Claudia Martin, the headmistress of Miss Martin’s School for Girls, meets Joseph, the Marquess of Attingsborough as he escorts her and two of her students to London.  Claudia is not one to be impressed with titles; in fact, she has a strong dislike for them and the people who have them.  This is due to her time spent with the nobility especially when she had to deal with Wulfric and Freya Bedwyn.  Joseph at age 35 is under pressure from his father to marry and ensure the family lineage by filling the nursery. Claudia is in for the ride of her life as Joseph turns her sedate world upside down. 

Claudia is not a young ingénue but a mature woman who has experienced the lows in life.  She has achieved her independence, not a small feat especially for the time period.  Claudia is a strong, intelligent and a little bit stubborn.  She comes across as a very level-headed woman with a generous heart.  Her main flaw is her prejudice against the nobility. Claudia’s character is fully developed and we learn so much more about her.    Joseph is atypical of the aristocratic male.  He doesn’t jump in and out of bed with different women.  He is a man who is quite loyal and fidelity means something to him.  Joseph takes care of his responsibilities and this reader liked him very much.  The courtship between Claudia and Joseph is filled with bumps in the road but the reader is assured of a “happily ever after”.  How they reach it is deftly handled by Ms. Balogh.  This is a couple who we can support and root for.  They are a perfect match. 

SIMPLY PERFECT is the final book in this series and it is a lovely ending. The reintroduction of characters that have appeared in the earlier books is a wonderful touch. It is a well-written page-turner that will keep you reading until the last page.   It is a definite must have for all Mary Balogh fans.

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