Slightly Married

Bedwyn Saga Series, Book 1

By: Mary Balogh

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

©2003 Mary Balogh (P)2016 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Believable complications and an intriguing clash of personalities ensure the story never grows stale, and Balogh's quirky supporting characters - including Eve's gutsy housekeeper and Aidan's formidable aunt - sprinkle the tale with homespun humor." ( Publishers Weekly)

The Bedwyns have arrived!

This is the first in the "Bedwyn" series and I rate it one of the best! The Bedwyns are hard living, hard loving, group of four brothers, (Wulfric, Aidan, Rannulf, Alleyne), and two sisters, (Freyja, Morgan), who are diamonds in the ruff. This book tells the story of Aidan Bedwyn who is home on two months leave from the military. He has gone to the home of a fellow officer, (killed in battle), to deliver the news about the death. The catch is the dying officer has received the promise from Aidan that he will do anything to "protect" the sister. It turns out to be an offer of marriage from Aidan to the sister. It is an offer made in order to help the sister remain in her family home.

Aidan's story is well told and "slightly" complicated as are the other books. He turns out to be loveable, strong, dependable and just a little hard around the edges. I found all the male Bedwyn's likable and couldn't decide which one I liked best. Being a huge fan of Mary Balogh's, I feel this is one of the best series to read, and as always the five-star rating goes to Rosalyn Landor! Yes, this one is worth the credit!

A Soldier's Dying Wish

This story begins on a battlefield and the wish of a dying soldier given to his commanding officer. Enter the family of the soldier, a complicated, rag-tag mix of orphans and second-chancers living with an unmarried woman juggling them all. The story is pretty obvious, but made more interesting by titles, honor, a meeting of the queen, abduction of the children and pride. There is more than enough pride and honor to go around in this proper group! But romance, intimacy (not too smexy), and a good bit of stifled desire.

I have listened to a couple of books from Mary Balogh and have found the storyline to be well paced, an easy listen. She seems to be historically accurate in descriptions of dress, surroundings and attitude. Her scenes of romance are tamer than many other writers, but still adult material.

Did I like it, would I recommend it? I did like it, and I will carry on with the next book in the series. It is NOT a cliffhanger and I imagine the books can be read out of order, as they will probably focus on a brother and his story. I enjoy a little more flirty, sexy elements in books, but this was very entertaining, none the less.

Rosalyn Landor is a mature, proper English reader. She gives the seriousness in dialog that would have been appropriate in the time. I kind of like a lighter, younger narrator, but she demonstrates good emotion and grasp of the storyline. She is a popular narrator and I have listened to her many times.

Enjoyable Regency Romance

Mary Balogh is a master of the Regency Romance, and I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Since you can read a synopsis of the plot in many other reviews here, I just want to say that it was reading Aidan's transformation towards the end of the story that really melted my heart. He's an honorable military man who'd always done his duty, but it was his very career that had forced him to create a stern facade not in keeping with his true heart. To see him gradually drop the mask and show his true self to Eve, and to read the scene with his beautiful declaration of love to her was completely captivating.

The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because it was a little on the "quiet" side in terms of plot/action. But definitely worth reading!

Rosalyn Landor is one of my favourite narrators and she was outstanding with the delivery of the story.

Drags on with obvious solution...

I do not go into reading romance novels expecting amazingly unique plots. Nor do I expect a great work of literature. I want to simply get away from the world and take a brain break and indulge in silly romance stories. This one annoyed me, however, due to it dragging on and on about how the protagonists will never have another day together, they'll never live together. And none of it makes sense. They are both strong characters, intelligent, and independent. So why can't they just come forward and say what they feel? A lot of repetitious phrases and many pages of will they or won't they without the salacious love scenes to make it all fun.

My Least Favorite of the Series

If you’ve listened to books by Mary Balogh before, how does this one compare?

This is my least favorite of the Bedwyn series, and I'm glad I stuck with the series after starting with this one because some of the other Bedwyn tales are great. Aidan's story isn't horrible; it's just not that interesting or absorbing.

What about Rosalyn Landor’s performance did you like?

I like Rosalyn Landor as a narrator because she's able to differentiate between characters well.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not. Depends on who wrote, starred in, directed, and produced it, but probably not.

Any additional comments?

I had a hard time right from the start getting invested into either of the two main characters. They were both a bit ordinary and predictable, which made their characters and romance harder to sell. Most of the time, Aidan was a bit too reserved and austere to be more appealing, and, until the end, Eve was often too noncommittal one way or another about her relationship with Aidan or her feelings for him. This book was like a slightly incorrect weather prediction: The forecast was warm and sunny, and it turned out to be overcast and cool.

One of The Best

The "Slightly Series" or the Bedwyn Saga is one of Mary Balogh's best series and this is one of the best in the series.

