Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the Second BOTM of May 2021. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)

Happy Reading!


The Bluestocking by Christi Caldwell


Two damaged hearts learn there’s a fine line between love and hate in a Wicked Wallflowers novel from USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell.

Gertrude, the eldest Killoran sister, has spent a lifetime being underestimated—especially by her own family. She may seem as vulnerable as a kitten, but given the chance, she can be as fierce as a tiger. Her adopted brother, Stephen, has just been snatched back by his true father, and she’ll be damned if she relinquishes the boy to the man reviled throughout London as the Mad Marquess.

Still haunted by a deadly tragedy that left him publicly despised, Lord Edwin holds only hatred for the Killorans—the people he believes kidnapped his son. And not one of them will ever see the boy again. But when Gertrude forces her way into the household and stubbornly insists that she remain as Stephen’s governess, Edwin believes he may have found someone madder than himself.

With every moment he shares with the tenderhearted Gertrude, Edwin’s anger softens into admiration…and more. Is it possible that the woman he loathed may be the only person who can heal his broken soul?

I hope to join. I got a shit ton to get me to this point as I just found out by reading reviews for this series that it is a spin-off of another series. So I hope to join but will definitely be late for this one.

Anyone know if this can easily be read as a standalone? There is no way I will be able to read 1 - 3, much less a previous series.

Mariana wrote: "Anyone know if this can easily be read as a standalone? There is no way I will be able to read 1 - 3, much less a previous series."

I DNF the first book in this series because it was too connected to a previous one. I am wondering the same on this one.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Anyone know if this can easily be read as a standalone? There is no way I will be able to read 1 - 3, much less a previous series."

I DNF the first book in this series because it w..."

Hmmm....that makes it difficult if book 1 in the spinoff can't easily start you on the series.

I guess I'll wait and see if anyone read this without reading the prior books.

I've read the series (Sinful Brides) that this series (Wicked Wallflowers) is a spin-off of, but I haven't read this series (because I've been avoiding books by Christi Caldwell) so I don't know if The Bluestocking will work as a standalone. Maybe read what the reviews suggest?

Reviews are really encouraging but there isn’t much on whether or not it works as a standalone.

Missy wrote: "I've read the series (Sinful Brides) that this series (Wicked Wallflowers) is a spin-off of, but I haven't read this series (because I've been avoiding books by Christi Caldwell) so I don't know if..."

Why have you been avoiding books by Christi Caldwell? I don't think I've read her before.

@Mariana, I enjoyed her earlier books but as I read more and more books by her, I realized that she recycles a lot of her writing and that really turned me off from reading any more of her books.

I've read a LOT by Christi Caldwell, I have to say this one is my favorite. I have a lot of issues with her writing style and characters, but this one somehow I just adored.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Reviews are really encouraging but there isn’t much on whether or not it works as a standalone."

It will most definitely not work as a standalone, this is a highly connected series and a lot of stuff goes down in the previous book. I would recommend reading the previous books.

Not quite sure if it's allowed (considering spoilers) I could just simply give a quick description of what happens in the previous books

Tanya wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Reviews are really encouraging but there isn’t much on whether or not it works as a standalone."

It will most definitely not work as a standalone, this is a highly con..."

If you use spoilers, I would appreciate a summary of key points in previous books. I do really like the narrator for this book so it might be something I would listen to.

More than happy to. I'm going to put the quick summary points under spoilers, but just set the general set up first.

The world of the Wicked Wallflowers is slightly different than most of the authors previous ones. It's not set among the Duke's and Earls but more so the "criminal" world of London. There are some heroes in this that were side-characters in her previous series. This woman writes a LOT and it's almost always inter-connected. This series mainly deals with one family the Killorans, the head being big brother Broderick (book 3). The siblings are - Broderick, Cleopatra, Ophelia, Gertrude and the youngest is Stephen . They are all actually offsprings to crimelord/mafia boss/whatever Diggory (now dead). Each book is one of the siblings love story (Except Stephen). So that sets up the background, I'll brief each book under spoilers now.

I ramble a lot so bolded the parts that are important to be able to catch up with this book! I hope this helps :)

(view spoiler)[

Book 1 - The Hellion : So basically Broderick ( Big brother and current mob boss) wants respectability for his family and hence wishes to marry one of his sisters into the peerage, or at least a family that is part of the genteel crowd. Cleo is project no 1 and Adair Throne (rival mob boss but with peerage connections) sponsors Cleo for a season. Boom love between rivals!
Notable event - Stephen, the youngest Killoran (I think he's like 11-12) burns down Adair's establishment.

