The hopeful readers group discussion

Finished Ch 8.

Exactly! I just the love the understanding between them and realisations of their differences is great, the touching aspect and how handled so far is so well done. Im glad not just skipped over what Hartley went through.

Also love learning more about Sams history, the dog is so sweet! Called dog and the rain, sitting by the fire and training the dog. Then getting to lead to bar, i axore thos emoments too. Oh, kate and Hart knowing each other was perfect too... bittersweet.

Im glad to hear your dog recovered and has a happy home with you now, able to enjoy comforts and hugs.

Ok, so I'm still a tiny little bit ahead of you (won't say how much :D), so I'll keep waiting. I can do it!!!! Lol :D

Oh yes, Hart running off into the rain to make sure the dog got home safe! He's such a sweetie.

Lol okay thanks for waiting on me 💕

Yeah it was adorable, im really enjoying these two... Although Ben and Philip still my favorites at moment. We shall see.

Just finished Ch 10 and wow... The soft vibes here and getting to know each other. I adore these two and their opposites, yet so fitting. I am weak for sitting by a fire and hand holding, those gloves at the bar just stunning writing.

So much affection and emotion in every little detail, i look forward to reading more and the progress with those paintings. Oh and dog now has a name, Daisy is so cute 💕

Right? They're sooooooooooo good together. I like seeing more of Hart. At first, he seems so hurtful sometimes, but those moments with the dog, etc just so he's so much more than he gives himself credit for. It's good he found someone who sees past his prickly exterior.

Agreed! I adore Hart so far and i love that his a bit more hurtful, yet sweet in the same way such as with those his employed and Sam 💕

Sorry didn't get any read last night, i fell asleep before got to it. Will try to catch up today xx

No worries :)

Ive just finished ch 11 and am loving the progress, how these teo compliment each other. The trickery from Hartley and Sam at the inn, the massage just so soft...

Sorry been sloe, last couple days. Been tiring work week, i hope to catch up and possibly finish tomorrow night as really enjoying it. So we can start the 3rd book this weekend or start of next week 😊

No worries, I just didn't have a lot of work this week, so I read all the way to chapter 18. I don't mind waiting

Thank you, i just finished Ch 15. Im loving the progress between Sam and Hartley, along with the realisations between them.

Im glad Sam didn't let Hartley get away with things, but also Hart coming to the bar the apology and those gloves with more hand touching... Oh and recognition of their feelings 💕

Also loved seeing more of Sadie and Alf, along with Wills surprise appearance was fun but really felt for Hart there. He did need someone to give him a proper talking too though, as his been stuck in his own head and emotions.

Im keep going to catch up tonight xx

Finished ch 18 and am loving it so much. That gift from Sam to Hartley was interesting, also so sweet as a way of intimacy without that touch element.

Aware of Hartleys discomfort and the waiting/asking is so beautiful, i love how the dynamic works for both of them in a way. With Sam enjoying the holding back and waiting, while giving Hartley that element of control he needs.

Really enjoying these two, definitely feel more serious comoared to first book and enjoyable in another way. I love it 💕

Finished ch 20 and wow a lot happens... I shall wait for you to catch up. Hoping to finish this one this weekend, so we can start the next Monday if good for you? 😊

I just finished chapter 20, too! Sure, we can finish this one tomorrow :) I kinda get the felling Will and Martin are up next? At least, that would be interesting.

Awesome! These two have stole my heart too and i really love the depth in this one, lots of serious subjects handled in delicate but real way.

I already had a peek at the next ones Precis and yeah, its Will and Martin which shall be interesting to see.

I did like Wills scenes here and his giving another perspective about the situation, the godfather giving the house to harm Hartleys reputation and Martin in one move. Cruel even in death, i hate that man so much!

Yes, that was a good point from Will.

What is up with that evil constable, btw? Horrible, horrible man. Ugh

Agreed!

The constable awful, just looking for problems to hurt others. And what happened to the bell? The chimney 😢

Cant wait to see how everything resolves, happy end for Ben and Hartley xx

Finished ch23 and im glad to see progress, actually discussing and understanding between them. Thoer opposite backgrounds and lifestyles, trying to figure out a way for them together. Im glad Harts looking to get rid of the house, enjoyed Sadie here too in her talk with the constable and Sam.

Going to finish up tonight x

Me too.

It's dragging a bit for me at the moment, though. It's like. The boys are good. So why is nothing happening? I mean. We still have to find those paintings. Come to a decision about what to do about with The Bell.... Meh. I'm starting to see why I gave it 3 stars ^^

I get what you mean, i thought felt dragging a bit but i figured just because ive been reading slow pace otherwise i feel if in one read wouldnt be.

The precis i feel is misleading since the painting really feel more a sideplot to everything else. Id kind of forgot about it 😂

I presume they will end up sharing space or such and bring back the bell, or something new as Sams livelyhood.

Lot more serious tones in this one, tried to cover to many subjects i feel... Probably 3.5 stars drop to 3 for me.

So. I finished. I'll stay with my 3 stars. It was a bit of a let-down for me.

But after that ending, now I really want to know what is going on with Easterbrook Jr....

I finished and will admit didn't grab me the same way Ben & Philip did, but still enjoyable read.

I am so with you after that ending, i look forward to starting the next tomorrow 💕

I agree. It was nice. But the first one was much better. I'm curious about Will and Martin.

I haven't really had time to read today, so I haven't started it yet. But tomorrow!

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I'm wondering about those two. I mean, there has to be a reason Martin hates the family so much, but never acts on it. I still don't believe he's the one who started those rumors about Hart.

Ive not had chance to read any yet, but kust finishing a book. Then will try the first 3 chapters or more, as i probably won't have as much time tomorrow 😊

Yeah im curious too, i presume part of it has to be Martins father and what happened there. But im expecting Will going to navy or such be a part of it too, shall be interesting to learn these twos friendship xx

I think Will was correct in book 2 about the rumors being the godfathers last sort of cruelty in a way, by giving Hart the house and Martin being left with that rumors harming both of them.

Just finished first 3 chapters and already in love with Will & Martin! They're so sweet, insecure and so much comfort feels here.

I adore the affectionate vibes and storytelling, also learn more about Martin which is interesting and brings a new light to things. I will let you read it first though xx

So sorry, I haven't had time to read today. But I will read those chapters later tonight!

No problem i have another book to finish today before read some more tonight so all good 😊

Ok, so Martin has always been in love with Will, and I'm guessing both think they're alone with that? I wonder what Martin meant about regrets he had re Will's entering the Navy. I'm guessing they quarreled and Will took off or sth?

I'm really looking forward to this, I love a good friends-to-lovers story!

I think on some level they're aware both love each other, but neither feel good enough. Like Martin with his illness and Will with his family, im thinking the navy be part running away and to prove himself in a way.

Same here, im expecting this to be sweet and serious. Nice mix and f2l are wonderful! Im read ch 4 to 6 later tonight x

I finished chapter 5. SO SAD!!! I hate all the feelz.

I finished chapter 7. they're so heartbreakingly stubborn, those two idiots. I hope they wake up soon and start acting on their feelings. This hole "oh but it can never be" on BOTH sides is just too much.

Also, how sweet was it when (view spoiler)[they fell asleep, the woman from the village came in and saw them, and Will just slept through it all? Awwww :D (hide spoiler)]?

I need to catch up, sadly didnt have chance last night. Finishing of books for end month challenge, i probably won't have time tonight either. But will read more tomorrow to catch up. Sounds angsty...

So sorry im behind! Been a busy week, i will catch up a bunch when home, got an early finish today so shouldn't take me long 😊

No worries :) I didn't feel like reading anyway the last two days. I might not have a lot of time today, because tomorrow is a public holiday over here, so I have to get my weekend shopping done today. I see too many people shopping like the end of the world is coming in my near future...

Thanks 😊 Im lot more relaxed now with less time restricted challenges so have more time this month. Completely understand! People started going crazy again here too, all the toilet roll gone and stuff flying off shelfs... Restricted amount allowed again now.

Good luck!

Just finished Ch5 and agree with you, so far all rather depressing must admit got a bit bored reading it. I do enjoy the obvious longing from each of them for each other, yet neither thinks its possible. Yet Will constantly touching Martin, affectionate and Marting admires Will often... Seems foolish they still dont know or recognise/accept it.

