teaandspite's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite as good as [b:One Night for Love|71651|One Night for Love (Bedwyn Prequels, #1)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388236503l/71651._SY75_.jpg|1470181], but still an enjoyable read. Lauren and Kit's character growth was evident throughout, as were their individual motivations and interests. Lauren was, admittedly, a somewhat more difficult character to root for than Lily simply because she lacks the Cinderella factor. Balogh did a good job of bringing her into a more sympathetic light though, particularly once the story shifted to Alvesley. Kit starts off on similarly shaky ground for being kind of a prick, but he's just so charming that it's impossible not to like him at least a little.
The Bedwyns in the background were entertaining, despite Freya being nearly as unlikeable as it is possible for any one character to be. Lauren's handling of them was all the more entertaining for how well her civility contrasted with their intentional belligerence. Having unintentionally read the Simply series before any of the main Bedwyn books, it was also nice to see Sydnam in his pre-[b:Simply Love|71644|Simply Love (Simply Quartet #2)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388375903l/71644._SY75_.jpg|427962] life.
Overall, one of Balogh's better books. Still doesn't beat my absolute favourites from her, but it's not one I'd skip either.
The Bedwyns in the background were entertaining, despite Freya being nearly as unlikeable as it is possible for any one character to be. Lauren's handling of them was all the more entertaining for how well her civility contrasted with their intentional belligerence. Having unintentionally read the Simply series before any of the main Bedwyn books, it was also nice to see Sydnam in his pre-[b:Simply Love|71644|Simply Love (Simply Quartet #2)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388375903l/71644._SY75_.jpg|427962] life.
Overall, one of Balogh's better books. Still doesn't beat my absolute favourites from her, but it's not one I'd skip either.
jackelynvb's review
5.0
This is a slow burn romance that draws you in slowly but once you're there, you are happily enraptured. I loved it!
haewilya's review
4.0
I LOVE this! As in LOVE! Nuninuninu...It['s] just the way I like my love stories. At least the ones that I like best. They are the ones where the hero and the heroine do not really like each other at first. Not that they're enemies or anything but they are just not drawn to each other at first. There are no extreme physical attraction either. They were just thrown into a situation that "forces" them to know each other very well and thus to care for each other. Not to mention that the hero has a wonderful sense of humor and the heroine is a no-nonsense woman who could call you on your bullshit. Perfect.
It is up there with my favorite romances: the Jane Austen's, Georgette Heyer's and Jane Eyre. I also like that the sex in [the] novel is not really about physical attraction and maybe not even [about] love. At least not entirely (for both, er, reason). I think it was more [about the giving] of comfort. I don't know. It's just refreshing. Totally different from the others that I've read. I also loved that both of them became whole persons first before they finally got together. I love it. Really.
It is up there with my favorite romances: the Jane Austen's, Georgette Heyer's and Jane Eyre. I also like that the sex in [the] novel is not really about physical attraction and maybe not even [about] love. At least not entirely (for both, er, reason). I think it was more [about the giving] of comfort. I don't know. It's just refreshing. Totally different from the others that I've read. I also loved that both of them became whole persons first before they finally got together. I love it. Really.
melamtz's review
3.0
It was slow to get my interest and at first it felt that both characters were too fake and robotic which made me skim pages. Oh, but after reading until the end the beginning makes sense because they were both hiding their true selves until they opened up to each other. I liked Lauren she is not a character that I would usually like but her quiet dignity, her want for adventure and seeing her strive to live a full life won me over. Kit was annoying at first. I did not like the wager part and he was a douche bag for the beginning of the book but he redeemed himself admirably after he confessed to Lauren about the wager.
So I know that this book is a precursor to the Bedwyn series but I don't think I'll read them after reading this book. I do not know if this is a unpopular opinion or not but I did not like the Bedwyn family. They were haughty and rude people. Yes, I get that they are supposed to be wild and what not but I didn't like them. The only person that remotely interested me was the youngest sister. Freyja was especially unlikable, there is a difference between being a spitfire/hoyden and a spoiled girl used to getting what she wants. I believe we were supposed to think that she truly loved him, courtesy of the scene of her with her brother, but her actions and how she treated him did not really reflect that. I ranted way more than I wanted to but at this moment I dont think I'll continue the series.
So I know that this book is a precursor to the Bedwyn series but I don't think I'll read them after reading this book. I do not know if this is a unpopular opinion or not but I did not like the Bedwyn family. They were haughty and rude people. Yes, I get that they are supposed to be wild and what not but I didn't like them. The only person that remotely interested me was the youngest sister. Freyja was especially unlikable, there is a difference between being a spitfire/hoyden and a spoiled girl used to getting what she wants. I believe we were supposed to think that she truly loved him, courtesy of the scene of her with her brother, but her actions and how she treated him did not really reflect that. I ranted way more than I wanted to but at this moment I dont think I'll continue the series.
anikaas's review
5.0
I was skeptical after the first book but oh how I loved this one. I knew I needed to stick with series because I’m invested in everyone.
julianaphilippa's review
4.0
Kit and Lauren are a wonderful match - the laughing rogue and the prim stickler (4.5 stars)
I am rereading all of Balogh's Bedwyn series and since A Summer to Remember introduces the family and features Freyja Bedwyn so prominently, I thought it would be perfect to read it before rereading [b:Slightly Scandalous|71661|Slightly Scandalous (Bedwyn Saga, #3)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386928346l/71661._SY75_.jpg|1111586] (her story and Book 3 of the Bedwyn Series). I read it in one day and loved it as much as the first time I read it. Watching Kit be scandalous and tease Lauren in the first half of the novel in London is *extremely* entertaining and seeing them actually get to know each other and give each other happiness in the second half in the countryside is wonderful.