Aidan Bedwyn, whose middle name is "Honor," -- or maybe that is his real first name and his middle name is "Duty," anyway, Aidan, marries Eve because of a deathbed promise to a man who once saved his life in the battlefield. Actually, the dying man wasn't in bed, he was on the battlefield so maybe it was a 'deathfield' promise. Be that as it may, Aidan promised to protect Eve "no matter what." Eve and her collection of "lame ducks" stand to be thrown out into the street by Eve's evil cousin unless she is married in the next four days.

Col. Honor Duty Bedwyn thinks he can marry her quickly without telling his family and they can go back to living their own separate lives with no one the wiser and very little change. Of course it doesn't work out that way.... How it doesn't work out and how it does work out, that's the story!

Captivating!

What did you love best about Slightly Married?

Everything! This book inspires a gamut of emotions: joy, sorrow, love, excitement.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's hard to choose a favorite because the supporting characters in Eve's household were so colorful; likable. Kindhearted Eve is certainly in the running but I guess if I have to choose a favorite it is Aidan.

What about Rosalyn Landor’s performance did you like?

Rosalyn Landor reads with so much emotion she makes you feel like you are personally witnessing the events as they take place. She is one of a very short list of women that can do male voices well and the best for children's voices I've heard. Her narration of "Slightly Married" was superb. She males a good book GREAT!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I both laughed and cried.

Any additional comments?

"Slightly Married' is an outstanding book. It's not a mirror image of other books that are plentiful in the Historical Romance genre. Mary Balogh is a very talented author.

Huge delighted sigh

Another outstanding listen with the amazing narrator Rosalyn Landor dramatizing author Mary Balogh's fabulous first book of the Bedwyn Saga. The overarching plot is a historical English HEA which does nothing to describe the deliciously difficult relationship between the dashing, cool and arrogant Colonel Lord Aiden and the gently-bred, independent, property owner Eve. Tears in my eyes at the end and there goes that deep sigh again. Ahhhh.

Balogh & Lander do it again

The combination of a great romance writer and a great romance reader will always be a winner. As usual Mary Balogh's story is well put together, realistic, and full of heart. and as usual Rosalyn Landor brings all the characters to life. This is a combination I always know I will enjoy.

At last! The Bedwyns are coming to Audible!

The 'Slightly' series was my introduction to Mary Balogh's splendid writing. Every story is unique, and well told.

In this book, Aiden Bedwyn is an honor-bound soldier who finds love.
Eve Morris is a open-hearted, unpretentious woman who also has obligations she needs to honor.
There is a beautiful, mutual respect between them that slowly blossoms into love.
It's such a lovely story.

Mary Balogh is, as always, brilliant in her writing, and Rosalyn Landor's narration is always easy to listen to.

Very enjoyable, warm

This is a good heart warming story that is well narrated. I shall add it to my collection.

Fascinating and gripping.

Excellent and true to period. Fully rounded characters, all ages. A most acceptable narrator. A few hours in another world a holiday for the mind.

Romantic

I enjoyed listening to this book. I liked the humour and the kindness of the heroine.

A Solid Story

This isn't my favourite Mary Balogh book. I want terribly taken by either Eve or Aiden. I really wanted to bang their heads together. I also didn't really feel their connection which I usually do with Mary's books. But I loved the premise of the book and the side characters did help to save the book, especially the old Welsh aunt and the somewhat aggressive housekeeper. I wouldn't read this as my first May Balogh book. If go for the Mistress Trilogy or the Survivors Club. But it's still a solid book. I hope to fall a bit harder for the rest of the Bedwyn siblings.

Rosalyn Landor's narration is, of course, top notch. I can't fault it. She really is the best narrator of regency books around.

A most enjoyable listen

There were times whe I thought that the lengthy sentences could be cut by nearly half without losing the story, nevertheless it was a very enjoyable listen.

entertaining and charming story -

... which holds your attention from beginning to end... the storyline is intriguing ...

it is a solid 4 stars ... on all accounts.

romance at its best

I loved this book but have tissues to hand 🤧 There are some heart warming and heart breaking moments. I enjoyed it so much I could listen to it again this very moment.

Boring!!

Rosalyn Landor is a great narrator with impressive voice skills. However, I found the narrative too much, and the plot long and boring!

The storyline was rather unexciting.

lovely romance

absolutely loved the Welsh aspect of this and the love of family, such a sweet book.
Great opposing characters and the book lasted ages a lovely thorough story.

Boring & oh so predictable

Listened to this book that is very well narrated & for me that’s as good as it gets. Knew what was going to happen from the start.
Characters ok but not special. Instantly forgettable.
Sorry but for me not at an engaging storyline.