Slightly Scandalous

4.5 stars

I was really looking forward to this one after seeing this couple together when I skipped ahead to Wulf’s book. I was surprised by how differently Joshua came across at first here. He was very handsy and quick with the cheeky endearments, which I wasn’t a huge fan of, but he grew on me, especially after the fake betrothal was announced. I loved Freyja, particularly how she faced down the Marchioness at the ball—well, actually at both balls. She reminds me of Mary from Downton Abbey—proud and prickly on the outside, with an inner vulnerability and goodness.
I was thrilled when Wulf showed up! I love how he always steers things so his siblings will end up happy. I had no idea how this would twist and turn to get those show more crazy kids together, but I was there for it every step. The plot never lagged and was entertaining all the way through. As always, the Bedwyns rallied round wonderfully when things got rocky. Great fun, and one of my faves from the series so far. show less

This novel tells the story of the older of the Bedwyn sisters, Freya, who spends some time in Bath and meets Joshua, the Marquess of Hallmere. He is an adventurous and funny man and after some turmoil the two end up in a fake betrothal. But before Freya ends it to enjoy her freedom again, she starts suspecting that there is more to Joshua than his utterly carefree façade.

I think that this entry in the Bedwyn series is not as good as the previous ones. I found it hard to warm up to Freya as a character and while I understand why she is that bold and at the same time guarded and secretive, I would have liked to see more development in her, especially when it came to how she treats Joshua. The Bath and Cornwall settings of much of the show more novel are interesting and described well, but the story of Joshua's background seems a bit overdone at times. show less

Freyja was so perfectly not-like-other-girls, I should have hated her. But somehow I didn’t. She was annoying at times but most of the time she was just fun. She was still pining after Kit at the beginning but then she fell for Josh and was cured once and for all.

Josh was very handsome and always smiling and everyone loved him. The man didn’t have any single flaw. None. I know that’s how book boyfriends work but Mary overdid this one a little.

I like fake dating and fake engagements and I love reverse grumpy-sunshine, so it all worked very well for me. What bothered me a little was how similar this book was to Kit and Lauren’s. I would have preferred to think less about Kit when reading Freyja's story.

It was great to meet all show more the Bedwyns, even Aidan is improving. On to the next! When's Alleyne? I want Alleyne!!!

—-

I hated Freya in the first two books because she was mean, especially to Lauren. However I always feel for the other woman and I know that she was being a bitch because she had her heart broken. I’m glad she’s getting a hea because I want everyone happy but also because I want her to stop pining after Kit!!! show less

Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh is the third book in her historical romance series about the Bedwyn family. The first two books dealt with two of the men in the family while this book is about Freyja, their sister. Freyja has made appearances in the other books, so we already know much of her backstory and personally, I didn’t find her very likeable. Luckily, the male lead, Joshua Moore, Marquees of Hallmere is much more sympathetic.

Joshua appears to be a laughing, light hearted rake but we soon find out that he has a sensitive, compassionate side as well. He very much admires Freyja and encourages her free spirit, but he also likes to challenge her. The two end up in a fake engagement, and are, of course the last to realize that show more they are perfect for each other.

The “fake” engagement is a standard variant of romance stories and this one is quite well done. As the relationship develops first into a friendship and then into love, we grow to know the characters and it isn’t too long before we are rooting for them. While Slightly Scandalous isn’t my favorite of the series, I enjoy reading about this family and as there are still three more siblings to read about, I look forward to continuing on in the series. show less

Great redemption for Freyja who has been a pretty unlikeable character up until now. Joshua was a perfect partner for her and a lovely hero to boot. Balogh obviously had a great time working toward their HEA, and I look forward to continuing to revisit all these characters.

When the man she was in love with is expecting his first child with his new wife, Lady Freyja Bedwyn leaves the neighborhood for Bath. On her way there, Joshua Moore (who has lately inherited the title of Marquess of Hallmere) runs into her bedchamber to escape a pair of blackmailers. Freyja looks at him down her aristocratic (read: gigantic) nose and tells him if he doesn't leave, she'll scream. He mocks her and says she wouldn't dare expose herself to gossip in that way. Freyja promptly screams the inn down.

And that is why Freyja is the best. Because she does what she wants, or thinks is right to do, and damn the gossip. When she thinks he's molested a servant girl, she openly calls him out for it in the middle of the Pump Room, at show more full volume. And when she realizes she's wrong, she apologizes, just as openly. I'd liked her in other books in the Bedwyn series, and this book just cemented my love. I had a harder time appreciating her romance. I just don't enjoy historical romances where the hardass lady meets her match. Just once, I want a man to submit to the dominant, stubborn, high-handed heroine.

The minor murder mystery plot is pretty shallow, and is resolved far too easily. I want more plot, less boring het-sex, dammit! (And really, how much p-in-v sex do I have to read? Seriously, every single sex scene Balogh has written is: gentleman fingers lady, notices how very very wet she is, thrust thrust thrust, then they both come and lie around panting and cuddling. If you're going to write several sex scenes a book, please god get a little variety in there!)

Trigger warning: contains incestuous sexual abuse, including that of a minor and of a developmentally disabled minor. It's not graphic or detailed--it's all in the past, and the perpetrator is dead--but it talked about. show less

Freyja Bedwyn is trying to deal with the aftermath of seeing the guy she loved marrying another woman, a woman who is now having his baby. She heads to Bath to visit a friend and on the way helps hide a man trying to hide. Turns out he's Joshua Moore, Marquess of Hallmere, also heading for Bath. When they meet in Bath sparks fly and they discover that they intrigue each other. A pretend engagement to help twart his manipulative aunt starts them down a path they may not want to get off.

It was fun, kept me reading well past my bed time. I liked the characters and his Aunt was suitably evil and manipulative and deserved what happened to her. I like how he accepted her with all her flaws and she accepted him.