BR - Blame it on Bath - Caroline Linden

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Blame It on Bath Caroline Linden

Buddy Read beginning June 1st - All Welcome

(view spoiler)[ A marriage of convenience . . . or of destiny?

Gerard de Lacey is determined to find the man who is blackmailing his family, but with his inheritance and status at risk, a hasty marriage to a wealthy bride also seems in order—just in case things take a turn for the worse. Charismatic and capable, Gerard knows he can win the hand of any lady he chooses. Still, he's not expecting a rich widow to find him and propose the very thing he wants: a marriage of convenience.

Katherine Howe's first marriage was one of dreary duty. Now that she's being pressured to marry her late husband's heir, she's desperate for a better option. Gerard de Lacey, with his sinful good looks, charming manner, and looming scandal, fits her needs perfectly. The fact that she's nursed a secret affection for him only makes it better—and worse. Because Gerard will likely marry her for her fortune—but can he love her for herself, as she loves him? (hide spoiler)]

[Radd Reader]

I’ll start this after I’m finished with my current read.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Radd Reader wrote: "I’ll start this after I’m finished with my current read."

Wonderful. welcome Radd.

[Tanya]

Looking forward to this one for a while. Gerard was an interesting character in One night in London!

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

I love each of the books in this series, but if I had to choose, I think this is my favorite. Finishing up one audiobook but I think I will get started on this one today.

[Tanya]

I just started, and I find myself hoping that The Duke could have a novella of his own, like Margaret did. I really wish to learn more about their parents relationship, it seemed as if he genuinely cared for her.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Tanya wrote: "I just started, and I find myself hoping that The Duke could have a novella of his own, like Margaret did. I really wish to learn more about their parents relationship, it seemed as if he genuinely..."

Yes and no. I agree it would be lovely, but Linden would be very clever to write it in such a way that this mystery wasn't given away.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Through Chapter Four
(view spoiler)[ I had forgotten that Gerard comes across as quite mercenary to begin with, but having said that the point of his not progressing further in the army due to being illegitimate makes this reaction valid.
His scruples though seem to centre more around Katherine's lack of beauty. . She might look as plain as boiled pudding, but there was nothing lacking in her brain. This doesn't help the reader warm to him. He is so matter of fact. (hide spoiler)]

[Radd Reader]

I'll be starting this tomorrow.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

No rush Radd. We are a slower group of readers. I try for four chapters a day but sometimes don't reach that.

[Tanya]

Loriidae wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I just started, and I find myself hoping that The Duke could have a novella of his own, like Margaret did. I really wish to learn more about their parents relationship, it seemed as i..."

True, I agree with you on that aspect. It keeps the mystery alive - and I hope we get to understand more about him and their dynamics in this book and in Charlie's.

But still my greedy heart wanted a Novella - maybe for the end of the series haha

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Radd Reader wrote: "I'll be starting this tomorrow."

Welcome Radd! Have you read the first one or others by Linden?

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Loriidae wrote: "Through Chapter Four
I had forgotten that Gerard comes across as quite mercenary to begin with, but having said that the point of his not progressing further in the army due to being illegitimate..."

He does come off that way! He is very a brash, brazen military man. When you pair that with Catherine’s meekness/uncertainty, it’s an interesting dynamic to come to terms with in developing a romance. Most of the time, the love interest to someone like Gerard’s character would be bolder and be able to stand up to him.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Tanya wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I just started, and I find myself hoping that The Duke could have a novella of his own, like Margaret did. I really wish to learn more about their parents relationshi..."

I remember Julia Quinn saying she wouldn’t write the Bridgerton parents story, though she eventually did a short story, because you know that they don’t live a long life together. That makes it difficult here too.

[Radd Reader]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Radd Reader wrote: "I'll be starting this tomorrow."

Welcome Radd! Have you read the first one or others by Linden?"

I didn't read the previous book, but I have read other books by this author.

[Tanya]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Tanya wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I just started, and I find myself hoping that The Duke could have a novella of his own, like Margaret did. I really wish to learn more about their paren..."

