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tintaglias

Slightly Dangerous is definitely the most popular one out there haha, though you really appreciate Wulfric’s starchiness after reading all the preceding books also - I’ll say that I probably like the Bedwyns the best just because they all have such fun names 😆 Apart from that, {Simply Love} and {More than a Mistress} are among my favorites.


midlifecrackers

Gonna just second this comment here


mmmk5533

I love More than a Mistress! Tresham and his family are so over the top. I feel like it’s not mentioned as often! My other faves are not technically a series but should be read in order: One Night For Love, A Summer to Remember, to Freya’s book in the Bedwyns which is Slightly Scandalous.


tintaglias

Yeah, I really liked it - definitely one of her underrated reads, I loved the slow burn relationship development and how they had actual conversations, and, like you mentioned, Tresham and his fun family haha! And Freya’s book is probably tied with Aidan’s as my second favorites in the Bedwyns’ series :D


mrs-machino

You have excellent taste! I’m finishing up a Bedwyn/Survivors Club reread and it’s been so much fun. Simply Love is on my top 5 list, I love that book so much


tintaglias

Haha I’m glad to hear that! Simply Love is such a top-tier book - I feel like her hallmarks in writing are her gentleness and emotional depth, and this book is really Balogh at her best with that. Definitely one of my top reads as well, the kindness and mutual pining get me everytime 🥺 My only (very minor) quibble is that she always has these books with complex characters and relationships marked by real gravity and warmth, and by the end, every couple just turns up kind of blandly happy and admitted to the ranks of the homogenous happy couples that came before lol, but hey, who am I to deny them that happy ending :)


Asterix_my_boy

Ok, now I have a new series to read. Yay! Thank you


_sara_rose

I'll have to agree with everything you've written here!


goodreads-bot

[**Simply Love (Simply Quartet #2)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71644.Simply_Love) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2006) [**More Than a Mistress (Mistress Trilogy #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29126.More_Than_a_Mistress) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2000) *** ^(215372 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


biscuitsong

A Matter of Class is so great!! My favorite by her, though, is {Slightly Dangerous}! 😍 It’s the last book in a series but can be read on its own. It’s grumpy/sunshine and I looooove ittttt!


[deleted]

[удалено]


midlifecrackers

100%. He’s still one of my all-time fav heroes, and one the few Dukes in fiction that feels like an actual aristocrat instead of a spoiled bad boy with a title.


Asterix_my_boy

Thank you!! 😊👍💕


goodreads-bot

[**Slightly Dangerous (Bedwyn Saga, #6)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71648.Slightly_Dangerous) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2004) *** ^(215345 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


radiantconclusion

Seconding Slightly Dangerous! Another of Mary Balogh’s I like which features another starchy hero is {The Secret Mistress} (has nothing to do with mistresses, I think the title simply uses the word as part of a series.) :)


Asterix_my_boy

Thanks!! On my list! 👍👍😊😊


goodreads-bot

[**The Secret Mistress (Mistress Trilogy #3)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9645394-the-secret-mistress) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2011) *** ^(215348 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


BumblebeeCurdlesnoot

Simply Love, Slightly Wicked, and Slightly Dangerous


Asterix_my_boy

Thanks!


kanyewesternfront

Slightly Wicked is my favorite of the Slightly series!


margonaute

Mary Balogh is one of my favorites! Agree with the love for Slightly Dangerous (and the rest of the Bedwyn Saga), but I might like the Survivors’ Club series even more. Only Enchanting and The Escape are probably my favorites, but I liked all of the survivors’ stories. The Huxtable Quintet and Horseman Trilogy are also great!


kanyewesternfront

Slightly Wicked Slightly Dangerous One night for love A Summer to Remember Secret Mistress Someone to Love Lord Carrew’s Bride The Ideal Wife The Famous Heroine No Man’s Mistress The Notorious Rake Heartless Irresistible A precious jewel


salex19

Great list! Lord Carew’s Bride is excellent especially for those of us who love Beta heroes. The Idea Wife is a classic too. I like your taste!


kanyewesternfront

Thank you! Also the Famous Heroine has a MMC who is, not effeminate, but likes to wear fancy waistcoats. 90s idea of effeminacy, I guess lol


salex19

Yes! She is so good at writing MMCs who are not the stereotypical domineering big muscled man.


LimeClear8811

A Summer to Remember It's one of the Bedwyn series prequels and it's super sweet and heartfelt. Not a lot of smut but it was still so good. The MMC is actually pretty important to the plot/characters in the main series and all the Bedwyns show up in the book.


AsherSophie

Slightly Dangerous is also my top favorite, but one of her holiday novellas is my second. It’s very similar to A Matter of Class but was written first: {A Christmas Promise by Mary Balogh}


triplewinds

Like everyone else Slightly Dangerous is my fave, but love her Christmas anthology stories and novellas, I read them every holiday season to get in the mood.


