Historical Romance Book Club discussion

A Rake's Guide to Seduction

Buddy read date TBD!

Synopsis: (view spoiler)[Anthony Hamilton is the most scandalous man in London, a gambler, a fortune hunter, an infamous rake. Celia Reece is sure he's never had one thought of her, except as his friend David's younger sister. Who would ever guess she's the only woman he's ever loved—and can never have… (hide spoiler)]

Awesome!

I'm ready to start as soon as I finish To Beguile a Beast which shouldn't take me more than 2-3 days max.

Tanya wrote: "Awesome!

I'm ready to start as soon as I finish To Beguile a Beast which shouldn't take me more than 2-3 days max."

That will work for me as well,

So say Wednesday?

I am good with that too.

Just purchased and downloaded, so I will be ready on Wednesday as well.

Read the first two chapters. I love how Linden begins her books.

Interesting point that it is common knowledge that the previous heroine, uggh forgotten her name is known to have been a pick pocket. I would have thought that would have been hushed up.

Chapter Three (view spoiler)[ Not sure about the diary device, a lot of words to say not much. But I do like that Celia is now older and more experienced. I was worried when she was a debutant. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Four (view spoiler)[ Beautiful writing. So powerful. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter Six (view spoiler)[ Oh, I am glad Anthony is seven years younger than David. I had assumed they were of a similar age. Makes the age gap between Anthony and Celia a lot closer. (hide spoiler)]

Loriidae wrote: "Read the first two chapters. I love how Linden begins her books.

Interesting point that it is common knowledge that the previous heroine, uggh forgotten her name is known to have been a pick pocke..."

I am not sure if it is common knowledge, but Anthony helped get her out of jail, so he was more familiar from the beginning.

Ooh I had forgotten that!

Loriidae wrote: "Ooh I had forgotten that!"

I think her low beginnings are referred to by Ware in his book to maybe...not sure though, but he also had some involvement. Interesting the way they all connect.

Lady Howard was also the one causing trouble with David at the beginning of Marcus’ novel. David’s liaison with her was what had him leaving town and getting hurt.

I am through Chapter 2. I love the way she starts out her books too. A lot of info is conveyed without it being heavy. Grabs you right away.

Halfway through Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[the fact that Anthony approached her brother goes a long way in making this story a step up from other similar stories. I tend to have issue with the not good enough or wait and see approach. Anthony is not sure how to go about it, but he sees that waiting is not an option. And still he’s too late. It shows him a man of action, which I appreciate.

Also the way his disappointment is written is wonderful wording. I could feel his disappointment, his bubble of hope burst, (hide spoiler)]

Loriidae wrote: "Chapter Three [spoilers removed]

Chapter Four [spoilers removed]
Chapter Six [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 3 is long! I think the journal entries work to show the gradual change and passage of time, but I would not want to see it used as a device often. I do like how her tone change as the wool is lifted from her eyes.

Oh yes, it is the intensity of the emotions that is wonderful.

Through Chapter 4 — and so much yes to your spoiler.

(view spoiler)[Maybe we’ll hear more about this later, Rosalind had to know it wasn’t all sunshine and roses for Celia in the four years she’s been away. I don’t get how she didn’t just come to visit. Unannounced and uninvited.

Also did you notice the travel time from Cumberland? 8 days to get to London. Most novels it seems like they’re getting just about anywhere in two days. (hide spoiler)]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Through Chapter 4 — and so much yes to your spoiler...."

(view spoiler)[Yes, way more realistic, I have read that fast horses did 9 miles an hour. (hide spoiler)]

Loriidae wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Through Chapter 4 — and so much yes to your spoiler...."

[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, and I suppose that’s with good roads too.!

True!

Chapter Eight (view spoiler)[ I like the quiet conversations getting to know each other. Linden has done an amazing job of Celia's melancholy, and her maturity in her abhorrence of the gossip. (hide spoiler)] Loving it. The writing is so well done.

Chapter Ten (view spoiler)[ The notes are lovely. {misty sigh} (hide spoiler)]

Rosalind: (view spoiler)[ I guess considering the grand babies being born and the distance to Cumberland and that Celia’s notes were cheerful, I understand the not knowing better. It is a bit sad that they were so close and now Rosalind is quite misguided in her efforts to cheer her daughter. (hide spoiler)]

I am highlighting a lot. Through Chapter 10. Anthony is fantastic. So many astute observations.

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[I am enjoying the note exchanges, and I assume that Anthony stole the ribbon from her hair. (hide spoiler)]

I'm going to start today, got tied up at work but weekend is finally here.

I'm keeping away from the spoilers - or at least trying to.

Tanya wrote: "I'm going to start today, got tied up at work but weekend is finally here.

I'm keeping away from the spoilers - or at least trying to."

Yay weekend!

At chapter three right now (view spoiler)[ It took me a while to get into the whole "Now I want Celia to myself as my lawfully wedded wife" because it felt like whiplash. More so the motives behind his sudden change in outlook towards her seemed a bit blurred; is the respectable name, the dowry, or simply that he's taken by her.

However, the fact that he went to Marcus instead of outright seducing her was well done on the author's part - that's where most books with this trope loose me. (hide spoiler)]

Tanya wrote: "At chapter three right now It took me a while to get into the whole "Now I want Celia to myself as my lawfully wedded wife" because it felt like whiplash. More so the motives behind his sudden cha..."

At this moment it does feel a bit like whiplash, but I am hoping to see more of his reasoning later on.

Re your last point. I liked that aspect as well.

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ While I'm not a big fan of the journal as a way to tell us Celia's life post marraige (I mean keeping that part a mystery would have worked just as well to set up the rest of the story). But that being said, the part where Celia doesn't even feel like she belongs with her family really hits you. Hard. Brilliant writing there.

The part where she almost blames herself for not choosing right when it comes to a spouse as compared to her brothers really hits you in the gut. I feel for you Celia! (hide spoiler)]

Loriidae wrote: "Chapter Three [spoilers removed]

Chapter Four [spoilers removed]
Chapter Six [spoilers removed]"

Yes I'm so glad Anthony and David aren't the same age! That age gap between him and Celia would have been a bit much.

Stopping at Chapter 10. As of now I'm definitely interested in reading further, but weirdly enough it's to see the progress Anthony and Celia make individually, and not just as a couple.

I think unlike the first book of the series where quite literally from the first interaction between Hannah and Marcus I was rooting for them, here it feels a bit different. I love Celia and Anthony, individually. Their pain, their past and how they're dealing with it is fascinating and the writing is wonderful but I'm not yet feeling the romance.

Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ their conversation in the garden after Celia reads the letter from her father-in-law is beautiful. It's starting to cement the romantic notions between them for me. 10/10 writing by Linden there. (hide spoiler)]

Tanya wrote: "Stopping at Chapter 10. As of now I'm definitely interested in reading further, but weirdly enough it's to see the progress Anthony and Celia make individually, and not just as a couple.

I think ..."

It’s excellent character development in this book. That’s why I read Linden, but I think it’s especially good here. But when they are together, it feels natural and right.

I am through Chapter 20 now, which was a great chapter. Wonderful banter between them. I don’t know what to say, but I am just loving it. Beautifully written. Anthony is a hero that I love, patient, kind and caring.

Yes it is written so well. It just flows. Love it.

In chapter 22, a turning point of sorts. Just when Anthony shies away, Celia gives chase.

(view spoiler)[There is a reference to Austen in here, I think:

“And in the quiet moments after, while their bodies still twined tightly together and the blood surged hard and heavy through her veins, Celia realized what had brought her to Anthony’s room tonight, what had made her stay when he told her to go: it was love. Not the giddy, effervescent infatuation she’d felt before, but real love, the deep, true feeling for another that didn’t need poetry and flowers to thrive.

