Slightly Wicked

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable Fast-Paced Romance Novel
Review: I read the first book in Mary Balough's Bedwyn series (Slightly Married) several months ago and I thought it was just "ok." It didn't stand out to me, but I decided on a whim to pick up this book, Slightly Wicked, which is the second in the series.

The Bedwyn's are a huge family led by Wulfric, Duke of Bedwyn. Second brother is Aidan, who is the hero in Slightly Married. Third brother is Rannulf, who is the hero in this book. There is another brother (Alleyne) and two sisters (Freeyja and Morgan). I believe the author is planning to write about all of them, I know Slightly Scandalous (Freeyja's story) is already published, and two more "Slightly" books are on the way.

This story starts off with a young woman named Judith Law who is on a stagecoach to her aunt's home, where she is going to become an unpaid servant for an indefinite amount of time. On the journey, the stagecoach overturns and a man (Rannulf) rides up. She is worried that being the unattractive third sister in a poor family, that she will end up an unmarried spinster for the rest of her life - so she takes advantage of the situation, pretends to be an actress named Claire Campbell, and has an adventure with Rannulf.

When the weather clears up, they part ways and she turns back in to plain old Judith and heads to her aunt's home. Much to Judith's surprise, Rannulf turns up a few days later at the house to woo Judith's cousin, Julianne. Rannulf is shocked as well and neither of them know how to proceed. The rest I'll leave to the reader to find out. :)

I actually liked this novel a lot better than Slightly Married. I found it read a lot easier and the characters were more likeable. I especially enjoyed the villanous aunt and Judith's frivolent brother, Branwell. One part I thought was stupid was how often Judith described herself as ugly, when everyone else thought she was so drop-dead gorgeous they could never keep their eyes off of her. The explanation is that her strict father constantly put down her appearance, but even so... that is one thing I see a lot in romance novels, heroines who think they are hideous looking but actually look like goddesses.

Even with its minor faults, Slightly Wicked was still a fun book and I definitely plan on reading the rest of the novels in the series. I am especially looking forward to Wulfric's story, though she will probably save him for last!

Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming
Review: I thought it was a wonderful book, especially when Juliet discovers her grandmother's secret and things just fall into place.

I've enjoyed all the Bedwyn books, and can't wait for Bewcastle's story (it's like waiting for the Malloren's Rothgar).

Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: I would have to say that this is one of the best Historical Romances that I have read over the past few years. If you have read some of the other Bedwyn stories prior to this one, you know that it will be an enjoyable read that you won't want to put the book down to the last page.

Rating:
Summary: Best of the Bedwyns
Review: If you like three-dimensional characters and a drop of melancholy in your romance, Slightly Wicked should hit the spot.

I've been following the Slightly series and have read all but the last (Slightly Dangerous). Slightly Wicked is by far the best of the lot, with Slightly Married (Aidan's story) a distant second -- though that one gets points for plot originality. The remaining three novels I skimmed rather than read, not having much patience for the posturings of the dour, cantankerous and snobby Bedwyns. Since I disliked Freyja most of all, I'm not too optimistic about the next series, which spins off her school teachers. But I'll keep an eye open just the same. Even at her least inspired, Ms. Balogh's writing towers above the typical romance fare.

Rating:
Summary: delightful Regency romance
Review: Judith Law is the sibling with no future so her parents send her off to become a companion to her wealthy aunt. However, her first stagecoach ride proves unromantically tedious until the accident leads to the overturning of the vehicle. Lord Rannulf Bedwyn rescues the damsel in distress. Knowing she has nothing to look forward to, Judith decides she will have one memory, a night of passion with no strings with her hero though she uses an alias.

Not long afterward, Judith arrives at her aunt's estate but shockingly Rannulf comes almost immediately afterward accompanied by his grandmother. He is meeting Julianne Effingham, Judith's cousin. However, once he recognizes who the companion is, Rannulf knows he is courting the wrong relative but he has to persuade his beloved that they belong to each other.

Though the "Slightly" series uses one night of heavenly passion as part of an initial encounter, this tale also depends heavily on a second step coincidence. Still, fans will feel wickedly entertained by this delightful Regency romance. The key to this pleasant plot is the lead characters, trying to do the right thing for everyone, but also wanting to please themselves, which conflicts with their noble efforts. The latest Bedwyn tale is an invigorating novel that will send newcomers seeking previous Mary Balogh stories and her fan base waiting for next month's SLIGHTLY SCANDALOUS romance.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Not first rate Balogh
Review: Mary Balogh is one of the best Regency authors out there and I've enjoyed most of her books but this isn't up to her usual high standards. The story is predictable. The hero and heroine are "slightly" drawn (excuse the pun!)and there's scant romantic tension or sensuality (compared to the best Balogh.)

I agree with those reviewers who feel the hero is shallow and, yes, the heroine does seem to be right out of central casting. These aren't usual flaws in Balogh's work so the book was disappointing to me. However, even second rate Balogh is better than most of the Regency authors writing today so I'll still give the book 3 stars. But I'll be anxiously awaiting her next work!

Rating:
Summary: I love this series.
Review: Mary has given her readers a wonderful family in the Bed-
wyns.I know that some had their doubts when we were introduced to
them in last summer's "A Summer To Remember",but as we are intro-
duced to the family members one by one,we learn much about them.
Lord Rannulf for instance is at first glance,the rebellious
third son who was meant for the Church,but has refused any of his
Eldest Brother's livings&now has what seems to a rakish rep,but
that is not so as you will find out as you read the book.

Rating:
Summary: Good ... but not my favorite of the "Slightly" series
Review: Ok- here goes... this wasn't my favorite of the Slightly series. This is just my opinion but I did like Slightly Married a lot better. For some reason I connected with those characters better. I am still giving it a 4 star. The story is a good one and was still a page-turner for me. Anyway...

Judith Law is off to live with her aunt and uncle after her family running into financial difficulties. During the trip she runs into some unfortunate weather causing a stage coach accident. It is during this time that Rannulf Bedwyn comes along and offers assistance in reporting the accident to authorities in the nearest town. It is during this time that he sees Judith and offers her a ride with him by horseback. She takes him up on the offer seeing one of her last chances of adventure ahead of her. After they arrive in town Rannulf, being the wealth playboy that he is, introduces himself using a false identity of Ralph Bedard and offers to get a room for them to share in a local inn (leading the keeper and his wife to believe they are newlyweds). Judith, not wanting him to know her real identity- leads him to believe that she is an actress named Claire Campbell, instead of the daughter of a preacher. Due to the bad weather it turns into a 2 day affair- ending in the early morning of the 3rd day as Judith sneaks away. She arrives at her aunt's to find out she is thought of as a burden, to be a companion for her grandmother, and is to be treated little above a servant. Her cousin, Julianne, is getting ready for her season out in society and Judith's aunt wants no distractions. So Judith is dressed to hide her beauty with large drab dresses, caps, shawls, etc.

Feeling that he has been take advantage of by Claire running off like that- Rannulf arrives at his matchmaking grandmother's who thinks it is time for him to settle down and has made arrangements for him to meet a new young woman about to come out in society- Julianne. It is at her house party that Rannulf, who is attending with his grandmother, that he sees Judith. But can it be? She looks nothing like the beautiful and exciting Claire Campbell with gorgeous red hair. But those eyes are the same. Judith is as surprised as he is- both realize the decept of false identities. Judith is embarrassed for Rannulf to discover the truth of her financial needs and life of spinisterhood. Rannulf can't stand the thought of a life with the pretty but silly, self-centered, fortune "husband-hunting" Julian when he has experienced the lovely and caring Judith. But how is he going to explain his taking a below class woman for a wife to his family when he is expected to marrying within his social class to uphold his possible future title of Duke of Bewcastle? Then things are thrown into a world-spin when Judith is accused of stealing her grandmother's jewels and runs away. Knowing there is no way she would have done it- Rannulf heads out to find the truth. It is a definite enjoyable read. My favorite was the grandmother- she was so fun and loving. Judith was alright- her jumping into bed with Rannulf was a little too easy, though. I never really liked Rannulf. There were times Rannulf's arrogance got old and I agree with another reviewer about his being shallow. He wasn't my favorite of brothers- Rannulf, Aidan, and Wulf (I can't wait for his story!).

Rating:
Summary: More than slightly boring
Review: Rannulf is one of the better Bedwyns originally introduced in A Summer to Remember, but he is by no means a sterling character. He supposedly treats every woman as a sex object, but a meeting with "Claire Campbell" who pretends to be an actress but is really a vicar's daughter seemingly changes all that.
The trouble is, he is so dull. A typical aristocrat with nothing to do all day but have fun. Gradually he tried to help his dying gran, but on the whole he is just a dull stick.

Our heroine has a bit of verve, but she protests too much about being unworthy of him, and allows herself to be a doormat to her awful relatives. His change of heart and mind in only two weeks is also a bit ridiculous especially in view of the voluptuous blonde he is supposed to be getting engaged to. The getting to know each other part is so wooden at times that when we finally get another love scene at about page 280 we really don't care. They are strictly a plain vanilla couple all the way, totally lacking in sensuality. I like the characters but it was so obvious they were going to marry just by dint of his strong will that the endless scheming by the villains of the piece just got tedious. Some of the dialogue from Rannulf was so wooden I wanted to stick him in the forest they kept vanishing to in order to be alone and just leave him there. The only saving grace of the book is her heroine going from ugly duckling to swan, but I am not so sure Rannulf really knows what love is. Or the author real romance and passion.

Rating:
Summary: Not sure it is a keeper
Review: Second in the Bedwyn series, this is the story of Lord Rannulf, third sone of the Duke of Bewcastle and Judith Law, soon to be "poor relation" in her aunt's house.

Somehow I didn't like this book as much as Slightly Married. There's nothing wrong with the plot; even if it's a bit predictable. Poor heroine meets hero "on the road" in unusual situation - night of passion ensues with assumed identities - and we spend the rest of the book sorting things out as the H/H discover themselves in their true personas.

However, I tend to judge a book by it's characters and character development and I didn't find what I was looking for in this book.

Unlike a previous reviewer, I can understand Judith's dilemma as the poor relation (her situation was far too common at that time); and I enjoyed reading about the interplay between Judith, her aunt and her cousin Julianne and especially her grandmother. I also enjoyed watching Judith discover her own appeal and beauty (suppressed by her family). Her brother, however, is a stereotypical spoiled brat.

Rannulf, however, came across to me as somewhat shallow. I do not understand why he had been allowed to carry on in such an irresponsible manner during his twenties. As the third son, he was expected to enter some profession and it is mentioned in passing that he had been destined for the church but decided against it - OK, I can understand that he might be allowed to do that, but why wasn't he made to choose something else; at the very least he should have been learning how to care for his presumed inheritance. And yes, he finally wakes up to this responsibility in the course of the book - but he's 28 for heaven's sake! (I expect I'll have just as much trouble with Allyene who doesn't seem to do anything either!) So, although he's handsome, honorable (once he discovers Judith's true identity) and very loving to h is grandmother, I just never "took" to him.

I enjoyed reading this book, but I'm not sure it's a keeper.