Kleypas, Lisa--Hello Stranger informal buddy read starts June 3, 2018

[Michelle]

Snowtulip wrote: "How I wish my book was here!"

We'll be reading it around the same time, though, so that will be fun!

[Sally906]

Snowtulip wrote: "How I wish my book was here!"

Waving my imaginary magic wand to get it here quicker

[Annalisa]

I've now read through chapter 18.

(view spoiler)[I should have seen the shooting of Ethan coming. I was expecting one of them to be injured or threaded. But before Ethan starts talking about the Thames and how dirty it was I didn't see it coming. Poor Garrett so many germs and bad bacteria. The Thames and an injury are probably her worst nightmare.

I keep wondering if Ethan actually took the monkey print. We see a lot of him saying he isn't but then Garrett doesn't ever see it that we see. Guess I'm just curious what she thought of it. (hide spoiler)]

This is a quick read for me (when I have the time to sit down and read), and I'm enjoying the characters. I do wonder if (view spoiler)[ the big plot resolution will have to do with Ethan and the Ravnel's. It seems like he might need a little forgiveness towards them. (hide spoiler)]

[Eldarwen]

DONE!

A little extra action towards the end there!

That random "You used to be fat!" comment had me laughing. Of all the things people could say in certain situations.... *shakes head*

(view spoiler)[I liked the fact that Garrett wasn't playing damsel in distress when Eversby Priory was invaded by assassins, and I liked it even more that, even though she was taught these moves by Ransom, she didn't instantly perform them flawlessly.

Garrett making him wait and teasing him (with a straight face of course) after he pulled a disappearing act for two weeks was great! (hide spoiler)]

And as for that hint for the next book.. (view spoiler)[I really want to know what on earth it was that West did to Phoebe that she would consider him an undisciplined and obnoxious swill-tub... apart from the fact that he weighed considerably more at the time, as Ransom pointed out so very nicely ;-) (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

Michelle wrote: "Snowtulip wrote: "How I wish my book was here!"

We'll be reading it around the same time, though, so that will be fun!"

Yipeee!

[Snowtulip]

Sally906 wrote: "Snowtulip wrote: "How I wish my book was here!"

Waving my imaginary magic wand to get it here quicker"

I could use that wand for many things ;)

[Michelle]

I downloaded it to my Kobo but have a few others to finish up first.

[Annalisa]

Finally finished and now I get to go through and look at all the spoiler tags!

[Annalisa]

SandyL wrote: "This was a great start to the book. I've enjoyed Garrett in the other books she made appearances in and I'm intrigued by Ethan Ransome. Did anyone catch a comment made by Gabriel St Vincent in Devi..."

Yes, I had seen that comment and as a result (view spoiler)[ had a pretty good idea about who Ethan Ransome was. Also, he got a book in the Ravnel series. (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

Eldarwen wrote: "Hahaha, right??

Just wait until you get to chapter 16 ;-)

Oh and in chapter 17, West's comment [spoilers removed]"

That comment from West was just perfect.(view spoiler)[ It lightened up a scene that was a bit tense and sad. (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

I really enjoy seeing other people's comments and thoughts. I noticed at the end of the book there was a recipe for Lemon Ice. I think I might try making it. I'll let everyone know how it is. I have a bit of a sweet tooth so the food and deserts always interest me.

I think this may be one of my favorite books in the Ravenels series. I really liked Pandora's story but I think Garrett was a more intriguing character.

For Chapter 2(view spoiler)[Most of the time it is the women who have a flair for the dramatic in these novels but in chapter 2 Ethan cements his dramatic nature. I absolutely love this first scene with Ethan and West.
"Whether or not you want the property," Ravenel continued, "you have to take it. Because even thought the Ravenels can't do anything with the godforsaken place, we're paying annual taxes on it."
Ethan reached into a trouser pocket, and pulled out a wad of pound notes, and flung it at Ravenel's feet. "Let me know the balance of what I owe," he snapped.
To Ravenel's credit, if he were rattled by the gesture, he didn't show it. Turning to Winderborne, he remarked casually, "No one's ever showered me with cash before. I must say, it inspires feelings of instant affection." (hide spoiler)]

And that spoiler is why I enjoyed the book so much. I found moments like that through out do enjoy and laugh at.

[SandyL]

Annalisa wrote: "I really enjoy seeing other people's comments and thoughts. I noticed at the end of the book there was a recipe for Lemon Ice. I think I might try making it. I'll let everyone know how it is. I hav..."

This is my favorite Annalisa!

[Eldarwen]

Annalisa wrote: "I really enjoy seeing other people's comments and thoughts. I noticed at the end of the book there was a recipe for Lemon Ice. I think I might try making it. I'll let everyone know how it is. I hav..."

Hahaha, so true!!
Ethan and West make an interesting pair, too hehe. Oh, the laughs!

