Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Lacey and I will be reading Theresa Romain's A Gentleman's Game this week :)

Andrea wrote: "Lacey and I will be reading Theresa Romain's A Gentleman's Game this week :)"

Yay! hoping that it'll be better than the novella. I'll be starting tomorrow :)

Me too :)

I'll be creeping on here too :)

I'm almost done with chapter 4 and so far I'm liking it :) I like Nathaniel. He's witty and charming. Rosalind seems to hide some secrets... I don't know what to think of her so far. The horse stuff isn't bothering me.. so that's good!

What chapter are you on?

I'm gonna start tonight. Sorry :(

No problem! :)

So I've finished the first chapter. I agree, Rosalind is up to something that is bound to add some drama to the story...
But I like Nathaniel. He's good with horses I might love him for that alone 😄. And poor thing, how the best his dad can say about him is that he's nice and charming....
Hopefully, it'll be just as interesting to see why Rosalind is oh so scared and damaged.

Is it just me, or are Rosalind's thoughts confusing? I feel like I'm missing something when she references those scars or thinks stuff like "Aunt Annie never gave much guidance as Anweledig".

Ok. Done with chapter 4 😊 when I read that I though "wow, how am I ever going to catch up", but those are really short chapters.

Awwww. The opposite of blackmail: To sparkle-mail 😅 I love Nathaniel...

Andrea wrote: "Is it just me, or are Rosalind's thoughts confusing? I feel like I'm missing something when she references those scars or thinks stuff like "Aunt Annie never gave much guidance as Anweledig"."

No, you're not the only one! I have no idea what she means (view spoiler)[ she's so worried about the horses illness and that it's her aunt's fault? I don't get it.. (hide spoiler)] hopefully, it'll be explained :)

Andrea wrote: "Awwww. The opposite of blackmail: To sparkle-mail 😅 I love Nathaniel..."

I haven't got to this part yet! but he is charming :D

Lacey wrote: "No, you're not the only one! I have no idea what she means..."

It's so frustrating . I mean (view spoiler)[she talks about all her jobs being a pretense, her having always worked under an assumed name, and always having to leave in a hurry. So maybe someone's blackmailing her and she is placed in specific houses for a "mission"? She mentioned that something going missing, and her having to leave in a hurry? (hide spoiler)]. She seems to be afraid of this "auntie" person for some reason. I wonder how (view spoiler)[her mention of the inn where she grew up in burning down (hide spoiler)] tying in with all that... I know it's supposed to make her look mysterious and all, but it's starting to get just a tiny little bit frustrating for me

Lacey wrote: "I haven't got to this part yet! but he is charming :D"

He is, isn't he... I feel really sorry for him for the way his family seems almost forget he's there. I like that he's a (view spoiler)[recovering alcoholic? At least it looks that way... (hide spoiler)], makes for a nice chance. I like that the whole thing is very far from clichéd HR tropes

Andrea wrote: "Lacey wrote: "No, you're not the only one! I have no idea what she means..."

It's so frustrating . I mean [spoilers removed]. She seems to be afraid of this "auntie" person for some reason. I wond..."

yup. It is starting to be a bit frustrating :/ there's no need to make so mysterious..

Andrea wrote: "Lacey wrote: "I haven't got to this part yet! but he is charming :D"

He is, isn't he... I feel really sorry for him for the way his family seems almost forget he's there. I like that he's a [spoil..."

Yes, poor man! but I agree, it's a nice change :D

So I haven't read anything today. I've a headache :( I'll try to catch up ( I'm pretty sure you're ahead of me!)

Lacey wrote: "yup. It is starting to be a bit frustrating :/ there's no need to make so mysterious.. ..."

I hate this kind of build-up. It usually ends up being totally ridiculous. Let's hope this won't be the case here...

Lacey wrote: "So I haven't read anything today. I've a headache :( I'll try to catch up ( I'm pretty sure you're ahead of me!)"

No worries. I haven't done any reading today either. I did some cleaning, and I just started watching the fourth season of Sherlock. I'm a bit in shock right now...

I'm at chapter 6 at the moment. You?

I hope you'll feel better soon!

Andrea wrote: "Lacey wrote: "So I haven't read anything today. I've a headache :( I'll try to catch up ( I'm pretty sure you're ahead of me!)"

No worries. I haven't done any reading today either. I did some clea..."

