Love Only Once (Malory-Anderson Family Book 1)

Reviews

1. 

   Sheila M – July 25, 2024

   First Book in the Malory Family Series
   LOVE ONLY ONCE is the story of Regina Ashton, beloved niece of the Malory brothers. She has been searching for a husband but her uncles never agree on her choices. She is accidentally compromised by Nicholas Eden, Viscount Montieth. Regina decides that Nicholas is the perfect man for her since the choice is marriage or a duel with one of her uncles. Nicholas is determined not to marry because he believes that his secret is one that must be borne alone. Marriage is just the beginning for these two.I read this book when it was new in the 1980s. I’ve read it and the other books in the series multiple times through the years and it never fails to engage me. The characters in the book are strong, well-defined and memorable. Lindsey’s gift of creating so many memorable characters is what spawned the series because Regina’s uncles needed to have their stories told as well. The story is not particularly realistic and at times the entire story is over the top but that is 1980s romances in general and I love every guilty page.If you want meticulously detailed historical this book is not for you, but if you like bold characters that you will remember for years this book satisfies that quality.

2. 

   Bambi – July 25, 2024

   Love only once
   Phenomenal writer. The characters are stimulating and I feel like I’m actually there. I will always continue to reread these books.

3. 

   Lissa C – July 25, 2024

   Hello, Nicholas Eden!
   Okay, I’ll say it: While I can appreciate the desire to update covers for reprints and a new audience, there is just something about the older covers that draws my attention. I’m not saying that they are always better, but maybe having those covers is why I’ve never been embarrassed about what I was reading. If I wanted to read, I was going to read, and public opinion be damned. I know that now people feel more comfortable because they are using e-readers or covers aren’t quite as suggestive, but again – it never really bothered me.As I mentioned, I had actually read the 3rd book in the Malory series first. While I was a little clueless when it came to the hows, whys, wherefores of Nick’s relationship with Reggie’s uncles, it wasn’t too confusing. But I immediately started looking for the first two books so I could read more about those Malorys.I kind of fell behind with this series – thanks to FB and Goodreads, I have been discovering a variety of authors and my TBR list/ pile has grown to epic proportions. But I thoroughly plan to reacquaint myself with all of the Malorys before I read the new ones.Oh, Regina and Nicholas- where to begin? I remember thinking that I would have loved to have Reggie’s (or is that Regan’s) problem – too many men to choose from. And, given how old I was when I read these, I suppose I should be forgiven for not understanding Nick’s reticence towards marriage. But for all the misunderstandings, craziness (pirates, kidnappings), and familial interference, this story was just sweet enough to give this then-teenager all the sigh-worthy moments that she wanted in a romance. While this was not my favorite of the Malory stories, it certainly was a fitting start to a fun and wonderful series.

4. 

   stephanie longobardi – July 25, 2024

   Fabulous!!
   Love the story line and the characters. This story is hard to put down once you start reading!! Love this author and series!!

5. 

   Bubbee and Admirals momKathy Arnold – July 25, 2024

   Book #1 of the Mallery family.
   Imagine a young lady not wanting to go to the parks to look for a husband! Then imagine the same young Lady being kidnapped bya gentleman who thought it was his mistress, and locking her in one of the bedrooms before he goes to a ball to dance and have funwith all the ladies there. And to top it all off… he finds his mistress at the Ball!! What? Ohno-! He has kidnapped the wrong person. When he goes to turn the kidnapped lady free he finds himself facing the most Beautiful woman he’s ever seen. And he wants her. The rest of the story includes a forced marriage he didn’t want, and much, much more.

6. 

   Across the Pond – July 25, 2024

   Who is on the cover?
   Is that supposed to be Regan/Reggie/Regina on the cover? I’m confused, because the tanned brunette looks nothing like our leading lady, described as having alabaster skin, ebony hair and crystal blue eyes (or the like). Perhaps this is Selena, sneaking away from a rendezvous with Nicholas….***SPOILERS AHEAD*** Nicholas was emotionally cruel to Reggie for much of the story, and seduced her at a ball – outdoors. Reggie comes across as both a level-headed lady and a young harridan; the shouting/screaming scenes between the H/h were just plain sad. I like “redemption” stories but this one lacked warmth and intelligence, at least until the very end. And for Reggie to be kidnapped twice (once by her own family, who were well-connected but didn’t know Nicholas had married their niece?!) was a bit hard to swallow.This is not my favorite story by Johanna Lindsey (although I’m sure I’ll read another at some point).

7. 

   stella irish – July 25, 2024

   Enjoyed every minute. Loved finding these books again & there’s more in the series I haven’t read.

8. 

   fifi – July 25, 2024

   Spannender wunderbar romantischer Roman. Die Personen sind sehr schön beschrieben und man kann sich in die Welt der jungen Frau hineinversetzen

9. 

   venkatesh – July 25, 2024

   Good