A Summer to Remember (Bedwyn Prequels #2)

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A Summer to Remember (Bedwyn Prequels #2)

3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 · rating details · 3,389 ratings · 187 reviews

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Mary Balogh's The Secret Mistress.

“Matchless storyteller”(Romantic Times) Mary Balogh weaves a tantalizing web of wit and seduction in her new novel—an irresistible tale of two unlikely lovers and one unforgettable summer.

Kit Butler is cool, dangerous, one of London’s mostinfamous bachelors—marriage is the last thing on his min...more

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Published March 4th 2003 by Dell (first published 2002)

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Aug 21, 2011 Dina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Dina by: Magnolia88 & seton from Amazon

Shelves: historical-romance

I absolutely loved this book! Right from the start, Ms. Balogh's writing enchanted (there isn't another word for it) me and, before I knew it, I was in love with both Kit and Lauren. :)

This was not a story full of action, escapades and mysteries to be solved. It didn't take me into an emotional rollercoaster that ended up leaving me happily drained at the end. It was, pure and simple, a love story about two people who, at first, seemed ill-suited but couldn't have been more right to each other....more

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Feb 03, 2009 Juliana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, 4-half-stars, 2004-reads, 2004-oct-reads, 0-add-info, best-romance-books, best-romance-heroes-ever, best-romance-heroines-ever, 0-to-reread, 2008-reads, 2008-dec-reads, 4-to-5-stars

Kit and Lauren are a wonderful match - the laughing rogue and the prim stickler (4.5 stars)

I am rereading all of Balogh's Bedwyn series and since A Summer to Remember introduces the family and features Freyja Bedwyn so prominently, I thought it would be perfect to read it before rereading Slightly Scandalous (her story and Book 3 of the Bedwyn Series). I read it in one day and loved it as much as the first time I read it. Watching Kit be scandalous and tease Lauren in the first half of the novel...more Kit and Lauren are a wonderful match - the laughing rogue and the prim stickler (4.5 stars)

I am rereading all of Balogh's Bedwyn series and since A Summer to Remember introduces the family and features Freyja Bedwyn so prominently, I thought it would be perfect to read it before rereading Slightly Scandalous (her story and Book 3 of the Bedwyn Series). I read it in one day and loved it as much as the first time I read it. Watching Kit be scandalous and tease Lauren in the first half of the novel in London is *extremely* entertaining and seeing them actually get to know each other and give each other happiness in the second half in the countryside is wonderful.

MAIN CHARACTERS, Lauren and Christopher ("Kit"):
Lauren Edgeworth (26) is seen as prim, proper, respectable, and utterly dull and likened to an ice queen; this is how much of society perceives her and this is what she fears she may actually be. Christopher "Kit" Butler, Viscount Ravensburg (almost 30) is an ex-military man, but is known in London as a rogue, a rakehell, and a constant scandal-causer. Although these reputations accurately portray a side of each of the characters, both Lauren and Kit wear a mask that efficiently hides their pain and suffering.

The hero and heroine were wonderfully complex characters and complement each other extremely well - Kit's devil-may-care attitude and his laughing eyes are a perfect contrast with Lauren, a stickler for propriety whose cool dignity seems impenetrable. They are able to help one another, opening the other's eyes to new sides of themselves and aspects of the world that they had not before discovered. They are both very thoughtful, kind, and intelligent people and watching their arrangement turn into genuine feelings is a real treat!

CRITICISMS:
The book really is near-perfect, though I would have liked to see Kit feel a little more passion for Lauren (in addition to his quiet desire). There is a great emotional connection, and although the chemistry is well-written and noticeable, it could have been emphasized a little more. I know that some other reviewers have said they didn't think Lauren was interesting or passionate enough - although I strongly disagree with the former, I do understand the source of the latter complaint, but found her a strong and engaging heroine nonetheless.

BOTTOM LINE:
A definite must-read and a great introduction to the Bedwyn family series (starts with Slightly Married), so read A Summer to Remember and then start on those! Also note: One Night for Love precedes this book and features the romance between Neville (Lauren's former betrothed) and Lily, the Earl and Countess of Kilbourne.(less)

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Jan 20, 2010 Rane rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: regency-romance-napoleonic-era, keeper

Kit Butler has been ordered to take up the reins deemed by his family and marry, wanting to thwart his father’s plans for a his marriage and when a wager is set between him a his fellow friends to marry the coldest and most proper woman of the season in a short amount of time, Kit is surprised when this woman he’s out to marry sets him a new wager.
Once a jilted bride Lauren Edgeworth is getting back into society after her misfortune almost wedding, when well know rake Viscount Ravensberg star...more Kit Butler has been ordered to take up the reins deemed by his family and marry, wanting to thwart his father’s plans for a his marriage and when a wager is set between him a his fellow friends to marry the coldest and most proper woman of the season in a short amount of time, Kit is surprised when this woman he’s out to marry sets him a new wager.
Once a jilted bride Lauren Edgeworth is getting back into society after her misfortune almost wedding, when well know rake Viscount Ravensberg starts to play court to her, she finds it odd that he wants to marry her so quickly, and when Lauren asks for the truth, she sees this as a chance to get away from the life she’s know and have a truly wonderful summer to remember, the summer is only beginning and so is the chance of love.......

