perfect and I couldn't help smiling and sighing as they grew fonder of each other. Even though they went from "enemies" to lovers in a very short period of time, I had no problem understanding why Frances did it. Needless to say, there was never a question regarding why Lucius did it. He's a man. Nuff said, LOL.
Unfortunately, the story started to drag after they left the inn and resumed their normal lives. Separately, Lucius and Frances were too bland, and there was nothing particularly riveting in their lives to fill the pages while I waited for their reunion. That's when this book lost the first star. No wonder I cheered when they got together again - not together together, but in the same space and time.
At first, Lucius' determination to win Frances was a nice novelty. How often do we see the hero mooning over the heroine? It's usually the other way around, so it was fun to see Lucius' relentless pursuit for a change. However, Frances' continuing refusal began to grate on my nerves and I prayed her big secret was worth all the frustration Lucius and I were suffering. Alas, my prayers went unanswered - and this book lost the second star. Here's my favorite quote from the book, straight from Lucius' lips:
"Good Lord, Frances. Is this the terrible past you have been keeping from me? What an idiot you are."
Truer words have never been spoken. Obviously, Lucius forgave Frances for her stubbornness and they lived HEA. This is Romancelandia, after all. In RL, I wanted to shake Frances and call her ugly names. Then, I remembered the great beginning of the book and managed to calm myself down. :)
All things considered, this was an OK read. Ms. Balogh's writing was good as usual, transporting me to Regency England right from the first paragraphs. But I can't help feeling disappointed, because the beginning hinted at a 5-star read and I ended up with "just" 3 stars. Oh well... I'm still a huge fan of Ms. Balogh and I'll definitely keep reading this series and tracking down her backlist.
Simply Unforgettable is the first installment in the Simply series, a quartet of books about three schoolteachers and the headmistress of Miss Martin’s School for Girls in Bath. They're all introduced in this first book and their different personalities are aptly drawn by Ms. Balogh, as usual. Schoolteacher Frances Allard was the chosen one to kick off the series and this is her story.
After spending Christmas with her great-aunts in Somersetshire, Frances is on her journey back to Bath when a not-so-unexpected snowstorm makes her carriage overturn. Help comes in the form of Lucius Marshall, Viscount Sinclair, who's on his journey home to Hampshire after spending the holiday with his family in, guess where, Somersetshire. Considering their vastly different social status, Frances and Lucius have never met before - and things would have remained that way if fate hadn't intervened, stranding both in the middle of nowhere during a snowstorm. Even though Frances blames Lucius for her carriage accident, she has no option but to accept his offer to join him in his carriage so they can find shelter in some obscure country inn down the road.
Luckily, they find an inn right before the snowstorm gets worse. As they're forced to spend the next few days together, stranded in the inn, the initial animosity they felt for each other turns into a sizzling sexual attraction that neither can deny. But once the snowstorm is over, the road is clear and Lucius takes Frances to Bath and drops her at Miss Martin’s School for Girls' doorstep, they part ways. They have to - after all, any relationship between them is clearly impossible.
Well, fate doesn't think so and throw them back together again a few months later. That's when Lucius realizes he isn't over Frances and decides to pursue her, only to be rejected with no explanation. That happens more than once, to his increasing frustration. He guesses that something in her past prevents her from accepting his love, but she refuses to reveal her big secret. The truth will have to come out sooner or later, though. What will happen then? Is Frances' secret so damning that any chance of happiness will forever be denied to her?
What can I say? I loved the beginning of this book and I was sure I was going to be an exception to the many so-so reviews/ratings I'd seen. Ms. Balogh's depiction of Lucius and Frances' days at the inn was perfect and I couldn't help smiling and sighing as they grew fonder of each other. Even though they went from "enemies" to lovers in a very short period of time, I had no problem understanding why Frances did it. Needless to say, there was never a question regarding why Lucius did it. He's a man. Nuff said, LOL.
Unfortunately, the story started to drag after they left the inn and resumed their normal lives. Separately, Lucius and Frances were too bland, and there was nothing particularly riveting in their lives to fill the pages while I waited for their reunion. That's when this book lost the first star. No wonder I cheered when they got together again - not together together, but in the same space and time.
At first, Lucius' determination to win Frances was a nice novelty. How often do we see the hero mooning over the heroine? It's usually the other way around, so it was fun to see Lucius' relentless pursuit for a change. However, Frances' continuing refusal began to grate on my nerves and I prayed her big secret was worth all the frustration Lucius and I were suffering. Alas, my prayers went unanswered - and this book lost the second star. Here's my favorite quote from the book, straight from Lucius' lips:
"Good Lord, Frances. Is this the terrible past you have been keeping from me? What an idiot you are."
Truer words have never been spoken. Obviously, Lucius forgave Frances for her stubbornness and they lived HEA. This is Romancelandia, after all. In RL, I wanted to shake Frances and call her ugly names. Then, I remembered the great beginning of the book and managed to calm myself down. :)
All things considered, this was an OK read. Ms. Balogh's writing was good as usual, transporting me to Regency England right from the first paragraphs. But I can't help feeling disappointed, because the beginning hinted at a 5-star read and I ended up with "just" 3 stars. Oh well... I'm still a huge fan of Ms. Balogh and I'll definitely keep reading this series and tracking down her backlist.
September 9, 2022
This was so lovely. I just adore Mary's books. This was swoony and romantic, and a bit angst ridden for the middle portion of the book. But so good.
And it opens with our hero and heroine snowed in together and they build snowmen?! A FREAKING DELIGHT.
This was what I've been looking for recently. A beautiful historical romance.
And it opens with our hero and heroine snowed in together and they build snowmen?! A FREAKING DELIGHT.
This was what I've been looking for recently. A beautiful historical romance.
February 23, 2019
I am re-reading all my 5 star rated romance novels. There are 60 on my shelf. This is book 27.
(Tropes: Opposites Attract, Unrequited Love, Wallflower/Spinster, Forced Proximity)
This is how my 27th re-read held up.
Downgraded to 1 star
Lucius is rude, self-centered, heavy handed, arrogant, narcissistic, temperamental, a meddler, manipulative, a tyrant, selfish, self-centered, entitled, a bully, inconsiderate, irresponsible, has a ridiculous high opinion of himself, treats everyone beneath him, and throws toys out of his pram repeatedly.
Where did my original 5 star come from?
- “You look lovely when you are angry,” he said. “You lose the cool, classical madonna look and become the passionate Italian beauty that you are deep down.”
(Tropes: Opposites Attract, Unrequited Love, Wallflower/Spinster, Forced Proximity)
This is how my 27th re-read held up.
Downgraded to 1 star
Lucius is rude, self-centered, heavy handed, arrogant, narcissistic, temperamental, a meddler, manipulative, a tyrant, selfish, self-centered, entitled, a bully, inconsiderate, irresponsible, has a ridiculous high opinion of himself, treats everyone beneath him, and throws toys out of his pram repeatedly.
Where did my original 5 star come from?
- “You look lovely when you are angry,” he said. “You lose the cool, classical madonna look and become the passionate Italian beauty that you are deep down.”
July 27, 2020
List of things Renae doesn't enjoy: meddling, high-highanded heroes who don't understand the word "No"; enemies to lovers romances than spend too much time on the enemies phase (I.e. 80% of the book); kissing books without kissing; Big Secrets that cause pointless drama and necessitate a Big Reveal.
List of things happening in Simply Unforgettable: see above.
Obviously, this was not the book for me.
I love (rather, have previously loved) Mary Balogh because she writes novels that are honest and true and don't shy away from the uglier aspects of grown-up relationships. She doesn't sugarcoat. I appreciate and respect that a lot. But I think Simply Unforgettable is just...too difficult. The hard times are not compensated by sufficient emotion or soft feelings. There was too much difficulty—and it wasn't justified difficulty, because it was just the hero being a selfish ass.
So, the book starts with a one-night stand. Frances and Lucius are snowed in at a country inn and decide to sleep together, as one does. At the end of it, Lucius offers to bring Frances to London to be his mistress. She says No to that. The he leaves, pissed. Frances returns to her life in Bath.
A few weeks later, Lucius is hanging out in Bath and happens to run into Frances. He tries once again to get her to be his mistress, she says No. He tries to get her to marry him. She says No again.
THEN Lucius tries to "help" by launching her singing career for her. She says No. He doesn't listen and drags her up to London and tricks her into singing in at a crowded concert hall where all of London's uppercrust hears her. Frances says she'd like to go to Bath now, Lucius doesn't listen. (Did anybody expect him to?) He chases her down again, they have another sexual interlude. Then they get married.
I'm sorry, but here's how it goes: FRANCES SAID NO. She said no over and over and over. Lucius never listens. And because that's the dynamic between the two protagonists, Simply Unforgettable reinforces the sexist idea that women don't really know what they want, that "no means yes", and that creepy men who are persistent will eventually get the girl.
I think Frances says it best herself, so I'll let her say it:
(One wonders why Frances ever married him after this, but whatever.)
This isn't romantic, guys. If Lucius had been an old man instead of a hella hot 20-something, none of this would have been okay. Yet you shouldn't get a free pass just because you're young and attractive! It's gross.
What, exactly, was I supposed to find enjoyable about this book, I wonder? Lucius's persistence and inability to respect his love interest's clearly-stated dissent are not cute. They're gross. I don't know what Simply Unforgettable is selling here, but I am seriously not buying. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
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List of things happening in Simply Unforgettable: see above.
Obviously, this was not the book for me.
I love (rather, have previously loved) Mary Balogh because she writes novels that are honest and true and don't shy away from the uglier aspects of grown-up relationships. She doesn't sugarcoat. I appreciate and respect that a lot. But I think Simply Unforgettable is just...too difficult. The hard times are not compensated by sufficient emotion or soft feelings. There was too much difficulty—and it wasn't justified difficulty, because it was just the hero being a selfish ass.
