Rating: 
Summary: Pleasantly surprised, yet again...
Review: After reading "Slightly Married" by Mrs. Balogh, the bar was set pretty high. I skipped over the second in the series simply because the plot didn't appeal to me, but I was really looking forward to Freyja's story- and I wasn't disappointed.Once again, I was really impressed with the quality of writing displayed by Mrs. Balogh. Partly through "Slightly Married" I stopped to marvel at the fact that I was actually reading a romance novel- no offense to the genre, of course. Her characterizations are some of the best in the genre- no cookie cutter typecasts here. Mrs. Balogh is quite good at extracting emotions from her readers in a seamless fashion. Unlike some other novels where the authors seem to inject emotion where it is needed, Mrs. Balogh simply weaves it expertly into the plot and cast. One of my favorite aspects of Mrs. Balogh's novels is the realistic approach she takes to writing love scenes. I want to scream every time a dewy-eyed virgin is debauched in some novel and has no idea what's going on. Honestly, even the most ignorant girls have some idea. I also appreciate the fact that immediately after making love, the characters don't suddenly fall in love, like in other novels of the genre. The characters in this novel are far too complex for such simple romantic devices. I gave the novel only four stars for a few reasons. My two main complaints are pretty picky, so the novel is still definitely a worthwhile read. First of all, while I think Mary Balogh is quite adept at building chemistry, the love scenes are a bit too much wham-bam for me. After the tension has built and built, in both novels Mrs. Balogh favors the mantra "more is less" when the love scene finally takes place. While that may convey the urgency, it was leaving me a little let down. Second picky complaint concerns the "evil villain" of the novel. While most of the author's characters were complex and compelling, this one was a little too typical to me. I continue to serach in vain for a complex villain in a romance novel. :) Other than that, it was a good read, and I even found myself tearing up at a few points. Be warned, it does drag a bit towards the end, where you will probably find yourself shouting "Just sat it, already!" at both characters, but the ending is pretty and happy so it's worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: Completely Delighted with Slightly Scandalous
Review: I am a fan of Mary Balogh, and I had already read the first two novels in this trilogy. I had adored Slightly Married and was a little disappointed with Slightly Wicked. So I wasn't sure what to expect my reaction would be to Slightly Scandalous. However, it turned out to be one of those books that I couldn't put down. Lady Freyja, although not always likeable when she appeared previously in Balogh's novels, has a certain charisma from the beginning that has you rooting for her. One can certainly understand her pain and reluctance to trust from what happened in A Summer to Remember, but I loved that she doesn't really let it get in the way of the romance that progresses in such a humorous and fun-filled fashion with Joshua Moore. Both characters are fairly deeply drawn without becoming too dark to be likable. Add the rest of the Bedwyns, who are all entertaining, and you've got yourself a first rate read by the indomitable Miss Balogh.
Rating: 
Summary: Third is not a charm!
Review: I love this "slightly" series. (The second one on Rannaulf, slightly wicked, is my favorite!) Balogh continues her witty dialogue and strong characters in this story about a pretend betrothal to save face (that goes on and on until its real).
However I intensely dislike the amount of attention given to Freyja's "ugliness".......and don't much like that the hero is admittedly "prettier" than the heroine! That ruined a good book for me.
Rating:
Summary: The Bedwyn Family gets more & more interesting
Review: I loved this book! I started the series with A Summer to Remember and was at first disappointed that the Bedwyns seemd to have such a small part in that book. Then I continued on with Slightly Married and was thrilled to really meet the Bedwyns. I like that the subsequent books refer back to characters we've gotten to meet and we are able to know how their lives have progressed. I find myself anxious for Mary Balogh to give us Wulf's story. I'm hoping she doesn't save him for last because the more we get to know him, the more interesting a character he becomes. He also needs to let loose and I cannot wait to see how it happens. These books are simply wonderful, with the stories easily flowing into one another. I enjoyed Slightly Scandalous, although at times it seemed hard to imagine Freyja being so brokenhearted over Kit, when she is painted a such a strong character. Since I didn't like her when she was introduced in Summer to Remember, this book completely changed my view of her. Again, I am enjoying the Bedwyn family and their stories - I am hopeful that the next book will finally get Wulfric a woman. Considering how proper he is and seems so disinterested in marrying and being in love - the woman who claims his heart will be an interesting one indeed. As much as I am enjoying all the Bedwyn's, Wulf's story should be next. I look forward to it.
