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 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. ( )

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, 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. ( )

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 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. ( )

First of a new Balogh trilogy. Young widow Vanessa Huxtable tries to prevent heartache for her older sister Meg, by proposing to Elliot Wallace, Viscount Lyngate, who has recently become guardian of their younger brother Stephen. She "sacrifices" herself to the cold, unsmiling lord and slowly (and I do mean SLOWLY) thaws out the man when they finally admit that lust has turned into love. This is not one of Balogh's best - I found Elliot just too icy and self-centered. I feel she could have made this hero more likable. Thank goodness the rest of the characters made the book worth reading. Books 2 and 3 are due one after the other and I will probably read them (because Balogh is one of my favourites). There are only 2 more books but there could be a 3 love stories. I'm betting Meg will end up with the mysterious Con but who will the younger siblings fall in love with??? ( )