I never thought about it from that angle Joanna, and now I don't want a book. It'll be horrible to fall in love with a pairing while knowing that one half is going to tragically die too soon.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Tanya wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Tanya wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I just started, and I find myself hoping that The Duke could have a novella of his own, like Margaret did. I really wish to..."

Julia Quinn's reasoning is sound, unlike Stephanie laurens who wrote a parent prequel to the Bar Cynsters after the initial success of the first six or seven books. Which made no sense, because book #3 of the main series is the HEA of the illegitimate son. How can you have /write a HEA of the parents when you know he is going to cheat? Uggh that one always annoyed me!

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Radd Reader wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Radd Reader wrote: "I'll be starting this tomorrow."

Welcome Radd! Have you read the first one or others by Linden?"

I didn't read the previous book, but I have read ..."

You will be ok as this one occurs concurrently with the first book. Basically the father has died and left a confession that he was married previously so might be a bigamist and the three sons illegitimate. The first book involves the second son Edward deciding to hire a solicitor while Gerard our hero decides to look for the blackmailer.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "He does come off that way! He is very a brash, brazen military man. When you pair that with Catherine’s meekness/uncertainty, it’s an interesting dynamic to come to terms with in developing a romance. Most of the time, the love interest to someone like Gerard’s character would be bolder and be able to stand up to him...."

So very true. Can't write more without spoilers. :-)

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Through Chapter Eight (view spoiler)[ It is interesting to see how powerless a woman of that time could be even one with fortune, but still no independence. Pressure from her mother combined with the strictures of a Puritan household. I enjoyed the confrontation with Lucian. Kate is able to draw on Gerard's strength. (hide spoiler)]

[Tanya]

Loriidae wrote: "Through Chapter Four
I had forgotten that Gerard comes across as quite mercenary to begin with, but having said that the point of his not progressing further in the army due to being illegitimate..."

He definitely is and it doesn't endear us to him instantly. I'm yet to truly connect and/or like Gerard, but I have all the faith in Linden to turn it around.

[Radd Reader]

Through chapter 20. My thoughts.....

(view spoiler)[ I like the story. The bit of intrigue in trying to find a blackmailer holds my interest. I understand why Gerard had to marry Katherine, but I'm not quite sure I understand why Katherine was desperate to marry him. Was it just because she had been secretly harboring a crush on him all these years after he helped her in the rain? I didn't get the impression Lucien was abusing her, so I'm not sure why she was so desperate.
Also, she is always somber and always seems a bit sad or depressed. She doesn't have any vibrancy to her.
And.........if I have to hear 1 more time that "she isn't a beauty" I'm going to strangle someone. 😤 Lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Radd Reader]

I’ve completed the book. I gave it 3 stars.

(view spoiler)[ I had a hard time connecting with Katherine. She reminded me of a wounded puppy, but outside of 1 reference of her late husband slapping her there was no other reference to abuse. So I didn’t truly understand why she always seemed so sad or somber. Plus, she didn’t have a backbone and let her mother control her and that irritated me.

I didn’t like the constant reference to the fact that “she wasn’t pretty”. I counted over a dozen times something like that was said.

Gerard really didn’t do much detective work regarding the blackmailer. He talked to the post office guy. Katherine was the one who had the idea about contact Oglivie.

And.....the doozy for me was when Gerard made a comparison between Katherine and a piece of land and seemed ok with men looking at his wife’s bosom. “He was sure he wasn’t the only man entranced by her newly displayed bosom, perfectly set off by the amethyst pendant. Certainly the number of gentlemen who appeared to solicit an invitation and a dance did nothing to diminish that belief. He felt the fierce satisfaction of a speculator who’d bought a piece of land for its rich soil, only to discover a large vein of coal ran through it as well.”. Wow.... (hide spoiler)]

I’ll probably read the final book to find out who the blackmailer is.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Radd Reader wrote: "I’ve completed the book. I gave it 3 stars.

I had a hard time connecting with Katherine..."

In reference to your spoilers: (view spoiler)[ was there mention of physical abuse that made it expected? I don’t recall expecting that.

