This was a very well researched historical romance. There was a lot of period detail woven into the plot and the descriptions which was nice and a lovely departure from the usual historical romances I've been reading lately. I've never read this author before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but my overall impression was positive. On the one hand a lot of it was refreshing - no alpha-hole hero, no stupid heroine, genuine consequences to actions (not just convenient set-ups for shagging sessions), real emotions, closely followed relationship development, authentic language etc.BUT, there was no plot. I know, these sort of books never really do have a plot and it's not the plot that we read these books for anyway. Still, I found that in this particular book, this was a little bit of a problem:It was all a veneer to a good story, that could have been developed, gone deeper and been, therefore, much more satisfying. I liked the heroine ok, but I was just given a hint of her real character. I would have liked for her to have other problems and conflicts to content with, not just the memory of her husband and her feelings for his best friend. I liked the hero quite well, too, though again, all they ever did was think and act around this one issue. The side-characters were a bit more useful than sequel-bait side characters usually are, but again, they could have done and said more, if more was happening. In other words, my frustration with this book stemmed from my conviction that the author seemed capable of more, but didn't deliver. Her knowledge of the period and her handling of the emotions of the characters all could have used more things happening and conflict and actual drama. As a result of this lack, there were moments were she overnarrated, and the dialogue went down to the level of ping-ponging: "how are you?" "I'm well and you?" "I'm good too, what a lovely dress" etc. all stemming from the main issue which is that nothing was happening. Light-hearted banter does not seem to be this author's forte, but when things went really dramatic (view spoiler)[when Adam confronts Marianne about not wanting to marry him (hide spoiler)]
The first installment of the merry widows series. 5 widows (Marianne, Wilhelmina, Grace, Beatrice and Penelope)of good standing in society and suitable income have decided to spice up their love live and taken an affair. It all started with Penelope, who was taken a lover and 'forced' her friend to make a pack to open their minds to the possibility of having a lover (or lovers in case of Penelope). Marianne who was happily married and every bit in love with her husband David realize that maybe she is not as fulfilled as she thinks she was in the bedroom area. So she promised herself that she want to experience life to the fullest and experience passion at least once. Enter, Adam Cazenove, David's best friend from college. Throughout her marriage life Adam also becomes her best friend and had helped her to cope with the loss of David. So obviously she shared her intention with Adam who has the rotten luck to be engaged at the same time. Adam, never know this side of Marianne realize that he loves her all this time but has to bury his feeling for David's sake. And Marianne, well you just have to read it..
Do You like book In The Thrill Of The Night (2006)?
Book 1 of the Merry Widows series! I had to succumb to at least one trashy romance novel. Firstly, it was short. That's pretty much the main reason why I finished it. OH. And it had the best friends scenario. I love the best friends scenario, it's such a cliche but I still love it. The main characters Marianne and Adam have been friends for years. In fact, Adam was best friends with Marianne's husband (widow) and they've stayed as such until now. Marianne with the help of the Merry Widows, a group of 5 women who have grouped together in their widowhood decide to take on lovers. And you get the ever typical scenario where Adam decides that really, he is the best one for the job. Fun series and intriguing characters, I'd be interested to pick up book 2.
—Minh
First in the "Merry Widows" series. The Regency ladies have decided that even though their husbands have passed away, they are very much alive. And they have not given up on enjoying their lives.....
—Merle
He knew now that the envy he'd felt for David all those years was not only for his seemingly perfect marriage. It was for his wife. Adam knew that he had never had a serious relationship with a woman because he'd compared them all with Marianne and they had come up short. Wow. I very much enjoyed how the author started the story, with the Benevolent widows turn to Merry widows sealed with a pact having them promised to be open minded with the idea of having a lover without forgoing their so-called independence. Their conversation was so amusing. The progress of the romance between the hero and heroine at the first part of the story was almost nonexistent. Honestly, I was getting impatient and began questioning if there would be spark between the two because at first, the hero did not give any indication even in his thoughts that he is attracted with the heroine plus his stubborn insistence the suitability of that giggling young lady as his wife, who is so good at depriving him of her attentions when there are young bucks hovering over her. And to think that they're betrothed! But my, it did get better the moment the house party held by Julian started. It's worth the wait I guess. It ended very great and I'm satisfied, that's what is important. I'm thinking of giving it 3 stars at those dragging first part but I just love the ending, with all balconies! So 4 stars it is. I didn't felt this connected with all the characters (atleast, those whose stories I'll be reading later) for almost 2 months of reading loads of HR novels. That's why, I read the book 1 and can easily forgo reading the second book (if it's not so exciting), because the anticipation of seeing the characters happy, with their own stories, is not there. I really like these very interesting widows, especially as they have different characters. I'm so excited to know them more as each stories goes.
—Greselley
