The Proposal

Gwendoline, Lady Muir, has seen her share of tragedy, especially since a freak accident took her husband much too soon. Content in a quiet life with friends and family, the young widow has no desire to marry again. But when Hugo, Lord Trentham, scoops her up in his arms after a fall, she feels a sensation that both shocks and emboldens her. Hugo never intends to kiss Lady Muir, and frankly, he judges her to be a spoiled, frivolous—if beautiful—aristocrat. He is a gentleman in name only: a soldier whose bravery earned him a title; a merchant’s son who inherited his wealth. He is happiest when working the land, but duty and title now demand that he finds a wife. He doesn't wish to court Lady Muir, nor have any role in the society games her kind thrives upon. Yet Hugo has never craved a woman more; Gwen’s guileless manner, infectious laugh, and lovely face have ruined him for any other woman. He wants her, but will she have him? The hard, dour ex-military officer who so gently carried Gwen to safety is a man who needs a lesson in winning a woman’s heart. Despite her cautious nature, Gwen cannot ignore the attraction. As their two vastly different worlds come together, both will be challenged in unforeseen ways. But through courtship and seduction, Gwen soon finds that with each kiss, and with every caress, she cannot resist Hugo’s devotion, his desire, his love, and the promise of forever.

This is the first book of the The Survivors' Club Series by Mary Balogh, the series is about seven survivors of the Napoleonic Wars, six men and one woman.  I tend to enjoy the authors stories, some more than others, but she a definite must read for me.  I've been meaning to read this for a while now, but the I was at the bottom of the hold list at the library. Well, my turn finally came....

It was nice to see Gwen in this book. I enjoyed her in previous books and was always curious about her. Hugo is a military man, the only survivor of a bloody battle, he lives like a hermit, but he loves his family, both the blood relations and the men and woman of the Survivors' Club.  This book had all the qualities of a great story, but it wasn't, at least for me.  I found some of the characters to be interesting enough, but found the main characters to be borderline boring.  It was too bland for me. It needed some spicing up, more chemistry, more romance.  I just couldn't see those two together....

Ah well...maybe the next book will be better. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

The Proposal by Mary Balogh (2.5/5) Published: Delacourt Press (6/2012); Series: # 1, The Survivors' Club; Library; Books 2012 (42)