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Available
Call number
Series
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Publication
Brilliance Audio (2009), Edition: Unabridged Audiobook, Downloadable WMA/MP3 Audiofile, 10 hrs 46 mins,
Description
Vanessa is the second daughter of the Huxtables, proud and daring, a young widow who has her own reason for pursuing the most eligible bachelor in London. One that has nothing to do with love. Or does it? The arrival of Elliott Wallace, the irresistibly eligible Viscount Lyngate, has thrown the country village of Throckbridge into a tizzy. Desperate to rescue her eldest sister from a loveless union, Vanessa Huxtable Dew offers herself instead. In need of a wife, Elliott takes the audacious widow up on her unconventional proposal while he pursues an urgent mission of his own. But a strange thing happens on the way to the wedding night. Two strangers with absolutely nothing in common can't keep their hands off each other. Now, as intrigue swirls around a past secret, one with a stunning connection to the Huxtables, Elliott and Vanessa are uncovering the glorious pleasures of the marriage bed, and discovering that when it comes to wedded bliss, love can't be far behind.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member emigre
Balogh doesn't disappoint as usual, tender and sexy romance with a dash of realism.
LibraryThing member luvlylibrarian
Enjoyed the chemistry between Elliott and Vanessa. Both characters were very practical about the ridiculous constraints of regency high society.
LibraryThing member readinggeek451
The Huxtable sisters have just been informed that their young brother is the new Earl of Merton. His guardian, Viscount Lyngate, decides that he should marry one of them, to simplify matters. He prefers the eldest, but she is in love with Another. To save her sister, Vanessa selflessly proposes
Can this marriage work? This is a romance novel, so of course the answer is "yes." But watching it play out is loads of fun.
This is the first in a series of four books about the Huxtables. I'm looking forward eagerly to the others.
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that he marry her, instead. Despite the fact that she is plainer than her sisters and given to arguing with him, he does so.Can this marriage work? This is a romance novel, so of course the answer is "yes." But watching it play out is loads of fun.
This is the first in a series of four books about the Huxtables. I'm looking forward eagerly to the others.
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LibraryThing member sjmccreary
The first in a new series, this is the story of the Huxtables, a family of four orphaned siblings who have grown up taking care of one another. When a strange but handsome man shows up in their isolated rural village to inform Stephen, the youngest and only son, that he has inherited an earldom,
This is a very satisfying and well-written historical romance. Not outstanding in any particular way, but there is nothing I can find fault with, either.
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all their lives are sure to change completely. Stephen's guardian, Elliott, is a viscount and heir to a dukedom, but still unmarried. Elliott decides that, since it is time for him to marry, that one of the very beautiful Huxtable sisters would be a convenient choice. However, his plans are thwarted when Vanessa, the not-so-beautiful Huxtable sister, proposes that he marry HER instead. This is a very satisfying and well-written historical romance. Not outstanding in any particular way, but there is nothing I can find fault with, either.
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LibraryThing member bitemeeric
The first story in the Huxtable series. This focuses on Vanessa and Elliott. Vanessa is considered, by society standards, plain looking, but having a warm heart. In an attempt to ensure that her eldest sister, Meg, finds her true lover, Vanessa proposes to Elliott, who wanted to propose marriage to
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Meg. The motives behind the proposals were anything but love. Vanessa and Elliott had great sexual chemistry that turned into love. Overall very entertaining book. Show Less
LibraryThing member cyderry
Elliott Wallace, Viscount Lyngate has come to the small town of Throckbridge and all the young ladies are in a twitter because there is to be an assembly with dancing and the Viscount is coming. Little does the town realize this is just the start of the shakeup that the Viscount brings to the
The days following he disrupts the Huxtable household by informing them that Stephen, the youngest, is now the Earl of Merton and that they need to move to Warren Hall where Stephen, until his majority, will be trained to take over his responsibilities. Elliott realizes that the sisters will need to be introduced to London society and since there is no one who can sponsor them that they know, he will need to marry sooner than he planned to provide that service. He agrees to marry Vanessa Dew so that she can serve as her sisters' sponsor. Their love story unfolds.
