isamcmillan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lolololol iconić
julianaphilippa's review against another edition
4.0
Thought I wasn't going to like it, but would definitely recommend as part of Bedwyn series (3.5 stars)
Slightly Wicked is the second in the Bedwyn Family book series and is about Lord Rannulf Bedwyn, the third oldest son. At first, I'll admit I wasn't as excited about this book as Balogh's other ones (I've read all but one of the other Bedwyn books). I hate to admit it, but reading the back summary I was somewhat put off by the idea that the heroine has a random wild fling with a stranger at the beginning of the book. If you're somewhat put off by this, let me tell you - don't be!
MAIN CHARACTERS, Judith and Rannulf:
Judith Law describes herself as "the embarrassingly awkward one, the ugly one, the always cheerful one, the dreamer." She is actually very beautiful, but has absolutely no idea, having been made to think all her life that she is ugly and vulgar. Lord Rannulf Bedwyn is serious, but not at all as stern or brooding as Aidan or Wulf and not as light-hearted as Alleyne. He is passionate, intelligent, and a surprisingly thoughtful and kind man (and a wonderful dashing hero!). At the beginning of the novel he is a somewhat indolent and aimless man, having no real purpose in his life, but by the end of the story he has changed, with a newfound direction and newfound love (surprise, surprise!) in his life.
Balogh has a real talent for creating and developing authentic relationships between the hero and heroine. Though she does a pretty good job again here, I didn't think Rannulf and Judith's bond was as strong as those in some of Balogh's other books ([b:Slightly Married|110295|Slightly Married|Mary Balogh|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255790180s/110295.jpg|344054], Aidan and Eve's story, specifically comes to mind, as I read it a few days before this book). The relationship isn't badly written by any means, however, and you do look forward to each of their interactions.
CRITICISMS:
I did feel the fling period could have used a little work (the way Judith acts then did not seem consistent with her character in the rest of the book; I know she's "letting loose" but it was a little more than seemed believable). The "evil plot" aspect was a little too exaggerated and drawn-out towards the end of the book. Also, Julienne, Judith's annoying 18-year-old cousin, was *unbelievably* stupid, selfish, self-involved, and I could continue with more "S"s but you get the picture - a little over the top; felt like slapping her and I'm not one who ever advocates violence.
SIMILAR BOOKS:
If you like books where the hero and heroine have one night of passion as strangers and later fall in love, check out the following:
~ [b:Simply Unforgettable|110410|Simply Unforgettable (Simply, #1)|Mary Balogh|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171637213s/110410.jpg|1391369] (Simply Quartet, Book 1) by Mary Balogh
~ [b:The Secret Pearl|124830|The Secret Pearl|Mary Balogh|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171881864s/124830.jpg|120215] by Mary Balogh - a spin on the "one night of passion"
~ [b:Her Highness, My Wife|37074|Her Highness, My Wife (Effingtons, #5)|Victoria Alexander|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168803113s/37074.jpg|36979] (Effington Family, Book 5) by Victoria Alexander - premise isn't exactly the same, but similar enough
~ [b:Let It Be Love|37070|Let It Be Love (Effingtons, #11)|Victoria Alexander|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168803112s/37070.jpg|36975] (Effington Family, Book 11) by Victoria Alexander
~ [b:It Happened One Night|2854826|It Happened One Night|Stephanie Laurens|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1212348094s/2854826.jpg|2880960], anthology - I haven't read it, but I think it is similar
BOTTOM LINE:
It's an entertaining read and I laughed out loud several times. Definitely worth reading as part of the Bedwyn series; relationship wasn't as strong as Aidan and Judith's, but it is still a GREAT read.
Slightly Wicked is the second in the Bedwyn Family book series and is about Lord Rannulf Bedwyn, the third oldest son. At first, I'll admit I wasn't as excited about this book as Balogh's other ones (I've read all but one of the other Bedwyn books). I hate to admit it, but reading the back summary I was somewhat put off by the idea that the heroine has a random wild fling with a stranger at the beginning of the book. If you're somewhat put off by this, let me tell you - don't be!
MAIN CHARACTERS, Judith and Rannulf:
Judith Law describes herself as "the embarrassingly awkward one, the ugly one, the always cheerful one, the dreamer." She is actually very beautiful, but has absolutely no idea, having been made to think all her life that she is ugly and vulgar. Lord Rannulf Bedwyn is serious, but not at all as stern or brooding as Aidan or Wulf and not as light-hearted as Alleyne. He is passionate, intelligent, and a surprisingly thoughtful and kind man (and a wonderful dashing hero!). At the beginning of the novel he is a somewhat indolent and aimless man, having no real purpose in his life, but by the end of the story he has changed, with a newfound direction and newfound love (surprise, surprise!) in his life.
