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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Having read all of the Survivor novels, I had mixed feelings about Stockwood's story. He is one of least interesting Survivors but the sneak peak sounded promising (no pun intended). This story follows Ralph, scarred and stony, is back in Cornwall to visit his ailing grandfather and doting but nosy grandmother. Chloe Muirhead, sister of Ralph's former classmate and constant annoyance Graham, is also at Cornwall. Seemingly demure and ever polite, Chloe is hiding out from her father following a family secret and is working as the duchess' companion. As with the other novels, these two come to an agreement of sorts and have to work out not only Ralph's deep emotional distress, but Chloe's complicated history.
I always liked that the Survivor's Club novels are not so lovey-dovey that you are awash in flowery language and long descriptions of the manor's molding or upholstery, but I always feel like these novels run a tad too short. You would think people with war-induced issues like theirs would need a little more time to work out their emotions but Ralph somehow goes from the dark, silent type to fairly happy, funny guy in 2 or 3 chapters.
Overall, it's a quick read and features your favorite Survivor's (I'm a BIG fan of Treatham) so not a bad novel. I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't looking forward to the next novel much more than this one.
I always liked that the Survivor's Club novels are not so lovey-dovey that you are awash in flowery language and long descriptions of the manor's molding or upholstery, but I always feel like these novels run a tad too short. You would think people with war-induced issues like theirs would need a little more time to work out their emotions but Ralph somehow goes from the dark, silent type to fairly happy, funny guy in 2 or 3 chapters.
Overall, it's a quick read and features your favorite Survivor's (I'm a BIG fan of Treatham) so not a bad novel. I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't looking forward to the next novel much more than this one.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4,5 stars
This series is amazing when it comes to providing comfort and life wisdom, unfortunately less so in the spice department.
This book was no different. Ralph struggled with ptsd and depression, Chloe with her ineligibility at no fault of her own. He needed a wife, she wanted a husband, but they did not believe in love and happily ever afters. (Of course they didn’t.)
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes and I adored this one. Chloe was just what Ralph needed but it took him a while to accept that. He was not easy on her, he was mean and withdrawn but it made sense considering his condition. And it made it that much better when he finally allowed himself to fall for her.
Ralph was not a book boyfriend and this book was not cute or fluffy. It should not have been so comforting but it was. Again, my only complaint is the spice and this would have been a five star if the door were closed.
One of my favorite in the series!
This series is amazing when it comes to providing comfort and life wisdom, unfortunately less so in the spice department.
This book was no different. Ralph struggled with ptsd and depression, Chloe with her ineligibility at no fault of her own. He needed a wife, she wanted a husband, but they did not believe in love and happily ever afters. (Of course they didn’t.)
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes and I adored this one. Chloe was just what Ralph needed but it took him a while to accept that. He was not easy on her, he was mean and withdrawn but it made sense considering his condition. And it made it that much better when he finally allowed himself to fall for her.
Ralph was not a book boyfriend and this book was not cute or fluffy. It should not have been so comforting but it was. Again, my only complaint is the spice and this would have been a five star if the door were closed.
One of my favorite in the series!
I've been waiting for our library to get the next book in the series and it was finally there on Tuesday! Enjoyed the heck out of it.
It was a bit of a slow start, but it eventually became a lovely story. A marriage of convenience that turns into love with some processing of the cost of war mixed in. Very sweet and charming.
Good story line and characters. The sex however was very lady chatterly. Ugh. Needed more spark there or to skip it.
This series is so wonderful. I find myself wiping away tears multiple times. Ms. Balogh's writing has never been better and I thank her for the subjects and situations she chooses to write about. There is no author quite like her.
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slow-paced
1.5 stars.
If I had read this Balogh first I would never read another one.
The sex in this book is just so CRINGE. Literally for their first time he climbs on top, puts it in, and thrusts until he's done. And then he proceeds to do that every night, several times a night/morning, never even taking off her nightgown. She lies there with her hands on his shoulders and somehow enjoys this. I think (hope?) it's being set up to be a sexual redemption arc like in A Lady Awakened, but no. There's one scene where he takes her nightgown off and it's described as more sensual/erotic, with her doing some things too (well not really...just doing more than only touching his shoulders), but he likes it too much and it's too close to love or some shit so he goes back to his missionary thrusting until finished sex. It is never indicated, ever, that she orgasms. It hits on all my "men only want to use women for sex" feelings that I get from being a child sex abuse survivor, and I'm not here for it. It is never once described as something for both of them. Just him, and for child bearing.
She also freaks out about stuff from her past, he tells her to face them, and then she does and everything is great. Like she's all like "I COULD NEVER DO THAT" and then an hour later she's doing it with hardly any reservations. She's a huge doormat. I mean she kind of stands up for herself when she goes to confront her bio dad, but like she only did that because Ralph told her to. Chloe...think for yourself, girl.
And Ralph is stupid/insufferable. Please kick him out of the survivor's club stat. RALPH...aptly named!
If I had read this Balogh first I would never read another one.
The sex in this book is just so CRINGE. Literally for their first time he climbs on top, puts it in, and thrusts until he's done. And then he proceeds to do that every night, several times a night/morning, never even taking off her nightgown. She lies there with her hands on his shoulders and somehow enjoys this. I think (hope?) it's being set up to be a sexual redemption arc like in A Lady Awakened, but no. There's one scene where he takes her nightgown off and it's described as more sensual/erotic, with her doing some things too (well not really...just doing more than only touching his shoulders), but he likes it too much and it's too close to love or some shit so he goes back to his missionary thrusting until finished sex. It is never indicated, ever, that she orgasms. It hits on all my "men only want to use women for sex" feelings that I get from being a child sex abuse survivor, and I'm not here for it. It is never once described as something for both of them. Just him, and for child bearing.
She also freaks out about stuff from her past, he tells her to face them, and then she does and everything is great. Like she's all like "I COULD NEVER DO THAT" and then an hour later she's doing it with hardly any reservations. She's a huge doormat. I mean she kind of stands up for herself when she goes to confront her bio dad, but like she only did that because Ralph told her to. Chloe...think for yourself, girl.
And Ralph is stupid/insufferable. Please kick him out of the survivor's club stat. RALPH...aptly named!