Click here to buy the book on Amazon
Click here to buy the paperback at The Book Depository
One of the things that I notice when I read a Grace Burrowes novel is her use of words -- where one usually finds the word "move over", she uses, instead the word "budge up" -- and there's a lot of budging up happening in both Beckman and Gabriel's novels, as our heroes cuddle up with their heroines. It's idiosyncratic, yes, but it also is the perfect word to encapsulate the moment and capture the intimacy that exists between her characters. And Grace Burrowes is very eloquent in how her characters express themselves.
We already know that Gabriel is more than just a steward, and he has finally decided to resurface and claim his rightful place in society. Gabriel North is actually Gabriel Wendover, Marquess of Hesketh, who went to France to rescue his younger brother, Aaron, only to be ambushed and injured. Gabriel believes someone wants him dead, so he decided to disappear for a while to recover from his wounds, and also to observe his brother from a distance, because he believes it was his brother who orchestrated the ambush in France.
Gabriel's story is connected to Beckman's story, because a lot of Gabriel's backstory unfolded in the latter's book. And they are involved with the Hunt sisters, whose lives are fraught with secrets, a lot of them center on Allie Hunt, the young daughter of Sara.
One of the most difficult things that Gabriel has to do is to say goodbye to Polly Hunt, the cook at Three Springs, whom he has developed an attachment to. Polly is understandably heartbroken, but, with her sister's new relationship with Beckman Haddonfield, and with Gabriel leaving, she sees it as a sign that it might be time for her to move on. So Polly accompanies Tremaine St. Michael and tries to restart her painting career, with Tremaine now managing her commissions.
It's a lot of goodbyes and a lot of hellos, and a lot of confusion as Gabriel rises from the dead: for one, it throws a monkey wrench into Aaron's marriage to Gabriel's former fiancee, Marjorie. The marriage contracts state that Marjorie is engaged to the Marquess of Hesketh, and, at the time of Gabriel's disappearance, it was his younger brother who held the title, but now that Gabriel is back, Marjorie's mother is determined that her daughter remains married to the Marquess, whoever it may be.
Of all the surprises, the most surprising of all is Gabriel finding Polly Hunt napping in a chair in his house. It's been two months since he left Three Springs, and he hasn't heard from Polly -- and now he finds her in his house, hired by his brother to paint portraits of the family. There is a tug of war within Gabriel who wants Polly to stay, but also needs her to leave, for the sake of her own safety -- as long as he hasn't uncovered who was responsible for the ambush that has left him permanently scarred and in pain, he knows that none of his loved ones are safe.
I have to admit to being baffled by the mystery and by its resolution: Burrowes presents it as very dire, and builds it up really well by leaving hints as to who did it and for what reasons. We already know it isn't Gabriel's brother, who clearly loves him and was devastated by his "death" -- and all signs point to another person, but -- when everything is revealed in the end, I just felt let down. And the excuse provided didn't help either.
But, the whole middle part was very good: I wish Burrowes just focused on the confusion regarding the title and Aaron and Marjorie's marriage, and delved into untangling this legal knot. Gabriel's brother was put in a very difficult position: he doesn't want to retain the title, but he very much wants to retain the wife that goes with the title. It doesn't help that Gabriel is a bit ambivalent about getting the title back, and definitely averse to getting the wife that goes with the title, because Gabriel wants Polly Hunt -- and being Marquess would be another reason Polly would use against him: no one would accept a Marquess marrying the cook. Not that Gabriel cares -- after two years of working as a steward, Gabriel has learned to see a person's value not from their titles or clothes, but from the work they do.
The title is just one reason why Polly refused Gabriel's proposal. Polly has another, more potentially damaging reason for not accepting Gabriel -- and it has to do with Sara and Allie. I thought Grace Burrowes did a good job of showing the very complicated relationship that families have: to have that kind of love, and then to have that same degree of resentment inside -- a lot of the dynamic between the three Hunt ladies as explored in Sara's story, and it all culminates in Polly's story, with a very heartbreaking confrontation and confession.
Aaron and Marjorie have not consummated their marriage, because Aaron always believed that his brother would come back. Their marriage began under duress, and Aaron initially married Marjorie out of duty -- but, after two years together, despite the outward indifference, Aaron discovers that he is reluctant to give up his wife. What ensues, however, is a very confusing, protracted conversation between Aaron and Marjorie, because neither one wants to admit (openly) how much they really care for one another. It got a bit frustrating that they never progressed past needing an heir, in case Gabriel never marries, etc. etc.
