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Bedwyn Saga #4
Slightly Tempted
Meet the Bedwyns—six brothers and sisters—men and women of passion and privilege, daring and sensuality.
Enter their dazzling world of high society and breathtaking seduction…where each will seek love, fight temptation, and court scandal…and where Morgan Bedwyn, the willful youngest daughter, discovers that true love is a temptation no woman can—or should—resist.
Young. Ravishing. Exquisitely marriageable. From the moment he spies Lady Morgan Bedwyn across the glittering ballroom, Gervase Ashford, Earl of Rosthorn, knows he has found the perfect instrument of his revenge. But wedlock is not on the mind of the continent’s most notorious rake. Nor is it of interest to the fiercely independent Lady Morgan herself…until one night of shocking intimacy erupts in a scandal that could make Gervase’s vengeance all the sweeter. There is only one thing standing in his way: Morgan, who has achieved the impossible—she’s melted his coolly guarded heart. For Gervase, only the marriage bed will do, but Morgan simply will not have him. Thus begins a sizzling courtship where two wary hearts are about to be undone by the most scandalous passion of all: glorious, all-consuming love.
Enter their dazzling world of high society and breathtaking seduction…where each will seek love, fight temptation, and court scandal…and where Morgan Bedwyn, the willful youngest daughter, discovers that true love is a temptation no woman can—or should—resist.
Young. Ravishing. Exquisitely marriageable. From the moment he spies Lady Morgan Bedwyn across the glittering ballroom, Gervase Ashford, Earl of Rosthorn, knows he has found the perfect instrument of his revenge. But wedlock is not on the mind of the continent’s most notorious rake. Nor is it of interest to the fiercely independent Lady Morgan herself…until one night of shocking intimacy erupts in a scandal that could make Gervase’s vengeance all the sweeter. There is only one thing standing in his way: Morgan, who has achieved the impossible—she’s melted his coolly guarded heart. For Gervase, only the marriage bed will do, but Morgan simply will not have him. Thus begins a sizzling courtship where two wary hearts are about to be undone by the most scandalous passion of all: glorious, all-consuming love.
356 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published January 1, 2004
946 people are currently reading
3259 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
197 books6,283 followersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 779 reviews
October 1, 2015
This was by far my least favorite of the series. I'm sorry, but Gervase starts with Morgan as a means for revenge against Wulf? It's one thing to consider it, to be riveted by the possibility, but it is quite something else to act on that impulse. It's an evil act and not one of those gray-ish evils, either.
But okay, we all have the possibility for the venal and make mistakes we must repent. Only Gervase goes to great and extended effort for this. It is not a passing fancy or weak moment. It's a whole production with not a little amount of money and time put in.
Only, then he starts feeling bad when he gets to know her. He becomes her friend, even. And I'm kind of there for it waiting for the other shoe to drop. Only
And I'm sorry, but Morgan doesn't rise much above the shallow for me. She's supposed to be "wise beyond her years", but Balogh went for the shorthand of "war is bad" and "nature is refreshing". War is terrible, yes. And there's no better place to see that in vivid color than the aftermath of Waterloo. But Morgan is British during the Regency. She knows (or should do seeing how she's supposedly intellectual and all) that the alternative to opposing Bonaparte is being subjugated to his tyranny. Yeah, it takes two to fight, but it only takes one to choose aggression. Just because the second can choose subjugation and surrender doesn't automatically make both sides equally bad. I'm open to the argument that subjugation and surrender is the better choice, but you have to at least make the argument if I'm going to take you seriously.
So Morgan is shallow and Gervase is, if not actually evil, then at least someone who consistently makes evil choices. And as soon as he gives that up, they trade places and Gervase becomes the shallow one (who prefers a "contest" and her being all "spirited" and thus doesn't bother explaining anything until he's forced to) and Morgan starts going for those evil options (where her course of action treats him like a thing and is designed to hurt his family and neighbors).
I tried to give this three stars, but just couldn't justify it. There are some good bits. The pace didn't let me go; I had a hard time putting the book down. And if you're going to have characters make evil choices, the least you can do is use them to illustrate forgiveness and regret and Balogh pulls both off really rather well. Not so well that I'd want to do it again or give it three stars, though.
A note about Steamy: Middle of my range, though on the low end. There were two explicit sex scenes and they weren't long. I also didn't buy them very well, frankly. The first was rather abrupt and the second seemed to short circuit a bunch of important emotional byplay.
But okay, we all have the possibility for the venal and make mistakes we must repent. Only Gervase goes to great and extended effort for this. It is not a passing fancy or weak moment. It's a whole production with not a little amount of money and time put in.
Only, then he starts feeling bad when he gets to know her. He becomes her friend, even. And I'm kind of there for it waiting for the other shoe to drop. Only
And I'm sorry, but Morgan doesn't rise much above the shallow for me. She's supposed to be "wise beyond her years", but Balogh went for the shorthand of "war is bad" and "nature is refreshing". War is terrible, yes. And there's no better place to see that in vivid color than the aftermath of Waterloo. But Morgan is British during the Regency. She knows (or should do seeing how she's supposedly intellectual and all) that the alternative to opposing Bonaparte is being subjugated to his tyranny. Yeah, it takes two to fight, but it only takes one to choose aggression. Just because the second can choose subjugation and surrender doesn't automatically make both sides equally bad. I'm open to the argument that subjugation and surrender is the better choice, but you have to at least make the argument if I'm going to take you seriously.
So Morgan is shallow and Gervase is, if not actually evil, then at least someone who consistently makes evil choices. And as soon as he gives that up, they trade places and Gervase becomes the shallow one (who prefers a "contest" and her being all "spirited" and thus doesn't bother explaining anything until he's forced to) and Morgan starts going for those evil options (where her course of action treats him like a thing and is designed to hurt his family and neighbors).
I tried to give this three stars, but just couldn't justify it. There are some good bits. The pace didn't let me go; I had a hard time putting the book down. And if you're going to have characters make evil choices, the least you can do is use them to illustrate forgiveness and regret and Balogh pulls both off really rather well. Not so well that I'd want to do it again or give it three stars, though.
A note about Steamy: Middle of my range, though on the low end. There were two explicit sex scenes and they weren't long. I also didn't buy them very well, frankly. The first was rather abrupt and the second seemed to short circuit a bunch of important emotional byplay.
November 17, 2023
Morgan's story is a little about Morgan and a little about Alleyne.
Alleyne is missing, Morgan is grieving and in the meantime getting involved with a man twelve years her senior. I'm not impressed with the whole Alleyne presumed dead and I'm Slightly Disgusted by the twelve years. I know that age gap is a trope, I know people like it. I don't. I don't understand the appeal; what does a thirty year old man want with an eighteen year old girl??? How is that hot??
Otherwise it's not a bad book, the writing is good, the characters too (some are too old and some are too young, but we won't dwell on that) and overall I enjoyed it (if you can believe it after reading my review).
3,5 stars
——-
I don’t know what to think yet, but I’m angry at Mary for hurting my man Alleyne!
RTC
Alleyne is missing, Morgan is grieving and in the meantime getting involved with a man twelve years her senior. I'm not impressed with the whole Alleyne presumed dead and I'm Slightly Disgusted by the twelve years. I know that age gap is a trope, I know people like it. I don't. I don't understand the appeal; what does a thirty year old man want with an eighteen year old girl??? How is that hot??
Otherwise it's not a bad book, the writing is good, the characters too (some are too old and some are too young, but we won't dwell on that) and overall I enjoyed it (if you can believe it after reading my review).
3,5 stars
——-
I don’t know what to think yet, but I’m angry at Mary for hurting my man Alleyne!
RTC
January 22, 2012
After being somewhat disappointed with Slightly Scandalous, the previous book in this series, I'm glad to say that things got back on track in this book. Slightly Tempted tells the story of Morgan Bedwyn, the youngest, most beautiful of the Bedwyn siblings, and the only one who had the fortune of not being afflicted by the famous, prominent Bedwyn nose.
Thirty-year-old Gervase Ashford, the Earl of Rosthorn, has been living in exile on the Continent for the last nine years after being banished from England by his own father due to a scandalous and humiliating affair involving the Duke of Bewcastle. If there's one person Gervase blames for his situation and hates with all his heart is Wulfric Bedwyn, the Duke of Bewcastle, and his bitterness and thirst for revenge gets the best of him when he meets Bewcastle's youngest sister, Lady Morgan Bedwyn, at a ball in Brussels. Ah, it looks like fate is finally smiling his way after all these years... Is there any better way to get even with Bewcastle than to involve young and innocent Morgan in a scandal and leave the duke to deal with the consequences?
Eighteen-year-old Morgan is in Brussels looking for a respite from her first Season in London, where she was bored to tears by the ton's brainless events (balls, assemblies, rides in the park, etc.) When she's invited to join one of her suitor's family to Brussels, she jumps at the chance of participating in a meaningful and most certainly historic event, the coming Battle of Waterloo. Bonaparte has escaped his prison in Elba and the threat of a new war against him is in everyone's minds. Unfortunately, the life of a lady in Brussels turns out to be the same as in London, and Morgan is annoyed to find herself attending the same brainless events where no one is willing to "worry her pretty little head" with talks about the iminent war. So when she's introduced to Gervase at one of these infernal balls, she's bored enough to give him the attention she wouldn't think of granting him in other circumstances.
Gervase's sole purpose in pursuiting Morgan is to have a quick (and very public) dalliance with her, so he sets out to charm and woo her. She isn't stupid and doesn't take him seriously - he's obviously a rake, not to mention much older than she is - but she decides to have some fun with his flirtation, all the while letting him know that nothing will come out of it. But as they spend time together and he gets to know her, he begins to like her and to question his plan to use her as a pawn in his revenge against Bewcastle. Then war erupts, chaos ensues, her brother Alleyne goes missing on the front line, and Morgan ends up alone in Brussels with no one to lean on but Gervase. He becomes her faithful friend while she waits to hear any news from Alleyne, helps and escorts her around the city - and thus compromises her reputation in the process, even though he isn't thinking of revenge anymore.
When Morgan is informed of Alleyne's death a few days later, there's no reason to stay in Brussels anymore and Gervase escorts her back to England. When he's confronted by Bewcastle right upon their arrival, all the hatred comes back and he can't help feeling some satisfaction with his enemy's "distress". It took nine years, but Gervase got back at Bewcastle. So why does he feel that it isn't over? And what will Morgan do when she finds out that he's used her? Will she ever forgive him?
