Customer Reviews

Slightly Tempted

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

How many times can Mary Balogh use the sham marriage/engagement theme and still get away with it? I guess as many as she wants as long as her story telling and character development is so brilliant. The basic plots of all but one of the Bedwyn stories so far - A SUMMER TO REMEMBER, SLIGHTLY MARRIED, SLIGHTLY SCANDALOUS and now SLIGHTLY TEMPTED are all variations on the same theme. Only SLIGHTLY WICKED, ironically my least favourite of the series so far, strays from this plotline. And the first half of this book (which deals more with war, friendship, disillusionment and loss) is the best part and saves it from being just mediocre.

Youngest Bedwyn Morgan, a beautiful, intelligent and mature eighteen, has suffered through her come-out and is in the midst of her first Season. She finds it all a crashing bore until she is invited to accompany the family of one of her suitors to Belgium on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo. She is keen to experience the excitement of witnessing such an historic event but is disappointed to find life in Brussels much the same as in London. Balls, assemblies, picnics, and officers who tell the young ladies not to "worry their pretty little heads" about the coming conflict. Such condescension infuriates Morgan, a woman with an intellect and curiosity beyond most young ladies of the ton. And so, it made sense for Ms Balogh to pair her with a more mature man just a few years younger than her oldest brother (and parental figure) Wulfric.

Gervase Ashford, Earl of Rosthorn, has been in exile on the Continent after a scandal involving Gervase, Wulfric Bedwyn, Duke of Bewcastle, a young lady and a stolen jewel. Unfortunately, Gervase was determined to be the guilty party in the mess and his beloved father kicked him out of his loved family home. He has aimlessly drifted these last nine years until he ascended to the title on his father's death just last year. His bitterness over his unfair exile resurfaces full force when Morgan Bedwyn is pointed out to him across a Brussels ballroom. He sees an opportunity to revenge himself on Wulf through his baby sister and obtains an introduction to her. He proceeds to woo her and in the course of things begins to expose her to gossip and scandal he hopes will make its way to London - and Wulf's ears. But when the Battle begins and the ugliness of war is brought home all seduction comes to an end especially when Morgan's brother Alleyne, on his first assignment for the Diplomatic Service, comes up missing. When her host family plans to leave for London, Morgan refuses to go without definitive word about Alleyne. And so she stays on without chaperon or maid with only the support of the Earl of Rosthorn who offers to find out what he can about Alleyne's fate. During those weeks in Brussels, Gervase and Morgan become friends, sharing worries, hopes, dreams and enjoying each other's company. But they are also careless, seen walking alone together, hand in hand and even in one case embracing. All of which eventually finds it's way to the London gossip mill. And when word comes that Alleyne is presumed dead, Morgan can only reach out to her best friend, Gervase for comfort - and more!

They return to London, to scandal and to Wulf's stern disapproval. Though marriage is the one thing that will put the scandal to rest, Wulf refuses Gervase and then, upon learning of his deceptions in Brussels, so does Morgan. Until she decides to get back at him by accepting his offer for as long as she chooses with the intent of making him fall in love with her only to leave him heartbroken. This is where the sham engagement déjà vu kicks in and when the story starts to lose some of its sparkle. It begins to sound oh so familiar and predictable and you can guess how it ends. Though Morgan is well developed and likeable, I felt that the reader never fully knew Gervase or the depths of his feelings about Morgan and about returning to his family after being away so long and missing so much.

Though the second half of the book was not to the level of the first, I still recommend it for Bedwyn junkies and Balogh fans. Even with a well-worn theme, Ms Balogh still pens and enjoyable tale.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and am glad that I read it. It did not, however, live up to my expectations as the other books in the Bedwyn series did. It started off a little slow, and I didn't really get into it until a little over halfway through the book. After that, though, it was really good. It had a really sweet ending and it pulled at my heart strings. I also liked how they showed a more vulnerable side of Wulf throughout the book. I can't wait until Mary writes his story.

