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England's Perfect Hero

England's Perfect Hero

List Price: $5.99
Your Price: $5.39
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: my vote for best in the trilogy
Review: A little more than a year ago, Lucinda Barrett and her two best friends, Georgianna Halley and Evie Ruddick, drew up lists on how they thought a true gentleman should behave. Georgiana and Evie then proceeded to select two offenders in order to instruct them on good behaviour. But both Georgiana and Evie ended up marrying their "pupils" ("The Rake" & "London's Perfect Scoundrel"). Now it's Lucinda's turn. Knowing full well that these "lessons" in good behaviour may well result in her marrying her "pupil," Lucinda has settled on Lord Geoffrey Newcombe. Like her friends' husbands, Geoffrey is a handsome and incredibly arrogant, and much in need of instruction; but more importantly, Geoffrey is a war hero, and exactly the sort of gentleman that her father, General Augustus Barrett, could countenance as a son-in-law. But just as Lucinda is about to start her campaign, Lucinda begins an unlikely friendship with Georgiana's brother-in-law, Robert. Like Geoffrey, Robert also served in the Peninsula Wars; but he's returned a wreck of a man, prone to panic attacks, and has become quite the recluse, shunning both Society and even his family. As Robert and Lucinda begin to spend more time together, Lucinda comes to the realisation that it is Robert and not Geoffrey that occupies her thoughts and heart. But what can she do? Settle on an uncomplicated and comfortable life with Geoffrey with her father's complete blessings, or risk everything for a complicated and brooding wreck like Robert?

Slightly more complex and less humerous than the other two installments in the Lessons in Love trilogy, I liked "England's Perfect Hero" best. And that's because both the hero and heroine were likable and engaging, and because Suzanne Enoch didn't follow the pattern of the first two books and went in a completely different direction. Usually, with a series, books begin to sound like a formula after a while. But you couldn't say that about "England's Perfect Hero." The "Hero" in the title doesn't even refer to the real hero of the novel! I also liked the fact that one of the obstacles to Lucinda's and Robert's happiness was Lucinda's concern that her future spouse and her father like each other and get along. Not very many romance novels ever address this issue realistically, and I thought that the authour hit just the right note here. The other thing I liked about this novel was that characters from the first two (Georgianna, Evie and their respective husbands) play an integral part in helping Lucinda and Robert achieve their happily ever-after ending. That also was a nice touch. So that even though there were a few howlingly funny editorial mistakes, and the whole theft subplot was incredibly weak, I still enjoyed this novel enough to award 4 stars.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Very Good
Review: Ex-soldier, Robert Carroway, is suffering from war-related post trauma. This tortured man was a victim of unthinkable abuse and degradation by Napoleon's troops. After months in a French hell-hole, Robert returned to England; his body broken and his mind tormented. Long, lonely days of healing, and Robert comes to rely on the vibrant Lucinda Barrett to give him his brightest moments. By far, Robert Carroway is the most riveting character in Suzanne Enoch's "England's Perfect Hero."

Lucinda Barrett, is a misplaced modern-day girl, and she appears courtesy of Suzanne Enoch's "Lessons in Love series." A sequence of books involving three close friends; each friend controlling a personal list. Itemized lists drawn up to teach rude gentlemen the fine art of courting. Lucinda has her list and now she has her selected pupil. However, Lucinda runs into an unexpected problem with her tutoring scheme - Robert Carroway surfaces.

As a heroine, Lucinda is very likeable; nonetheless, she commits a romance book faux pas - she betrays Robert's confidence. However, it is the romance and the storyline which suggest a bigger blunder. This love match is wanting. The very idea that Robert is pleased to the first man to reach Lucinda's bed - a triumph over his chief rival so to speak - is - well, need I write more? England, in the early 1800s, kingdom of the `honor duel' - this hero should be pleased to remove his rival's head.

And what is with all the freedom given to these women? Georgie for example, this darling lady, Robert's sister-in-law and Lucinda's dear friend, is in the final days of her pregnancy. Yet, she gads about London, extensively? This story is set in Regency England, set with stringent attitudes and unyielding opinions. But in spite of, her advanced stage of pregnancy, this woman still attends many social festivities. She is a key player in a smuggling operation and eventually Lady Dare is part of the female trio assigned to hunt down the backstabbing villain! Incredible, England's own answer to Charlie's Angels! The very pregnant Viscountess Dare does all this terrific activity without raising a single social eyebrow or apprehension from anyone -- including her husband.