First, let me say that I love Mary Balogh's books. Se writes love stories in a series surrounding a family. She is one of my favorite authors, and this is her newest, the first in the Huxtable Series. I've read 20+ of her books and this is the first one that really disappointed me. I kept waiting for the plot to develop and it never got there. There was no conflict, no mystery just a simple love story that really did have much of a bite. These are the first two Hero/heroine/ that didn't grab me. I just hope that the series is better.
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residents. At the dance the only lady that he deigns to dance with, is the Widow Dew, one of the Huxtable sisters, but not the pretty one, the very plain one. The days following he disrupts the Huxtable household by informing them that Stephen, the youngest, is now the Earl of Merton and that they need to move to Warren Hall where Stephen, until his majority, will be trained to take over his responsibilities. Elliott realizes that the sisters will need to be introduced to London society and since there is no one who can sponsor them that they know, he will need to marry sooner than he planned to provide that service. He agrees to marry Vanessa Dew so that she can serve as her sisters' sponsor. Their love story unfolds.
First, let me say that I love Mary Balogh's books. Se writes love stories in a series surrounding a family. She is one of my favorite authors, and this is her newest, the first in the Huxtable Series. I've read 20+ of her books and this is the first one that really disappointed me. I kept waiting for the plot to develop and it never got there. There was no conflict, no mystery just a simple love story that really did have much of a bite. These are the first two Hero/heroine/ that didn't grab me. I just hope that the series is better.
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LibraryThing member ElaineBooks
I received this book from Dell Books through Goodreads.I believe this may have been the first book I have ever read by Mary Balogh, which is odd since I love historical romances. I am particularly fond of Regencies, and although this one takes place several years after, it still has the same
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flavor.My feelings about this book are a little odd. I found the beginning confusing and could not figure out what it had to do with the story. I kept going back to see if I had missed something. The beginning is not explained until almost a hundred pages into it.I really enjoyed the bulk of the book. I wanted to shake the two main characters more than once, but that was the point. The other characters were handled well and the basis for the sequels was established.I did think the ending was too abrupt. Yes, there are sequels, but I wanted a satisfying ending. Something more than "they lived happily ever after."Overall, it was a good book and I am glad I had the opportunity to read it. I will definitely be reading the sequels which thankfully are all published. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I enjoyed this rather sweet story of Vanessa Huxtable, a widow, who is plainer than her sisters finding love with her new husband, Viscount Lyngate, through several ups and downs, including having to come to terms with his past relationships and several other issues. The only real jarring note was
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Constantine who seemed only to be missing moustaches to twirl. I have a fairly good notion what's going on with him but I'm going to have to keep reading to see if I'm right. Light but I enjoyed the read and look forward to more. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kaetrin
This one holds up very well on a re-read. I wasn't grading back when I first read it so I can't properly compare but I certainly didn't have any trouble getting through it again. Balogh captures very well the bafflement men can feel regarding women and emotions and I enjoyed Elliott getting in
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touch with his feelings. I also loved how Vanessa became truly beautiful to Elliott - I think everyone needs to be beautiful to someone. Show Less
LibraryThing member JenJ.
Listened to the Brilliance Audio recording narrated by Anne Flosnik. The narration was excellent, but the story was simply too drippy for me. I like a little more wit and verve in my romance novel relationships. As far as I could tell our heroine fell in "love" based on this guy's looks alone. He
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had hidden depths, but she had no way to know that and apparently simply divined it intuitively despite the fact that through the first two thirds of the book he is consistently unpleasant. I'll give the series one more try - I'm a sucker for this family linked type of series - maybe with a different hero and heroine I'll like it better. Show Less
LibraryThing member jjmachshev
A lovely story that will play with your emotions yet keep you smiling. "First Comes Marriage" is the premiere novel in Mary Balogh's new series about three sisters and their younger brother who are lifted from obscurity when he is elevated to the title of Earl of Merton. The first to find love is
Vanessa is the 'plain Jane' of the Huxtable family. She's heard it all her life and can see in the mirror for herself as well. But she's also the happiest and most joyful, finding pleasure in each day. When the terribly correct and arrogant Viscount Lyngate comes to inform the family of her younger brother's surprising inheritance, Vanessa is just as excited and fearful as the rest of her small family. But when it appears this same Viscount will propose a dutiful marriage to her older sister, Vanessa knows that just won't do. Her older sister deserves to have a chance at love so Vanessa proposes to the Viscount herself!
