Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Buddy Read starting sometime around the first of February.

A View to a Kiss

Synopsis: (view spoiler)[Combining sexual chemistry with a touch of adventure, this first book of a clever, wildly romantic historical trilogy is a very entertaining Regency-set version of the popular James Bond spy novels and films.

It was a most coveted invitation—a glittering ball attended by all the important people of the ton. But Mariah, a ravishing beauty thought by all to be the catch of the season, never expected to find true love amid the shadows. The mysterious man she meets there ignites a passion within her she never thought possible. When he starts a clandestine midnight courtship in her bedroom, Mariah is scandalized—and enthralled.

Harry Sinclair is a man of secrets who would do anything to protect those in his charge. But when he lays eyes on the stunning Mariah, duty and desire collide. Though every man in London lusts for her, he knows the fiery attraction between them is unparalleled. But in a world where trust can turn to treason and scandal can topple the throne, Harry and Mariah will fight a perilous fight for their precious love—and their lives. (hide spoiler)]

I'm in!

Me too. :)

Have you all started yet? I am through Chapter 2.

Through Chapter Four (view spoiler)[
Loving it so far. Really enjoyed the prologue. I really like Harry with his quick wits. And I like what we have seen of Mariah as well. I am intrigued as to how the difference in station will resolve. Spies and mysteries are my favourite tropes. (hide spoiler)]

We have been watching way too much tv lately!

Read chapters five and six today. Loved the flirting.

I am through 6 also.

I love the spy trope as well. Linden’s note at the beginning about her love for James Bond and Jason Bourne — right there with ya sista. Haha.

I am never sure what I think about (view spoiler)[him climbing into her window. Maybe I should mind it? So far I don’t. I agree the banter/flirting is fun. I am also glad that Mariah confides in a friend. (hide spoiler)]

Note on Joan: she’s the heroine in Love and Other Scandals, and her brother Douglas All's Fair in Love and Scandal. I think those are the only two cross overs, but will be on the lookout.

I have the book! I'll be starting today :)

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Note on Joan: she’s the heroine in Love and Other Scandals, and her brother Douglas All's Fair in Love and Scandal. I think those are the only two cross overs, but w..."

You are so good at that. I rarely remember things like that. :)

Tanya wrote: "I have the book! I'll be starting today :)"

Great Tanya we are only a few chapters in.

Loriidae wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Note on Joan: she’s the heroine in Love and Other Scandals, and her brother Douglas All's Fair in Love and Scandal. I think those are th..."

I think it is only for my first favorite authors that I pick up on it. There was much more binge reading then than I do now.

I am starting today.

I read the prologue yesterday. It was...interesting. It didn't feel like what I've come to expect from Caroline Linden. Planning to read more today.

Darbella wrote: "Finished this today! I really liked it. I am kind of excited to see that there is a book that stars Joan and another one with Joan's brother, Douglas."

I really enjoy Joan’s book. It’s very sweet, not very angsty.

Glad you enjoyed it Darbella!

Oh, thanks for the reminder. I will get that thread posted.

Mariah’s parents are great. I like their family unit, clearly they are close.

I am through Chapter 8

More on Joan:(view spoiler)[her future beau is mentioned. The disreputable Lord Burke. I almost feel slightly miffed to know that he sent flowers to Mariah, but I think he just liked to be provoking. I didn’t remember him being discussed here. Also, Joan really stays true to character. She is very recognizable as the heroine of her story here. (hide spoiler)]

I like that because of the intimate setting in which they meet allows them to get to know each other beyond the facade.

Mariana wrote: "I read the prologue yesterday. It was...interesting. It didn't feel like what I've come to expect from Caroline Linden. Planning to read more today."

It is different. I think this series has a different feel from her others and seems to be the most polarizing of hers based on ratings.

Through Chapter Ten (view spoiler)[ The dance ws lovely. Sigh... I enjoyed the honesty of Harry's speech about the poor. It goes to his depth of character. I am concerned that Mariah is coming across as an infatuated schoolgirl. (hide spoiler)]

Darbella wrote: "Started this last night. I am loving the instant attraction that both the Hero/Heroine have for each other. I just love it when there is a spark between the couples from the beginning.

I can not f..."

Darbella, I also like the attraction. It is more powerful than insta lust.