I'm not a big fan of revenge-driven plots, mostly because the character who's seeking revenge usually ends up doing something nasty and unforgivable. Fortunately, Gervase didn't do anything to that extreme in this book and Ms. Balogh did a great job making me understand and even support his hatred for Wulf. I'm not saying I agree with what Gervase did to Morgan - because I don't - but even I hated Wulf at one point. Obviously, the conflict between the two men was resolved in the end - the HEA wouldn't be complete without that - but I can't say I was completely satisfied with its resolution. I can't say much more without revealing a big spoiler, but suffice it to say Gervase was too forgiving.
That was actually one of my problems with Morgan. She was the one who kept urging him to forget the past and forgive those who had hurt him, but she didn't suit her actions to her words. So it was good and right for him to forget and forgive, but she was allowed to keep nursing her grudge against him? That was a little hypocrit, wasn't it? I also thought that some of Morgan's lines were too mature for her age. I know, she wasn't a regular eighteen-year-old brainless woman and she wouldn't be a good match for thirty-year-old Gervase if she were, but her "philosophical" talk didn't ring true.
As for the plot, I really liked the first half of the story that takes place in Brussels. There was action, some suspense (whatever happened to Alleyne?), and interesting encounters between Gervase and Morgan. That was when Ms. Balogh showed how they fell in love with each other, even though neither was aware of it then. When the story moved to England, it became more predictable and less thrilling, but it was still enjoyable. The fake bethrotal made its appearance in this series again - I really hope it doesn't show up in the next books! - and so did the Bedwyn family. The sad note in that gathering was Alleyne's absence, since he was (presumed) dead, and that rendered a wonderful little scene with Wulf that brought tears to my eyes:
"She did not knock on the door. She opened it quietly, intending to creep inside without drawing attention to herself.
He was standing before the empty hearth, staring into the fireplace, his back to her. His shoulders were shaking. One of his hands was balled into a fist on the mantelpiece above his head. He was sobbing, choking on the sounds as Aidan had done days before.
Morgan gazed in horror for a few paralyzed moments.
Then she closed the door even more quietly than she had opened it and fled upstairs to her room.
If Wulf was weeping, the end of the world seemed near indeed."
Oh boy, Wulf definitely doesn't have ice in his veins like his enemies like to say. I can't wait to read his book!
Overall, Slightly Tempted was a very good read. Not the best in the series, but totally worth the reading. It's Balogh, what else can I say? :)
Thirty-year-old Gervase Ashford, the Earl of Rosthorn, has been living in exile on the Continent for the last nine years after being banished from England by his own father due to a scandalous and humiliating affair involving the Duke of Bewcastle. If there's one person Gervase blames for his situation and hates with all his heart is Wulfric Bedwyn, the Duke of Bewcastle, and his bitterness and thirst for revenge gets the best of him when he meets Bewcastle's youngest sister, Lady Morgan Bedwyn, at a ball in Brussels. Ah, it looks like fate is finally smiling his way after all these years... Is there any better way to get even with Bewcastle than to involve young and innocent Morgan in a scandal and leave the duke to deal with the consequences?
Eighteen-year-old Morgan is in Brussels looking for a respite from her first Season in London, where she was bored to tears by the ton's brainless events (balls, assemblies, rides in the park, etc.) When she's invited to join one of her suitor's family to Brussels, she jumps at the chance of participating in a meaningful and most certainly historic event, the coming Battle of Waterloo. Bonaparte has escaped his prison in Elba and the threat of a new war against him is in everyone's minds. Unfortunately, the life of a lady in Brussels turns out to be the same as in London, and Morgan is annoyed to find herself attending the same brainless events where no one is willing to "worry her pretty little head" with talks about the iminent war. So when she's introduced to Gervase at one of these infernal balls, she's bored enough to give him the attention she wouldn't think of granting him in other circumstances.
Gervase's sole purpose in pursuiting Morgan is to have a quick (and very public) dalliance with her, so he sets out to charm and woo her. She isn't stupid and doesn't take him seriously - he's obviously a rake, not to mention much older than she is - but she decides to have some fun with his flirtation, all the while letting him know that nothing will come out of it. But as they spend time together and he gets to know her, he begins to like her and to question his plan to use her as a pawn in his revenge against Bewcastle. Then war erupts, chaos ensues, her brother Alleyne goes missing on the front line, and Morgan ends up alone in Brussels with no one to lean on but Gervase. He becomes her faithful friend while she waits to hear any news from Alleyne, helps and escorts her around the city - and thus compromises her reputation in the process, even though he isn't thinking of revenge anymore.
When Morgan is informed of Alleyne's death a few days later, there's no reason to stay in Brussels anymore and Gervase escorts her back to England. When he's confronted by Bewcastle right upon their arrival, all the hatred comes back and he can't help feeling some satisfaction with his enemy's "distress". It took nine years, but Gervase got back at Bewcastle. So why does he feel that it isn't over? And what will Morgan do when she finds out that he's used her? Will she ever forgive him?
I'm not a big fan of revenge-driven plots, mostly because the character who's seeking revenge usually ends up doing something nasty and unforgivable. Fortunately, Gervase didn't do anything to that extreme in this book and Ms. Balogh did a great job making me understand and even support his hatred for Wulf. I'm not saying I agree with what Gervase did to Morgan - because I don't - but even I hated Wulf at one point. Obviously, the conflict between the two men was resolved in the end - the HEA wouldn't be complete without that - but I can't say I was completely satisfied with its resolution. I can't say much more without revealing a big spoiler, but suffice it to say Gervase was too forgiving.
That was actually one of my problems with Morgan. She was the one who kept urging him to forget the past and forgive those who had hurt him, but she didn't suit her actions to her words. So it was good and right for him to forget and forgive, but she was allowed to keep nursing her grudge against him? That was a little hypocrit, wasn't it? I also thought that some of Morgan's lines were too mature for her age. I know, she wasn't a regular eighteen-year-old brainless woman and she wouldn't be a good match for thirty-year-old Gervase if she were, but her "philosophical" talk didn't ring true.
As for the plot, I really liked the first half of the story that takes place in Brussels. There was action, some suspense (whatever happened to Alleyne?), and interesting encounters between Gervase and Morgan. That was when Ms. Balogh showed how they fell in love with each other, even though neither was aware of it then. When the story moved to England, it became more predictable and less thrilling, but it was still enjoyable. The fake bethrotal made its appearance in this series again - I really hope it doesn't show up in the next books! - and so did the Bedwyn family. The sad note in that gathering was Alleyne's absence, since he was (presumed) dead, and that rendered a wonderful little scene with Wulf that brought tears to my eyes:
"She did not knock on the door. She opened it quietly, intending to creep inside without drawing attention to herself.
He was standing before the empty hearth, staring into the fireplace, his back to her. His shoulders were shaking. One of his hands was balled into a fist on the mantelpiece above his head. He was sobbing, choking on the sounds as Aidan had done days before.
Morgan gazed in horror for a few paralyzed moments.
Then she closed the door even more quietly than she had opened it and fled upstairs to her room.
If Wulf was weeping, the end of the world seemed near indeed."
Oh boy, Wulf definitely doesn't have ice in his veins like his enemies like to say. I can't wait to read his book!
Overall, Slightly Tempted was a very good read. Not the best in the series, but totally worth the reading. It's Balogh, what else can I say? :)
August 9, 2025
4.25⭐️
Morgan Bedwyn’s finally front and center, and she’s just as stubborn and sharp as I hoped. Enter Gervase, the notorious rake with revenge on his mind except one scandalous night flips both their plans upside down.
The banter? Top tier. The chemistry? Off the charts. I loved how Morgan holds her own while Gervase slowly shifts from calculating to completely smitten. It’s slow-burn, a little scandalous, and totally satisfying.
🎶Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding
🎶Rumour Has It by Adele
🎶Crazy in Love by Beyonce
Morgan Bedwyn’s finally front and center, and she’s just as stubborn and sharp as I hoped. Enter Gervase, the notorious rake with revenge on his mind except one scandalous night flips both their plans upside down.
The banter? Top tier. The chemistry? Off the charts. I loved how Morgan holds her own while Gervase slowly shifts from calculating to completely smitten. It’s slow-burn, a little scandalous, and totally satisfying.
🎶Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding
🎶Rumour Has It by Adele
🎶Crazy in Love by Beyonce
January 5, 2022
I ADORED this. My favorite in the series yet.
March 26, 2022
I took a day to breath after reading this book, otherwise I thought I would be too harsh, but as it turn out, I am still thinking the same thing.
First of all... How old is the heroine again? I don't think we understood. C'mon, age means nothing. Arrogance and attitude on the other hand...
I had many problems with this book. And all my problems contain a bit of a spoiler, so if you haven't read the book yet, beware.
- her arrogance. I already read Wulf's book, as it was my first even thought it is the last of the series, and I felt like the heroine was trying to personify him and she came off as childish when not a drama queen duo to it. I can't believe I liked her even less than Freyja.
- this lukewarm revenge. Blah, what a silly revenge. I understand the hero was wronged and that he lost 9 years of his life, and I understand that he wanted revenge, but I simply think it was towards the wrong person.
- still about the revenge. I did not mind the hero's revenge when it comes to the heroine because he knew what he was doing was wrong and he could have done a lot of bad things but even throughout his revenge, he was sort of a gentleman. He never took what was not freely offered. And talking about his, he should not have taken what was freely offered in a time of distress... for me that was his biggest mistake but the funny thing is, the least discussed one.
- still about freely offerings. I absolutely hated the heroine's attitude when she discovered his revenge plot. What a silly girl! The thing is, he didn't force her to do anything. In her arrogance she wanted to prove she was mature and did whatever she wanted, like she didn’t come from a powerful family with morals... and didn't know what those morals were.
- and the war? What would you do if the war was coming closer and closer to your steps? Knowing full well the horrible things that enemy soldiers did to woman. I don't begrudge her for wanting to help, but she could only help because England won, if it was the other way around she would probably have been caught. I was truly frustrated with her.
- her not wanting the hero. Her family is powerful but no family could be powerful enough to cover up her silliness and mistakes. Anyone in her place would have to have married long before the gossip caught on a bigger fire. But no, the things she started saying to the hero were so over the top.