Elliott isn't sure which part of his duty is most onerous. Having to locate and guide the new Earl of Merton or having to sacrifice himself on the altar of marriage for his own title. It doesn't take him long to realize that what's really most irritating is the widowed sister of the new Earl. She doesn't stand in awe of him, she talks back to him, and now for some reason he seems to be attracted to her. But he must marry and heaven knows one chit is really as good as another so he might as well lighten his burden by marrying the oldest Huxtable daughter. Well...he would...if that irritating woman hadn't just proposed to him!
I found laughter and tears in this story; I also couldn't seem to stop reading once I started. Both of those are signs of an irresistible book for me. From the first page, Balogh sets up the premise of this entire new series and draws the reader in with a bit of mystery. While you are reading the story of Elliott and Vanessa, you also get bits of pieces of the mystery tossed in. The relationship between the main characters is complex and engrossing while the deepening of their feelings proceeds at a reasonable and smooth pace. I find myself anxious for the next book "Then Comes Seduction" which is the story of the youngest daughter. It should hit the shelves April and I'll look forward to reading more about the Huxtable family, the Earl of Merton, and the mystery of Constantine.
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the middle widowed sister, Vanessa.Vanessa is the 'plain Jane' of the Huxtable family. She's heard it all her life and can see in the mirror for herself as well. But she's also the happiest and most joyful, finding pleasure in each day. When the terribly correct and arrogant Viscount Lyngate comes to inform the family of her younger brother's surprising inheritance, Vanessa is just as excited and fearful as the rest of her small family. But when it appears this same Viscount will propose a dutiful marriage to her older sister, Vanessa knows that just won't do. Her older sister deserves to have a chance at love so Vanessa proposes to the Viscount herself!
Elliott isn't sure which part of his duty is most onerous. Having to locate and guide the new Earl of Merton or having to sacrifice himself on the altar of marriage for his own title. It doesn't take him long to realize that what's really most irritating is the widowed sister of the new Earl. She doesn't stand in awe of him, she talks back to him, and now for some reason he seems to be attracted to her. But he must marry and heaven knows one chit is really as good as another so he might as well lighten his burden by marrying the oldest Huxtable daughter. Well...he would...if that irritating woman hadn't just proposed to him!
I found laughter and tears in this story; I also couldn't seem to stop reading once I started. Both of those are signs of an irresistible book for me. From the first page, Balogh sets up the premise of this entire new series and draws the reader in with a bit of mystery. While you are reading the story of Elliott and Vanessa, you also get bits of pieces of the mystery tossed in. The relationship between the main characters is complex and engrossing while the deepening of their feelings proceeds at a reasonable and smooth pace. I find myself anxious for the next book "Then Comes Seduction" which is the story of the youngest daughter. It should hit the shelves April and I'll look forward to reading more about the Huxtable family, the Earl of Merton, and the mystery of Constantine.
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LibraryThing member Azacia
An enjoyable romance from start to finish! While Vanessa Huxtable Dew and Elliott Wallace, Viscount Lyngate didn't hit it off immediately, there chemistry was undeniable. The dialogue was clever and the story was a fun read. Many questions remained unanswered to be addressed in later books.
LibraryThing member LadyWesley
Thoroughly enjoyable. The characters are wonderfully drawn, and the gradual change from a marriage of convenience to a love match is convincingly presented. Not a whole lot happens. There is no villain -- no gothic touches. I like the Huxtable family and plan to read the rest of the series.
