I like Amanda Quick better than Mary Balogh because I like suspense in my romance. Balogh is in fact a better example of straight historical romance. ( )

SLIGHTLY MARRIED is the first in Mary Balogh's Bedwyn family series, though when I read it I'd already read Freyja's (#3), Morgan's (#4), and Wulfric's (#6) stories, as well as A SUMMER TO REMEMBER, which introduces the Bedwyn family. This is definitely one of my favorites of the series and of Balogh's works and I would highly recommend it.

MAIN CHARACTERS, Eve and Aidan:
Both of the main characters were wonderfully written and you definitely read the book rooting for Eve and Aidan to fall in love and stay together. Eve is a wonderful female character - strong (holds her own to the imposing Bedwyn family, which says a lot), courageous, compassionate, intelligent, loyal, and honest. Aidan is one of the harder heroes to get a handle on, in my opinion, but this is due to his complexity rather than a faulty portrayal. Believe me, by the end of the book practically every time he says/thinks/does something you will be sighing his name and thinking he's a prince charming. He's a soldier, so his exterior is very tough, hard, implacable, and honor-obsessed, but Aidan is also very kind, loving, and thoughtful - you start to look forward to each of his humorous comments or almost-smiles with the same excitement that Eve does.

What was great about the relationship between Eve and Aidan was that you really do see it form before your eyes - they've never met before the beginning of the book and there isn't that instant awareness of "I'm-inexplicably-drawn-to-this-person-more-than-any-other-person-ever-etc." which though we love to read about sometimes, is not very realistic. There is still definitely attraction between the two characters and real chemistry, and they are a perfect pair, complementing each other very well.

OTHER CHARACTERS:
The motley assortment of "lame ducks" that Eve has gathered around her are great characters and Aunt Mari's machinations to help Aidan and Eve fall in love were amusing. I would have found Wulfric, the Duke of Bewcastle, extremely annoying, overbearing, arrogant, and etc. if I hadn't already read his story (SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS); because I've already read about his softer side, I was instead just amused by how absolutely arrogant (and surprisingly humorous) he can be. Also, he does come through in the end.

CRITICISM (very small):
I would have liked maybe just one or two more kissing scenes/occurrences between Eve and Aidan and wish that the reunion at the end had been a little more passionate and romantic. But that's all!!

BOTTOM LINE:
Buy it, prepare to not get up until you're done, and settle in for a wonderful read!! I continued through even though I had a pounding headache, simply because I could not countenance going to bed and leaving the book unfinished.

(Written November 29, 2008 on Amazon.com) ( )

A "marriage of convenience" becomes passionately real.

This is the first book by Mary Balogh I have read - suggested by LT members. I am delighted to have found a worthy successor to Georgette Heyer! Ms Balogh has the same understanding of how life really would be in that period; costumes, events, people and scenarios are all coherent and ring true, yet there is the same sparkling sense of fun and witty dialogue. Wonderful! ( )

Fabulous start to the Bedwyn saga! Aiden and Eve remained 2 of my favourites throughout the series. ( )

This book is the first of the "Slightly" series which follows the romantic adventures of the aristocratic Bedwyn family. "Slightly Married" is the story of Aidan, the second-oldest son. At the beginning of the book, Colonel Lord Aidan Bedwyn has been in the army for twelve years. He returns home to inform Eve Morris, the sister of a fallen officer, of her brother's death. Having promised the dying man that he would protect his sister "no matter what," Aidan discovers that, due to stipulations in her father's will, the only way to do this is by marrying her and thereby insuring her ownership of her estate.

This book is a charming read. Aidan is a fascinating character that Balogh lets you see only slowly - the reader gets to know him at the same time Eve does. The plot is simple and to the point, with the vast majority of print taken up by the development of the relationship between Eve and Aidan. This is one of my favorite parts of Balogh's writing - romance, in my opinion, should be a character driven genre. Too many authors are willing to sacrifice character development for a complex and fast moving plot, and this detracts from the emotional involvement the reader has with the characters. Balogh does not make this mistake. While the plot is rather simple, it is a fast moving page-turner and a convincing character-study. Aidan and Eve both feel like real people with real problems - people to whom the reader can relate despite the differences in location and time (and social standing!). ( )

Synopsis: Slightly Married is the first novel in the Bedwyn family series by Mary Balogh. Set in regency England, this book tells the story of Aidan Bedwyn, brother to the Duke of Bewcastle and member of the mighty Bedwyn family. Aidan is the second son, the one destined for military service. He did his duty and has spent most of his life fighting in the peninsula, rising in rank over the years to Colonel. At the open of the novel, one Percy Morris, having once saved Aidan's life in battle, lay dying on the battlefield. His final request is that Aidan find his sister and protect her "no matter what." Aidan, a man of his word, takes a two month leave and journeys to England to bring the sad news of the young man's death to his sister. Eve Morris is devastated to learn of her brother's death. Just as devastating is the realization that Eve and her entire household (including her two young adopted children) will all be turned out of their house in a few days' time due to a quirk in her father's will. Aidan, ever bound by his promise, decides to marry the woman in order to save her from her fate. Both of them assume it will be a simple marriage of convenience, neither of them expecting to see the other again after the wedding. Of course, they don't count on the fact that they are falling in love.

This was an enjoyable novel. I really liked Aidan. He was so stoic. He thinks that love is a bunch of nonsense and that duty and honor are all. Eve is a sensitive, loving, bleeding-heart who cannot bear to allow others to suffer injustice. This might be an almost annoying trait in a heroine, but Balogh paints her as a warm, living, breathing woman and I found myself liking her immensely. She is not weak, nor is she tragic. She is practical and determined to do what is right. I suppose this is one reason why she and Aidan fit together so well. They are both so honorable.

I loved how Aidan kept trying to leave her and kept not doing it. At first, after he does his duty by telling her about her brother's death and offering to help her, he figures he's done his bit and prepares to leave. But circumstances conspire to keep him around a few extra days until he realizes that, in all honor, he must stay and help her. Then, after they are married and he has no more obligation to stay with her, he keeps finding reasons to stick around a little longer. He eventually allows himself to love Eve, her children, and her home.

I really like how the Bedwyns have these big noses and sort of harsh features - they are not traditionally good-looking, and yet they have a certain appeal. They are not perfect. I also liked how Aidan just didn't give a damn about the fact that Eve Morris was essentially a "nobody." She worries about it a bit, but this is not the essential obstacle to their romance for Aidan. For him, the real hurdle is accepting that it really is ok to have feelings beyond those of duty.

My favorite parts: When Eve wears black to her court presentation (it was so satisfying to see her throwing it in all their faces!) and then when Aidan smiles for the first time.

I can't wait to read about the other Bedwyns now. Especially Wulfric. He's so stodgy and wound up. His story is the final one in the series, so it will be a while yet.

I gave this book 4 stars. ( )

From BackCover:
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 Aidan Bedwyn, the marriage-shy second son, discovers that matrimony may be the most seductive act of all.…

Like all the Bedwyn men, Aidan has a reputation for cool arrogance. But this proud nobleman also possesses a loyal, passionate heart--and it is this fierce loyalty that has brought Colonel Lord Aidan to Ringwood Manor to honor a dying soldier's request. Having promised to comfort and protect the man's sister, Aidan never expected to find a headstrong, fiercely independent woman who wants no part of his protection…nor did he expect the feelings this beguiling creature would ignite in his guarded heart. And when a relative threatens to turn Eve out of her home, Aidan gallantly makes her an offer she can't refuse: marry him…if only to save her home. And now, as all of London breathlessly awaits the transformation of the new Lady Aidan Bedwyn, the strangest thing happens: With one touch, one searing embrace, Aidan and Eve's “business arrangement” is about to be transformed…into something slightly surprising.

Awards:
A TRR 5 Heart Keeper
2003 AAR Best European Historical ( )

This is the first of the Slightly series. Colonel Lord Aiden Bedwyn and Eve Morris marry in a marriage of convenience, and to honor a dying man's wish, but fall in love. This and Slightly Dangerous are my favorite of the Bedwyn books. ( )