BOTM 1 - June 2021 - A Rake’s Guide to Seduction

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

Darbella, I understand what you are saying. I enjoyed it (not the sucker punch lol) but the device that is used. I have been reading too many books with similar plot lines recently.

[Leena]

I'm so behind my BOtM reading. I've just started it.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

Leena, not really its only the 9th

[Leena]

yes, but I've over committed as usual .

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

Don't tell anyone but I have renewed 2 library books for 3 months. I have good intentions and no one else has requested them.

[Leena]

ha ha and this why I love Scribd. I don't have to worry about renewals.:))

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Darbella wrote: "Chapters 1 through 3. I was having a grand time watching Celia fall in love with Anthony, then BAM. I feel sucker punched. [spoilers removed]
I am not sure about finishing the story. Not a fan of ..."

I understand that not being your cup of tea. Those parts might be depend on what you read prior to reading something like this. That can be the case for me. Did you go ahead and finish? It looks like you have a review for it.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Darbella wrote: "It was exactly my cup of tea until the sucker punch section. She was not even acting in love with anyone in the story until we were told what happened. grrrrr!
Anyways, what did I say in my review..."

Lol — it’s a very short one. Here’s the link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


In terms of surprises later, (view spoiler)[I don’t think there are any that affect the romance at least, but there are some tests to their bond that might not seem necessary. Trying to be vague… (hide spoiler)]

[Susan]

Yes, this one was a great read. Could not put it down and finished in a day. Lovely romance, lovely characters. I am a bit of a sucker for the (view spoiler)[ rake who is not really a rake (hide spoiler)].

I have been meaning to read Caroline Linden for a while. I think I will head back to the first two books and then look for Caroline Lindens.

Any recommendations for other Caroline Linden series would be welcomed

[Missy]

Ch.17: Ooooh, do I sense a romance between (view spoiler)[Celia's mom and Anthony's uncle?!?! (hide spoiler)]

[Petra]

Darbella wrote: "10 though 22: Well, things are back to the story being my cup of tea. I am enjoying their chemistry together. [spoilers removed]
I am enjoying the side characters. [spoilers removed]
General spoile..."

Hi Darbella, I was missing epilogue as well. And his uncle was something else (view spoiler)[ I kind of thought his uncle will be his real father or something like that. Also we need to mention that blooming something something between his uncle and her mom. Wow I was pleasantly surprised by that. (hide spoiler)]

About lovemaking (view spoiler)[ in many books making love seals the deal. I love how it was portrayed here and found it believable. Celia sees that having great sex is not enough and pure social pressure will not push her to marry Anthony. I loved that. She is asking for more time to figure things out. (hide spoiler)]

Great choice for book of the month.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

I looked on Caroline Linden’s site and Rosalind’s story is in the A Kiss for Christmas: Holiday Short Stories anthology. I am not sure if I have read it or not.... must rectify.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Darbella wrote: "Thanks for finding my review. That gives me hope that I will eventually get over [spoilers removed]. I also was able to delete my duplicate of this on my shelf. :)
However, read some more today and..."

I enjoy the letters too 😍 — seems to be a minority of us that do though since it never gets selected for the tropes.

[Sam I]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Darbella wrote: "Thanks for finding my review. That gives me hope that I will eventually get over [spoilers removed]. I also was able to delete my duplicate of this on my shelf. :)
However, read so..."

Did I hear letters?!

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Susan wrote: "Yes, this one was a great read. Could not put it down and finished in a day. Lovely romance, lovely characters. I am a bit of a sucker for the [spoilers removed].

I have been meaning to read Caro..."

Hi Susan,

My favorite series is the Truth About the Duke series. It has a prequel novella, I Love the Earl from the generation before. It’s not necessary to read it, but I like it. The series really kicks off with One Night in London. All the Heroines are more mature and it has a good connecting thread that ties the series together.

You can’t really go wrong though, in my opinion, but I am biased 😉

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Darbella wrote: "Thanks for finding my review. That gives me hope that I will eventually get over [spoilers removed]. I also was able to delete my duplicate of this on ..."

Yes! Also I think this one would be a better fit for you than the first you tried by Linden, FYI.

[Missy]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I looked on Caroline Linden’s site and Rosalind’s story is in the A Kiss for Christmas: Holiday Short Stories anthology. I am not sure if I have read it or not.... must rectify."

I'm definitely interested in reading more about Rosalind's romance with Lord Warfield. Thanks for researching, Joanna!

[Debby *BabyDee*]

Missy wrote: "Ch.17: Ooooh, do I sense a romance between [spoilers removed]"

Hmm I was thinking 🤔

[Debby *BabyDee*]

Although I've finished..this books is still stuck in my head. I did love the letter writing...just a nice touch. Very good listen😁

[Mariana]

Missy wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I looked on Caroline Linden’s site and Rosalind’s story is in the A Kiss for Christmas: Holiday Short Stories anthology. I am not sure if I have read it..."

Me too! I've read all three books in this series and just reread this one but never read the novella. It should be listed as 3.5 in the series list.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Mariana wrote: "Missy wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I looked on Caroline Linden’s site and Rosalind’s story is in the A Kiss for Christmas: Holiday Short Stories anthology. I am not sure if ..."

Totally shocked it slipped by me, lol.

[Shannon]

Okay... I'm late to the party, but I wanted to finish the first two before I started this one because this series has been on my want to list for at least a year if not more.