MAIN CHARACTERS, Lauren and Christopher ("Kit"):
Lauren Edgeworth (26) is seen as prim, proper, respectable, and utterly dull and likened to an ice queen; this is how much of society perceives her and this is what she fears she may actually be. Christopher "Kit" Butler, Viscount Ravensburg (almost 30) is an ex-military man, but is known in London as a rogue, a rakehell, and a constant scandal-causer. Although these reputations accurately portray a side of each of the characters, both Lauren and Kit wear a mask that efficiently hides their pain and suffering.
The hero and heroine were wonderfully complex characters and complement each other extremely well - Kit's devil-may-care attitude and his laughing eyes are a perfect contrast with Lauren, a stickler for propriety whose cool dignity seems impenetrable. They are able to help one another, opening the other's eyes to new sides of themselves and aspects of the world that they had not before discovered. They are both very thoughtful, kind, and intelligent people and watching their arrangement turn into genuine feelings is a real treat!
CRITICISMS:
The book really is near-perfect, though I would have liked to see Kit feel a little more passion for Lauren (in addition to his quiet desire). There is a great emotional connection, and although the chemistry is well-written and noticeable, it could have been emphasized a little more. I know that some other reviewers have said they didn't think Lauren was interesting or passionate enough - although I strongly disagree with the former, I do understand the source of the latter complaint, but found her a strong and engaging heroine nonetheless.
BOTTOM LINE:
A definite must-read and a great introduction to the Bedwyn family series (starts with [b:Slightly Married|110295|Slightly Married (Bedwyn Saga, #1)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403178352l/110295._SY75_.jpg|344054]), so read A Summer to Remember and then start on those! Also note: [b:One Night for Love|71651|One Night for Love (Bedwyn Prequels, #1)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388236503l/71651._SY75_.jpg|1470181] precedes this book and features the romance between Neville (Lauren's former betrothed) and Lily, the Earl and Countess of Kilbourne.
I am rereading all of Balogh's Bedwyn series and since A Summer to Remember introduces the family and features Freyja Bedwyn so prominently, I thought it would be perfect to read it before rereading [b:Slightly Scandalous|71661|Slightly Scandalous (Bedwyn Saga, #3)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386928346l/71661._SY75_.jpg|1111586] (her story and Book 3 of the Bedwyn Series). I read it in one day and loved it as much as the first time I read it. Watching Kit be scandalous and tease Lauren in the first half of the novel in London is *extremely* entertaining and seeing them actually get to know each other and give each other happiness in the second half in the countryside is wonderful.
MAIN CHARACTERS, Lauren and Christopher ("Kit"):
Lauren Edgeworth (26) is seen as prim, proper, respectable, and utterly dull and likened to an ice queen; this is how much of society perceives her and this is what she fears she may actually be. Christopher "Kit" Butler, Viscount Ravensburg (almost 30) is an ex-military man, but is known in London as a rogue, a rakehell, and a constant scandal-causer. Although these reputations accurately portray a side of each of the characters, both Lauren and Kit wear a mask that efficiently hides their pain and suffering.
The hero and heroine were wonderfully complex characters and complement each other extremely well - Kit's devil-may-care attitude and his laughing eyes are a perfect contrast with Lauren, a stickler for propriety whose cool dignity seems impenetrable. They are able to help one another, opening the other's eyes to new sides of themselves and aspects of the world that they had not before discovered. They are both very thoughtful, kind, and intelligent people and watching their arrangement turn into genuine feelings is a real treat!
CRITICISMS:
The book really is near-perfect, though I would have liked to see Kit feel a little more passion for Lauren (in addition to his quiet desire). There is a great emotional connection, and although the chemistry is well-written and noticeable, it could have been emphasized a little more. I know that some other reviewers have said they didn't think Lauren was interesting or passionate enough - although I strongly disagree with the former, I do understand the source of the latter complaint, but found her a strong and engaging heroine nonetheless.
BOTTOM LINE:
A definite must-read and a great introduction to the Bedwyn family series (starts with [b:Slightly Married|110295|Slightly Married (Bedwyn Saga, #1)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403178352l/110295._SY75_.jpg|344054]), so read A Summer to Remember and then start on those! Also note: [b:One Night for Love|71651|One Night for Love (Bedwyn Prequels, #1)|Mary Balogh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388236503l/71651._SY75_.jpg|1470181] precedes this book and features the romance between Neville (Lauren's former betrothed) and Lily, the Earl and Countess of Kilbourne.
toosharpbyhalf's review
5.0
Adored this. It starts out looking like a tiresome tale of a man betting he can seduce a woman but a t a pivotal moment a few chapters in it totally undercuts the awfulness of that premise and gives the women total agency. The way Kit and Lauren complete each other made me very happy.
tenderbrushes's review
4.0
Ok I'm on a Mary Balogh tear, as her books just deviously throw in side characters you want to know more about and before you know it, you're reading another MB book. Clever! After this one, I am dying to read Rannulf's story! A tall, handsome Viking with a wicked tongue? Ok ok I guesss I'll read that one.