Simply Love

June 19, 2006
With more than her usual panache, Balogh returns to Regency England (Simply Unforgettable
) for a satisfying adult love story. Twenty-nine-year-old beauty Anne Jewell is an independent woman: an unwed mother who has found contentment, if not happiness, in her life as a teacher at a girls' school. Sydnam Butler, an aristocrat who lost his eye and right arm in the Peninsula Wars, has achieved a similar peace as the reclusive steward for the Duke of Bewcastle. Through her son's father, Anne is related to the Bewcastle family, which includes her friend Joshua Moore, Marquess of Hallmere, who wants to acknowledge her and her nine-year-old son, David, as kin, despite her stubborn independence. Joshua invites Anne and David to spend the summer at the Bewcastle estate in Wales, where she meets Sydnam. The kindly Bewcastle clan have matchmaking in mind, but with scars both surface and deep, will Anne and Sydnam be able to open up to each other? And if so, can they hope for any real happiness? The maturity of the novel's protagonists—who grow from their difficulties and triumphs—distinguishes this romance for the genre.

Starred review from December 1, 2006
Balogh continues her "Simply" series of Regency novels (begun with "Simply Unforgettable") with the story of another of the teachers at Miss Martin's School in Bath. Miss Martin employed Anne Jewell despite her having an illegitimate son, David, the result of acquaintance rape. Anne has no contact with her family, but is happy at the school, as is her son. When invited to a holiday in Wales, Anne goes for David's sakeand meets the darkly mysterious Sydnam Butler, a once handsome man now disfigured by war. Both lonely, Anne and Sydnam are drawn to each another, but can they overcome the scars of their respective pasts to find a future together? Listeners of Balogh's books and fans of Regency romances will not be disappointed, as the author continues to bring a fresh voice to the genre. Her women are strong and independent yet fit in the historical context, and her sense of place and period prevail. Rosalyn Landor is especially adept at male voices, with an equal facility for women and children; she captures the emotions of the characters perfectly. Regional British accents are well crafted, and her shadings of age and education all combine flawlessly to enhance this captivating story. Essential for fiction collections.Melody A. Moxley, Rowan P.L., Salisbury, NC

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