The Survivors Club - 7 Book Series - Mary Balogh
Feb 13, 2019 13:52:07 GMT -7
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The Survivor’s Club – 7 book Series – Mary Balogh
I will add to this set of reviews as I read the books.
General Synopsis
These stories start about six years after the end of the war (should be about 1821ish). The survivors club is a group of people brought together by war. Five men, who were wounded in battle, were brought to Penderris Hall, home of the Duke of Stanbrook, to heal. One woman, who was traumatized by the brutal death of her husband is also considered a member of this club. The final member is the duke himself, who devoted years to helping these people heal and return to somewhat normal lives.
Book 1 – The Proposal
4.0 / 5.0
Heat 5/10
Genre HR, Regency
Hugo, the H of this book, is lauded as a great war hero who led a faint hope charge up a hill. He was the only man to survive unscathed and suffers terrible survivor guilt. He was granted a title as a result.
Gwen, the h of this book, is a widow of a viscount and the sister of an earl. She has only just realized that she is not happy with her quiet life. She is, in fact, quite lonely.
The main conflict in this story is the Hs struggle to find his place in society. He doesn’t feel like a peer. Yet he can no longer be considered middle class. He would prefer to hide away at his country estate, but has responsibilities to the company he inherited. He also still struggles with his guilt and anger.
It is a classic tale of two people feeling that they should not love the other because they are “too different”. They are very likable people with relatable emotions and it’s easy to root for their HEA.
Book 2 – The Arrangement
4.5 / 5.0
Heat 4/10
Genre HR, Regency
Vincent, the H of this book, was blinded in battle. Initially he was deafened as well, but did recover his hearing. His plethora of female relatives have started to matchmake in earnest. They are convinced that he needs a wife to care for him. He “runs away from home” to escape their attempts and the smothering quality of their love.
Seraphina, the h of this book, is a “poor relation”. She lives on the charity of an aunt an uncle who are shallow, grasping minor gentry. The see in the H, the opportunity to capture a husband for their daughter. The h rescues him at the very last moment. They are so angry, they throw her out and leave her destitute and without hope.
Of course, the H feels guilty and convinces her to marry him. The h agrees out of desperation but only after he agrees that they can separate after a year. She feels decidedly unworthy and has a very poor self image.
This was a lovely story to read. Their relationship is very balanced. He helps her to see herself as an attractive person but there is no great transformation from ugly duckling to swan. It is much more believable than that. In return, she comes up with several ways for him to be more independent.
Book 3 – The Escape
4.5 / 5.0 stars
Heat 4/10
Genre HR, Regency
Ben, the H of this story, lost most of the function of his legs when he was wounded in battle. He walks slowly and painfully, with the help of two specially constructed canes. But he can ride, which is how he first encounters the h when he nearly lands on her after jumping a hedge.
Samantha, the h, is recently widowed. She spent the last five years caring for her dying husband as he slowly succumbed to injuries also sustained in the war. She has no family of her own and her in-laws are self-righteous, puritanical, kill-joys. When her only option is to go to live with them, she decides to escape to Wales (where she owns a small cottage she has never seen) and, of course, the H insists that she cannot go alone and accompanies her.
I liked the fact that these two took time to get to know each other. The H grew and began to feel less disabled. He found ways to be more at peace with it. The h made peace with her demons too. If you’ve read the other two books, you’ll be happy to know that the H does get to dance.
Bonus Novella – The Suitor
Remember the young girl that Vincent’s family (book 2) tried to get him to marry? Well this is her story. Those few days are told from her point of view. It’s a cute little love story that intertwines with the events of The Arrangement.
Book 4 – Only Enchanting
4.0 / 5.0
Heat 6 / 10
Genre – HR (regency)
Flavian, the H of this story, suffered a head wound. For months he was unable to speak at all. As he recovered he realized he had holes in his memory. Except that often he wasn’t even aware there was a hold until some memory came rushing back. He also speaks with a stutter. The woman he was to marry before he went off to war is now a widow and his family and hers are hoping for a rekindling of their love. Flavian can’t remember why, but he knows he doesn’t want this.
Agnes is a widow, living with her sister. She agrees to marry Flavian because she desperately wants another chance at a family of her own. The passion between them worries her on some level but attracts her on another.
I enjoyed the story. I liked how the h stood up for herself against the H (and others too). Though I did find the constant stuttering in the H’s speech a bit distracting to read at first, I got past it. My main reason for only giving this four stars is the abruptness of the ending. I wanted more time to savor their relationship. (BTW, Flavian and Agnes are the least romantic names I’ve come across in a while (no offence intended to anyone))
Book 5 - Only a Promise
4.0 / 5.0
Heat 6/10
Genre: HR (regency)
The H of this book was physically scarred. His face bears a very visible scar. But his real problem is the survivor’s guilt that he carries with him at all times. In order to minimize his pain, he has shut down emotionally. He no longer believes himself capable of feeling anything approaching love or caring. He knows he must marry, but he expects it to be an entirely businesslike affair.
