BOTM 2 – August 2023 – What a Gentleman Wants

[Susan]

Discussion thread for the second BOTM for August 2023. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)


What a Gentleman Wants by Caroline Linden

Join us in reading this HR that features the theme Kidnapping. Happy reading!

Synopsis:

Marcus Reece, Duke of Exeter, has spent most of his life pulling his twin brother out of trouble. An occasional thank you would suffice; instead, his resentful sibling forges his name to a marriage license and presents him with an unwanted wife. She's a vicar's widow with a mind of her own who may be the first person in Marcus's well-ordered life to make him feel...completely out of control.

Hannah can't help but curse her own idiocy. Dire straits have led her to the altar with a gentleman she hardly knows. Played for a fool, she's embarrassed, furious, and worse, married to an equally outraged stranger—an exasperating man who unleashes all manner of emotions in Hannah, not to mention unwanted desire. Reluctantly, she agrees to play the wife until he can sort out the mess. But the nearness of the undeniably attractive Duke and the passion in his black eyes unsettles her well-guarded heart—making her want to do so much more than "act" the role of blissful bride.

[Maureen]

I actually had this book on Kobo +. I read it and it was a different story but a sweet one. I really like the female lead and her daughter Molly. I hope other members enjoy this novel too.

[Lauren]

I'm glad you enjoyed it Maureen! I read a couple of months ago, so I'll be skipping this story.

[Petra]

I started reading yesterday. The set up is slightly longish but now I am 23% in and fully invested.

[Jan]

I'm going to try this one. Kidnapping is not my fav theme, but I did read a Caroline Linden BOTM in 2020 (Love and Other Scandals) and quite enjoyed it, so I will see how this one goes.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

This is one of my faves by Linden. I might re-read. I am not sure how well it fits the theme, a bit of a stretch.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Petra wrote: "I started reading yesterday. The set up is slightly longish but now I am 23% in and fully invested."

It is a long setup, probably wouldn’t see that in book released today. I appreciate the background/build up, but I am not sure how I would take it on a first read.

[Susan]

I enjoyed this. The characters are likable and I like a romance where the characters fall in love slowly as they get to know each other. It was a four star read for me.

I then went on and read the second in the series. Not quite a good as the first - however I have fallen in love with the whole Reece family. It seems that I have read the third in the series before (it was BOTM back in 2021) and really liked it (according to my comments in the BOTM post)....I am thinking I might need to do a re-read while I am on a roll.

Has anyone else read this BOTM this month?

[Mariana]

Yes, I just finished rereading. I forgot how much I loved this book!

Hannah is such a likable but real heroine.

Joanne is right that I wouldn't really consider this to be kidnapping.