- And let's not forget the end of this silly revenge. I just can't believe the girl would do something like that to her friend. Almost everything in this book was silly now that I think about it. And now that I am writing this review I feel like dropping the rate from 2 stars to 1.
First of all... How old is the heroine again? I don't think we understood. C'mon, age means nothing. Arrogance and attitude on the other hand...
I had many problems with this book. And all my problems contain a bit of a spoiler, so if you haven't read the book yet, beware.
- her arrogance. I already read Wulf's book, as it was my first even thought it is the last of the series, and I felt like the heroine was trying to personify him and she came off as childish when not a drama queen duo to it. I can't believe I liked her even less than Freyja.
- this lukewarm revenge. Blah, what a silly revenge. I understand the hero was wronged and that he lost 9 years of his life, and I understand that he wanted revenge, but I simply think it was towards the wrong person.
- still about the revenge. I did not mind the hero's revenge when it comes to the heroine because he knew what he was doing was wrong and he could have done a lot of bad things but even throughout his revenge, he was sort of a gentleman. He never took what was not freely offered. And talking about his, he should not have taken what was freely offered in a time of distress... for me that was his biggest mistake but the funny thing is, the least discussed one.
- still about freely offerings. I absolutely hated the heroine's attitude when she discovered his revenge plot. What a silly girl! The thing is, he didn't force her to do anything. In her arrogance she wanted to prove she was mature and did whatever she wanted, like she didn’t come from a powerful family with morals... and didn't know what those morals were.
- and the war? What would you do if the war was coming closer and closer to your steps? Knowing full well the horrible things that enemy soldiers did to woman. I don't begrudge her for wanting to help, but she could only help because England won, if it was the other way around she would probably have been caught. I was truly frustrated with her.
- her not wanting the hero. Her family is powerful but no family could be powerful enough to cover up her silliness and mistakes. Anyone in her place would have to have married long before the gossip caught on a bigger fire. But no, the things she started saying to the hero were so over the top.
- And let's not forget the end of this silly revenge. I just can't believe the girl would do something like that to her friend. Almost everything in this book was silly now that I think about it. And now that I am writing this review I feel like dropping the rate from 2 stars to 1.
November 5, 2019
ÑEEEEEE
No me gustó.
Hasta ahorita es el libro más flojo de la serie. Y no ayudó a que Morgan es de los Bedwyn mi menos favorita.
Los protagonistas no tienen nada de química es romance es nulo y de la nada se declararon amor eterno.
Sus personalidades fueron bastante grises.
Lo único que salva esta historia son los hermanos Bedwyn y una escena que OH MY GODNESS mi pobre corazón. Se merece dos estrellas pero sólo por eso le voy a “regalar” una.
No me gustó.
Hasta ahorita es el libro más flojo de la serie. Y no ayudó a que Morgan es de los Bedwyn mi menos favorita.
Los protagonistas no tienen nada de química es romance es nulo y de la nada se declararon amor eterno.
Sus personalidades fueron bastante grises.
Lo único que salva esta historia son los hermanos Bedwyn y una escena que OH MY GODNESS mi pobre corazón. Se merece dos estrellas pero sólo por eso le voy a “regalar” una.
May 23, 2025
Nope
What's the point of the revenge trope if there's no angst and no grovel?
↬ 1 ★ for my brave Alleyne who deserved better than a silly sister
↬ 1 ★ for my cold, lonely duke who silently cried for his brother ‹/𝟑
What's the point of the revenge trope if there's no angst and no grovel?
↬ 1 ★ for my brave Alleyne who deserved better than a silly sister
↬ 1 ★ for my cold, lonely duke who silently cried for his brother ‹/𝟑
January 26, 2019
Once again, Balogh's Bedwyn series gives me a game of two halves. First: excellent, conclusion: less so. This is hovering somewhere between three and four stars so I am being generous and giving it the full four because I did stay up until 3am finishing it so obviously I was enjoying the experience.
The plot here is very out of the ordinary for a Balogh book. She's really not an author for action and adventure and here we are with a book that covers the tumultuous period in Brussels just before Waterloo and during its aftermath. The society aspects are all there, of course (this period being famous for plenty of balls, including Lady Richmond's on the eve of battle), but then we see our heroine, the lovely Morgan, thrown into nursing the wounded and dealing with the realities of a traumatic aftermath. I don't want to oversell it - it isn't done with the depth of description and nail biting reality as, say, a Carla Kelly (The Wedding Journey, Marrying The Royal Marine) but it's there and its very useful as a device to develop Morgan's character and the romance between her and Gervase. This section of the book was very, very successful for me. The romance developed well and the first sex scene felt very organic (and, in my view, was pretty dang good).
I was rather left wishing that the entire book had taken place on the continent, at a time when the normal rules of society had been somewhat suspended. I thought it would have been more interesting that way, or at least to have some more organic exploration of what it was like for Morgan and Gervase to have to return to normal, ton life given what they had experienced, separately and together. Instead, those issues are somewhat glossed over when they do return to England and the book reverts to a pattern Balogh is much more used to - the marriage mart chase between the headstrong young woman and the apparent rake with a past who her family does not trust.
It was almost as if the first part of the book - daily meetings, affection and sex hadn't even happened. These two suddenly stop talking to one another in any meaningful way. Gervase just lets Morgan have the impression he only seduced her because of his feud with her brother - true at first, but not once the war had got going. Not true once they were in bed together. Then Morgan sort of embarks on a ridiculous 'love him and leave him' scheme to punish him for that in which she decides to play the part of the devoting fiancee and then abandon Gervase at the last minute. It makes for a stifled climax. At one point I thought Morgan had finally relented and realised that Gervase really did love her and that she could be free to love him, but then that turned out to be part of the ruse too. Tacked on drama for the sake of it. Irritating.
I will say, I did like seeing the Bedwyns when they got back to England and, obviously, Balogh knows precisely what she's doing with her tantalising glimpses at the frosty, uptight, apparently incapable of love Wulf. I want to speed ahead to his book, but I am determined to do this in order.
I feel like this review has been more negative than I intended. Even though I was somewhat irritated, this book still motored along and, for me, all the goodwill I felt towards this romance from the early part in Brussels - my belief that these two were meant to be - gave me a reason to keep reading. I was invested and I was entertained. And that's not nothing.
The plot here is very out of the ordinary for a Balogh book. She's really not an author for action and adventure and here we are with a book that covers the tumultuous period in Brussels just before Waterloo and during its aftermath. The society aspects are all there, of course (this period being famous for plenty of balls, including Lady Richmond's on the eve of battle), but then we see our heroine, the lovely Morgan, thrown into nursing the wounded and dealing with the realities of a traumatic aftermath. I don't want to oversell it - it isn't done with the depth of description and nail biting reality as, say, a Carla Kelly (The Wedding Journey, Marrying The Royal Marine) but it's there and its very useful as a device to develop Morgan's character and the romance between her and Gervase. This section of the book was very, very successful for me. The romance developed well and the first sex scene felt very organic (and, in my view, was pretty dang good).
I was rather left wishing that the entire book had taken place on the continent, at a time when the normal rules of society had been somewhat suspended. I thought it would have been more interesting that way, or at least to have some more organic exploration of what it was like for Morgan and Gervase to have to return to normal, ton life given what they had experienced, separately and together. Instead, those issues are somewhat glossed over when they do return to England and the book reverts to a pattern Balogh is much more used to - the marriage mart chase between the headstrong young woman and the apparent rake with a past who her family does not trust.
It was almost as if the first part of the book - daily meetings, affection and sex hadn't even happened. These two suddenly stop talking to one another in any meaningful way. Gervase just lets Morgan have the impression he only seduced her because of his feud with her brother - true at first, but not once the war had got going. Not true once they were in bed together. Then Morgan sort of embarks on a ridiculous 'love him and leave him' scheme to punish him for that in which she decides to play the part of the devoting fiancee and then abandon Gervase at the last minute. It makes for a stifled climax. At one point I thought Morgan had finally relented and realised that Gervase really did love her and that she could be free to love him, but then that turned out to be part of the ruse too. Tacked on drama for the sake of it. Irritating.
I will say, I did like seeing the Bedwyns when they got back to England and, obviously, Balogh knows precisely what she's doing with her tantalising glimpses at the frosty, uptight, apparently incapable of love Wulf. I want to speed ahead to his book, but I am determined to do this in order.
I feel like this review has been more negative than I intended. Even though I was somewhat irritated, this book still motored along and, for me, all the goodwill I felt towards this romance from the early part in Brussels - my belief that these two were meant to be - gave me a reason to keep reading. I was invested and I was entertained. And that's not nothing.
September 5, 2012
At 21, Gervase Ashford was used as a lady's method of breaking her engagement. He was humiliated, and his father exiled him from England. Gervase spent the next 9 years touring Europe, indulging himself in every debauched pleasure to avoid acknowledging how upset he is. But then, his father dies, leaving him Earl of Rosthorn. Before he can work himself up to returning to England, he comes across Lady Morgan Bedwyn, the youngest sibling of the Duke of Bewcastle. Gervase still blames the Duke for his exile, and decides to ruin Morgan's reputation as revenge. His plot is made easier because Morgan's older brother and guardian, Alleyne, goes missing and is presumed dead at the Battle of Waterloo. Morgan is left in his power, and he promptly ruins her in as many ways as possible. Then they return to England together, and he keeps manipulating events and coaxing Morgan into all these terrible situations. And then we're supposed to feel sorry for him, because when he was 21 he was accused of a crime. (He thinks to himself that 21 was too young to know how to deal with that kind of thing, apparently forgetting that the girl he's currently plotting against is fully three years younger than that.) And then, naturally, they get married.