Mary Balogh’s words in Summer to Remember fondly trigger fond memories of my own past summers, with fun and games, listening to Seals and Crofts Summer Breeze, hanging out with friends and just being with the one that makes you heart flutter in your chest by just being near them...

Kit Butler has been at odds with his family for three years after returning home with his younger brother broken from torture and war. Blaming himself, his family sends him away, with his mask of carefreeness firmly in place, Kit goes through the ton as a rake one whom gets a kick out of shocking everyone. When Kit receives a letter from his father ordering him to marry someone chosen for him and take up the responsible of his title, Kit decides to thwart the plan and marry someone of his choice. After a fight in the park and with his friends a wager is set that Kit will marry before the end of the month the most proper and cold Lauren Edgeworth, but when the plan goes wary, Kit is surprised when Lauren set a new wager between the two, one where he would have his betrothal but fake and Lauren will have a summer to remember, parting way at the end of the summer.. unknown to Kit, the summer only starts a love he never knew he feel for Lauren.....
Lauren life shatter a year before, when at her wedding, she becomes a jilted bride when she finds her betrothal is already married to a woman whom was thought to be dead. Lauren has lived her life as the proper, cool miss, a true lady in order to be accepted by her adopted family, to hide her longing for a mother whom left her behind as a child. One day in the park she comes a fight with the shocking Viscount Ravensberg, only to have him shortly there after try to play court to her and ask for her hand in marriage, knowing something is up, Lauren gets Kit to tell her the truth. Lauren sees this a chance of a lifetime, to do something exciting before she chooses to live her life as a spinster. With the wager set, Lauren enter’s Kit’s life to repair and heal the wounds from the past three years, but as she changes Kit’s life, he slowly starts to change hers as well, with love blossoming in the summer days......

I always known am in for a deep read with any of MB’s works, the depth of her characters always amaze me, as the layers of Kit and Lauren are slowly peeled away, their masks falling away to show two wounded souls drawn to one another. Kit blamed himself for what happen to his younger brother, and went mad a summer three years ago, the topper was the fight with his older brother and his brother’s sudden betrothal to a woman he desired to marry himself. Kit didn’t understand the damage he was doing not only to himself but his family who were also to blame, who didn’t try to reason with him, and Kit became the scapegoat of sorts for all around. The pain runs deep for Kit when his older brother dies living him not having the chance to ask for his forgiveness and saying good-bye and his war torn memories that plague. Kit and Lauren wore different mask, but nevertheless wore masks to hide the pain they dealt with everyday. Kit’s carefree mask and Lauren’s cool lady. When the wager and plan is set between Kit and Lauren, we start to see Kit’s true face reveled. Kit’s humor and joy he showed to Lauren was beautiful, simply things from climbing a tree and taking a swim, you saw Kit finally letting go of the darkness that followed him while helping Lauren deal with hers. Kit was funny, and just amazing as he showed Lauren she could just enjoy being alive.
Lauren cool mask, slips away as the summer days past, with Kit showing her the simply things in life, the simple pleasures of just being alive. Lauren came to terms with many things, her almost wedding, her mother leaving her behind and finally finding her true self. Lauren healed many family wounds in Kit’s family between Kit and his younger brother Syd.
Kit and Lauren heal each other wounds, while they slowly start to fall in love with one another, the process is slow, but it makes it only that much sweeter when they tell one another their feelings.

There was some very memorable secondary characters, mostly the Bedwyins, whom were a strong family, and although they tried to throw their weight around with Lauren, Lauren, lady like set them down in style. Freyja the woman Kit was madly in love with, and his brother’s betrothal is at times was very hurtful and hateful, the reason she acted the way comes to light later on, but I still couldn’t bring myself to like her but I did pity her. Even the great Bedwyins couldn’t take away the center stage from the gentle love that bloomed between Kit and Lauren and their love story, I loved the easy pace the story is told, much like a summer breeze...

Overall: MB is such a strong story-teller, with the depth she gives all her characters and Kit and Lauren just prove how amazing MB is as she tells their love story and their wounds being healed by one another’s love......

Summer breeze, makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze, makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind..........
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Feb 05, 2010 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: regency, romance-historical, read-own, read-in-2010, ebooks

Lauren Edgewood finally gets her happily ever after being jilted at the altar in “One Night for Love”. At first appearance, Kit is a rakehell of a man who always gets into trouble and doesn’t care for his improperness. Lauren is the epitome of a perfect lady. These two complete opposites spend an adventurous and passionate summer together with the bargain to end their sham of a marriage at the end of the summer. Their goal is for Kit to patch up his estranged relationship with his family and Lau...more

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Mar 28, 2013 Isa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sendo o primeiro livro que li da autora fiquei um pouco receosa sobre o facto de ser ou não interessante.
Desde logo a capa deste fascinou-me e após algum tempo decidi comprá-lo.
Tenho uma paixão por romances e detesto quando eles não preenchem as minhas espectativas.
Tudo começa pouco tempo antes do inicio do verão quando a Miss Lauren Edgeworth, uma noiva que foi deixada no altar, vai passar uma indeterminada temporada com a sua tia Portfrey, que se encontrava de esperanças.
Lauren fez uma promess...more Sendo o primeiro livro que li da autora fiquei um pouco receosa sobre o facto de ser ou não interessante.
Desde logo a capa deste fascinou-me e após algum tempo decidi comprá-lo.
Tenho uma paixão por romances e detesto quando eles não preenchem as minhas espectativas.
Tudo começa pouco tempo antes do inicio do verão quando a Miss Lauren Edgeworth, uma noiva que foi deixada no altar, vai passar uma indeterminada temporada com a sua tia Portfrey, que se encontrava de esperanças.
Lauren fez uma promessa para si mesma : jamais iria casar.
Por outro lado Kit Butler( Lord Ravensberg) é um homem rebelde, que anda na boca do povo devido às suas ações pouco cavalheirescas consoante a sua condição social.
O irmão deste morre e é ele quem tem de subir ao trono para ocupar o lugar do seu irmão mais velho.
Rapidamente este em discussão com os seus amigos tentam arranjar-lhe o quanto antes uma noiva . Caso contrário este será obrigado a casar com a sua ex- amada .
Miss Lauren é a escolhida, porém esta fez uma promessa...
Num golpe de fachada Kit tenta persuadir Lauren a casar com este mas contudo Miss Edgerworth acha-o um libertino, atrevido e muito pouco cavalheiro e recusa-se a ter algo com Kit.
Porém estes fazem um pacto! Lauren aceita compactuar na mentira se este lhe proporcionar um verão repleto de aventuras.
Por entre bailes, passeios e confidências o amor destes cresce.
A rapariga cheia de regras deixa transparecer o seu sorriso .
O que mais aprecio em livros deste género são o modo como a ação se desenrola e achei completamente deliciante momentos como a ida à piscina sem roupa ( a vergonha que ela tinha ) , a subida a uma árvore , o que era para ela uma aventura fantástica.
Ele deixa-se render por aquela mulher e mostra-lhe o lado mais verdadeiro e amoroso deste.
Mas será que existirá realmente o dito casamento?
*
é um livro realmente apaixonante, é uma história, que como em todos os romances, tem um final feliz mas o importante não é o final, é o desenrolar da paixão e da cumplicidade que há entre ambos.
Aconselho vivamente a quem aprecia livros deste género, vão adorar.(less)

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Feb 03, 2013 Michelle Robinson rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-european-fiction, part-of-a-series, yawn

I really wanted to read another book by Balogh and my library did not have anything that I had not read, on the shelf, other than this one.

I don't know, maybe if I had read this one in the order that it was written I may have enjoyed it more? I don't know. I could not like Lauren or Kit. I found Lauren to be too self-possessed and cool for my liking. I also really liked Freya, in her book in the "Slightly" series and somehow, that kept me from really being pleased with Kit and Lauren.

I also fou...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Jessi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, appealing-characteristic-character, historical, part-of-a-series, romance

Christopher "Kit," Viscount Ravensburg, is being summoned home. After being banished from the family seat, his older brother is now dead and Kit's presence is being requested at his grandmother's birthday where his betrothal announcement is also to be made. But Kit doesn't want to be engaged. Yes, he loved Freyja years ago but she is no longer his ideal. In fact, no woman is. So he plans to show up at the party already married. Yes, he could bring a woman of dubious virtue, but how much more cun...more

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Aug 08, 2012 The Bookwyrm's Hoard rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical-romance

Review originally published in a post on summer books at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.

Lauren Edgeworth is every inch a lady: cool, elegant, polite, well-bred. Kit Butler, Viscount Ravensburg, is reckless, devil-may-care, even scandalous – and intent on finding an impeccable bride quickly, in order to avoid the marriage his father has arranged for him. To win a bet with his friends, he must woo and win Lauren in a matter of weeks. But once he gets to know her, he confesses his dishonor over involving a l...more

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May 11, 2012 Christina Fashant rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

While not my favorite book by Mary Balogh, A Summer to Remember is a well written and quite enjoyable story and had me thinking philosophically on more that one occasion. I have found in the past that stories dealing with survivor's guilt (as this one does) can tend to be over emotional, and lose the reader's ability to connect with the characters. Ms. Balogh saved this story from such a fate by having multiple characters twine in their own tales of disconnect in an overarching manner that ties...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Kathy Davie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history, romance

This is the middle of three prequels for the Bedwyn Saga historical romance series. Yeah, it was a surprise to me, too. The couple focus is on Kit and Lauren.

My Take
I must confess to being somewhat confused at the start. The impression I had received from the actual Bedwyn Saga books is that Kit came back from Europe with his new bride as a fait accompli, destroying all of Freyja's hopes and dreams. Kit was actually playing hard in London and avoiding the family manse until he got the ultimatum...more

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Aug 28, 2011 Cristina Contilli added it · review of another edition

La mia recensione su literary:

Un’estate da ricordare di Mary Balogh è un classico romance di ambientazione regency, dove molte pagine sono dedicate alla descrizione di ricevimenti e balli della stagione londinese, di romantiche passeggiate in calesse, di confidenze tra amiche, sincere, ma mai troppo esplicite, di riunioni conviviali in dimore signorili della campagna inglese.
L’unico tratto di novità sono i protagonisti. La protagonista femminile, Laureen, è una giovane seria e tranquilla che è...more La mia recensione su literary:

Un’estate da ricordare di Mary Balogh è un classico romance di ambientazione regency, dove molte pagine sono dedicate alla descrizione di ricevimenti e balli della stagione londinese, di romantiche passeggiate in calesse, di confidenze tra amiche, sincere, ma mai troppo esplicite, di riunioni conviviali in dimore signorili della campagna inglese.
L’unico tratto di novità sono i protagonisti. La protagonista femminile, Laureen, è una giovane seria e tranquilla che è cresciuta con il nonno e i cugini, dopo che la madre si è risposata e ha lasciato l’Inghilterra e che il giorno del suo matrimonio ha scoperto che il suo futuro marito aveva già sposato durante una campagna militare un’altra donna che poi era morta o almeno lui credeva che le cose fossero andate così, finché lei non era ricomparsa proprio il giorno delle sue nozze facendo di conseguenza saltare il suo matrimonio con Laureen.
Il protagonista maschile, Kit, ha ereditato il titolo di conte di Ravensberg, dopo la morte del fratello maggiore, ma non si sente accettato e amato dalla famiglia d’origine, perché in guerra non è riuscito, durante una missione molto pericolosa, ad impedire che il fratello minore, che militava nel suo stesso reggimento, fosse fatto prigioniero e torturato dai francesi, perdendo in questo modo un braccio che gli era stato amputato da un medico militare nel momento in cui i suoi commilitoni erano riusciti a liberarlo e parzialmente l’uso di una gamba.
Kit e Laureen decidono di stringere un patto: si fingeranno fidanzati per un’estate partecipando insieme alla festa per i settantacinque anni della nonna di Kit, in modo che lui potrà evitare di doversi fidanzare con la ex fidanzata del fratello e in modo che lei potrà vivere un’estate di emozioni e di “avventura” prima di ritirarsi a vivere a Bath.
Laureen, infatti, non crede più nell’amore e vuole convincere i parenti a lasciarla andare a vivere da sola, ma non ha fatto i conti con due imprevisti: Kit è una persona più sensibile e generosa di come lei l’aveva immaginato, prestando credito alle chiacchiere dei nobili londinesi che, per i suoi comportamenti provocatori (nelle prime pagine del romanzo l’autrice descrive Kit impegnato in una rissa), non lo consideravano un vero gentiluomo ed inoltre il suo atteggiamento cinico e spavaldo è solo la conseguenza del senso di colpa che prova da quando in guerra è stato costretto a vivere il contrasto tra i propri doveri di ufficiali e l’affetto per il fratello minore…
E così inaspettatamente un fidanzamento di facciata si trasformerà in una storia d’amore…

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Jun 23, 2009 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I liked A Summer to Remember better than the Simply books I read. I liked Sydnam MUCH better here than I did in Simply Love! I think it is because he is less gloomy..

Kit is a delightful character, and Lauren grows significantly through the pages, and through a lot of pain - not as dark as Kit's pain, but just as damaging. I almost don't want to read One Night for Love to avoid the pain for her! The only thing that disturbs me is that whole "violet eyes" thing that, thanks to Viscount Whitleaf po...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Maria rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance

What a multi layered story. Both Lauren and Kit are wounded persons whom Faith brings together so they can heal.

At the surface Lauren are the epitome of a Lady of the Ton. Everything she does is right and proper. No one, especially her relations, knows what an unhappy heart lies beneath. They all smother her with their good intentions.

When Lauren meets Christopher "Kit" Butler, Viscount Ravensberg, he opens up a chance to be free, to stand on her own two feet. To be able to live the life she wan...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Anna D. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book and it totally made me appreciate Lauren more as a heroine compared to my impressions of her from when I read One Night for Love. I admire her quiet dignity and loved how she handled each situation that could have made her seem weak or given her a chance to lose control. The scene where Freyja was asking her what she does, trying to make the point that Lauren was just a boring, old, prim miss! But then she says: “I have learned the difficult art of courtesy under all circumstan...more I loved this book and it totally made me appreciate Lauren more as a heroine compared to my impressions of her from when I read One Night for Love. I admire her quiet dignity and loved how she handled each situation that could have made her seem weak or given her a chance to lose control. The scene where Freyja was asking her what she does, trying to make the point that Lauren was just a boring, old, prim miss! But then she says: “I have learned the difficult art of courtesy under all circumstances. In particular, I have always considered it my duty when at home to set my guests at their ease and to lead the conversation into topics that will neither embarrass them nor expose their ignorance.” Freyja got served! Quite properly too! Hahaha!

A great part about this book is enormous feeling of family during their time at Alvesley. It was also wonderful how Mary Balogh interlaced A LOT of characters I will read about in the Bedwyn series. My interest has been piqued with those siblings! I’m super excited to see Kit’s brother, Sydnam Butler, Lauren’s counsin Peter, Viscount Whitleaf (with his dreamy violet eyes), and Joseph, Marquess of Attingsborough in the Simply series..i absolutely fell in love with these men!

I cried plenty in this book, especially when they talked about what happened to Syd in the war and when Kit and Syd finally reconciled. Actually, who am I kidding!? I cried every time a family issue/quarrel was discussed and reconciled.

For me, the book started off slow. It didn’t pick up steam until they made that pact at Vauxhall. However, after that, there was romance everywhere. All the time Kit and Lauren were together - holding hands, holding each other - were so romantic, sweet, and to die for! Such tender moments..I’m partial to the time they (view spoiler) I just love how utterly romantic this book is! What a fantastic read..I HIGHLY recommend this book and I’m an even bigger fan of Mary Balogh.
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Dec 18, 2012 Tempo de Ler rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lauren Edgeworth foi educada para ser uma dama. A sua fama é ilustre, tal como deverá ser a reputação de uma verdadeira dama - atolada em compostura e gestos de grande graciosidade.
Kit, visconde de Ravensberg, é um libertino com atroz desrespeito pelo decoro social. Escandaloso como só ele sabe ser, perpetra as mais extravagantes indiscrições… que lhe granjeiam, claro, uma reputação pior que péssima na elitista sociedade inglesa.
…Kit é, portanto, o tipo de homem que a respeitável e perfeita Lau...more Lauren Edgeworth foi educada para ser uma dama. A sua fama é ilustre, tal como deverá ser a reputação de uma verdadeira dama - atolada em compostura e gestos de grande graciosidade.
Kit, visconde de Ravensberg, é um libertino com atroz desrespeito pelo decoro social. Escandaloso como só ele sabe ser, perpetra as mais extravagantes indiscrições… que lhe granjeiam, claro, uma reputação pior que péssima na elitista sociedade inglesa.
…Kit é, portanto, o tipo de homem que a respeitável e perfeita Lauren sempre tentou evitar a todo o custo. Exactamente o tipo de homem que estava a fazer falta na sua monótona e insípida vida. Exactamente o tipo de homem que com uma aposta libertina e uma mentira de enormidade perversa poderia mudar para sempre a existência de Lauren.

Já com Uma Noite de Amor tinha ficado positivamente impressionada com o trabalho de Mary Balogh…e agora, com Um Verão Inesquecível, que nos traz das melhores personagens que podíamos pedir,…fiquei em pulgas para continuar a ler a Saga Bedwin!

A forma deliciosamente sorrateira com que Balogh nos vai passando pormenores da sociedade da época torna a leitura suave e fluída, como convém a um romance deste género; sem perder demasiado tempo, avançando pela narrativa a uma velocidade muito agradável.

Lauren e Kit são opostos absolutos! A profundidade que a autora lhes deu, moldando-os conforme os avanços da história torna-os interessantíssimos de seguir de perto. A noiva abandonada e rejeitada que tínhamos conhecido previamente em Uma Noite de Amor e cuja vida tinha sido moldada em torno da expectativa de vir a ser esposa de Neville, ganha agora novos contornos, saindo finalmente da apatia e torpor em que se encontrava no final do primeiro livro. Este não foi de facto o primeiro acto de abandono que Lauren sofreu; quando era ainda pequena, a sua mãe partiu em viagem de núpcias e nunca mais regressou deixando-lhe apenas, e para sempre, uma triste sensação de desamparo.

E Kit…Deus nos valha…é «incrivelmente rude! E cruelmente severo! E absolutamente delicioso!». E é também muito mais do que aparenta ser à primeira vista. Herdeiro do título, fortuna…e noiva…destinados ao falecido irmão mais velho, Kit concorda em regressar a casa para a comemoração do septuagésimo aniversário da sua avó, evento que será coroado pela anunciação do seu próprio noivado…A vingança de Kit passará por aparecer com uma outra noiva, perfeita, completamente irrepreensível…Mas que mulher respeitável poria sequer a hipótese de o desposar?!...Nem mesmo no mercado matrimonial em que Londres se transformava durante a temporada haveria candidata para tal faceta.

As personagens secundárias são, no geral, maravilhosas e destaco a prudente Elizabeth, a quem a vida de casada assenta agora na perfeição, que se dedica a encaminhar os outros, muito discretamente, para os seus finais felizes com a sua sensatez para avaliar o carácter alheio.

Todo o romance é encantador com uma amplitude carinhosa e enternecedora; e Balogh foi ainda mais longe, juntando diversas surpresas, problemas e dinâmicas familiares e ainda algum mistério. O combate entre a inabalável dignidade de Lauren e a falta dela em Kit torna a narrativa também bastante cómica e divertida!
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Jan 04, 2012 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: borrowed, historical-romance

I LOVED this book! Kit and Lauren were so perfect for one another. It was so nice to see Lauren get her happily ever after, after being jilted at the alter in the previous book One Night for Love. And Kit.. ah, Kit. He was so fun-loving and witty and such a charmer, but we also saw a deeper side to him and Lauren was his perfect match to help him work through his problems.

Once again Mary Balogh did an outstanding job in transporting me to another time, another place in this BBC/period film-esque...more

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Apr 16, 2009 Edna Lyn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, historical-romance

In One Night For Love, Lily was trying to be more like Lauren, now in A Summer to Remember the roles reversed. I didn't like Lauren that much in the first book. Fake and somewhat dull. In ASTR she still was a bit frustrating, her need to be free and independent was basically the conflict. It was what bothered me about Lily when she wanted to separate herself from Nev to find herself.

Kit was entertaining and charming. Maybe this is unusual but I found the dynamic between Kit and Syd more intrigu...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Joana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, read-2012

Oh i loved this book!
We were introduced to Lauren in the previous book ...and i thought it was a character a bit hard to relate, she used this ice mask to conceil her emotions and i just didn't get her need to be always the prim and proper lady, even when she was just with her best friend Gwen. But i admit i was mistaken,in this book we get to see why she feels the need to be "perfect" and even why she needs at least a summer of rebellion, a summer to find herself. No better to help her than Ki...more

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Apr 09, 2011 SATIN SUE rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Description:

Kit Butler is cool, dangerous, one of London’s mostinfamous bachelors—marriage is the last thing on his mind. But Kit’s family has other plans. Desperate to thwart his father’s matchmaking, Kit needs a bride...fast. Enter Miss Lauren Edgeworth.

A year after being abandoned at the altar, Lauren has determined that marriage is not for her. When these two fiercely independent souls meet, sparks fly—and a deal is hatched. Lauren will masquerade as Kit’s intended if he agrees to provide a...more Description:

Kit Butler is cool, dangerous, one of London’s mostinfamous bachelors—marriage is the last thing on his mind. But Kit’s family has other plans. Desperate to thwart his father’s matchmaking, Kit needs a bride...fast. Enter Miss Lauren Edgeworth.

A year after being abandoned at the altar, Lauren has determined that marriage is not for her. When these two fiercely independent souls meet, sparks fly—and a deal is hatched. Lauren will masquerade as Kit’s intended if he agrees to provide a passionate, adventurous, unforgettable summer. When summer ends, she will break off the engagement, rendering herself unmarriageable and leaving them both free. Everything is going perfectly—until Kit does the unthinkable: He begins to fall in love. A summer to remember is not enough for him. But how can he convince Lauren to be his...for better, for worse, for the rest of their lives?

i so loved this book, it was so romantic, i fell in love with it...i so wish i was lauren, for kit to take me into his arms and tell me he loves me lol......this book was really well written.

Review:
Kit Butler, Viscount Ravensberg...He is tall sexy and very bad, he turns heads where ever he goes, he likes people thinking the worse of him, or at least he thinks he does.But then lauren comes into his life and he learns it is all a show and he wants to be accepted back into his family. and with the help of lauren it all happens and he finds out that he loves her and never wants to let her go....oh this guy is so charming and fun to be around, I think all men shoud be like him.

Lauren, quiet and a proper ladie, she starts finding life really dull. Untill she meets kit, the man who helps her open her eyes to all the fun she could be haveing....He takes her swimming and climbing tress.All the things real ladies dont do....But she finds she really likes it and cant get enough.Kit has brought out her wild side..BUT how will it all turn out..

i really enjoyed this book, i so think its worth a read, it kept me reading from start to finish, over all a really good read..(less)

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Nov 18, 2012 Joana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: emprestado

Este foi o primeiro livro que li da autora e tenho a dizer que apesar de não saber muito bem no que me ia meter fiquei deveras agradada com a minha decisão.

Cada vez mais me apercebo do quanto este tipo de livros de romance me agrada e me proporciona momentos divertidos. Claro que para isso as histórias têm que ser escritas por autoras que o saibam fazer, e Mary Balogh sabe de certeza como encantar o leitor.

Adorei o ambiente em que a a história se desenvolve, uma sociedade cheia de regras e com u...more

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Nov 23, 2011 Lori McD rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: british-lit, chick-lit, easy-read, favorite-author, fun-fluff, guilty-pleasure, historical-fiction, regency, romance, some-steam, 2011_read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book truly was written before the Bedwyn sagas... I didn't think it was, but I discovered I was wrong.

This book is about Kit Butler, 2nd son and now the Viscount Ravensberg. Kit was a soldier, as second sons are supposed to be, and he was a decorated spy and war hero. But when his eldest brother, Jerome, drowned in a flood helping nearby neighbors, Kit found himself the heir. And so, he sold his commission and tooled around London for a year, dreading the return to his home because of the w...more This book truly was written before the Bedwyn sagas... I didn't think it was, but I discovered I was wrong.

This book is about Kit Butler, 2nd son and now the Viscount Ravensberg. Kit was a soldier, as second sons are supposed to be, and he was a decorated spy and war hero. But when his eldest brother, Jerome, drowned in a flood helping nearby neighbors, Kit found himself the heir. And so, he sold his commission and tooled around London for a year, dreading the return to his home because of the way he left 3 years ago...

Lauren was just about to walk down the aisle at her wedding only a year or so ago. She was to marry Neville, whom she grew up with as brother-sister; except it was expected they would marry when she grew up. When Neville went off to war, he told Lauren not to wait. When he returned, however, they got engaged and planned their wedding. Except that as Lauren was about to walk down that aisle, a disheveled woman walked into the church, who just happened to be Neville's bride -- the one he married on the Continent. And so Lauren's dreams and purpose in life were shattered in an instant.

Kit is the devil-may-care rake who is now the heir to his family's title and fortune. Lauren is the perfect lady, albeit older now (26) and somewhat "damaged" because of her infamous wedding that didn't happen. Kit takes a dare from friends to woo and wed Lauren within 6 weeks time. Seems Kit must return to his homestead to celebrate a milestone birthday for his grandmama, and Kit's family has already arranged and contracted a marriage for Kit with Freya Bedwyn. Except that Freya was engaged to his brother Jerome -- that was a big part of the fray 3 years ago: Kit broke his brother's nose and fought with Freya's brother, Ralf, to try to stop their engagement. Kit and Freya had a fling that summer, and Kit was determined to marry Freya, himself, and take her with him to march with the drum. But Freya wouldn't have it; she was a duke's daughter, and she wanted the heir.

Lauren suspects that Kit's suit isn't all about her; she knows there's another motive. So when Kit confesses the bet to her in a moment of honor, Lauren surprises him and herself by agreeing to a sham betrothal until the end of the summer, when she will break it off. In the meantime, she will travel with Kit to his home and get him off the hook for wedding Freya -- he'll be free to make his own choice of bride. Lauren wants a summer of adventure... and romance... and Kit agrees to give her a memorable summer.

There are elements of the Bedwyn sagas in this book: 1) The sham betrothal reminded me of the one that Freya agreed to in her own book. And some of the interactions between Kit and Lauren reminded me of parts of Freya's experience, as well -- not just because Freya must attend the christening of Kit and Lauren's son, but elements of the romance. 2) Lauren's determination to go into spinsterhood with some "experience" reminded me of Ralf's story -- his wife, Judith, took her own pleasure with Ralf intending never to see him again before she went off into her own spinsterhood.

But most of this book is refreshing and real. While it's a romance, there are many underlying issues and emotions that both Kit and Lauren must deal with in their lives. They find freedom with each other -- each helps the other to be free of his or her past. And when the time comes to break off the engagement, Kit is determined to keep Lauren, and she's determined to live her life as she pleases.

When Kit comes to tell her the one thing he's not told her -- that he loves her -- he discovers that she's found herself truly free. She's now free to choose her life and her love, without the past or Society or family dictating her will and wishes. Lauren chooses. And Kit chooses. And while we aren't surprised with their choices, we've definitely learned something about freedom and choice and love along the way.(less)

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Aug 30, 2012 Arttemizza rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: leituras-2012

Só ganhei embalagem para o ler após ter “ouvido/lido” algumas opiniões que o consideravam melhor que o primeiro e que era bem agradável. Devo confessar que desta vez fiquei surpreendida e é realmente mais interessante que o anterior.

Gostei bastante do enredo. Adorei o pouco cavalheiresco Kit Butler e o contraste que faz com a controladissima Lady Lauren, neste caso, acenta bem o ditado que refere que os opostos se atraem e se completam. Kit precisava de encontrar a calma na sua vida e reconcilia...more

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Jan 07, 2010 Colleen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-has-it, 2010, historical-romance

Please don't consider my rating when deciding on whether or not to read this book. I made the mistake of reading this one after I read the entire Bedwyn series and therefore, I was a little biased about these characters (Kit & Lauren). In reading the Bedwyn series I got Freyja's side of the story in her prior relationship with Kit (and her dislike of Lauren). Although Freyja Bedwyn was not my most favorite character (and she did get her own HEA in her book), I still felt for her. I think my...more

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Jan 24, 2009 Gardavson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

This author is a hit and miss. Sometimes she's fabulous, sometimes...not so much. This one is a hit. The plot is average but the depth of emotion is rarely covered in this kind of genre.

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Aug 15, 2012 Kennedy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

To the Point: Another Balogh story that gave me butterflies and tears. A wonderfully romantic story.

In More Detail: (spoilers) Well, this story made me want to read The Proposal over again now that I know more about many of the characters that are in that story. I wish I had read all of these in order although I wouldn’t have remembered everything anyway I suppose. I am curious now if Pete Whitfield (not sure I have the right name) will have his own story. He is Lauren’s relative and introduced...more To the Point: Another Balogh story that gave me butterflies and tears. A wonderfully romantic story.

In More Detail: (spoilers) Well, this story made me want to read The Proposal over again now that I know more about many of the characters that are in that story. I wish I had read all of these in order although I wouldn’t have remembered everything anyway I suppose. I am curious now if Pete Whitfield (not sure I have the right name) will have his own story. He is Lauren’s relative and introduced at the end of the story and has her same Violet eyes. It sounded like a tee off for another story so I’ll have to investigate to see if that is true. I read the Bedwyn series before this book and I’m glad of that because I have a deeper understanding of Freyja so her character didn’t bother me here as it may have if I had not read her story already. I liked reading again of the Bedwyn’s in this prequel to their story. I’m very happy this was Lauren’s story after the pain she went through in Lily’s. It’s wonderful that she found passion and her real love match in Kit. There are a lot of “repeats” in this novel. Her time in the cottage is deliberately modeled after Lily and Neville’s. She has a fake betrothal which is in Freyja’s story (interesting). But I felt as though Lauren’s character was rather unique. She was a person who devoted herself to being a lady because she was afraid that she would be abandoned if she was anything other than essentially perfect. She was someone who felt abandoned by her family. Later we find out that her mother did always want her around and that her relative on her father’s side did not shun her (rather guardians wrote harsh words in his name). I like that Kit helped to set her world correct by convincing her grandfather to tell her the truth about her mother and I like that Lauren helped set his world right by convincing Syd to tell Kit how he really felt. I liked that Lauren thought she was passionless until she was with Kit and that she didn’t really even question it, just thought that it was so. I like that she, the more proper one, was the one that came up with the idea of the fake betrothal. I like the way Lauren dealt with Freyja and the rest of the Bedwyn’s. It was a fun romantic story. I have yet to be disappointed by Balogh.

Style: Easy to read. Historical romance. PG-13 – R rated romance.
(less)

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Jul 27, 2011 Diah Didi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, own-but-sold, series

My very first of Mary Balogh. I read it only because of this book was the prequel of Slightly series. Here, we're introduced to the Bedwyn family for the first time.
Salah satu hal menarik dari novel ini adalah, Kit, si tokoh cowok, digambarin nggak tinggi-tinggi banget, malah cuma beda beberapa senti dari Lauren (less than 10 cm yang pasti). Sementara selama ini tokoh cowoknya selalu digambarkan tinggi besar. Bosen ah ...
Saya bersimpati sama Lauren, agak sebel juga sih sama Nev, tapi mungkin kar...more

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Jun 05, 2009 Maria rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Although I hadn't really expected to like this book, it was surprisingly good. Lauren, who was left at the altar, so to speak, in a previous book, now has her turn. She was a cold, stiff character in the first book, which is why I didn't expect to like this one, but it is all about masks that people wear. Lauren Edgeworth wears a mask of respectability and gentility in the face of every action, adverse and otherwise. Kit Butler wears a mask of devil-may-care recklessness. They slowly grow to und...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Ana Luisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Terminada a leitura de mais um livro desta maravilhosa autora fico satisfeita por constatar que as minhas primeiras impressões acerca do livro anterior estavam correctas. Não só estes livros cativam pelas suas personagens como também pelo ambiente pitoresco no qual se passa a acção. Este foi um livro que acabou por me surpreender bastante, sem querer entrar em spoilers confesso que anteriormente a personagem Lauren pareceu-me um pouco apagada e quase sem vontade própria. Alguém que se vivia apen...more

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Feb 25, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Take an Ice Princess and a Mischievous Rogue, toss them together in the midst of Regency England, and sprinkle it all with moments of sweetness, tear-jerking revelation, and pure hilarity ... and you have the recipe for Balogh's "A Summer to Remember." Like a good Shakespearean comedy, this story not only accomplishes the emotional goal, but allows for the repair of the deconstructed social circle Kit and Lauren move through. The ending is deeply satisfying and the characters reach right through...more

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Jun 15, 2011 Clare rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

I wasn't intrigued at all by Lauren in the last book - apart from some deep seated confusion/ hatred, she sort of blended into the wallpaper. Then I got to this book and realize that Lauren was just that way in general: walled off from the world in her own way. It took some time to warm to Lauren but Kit was the hero needed to keep the reader's attention at the start: by the time you get to the middle, you'll come to realize that hoo boy, this girl DOES have some emotion in her and it's always t...more

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About Mary Balogh

Mary Balogh has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.

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First Comes Marriage (Huxtable Quintet, #1)

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Quotes from A Summer to Remember

“And yet day and night meet fleetingly at twilight and dawn," he said, lowering his voice again and narrowing his eyes and moving his head a quarter of an inch closer to hers. "And their merging sometimes affords the beholder the most enchanted moments of all the twenty four hours. A sunrise or sunset can be ablaze with brilliance and arouse all the passion, all the yearning, in the soul of the beholder.” — 12 people liked it

“This time her heart would not break, even though it would hurt and hurt for a long time to come. Perhaps for the rest of her life. But it would not break. She had the strength to go on alone.” — 9 people liked it

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A Summer to Remember (Bedwyn Prequels #2)

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