Loriidae wrote: "Through Chapter Ten [spoilers removed]"

I agree. (view spoiler)[ Harry is the much more compelling character so far (and I think he will continue to be). Mariah is pretty self-absorbed, but I do think that makes sense. As an only child she’s been indulged by her parents. In terms of likability, she’s not turning into a favorite among Linden’s Heroines. But I do think she makes sense. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ I was glad that Harry was outed early. I don't like deception between my MCs. I like that Harry now has a mystery to solve. He is becoming more interesting as a character. Still not sure about Mariah - I like Harry more. One thing is that there aren't a lot of opportunities to get to know each other, but that of course is plot driven. I am enjoying it because hey it is Linden and I adore her writing style, but class differences isn't a favourite. (hide spoiler)]

Loriidae wrote: "Through Chapter 19 [spoilers removed]"

I am also through chapter 19.

After the prologue, I just flew through the chapters. I like both Harry and Mariah. I don't even mind that he's sneaking in her window for their conversations. What I don't understand is why Mariah thought Harry was a gentleman. What about the fact that he cannot court her in the light of day through the usual fashion led her to believe he was truly a gentleman?

I also am glad Mariah was smart enough to recognize Harry no matter the disguise. I do not like deception either. After cheating, that is my number two.

I like the writing and the characters. Mariah and Harry have a real connection.

Through 19 - I agree that Harry is the more compelling character. Mariah is ok and seems well suited to Harry but not very compelling on her own.

I am also glad that Harry was outed early. I think Mariah thought him a gentleman because she met him at the ball plus wishful thinking. I don’t think it occurred to her that she might fall for someone unsuitable.

I started a few days ago but could get online only recently.

I'm still fairly early into the book, but I still feel like I'm drawn to Harry more than Mariah. Which is strange in Linden books, because I've always felt a strong and instand connect to the heroine within minutes. It's just taking a little longer in this particular book perhaps.

I'm not yet as drawn in as I thought I would be but I could just be reading at the wrong time. I DID however love their conversation on the balcony and I'm looking forward to more.

I had fallen behind some of you, but in the process of catching up, I couldn’t stop. I finished it. Will add thoughts later.

I also finished. Absolutely loved it!

Finished (view spoiler)[ I adored the ending and thought that it was a lovely resolution to the inequality of their life stations. Mariah is not my favourite Linden heroine. I thought she was quite immature at times, but I thought Harry was wonderful. I found them a good match and I would think in a future relationship his commonsense would keep her impulsiveness grounded.

I also liked the way in which the spy plot was resolved. I thought that it was brilliant how the innocuous statement from one to the other showed the key. I thought all along it would be Crane's nephew. 4 stars. (hide spoiler)]

Loriidae wrote: "Finished I adored the ending and thought that it was a lovely resolution to the inequality of their life stations. Mariah is not my favourite Linden heroine. I thought she was quite immature at ti..."

Mariah: (view spoiler)[ She is what is bringing this down from a 5 to a 4 to me. I was probably able to relate to her better when I was younger. (hide spoiler)]

Harry - just absolutely loved him.

Ending: (view spoiler)[ the key to unlocking the mystery was great. And then how he connected it to Mariah’s family. I also appreciate how when Harry identified the target at Doncaster he didn’t wait. He acted as quickly as he could. Few plot devices frustrate me more than MCs perceiving a threat but taking their time to act. It just doesn’t seem realistic when that happens. (hide spoiler)]

Social unrest: (view spoiler)[I think this was the first full-length novel I read by Linden. I remember it striking a cord of excitement with the spy plot and that it was a true depiction of the times. This is set in the same time as so many other HRs and it stands out because it doesn’t gloss over some of the ugliness of the time. I also relished that she used a period appropriate bomb in a romance novel. Pretty great. (hide spoiler)]

I liked Mariah. Considering the way she was raised, she had no exposure to people of other classes. I thought she was open-minded and adapted quickly and readily. Plus she was smart and witty if immature for her age. I would chalk that up to how sheltered she was.

Mariana wrote: "I liked Mariah. Considering the way she was raised, she had no exposure to people of other classes. I thought she was open-minded and adapted quickly and readily. Plus she was smart and witty if im..."

I liked her OK. I thought she made sense, which is always important to me. She came off more self-centered this time than in previous reads to me, and I don’t think she’s as relatable as many of Linden’s Heroines are.

When do you all want to start For Your Arms Only? Monday maybe?

Sounds good. I was just thinking about that today :)

Ok, I posted a thread for it:

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