This was a disappointment to me and by far my least favorite of the series. It felt like a lot of the nuance and dimension of the other books had just been left out of this one. I don't know if Balogh was rushed, or distracted or what, but this is definitely weaker than the others. There really isn't much more to the female lead than we had seen of her as a peripheral character in the other books. Almost less even, in the other books you could at least tell she cared for her fellow school teachers and was a rock for them, but they hardly interact in any meaningful way in this book. And without those relationships you're just left with a stereotypical school miss who likes projecting herself as severe, and extremely dislikes the Bedwyns, the aristocracy as a whole, and Dukes in particular. I was hoping she would at least produce some solid reasons for her cartoonish dislike of them that we hadn't already heard, but really there's only one thing and it isn't that strong of a reason to still be holding such a grudge 15 years later! She ended up just irking me. The male lead was less tiresome, but besides one additional life circumstance we learn about him, there didn't seem to be much more to his character either. And the 'other woman' who had been mostly just a snob in the other books became almost villainous here. Who really hates on a little disabled girl? Or, at least, who can't read a room well enough to realize that others aren't joining you in that criticism and if you keep it up you'll seem like a monster? And there's just no way that a lady of the time, much less one known for being the "perfect" lady, would repeatedly voice such strong opposing views to her betrothed. Only the one issue would be worth risking ruffling his feathers. Otherwise, ladies make themselves agreeable. It's like the most important lesson they're taught! Even if she later planed to do whatever she wanted to begin with, at least to his face she would be congenial. The characters seemed to mostly be in their own way. Repeatedly... But mostly the lack of dimension is what really weakened the story for me. ( )

Really liked this installment in the Simply series. I think I read the others quite a while ago but I remembered some of the characters when they appeared in this book. I liked that the main characters were more mature and that the barriers separating seemed more real in the Regency period. ( )

Simply Perfect is the fourth and final book in Mary Balogh’s Simply Quartet, which is a spin-off of her Bedwyn Saga. In it, we have the headmistress of Miss Martin’s School for Girls, Claudia Martin herself. As she’s preparing to make a trip to London with two of her graduates who are heading for new employment situations, a handsome gentleman shows up in her parlor. He’s none other than Joseph, the Marquess of Attingsborough, and heir to a dukedom. He’s also a sort of relation to her friend and former teacher, Susanna, who sent him to escort Claudia and her girls on their trip. Claudia thoroughly disdains members of the aristocracy, especially dukes, but feeling backed into a corner, she reluctantly accepts his offer. Along the way, she discovers that he’s quite charming, but she still doesn’t entirely trust him. Once they arrive in London, she keeps running into him at the various balls and parties that Susanna urges her to attend. The more they get to know one another, the more they find a deep attraction beginning to take root. Then Joseph introduces Claudia to his very special illegitimate daughter, asking it she might be able to educate young Lizzie at her school. The three spend a lot of time together while Claudia evaluates the possibility and she finds herself even more attracted to Joseph when she realizes what a doting father he is. However, he’s also all but betrothed to a woman who is widely considered the perfect match for a duke in waiting, while she’s naught but a mere schoolteacher. As hard as Claudia tries to be pragmatic about the situation, she still can’t help following her heart, but she fears it will all end in yet another heartbreak for her.

Claudia is the last unmarried member of the group of four friends who worked side-by-side to educate the girls at Miss Martin’s School. She, of course, is the one who started it all years ago. As the daughter of a country gentleman, she didn’t have a lot of options open to her besides marriage, so following a youthful heartbreak that left her soured on love, she took up the profession of teaching and became governess to a young Freya Bedwyn, who was apparently a brat back then. Between Freya and her oldest brother and guardian Wolfric, the Bedwyn clan got on Claudia’s last nerve, sending her marching off down the driveway with her dignity barely intact. From there, she started her school where she’s become the beloved headmistress to both students and teachers alike. When Joseph shows up offering his carriage and an escort, she really wants to say no. After two bad experiences with dukes, she’s not impressed with the aristocracy, but knowing it would be rude to refuse, she acquiesces. As they get to know one another during the trip and at the various functions they attend later, Claudia soon discovers that Joseph is everything she could hope for in a man, but he’s also someone with many obligations – to his daughter, to his family, to his title, and to the woman he’s all but betrothed to. However, in spite of all that, as well as the very real probability that she’ll walk away with another broken heart, she can’t help being drawn to him and savoring their stolen moments together.

At thirty-five, Claudia is a firmly on the shelf spinster who definitely has the crisp, matronly veneer of a schoolteacher. She didn’t get where she is without a backbone of steel, but underneath her prim, proper exterior beats a kind, passionate heart. She begins the story pretty prickly toward Joseph and thinking some rather uncharitable things about him, although I have to give her credit for being self-aware enough to realize that she’s being unfair to him. Gradually, though, she comes to see him in a different light, and from there, things begin warming up between them. I like that she’s a very loving and giving person, first toward her girls and fellow teachers, then toward Joseph and Lizzie. She’s willing to risk heartbreak for the perfect memory of being with him even if it’s only for a short time. I was perhaps ever so slightly frustrated with her when the way seemed to finally clear for an HEA, but she was still making excuses for why it wouldn’t work, although I did understand that she had obligations of her own and that it was going to be a huge adjustment for her. I loved what she decided to do at the end, though, and how she didn’t give up her independent streak or her love of teaching.