Please don't be misled by some of the previous reviews. This is a wonderful book and the author absolutely DOES NOT belabor her subject with personal opinion. I love CHARACTERS with strong opinions on war or any other subject, and I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Balogh's latest romantic tale of the Bedwyn family. I appreciate romance novels that rise above the level of Boy Meets Girl, and this, like all of Ms. Balogh's books, is a multi-layered page turner. Though many of the characterizations are familiar to Regency readers, the depth of emotion the author is able to evoke always raises the level of the writing. Unlike some of the previous readers, I found that having much of the romance based upon events surrounding the Battle of Waterloo an enhancement of the story, and would have enjoyed reading even more about it. I would certainly expect that two characters swept up in the great event of the age would discuss the war at even greater length than they do here; and these discussions are important to both plot and the characterization of Morgan and Gervase as well as the characters around them. (For those who actually enjoy a historical background in their historical romances, another wonderful romance novel set at the Battle of Waterloo is by Georgette Heyer, entitled An Infamous Army). Characters with too many opinions??? I'm mystified. Aren't there more than enough novels with cardboard characters engaged in trivial, romantic trash talk? Since I happen to be addicted to romance novels, I treasure the ones with richness and depth. This is yet another Mary Balogh treasure.

WOW! Without a doubt a keeper. I know this story has been done before but Mary Balogh makes all other revenge driven plots pale in comparison. This is her best Bedwyn so far. An intelligent heroine (as the Bedwyn women are) is always a welcome addition to any book. Morgan turns out to be so much more than Gervase expects and in turn Gervase turns out to be much more complex than Morgan realizes. Both protagonists are intelligent and witty. You'll be drawn into the story almost immediately and I would bet you won't put this book down until you've finished it. But don't hurry. Savor the story since it will be awhile before MB's next installment.

This fourth entry in the Balogh's "Slightly" series suffers the same problem hinted at in the title: it's "slightly" entertaining. I haven't been able to warm up to any of the Bedwyn family stories. These people are too rich, too smug, too smart, too complacent, too charmed, too good-looking (oh! I forgot! Some of them have big noses!) and just a tad too shallow.

I'm a huge fan of Balogh's work so it greatly pains me to have to write a luke-warm review of her latest. The plot here is predictable, as others have written, and the heroine and hero are just not very compelling characters. Most distressing of all, however, is Balogh's attempt to make the heroine a budding feminist and pacifist through long-winded, sophomoric rants about women's rights and the inanity of war. Please, Mary, keep the PC jargon out of your novels! I want to read about people in the early 19th century and feel I'm really there, not simply reading about early 21st century stereotypes dressed up in Regency togs.

Balogh has written some minor masterpieces (Heartless, The Devil's Web, Longing, The Christmas Bride, No Man's Mistress) and many solid, wonderful Regency reads but Slightly Tempted isn't one of them. If you must read it (as I find I must read every Balogh book) wait for it at the library.

Ahh, the Bedwyn brood strike again...

Morgan is the youngest child, and at 18 she has fled her london season to enjoy a halycon holiday in Brussels for the weeks which culminate in the battle of Waterloo.. waterloo waterloo won't you be my waterloo... Wonder if the author took the Abba song as inspiration?

Enter Lord Rosthorn, Gervase. Bearing a bitter enmity for Morgan's brother, the Duke of Bewcastle, Gervase decides to pursue Morgan scandalously, for some little vengence.

Impressed with her sensible womanliness, he sets aside the goal in order to help her when she recklessly lingers in Brussels after the departure of her chaperones. Both falling a little in love with each other, scandalous things DO happen, and when they return to England, Bewcastle confronts them, lighting Gervase's desire for revenge all over again.

Determindly pursuing Morgan, they end up betrothed and both determined to make the other suffer, before surrendering to the love which has become undeniable.

Tried and tested plotlines, and a late entry of the other already settled Bedwyn siblings, the first half of the book simply meanders along. Once the betrothal ensues the romance becomes more interesting, and one is able to finish the book with pleasure.

A couple of things rankled, like the constant pushing of Morgan's "wisdom beyond her years" and "spirtuality". Because in fact she showed none, and all the talk about it was just talk, and as such, not impressive but rather dull.

