Slightly Tempted

The closer look at the wartime setting and the friendship that developed before love between Morgan and Gervase kept this Bedwyn story fresh. I liked how straightforward, unbowed, and even confrontational Morgan could be. I knew Gervase’s motive for meeting her would eventually come to light, but I was still hoping I was wrong (reader, I wasn’t). Although there was that one predictable element, most of Morgan’s actions were unpredictable, which I liked. I felt a bit skeptical of how philosophical and wise beyond her years Morgan was, but I think Balogh made a decent case for why she might be so. The first major love scene was vexing, and I didn’t think it was consistent with Gervase’s character—as a good guy and a gentleman, show more I think it would have made more sense if he had recognized her vulnerability and comforted her a different way. That was the moment the book went from 5 stars to 4 for me.
As always, I love when the larger Bedwyn family shows up and helps the new lovers on their way. I missed Wulf in this one, but under the circumstances of his relationship with Gervase, I don’t think he could have had more of a presence than he did. I’m surprised Balogh left things as she did with Alleyne when this was first written. I was expecting him to show up at the wedding and make everything deliriously happy. I’m sure all her readers knew exactly who that lone man standing outside the house was at the end, though.
I’m not madly in love with amnesia stories, but since I love the Bedwyns, I am looking forward to Alleyn’s book. show less

Lady Morgan, the youngest of the Bedwyn siblings, travels to Brussels with another family. During a ball she meets Gervase, an Earl, and they are highly attracted to each other. Gervase has spent nine years in exile after an incident in which Morgan's oldest brother, the Duke of Bewcastle, was involved. Gervase has always wanted revenge, and involving Morgan in scandal seems to be the perfect way, until he notices that he genuinely likes her.

Apart from some dialogues in the last part of the book, I really enjoyed everything about this! The romance and connection between the two main characters seemed genuine and believable to me, and there wasn't any chapter that was boring or slow. The development of the love story was exciting without show more much repetition. There are some more historical elements in this involving the Battle of Waterloo, which made it even more interesting.
Once more, Rosalyn Landor excels as a narrator, I almost forget that she is just one person and that this is not an audio play read by different voice actors, but still, she never overdoes it.

I am looking forward to the next Bedwyn book so much, especially after the ending of this one! show less

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 show more 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 after her name gets dragged through the mud and she's being snickered at in the street, to waltz and make out in a private room, without making sure the door is locked, while at a public ball shortly after your brother's funeral? And then to act surprised that you get caught and there are consequences? Beggars the mind. I know she's just a teenager (something Gervase should have thought about, that dastardly creep), but surely such an otherwise intelligent girl should have *some* common sense. show less

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 show more angry at Mary for hurting my man Alleyne!

RTC show less

Review em: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2015/07/livro-ligeiramente-tentador-de-mary.html

Estes romances históricos passados nos inícios do século XIX falam sempre superficialmente da guerra com Napoleão, do Duque de Wellington, alguns até mencionam as lutas aqui na Península Ibérica, mas eu sempre achei que a maior parte das autoras evita temas como estes. E eu sempre tive alguma pena disso, porque acho que pode trazer muito mais profundidade a uma história. E foi isso que aconteceu com Ligeiramente Tentador.

Como de certeza repararam, este é o quarto livro da saga Bedwyn, e este era provavelmente o livro que mais ansiosa estava por ler, porque apesar de vermos muito pouco da personagem principal nos outros livros, Morgan show more Bedwyn era sem dúvida a irmã cuja história mais queria ler.

Morgan é uma beleza típica, com um dote gigante, irmã de um Duque, e podia perfeitamente ser uma rapariga tolinha que só sabia dar risinhos e não fazer mais nada – não fosse a sua família ser os Bedwyn. Com uma educação algo irreverente e exemplos da irmã mais velha que não seriam considerados os melhores para uma jovem da sociedade inglesa, Morgan cresce entre os seus irmãos mas sentindo-se sempre um pouco distante por ser a mais nova de todos.

Pouco depois de ser apresentada à sociedade, chega a Londres Gervase Ashford, um homem que tinha sido exilado pelo próprio pai e que tem uma ligação com Wulfric Bedwyn, o duque de Bewcastle, irmão mais velho de Morgan. E quando a vê, primeiramente atraído pela sua beleza, Gervase pensa que ela seria uma rapariga tonta que poderia usar para se vingar de Bewcastle – mas veremos o quanto se engana.

Morgan mostra desde logo um espírito forte e aventureiro, e ao longo do livro vamos percebendo a sua história, aquilo por que passou quando um dos irmãos esteve na guerra e ela ansiosamente esperava que ele voltasse, todos os dias com medo de uma má notícia. É como quando um dos membros do casal é, por exemplo, bombeiro ou polícia e de cada vez que sai de casa pensamos: “será que voltarei a vê-lo/a?” Não estou de qualquer maneira a diminuir o risco de qualquer outra profissão ou da própria vida, mas que estes são medos frequentes, especialmente nestas profissões consideradas “de risco”, isso são.

Voltando ao tópico da guerra que referi no início, este livro passa-se durante a guerra, em que a maior parte da alta sociedade de Londres vai para Bruxelas, onde decorria “a acção”, mas onde inicialmente não havia qualquer perigo para as pessoas que lá estivessem. Vemos uma evolução dos bailes e das reacções das pessoas, especialmente da Morgan, à medida que a proximidade da guerra entra nos salões de baile. O que inicialmente era visto como algo distante e honroso, continua a ser honroso mas está presente na mente de quem, no dia a seguir vai para a guerra e as famílias pensam: voltarei a ver o meu filho/marido/neto/irmão/etc.? E Morgan, apesar de não ter dado demasiada atenção ao jovem, fez com que Gordon, o irmão de uma amiga sua, cuja família tinha concordado levá-la para Bruxelas com autorização de Wulfric, dedicasse a si a sua luta contra Napoleão. Foi tão interessante ver as reacções dos diferentes homens, como os que eram arrogantes e se achavam invencíveis se tornam quase seres mesquinhos mesmo sobrevivendo quando tantos outros morreram. Ver homens ingleses a elogiarem os esforços não só do seu exército mas do exército francês também. Ver que a guerra não é algo bonito para ninguém, que não é algo que se deva levar ao peito no sentido em que "fui, venci e fui melhor" – porque não há propriamente um “melhor” – quantas vezes as pessoas que estão a lutar de lados contrários têm as mesmas convicções? “Estou a lutar para proteger a minha família, as minhas crenças, o meu património, etc.”. Não quer de todo dizer que seja pelas razões certas – o ser humano parece que não consegue estar nunca em paz por muito tempo, não acham?

Sei que pela minha crítica, pode parecer que este livro é sobre guerra – mas não é, ainda que esta esteja muito presente. Para mim, este livro foi bastante sobre a natureza humana.

Voltando a Morgan e Gervase – este último não tendo ido para a guerra-, encontraram-se novamente em Bruxelas, e Gervase percebeu que Morgan, apesar de inicialmente estar ali por aquela excitação que se sentia no ar, estava lá por outras razões. Allen Bedwyn, um dos seus outros irmãos, estava a trabalhar para o governo inglês, entregando mensagens directas ao Duque de Wellington, e enquanto que Morgan estava com uma família amiga, acaba por ficar em Bruxelas porque, ao contrário da maioria das mulheres da sociedade inglesa que fugiam de Bruxelas para Londres ou simplesmente não saíram de casa no momento em que a guerra despoletou, Morgan juntou-se às mulheres e irmãos dos militares, pôs as mãos ao trabalho e cuidou de feridos, moribundos, fossem de que exército fossem. Porque como disse, todos têm família, todos têm alguém que os ame e merecem, independentemente do lado porque lutaram, uma mão que os segure no momento da morte.

Gervase fica com Morgan, e apesar do quão estranho isso fosse para a época, Morgan, irreverente como era, não pensou duas vezes e ele foi o seu amigo em todas as horas, ajudou como pode, e esqueceu a vingança ao ver que aquela jovem não era “a irmã” do homem que odiava mas sim “Morgan”.

Era com Gervase que ela passava as poucas horas que não estava rodeada de feridos, num passeio no jardim, ou simplesmente num banco ao pé de casa. Ele ajudava-a a sair do buraco em que a guerra a tinha posto. E quando Allen desaparece, é Gervase que faz tudo para o tentar encontrar.

Sei que já disse muito sobre o livro e não gosto de estar a fazer spoilers, mas acho sinceramente que uma crítica a este romance merece que se diga mais que o habitual.

A guerra acaba – não podem dizer que isto é spoiler que está nos vossos livros de história! – e Morgan e Gervase voltam para Londres, praticamente sozinhos, o que ajudou muito à especulação das bocas mesquinhas da alta sociedade. Mas estes amigos não ajudam quando partilham um beijo num dos salões de baile de Londres – onde são vistos por Wulfric e outros convidados.

Morgan percebe que houve ali qualquer coisa entre o irmão e Gervase e consegue que este lhe conte o passado entre os dois, que não vos vou contar. Resumindo, toda a gente teve razão de ser para a maneira como agiu e nós não podemos culpar qualquer uma das personagens porque no lugar delas talvez também tivéssemos ficado com o nosso julgamento toldado.

A inicial manipulação de Gervase é descoberta por Morgan e esta decide vingar-se deste, mas de uma maneira que provavelmente agrada à maioria dos leitores. Com um espicaçar entre os dois, contentas passadas a serem resolvidas, chegamos ao fim do livro.

