Author: Mary Balogh
Title: First Comes
Marriage
Genre: Romance
Publication Date:
2009
Number of Pages: 388
Setting: Regency
England
Series: Huxtable
Family Series
Synopsis:
The Huxtables are living frugally in a small cottage in the
village of Throckbridge, England after the death of their father, the vicar. At the time of his death, the eldest sister,
Margaret, promised her father she will see her two younger sisters (Vanessa and
Katherine) and the youngest brother, Stephen safely to adulthood. Vanessa is a widow living a short distance
away with her in-laws but remains very close to her family. Out of the blue, a handsome viscount arrives
in their town on mysterious business.
The next day, Viscount Lyngate, arrives at their home to
inform them that Stephen is the new Earl of Merton and should come immediately
with him to start his education for his new role. Stephen will not leave without his sisters
and soon the whole Huxtable family is on their way to Warren Hall, their new
home. Along with his new title and
fortune comes much responsibility for the family. Viscount Lyngate, as Stephen’s guardian and
someone in need of a wife, decides it would be expedient to marry Margaret so
she could sponsor her sisters come out into society. However, Margaret is still heartbroken over a
man she fell in love with and then left for war, when she must stay home to
take care of her siblings. She does not want to marry but feels like she has no
other option.
Vanessa comes to her sister’s rescue and proposes to
Viscount Lyngate before he gets a chance to propose to her sister. She is not as beautiful as her other sisters
and she and the Viscount have argued several times before the proposal so it
comes as quite a shock. However,
surprisingly, the Viscount agrees. Both
Vanessa and the Viscount (Elliot) have apprehensions about the marriage and
regret their impulsive decision.
However, as time goes on, they find they are falling in love.
Romance Genre Elements:
Love Story is Major Plot:
The love story between Vanessa and Elliot dominates the plot.
Happy Ending: The
characters are happy and in love at the end after struggling to get there.
POV from both Elliot and Vanessa
Reader experiences of emotions of characters
Read-alikes:
Once a Princess, Johanna
Lindsey
Lady Fortescue Steps
Out, Marion Chesney
The Secret Diaries of
Miss Miranda Cheever, Julia Quinn
Very interesting! And very different from the romance I annotated. I talked a lot about this genre with my cousin who is a huge romance fan and we also talked about how to write my own annotation - she emphasized the physical aspect of romance in the novels. She said it was the major draw for her and her friends who also read this genre frequently (and have a romance book club). Your annotation, though, sounds more classical romance in nature than modern romance, since it focuses more on the emotional love. Is that a fair assessment? I don't read this genre, and I'm not great at RA for it.
ReplyDeleteHi Mindy, I replied to your comment in a separate post but it is a classic regency romance. It does have a physical element but it doesn't dominate the plot.
DeleteHi Mindy, I replied to your comment in a separate post but it is a classic regency romance. It does have a physical element but it doesn't dominate the plot.
DeleteI haven't read this genre until I read for this annotation. This was recommended by a coworker who loves this author (her grandmother used to read her!). It is a classic regency romance. I found it quite addicting and have read the whole series. There is a physical element but it is just one aspect.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this genre until I read for this annotation. This was recommended by a coworker who loves this author (her grandmother used to read her!). It is a classic regency romance. I found it quite addicting and have read the whole series. There is a physical element but it is just one aspect.
ReplyDeleteGreat annotation, full points!
ReplyDelete