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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Colonel Aidan makes a deathbed promise to the man who saved his life on the battle field to protect his sister Eve.
“Promise me you will protect her,” he said. His fingers plucked feebly at the colonel’s hand. “Promise me! No matter what!”
“I promise.” The colonel bent his head closer in the hope that his eyes and his voice would penetrate the fog of death engulfing the agitated man. “I give you my solemn vow.”
Eve lives with a bunch of misfits at her home Ringwood (I kept thinking Ringworm honestly the only negative on this book). This includes a hilariously rough housekeeper, her matchmaking aunt, and two orphans not related to her who she is raising as her own.
“They are not lame ducks.” She frowned up at him, her anger returning. “They are people to whom life has been cruel. They are precious persons of no less value in the sacred scheme of things than you or I. And there is Muffin too, my dog, who was brutally abused by his former owner. Lives of infinite value, all of them. What am I supposed to do when I see suffering and have it in my power to alleviate it? Turn my back?”
Her father was manipulative leaving her the estate for a year, then falling to her brother Percy. Since Percy is dead, it will go to her horrible cousin in four days.
Aidan brings her news of her beloved brother’s death. She denies his help, but he finds out her troubles. She has four days until she is thrown out of her home. So Aidan offers her a marriage of convenience by special license. They will marry then go their separate ways.
This goes as well as marriage of conveniences in romance novels usually go. Aidan’s brother, the Duke of Bewcastle, finds out he has a sister in law and takes it on himself to bring her to London, for the family honor.
”Bedwyns on average marry later in life than most people, but we do not abandon our spouses once we do marry, Aidan, or expose them to possible ridicule or pity.”
From there it becomes a fish out of water story, Eve finding her place in society and with her new in-laws.
I loved the gruff Aidan and the wonderfully caring Eve. Watching them go from strangers, to partners, mutually pining each other was great. If you like a grumpy/sunshine romance this is a book for you. Aidan’s slow warming up to Eve and her friends was just delightful. Also the villain, cousin Morris, is sleazy but Aidan throwing him out of the house was so satisfying. Loved this book, gonna have to read the rest in the series.
“But is there such a thing, Aidan? Happily ever after, I mean?”
“No,” he said, his smile softening to tenderness. “There is something infinitely better than happily ever after. There is happiness. Happiness is a living, dynamic thing, Eve, and has to be worked on every moment for the rest of our lives. It is a far more exciting prospect than that silly static idea of a happily ever after. Would you not agree?”
“Promise me you will protect her,” he said. His fingers plucked feebly at the colonel’s hand. “Promise me! No matter what!”
“I promise.” The colonel bent his head closer in the hope that his eyes and his voice would penetrate the fog of death engulfing the agitated man. “I give you my solemn vow.”
Eve lives with a bunch of misfits at her home Ringwood (I kept thinking Ringworm honestly the only negative on this book). This includes a hilariously rough housekeeper, her matchmaking aunt, and two orphans not related to her who she is raising as her own.
“They are not lame ducks.” She frowned up at him, her anger returning. “They are people to whom life has been cruel. They are precious persons of no less value in the sacred scheme of things than you or I. And there is Muffin too, my dog, who was brutally abused by his former owner. Lives of infinite value, all of them. What am I supposed to do when I see suffering and have it in my power to alleviate it? Turn my back?”
Her father was manipulative leaving her the estate for a year, then falling to her brother Percy. Since Percy is dead, it will go to her horrible cousin in four days.
Aidan brings her news of her beloved brother’s death. She denies his help, but he finds out her troubles. She has four days until she is thrown out of her home. So Aidan offers her a marriage of convenience by special license. They will marry then go their separate ways.
This goes as well as marriage of conveniences in romance novels usually go. Aidan’s brother, the Duke of Bewcastle, finds out he has a sister in law and takes it on himself to bring her to London, for the family honor.
”Bedwyns on average marry later in life than most people, but we do not abandon our spouses once we do marry, Aidan, or expose them to possible ridicule or pity.”
From there it becomes a fish out of water story, Eve finding her place in society and with her new in-laws.
I loved the gruff Aidan and the wonderfully caring Eve. Watching them go from strangers, to partners, mutually pining each other was great. If you like a grumpy/sunshine romance this is a book for you. Aidan’s slow warming up to Eve and her friends was just delightful. Also the villain, cousin Morris, is sleazy but Aidan throwing him out of the house was so satisfying. Loved this book, gonna have to read the rest in the series.
“But is there such a thing, Aidan? Happily ever after, I mean?”
“No,” he said, his smile softening to tenderness. “There is something infinitely better than happily ever after. There is happiness. Happiness is a living, dynamic thing, Eve, and has to be worked on every moment for the rest of our lives. It is a far more exciting prospect than that silly static idea of a happily ever after. Would you not agree?”
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This is my first time reading Mary Balogh, but one book is all I needed to see why she’s so beloved. Her writing has such a distinct style, it felt completely unique. I loved all the small details about this world I’ve spent so much time in, and she managed to make it seem new all over again. Her characters had such distinct personalities. From Aiden and Eve, to all the supporting cast. I already can’t wait to read on about the rest of the Bedwyn siblings.
