After being deserted seven years earlier, long-suffering heroine Rebecca hasn't heard from Christopher. In the meantime she has become actively involved in the village school, working with Phillip, the young, handsome, boring, conservative, stick-up-his-posterior vicar of the village, to whom she is now engaged. In addition to Phillip, there are many other secondary characters, most not very deeply developed, but entertaining nonetheless.
Sort of picked from central casting. Rebecca's snooty, full-of-himself uncle, his young, mousy, second wife Maude, his spoiled brat of a daughter Harriet, Maude's fortune hunting brother, Christopher's friend Luke, and Christopher's brother and sisters. There are superficial secondary romances, convenient deaths and broken engagements to facilitate these romances, and picnics, excursions, fairs, teas, and dances as the settings for many a scene.
An exciting time is had by all. And there's lots and lots of time for Rebecca to spend in introspection, internal rehashing of the past, agonizing over her feelings, etc. The only points I give Rebecca are for finally standing up for herself and all womankind when she dumps the vicar. As for her relationship with Christopher: There she was too giving and forgiving of his actions.
The story moves slowly and prosaically. Rebecca goes over and over the same thoughts far too many times, and the thoughtless hero thoughtless in both actions and in the lack of his POV was a bust. His rationalizations for how he treated Rebecca seven years ago did not work for me at all. And, BTW, he did not explain why, after promising her he would never return to the village, he did. It was an unrealistic and strange promise to make anyway. Didn't all his family live there? Still, his return showed that he's not exactly a man of his word. I almost gave this 2 stars but decided to go with 3 because the story kept me reading to the end.
Of course, that was because I was looking for Christopher's reasons for being a jerk. Unfortunately, he never explained it to me. Jun 29, Suzanne rated it it was ok. Feb 25, MC rated it really liked it. Dec 12, Ana rated it it was ok. I did not like this. Christopher should have groveled more. There was really no excuse for what he did.
The ending was not satisfying at all! There should have been an epilogue. The angst is strong in this one, and I'm debating my rating. I think the concept was interesting, and I liked the multiple couple approach, but I needed more of a resolution. Given what the characters went through, I needed more of a payoff. I was also annoyed with the heroine for listening to a character speak poorly about another character without once questioning what was being said or the motives behind it.
I also wish hero's "ex" for lack of a better word had been less of a villain. Oh well The angst is strong in this one, and I'm debating my rating. John Rivers from Jane Eyre. Years later, after his wife has died, Christopher breaks his promise to never return home, and cannot help falling for Becky all over again, in spite of the fact that she's now engaged Nothing all that surprising in this older Balogh title, but I enjoyed its evocation of Wickham and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice and Jane and St.
Years later, after his wife has died, Christopher breaks his promise to never return home, and cannot help falling for Becky all over again, in spite of the fact that she's now engaged to the local vicar. Predictable, but still quite touching and pleasurable. Decent enough, but rather predictable. All complaints aside, Rebecca was a lovely character, the writing was pretty good and I read it in a sitting.
Not bad, but wouldn't ever reread. It is possible to see characters and plot elements from Persuasion, Emma. Pride and Prejudice, Bath Tangle and more. A forgiving heroine An early romance. Perhaps a little too much inner dialogue for my taste now. Also an entirely too forgiving heroine for me but then I suppose the hero has to be just by contemporary standards. That being said why couldn't they have struggled together??? Sep 04, Patti Irwin rated it liked it. I needed a book to entertain and mot challenge at the start of school and house purchase process.
Aug 09, Danielle rated it it was amazing. I really liked it! I'm not sure why it has so many negative reviews. I did miss getting to have the hero's POV, but I still really liked it, and I also really enjoyed all of the side characters. I could not enjoy the humor. Sep 21, Rebekah rated it did not like it. Nov 11, Crystal rated it liked it Shelves: I dont get this book. I read it because I wanted to be done with the series.
