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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t know I am always fooled by the light, frothy synopsis of Ms. Balogh’s book - I don’t think she could write superficially if she tried. This was a well written, pleasant read which was quite similar to “The Temporary Wife” so I didn’t find it particularly different. [b:The Temporary Wife|690067|The Temporary Wife|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1338967506l/690067._SY75_.jpg|676416] was published in 1997 while this one was published in 2002. As a result, despite this being an enjoyable read I am cutting one star off.
The couple came across as adults, as expected from Ms. Balogh’s books, but the issue keeping them apart was not much which meant that the book did drag near the end. Still, I would recommend this book especially since it is the first real book where the Bedwyn’s make an appearance (despite this being the 2nd prequel). Looking forward to the rest of the the Bedwyn Saga.
The couple came across as adults, as expected from Ms. Balogh’s books, but the issue keeping them apart was not much which meant that the book did drag near the end. Still, I would recommend this book especially since it is the first real book where the Bedwyn’s make an appearance (despite this being the 2nd prequel). Looking forward to the rest of the the Bedwyn Saga.
This is by far one of the most romance, LOVE stories I've read of this genre. So often do I read of the intense lust that overrides the senses and confounds the reader into thinking such is love, however Lauren and Kit are without any doubt, fully in love. The summery atmosphere of this novel is beautifully picturesque and will inevitably become a reread for me next summer. Both characters grow so much throughout, and it's so satisfying when they do get their ending together. Lauren is a favourite FMC I've read, with a very interesting personality that you can't help but deeply understand as a woman. Kit is less developed but still interesting with his commission background and family dynamic. This author does family very well, I was very drawn to Kit's family.
My one dislike of this book is the feature we are reminded of thorough, Lauren's purple eyes. I'm sorry but it's cringe, purple eyes just don't exist naturally and unless the novel is fantasy I roll my eyes at it. I wish it was rewritten as blue or green, even a hazel gold. Purple is just giving like 2010 watpad energy to me.
Anyways, first read by this author and I loved it.
My one dislike of this book is the feature we are reminded of thorough, Lauren's purple eyes. I'm sorry but it's cringe, purple eyes just don't exist naturally and unless the novel is fantasy I roll my eyes at it. I wish it was rewritten as blue or green, even a hazel gold. Purple is just giving like 2010 watpad energy to me.
Anyways, first read by this author and I loved it.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the middle of three prequels for the Bedwyn Saga historical romance series. Yeah, it was a surprise to me, too. The couple focus is on Kit and Lauren.
My Take
I must confess to being somewhat confused at the start. The impression I had received from the actual Bedwyn Saga books is that Kit came back from Europe with his new bride as a fait accompli, destroying all of Freyja's hopes and dreams. Kit was actually playing hard in London and avoiding the family manse until he got the ultimatum from his father. Nor did I get the impression that Freyja was all that cut-up about it (in this story).
Still, on its own, it was a sweet romance. It was a nice treat to have a female character who is resolute in saying no; such a rare event. Balogh certainly came up with an interesting twist in solving Lauren and Kit's initial problem.
Nothing earth-shattering with glaring bits of historical inaccuracy. I did cry, though. Insightful thought from Lauren on war and how it affects men: "never thought to wonder if men's minds were permanently damaged by the atrocities of war. She had always considered that Englishmen fought for right and justice and so would have nothing on their consciences".
I did feel sorry for Lauren. As the story goes on, Balogh reveals her family history and the trauma she has suffered since she was a wee girl. It certainly makes sense as to why she has behaved as she has. Kit's history is unveiled as well providing us with a better understanding of his issues as well. Humph, I'm not impressed with Kit's performance in bed with Lauren the first time! What an ass!
The Story
It's a scandalous fight in Hyde Park that first allows our heroine and hero to become aware of each other. Right after Kit kissed a milkmaid!
Kit's father commands him to come home to Alvesley for his grandmother's birthday ball. An order that has Kit in an angry and reckless mood. His father is insisting that his betrothal to Lady Freyja is the perfect birthday gift. Well, Kit would marry anyone but Freyja after the manner in which she rejected him three years ago! And it's a drunken night out with his friends when he lists the qualities he wants in his retribution bride: dull, prim, respectable. Perfect.
Lauren is only in London because she simply couldn't stand being at Newbury Abbey anymore with the happy couple and Elizabeth provided an out. When her name crops up that drunken evening, Kit's friends try to persuade him against her, citing all the barriers and impossibilities. A challenge that Kit cannot resist.