Aiden, our Hero, starts out as such a cold starched shirt, who’s only true emotion seems to be his obsession with his Honor. He offers to marry our Heroine to save her from losing everything, because he made a promise to her dying brother. Eve, was such a kind and giving person, and Balogh managed to convey the depth of her devotion to her family of misfits, without making her come across as a total Mary Sue. It was honestly fascinating to watch this couple move from severe marriage of convenience, to respect and friendship, and then finally to a deep love. The beginning of their marriage, you can FEEL how awkward and painful it is for them both. Aiden is so reserved, it was really lovely to see the softening affect Eve had on him, as she gained his trust and admiration. I loved all of the interactions with Aiden’s family, and the way Eve held her own among so many strong personalities. I’m looking forward to reading on in the series, but I can hardly wait to read the Duke’s book. That man has such a “I can’t feel my feelings or I’ll die” vibe… it’s going to be amazing to witness his love story. 5 Stars.
Aiden, our Hero, starts out as such a cold starched shirt, who’s only true emotion seems to be his obsession with his Honor. He offers to marry our Heroine to save her from losing everything, because he made a promise to her dying brother. Eve, was such a kind and giving person, and Balogh managed to convey the depth of her devotion to her family of misfits, without making her come across as a total Mary Sue. It was honestly fascinating to watch this couple move from severe marriage of convenience, to respect and friendship, and then finally to a deep love. The beginning of their marriage, you can FEEL how awkward and painful it is for them both. Aiden is so reserved, it was really lovely to see the softening affect Eve had on him, as she gained his trust and admiration. I loved all of the interactions with Aiden’s family, and the way Eve held her own among so many strong personalities. I’m looking forward to reading on in the series, but I can hardly wait to read the Duke’s book. That man has such a “I can’t feel my feelings or I’ll die” vibe… it’s going to be amazing to witness his love story. 5 Stars.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this. A very easy romance, though the sex scenes can be better.
Recommended by fellow bookseller Janice (I think she considered me deficient in that I hadn't read a Mary Balogh book yet in my current state of hoovering down romance novels).
I got smart and decided to start at the beginning of the series since I'd scotched several by reading middles or lasts.
I really liked Aiden and Eve's story - a very different set-up in the source of their marriage than the usual marriage-of-convenience/ton-marriage plot. The family that Eve has created for herself from the unwanted and misunderstood members of society is utterly likeable (particularly Agnes, with her good right hook and insistence that her "lamb" (Eve) be cared for properly). The horrible cousin seemed a bit of a caricature but made for some good plot twists.
I did also like the revelation that Aiden.
The Bedwyns are an interesting family (the balance of brothers and sisters reminds me of Madeline Hunter's Boscastles, but I think the Bedwyns are a more realistic portrayal of an aristocratic family) and the glimpse Balogh gave in this volume does pique the interest for more. (Love all their names, too - someone's mother wasn't just a reader but read OLD Anglo-Saxon/Celtic/Norse things - Wulfric, Rannulf, Alleyne, Aiden, Morgan, Freja). I'm down for the next one.
I got smart and decided to start at the beginning of the series since I'd scotched several by reading middles or lasts.
I really liked Aiden and Eve's story - a very different set-up in the source of their marriage than the usual marriage-of-convenience/ton-marriage plot. The family that Eve has created for herself from the unwanted and misunderstood members of society is utterly likeable (particularly Agnes, with her good right hook and insistence that her "lamb" (Eve) be cared for properly). The horrible cousin seemed a bit of a caricature but made for some good plot twists.
I did also like the revelation that Aiden
Spoiler
never meant to be a soldier and was really a gentleman farmer at heart, his marriage to Eve brought that side out againThe Bedwyns are an interesting family (the balance of brothers and sisters reminds me of Madeline Hunter's Boscastles, but I think the Bedwyns are a more realistic portrayal of an aristocratic family) and the glimpse Balogh gave in this volume does pique the interest for more. (Love all their names, too - someone's mother wasn't just a reader but read OLD Anglo-Saxon/Celtic/Norse things - Wulfric, Rannulf, Alleyne, Aiden, Morgan, Freja). I'm down for the next one.
i was looking so promising and I enjoyed the first quarter of it but it went downhill pretty quick after that. The consistent lack of communication is frustrating. The way the first two sex scenes are initiated felt like it was placed not for the novel's sake but because there needed to be a sex scene within the first 50% of the book.
The ending chapters were very cute though, I'm a sucker for family bonding .
The ending chapters were very cute though, I'm a sucker for family bonding .
Delightful Regency romance with a sweet, plucky heroine and a stern hero who has a heart of gold. Knowing that this is a series about the Bedwyns, it is nice to see that the siblings are not presented as perfect future romantic prospects, but rather as flawed human beings.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I appreciated this first book of the Bedwyn saga, but I found it misses the “fun” part which you can find in the Westcott series.
Oh, and Rosalyn Landor was an exceptional narrator of the audiobook just as usual., probably because of her narration this book got at least one extra star
Oh, and Rosalyn Landor was an exceptional narrator of the audiobook just as usual., probably because of her narration this book got at least one extra star
I really enjoyed this book. I found it a bit hard to get into in the beginning, but once I was past the first few chapters things really picked up. It’s a classic marriage of convenience and it delivers on the push-pull of two people who struggle with being vulnerable and letting love in. I would have preferred an epilogue or more domestic scenes, as it has such a lovely rendition of children (I don’t mind them in books but often find children badly written).