After reading the Bedwyn Prequels, it was odd to be introduced to the Bedwyn series with Aidan since we didn’t meet him at all in the two Prequel books.From reading some reviews, I was all set to love this family and though they are supposed to be a haughty aristocrat family.. I LOVE them, I DO! Balogh writes them so that readers don’t view them as the rest of England views them. Their comments and actions may seem cold, but we know from the way they interact with each other that they really are very down to earth and pragmatic. I like that they are incredibly honorable, and dutiful, and no-nonsense; and in their very core they are a good, kind bunch. Not one of them would let the others get away with less. They were raised to uphold the station they were born into but it is so evident that they were also raised with love. The family tradition that no Bedwyn, once married, ever pursues or participates in a dalliance outside the marriage is an example to the type of person this family breeds. I liked that Aidan didn’t just fall in love with Eve at first sight, that the driving force in his decision to marry was his honor, to keep the promise he made to Captain Percival “Percy” Morris, Eve’s brother. So the plot starts off as a marriage of convenience that inevitably turns into a love story. Conversely, Eve accepts the proposal because she feels it’s her duty to provide for her “lame ducks,” including the orphans she’s come to accept as her own children. Can these two be any more selfless? Eve starts to fall for Aidan as she starts to experience what loving actions are – actions that protect her interests, her feelings, and especially her children. Such a difference from her experience with John, Viscount Denson. She can finally have someone to depend on without even having to ask. Aidan falls for Eve by being herself. In their interactions Aidan sees in her the woman that he can’t live without: independent, selfless, caring, and undemanding of him. By being herself, she allowed Aidan to open up, smile, and freely offer himself to her. There were so many unforgettable scenes in this book I want to mention – mostly so I don’t forget them if I ever re-read my review in the future: (view spoiler)[- Their first kiss brought on by the excitement after throwing out Mr. Cecil Morris, Eve’s villainous cousin when he was about to take Ringwood Manor from her.- The time Aidan and Eve spent sight-seeing in London – and treasuring the moment to lock away in their memories.- The scene in the library between Wulf and Aidan after Eve shocks them in a black dress for the Queen’s presentation. Wulf was a bit unraveled after his love for his siblings was questioned when it probably seems to him that his life’s sacrifice is all done in duty to protect and serve the family. It was a great moment for the readers to see a hidden side of the Duke of Bewcastle.- The two moments of jealousy. When Aidan finds Eve and Lord Denson in the garden and their argument following that. Also when Eve finds out that Miss Knapp was expected to be Aidan’s future wife and that he did have an intended woman in his life.- Aidan speech to the Earl of Luff during the hearing when he proclaimed that his home is Ringwood Manor and it is where his heart will stay when he goes back on duty with the army.- All the happy moments with Aidan and the children..awww! The glimpses of him as a father were simply charming – especially since he’s normally such a brooding guy.- This scene broke my heart: when Aidan was saying goodbye to Davy and even tells Davy he loves him, but then Davy says flatly “Nobody ever stays” – I totally cried! - The moment by the lake when Eve describes the only man she will ever love for the rest of her life, and she’s describing Aidan.. then she says she will love and be true to him always, with or without him in her life.- Lastly, in the end when he sweeps Davy in the air and then hugs him tight; and as if that wasn’t enough, Becky calls him “Papa” and Aidan called her “his little girl.” What a precious moment! (hide spoiler)]
One thing you can say about Mary Balogh's writing: It consistently delivers that PBS/BBC period film feel! "Slightly Married" was no exception. I certainly envisioned the panoramic shots of England's town and country of the early 1800's without a problem, as well as the pacing of the story - flowing out like a nice, captivating BBC production. I think a lot of that feel can be attributed to her trademark "emotion-centered" romances that give a consistent viewpoint from both the hero and heroine of the story. No secret that I'm a big fan of Balogh and usually pick up her books for a sure bet of both a comforting story and emotional engagement with the characters. I've had her Slightly series on the TBR for quite a long time, and finally got around to picking up the first book, "Slightly Married." For the 4 or 5 romance readers on the planet that still remain who've either not read the series or heard of the family, quickly -- it evolves around the aristocratic Bedwyn family consisting of 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls, each book of the series focusing on each of their love stories. "Slightly Married" is Aiden, the second son's story, featuring our heroine, "Eve," a Welsh coal miner's daughter whose father aspired to get as close to "gentry" as he possibly could. Alas, although her father died a landowner with a decent enough estate, they remained on the "fringe" of true gentry, and her father was never able to secure an aristocratic marriage offer for her hand. Colonel Lord Aiden Bedwyn happens into Eve's life by way of coming upon one of his men dying on the battlefield - her brother, Captain Percy Morris. With his dying breath, Percy secures his colonel's promise that he will protect his sister, Eve, "No matter what!" Percy, having once saved Aiden's life in another skirmish, and Aiden naturally being a gentleman of the highest honor, he seeks out Eve to deliver the tragic news of her brother's death, and of course see how he might assist in any "protection" required, fulfilling his promise. He finds Eve on the brink of destitution, and quickly comes to understand the urgency of Percy's dying concerns. Eve and Percy's father bequeathed his estate to Eve for one year, to pass onto her brother Percy if she failed to marry a titled gentleman within that time period. Alas, circumstances didn't happen that Eve was able to fulfill the terms of the will, but she continued to have faith in Percy's remaining alive, and her continued welcome in her childhood home by her beloved brother should he inherit by default. With his death however, the estate became entailed to her truly evil cousin, whose given her collected "menagerie" of a family/household, until noon on the 1 year deadline to vacate the premises. Aiden finds her in this state upon his arrival and, one thing leading to another, offers her marriage in order to fulfill his bargain with her brother, "No matter what." Balogh launches the hero and heroine into a series of unfolding events that allow each of them to get to know the other better, yet each remains under the premise that they maintain a marriage of convenience where the other participant would rather they part and never interfere in the other's life again. The story is filled with pangs of the heart, as the protagonists fall deeply, yet secretly from each other, in love with one another. Balogh writes one of the most tender and romantic culminating love scenes between the two that any true romantic "period film" lover could ask for. *deep sigh* The dialogue and setting of their encounter is truly emotional and captivating! Any romance reader needing a lazy trip down a poignant and subtle path to two people discovering love where they never expected it . . . oh . . .and also being fresh out of BBC period productions to watch, will be satisfied with "Slightly Married." If that sounds about right for your particular taste, don't hesitate to pick this one up!K.[Note: No graphic love scenes, but not "closed bedroom door"; no violence; no graphic language.]/
What do You think about Slightly Married (2003)?
Like A Summer to Remember, I found Slightly Married to be just an average book; not particulary bad, but not particularly good. I've read three books by Balogh now and something has always bothered me about them after finishing. I couldn't figure out what it was until reading this book: the books are all rather emotionless and passionless.As I'm reading them, I just don'e really feel anything. The characters are simply there. They exist, go about life, but they rarely evoke much emotion in the r
—jenjn79
yap xD eu sou super esquisita a dar estrelas ahahahIsso também não :p eu considero 5* é quando adoro de tal maneira que se o livro que ler não é meu dou-me ao trabalho de comprar um exemplar para mim. 4* é um livro muito bom mas que não me sentia impelida a comprar de imediato. 3* é um bom livro, mas li melhores/podia ser melhor. 2* é um livro mau que não recomendo. 1* é um livro que ou não acabei de ler ou li de tal forma a custo, só por obrigação. :)
—Vanessa Montês
This is my first book by this author and I found it based on the Goodreads recommendation feature. I'm really glad that I decided to give this one a try because now I have a whole slew of books that I can read and enjoy.The heroine in this story is Eve, and she has just received news that her brother has died while enlisted with the military. She is distraught and to make matters worse, it's a stranger delivering the news. Colonel Lord Aidan Bedwyn is the son of a Duke and is hand delivering the message to Eve at the request of her brother's last dying wish. He was also asked to protect Eve and Aidan wonders what that could be referring to. Eve hides the truth from Aidan, but the land that she owns was only given to her for a year and then it would revert to her brother unless she married. Aidan's decision is to give Eve a marriage of convenience so she can keep her land. But of course, things don't always end up the way people hope.I really enjoyed the romance between Aidan and Eve, and what I really liked was that it wasn't an instantaneous love affair but rather something that built up from friendship. It was very believable and made me root for them even more. I liked being able to see all the Bedwyn's together with their odd way of showing affection for eachother and how they slowly accepted Eve into their ranks. Of course most interesting was the duke himself, and I can't wait to see him fall head over heels for some girl who won't give him the time of day.Off I go to learn more about the Bedwyn siblings!
—Jess
