England's Perfect Hero (Lessons in Love, Book 3)

A little more than a year ago, Lucinda Barrett and her two best friends, Georgianna Halley and Evie Ruddick, drew up lists on how they thought a true gentleman should behave. Georgiana and Evie then proceeded to select two offenders in order to instruct them on good behaviour. But both Georgiana and Evie ended up marrying their "pupils" ("The Rake" & "London's Perfect Scoundrel"). Now it's Lucinda's turn. Knowing full well that these "lessons" in good behaviour may well result in her marrying her "pupil," Lucinda has settled on Lord Geoffrey Newcombe. Like her friends' husbands, Geoffrey is a handsome and incredibly arrogant, and much in need of instruction; but more importantly, Geoffrey is a war hero, and exactly the sort of gentleman that her father, General Augustus Barrett, could countenance as a son-in-law. But just as Lucinda is about to start her campaign, Lucinda begins an unlikely friendship with Georgiana's brother-in-law, Robert. Like Geoffrey, Robert also served in the Peninsula Wars; but he's returned a wreck of a man, prone to panic attacks, and has become quite the recluse, shunning both Society and even his family. As Robert and Lucinda begin to spend more time together, Lucinda comes to the realisation that it is Robert and not Geoffrey that occupies her thoughts and heart. But what can she do? Settle on an uncomplicated and comfortable life with Geoffrey with her father's complete blessings, or risk everything for a complicated and brooding wreck like Robert?
Slightly more complex and less humerous than the other two installments in the Lessons in Love trilogy, I liked "England's Perfect Hero" best. And that's because both the hero and heroine were likable and engaging, and because Suzanne Enoch didn't follow the pattern of the first two books and went in a completely different direction. Usually, with a series, books begin to sound like a formula after a while. But you couldn't say that about "England's Perfect Hero." The "Hero" in the title doesn't even refer to the real hero of the novel! I also liked the fact that one of the obstacles to Lucinda's and Robert's happiness was Lucinda's concern that her future spouse and her father like each other and get along. Not very many romance novels ever address this issue realistically, and I thought that the authour hit just the right note here. The other thing I liked about this novel was that characters from the first two (Georgianna, Evie and their respective husbands) play an integral part in helping Lucinda and Robert achieve their happily ever-after ending. That also was a nice touch. So that even though there were a few howlingly funny editorial mistakes, and the whole theft subplot was incredibly weak, I still enjoyed this novel enough to award 4 stars.

I was truly enjoying this book as it began. I am always drawn more to character driven romances than those powered by a mystery or event. My problem with the book is that the plot changes mid-story. Robert is a tortured hero in the beginning, having debilitating panic attacks and unable to converse with his family. In a matter of a few weeks, though (the whole story took no more than a few weeks from start to finish) he's completely overcome these problems, fallen in love, and solved the mystery of who framed him. I'm afraid I just don't buy it. I wish Ms. Enoch had just focused on Robert and Lucinda's relationship and left the mystery for another story. It didn't meld well with this one. To add this element, she had to resolve Robert's problems much too quickly.

I have eagerly awaited this last installment in the "Lessons in Love" series and was not disappointed in the least. Suzanne Enoch has given us a tale both endearing and sentimental. I found myself immersed in the character's lives and their emotions. I would highly recommend this book (the entire series, in fact) and this author to anyone who wishes to start reading this genre.
Lucinda Barrett finds herself the only one of the three friends who has not taught her "lesson" and therefore, feels a bit the odd man out. She has chosen her pupil, a man she feels needs a lesson in being a gentleman, but is also aware that her friends have found themselves married to the object of their lessons. Lucinda is not averse to this arrangement and continues on with her plan. But, along comes Robert Carroway and he completely keeps Lucinda on her toes, causing her to reevaluate her true motives for teaching her lesson. You will not be disappointed.

One reviewer called Robert a "wimp." I couldn't disagree more with this statement. Anyone who's gone through torture and almost died well, I think if they started to have nightmares that's normal and as someone else says makes you human. Well I guess some women could see him as damaged or a wimp, and that's fine It's why he needed a special woman to pull him out of it. I didn't like Suzanne Enoch's novella in Lady Whistledown, but this book was very very good, and she has gone up in my estimation.

I can honestly say I enjoy Suzanne Enoch books, they are fun to read and entertaining, the heroes are usually very likeable and the stories are engaging, but in most of them there is always something lacking. In some it is a weak heroine, in others an unreasonable one, in this book, what was lacking was the ending.
The book ended abruptly and left many issues unresolved, like for example, where were they going to live, whether Robert is going to do something productive with his life or if he ever got completely cured of his trauma. The book needed at least another chapter and an epilogue, specially because it is the last in the series.
I have liked Robert a lot since he appeared in the first book of this series, and was hopping he would get a book of his own. In this book, he didn't exactly dissapoint me (I love a brooding, troubled hero), but I would have liked that he had acomplished something more than just being able to act almost like a norman person.
All in all, I kind of liked the series, but it wasn't great. I'm still not very convinced about Suzanne Enoch's writting.

Of the "Lessons in Love" series, this was, by far, my favorite. Lucinda is a lovely heroine, intelligent, kind, witty and endearingly determined to have an uncomplicated, polite marriage.

However, it was our hero that really made the book for me. Robert Carroway, the tormented ex-soldier, was incredibly sexy. His struggle to overcome his terrible past was believable and sympathetic, to say the least. I adored this character.