Balogh has a real talent for creating and developing authentic relationships between the hero and heroine. Though she does a pretty good job again here, I didn't think Rannulf and Judith's bond was as strong as those in some of Balogh's other books ([b:Slightly Married|110295|Slightly Married|Mary Balogh|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255790180s/110295.jpg|344054], Aidan and Eve's story, specifically comes to mind, as I read it a few days before this book). The relationship isn't badly written by any means, however, and you do look forward to each of their interactions.
CRITICISMS:
I did feel the fling period could have used a little work (the way Judith acts then did not seem consistent with her character in the rest of the book; I know she's "letting loose" but it was a little more than seemed believable). The "evil plot" aspect was a little too exaggerated and drawn-out towards the end of the book. Also, Julienne, Judith's annoying 18-year-old cousin, was *unbelievably* stupid, selfish, self-involved, and I could continue with more "S"s but you get the picture - a little over the top; felt like slapping her and I'm not one who ever advocates violence.
SIMILAR BOOKS:
If you like books where the hero and heroine have one night of passion as strangers and later fall in love, check out the following:
~ [b:Simply Unforgettable|110410|Simply Unforgettable (Simply, #1)|Mary Balogh|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171637213s/110410.jpg|1391369] (Simply Quartet, Book 1) by Mary Balogh
~ [b:The Secret Pearl|124830|The Secret Pearl|Mary Balogh|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171881864s/124830.jpg|120215] by Mary Balogh - a spin on the "one night of passion"
~ [b:Her Highness, My Wife|37074|Her Highness, My Wife (Effingtons, #5)|Victoria Alexander|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168803113s/37074.jpg|36979] (Effington Family, Book 5) by Victoria Alexander - premise isn't exactly the same, but similar enough
~ [b:Let It Be Love|37070|Let It Be Love (Effingtons, #11)|Victoria Alexander|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168803112s/37070.jpg|36975] (Effington Family, Book 11) by Victoria Alexander
~ [b:It Happened One Night|2854826|It Happened One Night|Stephanie Laurens|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1212348094s/2854826.jpg|2880960], anthology - I haven't read it, but I think it is similar
BOTTOM LINE:
It's an entertaining read and I laughed out loud several times. Definitely worth reading as part of the Bedwyn series; relationship wasn't as strong as Aidan and Judith's, but it is still a GREAT read.
sonni89's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars! THIS WAS EVERYTHING TO ME!!! Judith is such a great heroine, and this was different from most of the other historical romance I've read (and also really different from the first book in the series, which is interesting) and I loved her and Rannulf and just, sigh. This was the best, and Judith is the best. As is her grandmother. And the entire Bedwyn family.
andra_mihaela_s's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Body shaming
nipomuki's review against another edition
4.0
This was very helpful in distracting me from my worries IRL ;-)
CW for assault and body issues
Again the heroine is no milk and water Miss, but a women with personality and strength. Her big act of rebellion at the beginning of the book was quite shocking, but I did believe in it because it fit her character. She has this thirst for freedom, combined with her daydreaming and love of acting.
Judith and Ralf both „grow up“ while the story unfolds, influenced by other people, but also by each other: she gains confidence and dares to be herself, and he starts to act more responsibly, without completely losing his sense of fun. They are made for each other.
I like Cinderella retellings, especially if the girl does part of the saving herself. The side characters are very good: I loved the grandmothers, hated the evil aunt and daughter pairing , and was very afraid of the predatory step-cousin.
I hated seeing Judith in the role of poor relation, easy prey to human predators. We know while listening to the story that she will be safe in the end, but it was still frightening to read. I was glad to see that the Duke and all the brothers have strong opinions on rape.
I am looking forward to reading about the other siblings!
CW for assault and body issues
Again the heroine is no milk and water Miss, but a women with personality and strength. Her big act of rebellion at the beginning of the book was quite shocking, but I did believe in it because it fit her character. She has this thirst for freedom, combined with her daydreaming and love of acting.
Judith and Ralf both „grow up“ while the story unfolds, influenced by other people, but also by each other: she gains confidence and dares to be herself, and he starts to act more responsibly, without completely losing his sense of fun. They are made for each other.
I like Cinderella retellings, especially if the girl does part of the saving herself. The side characters are very good: I loved the grandmothers, hated the evil aunt and daughter pairing , and was very afraid of the predatory step-cousin.
I hated seeing Judith in the role of poor relation, easy prey to human predators. We know while listening to the story that she will be safe in the end, but it was still frightening to read. I was glad to see that the Duke and all the brothers have strong opinions on rape.
I am looking forward to reading about the other siblings!
littlebookjockey's review
4.0
I didn't like this one as much as the first one, but it was still a pleasure to listen to. I found several parts quite predictable, but I can't really fault Balogh for that. Those tropes work for a reason.
ccgwalt's review
4.0
4 stars for story (B)
4.5 stars for narration by Rosalyn Landor (A-)
Slightly Wicked is a fun fairy tale of a story, with character acting just how we want them to, if not always realistically. If you're willing to suspend disbelief and enjoy a romantic, emotional Cinderella story, then you won't be disappointed