Probably the least inspiring of the Bedwyn family saga's, at least until the last half of the book when the pace picks up and becomes more engrossing.

kotori ojadis@yahoo.com

"Slightly Tempted" is the fourth book in the Mary Balogh's Bedwyn series, and with two more books to go, the question is: is "Slightly Tempted" a worthwhile buy? Well, that depends: story and plot-wise, it's nothing startlingly new under the sun as the novel's central motif is that of the much used revenge-plot; on the other hand Mary Balogh has done a rather good job of depicting her heroine (Morgan Bedwyn) and the attraction that simmers between Morgan and the hero, Gervase Ashford, the Earl of Rosthorn. So, if you're looking for a book that's much more memorable and doesn't hinge completely on the interaction between the hero and heroine, than this may not be the book for you. But if you're looking for a swiftly paced 3-star read and you are a fan of the series, than "Slightly Tempted" certainly will do.

For the past nine years, Gervase Ashford, the Earl of Rosthorn, has lived in exile on the Continent because a rather nasty scandal. And the one person he's constantly blamed for his humiliating situation is the Duke of Bewcastle. Thirsting for revenge for the wrongs done to him, it finally looks as if things are beginning to look his way when he spies the duke's beautiful and willful younger sister, Morgan, in Brussels. Thinking of using Morgan in order to create a scandal that would shame and embarrass the duke, Gervase begins a determined pursuit of Morgan. But Morgan, he realizes, is more than just the duke's younger sister. She's also a beautiful, wise and intelligent young lady, and one that he's beginning to like immensely. What should Gervase do? Carry on with his plans for revenge or give up his plans completely?

While the story was a familiar and much used one, I did find myself totally engrossed with what was going on for the first half of the book at least. Mary Balogh did a truly good job of portraying both Morgan and Gervase and making them both seem real and likable. Even the attraction between the two passed muster. Unfortunately, once the scene of action moved from Belgium to England, the book became a bit of a bland read. Things became just a tad too predictable -- you could practically tell that something would happen to force Morgan and Gervase to become engaged and that they would be at daggers drawn until they have the TALK that they perhaps should have had somewherein the middle of the book before things got so predictably out of hand. The other thing that irritated was the manner in which the Bedwyn siblings treated their brother, the duke. After three books in which Aidan, Rannulf and Freya have all come to understand and appreciate their brother a little better, you'd think that this would have translated into a better understanding of their brother and a trust that if he dislikes someone then there must be a really good reason why this is so. (Also, Gervase's habit of always addressing Morgan as 'cherie' got really irritating after a while.) But these were really just minor irritations, and the truth is if you enjoyed the previous Bedwyn novels, you're bound to enjoy "Slightly Tempted." However if you're looking for something different from the usual fare and that is truly a riveting read, then "Slightly Tempted" may not be the book for you.

I have really enjoyed the other novels in the Slightly series, but this one was dull. I liked Morgan well enough, but found little to like in Gervase. Maybe it was the "cherie"s ad nauseum, but I kept hearing his voice in my head with a heavy French accent and rather feminine, so he never became a romantic hero to me. Oh, well, the other Slightly books make up for this one and I highly recommend them all.

SUMMARY (Bedwyn Family, Book 4):
The first half of the book takes place in Brussels after Napoleon has escaped Elba and is trying to make a last stand; the second half takes place in England. Gervase Ashford, Earl of Rosthorn is thirty years old and has not set foot in England for nine years after being banished by his father after a mysterious event (don't want to spoil); all we do know is that it somehow involves the Duke of Bewcastle and Gervase has sustained a deep hatred for the man ever since. When he sees a beautiful young lady at a ball in Brussels and learns that she is none other than Lady Morgan Bedwyn, the youngest sister of the Duke of Bewcastle, he sees the perfect way to exact his revenge.

Morgan does not know why the Earl singles her out for his attentions and chalks it up to his notorious reputation as a rake and nothing more. What starts as a mild flirtation (with sparks flying) becomes much deeper and more personal with the backdrop of the Battle of Waterloo and Morgan's worry and subsequent grief at Alleyne's presumed death. A true friendship develops during an intense week filled with death and sorrow and Gervase begins to appreciate Morgan for the woman she is, not for whose sister she is.