So, the book starts with a one-night stand. Frances and Lucius are snowed in at a country inn and decide to sleep together, as one does. At the end of it, Lucius offers to bring Frances to London to be his mistress. She says No to that. The he leaves, pissed. Frances returns to her life in Bath.
A few weeks later, Lucius is hanging out in Bath and happens to run into Frances. He tries once again to get her to be his mistress, she says No. He tries to get her to marry him. She says No again.
THEN Lucius tries to "help" by launching her singing career for her. She says No. He doesn't listen and drags her up to London and tricks her into singing in at a crowded concert hall where all of London's uppercrust hears her. Frances says she'd like to go to Bath now, Lucius doesn't listen. (Did anybody expect him to?) He chases her down again, they have another sexual interlude. Then they get married.
I'm sorry, but here's how it goes: FRANCES SAID NO. She said no over and over and over. Lucius never listens. And because that's the dynamic between the two protagonists, Simply Unforgettable reinforces the sexist idea that women don't really know what they want, that "no means yes", and that creepy men who are persistent will eventually get the girl.
I think Frances says it best herself, so I'll let her say it:
"You are nothing but a meddler," she said bitterly. "An arrogant meddler, who is forever convinced that only he knows what I ought to be doing with my life. You knew I did not wish to return to London, yet you maneuvered matters so that I would come anyway. You knew I did not want to sing before any large audience, especially here, but you have gathered a large audience anyway and made it next to impossible for me to refuse to sing before it. You knew I did not wish to see you again, but you totally ignored my wished. I think you really do imagine that you care for me, but you are wrong. You do not manipulate someone you care for or go out of your way to make her miserable. You care for no one but yourself."
(One wonders why Frances ever married him after this, but whatever.)
This isn't romantic, guys. If Lucius had been an old man instead of a hella hot 20-something, none of this would have been okay. Yet you shouldn't get a free pass just because you're young and attractive! It's gross.
What, exactly, was I supposed to find enjoyable about this book, I wonder? Lucius's persistence and inability to respect his love interest's clearly-stated dissent are not cute. They're gross. I don't know what Simply Unforgettable is selling here, but I am seriously not buying. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
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August 3, 2020
#retorita4 #ritamary
#simplementeinolvidable
Este mes me estreno con esta autora y gracias al reto rita.
Lo he disfrutado muchísimo, me ha gustado mucho como escribe y esta historia. Seguramente seguiré leyendo más libros de esta autora.
Los personajes me han gustado, aunque ella ha tenido momentos que no me ha gustado o más bien no entienda su comportamiento. Los personajes secundarios como el abuelo o las tías de ella me han encantado
Una lectura muy Bonita y entretenida
#simplementeinolvidable
Este mes me estreno con esta autora y gracias al reto rita.
Lo he disfrutado muchísimo, me ha gustado mucho como escribe y esta historia. Seguramente seguiré leyendo más libros de esta autora.
Los personajes me han gustado, aunque ella ha tenido momentos que no me ha gustado o más bien no entienda su comportamiento. Los personajes secundarios como el abuelo o las tías de ella me han encantado
Una lectura muy Bonita y entretenida
December 3, 2017
Superba! Plină de romantism și foarte alerta!
December 13, 2021
I just love reading Mary Balogh. Her characters are always so well developed and her storytelling feels comfortable. Like I’m in good hands. Plus she always tries something different. She pushes limits in new ways.
Frances was a total rock star. Even if we discover later that underneath it all she was really scared and I loved that development for her.
And Lucius had an impulsive spark to himself even though he tried to align himself with wishes of his family.
They meet during snow storm and are stranded together. I love this meet cute. But the plot thickens when they both realize few months later how special their experience together was. However they have no clear idea how to move forward.
I’ve enjoyed it a lot but I felt that their bickering was going on for too long.
Frances was a total rock star. Even if we discover later that underneath it all she was really scared and I loved that development for her.
And Lucius had an impulsive spark to himself even though he tried to align himself with wishes of his family.
They meet during snow storm and are stranded together. I love this meet cute. But the plot thickens when they both realize few months later how special their experience together was. However they have no clear idea how to move forward.
I’ve enjoyed it a lot but I felt that their bickering was going on for too long.
December 30, 2017
While I liked the characters on their own, their interactions were pretty painful. Both had the reckless tendency to do things "for the other" that were mostly destructive. Frances keeping her stupid secret forever was pretty contrived, too, particularly when she knows she loves him really, really early. And keeping that secret from readers even as it becomes important to the actions of the characters always pulls me out of a story (because we're supposedly in the heads of the characters, so having them shy away from details feels manipulative).
I kept with the story because I liked both of them individually quite a bit. And that made me want them to be together. Unfortunately, that's also where all the friction comes from because the reasons they weren't together were either a) obscured (see secret keeping above) or b) contrived (see doing things "for" the other). Doing something that hurts a person you supposedly love "for their own good" is a suck move at any time but when it hurts you as well . . . yeah, that just makes you stupid.
And I was down with the ending until I thought about it a bit.
So nobody comes off looking as good as they do initially and that made me sad.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes. And they felt manufactured and a little silly. Indeed, I'd have bought them falling in love that fast better without the extraneous bed sport. At any rate, this is the middle of my steam tolerance.
I kept with the story because I liked both of them individually quite a bit. And that made me want them to be together. Unfortunately, that's also where all the friction comes from because the reasons they weren't together were either a) obscured (see secret keeping above) or b) contrived (see doing things "for" the other). Doing something that hurts a person you supposedly love "for their own good" is a suck move at any time but when it hurts you as well . . . yeah, that just makes you stupid.
And I was down with the ending until I thought about it a bit.
So nobody comes off looking as good as they do initially and that made me sad.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes. And they felt manufactured and a little silly. Indeed, I'd have bought them falling in love that fast better without the extraneous bed sport. At any rate, this is the middle of my steam tolerance.
October 4, 2022
This story is Simply Unforgettable 😉 loved the characters and the witty banter. I mean it’s Mary Balogh … nuff said! ❤️🔥
August 31, 2023
3.5 stars
Although I enjoyed the story, it was not what I was expecting or looking for from Mary Balogh. The good thing though is that a “not quite up to her usual standards” Mary Balogh is still an enjoyable read. This story is much lighter than Mary Balogh’s usual works. The romance also had quite a modern feel to it. Of course a lot of it has to do with the fact that Frances and Lucius have a one night stand. Yet given Mary Balogh’s skill as a writer, I’m sure the subsequent relationship development could have conveyed a more authentic feel for the Regency era. I’ve come to expect a very slow burn and more angst from her. In fact, I would have never guessed it was written by her unless I had seen the cover beforehand.
I liked Frances although her continued miscommunication with Lucius was irritating. I also felt like Lucius’s character could have been better drawn. We keep being told he is impetuous and rash, but I would have appreciated more insight into why he is so. I know I’ve spent more time on my issues with it rather than the positives, but this is still an entertaining story.
Although I enjoyed the story, it was not what I was expecting or looking for from Mary Balogh. The good thing though is that a “not quite up to her usual standards” Mary Balogh is still an enjoyable read. This story is much lighter than Mary Balogh’s usual works. The romance also had quite a modern feel to it. Of course a lot of it has to do with the fact that Frances and Lucius have a one night stand. Yet given Mary Balogh’s skill as a writer, I’m sure the subsequent relationship development could have conveyed a more authentic feel for the Regency era. I’ve come to expect a very slow burn and more angst from her. In fact, I would have never guessed it was written by her unless I had seen the cover beforehand.
I liked Frances although her continued miscommunication with Lucius was irritating. I also felt like Lucius’s character could have been better drawn. We keep being told he is impetuous and rash, but I would have appreciated more insight into why he is so. I know I’ve spent more time on my issues with it rather than the positives, but this is still an entertaining story.
December 27, 2018
DNF @ 50%
I lasted longer than I thought I would. I was planing on quitting this 20 pages in to be honest but decided to at least read up to the couple's ‘one night of passion’ that seems to be the big moment readers love. And even then I did A LOT of skimming afterward to just get to the half way mark. There were so many things that didn't work for me or just plain bugged the crap out of me.
THE PLOT
So I knew this wasn't for me the minute I found out the dreaded 'heated night of passion then couple go their separate ways' plot device was used here. I usually never am a fan of the one night stand bit unless executed well. Things tend to happen ridiculously fast which then is followed by the h/hr parting ways and ridiculous reasons are used to keep them apart for a good portion of the story. Which is pretty much what happens here. And on top of that, the annoying overdone 'big bad shameful secret' plot device is used here as well. Why do authors do this? The more it's dragged out, the bigger it's built up, the more readers expect. If it turns out to be a silly overblown thing? Just kills the whole reading experience. If you are gonna tease it throughout the story it better be big. Like HUGE.
The ‘flaming attraction’ was not as hot and intense as it was supposed to be. They had sweet moments at the inn yes, but overall? Meh. For me I guess going from strangers who can’t stand each other to panting and weak kneed off-to-tha-bedroom! overnight--literally--OVERNIGHT just seemed hard to swallow. Especially with someone as straight laced and proper as Francis. Chemistry or not (more like not), it's too rushed and sloppy for me, especially with the two day time span here. And what I hate even more? A hero pursuing an obstinate heroine who keeps turning him down. HAAATE. I just did not like how Francis kept telling him (and herself) their tryst meant nothing, it was a mistake and I’m sure she continued to find idiotic excuses to scorn him and say no to him after where I stopped. Like...why? It's not angsty, it's miserable. And it's suspending belief to have a guy keep pursuing a woman who keeps pushing him away and turning him down. Like damn. Have I mentioned I really hate this trope? And every time he would get upset and snark back at her for being unfeeling she has the gall to act put upon and hurt. Um girl...are you serious?? You keep saying your little adventure was 'nothing' to you and he means nothing to you and you keep turning him down then get butt hurt when he does exactly what you want?!