It's not the only challenge that Kit comes up against, for Lauren is firm about not marrying, and he quickly realizes how best to manipulate the so-very-proper Miss Lauren Edgeworth. With her family's unknowing cooperation. The chase is on with Miss Edgeworth the fox and Kit the more and more willing hunter.
The Characters
We are introduced to the Bedwyn siblings in this story as it provides the background for the break in the Butler-Bedwyn neighbor relationship, but especially for Freyja Bedwyn in Slightly Scandalous.
The Honorable Miss Lauren Edgeworth is suffering from a cancelled wedding to Neville Wyatt, the Earl of Kilbourne (see One Night for Love (One Night for Love), eighteen months ago. Embarrassed beyond words, Lauren simply wants to live on her own and never have to consider marriage again. It's Kit's confession that spurs Lauren to make her own surprising counter-offer. Baron Galton is her grandfather.
Elizabeth, the Duchess of Portfrey, is Lauren's aunt and married to Lyndon (the duke). Gwendoline "Gwen", Lady Muir, is Neville's sister. Neville Wyatt and his wife, Lily, live at Newbury Abbey where Lauren grew up with Neville and Gwen; Clara Wyatt is the Dowager Countess. Joseph Fawcitt, Marquess of Attingsborough, is a cousin of Lauren's and the Wyatt siblings. Joseph's parents are Webster and Sadie Fawcitt, the Duke and Duchess of Anburey, who has gotten her daughter, Lady Wilma, betrothed and has now set her sights on getting Lauren hooked up.
Colonel Christopher "Kit" Butler, Viscount Ravensberg (and unexpected heir to the earldom), has been raking about in London for the past year since selling his commission and building a reputation for scandalous behavior; he can't go home as he was banished three years ago. The Earl and Countess of Redfield are his parents; Sydnam is his crippled, angry brother. Lord Farrington, Charles Rush, and Lord Arthur are all friends of his.
The Bedwyns, from Wulfric on down to Morgana, are determined to insult Lauren from the start. I love how she very quietly and politely gave it right back!
The Cover and Title
It's a mellow yellow cover with the scroll outlines creating a wallpaper-like background for the deep red title and author's name. It would probably feel more summery if the outlines had been in green, but I'm just nitpickin'.
The title is certainly accurate as I don't think Kit or Lauren will ever forget this summer, their actions have certainly made it A Summer to Remember.
My Take
I must confess to being somewhat confused at the start. The impression I had received from the actual Bedwyn Saga books is that Kit came back from Europe with his new bride as a fait accompli, destroying all of Freyja's hopes and dreams. Kit was actually playing hard in London and avoiding the family manse until he got the ultimatum from his father. Nor did I get the impression that Freyja was all that cut-up about it (in this story).
Still, on its own, it was a sweet romance. It was a nice treat to have a female character who is resolute in saying no; such a rare event. Balogh certainly came up with an interesting twist in solving Lauren and Kit's initial problem.
Nothing earth-shattering with glaring bits of historical inaccuracy. I did cry, though. Insightful thought from Lauren on war and how it affects men: "never thought to wonder if men's minds were permanently damaged by the atrocities of war. She had always considered that Englishmen fought for right and justice and so would have nothing on their consciences".
I did feel sorry for Lauren. As the story goes on, Balogh reveals her family history and the trauma she has suffered since she was a wee girl. It certainly makes sense as to why she has behaved as she has. Kit's history is unveiled as well providing us with a better understanding of his issues as well. Humph, I'm not impressed with Kit's performance in bed with Lauren the first time! What an ass!
The Story
It's a scandalous fight in Hyde Park that first allows our heroine and hero to become aware of each other. Right after Kit kissed a milkmaid!
Kit's father commands him to come home to Alvesley for his grandmother's birthday ball. An order that has Kit in an angry and reckless mood. His father is insisting that his betrothal to Lady Freyja is the perfect birthday gift. Well, Kit would marry anyone but Freyja after the manner in which she rejected him three years ago! And it's a drunken night out with his friends when he lists the qualities he wants in his retribution bride: dull, prim, respectable. Perfect.
Lauren is only in London because she simply couldn't stand being at Newbury Abbey anymore with the happy couple and Elizabeth provided an out. When her name crops up that drunken evening, Kit's friends try to persuade him against her, citing all the barriers and impossibilities. A challenge that Kit cannot resist.
It's not the only challenge that Kit comes up against, for Lauren is firm about not marrying, and he quickly realizes how best to manipulate the so-very-proper Miss Lauren Edgeworth. With her family's unknowing cooperation. The chase is on with Miss Edgeworth the fox and Kit the more and more willing hunter.
The Characters
We are introduced to the Bedwyn siblings in this story as it provides the background for the break in the Butler-Bedwyn neighbor relationship, but especially for Freyja Bedwyn in Slightly Scandalous.
