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There aren’t many books that haunt me days after I’ve finished them but Red, Red Rose did just that. It is a powerful and heart-rending story that’s not easily forgotten. I also tore my hair out trying to rate it because the beginning and end of the story are desert isle keeper material; unfortunately, the middle lags a bit.
The longer than usual prologue introduces a young Valentine Aston who endures a childhood filled with disappointment and heartbreak. His warm, loving world is shattered when he discovers he is not the son of a fallen soldier but rather the bastard son of an earl who deserted his mother. He doesn’t fit in anywhere and joins the army at a very young age. This setup endeared the hero to me and was the basis for his emotional turmoil throughout the book.
We next meet Val quite a few years later in Portugal during the Napoleonic Wars. While on a reconnaissance assignment he spies a carriage under attack by bandits. He risks his life to save Elspeth Gordon from the degradation of rape and certain death. They spend a tender and innocent night together hiding from the bandits and it is the beginning of their special friendship – a friendship that grows into love despite the war, a spy subplot and Val’s feelings of unworthiness.
Val and Elspeth are characters who are easy to like. She is too tall by society’s standards, pleasing to look at but no beauty, and is strong, loving and outspoken. She’s followed the drum all of her life and doesn’t expect to marry. Because of her blunt manner, men consider her to be nothing more than a comrade – until she meets Val. Their attraction is a new and scary experience for both of them but it’s Val who has the most to overcome before they find their happily ever after.
It’s a good thing Val’s such a likable character because unlike most romances, Red, Red Rose is basically his story. Chances are if you don’t like Val you won’t like this book. However, there is nothing not to like about him. He’s honorable, handsome and sweet despite his hard upbringing. His struggle and reason to keep his emotions in check is often heartbreaking.
This book had the potential to be an all-time keeper, but it wasn’t perfect. My eyes began to glaze over during the middle section. The author detailed the political maneuvers and the day to day life of the soldiers as they waited out the long winter, anticipating the French army’s next move. Admittedly, I’m not a big lover of romances set during wartime but it would have been easier reading if the author had included a few more hero/heroine interactions during this time in the book. Elspeth seemed to disappear for chapters at a time and the development of the romance was put on hold for too long. Their brief interactions and some interesting secondary characters were what kept the book moving. I was very glad that I hung in there because the last third of the book recaptured the emotional promise of the beginning.
Red, Red Rose is a tear-jerker. It’s a tender and sweet read despite its grim setting and it even has some unexpected and well-placed humor. I learned a lot about a war I knew little about and I won’t hesitate recommending it to my history-loving friends. I’m anxious to read more of Marjorie Farrell because this book moved me like very few do.
Grade: B+
Book Type: Historical Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 12/02/99
Publication Date: 1999
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.