Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Reposting this from the other thread:

I've started! What a lovely book title! I'm reading the paperback that I bought years ago, and luckily I've forgotten most of it so it's nice and fresh. Sadly Judith McNaught is STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO AUSTRALIANS ON KINDLE! Ridiculous. (Gets down from soapbox). Luckily for me I have old PB copies of most of them.

I'm up to p.117 and so far really liking it! I'm reading slowly and savouring the details. I like how Royce and Jenny are slowly growing to respect each other and growing more attracted. I usually dislike instalust, and this one is (so far) a nice slow burn instead. Much more satisfying to have that build.

Buddy readers, how are you going with this one??

I'm up to Chapter 12/ page 177. I've just read the lovely section in Chapter 11 where the title of the book is explained. Very touching.

Yes. I know.

I'm late but in~

Starting now.

I’m reading a “dead-tree” edition and I read through ch 6 on NY day.

Since I’m reading hard-copy, I can only read at home since I don’t want to carry that hardback book around.

This is the technically a re read for me but since I read it more than a decade ago it might as well be an initial read.

So many books so little time.

Ally wrote: "I'm at page 79. I've got one word for you: Thor."

hahahaha my thoughts exactly

At Chapter 5 and was bummed because i was getting into the read...however grandbabes were calling my name.

Sha wrote: "This is the technically a re read for me but since I read it more than a decade ago it might as well be an initial read.

So many books so little time."

Same for me Sha. I've forgotten most of it and enjoying the reread.

Ally I think I'm up to about the same spot as you. p212, in Chapter 13. I can't remember any of these plot twists from my last, long ago read. I'm still liking the characters and the story. Gnashing my teeth about about some of events that are taking place and the miscommunications. Also, Jenny is so young, and making (IMO) some poor decisions, probably due to her youth and lack of life experience.

Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: "At Chapter 5 and was bummed because i was getting into the read...however grandbabes were calling my name."

Haha Debby. Priorities! Grand babies must come first.

Jan130 wrote: "Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: "At Chapter 5 and was bummed because i was getting into the read...however grandbabes were calling my name."

Haha Debby. Priorities! Grand babies must come first."

I know right. but I got back into the novel last night and boy I am really enjoying so far.

Jan130 wrote: "Sha wrote: "This is the technically a re read for me but since I read it more than a decade ago it might as well be an initial read.

So many books so little time."

Same for me Sha. I've forgotte..."


Got to agree on assessment of Jenny...caught that early on. For someone so young, (view spoiler)[ how can she be offering him advice on how to court someone when she hasn't even been courted herself...stuck in an Abbey (hide spoiler)] she does profess a host of experience. hahaha

Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: For someone so young, [ how can she be offering him advice on how to court someone when she hasn't even been courted herself...stuck in an Abbey (hide spoiler)] she does profess a host of experience. hahaha .."

I agree. (view spoiler)[ The only suitor she had was the Lord 'bald' Balder and she is offering courting advice. (hide spoiler)]

I am at Chapter 8 and thus far the story is good. I laughed till my stomach hurt during those sewing sessions:) Jennifer is a strong woman and going to be a handful.

Priya wrote: "Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: For someone so young, [ how can she be offering him advice on how to court someone when she hasn't even been courted herself...stuck in an Abbey (hide spoiler)] she does ..."

It does have its comical moments...

Jan130 wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 12/ page 177. I've just read the lovely section in Chapter 11 where the title of the book is explained. Very touching."

I like that about Judith McNaught's HR books. The book titles appears at least once or twice in the actual story. (I can only speak for her HR books since I haven't read her contemporary romance books yet).

I read her CRs years ago (when I was in full-on love McNaught phase) and I enjoyed them at the time. Quite different in feel of course, but they do have some similar elements, including the kind of touches you allude to.

I remember liking Paradise and Double Standards among others. Maybe I should do a reread and see how they stand up now.

Ally wrote: "I think Jenny's age definitely comes out...she does things without thinking them through. Impetuous? Stubborn? But it seems like that is what Royce likes so much about her. Right? She's a determine..."

I think he also likes her courage. And she sees him as a real person, not just 'The Wolf', not just as someone potentially wild in bed, like other women have apparently seen him. She faces up to him, but can also see inside him to his inner tenderness and vulnerability.

Ally wrote: "I think Jenny's age definitely comes out...she does things without thinking them through. Impetuous? Stubborn? But it seems like that is what Royce likes so much about her. Right? She's a determine..."

I'm with you on that steward just something about him just don't like.

Jan130 wrote: "Ally wrote: "I think Jenny's age definitely comes out...she does things without thinking them through. Impetuous? Stubborn? But it seems like that is what Royce likes so much about her. Right? She'..."

Jan130 wrote: "Ally wrote: "I think Jenny's age definitely comes out...she does things without thinking them through. Impetuous? Stubborn? But it seems like that is what Royce likes so much about her. Right? She'..."

I have to agree also with you on your assessment. I think he likes seeing those qualities in her and her the gentle side of him. Not the typical docile woman and the hardened warrior when needed.

barely started. i knda miscalculated and i'm reading ten books at the same time... it may have been a little too much to bite off.

Ally wrote: "Jan130 wrote: "I think he also likes her courage. And she sees him as a real person, not just 'The Wolf', not just as someone potentially wild in bed, like other women have apparently seen him. She..."

I finished reading and I didn't understand what really happened between William and Royce (view spoiler)[before he got killed (hide spoiler)]. The narration there was not quite clear to me.

Ally wrote: "Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: "I'm with you on that steward just something about him just don't like. "

I've finished the book so will spoiler everything.
[spoilers removed]"

Exactly. (view spoiler)[ I expected there would be something or some incident with him. But none. What is the point in describing his grumpiness when it is not related to the plot? (hide spoiler)]

I am done. I loved this book. Giving it 4 stars. I knocked off the 5 th star because of the (view spoiler)[multitude of misunderstandings. They moved from one to another in each chapter. But one good thing is that they talked to each other about those later, if not immediately.
I am impressed with Royce's salute to Jenny before the joust and Jenny's kneeling and expressing her loyalty to Royce. (hide spoiler)]

This is one of my favorite books. I think I even have one of the original printings. I read this 25 years ago, and have read it multiple times since. Jennifer Merrick is a character that has lived in my heart forever (well since reading it of course)

I know this probably isn't the proper place, but I'm so glad I found this group. I've been looking so long for a HR book club.

This was my first book by Judith McNaught and I have loved her HR books ever since (except for Whitney, My Love, which was my second book by JM). I'm so glad Ally and Priya weren't disappointed in this book.

Sha wrote: "barely started. i knda miscalculated and i'm reading ten books at the same time... it may have been a little too much to bite off."

Haha. I'm a bit like that too, with quite a few challenge books, BOTMs etc on my plate for January. I've knocked one off as a dnf (Yes, Mr. Van Der Wells), but still a few others I'm reading. So I haven't made any progress on this one for a couple of days. But I'm still liking it.

Shannon wrote: "I know this probably isn't the proper place, but I'm so glad I found this group. I've been looking so long for a HR book club. "

Glad you've joined us Shannon. You're among friends here. I've gotten lots of great new HR recommendations via this group.

Priya wrote: "Ally wrote: "Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: "I'm with you on that steward just something about him just don't like. "

I've finished the book so will spoiler everything.
[spoilers removed]"

Exactly. [..."

Yes Priya totally agree with your spoiler

Priya wrote: "Ally wrote: "Jan130 wrote: "I think he also likes her courage. And she sees him as a real person, not just 'The Wolf', not just as someone potentially wild in bed, like other women have apparently ..."

I got a bit lost with William and Royce too however (view spoiler)[ the problem came in once Royce decided to take William up to see Jenny in her bedchambers he looked out the corner of his eye and saw William pulling out his dagger Royce instinctively thought he was getting stabbed in the back and defended himself (hide spoiler)] I'm thinking the father put him up to something because he was devious man.

Im done and will be giving this one 4.5 stars because of all the respect given in the end to one another. Review to follow. Thanks for recommending this novel. Truly loved it.

Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: "I got a bit lost with William and Royce too however (view spoiler) I'm thinking the father put him up to something because he was devious man."

That part was a bit confusing for me, too. I had to reread that scene just so I understand what happened.

I forgot how funny McNaught could be and I'm enjoying this so far~

Ally wrote: "My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Things I liked:
-the story was pretty epic. While it did not span a huge amount of time, it took place in many different locales and we ..."

I'm not going to read your review yet till I've finished this myself. At the moment I'm finishing up the BOTM (The Heir) and will finish AKOD after that. I look forward to reading your review and spoilers then!

Jan130 wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 12/ page 177. I've just read the lovely section in Chapter 11 where the title of the book is explained. Very touching."

That is indeed very touching.

I just completed ch 13 where (view spoiler)[Royce has been informed by the king that he is going to marry Jennifer (an odd name for a Medieval heroine). (hide spoiler)]

I really like Jenny and Royce.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I just completed ch 13 where [spoilers removed]

I really like Jenny and Royce."

Thought that too and indeed I did like the both of them.

Yes I like both MCs too. The name Jennifer has been around for quite a while, but at this time it may have been more like Guinevere perhaps? But still probably shortened to Jenny anyway. According to the internet, Jennifer is Cornish in origin and not common outside Cornwall till about a hundred years ago or so. Although I personally have an ancestor from Sunderland (northern England up towards Scottish border) whose name was Jennie and was born in the nineteenth century. Quite a ways from Cornwall.

It's part of a wider issue, really. How many HRs have we all read where the MCs have startlingly modern names? If the book's good, I try to ignore it. It can grate, however. But in this case I'm not too worried about it.

General comment about the book - I've picked it up again after a little break and am now up to Chapter 18. Some interesting plot twists. I'm intrigued to see what will happen next!

Sha wrote: "barely started. i knda miscalculated and i'm reading ten books at the same time... it may have been a little too much to bite off."

I can relate Sha! 10 books at once has been my MO for the last couple of years. This year, I’m trying to turn over a new leaf and not be so frantic.

I just finished.

A solid 4-Stars

Hmm. :/ I guess I'm the only person who got "I want to throw this at the wall" feelings when reading this book.

2 stars. :p

Sha wrote: "Hmm. :/ I guess I'm the only person who got "I want to throw this at the wall" feelings when reading this book.

2 stars. :p"

Hmmm...will also take a look at your review. Thanks

I'm nearly done. Will probably finish today or tomorrow. Still liking it. It's probably sitting on 3.5 stars at the moment.

Welp, I finished this morning. Liked it, and pleasantly surprised how well a 1989 HR still stands up. I eventually went with 3.5 to 4 stars. (hedging my bets LOL).

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

Jan130 wrote: "Welp, I finished this morning. Liked it, and pleasantly surprised how well a 1989 HR still stands up. I eventually went with 3.5 to 4 stars. (hedging my bets LOL).

My review:
https://www.goodreads..."

A very nice review Jan.

Thanks Andrea.

Jan130 wrote: "Welp, I finished this morning. Liked it, and pleasantly surprised how well a 1989 HR still stands up. I eventually went with 3.5 to 4 stars. (hedging my bets LOL).

My review:
https://www.goodreads..."

Yes, a very nice review.