What do you think?
Rate this book
The Book Lovers #2
Rules for a Successful Book Club
Polly Nightingale never meant to fall in love again especially not with a biker thirteen years her junior. But then Jago Solomon enters her life with a guitar strapped to his back, and Polly and her six-year-old son, Archie, know that they’ve never been happier.
But what happened three years ago when Polly’s husband, Sean, went missing? And what will it mean for Polly and Jago if her past ever catches up with them?
But what happened three years ago when Polly’s husband, Sean, went missing? And what will it mean for Polly and Jago if her past ever catches up with them?
272 pages, Paperback
Published February 9, 2016
263 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Connelly
67 books510 followersVictoria Connelly grew up in Norfolk before attending Worcester College where she studied English Literature. After graduating, she worked her way through a number of jobs before becoming a teacher in North Yorkshire.
In 2000, she got married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales and moved to London. Five weeks after their wedding, her husband, a television news cameraman, was sent to Israel. Convinced something terrible would happen to him, she came up with the idea for a novel about a young widow who starts seeing angels on her desk at work, but was scared to write it in case she tempted fate. It was only years later that her husband admitted to having a bullet graze his shirt sleeve whilst filming in Israel!
Although having had articles and short stories published, it was only when Flights of Angels was published that Victoria was able to realise the dream of becoming a professional writer. Published as Unter deinem Stern in Germany, the novel was made into a film for television by award-winning Ziegler Film. Her second novel, The Unmasking of Elena Montella (Wenn es dich gibt), was published in 2007 and her third, Three Graces (Wohin mit der Liebe), was published in 2009. All three magical romantic comedies are now available as ebooks.
Her first novel to be published in the UK – Molly’s Millions – came out in 2009. This was followed by a trilogy about Jane Austen addicts: A Weekend with Mr Darcy, The Perfect Hero (US title: Dreaming of Mr Darcy) and Mr Darcy Forever.
The Runaway Actress was published in April 2012 and she is currently working on another romantic comedy, Wish You Were Here.
In 2000, she got married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales and moved to London. Five weeks after their wedding, her husband, a television news cameraman, was sent to Israel. Convinced something terrible would happen to him, she came up with the idea for a novel about a young widow who starts seeing angels on her desk at work, but was scared to write it in case she tempted fate. It was only years later that her husband admitted to having a bullet graze his shirt sleeve whilst filming in Israel!
Although having had articles and short stories published, it was only when Flights of Angels was published that Victoria was able to realise the dream of becoming a professional writer. Published as Unter deinem Stern in Germany, the novel was made into a film for television by award-winning Ziegler Film. Her second novel, The Unmasking of Elena Montella (Wenn es dich gibt), was published in 2007 and her third, Three Graces (Wohin mit der Liebe), was published in 2009. All three magical romantic comedies are now available as ebooks.
Her first novel to be published in the UK – Molly’s Millions – came out in 2009. This was followed by a trilogy about Jane Austen addicts: A Weekend with Mr Darcy, The Perfect Hero (US title: Dreaming of Mr Darcy) and Mr Darcy Forever.
The Runaway Actress was published in April 2012 and she is currently working on another romantic comedy, Wish You Were Here.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 20, 2016
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this sequel to The Book Lovers with Polly and Jago as our lead characters. All the favorite villagers are back too with plenty of book talk thrown in. The town book club was really just a sideline story, though. It was a fun, easy read that veered into a bit of serious territory. Handled well and ended well. I look forward to the next installment!
I enjoyed this sequel to The Book Lovers with Polly and Jago as our lead characters. All the favorite villagers are back too with plenty of book talk thrown in. The town book club was really just a sideline story, though. It was a fun, easy read that veered into a bit of serious territory. Handled well and ended well. I look forward to the next installment!
October 13, 2017
Rules for a Successful Book Club is the second installment in Victoria Connelly’s new Book Lovers series. It features the characters from The Book Lovers but is a standalone novel. The focus this time is on Polly Nightingale, a member of the Nightingale clan and Sam’s sister. She spends a lot of time helping out at her siblings’ bookshops and is helping Sam establish his book club in the village. When she’s not at the bookshops or her part-time teaching job, she is a single mother to six-year-old Archie.
Polly’s family worries about her since the disappearance of her husband, Sean, three years ago. Without knowing what happened to him, whether he is dead or alive, Polly is in limbo, afraid to move on with her life. When Jago, a younger musician, enters her and Archie’s lives, Polly isn’t ready to let herself feel again. Slowly, Jago tears down the walls she has built around her heart, but eventually Polly will have to deal with the past, with the truth, and figure out what is best for her son and herself.
I absolutely loved The Book Lovers, and I found myself even more in love with Rules for a Successful Book Club. Again, Connelly focuses on the strong bond of the Nightingale family, especially their love and concern for Polly. I can’t imagine what Polly endured not knowing what happened to her husband for so long and how she managed to get through each day. I couldn’t help but admire her courage, not only in allowing love back into her life but also in overcoming her worries about the thirteen-year age difference. This time, Connelly tackles some serious issues, but she manages to balance it out with plenty of lighthearted and romantic moments, not to mention the hilarious banter among the book club members.
