The Proposal

March 12, 2012
In a strong opening for the Survivor’s Club series from prolific Regency doyenne Balogh (The Secret Mistress), a mismatched couple finds common ground in trauma and survival. When Hugo Emes, Lord Trentham, a resolutely middle-class businessman’s son raised to the peerage for heroism in battle, rescues elegant widow Gwendoline Grayson, Lady Muir, after she badly sprains an ankle, both agree that their mutual attraction can go nowhere. Though Gwendoline’s agreement to sponsor Hugo’s young sister in society allows Balogh to include the typical trappings of the Regency genre, the heart of the tale lies in the slow-growing closeness between the alternately taciturn and blunt Hugo and the charming and gracious Gwendoline, whose social poise hides deep wounds left by a troubled marriage. Beautifully characterized and with a gracefully developed romance, this is a historical romance of unusual thoughtfulness and depth from one of the best writers in the genre. Agent: Maria Carvainis, Maria Carvainis Agency.

November 1, 2012
Balogh tells the poignant and engrossing story of aristocrat Gwendoline, Lady Muir, and Hugo, Lord Trentham, who was born a wealthy commoner but gained a title through his wartime heroics. Gwendoline, a supporting character from previous Balogh novels, is a no-nonsense widow whose marriage left her with deep emotional scars that affect her life more overtly than the limp she acquired while recklessly trying to please her mercurial husband. Hugo, haunted by the specters of his wartime experiences, struggles to be the man he believes that his family needs him to be. Ably voiced by Rebecca de Leeuw, this story of two survivors' journeys toward forgiving themselves, bridging the chasm between their social classes, and healing each other will resonate with fans of historical romances. VERDICT Highly recommended for audio fiction collections, especially those where historical romances are well received. ["[A] heart-melting story that will tug at your emotions and beautifully launches Balogh's new series. Gwendoline has appeared in a number of Balogh's earlier novels, and fans will be thrilled that she finally has her own story," read the review of the Delacorte hc, "LJ" 4/15/12.--Ed.]--Nicole Williams, Englewood P.L., NJ

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.