If you are a fan of the classical romance then When Love is Blind is the book for you. Originally written in 1968, Mary Burchell delivers a story of love. Part Beauty and the Beast part Cyrano de Bergerac, the story focuses on Antoinette Burney; once music student whose career was cruelly ended by Lewis Freemont a concert pianist with too sharp a tongue. Overcoming the animosity due to Lewis Freemont’s sudden blindness, the course of love doesn’t run smoothly.

This is only a short novel but it one that has stood the test of time. It has aged beautifully. When Love is Blind is a classic story of love overcoming diversity and I really enjoyed reading it.

When Love is Blind by Mary Burchell is available now.

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I cannot tell you how happy I am to see this author being made available again. This is the third that I have had from Endeavour Press and the third I have reviewed. I have mentioned the wonderful Cook sisters and their amazing work in smuggling refugees out of Germany in World War II and how Ida Cook then wrote under the name of Mary Burchell before, so will not go into detail again but it is worth checking out the story of the sisters as it makes for inspirational reading.

This is the story of a talented and brilliant pianist but one who has no soul and no connection to the music. A celebrated pianist says so in no uncertain terms and, deeply hurt, she decides to abandon music and, instead becomes a secretary. Quite a change! Because this is a romance and escapism I will not go into detail about how she becomes secretary to aforementioned pianist, who is now blind (read the book to find out how this happened) but she does. Of course she falls in love with him but there is a scheming woman after him who is determined to have him for herself. It is all rather wonderful and lovely and I enjoyed every moment. Ida Cook aka Mary Burchell was a music and opera lover and I love the constant musical references which add to my enjoyment. Lovely book. Looking forward to the next one

This story was first published in 1967 – a half century ago! - and yet it is such an enjoyable romance; and much better than so many books published recently…
First of all, it’s very well written. Secondly, it has all the ingredients of a good story: a wounded hero, a well-intentioned and loving heroine ("the good and bad angel") that gets involved in a web of lies and deception, a group of well-rounded secondary characters (antagonizing or supporting the protagonists) and a general weaving of emotions that is very well done.
I read this book with the interest and fascination for a good love story, not really bothered by its old-fashioned features – moving an accident victim, for example – and pleasantly surprised by aspects such as the lack of sexist remarks, as Goodreader Kyraryker/WhiskeyintheJar pointed out
There’s lots of drama, some cheesy moments, no sex, no access to the hero’s POV – the story is rather cohesive and coherent in that aspect, proving Mary Burchell’s timeless talent – and overall a delightful story.
3.5 stars

Definitely brought me back to my Mills & Boon reading days! The plot is sweet, the language made me feel I'm in England, the characters were both lovable and hateful at appropriate times. I am awed with the musical descriptions, bringing me to heights of intense emotions as though I was inside the concert hall myself, hearing such heart-moving performances. The story started out as a bit dragging but like a piano performance, it was built up until it ascended into a crescendo, that my heart went out to Toni at the last pages of the book. Separating paragraphs could help in further building up story development and reader's responsiveness, though. A story that teaches anew that failures and disappointments in life can make us better persons -- if we but allow it.

Oh my gosh this is the most predictable, sappiest book that I have read in a long tim. I enjoyed every minute of it!