BOTM - August, 2018 - Yours Until Dawn

[Priya]

Discussion thread for August, 2018 BOTM. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions).

Happy reading:)

Yours Until Dawn


Gabriel Fairchild's valor during battle earns him the reputation of hero, but costs him both his sight and his hope for the future. Abandoned by the fiancée he adored, the man who once walked like a prince among London's elite secludes himself in his family's mansion, cursing his way through dark days and darker nights.
Prim nurse Samantha Wickersham arrives at Fairchild Park to find her new charge behaving more like a beast than a man. Determined to do her duty, she engages the arrogant earl in a battle of both wit and wills. Although he claims she doesn't possess an ounce of womanly softness, she can feel his heart racing at her slightest touch. As Samantha begins to let the light back into Gabriel's life and his heart, they both discover that some secrets -- and some pleasures -- are best explored in the dark ...

[Mariana]

Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros is currently on sale in the Kindle Store for $1.99.

[Priya]

Thank you, Mariana. Usually, the sale price starts in India a day after it starts on US website. I will grab it when it starts.

[Mariana]

I hope it does. Apparently, it is full price in Australia.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

It is August! Who’s in for this read? When are you starting? I am in, and I will probably be a week or so before starting.

[Paige]

I'm in! But I probably won't start until the weekend.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Confession: I ended up reading it last week. For a challenge in another group it is #595 All Time Favorite Romance Novels List

I made some notes. I will be really interested to see what others think.

[Karishma]

I'm in too - probably next week!

[Cath]

I'm in and will start the book in a few days

[Debby *BabyDee*]

I'm in...I started a bit early but haven't gotten very far ..will pick up this weekend

[Shannon]

Finishing with my current 2 reads this weekend and starting "Yours Until Dawn" next week. I'm excited. I've not read this author.

[Uvi]

I’m in

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Yay! Glad to see the number joining in!

[Lorien]

Im in but won't start till Sunday most likely

[Priya]

I am in but, I can start only in the next week.

[Mariana]

I am definitely in and can start reading when most others do.

[Paige]

I started yesterday and am already more than half way done.. I'm surprise at how fast and smooth this reads. I've only read one other Theresa Medeiros book Breath of Magic and I feel that the writing in Yours Until Dawn is much improved.

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

I started reading this about two days ago and have finished already. Haven't yet written my review but I loved it. So glad it was a challenge book because I don't think I would have looked twice at it, especially given its boring cover.

[Mariana]

This will be my first book by Teresa Medeiros. I downloaded it last night and plan to start reading today. I agree about the cover. If this was not a book of the month, I probably would never have picked it up when it was on sale. According to Goodreads, this is her most popular book and it is not part of a series.

[Missy]

@Lee, I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's a nice little gem.

@Paige, it is a fast read. I recall finishing it in one day when I first read it back in Feb. 2017.

[Uvi]

I am more than half way done with the book. I really like it. Will probably finish by tomorrow.

[Paige]

(view spoiler)[This novel was so fitting for this month's theme. The scenes in the beginning where Gabriel ate without utensils brought up memories of the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. (hide spoiler)]

[Mariana]

I started yesterday, and I finished today.

Because it was such a fast read, there has been little chapter by chapter discussion.

I definitely have some comments after others are finished.

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

My review is here. I ended up giving it 4 out of 5.

[Lorien]

I got a chapter in this morning before work, liking it so far...

[Tanya]

My first book by Teresa Medeiros. The premise intrigues me so I'm definitely excited for it! Will start tonight if time permits!

[Alexandria]

Just finished it! My review is https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2484416066?book_show_action=false

Also just to brag :P (view spoiler)[I totally guessed the plot twist! I think that just means that I've read wayyyy too many romance novels recently. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Me too Alexandria

[Tanya]

I'm still through with one chapter. However, I plan to read at work today! Don't judge me. It's a lean day :)

[Lorien]

I have a guess at the plot twist, but so far I'm loving it

[Tanya]

I'm halfway through and I think I've already guessed the big plot twist.

Still really enjoying the book!

[Lorien]

Tanya wrote: "I'm halfway through and I think I've already guessed the big plot twist.

Still really enjoying the book!"

Well I just took a long lunch and finished it.
I don't know if I would have guessed the plot twist if someone hadn't mentioned there was one.
But very cute.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

I ended up reading this last week to complete a challenge in a different group. It is #595 All Time Favorite Romance Novels list.

Now that a few have finished - My thoughts:

20% That was funny. (view spoiler)[Description of her by the butler through her gestures (hide spoiler)]

34% (view spoiler)[ Reading the letters ? Invading his privacy glad she didn't read them all (hide spoiler)]

37% (view spoiler)[ The doctors visit - real life - blindness doesn't cure itself ? Where are his parents (hide spoiler)]

38% (view spoiler)[Suicidal thoughts - written very realistic. (hide spoiler)]

43% (view spoiler)[ The suicidal thoughts become the turning point as he begins to accept and make the best of it. Showing his character growth. (hide spoiler)]

69% Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ the emphasis is entirely on Gabriel infirmity and his reactions and growth to accepting his changed circumstances however we know nothing of Samantha of her background and why she is a nurse despite the impression that we get that she's from a family that had enough wealth to have an upstairs maid. (hide spoiler)]

76% Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ now that was a twist I wasn't expecting I really hadn't given much thought to the chapter headings I actually thought they were just in poor taste reminding us completely of the other woman and the reason behind his bitterness. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I loved it for the first 75%! But that ending! Sex in the study with Cecily while having frantically looked for Samantha for eight months. Uggh It's fallen in a heap. No just no. The unmasking was very poorly done. (hide spoiler)]

[Mariana]

Loriidae wrote: "I ended up reading this last week to complete a challenge in a different group. It is #595 All Time Favorite Romance Novels list.

