Historical Romance Book Club discussion
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On Dit - Series reads
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Well done Ally! I've only read one Anne Gracie. Bride by Mistake
which I got from the library so I thought I'd try it. But I didn't like it much. Now I want to try some of her other books, as that one possibly wasn't her best, going on reviews. I realised that I've finished another series this year, the Rockliffe Georgian series by Stella Riley, of which the latest one (#4) came out in May 2017. I suspect there will be at least one more still to come, though. I started reading them last December, so can *almost* call it a 2017 series read LOL. I liked #2 and the new one best - the others were OK but not as good IMO. But overall, an enjoyable series in a more traditional, less steamy HR style.
Jan130 wrote: "Well done Ally! I've only read one Anne Gracie. Bride by Mistake which I got from the library so I thought I'd try it. But I didn't like it muc..."Yes I only gave bride by mistake 2 stars! The first books in that series were stronger, but I preferred the merridew sisters and consider #2 The Perfect Waltz a keeper. The chance sisters series were good but not as good as the merridews for me.
Thank you Loriidae. That's reassuring. I will add the Merridews to my tbr :)
I never read novellas. I'm a full length book kind of girl. Also loved Wulf's book. Enjoy
Novellas are like sprinkles on a cupcake.I can take or leave them so I do not think of them as part of the series. When you crave a character but you do not want a reread then a novella will hit the spot.
I will say some reviewers will tell you to read the novellas as an addition to the story. I find this very helpful.
Punctuation is not easy on my phone. LOL ***forgive***
Ally wrote: "Do you think I have to read ALL of the novellas to consider a series read?"No, not IMO. To me the novellas are an optional extra. If they're done well, they can be a pleasant little add-on. But, not essential reading.
I see you are reading the Bedwyns series, Ally. If you enjoy the final book, there is a novella that follows that one. It's about Christine Derrick's sister Eleanor. The novella in itself isn't that spectacular, but the bonus is that you do get to see a little more of the characters from the series, a few years later. Nice. The novella is in Once Upon A Dream
Ally wrote: ".... I'm inconsistent in the there are some novellas I love and others that I just want to chuck =)"I heard an interview on the radio the other day with Ian Rankin (mysteries) - he stressed that it didn't matter if it was a short story, novella, or full length novel, they all had to have the same elements, character development, plot structure etc.
I think this is why so many novellas don't work - too often I think after reading that would have suited a full length novel better.
Having said that Caroline Linden's
was one of the best in the series. If I can get hold of them at a for me, reasonable price I try them, every so often there is a hidden gem.
Interesting comments from Ian Rankin, Loriidae. I'm so often disappointed by novellas, and perhaps that's why. I usually feel frustrated by the lack of sufficient character development. But yes, there can be occasional gems. I haven't read the Caroline Linden you refer to, but I can think of a well-known PNR series where the prequel novella is (IMO) clearly the best book in the whole series. (Sorry for briefly stepping away from HR, mods). It's Alpha & Omega
, which also appears in On the Prowl
. Fantastic example of just how good a novella can be.
Missy wrote: "I've read the Wallflowers and the Ravenels series by Lisa Kleypas. I still have the first two books from the Hathaways to complete."I'm following in your footsteps Missy. Having read The Ravenels, I've now just finished The Wallflowers series. I read the prequel last LOL (cos I didn't realise it was part of the series!) Now I'm starting on The Hathaways, but this time I'm going to read strictly in order!
Jan130 wrote: "Missy wrote: "I've read the Wallflowers and the Ravenels series by Lisa Kleypas. I still have the first two books from the Hathaways to complete."I'm following in your footsteps Missy. Having rea..."
Let me know when you plan to read Books 1 and 2, so I can join you!
Missy wrote: "Let me know when you plan to read Books 1 and 2, so I can join you!"I've already started Mine Till Midnight. About 1/3 way in. Liking it.
Jan130 wrote: "Missy wrote: "Let me know when you plan to read Books 1 and 2, so I can join you!"I've already started Mine Till Midnight. About 1/3 way in. Liking it."
Sorry I couldn't join in. I'm currently reading The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean. I can see why many fans say that this should be your first Sarah MacLean book. See, I wasn't a fan of her Love by Numbers series, but I'm enjoying this book so far.
Speaking of Sarah MacLean, I saw that The Rules of Scoundrels is a spin off but looking at the GR Lists I am unable to tell which is the primary series. Does anyone know?
Mod
Joanna wrote: "All of MacLean's are in the same world. Love by Numbers is her first series. You meet the heroine of the first and final books of the Rules of Scoundrels series in the Love by Numbers series. You m..."Thanks Joanna. I will start with love by numbers. I really hate reading out of order.
Loriidae wrote: "Speaking of Sarah MacLean, I saw that The Rules of Scoundrels is a spin off but looking at the GR Lists I am unable to tell which is the primary series. Does anyone know?"If you hate reading out of order, start with Love by numbers then move on to Rules of Scoundrels and then Scandal & scoundrel series. There are many character cross overs, especially the Talbot sisters.
Thanks Priya. Much appreciated.
Well done Missy. I haven't read any of those. (yet)
Jan130 wrote: "Well done Missy. I haven't read any of those. (yet)"Thank you. I see you're making progress with the Hathaways series. Great job!
Yeah I'm loving them, but I think I've been overdosing on Kleypas a bit so am taking a little break from her and reading some other books before going back for the rest of the series. There can be too much of a good thing sometimes ;)
Missy wrote: "I just completed the Bevelstoke series by Julia Quinn. Overall, a 3 out of 5."Congratulations! I read this series nearly 2 yrs ago and I remember only that I liked the first book. Don't remember anything about the other two though.
I love reading an entire series after they have all been released (if it is good).I enjoyed two Lisa Kleypas series this way, The Wallflowers and The Hathaways.
I usually start with book 1. If I like it, I keep going until I get bored or I'm done. I just read The Spymaster's Lady and plan to read this series now.
One of my favorites is the Smythe-Smith Quartet by Julia Quinn.
Hmmm...let me think. I also enjoyed all of the series with The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane by Elizabeth Boyle, some more than others.
Mariana wrote: "I love reading an entire series after they have all been released (if it is good).I enjoyed two Lisa Kleypas series this way, The Wallflowers and The Hathaways.
I usually start wi..."
I agree with satisfaction of reading a completed series. That's how I read "The Knight Miscellany" by Gaelen Foleyseries and and Mary Balogh's "Slightly" series.
I'm trying to read Gaelen Foley's current series as she is self-publishing and I really want to support her, but it was an entire year or more between the 1st and 2nd books. I bought book 2 but she missed her deadline for it that she posted on her website by one year. I was royally pissed off bec as I said, I really want to support her foray into self publishing after her last series was such a disaster--and I blame a certain publisher for making a mess of her work to the point that the books didn't even seem as if they were written by her. It's very telling that she only published one series after signing with this publisher and took the leap into self- publishing with the series after that.
Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Mariana wrote: "I love reading an entire series after they have all been released (if it is good).I enjoyed two Lisa Kleypas series this way, The Wallflowers and The Hathaways.
I ..."
Very interesting. I have not read any books by her yet. Is the group read one of her self-published books?
No, The Pirate Prince is not it. This book we're reading is her very first HR (1st of a trilogy) and with a diff publisher. It's fine.
Has anyone read Anna Bradley? Am I right in assuming that the Sutherland scandals A Wicked Way to Win an Earl is set before the newest book Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor which is the first in the Sutherland Sisters series ? thanks
Ladies! After all the good response we got on this thread, we decided to start a new challenge for 2018. It is called 'Mad About Series' Challenge. Anyone interested, head over to Covent Garden to know more.
You can enrol as early as now, but the Challenge starts on 1st January, 2018.
We have posted the challenge thread early to allow more time for the participants to plan their challenge reads.
Mod
Joanna wrote: "You need to start and finish the series within 2018 for the challenge?"You can either read the entire series in 2018 or complete a series which you left unfinished earlier. It is all up to you.
Ally wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Has anyone read Anna Bradley? Am I right in assuming that the Sutherland scandals A Wicked Way to Win an Earl is set before the newest book [book:Lady Eleanor's Sev..."Thanks Ally :)
Priya wrote: "Ladies! After all the good response we got on this thread, we decided to start a new challenge for 2018. It is called 'Mad About Series' Challenge. Anyone interested, head over to Covent Garden t..."
Thanks, a great idea!!
Mod
You can either read the entire series in 2018 or complete a series which you left unfinished earlier. It is a..."
Thank you!
Priya wrote: "Joanna wrote: "You need to start and finish the series within 2018 for the challenge?"You can either read the entire series in 2018 or complete a series which you left unfinished earlier. It is a..."
Great, so currently out of 55 unfinished series, I have 8 historical series. Three and a half months to knock as many off as possible. I just know that the list will grow exponentially when I see what everyone else is reading. : D
Loriidae wrote: "Priya wrote: "Joanna wrote: "You need to start and finish the series within 2018 for the challenge?"You can either read the entire series in 2018 or complete a series which you left unfinished ea..."
Three and Half months? It is a year long Challenge starting on 1st January, 2018
Priya wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Priya wrote: "Joanna wrote: "You need to start and finish the series within 2018 for the challenge?"You can either read the entire series in 2018 or complete a series which you l..."
Sorry Priya I meant 3 1/2 months left of this year so I can start with an empty list next year.
Loriidae wrote: "Priya wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Priya wrote: "Joanna wrote: "You need to start and finish the series within 2018 for the challenge?"You can either read the entire series in 2018 or complete a seri..."
All the best with your series.
Priya wrote: "Joanna wrote: "You need to start and finish the series within 2018 for the challenge?"You can either read the entire series in 2018 or complete a series which you left unfinished earlier. It is a..."
Ohhhh....finishing a series is already on my to do list. This makes it easier if I don't have to re-read the books already completed.
With this new challenge, I can finally finish the Bridgerton series! Thanks, Pryia and Ally!I just started a new series, quite by accident, too. Currently listening to Falling for the Highlander, Book 4 of the Highlanders Series by Lynsay Sands. The fifth book comes out in January of 2018 and I read that a sixth book will be in the works afterwards, so this might be one of my series for the challenge next year.
Priya wrote: "Congratulations! I read this series nearly 2 yrs ago and I remember only that I liked the first book."Thank you, Priya. I figured I only had one more book to read from the series so I should finish it.
Mod
So to recap, here are some discussion questions/considerations:
What are some of your favorite series and why?
Have you read all the books in the series or are there more to go? Is it getting better or more watered down as you go on?
Favorite characters in the series or any series?
Any series you are dying to start? Or to get back to or to finish?
Any hard and fast series rules like you have to start with #1, no jumping around, read series one after another, etc.
I have a lot of favorite series - but my ultimate favorites would be Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt, All the Kleypas series and Bridgertons - but I suppose these would be common for all HR fans! I've been wanting to read the Heart of a Duke Series by Christi Caldwell and the Love by Numbers series by Sarah MacLean.
I unfortunately don't stick to the form, I skip books basis the blurb and what characters appeal to me in previous books. I'd love to read more series with the group - I've really been enjoying it!
Thanks for reviving this! I prefer series over standalone novels because when I get into an author, their characters, their world, I certainly don't want it to end. I love reading the feedback from others about their favorite series. Here's my input based on the questions. I'm very new to HR though so I haven't gotten very far. What are some of your favorite series and why?
My favorite series is the trio Lisa Kleypas built - Wallflowers, Hathaways, and in-progress, Ravenels. I feel like these 3 series are all one because of the same world and overlap of characters. I've also read the smaller series/standalones in the same world (Gamblers, etc.). I adore the series and I'm hopeful she'll continue. Lisa just mentioned in a recent Cosmo article that she's considering Wallflowers: Next Generation with the offspring.
I also loved the Bedwyn saga. I also read the entire world so that's the 2 prequel books, the Slightly series and then the Survivor Series. Bedwyn was the best for me but I enjoyed all the books and the world plus the overlap of characters, some of them much beloved.
Have you read all the books in the series or are there more to go? Is it getting better or more watered down as you go on?
I read all books in a series. I'm pretty orderly about it and like to know the order and if various series are a part of the same world. I made the mistake of starting Book 1 of Hathaways, only to find out that "the world" starts with Wallflowers. It's not always easy to find out this information to satisfy the OCD reader :)
There are 2 more books to go with Kleypas' Ravenels. I prefer a series to be complete or near completion.
I feel Kleypas has been consistent in her writing style and don't feel they were watered down. I felt the later series by Balogh got watered down but that could be because the author relies on the same plot devices for each book. This was author I should have broken up my reading. In fact, I'm doing just that. I will wait awhile before I read her Westcott series. It's not finished and I'm too used to her style now. I always love the characters but the writing weakened in more recent entries.
Favorite characters in the series or any series?
Kleypas characters:
Lillian and Westcliff
Evie and St. Vincent
Cam and Amelia
Beatrix and Christopher (my number 1 from the group)
Leo
Winterborne
West (can't WAIT for his book!)
Balogh's characters:
Aidan and Eve
Freyja and Josh (my favorite pair)
Bewcastle (one of the best anchor characters I've read)
Kit and Lauren (never would have thought this since I read them after Freyja's story)
Viscount Sinclair
Claudia and Joseph
Hugo and Gwen
Ralph Stockwood
Percy Hayes
Any series you are dying to start? Or to get back to or to finish?
