Only MineDiscussion(Aug.Group Read) - Some Spoilers!

[~Jennifer~]

I thought we might try an old school book club discussion. Each week I'll post a new question pertaining to the Group Read. This thread is for those who have already finished reading the book, so if you aren't quite done...BEWARE of the spoilers! :)

Question #1: We'll start off with an easy one...

How did you experience the book? Were you engaged immediately, or did it take you a while to
"get into it"? How did you feel reading it—amused,
sad, disturbed, confused,...?

[~Jennifer~]

I am not quite done with it, but I can answer this without knowing the end.

Having read the Fools Gold trilogy and have 'met' Dakota before, I can say I was pretty engaged from the first page. With what happened in , I have been wondering what exactly caused her to have a breakdown. Now that I know, I can empathize with her and have gone through something similar even though my ending was very different. The buildup of the relationship with Finn is very nice and I am looking forward to the HEA. A successful book to me is one that makes you feel a variety of different emotions. This one hasn't disappointed me. I've found myself amused, frustrated, angry, sad, happy, and hopeful...and I'm not even done yet. :)

[Shellbelle]

Jenn, I love this idea! It's better than just saying. I like it, it wasy good..ect! Hopefully through Aug we can get lots of people to join in! Okay now on to the question...

I was sucked in from the start. I loved that it didn't take long for there to be interaction between the two main characters (for me there is few things worse than waiting till page 50 till they even have a conversation). We got to see a little peek at Finn's intensity, and anxiousness right from the get go and it set the tone for the rest of the book. I also like the way their relationship was built (but I won't go into that right now, we can make that a discussion for later!) I also agree with you Jenn that this book took me through several of emotions, and it felt real to me...it felt like this is how life really happens. (well maybe not the reality tv show, but you catch my drift!lol) I can't wait to see what everyone else thinks about this book!

[Hannah]

Well, I just started(I'll begin chapter 2 when I have a chance to read again) and I can say I've been engaged from the first page. I liked the banter(or dialogue) between Finn and Dakota. They're very engaging characters and you can understand why Finn wants his brothers off the reality show(or I do anyways since I hate reality shows, lol).

[Kelly Lynn]

Hannah: That's the first thing that drew me into the book as well, I adored the banter between Finn and Dakota, and since this won't spoil anything, it stays that wonderful throughout the story! Hope you continue to enjoy!!

[Hannah]

Woo-hoo! I'm glad to hear that Kelly Lynn. So often the banter stops after a certain point and I hate that. I love banter!

[Shellbelle]

That was seriously one of the best things about the books...the banter was evident throughout the book, and I couldn't wait for the next conversation between Dakota and Finn!

[Hannah]

Okay, I'm on chapter 2. I wanted to throttle the twins during the confrontation with Finn. I get their needing to spread their wings, etc but gawd, they were kinda nasty. I guess I should be happy they said they appreciated what Finn had done for them but I'm not. LOL

Oh and I love the scene with Dakota and Marsha too. Made me wonder what happen to Dakota.

I'm sure I'll post again; I have time to read before my fave show tonight. :)

[Kelly Lynn]

Haha glad I'm not alone in wanting to strangle them!!! I'm not sure I ever got over wanting to strangle Sasha!! Happy Reading!

[Hannah]

I didn't like Sasha but for some reason in the first scene with the twins and Finn, Stephen was the one that annoyed me the most. :/ I thought he seemed quite hurtful towards Finn. Bugged me. I am curious if Finn was like the twins when he was a kid and gave it up to raise his very undeserving(as of chapter 2!) brothers?

[~Jennifer~]

Question 2

What were your thoughts on Aurelia's mom? What would make a mother treat her only daughter in that way? Does Aurelia's relationship with her mother tie in with the relationship that develops with Stephen? Do you see a HEA in their future or are the age differences going to pose a problem in the future?

[Shellbelle]

Hmmm, I'm going to touch on the age difference first. I was married to man 3 1/2 years younger than me (which I had always dated older before that...) for 9 years, and I have to say there were times it seemed like it was 30 years difference but for the most time I didn't notice much of a differnce. In Stephen's case he seemed like he was already a bit more mature, and settled than his brother. That and the fact that Aurelia wasn't all that experienced in the love department herself might lead to things working out. Of course Fool's Gold is the land of happy endings...so I think they are good!lol

One thing I have noticed about a lot of Susan's books is there is at lease one seriously discunfunctional family relationship. And Aurelia's mom really takes the cake!!! I have a lot more to say but I want to wait and see what everyone else thinks first!

[~Jennifer~]

I don't think I know any couples that have survived the age difference. I've known a few and they never make it beyond 10 years together. I'd love some positive examples that where it works out in the end? Anyone have any?

[Shellbelle]

I had a friend that had a 7 year difference and they made 9 years too...so we are only reinforcing your 10 year theory!lol

[Samantha]

Okay, with the first question, I have to say, the book grabbed me from the first page. when Dakota made the comment about Finn's plaid shirt, I laughed out loud and knew that she was going to make reading about her fun.