Para mim, o que gostei menos foi exactamente esta parte, pois achei que foi um pouco apressado demais, a tentar por tudo numa caixa bonita com um grande laço. Mas não deixou de ser um final esperado neste tipo de livros.

Resumindo, o meu livro favorito destes irmãos. Aguardo ansiosamente o seguimento desta série. show less

2nd read- I gave this 5 stars originally, but I'm a little bit surprised, rereading it. I hadn't recalled how late in the book a particular betrayal continued, and I felt quite dismayed. I'm not sure if I misrated it at the time, or if I was distracted and somehow didn't catch parts before?, but I'm usually not that forgiving. lol. It's easier when the betrayals are before the characters really know each other or develop feelings. Anyway, this read. I think the first act in Brussels is my favorite. It's interesting to see a peek into that history, and it shows how the heroine is more than just beautiful and aristocratic. Also this book is a bit steamy for a Balogh, which is a plus for me. Several character choices (for both main show more characters) were questionable, either just a poor choice in general, or one I didn't find quite believable for that character. But overall I was entertained. show less

Synopsis: Slightly Tempted is the fourth novel in the Bedwyn family series of regency romances by Mary Balogh. This novel tells the story of the youngest Bedwyn sibling, Morgan. Only 18 years old, she is already a bit jaded to the frivolities of ton life. When she is offered the chance to accompany a friend's family to Brussels on the eve of the renewal of war with France, she cannot pass it up. She is truly interested and concerned in the business of the brewing war. Meanwhile, the handsome Gervase Ashford (the newly minted Earl of Rosthorn) is mouldering away in Brussels. Having been exiled for 9 years from England by his father for crimes he didn't commit, Gervase is thrilled to run into Morgan, the very sister of the man he blames show more for much of his troubles. He plans to seek revenge upon Wulfric Bedwyn by seducing his sister and generating a scandal. He has only begun to succeed at his plans, flirting shamelessly with her on numerous occasions, etc., when the battle of Waterloo erupts.

While most young aristocratic women are content to stay at home safely behind closed doors, Morgan boldly ventures out to the city gates to help others treat and care for the wounded soldiers pouring into the city - all despite her own fears for her brother, Alleyne, who has been commissioned by the embassy to take an important missive to the front lines of battle. It is at the city gates where Gervase finds her tending the wounded and offers to go look for her brother. When Alleyne cannot be found, Gervase tries to comfort and aid Morgan, offering her friendship and support. The two become true friends over the next several days as Morgan continues to tend the wounded while holding out hope of her brother's return. Finally, news arrives that confirms that Alleyne must surely have died at the battle, and Morgan turns to her dear friend for comfort in a night of passion. She will not marry him though, so he compromises by escorting her back to England to break the news to her family. They find that their scandalous behavior in Brussels has been reported in London, and Gervase has unwittingly had his revenge against his enemy Wulfric after all. Only by then, he doesn't want revenge, he only wants Morgan. And when she learns the truth about his motives on first meeting her in Belgium, she does not believe that she can trust him again. In her anger, she vows to go through a mock-betrothal only to make him fall in love with her and then cruelly abandon him.

Like so many good books, it is really hard to do this story justice. I absolutely loved this book. I loved the two main characters, I loved the setting, and I loved the struggles the characters went through.

I just love it when the characters are as dynamic as these two. They both change over the course of the story. Morgan discovers some of the real world from which those around her have tried to shelter her all her life. She is awakened to many harsh, bitter realities. At the same time, she discovers a deep feeling of friendship with Gervase, something she has never had before. I also think Gervase is a great hero. He, too is jaded - but for different reasons. He has been terribly wronged in his past, and cannot see beyond his need for revenge. With gentle guidance from Morgan, Gervase learns to forgive and let go of his desire for revenge. And through teaching Gervase about forgiveness, Morgan herself learns to forgive.

Of course, the scenes with the other Bedwyns were great also. I got really caught up in Morgan's desperate hope for Alleyne to be found, even though I knew that he wouldn't. And then watching the family mourn the loss of their brother was really heartbreaking. Especially Wulfric. You get a few more glimpses of Wulf's backstory in this book - as well as a glimpse of his hidden vulnerability as he grieves for his brother. I am looking forward to reading his story in Slightly Dangerous.

Favorite parts: When Gervase keeps riding out of Brussels to look for Morgan's brother. She is the sister of his age-old enemy, and yet he devotes himself to doing whatever he can to serve her. It reminded me of Darcy's devotion to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice when he searches London for the evil Wickham and then fixes everything - all so that Elizabeth won't be hurt. It's a mark of how much Gervase really cared for Morgan.

I also really liked the part where Morgan shows Gervase the painting by the river and he understands that the painting is about how the trees and the water and everything else in the world are all connected. He asks if he can keep the painting and says: "I will hang it in my bedchamber so that I may see it every day. After you have broken my heart and left me, I will remember that we are always and ever connected." (I had to get out my tissues.) show less