For someone so sensible she played a lot of head games.
THE HEROINE
A fan of Frances I was not. I just needed her to get over herself and stop mentally cock blocking her true feelings. She measures and weighs her emotions like some ornery detached grandmother. Everything is either 'foolish' or 'sentimental drivel' to her. I just didn't understand what exactly Lucius found so intriguing in someone so bullheaded and closed off. Dynamics like this never work for me because one half of the pairing is showing more emotion and effort while the other keeps saying 'no' and throwing out words of discouragement. She’s as prim and tight laced as MB describes her and I found her tiring and frustrating around Lucius and an absolute bore without him around. *shrugs*
THE CONTRADICTIONS
The heroine dreamily admits (internally) to having fallen head over 'ears' in love with the hero after making love but 3 lines later..nope just kidding! she doesn't love him. Uh ok. She can't bear to leave him but is dying to leave and forget these horrid horrid feelings! Uh...ok. Their one night together will forever stay with her but meh...not to worry give her a few weeks and she will fahgetaboutit. WTH? The hero kept describing Francis as a plain, prim and "prunish" looking woman (what the hell does that even mean? Is she constipated?) but then suddenly uh, oh! Wait. She’s plain and gorgeous......wuh-huut? I point this out because theauthor hero kept dwelling on the heroine’s looks as being severe and stiff lipped. Excuse my complete shallowness but that doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies. And no I'm not just talking about physical appearance. I honestly kept struggling to understand what Lucius found so appealing and enchanting about Frances. Because she likes sex but won't admit it? Her mother is Italian? Her pinched mouth and flaring nostrils are cute? What?
No I won't accept it. I needed answers.
Sure. Whatever you say Kirsten Dunst. (NO I DON'T GET IT.)
THE WRITING
Now before I get things thrown at me for daring to judge Balogh's writing, yes I have read another book by her, the one following this one actually Simply Love which was quite good. She's a talented writer with a lot of depth and layers to her stories and characters. That being said, she tends to get a little too bogged down in internal dialogues and explaining events that already happened that it becomes quite tedious especially when it's unnecessary unexciting information. Having your characters tell you about a conversation that happened a week ago is just mind-numbingly boring and a little silly to me. Spending countless pages on characters going about their daily life and meaningless conversations that adds nothing to the momentum of the story? Delete please. When characters woolgather I really don't need to know the details of exactly what they are daydreaming about. Because of this, everything just *suddenly* happens, from the h/hr hating each other, to lusting after each other, the hero finding her attractive, etc, etc. Everything is more often than not, suddenly shown or told. And I'm no expert but I don't think the phrase 'by Jove' is used correctly in here, not in the context it's used and how the hero uses it. It made Lucius sound like a Dandy the way he kept using it so freely. I could go on with more examples but I already have dragged this out too long.
Overall, obviously not a winner for me. I would be willing to give Mary Balogh another try I do have 3 other books by her I believe on my bookshelf I just think I need to get used to her slow, meticulous stylized storytelling. I *maybe* could have finished this one (with more skimming) but given my towering TR pile and little patience for 'ok' stories yeah....
I lasted longer than I thought I would. I was planing on quitting this 20 pages in to be honest but decided to at least read up to the couple's ‘one night of passion’ that seems to be the big moment readers love. And even then I did A LOT of skimming afterward to just get to the half way mark. There were so many things that didn't work for me or just plain bugged the crap out of me.
THE PLOT
So I knew this wasn't for me the minute I found out the dreaded 'heated night of passion then couple go their separate ways' plot device was used here. I usually never am a fan of the one night stand bit unless executed well. Things tend to happen ridiculously fast which then is followed by the h/hr parting ways and ridiculous reasons are used to keep them apart for a good portion of the story. Which is pretty much what happens here. And on top of that, the annoying overdone 'big bad shameful secret' plot device is used here as well. Why do authors do this? The more it's dragged out, the bigger it's built up, the more readers expect. If it turns out to be a silly overblown thing? Just kills the whole reading experience. If you are gonna tease it throughout the story it better be big. Like HUGE.
The ‘flaming attraction’ was not as hot and intense as it was supposed to be. They had sweet moments at the inn yes, but overall? Meh. For me I guess going from strangers who can’t stand each other to panting and weak kneed off-to-tha-bedroom! overnight--literally--OVERNIGHT just seemed hard to swallow. Especially with someone as straight laced and proper as Francis. Chemistry or not (more like not), it's too rushed and sloppy for me, especially with the two day time span here. And what I hate even more? A hero pursuing an obstinate heroine who keeps turning him down. HAAATE. I just did not like how Francis kept telling him (and herself) their tryst meant nothing, it was a mistake and I’m sure she continued to find idiotic excuses to scorn him and say no to him after where I stopped. Like...why? It's not angsty, it's miserable. And it's suspending belief to have a guy keep pursuing a woman who keeps pushing him away and turning him down. Like damn. Have I mentioned I really hate this trope? And every time he would get upset and snark back at her for being unfeeling she has the gall to act put upon and hurt. Um girl...are you serious?? You keep saying your little adventure was 'nothing' to you and he means nothing to you and you keep turning him down then get butt hurt when he does exactly what you want?!
For someone so sensible she played a lot of head games.
THE HEROINE
A fan of Frances I was not. I just needed her to get over herself and stop mentally cock blocking her true feelings. She measures and weighs her emotions like some ornery detached grandmother. Everything is either 'foolish' or 'sentimental drivel' to her. I just didn't understand what exactly Lucius found so intriguing in someone so bullheaded and closed off. Dynamics like this never work for me because one half of the pairing is showing more emotion and effort while the other keeps saying 'no' and throwing out words of discouragement. She’s as prim and tight laced as MB describes her and I found her tiring and frustrating around Lucius and an absolute bore without him around. *shrugs*
THE CONTRADICTIONS
The heroine dreamily admits (internally) to having fallen head over 'ears' in love with the hero after making love but 3 lines later..nope just kidding! she doesn't love him. Uh ok. She can't bear to leave him but is dying to leave and forget these horrid horrid feelings! Uh...ok. Their one night together will forever stay with her but meh...not to worry give her a few weeks and she will fahgetaboutit. WTH? The hero kept describing Francis as a plain, prim and "prunish" looking woman (what the hell does that even mean? Is she constipated?) but then suddenly uh, oh! Wait. She’s plain and gorgeous......wuh-huut? I point this out because the
No I won't accept it. I needed answers.
Sure. Whatever you say Kirsten Dunst. (NO I DON'T GET IT.)
THE WRITING
Now before I get things thrown at me for daring to judge Balogh's writing, yes I have read another book by her, the one following this one actually Simply Love which was quite good. She's a talented writer with a lot of depth and layers to her stories and characters. That being said, she tends to get a little too bogged down in internal dialogues and explaining events that already happened that it becomes quite tedious especially when it's unnecessary unexciting information. Having your characters tell you about a conversation that happened a week ago is just mind-numbingly boring and a little silly to me. Spending countless pages on characters going about their daily life and meaningless conversations that adds nothing to the momentum of the story? Delete please. When characters woolgather I really don't need to know the details of exactly what they are daydreaming about. Because of this, everything just *suddenly* happens, from the h/hr hating each other, to lusting after each other, the hero finding her attractive, etc, etc. Everything is more often than not, suddenly shown or told. And I'm no expert but I don't think the phrase 'by Jove' is used correctly in here, not in the context it's used and how the hero uses it. It made Lucius sound like a Dandy the way he kept using it so freely. I could go on with more examples but I already have dragged this out too long.
Overall, obviously not a winner for me. I would be willing to give Mary Balogh another try I do have 3 other books by her I believe on my bookshelf I just think I need to get used to her slow, meticulous stylized storytelling. I *maybe* could have finished this one (with more skimming) but given my towering TR pile and little patience for 'ok' stories yeah....
July 11, 2024
Review from 2016
A for narration; B for content.
Mary Balogh’s Simply series, in which the heroines are four teachers working at a select school for young ladies in Bath, was originally recorded in the mid-late 2000s, but has been unavailable for some years and was never – as far as I know – made available digitally. After years of wishing on my part – and that of a number of fellow Balogh/Landor audiobook enthusiasts – these recordings are at last being re-released, and I have to say a big and public “Thank You” to Tantor for making them available once more.
Simply Unforgettable opens as Frances Allard is travelling back to Miss Martin’s School in Bath following the Christmas holiday she has spent with her great aunts. The typically English non-White Christmas is followed by a sudden snowstorm during which her somewhat elderly, lumbering coach is overtaken by a much smarter vehicle carrying a fashionable gentleman whose disregard for the safety of others infuriates Frances to no small degree. When both coaches are forced to stop, Frances makes her feelings on the matter very clear to the occupant, an irritable, somewhat abrasive man who introduces himself as Lucius Marshall. They immediately rub each other up the wrong way; he thinks she’s a harpy, she thinks he’s an arrogant arse, but they recognise that the bad weather isn’t going to suddenly disappear and that they need to seek shelter.
Over the next couple of days of enforced proximity, Frances and Lucius reassess their opinions of each other quite radically, discovering they share a sense of humour and enjoy each other’s company – and they are unable to ignore the attraction that has simmered between them almost from the start. They decide to spend a night together and then go their separate ways; she back to her school, he to London to make the marriage his family expects of him. But what they thought would be a night of sexual passion without emotional engagement turns out to be nothing of the sort and the idea of parting the next day is almost too much to bear for both of them. But even though this is a relationship that can go nowhere, Lucius impulsively asks Frances to go with him to London. In what capacity he doesn’t make clear, but Frances is not prepared to become a kept woman, and refuses him.
