3 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Last Waltz tells the story of lost love and second chances.

I've read a few books from Mary Balogh which I've enjoyed, and I have to be honest this wasn't her best.

Despite it being a romance, the story felt very dull and the romance between the couple suffered from a proper build up.

There was no smooth build up to the rekindled romance between Christina, the 28-year-old widowed Countess of Wanstead and the new Earl of Wanstead, Gerard Percy.

Gerard and Christina were former sweethearts when they were younger, however due to unforeseen circumstances, Christina had to marry Gerard's cousin Gilbert, the Earl of Wanstead. Heartbroken, Gerard leaves to Canada and Christina moves on with her new marital life.

After 9 years of marriage, Gilbert passes away and with no male heir to take over Thornwood, the title goes to Gerard making him the new master that must return to England and claim his new role. Gerard must also face his past knowing that he will have to confront the widowed Countess and his former sweetheart.

I can't deny that I felt a lot for what Christina had suffered through. How her choices to flee from suffering, led to more of it. How her fear of reliving her traumatic childhood led her to a life of even more misery.

The author highlights an important theme in the book which is domestic abuse. She showcased the behavior of a victim in Christina accurately. From a young girl full of life to a miserable woman.

Christina—his beautiful, sunny-natured, warm, passionate Christina—had been the terrorized victim of a wife-beater, who had hidden his vicious-ness behind a mask of religion and morality. And now she blamed herself.

I only wished the author did not prolong Christina's sadness.