The summary: This is a romance that floats - it doesn't swim and it doesn't drown - it floats. Yet, the question remains did I think the author was successful? Well, I do want to read the two parent books; so yes, I suppose it was worthwhile. I only wished there was more believability.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A Tall Tale.
Review: Ex-soldier, Robert Carroway, is suffering from war-related post trauma. This tortured man was a victim of unthinkable abuse and degradation by Napoleon's troops. After months in a French hell-hole, Robert returned to England; his body broken and his mind tormented. Long, lonely days of healing, and Robert comes to rely on the vibrant Lucinda Barrett to give him his brightest moments. By far, Robert Carroway is the most riveting character in Suzanne Enoch's "England's Perfect Hero."

Lucinda Barrett, is a misplaced modern-day girl, and she appears courtesy of Suzanne Enoch's "Lessons in Love series." A sequence of books involving three close friends; each friend controlling a personal list. Itemized lists drawn up to teach rude gentlemen the fine art of courting. Lucinda has her list and now she has her selected pupil. However, Lucinda runs into an unexpected problem with her tutoring scheme - Robert Carroway surfaces.

As a heroine, Lucinda is very likeable; nonetheless, she commits a romance book faux pas - she betrays Robert's confidence. However, it is the romance and the storyline which suggest a bigger blunder. This love match is wanting. The very idea that Robert is pleased to the first man to reach Lucinda's bed - a triumph over his chief rival so to speak - is - well, need I write more? England, in the early 1800s, kingdom of the 'honor duel' - this hero should be pleased to remove his rival's head.

And what is with all the freedom given to these women? Georgie for example, this darling lady, Robert's sister-in-law and Lucinda's dear friend, is in the final days of her pregnancy. Yet, she gads about London, extensively? This story is set in Regency England, set with stringent attitudes and unyielding opinions. But in spite of, her advanced stage of pregnancy, this woman still attends many social festivities. She is a key player in a smuggling operation and eventually Lady Dare is part of the female trio assigned to hunt down the backstabbing villain! Incredible, England's own answer to Charlie's Angels! The very pregnant Viscountess Dare does all this terrific activity without raising a single social eyebrow or apprehension from anyone -- including her husband.

The summary: This is a romance that floats - it doesn't swim and it doesn't drown - it floats. Yet, the question remains did I think the author was successful? Well, I do want to read the two parent books; so yes, I suppose it was worthwhile. I only wished there was more believability.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Must Read!!
Review: Excellent, and definitely worth reading....
A great book and a well paced tale of Lucinda & Robert and her Lessons in Love...As usual Suzanne Enoch writes a delightfully scandalous and thoroughly entertaining story..

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An Excellent Read!
Review: Give me a brooding hero! I enjoyed the characters in this book! Poor Robert had been through a lot and I was glad he turned around and found some happiness.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: a different type of Enoch, but still engaging
Review: I adore Suzanne Enoch's work. Since reading my first Enoch book, BY LOVE UNDONE, several years ago I've been pretty much enchanted by Ms. Enoch's Regency romps. For me, even her less-than-best effort is still good.

And ENGLAND'S PERFECT HERO, the last in Ms. Enoch's Lessons In Love trilogy, is definitely beyond good.

Honestly, I didn't think I was going to like ENGLAND'S PERFECT HERO at first because it lacked Enoch's signature rakish hero. But, oh boy, was I ever wrong. This fast-paced story kept me enthralled from beginning to end. And I just adored this different hero.

Ms. Enoch's hero for this piece is the emotionally wounded Robert, who has retreated into a dark world, harboring a secret that leaves him prone to anxiety attacks and more. The one bright light in Robert's dark existence is his sister-in-law's friend, Lucinda. And he admires her from afar until circumstances bring this pair together.

Robert is the glue that holds this story together, but it is Lucinda, the heroine, who draws this hero from his dark and lonely shell. Lucinda has chosen a 'student' for her own lessons in love - just as her two best friends had done before her - and it isn't Robert. Oh, she is intrigued by Robert, dubbed the "Mute" by a callous society, but she also has matrimony on her mind - and the Mute isn't good husband material. But she does accept help from Robert for her lessons in love. And when important papers are stolen from the Horse Guard - and suspicion falls on Robert as a traitor - it is Lucinda who comes to his aid.

Ms. Enoch's portrayal of Robert is well done ...and touching. This hero's emergence from his dark existence is thoughtful and insightful. ENGLAND'S PERFECT HERO isn't as lighthearted as most of Ms. Enoch's work, but it does have humorous moments ...and some humorous characters.

I highly recommend ENGLAND'S PERFECT HERO. Ms. Enoch is quite a story teller and I just love her writing style.

Debbie Jett, reviewer
romancereaderatheart.com

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: So close to being good, but lacking something.
Review: I can honestly say I enjoy Suzanne Enoch books, they are fun to read and entertaining, the heroes are usually very likeable and the stories are engaging, but in most of them there is always something lacking. In some it is a weak heroine, in others an unreasonable one, in this book, what was lacking was the ending.

The book ended abruptly and left many issues unresolved, like for example, where were they going to live, whether Robert is going to do something productive with his life or if he ever got completely cured of his trauma. The book needed at least another chapter and an epilogue, specially because it is the last in the series.

I have liked Robert a lot since he appeared in the first book of this series, and was hopping he would get a book of his own. In this book, he didn't exactly dissapoint me (I love a brooding, troubled hero), but I would have liked that he had acomplished something more than just being able to act almost like a norman person.

All in all, I kind of liked the series, but it wasn't great. I'm still not very convinced about Suzanne Enoch's writting.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Three and a half, Predicable but Good
Review: I do have to say that I enjoyed the book and that it was a good end to the Lessons in Love series. I liked seeing all of the characters from the prior books in good harmony, well characterized.
The reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is due to the fact that(now that I have read 4 of her books) they are very formulaic. The hero and heroine have two love scenes in each of her books. The first one is about half way to 3/4th of the way through the book, pretty steamy and well written. The second love scene is always a quickie toward the end of the book. The hero and heroine don't have direct conflict during the last half of the book and it due to an external conflict keeping them apart that needs to be addressed. Once the external conflict is taken care of, the main characters express their love and... the end. Well, we know that many authors have a pattern to writing, but SE's books are too predictable. As other readers have mentioned, she has all the right ingredients but variety to the main story line would help.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Enoch Scores Again
Review: I have eagerly awaited this last installment in the "Lessons in Love" series and was not disappointed in the least. Suzanne Enoch has given us a tale both endearing and sentimental. I found myself immersed in the character's lives and their emotions. I would highly recommend this book (the entire series, in fact) and this author to anyone who wishes to start reading this genre.
Lucinda Barrett finds herself the only one of the three friends who has not taught her "lesson" and therefore, feels a bit the odd man out. She has chosen her pupil, a man she feels needs a lesson in being a gentleman, but is also aware that her friends have found themselves married to the object of their lessons. Lucinda is not averse to this arrangement and continues on with her plan. But, along comes Robert Carroway and he completely keeps Lucinda on her toes, causing her to reevaluate her true motives for teaching her lesson. You will not be disappointed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Enoch Scores Again
Review: I have eagerly awaited this last installment in the "Lessons in Love" series and was not disappointed in the least. Suzanne Enoch has given us a tale both endearing and sentimental. I found myself immersed in the character's lives and their emotions. I would highly recommend this book (the entire series, in fact) and this author to anyone who wishes to start reading this genre.
Lucinda Barrett finds herself the only one of the three friends who has not taught her "lesson" and therefore, feels a bit the odd man out. She has chosen her pupil, a man she feels needs a lesson in being a gentleman, but is also aware that her friends have found themselves married to the object of their lessons. Lucinda is not averse to this arrangement and continues on with her plan. But, along comes Robert Carroway and he completely keeps Lucinda on her toes, causing her to reevaluate her true motives for teaching her lesson. You will not be disappointed.


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