Simply Perfect: Number 4 in series (Simply Quartet, #4) (Simply)

by Mary Balogh

Tall, dark, and exquisitely sensual, Joseph Fawcitt is the epitome of male perfection. Not that Claudia Martin is looking for a lover. Or a husband. As headmistress of Miss Martin's School for Girls, she long ago resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood - until now.

Irresistibly attracted to Claudia, Joseph embarks on an outrageous plan of seduction. But as heir to a prestigious dukedom, the Marquess of Attingsborough is expected to carry on his family's legacy, not dishonour it. Yet Joseph is determined to make Claudia his at any cost. Even if that means breaking every rule for a love that is simply perfect...

• ISBN10: 0749909099
• ISBN13: 9780749909093
• Publish Date: 5 February 2009 (first published 25 March 2008)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: Piatkus Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[Stephanie]

Simply Perfect is a great end to the Simply series by Mary Balogh. I thoroughly enjoyed watching as Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough chipped away at Claudia Martin’s heart. Claudia has surrounded herself with purpose in her boarding school for young girls. She is happy with her life and she believes that she is not missing out on anything. That is until Susanna, one of Claudia’s former teachers, arranges for Claudia and two of her charity pupils to be escorted back to London by Joseph.

From that moment Joseph starts something that he know he can’t finish. Joseph is in line for a dukedom. *sniggers* If you have read the previous books, you know exactly how Claudia Martin feels about dukes. If you haven’t read them, let’s just say that there is no love lost….at all. In this book we found out exactly why that is. It is certainly understandable. Either way, a duke simply cannot marry a school teacher. It’s just not possible, but then again Joseph isn’t your average soon to be duke. You see he has a secret and he thinks that Claudia can help.

Oh my goodness you guys! This book reminded be all over again about why I read fiction. The biggest part is because had this bee reality it would never have happened. Joseph and Claudia wouldn’t have been able to be together and Lizzie would have never been mentioned. Thank goodness this is fiction! Joseph is a great hero and he tries hard to win over Claudia. I think that his attempts are what endeared me to him. Joseph is dedicated. As much as Joseph is dedicated, Claudia is stubborn and it is so great to watch her try to keep up those walls.

Oh! Oh! Portia Hunt (you may remember her from Simply Unforgettable as the fiance that Lucius left behind) makes a reappearance in this book. She now has her sights on Joseph. I’ll tell you that there were scenes that made my blood boil. Overall, Simply Perfect was a great read and I honestly can’t wait to start the Bedwyn series!