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Sullivan #2
Dancing with Clara
Miss Clara Danford had no illusions about Fredrick Sullivan. She knew that this magnificently handsome gentleman was a rake whose women were legion and whose gambling debts were staggering. She also knew why he wished to wed her. It was not for the beauty and grace she did not have, but for her fortune, which would rescue the dazzling wastrel from ruin. Should she refuse and lose her one chance to have such a splendid mate? Or should she accept a proposal made with lips that lied as skillfully as they kissed? One thing was sure. Clara might have no illusions to lose - but she would have to be careful not to lose her heart...
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1993
194 people are currently reading
854 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
223Ìýbooks6,187ÌýfollowersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
November 23, 2012
I wouldn't put this book in the romance category....NOT IN A MILLION YEARS.......
I can understand and even admire(if he deserves it) a hero with flaws......it makes him more believable and real.....but I definitely can't abide a hero who is so flawed that he'll keep on committing adultery till almost the end of the book....sorry,I can't...it just sort of spoils the whole point of reading a romance novel....and even in the end the hero is not sure whether he'll ever be able to remain faithful to his wife and redeem himself.....definitely not romance....
I totally agree with some other readers that while we love a rake story,we want the rakes REFORMED!
Cheating heroes?
This book left me wondering what exactly have I read? An insight into an alcoholic,womanizer,gambler's tormented soul as in how much he hates and loathes himself(although the only reason I could detect for his abysmal and abominable behavior was a weak will....an extremely weak will to try to better his life) or a love story?....then by the end I concluded that if I put it in the love story category I would probably hate it....because I read fiction so that by the end of a book i'll feel light-hearted and positive...not depressed because the hero is too darn weak to stop his womanizing and the heroine too accepting and forgiving of this crap....one gets enough of all this in real life,don't want it in fiction too.....so it will definitely go into the hero-who-needs-to-be-admitted-into-a-rehab-immediately-and-heroine-who'll-keep-on-forgiving-the-hero-no-matter-how-much-he-hurts-her-because-she-knows-how-sick-he-is category.
While reading it my feelings were something like this...
ADULTERY is a deal-breaker for me....just can't abide it in a book....but even so I found Balogh's which too deals with adultery ok(barely).....could still understand the male leads reasons and stupidity....but this book is the limit....wouldn't recommend it to anyone...
If you're interested in reading Mary Balogh's books....start with the Huxtable Quintet series....they are fine....Dancing...just left me disappointed and dissatisfied.....an epilogue could have really helped this book.
It's a testament to Mary Balogh's writing skills that I actually didn't end up hating the characters and the book. :P
I can understand and even admire(if he deserves it) a hero with flaws......it makes him more believable and real.....but I definitely can't abide a hero who is so flawed that he'll keep on committing adultery till almost the end of the book....sorry,I can't...it just sort of spoils the whole point of reading a romance novel....and even in the end the hero is not sure whether he'll ever be able to remain faithful to his wife and redeem himself.....definitely not romance....
I totally agree with some other readers that while we love a rake story,we want the rakes REFORMED!
Cheating heroes?
This book left me wondering what exactly have I read? An insight into an alcoholic,womanizer,gambler's tormented soul as in how much he hates and loathes himself(although the only reason I could detect for his abysmal and abominable behavior was a weak will....an extremely weak will to try to better his life) or a love story?....then by the end I concluded that if I put it in the love story category I would probably hate it....because I read fiction so that by the end of a book i'll feel light-hearted and positive...not depressed because the hero is too darn weak to stop his womanizing and the heroine too accepting and forgiving of this crap....one gets enough of all this in real life,don't want it in fiction too.....so it will definitely go into the hero-who-needs-to-be-admitted-into-a-rehab-immediately-and-heroine-who'll-keep-on-forgiving-the-hero-no-matter-how-much-he-hurts-her-because-she-knows-how-sick-he-is category.
While reading it my feelings were something like this...
ADULTERY is a deal-breaker for me....just can't abide it in a book....but even so I found Balogh's which too deals with adultery ok(barely).....could still understand the male leads reasons and stupidity....but this book is the limit....wouldn't recommend it to anyone...
If you're interested in reading Mary Balogh's books....start with the Huxtable Quintet series....they are fine....Dancing...just left me disappointed and dissatisfied.....an epilogue could have really helped this book.
It's a testament to Mary Balogh's writing skills that I actually didn't end up hating the characters and the book. :P
May 13, 2019
I remember reading this series when it came out in the 90’s. It was unusual for an author to redeem the villain from one book and give him his own story in another. Lisa Kleypas did this with Devil in Winter � but MB did it first.
This is a reformed rake story except the rake isn’t really reformed until the last pages and he wonders out loud if he’ll slip up again. But the heroine reassures him that she’ll forgive him no matter what. That is a bit off-putting to some readers to say the least. But it fits with the theme of forgiveness and absolution MB establishes from the opening.
The hero is full of self-loathing because he cannot forgive himself for abducting and threatening to rape the woman who became his sister-in-law. (Book one in the series) She told him she would never forgive him, so he can’t forgive himself. He is also angry at himself for falling so deeply into debt that he is seeking marriage to a woman -any woman � who has a fortune. Why? Because his father will never forgive him if he confesses his debt to him.
So we have a judgmental world the hero is operating in and he’s living up to his low expectations. Because this is a romance and HEAs are required: His sister in law forgives him. His father is proud he’s managed to be a kind husband, etc. . The hero is on the path to redemption.
So based on the “rules� MB set up in this story, the only way for the hero to stop cheating and gambling is to know absolution from the heroine is guaranteed. I’m not sure if I’m explaining this very well � but the hero has to forgive himself before he can grow and change, but he can only do that after the person he has wronged has forgiven him.
This is the classic arc of a cheating story, but since this was a historical marriage of convenience it’s a little easier to take. He’s a bad boy. He’s self-destructive. But his guilt can lead him to better things. And he’s not as bad as the hero of the next book.
The heroine is another character who is living a self-fulling prophecy. Her father was convinced she was a cripple and because of his coddling, she hasn’t used her legs for 20 years and can’t walk. When she changes the pattern - when she decides to go outside, eat more, and do some exercises � she painfully progresses. And yes, she has slip ups with this new regime - just like the hero. Hero is crippled. Heroine is crippled. But they’re on their way to better things.
So how does this work as a romance? Eh.
MB can be pretty cold-blooded with her sex scenes and her practical heroines. This is a practical heroine who doesn’t indulge in dramatics. Their one-week honeymoon is the emotional heart of the story and it was a week of mild pleasures and comfortable togetherness. It’s the kind of relationship that won’t wear itself out as long as the hero is kept on a short leash.
And now to determine if this hero is really redeemed, I introduce you to:
Redemption Guidelines by reeder, connoisseur of cheating romances
1. The infidelity should serve as a catalyst to surface an overlooked/unresolved issue that has always been present in the relationship.
Since it’s a marriage of convenience, they don’t really have a relationship. But I think the cheating wakes them up. The hero starts to understand his relationship with himself and then begins to see the heroine as a person who doesn’t deserve to be hurt. The heroine realizes she doesn’t have to blindly obey the men in her life and she does have worth outside of being a cripple to be pampered. (But lets not go crazy � this heroine is still a doormat � but she is at least doing something for herself by leaving London and doing her exercises)
2. The cheater's contrition should be genuine.
I thought so.
3. The cheater gains insight into his actions that will prevent the behavior from recurring.
I do think he gained insight. I would not trust him with his old friends or to be on his own for too long. He has a weak character, which is why it’s good he’s with the heroine in a new place with fresh adventures to look forward to. His marriage was a major reset and it took him awhile to understand it.
