The Gilded Web

Rating:
Summary: The Gilded Web is a well-written and well told love story
Review: But this is not my favorite Mary Balogh and would not recommend it as an intro to her work. Only because her other books are SO much better. Not that it's not a good book compared to romances written by other authors. But Mary Balogh is consistent if nothing and she cosistently writes EXCELLENT novels.

Gilded web is a Super regency romance as is the other two "web" books that follows this book. I know it's not the longer than usual regency length that put me off this book because I enjoyed her other full lenth novels, Silent Melody, One Night for Love and More than a Mistress. But I felt it was a little longer than it should have been. Then she had to introduce the other two characters that would be in the last two books of the trilogy. I must be spoiled. Her stories are usually so tight and everything is tied up so well at the end that leaving a few loose ends at the end by any other author would not have bothered me but having read 20 Mary Balogh books in a row sort of had me holding her up to a certain high plateau and this book fell short of that mark just a tad. Usually, once I start her book, I can't put it down but maybe once if even. But I was able to put down TGW a few times. That's probably why I'm giving this book 4 stars instead of 5. Keep in mind, if this was the ONLY Mary Balogh book, I'd be raving about it and giving it 5 stars.

I'd recommend you read Silent Melody, One Night for Love and More than a Mistress first before you read TGW. And read the regency books, Tempting Harriet, A certain magic, and Christmas Belle before you try TGW. ALL of her regencies are superb. I just listed my top 3.

A warning to those of you who expect NO SEX in regency novels. She does put a little sex (PG-rated) in a few of her regencies but nothing too racy or even the level found in most historical romances. Hmmm...maybe that's why Mary is my favorite regency author? Who else can do passion without getting graphic? Who else can get you all heated up just by describing a lady's hand being innocently kissed?

Rating:
Summary: The Gilded Web is a well-written and well told love story
Review: But this is not my favorite Mary Balogh and would not recommend it as an intro to her work. Only because her other books are SO much better. Not that it's not a good book compared to romances written by other authors. But Mary Balogh is consistent if nothing and she cosistently writes EXCELLENT novels.

Gilded web is a Super regency romance as is the other two "web" books that follows this book. I know it's not the longer than usual regency length that put me off this book because I enjoyed her other full lenth novels, Silent Melody, One Night for Love and More than a Mistress. But I felt it was a little longer than it should have been. Then she had to introduce the other two characters that would be in the last two books of the trilogy. I must be spoiled. Her stories are usually so tight and everything is tied up so well at the end that leaving a few loose ends at the end by any other author would not have bothered me but having read 20 Mary Balogh books in a row sort of had me holding her up to a certain high plateau and this book fell short of that mark just a tad. Usually, once I start her book, I can't put it down but maybe once if even. But I was able to put down TGW a few times. That's probably why I'm giving this book 4 stars instead of 5. Keep in mind, if this was the ONLY Mary Balogh book, I'd be raving about it and giving it 5 stars.

I'd recommend you read Silent Melody, One Night for Love and More than a Mistress first before you read TGW. And read the regency books, Tempting Harriet, A certain magic, and Christmas Belle before you try TGW. ALL of her regencies are superb. I just listed my top 3.

A warning to those of you who expect NO SEX in regency novels. She does put a little sex (PG-rated) in a few of her regencies but nothing too racy or even the level found in most historical romances. Hmmm...maybe that's why Mary is my favorite regency author? Who else can do passion without getting graphic? Who else can get you all heated up just by describing a lady's hand being innocently kissed?

Rating:
Summary: This is one of the best books I have ever read
Review: This book has everything - a woman compromised, an arranged marriage, and an erotic encounter. It tells the story of the development of a relationship between a man and a woman who have to marry against their wishes. I have now read it 5 times, and will probably read it again soon.