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meganbmooreThese are two older Regencies from the 80s, before Balogh switched to regular historicals. I usually prefer authors who make that switch pre-switch, but Balogh may be an exception. But that may be because I really dislike both plots, though Balogh has had other books where I liked the book despite typically disliking the plot.
The Incurable Matchmaker has a rake, Kenwood, making a bet that he can seduce the super-virtuous widow, Diana, who he’s never met. Distantly related to her late husband’s family, he gets invited to a house party hosted by her matchmaking mother-in-law (the titular character). Without the bet, it would have been pretty decent, if a typical “rake gets redeemed by beauty” plot, but with it, I ended up with a pretty strong hatred for Kenwood that never became more positive than “don’t mind.”
A Chance Encounter, though, is a big misunderstanding plot (They were in love 6 years ago and were separated. She thinks it’s because he didn’t want her once he unexpectedly inherited a title, he thinks it’s because she was a golddigger.) where the entire book hinges on his being insulting and her losing her temper every time they interact, and their never actually talking. Also, since she’s a governess in the main story and he’s rich and titled, the story is constructed so that she essentially can’t give as good as she takes and in ensemble scenes has to stand there and accept all his barbs that the other characters didn’t understand.
I actually had to remind myself after that I liked or didn’t mind the male leads in the other Baloghs I’ve read.
The Incurable Matchmaker has a rake, Kenwood, making a bet that he can seduce the super-virtuous widow, Diana, who he’s never met. Distantly related to her late husband’s family, he gets invited to a house party hosted by her matchmaking mother-in-law (the titular character). Without the bet, it would have been pretty decent, if a typical “rake gets redeemed by beauty” plot, but with it, I ended up with a pretty strong hatred for Kenwood that never became more positive than “don’t mind.”
A Chance Encounter, though, is a big misunderstanding plot (They were in love 6 years ago and were separated. She thinks it’s because he didn’t want her once he unexpectedly inherited a title, he thinks it’s because she was a golddigger.) where the entire book hinges on his being insulting and her losing her temper every time they interact, and their never actually talking. Also, since she’s a governess in the main story and he’s rich and titled, the story is constructed so that she essentially can’t give as good as she takes and in ensemble scenes has to stand there and accept all his barbs that the other characters didn’t understand.
I actually had to remind myself after that I liked or didn’t mind the male leads in the other Baloghs I’ve read.