If you have any other guidelines you look for in a cheating romance, put them in the comments and I’ll add them to the list.
This is a reformed rake story except the rake isn’t really reformed until the last pages and he wonders out loud if he’ll slip up again. But the heroine reassures him that she’ll forgive him no matter what. That is a bit off-putting to some readers to say the least. But it fits with the theme of forgiveness and absolution MB establishes from the opening.
The hero is full of self-loathing because he cannot forgive himself for abducting and threatening to rape the woman who became his sister-in-law. (Book one in the series) She told him she would never forgive him, so he can’t forgive himself. He is also angry at himself for falling so deeply into debt that he is seeking marriage to a woman -any woman � who has a fortune. Why? Because his father will never forgive him if he confesses his debt to him.
So we have a judgmental world the hero is operating in and he’s living up to his low expectations. Because this is a romance and HEAs are required: His sister in law forgives him. His father is proud he’s managed to be a kind husband, etc. . The hero is on the path to redemption.
So based on the “rules� MB set up in this story, the only way for the hero to stop cheating and gambling is to know absolution from the heroine is guaranteed. I’m not sure if I’m explaining this very well � but the hero has to forgive himself before he can grow and change, but he can only do that after the person he has wronged has forgiven him.
This is the classic arc of a cheating story, but since this was a historical marriage of convenience it’s a little easier to take. He’s a bad boy. He’s self-destructive. But his guilt can lead him to better things. And he’s not as bad as the hero of the next book.
The heroine is another character who is living a self-fulling prophecy. Her father was convinced she was a cripple and because of his coddling, she hasn’t used her legs for 20 years and can’t walk. When she changes the pattern - when she decides to go outside, eat more, and do some exercises � she painfully progresses. And yes, she has slip ups with this new regime - just like the hero. Hero is crippled. Heroine is crippled. But they’re on their way to better things.
So how does this work as a romance? Eh.
MB can be pretty cold-blooded with her sex scenes and her practical heroines. This is a practical heroine who doesn’t indulge in dramatics. Their one-week honeymoon is the emotional heart of the story and it was a week of mild pleasures and comfortable togetherness. It’s the kind of relationship that won’t wear itself out as long as the hero is kept on a short leash.
And now to determine if this hero is really redeemed, I introduce you to:
Redemption Guidelines by reeder, connoisseur of cheating romances
1. The infidelity should serve as a catalyst to surface an overlooked/unresolved issue that has always been present in the relationship.
Since it’s a marriage of convenience, they don’t really have a relationship. But I think the cheating wakes them up. The hero starts to understand his relationship with himself and then begins to see the heroine as a person who doesn’t deserve to be hurt. The heroine realizes she doesn’t have to blindly obey the men in her life and she does have worth outside of being a cripple to be pampered. (But lets not go crazy � this heroine is still a doormat � but she is at least doing something for herself by leaving London and doing her exercises)
2. The cheater's contrition should be genuine.
I thought so.
3. The cheater gains insight into his actions that will prevent the behavior from recurring.
I do think he gained insight. I would not trust him with his old friends or to be on his own for too long. He has a weak character, which is why it’s good he’s with the heroine in a new place with fresh adventures to look forward to. His marriage was a major reset and it took him awhile to understand it.
If you have any other guidelines you look for in a cheating romance, put them in the comments and I’ll add them to the list.
March 12, 2010
Freddie Sullivan is quite desperate. He has run up gambling bills so high that he is to the point where he can't pay them and may have to be sent to debtor's prison. He is ashamed to ask his father to bail him out yet another time so he heads to Bath to find a rich bride. There are three possibles and he settles on Clara Danvers -- the richest and the one who doesn't have a guardian or father to scuttle his chances.
Clara is struck by Freddie's beauty and charm. She is under no illusions about him. She knows he needs a rich wife and she is certainly rich. But she is not beautiful and because of a childhood illness in India she can't walk.
She accepts his proposal and the two marry and embark upon a marriage that is at times wonderful, painful, and revelatory.
Over the years, I had heard a lot about this book. Most people either love it or hate it. The people who hate it are those who point to Freddie's adultery as a deal breaker. He is a terrible hero and thus this is a terrible story and not worthy of being labeled a romance. I disagree. I think anyone who focuses solely on that one aspect of Freddie really misses out on the larger, largely wonderful and moving story.
Freddie isn't simply an adulterer. He is a charming, beautiful man who has two evils: he has a gambling addiction and he hates himself. The two things feed on each other quite destructively. And he does things to constantly punish himself. Before he married Clara, he justified it as the life of a merry bachelor. But after Clara, guilt is added to the stew and his demons gnaw at him in newer ways.
This is not to say this book is a downer or even heavy. No, Balogh uses a very light, deft touch with these issues. Freddie is after all charming and wonderful. Everything is delivered with a smile and bedroom eyes.
I have to admit that when I was reading the early chapters after Freddie proposes to Clara, I despised him. His inner dialogue lets the reader know that he does not find Clara at all attractive and yet is constantly telling her how he has fallen instantly in love and he loves her. It is quite sickening. I mentally kept calling him an asshole and a jerk (well as this is a Regency probably cur, rake, scoundrel or roue would be more apropos).
But my distaste did not last. Freddie is, under it all, a decent person and he takes pains to try to make Clara happy. He respects her and begins to see her as a person. And most of all, he begins to reverse the damaging effects that her father's coddling has wrought for years.
Clara for her part is under no illusions about Freddie. She marries him because, as she puts it, she wants his beauty for herself. She is a pragmatic woman who deals very much in reality. There is one point where Freddie is having the mother of all pity parties and Clara very nicely calls him on his crap and tells him they don't have time for him to feel sorry for himself anymore.
What I found so incredibly gratifying about this story is how these two people actually do grow in love in a way that feels to me to be very grounded in realism to me.
I am absolutely loving my foray into Mary Balogh's early regencies. And this one tops the list.
Clara is struck by Freddie's beauty and charm. She is under no illusions about him. She knows he needs a rich wife and she is certainly rich. But she is not beautiful and because of a childhood illness in India she can't walk.
She accepts his proposal and the two marry and embark upon a marriage that is at times wonderful, painful, and revelatory.
Over the years, I had heard a lot about this book. Most people either love it or hate it. The people who hate it are those who point to Freddie's adultery as a deal breaker. He is a terrible hero and thus this is a terrible story and not worthy of being labeled a romance. I disagree. I think anyone who focuses solely on that one aspect of Freddie really misses out on the larger, largely wonderful and moving story.
Freddie isn't simply an adulterer. He is a charming, beautiful man who has two evils: he has a gambling addiction and he hates himself. The two things feed on each other quite destructively. And he does things to constantly punish himself. Before he married Clara, he justified it as the life of a merry bachelor. But after Clara, guilt is added to the stew and his demons gnaw at him in newer ways.
This is not to say this book is a downer or even heavy. No, Balogh uses a very light, deft touch with these issues. Freddie is after all charming and wonderful. Everything is delivered with a smile and bedroom eyes.
I have to admit that when I was reading the early chapters after Freddie proposes to Clara, I despised him. His inner dialogue lets the reader know that he does not find Clara at all attractive and yet is constantly telling her how he has fallen instantly in love and he loves her. It is quite sickening. I mentally kept calling him an asshole and a jerk (well as this is a Regency probably cur, rake, scoundrel or roue would be more apropos).
But my distaste did not last. Freddie is, under it all, a decent person and he takes pains to try to make Clara happy. He respects her and begins to see her as a person. And most of all, he begins to reverse the damaging effects that her father's coddling has wrought for years.
