Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Mary Mary Mary (Balogh) WHAT have you done to my HEART?! I read all the Bedwyn saga out of order so I actually read #1 last. Why? Because every time I came across Aidan in another book in the series, I was like 'ughh him and Eve sound so borrrrring' so I kept putting it off. Well imagine my surprise when this book snuck in and shattered my heart into a zillion pieces and I was left in a sobbing heap on the floor. Good God (as Aidan would say). Eve always seemed so "sweet" and Aidan just read as unreadable (accurate) so it didn't click that this book could actually be good. Instead, it rocked my world.
Aidan never wanted to be a military man, but Wulfric bought a commission and forced him to go. Now at the age of 30, he's been a killing machine since age 18 and is just numbed out to his life. He's forgotten his dreams of being a man of the land, having a family and just living on a farm somewhere. He promises a dying man on the battlefield that he'll take care of the man's sister 'no matter what' which ends up, surprise surprise, leading to him having to marry her to save her from ruination.
Aidan just gives up any dream of a loving marriage or children for 'honor' which basically sums up what kind of a man he is. But then it all goes horribly wrong (before it can go right at the end).
Of course there are lots of fun trainwrecks along the way, her being a coal miner's daughter and all. And him telling himself it can never work.
Eve is a bleeding heart and keeper of broken things. She is taking care of 2 orphans when we meet her. There's a delicious villain here, her cousin, and - well actually 2 if you count her douche of a boyfriend who's been promising her he'll propose to her once he's back from Russia. Meanwhile, they're having a friends with benefits situationship that suits him perfectly. Ugh, hate him.
But Eve and Aidan REFUSE to acknowledge how they feel. Have you ever read a book and wanted to throttle someone? Well I wanted to knock these two's heads together over and over. Everyone else in the book could see they were in love, except for them. Getting to see all the Bedwyns, especially Wulfric who plays a big part on this one, and his reaction to Eve, was just delightful.
The sex scenes were actually quite steamy for a Balogh and my goodness you get the sense that Aidan can really uhhh get things done. These scenes were ringing all my bells quite properly, wow. The final scene in the moonlight had me actually just a sobbing mess on the floor with a washcloth over my face just soaking up the tears. It was THAT beautiful. Goodness gracious she writes beautiful prose. The culmination of these two finally telling each other they loved the other after all this angst just wrecked me. Here for it!
I ADORED seeing Aidan step into fatherhood and his scenes with Becky and David and actually laughing and smiling and being tender were achingly sweet. She perfectly captures life with small children and a pastoral historical perspective that is intoxicating, you are transported to the English countryside and it is blissful (as Aidan would say).
There is no external conflict between these two other than a short-lived jealousy on Aidan's behalf (which is ADORABLE) and I liked that aspect. He had enough inner demons to cause problems for them and it really worked for me.
I'm sad the whole saga is read now and I guess I'll have to find something else to read *sobs quietly into a hankie* Thank you Ms Balogh for the beautiful journey through the Bedwyns' lives.
Aidan never wanted to be a military man, but Wulfric bought a commission and forced him to go. Now at the age of 30, he's been a killing machine since age 18 and is just numbed out to his life. He's forgotten his dreams of being a man of the land, having a family and just living on a farm somewhere. He promises a dying man on the battlefield that he'll take care of the man's sister 'no matter what' which ends up, surprise surprise, leading to him having to marry her to save her from ruination.
Aidan just gives up any dream of a loving marriage or children for 'honor' which basically sums up what kind of a man he is. But then it all goes horribly wrong (before it can go right at the end).
Of course there are lots of fun trainwrecks along the way, her being a coal miner's daughter and all. And him telling himself it can never work.
Eve is a bleeding heart and keeper of broken things. She is taking care of 2 orphans when we meet her. There's a delicious villain here, her cousin, and - well actually 2 if you count her douche of a boyfriend who's been promising her he'll propose to her once he's back from Russia. Meanwhile, they're having a friends with benefits situationship that suits him perfectly. Ugh, hate him.
But Eve and Aidan REFUSE to acknowledge how they feel. Have you ever read a book and wanted to throttle someone? Well I wanted to knock these two's heads together over and over. Everyone else in the book could see they were in love, except for them. Getting to see all the Bedwyns, especially Wulfric who plays a big part on this one, and his reaction to Eve, was just delightful.
The sex scenes were actually quite steamy for a Balogh and my goodness you get the sense that Aidan can really uhhh get things done. These scenes were ringing all my bells quite properly, wow. The final scene in the moonlight had me actually just a sobbing mess on the floor with a washcloth over my face just soaking up the tears. It was THAT beautiful. Goodness gracious she writes beautiful prose. The culmination of these two finally telling each other they loved the other after all this angst just wrecked me. Here for it!