The h has been shamed/scorned by London society twice. She has absolutely no desire to return, ever. She still hopes to marry and have children, but she would prefer to do it without emotional attachment, since that has only ever resulted in hurt.
They sound like a perfect match. From the very beginning, though, events interfere with the quiet marriage they hoped for. Although the H redeems himself in the end, I was quite annoyed with him for many chapters. He seemed to be angry with the h for no reason a lot of the time. He was intentionally mean whenever he felt himself weakening in his resolve to stay cold. She smacks him a good one once. I thought he deserved it several more times.
Their HEA was very short. But there was at least a satisfying feeling that the H was on his way to recovery.
Book 6 - Only a Kiss
4.0 / 5.0
Heat 4/10
Genre: HR (late regency)
This is the story of Imogen and Percy. Imogen is the only female member of the Survivor’s Club. She was forced to witness her husband’s torture and death at the hands of the French. She has created a solitary, though not reclusive, life for herself. One in which she is not required to feel much of anything. This is the only life she feels she deserves.
Percy has reached the age of 30 without accomplishing much. He is bored. He decides to take a trip to Cornwall (the back of beyond) to see the property that came with the title he inherited two years ago. He expects to find a relic. What he finds is a lovely estate, occupied by a number of female relatives and a menagerie of truly homely stray cats and dogs.
Percy and Imogen begin an affair, each intending it to be casual and brief. When it becomes more, Percy is willing to move toward something more permanent. Imogen is not.
There is a small mystery and a slight menace that add some interest to the story. I admit to being surprised by the secret that Imogen reveals. I thought the character development in this story was particularly well done. Their transitions were well described and believable.
Book 7 – Only Beloved
5.0 / 5.0
Heat 5/10
Genre: HR (late regency) some suspense
Oh my, what a lovely book. Sometimes I enjoy a book because it is sexy or funny or smart or suspenseful. I enjoyed this one because it was just lovely. It is about two older adults (39 and 48) who are beautiful people – on the inside, where it counts. Oh, the duke is described as being a very attractive man and the h is attractive as well. But what made the book so enjoyable was how beautiful they are on the inside, and how they treat each other.
They are only acquaintances when he proposes to her. They spend a month getting better acquainted while they wait for the banns to be read and the wedding planned. However, most of their falling in love takes place after the wedding. There are old hurts on both sides and the H harbors some dark secrets. With bit of a villain thrown in for good measure, the book was never boring.
I can see myself reading this book again. What a wonderful dream, to spend ones later years married to a man like this H.
I will add to this set of reviews as I read the books.
General Synopsis
These stories start about six years after the end of the war (should be about 1821ish). The survivors club is a group of people brought together by war. Five men, who were wounded in battle, were brought to Penderris Hall, home of the Duke of Stanbrook, to heal. One woman, who was traumatized by the brutal death of her husband is also considered a member of this club. The final member is the duke himself, who devoted years to helping these people heal and return to somewhat normal lives.
Book 1 – The Proposal
4.0 / 5.0
Heat 5/10
Genre HR, Regency
Hugo, the H of this book, is lauded as a great war hero who led a faint hope charge up a hill. He was the only man to survive unscathed and suffers terrible survivor guilt. He was granted a title as a result.
Gwen, the h of this book, is a widow of a viscount and the sister of an earl. She has only just realized that she is not happy with her quiet life. She is, in fact, quite lonely.
The main conflict in this story is the Hs struggle to find his place in society. He doesn’t feel like a peer. Yet he can no longer be considered middle class. He would prefer to hide away at his country estate, but has responsibilities to the company he inherited. He also still struggles with his guilt and anger.
It is a classic tale of two people feeling that they should not love the other because they are “too different”. They are very likable people with relatable emotions and it’s easy to root for their HEA.
Book 2 – The Arrangement
4.5 / 5.0
Heat 4/10
Genre HR, Regency
Vincent, the H of this book, was blinded in battle. Initially he was deafened as well, but did recover his hearing. His plethora of female relatives have started to matchmake in earnest. They are convinced that he needs a wife to care for him. He “runs away from home” to escape their attempts and the smothering quality of their love.
Seraphina, the h of this book, is a “poor relation”. She lives on the charity of an aunt an uncle who are shallow, grasping minor gentry. The see in the H, the opportunity to capture a husband for their daughter. The h rescues him at the very last moment. They are so angry, they throw her out and leave her destitute and without hope.
Of course, the H feels guilty and convinces her to marry him. The h agrees out of desperation but only after he agrees that they can separate after a year. She feels decidedly unworthy and has a very poor self image.
This was a lovely story to read. Their relationship is very balanced. He helps her to see herself as an attractive person but there is no great transformation from ugly duckling to swan. It is much more believable than that. In return, she comes up with several ways for him to be more independent.