Clara for her part is under no illusions about Freddie. She marries him because, as she puts it, she wants his beauty for herself. She is a pragmatic woman who deals very much in reality. There is one point where Freddie is having the mother of all pity parties and Clara very nicely calls him on his crap and tells him they don't have time for him to feel sorry for himself anymore.
What I found so incredibly gratifying about this story is how these two people actually do grow in love in a way that feels to me to be very grounded in realism to me.
I am absolutely loving my foray into Mary Balogh's early regencies. And this one tops the list.
March 27, 2021
Me after finishing Dancing with Clara:
How the hell Mary Balogh made me cry for a cheating addict and a doormat heroine (!?) I don't even know (it's the title and the perfect ending), but Dancing with Clara is one of my favourite stories by the queen of regency romance.
Freddie Sullivan has hotfooted off to Bath to find an heiress to pay off his alarming mountain of debts. After his villainous actions from the previous book in the Sullivan series, he is feeling ashamed and very raw about it, so he's placed himself in a self-exile of sorts from his extended family. He has latched his attentions to Clara, a wealthy heiress who has lost the use of her legs to walk. Freddie does not find her beautiful. Her ugliness is put down to having too much hair and big eyes, not really going to touch that, but he believes he could be a cordial and pleasant husband to her, even if he won't love her or expect to be faithful.
Clara, meanwhile, has been stifled and sheltered her whole life, and when she sees Freddie, she knows him for the fortune hunter he is. Yet she can't help but be attracted to him, despite knowing that, and she rationally concludes that she could make do with a loveless marriage - really, a typical society marriage, one where they would lead separate lives except for some night time congress. Even these crumbs would be better than what she has now. Can you tell this story is going to be a sad tearjerker?
Yet Freddie, from the outset, puts on the facade that he loves Clara, and he continues to play the role of a devoted husband when everyone has gone, and they are on their honeymoon. Their honeymoon is magical - Freddie takes her horseback riding, they spend time lying on the grace in the summerhouse, and it's these little moments of bliss that show how right they are for each other.
But this isn't a light read, by a long shot. No. Both Freddie and Clara have work to do.
Freddie sleeps with other women, he gambles, and he drinks. Throughout the story, he keeps telling himself he can stop but he constantly falls off the rocker. You can see that he does it to cope, and that it numbs him out. He doesn't enjoy it, ends up loathing himself more after these episodes, but he is scared to be with his thoughts. Balogh does a great job in showing Freddie's POV so that you begin to relate to and feel for Freddie.
Meanwhile, Clara can lash out at times, and Freddie, because he has low self-worth, takes it quite personally. I liked that Clara didn't always say or do the right thing, that she could be human and speak out in the heat of the moment, especially when she was overall a woman who listened to her husband, even when he leaves her in the countryside.
When I first read this, I was struck by Clara's speech to be patient and to always love him, even if Freddie lapsed. In real life, I would have preferred Clara to tell Freddie that he can't take his lack of self worth out on her.
However, as I was thinking more about this book, I think the speech makes poetic sense. Clara's patience in him is paralleled by Freddie's devoted care to her. He is the one who brings her the truth that her father did not tell her from the doctor - that she could walk without risking her current state of health, and he is the one who gives her the knowledge and the freedom to do with it what she will, with his support.
They both have trials to bear that are going to be hard for them and will require all their resources to withstand. Her infinitesimal progress is matched by his. She is struggling to move her toes and to stand, and he is struggling to believe in himself, and to change his coping behaviours for more healthy ones. Change doesn't happen overnight, they are mature to recognize that, and their love is strong enough that they will be there for each other, no matter what.
And that ending! I will honestly cry if I think about it too much: Clara's dreams for their future and the significance of the title of the book...
Tropes: marriage of convenience, fortune hunter, male gigolo (yes I’m calling it!)
How the hell Mary Balogh made me cry for a cheating addict and a doormat heroine (!?) I don't even know (it's the title and the perfect ending), but Dancing with Clara is one of my favourite stories by the queen of regency romance.
Freddie Sullivan has hotfooted off to Bath to find an heiress to pay off his alarming mountain of debts. After his villainous actions from the previous book in the Sullivan series, he is feeling ashamed and very raw about it, so he's placed himself in a self-exile of sorts from his extended family. He has latched his attentions to Clara, a wealthy heiress who has lost the use of her legs to walk. Freddie does not find her beautiful. Her ugliness is put down to having too much hair and big eyes, not really going to touch that, but he believes he could be a cordial and pleasant husband to her, even if he won't love her or expect to be faithful.
Clara, meanwhile, has been stifled and sheltered her whole life, and when she sees Freddie, she knows him for the fortune hunter he is. Yet she can't help but be attracted to him, despite knowing that, and she rationally concludes that she could make do with a loveless marriage - really, a typical society marriage, one where they would lead separate lives except for some night time congress. Even these crumbs would be better than what she has now. Can you tell this story is going to be a sad tearjerker?
Yet Freddie, from the outset, puts on the facade that he loves Clara, and he continues to play the role of a devoted husband when everyone has gone, and they are on their honeymoon. Their honeymoon is magical - Freddie takes her horseback riding, they spend time lying on the grace in the summerhouse, and it's these little moments of bliss that show how right they are for each other.
But this isn't a light read, by a long shot. No. Both Freddie and Clara have work to do.
Freddie sleeps with other women, he gambles, and he drinks. Throughout the story, he keeps telling himself he can stop but he constantly falls off the rocker. You can see that he does it to cope, and that it numbs him out. He doesn't enjoy it, ends up loathing himself more after these episodes, but he is scared to be with his thoughts. Balogh does a great job in showing Freddie's POV so that you begin to relate to and feel for Freddie.
Meanwhile, Clara can lash out at times, and Freddie, because he has low self-worth, takes it quite personally. I liked that Clara didn't always say or do the right thing, that she could be human and speak out in the heat of the moment, especially when she was overall a woman who listened to her husband, even when he leaves her in the countryside.
When I first read this, I was struck by Clara's speech to be patient and to always love him, even if Freddie lapsed. In real life, I would have preferred Clara to tell Freddie that he can't take his lack of self worth out on her.
However, as I was thinking more about this book, I think the speech makes poetic sense. Clara's patience in him is paralleled by Freddie's devoted care to her. He is the one who brings her the truth that her father did not tell her from the doctor - that she could walk without risking her current state of health, and he is the one who gives her the knowledge and the freedom to do with it what she will, with his support.
They both have trials to bear that are going to be hard for them and will require all their resources to withstand. Her infinitesimal progress is matched by his. She is struggling to move her toes and to stand, and he is struggling to believe in himself, and to change his coping behaviours for more healthy ones. Change doesn't happen overnight, they are mature to recognize that, and their love is strong enough that they will be there for each other, no matter what.
And that ending! I will honestly cry if I think about it too much: Clara's dreams for their future and the significance of the title of the book...
Tropes: marriage of convenience, fortune hunter, male gigolo (yes I’m calling it!)
November 3, 2022
Oh, no! It seems that Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ lost my review again. And I didn't save this one anywhere. 😢
December 9, 2010
Re-read December 2010
Yeah, I still hated this book.
I'm with the other reviewer who said that while they love a rake story, they want their rakes REFORMED.
Even though Clara never expected that he'd be faithful, it still hurt to hear about all the women he had while they were married.
Blarg.
I can get past infidelity in a book. No, really, I can. I just read another story -- , which, while the infidelity sucked, didn't absolutely ruin the book for me.
But this one? No.
In re-reading it, I did have to concede that a lot of Freddie's womanizing was self-punishment, but I don't care -- had he succeeded the first or even second time he attempted to give up his whorish ways, I think I could've forgiven him. However, it was his continued debauchery that left me cold and disgusted with him, and quite frankly disgusted with Clara, who said that not only did she forgive him, but that she would continue to forgive him.
