I am not sure why I never tracked down a copy of this novel by Mary Balogh, one of her earlier books. I am so glad I did because it is, IMO, in her top 5 best books.
I won't go into the story again as others have covered it but will instead give some feedback on what I particularly liked. Alice Penhallow and Piers Westhaven are two of the author's strongest characters. I like the fact that they are grown ups, so this is a story of adult love.
It's a particularly poignant adult love, however, but more fulfilling for both because of it. I wondered, as I read it and comparing it with my own life, whether these two would have made a success of marriage if they had married at 18 and 25 rather than come together, at long last at 29 and 36. Sometimes love the second time round is the fulfilment of all our hopes and dreams.
Alice - a lovely woman, loyal, charming, kind hearted and loving. Alice did not marry the wrong man but she did not marry the man she loved best. Nonetheless, she had a happy, contented and fulfilled married life with her first husband. Now she is ready to finish mourning and be with the man she has always loved above all others.
Piers - a witty, charming, talented man with a kind heart and a sense of loyalty and faithfulness that is wholly admirable. However, he is an incomplete man because he has stepped back from the happiness he so desperately desires out of a sense of honour, friendship and love for both Alice and her first husband, his closest friend.
Circumstances give Alice and Piers a second chance and, despite a few erroneous and false steps, they come together - becoming complete as individuals and wholly complete as a couple. This is a wonderful story and I was very moved by it. Do find a copy - you will be very moved by it.
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Certain Magic (Signet Regency Romance) Books In Print, Audio Books.