I tried to be fair but after the first few pages of this book I knew there was no way I was ever going to pick up another Balough book.
I cannot relate to her writing at all. I was not disappointed because I had very low expectations but I really resent authors who seem to make a mockery of their fans by writing incredulous stories and expect us to enjoy because it is fiction.

Oh well I guess it is a good thing that I'm so terribly spoiled by the likes of Judith Mcnaught, Mary Jo putney and Gaelen Foley. All of who take the time to write mature stories for their ADULT READERS and making sure enough research of the genre is done to not have us doubt it when we pick up one of their books to read.

All three copies of Mary Balough's book in my library are not fit to be on the same shelf as the above mentioned authors, therefore they shall keep the trash can company.

I found this to be a good read maybe not the intense solid truly emotional tale of a the Mallorys, Cysters or Mallorens but good none the less. I think perhaps this family might be a little aloof and not quite prone to good old fashion rakishness for me. Rannulf did in fact manage to seduce Judith on the very first nite - or was that her seducing him? Of course they were both pretending to be someone else - when they discover who they really are a week later while Judith has taken the very lowly position of her grandmother companion at Rannulfs nearby estate - he is shocked. By then he has realized she was a virgin, not exactly sure why he did not know that immediately? In his way of honor he seeks her out and offers marriage, oh these men and their honor. Judith could tell he was less than thrilled and she was embarrassed and thought she was never going to see him again. So she very imfatically refuses! Now, he is supposed to be courting her beautiful but very shallow and empty headed cousin. So she has to deal with this courtship. Rannulf apparently was not exactly a man who had been doing much with his life, just living on the family wealth. He does seem to undergo a transformation both in realizing his precious grandmother is actually dying and that maybe he shoud take an active part in her estate business, which he would soon inherit. His transformation into a little bit more of a complete person, and his realization that Judith is much more than a one nite liason - and could very well be the woman he might love are slowly developed and the romance by the end seems very real. There are some secondary players that add to the plot nicely and you get to see some of Rannulfs family which also seem a bit stuffy but bearable when they all seem to accept his choice of bride. It was a good solid read. None of Rannulfs family though jump out at me (as in the other series I mentioned) that I want to rush right out and by every single book in this group. For me that seperates this from being a 5 star - it was good but just not quite compelling to say wow!

This being the 2nd in the Bedwyn series, was my favorite, well tied w/ Freja's, Slightly Scandalous. Ralf is the epitome of romance, he may not be the most hansome Bedwyn, but his character makes up for it. This book oozes sexuality and I loved that it started out heated from the beginning.

This second book in the series of the Bedwyn brothers is not as exciting as the review would have you believe. The story is about Rannulf Bedwyn and a poor minister's daughter who meet for a few days of casual sex and then separate. Their first meeting keeps your interest but after the lovers part the story falls flat. I find that Ms. Balogh's characters are clinical and cliche. They have no life to them, particularly the hero. In regards to the heroine, anyone with a modicum of common sense would have acted completely differently. I found the characters unrealistic and formulaic at best. Also their relationship lacks the sexual tension needed in this kind of story. I found myself laughing at the incredulous way the hero spoke. If you want to read a good romance where the characters actually are believable and you can sympathize with, try Eloisa James' pleasures series: Potent Pleasures, Midnight Pleasures, and Enchanting Pleasures. I have read other books of Ms. Balogh's and though I always found them a bit dull, this is by far one of the worst.

If you like three-dimensional characters and a drop of melancholy in your romance, Slightly Wicked should hit the spot.

I've been following the Slightly series and have read all but the last (Slightly Dangerous). Slightly Wicked is by far the best of the lot, with Slightly Married (Aidan's story) a distant second -- though that one gets points for plot originality. The remaining three novels I skimmed rather than read, not having much patience for the posturings of the dour, cantankerous and snobby Bedwyns. Since I disliked Freyja most of all, I'm not too optimistic about the next series, which spins off her school teachers. But I'll keep an eye open just the same. Even at her least inspired, Ms. Balogh's writing towers above the typical romance fare.