So no. I stand by my one-star review of this, BUT, I will concede that having read a few more stories by Mary Balogh (whom I'd sworn off completely after reading this book long ago), that the author isn't a complete git and does have some talent :P
Yeah, I still hated this book.
I'm with the other reviewer who said that while they love a rake story, they want their rakes REFORMED.
Even though Clara never expected that he'd be faithful, it still hurt to hear about all the women he had while they were married.
Blarg.
I can get past infidelity in a book. No, really, I can. I just read another story -- , which, while the infidelity sucked, didn't absolutely ruin the book for me.
But this one? No.
In re-reading it, I did have to concede that a lot of Freddie's womanizing was self-punishment, but I don't care -- had he succeeded the first or even second time he attempted to give up his whorish ways, I think I could've forgiven him. However, it was his continued debauchery that left me cold and disgusted with him, and quite frankly disgusted with Clara, who said that not only did she forgive him, but that she would continue to forgive him.
So no. I stand by my one-star review of this, BUT, I will concede that having read a few more stories by Mary Balogh (whom I'd sworn off completely after reading this book long ago), that the author isn't a complete git and does have some talent :P
June 14, 2023
5 stars mainly for audacity.
From previous book we know Freddie is not going to be likable character. We also find out that our heroine Clara is an invalid unable to walk, is pale and very thin.
I didn’t have much hope in Mary Balogh pulling this off into satisfying ending. Yet here I am giving five stars.
I basically read it in one night because the angst and longing with these two was so good I needed to see it resolved.
This is almost a deep study of addictions of one rake and the power of forgiveness.
It could have been a real life story that’s how sad and impactful and truly human this story is.
Personally I don’t think I would ever be able to forgive Freddie but Clara did. She did it not because she is lacking backbone but because from her perspective her life got 100 times better with Freddie in her life and maybe Freddie will be more responsible now that he has purpose.
5 stars doesn’t mean this book was perfect. There are parts that could have been left out while others made longer but my rating it for a beautiful story about a rake and debaucher who does not miraculously turn good. He hates himself, and the more he hates himself the more he sinks into his bad habits.
From previous book we know Freddie is not going to be likable character. We also find out that our heroine Clara is an invalid unable to walk, is pale and very thin.
I didn’t have much hope in Mary Balogh pulling this off into satisfying ending. Yet here I am giving five stars.
I basically read it in one night because the angst and longing with these two was so good I needed to see it resolved.
This is almost a deep study of addictions of one rake and the power of forgiveness.
It could have been a real life story that’s how sad and impactful and truly human this story is.
Personally I don’t think I would ever be able to forgive Freddie but Clara did. She did it not because she is lacking backbone but because from her perspective her life got 100 times better with Freddie in her life and maybe Freddie will be more responsible now that he has purpose.
5 stars doesn’t mean this book was perfect. There are parts that could have been left out while others made longer but my rating it for a beautiful story about a rake and debaucher who does not miraculously turn good. He hates himself, and the more he hates himself the more he sinks into his bad habits.
December 22, 2023
re-read 12/22/23
re-read 09/28/22 ** still an amazing book
This was such a wonderful book. Totally unexpected and surprising. Mary Balogh is one of my favorite authors and for the most part she always follows a formula that I have come to love. Not with this book!! This was one of those books I finished in one sitting, I could not put it down! Minor spoilers:
I understand some of the low reviews for this book- I imagine most people pick up a Mary Balogh book and envisage the romance to be wonderful and generous, with only minor problems arising (just like I do). They were not expecting a book heavy with subjects such as addiction (gambling, sex, drinking), insecurity, disabilities, cheating, deceit and so on. This is book has it ALL! I can understand why some readers are triggered by these themes or even disappointed that Mary made her MCs so flawed and nearly indefensible, however, that is what I loved so much about this book. It was so much meatier than her other works, nothing about this was light or forgiving. Up until the very end you are cringing at all the stupid and thoughtless “choices� these people make. At some point I realized I was reading about an extremely addicted MC who dealt with shame and disgrace every time he relapsed. He was not just a manwhore/rake- he had very real and very serious addiction. His journey was difficult and just like the heroine I would hate him one second only to want to heal him within the same breath. His road to redemption was made by taking baby steps, but he did it the only way he knew how, slow, and unsteady. It was beautiful in a painful kind of way.
The heroine was unique, not only because she had a disability, but because she was written as “ugly�. She dealt with the insecurity of knowing that with such grace. I admired her for keeping her head held high while being surrounded by “beautiful� people. To me, confidence is more beautiful than any face and when you have that confidence, you are unstoppable. That is not to say she held it together the entire time, oh no, she dipped low into self-pity and misery. The beauty of her was her resilience.
If you are looking for a fairytale, you’re looking in the wrong place. You are going to get to love, but you’re going to have to work for it, just like the MCs did. Stick with it- it is so worth it. This story was beat up, bruised and ugly- but that’s life sometimes, am I right? What we decide to do with the cards we have been dealt is what matters, and this book teaches that lesson very well. I think this was an incredibly brave book that Mary wrote, and it just proves that Mary Balogh is one of the greatest romance authors ever.
June 6, 2010
I am very fond of this book. It's great to see a character who was a villian in other books be the hero in this one. He isn't however cleaned up and we are not expected to believe that he was totally misunderstood in the previous books. Freddie has to grow and change and try hard to become a better man. Much more interesting reading than a cardboard gentleman. Clara is well written too. She is a smart woman who doesn't tell herself lies but lives the life she is given. But she also has the courage to try to become something more. A wonderful example of why early Balogh's are so much better than later ones in my opinion.
January 29, 2008
I hardly ever reread books, not because I don’t feel like it but because the TBR pile is more of a TBR mountain by now and I made it a resolution to read mostly those books.
However I couldn’t resist picking up Dancing With Clara when the opportunity arised. I enjoyed it as much, if not more, than when I first read it. Why? Maybe because this the ultimate story of a rogue being redeemed by loving a good woman.
Freddie Sullivan has left for Bath in shame after having attempted to compromise his cousin � a rich heiress � so he could pay off his debts. In Bath he woos Clara Danford, a young and very rich lady who is crippled and uses a wheel chair for that same reason.
Freddie and Clara marry and while he tries to act like a man in love, she is fully aware of why he married her, she agreed for her own reasons � she was lonely and he was beautiful. They spend a week honeymooning in their country estate and things proceed rather well till Clara tells Freddie he doesn’t need to pretend he is in love with her. With is pride hurt he removes himself to London.
This could be just another story about a wastrel who marries money and continues on a life of dissipation but it’s not. And it’s not because Balogh describes very well rounded and complex characters. Freddie has a lot of faults, he gambles and visits brothels while away from his wife but he doesn’t forget her or what might make her happy. That is why he searches for the doctor to see if she can walk again, and why he takes her to the theatre. But he is still hurt and unable to forgive himself of what he did in the previous book (see Courting Julia). And the more he cares for Clara the more unworthy he feels. This is an angst ridden story with some really dark moments and in the end we are not presented with a typical happy end. Freddie will continue to try to be a better person and Clara’s forgiveness is what keeps him in the right path.
I realise this review is mostly about Freddie but I think him and his growth during the book are really what this story is about. Despite his faults he tried to bring joy to a crippled and lonely woman and fell in love with her in the process. Maybe it isn’t such an easy story to like but I certainly found it much more interesting than just being presented with lighter characters and easier solutions. This seemed somehow much more real.
An A+! And can someone please tell Mrs Balogh’s publisher these books should be reprinted!!
