Historical Romance Book Club discussion
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BOTM 1 – May 2023 – Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
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I nominated this book and was so thrilled that so many people voted for it. This is my second time reading it. I loved it as much as the first time. Lady Calpurnia Hartwell 29, and a spinster or on the shelf as they say is the h and Gabriel St. John the Marquess of Ralston a notorious rake is the H. Hope you all enjoy the romance.
I read and enjoyed this last year but not yet ready to read again.
Good nomination, Maureen! It's been awhile since I read this book. I haven't decided if I'm going to reread it or not.
Oh I did enjoy this book! I'd definitely join in for a re-read!
I'll be reading this book next. Looking forward to it.
I'm still waiting for a copy from my library. 😭😭😭
Mod
For anyone who has not read this I highly recommend it.
This was my first SM book, too. I'm glad you enjoyed it again on a 2nd reread!
Susan your (and others) comments have encouraged me to try this one, and so far I'm enjoying it. I did read A Rogue by Any Other Name a while ago and didn't like it that much, but I always intended to try this book, as many say it's Maclean's best. So far, I'm glad I gave this author another try.
I'm up to Chapter 7. Although Callie has had a crush on Gabriel for a long time, now their romance is starting, it's a pleasant slow burn. I quite like both MCs so far. Sometimes in these kind of books it's a little hard to like or respect a 'rake' character, but the author has done a good job and I like Gabriel. And Callie is lovely.
I agree, she did a good job with the chemistry between them.
Lauren wrote: "I agree, she did a good job with the chemistry between them."Yes, the chemistry is there. I'm nearly half way through now, and still enjoying it.
I'm in the middle of the book and enjoying it. I really like that Callie has decided to live her life and do the things that she has always thought about. The slow burn romance is nice. Keep it up.
Completed up to chapter 9 and already the H/h has shared (view spoiler)I'm not a fan of slow-burn romance. I'm surprised the H/h haven't spent more time together. It's barely chapter 10, so I shall just have to be patient.
Julianna (H's sister) meets her hero in chapter 9. 😊 Her book is the third installment in the series.
I like that the hero plays the piano. I don't know why I find that attractive. I need more musical heroes.
Missy wrote: "I like that the hero plays the piano. I don't know why I find that attractive. I need more musical heroes."
Me too. Have you read More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh? From memory, the hero, Jocelyn, played the piano too. His creative musical side made him an appealing hero for me.
I finished this BOTM today. I enjoyed the read and gave 3.5 to 4 stars. A nice take on the tried-and-true reform of a rake trope. Gabriel's rakish past isn't lingered on too much, which I liked. He and Callie were very nice together. I quite liked the slow burn in this one too, although it can be annoying in books sometimes. The 'secret love' aspect worked well and was an enjoyable part of the story. Overall this was a good read, and I am definitely going to have a look at the other two books in the trilogy.
Now I will go back and finish Rogue With A Brogue, another one of our May BOTMs that I have also started.
@Jan, I've read More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh. It's one of my favorites among her books. :) I've finished the BOTM, too, and gave it 4 stars. I haven't enjoyed reading an HR like this in a while. I'm so glad I reread this although I confess that I barely paid attention the first time I read/listened to the audiobook.
Missy, I'm so glad you enjoyed this book the second time around. This is my favorite of hers.sidenote: I love More Than A Mistress too
Does Callie’s sister Marianna have her own book?
Mod
Interesting that this was her first book. I didn't particularly like a later book of hers that I tried. Maybe I should stick to her early books.
Thanks, Susan. When Marianna's engagement was announced in the book and it appeared to be a love match, I couldn't help but wonder if her romance was established in another book/series. I just reread Julianna's book and Marianna made a few appearances. I recalled not enjoying Nicholas's book, so I skipped it on my reread of the series.
I finished the book a couple of days ago. I enjoyed it mostly. I did think it drug on a bit too long. The couple had great chemistry and I really liked Benedict, Callie's brother. It was really different and interesting to have a male accomplice.
Historical Romance Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
More Than a Mistress (other topics)More Than a Mistress (other topics)
A Rogue by Any Other Name (other topics)
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (other topics)
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
Join us in reading this HR that features the theme Secret Love . Happy reading!
Synopsis:
A lady does not smoke cheroot. She does not ride astride. She does not fence or attend duels. She does not fire a pistol, and she never gambles at a gentlemen's club.
Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried—and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing.
But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss—to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston—charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.
If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all—the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love.