What’s your favourite kind of HR hero? Examples please.

[Lauren]

I loved when Demelza backhand Poldark after he cheated on her. What a shame it's not in the book. I'll i could think "You go girl!!:

[Jan]

Poldark was gorgeous, especially riding his big horse across the Cornish cliffs :) or when working with his shirt off *phew* Sadly I started to lose interest as the series went on. Not interested in cheaters, and I stopped watching.

I considered reading the books but wondered whether they might be too old skool in style these days.

[HR-ML]

I don't recall Demelza cheating on Ross in the books ( I read 3-4 of them yrs ago). Poldark 1970s did not show this.

More recent Poldark showed Demelza having sex w/ the young military officer who was in the process of losing his sight. I'm old school & don't think married people should cheat on each other.

[Runningwater]

Lord Ian MacKenzie from the eponymous “The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie” by Jennifer Ashley.

Aspergers, intense, honest, with a love so pure and true.

[Lauren]

I'm going to get flack for this but I didn't like Bridgerton series that much. It should have been called '"All about Simon" . Now that's a man! Rage-Jean Page is all that is sexy and more. He is why I turned it on the show every week. FYI: He should be James Bond.

Now if we are talking about him just as a character in the book then he wasn't that exciting and it took him forever to procreate.

[Cath]

^I stopped watching after the first few minutes. I just couldn't reconcile the TV Bridgertons (especially Violet) and Featheringtons with my image of the characters. And trying not to was like someone telling me not to think of an elephant. Fail!

So I never made it to any sexy Jean Page scenes :(

But I'm going to try again later, when I think I can do a better job disassociating the books from the series.

Lauren wrote: "...and it took him forever to procreate."

true, LOL

Lauren wrote: "Jean Page is all that is sexy and more...FYI: He should be James Bond."

oh yes, I second that!

[HR-ML]

Lauren---

I watched 1.5 episodes of Bridgerton on Neflix. Have not watched more. The brothers looked too much alike- I could not keep them straight. And I'm all for a scene
of a nude male backside- but this one seemed thrown in.

[OLT]

I watched the whole Bridgerton series on Netflix, not necessarily for the plot. It's just that the whole show was such eye candy. The clothing, the settings, Rege Jean Page (Let's face it, he's hawt!). The actual story is not very interesting, to be honest, not even in the book version, and I would have been happy with fewer episodes.

[Sandra]

I liked Bridgertons TV series, I only read the books after watching the serie on Netflix. Bridgertons brought me back to reading HR so I will always be grateful for Julia Quinn and Netflix ;). Now, jokes apart, I really like Julia Quinn's writing, it's always funny, well humoured with strong characters and nice plots

[Jan]

I liked the Bridgerton series too, even tho it's not my fav book series. I agree OLT - eye candy! The beautiful sets and costumes (and the hot guys too LOL). It was a visual feast.

I didn't love everything about the series, though. For me the angsty issues between husband and wife were emphasised too much in the series and it made me a little uncomfortable. Also there was a lot of in-your-face sex, maybe a bit too much.

Speaking of heroes though, I did like the choice of actor for Anthony Bridgerton and I liked his book too The Viscount Who Loved Me so I'm looking forward to series 2 which will feature him.

[Jan]

HR-ML wrote: "More recent Poldark showed Demelza having sex w/ the young military officer who was in the process of losing his sight. I'm old school & don't think married people should cheat on each other."

No that's not old school, HR-ML. People who commit to marriage should be faithful, or if they can't, they shouldn't be together. I'm glad I didn't watch the series up to the scene you mention. I liked Demelza and feel sad this happened.

[HR-ML]

OLT----
My main interest in that Netflix series was Colin from book #4.

Jan----
I believe be married or be single. Hubs and I watched Ken Burns'
recent film on Muhommad Ali. At one point he had his US wife
and the 2nd one lived in US but he wed her in Africa. That was
v. childish. The 2nd one should have waited for him to divorce
the 1st one. Actions have consequences.

I couldn't watch after what Demelza did. Just b/c the husband
cheated does not mean the wife had to do this in kind.

[OLT]

HR-ML wrote: "OLT----
My main interest in that Netflix series was Colin from book #4.

Jan----
I believe be married or be single. Hubs and I watched Ken Burns'
recent film on Muhommad Ali. At one point he had h..."

Am I shallow? I do not like, at all, the actor picked to play Colin. The one playing Anthony is pretty much on point, I think. Benedict, the jury is out for me. That actor looks worn out. He's only in his early 30s, I think, but he looks in his early 40s.

As for Poldark, I am a wimp about infidelity and obsessions with the wrong people. The actor playing Poldark is a hunk, but I could not stand his character's blind obsession with Elizabeth.

[HR-ML]

OLT---

Colin to me, was just there, in the series.

Ross raped Elizabeth and I don't condone rape. Demelza intuitively
knew & should have left him for good. I liked Dr. Ennis much better & he had integrity.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Sandra wrote: "I liked Bridgertons TV series, I only read the books after watching the serie on Netflix. Bridgertons brought me back to reading HR so I will always be grateful for Julia Quinn and Netflix ;). Now,..."

