Currently enjoying: The catch trap by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Not gonna lie I picked it up because it’s about aerialists. And has a gay romance subplot. But I love all the (family) history in this book. It’s endlessly fascinating. A really good read.
What book do you really want to read but haven’t managed to yet?
What book disappointed you most?
What book was a pleasant surprise?
Who’s the protagonist everyone else loves, but you don’t?
Who’s the protagonist everyone hates, but you love?
Name two characters who shouldn’t have never been written as a couple.
What’s your favourite crossover ship?
What author disappointed you the most?
Name an author that was a pleasant surprise.
Name a secondary character that deserved their own book.
Name a book that started strong but was overall a disappointment.
Name a protagonist that deserved better.
Name a secondary character that deserved better.
What’s your most hated storyline/plot-twist?
What’s your most reread book?
Name a book you want to read, but are afraid it might disappoint you.
What’s your favourite book title?
What’s your most hated book title?
What’s a trope you wished would be done better?
What’s a book you think everyone should read?
(Full disclosure, I made this with the Historical Romance genre in mind because I want asks about the books I’ve read, but I think it works for any genre.)
Books I’ve read this year: ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Historical Romance, 5/5
“When you’re given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn’t give things, you take things.”
Yes, there is nothing more that the overwhelmingly female audience of this book would ever want to see than a headless woman showing off her legs while wearing a garter that is neither holding up a stocking or a weapon. Of course this was designed by a fellow woman. Why would I want to look at anything else in my spare time?
AND LO, THE IRISH WARRIOR DOTH COME FORTH THROUGH THE MISTS OF CONNEMARA, WIELDING A SWORD AND CLAD IN THE ANCIENT CEREMONIAL LEATHER JERKIN AND BOOTY SHORTS…NOTHING CAN STOP HIM…
Oh gosh, I’m….what were we talking about again? I’m so sorry, for a second I thought I saw a book about Scotland with someone actually dressed properly on the cover. It was so weird, it was like they actually knew what the weather is like over there. Then I must have blacked out.
While honeymooning on my cruise, I had some time to sit back and relax with a shiny new #book and, of course, it had to be a #historicalromance. Check out my review of Beth Fuller’s novel, The Heir of Drymote. #romance #mystery #indiebookclub #bookreview
I’m a sucker for historical fantasy. Just take a look at my Netflix suggested titles list and it’ll tell you all you need to know. While honeymooning on my cruise, I had some time to sit back and relax with a shiny new book and, of course, it had to be a historical romance. Check out my review of Beth Fuller’s novel, The Heir of Drymote.
I stayed up WAY too late reading Syrie James’ RUNAWAY HEIRESS last night (loved it). Which of course means that it was time for a new book today.
And with Christmas only 10 days away, I figured it was finally time to read HOW THE DUKES STOLE CHRISTMAS. I had a lot of reasons to pick up this collection. Four authors I adore, all in book?! Historical Christmas romance!? That cover?!! But the biggest reason?
Sarah MacLean’s novella, “The Duke of Christmas Present”, the A Christmas Carol retelling in which Eben(ezer Scrooge), Duke of Allryd, actually gets his happily ever after with the woman he once lost.
I mean she may as well have sliced open a sack of catnip and let me roll in it. Because Scrooge and Belle’ s separation has always killed me - frankly, I blame that heartbreaking song in The Muppet Christmas Carol. But anyway, holy mistletoe I have been waiting to read this novella. Time for a little Victorian Christmas cheer!
Notes: The literal Regency lasted from 1811-1820 (during which the future George IV acted as regent for George III, his incapacitated father), but here I’m using it to mean the period from 1803 (the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars) to 1832 (just before the passing of the First Reform Act). Again, this has more to do with the general feel and commonly used tropes of romances set during this time period than actual history. I have no opinion about actual history at this time. I am too tired.
1.A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh (2002)
Exact Setting: 1810s England.
Premise: After the heroic death of his perfect older brother, reckless Kit Butler is supposed to go home and assume his duties as viscount, but his mingled anger and guilt towards the folks at home make that an unpleasant prospect. Rather than marry the woman who ditched him for his late brother, as he’s expected to do, he proposes marriage to Lauren Edgeworth, a very proper lady whom everyone pities for being left at the altar. The trouble is that Lauren doesn’t want to get married at all now; she just wants her well-meaning friends and family to stop worrying about her. The two decide to enter a fake engagement so they can appease their concerned/disapproving loved ones (and maybe show the world how little they care about getting dumped). But then it becomes ALL TOO REAL.
Why I Like It: This was my favorite romance ever for a long time, and it’s still in my top five. Kit and Lauren have the same problem; they’re both incredibly hurt and angry, yet believe that they can’t express their feelings without coming across as bitter jerks (in Lauren’s case because no one was really at fault, and in Kit’s because his family is bad with emotions). They deal with the problem in opposite ways–he behaves badly, while she behaves toowell–but it all boils down to convincing others that they aren’t affected, which unfortunately leads to their loved ones not offering the support they need. United in a lie, though, they are able to be honest and influence each other to be more open with their friends and family. Kit is also the perfect amount of “bad, but not evil,” as the Shangri-Las once said. He likes a fast chariot and a bit of scandalously shirtless fighting in the park, but that just makes him fun.
Favorite Scene: Kit accidentally invents the word “sexy” while skinny-dipping with Lauren.
There comes a time in every woman’s life when she stops giving a stuff what anyone thinks about her, and for Eliza Tricklebank, that time has come. At 28 years old in the Victorian era, without high connections or a large dowry, she’s firmly into spinster territory and she’s decided she’s going to savour the freedom brought by not caring. So when she has a few glasses (too many) of rum punch at a ball and gets the chance to meet a foreign prince, she seizes the day. She never expects to see him again, but strange circumstances conspire - Eliza’s gossip magazine unwittingly comes into a very important piece of information and Sebastian seeks her out.
There’s an utterly fabulous scene where Sebastian finds himself a fish out of water in Eliza’s very ordinary home and he manages to offend her by being officious and, well, royal, and she throws him out on his ear. It’s just perfection and I was giggling so hard by the end of it; it’s no surprise Sebastian can’t stop thinking about Eliza as being absolutely unlike anyone else he’s ever met.
Of course, being a prince, he’s under all sorts of obligations and expectations, not least of which is to make an advantageous marriage to a titled, wealthy, connected Englishwoman. Eliza qualifies on no counts at all, yet the heart wants what it wants. I won’t spoil the ending (though you can probably guess, this being a romance and me not having lost my temper) save to say it’s not completely beyond the bounds of belief, even if it is rather far-fetched.
Eliza is a breath of fresh air, as a heroine; her decisions to tell the truth and stuff the consequences are courageous, and considering where it leads her, inspiring. I really enjoyed this read and look forward to the rest of the series - hopefully Sebastian’s brother Leopold is next to get his own story! Five stars!
