Signet
Featuring: Dora Debbins; George, Duke of Stanbrook
400 pages ISBN: 0451477782 EAN: 9780451477781 Kindle: B013Q70EWM Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
ONLY BELOVED is Book 7 and the final installment in Mary
Balogh's superb "Survivors' Club" series. Dora Debbins is the
sister of the heroine from ONLY ENCHANTING. I don't believe
that reading all the previous books in this series is
absolutely necessary in order to enjoy ONLY BELOVED, but doing
so would give the reader some context, and all the books in
this series are worthwhile reading and a treat.
George, the Duke of Stanbrook, makes an impromptu marriage
proposal at the opening of ONLY BELOVED to Miss Dora Debbins.
Even though George and Dora are not that well-acquainted, they
almost immediately fall into an easy friendship that makes
reading their love story a delight. From that friendship fairly
quickly yet very organically develops a true romance. I like
Dora and George so and cheer them on until the very end. There
is still a little magic and moonlight even though the hero and
heroine didn't marry out of a blinding passion, and are a
mature couple. Both George and Dora enter their marriage with
realistic expectations of becoming friends with benefits, and
surprise themselves by getting and giving a little more.
ONLY BELOVED has everything I love about a Mary Balogh book,
but with enchanting gothic undertones. This is a story that
shows how people, and not just houses, can be haunted. There
are aspects of ONLY BELOVED that are evocative of Daphne Du
Maurier's classic novel REBECCA -- the first wife's death
under
suspicious circumstances, a sudden wedding and a wife with
moments of uncertainty, and things that are not quite the way
they appear to be. There is no sinister and oppressive Mrs.
Danvers in ONLY BELOVED, but there is a villain waiting in the
wings. The age difference isn't as pronounced between the hero
and heroine as in REBECCA, and I like the Duke of Stanbrook a
lot more than I like Maxim de Winter. These gothic elements
enhance an already wonderful story.
ONLY BELOVED is a heavenly historical with a well-matched
couple and gothic delights scattered throughout. This is why
Mary Balogh is one of my favorite authors of historical
romance. ONCE BELOVED is a deeply satisfying cap to an
exceptional series that will be greatly missed by fans.
From the legendary New York Times
bestselling author of Only a Kiss and
Only a Promise comes the final book in the
rapturous Survivor’s Club series—as the future of one man
lies within the heart of a lost but never-forgotten love...
For the first time since the death of his wife, the Duke of
Stanbrook is considering remarrying and finally embracing
happiness for himself. With that thought comes the treasured
image of a woman he met briefly a year ago and never saw again.
Dora Debbins relinquished all hope to marry when a family
scandal left her in charge of her younger sister. Earning a
modest living as a music teacher, she’s left with only an
unfulfilled dream. Then one afternoon, an unexpected visitor
makes it come true.
For both George and Dora that brief first encounter was as
fleeting as it was unforgettable. Now is the time for a
second chance. And while even true love comes with a risk,
who are two dreamers to argue with destiny?
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