I was so sad when this book ended; it’s been several weeks since I finished it, and I still find myself thinking about these characters. Connelly made them come alive, and I really wish there were a way to jump into the book and become part of the family myself!
Review originally posted on Diary of an Eccentric
Polly’s family worries about her since the disappearance of her husband, Sean, three years ago. Without knowing what happened to him, whether he is dead or alive, Polly is in limbo, afraid to move on with her life. When Jago, a younger musician, enters her and Archie’s lives, Polly isn’t ready to let herself feel again. Slowly, Jago tears down the walls she has built around her heart, but eventually Polly will have to deal with the past, with the truth, and figure out what is best for her son and herself.
I absolutely loved The Book Lovers, and I found myself even more in love with Rules for a Successful Book Club. Again, Connelly focuses on the strong bond of the Nightingale family, especially their love and concern for Polly. I can’t imagine what Polly endured not knowing what happened to her husband for so long and how she managed to get through each day. I couldn’t help but admire her courage, not only in allowing love back into her life but also in overcoming her worries about the thirteen-year age difference. This time, Connelly tackles some serious issues, but she manages to balance it out with plenty of lighthearted and romantic moments, not to mention the hilarious banter among the book club members.
I was so sad when this book ended; it’s been several weeks since I finished it, and I still find myself thinking about these characters. Connelly made them come alive, and I really wish there were a way to jump into the book and become part of the family myself!
Review originally posted on Diary of an Eccentric
April 27, 2020
This time around, we get closer to Polly and her little boy Archie (while never losing touch with Sam and Callie from the first installment...BONUS!). Polly is one of Sam's sisters, and she's had a bit of a hard life. Okay, in truth, it seems the Nightengale siblings in general have had hard times, but in her case, we're talking about a husband that up and disappeared three some years ago, the inability to move on because there are no leads or information on exactly what happened, and life happening all around them at regular speed when they feel, or rather she feels, rather like she's standing still. Enter, Jago...young(ish) neighbor, musician, and stand up fella that would rather love to be standing up next to our gal Polly, if only she'd let him. We've talked about this before...the heart wants what it wants...but it doesn't mean the path to it is going to be easy, and this one is definitely anything but. The moment things seem to falling in line, strange occurrences begin happening all leading up to a rather explosive head! Let's just say it's gonna take a lot of love, understanding, and backbone to get through what's ahead, but they do say that love conquers all.
To conclude, a great addition to the series, and another book soaked story readers will love to add to their "read" lists toot suite. The story definitely has a few potential trigger topics (abuse, both verbal and physical) that readers may wish to be aware of, but I think they were handled as gracefully as they can be with an outcome that can be openly embraced, if not celebrated.
*ebook received for review; opinions are my own
To conclude, a great addition to the series, and another book soaked story readers will love to add to their "read" lists toot suite. The story definitely has a few potential trigger topics (abuse, both verbal and physical) that readers may wish to be aware of, but I think they were handled as gracefully as they can be with an outcome that can be openly embraced, if not celebrated.
*ebook received for review; opinions are my own
June 12, 2022
Victoria Connelly is a fine writer, and I loved her House in the Cloud series, and the first book in this series The Book Lovers. She creates a world I could happily keep revisiting, with wonderful characters, especially the different members of the Nightingale family.
However, I had problems with Polly, the main female protagonist. I couldn't warm up to her, and also felt that she made some really bad decisions. The book club in this novel was reading and discussing Far From the Madding Crowd. One member said they didn't like the characters in the Hardy novel. Another said you could still like a good book even if you didn't like all the characters. That described my feelings perfectly. However, because of my feelings about Polly, I did take one star off of what would otherwise have been a solid 4 star rating.
However, I had problems with Polly, the main female protagonist. I couldn't warm up to her, and also felt that she made some really bad decisions. The book club in this novel was reading and discussing Far From the Madding Crowd. One member said they didn't like the characters in the Hardy novel. Another said you could still like a good book even if you didn't like all the characters. That described my feelings perfectly. However, because of my feelings about Polly, I did take one star off of what would otherwise have been a solid 4 star rating.
October 21, 2017
I was looking forward to reading more about the bookclub and it’s dynamics. However, although it was mentioned in passing most of the plot line was about something else entirely. Basically the author wanted to tell the story of Polly and Jago’s romance. However , this was a stretch as at one point Polly tried to match Jago with her sister.
Polly had an estranged husband who had disappeared for three years but turned up again. It was clear that he had been physically mentally and emotionally abusive before he left. I don’t understand why she didn’t tell the police he had returned even when he entered the house when she wasn’t present. Surely she would have contacted them for her son’s protection?
Altogether, it finished as I hoped but was a weak book in my opinion.
