Slightly Sinful (Mass Market Paperback)

SLIGHTLY SINFUL is Alleyne's story. Lord Alleyne Bedwyn is the fourth and last son in the Bedwyn clan. Stationed at the British embassy in Brussels, Alleyne is shot when returning from the front lines and left to die in a Belgium forest. Rachel York comes upon his naked body; Alleyne's next stop -- a Brussel brothel -- minus his memory.

Of course, Alleyne and Rachel are the main love interest; regrettably, their relationship lacks substance. Significantly missing is the romance, the lust, the sensuality between the two. In fact, the entire book just doesn't have enough interesting content. Tediously, I read to the end hoping to enjoy the Bedwyn family and their reaction when Alleyne returned to them. Letdown notice -- the family ONLY appears briefly in the waning pages. What a shame! The energy from the vivacious family would have given much life to this lackluster story.

Is there a highlight? The ladies of the brothel and a crusty sergeant are delightful people. Yet, is their participation enough to recommend this book? Sadly, no.

I am disappointed! Mary Balogh is one of my all-time favorites. Presently, I am tracking down her Signet Regency Romance books. These little treasures are wonderful stories; unfortunately, SLIGHTLY SINFUL is a poor imitation.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

I'll try to clarify.

The Waterloo battlefield description, the scenario, the secondary characters ( the 4 kind prostitutes especially ) are simply great .
But the real subject of the book is the personal tragedy of Alleyne - trying to recover his memory after he's shot and thrown from his horse during the battle.
" This is an opportunity for you to start a new life, and to become someone better than the person you've been so far " - the tenant tells Alleyne, and the wish will become true.

In the Bedwyns Alleyne has been always the charmer, far from having the strong personality of his elder siblings ( Rannulf the Viking, Freyja the Amazon, Colonel Aidan , Wulf the Ice Duke ) and much closer to sweet Morgan.

Only now, after the accident, he changes, and starts to show his emotions without shame, and to do efforts to understand somebody's else feelings ( Rachel's; her uncle's ); only now he dares to admit to be scared by the idea of getting back home alone , and he asks meekly for Rachel's help. He's really a different man now, no longer afraid to be weak, or shy, or scared, or grateful. Or sinful, too.

But I'm not sure that the mutual support Rachel and Alleyne are providing each other is something effective to base a lovestory upon. It can be perhaps realistic and closer to our day-by-day life ( how many marriages were born by gratitude ? ), but certainly it's not as intriguing and passionate as some relationships in other MB's stories - one for all, " More than a mistress " , which is my definitive keeper in all MB's books.

BTW: the silent hug between Wulf and Alleyne is a little cammeo. MB is already paving here the way to Wulf's story , and since now her attention is clearly focused on the sequel to this book, the it - will - never - be - published - too - soon " Slightly dangerous " that we are all waiting for with impatience.