Happily Ever After Cafe discussion
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Summer Is for Lovers
Group Challenges and Buddy Reads
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Summer Is for Lovers by Jennifer McQuiston “Buddy Read” (Start Date: November 4, 2013)
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Pamela(AllHoney), Fairy Godmother
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rated it 4 stars
Nov 08, 2013 01:39PM
Just started. I hope to catch up soon ☺
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Neat, Pamela! I know you will.I finally finished this afternoon while out doing my errands. (I was sidetracked by another book - a mystery.)
Anyway, I'll try and get some wrap-up questions posted tomorrow. I put it on my list of things to do. ☺
Okay, I finished it ☺
Lisa Kay’s Questions for Prologue – Chapter 9 1. Man-oh-man! I love to swim. As much as I think I’d like to go back in time, not being allowed to swim would drive me nuts. We’ve come a long way. Comments.
One of those things we take for granted nowadays. lol Love the water myself and I would hate the thought of not being able to participate.
2. Any guesses as to why Second Lieutenant David Cameron wanted to kill himself? Something to do with a prior love? And, according to his mother, he needs a young woman with a decent dowry, which Caroline is not; though he feels he doesn’t diverse happiness. Comments.
Well, I finished it before answering the questions so I know already.
3. Is it conceivable a 12 year old could save an adult male swimmer? Do you like Caroline Tolbertson, the too-tall heroine? (Born in the wrong century.)
Yes born in the wrong century but I did like her. I did feel like she could have used a little more fleshing out on her character. Maybe a little more insight in her relationship with her father and the rest of her family.
4. Brandon Dermott. What a dweeb. Obviously. I hope he gets his comeuppance. However, what is your impression of Miss Julianne Baxter? Will she be Caroline’s enemy or friend?
I cheated and read it all so can't say since I already know.
5. And Caroline’s mother knew Julianne’s father, Lord Avery. Will that come into play?
Hmmm, Maybe....
6. Any guesses as to if Caroline’s sister, Penelope, will be disgraced, run the paper, stop stuttering, or find true love?
I would be interested in knowing if she will be featured in an upcoming book.
7. Cannabis? I’ve heard of hashish and cocaine in historical romances, but never a cannabis cheroot. Have you?
In HR? no. But hey, it adds to the story.
8. Comments on David and Caroline’s first kiss? David’s comments to the dinner guests? Will rumors abound? Did he open a can of worms?
I loved that he stood up for her but I'm not sure of Caroline appreciated it.
9. Whoa. Comments on David and Caroline’s midnight swim? Not quite skinny-dipping, but close enough. It looks like David’s mermaid holds some allure. Did you enjoy the chase? Did you think there was going to be a mandatory wedding, when Dermott and friends stumbled upon them? Disappointed there wasn’t?
I loved it. I thought it was funny how they were almost caught.
ShoSho's question for Chp.10 – 2010.It’s just as I thought it would be. Those comments about Caroline’s long legs have inspired all the young men. All the attention coming from these young men can’t be a good thing. Why there isn’t one eligible young man among this crowd?
I think they are eligible but perhaps not desirable. But Caroline doesn't need to be picky now does she? lol
11.He really doesn’t know what he wants from her. One moment he is jealous and all over her and the next he is pushing her away. Do you enjoy it? Or do you want to smack him? I wonder when he is going to admit to himself that she is not just a friend?!
Smack him! No, really, smack him! He needs it.
12. I wish there was a way for Caroline to participate in the completion but David participation isn’t a bad idea either. I actually quite liked this idea. Did you? Is he going to win? Can you see a way for Caroline to participate?
I didn't see a way for participation but I have finished the book and can't comment further.
13. Caroline thoughts about marriage and how a husband would affect her future were really depressing. But for that era it was a normal affair. Comments.
Ok, maybe she was a bit realistic in her expectations but I think many women/girls even back then had high hopes for their future.