Polly had an estranged husband who had disappeared for three years but turned up again. It was clear that he had been physically mentally and emotionally abusive before he left. I don’t understand why she didn’t tell the police he had returned even when he entered the house when she wasn’t present. Surely she would have contacted them for her son’s protection?
Altogether, it finished as I hoped but was a weak book in my opinion.
April 29, 2020
Wow! I liked the first book and I loved the second book even more! This one had me totally gripped following the journey of Polly who’s been through a rough time when her husband disappeared over three years ago with no explanation and Jago the neighbour who lives across the road.
There was a few times I had to stop reading this book due to disbelief from some of Polly’s choices (at one point I thought she was going to break my heart) but as you read on you begin to understand why!
💗
I love Polly’s Mumsie character and Jago’s just the dream package!
💗
A great, easy to read love story that makes you feel warm and light but at moments has you on the edge of your seat wondering what decisions will be made.
There was a few times I had to stop reading this book due to disbelief from some of Polly’s choices (at one point I thought she was going to break my heart) but as you read on you begin to understand why!
💗
I love Polly’s Mumsie character and Jago’s just the dream package!
💗
A great, easy to read love story that makes you feel warm and light but at moments has you on the edge of your seat wondering what decisions will be made.
March 15, 2020
A great read.
Victoria does it again.
This novel concentrates on Polly and Archie her son.
More tales from the Suffolk countryside which involves you in the lives of the Nightingale family.
Victoria does it again.
This novel concentrates on Polly and Archie her son.
More tales from the Suffolk countryside which involves you in the lives of the Nightingale family.
May 17, 2021
Started reading this as a continuation to the first one. It’s just a very slow story with not too much going on.
Cute characters and I love the family vibes. All the Nightingale siblings are sweet. But apart from that not overly gripping. I listened to this book while getting ready in the mornings, so it’s a nice easy listen.
I wish they mentioned Sam and Callie more as I liked their relationship. Nevertheless Polly Prior is a lovely character!…..Sean Prior is an idiot!!
Cute characters and I love the family vibes. All the Nightingale siblings are sweet. But apart from that not overly gripping. I listened to this book while getting ready in the mornings, so it’s a nice easy listen.
I wish they mentioned Sam and Callie more as I liked their relationship. Nevertheless Polly Prior is a lovely character!…..Sean Prior is an idiot!!
June 5, 2016
This is a review of the audible version of this book.
I’ve read and listened to quite a few of Victoria’s books and have loved them all. Such beautiful, stunning English countryside settings with wonderful characters that soon become your friends.
This is the 5th audiobook by Victoria I have listened too. I love Jam Cramer’s narrative, her tone of voice is very calming and she draws you into the story. However, when the storyline took an intense, dramatic turn I felt the change of direction in Jan’s voice and could feel the tension within the characters.
I haven’t read the first book in the Book Lovers series, although I do have it patiently waiting on my tbr list. This book can be easily read as a standalone but to fully enjoy and appreciate the full characters I would encourage you to read The Book Lovers.
This story focuses around Polly Nightingale, who is still heart broken following the sudden disappearance of her husband Sean 3 years ago. However, after Jago Solomon starts helping her son with music lessons a friendship between Polly and Jago soon starts blossoming. However, Jago has more than platonic feelings for Polly and doesn’t see the 13 year age gap as a problem although Polly does and she has other intentions for Jago’s heart.
I love how the story is also focused around the new book club which has been set up in the local secondhand bookshop owned by Polly’s brother Sam. On the opening night of the bookclub we are introduced to some wonderful, quirky characters all of them loving a variety of different book genres. I can imagine some fun and interesting nights to be had with the bookclub.
The story continues on Polly’s journey coping with her growing feelings for Jago. When the grosts from Polly’s past threaten her new life can she forgive and forget the hurt she has been feeling or will she find the strength to admit what she really wants and stop being manipulated?
I loved Jago’s character, for someone so relatively young he was level headed and kind and knew just what he wanted in life to make him happy. I also loved the name of Polly’s dog, Dickens, such an apt name for a family of book lovers.
This was a lovely story of friendships, new beginnings, new loves and lots of mutual appreciation for reading. 5/5*
I’ve read and listened to quite a few of Victoria’s books and have loved them all. Such beautiful, stunning English countryside settings with wonderful characters that soon become your friends.
This is the 5th audiobook by Victoria I have listened too. I love Jam Cramer’s narrative, her tone of voice is very calming and she draws you into the story. However, when the storyline took an intense, dramatic turn I felt the change of direction in Jan’s voice and could feel the tension within the characters.
I haven’t read the first book in the Book Lovers series, although I do have it patiently waiting on my tbr list. This book can be easily read as a standalone but to fully enjoy and appreciate the full characters I would encourage you to read The Book Lovers.
This story focuses around Polly Nightingale, who is still heart broken following the sudden disappearance of her husband Sean 3 years ago. However, after Jago Solomon starts helping her son with music lessons a friendship between Polly and Jago soon starts blossoming. However, Jago has more than platonic feelings for Polly and doesn’t see the 13 year age gap as a problem although Polly does and she has other intentions for Jago’s heart.
I love how the story is also focused around the new book club which has been set up in the local secondhand bookshop owned by Polly’s brother Sam. On the opening night of the bookclub we are introduced to some wonderful, quirky characters all of them loving a variety of different book genres. I can imagine some fun and interesting nights to be had with the bookclub.
The story continues on Polly’s journey coping with her growing feelings for Jago. When the grosts from Polly’s past threaten her new life can she forgive and forget the hurt she has been feeling or will she find the strength to admit what she really wants and stop being manipulated?
I loved Jago’s character, for someone so relatively young he was level headed and kind and knew just what he wanted in life to make him happy. I also loved the name of Polly’s dog, Dickens, such an apt name for a family of book lovers.
This was a lovely story of friendships, new beginnings, new loves and lots of mutual appreciation for reading. 5/5*
March 18, 2016
Well I was expecting another book with lots of bookish references and although I wasn't disappointed on that score, the book club is only a very small part of this story. The heart of it is Polly's story and how she is just starting to get to grips with the possibility of moving on, after husband Sean went missing three and a half years ago.
As much as Polly fights it, and she really doesn't want to give in to what is clear to the reader, and she tentatively gets to know Jago Solomon a lot better. He is younger than her, but doesn't seem to mind the missing husband, nor Archie, Polly's six year old son.
Archie is adorable, and shows a maturity and level of caring not often seen in children as young as six, and I loved hearing about his fledgling guitar lessons with Jago.
This is the second book in The Book Lovers series, and can easily be read as a standalone. There are enough references to the key points of the first book, for you to easily pick the series up from Book 2. For fans of the first book, you will be glad to see Callie still gets some of the focus, as does Sam's book shop.
In fact all the Nightingales are back in force and their Sunday lunches are always entertaining. I am loving this whole book mad family. Sam and Polly finally get their book club off the ground, and there are some slightly eccentric characters attending, in addition to snack one-upmanship.
When the action hots up in the second half of the book, Victoria Connelly proves she can tackle a tough subject really sensitively and as some revelations were made I felt more and more sympathy for Polly.
The book is easy and pleasurable to read, and is definitely up to Victoria's usual quality of storytelling. I loved Rules for a Successful Book Club and can't wait to see if and what is in book 3.
Thank you to Victoria Connelly for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
As much as Polly fights it, and she really doesn't want to give in to what is clear to the reader, and she tentatively gets to know Jago Solomon a lot better. He is younger than her, but doesn't seem to mind the missing husband, nor Archie, Polly's six year old son.
Archie is adorable, and shows a maturity and level of caring not often seen in children as young as six, and I loved hearing about his fledgling guitar lessons with Jago.
This is the second book in The Book Lovers series, and can easily be read as a standalone. There are enough references to the key points of the first book, for you to easily pick the series up from Book 2. For fans of the first book, you will be glad to see Callie still gets some of the focus, as does Sam's book shop.
In fact all the Nightingales are back in force and their Sunday lunches are always entertaining. I am loving this whole book mad family. Sam and Polly finally get their book club off the ground, and there are some slightly eccentric characters attending, in addition to snack one-upmanship.
When the action hots up in the second half of the book, Victoria Connelly proves she can tackle a tough subject really sensitively and as some revelations were made I felt more and more sympathy for Polly.
The book is easy and pleasurable to read, and is definitely up to Victoria's usual quality of storytelling. I loved Rules for a Successful Book Club and can't wait to see if and what is in book 3.
Thank you to Victoria Connelly for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
February 27, 2016
I was so looking forward to reading the second book in this series and I was not disappointed ....loved getting to know more about the characters and liked the way that this book centred around the oldest nightingale daughter and her life in rural Suffolk with her son and the ever so yummy Jago.......but as always other stories and characters weaved there underlying magic though the pages of the book....CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT BOOK 3 HAS TO OFFER.....
March 14, 2016
loved revisiting the book club
i hope there will another installment soon.
i hope there will another installment soon.
April 27, 2020
The perfect follow on to the first book where we were introduced to the Nightingale family and their village life in the Suffolk countryside. In the first book, the focus was on Sam who owns a second-hand bookshop and this book moved on to his sister Polly and her delightful young son, Archie.
Polly has become a single mom after her husband Sean mysteriously disappeared three and a half years previously. She finally feels that she’s over the bulk of that trauma, and has gotten on with her life, raising her precious son, and helping out in Sam’s shop when she’s needed, or in her sister Bryony’s children’s bookshop that’s just across the street. But she’s declared herself off-limits to all future relationships. After all, although her husband’s not around, nobody really knows where he is, so she’s actually still married!
But things get a bit muddled when her neighbour Maureen’s son Jago arrives home from a stint in the States, and Archie becomes quite taken with him and insists that Jago gives him guitar lessons. Eventually Polly agrees, thinking that if she gets to know him, she could do some matchmaking for her younger sister Bryony, who’s also had her fair share of heartbreak and deserves to find love and happiness.