As for the second question about Aurelia's mom...I kept waiting and waiting and waiting for her to stand up to her mother. And I don't mean a mild confrontation but a big, bold argument and it would have been nice to see more of Stephen or even Finn go to bat for her.

With the age difference, I had a little bit of an ick factor moment but Susan presented them in a way, I think, that they may have been years apart age-wise but their maturity/life experience level was closer to one another. I think they made a good fit.

[Tegan]

I just finished the book and I loved it!

1. It caught my attention right from the start and I was 80 pages in the first night! I never got bored and I felt all types of emotion! haha. I laughed and I worried and I was excited and happy. Plus I think Jo's Bar is pretty cool.

2. I agree with Stacey on wishing Aurelia had more of a confrontation with her mom, but that's just not her character. Her mom made me angry every time she was in a scene, I wasn't sorry to see her leave!

3. I think what makes a difference with Stephen and Aurelia is that she hasn't experienced things (such as love) that many people do by the time they reach her age, so she, emotionally, is in the same place as Stephen. They were able to relate to each other and help one another. I think that will make a difference.

[Shellbelle]

Tegan, glad to hear you liked it! And Jo's bar is amazing right?! I would hang out there all the time☺

[Tegan]

I want the next one now!!! lol. I'll have to do with reading the first trilogy! haha. I wonder how much money we would make if we started a bar like that!

[Shellbelle]

I hear you! I'm dying to read !!! For that matter I'm dying to read too!!! That's why I'm re-reading the whole series☺

[Tegan]

I know!!! I want them now!!! haha. End of August and end of September what?! lol.

[Kelly Lynn]

Hmm, as for the second question, I think Aurelia's mother just didn't have her own HEA, so why should she want her daughter too? Plus she could manipulate her into supporting her so that made it even better. I think Stephen and Aurelia are going to have problems, but I see them working them out, he's too stubborn not too! And I agree with Tegan on Aurelia's lack of experience somewhat helping tackle the age difference.

[~Jennifer~]

I saw a review the other day ranting (full on rant, too) about another one of Susan's books . The rant was about how unlikely it was that the character went through IVF with three embryos, they all implanted, and she became pregnant with triplets. The ranter went on to say how insensitive it was to all the women undergoing IVF who have gone through many cycles of hormones and have never conceived. That being said... my question is...In , PCOS is a problem but Dakota still manages to get pregnant the first time even though the chances were slim to none. What do you think about that in relation to the ranters comments on the other book?

[Tegan]

First off, I don't see that as insensitive, I mean, I've never been through that, so I can't say for sure. But wouldn't that be some sort of hope for a reader that may have gone through a similar situation? If that's insensitive then every romance novel should be insensitive to everyone that's been broken up with, thus, there would be no romance novels! I digress.

I think Dakota's pregnancy was Susan's way of saying, miracles can happen, even when you least expect them. Which is true, we all know a story of a wonderful occurrence that wasn't expected! I feel most of her messages are positive and she wants people to relate to and feel for her characters.

[Shellbelle]

Tegan, you took the words out of my mouth! For me Only Mine was about hope, faith, and the power of miracles! I don't want to get all cheesey, but Only Mine was one of the rare books that actually made me cry, and they happy, overjoyed tears for the most part. I also cryed for Dakota's pain, but the real emotion for me was when her first mirical arrived in the form of a beautiful little girl, and then later with the blessing of her pregnancy! Okay now that being said.....

People need to get some perspective, for goodness sakes it's a fictional story!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, come on, it may not be completly realistic, but If I wanted to read about reality I wouldn't be reading romance novels! Most of the things in romance novels are not always the most true to life situations...I mean how many vampires, werewolves, pirates, rakes...ect have you been approched by (and I'm not talking about Halloween!lol) How many people do you know that have children they never knew about and then discoverd them and lived as a big happy family. I could play this game all day. And yes sometimes these books deal with sensitive materials they may hit close to home and bring up painful issues...if this is the case, pick another book. That is all☺

[~Jennifer~]

Completely agree with everything you've both said! I had to control myself not to unleash in a comment to the ranter.

I love Susan's books. They are full of hope, miracles and love and when you add really hot guys...you have my idea of perfection! lol Miracles happen. People need to realize and remember that!

[Tegan]

Exactly! You have to be positive! If you're not positive, you'll miss out. Hopefully they'll read more SM and realize the positive message! Or we can just shake them...

[Shellbelle]

Shaking seems like the best idea...but that's just me!lol

Jen, I love these discussion topics that you have come up with! Your making me think!lol

[~Jennifer~]

Question 4:

What passages strike you as insightful, even profound? Perhaps a bit of dialog that's funny or poignant...or encapsulates a character? ;) Little bit tougher.

