A review by megatza
Slightly Married by Mary Balogh

emotional 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

4.5

The starchiest Colonel, Lord Aidan Bedwyn, agrees to his comrade-in-arm's dying wish to take care of his sister. When Aidan shows up to tell Eve Morris that her brother is dead, he also learns of a complicated inheritance problem: if Eve doesn't marry in the next 4 days, she'll lose her house to an awful cousin and the ability to care for her servants and adopted children. Aidan does what any good historical romance hero does: agree to marry her and acquire a special license. The best part is that after the marriage she'll have the protection of his name and they don't even have to see each other. But what if they want to?

I love a starchy hero, and Aidan Bedwyn is a starchy king. He has a good heart, he just doesn't know how to share that love with someone like kindhearted Eve. Eve is a Welsh country girl through and through, and loves the ability to shock society when she's introduced. 

I saw someone review this as the "most marriage of convenience marriage of convenience trope" and that's truly right. It's so inconveniently convenient that it takes the entire book to really resolve. This was my first Balogh and I really enjoyed it. It feels like a solid series setup and I look forward to more of the Bedwyns.