Longing

By: Mary Balogh

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 14 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling legend and author of the Survivors' Club series comes a cherished novel about the risks and the compromises that come with falling in love....

Governess and mistress - he wanted her as both....

The illegitimate daughter of an English lord, Sian Jones abandoned her heritage to live in a stalwart coal-mining community in South Wales. Empowered by their cause, she's engaged to be married to the leader of a revolutionary movement that is bracing itself against the tyranny of English mine owners. But Sian's principles are unexpectedly shaken when she accepts a job as governess under Alexander Hyatt, the mysterious marquess of Craille, the oppressive symbol of everything she has come to resist.

She never expected Alexander to upend all her expectations. He is sympathetic to her cause. He is a loving father. A man of wealth and position, he is fatally attractive. And he is offering his heart to the independent woman who has illuminated his life. Now, caught between two worlds and between the promises and desires of two men, Sian must make a choice that will define her future - one that can only be made in the name of love....

©1994 Mary Balogh (P)2015 Recorded Books

What a fantastic story!

I was completely enthralled from the beginning. I listened to the book almost in one sitting. I love Mary Balogh and gave read many, many of her books but this one is in a class by itself.

Fun romantic jont in Wales

Interesting story set against the forming of the miners' union. The reasoning for the two characters not to be together are a bit silly. One of those situations where they just need to communicate better. Fun sex scenes.

Love the author but repetitive

Love this author! For some reason, I did not connect with Shawn, the heroine. She was constantly and purposefully the damsel in distress. The hero, Alexander, was way too patient with her. I guess for me, it is unrealistic that such a stubborn woman seems to make her situations so much more difficult. A man most likely, especially the powerful, rich, handsome gentleman would not be risking everything for a woman who is beautiful but cries and grieves over her fiancé who was a complete jerk such as setting her up for a public whipping . I wanted to to quit the story right then and there. Come on! The heroine can’t be that two sided. She either wanted to marry Owen for love. There wasn’t love between Owen and Shawn but convenient options to be available to her. You either totally love Alexander and unrealistic to still love Owen. It was frustrating that the main character couldn’t be passionate about the person that was so good to her. And unrealistic that Alex would be so smitten with Shawn. I’m sure there would be other women available.

Great book very entertaining love Mary Balough!

I love a good long story, but this one seemed to have a lot of filler in the beginning (slow start) and end (boorrring - it kept on and on even after the end was plain to see). But the positives far outweighed these things for me - the narrator does an amazing job, and the story was strong, characters nuanced and well developed...I liked it very much.

Longing review

The book started out strong and maintained tension and good development of characters. I was disappointed by the two main characters developing love story. The ending was weak. Not nearly as good as many other Mary B books I have read and loved.

Great history lesson

The story was great but the ending was rushed and left me wanting the end to be extended and completed.

Good, but repetitious

It was a good story and I always enjoy her characters, but the love scenes a tad painful and she tends to repeat the same words and phrases over and over again. Rosalyn Landor did a wonderful job of narrating, but I would expect no less. I'd listen to her read the dictionary.

Painful love scenes and dialog

Found myself fast forwarding through the sex; it was so painfully sappy. Maybe a different narrator could make it better. Not a fan of the narrator.

Immersed myself in this period and world. That good!

At times I felt frustrated with our heroes but the words just kept me immersed in a different time and place that I just couldn't leave. This book is a must read.

Heartbreaking

I loved this book. I don't even trust myself to review it properly, but I will try. The hero is the man we all wish existed in real life, but doesn't. The heroine is strong without being over the top. They both have weaknesses, but nothing insurmountable.

There is sorrow, beauty and love in every page. I often read books and promptly forget them, but I will never forget this one.