However I couldn’t resist picking up Dancing With Clara when the opportunity arised. I enjoyed it as much, if not more, than when I first read it. Why? Maybe because this the ultimate story of a rogue being redeemed by loving a good woman.
Freddie Sullivan has left for Bath in shame after having attempted to compromise his cousin � a rich heiress � so he could pay off his debts. In Bath he woos Clara Danford, a young and very rich lady who is crippled and uses a wheel chair for that same reason.
Freddie and Clara marry and while he tries to act like a man in love, she is fully aware of why he married her, she agreed for her own reasons � she was lonely and he was beautiful. They spend a week honeymooning in their country estate and things proceed rather well till Clara tells Freddie he doesn’t need to pretend he is in love with her. With is pride hurt he removes himself to London.
This could be just another story about a wastrel who marries money and continues on a life of dissipation but it’s not. And it’s not because Balogh describes very well rounded and complex characters. Freddie has a lot of faults, he gambles and visits brothels while away from his wife but he doesn’t forget her or what might make her happy. That is why he searches for the doctor to see if she can walk again, and why he takes her to the theatre. But he is still hurt and unable to forgive himself of what he did in the previous book (see Courting Julia). And the more he cares for Clara the more unworthy he feels. This is an angst ridden story with some really dark moments and in the end we are not presented with a typical happy end. Freddie will continue to try to be a better person and Clara’s forgiveness is what keeps him in the right path.
I realise this review is mostly about Freddie but I think him and his growth during the book are really what this story is about. Despite his faults he tried to bring joy to a crippled and lonely woman and fell in love with her in the process. Maybe it isn’t such an easy story to like but I certainly found it much more interesting than just being presented with lighter characters and easier solutions. This seemed somehow much more real.
An A+! And can someone please tell Mrs Balogh’s publisher these books should be reprinted!!
December 23, 2018
Clara is so very lovely. She is innocent but intelligent and brave in spite of all troubles she had in life. Freddy is the ultimate rake: a womanizer, an inveterate gambler, extremely irresponsible, full of debits and willing to do whatever it takes to pay them off, even marry a crippled woman and then betray her with all the whores in town.
It is a very good story, but the hero is not easy to like and quite beyond redemption. You cannot help but think that Clara deserved better even though he falls for her in the end.
It is a very good story, but the hero is not easy to like and quite beyond redemption. You cannot help but think that Clara deserved better even though he falls for her in the end.
October 26, 2017
In the same way that the heroine of this 1994 Balogh reprint goes into her marriage to the sleazebag fortune-hunting hero with her eyes open to what he is and what he wants, the romance reader needs to go into the reading of this aware that it's not a typical feel-good Balogh love story. This is not a comfortable read. It's not a fun, happy read. It's not even very romantic. And I'm willing to bet that the hero's despicable behavior throughout the book is such a deal-breaker for most romance readers that they will hate him and perhaps may even hate the story itself. This ain't no fairy tale, folks, and there are no warm fuzzies to be found within the pages.
So why on earth do I like it? Because I love meaty romances with flawed characters and complexity and a certain amount of unpredictability in the plot. While I do NOT like infidelity on the part of either H or h, I accepted it here as part and parcel of this hero's extremely damaged personality.
I guess everybody knows the plot? Wheelchair-bound very plain but very wealthy heiress Clara Danford is wooed by very charming, handsome fortune hunter Freddie Sullivan (villain of the previous Balogh novel COURTING JULIA in this series). He needs her money desperately to pay off huge gambling debts and avoid debtor's prison. He pretends a deep attraction to her, assuming, I guess, that she'll be grateful for his attentions and believe him. She, on the other hand, is well aware of what's going on but is lonely, finds him to be beautiful, full of life, charming, and thinks 'Why not buy his companionship?' She's smart enough to consult her lawyer before the marriage to protect the bulk of her fortune from his fortune-seeking hands.
The rest of this story is to read, not talk about. You'll find that Freddie does have some admirable qualities. He does actually care about Clara and her feelings, is kind to her in her presence, and they actually find mutual pleasure in the marriage bed. But Freddie is too far gone in his self-loathing, self-destructive, addictive behavior for them to find an easy and immediate HEA. Matter of fact, it's up to the reader to decide if there is a real and true HEA at the end of this book. It ends somewhat abruptly and there is no epilogue. That's why I'm hoping for the re-release of TEMPTING HARRIET, the third book in this Sullivan series, where we will once again meet up with Clara and Freddie as secondary characters.
I found this to be an admirable though unusually realistic and dark story from Balogh. There are a few things, however, that keep it from being a 5-star read for me, none of them having to do with the H's rather horrendous behavior. My reservations about the story have to do with my inability to understand 1) *Why* is the hero the way he is? He has decent parents and other family members and a good relationship with them. What are the reasons he became so self-destructive and self-loathing? and 2) Why does the heroine show good gumption at the beginning of the story but turns into a bit of a passive, obedient and too forgiving wimp around the hero as the story progresses? Her late father, of course, whom I learned to dislike even more than I disliked the hero, is to blame for her passivity and her desire to please the men in her life, but she did start out the story so well that her backslide was somewhat unsatisfying and 3) Clara's disability is a bit of a cop-out. SPOILER, if you don't know already, is that there is no actual medical reason for her inability to walk. Blame it all on a horrid, overprotective daddy and on Clara, who never got up the gumption before Freddie appeared in her life, to try to rectify things. End of SPOILER.
This is well worth the read, even if you don't like it. From 1994, it's a relatively early work of Balogh's, who began releasing HRs in 1985 and whose SLIGHTLY series, my favorite, was released from 2003-2004. I haven't enjoyed many of her earlier stories, but this one goes into my list of worthwhile reads. YMMV, of course.
So why on earth do I like it? Because I love meaty romances with flawed characters and complexity and a certain amount of unpredictability in the plot. While I do NOT like infidelity on the part of either H or h, I accepted it here as part and parcel of this hero's extremely damaged personality.
I guess everybody knows the plot? Wheelchair-bound very plain but very wealthy heiress Clara Danford is wooed by very charming, handsome fortune hunter Freddie Sullivan (villain of the previous Balogh novel COURTING JULIA in this series). He needs her money desperately to pay off huge gambling debts and avoid debtor's prison. He pretends a deep attraction to her, assuming, I guess, that she'll be grateful for his attentions and believe him. She, on the other hand, is well aware of what's going on but is lonely, finds him to be beautiful, full of life, charming, and thinks 'Why not buy his companionship?' She's smart enough to consult her lawyer before the marriage to protect the bulk of her fortune from his fortune-seeking hands.
The rest of this story is to read, not talk about. You'll find that Freddie does have some admirable qualities. He does actually care about Clara and her feelings, is kind to her in her presence, and they actually find mutual pleasure in the marriage bed. But Freddie is too far gone in his self-loathing, self-destructive, addictive behavior for them to find an easy and immediate HEA. Matter of fact, it's up to the reader to decide if there is a real and true HEA at the end of this book. It ends somewhat abruptly and there is no epilogue. That's why I'm hoping for the re-release of TEMPTING HARRIET, the third book in this Sullivan series, where we will once again meet up with Clara and Freddie as secondary characters.
