Rating: 
Summary: It was great!
Review: Lady Freyja Bedwyn heads to Bath to avoid the arrival and celebration of her previous love's (Kit, Viscount Ravensburg of A Summer To Remember) first expecting child. There she meets Joshua, Marquess of Hallmere, the "catch of the season." They have previously met under unusual circumstances inwhich he stole a kiss and she punched him in the nose. Joshua's aunt is conniving to marry Joshua off to her daughter/his cousin so the family will still be in control of their homeplace of which Joshua has inherited. To get his aunt off his back, Joshua suggest that he and Freyja fake an engagment between themselves with plans to break it off when his aunt goes back home, disappointed that her plans were not successful. Freyja jumps at the opportunity of mischief and the engagment is announced during a ball- while they have a wonderful time playing up the part of "stary-eyed lovers". It only takes the next day for Freyja's oldest brother the Duke of Bewcastle to show up and confront Freyja and Joshua about the engagement. Unable to tell the truth with fear of what the Duke will do with such a story and the possibility of Joshua's aunt finding out the truth, Freyja and Joshua are forced to play the part of the betrothed. Wulf (the Duke) demands that Freyja and Joshua return to Bewcastle to be introduced to the family and for a celebration with the community. Now the escapades really begin with humor, sadness and even a little murder plotting thrown in.I had put off reading it, worried that I would be disappointed (why I don't know)- but I wasn't. I knew Freyja wanted to escape her feelings for Kit (A Summer to Remember) and MB did a wonderful job of writing such an escape. But MB did a great job inter-twining the stories/characters from previous books and I really enjoyed "hearing" what was happening in everyone else's lives. It was like hearing about old friends and then to see them participate in Freyja's story was a treat. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this story!!! Now, I'm waiting for Wulf's story...
Rating: 
Summary: Another Light, Pleasant Read From Mary Balogh
Review: Lady Freyja Bedwyn is not the usual Regency romance haute ton beauty. In fact she is not a beautiful woman at all, although many would call her handsome, with her prominent nose, dark brows, olive complexion, and mass of fair unruly hair. Her high spirits, independence and competitive ways are anything but ladylike. She was raised with her four older brothers, Wulfric, Duke of Bewcastle, Aiden, Rannulf, Alleyne and younger sister Morgan, and matched her male siblings in all their sporting activities. She was definitely not one to sit still and play the fragile female. The story opens with Lady Freyja visiting friends in Bath. She has escaped the christening of her ex-fiance's son back home and is depressed by old memories of a time when they were betrothed. She hides her vulnerability behind a veneer of icy pride. In an outrageous encounter on her journey to Bath she meets Joshua Moore, Marquess of Hallsmere, when he barges into her bedroom at a local inn and begs her to hide him. The two meet again in Bath under extremely funny circumstances. This brash, adventurous young man is fleeing his aunt's matchmaking schemes and is much taken by the strongwilled Freyja. There is obvious chemistry between them. In a spontaneous moment the two decide to fake a betrothal - he to get away from his aunt's matrimonial plans, she to prove to the world that she need not remain a spinster. Obviously fate intervenes and the couple is unable to announce their break-up within the week as they originally planned. This is the last book in the Bedwyn family trilogy. "Slightly Scandalous," as with the first book "Slightly Married," makes for a light and pleasant romantic read. The plot is not very original, although it is much more complex than the storyline in book one. I did like Josh as a hero. He appears quite cavalier at first, but then the depth of his character becomes obvious. I also enjoyed the scenes with their families at their different estates - Freyja's at Lindsey Hall and Josh's in Cornwall. The other characters are charming if predictable. Ms. Balogh writes in her usual warm, emotional style which enhances the somewhat over-used plot. I enjoyed reading "Slightly Scandalous" and do recommend it as long as potential buyers/readers realize that this is not Ms. Balogh's best effort.