Polly’s family do their best to keep her busy, in order to keep her mind of her absent husband, and Sam decides that since he’s decided to start a village book club, she’ll be the perfect person to organise if for him! For those of us who have ever been in any sort of book club, we all know that as lovely as the idea is, the implementation is never quite that smooth! Bringing together different personalities with different tastes and opinions is never without its hurdles, and this book club is no different.
I absolutely loved reading about the different characters who join the book club! Victoria Connelly extracted the cream of the crop of village life in order to create as diverse a group as she could imagine, and the results are hilarious! However, although the book’s title refers to the book club, this is only a very small element of the book itself.
The themes are many, not all of them light, but all dealt with extremely well. Polly’s reactions to her husband (ex-husband) may seem strange, but when one examines and understands the circumstances that surround abusive relationships, one comes to realise that it’s impossible to question the way a person reacts in these situations. But the underlying theme of the series remains one of family, and the Nightingale family is a large one: noisy, warm, welcoming and astute! Oh, how I’d love to be invited to a Sunday lunch at their table, if only for the dessert, which always sounds scrumptious!
Another 5-star read in this charming series!
Polly has become a single mom after her husband Sean mysteriously disappeared three and a half years previously. She finally feels that she’s over the bulk of that trauma, and has gotten on with her life, raising her precious son, and helping out in Sam’s shop when she’s needed, or in her sister Bryony’s children’s bookshop that’s just across the street. But she’s declared herself off-limits to all future relationships. After all, although her husband’s not around, nobody really knows where he is, so she’s actually still married!
But things get a bit muddled when her neighbour Maureen’s son Jago arrives home from a stint in the States, and Archie becomes quite taken with him and insists that Jago gives him guitar lessons. Eventually Polly agrees, thinking that if she gets to know him, she could do some matchmaking for her younger sister Bryony, who’s also had her fair share of heartbreak and deserves to find love and happiness.
Polly’s family do their best to keep her busy, in order to keep her mind of her absent husband, and Sam decides that since he’s decided to start a village book club, she’ll be the perfect person to organise if for him! For those of us who have ever been in any sort of book club, we all know that as lovely as the idea is, the implementation is never quite that smooth! Bringing together different personalities with different tastes and opinions is never without its hurdles, and this book club is no different.
I absolutely loved reading about the different characters who join the book club! Victoria Connelly extracted the cream of the crop of village life in order to create as diverse a group as she could imagine, and the results are hilarious! However, although the book’s title refers to the book club, this is only a very small element of the book itself.
The themes are many, not all of them light, but all dealt with extremely well. Polly’s reactions to her husband (ex-husband) may seem strange, but when one examines and understands the circumstances that surround abusive relationships, one comes to realise that it’s impossible to question the way a person reacts in these situations. But the underlying theme of the series remains one of family, and the Nightingale family is a large one: noisy, warm, welcoming and astute! Oh, how I’d love to be invited to a Sunday lunch at their table, if only for the dessert, which always sounds scrumptious!
Another 5-star read in this charming series!
April 14, 2020
*I received a free ARC of this book with thanks to the author and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Polly is a single mum and has been running on autopilot since her husband, Sean, mysteriously disappeared over three years ago. Luckily she has the support of her family, the Nightingales, and her work in their bookshops to help get her through it. Plus, her lovely son Archie to keep her smiling. But definitely no romance… she prefers historical fiction!
That is, until younger man Jago turns up with his guitar. It doesn’t take long for him to win Archie’s heart, but will he charm a Nightingale sister too? And which one?!
This is the second book in the Book Lover series, and they all technically stand alone but are much better when read together, as they focus on different members of the same book-loving family.
Whilst it is Polly’s turn under the spotlight in this book, it was nice to still visit with Callie, Sam and Bryony in places – following up on what went before and preparing for what is to come.
Whilst the book club of the title does make an appearance or two, it doesn’t really have top billing in the story. That has to be reserved for the mystery of what exactly happened to Polly’s husband Sean three years ago, and who is the suspicious stranger lurking around her house and Archie’s school now.
This book goes a step further than the last when it comes to conflict, with domestic abuse featuring as an integral part of the main storyline. More than the physical violence, what I found terrifying and felt was very realistically portrayed, was the speed and ease with which somebody’s whole personality could be subsumed by another’s.
As with the previous book, this is a very sweet, easy-to-read romance that focuses strongly on emotional strength, support and friendship between romantic partners and also within a family.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and looking forward to the next one in a few days time!
When Sean Prior had gone missing on a warm September day three years ago, Polly had stopped being a wife, for what was the role of a wife when her husband had disappeared? It was as if that part of her had been erased along with all trace of Sean.
