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Slightly Dangerous
Slightly Dangerous
Slightly Dangerous
Audiobook11 hours

Slightly Dangerous

Written by Mary Balogh

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

All of London is abuzz over the imminent arrival of Wulfric Bedwyn, the reclusive, cold-as-ice Duke of Bewcastle, at the most glittering social event of the season. Some whisper of a tragic love affair. Others say he is so aloof and passionless that not even the greatest beauty could capture his attention. But on this dazzling afternoon, one woman did catch the duke's eye-and she was the only female in the room who wasn't even trying. Christine Derrick is intrigued by the handsome duke . . . all the more so when he invites her to become his mistress.

What red-blooded woman wouldn't enjoy a tumble in the bedsheets with a consummate lover-with no strings and no questions asked. An infuriating lady with very definite views on men, morals, and marriage, Christine confounds Wulfric at every turn. Yet even as the lone wolf of the Bedwyn clan vows to seduce her any way he can, something strange and wonderful is happening. Now for a man who thought he'd never lose his heart, nothing less than love will do.

Contains mature themes.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 18, 2017
ISBN9781515976745
Slightly Dangerous
Author

Mary Balogh

New York Times bestselling, multi-award-winning author Mary Balogh grew up in Wales, land of sea and mountains, song and legend. She brought music and a vivid imagination with her when she came to Canada to teach. There she began a second career as a writer of books that always end happily and always celebrate the power of love.

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Reviews for Slightly Dangerous

Rating: 4.27909273372781 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    As the Duke of Bewcastle, Wulfric Bedwyn has ruled his family for decades. He is perfectly controlled at all times. And, he realizes, he is desperately lonely. The last of his younger siblings has married and moved away, and his life-long mistress has just died. There is no one on earth with whom he is on intimate terms. In an uncharacteristic moment of weakness, he accepts an invitation to a house party. It is there that he meets Christine Derrick, a poor widow whose irrepressable high spirits and interest in others make her the life of the party, even as they expose her to the censure and ridicule of others. They are drawn to each other, but struggle against the attraction. For he cannot countenance being linked to a woman who is so constantly getting into scrapes and making social gaffes, and she dreads the idea of marrying a man without warmth or humor. After a disastrous first proposal (reminiscent in all the best ways of P&P's without being derivative), Wulfric strains to prove to Christine that he does have a heart.

    This is the best of the Bedwyn series, and a perfect ending for that family's tale. Wulfric has been so icy and condescending for so many books that seeing just a single crack in his facade feels like a real triumph. And Christine is a woman worth getting to know. She is older than most Regency romance heroines, and so knows her own personality and has made a life for herself already. But she's not flaw free--even though the debutantes arrayed against her are a decade younger, their taunts still hurt, and she has moments of insecurity and humiliation that are uncomfortably familiar. I also enjoyed the longer stretch of this novel: many of the other Bedwyn romances take place over weeks or at most months, but it takes Wulfric and Christine well over a year to come to terms with each other, and it makes their romance feel more realistic even as it heightens the narrative tension.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Nice idea, but too long! To many characters, too much pointless conversations. Narrator did great job, but the book... just two stars.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The best book in the series, just loved the Duke.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I am officially Balogh'ed out. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy this, but I feel like I'm just going to skip the final novella and be done. I think I'm tired of the incessant pursuit of the heroine by the hero, I think I'm done with the fact they are all so singular for a while.I think Balogh has the tendency to push me right up to the edge in how insufferable some of her heroines in particular are. This book was no exception. Whether it was because we knew Wulf already or Christine was illogically rude and presumptive to him, it was a wild experience for me. I don't usually have issues with the heroines, I think there's a mile of leeway I give to their behaviors and annoying traits but Christine just pushed me right up to the edge.So, to me, in the end, this is Wulf's book. And that's no surprise, because it actually is Wulf's book. But Christine didn't come off to me as someone with much substance or development. i felt like we saw her really only through his eyes, and she was only fully realized in our minds due to his interpretation of her. I would've enjoyed this nearly as much if he just lived out his life in quiet contentment among his family and I guess that's saying something about the romance. It was just...his book!All that said, who doesn't like the buttoned up becoming a little undone and out of character, and to Balogh's credit he was never far away from the character we saw through the series. I appreciate the consistency and voice. He really was one of the most reserved heroes I've read, and I enjoy that. I like that he was the very essence of "still waters run deep," which is obviously part of why Christine's mischaracterization of him constantly grated on me. For whatever reason, I was hoping for someone that assumed the best of him, but I couldn't see why she'd fall for him believing what she did.So mark it down, I was on the hero's side for once. Less successful for me than I hoped, but still worth a revisit someday.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    There was a middle part that became sort of tedious, both characters entirely set on denying their feelings, even just in their own minds! But there was quite a bit of interest as a whole. It also did a good job of including the other siblings and their spouses from the previous books.