That’s awesome, and part of what made me enjoy it too — just having these type of books get some recognition.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

OLT wrote: "I watched the whole Bridgerton series on Netflix, not necessarily for the plot. It's just that the whole show was such eye candy. The clothing, the settings, Rege Jean Page (Let's face it, he's haw..."

I like the books, but I agree not very interesting or intricate plots. Something like Pennroyal Green always seemed more interesting and “cinematic” to me. But the TV series is fun and gratuitous, which is fine by me. 😅

[Jan]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "...part of what made me enjoy it too — just having these type of books get some recognition."

Absolutely. It was apparently an extremely popular series, and if that promotes and popularises HR, then I say, great!

[HR-ML]

I'm not knocking the series. It did not hold my interest. May try again?

[Lauren]

To name a name a new H:
I pick Dawn and Cree from 'Highlander Unchained and Forbidden Highlander' by Donna Fletcher. He is a gruff Alpha highlander and Dawn was born without a voice. I love when they fight bc he knows what she is thinking. There are 4 books and 5 shortstories. So i'm not the only one

[Angeline]

I read all the novels of the Bridgerton's and I loved it, I do not like watching shows, movies etc that was made from a novel. When reading my mind makes its own picture, then I watched the series and its totally opposite from what my imagination pictured, Some might agree and some might disagree with what I am saying here, but me being real its a no no for me.

[Sandra]

As I said, I loved Bridgertons but sincerely I didn't like the authors choose for the serie, except of course, Simon and maybe Colin, the other brothers were,as someone said, to much a like and not my kind.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Angeline wrote: "I read all the novels of the Bridgerton's and I loved it, I do not like watching shows, movies etc that was made from a novel. When reading my mind makes its own picture, then I watched the series ..."

I feel the same and vice versa for me, i won't read a book from a show i have watched.

[HR-ML]

I think an author paints a picture & we the readers fill in the gaps.
The brothers in this TV series blended in my mind. In the rom novels
each brother was unique & had + or - aspects of his personality.
I liked Colin the best & #4 was my fav in the book series.

[HR-ML]

Military men past or present. I read a fair amt of these heroes.

Lady Derring Takes a Lover All business H.
Honoria and the Family Obligation Sarcastic H.
So This Is Love: An Austen-Inspired Regency
H rescued h.

[Jan]

I like me a good military/ex-military hero too, HR-ML. e.g. Aiden in Mary Balogh's Slightly Married, or in a more recent book (by Grace Burrowes), Orion (known as Rye), in Miss Delectable.

Other good ones: Irresistible, another Balogh, (I'm in love with Nathaniel), and England's Perfect Hero (by Suzanne Enoch) with the wonderful Robert.

[Sandra]

So, I'm reading Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, from Love by Numbers #1, by Sarah MacLean and I'm loving Gabriel St. John, love the name also!!! It's the usual hero rake (reformed or not, I don't know yet, I must read the book). My kind of Hero, not a Mr. Darcy, but a very god kind of hero. Did you read it? What do you think of him?

[HR-ML]

England's Perfect Hero
Miss Delectable
Jan, likewise enjoyed these.

[HR-ML]

Falling in Love Again
I like a hero who can admit he was wrong. The entitled hero went from enough money to no money. So he found a job. Fav scene? He bought his wife well-needed shoes.

[OLT]

HR-ML wrote: "Falling in Love Again
I like a hero who can admit he was wrong. The entitled hero went from enough money to no money. So he found a job. Fav scene? He bought his wife well-needed shoes."

I hope there was an extremely sincere grovel in this. From the blurb he sounds like a jerk. Seven years with no contact and now only because she initiates it?

[HR-ML]

OLT---

He was full of hubris. His man of business did not provide h with
spending money as expected, nor did he pay bills she owed. A
mob of creditors went after the MCs. Yes, she got her grovel. The H
grew up. This is info I recall. Read it in 2018.

[HR-ML]

Bridgerton (hereafter B) series.

Gave this another try. I could now tell who was who of 3 eldest B bros. Anthony was IMO the most passionate bro, & Ben & Colin needed to develop/ grow more. I loved Queen Charlotte & Lady Danbury. Simon and Daph went at it like rabbits, and preferred sex outdoors ( did their staff respect them in the morning? ) I thought I recalled Simon stuttered in the bk version? Or do I have the wrong book? I liked Eloise the best- she seemed the most natural & had distain for ton rules. Pen didn't look/ act like the young lady I envisioned. IIRC Pen gained gumption as the book series progressed?

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

HR-ML wrote: "Bridgerton (hereafter B) series.

Gave this another try. I could now tell who was who of 3 eldest B bros. Anthony was IMO the most passionate bro, & Ben & Colin needed to develop/ grow more. I love..."

I somewhat recently watched it with subtitles, and there are a few times Simon stutters as an adult when he’s upset, but it didn’t seem very obvious.

I am not recalling knowing much about Penelope other than she was Eloise’s friend and Lady Bridgerton seemed to like her.