Rating:
Summary: Fun
Review: I really didn't expect to like this book since Freyja was not very likeable in previous books. Plus authors often don't present the story of the sisters in a family series too well. Don't know why that is. However, we are dealing with Mary Balogh here, so....... Even though it took me awhile to warm up to Freyja, I loved Joshua right of the bat. Their arguments were great although I feel there was too much fist throwing by Free. Once, to prove she was a Bewcastle, would have been plenty. Well, the one toward the end of the book was satisfying. But beating up on the hero more than once was too much. All in all, I enjoyed the book a lot. Now, I want to read the stories of the other 3 Bewcastles. Even though Wulfric reminds me a lot of Jo Beverly's Rothgar, I'm sure he'll be my favorite. I love a good brooding, emignatic hero. I did like the fact that the three "Slightly...." books were published one month after another. At no loss of quality. Ms. Balogh is truly at the top of her field.
Rating:
Summary: NOW, I like Freyja
Review: I really disliked her in A Summer to Remember. In the next two books, she improved somewhat, but here, in her own story, she blossoms. One reason is that we finally get to see some vulnerability in her; the other favorable factor is her marvelously sarcastic sense of humor. When Josh arrives in Bath, Freyja makes a scene that results in a fake betrothal-- one that her brother, the Duke, insists be maintained for a time. Josh is intrigued by this little hoyden and is one of the few who can put her in her place. She naturally resents that, but even worse is his seeming inability to take anything seriously. He's always winking at her, calling her "sweetheart," and making kissing gestures, all the sorts of things he knows will infuriate her. But he is far too frivilous to be taken seriously...or so she thinks. The story deals little with the Bedwyn family, although Wulfric appears just enough to make you long for his story. The book focuses more on Josh's family and to good result--we need to see Freyja away from her usual surroundings. When Josh goes to meet his fiance's family, he fits right in. The stranger thing is how close Freyja becomes to his family. It's different (as the series goes) and it works. A Summer to Remember is still my favorite (and worth far more than 5 stars), but I liked this one a great deal.
Rating:
Summary: The best of the Bedwyn series so far!
Review: I really disliked Lady Freyja Bedwyn when she was first introduced in the wonderful "A Summer to Remember". She was haughty, disdainful, spoiled and downright nasty! But Slightly Scandalous takes us into the heart and mind of this feisty, proud and complex woman and by the end of this book, I admired the woman she became once she let herself love and be loved by the unconventional and decidedly unstuffy Josh. Freyja had been engaged to Kit Butler, her neighbor, childhood friend and, for one summer, her first love. But Kit had other plans, bringing home his own bride (lovely and perfect Lauren) whom Freyja chooses to despise. Now their first child is due any day and Freyja cannot bear to be around to witness their happiness. And so she makes for Bath to stay with friends until after the birth and ensuing festivities. While staying the night at an inn, a man bursts into her room asking her to hide him then steals a kiss and earns a punch in the nose for his efforts before being forced out the window. Once in Bath, routine and tedium take hold until Freyja meets up again with her midnight visitor from the inn. He is Joshua Moore, Marquess of Hallmere. He constantly has an amused, mischievous twinkle in his eye and he loves to push Freyja's buttons. He may be infuriating, but she quickly realizes that he is the most interesting and enjoyable company she's had since coming to Bath. Together they become the talk of the town and when a plot is discovered to marry Josh off against his will, he asks Freyja to enter into a fake betrothal to thwart his aunt. She agrees thinking it will be a fun and temporary lark. How wrong they both are and soon things have gone way too far when Freyja's brother, the Duke of Bewcastle arrives in Bath demanding to know what is going on. Each time they try to end the betrothal something comes up that causes them to keep up the charade. And the more time they spend together, the worse it gets, for they are slowly becoming quite attached to one another. Freyja starts to see that Josh is more than just a shallow, handsome, enjoyable companion. He's kind, generous, down-to-earth and seems willing to take on his responsibilties to his estate and his female cousins. And Josh more than admires Freyja's spirit, intelligence, and new-found open mindedness and wonders why they must part at all. But will Freyja be willing to risk giving her heart a second time? Can she trust Josh with it? An enjoyable couple who brought out the best in one another and were truly friends as well as lovers. A highly recommended read!