– Victoria Connelly, Rules for a Successful Book Club
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
Polly is a single mum and has been running on autopilot since her husband, Sean, mysteriously disappeared over three years ago. Luckily she has the support of her family, the Nightingales, and her work in their bookshops to help get her through it. Plus, her lovely son Archie to keep her smiling. But definitely no romance… she prefers historical fiction!
That is, until younger man Jago turns up with his guitar. It doesn’t take long for him to win Archie’s heart, but will he charm a Nightingale sister too? And which one?!
This is the second book in the Book Lover series, and they all technically stand alone but are much better when read together, as they focus on different members of the same book-loving family.
Whilst it is Polly’s turn under the spotlight in this book, it was nice to still visit with Callie, Sam and Bryony in places – following up on what went before and preparing for what is to come.
Whilst the book club of the title does make an appearance or two, it doesn’t really have top billing in the story. That has to be reserved for the mystery of what exactly happened to Polly’s husband Sean three years ago, and who is the suspicious stranger lurking around her house and Archie’s school now.
This book goes a step further than the last when it comes to conflict, with domestic abuse featuring as an integral part of the main storyline. More than the physical violence, what I found terrifying and felt was very realistically portrayed, was the speed and ease with which somebody’s whole personality could be subsumed by another’s.
As with the previous book, this is a very sweet, easy-to-read romance that focuses strongly on emotional strength, support and friendship between romantic partners and also within a family.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and looking forward to the next one in a few days time!
When Sean Prior had gone missing on a warm September day three years ago, Polly had stopped being a wife, for what was the role of a wife when her husband had disappeared? It was as if that part of her had been erased along with all trace of Sean.
– Victoria Connelly, Rules for a Successful Book Club
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
April 13, 2020
In this book we continue to follow Victoria Connelly's amazing world, a series surrounded by books and an interesting family.
In this novel we follow yet again another member of the Nightingale family and I was very excited to start this book that I didn't wait long between book one and book two. We get to met Polly Nightingale in a deeper way, as we learn about her past, her struggles, her daily life and being a mom to her cute six years old son, Archie, and how she ends up meeting the biker Jago Solomon, thirteen years her junior, and how things changed.
Although we follow Polly and get to see what's happening in her life, and uncovering the mysteries, we still get to see the rest of the Nightingale bunch and I loved that. It is a standalone novel, but by reading it in order you would understand why I'm happy to see Callie and Sam. It is good that the author maintained the connection to the family and the characters in this book, because that really was something I absolutely love, it made the story even more really since I felt as if I was part of the community, of the family and definitely part of that world.
I loved no only the touched related to the book club, but also the way that some subjects were talked about. Books is a common element, and it made me a happy girl, despite that, I was surprisingly more curious about the mysteries around Polly's husband and all the things that came with that.
Overall, it was yet another fun book that gave me some cozy feelings and it made me realized why I like contemporary romances. I loved that it was a book about people, family, love, friendship, and not letting the past messed up with our future.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Victoria Connelly for the eCopy of this book, and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
In this novel we follow yet again another member of the Nightingale family and I was very excited to start this book that I didn't wait long between book one and book two. We get to met Polly Nightingale in a deeper way, as we learn about her past, her struggles, her daily life and being a mom to her cute six years old son, Archie, and how she ends up meeting the biker Jago Solomon, thirteen years her junior, and how things changed.
Although we follow Polly and get to see what's happening in her life, and uncovering the mysteries, we still get to see the rest of the Nightingale bunch and I loved that. It is a standalone novel, but by reading it in order you would understand why I'm happy to see Callie and Sam. It is good that the author maintained the connection to the family and the characters in this book, because that really was something I absolutely love, it made the story even more really since I felt as if I was part of the community, of the family and definitely part of that world.
I loved no only the touched related to the book club, but also the way that some subjects were talked about. Books is a common element, and it made me a happy girl, despite that, I was surprisingly more curious about the mysteries around Polly's husband and all the things that came with that.
Overall, it was yet another fun book that gave me some cozy feelings and it made me realized why I like contemporary romances. I loved that it was a book about people, family, love, friendship, and not letting the past messed up with our future.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Victoria Connelly for the eCopy of this book, and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
August 26, 2018
Rules for a Successful Book Club: The Book Lovers 2 is by Victoria Connelly. This second in the series is really good. It might even be better than the first one although that might be a stretch. This too, takes place in Suffolk, England.
Polly Prior was trying to be a wonderful single Mother; but she was really reaching her limit. She worked for the Nightingale book stores on a rotating basis as well as taught what classes she could get. She worked all her jobs around her most important one, raising her son Archie. For three and a half years, she had been on her own. Her husband, Sean, has just disappeared. There had been no sign of him and no one had heard from him. They didn’t know if he was alive or dead. Polly was going to have to do something.
Archie brought home a stranger one day and asked if he could have guitar lessons from him. Polly was beside herself, a stranger in her home! What was Archie thinking? He just wanted guitar lessons but Polly told him no since he was already taking piano lessons. Finally, Jago, managed to convince Polly to allow him to give Archie lessons without pay. As he gave the lessons, Jago fell in love with Polly. What was Polly to do? She was still married although Sean was no where around.
This book is really good. The twists in it really keep you involved with the book. It is easy to read and reads quickly.
Polly Prior was trying to be a wonderful single Mother; but she was really reaching her limit. She worked for the Nightingale book stores on a rotating basis as well as taught what classes she could get. She worked all her jobs around her most important one, raising her son Archie. For three and a half years, she had been on her own. Her husband, Sean, has just disappeared. There had been no sign of him and no one had heard from him. They didn’t know if he was alive or dead. Polly was going to have to do something.
Archie brought home a stranger one day and asked if he could have guitar lessons from him. Polly was beside herself, a stranger in her home! What was Archie thinking? He just wanted guitar lessons but Polly told him no since he was already taking piano lessons. Finally, Jago, managed to convince Polly to allow him to give Archie lessons without pay. As he gave the lessons, Jago fell in love with Polly. What was Polly to do? She was still married although Sean was no where around.
This book is really good. The twists in it really keep you involved with the book. It is easy to read and reads quickly.
May 2, 2020
Who needs sleep anyway???
Polly Nightingale hasn’t had it easy… Three years ago, her husband disappeared into thin air, leaving her alone with a young child. But now she has find her way in living with a six – year old Archie, and doesn’t need help or pity from anyone. And she surely doesn’t need to fall in love again!
It all changes when they meet Jago… he teaches Archie how to play the guitar and quickly it feels like Jago has always been part of their small family. Is Polly ready to open her heart for Jago, even if he is several years younger? And will she be able to close the chapter which involved her husband?
When you are reading a next part of a series, and you loved the previous one, you are always a bit afraid this one will not be as good as the previous one. And because I LOOOOOOOVED the first part, I never thought part two would be as good!
In this story, we get to know Polly. We know from book 1, that her husband disappeared and she has been living alone with her son Archie. Here we get to know what effect that had on her life, and how she initially struggled. When someone disappears, you don’t have the chance for closure. You always have the hope that he will come back. It also means that Polly gave up seeing other men, because in fact, she still is a married woman…
Somehow I understand her reasoning, but everybody knows that the moment arrives that you have to let go of the past and start living your life again. And for Polly, it all starts when she meets Jago. Of course initially she has her reservations, as there are so many differences… She is a married woman, with a child, and a self-proclaimed of middle age (she’s in her thirties…). Jago is a biker, in his twenties and playing in a band.
I loved to read how Polly tries to ignore her feelings and even tries to play matchmaker for Jago and her sister! It causes several awkward moments between the 3 of them, that made me laugh!
But it’s not all sweet and funny… as we get to know the truth about Polly’s marriage, my heart nearly broke for her. And just the moment she is embracing her happiness, something happens that makes Polly return into her past behaviour. And my heart broke just all over again!!!
While reading this book, I had to prioritize my life… put the book away and sleep? Or forget sleeping and read on? Choices choices… And just like for book 1, I gave up sleep!
This book dragged me in its world and I couldn’t, didn’t want to escape from it! I needed to know how the story would end, even if now I walk around like a zombie! But trust me, IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!!!
July 5, 2019
Book 29 of my Goodreads Challenge 2019
*Warning some upsetting scenes of domestic abuse*
This story is based around Polly Nightingale her missing husband Sean and their young son Archie. It does have rather a strong storyline but mingled with the Book Club starting up and being introduced to a few colourful characters (which was fun) it made for great reading. Read it in next to no time.
From reading this book I went on to read I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith'
I also watched the movie of said book (much preferred the book) and I checked out music by Shostakovich ~ Waltz No. 2 I love it when a story introduces you to new interesting things.
This was a real pageturner for me, and I am now looking forward to Book3
*Warning some upsetting scenes of domestic abuse*
This story is based around Polly Nightingale her missing husband Sean and their young son Archie. It does have rather a strong storyline but mingled with the Book Club starting up and being introduced to a few colourful characters (which was fun) it made for great reading. Read it in next to no time.
From reading this book I went on to read I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith'
I also watched the movie of said book (much preferred the book) and I checked out music by Shostakovich ~ Waltz No. 2 I love it when a story introduces you to new interesting things.
This was a real pageturner for me, and I am now looking forward to Book3
December 29, 2022
Armas ja mõnus lugemine! Teine osa oli tunduvalt huvitavam ja ladusam kui esimene teos. Tundub nagu kirjanik oleks peale esimese osa kirjutamist selle õige hoo sisse saanud.
Raamat räägib üksikemast, kes kasvatab 6. aastast poega ning kelle abikaasa kadus jäljetult 3 aastat tagasi. Ta pole siiani suutnud eluga edasi minna ja loodab, et äkki abikaasa tuleb tagasi või leitakse üled. Paratamatult lööb kõik tema plaanid sassi vastasmajja tagasi kolinud, kuid 13. aastat noorem seksikas kitarrist! Ta proovib oma tundeid alla suruda ja leida mehele hoopis sobilikum kandidaat, aga mehe pidevat muusikatunnid tema pojaga, panevad ta südame aina rohkem sulama.