It made me think of Elizabeth Bennett claiming poetry drives love away. Hmm, I guess that’s opposite. So maybe not a reference. (hide spoiler)]

I think you have just talked yourself out of that idea. :)

Chapter 23 (view spoiler)[I could see that there were hints that Anthony wasn't as bad as his reputation. I can also see why he gave up defending himself. The love making is also more loving I guess, the writing fits. Throughout I have loved that each character is honest with themselves about how they are feeling. I am probably not making a lot of sense. :) (hide spoiler)]

Finished - Loved it from start to finish. It is up there with her The truth about the Duke series.

Loriidae wrote: "Finished - Loved it from start to finish. It is up there with her The truth about the Duke series."

:) yay! I agree. It’s one of her best.

I did start reading but have not been online to post my thoughts. I'm still WAY behind so. Through chapter 7.

I really don't understand how a mother and daughter could completely not see each other for this length of time even if it does take 8 days and there are additional challenges. In my opinion, Rosalind should feel guilty not recognizing something was wrong with Celia.

I am really enjoying it thus far.

Mariana wrote: "I did start reading but have not been online to post my thoughts. I'm still WAY behind so. Through chapter 7.

I really don't understand how a mother and daughter could completely not see each othe..."

I agree especially as money, health or even employment weren't impediments.

I agree, it’s hard to understand. I think Rosalind sees the world through rose lenses and when something threatens that view, she blocks it out. She ran away from David when he told her the truth. So I think she was unwilling to see the signs because she wanted to believe that Celia was happy as she wrote she was.

Yeah that part stood out to me as well. I however just attributed it to plot device and shrugged it off.

I'm with you Marianna - still on chapter 10. I got distracted by other things sigh

Tanya wrote: "Stopping at Chapter 10. As of now I'm definitely interested in reading further, but weirdly enough it's to see the progress Anthony and Celia make individually, and not just as a couple.

I think ..."

I agree. This really took time to establish each of the characters individually. I like both of them but didn't yet feel the lifelong connection by chapter 10.

I am now through chapter 15. Not only is the romance definitely there, the pace of the story is picking up. I am certain I will fly through the second half faster than the first.

Sorry I'm catching up so late. I'm at chapter 20 and I agree I absolutely love the romance now. The conversation between Hannah and Celia was also wonderful.

P.S - I really liked Percy and Jane as a side couple would love to read more about them!

Tanya wrote: "Sorry I'm catching up so late. I'm at chapter 20 and I agree I absolutely love the romance now. The conversation between Hannah and Celia was also wonderful.

P.S - I really liked Percy and Jane a..."

Totally agree.

I finished yesterday. I adored this book. The stand out for me was the wonderful character development, and also the writing was top notch in this book.

An amazing series, and I'm now officially a CL fan. I intend to read everything she's ever written. I'm yet come to across a hero of hers that I haven't fallen in love with.

It was wonderful reading the series with everyone! Can't wait to read more!

So glad you have joined us in our adoration of CL. Read the truth about the Duke next. That is my favourite series. One Night in London

I am just going to echo what Loriidae said. Truth About the Duke series is in the running of my favorite series in HR.

Although having just said that Joanna and I are discussing reading A View to a Kiss. It will be next month so join us for that one.

A thought on dates would it be possible to schedule CL and Pennroyal green, one in the first fortnight and the other in the second?

Yeah, how about CL first two weeks and Pennroyal Green, second 2 weeks?

That works! Thanks :)

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I am just going to echo what Loriidae said. Truth About the Duke series is in the running of my favorite series in HR."

I've read the novella in that series I Love the Earl and I loved it. So yes! I'll defnitely be reading that series as well.

I'm in for A view to a Kiss - anything by CL basically. I'm perfectly fine with the dates!

Loriidae wrote: "Although having just said that Joanna and I are discussing reading A View to a Kiss. It will be next month so join us for that one."

Also, did anyone notice how the dude on the cover of the book looks like Enrique Iglesias.