A Precious Jewel had a few precious moments and overall was a sweet and simple romance with an emphasis on the simple. Some of the things I appreciate about Balogh's style of writing is her more nuanced world. Her books tend to have some symbolism and are a bit more "literary", for lack of a better term. The plot of this was fairly straightforward, but it was intriguing and fun. I like the idea of a mistress turned wife. Since her stories are simple, so are her characters, but this is where she falls short. While they do have layers, there's an over-arching dimness to them that doesn't dissipate, mainly because there's no great trial to rid them of it.

Take the hero Gerald: we are immediately told that he's not particularly strong or handsome. Just average looking. Later on, we learn he's not particularly smart, quick, a good dancer, athletic, nor brave or generous. Normally, I like reading about realistic characters, and there's nothing more realistic than an average person all too aware of their shortcomings and who are self-conscious of them. But when I read romance, I want the exciting fantasy. I don't need a hero who's both Hercules and Prince Charming, but I want someone with redeeming qualities. Gerald has none. Just a tale of woe that should make me pity him but doesn't. It doesn't help that he continually sees the heroine as his property, an object, and refuses to see her as a human being with a past and feelings.

Which brings me to the manic pixie dream girl heroine. Priscilla Wentworth certainly has a past, hobbies, a personality, desires, fears, strengths and weaknesses. She can play the piano and can balance accounts. She's a very compelling character. I like her, but I can't for the life of me understand why she falls for Gerald. The only reason I can think of is that he's easy to please in bed. She literally just lies there. After a few sessions of this, she falls in love. Even after he's rude and dismissive towards her, she still loves him. It's beyond my comprehension.

This book is a missed opportunity. With Balogh's style of writing and world-building, this should've been a home run. Instead, we have a male wish-fullfillment fantasy novel, which has no place in the romance industry. Sorry not sorry. There are already enough of those out in the world. ( )

Una storia piuttosto improbabile ma molto dolce e romantica. ( )

One of the most boring romances Ive ever read. The blurb was more interesting.

It would have been better if it had bit grittier and darker in tone.

But no,lets make the heroine a saint instead.

The heroine tries to convince the reader that while she sells her body for money the place where she works is nice and all the other girls in residence are treated with respect and taken care of. Why sometimes she even enjoys the bedding.

.....

Face the truth, its a brothel and youre a prostitute. Simple as that.



The heroine went on to grate on my nerves further with her holier-than-thou airs and her favorite word. Wich is "lovely"

You could make a drinking game out of the number of time the heroine says the word "lovely"


"Sir Gerald",she said "How lovely to see you again" p 50

"But Hyde park was quite lovely too" p 51

"How lovely it is to see you again" "Lovely indeed" he said.

"It was a lovely day again,and Priscilla had looked several times from the window and sighed" p 73

"She was able to return to her book that evening and concentrating on the story. It had been a lovely afternoon.p 75

The hero is no better...while hes described as having a nice but plain face and not being overly tall(something unusual in regencies where the man usually is insanely handsome and 6 ft) wich I would have liked better if he had any personality to speak of.

He had a dramatic backstory but thats not the same thing.

Only read if youre a Balogh-fan who has to read all her works. ( )

Ms. Balogh's back catalog is hit or miss, but this book is a gem. Sir Gerald regularly visits a brothel for his needs. Priss is a gentlewoman whose circumstances have forced her here. The two form a bond though Priss tries to maintain a distance.
It's an unusual romance, but actually very sweet. I really enjoyed it. Both characters are nicely drawn; Gerald is not the usual Regency hero by any means, and Priss has a spine of steel. Their romance is very believable. ( )

Engaging and readable, but exceptionally silly. ( )