Miss Claudia Martin, aged thirty-something and well on the shelf, has made a life for herself by running a girls’ school in Bath, work that is fulfilling and thoroughly enjoyable. When the Marquess of Attingsborough appears at her school and offers to escort her and her two charges to London for their employment interviews, the stern Claudia is astonished and disapproving. She can handle herself very well, after all, and does not need his help. What she needs, however, is far different from what she’d like, a lesson Claudia very much enjoys learning.

This one started out slow, but very soon I could see why people love Mary Balogh. This book is heartbreakingly sweet. I could feel these characters fall in love with each other and I completely fell in love with them, too. Claudia is determined, stubborn, and ridiculously smart; falling in love doesn’t change her but augments her personality in wonderful ways. She’s stern for a reason and when we learn that reason, it’s much easier to feel for her and cheer for her to go after what she really wants.

As for the marquess, Joseph, he’s endearing all on his own. His love for his blind daughter and his discovery that he doesn’t have to hide who he loves or why is a touching part of the story on its own. He is so used to the rigid expectations of society that he never, ever thinks about questioning them until Claudia begins to question him. After all, she has shrugged off all expectations to become a remarkably successful woman; surely Joseph can do the same when it comes to a love for his daughter and moreover, a love for this woman.

Overall, if you’re looking for an emotional, heartening romance that makes you feel emotions and not just read about them happening, I recommend this. There isn’t much plot involved, but it’s hard to care. Worth noting, however, that this is the last in the “Simply” series about teachers at Miss Martin’s school. I have not read the first three, but I’m sure they would have only enhanced my enjoyment of this one.

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Having resigned herself to life without love, Claudia Martin, headmistress of Miss Martin's School for Girls, is drawn to Joseph, the Marquess of Attingsborough, who is willing to defy convention and break every rule in society to make her his.

This is the final installment in Balogh's Simply series featuring teachers from Miss Martin's School for Girls. It doesn't disappoint. ( )

A lovely ending to an excellent series. Simply Perfect features stern Claudia Martin, owner and Head Schoolmistress of the Bath School for Girls. She detests the aristocracy and is therefore dismayed when a very handsome, very charming Marquess is asked to escort her and 2 of her graduates to London. He is far, far above her in rank but the two are drawn to each other because neither one is exactly what the other has perceived him/her to be.
I found Claudia a bit harder to like than any of the other heroines of the series because of her incredible "thin lipped" stubborness and prejudice of "the ton". Joseph on the other hand wore his emotions on his sleeve all the time and therefore was wonderfully endearing, to me at least. His moments with Lizzie were often my "hanky" moments.
It's really good that I had read the whole Bedwyn series and the "Simply" series because every single character from all 9 books made an appearance or two!!! I have no idea how you could keep them all straight if you hadn't met them before.
Anyway - my favourite stories of both series were Aidan and Eve's in "Slightly Married" as well as Anne and Sydnam's in "Simply Love". This one was very good and as I said, appropriate to end the Simply series but I can't say it was as 5 star as the 2 I just mentioned. ( )

Simply Perfect by Mary Balogh
Claudia Martin, owner and headmistress of a girl’s school ruined and left with a broken heart nearly twenty years ago has given up hope of marriage and a family. Her childhood sweetheart declared that she was not good enough for him and broke their engagement when he inherited a Dukedom. Now at age thirty-five her past love returns and Claudia falls in love with Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough, caught in an arranged betrothal and in line for a Dukedom. Claudia has many reasons to distrust the ton adding to her dilemma with old and new found love.

The best thing about reading a Mary Balogh romance is one not only reads about love, one feels love. {“Then I would love them too,” Claudia said, her cheeks an interesting shade of pink. “Just as dearly. Not more so, not less. Love does not have to be portioned out, Lizzie. It is the one thing that never diminishes when one gives it away. Indeed, it only grows.”} ( )

Another emotionally satisfying book from Mary Balogh. The final of her "Simply..." series.

This is the story of Claudia Martin, school matron. Claudia doesn't like aristocrats, the ton, and men in general. She was terribly hurt as a young woman and vowed to rely only on herself while making a success of her life. She's in her mid-30s, firmly on the shelf, and satisfied with her life. The Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough, arrives on an errand from one of her former teachers...and her life, and how she feels about herself are changed forever.

Joseph is finally ready and willing to take a bride from amongst the ton. He's in his mid-30s and needs to secure the succession. He wants to be happy and fulfilled in his marriage. He is also the loving father of an illegitimate blind girl, Lizzie.

The actions and decisions these two make and their reasons for doing so will capture your heart early on and not let go until long after you finish the book. This is a story of love, society, rules, and courage. I enjoyed it immensely. ( )