LibraryThing member olongbourn
She does it again... Ms Balogh guides you on a merry ride of romance!
LOVE Mary Balogh!
LOVE Mary Balogh!
LibraryThing member ChristineEllei
Historical fiction that would appeal the fans of Phillippa Gregory. Very well done and most entertaining.
LibraryThing member Marcella1717
This was my first book by Mary Balogh and after reading so many favorable reviews I expected a lot... Too much maybe, because I was very disappointed.
The plot itself wasn't very interesting, the hero and heroine weren't very interesting - she was even bordering on not likeable for me - and it took
The only person I did find interesting was the hero's ex-best friend Con. The book started with him and it took a long time before I realized he had been sidelined for good. Obviously his role will be drawn out over the series. ETA Looking at the other books in this series, I noticed he will be the hero of the fifth book. I might hang in there a bit longer...
Grade: D /C-
The plot itself wasn't very interesting, the hero and heroine weren't very interesting - she was even bordering on not likeable for me - and it took
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longer than usual to read it.The only person I did find interesting was the hero's ex-best friend Con. The book started with him and it took a long time before I realized he had been sidelined for good. Obviously his role will be drawn out over the series. ETA Looking at the other books in this series, I noticed he will be the hero of the fifth book. I might hang in there a bit longer...
Grade: D /C-
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LibraryThing member ladypembroke
Aside from the prologue, which was different and interesting, this book started off very awkwardly, and I had no like for the hero (who is NOT the character in the intro). The heroine seemed really blah and wishy washy as well. Even their fireworks felt artificial, and the other story lines did
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nothing. The story picked up once we got the marriage portion, and the couple became interesting suddenly. I almost felt like I read about two separate couples. Overall, the way the couple handles their marriage is far better than how they handled the weeks prior. I'll give the series another try in the hopes that the next sister's novel is more interesting right off the bat. Show Less
LibraryThing member phyllis2779
This Mary Balogh book had some interesting characters. I liked that the heroine was sensible and confronted problems head on and did not try to keep secrets which always makes for more problems. It also made me want to read the rest of the books in the series which is a sign that the book is very
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good. Show Less
LibraryThing member phyllis2779
A nice beginning to a new series of books. The characters were interesting and I especially liked that the heroine was nice beautiful, just kind of ordinary looking but her inner self seems to be what the hero falls for. I plan on reading other books in this series. I also liked that the heroine,
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when she finds out something negative about the hero, discusses it with him and gets it explained, and this helps their relationship. Too many romances fail because you keep saying to someone (hero or heroine), just tell him/her and get the truth. Don't carry it around to corrode the relationship. Show Less
LibraryThing member samnreader
I would give this an enthusiastic 3.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the slow-growing relationship from this new-to-me author. I will be reading her catalog!
LibraryThing member goosecap
It is at least an honest book, if a simple one, a popular romance; it is not quite a romantic comedy of the ordinary degree of literariness—five times fast, literariness, literariness, Litter Harry Loch Ness—but it is not objectionable. I think something like this is a good supplement to
I say it is a good supplement to Jane, because even at the read-a-mass-market-or-maybe-play-chess stress-killing level of literariness, (even some teen or pop romantic comedies have a decent theme, and cannot be read properly without consideration, the way that playing chess against a computer or reading a mass market paperback does not—although obviously the literal publishing details are not infallible guides), there are differences between an honest modern romance of middling skill and Jane even when she did what she set out to do. Part of why people like Jane now is she did not feel the need (or the permission, perhaps), to cast a wide net, and talk even briefly about Roman Britain, (even though everybody did, at least a bit, in real life), or socially-caused stress, or unhappy marriages—of course, sometimes she flits along the outside, but Jane does not say simply, Joe acts one way before and another after the wedding, because Joe is a humbug, or even the most insipid sorts of ordinary complaints about “men” (man-system man, only you must not think so much), as even ordinary women sometimes make very ordinarily. Or, of course, sex between married people….