This is my least favorite of the Bedwyn series by far, for the simple reason that I despised Gervase, from the tip of his phony toes to the top of his self-pitying head. The way he calls Morgan "cherie" in his oh-so-sexy French accent would be bad enough, but he compounds my distaste by reacting stupidly to other people's schemes and manipulating and taking advantage of an 18 year old. His "romance" with Morgan is icky and creepy and just not at all romantic in the least. Morgan, meanwhile, is strangely easy to manipulate into compromising situations. Her first few indiscretions are either accidental or seem very understandable, given that Gervase is a handsome man and she thinks she can handle herself. But
This is my least favorite of the Bedwyn series by far, for the simple reason that I despised Gervase, from the tip of his phony toes to the top of his self-pitying head. The way he calls Morgan "cherie" in his oh-so-sexy French accent would be bad enough, but he compounds my distaste by reacting stupidly to other people's schemes and manipulating and taking advantage of an 18 year old. His "romance" with Morgan is icky and creepy and just not at all romantic in the least. Morgan, meanwhile, is strangely easy to manipulate into compromising situations. Her first few indiscretions are either accidental or seem very understandable, given that Gervase is a handsome man and she thinks she can handle herself. But
April 19, 2020
Review 19 Apr 2020
I'm still going 3.5 stars on this reread. I liked it, but found it a bit slow-moving in parts. The will-they-won't-they push and pull between Morgan and Gervase seemed to go on a little too long. Somehow I never really connected that much with either of the MCs. Gervase has never been my fav hero. His motives were all wrong, but when he could have been redeemed, he had another go at revenge, and by then I felt he should have been past that.
The storyline was interesting, with the reasons for Gervase being shunned by his father quite believable. The consequences seemed to drag on too much, though. Sadly I found myself more interested in the fallout for Wulfric, who was only a side character in this book, and wanting to see how he reacted to the revelations of the truth. I should have been more interested in the impact on Morgan and Gervase though LOL. But I wasn't really......
The joy of the final moments in the book were also partly robbed of their potency by a very late and brief lead-in to the next book. Oh well, in spite of all, I did enjoy it. I like Ms Balogh's writing style, even though I have a few quibbles about this one.
Original review Oct 29 2016:
Three and a half stars for this one. Morgan's story. She is the youngest out of the six Bedwyn siblings, but she is mature for her age and an original thinker with a philosophical and artistic side. I like that she isn't sucked in to blind obedience of society's expectations, but at the same time she is a woman of her day and does follow most of the rules. It annoys me to read HRs when the characters are plainly 21st century people just dumped into an historical setting. If you're going to read a HR, it has to ring true to the historical period. Sure, a bit of leeway is OK, but not so much so that things jar or seem out of place.
I didn't really like the setting and events of the first part of the book. This takes place in Brussels on the eve of and during the Battle of Waterloo. I reread Georgette Heyer's 'An Infamous Army' recently, and this part of Slightly Tempted seemed like a rather poor, watery copy of that. This book is more accessible than Heyer's, which is heavy on the history, almost documentary-style in parts. But Morgan and Gervase's romance is a pale, weak thing compared with the power and drama of Barbara and Charles' romance in 'An Infamous Army'.
Having said that, Slightly Tempted moves back to England about half way through, and the focus of the book changes. The rest of the book proceeds in a fairly standard Balogh manner, and reaches a satisfactory conclusion.
It's no spoiler that Alleyne, Morgan's brother who appeared to have been killed at Waterloo, is actually alive, because we all know the next book in the series, Slightly Sinful, focusses on him. Knowing that, there are some things in Slightly Tempted which clearly lay the foundation for Alleyne's story. We also see hints of the icy duke Wulfric's inner emotions and his grief over the (supposed) loss of his brother. This is good background for the final book, Wulfric's story, Slightly Dangerous.
I've been rereading this series, and I thought I had read them all when they first came out (in early 2000s I think). But I now realise I hadn't read this one before, after all. And although it's not my fav of the series (Slightly Dangerous is my fav hands down), I still enjoyed it.
I'm still going 3.5 stars on this reread. I liked it, but found it a bit slow-moving in parts. The will-they-won't-they push and pull between Morgan and Gervase seemed to go on a little too long. Somehow I never really connected that much with either of the MCs. Gervase has never been my fav hero. His motives were all wrong, but when he could have been redeemed, he had another go at revenge, and by then I felt he should have been past that.
The storyline was interesting, with the reasons for Gervase being shunned by his father quite believable. The consequences seemed to drag on too much, though. Sadly I found myself more interested in the fallout for Wulfric, who was only a side character in this book, and wanting to see how he reacted to the revelations of the truth. I should have been more interested in the impact on Morgan and Gervase though LOL. But I wasn't really......
The joy of the final moments in the book were also partly robbed of their potency by a very late and brief lead-in to the next book. Oh well, in spite of all, I did enjoy it. I like Ms Balogh's writing style, even though I have a few quibbles about this one.
Original review Oct 29 2016:
Three and a half stars for this one. Morgan's story. She is the youngest out of the six Bedwyn siblings, but she is mature for her age and an original thinker with a philosophical and artistic side. I like that she isn't sucked in to blind obedience of society's expectations, but at the same time she is a woman of her day and does follow most of the rules. It annoys me to read HRs when the characters are plainly 21st century people just dumped into an historical setting. If you're going to read a HR, it has to ring true to the historical period. Sure, a bit of leeway is OK, but not so much so that things jar or seem out of place.
I didn't really like the setting and events of the first part of the book. This takes place in Brussels on the eve of and during the Battle of Waterloo. I reread Georgette Heyer's 'An Infamous Army' recently, and this part of Slightly Tempted seemed like a rather poor, watery copy of that. This book is more accessible than Heyer's, which is heavy on the history, almost documentary-style in parts. But Morgan and Gervase's romance is a pale, weak thing compared with the power and drama of Barbara and Charles' romance in 'An Infamous Army'.
Having said that, Slightly Tempted moves back to England about half way through, and the focus of the book changes. The rest of the book proceeds in a fairly standard Balogh manner, and reaches a satisfactory conclusion.
It's no spoiler that Alleyne, Morgan's brother who appeared to have been killed at Waterloo, is actually alive, because we all know the next book in the series, Slightly Sinful, focusses on him. Knowing that, there are some things in Slightly Tempted which clearly lay the foundation for Alleyne's story. We also see hints of the icy duke Wulfric's inner emotions and his grief over the (supposed) loss of his brother. This is good background for the final book, Wulfric's story, Slightly Dangerous.
I've been rereading this series, and I thought I had read them all when they first came out (in early 2000s I think). But I now realise I hadn't read this one before, after all. And although it's not my fav of the series (Slightly Dangerous is my fav hands down), I still enjoyed it.
August 21, 2020
Slightly Tempted is 356 pages of Mary Balogh informing the reader again and again how young Morgan is. We are reminded no less than 14 times a chapter that she is only 18. I think that a lot of effort was made to make Morgan likable and to seem mature beyond her years but that effort was wasted to me as she is my least favorite Bedwyn and heroine in general. She was written as this super self aware almost saint like woman but she came off as a selfish pseudointellectual.
The romance between Gervase and Morgan was boring and insincere. Having Gervase speak random French words did nothing to develop his character, not to mention the written of his "revenge" plot was lukewarm. Normally I don't have a problem with larger age gaps but the first time they were intimate came off predatory. I didn't care for the setting in Brussels and Morgan's refusal to leave a city on the verge of being taking by enemy forces just reinforced her as a drama loving child and not some brave martyr.
I was hoping that Morgan would grow on me like Freya did but no such luck. Sorry to be so negative but even Rosalyn Landor's melodic voice could not save this train wreck.
The romance between Gervase and Morgan was boring and insincere. Having Gervase speak random French words did nothing to develop his character, not to mention the written of his "revenge" plot was lukewarm. Normally I don't have a problem with larger age gaps but the first time they were intimate came off predatory. I didn't care for the setting in Brussels and Morgan's refusal to leave a city on the verge of being taking by enemy forces just reinforced her as a drama loving child and not some brave martyr.
I was hoping that Morgan would grow on me like Freya did but no such luck. Sorry to be so negative but even Rosalyn Landor's melodic voice could not save this train wreck.
August 22, 2021
The only reason I'm done with this is a 5 hour car trip combined with a cleaning and a bunch of other things like that. Because reading hasn't happened this week. So YAY audiobooks!
Anyway, this was my least favorite so far. Although I think Balogh slipped into the heavy on the Not Like Other Girls, she replicated it in a far more annoying way with Morgan. I'm not big on any kind of revenge plot, although I did find the different backdrop here with Morgan tending to soldiers in battle to be refreshing.
However, Morgan was a tiny bit insufferable for me. She felt young, too self-assured, and a bunch of other things I felt were unappealing. There was no vulnerability, and at least 4 slapping incidents.
I will not be likely to ever revisit this one.
Anyway, this was my least favorite so far. Although I think Balogh slipped into the heavy on the Not Like Other Girls, she replicated it in a far more annoying way with Morgan. I'm not big on any kind of revenge plot, although I did find the different backdrop here with Morgan tending to soldiers in battle to be refreshing.
However, Morgan was a tiny bit insufferable for me. She felt young, too self-assured, and a bunch of other things I felt were unappealing. There was no vulnerability, and at least 4 slapping incidents.
I will not be likely to ever revisit this one.
October 12, 2017
This book was great, but the best part was when Wulf hears of Alleyne's misfortune. Priceless. Made me cry, and now I can't wait to get to book six of this series. I'm ready for epic.
June 23, 2025
I read this library book a while back and should have reviewed it then, but was in the midst of packing for a relocation. It's a good story about the youngest sibling in the series - Morgan. Having grown up with her older sister and brothers, FMC Morgan is not someone that's easily conned. She first meets the MMC at a ball. When he's introduced to her, his goal is revenge against her oldest brother, the Duke (Wulfric.)
Over time, MMC Gervase realizes Morgan is a good person and he decides not to use her to retaliate against Wulfric. And things get complicated. The story takes place in the year Napoleon escapes his prison island and gathered his soldiers for battle. Waterloo is round the corner, so it's a dangerous time to be in that area. Morgan refuses to go back to England with her friend's family because her brother (Alleyen - spelling?) has gone missing.
Throughout the remainder of the book, the reader learns why Gervase was exiled from England by his father for nine years, and why Wulf doesn't want anything to do with him. Especially after finding out about his relationship with Morgan.
It's a good book that historical fiction readers (and Balogh fans) will enjoy.
Over time, MMC Gervase realizes Morgan is a good person and he decides not to use her to retaliate against Wulfric. And things get complicated. The story takes place in the year Napoleon escapes his prison island and gathered his soldiers for battle. Waterloo is round the corner, so it's a dangerous time to be in that area. Morgan refuses to go back to England with her friend's family because her brother (Alleyen - spelling?) has gone missing.
Throughout the remainder of the book, the reader learns why Gervase was exiled from England by his father for nine years, and why Wulf doesn't want anything to do with him. Especially after finding out about his relationship with Morgan.
