On a splendid August afternoon Susanna Osbourne is introduced to the most handsome man she has ever seen . . . and instantly feels the icy chill of recognition. Peter Edgeworth, Viscount Whitleaf, is utterly charming—and seemingly unaware that they have met before. With his knowing smile and seductive gaze, Peter acts the rake; but he stirs something in Susanna she has never felt before, a yearning that both frightens and dazzles her. Instantly she knows: this brash nobleman poses a threat to her heart . . . and to the secrets she guards so desperately.


From the moment they meet, Peter is drawn to Susanna’s independence, dazzled by her sharp wit—he simply must have her. But the more he pursues, the more Susanna withdraws . . . until a sensual game of thrust-and-parry culminates in a glorious afternoon of passion. Now more determined than ever to keep her by his side, Peter begins to suspect that a tragic history still haunts Susanna. And as he moves closer to the truth, Peter is certain of one thing: he will defy the mysteries of her past for a future with this exquisite creature—all Susanna must do is trust him with the most precious secret of all. . . .


From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Magical Indeed
Comment: Simply Magic is the first Mary Balogh novel I have read and I absolutely loved this story. It was really different from the Romance books I usually read, which are predominantly written by Johanna Lindsey. Don't get me wrong, I love Lindsey's novels, but this story was like a breath of fresh air, since Balogh and Lindsey have such different styles of writing.
The story is a really sweet and heart warming story about a school teacher at an all girls school, who is introduced to a very handsome viscount, and though the odds are against them becoming friends, they become so, and more. There are several different twists to this story that complicates their relationship and at times your heart strings are pulled and it's almost painful to see the hurt that the characters in this story experience. Balogh really gives you a way to connect with the characters in this novel. I strongly recommend this read.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Simply Magic by Mary Balogh
Comment: I have just lately started reading this author. I love her historical romances, as this is the type of reading I enjoy most. Her characters are so real and lively. It makes me want to have lived in the period with them.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Simply Outstanding!! I'm just repeating myself....
Comment: If you enjoy romantic historicals, you can't go wrong here. Just happen to be looking for another historical and another author, I picked up several of Mary Balogh's. I will not synopsize any of the books, it's been done and done well. Ms. Balogh, your writing and story telling ability is simply wonderful! I also enjoyed reading about the lives of your people from other books. I always wondered when I'm done with a series of what happened to so and so. Rarely are you able to find out. You have another fan. I'll be looking forward (I hope) to hearing of the lives involved in this series, i.e., will Lizzie grow up as I hope and Davey be a great artist in his own right? I am hopeful you read these reviews and I will continue to search out your books. Thank you.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Night Owl Romance Review - 3.5 / 5 by Julia
Comment: 23-year-old Susanna Osbourne was a charity pupil at Miss Martin's School for Girls, before becoming one of the teachers there. Claudia Martin and the other inhabitants of the school are the only family Susanna has had since the untimely deaths of her mother and her father, and she treasures them.

Peter Edgeworth, Viscount Whitleaf, is entranced with the beautiful but highly disapproving Miss Osbourne when they meet at the estate of a mutual friend. Though normally an easy-going, flirtatious young man who is content to live the lifestyle to which he was born, Susanna makes him want more--both of her, and from life. Unfortunately, she harbors a secret in her past that threatens any chance for a long-term, meaningful relationship. Can he earn her trust, and will they find the fortitude to face down a society sure to disapprove their association?

Mary Balogh's ability to continue creating characters who are unique in both their circumstances, their personalities, and their "emotional baggage" is one of the reasons I read everything she writes. Not for the first time, she steps away from the standard (and expected) alpha hero, with years and experience on his side, and plenty of angst to darken his countenance. Peter Edgeworth has certainly had difficulties and obstacles to overcome, but he would freely admit that his existence has been for the most part, a charmed one. He finds himself faced with a challenge--gaining the regard of a young woman who seems to see straight through him, finding him lacking true purpose and depth. Susanna, on the other hand, has known the terror of abandonment, of an uncertain and potentially hostile future, and the meaning of working to establish a safe place for herself. The two must come to terms with each other's strengths and weaknesses, as Peter learns to assert himself, and Susanna learns to trust someone who could devastate her hard-won security, while facing the social mores of the day, which are certain to be hostile toward any chance of marriage between the two.

This is the third of four books about the ladies of Miss Martin's School for Girls, and was a good read, though not my favorite. While I enjoyed the break from the raging testosterone and angst of a more traditional alpha male, Peter felt a little...unformed, or untried. Susanna had enough seriousness for both of them, except when they gave into their passions--repeatedly, with a somewhat puzzling lack of concern on her part for the potential consequences.

As always, though, Ms. Balogh's story telling drew me in, and I found Simply Magic to be a thoroughly enjoyable read. I may just be holding her to a higher standard, because of her longstanding reputation for delivering difficult, complex characters in truly unique situations. I would recommend this as a good read for any lover of Regencies.

© Night Owl Romance 2008

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Love, secrets and mystery leads to a good read
Comment: Susanna is a teacher in Miss Martin's school for Girls and is very pretty for such a life. When she is visiting her former colleague and close friend Frances the wife of Viscount Lucius Marshall, she meets with handsome Peter Edgeworth. Peter falls in love with her and tries to get her affections one way or another. However, there are some barriers between them that Peter doesn't know. Susanna's past holds the truths that are too difficult to avoid indeed.
Nice story, which starts pretty fast, develop into mystery nicely which reveals itself gradually. The reason I don't give 5 stars is because at the end, some of the very well described issues are underestimated and simply avoided. The closure of the issues did not convince me completely. Other than this very nice read, I personally like it better than the first book of this series, Simply Unforgettable.

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