Gossip regarding Morgan and Gervase's relationship precedes them to England, so when he escorts her back (with a seasick maid stuck in the cabin during the trip), the ton is already titillated by the brewing scandal. To cut through some of the back and forth that occurs in London, basically Morgan discovers what prompted Gervase's attentions to her and decides to punish him by accepting his (twice-necessitated) proposal of marriage, making him fall in love with her, and then breaking his heart by ending the betrothal. Old demons are faced, broken relationships mended, Bedwyn siblings and their spouses appear, and (of course) a HEA results.

REACTION:
Balogh is a *big* fan of these fake/will-be-broken-off betrothals and she's such a good writer that I honestly wouldn't have minded another one, except for the whole premise of this one is ridiculous and aggravating: Morgan accepts his umpteenth offer in order to punish him? She's going to play the part of the happy bride-to-be just so that she can humiliate him by breaking off the engagement (hopefully after he's fallen in love with her)? Just doesn't seem logical, and as/after she makes the decision we don't know much of Morgan's thoughts for a while, so I was at a loss as to why she took that route. Slightly Tempted is my least favorite of the series, but Balogh is a talented writer so she has set a high standard for herself to live up to. All in all, it's at least an entertaining read if not the normal stellar-keeper that Balogh delivers and you won't want to skip Morgan's story if you're reading all the Bedwyn books.

MAIN CHARACTERS:
There is a huge age difference between them - Morgan is 18 ("fresh out of the schoolroom") and Gervase is 30 - but I thought that Balogh dealt with it well. Gervase had been wounded by past betrayals and become so cynical and jaded during his years of exile, that a young, optimistic woman seems like a good fit for him. Also, it was nice to see a relationship where a friendship developed between the hero and heroine; I think that the week Morgan and Gervase spend together in Brussels helping the wounded soldiers and trying to find out what happened to Alleyne was one of the better parts of their romance.

Aside from that, I had problems with the hero and heroine. They both had wonderful potential, but Balogh didn't do as thorough a job in her character development and exploration as she normally does. It's hard to explain, but one example is what I said about Morgan's betrothal decision above. Another example: Gervase's character is similar to Joshua's (Freyja's husband and the hero of Slightly Scandalous, Bedwyn Book 3), in that they both seem to be roguish devil-may-care flirts and nothing more (they also have the same laughing/mocking eyes). However, in Slightly Scandalous, Joshua's persona and his inner struggles were fully explored and depicted in a way that created a believable three-dimensional character. Here, I found it hard to get a handle on Gervase - so much of the time when he was conversing with Morgan he seemed to be flirtatious and trivial, so that I could never really appreciate (or tell!) when he was supposedly being serious and authentic.

BOTTOM LINE:
If you're reading all the Bedwyn books you won't want to skip Morgan's story, but don't expect the excellent romance that Balogh normally delivers. However, if you're looking for Balogh keepers and re-reads, buy A Summer to Remember (Bedwyn prequel), The Secret Pearl, and/or Slightly Married and Slightly Dangerous (the two **best** Bedywn books!).

While reading the first three books in the Slightly series i was really looking forward to Morgan's story. She was always one of my favorites of the Bedwyn family. i was somewhat dissipointed in her story. first i'll say what i did like though. The plot i liked a lot more than any of the other books. Gervase's plan to get back at Wolf caught my interest after reading the back of the book. Gervase's flirting with Morgan while Captain Lord Gordon expected her to marry him was fun to watch go on at the same time. unlike some of the other reviewers i did like the whole Waterloo battle and how Morgan stayed and how her relationship with Gervase became a friendship.

what i didn't like about this book was how Morgan insisted that Gervase forgive those who hurt him so bad and were the cause of his father reason to kick him out of the country. while i think it was good of Morgan to insist on him forgiving them she didn't forgive him. i never understood how she could tell him to forgive while she did not and was determined to break his heart if he loved her or stay with him if he hated her, just because he WAS going to use her to hurt Wolf. it seemed shallow to me and made her seem a little like a hypocrit making me like Morgan less than i did before.

if you look past that whole part the book was a good read and we have another cute Bedwyn couple but i had hoped for more.