I took a break from reading Ms. balogh's books in favor of contemporary, as a change of pace. What a delight to rediscover her Survivor's club after my historical hiatus. Her perfectly tortured hero is counterbalanced by a secretly damaged herpne, who thinks quickly on her feet despite being afraid of herself. The antagonist was delightfully wicked. 4 stars instead if five more because Agnes rolled a little too well with the punches. I had no issue that she rolled with them, more that she threatened that she couldn't or wouldn't and then changed her mind. I admird her strength, but felt her story was a bit unreplved. All said, i enjoy Ms. balogh's writing enough that I still loved the book.