Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the December 2018 BOTM. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)

Happy Reading!

Hello Stranger


A woman who defies her time

Dr. Garrett Gibson, the only female physician in England, is as daring and independent as any man—why not take her pleasures like one? Yet she has never been tempted to embark on an affair, until now. Ethan Ransom, a former detective for Scotland Yard, is as gallant as he is secretive, a rumored assassin whose true loyalties are a mystery. For one exhilarating night, they give in to their potent attraction before becoming strangers again.

A man who breaks every rule

As a Ravenel by-blow spurned by his father, Ethan has little interest in polite society, yet he is captivated by the bold and beautiful Garrett. Despite their vow to resist each other after that sublime night, she is soon drawn into his most dangerous assignment yet. When the mission goes wrong, it will take all of Garrett's skill and courage to save him. As they face the menace of a treacherous government plot, Ethan is willing to take any risk for the love of the most extraordinary woman he's ever known.

I read and liked this when it came out in February this year. I didn't vote for it here cos I wanted a new read for the BOTM, not one I'd already read. I quite like rereading, but this feels a little too soon. However ... the next one in this series comes out early next year, so maybe I will reread and join in this BOTM group in preparation for Devil's Daughter next year.

I have been loving this whole series. If any of you who decide to join in do so without having read the others in the series, I'll be interested to see how you find it as a standalone.

Sounds great. I enjoyed reading it, and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series.

I read this a few months ago - so won't reread - but Lisa Kleypas is one of my favourite Historical Romance writers

Admittedly I wasn't going to read this one even though I really like Lisa Kleypas. It's the whole woman physician thing and women having affairs thing...although I could be wrong about that. But I am going to read it for BOTM. I expect to be pleasantly surprised.

:D

I also read this too recently for a reread, but I look forward to reading others thoughts.

I really enjoyed this one. Happy reading all!!

I am working on getting to this one...

Right now I am listening to Cold-Hearted Rake and am going to have to do some serious late-night reading to get the next two books read so that I can get started on book four in a timely manner... ;D

Donna wrote: "I am working on getting to this one...

Right now I am listening to Cold-Hearted Rake and am going to have to do some serious late-night read..."

LOL, the things we do to join in on a group read. Hope you enjoy, the second in the series has been my favorite so far though I have not read this one yet.

I haven't read this one yet so i'm looking forward to participating with this one 8)

I love Lisa Kleypas, but I haven't read a single book in this series.

This will be a standalone read for me, hopefully it'll be as good as the rest of her books!

Donna wrote: "I am working on getting to this one...

Right now I am listening to Cold-Hearted Rake and am going to have to do some serious late-night read..."

I love Cold-Hearted Rake.

Tanya wrote: "I love Lisa Kleypas, but I haven't read a single book in this series.

This will be a standalone read for me, hopefully it'll be as good as the rest of her books!"

I would read this as a stand alone... but my brain just won't let me read books in a series out of order unless it is absolutely necessary.. ;p

Donna wrote: "I am working on getting to this one...

Right now I am listening to Cold-Hearted Rake and am going to have to do some serious late-night read..."

Well, I finished Cold-Hearted Rake with mixed feelings. (4-star read for me.) I loved the story and I fell in love with all of the wonderful secondary characters... just wasn't too crazy about the two MCs... grrr

Without further ado, jumping right into Marrying Winterborne!

For those who have already read the BOTM, is it advisable to read the previous books?

I don't want to be lost - especially not in a LK. I've never yet not loved one of her books.

Donna wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I love Lisa Kleypas, but I haven't read a single book in this series.

This will be a standalone read for me, hopefully it'll be as good as the rest of her books!"

I would read this..."

Haha, I'm the exact opposite! I read everything out of order. I just read the blurbs of all the books in the series and read whatever catches my interest first. And usually jump ahead if a secondary character I liked in one book gets his/her own book later!

Tanya wrote: "Donna wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I love Lisa Kleypas, but I haven't read a single book in this series.

This will be a standalone read for me, hopefully it'll be as good as the rest of her books!"

I w..."

I consider it a fault of mine that I can't overcome, but read them in order I must! I think J D Robbs In Death series is the ONLY one that I read out of order... *headdesk* LOL!!!

I usually read books in order but this time, I'll make an exception ! I bought Hello stranger yesterday and will probably start reading it this week-end :)

FYI the prequel to Hello Stranger, the delightful Devil in Spring is apparently on sale for $1.99 in US, if anyone wants to grab it up.

I'm going to start my Hello Stranger reread soon.

I might not be able to start the read this weekend, but will definitely start next week. Looking forward to it after reading all of these great compliments about Kleypas. I have this and on the stack for December reading. That said, I need to step up my reading game because just arrived, and I'm dying to crack open the cover! I've been waiting for this for a year. The anticipation has been building!

I really liked Cold Hearted Rake. I've been working on Marrying Winterbourne and Devil in Spring but got stalled on them both. I do plan to finish them, but think I'll just jump on ahead to Hello Stranger so I'll be current with the discussion this month.

Cath wrote: "I really liked Cold Hearted Rake. I've been working on Marrying Winterbourne and Devil in Spring but got stalled on them both. I do plan to finish them, but think I'll just jump on ahead to Hello S..."

I am making great progress in getting to Hello Stanger! I have almost completed Devil in Spring, should finish it tonight! I am a compulsive series marathon reader, so this has worked out well for me! I have enjoyed all three books, although Devon and Kathleen are still not my favorite couple... but they are growing on me! *grin*

Paullett wrote: "I might not be able to start the read this weekend, but will definitely start next week. Looking forward to it after reading all of these great compliments about Kleypas. I have this and [bookcover..."

Ah, Mary Balogh! I adore her books... I can't wait to go back and see what all I have missed... and get caught up!

OK... I am finished with the first three books in the series and ready to begin our BOTM... can I start at any time? Like NOW? hahaha

BTW: Was looking forward to West's story... but we must wait till next year. I am NOT good at waiting... grrr

Donna wrote: "...BTW: Was looking forward to West's story... but we must wait t..."

Oh yes, I really want to read more about West!

I'm jealous of your compulsive series marathon reading skills! I seem to be allergic to reading series quickly. If I like an author/series, then I'm always so afraid that later I'm not going to find another author/series that I like, so I tend to space everything out over a long period of time so I'll be assured of having something I'm pretty sure I'll like. I guess you could say I have "chronic romance novel insecurity" :(

Cath wrote: "Donna wrote: "...BTW: Was looking forward to West's story... but we must wait t..."

Oh yes, I really want to read more about West!

I'm jealous of your compulsive series marathon reading skills! I..."

Oh, you poor thing, how we suffer for our addictions love of reading! I must admit that when it comes to authors, I can count on one hand the few that I truly didn't want to read... although I have noticed that even the authors that I love have put out a book or two that I've read and just said NO, then moved on... it happens!

I have VERY eclectic tastes in reading and frankly will try anything... once! *grin*

My sister loves those murder mysteries, I think they're called cozys and usually have a title related to food... can't say that I have given those a try, but J D Robb is always a win for me!

I was just checking out what some of my favorite HR authors have been up to... I sure have some major catching up to do! I guess we all know what my 2019 TBR shelf is going to look like!

On a side note: My mother is 79 years old and my sister bought her a Kindle a couple of years ago and I have been buying her books for it ever since... about 60 to 80 books every 3 or 4 months... Wait for it... SHIFTER books! She is obsessed with them! *headdesk* LOL!!!

I read Hello stranger last monday in practically one sitting - I think "devoured" it describes it better ! It was my first book by Lisa Kleypas and I can't wait to read more, including of course West's story (next year, huh ?) :)

Well, it looks like I am putting this on hold till later this month... grrr

I will be traveling three times during the month and, as I am listening to this one also, I will be using it for my traveling "music"! *grin*

Now, if the 13th would just hurry up and get here... ;P

I’ve been on a reading break. The holidays have taken up most of my time. As I’ve read here over and over I too can’t wait for West’s story. I was on board for this one, but the whole woman physician thing has me underwhelmed to begin. I may wait for next months read and delve into my newest obsession with Penny Royal Green for now.

Happy reading all. I’m looking forward to your reviews on this one.

I’m about a third of the way through (slow reading because busy time of year). I’m really enjoying it. But it’s been so long since I read Marrying Winterborne that feel like I need a refresher on a few things that happened in that book.
I like both main characters. Love that she’s a doctor and that’s she’s based on a real female doctor of the time.

Jan130 wrote: "I read and liked this when it came out in February this year. I didn't vote for it here cos I wanted a new read for the BOTM, not one I'd already read. I quite like rereading, but this feels a litt..."

i also read this when it came out. i like this series too.
and i was glad to read this one b/c she'd been hinting at dr. garrett & ethan's attraction in past books. they had great chemistry which needed to be explored.

Cath wrote: "Donna wrote: "...BTW: Was looking forward to West's story... but we must wait t..."

Oh yes, I really want to read more about West!

I'm jealous of your compulsive series marathon reading skills! I..."
yep, i hope wes is the next one.

I can’t wait for West’s book. It’ll be interesting to see West and Sebastian’s interactions.

If I get to this one, it will be towards the end of the month. I am looking forward to West's book too. He's had a compelling character arc from the beginning.

Jenna wrote: "yep, i hope wes is the next one."

Jenna, West's book, Devil's Daughter is due to be released in Feb 2019. We Kleypas fans are counting the days till then!

I really want to read this (because hello Kleypas!) but I feel strange about going in blind.

I might just read the series from the start, from past experiences with Kleypas series there's always overlap with previous characters. And I would hate to be lost.

I won't be rereading this book. It's my least favorite in the series so far, mostly because I'm not a fan of doctors/physicians and spies as main characters. West's book cannot get here any sooner! Argh!

Tanya, I strongly believe the first three books should be read in order. This one might be okay as a standalone.

Jan130 wrote: "Jenna wrote: "yep, i hope wes is the next one."

Jenna, West's book, Devil's Daughter is due to be released in Feb 2019. We Kleypas fans are counting the days till then!
[bookcover:..."
yep. I'm already on the hold list at the library.

Jenna wrote: "yep. I'm already on the hold list at the library.

Nice work.

Missy wrote: "Tanya, I strongly believe the first three books should be read in order. This one might be okay as a standalone. "

I strongly agree. Reading in order isn't so important in some series, but I think this one is much more enjoyable if you do. But yes, possibly Hello Stranger could stand alone.

@Darbella, I also agree with you. I really liked Hello Stranger when I first read it, but still, it's probably my least fav so far in this series. But, that's not saying much cos this is currently one of my fav series LOL.

I'm getting a slow start, as usual. On Chapter 3 now and still going. I've not read any other books in the series, but I suppose I should have! If I enjoy this one, I'll go back and read the first 3 books. I haven't read too many spy heroes, so I'm interested to see what I think of such a character.

FINALLY... the 13th has arrived! Audible book started and I am heading down the road... beautiful, sunshiny day for travel! :D

Paullett wrote: "I'm getting a slow start, as usual. On Chapter 3 now and still going. I've not read any other books in the series, but I suppose I should have! If I enjoy this one, I'll go back and read the first ..."
i prefer to read things in order. but I think it may be ok for this series. Kleypas does a good job of referencing people/things that occurred in previous books so you're not too lost but know there's another book for you to read. this series is a pretty good historical one. if you like the bridgerton et, al. series by Julia Quinn you'll like this one. a lot of similar elements.

I'm going to start my reread of Hello Stranger today.

About 9 chapters in and enjoying it so far! Waiting for Trans Siberian Orchestra to start... should be worth the drive!!!

I'm 18% in - part way through Chapter 5. Kleypas is such an excellent writer. Right from the start I wanted to read on, and I already really like both MCs. But even though it's only February since I first read this, clearly I've already forgotten quite a lot of it! I'm enjoying rediscovering things over again.

I liked the scene where (view spoiler)[Garrett gets fighting lessons from Ethan, and he gets an accidental erection. It's both funny and tender. I also liked the scene afterwards when Garrett meets with Helen Winterborne. It's lovely to see their burgeoning friendship. (hide spoiler)]

agree!
I like this writer b/c she creates such engaging characters. even though it's the usual plot, I still read on. plus, I think she has some clever dialogue in some parts.

I'm at 50% now. Still fully enjoying the story. I like the pacing of the romance between Ethan and Garrett.

I finished it yesterday. I got really drawn into the story again, and I had forgotten quite a bit since my first read last February, but I really enjoyed it all over again. My original star rating of 4 to 4.5 stars still stands. Good strong storyline and lovely characters. Quite a quick read, actually.

I found this one more overtly sentimental (for want of a better word) than some of Ms Kleypas' other books, with the relationship between Ethan and Garrett so openly warm and loving. But I didn't find it cheesy. I actually shed a couple of tears, as I did the first time. And that doesn't happen very often with me.

I was also pleased to rediscover at the end of my kindle copy, there's a teaser section for the next book, Devil's Daughter, which I enjoyed. It successfully whetted my appetite for the new book. Can't wait.

How is everyone else going with the book? How are you finding it?

Great review. I agree. I liked it as well but mostly b/c the previous books had foreshadowed their relationship so much that I wanted to read it.