Danielle's Reading Adventures

I loved this book. Lucas was one unique (for me) hero. He is a bonafide dandy, but very much a man. That was odd for me at first. I haven't read as many Georgians, so the spiffied up, lace-bedecked, bewigged, powered, high-heel wearing hero was a different thing for me. But this man makes it look good. And he's got this long, black hair. (Fanning myself). Okay back to the review: He is rather ruthless, but at the same time, is a good husband for tormented Anna. He makes mistakes but manages to love her and to help her to heal.I love the scene where they meet. Their eyes connect across the ballroom floor. Anna is not ugly, but is rather modest in her looks, but something about her appeals to Lucas. He pursues her very determinedly, and desperate to escape her situation, and swept off her feet by this handsome, sought-after duke, Anna quickly says yes to his proposal.Anna was in a terrible situation that marriage to Lucas helped her to escape. But now she has to deal with a husband who thought she played him false. Boy that scene was pretty hot (that makes me feel kind of guilty to say that, but it was). Her prior situation keeps threatening to destroy her marriage, and she is counting down the time until it does. Poor Anna. You really feel for her, and you wish for her to open up to Lucas about her issues, but she's afraid to. And Lucas takes that to mean she's likely to be another faithless wife. It's a complicated situation, but Ms. Balogh writes it so well.I love the books where the couple gets married early and has to get to know each other, and you watch their love grow over the course of the book. This marriage starts off a bit rocky, but I love how committed both of them are to the marriage. Lucas sowed his wild oats with other men's wives, but he is committed to fidelity with his own. That made me like him more (not the sleeping with other married women before his marriage, but his willingness to be faithful to Anna). He's a great reformed rake. Very arrogant and commanding as a duke is wont to be. They are raised for it. Sigh! Lucas--the best duke ever written in romance novels.It's probably pretty clear that this is still my favorite Mary Balogh novel. I hope she writes more like this. If you know of some that are similar, please let me know. Mild spoiler: Lucas is such a great dad. I love how he's always carrying around his baby daughter. Something about daddy heroes for me. Those are my favorite scenes in the book.This is a book that could be reread many times and I doubt it would get old.Update: When I went home for Christmas, I saw that my mother had found my copy of this wonderful book. I was so happy. It was like another Christmas present!