Hopefully things pick up soon like you say, im going to read the next 3 chapters to catch up x

Right????? It's so sad

Completely!

Just finished ch 7 and that sleeping together scene is adorable, Will not waking up even when she shouted and stepped in. The flirting and Drunk Will was adorable, the planning to stay there together for now. These too are so much hurt/comfort, hopefully shall be more progress now between them. Haircuts and the trying to support each other.

Because yeah all the sadness is rather depressing to read, don't get me wrong its understandable with both their history and lifes but i just want more sweet moments now. As they move forward from all the awful stuff, i do enjoy the longing between them a lot! xx

Hey you :)

How's your weekend going? It's all rainy and stormy over here, so good reading weather :D

I read all the way to chapter 10 and honestly? (view spoiler)[so they do finally give in to her attraction, and it's... boring? I was a little underwhelmed tbh :(((( (hide spoiler)]

Also, I'm confused. Which of them has the issues in bed? Or to they both have different issues???? I'm unclear on that... One of them needs all the praise (I think that's Martin?), but now Martin said sth about Will and his issues???? I am SO confused. Help!

Hey!

Its been relaxing and yeah similar rainy weather here, perfect for reading xx

Ive just finished chapter 10 and completely agree, i am so bored of this story. Not connecting to either of these two as much as the last two books, im very tempted to dnf...

In terms of the bed Martin has never been with anyone, he doesn't feel good enough for Will and the fear his like his father? I didn't think Will had any issues... but Wills going slow with him or something as doesn't want to hurt him or risk their friendship? Maybe thats it... I don't know but this story is just frustrating.

Right? I think we might need to read The Soldier's Scoundrel after this to cheer us up...

Any idea how Martin got his consumption, btw? He said it was sth embarrassing so I was going to guess whorehouse, but...

Andrea wrote: "Right? I think we might need to read The Soldier's Scoundrel after this to cheer us up...

Any idea how Martin got his consumption, btw? He said it was sth embarrassing so I was going to guess whor..."

Yeah i think soldiers scoundrel be good to jumo into from this, definitely need bettef.

Ive had a little look through reviews to see if this one picks up at all and looks like gets worse, i might give a couple more chapters reach halfway and if not any better im out. Will wait for soldiers scoundrel 😊

Um Martin had been sick since childhood as far as could tell, i thought just meant that its embarassing for him. Since he was sickly even when in their childhood, will always reading to him and such As he wasn't able to do the same as others, always being looked after.

I think his recent must have been giving up his home and then living in an attic for months hallucinations efc, i figure that being a cause. Just added onto his common sickness. But hell ive lost track, been skimming parts recently i was so bored 😂

I swear I read sth somewhere about consumption... Weird. Don't blame you for skimming.

And since when does this author write off-the-page sex scenes? So weird.

Also, the realization that they're in love was... Anti-climactic as hell. I mean. It was obvious to everyone. But. So boring

Yeah he has/had consumption, he has a few times come and go by sounds of it. But Wills mother died from consumption, he tried to take care of and help her. Thats why Martin doesnt want him to suffer over him, the way he did with his mother.

Lol yeah its strange seems sometimes fade and others see fully, never know what to expect 😂

Sigh. The boys are being over-dramatic. Martin's aunt just showed up and took him back to London and the martyr is all "this is for the best". Just two pages ago, they were being all "I love you"!

Lol i am not excited about reading this book anymore, im just over it. Sorry i think im throw in the towel... So depressing and angsty. These guys just disappointinh compared to their appearances in rhe other books 😂

Thats crazy! Also they're grown ass men, for crying out loud they seem like children...

in the idiots' defense, they're in their early 20s :D

No worries, don't force yourself to keep reading! I'll just keep you posted on what happens..

Andrea wrote: "in the idiots' defense, they're in their early 20s :D

No worries, don't force yourself to keep reading! I'll just keep you posted on what happens.."

Are they? I kept thinking older since Will was in the navy ans say years passed etc but yeah that makes more sense.

Thanks and sweet, i hope it improves for you but yeah not going force through it. I shall look forward to Soldiers Scoundrel xx