Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Becca, Lacey, and I are going to be reading Anne Barton's Once She Was Tempted somewhere in the second week of September :)

Let me know when :)

Will do :) I just wanted to have it set up so I won't have to do it from my phone. That never seems to work...

Hey there! I will be back online after September 15th and I will start it then. I'm packing everything I need for my trip for two weeks in a carry-on so I won't have room for anything except my kindle (I have this book in paperback). Feel free to start without me and I'll begin commenting when I can! I'm looking forward to this one! :) Thanks for setting up the thread!

Ok so I finished my other book and I can't wait to get started on Monday 😊
The book has 30 chapters which seem to be really short? The first three chapters are only 34 pages 🤔 Should we try our usual three chapters a day and see how it goes?

yep. Let's start with 3 chapters.

Ok then. I hope it will be fun! *fingers crossed*

So... is it me or does it feel like we missed something,not reading the first book? Cause... (view spoiler)[Even if the duke married some poor nobody from St Giles, how do both of them get accepted? Did they always know how to "behave"/speak/etc? Did they learn? And why did both Ben and Hugh's brother take a commission? That two titled gentlemen... i find that a but weird... though mot as weird as the fact that the Honeycote's are both socially accepteable despite their origins (hide spoiler)]
Also. Is it me,or did neither of the main characters make a particularly good first impression? (view spoiler)[Between him and his "she must be a doxy, so I better keep her from my precious friend" and her "we must get that painting back by any means" I'm not really happy tbh... I know, its early. But honestly. I mean. At least there's no blackmailing "heroine" like in the first book (only read the synopsis on GR and boy is there no way I'll ever be reading that). At least I'm hoping thar particular trait doesn't run in the family... now where was I? 🤔 (hide spoiler)].
Anyways. It's too early on. Who knows...

I agree with you about missing something in book 1 (view spoiler)[ Yeah, I find it weird that they behave ans speak like perfect ladies and are treated well. But maybe all of this is explained in book 1. Maybe because she's a duchess everyone respects her? (hide spoiler)]

Apparently they both dislike each other which is not something that is bothering me much. I'm interested to see what will happen to make them get over first impressions and like each other.

Mh. But still. Wouldn't everyone think them horrible upstarts, nobodys, etc? People have been shunned for less ^^ but I guess we'll see!

Andrea wrote: "Mh. But still. Wouldn't everyone think them horrible upstarts, nobodys, etc? People have been shunned for less ^^ but I guess we'll see!"

Yeah, it should be like this and not once does the heroine think that maybe she won't be able to get someone to marry her because she's not of their class. She seems pretty confident that she can have anyone... we'll see!

Just fyi, I'll be reading to chapter 9 today cause I'll be going home tomorrow so last chance for wifi access before I'm back is sometime around noon tomorrow 😁 I'll catch up with your comments on Thursday after that!

Andrea wrote: "Just fyi, I'll be reading to chapter 9 today cause I'll be going home tomorrow so last chance for wifi access before I'm back is sometime around noon tomorrow 😁 I'll catch up with your comments on ..."

Okay :) I'll read to chapter 6 today but I don't think I'll be able to read tomorrow because I'll be at a wedding. Until Thursday!

Ok then why don't we just skip Wednesday then and read our chapters for today and pause one day?

Andrea wrote: "Ok then why don't we just skip Wednesday then and read our chapters for today and pause one day?"

Yes, let's skip a day :) Btw, I hope you enjoyed yourself!

I did. It was nice. And warm. And rain-less 😁

I hope you have fun at the wedding then ☺

Ok so it's mentioned in chapter 4 or 5 that (view spoiler)[her father was inherited for marrying down. So I'm guessing that explains the manners and all? (hide spoiler)]

Anyway, it seems the two of them will work out quite nicely. They are starting to talk, at least.

But you know what bugs me? Mean pretty girls. I mean. That scene at the musicale was awful. Was that really necessary? I mean, basically most people would have felt about the sisters that way. I think that animosity could've been portrayed better. You know?

Andrea wrote: "I did. It was nice. And warm. And rain-less 😁

I hope you have fun at the wedding then ☺"

Great! now you're refreshed and ready for the rain :D and thanks!

Sorry I haven't read my 3 chapters yet. I was finishing my other book (I'm really not good at reading 2 or more books at the same time) I'll catch up soon!

No problem ☺ take your time!

But I don't want to go back to the rain and the coooold 😣😣

Where were you, Andrea, and where is home? Sounds like Melbourne atm!

I was vacationing on Tenerife. Home is Germany.

Ah- die Kanarieninsel :) Do you read in German too? I have read some HR's in German, but mostly I read Krimis and more serious stuff. HR works better in English for me. I have downloaded Once She Was Tempted and will start on it tomorrow.

Andrea wrote: "Ok so it's mentioned in chapter 4 or 5 that [spoilers removed]

Anyway, it seems the two of them will work out quite nicely. They are starting to talk, at least.

But you know what bugs me? Mean p..."

I'm happy that they're starting to talk. It doesn't feel forced (view spoiler)[ And of course she's going to do some research and find out a way to ease the pain from his leg even though all the doctors told him to cut it off *rolls eyes* but anyway, keeping an open mind here!! (hide spoiler)]

I agree with you about the scene at the musicale. It was awful! but maybe (view spoiler)[ that women (forgot her name) will play a part later when they find the other potrait? maybe she'll find out about it and threaten her? she kept insisting about secrets, so I'm guessing she'll have a part in all of this later in the book (hide spoiler)]

I'm about to start chapter 9 :)

Ursula wrote: "Ah- die Kanarieninsel :) Do you read in German too? I have read some HR's in German, but mostly I read Krimis and more serious stuff. HR works better in English for me. I have downloaded [book:Once..."

I don't read German translations, just stuff by German authors. I agree, HR in German is torture. It's ether so badly translated that it's awful, or... well. It just doesn't work 😁

Lacey wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Ok so it's mentioned in chapter 4 or ."

I think you're right on both 😁😁

I feel so bad, I didn't get any reading done yesterday (I was so busy cleaning (why do spiders and crap feel free to move in once you're not there to kill them at furst sight???) and buyung groceries and all that other crap that remubds you that vacation is over... but I will catch up with you today!!! So you're readung up to chapter 12 today?

It's okay! I know how busy you can be after coming back from a vacation. There's always so much to be done!
I'm planning to read to chapter 12 today but take your time, I'll wait for you 😊😊

No worries. I just finished chapter 8, I can make it to 12! 😁 it's so easy to read, and the chapters are not too long.

Ok. I finished chapter 12. And I don't know. I feel oddly distachted from this book. I can't really put my finger on what it is. It's not bad. But.. oh I don't know. How about you?

(view spoiler)[Am I the only one not feeling their attraction? Cause that kiss took me by surprise a bit...
I'm also dreading this house party a bit. I have a feeling the awful girl from before will show up...
Also, what's with all the side-romances? Like Hugh and that musician girl. That sister of the Duke's and the lawyer? So many names to keep straight...
Or is it just me? (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Ok. I finished chapter 12. And I don't know. I feel oddly distachted from this book. I can't really put my finger on what it is. It's not bad. But.. oh I don't know. How about you?

Am I the only o..."

I just finished chapter 12 too and I agree with you! I was about to write the same thing but you beat me to it :D

So I really don't know what to think of it... you're right, it's not bad but it's like I don't really care :/
(view spoiler)[ As for the kiss, well I didn't expect that at all! it just happened out of the blue and I don't think it was the right time.
Also dreading the house party! Drama alert!
I don't mind the side romances. Pretty sure Hugh's going to end up with the musician girl (Louise) and the sister (Olivia) is going to end up with the lawyer (they've got their own book) (hide spoiler)]

Yay! Well, more like 🙁 but you know...

I didn't know about thw other books. I figured because the series is named after... do I want to say Daphne's family? (that can't be good...) that it was just the two sisters.

As for the (view spoiler)[kiss, I mean. They were walking out of that orphanage (which, btw, I thought was a massive waste of time...) and then BAM. Tongues were tangling. I mean. Oh whatever.. (hide spoiler)]

Let's just hope that house party doesn't end with everyone pointing at whatshername and that things pick up!

Just finished Chapter 12- yes, (view spoiler)[ that kiss was very sudden- and straight to the point (hide spoiler)]
They both seem quite nice people really- she is very sweet. He is decent under his grumpiness. I am sure I wish them both happy but am not feeling deeply invested in the outcome.
I just don't get (view spoiler)[ the orphanage thing- if you are a duchess surely you have the money to but new blankets, fix up the falling down exterior and supply schoolroom needs like paper and pencils etc. Why didn't her sister do that? Seems a bit hokey to me. (hide spoiler)]

I was wondering that very thing about the orphanage! I think it was to drive home the point that neither forgot their poor origins? But I think it was overdone, too.

Is it weird that I'm more invested in seeing how Ben and Hugh find their way back to normal and dealig with the loss of their best friend/brother? I thought that moment in chapter 13 where the boys talk about (view spoiler)[Hugh realizing that he didn't love whatshername and thinks there's something betwern her and Ben, and that moment when Ben says that Robert would be really proud of his little brother was really sweet (hide spoiler)]

Ya know, this is why I don't get along with most girls... (view spoiler)[How is him ignoring her "medical advice" him ignoring her first kiss? I just don't get it... how is him not wirting her back to tell her how grateful he is for advice I'm sure he has gotten before ignoring that he kissed her? It's not like he's deniying it happened. And aren't they supposed to meet at that hosue party anyway? Why would he write her a letter in the meantime? (hide spoiler)]
Sorrt. Rant over 😁

Or. You know. Apparently not. ^^ (chapter 14)(view spoiler)[why is she suddenly doing stuff "wantonly" (like "turning and leaning into him"; how fo you do that "wantonly"? Oh never mind, I don't want to picture that...), and what's with the sultry gazes all of a sudden? It feels a bit forced to me tbh... (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "I was wondering that very thing about the orphanage! I think it was to drive home the point that neither forgot their poor origins? But I think it was overdone, too."

I think that that scene in the orphanage was meant to make him realize that she's sweet and generous and not the person he thought she was in the beginning. And now he'll probably give money to the orphanage as well! Anyway, it was not necessary and the kiss was kind of weird.

Andrea wrote: "Is it weird that I'm more invested in seeing how Ben and Hugh find their way back to normal and dealig with the loss of their best friend/brother? I thought that moment in chapter 13 where the boys..."

I liked that scene too! but honestly, I'm not invested in anything...

Andrea wrote: "Ya know, this is why I don't get along with most girls... [spoilers removed]
Sorrt. Rant over 😁"

Hahahaha they're aggravating!! 😂

So they're moving pretty fast! (view spoiler)[ like that scene in the garden. I mean, they just kissed the other day and now they're moving on to "more" and they're at ease with each other and they barely know each other... (hide spoiler)]
I'm not sure I'm enjoying this very much 😞 we'll see.

Yeah, she was doing all the running, I feel. I guess she had to. He was too preoccupied with feeling sorry for himself and pretending he was being selfless and not encouraging her. I get that he was embarrassed by his injury and thought he wasn't a whole man, but the kiss was a bit contradictory then.

Just a tiny little bit.. especially since he is now in full-on "I must save him!!!" Mode. I mean. She freaked out when he didn't respond to a note, and not that he actually, physically pushed her away she's determined to change his mind? It's all moving very very fast...

What chapter are you on? I'm on chapter 18

I just started chapter 16

I stoped for today. I'm waiting for your thoughts on these chapters (view spoiler)[ she treats his leg while he's naked (wearing only his robe) and as I understand it, the wound is in the upper thigh! remind me how long these two know each other? (hide spoiler)]

Uhm. (view spoiler)[About a day? 😁 well actually I'd say a week, max? Not long enough for that sort of intimacy to be believable... And it was sooo cheesy what with the "smoldering" kisses and the healing powers of pure luuuuuuurve and the near-interruption... (hide spoiler)] le sigh!

Oh, yes! So cheesy (view spoiler)[ also, I think that the neighbour's son (the one who's got the portrait) is surely going to recognize her and by what they're all saying he's an ass sooo... it's going to be hard to get the second portait (hide spoiler)]

Yep. And a whole lot of DRAMA is about to happen 😩 the joy!

*giggle*

I am finally back! It took 3 extra days, but I can finally resume GR updates and start this book...though am I too late...and it looks like you guys are poo-pooing this one...bad things?!

P.S. I missed you guys :)