Click here to buy the book on Amazon
Click here to buy the paperback at The Book Depository
At fifty years old, and after devoting almost a decade of his life caring for the Survivor's Club, and then seeing them get married one after the other, George, Duke of Stanbrook, discovers that he is not looking forward to the looming prospect of returning home to Penderris alone. He imagines following in his fellow Survivors' footsteps -- and find himself a wife to settle down with. As he thinks about it more, there's only one lady that comes to mind: Dora Debbins, the older sister of Agnes Keeping, now married to Flavian, Viscount Ponsonby (Only Enchanting). Dora is almost forty years old and now lives alone in her cottage near Middlebury Park.
One of the challanges of writing this review is finding the words to describe the love story of George and Dora -- everything is happening quickly, but to call it a whirlwind would be inaccurate. There's a wonderful chemistry and companionship between George and Dora, but no fireworks. If you read back to the occasion where George and Dora met and talked in Only Enchanting, one would fancy thinking that this story started there, but there's also an element of surprise to finally see who George ended up with. (I don't think I'm alone in thinking that it may be Imogen and George in the end.) And while George never pushes or rushes, there's a sense that Dora has been swept up into this whole thing and hasn't quite found her bearing. Perhaps it was the suddenness of George's appearance and ensuing proposal, or perhaps it was age, or perhaps both of them decided it was about time, but Dora accepts George's offer of marriage, and they both agree to get married in a month.
During the engagement, it's the same contradictions -- nothing happens, and everything happens. George and Dora are busy preparing for the wedding: Dora is getting fitted for a wardrobe fit for a duchess, and George is laying the stage, and making preparations for Dora's introduction to society. And, yet, nothing happens: it's almost a recitation of any typical Regency day -- except it is not a typical Regency day. It is Dora's first time ever to go to London and to move around in society. Despite being well-born, she never had a season, because of the scandal of her parents' divorce. Then there's the knowledge that her mother, whom she hasn't seen or talked to in her entire adult life, lives in London.
It's amazing how Mary Balogh does it, where the tension gradually build up -- the only comparison I can make is to a frog in water that is slowly being heated. If Dora or George had known, from the beginning, the trials that they were to face once they married, perhaps they would not have jumped into it so quickly? But, like the frog, things come to a slow boil -- but, unlike the frog, Dora and George have the mindfulness to realize when the situation was getting out of hand.
Our hero and heroine realize that they don't get a free pass on marital issues when, on their wedding day, during the ceremony, a person from George's past shows up and reminds everyone present of the tragedy of George's first wife's death -- old gossip becomes the latest on-dit, and old doubts become the basis for new questions. And Dora is, unfortunately, caught in the crossfire. What happened the day Lady Miriam died? Could George have saved her? Why did George allow his only son and heir to enlist? And why doesn't he talk about it with her?
The incident at the wedding is the most exciting thing in this story -- and it is hushed up quickly, and in the background. What follows next is the trip home to Penderris -- where life resumes for George, and starts afresh for Dora -- and even their moments together are so ... placid. One would get the impression that this is a boring book -- but it isn't. I promise you, it's a story that simmers just a little on the surface, but there's a lot happening underneath.
Much of what happens between the two of them is introspective -- Dora wonders how she can make George happy. And, one realizes, that is, indeed, a tall order: George sacrificed so much and worked so hard for the lives and happiness of the members of the Survivors Club. It was a tireless and loving endeavor, and he's given so much to the people around him. No one is deserving of happiness as George -- and it falls on Dora's shoulders to provide that happiness.
But Dora also deserves to be happy: she gave up her youth and her chance at marriage to take care of Agnes. When her father remarried, she moved away to give her new stepmother the space she needed. When Agnes was widowed and needed a place, it was Dora who gave her a place to stay. She's waited all her life for her moment, after supporting her sister and her father through theirs.
But there are wrinkles in their marriage: the same introspection and quiet companionship that we marvel at, also contributes to the feelings of uneasiness within Dora -- and these are exacerbated by the visit through the portraits gallery. Where are the portraits of Lady Miriam and of Brendan? We get the sense that the Duke has kept a large chunk of his life secret from Dora and from the readers. And none of the other members of the Survivors Club are there to reassure Dora or us that it is fine -- we are all left in the dark.
When all is revealed in the end and George finally breaks his silence, I understood why George never talked about it -- and it adds another layer of heroism to his character.
As I was reading George and Dora's story, I kept remembering this line from the movie adaptation of Whitney Otto's How to Make an American Quilt:
Young lovers seek perfection. Old lovers learn the art of sewing shreds together and of seeing beauty in a multiplicity of patches.
