BOTM 1 - April 2022 - Mr. Impossible

[Sandra]

Discussion thread for the First BOTM of April 2022. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)

Join us at this Around The World's BOTM and Happy Reading!



Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase

Synopsis:

Impossible

Rupert Carsington, fourth son of the Earl of Hargate, is his aristocratic family's favorite disaster. He is irresistibly handsome, shockingly masculine, and irretrievably reckless, and wherever he goes, trouble follows. Still, Rupert's never met an entanglement—emotional or otherwise—he couldn't escape. Until now.

Outrageous

Now he's in Egypt, stranded in the depths of Cairo's most infamous prison, and his only way out is to accept a beautiful widow's dangerous proposal. Scholar Daphne Pembroke wants him to rescue her brother, who's been kidnapped by a rival seeking a fabled treasure. Their partnership is strictly business: She'll provide the brains, he the brawn. Simple enough, in theory.

Inevitable

Blame it on the sun or the blazing desert heat, but as tensions flare, and inhibitions melt, the most disciplined of women and the most reckless of men are about to clash in the most impossibly irresistible way.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Thanks for getting these up!

[Sandra]

No problem Joanna. I hope all was fine.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

I bought the audio for this one.

[Jan]

I read this one a few years ago and liked it, so I might join in for a reread next month.

[Lauren]

looking forward to this book in April

[Maureen]

I enjoyed reading this novel. It was more than a romance with mystery and humorous anecdotes mixed in. I loved ❤ it and gave it 5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

[Viv]

Read and loved this one a few years ago and still remember the spunky heroine and Mr. Impossible, who literally make sit impossible for her to ignore him :) Funny too. Laughed out loud in many places.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

I read this one a while ago, possibly will get a listen in this month. I remember liking it but not loving it as much as I thought I would.

[Jan]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I read this one a while ago, possibly will get a listen in this month. I remember liking it but not loving it as much as I thought I would."

Yeah looking back at my old review (from 2017) I see I gave 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3. I'm hoping on this reread I will be able to go up to 4 stars. I hope to start within the next week.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

I just started the audio book and up to chapter 3. Enjoying it so far.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

Just starting Chapter 6. No real spoilers to discuss. A little less enchanted with Mr Impossible. Not the witty dialogue I had expected.

[Sue]

I loved Mr Impossible and Miss Wonderful in this series but haven't read the fifth book in this series. I need to start finishing series reads.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Sue wrote: "I loved Mr Impossible and Miss Wonderful in this series but haven't read the fifth book in this series. I need to start finishing series reads."

I can relate. I read the first four books in fairly quick succession, but it took me years to finally read the last one. The TBR challenge helped me finally pick it up a few months ago.

[Jan]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Sue wrote: "I loved Mr Impossible and Miss Wonderful in this series but haven't read the fifth book in this series. I need to start finishing series reads."

I can relate. I read the first four boo..."

I can relate too. I have never yet read the final book but have read all the others. Maybe this reread of Mr Impossible will encourage me to tackle the final book.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

I have just started chapter 7 which is the start of the road trip. No real spoilers (or much action) (ok other than a few dead bodies of tertiary characters {I would call them Redshirt characters but that might be too StarTreky}) I have read 6 of Chases books and tend to be a love it or leave it kinda girl with her. Still on the fence.
Plus, you may have noted I am not devouring the book.

[Sue]

Darbella wrote: "I really enjoyed this one, but if I remember correctly it does start out a little slower than normal. It was different and fun to me with the hero being a "brawn" type of hero instead of a smart on..."

I agree the hero was kind of 'Dim but nice'.

[Jan]

I've started. I'm part way through Chapter 4 and they are (view spoiler)[exploring inside a pyramid (hide spoiler)]. It's kind of a fun romp so far, and meant to be taken light-heartedly I think. There is some funny banter, and I can really feel the attraction between Rupert and Daphne. (view spoiler)[In spite of Daphne's plain outer appearance and her marriage to a dull, older man, it's becoming clear she is actually a vital and passionate person. Seeing her become her true self will be an enjoyable journey I think. (hide spoiler)]

Sue and Darbella, as to Rupert being 'dim', this seems to be the persona he projects and what many think of him, (including Daphne!) but there have already been a few hints that he is definitely not as dim as everyone thinks.

I'm enjoying the (re)read so far. Since I last read it in 2017, it's almost like a new read :)

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

I agree with you Jan that Rubert is not dim. He knows how to distract Daphne when she is becoming upset.

[Susan]

Merry Jewelhound wrote: "I agree with you Jan that Rubert is not dim. He knows how to distract Daphne when she is becoming upset."

I am also up to chapter 7. I am really hoping that Rupert is not really dim - that he just acts this way as he has been pigeon-holed by his family. From Darbella and Sue's comments it appears that I may be destined to be disappointed.....oh I hope not. So far I am enjoying this.

[Sue]

Susan wrote: "Merry Jewelhound wrote: "I agree with you Jan that Rubert is not dim. He knows how to distract Daphne when she is becoming upset."

I am also up to chapter 7. I am really hoping that Rupert is not ..."

I hope you will not disappointed, I agree with everyone the 'dimness' is an act and he definitely has plenty of brawn. He is memorable character and great deal of fun to Daphne's serious side.

[Lauren]

Just started today and I aleady love Rupert (hate the name though)

[Jan]

Lauren wrote: "Just started today and I aleady love Rupert (hate the name though)"

Yeah Rupert's not my favourite name either LOL but I like his character too.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

I am listening to chapter 11 this is one of those audio versions where it is not the voice I would use if I was reading the book. I am doing chores while I listen, and the plot is easy to follow. The romance is starting to move along a bit. Am I riveted....no but I am entertained.

[jenny867]

I'm about 3/4 of the way through the book and really enjoying it so far.

I love Rupert, and his inner monologue has made me laugh out loud several times.

I don't think he is dim-witted at all (quite perceptive/intuitive actually), but it seems like he views himself that way, even while he plays it up to his advantage. I'm curious why he believes that about himself and I hope it gets explored a bit more, especially if Daphne is the one who helps him see himself differently. :)

[Susan]

I just finished this. I really enjoyed it. 4.5 stars, verging towards 5 for me. I love books with a good cast, not just a hero and heroine; I love books with humour; I love books with a swoon worthy hero and I love books where the love develops - so it ticked all those boxes.

Regarding the side characters, Leena was a hoot and who could not love the mangoose.

Rupert and Daphne are such an unlikely couple but Loretta Chase made it work.

Regarding the setting - I found it slightly distracting to be honest. I kind of wanted her to stoped waxing lyrical about all the tombs and antiquities and get back to the story - but it did make the book more interesting; and it is a minor point.

If anyone else reads BOTM2 and the novella - which are both set in Egypt it will be interesting to see what the differences are. I did start Captive Bride - but was not 'captivated'...maybe I'll get back it.

I have not read any of the other books in this series, but I am keen to start. These Carsingtons have piqued by interest.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

Great review Susan. I have stalled a bit on listening.

[Jan]

I've nearly finished now too, (part way through Chapter 18) and still enjoying it. I might finish later today?

I like Rupert too, with the devil of laughter in his eyes. I agree with Jenny's comments about him (message #26). I also like the way he is allowing Daphne to become herself (view spoiler)[ after her disastrous marriage to an uncaring older man who didn't understand or respect her. She was too young and naive then to realise what was happening, but now she is really learning to be her real self. (hide spoiler)]

Nice quote from Chapter 17, Rupert to Daphne: "Maybe unusual circumstances show us what we're truly made of," he said. "Maybe your life before didn't give you room to be yourself."

[Jan]

Yay. I finished. 4 stars. I enjoyed the read, and want to go back and reread the others in the series - it's years since I read them and I can hardly even remember what they're about.

I really liked both MCs. I liked the respect Rupert showed towards Daphne, and how he allowed her to be herself. There were some funny moments too. (view spoiler)[ Not least Rupert's euphemism of his 'privy councillor'. LOL (hide spoiler)]

This book fitted into the 'Around The World' theme very well, as the setting played a big part in the book and definitely gave it a different tone to the usual HR.

[Lady Wesley]

I am a huge Loretta Chase fan, so I have both read and listened to this book several times. Because I am not fond of road trip or caper romances, this is not my favorite Chase title (that, of course, would be Lord of Scoundrels).

I do find Rupert endearing and not “dim.” He reminds me a bit of Freddy in Georgette Heyer’s Cotillion — a bit of a fribble who turns out to earn his status as the “hero.”

[Sandra]

I'm starting the first of the serie. This would be my first Loretta Chase reading. Looking forward to read it!!

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

I am nearing the finish and the story has really picked up for me. I also am not a fan of road trips so this may have decreased the early part of the books enjoyment. I also love Lord of Scoundrels.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

I finished the book just now. I found it to be an ok book till about (again not a road trip fan) 75% and then I was just really enjoying it.
This is the only book in the series I have read, and I do plan to read the others.

[Lauren]

I felt the same way Merry! the book got interesting around the sandstorm part.

Jan, "I liked the respect Rupert showed towards Daphne and how he allowed her to be herself." . You perfectly summed up what I loved about this book. It's rare to find that kind of balance in a relationship.

[Jan]

After this one, I started rereading the series. #1 Miss Wonderful was still my least favourite. I just finished #3 Lord Perfect and really liked it. 4 stars. I thought I'd read that one before but turns out I hadn't so that was a new read :) Merry - it does have a road trip in it so be warned!

Now onto #4 Not Quite a Lady which I remember really enjoying when I read it a few years ago. Then onto #5 Last Night's Scandal which I've never read. It's a good series. I like older Loretta Chase books much better than her current series about the Difficult Dukes.

[Merry in and out for the next few days]

Jan, thanks for the heads up about the road trip. Also, you made a really good point about Rupert respecting an intelligent woman. Several of my favorite books have had this aspect in them recently.

Lauren, I agree the sandstorm changed all for me.

I have been jumping all over in my reading lately and not finishing any series. I just restarted my KU and have a lot of books that had good recommendations that I want to read.

[Sandra]

Hi, guys, I've finished this book today. There's my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sandra]

Lauren wrote: "Just started today and I aleady love Rupert (hate the name though)"

Ohhh, Lauren I love the name Rupert, ahahah!! Reminds me of some actors :)

[Sandra]

Jan wrote: "After this one, I started rereading the series. #1 Miss Wonderful was still my least favourite. I just finished #3 Lord Perfect and really liked it. 4 stars. I thought I..."
I'm also reading the series, I'm a little bit late in my readings but the Carsington's made me do it!! ;D

[Sandra]

Lauren wrote: "I felt the same way Merry! the book got interesting around the sandstorm part.

Jan, "I liked the respect Rupert showed towards Daphne and how he allowed her to be herself." . You perfectly summed ..."

At the beginning of the 3rd book there's a very interesting conversation with Daphne and Rupert's father about his "dimness" :)

[Jan]

I finally finished the whole series. Book 5 was a little disappointing. I liked Books 2, 3 and 4 best (including Mr Impossible). Overall though, an enjoyable series.