Quinn, Julia-- Just Like Heaven informal buddy read starts June 30, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Michelle]

In for Team Draco. I love Julia Quinn so much.

[Laura]

Team Tom Riddle. I started this one during Quidditch and finished yesterday. I’ll be back to comment in a bit.

[Karishma]

I'm in for Team Tonks.

[Suzanne]

I'd like to read this one too - I have it on audio, and have one audio book to finish first, but yes - I was happy to see this as a group read.

[Laura]

Suzanne, how many BRs are we in together right now? :)

[Suzanne]

It feels like we are both trying to do all the BRs Laura!

[Annalisa]

Id like to read this one too. I've got way to many Buddy Reads right now.

[Michelle]

I really love Honoria. When I first started reading I wasn't sure how much I was going to like her, but as the book went on I really came to love her.

Same for her mother. I'll spoiler just in case. (maybe about the halfway point for this part)
(view spoiler)[When Honoria said they needed to go to Marcus, and they were leaving in an hour, her mom quickly rose to the occasion. But when she stepped up and helped nurse his leg wound, I knew there was more to her mom then we had seen so far. It got her out of her fog and I think it made her feel useful. Plus, I'm sure she could see they loved each other, even though they were a bit blind to it at that point. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Also, having sat through many Smythe-Smith musicales in the Bridgerton books, I love getting a "behind the scenes" glimpse into the girls' thoughts and participation.

[Michelle]

Annalisa wrote: "Id like to read this one too. I've got way to many Buddy Reads right now."

Annalisa, if you read it a bit later I'll still come back to chat. I adore Julia Quinn.

[Laura]

Michelle wrote: "Also, having sat through many Smythe-Smith musicales in the Bridgerton books, I love getting a "behind the scenes" glimpse into the girls' thoughts and participation."

I haven't read the Bridgerton books yet, but I did read A Night Like This before. It was interesting to see the overlapping events from the end of Heaven one and the beginning of Night.

I loved Honoria! But I do have to say that (view spoiler)[the sex scene felt forced. I really thought he was the type that would have protected her, even from himself, until marriage. And then when he didn't say anything about love/marriage right away I was disappointed in him. He never should have left that room without an understanding between them. I'm just glad that she didn't become insecure about it at that point. I'm thinking that's the benefit of 15 years of knowing him. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Michelle wrote: "I really love Honoria. When I first started reading I wasn't sure how much I was going to like her, but as the book went on I really came to love her.

Same for her mother. I'll spoiler just in cas..."

I agree! So glad her mother stepped up!

[Laura]

Michelle wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "Id like to read this one too. I've got way to many Buddy Reads right now."

Annalisa, if you read it a bit later I'll still come back to chat. I adore Julia Quinn."

I'll be here, too! And looks like there's still a few people who haven't started/finished yet.

[Michelle]

Laura, I completely agree. But I think it was exactly what you said - their long-standing relationship helped her to understand him.

[Annalisa]

Good to know there will still be others to chat with when I start. I've read mix of Julia Quinn books and really enjoyed them. I'm looking forward to seeing the performances others have disliked so much from the performers perspective.

[Annalisa]

I'm very bad at reading these books slow. I sit down and read them cover to cover. This was not an exception.

(view spoiler)[I liked Marcus and Honoria. I thought it was interesting how Honoria knows they are horrible but she is willing to participate in the quartet.

I liked the mother and how she stepped up at the end and helped with Marcus's leg.

It was interesting to me that this story was as light as it was on the romance. Yes, tension was built but I also didn't think the sex at the end felt quite right for our characters. I enjoyed the book and liked seeing the Smythe-Smiths. However, I don't think this is the best Julia Quinn I've read. I prefer the Bridgertons novels. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Annalise, the Bridgertons are my all time favorite historical romance series. I love them!

[Annalisa]

Michelle wrote: "Annalise, the Bridgertons are my all time favorite historical romance series. I love them!"

I just realized I've only read one of the Bridgertons novels. I really thought I'd read more. It was the Rokebys that I've been really enjoying. I also liked the Splendid series and Bevelstoke is where I think I first say the Smythe-Smith performance. I like how all of her books are connected. I need to go back and finish the Bridgertons series.

[Suzanne]

I'm sure i'll finish this one tomorrow. I really loved seeing the other side of the Smythe-Smith evenings. We've encountered them in pretty much every Julia Quinn book, and so that made it extra funny. Now some mild spoilers for the whole book (since I'm fairly close to the end).

(view spoiler)[ I really loved how Honoria's mother stepped up and helped operate on the leg. That would take a LOT of courage. I also like how she became such good friends with the housekeeper. I'm not 100% sure why she changed so much in regards to supporting Honoria, but maybe I'll find out in the last part. And if not, that's still ok. (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Oh and it was fun seeing (view spoiler)[ Colin Bridgerton (and Gregory) at different times. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

I loved those brief cameos, too, Suzanne!

[Ora]

I love re-reading and seeing old characters that I love. Out of all the books in this series, Daniel's story is my favorite.
I loved the cameos. I forgot since it's been several years I read it, that this one takes place before Colin's book.
I also enjoyed seeing the other side to the musicals. At least Honoria knows how horrible she plays and wants to do the musicals for family and tradition.

[Suzanne]

I agree - I love Honoria's reasons for doing the musicals. And they seem to have fun practicing and stuff.