FIRST COMES MARRIAGE Book 1 in series by Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell
Date published: March 2009
ISBN: 978-0-440-2442-6
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Obtained via: self-purchase
Reviewed by Dawn



Meet the Huxtable siblings: Vanessa, Margaret, Katherine and their brother Stephen. They are about to find that destiny has them in its sights and they are about to find that even they can not run from it. Meet Vanessa Huxtable, a proud and fiery widow who is determined to save her oldest sister from a loveless marriage. When Elliott Wallace, Viscount Lyngate shows up in Throckbridge, she offers an exchange: herself instead of her sister, Margaret. Intrigued by the unique proposal, Elliott accepts and soon these two strong people find that love has a way of sneaking up on you, especially if you least expect it.

FIRST COMES MARRIAGE is an introduction into the world of the Huxtables; siblings who are proud and fiery, and determined to steer their own course in life. Here you meet Vanessa Huxtables, a widow who is determined to save her eldest sister from a loveless marriage. With a proposal that intrigues Elliott Wallace, the Viscount takes her up on her offer and soon both find that even though they might not have much in common at first, they have a connection that will let love into their lives if they let it. I haven’t read one of Ms. Balogh’s historicals in a long time and this was a wonderful change of pace for me. I finished the book in one afternoon and found myself intrigued by the other siblings as well as some wonderful secondary characters. Ms. Balogh always delivers a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next. Ms. Balogh is a top notch writer who introduces flawed characters that appeal to her readers and stories that are full of historical accuracies that will appeal to history buffs. The things I found lacking were the chemistry between Elliott and Vanessa. It felt like it was forced and not quite believable. Elliott is a dour hero and Vanessa was to be his ray of sunshine in his life but frankly, these two just had a few problems to overcome- namely her lingering feelings for her dead husband and Elliott’s disposition itself. Is it a solid story? Definitely but the constant references to Vanessa’s less than perfect beauty had me grinding my teeth in frustration.

FIRST COMES MARRIAGE is the kick off to her new regency series and frankly, it was a delightful addition to anyone who enjoys a solid historical romance but it could have had Elliott and Vanessa a little more multi-dimensional. Ms. Balogh didn’t quite make the mark with me on FIRST COMES MARRIAGE but I am hopeful her other stories in the series will keep me entertained. If you enjoy a solid historical romance with interesting characters, then grab FIRST COMES MARRIAGE.



THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW