Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Some of us are interested in buddy read of The Day of the Duchess. Anyone interested can join. Please use spoiler tags wherever necessary. See (some html is OK) for instructions. It would be nice if you could mention what chapter you are at, in your post. That way we can choose which spoiler to read.

Happy reading!

I am not sure when I can start but am looking forward to it!

I started last night. I'm on chapter 4. I honestly had NO idea what this book was about because I never read the blurb. So I was thrown by all the flashbacks for awhile. Especially since I'm listening to it. I'm sure they're in italics or something when written. But now that I understand what's going on I'm getting the hang of it better. I feel like this is going to be a really difficult read emotionally.

I'm on Chapter 21.

(view spoiler)[
UGH. IT'S SO DIFFICULT TO SEE THOSO TWO HURTING EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME. Seriously, I really want them to be happy. Even Mal, whom I thought I would NEVER like, but then I kind of love right now.
Really. They need to talk. For real. Be honest with each other and speak the truths. Because all they do is think one thing, and say something completely different. AND THAT'S KILLING ME!! I can't believe that only now, in this chapter, Malcom said that he loves her. In fact, it was the first time EVER he told her that. I. CAN. NOT. FREAKING. BELIEVE. THAT.

Anyway. This book is being a journey of difficult emotions, and I'm sure as hell enjoying it so far.
(hide spoiler)]

Up to Chapter 7.

I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. (view spoiler)[ It seems a bit like insta love, one minute Malcolm is blase about finding love and the next minute he sees and talks to her for all of 5 minutes and he is smitten. She is an infamous "Dangerous Daughter" and he doesn't guess who she is.. a bit far fetched! (hide spoiler)] But I'll keep reading on before I make any judgement.

Denise wrote: "I'm on Chapter 21.


UGH. IT'S SO DIFFICULT TO SEE THOSO TWO HURTING EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME. Seriously, I really want them to be happy. Even Mal, whom I thought I would NEVER like, but then I kind..."

(view spoiler)[I felt they kept thinking all the right things but speaking out the wrong things. Sera talked about his infidelity but never once asked him, why? Malcolm kept thinking all the reasons for his abominable behaviour, but he never explained things to her and apologised properly. (hide spoiler)]

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Up to Chapter 7.

I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. [spoilers removed] But I'll keep reading on before I make any judgement."

Agree with you there but (view spoiler)[they spent a lot of time later and loved each other more. So I think that insta attraction grew in to love. (hide spoiler)]

Up to Chapter 15

The more I read the more I see that this story is (view spoiler)[ the classic if only they just talked honestly to each other and stopped second guessing what the other one was thinking. So as you observed Priya they just keep hurting each other. It's frustrating! (hide spoiler)]

Finished. Here is the link to my review...

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I liked the previous book better, this one had me frustrated with all the angst that could have been avoided with being honest up front about their feelings. And it lacked the humour of A Scot in the Dark.. except for the cat, that was funny.

I didn't write a review but I did read the book and I pretty much agree with what Denise said about chapter 21. Overall I liked it and it's my favorite of the series. The sister's banter was so funny. But it didn't leave a huge impression on me. (perhaps because it read it all in one day but whatever)

I paused on ch#14
Too much pain & angst. First book by Sarah that I m not able to finish in one go. Will pick it later

I completed it 4 days ago and I loved it! No spoilers, but I will say it gets better.
Here is my review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Okay, ladies, this sounds intense and might just be what I want to read. Do I need to read the first two books before reading this one?

Kathy,

I don't think so, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. Since some characters from previous books are mentioned.

Kathy wrote: "Okay, ladies, this sounds intense and might just be what I want to read. Do I need to read the first two books before reading this one?"

No. It can be read as a stand alone.

Thanks to you both.

Kathy wrote: "Okay, ladies, this sounds intense and might just be what I want to read. Do I need to read the first two books before reading this one?"

You can read it as a stand alone, but I suggest you read the first chapter of The Rogue Not Taken. I think you would understand what Haven did to Sera better.

Late to the party, but I did start reading this last week. It's been slow going. I am not really getting into it.

Joanna wrote: "Late to the party, but I did start reading this last week. It's been slow going. I am not really getting into it."

I read the previous two books just before the release of this one. I think that is the reason I picked it up immediately and finished it right away. I was eager to know how Haven was going to redeem himself.

That's what I did when I first started reading MacLean. It was right before Never Judge A Lady, and I got through them really quickly. I enjoyed the first in this series, but have struggled with this and the last. I may stay away until there's a decent backlog going forward. Good food for thought, thanks Priya!

I finished this last night. I can see why many really like it, and there were parts that I thought were really well done. Overall, though, it was just too much, too OTT. I want humor from a MacLean book. I think she was trying to make this the most heart wrenching book ever and went too far.