[HR-ML]

You must have a sharp eye, I missed the stuttering!

Pen's mom was hyper-critical of Pen + made her wear yellow. Pen's mom assumed her 2 daughters would wed, but who'd want Pen? In Colin's book #4, Colin stood up to Pen's mom & encouraged Pen to do likewise. I read this book series years ago. Pen seemed to grow more independent w/ passage of time. Colin was always hungry and needed something to eat.

[HR-ML]

Do you prefer an alpha male? a beta male? an anti-hero? a brooding hero? a reformed rake? Or does it depend on your mood?

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

HR-ML wrote: "You must have a sharp eye, I missed the stuttering!

Pen's mom was hyper-critical of Pen + made her wear yellow. Pen's mom assumed her 2 daughters would wed, but who'd want Pen? In Colin's book #4..."

Thanks! I do recall some of that now. Lady Featherington was definitely different than the books. I like how the show has shown her - a flawed and interesting character. The actress they chose is really good. I was less impressed with Lady Bridgerton. She didn’t come off as clever or warm to me as I thought she should. I am not a fan of book 4 (don’t hate me) so it’s just not one I am likely to reread.

[Jan]

I remember the stuttering from the book. I think it was a bigger deal in the book than the TV series.

I liked both Lady Featherington and Lady Bridgerton in the show. On the whole I thought the casting was pretty spot on. I too don't love all the books, Joanna, but I'm looking forward to the interpretation on the show as they cover each book.

[HR-ML]

Joanna----

I would not hate you for a difference of opinion. Lady B I liked
but she seemed less observant on how people interacted w/ one
another. And giving Anthony a list of eligible females?

The public library rec'd most of my books in this series (they use
books, DVDs etc for fundraisers).Trying not to re-buy them.
Kept bk #4. May make exception on Eloise & buy her story.

[HR-ML]

Jan----

Which Bridgerton books were your favs?

Lady F in Netflix series was in a jam now that her spouse died (was murdered?)

[Jan]

I liked the first 4 books best, and I think my fav is #2, which is the one for upcoming series. Yay! My least fav was #8, On The Way To The Wedding. That one just didn't work for me.

I can't remember details of all the books and I can't remember about Lord and Lady Featherington and what happened to them.

[Sandra]

HR-ML wrote: "Jan----

Which Bridgerton books were your favs?

Lady F in Netflix series was in a jam now that her spouse died (was murdered?)"

My fav book is the one with Michael and Francesca, the book #6 When He Was Wicked and maybe the first one because of the promise of the all serie ;).

Doesn't Mr. F commit suicide? I got that idea...

[Sandra]

HR-ML wrote: "Do you prefer an alpha male? a beta male? an anti-hero? a brooding hero? a reformed rake? Or does it depend on your mood?"

Totally dependent on the mood ;), with special feelings for a reformed rake and a brooding hero!

[HR-ML]

Sandra---

It's been so long since I read the Bridgerton books. But Mr. F put up deed to his home, then he won ( b/c Will threw the fight). 2 men expecting to keep the deed had a look of menace on their faces afterward. So what happened? I don't know.

[HR-ML]

Hard to beat a reformed rake.

[Sandra]

I saw the serie first and only then I've read the books and I remember the story of the F being very different than the TV series. I think that in the TV he commit suicide but I'm not sure. I intend to see the serie again before the 2nd season debut

[HR-ML]

Sandra,

I guess I need to watch Bridgerton episode #8 again? Also what happened to the deed? Maybe I need to watch closer?

Thanks for your info.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

I think we are led to believe he committed suicide but it’s forced or made to look like one. There was definitely a cliffhanger at the end when Lady F gets a note that we don’t know the contents of. Their financial situation is very much a question unanswered.

[HR-ML]

Towards the end of #8, Lady F looked like she lost everything.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

HR-ML wrote: "Joanna----

I would not hate you for a difference of opinion. Lady B I liked
but she seemed less observant on how people interacted w/ one
another. And giving Anthony a list of eligible females? ..."

:-) — Eloise’s is my favorite, another rather unpopular opinion, lol. I do think her character is more independent in the show than the book, but the essence is there. Book 2 & 6 are up there as well. I wonder if we’ll get see Francesca this next season.

I don’t dislike Lady B, she’s just not quite what I expected. Perhaps as the series goes and the character grows, I will look back and marvel at the acting in season 1.

[HR-ML]

I like Eloise best on Netflix series. But I just read Amazon reviews on 'her story. ' Sir Philip reportedly raped his late, depressed wife Marina. I avoid this type of trope.

Many of us saw "North & South (Civil War)" & "No. and South (BBC: cotton factory)" which had romance elements. So it feels a luxury to have a TV series devoted to romance. I don't expect perfection. I honestly recall aspects of the plots, but not the details. So I plan to keep watching until I don't. LOL!

[Sandra]

I like Eloise a lot, both in the books and on TV. The story of Eloise and the future husband is very interesting.

HR-ML, are you (re)reading the Bridgertons books?

The North & South civil war and the cotton factory are based in the the same book?!