JANA
Rating:
Summary: Slightly scandalous but ever so romantic
Review: Lady Freyja Bedwyn is staying in an inn on her way to Bath when Joshua Moore, Marquess of Hallmere bursts into her room and hides in the wardrobe. He gives an unwanted kiss and in return she gives him a punch on the nose. Later they meet by chance in in a park in Bath and Lady Freyja gives Joshua another punch on the nose thinking that he is about to compromise an innocent girl in the park. Further meetings take place in Bath and after clearing up their misunderstanding Freyja agrees to pose as Joshua's fiancee to thwart plans by his aunt to get Joshua to married to his cousin. As time goes by their betrothal becomes more and more real as do their feelings for each other. This book was a wonderful regency romp. The hero is a mischievous rogue with a heart of gold and the heroine is a headstrong lady with a punch that packs. Freyja is not a typical beauty but Joshua sees her as his beautiful untamed lady anyway. It was great to see the two antagonists fall in love with each other and realise that their betrothal is more than a fake one. A very good read indeed and I can't wait to read the other books in the series. Lealing
Rating:
Summary: Very witty romance
Review: Like her five siblings, Freyja Bedwyn enjoys independence, freedom, and adventure, the very traits that the Ton detests in a woman. Still with four wild brothers as role models, Freyja does her own thing in spite of the aristocracy frowning at her scandalous behavior. His family believes he needs to be married, a state they ignored until he gained the title when his uncle passed away. However, as he visits his grandmama in Bath, Lord Joshua Moore is tired of his family's effort to find him a wife. While Joshua flees the latest matchmaking machination, he meets and pleads with an amused Freyja to hide him. When they talk, he offers her a deal. She pretends to be his fiancee so that he can have a little relief from the marriage mart and she can use that cloak to go on an adventure. Freyja accepts. However, neither Freyja nor Joshua expected to fall in love, an emotion putting a cramp on what they thought they desired. The third "Slightly" Regency romance is a fun tale headlined by two strong, stubborn, yet seductive stars. The story line is amusing, as neither Freyja nor Joshua wants to fall in love. Though in many ways, Freyja is a female version of her brother Rannulf (see SLIGHTLY WICKED), fans of Mary Balogh, the sub-genre, or just a delightful entertaining novel will appreciate this fine tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: 3rd in the Slightly series
Review: Mary Balogh's "Slightly.." series is great. I have to admit that I loved Joshua, the hero in "Slightly Scandalous" the best. But if you like your heroes to be brooding and gloomy, Josh may not be your cup of tea.
From the previous "Slightly" books, I had a strong prejudice against Freyja Bedwyn, the heroine, who seemed rude and obnoxious. But as the story progresses and ones sees beyond the surface haughtiness, one realizes that Freyja is actually nice!
Freyja and Joshua, Marquess of Hallmere, first meet under unusual circumstances. Upon meeting again in Bath, they have a lot of fun sparring with one another. Due to Josh's aunt's machinations, Josh and Freyja decide to enter an engagement of convenience. As matters progress, Freyja and Josh start realizing that they actually love each other but because of the way the betrothal began, have difficulty admitting their feelings. Freyja especially has a hard time as she has to come to terms with her past amours before realizing how special her relationship with Josh really is.
Josh at first seems to be just a happy go lucky guy with the face of Adonis. I liked how Balogh lets the reader get to know Josh on a deeper level as the book progresses. I liked Josh in the beginning (who doesn't like a handsome Adonis with a sense of humor!) but I loved him even more in the end because his actions showed he is more than just a pretty face.
Rating:
Summary: More than "Slightly" Enjoyable
Review: Ms. Balogh accomplishes what a talented few can... three wonderful books in a series, with each and every one standing firmly on its own merits as exceptionally entertaining romances! I won't give a synopsis of the plot, since other reviewers have done so in detail, but I will just say that, I love Joshua, the hero in this book! He is a strong character, quite capable of handling the conflicts that arise throughout the book, but it's his witty repartee and wonderful sense of humor with which he views life and his "fiancee" that captured my attention, kept me grinning with each passing page, and made me fall in love. And I must give Ms. Balogh an A+ for managing to turn around my opinion of the oh-so-serious tomboy sister-of-a-Duke, known as "Free" to her family. Joshua's ability to "take her down a peg or two" is so well written, you just have to laugh! She becomes the perfect balance to the fun-loving Marquess and their initial encounters, which ultimately lead to a full-blown relationship that's very real indeed, were an absolute joy to read! I highly recommend this series: Just in case, for those who don't already know... the order is Slightly Married, Slightly Wicked and Slightly Scandalous... so far. Can't wait for Wulf's tale!