The Honorable Miss Lauren Edgeworth is suffering from a cancelled wedding to Neville Wyatt, the Earl of Kilbourne (see One Night for Love (One Night for Love), eighteen months ago. Embarrassed beyond words, Lauren simply wants to live on her own and never have to consider marriage again. It's Kit's confession that spurs Lauren to make her own surprising counter-offer. Baron Galton is her grandfather.
Elizabeth, the Duchess of Portfrey, is Lauren's aunt and married to Lyndon (the duke). Gwendoline "Gwen", Lady Muir, is Neville's sister. Neville Wyatt and his wife, Lily, live at Newbury Abbey where Lauren grew up with Neville and Gwen; Clara Wyatt is the Dowager Countess. Joseph Fawcitt, Marquess of Attingsborough, is a cousin of Lauren's and the Wyatt siblings. Joseph's parents are Webster and Sadie Fawcitt, the Duke and Duchess of Anburey, who has gotten her daughter, Lady Wilma, betrothed and has now set her sights on getting Lauren hooked up.
Colonel Christopher "Kit" Butler, Viscount Ravensberg (and unexpected heir to the earldom), has been raking about in London for the past year since selling his commission and building a reputation for scandalous behavior; he can't go home as he was banished three years ago. The Earl and Countess of Redfield are his parents; Sydnam is his crippled, angry brother. Lord Farrington, Charles Rush, and Lord Arthur are all friends of his.
The Bedwyns, from Wulfric on down to Morgana, are determined to insult Lauren from the start. I love how she very quietly and politely gave it right back!
The Cover and Title
It's a mellow yellow cover with the scroll outlines creating a wallpaper-like background for the deep red title and author's name. It would probably feel more summery if the outlines had been in green, but I'm just nitpickin'.
The title is certainly accurate as I don't think Kit or Lauren will ever forget this summer, their actions have certainly made it A Summer to Remember.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved Lauren and Kit, and I’m so glad I got Kits side of the story re what happened between him and Freyja. This was very well developed and a sweet relationship to watch grow.
I honestly love Mary Balogh but I often feel the pace of her books. I always love the stories but sometimes it feels like it takes a very long time for her characters to fall in love or to express their love. I sometimes wish we got to live inside their love a little sooner.
Kit and Lauren are great. Freja was truly awful in this novel. Honestly most of the Bedwyns were awful. I’m not sure I would have read their series if I had read this first.
Kit and Lauren are great. Freja was truly awful in this novel. Honestly most of the Bedwyns were awful. I’m not sure I would have read their series if I had read this first.
Good story, 4 stars. I enjoy the premise of the book and after what felt like some initial cheesiness I was feeling from our introduction to Kit and the overwhelming names and titles for all the characters, I found some good depth and humor.
Lauren was victim to Fate, denying her the husband she thought she was going to have. She has a loving family but a bit too much:
"It seemed that her family, concerned that she might be a wallflower at her first ball in over a year, had spent the few days since she had agreed to attend lining up prospective partners for her—and prospective suitors too?
Just a little over a year ago she had danced at her wedding eve ball, secure in her own attractiveness, the cynosure of all eyes, the admired and envied bride of the Earl of Kilbourne.
Tonight she was an aging, faded beauty, unable to attract her own partners, in dire danger of declining into a permanent and irrevocable spinsterhood. Or so her family made her feel."
When Kit shows up, after taking the bet to make her his wife, she finds herself drawn to him because he:
"Lord Ravensberg had not been coerced. He had complimented her eyes, however foolish the flattery. And he was undeniably attractive."
Kit makes traction with Lauren simply due to everyone having objections about him :)
After several encounters, she goes straight to the heart of the matter. If she had pursued him, he would have fled:
“Good Lord, yes,” he agreed. Perceptive of her.
“I would thank you not to take the Lord’s name in vain,” she said so primly that he was momentarily enchanted. “I see that I have behaved in quite the wrong manner with you. I should have encouraged you.”
“There is always time,” he suggested, moving his chair half an inch closer to hers, “to mend your ways, Miss Edgeworth.”
I appreciate he came clean to her and they were able to have a (mostly) open, honest relationship:
“No,” he said. “You do yourself an injustice. And it was not just a game. I really did—do—need a bride. Someone like you. But I should not have courted you with such . . . insensitivity.
With such careless disregard for you as a person. I should not have allowed you, or any other lady, to become the object of a wager. You may be the perfect wife for me, but I would be just the worst possible husband for you.”