Book 2 - The Vixen : Broderick now tries to get a Lord for Ophelia since Cleo married another ruffian like him. The hero is Connor an investigator who's the son of a baron or something. Connor and Ophelia knew each other earlier, and are now working to find some missing children - in particular the son of "The Mad Marquess" our hero in The Bluestocking.

Main take away of this book is that Stephen (the youngest Killoran) is actually the Marquess' son and was stolen by Diggory (big bad deceased mob boss) as a way to connect to the peerage. However, Broderick was told that Stephen was an orphan and hence he took him in and made him a member of the family.

Book 3 : The Governess - This book is the love story of Broderick and Regina Spark who he found on the streets begging years before and gave her a job as a governess to his sisters and Stephen.
In this book, Edwin (hero from bluestocking) accepts that Stephen is his son and wishes him back with him. There's also a lot of will Broderick be hanged for the kidnapping of a Marquess' son. And the Killoran family has to hand over Stephen to the marquess at the end of the book.

The Bluestocking basically picks from here, with Stephen taking his rightful place in the Marquess' house. (hide spoiler)]

Thank you, Tanya. I was hoping you would come to the rescue. 😊

Thanks Tanya! Your review is one that has me encouraged to read this book.

My pleasure Missy! My strange loyalty to read all of CC's books (no matter how terrible at times) has paid off!

Ah, I did enjoy this one Joanna. A big part of that is the improved writing, and it's decidely low on theatrics and main characters actually communicate with each other. I hope it doesn't dissapoint!

Wow Tanya! That's quite a lot of woven storyline. Thanks for the summaries because there is no way I was going to read the preceding books. With that backstory. I think I will give this one a go.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Tanya wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Reviews are really encouraging but there isn’t much on whether or not it works as a standalone."

It will most definitely not work as a standalone, this i..."

Thank you for the back stories. I have read through your summary and I am a little apprehensive about starting this one as it seems rather complicated. I have already downloaded the book however, so I guess I will give it a go. Onwards I go.....

I picked up both this one and The Proposition today, but I don't want to start them at the same time. I did that last month, and it was a bit too much juggling for me. I will start this one afterward.

Mariana — I plan to start this one later too.

I have started this now too.

A little bit confusing with all the names, so thanks Tanya for the summary. It is an interesting setup.

First I need to apologise since I nominated this book. I have a horrible
penchant of not reading series in order and I generally manage to catch up. I never thought it would be hampering to te group. Also this one is my fav in the series. The others are a little cringy for my liking. I love the underdog stories.

second apology ' acting the ostrich..

Darabella you got me into a re-read mood! So I'm joining in even though I know half of this by heart.

You're welcome Joanna. There are way too many interconnected stories to be able to read this as a stand-alone.

Leena - I love this one too! I liked the previous ones, but they were mostly forgettable. But this one and the next I simply adored!

oh I've not read the next one

Leena wrote: "First I need to apologise since I nominated this book. I have a horrible
penchant of not reading series in order and I generally manage to catch up. I never thought it would be hampering to te gro..."

I don’t think there’s any reason to apologize Lena. This was a perfectly acceptable nom that many seem to love. Some of us tend to read series in order. and we were just hoping to understand how easy it was to pick up without reading the previous books. However, It is not a universal tendency nor do I think it needs to be catered to. Plus, this was the only non-first in series or standalone book this month so there were other options.

Leena wrote: "oh I've not read the next one"

It's about Clara - from Broderick's book. I quite enjoyed it, never before seen a 42 year old hero so!

Thanks Tanya. definitely going to pick this one up

I am about 60% through and I am enjoying the book. It is my first Christi Caldwell book. I am not sure that I like the style of writing and the back story is rather complicated and a little unlikely...however the romance is lovely and it is lovely to see the thawing of these two very damaged and closed characters.

I am finding Stephen kind of annoying and tiresome and have to remember that 1. he is only 11!! and 2. not having read the previous books, and this not being HIS story (he is just he reason for these two to be thrown together), that perhaps I should cut him some slack

Finished. A 3.5 star read from me. I had a look through the reviews on GR and there are many five star reviews. I think it was the style that I was not keen on - it was really a collection of the hero and heroines thoughts rather than dialogue.

Stephen improved and I ddI enjoy the romance.

Susan, I was afraid of there being a lot of inner monologue and this was what kept me from reading this. I've only read one Christi Caldwell, The Heiress's Deception, and it had a lot of inner monologue. And the worst thing is that it was very repetitive too because it was all about the H/r going over and over in their minds about the fears and insecurities which were keeping them from connecting.

I'm well into the story but haven't been online to post my thoughts. Like Susan, this is my first book by Christi Caldwell; and I'm not sure her writing style is for me. I can't quite put my finger on why. Even though the specific story (return of a kidnapped son with his adoptive sister as governess) has never been done before that I've read and the dark underworld MCs aren't done much other than Sarah MacLean, something about the first few chapters felt trite - like a dark but one-dimensional children's fairy tale.

I do like the idea of the characters and the complex originality of the plot though. It reminds me of The Thief Takers series by Alissa Johnson.

I've finished my re-read. I still love the story, but I noticed something I'm going to put under spoilers for those that haven't read it.

As for the writing, I've read CC since a long time and her writing style isn't the best. But in this series it has gotten soooo much better than what it used to be, her earlier series I struggled to get through. So I know what you guys mean.

(view spoiler)[ Since I was re-reading, I realized that Edwin is called the Mad Marquess... but there's nothing really mad about him. Like he's a pretty normal dude if just a little angsty and broody. I didn't see any indication of him being Mad.

And also the fact that Gertrude is partially blind - which was a big factor in previous books - is completely glossed over here. We never get to see how she survived, especially on the streets with partial blindness. (hide spoiler)]

Yes, Gertrude's partial blindness is totally glossed over but isn't that the ase with most romances. Hard,difficult aspects are either left out or there's just a vague reference to it.

The flip side to reread any novel - we pick up issues that must have been lingering at the back of our minds and then wham! its just there in your face.

At times it makes me rethink my earlier reaction to the book.

I think reading the previous books helped develop the characters. It seems that a lot of Gertrude's backstory is not fully available within this story for those of us who read this as a standalone.

I finished reading and did enjoy the last third better than the first two thirds. Overall I thought it was okay but I do not necessarily plan to read more by the author.

I finished this one as well. I liked it. I thought there were some touching moments, and I actually think I could get into her as an author. I must like more introspective styles, because I see that complaint on authors that I adore sometimes, lol. Kate Clayborn comes to mind as one.

Two things that would hold me back from diving in Caldwell is her output rate and her setting set-up. I don't think it is a setting that is easy to buy into where a den of thieves has managed to secure some sort of respectable position amongst the ton, as a thinly veiled secret that they were formerly a den of thieves. If I got that wrong, then that just highlights one of my issues.

With regards to the output rate, it's too fast. I don't get how she can release that many books in a year. CR I can understand more, but it does not have me putting much faith in the "historical" aspect of HR. I also feel like it she slowed down just a bit that the settings would be better drawn. I think she did well with characterizations in general, stayed pretty consistent I thought, but there were aspects that I'm attributing the setting issues that come in to play in characterizations. So, I guess in short I'm a bit disappointed because I think there is a ton of potential for something remarkable that is not quite being realized.

As for the story, I liked how the hero was willing to bend to accommodate his son. Not wanting anything to do with the Killorians/Diggory's would make complete sense and the fact that he was able to adjust and adapt was cool. I dig that kind of hero.

My reaction to this book and series is very positive. The Bluestocking is one of my favorite HR books, and I have reread it several times.
I love how the overlooked, overprotected, overused Gertrude suddenly finds a will of iron, willing to stare down the crazed Marquise and her family.
I love how she relentlessly protects and guides her brother, who both fights it and who actively seek it. Lets face it, the little
firebug is a bit hard to warm up to.
I also think the romance is lovely, my favorite in the series. Maybe because it isn't quite instantaneous, and even after it begins that are true moments of ugliness.
It's been rare, but now happening more that physical or mental ailments-other than a war hero's scarring- is even mentioned in a book.

Leena, I think was a great selection. I am horrible, rarely take place in a book discussion, but I so excited to see this one.

Maureen, thanks for sharing. I also enjoyed the book and rated it 4 stars.

This is the second book by this author that I’ve read, and sadly, I just don’t like her writing style, her characters or her plots. I find the books require a suspension of disbelief and a tolerance for cartoon villains that unfortunately I do not possess.

I guess that’s just a difference in reader preferences, so I’ll not bother making too many comments. I’ll stick to Stella Riley, Mary Balogh and Julia Quinn! 😉