I've never watched Sherlock. Is it good?
Still on chapter 4 :( I'll try to catch up tomorrow! and thank you :D I'll feel better after a good night's sleep.

I love it. Right now they're just being really cruel.. I'm binge-watching the entire season. I really hope there won't be a cliffhanger... So I won't be reading any more tonight either ^^ I'm still reeling from some twists...

Ok, so in the beginning of chapter 6, we get a little bit of info on her background, but still not everything. I know it's supposed to build tension and all, but I'd rather just know what happened. I'm really afraid there will be some stupid last-minute reveal and the actual secret will be totally ridiculous... I'm hoping this won't be the case here and the author is above such cheap tropes but. I'm not really liking this hint dropping. It doesn't make me think "uhh, I wonder what she's really hiding..."; more like "oh would you just spit it out..."

Andrea wrote: "Ok, so in the beginning of chapter 6, we get a little bit of info on her background, but still not everything. I know it's supposed to build tension and all, but I'd rather just know what happened...."

I'm on chapter 7 but I haven't read it yet. I completely agree with you. I don't like this hint dropping, it's starting to annoy me :/ I was happy that we were finally getting some infos, but I still don't understand what happened exactly. What I understand so far is (view spoiler)[ this aunt annie isn't her aunt at all and that she sort of works for her by getting whatever info aunt annie wants and that's why she can't keep a position for long. And aunt annie must answer to someone else named Tranc or Trenc? and that it's them who poisoned the horses but we don't how. (hide spoiler)]

The story is starting to get interesting, though. I finally want to know what's gonna happen and not just reading through it. I really like Nathaniel :D he's great.. Rosalind is okay... I'd love to know what she's hiding.

Oh, I'm afraid that there will be some last minute misunderstanding...:( I just hope that the author will make it believable.

Lacey wrote: "I was happy that we were finally getting some infos, but I still don't understand what happened exactly. What I understand so far is..."

That's how I understood that, too. (view spoiler)[There was something about the inn, which burned down, and then she started working with this Anne person who works for this Tranc person and only if she gets her some info about something that happened in Spain some years ago will she be free???? (hide spoiler)] Or something like that ^^

Andrea wrote: "Lacey wrote: "I was happy that we were finally getting some infos, but I still don't understand what happened exactly. What I understand so far is..."

That's how I understood that, too. [spoilers ..."
Yeah I think it's like that 😅 but she won't be free after this mission she'll move on to something else. I've reached chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ and she asked Nathaniel to give her money so that she can pay off her debt and be free... I have a feeling this aunt annie person isn't gonna agree! (hide spoiler)] what chapter are you on? I won't be reading any more today :)

Still on chapter 6. I'm trying to catch up!

Andrea wrote: "Still on chapter 6. I'm trying to catch up!"

No worries! :)

So. I just started chapter 8. It's nice, but... I'm not really loving this. I don't even know why :( It's not bad, I am enjoying it (Nathaniel is such a sweetie...), but something's missing for me.

I understand what you mean. It's how I've been feeling until the last 2 chapters. Maybe it picked up... or it's just me! I wasn't really in the mood to read anything these last days and still made myself read this book, and it seems that today I felt like reading and that's why I liked it better... or just ignore what I'm saying I'm not making sense :D but yeah.. it feels like there is something missing.

Actually, you are making sense, so no worries 😃 I didn't even notice how late it had gotten and that I'm at chapter 17 now. Something changed and it definitely got more interesting. He just met her family (which was confusing at first cause I somehow thought they were dead?), and it was adorable...

And what do you know... Everything is going well and BAM, "aunt Annie" shows up. The joy... I really hate this sort of forced drama. I'll stop there and wait for you to catch up. And pretend all the stolen moments were the last thing I read 😄

I'm glad you're finally enjoying it! I'll try to catch up :) at first I thought her family was dead too, but theb she thought about visiting them during the journey. So they're not dead after all :D Well, aunt annie has to show up to ruin everything of course... I hope there's not too much drama *fingers crossed*

Lacey wrote: " I hope there's not too much drama *fingers crossed* .."

Me too...

Have you gotten to their first kiss yet?

Andrea wrote: "Have you gotten to their first kiss yet?"

Yes, I did. Now I'm on chapter 13 but haven't finished yet.

