in fact, the thing I enjoyed was her parents' real struggle to accept this fact. Of course they did in the end, being great parents, but there were some tense moments, especially between Isabel and her mother.

To me the struggle seemed minor, even barely there; the tension seemed to be more about Isabel was having sex outside of marriage than the issue of class. To you it seems that they’re great parents; to me it seemed overly idealized. On realizing she’s been “ruined,” their reaction is “You were reckless, my dear, but believe it or not, there are worse things than being ruined” and “he shouldn’t have touched her, but you know, I admire him.” (That second one is somewhat paraphrased, obviously). That’s just too mellow to seem realistic to me.

I was also surprised that I ended up liking the heroine. After the opening scenes, I wasn't sure I would, but her character developed nicely.

I felt the same way. The first few chapters I was half tempted to push the book aside, but I’m glad I stuck it out because her growth was phenomenal (definitely one of my favorite flawed heroines).

The other big thing for me was that the likelihood of even her indulgent family being happy with her involvement with an illegitimate horse trainer seemed so implausible to me that even though that thing happens to affect his status in society, I still couldn't believe it.

I didn’t get their happiness at all; in fact, the thing I enjoyed was her parents’ real struggle to accept this fact. Of course they did in the end, being great parents, but there were some tense moments, especially between Isabel and her mother.

But I will still give this a try based on Jane’s recommendation. The only other Enoch I tried and could not get through was Sin and Sensibility.

The other big thing for me was that the likelihood of even her indulgent family being happy with her involvement with an illegitimate horse trainer seemed so implausible to me that even though that thing happens to affect his status in society, I still couldn’t believe it. On the whole, the ending seemed no more persuasive as a result than Loretta Chase’s latest’s did, but the book didn’t have the sparkle for me that Chase’s had to make the read feel worthwhile.

I think the only thing that threw me out was the idea that a brilliant horse trainer would put a woman petrified of horses (and on only her third or fourth ride, evah) on a three-year-old filly that had only received two weeks of training (and had only been ridden by a stableboy once or twice).

I have this book in my TBR stack and I can’t wait to get to it, but on this subject, this is absolutely possible. I know, it sounds a little far fetched, but some horses train easier than others. Some like to learn and once they figure out that’s what you’re doing, they’ll pick up easy. I trained in a 2year old gelding (with help) and was riding him down the road in a small parade in under a month. Car honking at me all the way and didn’t have any trouble. This was only working with him for 3 hours every evening. I couldn’t imagine the possible progress with someone who REALLY KNEW what they were doing and with more time to do it in.

I think the only thing that threw me out was the idea that a brilliant horse trainer would put a woman petrified of horses (and on only her third or fourth ride, evah) on a three-year-old filly that had only received two weeks of training (and had only been ridden by a stableboy once or twice).

And this is why I don’t read “horsey” books. I love Enoch’s books, but I’m not sure I can get past this (in fact, I know I can’t). Bummer for me.

Isabel started out very spoiled and something of a twit, but she really grew into herself. I really liked that the story focused on how hard it would be for them to be together with the class difference. It always annoys me when those situations are just brushed aside because of course their love will conquer all. I thought her family’s dislike of the situation seemed pretty realistic too. It’s not all hearts and roses, even when it’s your own family.

You liked England’s Perfect Hero? I really like the hero in it, but what the heroine tells her father… she really pissed me off. My favorite of SE’s is London’s Perfect Scoundrel. Something about a genuine asshole rake who ends up loving the heroine despite himself… *sigh* gets me every time. I really would have enjoyed the heroine standing up to her family more though.

Great review!

*edited for spelling mistake*

But everything else (and everything that is important to me — the horse stuff made me shake my head, but it’s not on the same level for me as character or plot) was handled in a believable manner — especially her family’s reaction to her romance. I was also surprised that I ended up liking the heroine. After the opening scenes, I wasn’t sure I would, but her character developed nicely. And I loved the resolution with Sullivan’s father; I felt it wasn’t a magical turnaround, but fit exactly what his character had been throughout — it was only the circumstances that changed.

Thanks, Jane.