It's a good book that historical fiction readers (and Balogh fans) will enjoy.
January 15, 2022
Slightly Tempting is book 4 in the Bedwyn series and follows Morgan Bedwyn, the youngest daughter in the Bedwyn family. Even with a slower start to the book, this is definitely my favorite in the series so far!
The first half of the book takes place in Brussels, Belgium and deals a lot with Napoleon (trying to make a second stand, Battle of Waterloo). Gervase Ashford, Earl of Rosthorn, hasn’t set foot in England for 9 years after an incident in the past that has lead him to have massive hate for the Duke of Bewcastle. When he spots the beautiful, Morgan Bedwyn, at a ball in Brussels and realizes she’s the youngest sister of the Duke of Bewcastle, Gervase realizes he just found the perfect instrument of his revenge. When Morgan first meets Gervase she thinks he’s just another roguish rake, flirting with her and calling her chérie. But over the time spent together in Brussels, Morgan starts to see him as a true friend. They get caught up with the Battle of Waterloo together and after Gervase helps her try to search for her missing brother. While Gervase planned to use Morgan for revenge against her brother, he quickly comes to respect and admire her and doesn’t want to use her as part of his plan.
I really loved Morgan, she’s just 18-years-old but she is such a mature, strong heroine. I loved seeing her step up to tend and nurse the wounded after the battle. After sharing a passionate night together with Gervase, she stands her ground that he should definitely not go to her brother to ask for her hand. This seems to be a common theme in this series, the heroes ready to marry and the heroines like “not yet!” This does have an age gap, she’s 18 and he’s 30. The second half of the book is them traveling back to England, a place he hasn’t been in 9 years, and the aftermath of that with all the time they spent together being talked about. I just really enjoyed these 2 together, I liked seeing Gervase get back in contact with his family and I liked seeing a lot of the Bedwyn family together too.
The first half of the book takes place in Brussels, Belgium and deals a lot with Napoleon (trying to make a second stand, Battle of Waterloo). Gervase Ashford, Earl of Rosthorn, hasn’t set foot in England for 9 years after an incident in the past that has lead him to have massive hate for the Duke of Bewcastle. When he spots the beautiful, Morgan Bedwyn, at a ball in Brussels and realizes she’s the youngest sister of the Duke of Bewcastle, Gervase realizes he just found the perfect instrument of his revenge. When Morgan first meets Gervase she thinks he’s just another roguish rake, flirting with her and calling her chérie. But over the time spent together in Brussels, Morgan starts to see him as a true friend. They get caught up with the Battle of Waterloo together and after Gervase helps her try to search for her missing brother. While Gervase planned to use Morgan for revenge against her brother, he quickly comes to respect and admire her and doesn’t want to use her as part of his plan.
I really loved Morgan, she’s just 18-years-old but she is such a mature, strong heroine. I loved seeing her step up to tend and nurse the wounded after the battle. After sharing a passionate night together with Gervase, she stands her ground that he should definitely not go to her brother to ask for her hand. This seems to be a common theme in this series, the heroes ready to marry and the heroines like “not yet!” This does have an age gap, she’s 18 and he’s 30. The second half of the book is them traveling back to England, a place he hasn’t been in 9 years, and the aftermath of that with all the time they spent together being talked about. I just really enjoyed these 2 together, I liked seeing Gervase get back in contact with his family and I liked seeing a lot of the Bedwyn family together too.
August 8, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
While not completely necessary this series does great in order. You get wonderful family character arcs throughout. But this one I do think stands alone really well. I don’t recall much page time or character arc for Morgan in the previous books.
Basic plot:
Gervase has been searching for a way to get revenge against Bewcastle, and when Bewcastle’s sister Morgan arrives in Belgium society, he believes it’s the perfect opportunity.
Give this a try if you want:
- Lower steam – 2 scenes and some kisses
- Age gap (older hero)
- Regency time period (1815)
- Belgium/London setting (about half and half?)
- English heroine, english/french hero
- Fake relationship
- Revenge – hero wants revenge on heroine’s brother
- Compromised heroine
Ages:
- Heroine is 18, hero is 30
My thoughts:
Honestly, the tropes in this book are usually my favorite! I thought I was going to loooooove this novel. But I didn’t, sadly. I wonder if maybe I needed a longer break from another Rosalyn Landor audiobook. I really disliked Silent Melody and I listened to that one as well. It’s not that I dislike Landor as a narrator, I rather like her. But I was just left not enjoying it this time. So perhaps I will try to reread this one sometime and not listen to audio.
Still, it had a number of things that always tend to annoy in romance novels. I kept waiting for the hero and heroine to be together and spend time together. There seemed to be quite a bit of time apart and time in each person’s head, but I just wasn’t feeling the longing between them. Gervase was consumed with his revenge and Morgan is trying to figure out the world.
The intimacy here was rather ruined for me because the heroine was in an emotional head space, negatively, when they were first intimate. This isn’t the first time I’ve read this in a Balogh (The Notorious Rake comes to mind for sure) and I just don’t like it. It feels super yuck to me when they don’t really know/care for each other yet (or at least I didn’t feel it) and then all of a sudden they are at that point and they do it just because they are so upset. It’s just not a feeling I want for those scenes (especially in a Balogh where there’s only 2 of them) I want them burning up with passion and I didn’t feel that in this novel. I also struggle when there’s any type of other man drama and I found that a bit in this book. (I like jealousy, but not really love triangles that go on for too long – and this wasn’t extensive, but it was a decent amount of the middle of the book.
Sadly this has been my least favorite of the Bedwyn series along with One Night For Love. My favorite is still Freyja’s story, Slightly Scandalous :) But I have not read books 5 or 6 yet.
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: (these were from audiobook, could be a bit off)
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
While not completely necessary this series does great in order. You get wonderful family character arcs throughout. But this one I do think stands alone really well. I don’t recall much page time or character arc for Morgan in the previous books.
Basic plot:
Gervase has been searching for a way to get revenge against Bewcastle, and when Bewcastle’s sister Morgan arrives in Belgium society, he believes it’s the perfect opportunity.
Give this a try if you want:
- Lower steam – 2 scenes and some kisses
- Age gap (older hero)
- Regency time period (1815)
- Belgium/London setting (about half and half?)
- English heroine, english/french hero
- Fake relationship
- Revenge – hero wants revenge on heroine’s brother
- Compromised heroine
Ages:
- Heroine is 18, hero is 30
My thoughts:
Honestly, the tropes in this book are usually my favorite! I thought I was going to loooooove this novel. But I didn’t, sadly. I wonder if maybe I needed a longer break from another Rosalyn Landor audiobook. I really disliked Silent Melody and I listened to that one as well. It’s not that I dislike Landor as a narrator, I rather like her. But I was just left not enjoying it this time. So perhaps I will try to reread this one sometime and not listen to audio.
Still, it had a number of things that always tend to annoy in romance novels. I kept waiting for the hero and heroine to be together and spend time together. There seemed to be quite a bit of time apart and time in each person’s head, but I just wasn’t feeling the longing between them. Gervase was consumed with his revenge and Morgan is trying to figure out the world.
The intimacy here was rather ruined for me because the heroine was in an emotional head space, negatively, when they were first intimate. This isn’t the first time I’ve read this in a Balogh (The Notorious Rake comes to mind for sure) and I just don’t like it. It feels super yuck to me when they don’t really know/care for each other yet (or at least I didn’t feel it) and then all of a sudden they are at that point and they do it just because they are so upset. It’s just not a feeling I want for those scenes (especially in a Balogh where there’s only 2 of them) I want them burning up with passion and I didn’t feel that in this novel. I also struggle when there’s any type of other man drama and I found that a bit in this book. (I like jealousy, but not really love triangles that go on for too long – and this wasn’t extensive, but it was a decent amount of the middle of the book.
Sadly this has been my least favorite of the Bedwyn series along with One Night For Love. My favorite is still Freyja’s story, Slightly Scandalous :) But I have not read books 5 or 6 yet.
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: (these were from audiobook, could be a bit off)
April 28, 2019
As I progress through the Bedwyn Saga and get the lives and romances of each of the siblings, I arrived at youngest sibling, Morgan Bedwyn's tale. A revenge plot told against the backdrop of the Battle of Waterloo, this has been the most exciting of the series so far.
Slightly Tempted is book four in the series and fits well within the context of the series, but also has the flexibility to be read standalone as long as the reader doesn't mind the sensation of feeling the connection to previous books.
Morgan is the youngest Bedwyn and has just experienced her First Season. She is bored and finds all the London swains insipid so an invitation to join acquaintances in Brussels as Wellington prepares the British Army to war against Napoleon once again is too good to be missed. She no sooner realizes that the society there in Brussels might possess more uniforms, but the balls and soirees are just as tedious when she encounters an exciting rake who has designs on her. Morgan accepts the challenge of crossing swords with Gervase and sets the tongues to wagging only to be pulled in when war rushes over it all and she is there because she refused to be evacuated when her brother Allyne attempted to talk sense into her. War isn't the only powerful element taking over her life when her flirtation grows into something more, but can she forgive him when the truth comes out?
Gervase was exiled by his father and forced to leave the country nine years before. Wulfric Bedwyn was largely responsible. Now, Bewcastle's headstrong, impetuous adventure seeking baby sister is there before him and he knows she is the key to true revenge. And, she plays right into his hands from the very first moment. Too bad getting to know Morgan in the process means that he wavers and then falls into the trap of his own making when love challenges revenge within his heart.
Honestly, I had mixed feelings about this one. It was probably never going to be a favorite. The revenge plot is always a shaky thing for me. But, I was willing to give it a try since I wanted to get this story since it is part of the series. I was a little curious about the youngest Bedwyn especially now that she's out in society and somehow tricks Wulf into letting her be on her own (relatively so).
What was an early sticking point was that I found Morgan's inexplicable need to stay in a potential warzone because she felt alive and excited- compelled to be part of history, even- just not admirable. She shows worry because she knows war is not a lark and that many of the young officers she is dancing at balls with will likely not survive, and yet she fights her brother on getting her a safe distance away. She has no good reason to be lodged in the middle. of all this Now, once she is needed when the battles are raging and she can be a help, that was very different and I could applaud what it said about her character, but I had to get past that moment of her reason for being there in the first place.