Lucius goes through the motions in London for the next three months, going to balls and parties and routs, but can’t bring himself to pop the question to Portia Hunt, the beautiful young woman his family expects him to wed. His beloved grandfather, the Earl of Edgecombe, isn’t in the best of health and wants to see his heir settled before he dies, so Lucius is determined to marry before the end of the Season. Yet he can’t stop thinking about Frances and about how good they were together; and when the earl suggests a trip to Bath to take the waters for the sake of his health, Lucius jumps at the chance to go with him.
But Lucius doesn’t seek Frances out. It’s not until he and his grandfather have been in Bath for some time that the couple meets again at a musical soirée – at which Lucius is utterly stunned to discover that the woman in possession of the most beautiful soprano voice he has ever heard is none other than Frances Allard. After this, Lucius contrives to see her again and begins to pursue her in earnest, but Frances is continues to resist his advances, insisting that a provincial schoolteacher is not a suitable match for the heir to an earldom, and telling him that she will not – cannot – live in London.
Frances’ reluctance to go to London is mentioned fairly early on in the story, and it quickly becomes clear that her concerns are about far more than her just not enjoying city life. But Lucius is not a man to take no for an answer and he continues to make his presence felt in Frances’ life, no matter how many times she refuses him. I love stories in which the hero is in hot pursuit of the heroine, and Ms. Balogh has set up the central relationship superbly well. The romantic and sexual tension between the principals in the early chapters is absolutely delicious, and she creates a strong emotional connection between them. The main problem with the story is that Frances’ secret is dragged out for too long and her failure to confide in Lucius eventually causes him to make a serious mis-step. On a positive note, his actions do result in Frances finally facing up to the fact that what she had previously seen as making a life for herself was, in fact, her way of hiding from it – and are the catalyst for Frances taking back control of her life and career. When they are finally revealed, her reasons for refusing Lucius seem somewhat flimsy, although when viewed in the context of the strict social mores applied to young ladies at the time, it’s not difficult to see why Frances is so ashamed of her past. Even so, I couldn’t help agreeing with Lucius’ assessment: “Good Lord, Frances. Is this the terrible past you have been keeping from me? What an idiot you are.”
Lucius… well, I liked him, although I can understand why others may not. He’s incredibly persistent and isn’t above being manipulative when it suits his purposes, such as when he gets Frances’ aunts to invite her to stay with them in London. And then, later, when even though he seems to have accepted Frances’ refusal of him, he pushes her to pursue her singing career and arranges for her to meet an influential patron (who happens to be Lord Heath from Ms. Balogh’s Christmas novella, The Bond Street Carolers). So yes, he’s pushy, but he’s also got Frances’ number and won’t let her off the hook. He challenges her to find happiness – not contentment, but happiness – and I also liked that once he truthfully acknowledged to himself what he wanted, he wasn’t slow about going after it.
As happened with another audiobook I listened to recently in which the hero was straddling the line between likeable and not likeable, Lucius is pulled firmly into the former category by virtue of the fact that he’s given voice by Rosalyn Landor. Even when he’s being sarcastic, there’s often a note of affectionate teasing underlying his pronouncements which Ms. Landor captures perfectly, and she is simply wonderful (sorry!) at bringing out his softer, more romantic side and allowing listeners to hear how very much in love he is.
Mary Balogh and Rosalyn Landor make a terrific author/narrator team. Ms. Landor’s work on the steady trickle of releases of the author’s backlist titles has been outstanding, as have her performances in the recently ended Survivor’s Club series; but I have to confess that I was curious to hear how this decade-old performance would hold up against her more recent work. And it holds up extraordinarily well – it’s almost as if it were made yesterday. I noticed a slight difference in the overall sound quality when I started listening, but if that continued, I became unaware of it almost immediately because I was so immersed in the story and performance. I think that perhaps Ms. Landor’s voice has become even richer in the last decade, and her performance here is as assured and accomplished as ever. Pacing, acting choices, characterisation, differentiation – all are excellent, making Simply Unforgettable a welcome addition to the growing number of Mary Balogh audiobooks and one to which I can give a strong recommendation.
A for narration; B for content.
Mary Balogh’s Simply series, in which the heroines are four teachers working at a select school for young ladies in Bath, was originally recorded in the mid-late 2000s, but has been unavailable for some years and was never – as far as I know – made available digitally. After years of wishing on my part – and that of a number of fellow Balogh/Landor audiobook enthusiasts – these recordings are at last being re-released, and I have to say a big and public “Thank You” to Tantor for making them available once more.
Simply Unforgettable opens as Frances Allard is travelling back to Miss Martin’s School in Bath following the Christmas holiday she has spent with her great aunts. The typically English non-White Christmas is followed by a sudden snowstorm during which her somewhat elderly, lumbering coach is overtaken by a much smarter vehicle carrying a fashionable gentleman whose disregard for the safety of others infuriates Frances to no small degree. When both coaches are forced to stop, Frances makes her feelings on the matter very clear to the occupant, an irritable, somewhat abrasive man who introduces himself as Lucius Marshall. They immediately rub each other up the wrong way; he thinks she’s a harpy, she thinks he’s an arrogant arse, but they recognise that the bad weather isn’t going to suddenly disappear and that they need to seek shelter.
Over the next couple of days of enforced proximity, Frances and Lucius reassess their opinions of each other quite radically, discovering they share a sense of humour and enjoy each other’s company – and they are unable to ignore the attraction that has simmered between them almost from the start. They decide to spend a night together and then go their separate ways; she back to her school, he to London to make the marriage his family expects of him. But what they thought would be a night of sexual passion without emotional engagement turns out to be nothing of the sort and the idea of parting the next day is almost too much to bear for both of them. But even though this is a relationship that can go nowhere, Lucius impulsively asks Frances to go with him to London. In what capacity he doesn’t make clear, but Frances is not prepared to become a kept woman, and refuses him.
Lucius goes through the motions in London for the next three months, going to balls and parties and routs, but can’t bring himself to pop the question to Portia Hunt, the beautiful young woman his family expects him to wed. His beloved grandfather, the Earl of Edgecombe, isn’t in the best of health and wants to see his heir settled before he dies, so Lucius is determined to marry before the end of the Season. Yet he can’t stop thinking about Frances and about how good they were together; and when the earl suggests a trip to Bath to take the waters for the sake of his health, Lucius jumps at the chance to go with him.
But Lucius doesn’t seek Frances out. It’s not until he and his grandfather have been in Bath for some time that the couple meets again at a musical soirée – at which Lucius is utterly stunned to discover that the woman in possession of the most beautiful soprano voice he has ever heard is none other than Frances Allard. After this, Lucius contrives to see her again and begins to pursue her in earnest, but Frances is continues to resist his advances, insisting that a provincial schoolteacher is not a suitable match for the heir to an earldom, and telling him that she will not – cannot – live in London.
Frances’ reluctance to go to London is mentioned fairly early on in the story, and it quickly becomes clear that her concerns are about far more than her just not enjoying city life. But Lucius is not a man to take no for an answer and he continues to make his presence felt in Frances’ life, no matter how many times she refuses him. I love stories in which the hero is in hot pursuit of the heroine, and Ms. Balogh has set up the central relationship superbly well. The romantic and sexual tension between the principals in the early chapters is absolutely delicious, and she creates a strong emotional connection between them. The main problem with the story is that Frances’ secret is dragged out for too long and her failure to confide in Lucius eventually causes him to make a serious mis-step. On a positive note, his actions do result in Frances finally facing up to the fact that what she had previously seen as making a life for herself was, in fact, her way of hiding from it – and are the catalyst for Frances taking back control of her life and career. When they are finally revealed, her reasons for refusing Lucius seem somewhat flimsy, although when viewed in the context of the strict social mores applied to young ladies at the time, it’s not difficult to see why Frances is so ashamed of her past. Even so, I couldn’t help agreeing with Lucius’ assessment: “Good Lord, Frances. Is this the terrible past you have been keeping from me? What an idiot you are.”
Lucius… well, I liked him, although I can understand why others may not. He’s incredibly persistent and isn’t above being manipulative when it suits his purposes, such as when he gets Frances’ aunts to invite her to stay with them in London. And then, later, when even though he seems to have accepted Frances’ refusal of him, he pushes her to pursue her singing career and arranges for her to meet an influential patron (who happens to be Lord Heath from Ms. Balogh’s Christmas novella, The Bond Street Carolers). So yes, he’s pushy, but he’s also got Frances’ number and won’t let her off the hook. He challenges her to find happiness – not contentment, but happiness – and I also liked that once he truthfully acknowledged to himself what he wanted, he wasn’t slow about going after it.
As happened with another audiobook I listened to recently in which the hero was straddling the line between likeable and not likeable, Lucius is pulled firmly into the former category by virtue of the fact that he’s given voice by Rosalyn Landor. Even when he’s being sarcastic, there’s often a note of affectionate teasing underlying his pronouncements which Ms. Landor captures perfectly, and she is simply wonderful (sorry!) at bringing out his softer, more romantic side and allowing listeners to hear how very much in love he is.
Mary Balogh and Rosalyn Landor make a terrific author/narrator team. Ms. Landor’s work on the steady trickle of releases of the author’s backlist titles has been outstanding, as have her performances in the recently ended Survivor’s Club series; but I have to confess that I was curious to hear how this decade-old performance would hold up against her more recent work. And it holds up extraordinarily well – it’s almost as if it were made yesterday. I noticed a slight difference in the overall sound quality when I started listening, but if that continued, I became unaware of it almost immediately because I was so immersed in the story and performance. I think that perhaps Ms. Landor’s voice has become even richer in the last decade, and her performance here is as assured and accomplished as ever. Pacing, acting choices, characterisation, differentiation – all are excellent, making Simply Unforgettable a welcome addition to the growing number of Mary Balogh audiobooks and one to which I can give a strong recommendation.
July 7, 2019
After enjoying the Bedwyn series and being a little sad to see it over, I was not ready to let go of the Bedwyn world. While the Simply Quarter, is focused on four women teaching at a school for girls in Bath and all having their own reasons for choosing a career, it does possess some loose connections to the Bedwyn series so I was gungho to press forward with this next series.
