Slightly Wicked

Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh

Summary
Meet the Bedwyns…six brothers and sisters—men and women of passion and privilege, daring and sensuality…Enter their dazzling world of high society and breathtaking seduction…where each will seek love, fight temptation, and court scandal…and where Rannulf Bedwyn, the rebellious third son, enters into a liaison that is rather risqué, somewhat naughty, and…Slightly Wicked.

With his laughing eyes and wild, rakish good looks, Lord Rannulf Bedwyn is a hard man to resist. To Judith Law, a woman in need of rescue when her stagecoach overturns, Rannulf is simply her savior, a heroic stranger she will reward with one night of reckless passion before she must become a companion to her wealthy aunt. Imagine Judith's shock when the same stranger turns out to be among England's most eligible bachelors…and when he arrives at Harewood Grange to woo her cousin. Certainly, they had made no vows, no promises, but Rannulf never did forget his uninhibited lover…nor did she forget that one delicious night. And as scandal sets the household abuzz, Rannulf proposes a solution…but when Judith refuses to have him—in love or wedlock—Rannulf has only one choice: to wage a campaign of pure pleasure to capture the heart of the woman who has already won his.

Expectations
I had never read anything by Balogh before, but I thought it sounded fab and couldn't wait to read it.

Writing Style
Fast-paced, passionate and witty. Impossible to fault.

Plot
I suppose it is fair to say the plot is cliched- titled man falls for poor yet beautiful woman but cannot have her. However a pleasant spin is put on it in the form of their encounter at the start of the book, when both have assumed false identities.

Characters
Judith is perfect as the heroine, slightly feisty despite being in need of the hero's help. Rannulf Bedwyn is a delight, a fantastic alpha hero. I loved the other Bedwyns, too, and look forward to reading the other books in the series.

Overall
Fabulous novel! If you like pacy, passionate romance, reach for this.

5 Stars