This is the 3rd book in the Lessons of Love series. You have felt for the hero in this book since the first time you met Dare's family. I really enjoyed this series.
What a wonderfully, delightful book! I just love it when an author breaks away from the pack and actually creates an original twist and this one is absolutely perfect!
Robert Carroway came back from the Napoleonic war damaged and unable to function in society. No one knows that the reason stems from 7 months of extreme torture in a French prison, unbeknownst to anyone. His loving family are supportive but at wits end as to how to help bring him back to life. Enter Lucinda Barrett, his sister-in-law's best friend and the only person whose calm, peaceful personality draws him in.
Oh, it is just sigh worthy! While Lucinda is looking to catch another man's eye, she is surprised, yet flattered that the recluse Robert actually choses her to be the one person he talks to, however little that is. As events unfold, one can't help but fall in love with both these characters, crying and applauding right along with each as they struggle and grow until love finally overcomes. It drags just a little in places and the steam seems a little clumsy in others but for a sheer, unique, heart-warming read this one is just delicious!
Fantastic book, I really loved it. Beautifully drawn characters, with more depth than you usually find in a romance, especially Robert, who is not your typical romance hero to put it mildly. For one thing, he's obviously suffering from PTSD and has panic attacks. Lucinda is also a wonderful heroine with great strength of character. They've got great chemistry. I loved the way Enoch shows Robert and Lucinda's relationship building slowly, and using non-verbal communication (because Robert is not much of a talker). It was so sweet and funny the way he communicated very abruptly, using as few words as possible with his family(who are also all great characters) because it's so atypical for the era and yet they all seemed to take it in stride because they love him and accept him as he is. Lucinda's relationship with her father was also complex and nicely done, he is against her relationship with Robert, yet he is a good man who means well and you can see that father and daughter love and respect each other. I guess I am late to the party, because I have just started reading Suzanne Enoch, and look forward to more of her books, especially the first book in this trilogy, "The Rake", after meeting and enjoying Georgiana and Viscount Dare in this book.
In conclusion, 5 stars! I finished it and wanted to read it all over again to pick up the nuances I missed the first time around.