Trying to make porn or even something objectionable out of text-only materials (no images, no music plus song lyrics), is probably possible but relatively difficult, and Mary is not trying. The reason why classical molds appeal to romance writers is that they want to be decent, sometimes even earnestly. So there is some sex, and it’s nice; we should all have some, I don’t know, healthy fantasies, if we are not unusually still and silent about sex (even internally), as bad fantasies are not so good. But it’s not drivel, you know; some of it is just easy reading, (“easy listening”), and not especially fantastic, since life is the endless in-between in between those special moments.
…. Although it’s actually kinda a sad book—happy sad happy sad. Girlie is so sad.
But never forget, that if you trace it back far enough, it’s some woman’s fault for giving birth. :P
….
—Hello, I’d like to return these shoes; the wings don’t work on them; I can’t fly in them, and—hang on.
—*eating grass*
—Goosie, goosie! Nest, goosie, nest! Goosie!
—Heh, heh!
—Goosie, come! Goosie, nest!
—*waddles off*
—That’s right, goosie—begone! Don’t make me chase you away! This is My lake, and I am as constant as the northern star, as Shakespearean as the Regency rich, and as—are you listening to me?
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Austen; although Jane was something of a literary watch-maker, complex things are made out of simple things, and anyway there’s always the dregs of Mansfield Park conformity to take into consideration, which I maintain to all comers is just like “The Lamp-lighter”, and would not have been remembered if it’d been written by another hand. The mere formality of convention is not desirable. I say it is a good supplement to Jane, because even at the read-a-mass-market-or-maybe-play-chess stress-killing level of literariness, (even some teen or pop romantic comedies have a decent theme, and cannot be read properly without consideration, the way that playing chess against a computer or reading a mass market paperback does not—although obviously the literal publishing details are not infallible guides), there are differences between an honest modern romance of middling skill and Jane even when she did what she set out to do. Part of why people like Jane now is she did not feel the need (or the permission, perhaps), to cast a wide net, and talk even briefly about Roman Britain, (even though everybody did, at least a bit, in real life), or socially-caused stress, or unhappy marriages—of course, sometimes she flits along the outside, but Jane does not say simply, Joe acts one way before and another after the wedding, because Joe is a humbug, or even the most insipid sorts of ordinary complaints about “men” (man-system man, only you must not think so much), as even ordinary women sometimes make very ordinarily. Or, of course, sex between married people….
Trying to make porn or even something objectionable out of text-only materials (no images, no music plus song lyrics), is probably possible but relatively difficult, and Mary is not trying. The reason why classical molds appeal to romance writers is that they want to be decent, sometimes even earnestly. So there is some sex, and it’s nice; we should all have some, I don’t know, healthy fantasies, if we are not unusually still and silent about sex (even internally), as bad fantasies are not so good. But it’s not drivel, you know; some of it is just easy reading, (“easy listening”), and not especially fantastic, since life is the endless in-between in between those special moments.
…. Although it’s actually kinda a sad book—happy sad happy sad. Girlie is so sad.
But never forget, that if you trace it back far enough, it’s some woman’s fault for giving birth. :P
….
—Hello, I’d like to return these shoes; the wings don’t work on them; I can’t fly in them, and—hang on.
—*eating grass*
—Goosie, goosie! Nest, goosie, nest! Goosie!
—Heh, heh!
—Goosie, come! Goosie, nest!
—*waddles off*
—That’s right, goosie—begone! Don’t make me chase you away! This is My lake, and I am as constant as the northern star, as Shakespearean as the Regency rich, and as—are you listening to me?
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LibraryThing member JorgeousJotts
This wasn't for me. I didn't care much for this couple, (the hero was just kind of a pill all around, and the heroine was almost entirely comprised of being 'plain but cheerful'. It all felt quite plodding, and the dialogue made them seem kind of simple-minded. I'll continue with the series, but
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this was a rocky start for me. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009-02-24
ISBN
1423389042 / 9781423389040