Only Beloved is the last book in Mary Balogh's Survivors Club series. To find out more about Mary Balogh and her books, click below:
Goodreads
gucci bags
ReplyDeletemichael kors handbags
michael kors outlet clearance
cheap jordans
louis vuitton outlet
nike roshe run
adidas outlet
polo ralph lauren outlet
yeezy boost 350
mont blanc
timberland boots
michael kors purses
michael kors
michael kors handbags
juicy couture
oakley sunglasses wholesale
designer handbags
louis vuitton handbags
ralph lauren clearance outlet
coach outlet store online clearances
toms wedges
tory burch outlet
coach outlet store online clearances
christian louboutin outlet
hollister clothing
coach factory outlet
timberland shoes
ralph lauren polo
coach outlet
ghd hair straighteners
20167.29chenjinyan
toms outlet
ReplyDeletecoach outlet store
michael kors handbags wholesale
ugg outlet
futbol baratas
michael kors outlet online
air force 1 shoes
moncler outlet store
ray ban sunglasses
rolex watches
michael kors outlet
prada sneakers
ralph lauren polo
ferragamo shoes
cheap nba jerseys
replica watches
michael kors handbags
michael kors outlet
uggs on sale
gucci outlet
ralph lauren,polo ralph lauren,ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren italia,ralph lauren sito ufficiale
tiffany jewellery
beats headphones
cheap jordans
coach outlet store
ralph lauren outlet
giuseppe zanotti outlet
swarovski crystal
michael kors uk
cheap uggs
ferragamo shoes
ralph lauren uk
ugg outlet store
ferragamo outlet
christian louboutin outlet
chanyuan0810
canada goose sale
ReplyDeleteugg outlet
warriors jerseys
ugg boots
uggs outlet
jordan shoes
fitflop shoes
coach outlet online
vans shoes sale
cheap nhl jerseys
true religion outlet
adidas shoes
louis vuitton bags
adidas superstar shoes
canada goose jackets
ugg outlet online
coach factory outlet
jordan shoes
toms outlet
oakley sunglasses outlet
adidas outlet store
uggs on sale
christian louboutin outlet
coach factory outlet online
red bottom shoes
coach factory outlet
ugg canada
coach outlet store online
the north face jackets
christian louboutin
adidas nmd runner
michael kors handbags
cheap mlb jerseys
coach outlet
replica watches
coach outlet
michael kors factory outlet
toms shoes outlet
retro jordan shoes
coach outlet store
20169.9chenjinyan
hermes belt
ReplyDeleteugg boots
ray ban sunglasses outlet
jordan shoes
toms outlet
coach factory outlet
michael kors handbags
michael kors outlet store
coach handbags
fitflops sale clearance
ReplyDeleteAvriq
Avriq USA
CCTV Camera
PC Optimization
Pest control services
CP Plus
Termite control services
Thank you for sharing the post! It's nice to find the review!
ReplyDeleteinstagram viewer
camisetas de futbol
ReplyDeletecamisetas de futbol baratas
camisetas futbol baratas
camiseta real madrid barata
equipaciones de futbol baratas
comprar camisetas de futbol
camisetas de futbol baratas 2017
comprar camisetas de futbol
tiendas de futbol
camisetas de futbol
camisetas futbol baratas
camisetas futbol
camiseta real madrid barata
bounty camisetas futbol
camisetas de futbol 2018
cheap jerseys from china
ReplyDeletewholesale jerseys
cheap nfl jerseys from china
china jerseys
cheap authentic nfl jerseys
cheap jerseys online
cheap authentic jerseys
cheap sports jerseys
cheap wholesale jerseys
cheap authentic jerseys from china
discount jerseys
custom cowboys jersey
nfl jerseys cheap
cheap nfl jerseys china
vintage football shirts
jersey vip
new football shirts
old football shirts
cheap football shirts
football shirt
jersey vip
new football shirts
football shirt culture
vintage football shirts
football shirt
jersey vip
Just desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity scr888 for your publish is simply nice and that i could assume you are knowledgeable on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to take hold of your feed to stay up to date with coming near near post. Thank you one million and please carry on the rewarding work.
ReplyDeleteHello there, There's no doubt that your web site could be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in Internet Explorer, it's got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, great blog!
ReplyDeleteHi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it ;) I'm going to revisit once again since i have book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
ReplyDeleteCoach Handbags Outlet are usually viewed as luxurious brands, but yet at inexpensive price.
ReplyDeleteToday most people looking for COACH accessories will look for them at Coach Bags Factory Outlet.
Coach Sale are just the most inexpensive items to purchase through Coach Purses Outlet, a small change purse or Cheap Coach Purses.
Coach Bags On Sale are a fun accessory to add to a new collection.
Coach Bags Outlet is can be carried or slipped over your shoulder.
Authentic MK Outlet are made of high grade quality leather and Michael Kors Factory Outlet can actually have real leather on them.
Michael Kors Purse Sale usually come with a plate bearing the MK Outlet logo to distinguish it from other Cheap Michael Kors Purses.
Michael Kors Outlet Online have the inherent ability to capture the essence of what women like and what they want to wear and utilize.
Michael Kors Outlet Store are a symbol of feminine elements and speak for all kinds of women.
Michael Kors Purses On Sale of the day vary greatly, but all seem to share one characteristic, they are popular!
The author of this post is admirable, it brings a lot of emotion to everyone reading it, let's share it more widely. I enjoyed it, thanks for posting it, I hope this post of yours will be more appreciated by it really excellent.
ReplyDeleteabcya best free online games, io jogos for school, friv 4 school games 2019, cá koi mini
Mahipalpur Escorts
ReplyDeletePaharganj Escorts
Dwarka Escorts
Russian Escorts Noida
Russian Escorts Delhi
Karol Bagh escorts
Escorts in Delhi
Call girls in Delhi
Delhi escort
Delhi Escorts Service