Slightly Married (Bedwyn Saga, #1)

by Mary Balogh

From New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh comes the first installment of the beloved Bedwyn saga. 

Meet the Bedwyns: six brothers and sisters—men and women of passion and privilege, daring and sensuality. Enter their dazzling world of high society and breathtaking seduction, where each will seek love, fight temptation, and court scandal—and where Aidan Bedwyn, the marriage-shy second son, discovers that matrimony may be the most seductive act of all. 

Like all the Bedwyn men, Aidan has a reputation for cool arrogance. But this proud nobleman also possesses a loyal, passionate heart—and it is this fierce loyalty that has brought Colonel Lord Aidan to Ringwood Manor to honor a dying soldier’s request. Having promised to comfort and protect the man’s sister, Aidan never expected to find a headstrong, fiercely independent woman who wants no part of his protection—nor did he expect the feelings this beguiling creature would ignite in his guarded heart. And when a relative threatens to turn Eve out of her home, Aidan gallantly makes her an offer she can’t refuse: marry him, if only to save her home. And now, as all of London breathlessly awaits the unveiling of the Lady Aidan Bedwyn, the strangest thing happens: With one touch, one searing embrace, Aidan and Eve’s “business arrangement” is about to be transformed—into something slightly surprising.

• ISBN10: 0440241049
• ISBN13: 9780440241041
• Publish Date: 1 April 2003 (first published 1 January 2003)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 368
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780440241041

Reviews

[stacey_is_sassy]

The sacrifices you make...

I thought it was supposed to be "a marriage of convenience"? Well, in Slightly Married it was more like a marriage of inconvenience. These two knuckleheads were going to get to ...until death do us part... from old age before they acknowledged their feeling and admitted to them.

I could listen to this narrator read the back of a cereal box and I would be thoroughly entertained. Rosalyn Landor really is the best narrator when it comes to historical romance. Her ability to become each character, change her voice and even her accent, is quite exceptional. The story wasn't bad, I just found it easier to get past my frustrations with the characters because Ms Landor distracted me.

Aidan is tasked with giving Eve the bad news that her brother had died at war. Little did Aidan know, but Eve's devastation is not just at the passing of her brother. Unfortunately, with Eve's brother's death, she will now lose her house and all the people who depend on her will be homeless too. Aidan made a promise to Eve's brother that he will look out for her. His answer to fixing the problem is to marry her...in name only.

Well, those plans go to hell in a handbasket.

I liked this story, but as you can tell, it frustrated me a wee bit. The Bedwyn's are a stuffy bunch, lead by the stuffiest of them all, Wulfric, the Duke of Bewcastle. Oh boy, this guy has ISSUES!! Turns out I've read Slightly Dangerous, Wulf's book and gave it 5 stars. I wonder if I would have loved it as much if I had met him before and seen him in all his bossy, arrogant, egotistical glory? Hmmm, maybe I need to do a re-read.

Slightly Married was well written and performed. I was engaged from start to finish and never felt like it dragged. Yes, I thought they should have admitted their feelings sooner, but I understood that they had promised not to make things emotional in the beginning. Plenty of steamy scenes to show their connection and their interaction with family and friends showed their personalities.

I am very tempted to see Aidan's brothers and sisters fall in love and if Rosalyn Landor narrates, I will be a happy camper.

[Angie]

Slightly Married is a sweet start to the main series, although I didn't enjoy it as much as the prequels. When Colonel Lord Aidan Bedwyn is asked by a friend and dying soldier to protect his sister no matter what, Aidan isn't quite sure what that will entail. But upon meeting Eve, he learns that if she doesn't wed before the anniversary of her father's death, her home will go to a cousin and she'll be left penniless. Aidan is a man of honor, and Eve can't let those in her employ lose their home and income, so the two marry but plan on never seeing each other again. Of course, plans change.

Clearly, Slightly Married is a marriage of convenience romance. I loved how Eve and Aidan didn't make a big deal over it. He is a man of his word, and she cares deeply about the people who work for her. They're both duty bound, although in different ways. I also loved how Eve decided that she was going to come out in society even though Aidan and his brother and their aunt tried to tell her otherwise. She's not some country bumpkin just because she's a coal miner's daughter! Of course, this means spending a lot of time with Aidan attending events, and eventually falling in love with her husband.

The main thing that kept me from loving Slightly Married was that the drama toward the end was focused on children. Eve is taking care of two orphans as if they were her own. Then someone takes them away from her for nefarious purposes. Eve must take off from her life in London in order to fight for them back. This also provides Aidan with an opportunity to support her and show his growing love for her. It all sounds good and nice, but it was boring. I also just don't like couples coming together because of kids. I want them together to be together!

In the end, Slightly Married was a sweet and enjoyable read. I adored Eve and how she wouldn't let anyone tell her how she's suppose to live her life. Aidan was a bit harder to warm up to. But as Eve says, he's a very kind man, he just needs to smile more. I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know the rest of the Bedwyn siblings more. I was already eager for Freja's book from the prequels, but now I'm interested in their brother Allelyn as well!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.