Slightly Scandalous

Starred review from April 28, 2003
Balogh's Bedwyn family trilogy (Slightly Married; Slightly Wicked) concludes in fine style with this exceptionally entertaining Regency-era romance between bold Freyja Bedwyn and the mischievous Joshua Moore. Freyja's adventure begins en route to Bath when Joshua, the Marquess of Hallmere, takes refuge in Freyja's bedroom at an inn. He gives her an unwanted kiss, and she gives him a bloody nose. Matters turn even more merrily askew when the two meet up again in Bath. To thwart Joshua's scheming aunt, who's trying to manipulate him into marrying his cousin, they declare a truce long enough to enter into a pretend betrothal. Neither foresees the stir created by the charade—or the arrival of Freyja's brother, the Duke of Bewcastle. Meanwhile, the couple must contend with a murder charge drummed up by Joshua's aunt to keep him from spoiling her ambitions. When passion enters the picture, the unlikely pair find themselves in danger of taking a trip down the aisle in earnest. Balogh's protagonists are complex and charismatic—the kind of people you hope to be sitting next to at a party. Secondary characters like Joshua's mentally handicapped cousin and a disgraced family employee also take on a life of their own. With its impeccable plotting and memorable characters, Balogh's book raises the bar for Regency romances.

May 15, 2003
Continuing the adventures of the memorable Bedwyn siblings, first introduced in A Summer To Remember, this sassy romp takes the fiery, unconventional Lady Freya Bedwyn, puts her into a sham engagement with a footloose, scapegrace marquess who hopes to avoid his family's matrimonial machinations, and lets the fireworks start. But the mock betrothal takes on a life of its own; and as their families get involved, Lady Freya and the marquess suddenly realize that they don't want to end their relationship after all. The sexual tension fairly crackles between this pair of beautifully matched protagonists as they struggle to remain independent. Zingy dialog, witty humor, and marvelously appealing characters breathe new life into a classic plot. Balogh (Slightly Wicked) is a best-selling author of traditional Regencies and Regency-set historicals, and this delightful and exceptionally well-done title nicely demonstrates her matchless style.

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2003
The saga of the Bedwyn family, who were introduced in " A Summer to Remember" [BKL Je 1 & 15 02], continues with the tale of Freyja. The daughter of a duke, she is handsome rather than pretty and so fiercely independent that at the great age of 25 she is still unwed. Traveling to Bath she encounters a stranger whom she later sees accosting a maid in a park. Giving him a dressing-down in the Pump Room, she discovers that gorgeous Joshua Moore, marquess of Hallmere, may have been up to something quite different than it appeared. In a rash surge of goodwill, she agrees to a fake betrothal to save him from his manipulative aunt, who will go to any lengths to retain her position and destroy his life. Of course, Bewcastle, Freyja's eldest brother, shows up to make sure all is properly done. Balogh is the queen of spicy Regency-era romance, creating memorable characters in unforgettable stories. Fans of smart historical romances will not want to miss this.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)