I ADORED seeing Aidan step into fatherhood and his scenes with Becky and David and actually laughing and smiling and being tender were achingly sweet. She perfectly captures life with small children and a pastoral historical perspective that is intoxicating, you are transported to the English countryside and it is blissful (as Aidan would say).
There is no external conflict between these two other than a short-lived jealousy on Aidan's behalf (which is ADORABLE) and I liked that aspect. He had enough inner demons to cause problems for them and it really worked for me.
I'm sad the whole saga is read now and I guess I'll have to find something else to read *sobs quietly into a hankie* Thank you Ms Balogh for the beautiful journey through the Bedwyns' lives.
I wasn’t quite sure about the Bedwyns, they were kind of the villains in the last novel. But Aidan was so heroic and Eve was so brave in her own way.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh, Eve was such a wonderful, caring character. I loved watching Aidan warm up to her and the rest of the characters. Such a sweet story.
I went into this expecting nothing special but I was so pleasantly surprised. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and now I know what I’ve been missing. This writer does a great job with pace and setting. There was a good amount of angst and it is due to the characters guarding their emotions. There were some plot twists but nothing overly-suspenseful or complicated. Our h was pragmatic and smart, if not a bit overly-stubborn but her motives made sense. Aiden is such a wonderful H. The tension and chemistry between the characters was palpable. The characters were well-written and multi-dimensional. I loved this historical romance and will look for more from this author. I’ll be rereading this one.
holy smokes, that was amazing. Okay. Ummm... you know that meme about period drama film dance scenes that’s like, it’s about the YEARNING?
lemme tell you: if you want marriage of convenience, mutual pining, good sibling writing, foster/adopted children, or appreciate a well delivered dramatic comeback? You need to read this one. 10/10 will recommend to everyone even if they don’t usually read romance novels
lemme tell you: if you want marriage of convenience, mutual pining, good sibling writing, foster/adopted children, or appreciate a well delivered dramatic comeback? You need to read this one. 10/10 will recommend to everyone even if they don’t usually read romance novels
I have been meaning to read this series for the longest time. Years ago, when I first got hooked on romance, I read Slightly Dangerous but for some reason I never continued the series. But I am thrilled to get back to it. What we have happening in Slightly Married is Aiden is a military man. When his close friend is killed on the battlefield he made him a dying promise that he would protect his sister: no matter what. So when he goes to her to deliver the news of her brother, he finds out that her cousin will take everything she has and she and everyone she holds dear will be out on the streets with nothing unless she marries in a few days. So he offers her a deal she can’t refuse. Aiden wants to pursue his career and let Eve have her home and her adopted family. But his family has other plans for them. And before he realizes it, Eve is with Aiden in London during the season. And true feelings start to develop and Aiden will need to make a choice: his military career or the woman he is falling in love with.
This was such a sweet and charming love story and I fell instantly in love with the story, the characters and everything else in between!! Mary Balogh has created a wonderful love story that held me captive. I just couldn’t get enough of Eve and Aiden and the Bedwyn family (who are a hoot) and just after reading this one book, makes me realize what I have been missing out on. Slightly Married is the first of a series that shows us our important family is–whether its the one we are born with or the one that we create. Slightly Married is compelling, riveting and a page turner that leaves you wanting more from this author.
This was such a sweet and charming love story and I fell instantly in love with the story, the characters and everything else in between!! Mary Balogh has created a wonderful love story that held me captive. I just couldn’t get enough of Eve and Aiden and the Bedwyn family (who are a hoot) and just after reading this one book, makes me realize what I have been missing out on. Slightly Married is the first of a series that shows us our important family is–whether its the one we are born with or the one that we create. Slightly Married is compelling, riveting and a page turner that leaves you wanting more from this author.
Had this in my to-read list for years and then checked it out in a flurry of "what's currently available from the digital library" right before a family trip to the in laws. Struck out trying to make headway on The New Jim Crow and a biography of Catherine the Great - not enough brain cells. Opened this up and finished it the same afternoon. Proceeded to rip through the next two books in the following days.
Easy read. Slightly preposterous premise. A few scintillating scenes but nothing too embarrassing. Very happy to realize how prolific Mary Balogh is; Looking forward to a lot of pleasure reading courtesy of her!
Easy read. Slightly preposterous premise. A few scintillating scenes but nothing too embarrassing. Very happy to realize how prolific Mary Balogh is; Looking forward to a lot of pleasure reading courtesy of her!
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes