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Product Description
Review
"With exceptional insight and uncommon flair, [Mary] Balogh holds readers in thrall. . . . Exquisite character development, sparkling wit."--"Library Journal" (starred review and Editor's Pick)
"Balogh gifts readers with several memorable scenes, inserting wit and passion throughout.""--The Star-Ledger"
"Utterly delightful, charming and intelligent--a winner!"--"RT Book Reviews"
Book Description
In this enticing new romance ripe with sensuality and wit, New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh proves that comfort is no match for passion when a stuffy gentleman becomes the object of desire of an adoring and spirited young woman.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I absolutely adore Mary Balogh's books and longingly wait for each new book. Unfortunately I was sadly disappointed by Angeline and Edward's story in The Secret Mistress. It was BORING! I love reading about characters who have been introduced in earlier books but I couldn't actually be bothered with these two. I usually read a new romance book in one sitting but it took me a week of perseverance to finnish this one. I did not have any empathy with Angeline and Edward and found the story very dry in actual fact a "dry old stick". This will not be a book I re-read - I usually always go back for a second or third read. Would I recommend this book? No don't bother!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was thrilled when Mary Balogh's Mistress Couplet (No Man's Mistress (Mistress Couplet) and More Than a Mistress (Mistress Couplet)) were reprinted earlier this year, and read the two books eagerly. I was left with questions about the hero and heroine of this book, and was waiting with bated breath for this book to be released. I was dying to find out how the bubbly, chatty, ever so slightly batty Lady Angeline Dudley and the quiet, reserved, so-called "dry stick" Edward Ailsbury, Earl of Heyward got together.
Angie is a lovely, well-drawn character, who reminds one of a dear friend who is deeply insecure and covers it up by being loud and cheery and outgoing. Her feelings about men are tied up in her relationship with her brothers - at this point I will say that while it is likely assumed that one has read both the books in the Mistress Couplet, Balogh's writing makes it unecessary to have done so - and she is drawn towards Edward, who is the polar opposite of Angeline's brothers. He is the opposite to the usual reformed rake or strong Corinthian types frequently found in the historic romance genre; he appeals very much because of this.
It is a lovely, gentle romance, hindered (as the best romance are) by mistakes, good intentions and friends meddling. All of which lends the story depth and good humour. There was not a single thing in this novel with which I found fault, and I am so glad to say that. Mary Balogh does not disappoint.
Angie is a lovely, well-drawn character, who reminds one of a dear friend who is deeply insecure and covers it up by being loud and cheery and outgoing. Her feelings about men are tied up in her relationship with her brothers - at this point I will say that while it is likely assumed that one has read both the books in the Mistress Couplet, Balogh's writing makes it unecessary to have done so - and she is drawn towards Edward, who is the polar opposite of Angeline's brothers. He is the opposite to the usual reformed rake or strong Corinthian types frequently found in the historic romance genre; he appeals very much because of this.
It is a lovely, gentle romance, hindered (as the best romance are) by mistakes, good intentions and friends meddling. All of which lends the story depth and good humour. There was not a single thing in this novel with which I found fault, and I am so glad to say that. Mary Balogh does not disappoint.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mary Balogh is, in my opinion, one of the better authors of historical romance out there, and I always look forward to her latest offering, even if the books have perhaps been becoming a little samey recently.
I was very pleased to receive my copy of "The Secret Mistress", the third in a trio of books of which the first two ("More than a Mistress" and "No Man's Mistress") were written back in 2000/2001.
I wasn't sure which way the book would go. I love "More than a Mistress" and think it's one of Mary Balogh's best books and it's one that I often re-read. "No Man's Mistress" didn't work for me at all and I won't bother reading it again. So what would the third book in the trio, the story of the Duke of Tresham and Ferdinand Dudley's sister Angeline, be like?
This books starts with the slight problem that we already know Angeline will marry Heyward because we have seen her with him in the previous two books. Thus the timeline of this story is that it is the first of the three books, although it has been written last. Not that readers are often in doubt as to who will marry whom when reading the blurb on the back of these books, but still.
Angeline appeared as a bubbly, garrulous but overall appealing character in the previous books and Heyward was quiet, reserved and possibly henpecked. The author has kept to this theme in that Angeline does seem garrulous in this book and Heyward quiet and reserved, although this time obviously we learn much more about him.