I found this to be an admirable though unusually realistic and dark story from Balogh. There are a few things, however, that keep it from being a 5-star read for me, none of them having to do with the H's rather horrendous behavior. My reservations about the story have to do with my inability to understand 1) *Why* is the hero the way he is? He has decent parents and other family members and a good relationship with them. What are the reasons he became so self-destructive and self-loathing? and 2) Why does the heroine show good gumption at the beginning of the story but turns into a bit of a passive, obedient and too forgiving wimp around the hero as the story progresses? Her late father, of course, whom I learned to dislike even more than I disliked the hero, is to blame for her passivity and her desire to please the men in her life, but she did start out the story so well that her backslide was somewhat unsatisfying and 3) Clara's disability is a bit of a cop-out. SPOILER, if you don't know already, is that there is no actual medical reason for her inability to walk. Blame it all on a horrid, overprotective daddy and on Clara, who never got up the gumption before Freddie appeared in her life, to try to rectify things. End of SPOILER.
This is well worth the read, even if you don't like it. From 1994, it's a relatively early work of Balogh's, who began releasing HRs in 1985 and whose SLIGHTLY series, my favorite, was released from 2003-2004. I haven't enjoyed many of her earlier stories, but this one goes into my list of worthwhile reads. YMMV, of course.
August 30, 2011
I'm shocked, shock I tell you! I finally like a book from Mary Balogh! I would like to thank all the MB fans who never gave up on me, lol.
This book actually thought me something about myself. I love books that are unique no matter what theme. Who would have thought that I would have thoroughly enjoyed a book about a crippled heroine in a wheel chair? I usually like my heroes and heroines to be perfect. I figure it's fiction and it's my fantasy and to me that's one of the best things about romance. You can be anyone you choose and I choose to be perfect darn it.
I was hooked into this story from the first page. I definitely have to give props to MB on weaving this tale. She did an awesome job. She was an unlucky author for me. Every book I tried by her failed, but finally finally I got one! I now understand what all the fuss is about. She's a darn good writer! Both the hero and heroine were developed so well and you actually got to see them falling in love with each other. The hero's character was very realistic. He isn't the normal hero you see in romance novels these days. He has flaws, boy does he have flaws. He's a villain from the last book, a fortune hunter, a liar, a cheater , a gambler, a womanizer, you name it he's it. He tries to change through out the whole book but always falls short.
The heroine has a few flaws herself. She married the dude for his looks. In the end though you see the redemption of the hero, and his love for the heroine is believable. I wouldn't say he groveled much but he suffered on his own for a while before the HEA. I took away a star from this book because of a pet peeve of mine that I won't even mention because I know I'm the only one in the world with this pet peeve. Another thing was that MB did not add an epilogue and the book really needed one.
This book actually thought me something about myself. I love books that are unique no matter what theme. Who would have thought that I would have thoroughly enjoyed a book about a crippled heroine in a wheel chair? I usually like my heroes and heroines to be perfect. I figure it's fiction and it's my fantasy and to me that's one of the best things about romance. You can be anyone you choose and I choose to be perfect darn it.
I was hooked into this story from the first page. I definitely have to give props to MB on weaving this tale. She did an awesome job. She was an unlucky author for me. Every book I tried by her failed, but finally finally I got one! I now understand what all the fuss is about. She's a darn good writer! Both the hero and heroine were developed so well and you actually got to see them falling in love with each other. The hero's character was very realistic. He isn't the normal hero you see in romance novels these days. He has flaws, boy does he have flaws. He's a villain from the last book, a fortune hunter, a liar, a cheater , a gambler, a womanizer, you name it he's it. He tries to change through out the whole book but always falls short.
The heroine has a few flaws herself. She married the dude for his looks. In the end though you see the redemption of the hero, and his love for the heroine is believable. I wouldn't say he groveled much but he suffered on his own for a while before the HEA. I took away a star from this book because of a pet peeve of mine that I won't even mention because I know I'm the only one in the world with this pet peeve. Another thing was that MB did not add an epilogue and the book really needed one.
January 11, 2025
2024: perfect!
2023: *part of my year-end review: upping this from 4 to 5 stars because fuck yea Mary Balogh.
This book kind of devastated me. Balogh wrote and actual RAKE - a fortune hunter who drinks, gambles, and sleeps around until almost the end! I interpreted Freddie's portrayal as sympathetic - he is living with multiple addictions and he cannot just muster up some "self-control" and stop doing things that are destructive to himself (because this is not possible for people experiencing addictions!). In the previous book, Courting Julia, Freddie abducted the FMC in that book to Gretna Green and threatened to rape her . . . which was a similar backstory to one Mr. Sebastian from Devil in Winter. However, imo, Balogh succeeded here where Kleypas stumbled (in my unpopular opinion) because she did not give Freddie a personality transplant simply because he had sex with his virgin wife. Freddie was never written and wholly bad just someone who is experiencing gambling addiction and is embarrassed by what he believes is his inability to "control" it. I am just so impressed with what Balogh did here.
(Clara is a disabled woman who has been unable to use her legs since childhood due to illness. As the story goes on, we learn Clara's late father prevented her from a full recovery due to his over-protection after Clara's mother died of the same illness. There is no magical cure for her legs but by the end of the book, she has begun to practice physical therapy with hopes of walking and possibly even dancing in the future.)
2023: *part of my year-end review: upping this from 4 to 5 stars because fuck yea Mary Balogh.
This book kind of devastated me. Balogh wrote and actual RAKE - a fortune hunter who drinks, gambles, and sleeps around until almost the end! I interpreted Freddie's portrayal as sympathetic - he is living with multiple addictions and he cannot just muster up some "self-control" and stop doing things that are destructive to himself (because this is not possible for people experiencing addictions!). In the previous book, Courting Julia, Freddie abducted the FMC in that book to Gretna Green and threatened to rape her . . . which was a similar backstory to one Mr. Sebastian from Devil in Winter. However, imo, Balogh succeeded here where Kleypas stumbled (in my unpopular opinion) because she did not give Freddie a personality transplant simply because he had sex with his virgin wife. Freddie was never written and wholly bad just someone who is experiencing gambling addiction and is embarrassed by what he believes is his inability to "control" it. I am just so impressed with what Balogh did here.
(Clara is a disabled woman who has been unable to use her legs since childhood due to illness. As the story goes on, we learn Clara's late father prevented her from a full recovery due to his over-protection after Clara's mother died of the same illness. There is no magical cure for her legs but by the end of the book, she has begun to practice physical therapy with hopes of walking and possibly even dancing in the future.)
March 9, 2019
This was a charmingly slow build tale. With realistic thoughts and attitudes by both main characters at the beginning of their transactional relationship. A lovely tale of redemption and healing as they learn to love.
Of course the usual Balogh undertones of depression (good lord this woman is a downer in her writing), but it was definitely worth the reread.
It’s on the staid side of the marriage of convenience range of plot development, more an “inspirational drama� overcoming odds schtick than a comedy.
Humor was present but minimal, usually in interactions with her companion.
Extreme self flagellation, too much time in the characters heads, and lots of cyclical thinking was my one issue with this as with other Baloghs.
Note this will probably have some touchy subjects for some. Legit extreme infidelity, this dude did not do things by halves. I’d have wanted to disinfect that d*ck when he was done with it.
Some may find her too lenient at the end, his character arc was definitely at an incomplete redemption point, he has not been “reformed� just yet. But I found her attitude realistic for the era.
He’s also the kind of pretty boy that still exists today. Wife expects stress and just waits around until he settles down in his old age. Fifty-fifty he behaves from where the book leaves off. At least back then he couldn’t leave her for his secretary. Lol.
I like that the book was mostly her knowing herself, what she wanted, even if others would find it pityful, what she was willing to accept, and realizing she could get through anything, even if she would prefer to do so with company, that might not be quite perfect, but was still better than the alternative. It sounds like settling but it was very women’s lib to me. She acknowledged that she wanted certain things and was ok with certain sacrifices or exchanges. She had choices and she made hers with open eyes.