[Annalisa]

I made the lemon ice today and it was very good. I did reduce the sugar in half and it was still sweet. Also, I used an ice cream maker with a hand crank instead of making in a bread pan.

[Eldarwen]

Cool!

Good to know about the sugar. I might try it at some point as well.

Did you see that there was a recipe in Devil in Spring as well? Blancmange, I think.

[Sally906]

I’ve finished it!!

Swoon! Ethan and Garrett have been my favourite thus far - BUT (view spoiler)[IT’S WEST AND PHOEBE (hide spoiler)] in the next book - double swoon!

But we talking about which was another 5 star read for me. I loved how Ethan and Garrett developed their relationship - gosh talk about kicking and screaming all the way! I also loved the loyalty of friends and newly discovered family and how they gave the couple support when they so desperately needed it.

(view spoiler)[Heart in mouth when Garrett operated on Ethan - there is a code that surgeons aren’t supposed to work on their loved ones because of all the emotions involved- phew, my heart was in my mouth the whole time (hide spoiler)]

Anyhow - I have put Devil's Daughter onto my wish list -not sure how I am going to wait until 2019!

[Annalisa]

I did see the recipe in Devil in Spring. For some reason it didn't sound as good to me. I'm curious if all the books had recipes or if it was just these last two. I'll have to check next time I'm at the library.

[Eldarwen]

Took the books off the shelves again to check hehe.

The first one doesn't - at least my edition doesn't.

The second book has "Winterborne's Peppermint Creams" as a recipe at the back :-)

[Annalisa]

Peppermint creams sound good.

[Sally906]

I did't realise it - but Garrett's character was named after England's first officially recognised female doctor, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson!

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I really liked this couple a lot, I think I just like Lisa Kleypas' style of writing a historical romance. Just the right amount of story, right amount of romance. And definitely Garrett being one of the first women doctors in the UK and her unconventional ways melding perfectly with Ethan.

When I read The Wallflowers and The Hathaways they had already been released so binge read them straight through. I think I may re-read the Ravenels when the series is complete as I find reading them a year apart I have to keep remembering what has happened previously and how everyone is related. The old brain isn't what it used to be on recall, LOL.

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Annalisa wrote: "Eldarwen wrote: "Hahaha, right??

Just wait until you get to chapter 16 ;-)

Oh and in chapter 17, West's comment [spoilers removed]"

That comment from West was just perfect.[spoilers removed]"
Which is why I'm looking forward to West's story. I like what I read so far. Hope his love story turns out really really good!
I'm

[Eldarwen]

I'm sure it will be :-)

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Eldarwen wrote: "I'm sure it will be :-)"

The thing is when you have expectations... and then they aren't met...? Oh the heartaches! lol

[Eldarwen]

Sobfest!!
Yes...true... but I think so far Kleypas has managed to keep up the standards so... :-)

[Snowtulip]

I finally started this last night and am so excited to see what happens for Garrett and Ethan...to me they seem like a perfect pair!

[Michelle]

Oh good! I was waiting for you, Snowtulip. I’ll start tonight.

[Snowtulip]

Michelle wrote: "Oh good! I was waiting for you, Snowtulip. I’ll start tonight."

You're going to love it Michelle, I am so ready to head to bed so that I can start reading it again :)

[Eldarwen]

Those two are pretty awesome! :-D

[Michelle]

I love it so far, but no surprise there. Garrett is awesome.

I loved the fencing lesson. I’m to the part where she’s is telling Helen about it over tea.

[Snowtulip]

Michelle wrote: "I love it so far, but no surprise there. Garrett is awesome.

I loved the fencing lesson. I’m to the part where she’s is telling Helen about it over tea."

Fencing was so great, I did feel a little bad for her poor fencing instructor ;)

I'm 30% in and I'm really curious (view spoiler)[how this all plays out with the Ireland connection from the previous book, I'm glad to see that plot line developing. I'm sure it will add some additional tension to the story...secrets... (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

“I prefer you to everything.” Pardon me while I swoon over here. Damn. I love him.

Just starting chapter 11.

[Eldarwen]

He has a way with words, doesn't he? :-))

[Michelle]

Done!

I truly loved Garrett and Ethan. I’m glad the connection to the Ravenels is out in the open, although it wasn’t really a secret.

So excited about West’s love story, too!

[Snowtulip]

Also anxiously awaiting West's story!

I just finished and I adore Garrett and Ethan, but just as much I loved the Ethan and West bromance...

"We'll be armed with something far more powerful than bullets," Garrett told him.

West looked at Ethan with mock alarm. "You're taking the spoon?"

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED that :D

[Michelle]

Snowtulip wrote: "Also anxiously awaiting West's story!

I just finished and I adore Garrett and Ethan, but just as much I loved the Ethan and West bromance...

"We'll be armed with something far more powerful than ..."

Yes, I actually laughed out loud at that part. West is so irreverent and fun. How can you not love him?

[Eldarwen]

Hahaha, yes, that part was awesome!!