[Shellbelle]

Hmmm, I'm really going to have to think about this one. Your right it is a little tougher!lol

[~Jennifer~]

"We could ask the flight attendant if you can have a pair of those little wings they give kids. You could pin them on your shirt. That might make you feel better." - Dakota to Finn

I love Dakota. To me, this part, portrays her sense of humor while dealing with what could have been an uncomfortable situation. Remember, Finn was being rude about Aurelia and then with having to fly as a passenger. She diffused the situation pretty nicely.

[Shellbelle]

Dakota does seem to keep her calm in most situations. When Fin is going through all of the junk with his brothers she finds a way to stay objective and tries to help him see another point of view, and still seem like she is totally on his side! I found that pretty impressive:D

[~Jennifer~]

Any new thoughts on the book?

[Kelly Lynn]

I was reading one of the interviews that Susan did, and I guess I didn't really pick up on this when I read it, but just how at odds Finn's actions were with his repeated desire to get his single life back. He did so many things that countered that, from still worrying about his twin brothers despite them technically being adults to all of the things he did to help Dakota with the baby, even though it wasn't in his plans. I like that he grew up without realizing it.

[Shellbelle]

That's true Kelly, when I was reading it, I kept thinking that Finn was wound way to tight to ever be completly carefree again, no matter what stage in life the twins or anybody else was in!lol It was hard for me to even picture him carefree and wild☺

[Tegan]

I agree completely! When they describe when he's younger I'm like "How?" It's interesting because he felt like he had already grown up, but he didn't. I guess he grew up in certain ways, but still needed to in others. I think it's great that the brothers he was so controlling over are basically the ones that helped him grow up and get to where he needed to be. He should really thank them!

[Hannah]

I finally got my book back from my friend, so yay! I'm now on chapter 5 and again, I really like it!

I felt so bad for Dakota when she was talking to her mother about not being able to have kids. Aw. :( And the little flirtiness with Finn and the date! *sigh* I really like them together so far!

[Shellbelle]

Okay I'm going to sneek this in here...Just wait till next months Group Read peeps! Only Yours is amazing so far (sadly with back to school crap I haven't finished but I'm close, and Simon is my fav. SM hero so far!) You guys will ♥ him!!!

Okay...Only Mine. Hannah, the whole ordeal with Dakota and her lack of having kids really got to me! I think I cried like 5 time in that book, and books hardly ever make me cry! But some were happy tears...☺

[Tegan]

Shell, I'm so jealous!! I can't wait to read it!!

Hannah, I second what Shell said! And Dakota is so lucky to have the wonderful support system that she does to get her though it! She and Finn are great. I want to read more about them!

I'd also be interested to learn more about Stephen and Aurelia!!

[~Jennifer~]

I'm hoping Denise finds her a nice man soon!

[Tegan]

I hope so too! She deserves one!

[Shellbelle]

Ladies, there is some def. Denise action going on in this book, and it's good!

[Tegan]

Ahh! I can't wait!! :)

[Kelly Lynn]

I'm going to second what Shell said, and add that throughout most of the book I just wanted to give poor Simon a hug! He's such a great hero, a little different than the norm, which makes him all the more likeable. I didn't think SM could top Finn in this trilogy, but she did!

[Hannah]

Woo-hoo! Can't wait to get more into the book. It's so aggravating when friends take my books. Another friend flounced off with it after a funeral today. :/ It might take me a few days to get it back. Argh. :/

I loved Finn flipping out over Stephen and Auriella. LOL

[Tegan]

I felt so bad for Aurelia though!! That would suck to hear someone say stuff about you when they don't even know you!! I loved the date they made for themselves when they were in Vegas though! :) I think they're adorable. I hope they can make it all work out!

[Kelly Lynn]

I agree! That part on the plane would have had me in tears if someone was saying something like that about me where I could hear it, especially if my life had been like Aurelia's. I think Stephen does a great job of breaking down her walls and defenses.

[Tegan]

He definitely does!! I'm glad she wound up with him! Imagine if she wound up with Sasha instead. I'm not saying he's a bad guy, but he's not the right personality for her. He's too in love with Hollywood. I wonder if we'll see him on TV in one of the next ones. haha.

[Kelly Lynn]

I never quite warmed up to Sasha, but you are right, those two together would be disastrous.

I didn't even think about the possibility of seeing Sasha on TV in a later book, that would be pretty cool!

[Hannah]

Tegan Mae wrote: "I felt so bad for Aurelia though!! That would suck to hear someone say stuff about you when they don't even know you!! I loved the date they made for themselves when they were in Vegas though! :) I..."

It was not nice but it made sense with who Finn was and Dakota was setting him straight. Plus, I assume it set up some interaction with Stephen and Auriella. Not that I'll be getting to that anytime soon since my friend took my book. lol

[Kelly Lynn]

Hannah, you are far too nice. No one is getting a hand on my books until I'm done!!!

(But I understand, I've lost so many books to unreliable friends, sometimes being a nice generous person sucks!)