    2nd read- There really is a sizeable part in the middle where both characters seem to actively delude themselves, and my attention waned. But I really like the Pride and Prejudice vibes. The hero is the standoffish character, and the heroine is nearly universally beloved, but I actually found his character more empathetic, and hers verging on irritating at times. Overall both were likable though, and their journey to falling in love with each other was interesting.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I hit my ultimate squee mode at about 80% of this, and it didn’t stop at all through the end. Christine was an absolute love and the only woman for Wulfric. He had a lot going on, and I’m glad that we finally got to see a bit of the man beneath the duke. Once the rest of the Bedwyns show up, the book became perfect to me; but I’m glad that we got to see the real start to everything for them even before Lindsey Hall.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book was the perfect ending to the series. I had been looking forward to seeing how Balogh would handle Wulfric's romance, and I think she created the prefect counterpoint to his character. I definitely ached for the two of them to get together, and again, I loved that the story wasn't based on people NOT talking to each other. If anything, these two were a tad too honest at times. I could not put this book down and read it in a essentially one sitting in a matter of hours.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    My favorite scene is when Christine takes Wulfric's quizzing glass and tosses it into the trees! Wulfric puts on an air of coldness and absolute duty, but all through the series we have seen him do what needs to be done to make his siblings happy. It was nice to see him finally have that same happiness for himself. Christine is just what he needs to bring a bit of life and laughter into his world and he is able to free her from the pain that has followed her since the death of her husband.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I thought this book, Wulf's story was the best! Small confession: I felt the same with each book as I read them, but this time, there are no other siblings and this was a pleasant read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    reread 11/2/10 still all time favorite.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I enjoyed Balogh's writing technique and I'm thinking of adopting the layout as it looks like it may be very ebook friendly but my goodness this author knows very little of the period she's supposed to be an expert in!

    In the first few pages an aristocrat complains, "It's hard to be a baronet's wife" or some such thing, and nobody bats an eyelid at her vulgarity. Also, the woman is dressed up in town silks when she's in the country; more vulgarity that someone would have made a snide remark about.

    I love writers from that era, Austen, Shelley, Scott etc, so such anomalies are like a slap in the face. Unfortunately, the book is littered with them.

    I expect this lack of research from new, Indie authors but with all her editors and support, Balogh's book shouldn't have such horrible errors.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really did enjoy this final book in the Bedwyn Series and Wulf's story, yet as much as I adore Pride and Prejudice, I was a bit disappointed that Wulfric's storyline was not more original. Yes, yes, this was obviously an homage to Jane Austen, and I loved all the nods to her throughout, but I couldn't help comparing so much of the book to the original story. It was basically a P&P fanfic except tht their encounter by the lake at the ball just seemed shabby to me and his first offer - well, Mr. Darcy would never! Still, this was a very good romance and a fitting ending to the series and my second favorite - Freyja's being my favorite!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I read this before all the other Bedwyn books and liked it a lot. Loved the Duke, and Christine was delightful.

    January 19, 2012 - Just reread, and decided to bump it up from 4 to 5 stars. I definitely recommend reading these in order because the Duke plays a crucial role in each story, which helps the reader understand him better in this one.

    It was fun seeing all of the Bedwyn siblings and their spouses together. Oh, and all of their children, which they are producing at an alarming rate. For once, I can forgive the usually obligatory epilogue where the baby arrives.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    first read February 2012
    Decided I wanted a romance I knew I would like 4 1/2. I think I liked this more because I read all the preceding books and knew Wulfric's character. He is cold but always does what it right for his family. After re-reading I decided to go back to the beginning as all the characters are very prominent in this book and I've forgotten much of their stories. You really have to like Balogh's type of story though. I find that you either like her or not though some like her older books and not the recent ones.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It's always been clear that I love this book for the same reason I love anything Pride & Prejudice related. There is something so infinitely compelling about the cold, emotionally constrained man falling head over heels for his warm, witty opposite.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    I found this book sort of mystifying. The romance is a sort of 'opposites attract' deal, with an emotionally distant and painfully proper aristocrat falling for a vivacious, often improper member of the lower gentry. I understand the idea, but I thought it was pretty poorly executed.

