'Simply Perfect' by Mary Balogh is the final installment in the Simply series featuring the headmistress Claudia Martin of Miss Martin's School for Girls and the Marquess of Attingsborough, Joseph. The story revolves around Claudia finding unexpected love with Joseph, breaking away from her resigned attitude towards romance. is praised for its portrayal of mature characters, realistic interactions, and engaging plot that includes a diverse cast of characters from Balogh's other novels.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed with rich backgrounds, but some may feel less dimensional than in prior novels.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging, balancing emotional depth with relatable character experiences.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on Claudia and Joseph navigating their societal roles, personal traumas, and a budding romance while confronting various social obstacles.

Setting:

The setting reflects the societal norms of Regency England, impacting character interactions and plot progression.

Pacing:

Pacing is slow and sometimes feels drawn out concerning romantic developments.

First Mademoiselle Pierre, one of the nonresident teachers, had sent a messenger just before breakfast with the news that she was indisposed with a migraine headache and would be unable to come to sch...

Notes:

Simply Perfect is the fourth book in Mary Balogh's Simply Quartet, which is a spin-off of her Bedwyn Saga.

The main character, Claudia Martin, is the headmistress of Miss Martin's School for Girls.

Claudia has a strong disdain for aristocrats, especially dukes, due to a past heartbreak.

Joseph, the Marquess of Attingsborough, comes to escort Claudia and her students to London.

Claudia is initially skeptical of Joseph but is drawn to his charm over time.

Joseph has an illegitimate daughter named Lizzie, who is blind, and he hopes Claudia can educate her.

The book features a large cast of characters from previous Balogh novels, which may be overwhelming for new readers.

Claudia is a strong, independent woman who has built a successful life as a school headmistress.

The relationship between Claudia and Joseph develops slowly, highlighting social class differences and personal fears.

The story has themes of love, societal obligations, and personal fulfillment.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Medium content warnings may include themes of heartache, social class conflict, and potential references to disability.

Has Romance?

The romance is a significant focus of the narrative, developing intensively as the relationship between Claudia and Joseph deepens.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

Against the seductive backdrop of Regency England, New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh sweeps us into the sensual, enthralling world of four teachers at an elite academy for young ladies.

As headmistress of Miss Martin's School for Girls in Bath, Claudia Martin long ago resigned herself to a life without love. Until Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough, arrives unannounced and tempts her to toss away a lifetime of propriety for an affair that can only lead to ruin, embarking on a plan of seduction that leaves them both yearning for more. But Claudia knows she has no place in Joseph's aristocratic world. And now that world is about to be rocked by scanda.…An arranged marriage, a secret that will shock the ton, and a man from Claudia's past conspire to drive the lovers apart. But Joseph is determined to make Claudia his at any cost-even if that means breaking every rule for a love that is everything he has ever wanted.…

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About the Author:

Mary Balogh grew up in Wales and now lives with her husband, Robert, in Saskatchewan, Canada. She has written more than one hundred historical novels and novellas, more than forty of which have been New York Times bestsellers. They include…

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Simply Perfect

Mary Balogh

Book 4 in the series:Simply Quartet