Of course the usual Balogh undertones of depression (good lord this woman is a downer in her writing), but it was definitely worth the reread.
It’s on the staid side of the marriage of convenience range of plot development, more an “inspirational drama� overcoming odds schtick than a comedy.
Humor was present but minimal, usually in interactions with her companion.
Extreme self flagellation, too much time in the characters heads, and lots of cyclical thinking was my one issue with this as with other Baloghs.
Note this will probably have some touchy subjects for some. Legit extreme infidelity, this dude did not do things by halves. I’d have wanted to disinfect that d*ck when he was done with it.
Some may find her too lenient at the end, his character arc was definitely at an incomplete redemption point, he has not been “reformed� just yet. But I found her attitude realistic for the era.
He’s also the kind of pretty boy that still exists today. Wife expects stress and just waits around until he settles down in his old age. Fifty-fifty he behaves from where the book leaves off. At least back then he couldn’t leave her for his secretary. Lol.
I like that the book was mostly her knowing herself, what she wanted, even if others would find it pityful, what she was willing to accept, and realizing she could get through anything, even if she would prefer to do so with company, that might not be quite perfect, but was still better than the alternative. It sounds like settling but it was very women’s lib to me. She acknowledged that she wanted certain things and was ok with certain sacrifices or exchanges. She had choices and she made hers with open eyes.
October 10, 2024
If you ever had the idea that traditional Regencies were all light and Heyer-like, allow me to introduce you to Ms. Mary Balogh.
In Dancing with Clara, she has created two compelling and complex characters: Clara, who is homely and crippled but rich, and Freddie, who is handsome and charming but in debt. They forge a marriage of convenience, even if they don’t acknowledge it at first: Freddie needs Clara’s money; she just wants to bang this hot guy for the rest of her life. Even as they fall for each other, they’re wrestling with their own demons, especially Freddie, who can’t stop drinking, gambling and womanizing.
There's no instant love here, Clara doesn't magically transform into a beauty, and Freddie hasn't fully reformed even by the end. It’s beautifully written and utterly compelling, but it's also dark and chewy and will challenge your preconceived notions of what a romance should be. I loved every minute of this book, even the ugly parts, and I’d read it again.
In Dancing with Clara, she has created two compelling and complex characters: Clara, who is homely and crippled but rich, and Freddie, who is handsome and charming but in debt. They forge a marriage of convenience, even if they don’t acknowledge it at first: Freddie needs Clara’s money; she just wants to bang this hot guy for the rest of her life. Even as they fall for each other, they’re wrestling with their own demons, especially Freddie, who can’t stop drinking, gambling and womanizing.
There's no instant love here, Clara doesn't magically transform into a beauty, and Freddie hasn't fully reformed even by the end. It’s beautifully written and utterly compelling, but it's also dark and chewy and will challenge your preconceived notions of what a romance should be. I loved every minute of this book, even the ugly parts, and I’d read it again.
July 4, 2021
Reread 6/28/2021� he really is despicable, a self-centered charmer and she makes the choice to always forgive him, no matter how many times he betrays her� not a very trusting HEA.
It’s Mary Balogh, so you know it will be well written, but he really is despicable and that makes this an uncomfortable read. She goes into marriage knowing why he chose her, willing to have some sort of normalcy in her life, but in the end she admits she loves him and will forgive him no matter what he does, really? He’s charming but not trustworthy.
It’s Mary Balogh, so you know it will be well written, but he really is despicable and that makes this an uncomfortable read. She goes into marriage knowing why he chose her, willing to have some sort of normalcy in her life, but in the end she admits she loves him and will forgive him no matter what he does, really? He’s charming but not trustworthy.
February 8, 2021
The hero of this book is the WORST. I'm all for flawed heroes, but this guy's flaws (compulsive gambling and serial adultery) continue right up to the end of the book. Even in the final scene, when he's crying to his wife about how much he loves her, he's still not sure he's really going to be able to change his ways, much as he wants to. And the doormat heroine is all I'll forgive you over and over and over if I have to. That's the happy ending. Their relationship is a Dr. Phil episode waiting to happen.
I also hate the fact that the disabled heroine wasn't really disabled. She'd been told by her controlling, overprotective father since childhood that she couldn't walk, but she was really fine. Nothing that some exercising wouldn't cure. Oy vey. 1.) Would it be so terrible if a heroine actually was disabled and remained so? and 2.) This poor woman went from one co-dependent relationship, with her late father, right into another one with her fortune-hunting wastrel of a husband. It's pretty depressing.
This is the 2nd book in a series, something I didn't realize until I got into it and there were characters and past events I was clearly meant to know about. Even setting that aside, though, this was a frustrating read.
I also hate the fact that the disabled heroine wasn't really disabled. She'd been told by her controlling, overprotective father since childhood that she couldn't walk, but she was really fine. Nothing that some exercising wouldn't cure. Oy vey. 1.) Would it be so terrible if a heroine actually was disabled and remained so? and 2.) This poor woman went from one co-dependent relationship, with her late father, right into another one with her fortune-hunting wastrel of a husband. It's pretty depressing.
This is the 2nd book in a series, something I didn't realize until I got into it and there were characters and past events I was clearly meant to know about. Even setting that aside, though, this was a frustrating read.
August 27, 2019
Dancing with Clara is one of my favorite Mary Balogh books now, and I pretty much love all of her books. This one was special to me. It really stood out with its sweetness, great characterizations, and deeply romantic romance. The ending brought a tear to my eye, and for me, the more emotional a romance, the better.
Clara Danford is a rich heiress in her mid-twenties, recently orphaned by the passing of her father. She is in Bath for her health. Clara has been unable to walk since a childhood illness. Frederick Sullivan is a dissolute rake who has come to Bath in search of a rich wife so that he can clear his debts and save himself from ruin. He hones in on Clara like a guided missile, turning on all of his considerable charm to get her to marry him. Clara is no dummy-she can see through Frederick's facade from a mile away. She knows she's plain as well as handicapped, and she believes that the only inducement to marry her is her vast fortune. For that very reason, Clara decides to accept Frederick's proposal. She finds Frederick breathtakingly attractive, and she would rather seize the opportunity of marriage than allow herself to become a lonely old maid. For their own dishonest reasons, they enter into a marriage of convenience, all while keeping up the pretense that it is a love match.
The thing about Freddie is that he is not a typical rake. I found his characterization to be fascinating. He's actually a really kind and caring guy. He loves his family. He treats his new bride with the utmost kindness and respect and tries to lavish her with romance to atone for her hard life and the wicked trick he's played on her in order to access her money. He just has a lot of problems. He has an addictive personality, and cannot stay away from gambling, womanizing, and drinking, even as he sees how they ruin his life. He despairs of ever being able to give up his vices and of being able to look upon himself without self-loathing. His out-of-control lifestyle is an accurate representation of how many 19th century young men foundered on the rocks of excess, as they were given every freedom as men, while conversely the women were treated like delicate flowers.
Clara is a young woman who was overprotected and coddled by her late father, at the expense of her health and her strength. Clara realistically feels despair sometimes, but she tries to make the best of things. She has lots of friends and a dear lady's companion, and she goes into her marriage with no illusions. Clara is a very sweet, likable heroine, and she's smart and highly observant. She has a strength of character that really shines through the page.
I loved seeing how these two complex characters gradually fell in love. It was believable and achingly sweet and romantic. Of course, in good romance novel fashion, it takes awhile for their minds to catch up with their hearts, and for them to admit to themselves the love that they bear for each other. But the journey is a treat, the character arcs are divine, and the emotional resolutions are pitch perfect.
It wouldn't be a Mary Balogh Regency without some delightful humor sprinkled throughout. The dialogue is whip-smart. Dancing with Clara is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It has everything one could hope for in a romance.
