Challenge Corner discussion

For most of her life, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline has subsisted – isolated by deafness – making hats in the solitude of her home. Now, she’s at risk to lose her sanctuary to Lord Nicolas Thornton, a twenty-seven-year-old mysterious and eccentric architect with designs on her humble estate. When she secretly witnesses him raging beside a grave, Juliet investigates, finding the name “Hawk” on the headstone and an unusual flower at the base. The moment Juliet touches the petals, a young English nobleman appears in ghostly form, singing a song only her deaf ears can hear. The ghost remembers nothing of his identity or death, other than the one name that haunts his afterlife: Thornton.

To avenge her ghostly companion and save her estate, Juliet pushes aside her fear of society and travels to Lord Thornton’s secluded holiday resort, posing as a hat maker in one of his boutiques. There, she finds herself questioning who to trust: the architect of flesh and bones who can relate to her through romantic gestures, heartfelt notes, and sensual touches … or the specter who serenades her with beautiful songs and ardent words, touching her mind and soul like no other man ever can. As sinister truths behind Lord Thornton’s interest in her estate and his tie to Hawk come to light, Juliet is lured into a web of secrets. But it’s too late for escape, and the tragic love taking seed in her heart will alter her silent world forever

Ch 1-2 (view spoiler)[ the writing seems a bit over flowery and dramatic.
I’m not sure I trust the uncle.- why would he be so keen for the girl to sell the house?
Juliet seems a bit mixed up herself! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 4 (view spoiler)[ She seems a bit overly hormonal- I’m sure she should be more shocked by the salacious tone of the conversation! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 10 (view spoiler)[ so the uncle has proven himself to be really sneaky
I didn’t imagine that the viscount and Hawk were twin brothers- I hope we find out how he died. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11 (view spoiler)[- a weird idea- pleasure haunt combined with winter hotel for men and women? Does not sound authentically Victorian (hide spoiler)]

Ch 12 (view spoiler)[ well it seems like Juliet is between a rock and a hard place- her uncle having revealed his bankruptcy and how her mother and he planned Juliets future before her mother’s death. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 13
(view spoiler)[ it really is ridiculous watching Juliet move around clutching a flower pot! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 17
(view spoiler)[ I can’t even tell if I’m enjoying this or not- I seem to be loving to hate it- the historical fiction lover part of me is feeling very disparaging as this really is taking so many liberties with the Victorian context. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 24 (view spoiler)[ Juliet is beyond annoying - as is this book! I’m looking forward to finishing it (if I can !) (hide spoiler)]

Finished.
(view spoiler)[ I really didn’t enjoy this book. Initially it was because I was being a bit of a historical fiction snob, so filled with modern sensibilities and anachronisms. But then the plot was ridiculous, seesawing from one discovery to another- and it was badly overwritten and over dramatic. (hide spoiler)]

28%(view spoiler)[ This story is interesting so far I have not ever read from the point of view of a deaf character it is an interesting element to the story. I really like the characters especially Juliet I also like Hawk he is an interesting ghost they seem to suit each other well. I am enjoying the plot first the story starts with Juliet's mother's funeral talks about her deafness moves on to Juliet seeing someone at a grave and taking a flower not long after she first sees Hawk and thinks him to not be real finds out things and he disappears. So overall I am liking this book will continue soon. (hide spoiler)]

52%(view spoiler)[This book is interesting I like the mystery and romance elements it is not the best book by this author but I still like it so far. I still am liking the characters Juliet is interesting has her own way about things I like the romance it is developing well. I am enjoying the story more has been learnt about Hawk and the viscount who is his brother things are slowly unraveling but I do like it so far. (hide spoiler)]

74%(view spoiler)[ This story is good yet not great not her best work but it is still keeping me interested. I still really like Juliet also Lord Thornton is growing on me the more that is learnt about him the more intriguing he becomes. I am liking the plot the mystery is slowly unraveling and more in learnt about Hawk and his family. So overall I am liking this book will finish it soon. (hide spoiler)]

100%(view spoiler)[The ending changed my mind about a good bit of this book I just loved that emotional ending. I really liked the characters especially how they were by the ending I loved the romance so much I just love happy endings. The plot was the best it could be by the end the rest of the mystery is found out you realize Chaine and Hawk had changed places what lead up to his death after Chaine is hurt defending her honor Hawk saves him and is gone for good after that there is the best happy ending. (hide spoiler)]

What else have you read by this author Cindee?