Broken Promises: Amazon.ca: Patricia Oliver: Books

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Book Description

A widow returns to London and gets reacquainted with the man she left at the altar ten years earlier. Could this be a second chance for love-or a scheme for revenge?

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

3.0 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Oliver getting back to previous standards, July 22 2001

By

Dr W. Richards "wmr-uk" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Broken Promises (Paperback)

It was with some trepidation that I purchased Broken Promises, having been disappointed by Oliver's last three books, and more than disappointed with the dreadful Lady Jane's Nemesis. It was encouraging to see that 'Sweet' Willy Hampton, from Oliver's Seven Corinthians series is a major secondary character in this book (and she actually goes to great lengths to tell us that this is a linked book in the same series, with references not only to the Earl of Mansfield, from the first book in the series, but also to the 'Seven Corinthians' as a group). One of these days, I hope Oliver will give Willy his own story. He certainly deserves it, as does David Laughton from earlier books.

Ten years ago, Mathilda was betrothed to Miles Stephen, heir to the Earl of Southwood. But his chilly, unloverlike nature made her unhappy, and the night before the wedding she ran off with his best friend. Now, widowed and with two sons, she returns to London. And one of the first people she runs into is Miles.

Miles is older and wiser, but still scarred by the shock of being jilted; his ego certainly suffered a severe blow, but we also realise that he did actually love Mathilda then. He just didn't know how to show it. Mathilda, too, is older and has matured from the silly eighteen-year-old we see in that coach at the beginning of the book. Is it possible that they can somehow unravel the tangle of the past and forgive each other?

Mathilda certainly feels a strong sense of guilt at her past behaviour and only wants to avoid any further hurt to Miles. Miles, though, discovers that the more he sees of Mathilda, the more he loves her. Can his love become stronger than his burning desire to avenge himself on her? Can Mathilda's forgiving nature allow her to look past Miles' darker soul?

I did enjoy this book. It's still not back to the standard of Oliver's best, such as An Unsuitable Wife or Lord Gresham's Lady, but it's getting there. Now, please, more in this series!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good relationship drama., July 8 2001

By

Affaire de Coeur - See all my reviews

This review is from: Broken Promises (Paperback)

Miss Mathilda Heath had gone to India to elope with Sir James Parmenter with whom she thought she would have a much happier marriage than with Miles Stephens, Viscount Halifax. When James died, Mathilda returned to England with her two young sons. Then, Miles had become the sixth Earl of Southmoor and had inherited the family lands that accompany that title. The relationship between Mathilda and Miles had, of course, changed. It's very interesting to see where relationships go after

they and the people in them change. In this relationship, it's also clear to see that Mathilda and Miles grow, and it took a lot of conflict to do it. Patricia Oliver delves into this beautifully, and it shows.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Another Oliver disappointment, Jun 27 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Broken Promises (Paperback)

What has happened to Ms. Oliver? Having read all of her earlier books, I eagerly looked forward to her Regencies, however she seems to be losing her touch. More than anything the characters in this most recent work are shallow, bland and uninteresting......both bloodless protagonists. We can only hope that Ms. Oliver returns to the intriguing plots and complex people of her older novels.

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Most recent customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Broken Promises
I share the previous reviewer's opinion about "Broken Promises." I also couldn't figure out why Matilda couldn't see through Miles's act, or why she forgave him so... Read more

Published on May 15 2001 by tregatt

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, could have been better
Well, after the utter DISASTER of "Lady Jane's Nemesis", this is a HUGE improvement. But not quite as good as it could have been. The "hero" is, of course, a jerk. Read more

Published on May 13 2001 by mys_reader