Limecello’s review of Simply Love by Mary Balogh
Historical romance released by Dell on 27 Feb 07

I haven’t read many of Mary Balogh’s books, but I’ve liked those that I have. Her writing has a subtlety that’s quite enjoyable and definitely apparent in Simply Love. I’m not quite sure if it was my mood – but everything just worked. It’s not your typical romance, and there are a lot of elements that could be exploited, but Ms. Balogh manages to craft them together skillfully and delicately.

Anne Jewell is not your typical heroine for a historical romance. First of all, she’s “much older.” (All of 29, which for the time is quite on the shelf.) Then, she’s an unmarried mother, although not by choice. It was nice that Ms. Balogh picked such a non-traditional character to write about. Anne is a lovely person, though she makes mistakes. She’s honest with herself, and realistic. Anne also is well rounded, with her moments of foolishness balanced with great pragmatism. She’s also quite likeable, and a heroine you feel a lot of sympathy for.

Sydnam Butler is even more of an anomaly in terms of a main character. He’s a war hero – and comes from a good family, but not only is he an amputee, he’s disfigured. I had a difficult time picturing Sydnam, and a small part of me is glad of it. It was interesting to look into Sydnam’s past and see the changes it’s wrought in his person and personality. Sydnam is an admirable hero, and he has this quality that makes him extremely appealing. I also loved how he was extremely handsome – and half his face still is. Sydnam is an extremely interesting character that I wouldn’t mind seeing more of.

I love how Anne and Sydnam were quite content with their lives until they meet each other. This isn’t a bad thing, because the time they spend together reveals to them how much more life has to offer them. One could be distracted with their “flaws” and be upset with how Ms. Balogh saw fit to pair two “broken” people together- as if that’s all they deserved, but that’s not how the book is written. Anne and Sydnam complement each other, and, while this sounds sappy, makes them better people.

The book isn’t at all fast paced – it’s quite mellow and focuses on the character’s thoughts and emotions. In fact, there isn’t much of any action at all in Simply Love. Maybe the simple fact that this book is so different from so many other books being published makes it so enjoyable. It’s quite different, but at no point is there a lull, or does the reader think the book is dead.

One aspect of the book I couldn’t quite decide if I liked or not was how Ms. Balogh had the characters repeat each other when one of them had a “one-liner.” They were all good quotes, but it got a bit old. However, doing so did emphasize the point, and act as another method in tying the plot and characters together from beginning to end. Another minor thing was that at times the characters did get a touch too maudlin. However, both went through extremely difficult and horrifying experiences, so it was easy to excuse that.

Simply Love is of course part of Ms. Balogh’s “Simply” series, but it’s also loosely tied to her “Slightly” series. It was fun to see characters make a re-appearance and see a “where are they now” in Ms. Balogh’s story world. I really enjoyed Simply Love and plan on reading the other books in this series. I definitely recommend reading this book, especially if you want something that offers a break and escape from constant rushing and stress.

Grade: A-

Summary:

She spies him in the deepening dusk of a Wales evening-a lone figure of breathtaking strength and masculinity, his handsome face branded by a secret pain. For single mother and teacher Anne Jewell, newly arrived with her son at a sprawling estate in Wales on the invitation of an influential friend, Sydnam Butler is a man whose sorrows-and passions-run deeper than she could have ever imagined.

As steward of a remote seaside manor, Sydnam lives a reclusive existence far from the pity and disdain of others. Yet almost from the moment Anne first appears on the cliffs, he senses in this lovely stranger a kindred soul, and between these two wary hearts, desire stirs. Unable to resist the passion that has rescued them both from loneliness, Anne and Sydnam share an afternoon of exquisite lovemaking. Now the unwed single mother and war-scarred veteran must make a decision that could forever alter their lives. For Sydnam, it is a chance to heal the pain of the past. For Anne, it is the glorious promise of a future with the man who will dare her to reveal her deepest secrets…before she can give him all her heart.

Read an excerpt here.