Helpful Score: 4
A touching Regency Era story of a couple from very different stations in life brought together and torn apart during wartime. After 18 months apart they are suddenly reunited but must struggle to overcome their obvious differences.
Balogh writes convincing characters with...character. They seem to have personalities of their own and realistic strengths and weaknesses. Balogh includes subtleties in personality and situation that gives richness to the genre.
This story was nice in that the characters had realistic worries about each other, and yet they didn't doubt each other very much. Not laden with misunderstandings, the characters simply had apparently insurmountable obstacles in the way of their relationship.
The resolution was obvious pretty early on, but satisfying nonetheless.
Balogh also includes a number of sensual scenes but I'm not a fan of her style in this area. The penetration = orgasm love scene just seems unrealistic to me. I am also tired of characters who are barren.
Story B+
Sensuality - PG13
Balogh writes convincing characters with...character. They seem to have personalities of their own and realistic strengths and weaknesses. Balogh includes subtleties in personality and situation that gives richness to the genre.
This story was nice in that the characters had realistic worries about each other, and yet they didn't doubt each other very much. Not laden with misunderstandings, the characters simply had apparently insurmountable obstacles in the way of their relationship.
The resolution was obvious pretty early on, but satisfying nonetheless.
Balogh also includes a number of sensual scenes but I'm not a fan of her style in this area. The penetration = orgasm love scene just seems unrealistic to me. I am also tired of characters who are barren.
Story B+
Sensuality - PG13
Helpful Score: 4
This book really is the beginning of the "Slightly" Series about the Bedwyn family, because they become known in "A Summer to Remember," which is the sequel to *this* book. "One Night for Love" is a terrific book, not at all what you'd expect from the rather silly title, which actually *does* have quite a bit of significance once you get deep into the story. Terrific characters, brilliantly written, as always by Mary Balogh.
Christine P. (chrissy77) reviewed One Night for Love (Bedwyn Family, Bk 1) on + 149 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Bestselling author Balogh (The Last Waltz) bursts the bounds of genre in this emotionally complex Regency. Enchanting and lovely Lily Doyle, a sergeant's daughter, is hurriedly married to Neville Wyatt, Major Lord Newbury, in Portugal, after her father is killed in a military skirmish: if she's captured by the French, her status as an officer's wife will protect her. Another battle ensues, and Neville, who's wounded, wakes up believing that Lily has been killed. More than a year later, back in England, a very much alive Lily interrupts Neville's second wedding. Aside from one jilted bride, all's as it's meant to be. But whatever seemed right and good in Portugal is suddenly terribly wrong in England. Lily's no lady: illiterate and rough around the edges, she's hardly the proper material for an earl's wife. Love may not conquer all. A passionate novel with mature, compelling characters who struggle for self-knowledge and for the survival of their loves, this is one of Balogh's best.
Helpful Score: 2
It's a very sweet story with an strong emphasis on character development. If you have never read Balogh, you will notice that is a major focus in all her books. So it takes a lot of patience to read since the majority of the action is done in the characters' head.
There is some element of danger to keep things interesting but for the most part it's really about Lily learning to find a place for herself in her new life and Neville learning to let go.
Good read although slower than I usually like.
There is some element of danger to keep things interesting but for the most part it's really about Lily learning to find a place for herself in her new life and Neville learning to let go.
Good read although slower than I usually like.
Helpful Score: 2
One night for love was a very good read. Exciting, thrilling and had me holding my breath several times.
I love the way Mary Balogh takes me to a time and place that I couldn't have otherwise experienced.
I love the way Mary Balogh takes me to a time and place that I couldn't have otherwise experienced.
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book by one of my favorite authors. Loved the originality of the story and the characters.
Helpful Score: 1
Like usual, I continue to love Mary Balogh's work. The characters were unique and so was the plot line. The fact that neither character was incredibly flawed in their view was a great support for the novel. Both Neville and Lily had an inner strength that is often missing from most romance novel characters. The chemistry between the two was not spectacular, but it was present.
The one downside, I couldn't get over the fact that it was the woman who had to changed to fit the man's world. For some reason that bothered me. The twist in the end was also relatively easy to see early in the book.
The one downside, I couldn't get over the fact that it was the woman who had to changed to fit the man's world. For some reason that bothered me. The twist in the end was also relatively easy to see early in the book.
Helpful Score: 1
This couple goes through so much but comes through with an unbeatable love. The characters are well formed and the story line is sweet. A great read if you want a fairy tale style HEA.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book! It's not my favorite of hers, but the characters are complex and fun to explore. I would definitely reccomend this book to others.
Lindsay H. (LindsayDawn) reviewed One Night for Love (Bedwyn Family, Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
Love Mary Balough. This one was great!
I wish I could say I enjoyed ONE NIGHT FOR LOVE, but this book was much to Harlequin romance for me. There was very little depth, with a simple-minded and shallow narrative. I gave up on it after about 70 pages.
I enjoyed Mary Balogh's A MATTER OF CLASS, so I'm still open to trying her again in the future.
I enjoyed Mary Balogh's A MATTER OF CLASS, so I'm still open to trying her again in the future.
My favorite book of Mary Balogh. I could feel their emotions and couldn't put the book down. You'll love it.
I really enjoyed this book and how Mary Balogh dove so deeply into both characters! It's a great read!
Great book, couldn't put it down. Prequel to the Bedwyn series.
Christine O. (christine65) reviewed One Night for Love (Bedwyn Family, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
great book read in a weekend
A very good read.
Romance with all it's mystery, magic, and surprises comes vibrantly alive. Surely the Earl is not marrying a beggar woman but yet when she comes down the aisle he claims this is his wife.
This is another one of Mary Balogh's great period romance novels. There is just the right amount of mystery, suspense and romance with a bit of a surprise ending! You'll love it!
one of my fav Balogh books!
Melinda F. (Lindy67) -
Very good story, couldn't put it down!
Mary Balogh never disappoints! My only caveat is that nowhere in this book did I see any mention of a Bedwyn so I don't understand why it's referred to as Book 1 of that series.
Very sweet (I enjoyed both reading and re-reading it), but I fail to see how this is the first of the Bedwyn Family series...they are at best tangential here.
great book, I have read the whole Bedwyn Family series.
IT WAS A PERFECT MORNING IN MAY...
Neville Wyatt, Earl of Kilbourne, awaited his bride at the altar -- when a ragged beggar woman raced down the aisle instead. The cream of the ton saw him stare, shocked, then declare that this was his wife! One night of passion was all he remembered as he beheld Lily, the woman he'd wed, loved, and lost on the battlefield in Portugal. Now he said he'd honor his commitment to her -- regardless of the gulf that lay between them.
THEN LILY SPOKE HER MIND...
She said she wanted only to start a new life -- wanted only a husband who truly loved her. She had to leave him to learn how to meet his world on her terms. So Lily agreed to earn her keep as his aunt's companion and study the genteel arts. Soon she was the toast of the ton, every inch a countess fit for the earl, who vowed to prove to his remarkable wife that what he felt for her was far more than desire, that what he wanted from her was much more than... ONE NIGHT FOR LOVE.
Neville Wyatt, Earl of Kilbourne, awaited his bride at the altar -- when a ragged beggar woman raced down the aisle instead. The cream of the ton saw him stare, shocked, then declare that this was his wife! One night of passion was all he remembered as he beheld Lily, the woman he'd wed, loved, and lost on the battlefield in Portugal. Now he said he'd honor his commitment to her -- regardless of the gulf that lay between them.
THEN LILY SPOKE HER MIND...
She said she wanted only to start a new life -- wanted only a husband who truly loved her. She had to leave him to learn how to meet his world on her terms. So Lily agreed to earn her keep as his aunt's companion and study the genteel arts. Soon she was the toast of the ton, every inch a countess fit for the earl, who vowed to prove to his remarkable wife that what he felt for her was far more than desire, that what he wanted from her was much more than... ONE NIGHT FOR LOVE.
One reckless man . . . One passionate woman.
Enter the world of Mary Balogh--the glittering ballrooms and vast country estates of Regency-era England, where romance, with all its mystery, magic, and surprises, comes vibrantly alive.
It was a perfect morning in May . . .
Neville Wyatt, Earl of Kilbourne, awaited his bride at the altar--when a ragged beggar woman raced down the aisle instead. The cream of the ton saw him stare, shocked, then declare that this was his wife! One night of passion was all he remembered as he beheld Lily, the woman he'd wed, loved, and lost on the battlefield in Portugal. Now he said he'd honor his commitment to her--regardless of the gulf that lay between them.
Then Lily spoke her mind . . .
She said she wanted only to start a new life--wanted only a husband who truly loved her. She had to leave him to learn how to meet his world on her terms. So Lily agreed to earn her keep as his aunt's companion and study the genteel arts. Soon she was the toast of the ton, every inch a countess fit for the earl, who vowed to prove to his remarkable wife that what he felt for her was far more than desire, that what he wanted from her was much more than . . . One Night for Love.
Enter the world of Mary Balogh--the glittering ballrooms and vast country estates of Regency-era England, where romance, with all its mystery, magic, and surprises, comes vibrantly alive.
It was a perfect morning in May . . .
Neville Wyatt, Earl of Kilbourne, awaited his bride at the altar--when a ragged beggar woman raced down the aisle instead. The cream of the ton saw him stare, shocked, then declare that this was his wife! One night of passion was all he remembered as he beheld Lily, the woman he'd wed, loved, and lost on the battlefield in Portugal. Now he said he'd honor his commitment to her--regardless of the gulf that lay between them.
Then Lily spoke her mind . . .
She said she wanted only to start a new life--wanted only a husband who truly loved her. She had to leave him to learn how to meet his world on her terms. So Lily agreed to earn her keep as his aunt's companion and study the genteel arts. Soon she was the toast of the ton, every inch a countess fit for the earl, who vowed to prove to his remarkable wife that what he felt for her was far more than desire, that what he wanted from her was much more than . . . One Night for Love.