See, this was one where, as a whole, I was engaged with the story, but if I focused on certain parts like Gervase's behavior, Morgan's attitude, and the romance then I found it ho-hum. I needed the additional factors like Gervase's past with Wulfic, the battles fought across Belgium, and more to make this story. Some stories are like that- the cohesion of the whole story is its strength and not the parts that make it up. I could appreciate Morgan and Gervase's story and even enjoy it as a result. This pair both had to grow and change so much and this is what the author does so well. I might have only been so-so on the characters, but I was still cheering for them and feeling the tension of Morgan learning the truth and how things would go between Wulf and Gervase. Each encounter with Wulf is like a tantalizing teaser for when I will finally get to his own story. But, I'm not in too big of a rush because I have a feeling after the glimpses of Alleyne in this one that his story will be good, too.
So, this exciting war romance entry in the series was quite a tale that I wouldn't have thought would do it for me, but did. Shows a nice variety in the series installments, too. I can definitely recommend this author if you want historical romance and a fab series focused around a family.
Slightly Tempted is book four in the series and fits well within the context of the series, but also has the flexibility to be read standalone as long as the reader doesn't mind the sensation of feeling the connection to previous books.
Morgan is the youngest Bedwyn and has just experienced her First Season. She is bored and finds all the London swains insipid so an invitation to join acquaintances in Brussels as Wellington prepares the British Army to war against Napoleon once again is too good to be missed. She no sooner realizes that the society there in Brussels might possess more uniforms, but the balls and soirees are just as tedious when she encounters an exciting rake who has designs on her. Morgan accepts the challenge of crossing swords with Gervase and sets the tongues to wagging only to be pulled in when war rushes over it all and she is there because she refused to be evacuated when her brother Allyne attempted to talk sense into her. War isn't the only powerful element taking over her life when her flirtation grows into something more, but can she forgive him when the truth comes out?
Gervase was exiled by his father and forced to leave the country nine years before. Wulfric Bedwyn was largely responsible. Now, Bewcastle's headstrong, impetuous adventure seeking baby sister is there before him and he knows she is the key to true revenge. And, she plays right into his hands from the very first moment. Too bad getting to know Morgan in the process means that he wavers and then falls into the trap of his own making when love challenges revenge within his heart.
Honestly, I had mixed feelings about this one. It was probably never going to be a favorite. The revenge plot is always a shaky thing for me. But, I was willing to give it a try since I wanted to get this story since it is part of the series. I was a little curious about the youngest Bedwyn especially now that she's out in society and somehow tricks Wulf into letting her be on her own (relatively so).
What was an early sticking point was that I found Morgan's inexplicable need to stay in a potential warzone because she felt alive and excited- compelled to be part of history, even- just not admirable. She shows worry because she knows war is not a lark and that many of the young officers she is dancing at balls with will likely not survive, and yet she fights her brother on getting her a safe distance away. She has no good reason to be lodged in the middle. of all this Now, once she is needed when the battles are raging and she can be a help, that was very different and I could applaud what it said about her character, but I had to get past that moment of her reason for being there in the first place.
See, this was one where, as a whole, I was engaged with the story, but if I focused on certain parts like Gervase's behavior, Morgan's attitude, and the romance then I found it ho-hum. I needed the additional factors like Gervase's past with Wulfic, the battles fought across Belgium, and more to make this story. Some stories are like that- the cohesion of the whole story is its strength and not the parts that make it up. I could appreciate Morgan and Gervase's story and even enjoy it as a result. This pair both had to grow and change so much and this is what the author does so well. I might have only been so-so on the characters, but I was still cheering for them and feeling the tension of Morgan learning the truth and how things would go between Wulf and Gervase. Each encounter with Wulf is like a tantalizing teaser for when I will finally get to his own story. But, I'm not in too big of a rush because I have a feeling after the glimpses of Alleyne in this one that his story will be good, too.
So, this exciting war romance entry in the series was quite a tale that I wouldn't have thought would do it for me, but did. Shows a nice variety in the series installments, too. I can definitely recommend this author if you want historical romance and a fab series focused around a family.
May 19, 2022
I actually really enjoyed this story! I liked both characters and the gradual build of their relationship. I enjoyed the plot centered around the battle of Waterloo, and the setup to Allayne’s story. There were a couple of meh moments— I don’t get Morgan’s approach for revenge. It felt empty and silly at times. Also, didn’t care for Rosthorn’s French endearments. In my mind he sounded like Pepe Lepue.
October 31, 2019
Es un 3 estrellas.
Lamentablemente casi no me gustó pero ya dije que no le iba a poner menos de 4 a esta saga. 🤷🏻♀️
Tiene mucha ambientación en la guerra y quizás por eso no me gustó.
Además de que el romance me pareció más bien nulo. Pero bueno, salen los hermanos y Wulf 🙈
Lamentablemente casi no me gustó pero ya dije que no le iba a poner menos de 4 a esta saga. 🤷🏻♀️
Tiene mucha ambientación en la guerra y quizás por eso no me gustó.
Además de que el romance me pareció más bien nulo. Pero bueno, salen los hermanos y Wulf 🙈
August 6, 2020
Morgan and Gervase. Morgan 18 Gervase 30. Revenge trope galore in this one. I really liked their story and hea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2017
Qué dificil ha sido calificar este libro.
Por un lado, es una delicia leer a esta autora. Todas sus historias hacen que te metas de lleno en el contexto y te olvides de que llevas por lo menos dos horas sin parpadear. Pocos son los libros que consiguen ese efecto en mí y solo por eso ya me gustan.
Pero esta novela ha tenido algo que no me ha gustado nada: La protagonista, Morgan.
Así como en el libro anterior la protagonista fue una espina en mi lectura hasta llegar a su libro, en este me ha pasado todo lo contrario. Tenía ganas de la historia de Morgan, pero sus actitudes a lo largo del libro han hecho que no disfrutara igual y estuviera toso el rato con ganas de pasar sus diálogos. Sí, entiendo que es joven (18 años) y muy probablemente la autora le ha dado esa personalidad porque tenemos que ver un cambio en ella, en su madurez...pero yo no he visto el cambio. Al contrario, he visto a una niña mimada y consentida hasta el final. Gervase, el protagonista es un amor y no se merece a la pareja que le han puesto desde mi más humilde opinión.
Si me ha gustado el libro ha sido por Gervase y los secundarios, tanto la familia de él como los Bedwyn, que en cada entrega se hacen más adorables. Y sobre todo me ha gustado el ir descubriendo otra faceta nueva de Wulfric, el mayor de ellos, a raíz de un acontecimiento que me dejó sin palabras.
Aunque si a sorpresas se refiere, este libro ha ganado puntos también por la revelación que hacen sobre dos personajes secundarios casi al final del libro para resolver un malentendido. No pongo mucho más para no dar spoilers, solo diré que es un giro que no esperaba para nada.
Ahora empiezo el siguiente y penúltimo de la serie, que siendo de quién es tengo ganas de saber qué ocurre con él y cómo va a afectar a todos su regreso.
Por un lado, es una delicia leer a esta autora. Todas sus historias hacen que te metas de lleno en el contexto y te olvides de que llevas por lo menos dos horas sin parpadear. Pocos son los libros que consiguen ese efecto en mí y solo por eso ya me gustan.
Pero esta novela ha tenido algo que no me ha gustado nada: La protagonista, Morgan.
Así como en el libro anterior la protagonista fue una espina en mi lectura hasta llegar a su libro, en este me ha pasado todo lo contrario. Tenía ganas de la historia de Morgan, pero sus actitudes a lo largo del libro han hecho que no disfrutara igual y estuviera toso el rato con ganas de pasar sus diálogos. Sí, entiendo que es joven (18 años) y muy probablemente la autora le ha dado esa personalidad porque tenemos que ver un cambio en ella, en su madurez...pero yo no he visto el cambio. Al contrario, he visto a una niña mimada y consentida hasta el final. Gervase, el protagonista es un amor y no se merece a la pareja que le han puesto desde mi más humilde opinión.
Si me ha gustado el libro ha sido por Gervase y los secundarios, tanto la familia de él como los Bedwyn, que en cada entrega se hacen más adorables. Y sobre todo me ha gustado el ir descubriendo otra faceta nueva de Wulfric, el mayor de ellos, a raíz de un acontecimiento que me dejó sin palabras.
Aunque si a sorpresas se refiere, este libro ha ganado puntos también por la revelación que hacen sobre dos personajes secundarios casi al final del libro para resolver un malentendido. No pongo mucho más para no dar spoilers, solo diré que es un giro que no esperaba para nada.
Ahora empiezo el siguiente y penúltimo de la serie, que siendo de quién es tengo ganas de saber qué ocurre con él y cómo va a afectar a todos su regreso.
February 6, 2017
Até agora foi esta irmã bedwin que gostei mais. Pelo seu coração doce. Esta irmã, apesar da sua educação e a sua posição social, foi contra tudo e todos e avançou nos cuidados médicos aos soldados feridos da batalha de Waterloo. adorei. chamo a atenção para a personagem de Mrs Clark. A autora claramente usou esta senhora para retratar as muitas mulheres que tinham os seus homens na guerra e que apesar de não terem noticias deles continuaram numa luta diária por aquilo que acreditavam. ajudar o próximo independentemente da sua classe social . Este livro também foi particularmente mais interessante pelos factos históricos da batalha e pelo desaparecimento mistérioso do irmão da Morgan. cálculo que não não tenha morrido mas nem imagino o que lhe possa ter acontecido. Outra coisa que achei particularmente interessante foi a lição de moral que a autora dos deu através da mentira contada em torno do conde . supostamente foi um violador mas não era verdade e a sua vida tornou se num inferno devido ao facto de a única pessoa que podia revelar a verdade se te mantido calada . adorei. Só não dei 5 estrelas porque achei que mais no fim do livro faltou qualquer coisa para ser perfeito.
June 15, 2023
Overall I think this one is my favorite Bedwyn books so far, but I’m still not sure I’m super invested in this series. The first half at Waterloo was very compelling: Gervase’s revenge plot, Morgan showing off her compassion tending wounded & defying her chaperones, Alleyne is missing then presumed dead (nice try buddy, I already know there are 6 novels) and Gervase and Morgan develop this really tender connection/friendship that defies the rules of “decency” because there are more important things to worry about. It’s all really well done and I was hooked.