I sorely missed Christopher's pov. And it was convenient how everything happened in the end. I didnt like the explanation given by Chris. He chose money over love and in the end, got it all. He is a likeable guy, but that doesnt change anything. I would have I dont get this book. I would have liked a better explanation. Loved the Flashbacks of young love between Christopher and Becky, but otherwise the secondary characters were focused on too much for my liking. Feb 08, Linda rated it liked it Shelves: Early Mary Balogh and with a vicar as one of the main romantic characters I was worried this would be a little too pious for me.
I'll admit to being wrong, this was a mishmash of couples and non-couples and circumstances that dovetail nicely at the end. All the grand passion is implied here and at least at the start, you're not sure who will end up with whom at the end. Interesting lessons on how people valued education as more for the middle to upper classes and rarely for girls of any class. Thi Early Mary Balogh and with a vicar as one of the main romantic characters I was worried this would be a little too pious for me.
This one doesn't set the world on fire but shows Balogh's great promise. Aug 16, Tina rated it it was ok Shelves: As always wonderfully written by the queen of regency, however, I just couldn't get into this story. Since we don't see the hero's POV, I thought this book mainly frustrating and dull. Apr 26, Diana rated it did not like it Shelves: Aug 08, Janet rated it it was ok Shelves: Again, Balogh always worth reading but this is a rather sad book.
Lee Mccutcheon rated it did not like it Feb 17, Hovelites rated it it was amazing Apr 14, Shauna rated it liked it Aug 08, Pcch rated it really liked it Mar 19, David Smith rated it it was amazing Jan 30, There are no discussion topics on this book yet. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting.
She also enjoys watching tennis and curling. Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Hence why I wish I'd taken some of the reviews I read prior to starting more seriously, and not expect much of a plot, let alone a good romance. But the marriage of convenience plot is one of my favourite tropes in historical romance, so I was excited to see how it would all turn out nonetheless, and I must give credit where it's due and say honestly that the first half of this book was simply excellent.
It was engrossing, detailed, fascinating, and kept me turning the pages until late into the night. The romance was actually very good at first, and I was really enjoying following its progress. And it could have gone on being amazing had the author not chosen to solve the romance half-way through only to leave the rest to repetitive descriptions of court life and court duties.
I got sick and tired of hearing about the Queen, the Queen, the Queen. The characters' every thought was centered on the Queen. The husband must please the Queen in any way he can in order to gain favour, and the wife must also please the Queen in order to help her husband being noticed. In short, all their actions and thoughts should have the Queen as their unique center. Now, I recognize that A Constant Heart is a good portrait of court life, and although I haven't read that much about that era, it is evident that is was well-researched and probably entirely accurate.
My problem was not exactly about how the characters acted and chose to live their lives although mind you, it is certainly not the kind of lifestyle I'd wish to live myself , as I actually found it fascinating to read all about that aspect of Queen Elizabeth I's court, but it was the insane amount of court life repetitions and redundant routine, which constituted all the plot, that became tiring.
It would have been better had this book actually been a textbook and not a novel. We would have learned the same things, but in a more concise much less repetitive manner, without having to look for a non-existent plot. And if it had been a textbook, we'd have had tons of gorgeous photos. Thank goodness ruffs are out of style. Could you imagine going about your daily life with that thing?! Was that a pole or a human? Can't see, my ruff is blocking the view!
A very good book if you're looking to read about the life of courtiers in the 16th century, but mind, the beginning may be very good and exciting, but don't get your hopes up, A Constant Heart is definitely a "history" book, not a romance novel. And don't be alarmed by the Christian label, it barely classifies as Inspirational fiction at all, for all the two or three mentions of God there were.
Buddy read with Maria: View all 13 comments. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads. Jan 27, Casey rated it it was amazing. I love a pure and endearing love story. I was skeptical about A Constant Heart when I started it. Love and beauty being a curse? I am so thrilled to say, I was blown away! This novel evoked so many different emotions in me. Fear, love, anger, sympathy. I learned so much about 16th I love a pure and endearing love story.
What was going to happen to the characters and would the ending be satisfactory? It made for a past paced, high emotional impact story. While certainly not a story filled with action and mystery, it is a sweet love story that must conquer impossible odds. I think that is why I loved this novel so much.