    For one, a lot of the plot revolves around the heroine trying to provoke the hero into some sort of emotional outburst. However, most of the time she is trying to provoke him to anger, so an inordinate number of pages in the book are devoted to spats and quarrels.

    There's one sexual encounter earlyish in the book, and I think it sort of sets the tone & sums up the rest of it: their physical encounter is cold, unsatisfying, a little depressing. Tawdry without being hot. That, as much as anything else, made me lose interest in the hero...he seems like a cold fish inside and out, really.

    I have always been a bit iffy about Balogh. Some of this series I've liked a lot, others I've not liked at all. This one is a low point, I think.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The final novel in the Bedwyn series, Slightly Dangerous tells the story of the seemingly cold, authoritarian eldest brother, Wulfric, the Duke of Bewcastle and the widowed Christine Derrick, a lively schoolteacher with a talent for calamity. Wulfric is that peculiarly affecting kind of hero who isn't overt in his emotions, but shows them, almost inadvertently through his uncharacteristic actions around the most unsuitable Mrs. Derrick. Well worth reading (and re-reading).
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The last of the "Slightly" series on the Bedwyns, led by Wulfric, Duke of Bewcastle. This is his happy ending with Christine Derrick.The series actually started with "A Summer to Remember", the story that introduced the Bedwyns and the Butlers. This first book also leads into her subsequent "Simply" series, linking the school started by Freyja's former governess Claudia Martin, to the Butlers and thus by propinquity, back with the Bedwyns and Bewcastle.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I was somewhat concerned that I would be unable to like Wulfric Bedwyn in his own story after finding him so cold and arrogant in the rest of the series. Fortunately, I was wrong. I liked getting inside of his head and understanding what motivated him, and I liked seeing him as a human being, rather than just an aristocrat. This is my favorite book of the series, and the only one that I have kept for re-reading.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Christine doesn't care for society, or to be re-entered onto the marriage market, after her first marriage ended with her being accused of scandal and even implicated in the death of her first husband. So when she is forced to attend a 'house party' she is determined to just stay on the side lines and attract as little notice as possible. Fate seems to have other plans in store for her, however, as a serious of riotous episodes keep throwing her together with Wulfric Bedwyn, a cold as ice Duke who seems to be the complete opposite to her bubbly personality. Will these two find that they have much to teach each other about love, despite their differences?This was a well done period romance, a bit too spicy for my taste in places, but with several lighthearted scenes that will amuse those that love romance. 
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Balogh's definitely cribbing from "Pride and Prejudice" in this one (the haughty aristo* and the poor but captivating woman) but it was actually kind of fun to see familiar characters in a slightly different setting. Quick, light and enjoyable. What's not to like?* He's Mr. Darcy crossed with pre-reconciliation Sir Percy, basically.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    "Slightly Dangerous" is the last book in the "Slightly" series. This book follows the eldest son, Wulfric Bedwyn, the Duke of Bewcastle. The story opens with an introduction to Mrs. Christine Derrick, a widow who is living with her mother and her spinster sister. She is invited to a house party by a friend, Melanie, to balance the horror of having too many men and not enough women. The imbalance had been caused by Melanie's brother Hector inviting a friend - the Duke of Bewcastle. Christine is reluctant to go, but eventually gives in. After an auspicious beginning to her acquaintance with Wulfric, Christine plans to stay in the background of the party, but finds this impossible. As Wulfric finds himself fascinated with her despite himself, a passion develops between them and despite the great differences between them, Wulfric finds it impossible to get her out of his mind...A plot synopsis does not do this book justice. A completely character-driven story, Wulfric is the perfect romantic hero. Cold, haughty, seemingly emotionless, the Bedwyn in him is drawn to Christine's light and joy. The more he tries to deny his attraction to her, the stronger it becomes. Christine, on the other hand, is clumsy, laughs too much, and does not possess the cool, bored hauteur expected in ladies of the upper classes. She is the antithesis of what a duchess should be. Their love-story, which has similarities to "Pride and Prejudice," is a heart-rendingly poignant blending of two souls. In Wulfric, Christine finds the solid, confident man she did not have in Oscar, and in Christine, Wulfric finds the light and joy that had been missing from his life since the death of his father.I simply cannot reccomend this book enough.