Then like all Bedwyn books, we settle in for a mundane second half. I was anticipating the drama when Morgan finds out the truth about why Gervase was initially interested in her, but then her own revenge scheme is so muddy with its intentions that I could barely follow what was even happening or why she was behaving so erratically. I suppose it could be chalked up to her age and inexperience, but then that really waves a red flag on their 18/30yo age gap. Also finding out that Gervase was the victim of a false accusation of rape, which, while the consequences are horrifying and compelling in context, especially since he never reconciled with his father before his passing, and I know this was written ~20 years ago, but I just really really cringe hard at narratives like that in stories these days.
Then like all Bedwyn books, we settle in for a mundane second half. I was anticipating the drama when Morgan finds out the truth about why Gervase was initially interested in her, but then her own revenge scheme is so muddy with its intentions that I could barely follow what was even happening or why she was behaving so erratically. I suppose it could be chalked up to her age and inexperience, but then that really waves a red flag on their 18/30yo age gap. Also finding out that Gervase was the victim of a false accusation of rape, which, while the consequences are horrifying and compelling in context, especially since he never reconciled with his father before his passing, and I know this was written ~20 years ago, but I just really really cringe hard at narratives like that in stories these days.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2017
Lacking the normal Balogh spark; relationship didn't leap off the page or pull me in as much as I would have liked
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 (Book 1) and Slightly Dangerous (Book 6) (the two **best** Bedwyn books!).
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 (Book 1) and Slightly Dangerous (Book 6) (the two **best** Bedwyn books!).
August 8, 2018
Granted, I did skim and skip, however this was the most tediously boring book I listened to. Of course I think I might have liked it slightly more had I not listened to it. Because when someone else is reading a book, you have to keep to their pace, and the lady who was narrating this book just made me either to grit my teeth or fall asleep.
The premise of this book is just so stupid and frustrating at the same time. DO PLEASE CONSIDER THAT SPOILERS SHALL BE AHEAD.
I think the whole secondary family with whom the heroine was staying were a bunch of stupid idiots to stay behind the enemy lines as long as they did. The heroine needed a smack up her very empty head. The issue surrounding the Hero's twist, The Big Obstacle, so to speak, was the most frustrating, idiotic idea that could have occurred to a person. I mean had the writer decided to come up with the stupidest idea possible, on purpose, she couldn't have done a better job, with the added bonus that it was frustrating as all hell let lose.
And my pet peeve, why do we have this misguided notion about the concept of forgiveness??? why do we think forgiving someone for something they did also entails behaving as if nothing happened in the first place? do we not realise that this is the first step towards many psychological disorders in the future? Also the whole subject of Forgiveness is so heavy and taboo, that no one has made the effort to figure out exactly how the process happens. Because it IS a process, and if anyone claims otherwise, it just means that they haven't ever really forgiven someone and have only pretended to. So i don't understand these imaginary book people who decide they have to forgive someone and just go ahead and do it. on a whim no less! when someone does something so grievous as framing you for supposed theft, that never actually took place, and you spend the best years of your youth, estranged from your family and banished in strange lands, brimming with hate and resentment, and planning revenge, you can NOT come back, and just forgive the real instigators as if everything was ok. Did i mention the fact that the stupid faithless father died while estranged from his son? even if you were able to miraculously forgive the idiots on the spot, why should the writer behave as if this were a mere hiccup along the way where the whole plot of the book is painstakingly designed around this element? not why, HOW, HOW can she treat this as a mere hiccup? you have built up several variations of angst all throughout the book, just so to give up on the culmination because it took too much work, and needed some intricate planning to do??????? human decency demands for the angst to have proper resolution. it is the writer's duty to provide us with the said resolution. other than all of the above, the characters never did come alive for me, i was bored out of my wits and after the sixth chapter skimmed several chapters at a time. I did not warm up to the heroine at all! and the narrator's french accent was such a pain to bear. while impersonating the hero she sounded like Steve Martin in Pink Panther, but to be fair, had she not been one of my least favourite narrators, i'd still not warm up to the insipid, rather stupid, really boring, incapable hero. He was such a bitter, incompetent damp dish cloth, to use a favourite catch phrase. Woe-is-me, I shalth burneth thee in the fires of my revenge, and precious, precious, preciosu. These are some of the affirmations I imagine he must murmur when alone in front of a mirror. (And let's not go into writing a period book from the viow point of a modern person!!!! because if we get to that, Goodreads shall have to provide me with another web page).
The premise of this book is just so stupid and frustrating at the same time. DO PLEASE CONSIDER THAT SPOILERS SHALL BE AHEAD.
I think the whole secondary family with whom the heroine was staying were a bunch of stupid idiots to stay behind the enemy lines as long as they did. The heroine needed a smack up her very empty head. The issue surrounding the Hero's twist, The Big Obstacle, so to speak, was the most frustrating, idiotic idea that could have occurred to a person. I mean had the writer decided to come up with the stupidest idea possible, on purpose, she couldn't have done a better job, with the added bonus that it was frustrating as all hell let lose.
And my pet peeve, why do we have this misguided notion about the concept of forgiveness??? why do we think forgiving someone for something they did also entails behaving as if nothing happened in the first place? do we not realise that this is the first step towards many psychological disorders in the future? Also the whole subject of Forgiveness is so heavy and taboo, that no one has made the effort to figure out exactly how the process happens. Because it IS a process, and if anyone claims otherwise, it just means that they haven't ever really forgiven someone and have only pretended to. So i don't understand these imaginary book people who decide they have to forgive someone and just go ahead and do it. on a whim no less! when someone does something so grievous as framing you for supposed theft, that never actually took place, and you spend the best years of your youth, estranged from your family and banished in strange lands, brimming with hate and resentment, and planning revenge, you can NOT come back, and just forgive the real instigators as if everything was ok. Did i mention the fact that the stupid faithless father died while estranged from his son? even if you were able to miraculously forgive the idiots on the spot, why should the writer behave as if this were a mere hiccup along the way where the whole plot of the book is painstakingly designed around this element? not why, HOW, HOW can she treat this as a mere hiccup? you have built up several variations of angst all throughout the book, just so to give up on the culmination because it took too much work, and needed some intricate planning to do??????? human decency demands for the angst to have proper resolution. it is the writer's duty to provide us with the said resolution. other than all of the above, the characters never did come alive for me, i was bored out of my wits and after the sixth chapter skimmed several chapters at a time. I did not warm up to the heroine at all! and the narrator's french accent was such a pain to bear. while impersonating the hero she sounded like Steve Martin in Pink Panther, but to be fair, had she not been one of my least favourite narrators, i'd still not warm up to the insipid, rather stupid, really boring, incapable hero. He was such a bitter, incompetent damp dish cloth, to use a favourite catch phrase. Woe-is-me, I shalth burneth thee in the fires of my revenge, and precious, precious, preciosu. These are some of the affirmations I imagine he must murmur when alone in front of a mirror. (And let's not go into writing a period book from the viow point of a modern person!!!! because if we get to that, Goodreads shall have to provide me with another web page).
May 18, 2024
agree with other reviews, long winded and characters were sometimes too wooden. But still better than most. Improved by appearance of characters from other books in the series. Couple had real potential, left wanting more from them.
September 12, 2021
I feel like possibly, we all might have an author who is our soulmate. (I actually don’t believe in soulmates, but we’ll go with it.) An author who somehow pulls out all the things on your bookish wishlist and makes them happen for you, and does it with excellent writing, characterization, and charm.
Obviously, Mary Balogh is my soulmate, and Slightly Tempted is yet another glorious success in our ongoing relationship. Honestly, I wasn’t even interested in the book but I read it for the sake of duty and then I fell in love. Kind of like how all those Regency people get married for a bad reason but then realize their partner is actually their “soulmate” (please note scare quotes). I frackin’ loved this book, and I don’t even know why I’m surprised by it.
Okay, yes, let’s all agree that Balogh uses the same tropes over and over, which could potentially get to be very tiring and frustrating. Even I got pissy at some point in the last Bedwyn book because of the repetition and lack of imagination. But also let’s just admit that Balogh’s formula really works for her. It does, and so I can’t complain even a little bit. This entire series has been good stuff, and this fourth (or sixth?) installment wasn’t different.
Balogh always does something ~different~ with her stories, and the big one here is that the first half of Slightly Tempted takes place in Brussels, immediately before and after the Battle of Waterloo. I’ve read a decent amount of Regencies, and there have been characters who were wounded in Waterloo, but never has a book spent a significant amount of time on the Continent during the wars. Well, welcome to this book! I loved it. The entire, frantic atmosphere of Brussels before the big standoff was wonderful, and changed the intensity of the proceedings. It all seemed frivolous and fragile, as people danced the night before they expected to die in battle.
In this glittering, hysterical atmosphere Balogh thrusts 18-year-old Morgan Bedwyn, a young woman who’s only just made her come-out and, by dint of her beauty and great consequence, is greatly sought-after. At one of the many parties she attended, she meets Gervase Ashford, significantly older and considerably more jaded after spending 9 years in exile on the Continent. Unbeknownst to Morgan, Gervase’s exile is wrapped up in an unfortunate incident with her brother the duke, and she makes a likely target for revenge.
Except, Gervase and Morgan become really close friends, which rather ruins things. It’s difficult to avenge yourself on a man who wronged you via his baby sister when you quite enjoy talking to said sister. Obviously, complications ensue.
Man, I loved this book. Mary Balogh knows what’s up, and I was touched by the thoughtful, mature relationship between Morgan and Gervase. This author always knows how to hit on the sweet spot that combines an fluffy emotions with the real challenges of a committed relationship. Good stuff, Slightly Tempted, good stuff.
In general, I also just love Mary Balogh. Her books examine the human experience with nuance and deep insight. Sure, this is a book about two people falling in love. It's also a book about war, and grief, and revenge and forgiveness. I've literally never read romances that explore the full gamut of emotion the way Balogh's do. Slightly Tempted was a beautiful book.
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Obviously, Mary Balogh is my soulmate, and Slightly Tempted is yet another glorious success in our ongoing relationship. Honestly, I wasn’t even interested in the book but I read it for the sake of duty and then I fell in love. Kind of like how all those Regency people get married for a bad reason but then realize their partner is actually their “soulmate” (please note scare quotes). I frackin’ loved this book, and I don’t even know why I’m surprised by it.