Simply Unforgettable introduces quite the contrary pair who had a long road of misadventures to happiness. Lucius needed to grow up and grown into his responsibility as an Earl's heir to family and the duty that comes with it and Frances needed to start living after racing into the nearest safe rabbit hole she could find because of her big secret.
They meet in a snowstorm and are snowed in together. They were both detestable to each other as they had been in terrible moods separately before they had their fateful encounter and subsequent night to remember. But, Frances is determined to return to her job teaching music and French and Lucius has a bride picked out by his family to work himself up to accepting.
Subsequent meet ups are still full of the acrimony because Frances keeps refusing Lucius with various reasons or non-reasons tripping off her lips, but none are the real reason. She clutches her secret tightly to her bosom. But, Lucius' high-handedness flushes her and her secret out into the open and while he has ruined her contented life, he has made her unable to deny that he truly feels love to match her own. But, it can't be... because... reasons.
So, this pair. This annoying pair. Yeesh, they were a mess. Lucius sees 'no' as just a fun challenge to circumvent and Frances' secret had me so impatient to know what the dickens had her so worked up that she was sending mixed signals with her firm nos, but emotions and attraction that is obvious.
I'm not a huge fan of the 'big secret' device in romance conflicts and this story drove home why. It made sense when it first all went down- when age, experience, and no guidance available were tossed in, but that isn't the case now since she's twenty-six, has close friends and family, and a man who wants to be with her. Just tell him already and see what he says since you're already planning to say 'no' to him. Yeesh.
And, Lucian needed slapping at times for pushing through her 'no' answers when she didn't want to do something and using trickery 'for her own good'. Not that her 'protect him from my secret' wasn't a variation of the same song.
But, as much as they were little annoyances, I did want them together. And, the school friends and Lucius' family were the best. Oh, and I just could not wait to see the icy, pretentious Portia knocked down a peg or two.
So, interesting start to the series and I can't wait to get our other three ladies' stories. Historical Romance fans should definitely reach for a Mary Balogh book full of well-developed sensual romance, fabulous historical setting, and a well-orchestrated plot.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt Clue- Oldest Book on TBR Pile 4pts
Simply Unforgettable introduces quite the contrary pair who had a long road of misadventures to happiness. Lucius needed to grow up and grown into his responsibility as an Earl's heir to family and the duty that comes with it and Frances needed to start living after racing into the nearest safe rabbit hole she could find because of her big secret.
They meet in a snowstorm and are snowed in together. They were both detestable to each other as they had been in terrible moods separately before they had their fateful encounter and subsequent night to remember. But, Frances is determined to return to her job teaching music and French and Lucius has a bride picked out by his family to work himself up to accepting.
Subsequent meet ups are still full of the acrimony because Frances keeps refusing Lucius with various reasons or non-reasons tripping off her lips, but none are the real reason. She clutches her secret tightly to her bosom. But, Lucius' high-handedness flushes her and her secret out into the open and while he has ruined her contented life, he has made her unable to deny that he truly feels love to match her own. But, it can't be... because... reasons.
So, this pair. This annoying pair. Yeesh, they were a mess. Lucius sees 'no' as just a fun challenge to circumvent and Frances' secret had me so impatient to know what the dickens had her so worked up that she was sending mixed signals with her firm nos, but emotions and attraction that is obvious.
I'm not a huge fan of the 'big secret' device in romance conflicts and this story drove home why. It made sense when it first all went down- when age, experience, and no guidance available were tossed in, but that isn't the case now since she's twenty-six, has close friends and family, and a man who wants to be with her. Just tell him already and see what he says since you're already planning to say 'no' to him. Yeesh.
And, Lucian needed slapping at times for pushing through her 'no' answers when she didn't want to do something and using trickery 'for her own good'. Not that her 'protect him from my secret' wasn't a variation of the same song.
But, as much as they were little annoyances, I did want them together. And, the school friends and Lucius' family were the best. Oh, and I just could not wait to see the icy, pretentious Portia knocked down a peg or two.
So, interesting start to the series and I can't wait to get our other three ladies' stories. Historical Romance fans should definitely reach for a Mary Balogh book full of well-developed sensual romance, fabulous historical setting, and a well-orchestrated plot.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt Clue- Oldest Book on TBR Pile 4pts
July 19, 2022
This started great with an enemies to lovers troupe. I thought I was in for a treat. But I was wrong!
The hero turned out to be a tyrant and a bully that constantly put his desires above the heroine's.
She had a deep secret (that wasn't a big deal)and kept rejecting his wedding proposals. Refused 3 times if I remember correctly.
The first 25% was great, the middle 50% dragged, and the last 20% picked back up as secrets were revealed with a super sweet ending.
The hero turned out to be a tyrant and a bully that constantly put his desires above the heroine's.
She had a deep secret (that wasn't a big deal)and kept rejecting his wedding proposals. Refused 3 times if I remember correctly.
The first 25% was great, the middle 50% dragged, and the last 20% picked back up as secrets were revealed with a super sweet ending.
September 23, 2012
Wow! Hard to rate this book. So what I decided : 5 stars for the first 40%, and 3 stars for the rest.
3.5 Stars for this first book in the Simply series.
Here's the dilemma: This book has the most charming beginning. I adored the way the couple met and fell in love. I was so sure this would be a quirky, passionate love story.
But Mary Balogh turned it into an historical soap opera. The number of anticlimactic revelations was underwhelming. The heroine's past was so complicated with nonsense that I was angry. It could have been one of my favorite books, if MB would have only used the parentage issue as a skeleton. The coverup alone could have made for an interesting story. But when the heroine tells all, it's a ridiculous amount of unnecessary drama. It just sucked the beauty and charm out of a book that was so full of possibilities.
I'm disappointed. Not because it was a bad book, but because it didn't come close to living up to its potential.
I loved The Proposal by Balogh, so I was excited to try more of her books. So far other books I've read by her have not lived up to the hype.
November 19, 2018
Audiobook Review
Mary Balogh is one of my favorite authors as well as the narrator, Rosalyn Landor who makes this book all worth the listening. A romantic story of Frances and Lucius takes place on an abandoned road in a blizzard that leads them to an inn and an illicit affair for a few days until it is safe to travel. The both go their separate way until they meet up later at a concert in Bath. The banter between the two characters throughout the story was entertaining. The story was nice but did drag on a bit too long for me. I could not get pass the secrecy that the heroine was keeping and why it would upset the hero although he did not care one iota about her past but only what he thought she wanted for her future. To finally get to the climax as to why she could not return to London was a bit of an excuse that could have been overcome had she let down her guard and let the hero help her. I also thought the other characters in the book were a nice touch with their different personalities and could have been developed a bit more.
Overall, the plot was nice, the narration was very good and it was a nice and enjoyable listen.
4- Stars
Mary Balogh is one of my favorite authors as well as the narrator, Rosalyn Landor who makes this book all worth the listening. A romantic story of Frances and Lucius takes place on an abandoned road in a blizzard that leads them to an inn and an illicit affair for a few days until it is safe to travel. The both go their separate way until they meet up later at a concert in Bath. The banter between the two characters throughout the story was entertaining. The story was nice but did drag on a bit too long for me. I could not get pass the secrecy that the heroine was keeping and why it would upset the hero although he did not care one iota about her past but only what he thought she wanted for her future. To finally get to the climax as to why she could not return to London was a bit of an excuse that could have been overcome had she let down her guard and let the hero help her. I also thought the other characters in the book were a nice touch with their different personalities and could have been developed a bit more.
Overall, the plot was nice, the narration was very good and it was a nice and enjoyable listen.
4- Stars
December 18, 2022
Realmente le daría un 2,5 ⭐️.
Me ha entretenido la lectura pero no me ha atrapado. Es lo primero que leo de esta autora y, por supuesto, espero volver a leerla.
La trama se basa en la cabezonería de Frances, pues no hay otra sino el libro habría acabado antes de llegar a la página 100, y basar una historia en una cabezonería puede resultar tedioso. Realmente en algunas ocasiones no le encontré demasiado sentido pero no resultó tan aburrido hasta el punto de querer abandonar. Es un libro lento en determinados momentos.
Por otro lado, los personajes principales tampoco fueron de mi gusto. Frances cabezota a más no poder y Lucius… no empaticé con él.
En resumen me faltó una historia más apasionante y menos redundante.
Me ha entretenido la lectura pero no me ha atrapado. Es lo primero que leo de esta autora y, por supuesto, espero volver a leerla.
La trama se basa en la cabezonería de Frances, pues no hay otra sino el libro habría acabado antes de llegar a la página 100, y basar una historia en una cabezonería puede resultar tedioso. Realmente en algunas ocasiones no le encontré demasiado sentido pero no resultó tan aburrido hasta el punto de querer abandonar. Es un libro lento en determinados momentos.
Por otro lado, los personajes principales tampoco fueron de mi gusto. Frances cabezota a más no poder y Lucius… no empaticé con él.
En resumen me faltó una historia más apasionante y menos redundante.
September 27, 2021
Pardon the pun, but this book was "simply forgettable" for me [2.5 stars:]
The first in Mary Balogh's Simply Quartet, SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE was unfortunately not so for me. I am a huge Mary Balogh fan, but this is my least favorite book of hers and I actually had to stop myself from skimming parts at the end (which is just unheard of for me). Meanwhile, I have continued on to the second book of the Quartet, Simply Love, and found that book highly enjoyable - I recommend just skipping to that one.
The middle section of this book was actually quite enjoyable; it was in the beginning (read my comments below) and in the end (which is supposed to be the best part!) that things fell apart for me. The section that takes place in Bath is fun to read and the interactions between Frances and Lucius are enjoyable, but once things move forward after that ... the book lost me and by the end, I was so sick of the back and forth that like I said above, I had to stop myself from just skipping to the end and finishing it already.
PROBLEM WITH THE PREMISE:
This is a matter of personal preference, but I don't usually like the "one night of passion with a stranger" premises in historical romances. I don't read many contemporary romances, but I don't mind them in that genre. However, when you're dealing with a historical romance, it just doesn't really fit with the times unless the woman is "loose," which of course the heroine never is. When the author writes a heroine who is supposedly prim and proper (Frances is such a heroine), it's very hard to have that type of character engage in one night of passion with some mystery man and maintain a sense of continuity or cohesiveness with how she's supposed to be the rest of the time.
SIMILAR BOOKS:
If you like books where the hero and heroine have one night of passion as strangers and later fall in love, check out the following:
~ Slightly Wicked (Bedwyn Family, Book 2) by Mary Balogh
~ The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh - a spin on the "one night of passion"
~ Her Highness, My Wife (Effington Family, Book 5) by Victoria Alexander - premise isn't exactly the same, but similar enough
~ Let It Be Love (Effington Family, Book 11) by Victoria Alexander
~ It Happened One Night, anthology - I haven't read it, but I think it is similar
BOTTOM LINE:
Balogh is a wonderful author, but from this book you wouldn't perhaps know it. Skip it and read one of her other books: you can skip to Simply Love, which is second in the Simply Quartet; read The Secret Pearl, a great stand-alone; or settle in to enjoy the wonderful Bedwyn series, starting with A Summer to Remember (Bedwyn prequel) and Slightly Married (Bedwyn Book 1).
The first in Mary Balogh's Simply Quartet, SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE was unfortunately not so for me. I am a huge Mary Balogh fan, but this is my least favorite book of hers and I actually had to stop myself from skimming parts at the end (which is just unheard of for me). Meanwhile, I have continued on to the second book of the Quartet, Simply Love, and found that book highly enjoyable - I recommend just skipping to that one.
The middle section of this book was actually quite enjoyable; it was in the beginning (read my comments below) and in the end (which is supposed to be the best part!) that things fell apart for me. The section that takes place in Bath is fun to read and the interactions between Frances and Lucius are enjoyable, but once things move forward after that ... the book lost me and by the end, I was so sick of the back and forth that like I said above, I had to stop myself from just skipping to the end and finishing it already.
PROBLEM WITH THE PREMISE:
This is a matter of personal preference, but I don't usually like the "one night of passion with a stranger" premises in historical romances. I don't read many contemporary romances, but I don't mind them in that genre. However, when you're dealing with a historical romance, it just doesn't really fit with the times unless the woman is "loose," which of course the heroine never is. When the author writes a heroine who is supposedly prim and proper (Frances is such a heroine), it's very hard to have that type of character engage in one night of passion with some mystery man and maintain a sense of continuity or cohesiveness with how she's supposed to be the rest of the time.
SIMILAR BOOKS:
If you like books where the hero and heroine have one night of passion as strangers and later fall in love, check out the following:
~ Slightly Wicked (Bedwyn Family, Book 2) by Mary Balogh
~ The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh - a spin on the "one night of passion"
~ Her Highness, My Wife (Effington Family, Book 5) by Victoria Alexander - premise isn't exactly the same, but similar enough
~ Let It Be Love (Effington Family, Book 11) by Victoria Alexander
~ It Happened One Night, anthology - I haven't read it, but I think it is similar
BOTTOM LINE:
Balogh is a wonderful author, but from this book you wouldn't perhaps know it. Skip it and read one of her other books: you can skip to Simply Love, which is second in the Simply Quartet; read The Secret Pearl, a great stand-alone; or settle in to enjoy the wonderful Bedwyn series, starting with A Summer to Remember (Bedwyn prequel) and Slightly Married (Bedwyn Book 1).
August 6, 2018
Me esperaba bastante de este libro porque es una serie y autora que tiene muy buenas críticas. A mí me ha parecido un libro bastante normalito.
July 7, 2017
Leído en Agosto 2009
Buena trama!!
Buena trama!!
November 16, 2009
Simply Unforgettable is the first book in the Simply series by Mary Balogh.
Francis Allard is a teacher at Miss Martin's school in Bath. If you have read the Slightly series you will recognize this as the school that Freyja Bedwyn patronizes. She is mentioned in this book but only as the anonymous patron who supports the school.
Francis meets Lucius Marshall during a snowstorm and they spend two passionate days together at an inn waiting for the snow to melt. After the storm is over, he takes her back to the school and they both resume their normal lives never to see each other again (or so they thought).
I think the only bright spot in this story was Lucius Marshall. This man simply couldn't take no for an answer. He fell in love with Francis and he started by trying to get her to agree to be his mistress. When that didn't work, he asked her to marry him. No matter how many times she rejected him, he kept asking again and again. Francis was hiding some deep dark secret that wouldn't allow her to accept his marriage proposal, but that secret was dragged out for over 350 pages. The pace of the book was incredibly slow and I just couldn't wait for the big secret to be revealed so the book would be finished!
So, while this book wasn't terrible, it wasn't great either. One of the things that I really did like was that you could literally feel how much Lucius loved Francis and his desperation to have her. He not only wanted her for his wife, he wanted her to be happy with her life and tried to back her singing career to help her achieve that. Her feelings weren't quite as evident, but once her secret was revealed her love for him became more apparent.
I'm giving this 3 stars because it's just an okay effort from Mary Balogh.
Francis Allard is a teacher at Miss Martin's school in Bath. If you have read the Slightly series you will recognize this as the school that Freyja Bedwyn patronizes. She is mentioned in this book but only as the anonymous patron who supports the school.
Francis meets Lucius Marshall during a snowstorm and they spend two passionate days together at an inn waiting for the snow to melt. After the storm is over, he takes her back to the school and they both resume their normal lives never to see each other again (or so they thought).
I think the only bright spot in this story was Lucius Marshall. This man simply couldn't take no for an answer. He fell in love with Francis and he started by trying to get her to agree to be his mistress. When that didn't work, he asked her to marry him. No matter how many times she rejected him, he kept asking again and again. Francis was hiding some deep dark secret that wouldn't allow her to accept his marriage proposal, but that secret was dragged out for over 350 pages. The pace of the book was incredibly slow and I just couldn't wait for the big secret to be revealed so the book would be finished!
So, while this book wasn't terrible, it wasn't great either. One of the things that I really did like was that you could literally feel how much Lucius loved Francis and his desperation to have her. He not only wanted her for his wife, he wanted her to be happy with her life and tried to back her singing career to help her achieve that. Her feelings weren't quite as evident, but once her secret was revealed her love for him became more apparent.
I'm giving this 3 stars because it's just an okay effort from Mary Balogh.
January 19, 2018
I liked the book and the main characters. The way they got to know each other because of being snowed in was lovely.
I had some problems with the actions (or non actions) of the couple. But as I was able to hear their thoughts, I could understand them, even when they annoyed me. How I wished they had told each other what they were thinking! I was quite frustrated with them at times. And where is the line between persistence (which I can admire) and high handed ignorance of the other persons wishes?
This is a slow book, there is lots of talking and thinking and waiting going on. Which did not trouble me, as I liked the pacing and the time given to everybody to get to the point when all obstacles have been cleared and all lessons have been learned.
The narration was very good, both female and male voices were believable to me. Especially the dialogue was delivered superbly.
I had some problems with the actions (or non actions) of the couple. But as I was able to hear their thoughts, I could understand them, even when they annoyed me. How I wished they had told each other what they were thinking! I was quite frustrated with them at times. And where is the line between persistence (which I can admire) and high handed ignorance of the other persons wishes?
This is a slow book, there is lots of talking and thinking and waiting going on. Which did not trouble me, as I liked the pacing and the time given to everybody to get to the point when all obstacles have been cleared and all lessons have been learned.
The narration was very good, both female and male voices were believable to me. Especially the dialogue was delivered superbly.
May 19, 2018
What I love about most Balogh romance is that she shows the most haughty, snobby, and proud men and women get humbled by love and its intensity. I would've normally hated someone as haughty and frivolous as Lord Sinclair....someone who did things for the pleasure of the moment without thinking of the consequences especially to someone less privileged in life...but boy did he make a 180 degree turn from that. He definitely did a lot of groveling and pleading and threatening and downright admitting to even his willingness for kidnapping to get Frances to accept his love. I really enjoyed him, I also understood the reluctance and practicality of Frances behavior...she needed to not repeat past mistakes. I loved this book for many reasons...by no means one Balogh's best but my mood, the weather, the place I was reading this book all resulted in me loving this book.
February 27, 2014
I did not get the romance in this at all, basically.
Frances's Big Secret wasn't really all that dramatic, and Lucius's inability to take no for an answer was uncomfortable. The first few chapters--the snowstorm and subsequent days at the inn--were absolutely delightful but it felt as if the story lost its trajectory as soon as the main characters had to interact with the big bad world.
Frances's Big Secret wasn't really all that dramatic, and Lucius's inability to take no for an answer was uncomfortable. The first few chapters--the snowstorm and subsequent days at the inn--were absolutely delightful but it felt as if the story lost its trajectory as soon as the main characters had to interact with the big bad world.
October 12, 2021
" -¿Irme contigo? ¿Adonde?
-Dondequiera que decidamos ir. Tenemos el mundo para elegir. Vente conmigo"
Tenía muy pendiente este libro desde hace tiempo y me alegro mucho de decidirme a leerlo porque lo disfruté mucho. Me pareció una historia ligerita, entretenida y romántica.
Frances y Lucius se conocen por casualidad cuando ambos van en camino a distintos destinos pero una tormenta de nieve les impide seguir y se terminan alojando en una casa únicamente acompañados de sus respectivos cocheros, así que, al no tener sirvientes para atenderlos terminan haciendo ellos mismos lo que necesitan mientras permanecen allí. Para ella es una sorpresa cocinar algo elaborado para otra persona y para él es todo un acontecimiento que tenga que lavar platos, cortar leña y ayudar en la cocina, así que, a pesar de la situación descubren que esos días juntos son toda una aventura y se sienten contentos en esa casita alejados de todos y conociendo al otro.