Book 3 – The Escape
4.5 / 5.0 stars
Heat 4/10
Genre HR, Regency
Ben, the H of this story, lost most of the function of his legs when he was wounded in battle. He walks slowly and painfully, with the help of two specially constructed canes. But he can ride, which is how he first encounters the h when he nearly lands on her after jumping a hedge.
Samantha, the h, is recently widowed. She spent the last five years caring for her dying husband as he slowly succumbed to injuries also sustained in the war. She has no family of her own and her in-laws are self-righteous, puritanical, kill-joys. When her only option is to go to live with them, she decides to escape to Wales (where she owns a small cottage she has never seen) and, of course, the H insists that she cannot go alone and accompanies her.
I liked the fact that these two took time to get to know each other. The H grew and began to feel less disabled. He found ways to be more at peace with it. The h made peace with her demons too. If you’ve read the other two books, you’ll be happy to know that the H does get to dance.
Bonus Novella – The Suitor
Remember the young girl that Vincent’s family (book 2) tried to get him to marry? Well this is her story. Those few days are told from her point of view. It’s a cute little love story that intertwines with the events of The Arrangement.
Book 4 – Only Enchanting
4.0 / 5.0
Heat 6 / 10
Genre – HR (regency)
Flavian, the H of this story, suffered a head wound. For months he was unable to speak at all. As he recovered he realized he had holes in his memory. Except that often he wasn’t even aware there was a hold until some memory came rushing back. He also speaks with a stutter. The woman he was to marry before he went off to war is now a widow and his family and hers are hoping for a rekindling of their love. Flavian can’t remember why, but he knows he doesn’t want this.
Agnes is a widow, living with her sister. She agrees to marry Flavian because she desperately wants another chance at a family of her own. The passion between them worries her on some level but attracts her on another.
I enjoyed the story. I liked how the h stood up for herself against the H (and others too). Though I did find the constant stuttering in the H’s speech a bit distracting to read at first, I got past it. My main reason for only giving this four stars is the abruptness of the ending. I wanted more time to savor their relationship. (BTW, Flavian and Agnes are the least romantic names I’ve come across in a while (no offence intended to anyone))
Book 5 - Only a Promise
4.0 / 5.0
Heat 6/10
Genre: HR (regency)
The H of this book was physically scarred. His face bears a very visible scar. But his real problem is the survivor’s guilt that he carries with him at all times. In order to minimize his pain, he has shut down emotionally. He no longer believes himself capable of feeling anything approaching love or caring. He knows he must marry, but he expects it to be an entirely businesslike affair.
The h has been shamed/scorned by London society twice. She has absolutely no desire to return, ever. She still hopes to marry and have children, but she would prefer to do it without emotional attachment, since that has only ever resulted in hurt.
They sound like a perfect match. From the very beginning, though, events interfere with the quiet marriage they hoped for. Although the H redeems himself in the end, I was quite annoyed with him for many chapters. He seemed to be angry with the h for no reason a lot of the time. He was intentionally mean whenever he felt himself weakening in his resolve to stay cold. She smacks him a good one once. I thought he deserved it several more times.
Their HEA was very short. But there was at least a satisfying feeling that the H was on his way to recovery.
Book 6 - Only a Kiss
4.0 / 5.0
Heat 4/10
Genre: HR (late regency)
This is the story of Imogen and Percy. Imogen is the only female member of the Survivor’s Club. She was forced to witness her husband’s torture and death at the hands of the French. She has created a solitary, though not reclusive, life for herself. One in which she is not required to feel much of anything. This is the only life she feels she deserves.
Percy has reached the age of 30 without accomplishing much. He is bored. He decides to take a trip to Cornwall (the back of beyond) to see the property that came with the title he inherited two years ago. He expects to find a relic. What he finds is a lovely estate, occupied by a number of female relatives and a menagerie of truly homely stray cats and dogs.
Percy and Imogen begin an affair, each intending it to be casual and brief. When it becomes more, Percy is willing to move toward something more permanent. Imogen is not.
There is a small mystery and a slight menace that add some interest to the story. I admit to being surprised by the secret that Imogen reveals. I thought the character development in this story was particularly well done. Their transitions were well described and believable.
Book 7 – Only Beloved
5.0 / 5.0
Heat 5/10
Genre: HR (late regency) some suspense
Oh my, what a lovely book. Sometimes I enjoy a book because it is sexy or funny or smart or suspenseful. I enjoyed this one because it was just lovely. It is about two older adults (39 and 48) who are beautiful people – on the inside, where it counts. Oh, the duke is described as being a very attractive man and the h is attractive as well. But what made the book so enjoyable was how beautiful they are on the inside, and how they treat each other.
They are only acquaintances when he proposes to her. They spend a month getting better acquainted while they wait for the banns to be read and the wedding planned. However, most of their falling in love takes place after the wedding. There are old hurts on both sides and the H harbors some dark secrets. With bit of a villain thrown in for good measure, the book was never boring.
I can see myself reading this book again. What a wonderful dream, to spend ones later years married to a man like this H.