Okay, yes, let’s all agree that Balogh uses the same tropes over and over, which could potentially get to be very tiring and frustrating. Even I got pissy at some point in the last Bedwyn book because of the repetition and lack of imagination. But also let’s just admit that Balogh’s formula really works for her. It does, and so I can’t complain even a little bit. This entire series has been good stuff, and this fourth (or sixth?) installment wasn’t different.
Balogh always does something ~different~ with her stories, and the big one here is that the first half of Slightly Tempted takes place in Brussels, immediately before and after the Battle of Waterloo. I’ve read a decent amount of Regencies, and there have been characters who were wounded in Waterloo, but never has a book spent a significant amount of time on the Continent during the wars. Well, welcome to this book! I loved it. The entire, frantic atmosphere of Brussels before the big standoff was wonderful, and changed the intensity of the proceedings. It all seemed frivolous and fragile, as people danced the night before they expected to die in battle.
In this glittering, hysterical atmosphere Balogh thrusts 18-year-old Morgan Bedwyn, a young woman who’s only just made her come-out and, by dint of her beauty and great consequence, is greatly sought-after. At one of the many parties she attended, she meets Gervase Ashford, significantly older and considerably more jaded after spending 9 years in exile on the Continent. Unbeknownst to Morgan, Gervase’s exile is wrapped up in an unfortunate incident with her brother the duke, and she makes a likely target for revenge.
Except, Gervase and Morgan become really close friends, which rather ruins things. It’s difficult to avenge yourself on a man who wronged you via his baby sister when you quite enjoy talking to said sister. Obviously, complications ensue.
Man, I loved this book. Mary Balogh knows what’s up, and I was touched by the thoughtful, mature relationship between Morgan and Gervase. This author always knows how to hit on the sweet spot that combines an fluffy emotions with the real challenges of a committed relationship. Good stuff, Slightly Tempted, good stuff.
In general, I also just love Mary Balogh. Her books examine the human experience with nuance and deep insight. Sure, this is a book about two people falling in love. It's also a book about war, and grief, and revenge and forgiveness. I've literally never read romances that explore the full gamut of emotion the way Balogh's do. Slightly Tempted was a beautiful book.
"It is very easy to fall in love, I believe. It is a highly emotional state. I am not so sure it is as easy to love.
"Love does not involve the emotions, then?"
"It is not ruled by them," she told him. "Love is liking and companionship and respect and trust. Love does not dominate or try to possess. Love thrives only in a commitment to pure, mutual freedom. That is why marriage is so tricky."
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August 1, 2014
Mais uma história da série Bedwyn, desta vez sobre a irmã mais nova, e a mais nova da família também :)
A história de Morgan difere de todas as outras, para começar, porque a maioria da acção é passada fora de Inglaterra, em Bruxelas, perto do local onde se deu a famosa batalha de Waterloo.
Morgan tem 18 anos e acabou de ser apresentada à sociedade. Não é, de todo, a típica menina de cabeça oca, educada para ser uma “senhora” e procurar um bom marido. Morgan é, como mesmo os irmãos perceberam desde sempre, diferente de todos eles. Precisa do seu espaço, de reflectir nas coisas, de mais do que conversas parcas em conteúdo.
Contudo, apesar das diferenças com o resto da família Bedwyn, Morgan tem também os melhores traços dos Bedwyn. É uma verdadeira Bedwyn, e os irmãos previram desde sempre, e com razão, que um dia os iria surpreender e chocar a todos. Morgan faz isso mesmo, mas de uma forma totalmente inesperada. Primeiro percebemos que Morgan está em Bruxelas porque quer viver a aventura, porque quer estar onde a acção está, e não em Londres, onde “nada” acontece.
Mas quando percebe que precisam que arregace as mangas e mostre o que vale, Morgan não hesita, surpreendendo tudo e todos com a coragem e determinação que demonstra. E é enquanto espera pelo irmão, Alleyne, e ajuda a cuidar dos soldados feridos que não param de chegar a Bruxelas, vindos da batalha, que se aproxima verdadeiramente de Gervase, e assim nasce uma amizade.
É preciso dizer que iniciei a leitura deste livro com completo conhecimento de que existem 6 nesta série, um para cada irmão e irmã. Mas mesmo sabendo isso, mesmo sabendo que o próximo livro é o de Alleyne, Mary Balogh conseguiu deixar-me com dúvidas e de coração nas mãos. Afligi-me quando Morgan se afligiu, sofri com ela a espera que não terminava, e quando finalmente foi forçada a encarar que o que mais temia era também o mais provável, chorei com ela.
Acho que mais que uma história de amor, Slightly Tempted é uma história de desentendimentos, mágoas profundas que marcam a vida de alguém, quase a destruindo, e perdão. Este livro fala-nos do amor de irmãos, e de como são um pedacinho de nós. Fala-nos de como nem sempre dizer a verdade, no imediato, é a melhor opção. Permite que entremos um pouco mais no seio desta família tão diferente e tão especial. Força-nos a torcer por um final feliz, a aplaudir o “vilão”, que, de repente, mostra que tem um coração enorme.
E, mais que tudo, é exímio em demonstrar como a vida continua após uma grande tragédia. Como somos levados a prosseguir, a distrairmo-nos. Como nos apanhamos a rir e nos sentimos mal por isso, porque, afinal, perdemos um pedaço de nós. E, no mesmo momento, percebemos que sorrir é importante. Que é o pouco que fica, o pouco que, quem nos ama e parte, desejaria que nunca perdêssemos.
Este é um livro que provoca sorrisos, algum riso inevitável, e umas lágrimas teimosas também. É um livro para mais tarde repetir. Um livro para recordar com carinho.
A história de Morgan difere de todas as outras, para começar, porque a maioria da acção é passada fora de Inglaterra, em Bruxelas, perto do local onde se deu a famosa batalha de Waterloo.
Morgan tem 18 anos e acabou de ser apresentada à sociedade. Não é, de todo, a típica menina de cabeça oca, educada para ser uma “senhora” e procurar um bom marido. Morgan é, como mesmo os irmãos perceberam desde sempre, diferente de todos eles. Precisa do seu espaço, de reflectir nas coisas, de mais do que conversas parcas em conteúdo.
Contudo, apesar das diferenças com o resto da família Bedwyn, Morgan tem também os melhores traços dos Bedwyn. É uma verdadeira Bedwyn, e os irmãos previram desde sempre, e com razão, que um dia os iria surpreender e chocar a todos. Morgan faz isso mesmo, mas de uma forma totalmente inesperada. Primeiro percebemos que Morgan está em Bruxelas porque quer viver a aventura, porque quer estar onde a acção está, e não em Londres, onde “nada” acontece.
Mas quando percebe que precisam que arregace as mangas e mostre o que vale, Morgan não hesita, surpreendendo tudo e todos com a coragem e determinação que demonstra. E é enquanto espera pelo irmão, Alleyne, e ajuda a cuidar dos soldados feridos que não param de chegar a Bruxelas, vindos da batalha, que se aproxima verdadeiramente de Gervase, e assim nasce uma amizade.
É preciso dizer que iniciei a leitura deste livro com completo conhecimento de que existem 6 nesta série, um para cada irmão e irmã. Mas mesmo sabendo isso, mesmo sabendo que o próximo livro é o de Alleyne, Mary Balogh conseguiu deixar-me com dúvidas e de coração nas mãos. Afligi-me quando Morgan se afligiu, sofri com ela a espera que não terminava, e quando finalmente foi forçada a encarar que o que mais temia era também o mais provável, chorei com ela.
Acho que mais que uma história de amor, Slightly Tempted é uma história de desentendimentos, mágoas profundas que marcam a vida de alguém, quase a destruindo, e perdão. Este livro fala-nos do amor de irmãos, e de como são um pedacinho de nós. Fala-nos de como nem sempre dizer a verdade, no imediato, é a melhor opção. Permite que entremos um pouco mais no seio desta família tão diferente e tão especial. Força-nos a torcer por um final feliz, a aplaudir o “vilão”, que, de repente, mostra que tem um coração enorme.
E, mais que tudo, é exímio em demonstrar como a vida continua após uma grande tragédia. Como somos levados a prosseguir, a distrairmo-nos. Como nos apanhamos a rir e nos sentimos mal por isso, porque, afinal, perdemos um pedaço de nós. E, no mesmo momento, percebemos que sorrir é importante. Que é o pouco que fica, o pouco que, quem nos ama e parte, desejaria que nunca perdêssemos.
Este é um livro que provoca sorrisos, algum riso inevitável, e umas lágrimas teimosas também. É um livro para mais tarde repetir. Um livro para recordar com carinho.
September 1, 2009
Lady Morgan Bedwyn is in Brussels, mere days before the Waterloo battle. In those days she meets Gervase, Earl of Rosthorn and is charmed by him. His motives though are not pure; he seeks revenge against her brother, the duke, for a wrong done to him ten years ago. A wrong that made his father send him away from England for the rest of his life. So Gervase plans to taint Morgan's reputation as her brother tainted his. But upon getting to know her, he begins to see the real woman underneath and appreciate her for what she really is. After the Waterloo battle, he is the one that stays with her, after her uncaring companions left her alone, while she frantically searches for her brother Alleyne. He helps with her searches while she tends to soldiers' wounds all day and he's the one she turns to when she's informed of Alleyne's death. Gervase decides to do the right thing and offer for her when they return to England but the duke rejects his offer despite the scandal already caused. Gervase is tempted to let her be, but he's not sure now whether he wants revenge or her anymore. His last attempt however to compromise her succeeds and they're betrothed anyway. But of course Morgan finds out about his quarell with her brother and figures he never cared for her. They travel to his country estate and pretend to be happily betrothed while Morgan is determined to leave him at the end of the month after breaking his heart.
I enjoyed reading this book and it certainly was not bad. The part in Brussels after the battle was great and very intriguing but when they moved to England the story lost its spark. It was just one of the same again, with all the Bedwyns in a large country house with ponds, swimming, games and children. If I hadn't read the previous books in the series I'd probbaly like it more but this time the un-originality DID bother me.
I enjoyed reading this book and it certainly was not bad. The part in Brussels after the battle was great and very intriguing but when they moved to England the story lost its spark. It was just one of the same again, with all the Bedwyns in a large country house with ponds, swimming, games and children. If I hadn't read the previous books in the series I'd probbaly like it more but this time the un-originality DID bother me.
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