Me gustó el breve tiempo que compartieron, a pesar de iniciar su relación con disputas constantes, ambos van cediendo y logran llevarse bien con el otro, haciendo cosas a las que no están acostumbrados, teniendo una competencia de muñecos de nieve y llega un momento en el que la atracción entre ellos los lleva a compartir una noche de pasión que resulta satisfactoria para ambos, sin embargo, su tiempo juntos termina cuando la nieve despeja el camino y deben regresar a sus respectivas vidas. Ella por su parte como maestra en un colegio para niñas y él como Vizconde Sinclair en su búsqueda de esposa para cumplir con una promesa hecha a su abuelo.
Me pareció bonito ver como el destino logra que después de alejarse, se reencuentren y Lucius decida que la quiere junto a él, así que, lucha por convencerla de que estar juntos es lo mejor para ambos, sin embargo, Frances esconde un pasado complicado que la hace pensar que no puede ir a Londres con él, ni aspirar a estar junto a él.
La historia se va volando, yo me lo leí en un día. Frances y Lucius me llegaban a frustrar en ciertos momentos pero en general me gustaron y disfruté mucho al conocer su historia y ver su amor.
-Dondequiera que decidamos ir. Tenemos el mundo para elegir. Vente conmigo"
Tenía muy pendiente este libro desde hace tiempo y me alegro mucho de decidirme a leerlo porque lo disfruté mucho. Me pareció una historia ligerita, entretenida y romántica.
Frances y Lucius se conocen por casualidad cuando ambos van en camino a distintos destinos pero una tormenta de nieve les impide seguir y se terminan alojando en una casa únicamente acompañados de sus respectivos cocheros, así que, al no tener sirvientes para atenderlos terminan haciendo ellos mismos lo que necesitan mientras permanecen allí. Para ella es una sorpresa cocinar algo elaborado para otra persona y para él es todo un acontecimiento que tenga que lavar platos, cortar leña y ayudar en la cocina, así que, a pesar de la situación descubren que esos días juntos son toda una aventura y se sienten contentos en esa casita alejados de todos y conociendo al otro.
Me gustó el breve tiempo que compartieron, a pesar de iniciar su relación con disputas constantes, ambos van cediendo y logran llevarse bien con el otro, haciendo cosas a las que no están acostumbrados, teniendo una competencia de muñecos de nieve y llega un momento en el que la atracción entre ellos los lleva a compartir una noche de pasión que resulta satisfactoria para ambos, sin embargo, su tiempo juntos termina cuando la nieve despeja el camino y deben regresar a sus respectivas vidas. Ella por su parte como maestra en un colegio para niñas y él como Vizconde Sinclair en su búsqueda de esposa para cumplir con una promesa hecha a su abuelo.
Me pareció bonito ver como el destino logra que después de alejarse, se reencuentren y Lucius decida que la quiere junto a él, así que, lucha por convencerla de que estar juntos es lo mejor para ambos, sin embargo, Frances esconde un pasado complicado que la hace pensar que no puede ir a Londres con él, ni aspirar a estar junto a él.
La historia se va volando, yo me lo leí en un día. Frances y Lucius me llegaban a frustrar en ciertos momentos pero en general me gustaron y disfruté mucho al conocer su historia y ver su amor.
November 7, 2024
Me ha gustado mucho, aunque no es de los mejores de la autora. El tema de que se conozcan y en dos días literalmente se acuesten siendo ella virgen es un poco surrealista. Luego a mí me gusta mucho cómo escribe está autora. Y no sé me ha hecho pesado en ningún momento pero entiendo que la terquedad de ella puede resultar chocante. Pero luego entendemos porque. El protagonista me ha gustado mucho y en varias ocasiones se ha puesto a llorar cosa rara en un prota masculino. Y me ha encantado la familia de el sobretodo el abuelo y la hermana pequeña y las tías de ella. Así como las compañeras de trabajo de Francés que cada una tiene su historia también. Me encanta también como maneja la ironía la autora en eso es una maestra.
Este libro me ha dejado con una sonrisa al terminarlo quizá no esté a la altura de los mejores de los Bedwyn serie que me encantó. Pero vale mucho la pena. Balogh siempre sabe darme en todo lo mío y me encantan sus finales tan románticos y nada apresurados que hace, le pongo 4 estrellas.
Este libro me ha dejado con una sonrisa al terminarlo quizá no esté a la altura de los mejores de los Bedwyn serie que me encantó. Pero vale mucho la pena. Balogh siempre sabe darme en todo lo mío y me encantan sus finales tan románticos y nada apresurados que hace, le pongo 4 estrellas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2020
Una de las peores novelas "románticas" que he leído. Le cambiaría el título a Simplemente olvidable, porque eso es para mí este libro. Es una historia totalmente sin sentido, personajes vacíos y cero empatizables. El protagonista es repugnante: machista, obsesivo, acosador, narcisista, violento, egocéntrico y más. Lo odié por completo. Ella es una remilgada sumisa que aparenta tener carácter pero resulta ser igual a él. No le veo nada de romántico a este libro, no hay trama siquiera. Solo dos personas que se conocen un día y el resto del libro se la pasan chocando hasta que al final resulta que se aman. ¿De dónde salió ese "amor"? Es el gran misterio del libro.
Lamentablemente primera y última experiencia con esta autora. Chau Balogh!
(es injusto que Goodreads no deje poner cero estrellas 😂)
Lamentablemente primera y última experiencia con esta autora. Chau Balogh!
(es injusto que Goodreads no deje poner cero estrellas 😂)
December 17, 2014
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Simply Unforgettable is the first book in Mary Balogh's Simply Quartet, which follows four teachers at Miss Martin's School for Girls in Bath. I didn't realize until I'd already started reading it that this series is essentially a spin-off of her Bedwyn Family Saga, which I probably should have read first. I didn't have any trouble following Simply Unforgettable, but I have a strong feeling that Miss Martin herself was likely introduced in the Bedwyn books and there may have been some other common characters as well of which I'm unaware. According to Mary Balogh's website, the heroes of the remaining three Simply books were all introduced in the Bedwyn Prequels, so I'll definitely go back and read those first before continuing on with the Simply Quartet. As I mentioned though, Simply Unforgettable stood quite well on its own, and there was no indication that the hero or heroine had been previously introduced.
The first teacher in this series to find her HEA is Frances. She had an Italian mother and emigrated to England with her French aristocrat father, following her mother's death, when she was only a babe. Frances is an extremely talented singer and works at the school, teaching music and French. After spending her Christmas break with her two elderly great-aunts, she's returning to the school in their carriage when a nasty snowstorm hits. After being passed by another carriage that in her estimation is driving rather recklessly, her own carriage slides off the road. She is rescued by none other than the passenger of the other carriage, to whom she promptly gives a piece of her mind. Needing to get in out of the snow and with nowhere else to take shelter, they end up at a country inn all by themselves and thus begins an epic love affair.
Once she gets past her initial ire at her savior, Frances finds herself irresistibly attracted to him and very much enjoys the time she spends with him at the cozy little inn, which includes an unforgettable night of passion. In her mind, due to scandalous complications from her past, there can never be anything more between them, especially after she finds out he's an aristocrat and not the mere gentleman she took him for at first. Lucius offered to take Frances with him to London but with no real plan as to what she would be to him. At this point, I admired Frances for respecting herself enough to not become Lucius' mistress, even though I don't know if I could have done the same with the feelings between them being so intense. She also didn't handle the situation quite as graciously as she probably could have, leaving poor Lucius a tad demoralized, but I understood that she wanted to leave no question in his mind that those few days were all they could ever share. As things progressed though, and fate brought them back together, making Lucius press his suit more determinedly, I have to admit that Frances' stubbornness became just a little frustrating. When she turned down his first marriage proposal, I understood that it was because she felt it was made in an impulsive moment and that he wasn't truly in love with her, but as he kept coming back time and time again, I couldn't help wondering what could be so bad in her past that she wouldn't even entertain the mere notion of a deeper relationship with him. However, I can't deny that the constant back and forth and will-they-or-won't-they vibe definitely kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how they were ever going to work things out. I'll also admit that when the truth finally came out, Frances' misgivings did make perfect sense, so I was able to forgive her frustrating behavior. It was also abundantly clear that she loved Lucius, and at least in part, was doing it to protect him (as well as her aunts) from potential scandal.
Lucius is a prince among men. He's been living the carefree life of a bachelor, with no immediate plans to settle down anytime soon, but that all changed for him over his Christmas holiday. He found out his grandfather's heart is failing, and with him being the heir to the earldom, he made his grandfather a promise to marry before he passes away. After spending those couple of magical days with Frances at the inn, he wants more than anything to continue their time together. Lucius could be so cute and funny. It was hilarious when he got miffed that Frances called their romantic interlude and love-making "pleasant." After that put-down and her subsequent refusal to see him again, he thinks he can brush her off as just another conquest, but for the next few months, he simply can't seem to forget her. When fate conspires to bring them back together, he takes the ball and runs with it. I absolutely adored Lucius for his persistence and determination to win Frances no matter what he had to do. Once he realizes she's the one he wants, he absolutely won't take no for an answer. Of course, she turns him down repeatedly with her mouth, but her body language always tells him something different, which makes him resolved to get to the bottom of her reservations. I also loved that when Lucius realizes the great talent Frances has, he's hell-bent on giving her the singing career she deserves, even if it doesn't lead to rekindling their romance. I just can't give Lucius enough props for keeping his eyes on the prize and never giving up in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
I also have to give the author props for making me completely buy into this couple's love for one another. Lucius and Frances basically have a case of love at (almost) first sight. This usually isn't one of my favorite romance tropes, because most authors fail to make me feel that connection and to fully understand why they love one another in such a short time span. Not so here. Lucius and Frances begin by sharing some utterly witty bantering, which amused me greatly. I also enjoyed how joyous and playful they were – almost like children – when they really let themselves go and feel the moment, simply basking in each other's companionship. Their attraction is readily apparent, but goes beyond the physical. It's entirely possible their relationship might have continued without interruption if Lucius had been a mere gentleman instead of a titled aristocrat. I love how they both pine for each other throughout their three month separation, even though they both stubbornly try to deny it. At this point, their obstinacy was quite amusing, because it's so completely apparent how perfect they are for one another. They're simply trying too hard to deny it, a definite case of methinks they doth protest too much. Even when Frances became a bit too stubborn about it, I could still tell that some part of her wanted to give in, but because of the past she felt she couldn't. When Lucius kept coming back over and over and finally decimated her every qualm, Frances just couldn't say no anymore, and it was a wonderful moment that left me with a sigh of happiness.