Two people that must decide between pleasing everyone around them or finding the love they long for in each other. A beautiful story that intrigued me from beginning to end. Siri Mitchell has found a new fan! Jan 20, Alicia rated it it was ok Shelves: This book went around in circles. Lytham and Marget blamed each other for their own issues, then reassured each other of their love, then acted out in jealous anger, then reassured each other of their love, then didn't listen to each other's opinions about the Queen, then reassured each other of their love I was very frustrated with the two main characters throughout the majority of the book.
It was only made worse by the constant switching between point of view after every par This book went around in circles. It was only made worse by the constant switching between point of view after every paragraph or two , and this also made it fairly confusing. However, I loved the historical detail and it was interesting to read about life as a courtier in the Elizabethan era.
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In addition, I found that the theme of not conforming to society's standards was emphasized on in a pretty powerful way, through the painting of noblewomen's faces. In order to be accepted in court they had to paint their faces to be as pale as possible, like the Queen, but their beauty methods only led to severe health problems and ironically aging and greying of the skin. This is not a light read I actually felt pretty sad after reading this because it was just one heartbreak after the other for Marget and Lytham , and I had to push through to finish this.
The historical detail was the best part for me. May 19, Anne Osterlund rated it really liked it. Lytham wasn't prepared for that. He married her for her dowry--to save the estate in which he was born. But she wasn't supposed to be pretty. For Lytham, pretty means inconstant and untrustworthy. Like his previous wife who forced him into an annulment. Marget enters marriage with an open heart, prepared to be a good courtier's wife. But the demands of a courtier turn out to be. Beauty, constancy, love--they are all shunned at court. For success Marget is pretty.
For success, she learns that she must cover her face in ceruse paint and dye her hair until it begins to fall out. And if she truly wants to help her husband succeed, she must give the impression she will betray him. But deep down, Marget knows she is a failure. She suffers from a constant heart. A Constant Heart is an intriguing look at the life of a courtier. I have read a lot of books about the reign of Queen Elizabeth; but this one and Marget--I think--will stick with me.
Rich in historical detail, well-written, and a very different slant on court life. The greater message is reminiscent of the very first Siri Mitchell book I ever read, She Walks in Beauty , yet in a completely different era. A Constant Heart allows you to see the world from a rare cultural viewpoint through Marget's eyes.
Lord Lytham has no wish to marry again. But he needs a wife. So when a merchant offers him his daughter, Marget, the Earl thinks he can easily achieve his purposes by marrying the girl. How would you describe a book that you loved in the beginning and almost hated in the end Lord Lytham has no wish to marry again. How would you describe a book that you loved in the beginning and almost hated in the end? I was not able to find a specific word or definition to describe this book. I only know that I liked a lot the first half I found that it was extremely engaging and could not put it down , and that I disliked the second half it was boring, uneventful and I thought more than once that probably it was not worth finishing.
At first I was sure I had found a great book, one of those that you keep in your heart forever. It had all the elements I love about books. Suspense, mystery, a marriage of convenience that slowly turns into a marriage of love, interesting characters and a stunning setting Queen Elizabeth I era in this case. I did not like the hero in the first chapters because he acted like a silly man, despising the heroine because she reminded him of his first wife.
But I was starting to understand his behaviour and actually I was about to really like him, when all of a sudden the story changed for the worse! Meaning that it started to be repetitive and quite boring Lytham was literally obsessed with the Queen and he basically mentioned her every single page! I cannot believe how Marget put up with him! I appreciated all the details that the author added to the story, because it gave me the chance to learn many things I did not know about the life at court in the late s. And I liked to see what was like to be a courtier during that time period though there were some things I really could not stand.
Like the fact that a courtier could not show his love for his wife at court because he had to love Her Majesty only. But even that part became quite annoying and tedious in the second part of the book. It was always the Queen, the Queen, and the Queen! How to please her, how to gain her favour. And I hated that Lytham often forgot that he had a wife. Sometimes he left her alone for months! Even when she most needed him. The love between Lytham and Marget had all the traits of a great one, if one does not think about all the misunderstandings and bad decisions they both makes throughout the whole book.
But there were some parts that made me wonder if that was the right term to define their relationship. Is it true love when your husband prefers to spend his nights at court while you are all alone in a cold house somewhere in England?