20% That was funny. [spoilers removed]

34% [spoilers removed]

..."

Although my overall rating is double yours, I agree with your comments.

The description of Samantha by the butler through her gestures was funny. I had no idea at the time why she would want an inacurate description.

Even though I knew there was some sort of plot twist 3/4 of way through, I didn't figure it out in advance. I didn't really try to and was not super surprised but I don't know if I preferred it.

I hate tropes where people claim to love another person, but they cannot be honest. They cannot apologize and give the relationship a real shot. Their guilt requires continued dishonesty.

(view spoiler)[I also did not appreciate the sex scene with Cecily. Why would Cecily rather demean herself than confess the truth? Why would a man who is redeeming himself choose to try to take out his revenge through sexual use of her body?

I thought the author should either 1) had Cecily 'fess up at this point, 2) Gabriel turn Cecily down, or 3) Gabriel decides Samantha's never going to turn up so he might as well give Cecily another shot.

Overall. though, the book was a 5-star read for me up through 70%; and the twist and demeaning revenge sex did not completely ruin it for me. (hide spoiler)]

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Mariana wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "I ended up reading this last week to complete a challenge in a different group. It is #595 All Time Favorite Romance Novels list.

20% That was funny. [spoilers removed]

34% [spo..."

(view spoiler)[Yes I expected the unmasking during the study scene (hide spoiler)]

[Lorien]

I have to agree with you guys (view spoiler)[ the sex in the study with Cecily felt a little icky. But I had to remind myself it'd been months, he was getting ready to move on. Maybe it was like break-up sex for him?? I don't know. But it felt really out of character for her. (hide spoiler)]

Alternate twist reveal possibilities(view spoiler)[ maybe like one of the servants who knew her could be in London and would just casually be there and say "Oh hello Miss W." (hide spoiler)] I did appreciate the lack of angst in the end even if it felt a little too simple. Endings that feel rushed in any way bother me, this was border line.
The epilogue earned points with me though, that was cute.

[Uvi]

Finished this one last night. I loved Gabriel. I teared up more than once when I read about the disabled soldiers coming back from war and being mistreated/overlooked by society simply because it made them “uncomfortable.” I think this is still relevant in today’s society/time. I loved that this book didn’t have insta love store, hate those.

[Alexandria]

Lorien wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I'm halfway through and I think I've already guessed the big plot twist.

Still really enjoying the book!"

Well I just took a long lunch and finished it.
I don't know if I would ha..."

Yeah, I'm really bummed that the reviews I read mentioned a "completely shocking" plot twist -_- Otherwise, I don't think I would have seen it coming...good plot twists in romances are so hard to find!

[Leigh-Ayn]

I just bought this book on kindle (I am a late starter lol) and now I am dreading reading it. I know I shouldn't have read the spoilers and that is on me but I hate the idea of (view spoiler)[revenge sex and for those that have read it does it read like cheating?? I hate cheating :( (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

NOOOOOOOO..... holding my ears, covering my eyes. I'm avoiding the reviews until I'm finished.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Me too Shannon!

[Lorien]

Leigh-Ayn wrote: "I just bought this book on kindle (I am a late starter lol) and now I am dreading reading it. I know I shouldn't have read the spoilers and that is on me but I hate the idea of [spoilers removed]"

I'll just have to spoiler this whole comment.
(view spoiler)[ It felt a wee bit like cheating, but not really because it'd been months and she left him. He'd looked for her. At the worst you could say it was emotional cheating.
But that wasn't what made it feel icky, it was kind of angry/revenge sex. (hide spoiler)]

[Tanya]

Lorien wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I'm halfway through and I think I've already guessed the big plot twist.

Still really enjoying the book!"

Well I just took a long lunch and finished it.
I don't know if I would ha..."

Yes I don't think I would have guessed it either. I read it in one of the reviews while first checking out the book. However, I think the only reason we wouldn't catch the plot twist would be because we wouldn't expect one in a romance.

Otherwise, it isn't very difficult to figure it out.

[Tanya]

I just finished the book and have multiple feelings. In short I absolutely loved it till 80% and post that I struggled.

However the good part of the book is just so good, that it'll definitely stay with me for long.

(view spoiler)[ I just could not deal with Gabriel sleeping with Cecily, despite everything. We know they're both the same women but he doesn't. Just threw everything off. (hide spoiler)]

[Debby *BabyDee*]

Close to finishing. Review to come

[Sara Reads (mostly) Romance]

I read this book earlier this year and absolutely loved it, was AMAZED BY IT, gave it five stars! Here is my review

[Lorien]

Tanya wrote: "I just finished the book and have multiple feelings. In short I absolutely loved it till 80% and post that I struggled.

However the good part of the book is just so good, that it'll definitely st..."

yeah, there was so much good it's hard to write it all off for one bad part.

[Debby *BabyDee*]

Finished and truly enjoyed reading this one by Ms. Medeiros. It was heartfelt and made you want to laugh at times and cry at times. It was hard for me to put down at time. My Review

[Mariana]

Shannon wrote: "NOOOOOOOO..... holding my ears, covering my eyes. I'm avoiding the reviews until I'm finished."

Yes, please do not read these comments. :)

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

I just got started last night. It does seem like an easy read! Enjoying so far!