Sandy M’s review of Only Enchanting (Survivors’ Club, Book 4) by Mary Balogh
Historical Romance published by Signet 28 Oct 14

I’m one who normally doesn’t like to read a series out of order. Unfortunately, this is the first book I’ve read in this particular series. But recently when every book I picked up didn’t appeal to me and I was in the mood for an historical story, lucky for me it was Mary Balogh who I ended up with. Fascinating characters in difficult circumstances, who make the best of every day give readers a wonderful story.

What I really like foremost is I don’t feel I missed all that much by reading Book 4 first. Yes, I may have gotten a little more out of it all if I’d started at the beginning, but the feel of what these soldiers went through together during the war and the aftermath of their injuries is all there, heartfelt and heart wrenching. I also like that these men aren’t afraid to show their emotions. It’s nothing over-the-top overt, but it’s there and they let each other see it. They know what it’s like to nearly lose everything.

Flavian, as the rest of the men, can’t wait to get back to Vincent’s for their yearly get-together, to catch up and bond even further, if that’s possible. What he doesn’t expect is to see Mrs. Keeping again. He danced with the widow months earlier – a second time even, without being coerced – and running into her again is a bonus, after he spies her lying amid the daffodils and hears her story as to why.

Living with her sister after her husband’s death has been the best thing for Agnes. It’s too awkward living with other family members and she now has the freedom to do as she pleases. Painting is her joy, and the lady gets into her subject at times. Though she’s proper as can be, despite being married at one time, she has a fun streak you can’t help but like. Thus her lying among the daffodils. She sees past Flavian’s wounds, his slight stammer as a result of a bullet to the head during combat, and she’s not afraid of his bouts of temper when things get out of control for him. But she also knows they come from two different worlds, so she does her best to keep to herself.

I really like Flavian. Due to his head injury, he’s blunt but not to the point of rudeness. He just says what’s on his mind. It gets him in a bit of hot water once in a while, and it’s when he realizes he has feelings for Agnes that he tries harder to make more sense, which does get him into even more trouble. When time gets away from them and there’s only a few days left before everyone heads home, Flavian gives Agnes plenty to think about and then promptly disappears. One of his many faux pas that doesn’t seem that way when he starts out. But they work through it all, and Agnes is whisked off into a world where so many things that never mattered before suddenly do now.

And that’s what I like about Agnes. She stands her ground. She knows her mind and doesn’t let anyone get in the way of that. When Flavian begins to remember parts of his life before he gained his title, Agnes is right there supporting him through it all. Betrayal and guilt have eaten at him for years, and it’s Agnes who makes him see he has to finally let go. When their feelings are realized, they’re a formidable pair, and you know their future will be bright and happy, once they get past everything being thrown at them to pull them apart.

I had a splendid time with Flavian and Agnes and enjoyed their friends and family. I hope to catch with all of them as soon as I can.

Grade: B

Summary:

Flavian is handsome, witty, charming, and aloof. His heart was broken when his beloved fiancée broke off their engagement soon after he was brought home from the Peninsula and married his best friend. The double betrayal has left him cynical and apparently quite immune to the lures of romantic love.

Agnes Keeping, a young widow, lives in a small village with her elder sister. She is a water colorist and loves to wander about the countryside painting wild flowers. She had a relationship with her husband of very mild affection and believes herself to be too sensible and prosaic ever to feel the pangs of a romantic passion, though she recognizes that such love does exist. Her friend Sophia, Viscountess Darleigh, is in a deep love relationship with her husband, the blind Vincent, one of the other Survivors.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: