Historical Romance Book Club discussion
Gaol/Buddy Reads & Challenges
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BR - In for a Penny
I am ready to go when you guys are!! I may have a head start because I am at least 6 hours ahead!? :D
I invited Christina and Andrea to join the group so they can participate on the thread! I will be starting Friday but if you guys want to start Thursday, I can catch up!
Hey there :) I'm also ready to go, just say the word. I think I'm currently 8 hours ahead of the west coast, so I could be a little ahead of you guys at some times. Also, quick question, we'll use this thread to discuss the book and just add regular status updates that we don't comment on? Or... both? :)
Andrea wrote: "Hey there :) I'm also ready to go, just say the word. I think I'm currently 8 hours ahead of the west coast, so I could be a little ahead of you guys at some times. Also, quick question, we'll use ..."I plan to do both :)
Ally wrote: "Becca wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Hey there :) I'm also ready to go, just say the word. I think I'm currently 8 hours ahead of the west coast, so I could be a little ahead of you guys at some times. Als..."Works for me! Christina prefers to do updates and won't be joining the group, so I will be doing status updates as well as posting comments here to include everyone :)
Ladies, may I invite someone else to join us?
Awesome! This is becoming quite a party :)
Sorry, I just got started with the first chapter. But I already love Nev as well :D is anyone else's kindle edition also badly formatted? I just got to a point on page 6 where there should be a paragraph because the boys are obviously somewhere else, but there's no line break :( had to read it twice to realize what was going on...
Andrea wrote: "Sorry, I just got started with the first chapter. But I already love Nev as well :D is anyone else's kindle edition also badly formatted? I just got to a point on page 6 where there should be a par..."I had that happen too! They were fleeing that ball and suddenly they were at the theatre.
Ok, that was the first time I noticed it,too!And Ally, I just got to the awful news. That was really intense... Papa seems to have been really negligent. Hopefully dear Nev will learn from that.
I love his buddies, btw. Does anyone know of there's any hope this will become a series?
I won't read to chapter 3 until tonight. Are you reading more tomorrow? Should I plan to read through chapter 6 on Friday?
Nah. I'll wait for you to catch up. I got sucked in and ended up reading ahead a bit wit out noticing. Shame on me... But I'm really enjoying it <3
Ally wrote: "I'm still at 2.5. Probably will not get to three until later tonight. And then I am clicking @Andrea's spoiler! Cannot wait. ."Yay! Me neither :) I will post an update tonight!
Noura would like to join us! How do I add her? Do I just give her the link?
Yep, I agree. The writing is beautiful! And I love both of them for quite different reasons. I love Nev for having the guts to change his live so radically and take responsibility, that he doesn't just suck up to his rich in-laws but actually bothers getting to know them without condescension. I feel really bad for him because he just never learnt anything about the real world. It's a little sad, I think.
And Penny! She's so sensible and practical. I love that she made a list of demands, that she's not weepy or throwing tantrums because she was married for her money. Although, am I reading a little to much into her love for Sense&Sensibility? Cause (and I'm putting this in a spoiler cause I read ahead to chapter 6 last night,..) (view spoiler)
Lerner definitely does have an interesting style. With her complex prose, but forthright characters, I'm thoroughly enjoying it at this point. I hope she keeps it focused on the characters because I think I will enjoy it best that way!I cannot believe that Nev's father left his family in such a state. It wasn't just debt--It was complete ruin! I agree with Ally that this book, in just a few short chapters really does show a contrast between the often wasteful ton and the self-made wealth of the merchant class.
This Edward seems like a real piece of work doesn't he? Ugh. You'll know what I mean when you get there.
Yep. Edward is a lovely fellow... That was really really awful. I hope he doesn't turn into a complete villain and starts harassing those two!
Ally wrote: "Andrea wrote: "spoiler"Answer [spoilers removed]"
My thoughts exactly! (view spoiler) Glad I'm not the only one thinking like that :)
I find the parallels with Sense and Sensibility fascinating. With how Lerner has surprised me thus far though, I think she will put a unique spin on it (at least that is my hope!)
I love all the literary references! So elegantly done. And I have to say now they are married I still like Penelope better than Nev.
How old was Nev supposed to be? I think Lerner wrote that "in 23 years of his life" or something to that effect, so he was only 23?
There isn't a lot of physical attraction though. Am I the only one feeling this way? I remember when I read her Listen to the Moon and commented on how I appreciated that the lead characters had a practical attitude toward their sex life, someone said "So Rose Lerner has turned up the heat level in her latest novel?" I can see why she felt that way if she was comparing In for a Penny to Listen to the Moon.
And what a clever title, it makes me smile. So much better than "in the earl's bed" or the likes. lol
I also thought that meant he was 23. But I mean. It makes sense that he's that young, because he still has some growing up to do, and I like him better for turning his life around that early on.And I agree on the chemistry. I mean, it was one kiss and Penny said it was special, but... But then again, that's the whole point, they don't really know each other. Maybe it'll get more tangible in time, as their feelings for each other grow?
Re: Heat levelNot that I am dying to see some actions (or am I?? lol) I just feel that between a couple there should always be some physical attraction, then the attraction grows into something more. I can't really feel the attraction between Penny and Nev. Penny seemed infatuated with Nev. It seems to me that Nev "didn't mind" Penny, which I think is a far cry from being attracted to her.
Opinions?
And what Edward did was NOT COOL. Talk about being bitter. He seemed small, in kind and I venture to guess, in his manly area too. (Oh shame on me!) lol
I know what you mean, a "measure of real concern in his looks" isn't really all that hot ^^
Ok, I take it back. A little. Wait until you get to the honey incident at breakfast :) And speaking of that, what is up with that mother of his??? (view spoiler)
Hahaha I went further than the honey scene, don't want to spoil it for you. I just still feel that a little more physical attraction would have made it more relatable for me.
Ok. I have to admit I didn't know that word, but based on what my dictionary says it means, I don't think so, sorry ^^ She just got honey on her fingers at breakfast and he wanted to lick it off. Sadly, his darling mother (*coughs*) showed up before anything could happen.
Ally wrote: "So, I am at chapter 2.5 as of this morning. And seriously, I love the way the hero, Nev, is portrayed as a typical playboy of the day and his friends, Percy and Thirkell. [spoilers removed]. Love. ..."I just finished ch 3.
When I read that Nev, gasp (view spoiler)
Andrea wrote: "Oh my. I just finished Chapter 3. I'm a little shocked that he [spoilers removed]"I love your name! ;)
That was harsh and jarring. I expected more finesse. He must be in a state of shock!
Well, there were some things that bothered me at the beginning, but I can forgive a lot if the author uses the word "Cyprians."
Another Andrea! That's gonna become confusing if we're not careful ;) But you're right, he does think about (view spoiler).
oh man I didn't even notice that there are two Andreas. (Andrea +s, not Andreas, the male version. lol) Both of you have something green in the pictures. I completely missed it! hahahahahahaha
ladies I am getting this impression that this is a family drama rather than a romance. thoughts? I feel very close to Penelope, probably a proof that I am common. hahahahahahahaha
Andrea wrote: "Another Andrea! That's gonna become confusing if we're not careful ;) But you're right, he does think about [spoilers removed]."I think a lot of readers would be bothered if the H is thinking about (view spoiler)It will be all the more sweeter when thoughts of (view spoiler)are replaced with Penny.
Ally wrote:2) We are afforded several examples of the ridiculousness of the British aristocracy and the pragmatism of the British merchant class. Nev was brought up to never understand what money was, how it worked or even how to add (I'm be a little farcical here). So, of course the aristocracy had to evolve. There is no way it could have lived and continued to exist without an influx of $. Add to that, our fair heroine has a mind for numbers and negotiations. She's my hero!
Very keen and insightful observation Ally!
The aristocracy in taking a disdain for the earning of money but wanting/feeling entitled to luxurious lifestyle and avoiding any "lower class" concern or understanding of money and finances was not sustainable!
Ok, is anyone else worried about the Amy thing? (warning, serious spoiler ahead, do not read until you've hit page 150 or so!) (view spoiler)And also, why does it have to be THAT hard for those two? Seriously, they can't trust anyone at that estate of his (view spoiler), everyone is making them both feel SO bad about their marriage (view spoiler). Am I the only one feeling just a tiny little bit depressed? On the one hand, I'm glad it's not all just sunshine and unicorns, but...
Sorry, rant over ^^
I am not so worried about Amy. I think Nev's age bothers me more. lol
Zoe wrote: "I am not so worried about Amy. I think Nev's age bothers me more. lol"I like an older H but due to the author, I keep forgetting that he is only 23.
Andrea wrote: "Ok, is anyone else worried about the Amy thing? (warning, serious spoiler ahead, do not read until you've hit page 150 or so!) [spoilers removed]And also, why does it have to be THAT hard for tho..."
Andrea, I can't help but agree with all points, but I'm liking the complexity of what is happening.
It's true there is a lot going on, but the author is making it all work for me.
Huh. Looks like I missed a whole bunch of comments somehow. Sorry.Ally, the scenes where they met their tenants were awfully intense, right? As in, how are they ever going to resolve all that is going wrong on that estate.... There's just so much awful stuff going on there.
But Andrea, you're right, it does work somehow, and makes for a nice story. I often get the impression in romances that those two people only exist when they're together, and it's really nice that these two actually have stuff to deal with. But by now, I would really love to see them bond, or talk about themselves to get to know each other. I feel like all I know about Nev is that he's basically a good guy who has a lot to learn, and that Amy is a no-nonsense kind of person.
Also, did anyone else get to Chapter 12 yet? Cause Zoe, I agree, there's a lot of family drama. (view spoiler)
I am at chapter 14, pausing because I seem to be getting ahead of the group......
Hi! I'm jumping in..... :-)I'm at Chapter 9...
I'm pausing bec I too have gone too far ahead.
@Noura: Hey you! Welcome to the group. So, what are your thoughts about it so far? @Ally: Have fun and stay safe :) That sounds like so much fun
Welcome Noura!Ally, have fun out on the ocean! It sounds so relaxing to go out on the ocean by boat!
Is anyone else as disgusted by Sir Jasper and the vicar from hell as I am?
Grrr!