Rating:
Summary: best of the "Bedwyn" novels so far
Review: Of all the Bedwyn Siblings "Slightly" novels published so far, "Slightly Scandalous" is easily the best, and that is mainly because of the two complex leading characters -- Lady Freya Bedwyn and the Marquess of Hallmere, Joshua Moore-- as well as the slightly more attention holding storyline that "Slightly Scandalous" possesses. The very first time that Lady Freya Bedwyn and the Marquess of Hallmere (Joshua Moore) met, sparks flew -- he stole into her room in order to avoid being compromised into marriage, she punched him in the nose. Lady Freya found the marquess's audacity and devil may care attitude too much to bear; on the other hand, the marquess found Lady Freya's quick temper and high handed attitude far too amusing for words. And yet, when the confining Bath society practically forces the pair to cross paths over and over again, neither can deny the attraction that each feels for the other. So that when the marquess proposes that Lady Freya pretend to be his fiancee in order to avoid the matrimonial plans that his aunt has for him, Lady Freya finds herself agreeing to the scheme. After all it will cause her nothing to extract herself from this pretend engagement with a gentleman she considers to be a care-for-naught fribble, and in the meantime she would really enjoying thwarting the marquess's aunt's schemes! The last thing she expected was for her brother, the Duke of Bewcastle, to hear about her 'engagement' or for her to learn that there was a lot more to the Marquess of Hallmere than meets the eye -- things that would make him a lot more appealing and lovable to Lady Freya. But Lady Freya has already decide that she has no intention of falling in love with the marques or of marrying him. Will the marquess change Lady Freya's mind, or will Lady Freya stubbornly cling to course that she has decided on? What made this novel really readable (aside from the compelling storyline) was the manner in which both Lady Freya's and the marquess's characters were 'fleshed out.' From the previous few books (as well as the first few chapters of this one) you get an impression of Lady Freya's character that is not always admirable -- or at the very least you could say that Lady Freya is not the typical romance heroine. And yet as the book progresses and Lady Freya's character is laid out for us to see and appreciate, we get to appreciate the humour, courage, steadfastness and strong moral center that this character possesses. So that in spite of her quick temper, pride and autocratic behaviour, one comes to root for Lady Freya to find the happiness and contentment that is her due. Similarly with the marquess, who first comes across as a rakish fribble but whom we come to realise is a lot more honourable and noble than we had been originally been led to believe. Storywise "Slightly Scandalous" is a little more complex than the previous to books in the series -- but I won't go into this so as not to spoil things. True, things do get bogged down a little towards the end, esp since of Lady Freya's insistence on holding the marquess at arm's length makes very little sense. On the whole though, "Slightly Scandalous" proved to be a really worthwhile and enjoyable read, and definitely one that should not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Exactly what I wanted and expected for Freyja!
Review: Oho ... who would think that the "slightly" series could get even better? Well it just has! Honestly, this is the first (sorely waited) story for a side character, Freyja first appeared in 'a summer to remember', that has actually exceeded my expectations and had exactly the kind of exciting, interesting story I have believed the portrayed character, Freyja, would have (or rather demand)!! Freyja Bedwyn and Joshua Moore (Marquess of Hallmere) are two thoroughly interesting characters who embark on numerous adventures together and end up falsely bethrothed along the way ..... the question for Freyja is does she want a real bethrothal with "the man"?? I won't ruin all the wonderfully witty things that occur in this story, but let you delve into the depths of this excellent book yourself. If you love "fresh" story-lines, conversations that make you laugh out loud, and characters that are honest to themselves with their own feelings (and not simpering idiots) .... then this is definitely a book you will love! Freyja is the most entertaining, unique "leading lady" that I have EVER read about in a romance novel ........ she is simply fabulous! This is definitely worth your trouble .... buy it/borrow it, do whatever needs to be done to get your hands on it and read to your hearts content ...... you will not be disappointed!!!!!!!!!!! .... you have my guarantee ... good reading, Kristina
Rating:
Summary: Exactly what I wanted and expected for Freyja!
Review: Oho ... who would think that the "slightly" series could get even better? Well it just has! Honestly, this is the first (sorely waited) story for a side character, Freyja first appeared in 'a summer to remember', that has actually exceeded my expectations and had exactly the kind of exciting, interesting story I have believed the portrayed character, Freyja, would have (or rather demand)!! Freyja Bedwyn and Joshua Moore (Marquess of Hallmere) are two thoroughly interesting characters who embark on numerous adventures together and end up falsely bethrothed along the way ..... the question for Freyja is does she want a real bethrothal with "the man"?? I won't ruin all the wonderfully witty things that occur in this story, but let you delve into the depths of this excellent book yourself. If you love "fresh" story-lines, conversations that make you laugh out loud, and characters that are honest to themselves with their own feelings (and not simpering idiots) .... then this is definitely a book you will love! Freyja is the most entertaining, unique "leading lady" that I have EVER read about in a romance novel ........ she is simply fabulous! This is definitely worth your trouble .... buy it/borrow it, do whatever needs to be done to get your hands on it and read to your hearts content ...... you will not be disappointed!!!!!!!!!!! .... you have my guarantee ... good reading, Kristina
Rating:
Summary: another winner
Review: The "scandalous" series so far has kept up a high standard with unique plot lines and well rounded characters.
I started with the first and read in sequence, but it would not be necessary and each is a good stand alone read.
I can't wait to read about Wulf--just as with Freyja in the earlier books I had to wonder how she could pull it off. She seems to have really dug a hole so far with him and I can't wait to see how she handles him in his story.
I would definitely recommend all the books in this series.
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