14. She’s been swimming there for ages and alone and he told her that he didn’t want her swimming alone anymore. Not a wise thing to say! Why do men think they know best? I only hope there won’t be a dramatic scene of Caroline drowning and David saving her. Can anything like this happen?
Well, anything is possible. Even the strongest swimmers can have accidents and having a partner is wise.
15.I loved it when she told him that she thinks he is her match. It was courageous. But I didn’t like his reply. What did you think of their conversation and his excuses?
They are exactly that - excuses. Men!
16. I searched “what happens in Scotland” for “Elizabeth Ramsey” . She is mentioned there, I totally had forgotten about it. She is the reason there was friction between David, James McKenzie and his father. Do you remember? Or have you even read the other book?
I read it but I don't really remember the issue.
17.What did you think about this comment?
“Your whole body tenses up when you speak of the girl you loved. It looks as if a lifetime of shuttlecock would be more enjoyable, if you will forgive the observation.”
McQuiston, Jennifer (2013-09-24). Summer Is for Lovers (p. 151). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
Not familiar with shuttlecock so it loses some in translation but I get the main gist of it.
18.I had to search for these bathing machines . They look pretty scary. Would you have gotten into one of these?(view spoiler)
The modern me would do it but the old fashion proper me that would have been born in that time probably wouldn't.
19.What do you think about Pen and Mr. Hamilton? Is it romance brewing there or is has something to do with Penelope writing? If it’s personal why did he want to call on Caroline?
Not sure Pen should even want him since he was "courting" Caroline.
Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 21 – Epilogue
SPOLIERS!
20. Do you like make-over scenes, where the dress makes all the difference?
21. Did you know the significance of Penelope’s notes way before Caroline? And later we learn Penelope turned Mr. Hamilton down? Well, one of his suggestions, anyway. Comments on this and the end result of her snooping!
22. Were you expecting, given David’s snit, for there to be more of a confrontation when Caroline showed up (with rags in her hair – LOL!!!) at the swimming spot.
23. Well, I’m glad David apologized for calling Caroline a “burden.” But still… was it too little too late?
24. I don’t think Caroline was listening to David’s story close enough. She thought at the end of it that Elizabeth was the love of David’s life, that he was still in love with a ghost. I didn’t get that at all. You?
25. What was your reaction to the three proposals?
26. What did you think of the foreplay scene on the beach? Of David’s indignation about Caroline not revealing the proposals. Her response, “And I cannot marry someone who hasn’t offered for me.” Was he wrong in telling her why she suddenly was attractive to the summer set?
27. Seems like it was long past time for all of Caroline’s family to get everything out in the open. What did you think of her father asking them all look out for one another?
28. What did you think of the rescue? Of Caroline swimming like a foreign man!
29. Did you like what David’s mother said to him? Do you think it is possible the baby wasn’t his? Is there more to that story?
30. What did you think of how Caroline entered the race? And her linseed swimsuit by Madame Beauclerc?
31. What an arse Dermott remained! I can’t figure out why he proposed to Caroline? Was he secretly attracted to her from the beginning, despite his protests, or did he just want to win her affections – since she was a popular item that summer?
32. What is the upshot on your opinion of Miss Baxter? Friend, foe, or somewhere in-between? Does she have the potential to be the heroine in a future book in the series?
33. Comments on the kiss on the beach, in front of everyone, at the end of the race? Natural reaction by both parties?
34. Did it make sense, given his history, for David to want to wait until the wedding night to consummate their relationship? Were you glad?
35. Comments on the Epilogue.
36. What did you rate the book? (Link your review, if you did one.) Will you continue the series?
@ Pamela#3 – I agree.
#6 – Me, too! I wouldn’t mind reading one about Pen.
#9 – Yes, a well written scene, I thought. I could see it clearly in my mind.
#11 – **hee hee**
#14 – True.
#15 – Men!
#17 – According to Wiki: shuttlecock is a high-drag projectile used in the sport of badminton…
Glad you're feeling better, Pamela! ☺
Hi AllI'm on hold at the library. Hope I get it in time for the reading period.
I hope so, too, Claudette! Welcome. I'll still reply to your responses, if you don't get it in November.
Oh, good qs. I gotta get breakfast together and whatnot and then I'll be back with my answers. :)
Lisa Kay wrote: "I hope so, too, Claudette! Welcome. I'll still reply to your responses, if you don't get it in November."Thanks for the reply.
Could you fill me in on how the 'buddy reading' works
Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 21 – Epilogue SPOLIERS!
20. Do you like make-over scenes, where the dress makes all the difference?
Not really but I liked in this one.I do believe that you can look your best with the right dress and suitable haircut and makeup but to make it such a big deal and a life altering event, like so many reality TV shows do,it's just wrong and it gets on my nerves !
21. Did you know the significance of Penelope’s notes way before Caroline? And later we learn Penelope turned Mr. Hamilton down? Well, one of his suggestions, anyway. Comments on this and the end result of her snooping!
Yes I thought she was writing for the newspaper ,it was kinda obvious !I wasn't a big fan of Penelope by the end
22. Were you expecting, given David’s snit, for there to be more of a confrontation when Caroline showed up (with rags in her hair – LOL!!!) at the swimming spot.
I liked that she showed up with the rags in her hair and yes I thought there will be a bit of argument
23. Well, I’m glad David apologized for calling Caroline a “burden.” But still… was it too little too late?
He was an A*S for most of the book but I forgave him at the end :P
24. I don’t think Caroline was listening to David’s story close enough. She thought at the end of it that Elizabeth was the love of David’s life, that he was still in love with a ghost. I didn’t get that at all. You?
No I didn't get that either but he was implying that or he wanted her to believe that he was still in love with ER.
25. What was your reaction to the three proposals?
I thought are they crazy?who proposes after 3 days of acquaintance ? but I was happy for Caroline .it was good for her confidence if nothing else
26. What did you think of the foreplay scene on the beach? Of David’s indignation about Caroline not revealing the proposals. Her response, “And I cannot marry someone who hasn’t offered for me.” Was he wrong in telling her why she suddenly was attractive to the summer set?
I didn't like the foreplay scene . At this point I really like Caroline , she was bold in telling him what she wanted
28. What did you think of the rescue? Of Caroline swimming like a foreign man!
Thank God it was she who saved someone and not being saved that would have ruined the whole book for me . I loved this scene and the fact that all those people saw it. but I didn't like them being on her beach
29. Did you like what David’s mother said to him? Do you think it is possible the baby wasn’t his? Is there more to that story?
No I think the baby was his but ER wasn't faithful . I can't think of anything else ,she was just an opportunist . Do you think there is more to the story?
30. What did you think of how Caroline entered the race? And her linseed swimsuit by Madame Beauclerc?
From the moment Madame Beauclerc told her she can make her a swimsuit I knew she is going to be in the race and was waiting for it to happened and LOVED it
31. What an arse Dermott remained! I can’t figure out why he proposed to Caroline? Was he secretly attracted to her from the beginning, despite his protests, or did he just want to win her affections – since she was a popular item that summer?
Yeah me neither ,maybe he just wanted to stay fashionable and the present fashion was to offer for Caroline ?!
32. What is the upshot on your opinion of Miss Baxter? Friend, foe, or somewhere in-between? Does she have the potential to be the heroine in a future book in the series?
Her heroines are not typical HR heroines ,both Caroline and Georgette from WHIS are different , and Miss Baxter doesn't seem like heroine material but I think JM will pull it off
33. Comments on the kiss on the beach, in front of everyone, at the end of the race? Natural reaction by both parties?
Can I say I wish it hadn't happened? It was just so out of place and out of reality of that time
34. Did it make sense, given his history, for David to want to wait until the wedding night to consummate their relationship? Were you glad?
Yes it made so much sense , I was happy that he waited
35. Comments on the Epilogue.
A good one
36. What did you rate the book? (Link your review, if you did one.) Will you continue the series
4 stars and I don't know ,I'll probably read if there is a buddy read.
Claudette wrote: "Could you fill me in on how the 'buddy reading' works..."Well, each has a personality of their own.
We usually agree to read a book at a certain pace, though nothing big happens, if you read ahead and don't post spoilers. We welcome anyone's comments.
Sometimes people volunteer to post Discussion Questions, to which you may answer all, some, or none.
Other times we just do it less formally and comment where we are in the book and what we thought.
Some people, who have read the book before, jump in at the end and give us their thoughts.
@ ShoSho#20 – I like a good make-over scene. However, there was one reality show – I can’t recall the name – where they had plastic surgery. For some people on it, it was very life altering, but I was quite conflicted about it.
#21 – I liked Pen, too, but I didn’t like that she let out about that inlet and the baby sparrows’ nest got tossed in the sea.
#22 – Yes, not a very vain act. LOL!
#23 – LMBO! I’m going to have to agree with you on that one.
#24 – You’re right; I think he was a bit confusing, as there was a point in the book where he wanted her to think that.
#25 – FOFLMBO! Very true. Who does that?
#28 – Yes, it would have ruined it for me, too.
#29 – Hmmm… now you make me wonder if she might even have tried to pass off David’s baby as that other guy. Or, if – when she found out she was pregnant – she knew her prospects with him were definitely over.
#30 – Ah! You’re smarter than I am. I thought she’d get a swimsuit made by her, but not for the race.
#32 – Yes, JM might be able to pull it off.
#33 – I liked it, and felt it, but then again – given the era – it wouldn’t have happened.
#34 – Ditto.
#35 - That speaks well for our "buddy reads"! LOL!
Lisa Kay wrote: "Claudette wrote: "Could you fill me in on how the 'buddy reading' works..."Well, each has a personality of their own.
We usually agree to read a book at a certain pace, though nothing big happ..."
Thanks for keeping me up to speed
Kit's Answers to Lisa Kay's Qs for Ch 21-Epilogue20. Yea, I like them for the most part, because it's true that the right clothes and hair can make a huge difference. Like that Style by Jury show. Some of those transformations are like wow! Cept they do dental work and makeup too. I was glad Caroline got a beautiful dress that showcased her assets instead of trying to squeeze her into a style meant to enhance a different size and shape of girl.
21. I figured from commentary here she was working for the paper, though I didn't get why she had pages upon pages of stalkerish notes, like she'd been studying her for months. I was a little surprised she turned Hamilton down.
22. Yea, as pissy as he was acting, I thought there was gonna be a big to-do. I was surprised he didn't have an outburst.
23. I agree he wasn't as nice as he coulda been. Glad he apologized though.
24. Well, he did kinda make it seem like he was telling her he still loved Elizabeth, so no, I wasn't confused.
25. It was not believable at all that she'd be so amazingly popular after three days, and that all these society boys would be jumping over each other to propose to her without knowing her background, dowry, etc. But it still made me laugh :)
26. I did not like it. After his being kinda jerky, for him to not even kiss her, and to make her do that. Ugh. That is something you do with a partner you know and trust, together. Not hey, lay yourself out and do it, and how he was kinda thinking it as a punishment for her. Nah, didn't do it for me. I liked how she flat out said he couldn't complain. I was like, yea, go girl! I think he picked not the greatest moment to tell her, but he needed to tell her eventually anyway.
27. I thought it was funny, how he knew how they'd all react, and how they each handled it differently.
28. Oh, when I saw she was heading there at high tide, I was like, oh, here we go, she's gonna need rescued. Way surprised by all the people on her beach! I woulda been raging mad! Glad she rescued the kid.
29. I was glad she helped convince him to let go of the whole deal a little bit, and helped him see Elizabeth wasn't some moody angel. I think the baby was his, but the Elizabeth had had a thing for James and tried to cling to him as soon as she saw the chance.
