Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh

Abigail Westcott, was raised as an aristocrat, but just before her first season it is discovered that her father had been a bigamist, and as a result she was technically "illegitimate". Abby's hope of an advantageous marriage is dashed, but over time she adapts and manages to live independently as an unmarried woman.  She feels her life is settling down when her brother returns, having been wounded in the Napoleonic wars, and she undertakes to keep him company while he recovers.  He has another companion, as well, a fellow officer, Gilbert Bennington. Abby's first experience with Lieutenant Bennington is not very positive for either of them, but as they are thrown together often, they start to build a kind of rapport. When Abby discovers that Lieutenant Bennington is also the product of a "Gentleman's" indiscretion, and is a widower seeking custody of his only child, Abby's independent streak begins to melt away, as she finds herself drawn to a man who, though below her rank, has qualities she cannot resist.

I am a little embarrassed to blog about this one.  I had just finished The Serendipity of Flightless Things, which I didn't like very much, and wanted to read a historical romance as a bit of an indulgence. I felt ready to try a new author so I picked this book, pretty much by random. It started out normally except the first time Abby meets Gil, he is shirtless, and the description of his appearance included the term, "rippling muscles."  That should have clued me in.  About half way through the book they get married, and when the author started to describe their wedding night, I thought, "wait, she isn't going to do this, is she?" but indeed she did.  Way way way too much detail!  I am sorry, even if they are married, I don't want to watch as they enjoy their wedding night. Some things are better kept behind closed doors. I hastily skipped to the end of the chapter.  But then a few pages later, she did it again (both the author and the main character)!  The second time I knew to skip ahead sooner. 

Beside the "a bit too graphic" interludes, it was a decent, B-level, historic novel with a very sweet, warm, and fuzzy ending. I guess it is a way for  women readers (I can't imagine a man reading this book) to enjoy a bit of erotica without too much guilt.  All in all it was probably very much tamer than many romances, but it was too much for my taste.  Now I know this is a thing, I will be more careful in the future choosing my historical romances. (387 p. 2019)