First, Mary Balogh is a true master of the romantic novel. She can write a fell-length novel rooted in the simplest of plots, or a complex, twisty and suspenseful story that sizzles. This book is more along the Simply Love pattern, though less full of emotional complexity.

In this series, she appears to be exploring diversity in her characters, (I'm not referring to the Chinese Master, more on that below) and in their romantic journey. Both the hero and heroine break from they traditional ...

First, Mary Balogh is a true master of the romantic novel. She can write a fell-length novel rooted in the simplest of plots, or a complex, twisty and suspenseful story that sizzles. This book is more along the Simply Love pattern, though less full of emotional complexity.

In this series, she appears to be exploring diversity in her characters, (I'm not referring to the Chinese Master, more on that below) and in their romantic journey. Both the hero and heroine break from they traditional historical tropes, and its very refreshing and welcome.

Avery is a Duke, and he's a trope-buster. He's angelic rather than dark and brooding. Slender, almost effeminate and slightly affected. As a boy, he was coddled by his mother, fondly tolerated by his big, masculine father, who eventually shipped him off to school to toughen him up. Where, of course, he was horribly bullied. Overcoming that challenge was a huge element in the development of his oddly dominant mien. The brooding, Darcy-like Regency hero trope is reserved for a side character who will probably get his own story in the series.

Anna is also a change from the average Regency heroine. She's calm, simple in her tastes, and rooted in the common sense with which she was raised in an orphanage. Even at her most despondent, she never falls victim to being dramatic. She's humorous and self-effacing, and charitable, without being self-righteous. And she's wonderfully unimpressed by the society in which she falls. Compared to the flamboyance of Avery's appearance, she's almost plain, but doesn't suffer from the contrast. Anna feels like a real person, and is very relatable.

Their love story is fairly simple and at its core, the story (like many of Balogh's) is about the reconnection to family. Anna goes from being a lonely orphan to a Lady with an extensive extended family. On Avery's part, the strongest level of character development is when he's removed from London and enters her world. Its as though his layers peel away along with the layers of jewelry and affected behavior.

The sex isn't hot, but more sensual, which was fitting with the more cerebral nature of the love story.

So back to the martial arts/Chinese gentleman. I do respect the effort to embrace diversity, and truthfully, this aspect of the story was deserving of a chapter or more dedicated to that relationship. I imagine it could take over the story and alter the tone. But it was so pared down it almost felt like no research was put into the character, the relationship or the martial art. As a student, Avery wore a belted jacket and loose white pants. Well, that sounds alarmingly like a Judo or Karate gi, which would not be appropriate for the culture or the art. He also practiced barefoot, which was more associated with Japanese arts. Avery would have learned some basic terms, such as Qi, and he would probably have referred to his teacher as Shoufu (Sifu) rather than Master. (would the English ducal heir refer to anyone else in such subordinate terms?) A visit to a Chinese martial arts studio would have put this element of the story on solid ground. I wanted to know why he was there, who he was, and why he'd be willing to teach a young Englishman, as family martial arts were closely guarded.

Since this hidden element of Avery's personality was so vital to the story, it should have been represented better.

Like others, I did have issues with the 'cast of thousands' aspect to the story, it was somewhat bewildering. But I imagine they'll all be showing up in later books. And it appears the hero and heroine of the next installment are equally against type, so that will be fun to read.

Still, this is a touching story, not my favorite, those I do love her "Simple" stories. She's one of the best in the business. and while slightly flawed, its a lovely book.

I know why I love Mary Balogh books. Her heroes and heroines are not perfect people. They may not look like gods and goddesses. They are human beings.

This book has a hero who is not a large man. He is small and slender. But, he is a powerful man on many levels. He is intelligent, humorous and kind. He looks like an angel and gives the appearance of being disinterested in everyone and anything. His name is Avery and he happens to be a very wealthy Duke.

Avery is the guardian of a young ...

I know why I love Mary Balogh books. Her heroes and heroines are not perfect people. They may not look like gods and goddesses. They are human beings.

This book has a hero who is not a large man. He is small and slender. But, he is a powerful man on many levels. He is intelligent, humorous and kind. He looks like an angel and gives the appearance of being disinterested in everyone and anything. His name is Avery and he happens to be a very wealthy Duke.

Avery is the guardian of a young man who has just inherited an earldom. While doing his duties, a young woman appears who is obviously in the wrong place. She must be a governess or some such person. Her plain clothing does not fit in with the family members who are all of the fashionable ton.

She is Anna Snow and she is not a governess, she is the young woman who will change the lives of everyone in the room.

This is the story of people who have gone through life with certain beliefs. Now they find that what they thought to be true is not.

Avery is a wonderful hero. He holds himself distant from the world but in reality he cares about others. He has led a lonely life because he has chosen that life. He believes that is all that he will ever have in life – loneliness.

Anna has been raised in an orphanage and has become a teacher in the same orphanage. Her life has been limited. She is summoned to London without much of an explanation, but she goes. Anna is a brave young woman who believes that being raised in an orphanage does not make her less of a valuable human being. She had a benefactor who helped support her, but what she has made of herself is all because of who she is and her inner strength.

She is intelligent and brave. She is deliberate in her actions and her speech. Anna has a generous heart and is willing to share whatever she has. Her newly found family generally does not want her in their lives and they certainly will not accept anything she has to offer.

There is a villain in the story. He lied about nearly everything in his life and now that he has died, his lies are punishing people who have become his innocent victims.

The characters are well developed. This is the first in a series and there are many secondary characters who I am sure will become lead characters in future books. Everyone in the book responds to their situations in quite human ways. Some people are more likable than others, but each of them appear to remain true to their character.

The plot is terrific. It unfolds in layers. As the reader learns more of the past, it is evident that there will be heartbreak and disappointment for many people. How those people respond to the pain and disappointment illustrates who they are.

This is a terrific book. Ms Balogh is a favorite of mine. I am a fan and this book confirms everything I love about her writing.