30. I figured as soon as MB mentioned making a swimsuit she'd get in somehow. I did kinda like how Miss Baxter had a hand in it, I was surprised by that.
31. Yea, I think it was just because she was popular, he wanted to win that little competition. Dumb reason to tie yourself to someone for life, but Dermott struck me as pretty dumb all around. Reminded me of Ursula's boyfriend in the George of the Jungle movie, that dopey, arrogant dweeb.
32. I still think she's kind of a bitch, but she has potential. I'm interested to see how she comes across in the next book.
33. I liked it, historically accurate or no. It just added to the triumph of the moment for me, made me smile.
34. I guess it made sense, though I was a little surprised by it. I liked it when they finally did it though, how he arranged all that, it was perfect, and sweet.
35. I liked it, it made me happy how she realized it'd be good there in Scotland.
36. Four stars for me, I liked it very well, though still liked #1 a bit more. Eager for #3 definitely. Hoping we can buddy read it, but I'll read it anyway if we don't. Both the author's books so far have been very good for me, so I'll be watching for her books in the future. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... :)
@ Kit★#22 - **gigglesnort**
#25 – Made me smile, too.
#26 - **gigglesnort**
#28 – Yes, I liked when she commented to her mother at the table that she did rescue the kid! Priorities!
#30 – Yes, Miss Baxter surprised me.
#33 - ☺
Lovely review, Kit★!
@Kit#31.LMAO !
#34.Yes it was really sweet
#36.I liked the first a tiny bit more too
Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 21 – Epilogue SPOLIERS!
20. Do you like make-over scenes, where the dress makes all the difference?
I think a dress does make a difference to an extent, but it is ridiculous to see a previously really ugly-looking person become a great beauty only with a change of dress. I can believe that through effort a plain person can become quite pretty sometimes, it depends on the author whether she is able to write a convincing make-over scene.
21. Did you know the significance of Penelope’s notes way before Caroline? And later we learn Penelope turned Mr. Hamilton down? Well, one of his suggestions, anyway. Comments on this and the end result of her snooping!
I suspected it when Mr. Hamilton denied being the social section’s reporter.
I was partly disappointed that Pen turned him down, but her joy at being appointed as a journalist made up for that.
Penelope’s snooping surely did a lot of good for Caroline in the end, considering the fact that it was due to Penelope that everyone got the chance to know about Caroline’s swimming. All’s well that ends well, I guess.
22. Were you expecting, given David’s snit, for there to be more of a confrontation when Caroline showed up (with rags in her hair – LOL!!!) at the swimming spot.
I expected a little confrontation but then I wasn’t exactly surprised with the outcome since David is shown to be quite a reasonable person.
23. Well, I’m glad David apologized for calling Caroline a “burden.” But still… was it too little too late?
It would have been too little too late if I didn’t suspect David to be already in love with her.
24. I don’t think Caroline was listening to David’s story close enough. She thought at the end of it that Elizabeth was the love of David’s life, that he was still in love with a ghost. I didn’t get that at all. You?
I felt that at times Caroline put David on a pedestal. Maybe she believed that David’s inability to move on stemmed more from the fact that he was still mourning the loss of his love than from the guilt of not being able to save Elizabeth.
25. What was your reaction to the three proposals?
For someone as independent as Caroline, marrying Duffington, whose actions were influenced by his mother, their match seemed too ill-suited from the beginning.
Branson lacked the maturity that Caroline had. And the fact that Branson’s actions seemed totally influenced by what others said (like David who veered him in Caroline’s direction earlier when he stated her qualities and his friends who told him to wait a week before proposing) clearly made him ineligible too.
Dermott, as well as his proposal, seemed too calculated to be genuine. At least Duffington’s proposal was more sincere.
26. What did you think of the foreplay scene on the beach? Of David’s indignation about Caroline not revealing the proposals. Her response, “And I cannot marry someone who hasn’t offered for me.” Was he wrong in telling her why she suddenly was attractive to the summer set?
David’s indignation was understandable considering that he was both jealous of the suitors and frustrated that he was too much of a gentleman to actually ruin Caroline, but it was his own stubbornness not to love her that was at fault.
Caroline’s response was exactly what David should have expected since it was not his place to feel indignant when he was the one to practically shove her suitors towards Caroline.
In retrospect, it was the right thing to do since I felt that if I were in her position I would have wanted to know that. Though David’s timing and the way he said it could have been a bit more tactful.
27. Seems like it was long past time for all of Caroline’s family to get everything out in the open. What did you think of her father asking them all look out for one another?
Her father seemed like a wise man to make them all look out for one another. If Caroline and her family had better communication then perhaps could share the burden of their finance together.
28. What did you think of the rescue? Of Caroline swimming like a foreign man!
It was awesome that people finally got to see how cool Caroline was. Though there were some snobs like Dermott, who just could not see past their noses.
29. Did you like what David’s mother said to him? Do you think it is possible the baby wasn’t his? Is there more to that story?
I think his mother’s words were somewhat of an eye-opener to David.
Elizabeth didn’t seem like a paragon of virtue, so it might have been possible that the baby wasn’t his.
I definitely don’t want any more in that story. David and Caroline deserved their happy ending without the past creating more disturbance in their lives.
30. What did you think of how Caroline entered the race? And her linseed swimsuit by Madame Beauclerc?
I definitely suspected that Caroline was going to swim in public when Madame Beauclerc mentioned the swimsuit, and kept my fingers crossed that she would somehow enter and win the race.
I have never heard of a linseed swimsuit, but all that matters is that she WON!!
31. What an arse Dermott remained! I can’t figure out why he proposed to Caroline? Was he secretly attracted to her from the beginning, despite his protests, or did he just want to win her affections – since she was a popular item that summer?
I had my suspicions about Dermott’s proposal. The man was too much of a braggart and self-centred to see Caroline as anything more than the ‘popular item that summer’.
32. What is the upshot on your opinion of Miss Baxter? Friend, foe, or somewhere in-between? Does she have the potential to be the heroine in a future book in the series?
Miss Baxter wasn’t malicious but neither was she a friend, so even though I don’t think her to be unlikeable I won’t consider her a favourable person either.
Miss Baxter didn’t seem like a potential heroine to me, with her gossiping nature and a propensity for acting spoilt at times but I think this author can pull it off.
33. Comments on the kiss on the beach, in front of everyone, at the end of the race? Natural reaction by both parties?
I guess it was a natural reaction to winning, but it just seemed so scandalous to kiss in public wearing less than proper clothing. It might not be London, but I can’t seem to take in the fact that there won’t even be an inkling of any repercussion regarding it.
34. Did it make sense, given his history, for David to want to wait until the wedding night to consummate their relationship? Were you glad?
It did make sense since he was trying to be more careful and did not want to take any risk with Caroline. Yes, I was glad. Call me outmoded but I believe in physical intimacy after marriage.
35. Comments on the Epilogue.
It was good, but I wanted to know if David’s mother’s wish to get a golden-haired granddaughter was indeed fulfilled or not.
36. What did you rate the book? (Link your review, if you did one.) Will you continue the series?
I rated it 4 stars.
If I like the reviews for the other books of this series then I might read them too.
@ Ipshita#20 – Yes, the author has to make it work. Plus, people who care about their appearance do look more attractive. (I’m talking dirt under the finger nails and grungy teeth, etc.).
#21 – Good point.
#24 – Ah!
#26 – I agree; Duffington’s was the most sincere.
#28 - **blows another raspberry at Dermott**
#30 – Yay!
#32 – Yes, if the author has her mature.
#33 – True. I was expecting Dermott to break off the engagement right then and there (after the kiss), not just tell David to take his hands off her.
#35 – Yes! Hopefully in the next book.
Thanks, everyone! I had a great time doing this buddy read. I hope to participate in more such buddy reads soon. :)
We'll definitely have more!
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