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Haughty Wulfric Bedwyn meets Christine Derrick at a house party. Christine dislikes the icy Duke of Bewcastle on sight. He however finds himself oddly attracted to the lively widow who gets herself into embarrasing situations. This wonderful conclusion to the Slightly series pays tribute to Pride and Prejudice.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Balogh's fans have longed to see Wulfric, the imperturbable duke of Bewcastle, fall in love, and Balogh has created the perfect heroine to fell him—Christine Derrick, a lively but lowborn young widow who has a habit of getting herself into very improper situations. The two meet at a sedate house party, where Christine accidentally spills lemonade on the duke and then dares to laugh at him. Wulfric disapproves of Christine's working-class background and unladylike manners, but he can't help being enchanted by her effervescent personality. For her part, Christine disdains Wulf's icy, superior attitude, but she's drawn to him physically. As fans of the genre will anticipate, opposites attract no matter how hard the hero and heroine fight against it, and an unplanned sexual encounter complicates their feelings even further. Although the story lacks some of the dramatic tension of its predecessors, particularly Slightly Sinful, this book rings with humor and delightful echoes of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.Not feeling up to reading any of my more "serious" books, I went looking for a nice, light-hearted romance to read instead. With the next Julia Quinn book still on reserve at the library, I remembered that a friend had recommended this one and tracked it down. I don't think I enjoyed it as much as she did, but I did enjoy it.This is my second Mary Balogh book. The first was The Secret Pearl, which I did like (I rated it 7/10), but I found the pace to be very slow. That wasn't the case here, and the story moved along nicely, making it a much easier read. This was a good thing, since it was an easy read that I was looking for.It is also the sixth and final book in a series about six siblings. This is one case where I didn't feel the urge to start at the beginning of the series, and I was delighted to find that I didn't need to have done so to enjoy this entry in the series. The other siblings (and their various spouses and children) did all turn up, but there was a quick paragraph on relevant details where any were required and the story carried on nicely with them there as a pleasant and fun set of characters. Maybe I would have got more from their presence if I had read their books, but it didn't worry me in the least that I hadn't.Christine was a lovely character; vivid and bright if somewhat accident prone. This was the point of course, as she attracts the attention of her apparent polar opposite in Wulfric. I liked getting to see her in different settings, both in society and at home with her family and I loved the way she was with the children.I liked Wulfric too, but I felt that I had the advantage of knowing more about him than the people he met, including Christine. For one thing, I knew he was the hero of the book and therefore he had to be a decent person and have more to him than could be seen on the surface. In fact, he was probably my main issue with the book, as I felt that although I knew he was changing into a less restrained individual, the author didn't manage to show me this in a satisfactory manner. She went on a little too much about his icy eyes and inscrutable manner and not enough about the fact he had learned to unbend enough to climb trees. He spent time thinking about how he wanted to laugh with Christine, but if he didn't actually do it, how was she supposed to know this?All the same, they were a nice couple and I do believe they will do very nicely together.The villain of the piece was unexpected - I didn't even realise there was a villain until he was unmasked - and I found that to be very clever and applaud Balogh for fooling me the same way he fooled the other characters.Yes, there were Pride and Prejudice parallels, most notable when Wulfric proposes by telling Christine all the reasons why he shouldn't marry her, but that was really the only time they hit me between the eyes. After that, I just concentrated on this story without worrying about any others and enjoyed myself.I still don't feel the need to go out and read the whole series, but I do rather think I'll go and read the second to last book, Slightly Sinful, because even though I'm kind of embarrassed to admit it, I find the combination of amnesia and a brothel to be just a little too tempting.Slightly DangerousBedwyn Family, Book 6Mary Balogh7/10
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved the series of Mary Balogh books that began with Slightly ..... I believe this is the last in a series of six books. These books are a must read. They are funny and sweet. It was this series that made me begin reading Mary Balogh books. Share in the fun of meeting the Bedwyn family.