Happily Ever After Cafe discussion

June wrote: "...o be the woman in his arm in the same garden ten years ago (*^。^*)"

Well, duh! Why didn't I think of that? LOL! **smacks forehead**

@ Karen ♐

#13 – Yup. You’ve got his number.

#14 – Yes, great scene… and loved that he was so tender after she was wounded.

#15 – That was a neat twist, that he didn’t read it then.

#18 – Yup, a cabbagehead. LOL!

#20 – Great line. There are a lot of them in this book. Loved that he gave it back to her, too.

#22 – Another part I loved. It gave Marianne more depth, and also the sisters’ relationship. The squeaky stairs info was funny! Shocking! LOL!

#23 – LMBO! Yes, and Ralston says something like, “Do you really want to know?” Good way out of it. :o)

#25 – True words!

I really enjoyed this "buddy read" with all you, ladies! Makes the book so much more fun. Thanks for your participation and the great insights and discussions.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS CHAPTER 18 - EPILOGUE.

(view spoiler)[27. Ralston and Callie share a beautiful experience when they finally make love for the first time. Thoughts/opinions? And what do you think of each of their reactions after? I hated the way the scene ended.

28. Nastasia and Callie meet by chance at the Modistes. Is their conversation what you expected when these two finally met? No, I was surprised that the singer would even have addressed her. Her remarks didn't seem kind, either. What was the point of that? Did I miss something?

29. At the Ball, Oxford makes his move. But Callie holds her own. And Juliana also makes an important decision. What does this say about these two young women? I think they'll make wonderful sisters someday :-)

30. Ralston faces his fears and asks Benedick for Callie's hand. And Callie accepts. Thoughts on this chapter? I was surprised he went to Benedick, although it worked out well. It just seemed such a breach of trust with Callie.

31. Oh No! The cats out the bag! The wager is discovered!! When should have Ralston come clean about the wager and should Callie forgive him? He had his chance at the are exhibit, but he didn't take it. I don't suppose it's never a good thing to wager over a woman - fraught with problems if there's a long-term interest.

32. Finally Ralston acknowledges that he loves Callie. But is it too late? Thoughts on the duel and any comments on the book in general? Love is never too late. The duel was okay, I didn't think it was the strongest scene in the book. It did remove another item from the list.

33. Was this epilogue necessary to finish the book? I thought it was a nice touch.
(hide spoiler)]

I really enjoyed this book. I like her style, and can't wait for next month's group reading.

Nice answers, Ladies. Sarah MacLean got the balance right in this book with the storyline, the relationship between the H and h, appealing secondary characters and just right love scenes. We all seemed to enjoy it immensely.

Looking forward to book 2 in December. Expecting big things from Nick and whoever his lady may be!

@ Chris

#27 – Yeah, with a lump in my throat.

#28 – **shrugs**

#31 – You’re right; the art exhibit would have been the time.

#32 – Yeah, the duel wasn’t the best scene in the book for me, either. But, yes, check-marked item from list, which I was okay with. Plus, there were so many other wonderful scenes that I didn't mind.

Lisa Kay wrote: "@ Chris

#27 – Yeah, with a lump in my throat.

#28 – **shrugs**

#31 – You’re right; the art exhibit would have been the time.


#32 – Yeah, the duel wasn’t the best scene in the book for me, eithe..."

I agree! I loved the book.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS CHAPTER 18 - EPILOGUE.

(view spoiler)[27. Ralston and Callie share a beautiful experience when they finally make love for the first time. Thoughts/opinions? And what do you think of each of their reactions after? I really loved the scene of their first love making. He was so tender with Callie and so concerned with hurting her. I could almost see Callie so in love with Ralston not quite believing that this was happening. And then, of course, he messes up again. Callie really doesn't see her beauty (inside and out) and of course, as a man, he looks at sex differently than Callie. But I think this is the beginning of him realizing how much he cares for her.

28. Nastasia and Callie meet by chance at the Modistes. Is their conversation what you expected when these two finally met? I thought Nastasia would be a b*tch. But she actually was pretty gracious to Callie. That was a surprise.

29. At the Ball, Oxford makes his move. But Callie holds her own. And Juliana also makes an important decision. What does this say about these two young women? I think many times, in that era, women were afraid to speak their mind. These two women don't have that problem. Callie, maybe due partly to her age, won't settle for second best. Actually he wouldn't even be second. Juliana is so refreshing. So glad she decided to stay. I think she and Callie will be great friends.

30. Ralston faces his fears and asks Benedick for Callie's hand. And Callie accepts. Thoughts on this chapter? This chapter was a bit rushed for me. I understand why but I would have liked Callie to hold out a bit more and Benedick seemed to agree quickly. Of course, he would want to save his sister's reputation.

31. Oh No! The cats out the bag! The wager is discovered!! When should have Ralston come clean about the wager and should Callie forgive him? Once Callie agreed to marry him, he should have told her about the wager. Did he think Oxford wouldn't say anything? Come on. She turned him down. Of course he's going to want to make trouble. Yes, I think Callie should forgive him. He was just puffing his chest saying MINE!

32. Finally Ralston acknowledges that he loves Callie. But is it too late? Thoughts on the duel and any comments on the book in general? Finally! It's never too late to tell someone you love them. I think the duel was necessary so that she would be worried about him and forgive him. Love how they both have scars...This is one of the best historicals I have read. I loved it. Can't wait to read the next one.

33. Was this epilogue necessary to finish the book? I think it was a really cute finish to the book. One more item off the list! (hide spoiler)]

@ Karen ♐

#27 – Great summation, Karen ♐.

#29 – Yes, I did get the feeling that their friendship would grow and grow.

#30 – Yeah, he would.

#31 – LOL!

#32 – I agree. I really, really enjoyed it too. One of the best historical I’ve read in awhile.

(view spoiler)[DQ's Chapter 1 to 8

1. For first time reader, what make you interested in this book? Did someone recommend it to you?
For second time reader like me, how you rated the book last time?
And to be answer later, how do you rate the book after re-read? Do you still like it?
1. When I saw this book being BRed here in HEAC, I added it up in my list and thought to BR as Historical Romance is a genre I've been waiting to try.

2. What do you think of the name Calpurnia?
I think its beautiful name, and very grant, however I wouldn't name my daughter Calpurnia. It's a bit silly. Comment?
Calpurnia instantly reminds me of Calpurnia from Julius Caesar. It sure is a majestic name, but as pointed out, a bit weird too.

3. Why do you think Ralston cheered Callie up? Did he do it just to get rid of her like she thought? or do you think he's genuinely nice person?
I think he did it just to get privacy, i.e. get rid of her. Him being charming and all that was for his own good.

4. Oh twin! How exciting! And if you ladies wondering, yes Nick will get his own book, so does Juliana, but for now let's focus on Ralston. Ralston seemed to hate his mother, yet he readily took responsibility of Juliana, even though she prefer to be back to Italy. What do you think of it?
I think Ralston felt genuinely nice towards Juliana, like an elder brother should. He wanted her to be settled well that's why he stopped her from going back to Italy.

5. Aww poor Callie called passive. But her list weren't passive at all. Do you like her list or do you think they were too scandalous? What your favorite item on Callie list?
I liked the first item on the list the most ;)
And her list just proves how passive she isn't. She must've been hurt being called that.

6. Go Callie for going for the kiss! Not mousy passive spinster after all. What do you think of their bargain, a kiss and a favor in exchange for Juliana's entrance to the ton?
A completely fair bargain acc. to me! And an intresting one for sure ;)

7. Callie and Juliana became fast friends. And she thought Callie was her brother's lover. Comment?
Juliana probably thought so accounting for her agreeing so easily to come to help Juliana.. but if she knew about the nightly visit she'd definitely think of it as the truth.

8. Do you think Baron Oxford would be a threat to Callie and Ralston budding romance? How do you see Ralston's wager?
I don't think so. As Ralston said, Callie would never go for a man as cheap as Oxford. Ralston's wager was a bit bold though, I think.

9. Callie surely didn't think Ralston fall for her lie about the tavern, right? However we know for sure that when it come to Callie, Ralston like to sealed their "deal" with a kiss, LoL. Comment.
That is at best an...interesting way to seal the deal. Oh and a rake wouldn't fall for a lie that easy to discover.

10. I love how excited she is with her adventure in the tavern, and then....nope, its not live up to her expectation. Fortunately she got much more exciting and naughtier adventure on the carriage. Comment.
The carriage adventure sure surprised her and was more adventurous. It took her by surprise, and caused her fantasies to work afterwards after all. ;)

11. Lol at Callie got caught by Benny, and then she cleverly pointed out that her adventure actually was his idea. Poor Benny! I love that Callie maneuvered her brother and Ralston into her partner in crime so she can complete her list. Comment.
It was fun seeing Benny get all angry at her and then laughing! I was thinking he had more of a serious side before the laughter :P
And it was clever of Callie to get help from both the guys :D (hide spoiler)]

@ Ishi

#1 – HR is new to you? Neat.

#5 – Kiss someone—Passionately? Hmmm…Yes, a good one. Yes, it must have stung more than a bit to prompt her into such action.

#9 – LOL! True!

#11 – It was clever.

@Lisa Kay: #1: Yeah, it is. :)

#5: True enough! Otherwise, the course of actions taken would've been different.

Great that you're enjoying historical romance, Ishi.