Okay... I'm loving it! Love love loving it! Not sure if anyone else is still reading so I'll spoiler alert my comments

(view spoiler)[I was so upset when Celia married! I thought what the heck, I really like this guy. In fact in the second book I wondered if he was the MC in this one. Hamilton is my kind of Hero. Out of the three, so far, He's my favorite. (hide spoiler)]

This is turning out to be my favorite read of the three. Hamilton is my favorite kind of leading man. And I really like Celia too. Although she changes quite a bit early on, I've really bought into her storyline.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

I didn't read the other 2 books for this month as I have only seen the Netflix series for the one and the other I couldn't get from the library. I was very pleased with the way things worked out as I thoroughly enjoyed this book and totally agreed with your spoiler.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

Darbella sitting here really laughing out loud

[Petra]

Shannon wrote: "Okay... I'm late to the party, but I wanted to finish the first two before I started this one because this series has been on my want to list for at least a year if not more.

Okay... I'm loving it..."
He is my type of hero as well. Loved him. What do you think Shannon which one of the first 2 books is better? I would like to start with a better one :)

[Petra]

Merry Jewelhound wrote: "I didn't read the other 2 books for this month as I have only seen the Netflix series for the one and the other I couldn't get from the library. I was very pleased with the way things worked out as..."
What Neflix series? I am intrigued...

[Shannon]

Petra wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Okay... I'm late to the party, but I wanted to finish the first two before I started this one because this series has been on my want to list for at least a year if not more.

Okay...."
I would start with the first one. I liked Marcus better than David, he was hard and cold, but all the more satisfying to win over. But really, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. It's been a good series all around... so far.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Petra wrote: "Merry Jewelhound wrote: "I didn't read the other 2 books for this month as I have only seen the Netflix series for the one and the other I couldn't get from the library. I was very pleased with the..."

Romancing Mr Bridgerton is part of the Bridgerton series, so that is the Netflix series in reference. There is sadly no adaptation of any Linden series that I am aware of.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Shannon wrote: "Petra wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Okay... I'm late to the party, but I wanted to finish the first two before I started this one because this series has been on my want to list for at least a year if no..."

In this series, my order of favorite to least is 3, 1, 2 -- so this one is my favorite, and I agree I like Marcus's story/transformation better than David's.

[Milly Jane]

After I read the third, I went on to the second and I'm about the read the first. It's quite fun doing them in reverse order! I'm one of those odd characters who likes to know the outcome of a book before I begin, so reading them in reverse order is fun because I know how the characters end up, but not how they got there (that's the best part after all!). I might adopt this technique for more series. Wish I'd thought of it sooner!

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

Sorry Petra, I should have been clearer. Joanna cleared it up. I seldom read the book and watch the movie. So only the first book has been done in the Bridgerton series. But I imagine as popular as it is all will be shown.

[Shannon]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Petra wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Okay... I'm late to the party, but I wanted to finish the first two before I started this one because this series has been on my want to list for at le..."

That would be my order of favs as well. I'm half way done and I wish I could give this one extra credit because I really really like both these MCs

[Shannon]

Milly Jane wrote: "After I read the third, I went on to the second and I'm about the read the first. It's quite fun doing them in reverse order! I'm one of those odd characters who likes to know the outcome of a book..."

LOL... I think you may have something there.

[Petra]

Ok Shannon thank you. I will give the first book a go. I already got it on board.

[Shannon]

Petra wrote: "Ok Shannon thank you. I will give the first book a go. I already got it on board."

I'm curious now to see how you rate them 1 - 3.

[Shannon]

Wowser! This was by far the best in the series. Loved loved loved it!

(view spoiler)[loved the letter writing and was glad that she recognized it was him early on. It reminded me a little of You've Got Mail when Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are exchanging email and in the end she hopes it was him. Made for a very sweet kiss. (hide spoiler)]

I'm sorry it's over.

[Mariana]

Padma wrote: "Finished it. Was a great read."

Glad you enjoyed it also!

[Patti]

I know I’m late to the game, but I just finished this book and I thought it was excellent. The MCs were both realistic and actual adults. (view spoiler)[ Although I did think Anthony was a little TOO reticent sometimes, particularly with Celia. I understand his characterization completely. Because of the way his father treated him and being the relentless subject of society gossip, he felt it was better to ignore what was said of him rather than constantly explain himself. I do wish he’d been a little more open with Celia, though, especially in regards to his feelings for her. Even if the author wanted to hold the “I love you’s“ until the very end, she could have had him say the more generic “I care for you” to Celia, either after they had been intimate or when she asked him why he wanted to marry her. I just needed SOMETHING from him, but I guess Celia was more forgiving/accepting than I would be. LOL

Overall, though, that was a minor quibble. In general, I thought Anthony was a great Hero and Celia was a strong heroine. I loved her introspection. It’s rare to see so much of it in HR. And her development from young happy society miss to mature quiet widow was really well done. (hide spoiler)]

This was a great pick, and I’m super intrigued about the first two books in the series.

[Shannon]

Patti wrote: "I know I’m late to the game, but I just finished this book and I thought it was excellent. The MCs were both realistic and actual adults. Although I did think Anthony was a little TOO reticent som..."

I totally agree with you about Celia's growth. It was one of the best parts of the book. I wasn't thrilled with the whole chapter on how she got where she was, but it made sense and it was well done, and I might say it made for more chemistry and a deeper feeling of love between them. It also helped us to see Celia as a grown up because she's such a whirlwind of exuberant youthfulness in the prior books.

This is my favorite of the three, but I think you'll like them all. I'm glad I read them! Would love to know what you think of David's story.

[Mariana]

Glad you enjoyed it, Padma!