It probably comes as no surprise that I have my moments of pure girly-ness and thoroughly indulge in – and enjoy – romance novels, specifically historical romance novels. There’s just something fascinating about the rituals of Georgian/Regency England and the authors who write about it.
One such author is Mary Balogh and I recently finished the fifth and final book in her Huxtable series. These books detail the lives and loves of the four Huxtable siblings and their black sheep second cousin. Balogh’s set-up, about a young man who becomes an Earl without ever realizing he was in line for a title, allows her to spend a good portion of the books explaining Regency social norms without seeming pedantic.
Each of the five books focus on one main character as she or he is thrown into a relationship (which, in the case of historical romances, often means marriage) in an untraditional way, but still manages to – conveniently – fall in love with his or her spouse, an outcome that was not always assured during that time. The books are mostly sweet, if a little predictable. There isn’t a lot of smut or sex, but they still leave you satisfied with the progression of the relationships.
Balogh’s strength comes from her surprisingly sophisticated themes. For a series of Regency romances, she writes about a lot of modern issues, including rape, abuse, alcoholism, suicide and depression. It should feel anachronistic, but Balogh weaves these themes into her story so well that they never feel forced or out of place. The end result is a group of romance heroes who are surprisingly – and endearingly – enlightened for their time. One theme running through all the books is the idea of secrets, misunderstandings and knowledge. The plots play around with who knows what information – and when. It adds an element of mystery and intrigue into the stories.
The series isn’t completely without fault; some of the stories and plot lines can get repetitive from book to book, though that’s a truth about romances (and particularly Regency romances) in general. You can more or less predict the outcome of the book – who doesn’t want a happy ending, after all – but Balogh writes vivid and vibrant characters and readers come to know and love these fictional people who feel real and who progress through the stories in an honest way.
The Huxtable series was my first introduction into Mary Balogh’s books and I wasn’t disappointed. I’d definitely read more of her books – she has written quite a few. If you’re a Regency romance fan, I’d recommend her writing and specifically the Huxtable books. There’s nothing overwhelming exceptional about these books, but they are enjoyable and entertaining.
[Photo Credit: Mary Balogh.com]
