SIMPLY PERFECT
Mary Balogh
Bantam
ISBN: 0-385-33824-4
March 2008 (hard cover)
Historical Romance

Mary Balogh revisits Miss Martin’s School for Girls in her latest in the Simply novels entitled SIMPLY PERFECT. When Joseph, the Marquess of Attingsborough, requests an audience with Claudia Martin, she is taken aback. As headmistress of her school, Claudia cannot imagine what the Marquess could possibly want, beyond the possibility of enrolling his daughter at the school. To her surprise, Joseph carries an invitation to visit friends in London for a few weeks; already planning to journey to London to find employment for two of her students, Claudia is excited about the opportunity to see her friends again. Joseph kindly offers to share his carriage with Claudia, despite her obvious disapproval, but during the trip he finds he enjoys Claudia’s company. When they arrive in London and part ways, Joseph is determined to do his duty and marry the young woman his family has chosen for him; although she is perfectly beautiful and acceptable by society’s standards, Joseph finds himself drawn to Claudia time and time again. When Joseph reveals a shocking secret to Claudia, she finds herself determined to help him in any way that she can. As their bond grows, their friendship stretches into something greater. Propriety and social obligations are all part of Joseph’s life, however, and the challenges that they both face are sure to be overwhelming.

Ms. Balogh’s creates a heartfelt and beautiful novel in SIMPLY PERFECT. The characters, particularly Joseph, Claudia, and Lizzie, are highly realistic. SIMPLY PERFECT, like many of Ms. Balogh’s novels, touches on universal truths, such as kindness and love, and teaches readers a gentle lesson in the course of the romance novel. Readers will love how each of Miss Martin’s teachers has a tale of their own, as well as how they reappear to affirm their romantic success. SIMPLY PERFECT is the “perfect” novel to wrap up this series, but there are more teachers at Miss Martin’s school... perhaps they will also have stories of their own!

Reviewed by Angela Etheridge
Rating: 4