I understand not connecting with Kate. She is a quieter female character than many stronger ones that feature as Heroines in HR. I like her in part for these reasons, but I also understand your view. (hide spoiler)]

[Tanya]

I'm going really slow with this, I'm really into an audiobook for the first time ever so it's hard to get to this one. But I hope to read more tomorrow.

I actually like Kate's meek character, mostly you have fiesty heroine's opposite heroine's like Gerard so I appreciate the shift from the norm.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Finished my reread or listen:

(view spoiler)[ For me in this book there are many undercurrents that are hinted at. Katherine has been controlled by her mother all her life. The mother has made herself feel beautiful by putting Katherine down, bulldozing over her wishes. The husband, plays into her low self-esteem / inferiority complex by having affairs, she isn't good enough so he has to go elsewhere etc. Lucian continues the trend with the sermonising. So for me this book is about the growth from Katherine to Kate.

She returns with her mother because she has only been Kate for a couple of months if that, so without Gerard to prop her up, she slips back into the thinking of 25 years or so (I have forgotten her age) anyway that can't compete with just a couple of months.

I agree that Kate's reason for choosing Gerard is fairly weak, but she latches onto the one person who has shown her true kindness, so that is understandable as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

I finished yesterday as well.

Kate: (view spoiler)[I like the way you state that Lorii, that this book is about Katherine becoming Kate. As someone who had so rarely heard a kind or encouraging word and who was regularly belittled by her own mother, her journey and doubts along the way are meaningful and relatable, IMO. Most people seek approval, especially from their mother, and the way for Kate is to become a meek person not to be noticed. I like how this book demonstrates how the people around you can either lift you up or pull you down. (hide spoiler)]

Gerard: (view spoiler)[ He has plenty of faults, makes some wrong moves, like leaving so quickly to check out the journals. He should have told the guy that he would follow down the next day, for example. But I find him very compelling. I like how much a man of action he is and how matter of fact. (hide spoiler)]

[Mariana]

My mother-in-law passed away unexectedly, so I haven't even started yet. I do plan to read and comment. I know it will be a welcome and entertaining distraction.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Oh honey - hugs

[Mariana]

Thank you.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

I am sorry to hear that Mariana 😥. My Condolences. Will keep you in my thoughts.

[Tanya]

So sorry to hear that Mariana. Condolences and prayers for your family. *hugs*

[Mariana]

Loriidae wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I just started, and I find myself hoping that The Duke could have a novella of his own, like Margaret did. I really wish to learn more about their parents relationship, it seemed as i..."

I agree. Even though it would be a prequel, it would have to be read afterward. I would enjoy it though.

[Mariana]

I finished reading and really enjoyed it. Neither character was perfect, but they discovered they fit together well.

Loriidae, I think your comments are spot on. Katherine's personality and lack of self confidence grew from birth, first with her mother and then reinforced by her first husband. Gerard was just a fantasy that she wanted bad enough to try for. She couldn't fully commit and let him know her immature reasoning.

Fortunately, Gerard was lighthearted and a man of honor as well as action. If he did not request a true marriage physically and treat his wife as "Kate", I don't think she had it in herself to grow the way she did. I agree Gerard made some mistakes. I also agree his thoughts comparing his wife to a field were disgusting. However, he was right for Katherine; and he opened himself up and was willing to go fight for his wife back. I was able to forgive him.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Glad you enjoyed it Mariana! Sorry we got ahead of you in reading it :(

The land comment didn’t bother me, but I get it. I think it fit the character. It see it as the way he was able to explain his strong feelings to himself. He didn’t want to be in love so he didn’t even consider he was.

[Mariana]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Glad you enjoyed it Mariana! Sorry we got ahead of you in reading it :(

The land comment didn’t bother me, but I get it. I think it fit the character. It see it as the way he was able to explain h..."

True. It did fit the character, and I agree he didn't even consider love at the time.

[Mariana]

I know I didn't participate timely, but I do want to read The Way to a Duke's Heart. When do you ladies plan to start?

[lorii (Loriidae)]

We can start whenever Joanna is ready. :)

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

I can start in 2 or 3 days.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Works for me.

[Mariana]

Swim team is over for this year after today, and I will have my weekends back!