Simply Unforgettable has a great supporting cast as well. Lucius' family are all wonderful and supportive of him, even though he's kind of been avoiding them for a while. His grandfather and his youngest sister, Amy, were my particular favorites, because his grandfather was wise and understanding, while Amy's enthusiasm was infectious. Portia, the woman Lucius has known since childhood and is considering as his bride, proves exactly why being “perfect” is not a desirable trait. Then there are the other three teachers from the school who are also Frances' best friends. Claudia (aka Miss Martin) is a kind woman, but one who comports herself in a very proper manner that makes me eager for her to find a hero who will ruffle her feathers a bit. Susanna, the youngest of the group, was one of the charity girls who was previously a student but stayed on after graduating to teach. She dreams of marrying a duke, so I'll be looking forward to seeing if she realizes that dream. Last but not least is Anne, who as the mother of a young son who lives with her at the school, seems to have some intriguing secrets of her own that need to be uncovered, and I can't wait to see what they are. She's the heroine of the next book of the series, Simply Love.
Simply Unforgettable is a very aptly titled book. Not only were Lucius and Frances simply unforgettable to one another, but their story is one I won't soon be forgetting either. It was a little more lighthearted than the previous two books I read by Mary Balogh, but certainly no less appealing. Ms. Balogh really has a way with expressing emotion that makes the reader connect with her characters and understand what they're thinking and feeling. Simply Unforgettable struck the perfect balance between touching and funny. I loved every minute I spent reading it and was always excited to get back to it when I had to lay it aside. It has earned this incredibly talented writer a spot on my favorite authors list, and I can't wait to read more of her books in the future.
Simply Unforgettable is the first book in Mary Balogh's Simply Quartet, which follows four teachers at Miss Martin's School for Girls in Bath. I didn't realize until I'd already started reading it that this series is essentially a spin-off of her Bedwyn Family Saga, which I probably should have read first. I didn't have any trouble following Simply Unforgettable, but I have a strong feeling that Miss Martin herself was likely introduced in the Bedwyn books and there may have been some other common characters as well of which I'm unaware. According to Mary Balogh's website, the heroes of the remaining three Simply books were all introduced in the Bedwyn Prequels, so I'll definitely go back and read those first before continuing on with the Simply Quartet. As I mentioned though, Simply Unforgettable stood quite well on its own, and there was no indication that the hero or heroine had been previously introduced.
The first teacher in this series to find her HEA is Frances. She had an Italian mother and emigrated to England with her French aristocrat father, following her mother's death, when she was only a babe. Frances is an extremely talented singer and works at the school, teaching music and French. After spending her Christmas break with her two elderly great-aunts, she's returning to the school in their carriage when a nasty snowstorm hits. After being passed by another carriage that in her estimation is driving rather recklessly, her own carriage slides off the road. She is rescued by none other than the passenger of the other carriage, to whom she promptly gives a piece of her mind. Needing to get in out of the snow and with nowhere else to take shelter, they end up at a country inn all by themselves and thus begins an epic love affair.
Once she gets past her initial ire at her savior, Frances finds herself irresistibly attracted to him and very much enjoys the time she spends with him at the cozy little inn, which includes an unforgettable night of passion. In her mind, due to scandalous complications from her past, there can never be anything more between them, especially after she finds out he's an aristocrat and not the mere gentleman she took him for at first. Lucius offered to take Frances with him to London but with no real plan as to what she would be to him. At this point, I admired Frances for respecting herself enough to not become Lucius' mistress, even though I don't know if I could have done the same with the feelings between them being so intense. She also didn't handle the situation quite as graciously as she probably could have, leaving poor Lucius a tad demoralized, but I understood that she wanted to leave no question in his mind that those few days were all they could ever share. As things progressed though, and fate brought them back together, making Lucius press his suit more determinedly, I have to admit that Frances' stubbornness became just a little frustrating. When she turned down his first marriage proposal, I understood that it was because she felt it was made in an impulsive moment and that he wasn't truly in love with her, but as he kept coming back time and time again, I couldn't help wondering what could be so bad in her past that she wouldn't even entertain the mere notion of a deeper relationship with him. However, I can't deny that the constant back and forth and will-they-or-won't-they vibe definitely kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how they were ever going to work things out. I'll also admit that when the truth finally came out, Frances' misgivings did make perfect sense, so I was able to forgive her frustrating behavior. It was also abundantly clear that she loved Lucius, and at least in part, was doing it to protect him (as well as her aunts) from potential scandal.
Lucius is a prince among men. He's been living the carefree life of a bachelor, with no immediate plans to settle down anytime soon, but that all changed for him over his Christmas holiday. He found out his grandfather's heart is failing, and with him being the heir to the earldom, he made his grandfather a promise to marry before he passes away. After spending those couple of magical days with Frances at the inn, he wants more than anything to continue their time together. Lucius could be so cute and funny. It was hilarious when he got miffed that Frances called their romantic interlude and love-making "pleasant." After that put-down and her subsequent refusal to see him again, he thinks he can brush her off as just another conquest, but for the next few months, he simply can't seem to forget her. When fate conspires to bring them back together, he takes the ball and runs with it. I absolutely adored Lucius for his persistence and determination to win Frances no matter what he had to do. Once he realizes she's the one he wants, he absolutely won't take no for an answer. Of course, she turns him down repeatedly with her mouth, but her body language always tells him something different, which makes him resolved to get to the bottom of her reservations. I also loved that when Lucius realizes the great talent Frances has, he's hell-bent on giving her the singing career she deserves, even if it doesn't lead to rekindling their romance. I just can't give Lucius enough props for keeping his eyes on the prize and never giving up in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
I also have to give the author props for making me completely buy into this couple's love for one another. Lucius and Frances basically have a case of love at (almost) first sight. This usually isn't one of my favorite romance tropes, because most authors fail to make me feel that connection and to fully understand why they love one another in such a short time span. Not so here. Lucius and Frances begin by sharing some utterly witty bantering, which amused me greatly. I also enjoyed how joyous and playful they were – almost like children – when they really let themselves go and feel the moment, simply basking in each other's companionship. Their attraction is readily apparent, but goes beyond the physical. It's entirely possible their relationship might have continued without interruption if Lucius had been a mere gentleman instead of a titled aristocrat. I love how they both pine for each other throughout their three month separation, even though they both stubbornly try to deny it. At this point, their obstinacy was quite amusing, because it's so completely apparent how perfect they are for one another. They're simply trying too hard to deny it, a definite case of methinks they doth protest too much. Even when Frances became a bit too stubborn about it, I could still tell that some part of her wanted to give in, but because of the past she felt she couldn't. When Lucius kept coming back over and over and finally decimated her every qualm, Frances just couldn't say no anymore, and it was a wonderful moment that left me with a sigh of happiness.
Simply Unforgettable has a great supporting cast as well. Lucius' family are all wonderful and supportive of him, even though he's kind of been avoiding them for a while. His grandfather and his youngest sister, Amy, were my particular favorites, because his grandfather was wise and understanding, while Amy's enthusiasm was infectious. Portia, the woman Lucius has known since childhood and is considering as his bride, proves exactly why being “perfect” is not a desirable trait. Then there are the other three teachers from the school who are also Frances' best friends. Claudia (aka Miss Martin) is a kind woman, but one who comports herself in a very proper manner that makes me eager for her to find a hero who will ruffle her feathers a bit. Susanna, the youngest of the group, was one of the charity girls who was previously a student but stayed on after graduating to teach. She dreams of marrying a duke, so I'll be looking forward to seeing if she realizes that dream. Last but not least is Anne, who as the mother of a young son who lives with her at the school, seems to have some intriguing secrets of her own that need to be uncovered, and I can't wait to see what they are. She's the heroine of the next book of the series, Simply Love.
Simply Unforgettable is a very aptly titled book. Not only were Lucius and Frances simply unforgettable to one another, but their story is one I won't soon be forgetting either. It was a little more lighthearted than the previous two books I read by Mary Balogh, but certainly no less appealing. Ms. Balogh really has a way with expressing emotion that makes the reader connect with her characters and understand what they're thinking and feeling. Simply Unforgettable struck the perfect balance between touching and funny. I loved every minute I spent reading it and was always excited to get back to it when I had to lay it aside. It has earned this incredibly talented writer a spot on my favorite authors list, and I can't wait to read more of her books in the future.
February 4, 2020
Yazardan okuduğum ilk kitaptı ama beni pek mutlu edemedi. Hikayeyi sevdim, kurgu olaylar güzeldi ama karakterler, özellikle Frances beni deli etti. Ben hayatımda böyle ketum, kıl bir karakter görmedim. Yine de hikaye güzeldi. Ama karakter bazen yavaşlatıyor işte olayı, naparsın...
October 28, 2017
First by this author...looking for something similar to Lisa Kleypas. This was not similar, but it was pleasant, if a bit slow.
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