When they went to his estate to carry out the fake betrothal, he was kind to her as he fulfilled his promise to make her summer unforgettable:
“Please,” she said quietly, “let me go.” Would he really toss her in, fully clothed? Probably not, he decided. Undoubtedly not, in fact.
“You wanted an adventure, Lauren,” he said. “You wanted a summer quite different from any other you have ever known. You wanted to know what it feels like to live as other people live—people who do not have to earn the respect and love of those who nurture them. You wanted to know exuberance and happiness and freedom from restraint. You cannot have it both ways. You cannot expect these things to drop into your lap if you do not reach out to embrace them. I cannot keep my side of our bargain if you will not allow me to.”
“I do not know how to swim,” she said.
“I will teach you,” he told her.
She is perfect, handling snobs and charming everyone. And falls in love with them in turn. I tell you I hated Freyja- did she not know how to talk? Calling Kit "foolish" like over and over??
They get their HEA and I enjoyed this tender bit at the end:
"How is your grandmama?”
“Busy setting out the family christening robes.”
“Oh.”
“I am to marry you before Christmas, get you with child by Christmas, and be pacing the floors of Alvesley by this time next year, tearing out my hair in clumps and wearing out my boot leather while you deliver our first boy. Strict orders. Why do you think I really came? Just to tell you that I love you?”
“Foolish of me.”
-
-
-
-
-
-
Spoiler: could have done without the 3rd act break-up but I understand how Lauren needed to understand what being free felt like.
Lauren was victim to Fate, denying her the husband she thought she was going to have. She has a loving family but a bit too much:
"It seemed that her family, concerned that she might be a wallflower at her first ball in over a year, had spent the few days since she had agreed to attend lining up prospective partners for her—and prospective suitors too?
Just a little over a year ago she had danced at her wedding eve ball, secure in her own attractiveness, the cynosure of all eyes, the admired and envied bride of the Earl of Kilbourne.
Tonight she was an aging, faded beauty, unable to attract her own partners, in dire danger of declining into a permanent and irrevocable spinsterhood. Or so her family made her feel."
When Kit shows up, after taking the bet to make her his wife, she finds herself drawn to him because he:
"Lord Ravensberg had not been coerced. He had complimented her eyes, however foolish the flattery. And he was undeniably attractive."
Kit makes traction with Lauren simply due to everyone having objections about him :)
After several encounters, she goes straight to the heart of the matter. If she had pursued him, he would have fled:
“Good Lord, yes,” he agreed. Perceptive of her.
“I would thank you not to take the Lord’s name in vain,” she said so primly that he was momentarily enchanted. “I see that I have behaved in quite the wrong manner with you. I should have encouraged you.”
“There is always time,” he suggested, moving his chair half an inch closer to hers, “to mend your ways, Miss Edgeworth.”
I appreciate he came clean to her and they were able to have a (mostly) open, honest relationship:
“No,” he said. “You do yourself an injustice. And it was not just a game. I really did—do—need a bride. Someone like you. But I should not have courted you with such . . . insensitivity.
With such careless disregard for you as a person. I should not have allowed you, or any other lady, to become the object of a wager. You may be the perfect wife for me, but I would be just the worst possible husband for you.”
When they went to his estate to carry out the fake betrothal, he was kind to her as he fulfilled his promise to make her summer unforgettable:
“Please,” she said quietly, “let me go.” Would he really toss her in, fully clothed? Probably not, he decided. Undoubtedly not, in fact.
“You wanted an adventure, Lauren,” he said. “You wanted a summer quite different from any other you have ever known. You wanted to know what it feels like to live as other people live—people who do not have to earn the respect and love of those who nurture them. You wanted to know exuberance and happiness and freedom from restraint. You cannot have it both ways. You cannot expect these things to drop into your lap if you do not reach out to embrace them. I cannot keep my side of our bargain if you will not allow me to.”
“I do not know how to swim,” she said.
“I will teach you,” he told her.
She is perfect, handling snobs and charming everyone. And falls in love with them in turn. I tell you I hated Freyja- did she not know how to talk? Calling Kit "foolish" like over and over??
They get their HEA and I enjoyed this tender bit at the end:
"How is your grandmama?”
“Busy setting out the family christening robes.”
“Oh.”
“I am to marry you before Christmas, get you with child by Christmas, and be pacing the floors of Alvesley by this time next year, tearing out my hair in clumps and wearing out my boot leather while you deliver our first boy. Strict orders. Why do you think I really came? Just to tell you that I love you?”
“Foolish of me.”
-
-
-
-
-
-
Spoiler: could have done without the 3rd act break-up but I understand how Lauren needed to understand what being free felt like.
emotional
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes