Un Regency molto carino, la storia di Lauren abbandonata sull'altare che decide d'accordo con lui di fidanzarsi con Kit conte di Ravensberg per passare un'estate a vivere nuove esperienze mai avute e così consentire a lui di scappare da un matrimonio combiinato e di avere poi lei la tanto agognata libertà. Ma a stare insieme le cose cambieranno. ( )

Let me just state for the record - I don't like Kit. I never have. Maybe it's because I'm a fan of the Bedwyns and I think he did Freyja wrong, or maybe it's just something about his characther that grates on me. I don't know - I just don't like him, and this book certainly doesn't help. My first problem with Kit is this - he wanted to marry Freyja, didn't he? So why is he so upset when his parents offer him exactly what he always said he wanted? And second, for someone who was head-over-heels for someone like Freyja, what on earth does he seen in Lauren?! Kit is immature, self-absorbed, and needs a good smack. Lauren, on the other hand, is exactly what Freyja accuses her of being - a boring little milk-and-water miss. In my opinion, the best parts of this book were the parts with Sydnam - he's a character worth exploring, a character with depth and warmth. Lauren is cold as ice, and Kit is a lost little boy. While this book is well written and better than the vast majority of romance novels I've read out there, it ranks towards the bottom of Mary Balogh's books, mostly because I can't find a connection with either of the main characters in this book. ( )

I hadn't been all that interested in Lauren from the first prequel, and unfortunately I didn't ever really adore her in this one. Then the male lead's defining feature seemed to be that he's some sort of super-rake, but besides a couple instances in the beginning, he pretty much does a 180, and then what are you left with? Just some dude. I don't know, maybe if I'd been shown continuing evidence of his past, some sort of daring, wickedness, skills garnered, charm... it might have seemed more genuine, but his previous rakishness is mostly just repeatedly referenced for the remaining 80% of the book. Both characters have interesting back stories, but both of them, and their chemistry, just ended up seeming a little flat to me. Probably my main problem though, is that the one hurdle to their 'happily ever after' felt pretty flimsy. Some stories the couple overcomes mountains, and then others the people are pretty much just standing in their own way. Which can feel tedious. =/. On the positive side though, there were some interesting bits. Also, each partner was a good person at heart, they ultimately had a positive influence on each other, and they both grew as people. ( )

Kit and Lauren-this is a lovely story. I haven't read Mary Balogh much, I remember her books being a little dry but these first two in the Bedwyn saga have really worked for me. It was a warm, tender story about an extremely self-posessed heroine wanting to find herself and her 'freedom' and a rogue-ish hero who is tender and lovely.

Nothing here is earth shattering, but it was a lovely romance that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. It also includes some lovely nature-related love/romantic scenes and you know I can't resist these things. (3.5) ( )

I loved this so much: Kit and Lauren became one of my favorite couples of all time. Both grew so much during the story, and as a whole this was a lovely warm blanket comfort read. I do have to say that considering this is a prequel to the Bedwyn books, none of the Bedwyns were shown in a good light which makes me not want to read about any of them. ( )