Slightly Tempted

By far my least favorite entry in the Bedwyn Saga thus far. I actually read the first half of this book last year, and absolutely despised it so much that I had to put it down until just recently.

I don't want to exhaust too much energy on why I disliked the majority of this book. It boils down to the fact that I absolutely detest the main character, Morgan.

I admittedly don't remember much of the first half of the book at this point, but I remember disliking how Morgan stubbornly remains in Brussels. She apparently stays out of concern for Alleyne, but what exactly did she hope to accomplish by staying? Word of Alleyne's demise could have easily reached London without Morgan's help.

Speaking of, I was disgusted by how Morgan handled Alleyne's “death”. Maybe I'm strange, but I don't think my first action upon hearing of my brother's death would be to lose my virginity with my friend. And then deign to be horrified when Gervase insists on proposing. What time period is she living in?? Even once she's returned home and parted ways with Gervase, instead of spending time with her family and mourning her loss, she's constantly thinking about Gervase and wishing to see him again. She truly hardly knows this man, and yet she insists he's a dear friend. I don't buy it.

I have to admit, revenge plots are among my least favorite tropes, but I really don't understand how this one was done so poorly. Gervase doesn't seem to ever truly commit on taking his revenge and ultimately sort of...stumbles into all of his worst acts? Don't get me started on the silly way Morgan decides to get back at him for ruining her. Getting him to fall in love with her so she can dump him? She's only perpetuating her own scandal and self-sabotaging since she already loves him herself. I increasingly hated Morgan as their summer at Gervase's home continued because their families were so happy for them when it was all a ruse. Even after learning the truth of what Marianne did to Gervase, Morgan does not see how she would be doing the same thing (and hurting their innocent families in the process) by breaking off the engagement. She's determined to go through with it until Gervase finally explains how genuine his feelings are.

I truly loved the first few books of this series very dearly. This book felt like a slap in the face in comparison. I would have dnf in a heartbeat if not for the Wulfric morsels (he freaking cries in this book). Having context for the Marianne debacle will make reading his book all the sweeter I imagine.