I've started the Bridgerton series because of its popularity and the upcoming Netflix show. I'm on Book 2 and the jury is still out. I liked Simon and Daphne in Book 1 but the book took a wrong turn for me. I can tell that I should be able to enjoy the whole series. Easy, fun reading.
I'm interested in returning to Sarah MacLean's world. I didn't care for the Love By Numbers series and stopped. I've since read from readers that the world and writing improves so I'll check out
the Rules of Scoundrels series soon.
I'm very interested in starting something from Tessa Dare and Elizabeth Hoyt but don't know where to start. I feel like I'm always chasing how Lisa Kleypas made me feel. Balogh's Bedwyn saga and world came very close: 1. Descriptive world that transports me and develops more and more across novels, 2. engaging, fun(ny), emotional dialogue, and 3. loads of characters you can love.
Any hard and fast series rules like you have to start with #1, no jumping around, read series one after another, etc.
I want to always start at #1. I can let a prequel wait if it was designed that way. For example, I'm not starting Bridgerton series with the prequels. They were written afterward and I want to start where the author started. For the Bedwyn series, I didn't know the author wrote 2 stories before that I would be interested in. I wonder if I would have wanted to read Freyja's story or the Bedwyn saga if I read those 2 prequels first. They were definitely not appealing then. Just like I was reluctant to read the prequels after I finished the Bedwyn saga knowing I'd find out about Kit. Turns out I just love Balogh's world and was happy to be in all of it.
I also don't jump around. I'm really orderly and rigid about my reading. I get into genre zones and don't come out for awhile. It's strange but whatever. So I like to find an author, find the start of their world/series/multiple series, dive in and not come up for air until everything has been read. In order. LOL
Kaci, I loved the Bedwyn Saga by Mary Balogh and the Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas as well. I don’t know if you’ve read the Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare. I loved that series. The author is really witty.
Hi, Kaci. I would recommend starting the Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare. I didn't really enjoy the first book in the series, but the rest of the books were pretty good, especially A Week to Be Wicked (book 2), which is a favorite among most HR readers. Before you read book 5 (Do You Want to Start a Scandal) in the Spindle Cove series, you should read Say Yes to the Marquess (book 2 of the Castles Ever After series). I know you like to read in order, but the books in the Castles Ever After series are complete standalones. The main thing these books have in common is that the heroine inherits a castle. Definitely no recurring characters (if I remember correctly), so it's okay to read the books from the Castles Ever After series out of order. I haven't read anything by Eliabeth Hoyt in a year or two, but her popular series is the Maiden Lane series. I've only read 4 out of the 12 books in the series. Once again, book 2 Notorious Pleasures is my favorite.
Missy, I loved A Week To Be Wicked. I love the not too serious about life rakes.
Melissa wrote: "Kaci, I loved the Bedwyn Saga by Mary Balogh and the Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas as well. I don’t know if you’ve read the Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare. I loved that series. The author is..."I haven’t read anything by Tessa Dare yet. I’ll start her soon. I keep hearing she’s a witty writer!
Missy wrote: "Hi, Kaci. I would recommend starting the Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare. I didn't really enjoy the first book in the series, but the rest of the books were pretty good, especially [book:A Week t..."Missy, thank you for this tip! It’s the exact kind of thing I would want to know about an author with multiple series.
Historical Romance Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Do You Want to Start a Scandal (other topics)Say Yes to the Marquess (other topics)
Notorious Pleasures (other topics)
A Week to be Wicked (other topics)
Falling for the Highlander (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Sarah MacLean (other topics)Christi Caldwell (other topics)
Elizabeth Hoyt (other topics)
Lynsay Sands (other topics)
Lisa Kleypas (other topics)
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I have book #1 on my TBR. Sounds like I should move it up!"
I was disappointed that there was no love scene in The Love of a Rogue. I enjoyed Always Proper, Suddenly Scandalous mostly for the scenes when the H/h were together. I'd get all giddy, because the hero was falling for the heroine no matter how hard he tried not to. It was a losing battle right from the beginning. lol. Once a Wallflower, At Last His Love was my least favorite. Because I liked the hero as a side character in Never Courted, Suddenly Wed, I felt he deserved a better love story.
Ah, I really liked Captivated By a Lady’s Charm - that was a good read!
I'm also waiting for Poppy Tidemore's book to come out. I adore her as a child. I hope she retains some of her personality when she's all grown up. I haven't read Penelope Tidemore's book yet, because the synopsis didn't sound too interesting.