As a duke in waiting, Joseph is a somewhat typical aristocrat in that he understands his obligations to the title, and due to his father’s questionable health, he’s being pressured to find a wife soon. His father and the father of a young aristocratic woman have basically already made the deal and him actually offering for her hand is now little more than a formality. She happens to be none other than Portia, who was attached to Lucius back in the first book of the series, Simply Unforgettable, and now has her sights set on Joseph. The only problem is that while she’s perfect for him on paper, she lacks any kind of passion or even kindness in her heart, so he fears that theirs will likely be a loveless marriage. This might not be a problem for many members of the ton who would simply take a mistress to satisfy those needs, but Joseph is a man who believes in monogamous relationships even if that relationship is only with a mistress, much less with a wife, which is one thing about him that utterly endeared me. The other is that’s he’s a doting father to his illegitimate daughter, Lizzie, who lost her mother – his longtime mistress – the year before. He’s been a loving, involved parent in her life since the day she was born and wants the best for her in everything, which is why he asks Claudia if she’d be willing to admit Lizzie to her school despite the little girl’s disability. He’d already been attracted to Claudia anyway, but seeing her interact with his beloved daughter only deepens his feelings for her. Joseph would also like nothing more than to shout it from the rooftops that Lizzie is his, so he’s frustrated by the fact that titled gentlemen simply can’t acknowledge their by-blows and that she’ll always come second to his legitimate family. I really like how all this worked out and admired Joseph, not only for being a responsible father, but also for not being ashamed of his child in spite of the circumstances of her birth and her not being perfect. A part of me wanted him to just kick Portia to the curb for her snotty behavior, but I also understood that having things play out the way they did was more historically accurate. In any case, I did fall for Joseph and thought he was a wonderful hero.

Simply Perfect boasts a huge cast of supporting characters, so many, in fact, that I had a hard time keeping them all straight and more or less had to give up. I admit that it might have been easier if I’d read the Bedwyn Saga first, because most of these characters were introduced in those books. Joseph’s cousin, Neville, the only one who knows about Lizzie, and his wife, Lily, who had their story told in the Bedwyn prequel, One Night for Love, support Joseph. Then there’s Kit and Lauren from A Summer to Remember. Many of the Bedwyns are present as well, along with their families, including Wulfric and Christine (Slightly Dangerous), Freya and Joshua (Slightly Scandalous), and Morgan and Gervase (Slightly Tempted). Claudia finally gets a chance to bury the hatchet with Wulfric and Freya. Neville’s sister, Gwen, whose story is told in The Proposal, Book #1 of the Survivor’s Club series, puts in several appearances. There is also a huge anniversary party for the Earl and Countess of Redfield who I feel certain were introduced somewhere in these books as well. And of course, all of Claudia’s friends including Lucius and Frances (Simply Unforgettable), Sydnam and Anne (Simply Love), and Peter and Susanna (Simply Magic) reunite to support Claudia. If only I’d read the Bedwyn books, I probably could have said that this was the perfect wrap-up to both series because of all the familiar faces. As is, though, I’m feeling inspired to at some point do just that and then re-read the Simply Quartet just to get the full impact.

Overall, Simply Perfect was a near-perfect story that was a pleasure to read. It was sweet and emotional, giving me all the feels I expect from a romance. Joseph and Claudia are clearly made for one another and the thought that they were very nearly kept apart simply because of their differing social backgrounds was nearly infuriating, but at the same time kept me reading to see just how they were finally going to get their HEA. Claudia’s mysterious benefactor is also revealed and it was exactly who I’d been suspecting. Other than the few minor things I’ve already mentioned the only reason I dropped a half star is because this is a very slow burning story. It took until probably halfway into it before Joseph and Claudia share their first kiss and quite a bit farther before they make love for the first time. Even then, it seems like they’re destined to be heartbroken for the rest of their lives until fate intervenes and helps push things along. Because of how long it takes for things to happen, the pacing occasionally felt a bit too slow. But otherwise, this was a lovely story that I very much enjoyed. Now I look forward to going backwards to learn all about the other interesting characters I was introduced to in this series and to read about all of their HEA endings, too. ( )

I absolutely adored this, and in my mind it’s getting way more than just five stars. It was a perfect end to this quartet, and I loved Claudia and Joseph’s road to HEA. Mary Balogh writes such real characters who actually communicate with each other, and I’m so here for it. Also I guess I finally need to read the Bedwyn books since the whole family was everywhere through this quartet and don’t seem as unlikeable as before (except Freyja of course). ( )

Simply Perfect - Balogh
Audio performance by Rosalyn Landor
3 stars

The last of the four books in the ‘Simply’ series. Each book features a teacher at Miss Martin’s School for Girls in Bath. This time it’s Miss Martin’s turn. Clearly being a successful teacher and owner of a business is not enough for her personal fulfillment. Personally, I beg to differ. But, I understand the formula. And, I appreciated the treatment of the blind child in this book. Marriage to a wealthy aristocrat and a new career in the education of the disabled is a worthwhile happily ever after. ( )