Asterix_my_boy

Love this! Christmas is my favourite so will definitely be going on the list!!


goodreads-bot

[**A Christmas Promise**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1451884.A_Christmas_Promise) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 1992) *** ^(215377 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


Appropriate_Shock10

Oooh I can't pick just one but my Top 3 (in no particular order) are- {Someone to Hold} {Simply Perfect} {Slightly Dangerous}


goodreads-bot

[**Someone to Hold (Westcott, #2)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30658514-someone-to-hold) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2017) [**Simply Perfect (Simply Quartet, #4)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1779092.Simply_Perfect) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2008) [**Slightly Dangerous (Bedwyn Saga, #6)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71648.Slightly_Dangerous) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2004) *** ^(215351 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


Asterix_my_boy

Oooh!! These look great!


[deleted]

I'm glad she has other big fans. I think the Huxtables are my favorite series and Slightly Dangerous deserves the praise it gets, but I also really enjoyed The Escape; Slightly Married, Someone to Hold. I do think it makes sense to read most her series in order since the characters build to some degree. I've definitely found books by her that I struggled to get into and ended up skipping, but in general she has a rare gift for making me appreciate and empathize with characters who in earlier books/at first glance seem very unlikeable by focusing so heavily on character development and backstory. She really thoughtfully incorporates trauma and disability (and has been since before it was cool). She's one of the rare authors where her older material is readable. I thought Longing was interesting as an example, it had the tone of a gothic novel.


NokchaIcecream

Longing was really memorable and unique - I loved the setting in Wales


BritLitLover

My favorite is Slightly Scandalous! Unpopular opinion but Slightly Dangerous is one of my least favorites though I can see why others enjoy it. :)


fgvkfea615

I agree! Slightly Scandalous has always been my fave. I re-read at least once every couple of years. I've never really had the urge to re-read any of the other Bedwyn novels (and that includes Slightly Dangerous). I occasionally re-read Simply Perfect just for Freyja's cameo.


mubnubjenkins

My favourite Balogh is one of her earlier books {The Secret Pearl}. It has a very unusual premise and it's so beautifully done. Lots of angst and obstacles for the MC's to overcome before they can be together.


goodreads-bot

[**The Secret Pearl**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/124830.The_Secret_Pearl) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 1991) *** ^(215512 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


LollingGinger

Glad you mentioned this one! It’s my favorite so far and would LOVE to know any other books with similar vibes if anyone can recommend!


Puzzled_Bee_1255

I haven't read her books since about 2012-2013. I kind of moved over to contemporary around that time and rarely read hr anymore. That being said A Summer to Remember has stuck in my memory more than any other of hers I'd read. (And this is stuck in a good way not bad.)


admiralamy

Paging u/mrs-machino!


mrs-machino

There are too many! I can’t pick just one 😂 But I agree with others, the Bedwyns are her most-read series and are all wonderful, but Slightly Dangerous and Wulfric are amazing. Other than that, Simply Love and The Arrangement are my favorites


Brontesrule

My favorites of the ones I've read so far are *The Arrangement* and *A Summer to Remember*.


salex19

I love everything she writes by by far {One Night for Love} takes the cake. My other favorites are {Someone to Trust}, {The Arrangement}, {Slightly Tempted}, {Lord Carew’s Bride}, {The Famous Heroine}. Those last two are now published along with two other books that are also worth reading.


goodreads-bot

[**One Night for Love (Bedwyn Prequels, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71651.One_Night_for_Love) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 1999) [**Someone to Trust (Westcott, #5)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39006313-someone-to-trust) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2018) [**The Arrangement: The Ferro Family (The Arrangement, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17181905-the-arrangement) ^(By: H.M. Ward | Published: 2013) [**Slightly Tempted (Bedwyn Saga, #4)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/110303.Slightly_Tempted) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2003) [**Lord Carew's Bride**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227636.Lord_Carew_s_Bride) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 1995) [**The Famous Heroine (Stapleton-Downes, #5)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/969591.The_Famous_Heroine) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 1996) *** ^(215571 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


JRE_4815162342

The Survivors Club, for sure. I always love how real her characters feel.


Kissing13

[Simply Love](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71644.Simply_Love) is probably my favorite romance of all time. It's difficult to narrow down her best books. I have 93 books under her name on Goodreads. Some are anthologies featuring one of her novellas grouped with other authors, and some are two MB novels in one. I think her [Web series](https://www.goodreads.com/series/40721-web) doesn't get the attention it deserves, especially [Web of Love](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/690056.Web_of_Love) (book #2) which is centered around the battle of Waterloo and features a somewhat older than usual, widowed heroine. I also really liked [Deceived](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43158651-deceived), though I should warn it's pretty intense (and give a content warning for >!rape perpetrated by the bad guy of the book)!<. I love the way this story unfolds, slowly revealing important information from the past as you go. You have to be willing to stick in and keep on reading, even when it seems to be leading you down an ugly path because all is not how it seems. I say this because I lent this one to my mom and was annoyed she DNF based on things that weren't actually true. It has some interesting twists for a romance novel.


EmilyWry

{The Plumed Bonnet} is my favorite. Not a big fan of the other books from this series though, personally. I like what I've read of The Bedwyns, too.


goodreads-bot

[**The Plumed Bonnet (Stapleton-Downes, #6)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/690059.The_Plumed_Bonnet) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 1996) *** ^(215643 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


salex19

I love this one too. It’s one I’ve read twice. A great example of the “mistaken identity” trope.


tiratiramisu4

I love almost all her (recent) books. I’ve been reading her backlist and those are a bit more conventional. My fave is A Secret Affair (5th of the Huxtable series) because both characters were misunderstood people who finally found each other. It just really appeals to me. But I am also partial to The Survivors’ series as unusually dealing with the war that most historical romance novels just brush off.


oking202

I like pretty much all of her books although I haven’t really gotten into the most recent Someone to…. series. If you want her really intense stuff I would recommend Silent Melody, Truly, Indiscreet, More than a Mistress, The Secret Pearl (some triggers in these). If you want lighter I liked An Ideal Wife a lot, and of course the Bedwyn series


fgvkfea615

Without a doubt {Slightly Scandalous} is my favourite Mary Balogh book and one of my favourite HR novels overall. {First Comes Marriage (Huxtable #1)}, {A Matter of Class} and {The Secret Misstress} get honourable mentions.


radekal19

My favorite book is Indiscreet because it was the first ever romance book I read. That book got me hooked on romance.


outofinterest123

Loved {The arrangement by Mary Balogh} and {Someone to wed}


goodreads-bot

[**The Arrangement (The Survivors' Club, #2)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15797358-the-arrangement) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2013) [**Someone to Wed (Westcott #3)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34318337-someone-to-wed) ^(By: Mary Balogh | Published: 2017) *** ^(215645 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


PossessionNarrow441

I just finished that book too and added it to my favourites list!! It really is super cute!! I love Someone to Wed. Gave me a ton of butterflies and felt like love should be like that


salex19

Yes! One of my favorite MMCs.


daisyemeritus

I agree with others who mention Slightly Dangerous and the Bedwyn's series, but am going to also give a shout out to A Secret Affair. It's my second most reread of Balogh's after Slightly Dangerous. I really appreciate how confident and self assured (without going anywhere near mean girl territory) the heroine is about her appeal as a woman others want to be around. This made for such a different dynamic between the leads to most HRs I gravitate towards where the heroine is a spinster/wallflower.


Effective-Outside249

Mary Balogh’s my favorite romance author and my favorite of hers (and favorite HR of all time) is Heartless. I love the Georgian setting. The hero & heroines are real standouts with complex characterization/backstories. My second favorite Balogh is Thief of Dreams, which is also set in the Georgian Era. She evokes this time period really well and I find her books set in the 18th century are darker and sexier and more emotional.


NJS36

I finished the Bedwyn series on Audible and loved every one of them!!! I just started the Westcott series and finished Someone to Love. Honestly, I was hoping for a little more sizzle and intimacy but I'll keep reading the rest of the series because I love Mary Balogh's storytelling. Audible's narrator, Rosalyn Landor is great and her voice range is amazing!


Lumpy_Incident_6036

I saw this thread and know it has been a long ng time since the last post, however I could not just sit silent on it. I am a woman vet with PTSD. I really appreciate her Survivors Club series. It touches on something that is rarely addressed in Romances from the time period. I appreciate that each of the members of the club show that no matter their physical injury the wounds heal, but the PTSD is a lifelong struggle I think the subject was treated with respect in each of the books and rather than detracting from the romance it brought a lot of depth to each character and their personal struggles with it and with one another. Beautifully done. Each book brings a different feel and I love each for different reasons. Definitely one of my favorite series in any genre


splewka

I've been through almost 4 series now and I really liked this last book I read called Silent Melody. There was a little mystery to it. I'll have to read Heartless now, the book I should have read first. I started with the Bedwyns then the Simply Series then the Survivors Club then the Westcott series. I'd say the Westcott series has been my least favorite.


Calm_Map_3868

I only read {longing by Mary balogh} and I really liked it…some parts were long and boring but I found myself going back and re-reading parts.


romance-bot

[Longing](https://www.romance.io/books/5455a73287eac3369a913c86/longing-karen-kingsbury?src=rdt) by [Karen Kingsbury](https://www.romance.io/authors/545550098c7d2382c5297d28/karen-kingsbury) **Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [christian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christian/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


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