Oh yay. I can start gushing then :D What did you think? I really like those two together. I love how he reacts to her short sentences. It feels really cute :D
Don't worry, the chapters aren't that long. Plus at some point you just HAVE to read more. You don't even nothing how far you've gotten. At least I didn't :)

Andrea wrote: "Oh yay. I can start gushing then :D What did you think? I really like those two together. I love how he reacts to her short sentences. It feels really cute :D
Don't worry, the chapters aren't that..."

I'm on chapter 15 and I agree with you. At some point you just don't notice how far you've gotten! and the chapters are short so it helps :D

I loved their first kiss! it was sweet. They're sweet :D what I really like so far, is the developement of the relationship between Nathaniel and Rosalind. In many historical romance books, the main characters are always instantly in "lust" with each other and can't think about anything else. In this book, they take time to just talk and get to know each other, and joke with each other and just have a nice friendship... of course there is an attraction, but it's kind of a slow burn, and I'm loving it! it's such a nice change :)

I hope that there won't be too much drama to ruin it. Right now, I've reached the part where he meets her family! And I'm loving it :) I've always liked big families.

I agree, it's nice that they spend so much time together without anything happening!

Have fun with the family. Her brothers are de-waitforit-lightful. Delightful ^^

Sorry. Couldn't resists ^^

Andrea wrote: "I agree, it's nice that they spend so much time together without anything happening!

Have fun with the family. Her brothers are de-waitforit-lightful. Delightful ^^

Sorry. Couldn't resists ^^"

Lol. Nice one! On chapter 16 now. And her brothers are delighful!
Poor Natheniel, being asked so many questions and being the center of attention can't be great.

I love how he asks them (view spoiler)[how they could just let their child/sibling go away like that (hide spoiler)]. It's almost like Colin standing up for Pen to the various Featheringtons...

Andrea wrote: "I love how he asks them [spoilers removed]. It's almost like Colin standing up for Pen to the various Featheringtons..."

OMG yes!! you're right :D I remember that scene! now I want to re read that book... I miss Colin.

Well. Chapter 18 promises answers... And honestly? I still don't get why the Tranc person who blackmails the Annie person has any interest in blackmailing Rosalind. I mean. I get that (view spoiler)[Anne saved her after the fire and she feels like she owes her and decided to help her (hide spoiler)]. But honestly? It feels a bit forced...

Lacey wrote: "OMG yes!! you're right :D I remember that scene! now I want to re read that book... I miss Colin."

Me too :D And I just re-read it for the millionth time...

Don't read before you're done with Chapter 18 (I need to vent...)

(view spoiler)[So. I mean. Annie had an affair with Nate's father before he was made a baronet. She gave up the kid and the Tranc person (man that name is starting to piss me off....) helped her and is now blackmailing her. She saved Rosalind and made her feel like he owes her and then she and T (sorry, can't even type it) helped her set up all those identities for... reasons?!? Anyways, now she wants to get rid of T and send Rosalind to Sir William to check if there is evidence for their affair. Because... Reasons???? I don't know what she hopes to accomplish. Does she want to tell this T person to go f*** himself cause there's no evidence anywhere that she had a secret child so she can be free? (hide spoiler)]

I don't get it :(

Andrea wrote: "Well. Chapter 18 promises answers... And honestly? I still don't get why the Tranc person who blackmails the Annie person has any interest in blackmailing Rosalind. I mean. I get that [spoilers rem..."

I agree. Maybe if it was just Annie blackmailing her it would be more understandable. (view spoiler)[ she would blackmail her to get whatever she wants from the people Rosalind worked for and that would be it (hide spoiler)] so I'm not understanting what this Tranc is doing in the middle of this... Do you think he'll make an appearance by the end of the book? right now, it seems like he doesn't even exist.

BTW I love it when refer to annie as "the Annie person" it always makes me laugh! :D

Andrea wrote: "Don't read before you're done with Chapter 18 (I need to vent...)

[spoilers removed]

I don't get it :("

Ok. Now you've got me intrigued. I've got of to reach chapter 18!

:D They just feel so... I can't take them seriously. Especially when they address each other by their Welsh codenames... Pretty soon I think they'll just be "whatshername" and "whatshisname" :D

Andrea wrote: "Lacey wrote: "OMG yes!! you're right :D I remember that scene! now I want to re read that book... I miss Colin."

Me too :D And I just re-read it for the millionth time..."

I have to re read it soon!