Overall, I enjoyed Gabriel's story and saw at as an essential follow-up read to Beckman's story, but it isn't without flaws.
Gabriel is Book 5 in Grace Burrowes's The Lonely Lords series. To find out more about Grace Burrowes and her lovely books, click below:
Goodreads
0504wangjuan
ReplyDeletekate spade uk outlet
omega outlet
fitflop clearance
mlb jerseys
burberry sunglasses
hermes outlet
toms outlet
true religion sale
burberry outlet online
nike roshe
lebron shoes
tiffany and co
michael kors handbags wholesale
nike roshe run
nike blazer pas cher
coach outlet online
mulberry outlet,mulberry handbags outlet
tory burch outlet online
hermes birkin bag
reebok shoes
oakley sunglasses
coach outlet
swarovski crystal
true religion jeans
michael kors outlet
rolex watches for sale
iphone cases
cheap ray ban sunglasses
louis vuitton outlet
ralph lauren polo
coach factory outlet
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet online
nike air jordan
gucci outlet online
louboutin pas cher
christian louboutin shoes
michael kors handbags
louis vuitton handbags
longchamp bags
ray ban outlet
lebron james shoes 13
fitflops sale clearance
ray ban sunglasses outlet
replica watches for sale
air jordan pas cher
christian louboutin shoes
oakley vault
kate spade handbags
michael kors handbags
kobe 9
michael kors outlet
coach factory outlet
michael kors handbags
basketball shoes
ralph lauren uk
louis vuitton outlet
oakley outlet
ralph lauren outlet
beats wireless headphones
louis vuitton
gucci outlet
louis vuitton
fake watches
vans shoes
coach outlet store online
jordan shoes
nike air force 1
louis vuitton outlet
ray bans
true religion
20167.29chenjinyan
christian louboutin shoes
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton outlet
louis vuitton outlet
tommy hilfiger clothing
canada goose outlet
ugg boots outlet
coach outlet
ray ban outlet
uggs clearance
fitflop clearance
fitflops sale
mavericks jerseys
discount jordans
michael kors outlet
cheap uggs
toms outlet
cheap air jordans
coach outlet online
cheap rolex watches
louboutin pas cher
rolex watches
cheap ray ban sunglasses
toms outlet
hollister outlet
ray bans uk
bulls jerseys
nike roshe run femme
polo ralph lauren outlet
michael kors
michael kors outlet clearance
uggs on sale
louis vuitton purses
ralph lauren uk
louboutin shoes
cheap louis vuitton handbags
canada goose sale
hermes birkin bag
polo ralph lauren
cheap pandora jewelry
ugg boots
20169.9chenjinyan
ugg outlet
ReplyDeleteadidas superstar
ugg boots
air jordan retro
hermes birkin
michael kors handbags
cheap jordans free shipping
cheap jordans
mont blanc pens
air jordan uk
20611017caiyan
We can cash all kinds of checks. need your cash checked? we'll serve you what you are wanting like check cashing near state it's totally straightforward to hunt out U.S.A. at your nearest places. Our work is opened 24/7. So, you will be ready http://www.unitedcheckcashing.com to notice U.S.A. all time check cashing close to Pine Tree State supplying you with the only services with one hundred pc satisfaction within really short quantity.check cashing near me
ReplyDeletelatest news in hindi
ReplyDeleteThe feedgasm Latest News And Breaking News
dezigly
quicksodes
AVRiQ
thesportsrumour
Anyone who reads this post will find it great, me too, I will continue to follow your posts. I like this post because it contains a lot of useful information to read, maybe everyone will like it.
ReplyDeletefree friv Games 2019, jogos io online, abcya free, cá koi mini
A professional termite inspection from the Queen Creek Termite and Pest Control company should always follow your termite examination. A high-quality company like Varsity Termite and Pest Control can accurately analyze the extent of the injury and will determine the next best course of action to remove termites from your home or business.
ReplyDeleteشركة مكافحة حشرات
Operators should abide by strict compliance laws to offer whole security over buyer funds and transparency concerning the terms and circumstances of their bonuses. Always make sure you|ensure you|be certain to} learn the small print earlier than activating a casino bonus so you understand exactly what you’re getting into. By ‘wagering’, we mean all bets placed by gamers within the eligible games, irrelevant of whether there is a profit or a loss lengthy 코인카지노 run|ultimately}.
ReplyDelete