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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
2023 Audio Update ... Well, I'm not sure I adored this quite as much this time around. The audio narration was AMAZING. I don't think it is possible for the incomparable Rosalyn Landor to ever screw up a regency romance narration. She is the best! But listening to this relationship evolve was a little tedious at times. Things that I loved oozing from the story when I read it almost ten years ago were a bit frustrating when I heard it narrated this time around. I wanted Eve and Aiden to open up to each other a little faster. But overall I would still say that this is a lovely historical with a satisfying begin to a HEA. I do think that it was a lovely story to hear through audio. I still recommend it.
***
And then he smiled at her.
Who would have guessed that such a simple statement could cause such a rush of emotions in me as a reader? Such an absolutely beautiful moment!
This is a book full of subtleties. It is not an epic, sweeping romance with lots of superfluous language and sweep-off-your-feet moments. It may not be a book that appeals to many readers, but I loved it. Aiden is a hero with little emotion. He never smiles. Never. He is a man of duty. He is only a man of duty. That is was the Bedwyn family does. They perform their duty. No matter what. It does not matter what one feels. It only matters what one should do. And in this story what Aiden should do is offer marriage to Eve, sister of a recently fallen comrade in arms. Aiden made the solemn vow that he would return to England from the battlefields of France and take care of Eve. It turns out that the best way for him to help her keep her lands and wealth is to marry her ... a marriage of convenience. Sure, this has been done a thousand times in books such as these. Two people marry for convenience. They don't know each other at all. They come to know each other, realize they are truly in love, happily ever after. The end. But this story stood out to me because of the almost unbreakable demeanor of its hero. You really do have to keep reading in faith, believing that there HAS to be some emotion lurking behind Aiden's cold demeanor because you really don't see any evidence that the man has any emotions at all for at least three quarters of the book. For some readers that will be too long of a wait. It is amazing how much Aiden (and his entire family, for that matter) hide their true thoughts and feelings from everyone, including each other. It is ridiculous. Eve is not much better. Sure, she doesn't bow to the pressure from the immensely powerful Bedwyn family, but she doesn't really ever tell anyone how she feels either. This is a slow burn novel. You have to be patient. You have to trust that all will work out (and it always does in this genre, doesn't it?). But if you can hold out, I think you can find a truly beautiful and satisfying tale of two people who seemed destined to live lives alone and without true happiness and love, but who find a way to overcome the circumstances of their rank and birth to find that happiness. At one point in the story I stopped reading and turned to my husband to smile and say, "This just makes me so happy." And it did. Aiden is hard and does not show emotion AT ALL, but when he does ... it is beautiful. Well worth the wait.
This is my first Mary Balogh novel, and I was very happy with the way she presented this story. I'm a little nervous to continue on in this series because it seems as if the entire Bedwyn family is going to have issues showing emotion. I'm not sure I can take a binge reading of a series of such people. But I'll come back to this series eventually to see how the other siblings find their happily ever afters. For this one ... four stars!
***
And then he smiled at her.
Who would have guessed that such a simple statement could cause such a rush of emotions in me as a reader? Such an absolutely beautiful moment!
This is a book full of subtleties. It is not an epic, sweeping romance with lots of superfluous language and sweep-off-your-feet moments. It may not be a book that appeals to many readers, but I loved it. Aiden is a hero with little emotion. He never smiles. Never. He is a man of duty. He is only a man of duty. That is was the Bedwyn family does. They perform their duty. No matter what. It does not matter what one feels. It only matters what one should do. And in this story what Aiden should do is offer marriage to Eve, sister of a recently fallen comrade in arms. Aiden made the solemn vow that he would return to England from the battlefields of France and take care of Eve. It turns out that the best way for him to help her keep her lands and wealth is to marry her ... a marriage of convenience. Sure, this has been done a thousand times in books such as these. Two people marry for convenience. They don't know each other at all. They come to know each other, realize they are truly in love, happily ever after. The end. But this story stood out to me because of the almost unbreakable demeanor of its hero. You really do have to keep reading in faith, believing that there HAS to be some emotion lurking behind Aiden's cold demeanor because you really don't see any evidence that the man has any emotions at all for at least three quarters of the book. For some readers that will be too long of a wait. It is amazing how much Aiden (and his entire family, for that matter) hide their true thoughts and feelings from everyone, including each other. It is ridiculous. Eve is not much better. Sure, she doesn't bow to the pressure from the immensely powerful Bedwyn family, but she doesn't really ever tell anyone how she feels either. This is a slow burn novel. You have to be patient. You have to trust that all will work out (and it always does in this genre, doesn't it?). But if you can hold out, I think you can find a truly beautiful and satisfying tale of two people who seemed destined to live lives alone and without true happiness and love, but who find a way to overcome the circumstances of their rank and birth to find that happiness. At one point in the story I stopped reading and turned to my husband to smile and say, "This just makes me so happy." And it did. Aiden is hard and does not show emotion AT ALL, but when he does ... it is beautiful. Well worth the wait.
This is my first Mary Balogh novel, and I was very happy with the way she presented this story. I'm a little nervous to continue on in this series because it seems as if the entire Bedwyn family is going to have issues showing emotion. I'm not sure I can take a binge reading of a series of such people. But I'll come back to this series eventually to see how the other siblings find their happily ever afters. For this one ... four stars!
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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 was hesitant to listen to Rosalyn Landor for a long time because she sounds like a proper matron who has been tasked to chaperone a newly debutante. Even if it is definitely suited for HRs, I thought it might be strange to hear romance narrated in such a fashion. But I stand corrected, because the Bedwyn Saga is fantastic in her voice. I dare say it sounded just like Julie Andrews' narration in the TV series Bridgerton.
I don't think there is a Mary Balogh book that hasn't brought tears to my eyes at some point. Another fabulous book. I can't wait to continue reading the rest of the series.
I liked this well enough. Miscommunication is not my favorite trope so that was kind of meh, but I do love a sad man burdened by duty. And a woman with agency in HR.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: War
This was a perfectly serviceable romance. The romance was sweet, the hero and heroine believable, and the supporting characters delightful. I took off two stars for one reason - the central conflict in the story is that the lovebirds never actually speak to one another. Eve is also a bit too perfect and selfless. Still, a solid romance by Mary balogh, and I do recommend the Bedwyn series!
Aidan's story. Driven by duty and honor Aidan seeks out a dead soldiers' sister. To keep his promise to protect her he offers marriage. To keep her home and protect those dependent on her she accepts.
Maybo more of a 3.5, but I really like Eve's loving character and her collection of dependents.
Maybo more of a 3.5, but I really like Eve's loving character and her collection of dependents.