A Constant Heart : The War Diaries of Maud Russell 1938 - 1945
I know that things worked differently in the sixteenth century, but there were too many aspects of that kind of life that bothered me. Especially because the protagonists did not do anything to change some things, or at least to prove each other their love. They only did it after a hundred of misunderstandings, and after a while I was tired of reading about that. Despite my negative comments, I do not think it would be fair to give this book a very low rating because as I said, the first half was great and there were some moments I truly liked. But at the same time, I cannot give it a high rating because I was very disappointed with the rest of the story.
And the ending did not add anything special to make me change my mind, sadly. Buddy read with Anne: View all 21 comments. I guess I'll just go with 4 stars. I mean, in some ways it's a five star book, but in others it's a three, so No epilogue what the what? How do I know if? The rest of the story was pretty good. The content is probably not best for younger teens. In fact, I'd maybe say "PG" would be a good rating for this book because of sexual content.
However, it wasn't the kind of sexual content that bugs me a lot. I know that sounds weird In fact, they didn't really describe it at all. If you've studied it, it's just so immoral! I was prepared for that, though, and wasn't too surprised. I think it was handle relatively tastefully while still staying true to the era.
Anyway, the historical research seemed pretty impeccable to me. I really got immersed in the era. I just finished studying it for school, actually. Although they were so stubborn. Usually their back-and-forth-ness didn't last too long, though. I'll probably write a review that makes more sense sooner or later, but not now.
I'm still too emotionally involved XD Read my full review here. Jan 26, Dara rated it did not like it Shelves: I desperately wanted to read this book. I love the setting Elizabethan England and what I read, it was described very well. However, I couldn't connect with the characters. I thought after each chapter or chapter break it would be the next person talking, and would often assume such I didn't think that the characters were fles I desperately wanted to read this book.
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I didn't think that the characters were fleshed out enough for me to distinguish between the voices. The constant confusion eventually drew me away from the book after about pages. Perhaps had I continued, it would have gotten better It's too bad though because the story would have more promise had I been able to distinguish who was speaking without having to think too long about it. Oct 20, Vannetta Chapman rated it really liked it. This was my first Siri Mitchell book. I'd seen her name numerous times and wanted to give her a try.
The book was really interesting to me - while the characters were frustrating at times WHY could that girl not mature a little faster and WHY was her husband so stubborn I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the Elizabethan era, and I'd also recommend it to any teachers out there who teach Shakespeare. Jun 16, Paula Vince rated it really liked it Shelves: This authentic story set in the court of Queen Elizabeth I shows up this era as one of the most undesirable times to be alive, not just for destitute peasants but for the gentry too.
Marget, the daughter of a knight, finds herself in an arranged marriage with the Earl of Lytham. I found it heartbreaking to see her coerced into doing things as fashionable society dictated, to her detriment and harm. She was just a good-intentioned, kind-hearted girl compelled to ruin her spirits and health in the This authentic story set in the court of Queen Elizabeth I shows up this era as one of the most undesirable times to be alive, not just for destitute peasants but for the gentry too. She was just a good-intentioned, kind-hearted girl compelled to ruin her spirits and health in the name of fashion, beauty and being accepted.
The worst part was, it didn't take much reading between the lines to deduce that the lead based, pale face paint was responsible for the death of her three babies. I would have loved to have seen her carry a healthy one to full term at the end of the story, when they'd left the courtiers' lifestyle behind, but we're left to imagine that this might have been the case.
A Constant Heart : Emily Russell :
As for Lytham, I couldn't stand him for the first third of the book, but then he began to grow on me. I reminded myself that he was a product of his times. We can't judge people from past times with our 21st century mindsets. All that kowtowing to the queen was intended to keep him from being taken to the Tower, among other things. I did admire the way he knew that he finally had to turn his back on all that he'd been taught to hold important. And he must have been a hot guy, by Elizabethan standards, as it turned out three women were madly in love with him.
Queen Elizabeth was not portrayed in a very flattering light, but she still seemed like a reasonable person compared to Lady de Winter, who was a real piece of work. In fact, she'd have to be up there among the most evil literary villainesses for me. I did like Joan, and was glad Marget had her to lean on.
I had a few issues with the story. After the rocky start of their marriage, the main couple suddenly fell deeply in love without any apparent reason. Like other reviewers, I honestly couldn't see anything either of them had done to explain the sudden change. And also, the frequent first person point of view changes stopped the flow. It meant that we often had to read a few paragraphs to figure out whether we were in Marget's head or Lytham's. But on the whole, if you're looking for a romance set in the times of Shakespeare, this may very well fit the bill.
Feb 02, Lyndi rated it it was ok. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The beginning of this story was intriguing. It had the Other Boleyn Girl mixed with Pride and Prejudice versus Anna Karenina thing going on, then all of the sudden just started really being depressing.
I questioned why Marget was doing all of this for Lytham and not even asking him about if what she was doing would help or hinder his career as The beginning of this story was intriguing. I questioned why Marget was doing all of this for Lytham and not even asking him about if what she was doing would help or hinder his career as a courtier. One would have thought that might have been the first thing to do. I like Mitchells writing style, it was the content that I had issues with.
She seems to be consistent and knowledgeable about this time period, and that I appreciate to the point that you really felt like you were there. She did her homework. But I have never heard of people only allowed to be in love with the queen and cannot have an actual relationship other than child producing for a marriage.
What a sad world to be a part of. None of them had jobs, they sat around knitting, gossiping, eating, drinking, dancing and the like. God was not a part of these peoples worlds, He was mentioned in a passing sort of way. Not having a personal relationship with Him. He was treated as a genie or Santa Clause type. Was this the heir that was to be?
The Constant Heart
Or were Marget and Lytham going to have their own child? Like I said, the beginning was so good, I just really wanted this to get better and it just keeps getting worse! I read to get away from my life, not read about it! The only thing I would like to do is have someone just read it, me not tainting their view and corrupting their feelings. Really glad I got from the library and not wasted my money on purchasing. Jan 10, Linnette rated it really liked it. I almost think one needs a constant heart to finish "A Constant Heart" - not because it's poorly written but because it's so well written and there is so much angst that it was hard for me to read it straight through.
The characters were so believable that you could feel their pain, their struggle, their demise, there frustrations I wish the end had been extended a bit so we could see a bit more happiness without the constant struggles of the court they escaped. Just one more short little cha I almost think one needs a constant heart to finish "A Constant Heart" - not because it's poorly written but because it's so well written and there is so much angst that it was hard for me to read it straight through. Just one more short little chapter showing how their lives ended up happy would have been nice after suffering through all the anxiety.
Of course, maybe Siri plans a sequel and didn't feel she could give us more info. After all, there was a war going on, so maybe there wasn't much happiness or freedom of anxiety to be had. Would I read a sequel? I don't know if I could endure another angst ridden book, but I might out of curiousity. Great job on making it seem so real! It was a truly well written book!!! I would definately read another of Siri's books in a different time period!
Oct 17, Shantelle rated it really liked it Shelves: Siri Mitchell is one of those spectacular authors with well-written, well-researched stories. For the historical information, I love her books She captures what it was like to live in whatever period of time she is writing about. I can't believe women would paint their faces white and friz their hair in other words, destroy their beauty to fit in with the court!
This story was very Siri Mitchell is one of those spectacular authors with well-written, well-researched stories. This story was very heart-rending for me I kept saying in my head, "No But, it was a very interesting book, and stirred up my "righteous" anger. Feb 25, siriusedward rated it it was amazing Shelves: Jul 14, Michelle rated it it was amazing Shelves: Born with the face of an angel, Marget Barnardsen is blessed.
Her father is a knight and now she is to be married to the Earl of Lytham. Her destiny is guaranteed But when her introduction to court goes awry and Queen Elizabeth despises her, Marget fears she's lost her husband forever. Desperate to win him back, she'll do whatever it takes to discover how she failed and capture the love of a man bound to the queen. First, let me say that the About the book: First, let me say that the cover is the most beautiful historical fiction cover I have ever seen.
Second, I don't recommend reading this book if there are a lot of distractions. To get the full effect of the author's voice and the setting you need to be in a place where your concentration is not easily broken. Do this and you'll get sucked right in. I had to set aside blocks of time read to this book because it's not the kind where you can just read a page here and there.
Once I got a chance to really read it, I became distressed that I had to wait to finish it. But life gets busy. Siri writes real thoughts and real life. The ugliness of that time It was simply told truthfully and that made the setting feel more real to me. Someone mentioned there being less content about God and faith than in secular novels. I saw more content with a spiritual thread than is even found in some CBA fiction. However, the content was limited to the era and thus constrained by the culture.
To write a viewpoint much different from how Siri wrote it, well, that would not have worked and would have blow the author's credibility. She had to show the way it really was. I found this story very romantic as well. At first I wanted to smack Lytham around, but Siri redeemed him well. He became quite the hero, but was still flawed. Some of the marital conflict was hilarious and overall quite entertaining. I could feel their emotion and it was fabulously written. The love scenes were realistic, too, but tastefully done.
I despised the older woman who was continually advising Marget. And what happened with Lytham's former wife was simply tragic. Marget was innocent and the advice given nearly ruined her. The grieving she experienced was so real to me that I cried for Marget several times. It wasn't a heavy, lingering feeling from her pain, though, because I had not experienced the same thing.
But I could identify with her. And like in the story about the Titanic, where you know the ship will sink, I kept reading with the anxious feeling of knowing that the cosmetics were poisoning her and I couldn't stop her from returning to court. I totally bought into the tension in this story. Siri always makes me think about our culture and other cultures when she writes.
I could see how women over the centuries have done just about anything to look beautiful. I found that concept fascinating and told many people about this story because of it. What a great premise!
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I'd always wondered why courtiers had such a high rate of infertility. If you wanted to be a mother, chances were better if you stayed far away from the queen and her court. I also found the portrayal of Queen Elizabeth to be very well done. There was so much richness and depth to this story, I could go on for hours. But in short, the definition of love and faithfulness is explored in detail in A Constant Heart, and the way the author showed the many different perspectives was nothing short of brilliant.
If you love realistic historical fiction that is honest and contains some edgy content, you'll want to devour this book! Jun 02, Shari Larsen rated it it was amazing. Marget Barnardsen is blessed, she is beautiful, and her father is a knight. At 17, she to be married to the Earl of Lytham, and she will be a countess. She seems destined to live a happy life. But her introduction to court and to Queen Elizabeth goes awry, the Queen clearly despises her.
Now Marget fears losing her husband forever. Desperate to win him back, she does what she feels she has to do in order to keep in, and to fit in at court in order to help him gain the Queen's favor, even if that Marget Barnardsen is blessed, she is beautiful, and her father is a knight. Desperate to win him back, she does what she feels she has to do in order to keep in, and to fit in at court in order to help him gain the Queen's favor, even if that means she has to pretend to be somebody she is not.
This was a very enjoyable read, and the author went into great detail about what it was like to be a part of Queen Elizabeth's court. Hiding beneath what seemed to be a glamorous life, there was a dark side. Courtiers were expected to marry for wealth, position, and for heirs, not for love; they were expected to put their love for the Queen above all else, even their own spouses. One of the themes throughout the whole story was about beauty, and what was considered to be beautiful if you moved among the circles of the royalty and nobility.
It was interesting, and horrifying, to read about what women did to their faces and hair, all to please the Queen so that they could help their husbands succeed.
They made their faces pale with a white makeup called ceruse, which was made out of lead; even when they knew the health risks associated with it - which included graying and tightening of the skin, loss of teeth, tremors and miscarriages, they did it because they felt they had no other choice. Not surprisingly, many of the women in her court where childless.
They also used caustic chemicals to dye their hair red; eventually, the hair would fall out, and then they would wear wigs. Sadly, there are still many women today willing to put their health in jeopardy for what they believe is beautiful, things such as using tanning beds, wearing too high of heels too often and ruining their feet, and overdoing it on plastic surgeries. May 26, Bluerose's Heart rated it really liked it Shelves: