Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Start date: sometime in May

Participants:
- Loriidae
- Andrea
- Kat
- Priya

I'm in. One of my favourites. :)

I've been wanting to reread this.

Cool, when would be the best time for you two?

Anytime suits me. May or June.

May works for me.

If its in May probably I might get a copy too. Not sure though

Priya, if you need more time to secure a copy, I'm willing to wait and begin later than May.

I can wait too. I read it not long ago. But I have read it many times :)

Loriidae wrote: "I can wait too. I read it not long ago. But I have read it many times :)"

Unlike other of GHs titles, I've only read this book once but I've been wanting to try it again--to give it another chance.

A couple of yrs ago I "discovered" GHs novels and went on a binge with them. This book didn't compare favorably with some of the other titles that would become my favorites.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Priya, if you need more time to secure a copy, I'm willing to wait and begin later than May."

Thank you for accommodating me. I will check with my library for a copy. If i cannot find one there I will need more time. Will let you know soon

Great!

I hope yr library has a copy.

I guess this one is sentimental to me as I have my mother's copy from when she was first married in 1950.

I enjoy the mystery, Nicky's (Ned the hero's brother) exuberance, Elinor's frustration with Ned's high handedness, picking the little clues that show Ned's regard for Elinor

It is a solid four star read. I have a long list of others that I enjoy as well, Arabella, Sylvester, The Nonesuch in particular.

Sylvester, Arabella and The Nonesuch are among my favorites!

That's so cool that you have your mother's copy. Is it a first edition?

My library has a copy of The Reluctant widow. I'm in for BR in May. :)

Great. I'll put it on my schedule!

:)

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: ...That's so cool that you have your mother's copy. Is it a first edition?"

The thought has crossed my mind. I am currently away until the end of the month. I will check when I return.

Hi girls. Please let me know when we plan to start BR. Need to borrow the copy from library.

Where are we with this read?? Has anyone started?

Loriidae wrote: "Where are we with this read?? Has anyone started?"

I am ready to start. Waiting for others to join in.

I can start, but I'll probably read it at a slower rate as I have some other things in my plate, but I don't mind starting.

I own kindle edition (I took advantage of a big sale of GH kindle editions last year!), so I don't have to rely on library availability.

I too got my ebook:) I am ready when you all are ready.

Let's start a reread for me. I am looking forward to seeing how people see it for the first time. I first read it in the late seventies

Loriidae, this is a reread for me also.

I'm interested to see if my reaction is different than my first reading.

I'll begin reading.

This is my first time. I will begin reading

I've completed ch 3, so don't read this unless you have.

(view spoiler)[
I think Nick is at fault for Eustace's death if he dies. Just bec Eustace said things about Nick's bro that Nick didn't like, he was wrong to hit anyone for talk. I think Nick was probably/or perhaps winning the fight and Eustace perhaps grabbed the knife for that reason. Though Nick didn't intend to stab this guy, I feel he started the fight itself and is at fault for Eustace's death if he dies, as he is likely to do.

(hide spoiler)]

Well, Good Ladies,

I discovered that I also owned audio of this book. I have the first three chapters, but listened up through ch 10.

How far along are you?

I am listening at the gym (I need something to try and drown out the head banging noise that passes for music ) I am on chapter 4.
Yes Andrea you are correct in what you are saying but remember in those days there was one rule for the nobility and another for the rest.

I knew that was the reason Nick was not blamed--bec he is a nobleman or nobleman' son.

I'm still listening and a new character has arrived in ch 13.

The voice that the Cornelius Garrett is using for Francis Cheviot is hilarious!

FC says dweem for dream and alweady for already and Garrett has him speaking in the laziest most languid manner.

Loriidae, is Cornelius Garret the reader for the audio that you are using? If he is your reader, just wait until Francis Cheviot! TeeHee!

I finally remembered to check - yes my audio is the same. The female voices are great too.

I enjoy Nicky in this book, his immediate attachment to and acceptance of Elinor is sweet and I love his interactions with Bouncer. I realise that he blindly accepts that as Ned says it is so it must be ok, but that innocent hero worship of his older brother is lovely.

I love the understatedness of the Romance as well, we are invited to read between the lines rather than have everything spelled out to us in exacting detail.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I've completed ch 3, so don't read this unless you have.


I think Nick is at fault for Eustace's death if he dies. Just bec Eustace said things about Nick's bro that Nick didn't like, he was wrong..."

I just finished chap.4
I too felt the same. I also felt that he is eagerly waiting for Eustace's death!

Hi! I guess you all finished reading the book. I am at chapter 14. (view spoiler)[Francis Cheviot sounds like a Peacock. His obsession with his appearance and his dialogue is funny. I want to listen to his voice so much that I wish to get an audiobook (hide spoiler)]

Priya wrote: "Hi! I guess you all finished reading the book. I am at chapter 14. [spoilers removed]"

Francis was fun to listen to on audio. I kept giggling aloud.

Francis, though a supporting character, he is complex.

Pay attention to contradictions to his peacock-ness.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Priya wrote: "Hi! I guess you all finished reading the book. I am at chapter 14. [spoilers removed]"

Francis was fun to listen to on audio. I kept giggling aloud.

Francis, though a supporting cha..."

I finished reading the book today. Now I understood your comment about his complex character

Priya,

I just loved the proposal/declaration at the end.

It just melted my heart.

I love when Ned's sister promised not to tease him.

Loriidae, do you mean Ned's sis promised not to tease Ned himself?

I'm afraid I don't remember that very well.

I do recall that Ned's sis seemed to be in favor of a match between E and Ned before I had noticed any clues that they were having feelings toward one another, unless their constant disagreement were a heavy clue! I was obtuse!

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Priya,

I just loved the proposal/declaration at the end.

It just melted my heart."

I was waiting for that proposal from the time his sister promised not to tease him. And finally when he proposed! I would have swooned if I were Elinor:)

That was a swoon-worthy proposal!

;)

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Loriidae, do you mean Ned's sis promised not to tease Ned himself?

I'm afraid I don't remember that very well.

I do recall that Ned's sis seemed to be in favor of a match between E and Ned before..."

"She (Georgie) ... turned her eyes back to her eldest brother, a roguish look in them. "Oh Ned!"
"Well and now what?"
A dimple peeped. "Gussie and Eliza would be agog if I told them, but I don't know that I shall. But I thought you past praying for!"
"Nonsense! What can you mean?"
She put her arms round his neck, and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "You are the best of kind, provoking brothers, and I won't tease you - not a bit! But I think you are very sly!"