Slightly Married by Mary Balogh

Slightly Married (Bedwyn Saga, #1)

by Mary Balogh

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 transformation of the new 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.

Reviewed by stacey_is_sassy on

4 of 5 stars

Share
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.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 11 July, 2018: Finished reading
  • 11 July, 2018: Reviewed