Angeline is a young debutante and fixes almost instantly on Heyward as her chosen suitor when she meets him, mainly because he is very much unlike her brothers - he is the consummate gentleman. But what could Heyward see in flighty Angeline? She may be suitable in terms of breeding and family but can he be happy with her? And can she with him?
Although it was good to read this story, to meet the characters, to travel with them on the journey as they fall in love, this book didn't entirely work for me. Firstly it seemed to be beset with parts of speech in italics to give us emphases which I felt rather detracted from reading the dialogue. I also felt that Mary Balogh's usual skill in growing characters had somewhat deserted her here and both Angeline and Heyward didn't change much at all during the story.
The significant plot point in the story where Angeline receives a proposal from Heyward also seemed a little unlikely to me (not the proposal, but her response to it), as if the author was trying to work out a way to make the story go on longer. It felt contrived and I wasn't convinced. I also found that the (presumably obligatory) sex scene felt all wrong, inasmuch as the character of Heyward that we were shown was that of someone who did the right thing and thought things through sensibly and somehow the scene didn't work for me.
However, I was left at the end thinking that Angeline and Heyward would be happy together and that they did suit, and the epilogue to the book was a welcome addition to the story. I feel, though, that this book is one that will appeal to Mary Balogh's fans but will not be one that would bring her hordes of new readers if this were their first experience of this talented author.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2011
I was very pleased to receive my copy of "The Secret Mistress", the third in a trio of books of which the first two ("More than a Mistress" and "No Man's Mistress") were written back in 2000/2001.
I wasn't sure which way the book would go. I love "More than a Mistress" and think it's one of Mary Balogh's best books and it's one that I often re-read. "No Man's Mistress" didn't work for me at all and I won't bother reading it again. So what would the third book in the trio, the story of the Duke of Tresham and Ferdinand Dudley's sister Angeline, be like?
This books starts with the slight problem that we already know Angeline will marry Heyward because we have seen her with him in the previous two books. Thus the timeline of this story is that it is the first of the three books, although it has been written last. Not that readers are often in doubt as to who will marry whom when reading the blurb on the back of these books, but still.
Angeline appeared as a bubbly, garrulous but overall appealing character in the previous books and Heyward was quiet, reserved and possibly henpecked. The author has kept to this theme in that Angeline does seem garrulous in this book and Heyward quiet and reserved, although this time obviously we learn much more about him.
Angeline is a young debutante and fixes almost instantly on Heyward as her chosen suitor when she meets him, mainly because he is very much unlike her brothers - he is the consummate gentleman. But what could Heyward see in flighty Angeline? She may be suitable in terms of breeding and family but can he be happy with her? And can she with him?
Although it was good to read this story, to meet the characters, to travel with them on the journey as they fall in love, this book didn't entirely work for me. Firstly it seemed to be beset with parts of speech in italics to give us emphases which I felt rather detracted from reading the dialogue. I also felt that Mary Balogh's usual skill in growing characters had somewhat deserted her here and both Angeline and Heyward didn't change much at all during the story.
The significant plot point in the story where Angeline receives a proposal from Heyward also seemed a little unlikely to me (not the proposal, but her response to it), as if the author was trying to work out a way to make the story go on longer. It felt contrived and I wasn't convinced. I also found that the (presumably obligatory) sex scene felt all wrong, inasmuch as the character of Heyward that we were shown was that of someone who did the right thing and thought things through sensibly and somehow the scene didn't work for me.
However, I was left at the end thinking that Angeline and Heyward would be happy together and that they did suit, and the epilogue to the book was a welcome addition to the story. I feel, though, that this book is one that will appeal to Mary Balogh's fans but will not be one that would bring her hordes of new readers if this were their first experience of this talented author.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2011
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Super reading
As always this excelent 'Welsh' author gives an exciting insight into the Regency period with lots of romance thrown in
Published 8 months ago by Mrs. M. Lewis
Not a keeper, alas
I love Mary Balogh's books and although she isn't infallible, most of them are wonderfully evocative of the period and she hardly puts a foot wrong in terms of speech patterns and... Read more
Published 9 months ago by normally a fan
Auntie Helen is spot on
I absolutely agree with Auntie Helen's review. I was really looking forward to receiving my advance ordered copy but found that it was disappointing and I ended up skipping... Read more
Published 9 months ago by G. Murawicki
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