Rating: 
Summary: I intensely disliked the heroine-Lady Freyja.
Review: I really don't know how so many people have rated this book so highly. To me Freyja is totally unlikeable. She is too proud, too unyielding, too haughty, too full of herself, too selfish and too hard, none of which are qualities that I admire. Freyja didn't have a soft or feminine fiber in her body. I frankly can't understand how could Joshua (or anyone for that matter) fall in love with her, since she seems to be forever punching him in the face and mistreating him. She seemed to be angry with the world for no good reason. OK, she was once rejected by someone she thought she loved in "A Summer to Remember", but even then it was originally her fault, and she acted despicably when she didn't get her way. She is just a spoiled brat who thinks she can do as she pleases and look down on everybody simply because of her powerful family. Ach! The hero-Joshua- was the reason I gave this book at least 2 stars. He is a very pleasant character. Cheerful, kind, sensible, intelligent, but also firm when he had to be. I liked Joshua very much since despite his cheerful and carefree manner he conceals hurts and a less thant happy chilhood, but he hasn't allowed this to turn him bitter and resentful. He is a very possitive character and the only thing that makes this book bearable. I think this is my least favorite of the Bedwyn series so far. I quite liked Morgan, but after reading her book, she is only "slightly" better than Freyja. I just hope Mary Balogh does better with Alleyne and Wulfric's stories, although I don't really expect much from this series anymore, after all, I disliked Freyja since the beginning and my opinion of her didn't improve after reading her story. Alleyne is quite different, I think he is the only Bedwyn I have always liked, so maybe his story will be my favorite of the series. Wulfric needs a serious thawing to get me to like him even a little.
Rating:
Summary: Flat heroine, marginally developed hero
Review: I think the author didn't put more than skill into this novel, and I was very disappointed. I had hoped that she would turn the spoiled superior supercillious heroine into a real character but aside from a few superficial feints, Balogh added nothing to her. She did slightly better for the hero, partly because he had more background. I had been expecting a Freyja with the relative depth and resonance of her novelistic predecessors, who became full individuals in their own novels. Because I had anticipated a lot of depth and dimension that Freyja might have had, based bare hints in the earlier novels, I was expecting a much better book, not one in which the author seemed more fond of her hero than of the series-character whose story we readers had anticipated. This book reads almost (not quite) as if it were written to a plug-in formula.
Rating:
Summary: Grrrr.....
Review: I would have liked the book more, if the whole plot about the Bedwyns had been more original.
It seems to me that the author is trying to imitate Jo Beverley's Mallorens (I prefered the Mallorens a whole lot better than the Bedwyns!) Look at the similiarities in the two series: four brothers and two sisters, including an intimidating eldest brother( Rothgar in the Mallorens case and Wulf in the Bedwyns case). Even their names are similar. Rothgar's actual name is Beowulf and Wulf's is actually Wulfric. My, what a coincidence!
I'm quite disappointed in mary balogh this time round. The Bedwyns will never take the place of the Mallorens.
| 