I would highly recommend reading the "Lessons in Love" series. The first two installments were enjoyable, yes, but I felt they were just a necessary means to an end.

Robert Carroway is probably Suzanne Enoch's best hero, making "England's Perfect Hero" well worth the read.

This was the perfect hero and the perfect ending for Ms. Enoch's "Lesson's In Love" series. In this the last novel in the series we see Lucinda finally getting her chance to fall in love with a totally wonderful hero named Robert Carroway. Without going into a long synopsis suffice it to say this is a very moving story of a worn torn hero who finally gets a chance to heal in more ways then one with the woman that helps him live again.
Ms. Enoch brings back all of her past hero's and heroine's as well as introducing us to a few new characters. This was such a fun series I'm sorry to see it end. Unlike many series that taper off as the stories are added, Ms. Enoch manages to keep the momentum going by giving us such wonderful and diverse characters as well as touching storylines that you can't help but be drawn to the book.

I adore Suzanne Enoch's work. Since reading my first Enoch book, BY LOVE UNDONE, several years ago I've been pretty much enchanted by Ms. Enoch's Regency romps. For me, even her less-than-best effort is still good.
And ENGLAND'S PERFECT HERO, the last in Ms. Enoch's Lessons In Love trilogy, is definitely beyond good.
Honestly, I didn't think I was going to like ENGLAND'S PERFECT HERO at first because it lacked Enoch's signature rakish hero. But, oh boy, was I ever wrong. This fast-paced story kept me enthralled from beginning to end. And I just adored this different hero.
Ms. Enoch's hero for this piece is the emotionally wounded Robert, who has retreated into a dark world, harboring a secret that leaves him prone to anxiety attacks and more. The one bright light in Robert's dark existence is his sister-in-law's friend, Lucinda. And he admires her from afar until circumstances bring this pair together.
Robert is the glue that holds this story together, but it is Lucinda, the heroine, who draws this hero from his dark and lonely shell. Lucinda has chosen a 'student' for her own lessons in love - just as her two best friends had done before her - and it isn't Robert. Oh, she is intrigued by Robert, dubbed the "Mute" by a callous society, but she also has matrimony on her mind - and the Mute isn't good husband material. But she does accept help from Robert for her lessons in love. And when important papers are stolen from the Horse Guard - and suspicion falls on Robert as a traitor - it is Lucinda who comes to his aid.
Ms. Enoch's portrayal of Robert is well done ...and touching. This hero's emergence from his dark existence is thoughtful and insightful. ENGLAND'S PERFECT HERO isn't as lighthearted as most of Ms. Enoch's work, but it does have humorous moments ...and some humorous characters.
I highly recommend ENGLAND'S PERFECT HERO. Ms. Enoch is quite a story teller and I just love her writing style.
Debbie Jett, reviewer
romancereaderatheart.com

Right from the get go I couldn't get into this book. I thought that Robert was truly a wimp & I didn't like his character at all. Lucinda wasn't much of a character either. I have to say that Suzanne is one of my favorite romance writers, if not the best. But this story really disappointed me... Usually she makes the hero alittle more dimensional than Robert was. I know he has his war wounds, but his angst was alittle overdone. Very brooding, short, stilted conversations. I like brooding heroes & all, but this guy had nothing to reccomend him at all. He was really hard to like..Come on, it had been three years since he's been back. Living with his brother, what HAS he been doing these last 3 years. You think he would have dealt it somewhat.
. Not what I expect out of her. I really wanted to like this book but I couldn't. Because I do love her books (& I spent alot of money on her older out of print books from amazon) Anyone else feel that way? Was it just the mood I was in? Have I read too many really good books lately??? Maybe I was expecting toooo much...

That's exactly what this book is about, real love! Not only is it incredibly well-written, but it is very moving, Suzanne Enoch draws you into to the story, the characters, their pains and joys in a way few authors do.

The story is my favorite of the "Lessons in Love" trilogy. Robert "Bit" Carroway, is a wounded, aching ex-soldier, who has been struggling with his return to civilian life for several years. When his older brother marries, his new sister-in-law's friends visit her at the Carroway home. There he meets Lucinda Barrett and she becomes his saving grace, his means for healing and becoming whole again. When a traitor and thief steal important military papers and accuse Robert of the theft and treason, Lucinda, Robert, the Carroway clan join forces to clear Robert's name. In the process, Robert falls in love with Lucinda, although she has her heart set on another. Robert loves her madly, but knowing his condition adn that he is not completely healed from his military experiencs, he is willing to be content with just knowing "that one day she could possibly love him a little."

The story is quick, light-hearted in many parts, and a delightful read. One of the many reasons I love this book is because Enoch develops Robert's character so well, she puts you into his mind, and you feel his pain, his heartache, his joy, and you experience his steps toward healing. Lucinda is a delightful heroine, although you do get stressed at times with the fact that she refuses to acknolwedge that Robert means more to her than her "chosen student".

Through everything though, love conquers all and in the end all is made well. Robert Carroway is a perfect hero and this is a delightful ending to a very good trilogy. I only wish Encoh would consider writing another novel which cameos Lucinda and Robert - it would be great to see where they are now. Either way, I highly recommend this novel it is one which I bought some time ago and continue to revisit time and again. It is a definte keeper!!