Clara Danford is a rich heiress in her mid-twenties, recently orphaned by the passing of her father. She is in Bath for her health. Clara has been unable to walk since a childhood illness. Frederick Sullivan is a dissolute rake who has come to Bath in search of a rich wife so that he can clear his debts and save himself from ruin. He hones in on Clara like a guided missile, turning on all of his considerable charm to get her to marry him. Clara is no dummy-she can see through Frederick's facade from a mile away. She knows she's plain as well as handicapped, and she believes that the only inducement to marry her is her vast fortune. For that very reason, Clara decides to accept Frederick's proposal. She finds Frederick breathtakingly attractive, and she would rather seize the opportunity of marriage than allow herself to become a lonely old maid. For their own dishonest reasons, they enter into a marriage of convenience, all while keeping up the pretense that it is a love match.
The thing about Freddie is that he is not a typical rake. I found his characterization to be fascinating. He's actually a really kind and caring guy. He loves his family. He treats his new bride with the utmost kindness and respect and tries to lavish her with romance to atone for her hard life and the wicked trick he's played on her in order to access her money. He just has a lot of problems. He has an addictive personality, and cannot stay away from gambling, womanizing, and drinking, even as he sees how they ruin his life. He despairs of ever being able to give up his vices and of being able to look upon himself without self-loathing. His out-of-control lifestyle is an accurate representation of how many 19th century young men foundered on the rocks of excess, as they were given every freedom as men, while conversely the women were treated like delicate flowers.
Clara is a young woman who was overprotected and coddled by her late father, at the expense of her health and her strength. Clara realistically feels despair sometimes, but she tries to make the best of things. She has lots of friends and a dear lady's companion, and she goes into her marriage with no illusions. Clara is a very sweet, likable heroine, and she's smart and highly observant. She has a strength of character that really shines through the page.
I loved seeing how these two complex characters gradually fell in love. It was believable and achingly sweet and romantic. Of course, in good romance novel fashion, it takes awhile for their minds to catch up with their hearts, and for them to admit to themselves the love that they bear for each other. But the journey is a treat, the character arcs are divine, and the emotional resolutions are pitch perfect.
It wouldn't be a Mary Balogh Regency without some delightful humor sprinkled throughout. The dialogue is whip-smart. Dancing with Clara is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It has everything one could hope for in a romance.
August 24, 2023
It seems as though a lot of people don't rate this book too highly because of Freddie's infidelities, whereas I thought it was brave of Mrs B. to show how far he falls before redeeming him. Think how bland and boring books would be if every hero is perfect from the very beginning, and Freddie is as far from perfect as it's almost possible to get. Still, as in the previous book, where he shows that he is acting from desperation, rather than just being evil, we see glimpses of the real, decent Freddie underneath.
I've read almost all of Mrs B's books and can't for the life of me understand why I put off starting this trilogy for such a long time. I enjoyed Courting Julia but loved this one and can't wait to start Tempting Harriet, with the hope that we get to see the redeemed Freddie living a happy life with Clara.
I've read almost all of Mrs B's books and can't for the life of me understand why I put off starting this trilogy for such a long time. I enjoyed Courting Julia but loved this one and can't wait to start Tempting Harriet, with the hope that we get to see the redeemed Freddie living a happy life with Clara.
June 26, 2023
So the hero targets an unattractive heiress for marriage to avoid debtor’s prison. She purchases herself a handsome stud for her bedroom. What could go wrong?
Here’s what went wrong in this book: they don’t move past that point fast enough or far enough. Freddie is rogering prostitutes at the 75% point. Gambling after that—he’s addicted. Clara is forgiving him future transgressions at the 100% point.
And sadly, this feels closer to real life than it should.
Here’s what went wrong in this book: they don’t move past that point fast enough or far enough. Freddie is rogering prostitutes at the 75% point. Gambling after that—he’s addicted. Clara is forgiving him future transgressions at the 100% point.
And sadly, this feels closer to real life than it should.
September 15, 2010
Meh. Not my favorite Balogh at all. I dislike when disability goes *poof* and when a hero cheats his way clear through the book.
March 3, 2021
Another romance by Mary Balogh (one of her older, which, by the way, I rather prefer to those new ones). The story, two main characters - were brilliant for a splendid romance. And there were moments, that touched such level. And the hero-rake was really convincing - I mean, he didn't change suddenly. But often, it was too modern, too much thinking about the same, etc.
In other words, the idea for 5 stars, the implementation only good.
In other words, the idea for 5 stars, the implementation only good.
February 14, 2023
I love a tortured hero trying to cover up his low self-esteem with a fun, carefree attitude. This naturally has an ugly side to it when it devolves in drinking, gambling and womanizing. Freddie is all too aware of his faults and he beats himself up over it which just fuels his bad behavior. I vacillated between feeling so bad for him during his tirades of self-loathing I wanted to give him a hug to then screaming “god, he’s horrible!� every time he self-sabotages in fits of depression.
He’s actually one of the sweetest husbands I’ve encountered, even though he also has some of the worst behavior, he never even speaks to Clara harshly, he just doesn’t believe he’s wanted, he assumes everyone sees him as worthless as he feels. It’s actually the core conflict of the book. This is all triggered by his disgust for his actions in the previous book (which was great) and will feel familiar to anyone who has read Devil in Winter by Kleypas.
This was very angsty, I loved it. Clara is a great foil for Freddie, she’s very sensible and strong.
CW cheating
He’s actually one of the sweetest husbands I’ve encountered, even though he also has some of the worst behavior, he never even speaks to Clara harshly, he just doesn’t believe he’s wanted, he assumes everyone sees him as worthless as he feels. It’s actually the core conflict of the book. This is all triggered by his disgust for his actions in the previous book (which was great) and will feel familiar to anyone who has read Devil in Winter by Kleypas.
This was very angsty, I loved it. Clara is a great foil for Freddie, she’s very sensible and strong.
CW cheating
February 5, 2017
3.5 stars
I understood why Clara married him, she thought she was an ugly crippled spinster and bought herself a handsome husband. I understood why Freddie married her, he needed to payoff his debt and Clara had the most money in the three ladies he was considering. I understood their relationship while they were married. My problem was when Freddie came back at last, Clara gave him a Carte Blanche to remain a serial cheater and gambler for the rest of their marriage and she even told him she would forgive him every time. He had no reason to change.
I understood why Clara married him, she thought she was an ugly crippled spinster and bought herself a handsome husband. I understood why Freddie married her, he needed to payoff his debt and Clara had the most money in the three ladies he was considering. I understood their relationship while they were married. My problem was when Freddie came back at last, Clara gave him a Carte Blanche to remain a serial cheater and gambler for the rest of their marriage and she even told him she would forgive him every time. He had no reason to change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2013
I absolutely loved this story of a lonely crippled heiress and the no-good rake who falls madly in love with her.
July 7, 2023
Deep and compelling.
An unusual story with a heroine with physical limitations and an emotionally flawed Hero. Gripping.
You haven't read one like this.
A treasure.
An unusual story with a heroine with physical limitations and an emotionally flawed Hero. Gripping.
You haven't read one like this.
A treasure.
June 24, 2017
I did not like this book. I think it was brave of Balogh to write a character who is disabled, but Freddy is simply over-the-top as a rogue, so much that I simply could not believe that he had actually reformed at the end. Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ needs a "did not finish" category in the ratings. I did read the last chapter because I wanted to know if it was going to be worth the struggle.
April 14, 2018
Finalmente una storia diversa e di vera crescita dei protagonisti
October 24, 2024
Thorny, complex, and compelling.
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