Mis saab nende suhtest? Kas ootamatult kadunud abikaasa ilmub välja ja mis saab kogu loost siis? Milline oli kadunud abikaasa tegelikult ja mida nad varjasid kõigi eest nendel abieluaastatel?
Raamat räägib üksikemast, kes kasvatab 6. aastast poega ning kelle abikaasa kadus jäljetult 3 aastat tagasi. Ta pole siiani suutnud eluga edasi minna ja loodab, et äkki abikaasa tuleb tagasi või leitakse üled. Paratamatult lööb kõik tema plaanid sassi vastasmajja tagasi kolinud, kuid 13. aastat noorem seksikas kitarrist! Ta proovib oma tundeid alla suruda ja leida mehele hoopis sobilikum kandidaat, aga mehe pidevat muusikatunnid tema pojaga, panevad ta südame aina rohkem sulama.
Mis saab nende suhtest? Kas ootamatult kadunud abikaasa ilmub välja ja mis saab kogu loost siis? Milline oli kadunud abikaasa tegelikult ja mida nad varjasid kõigi eest nendel abieluaastatel?
June 20, 2019
Another wonderful book
I love the Sunday family dinners where everyone gets together and laughs and gets along. If you want to know how to start a book club to discuss and analyze stories, this will give you a glimpse of what to expect. I also love how Ms. Connelly proves that just because a person may look a certain way it doesn't mean that they aren't knowledgeable. Dont judge a book by the cover...dont judge a person by their looks. Ms. Connelly entertains us with an elderly gentleman and his dog, two women who are friends but try to out do the other and last but least age doesn't matter where love is involved. More surprises await you in this lovely book. Thank you Ms. Connelly for a good read!
I love the Sunday family dinners where everyone gets together and laughs and gets along. If you want to know how to start a book club to discuss and analyze stories, this will give you a glimpse of what to expect. I also love how Ms. Connelly proves that just because a person may look a certain way it doesn't mean that they aren't knowledgeable. Dont judge a book by the cover...dont judge a person by their looks. Ms. Connelly entertains us with an elderly gentleman and his dog, two women who are friends but try to out do the other and last but least age doesn't matter where love is involved. More surprises await you in this lovely book. Thank you Ms. Connelly for a good read!
February 7, 2021
Quite intense
Good story disturbing and frustrating at times as you get involved with the character's and their backstory much of the book is involving domestic abuse and the effects. All very real.
Not all is dark in the story and there are many numerous moments and the Nightingale family must be (life as it should be) almost the perfect family except for the children's disastrous choice in partners.
Very compelling and look forward to episode three.
Oh and there is a bit about a book club in the story and a farting dog.
Good story disturbing and frustrating at times as you get involved with the character's and their backstory much of the book is involving domestic abuse and the effects. All very real.
Not all is dark in the story and there are many numerous moments and the Nightingale family must be (life as it should be) almost the perfect family except for the children's disastrous choice in partners.
Very compelling and look forward to episode three.
Oh and there is a bit about a book club in the story and a farting dog.
January 27, 2019
Sweet. Same as the first book, the dialogue is too crafted to be natural. The author makes heavy handed references to themes in literary works being discussed by the book club that mirror what is happening in the book. There are some very problematic characterisations and insufficient motive or explanation for some events. Overall, not a bad way to spend a couple of hours. Very light and inoffensively predictable.
July 20, 2022
This one is the second book in this series and was good, but not as good as the first I thought. I did enjoy it but Polly, the main character did seem a bit all over the place and couldn’t make her mind up at all. The bit near the end of the book when another character reappears annoyed me and although perhaps it made for a better story, I was saying to myself, seriously? But I like this series and the characters so will keep going with it.
May 28, 2018
Young man older woman
What a mix for a little English village. The bookshop plays second fiddle in Book 2. A good clean story of romance between an unlikely couple a guitar and a little boy.
What a mix for a little English village. The bookshop plays second fiddle in Book 2. A good clean story of romance between an unlikely couple a guitar and a little boy.
July 17, 2018
Another enjoyable story from Victoria Connelly in the Book Lovers series, this one was not as much fun as the first. I loved the characters of Archie and Jago, but I wanted to shake Polly for so many reasons!
October 4, 2018
Too much domestic violence and nasty, controlling behaviour for my liking. Had enough of that in real life! But well written and I’ll probably read the third one as I enjoyed the first, and hopefully the third won’t contain the domestic violence.
February 17, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable!
Love reading anything by Victoria Connelly. I feel a part of the world she is writing about, with her believable characters and situations. Very hard to put them down!
Love reading anything by Victoria Connelly. I feel a part of the world she is writing about, with her believable characters and situations. Very hard to put them down!
March 28, 2020
This is one of those books you might not be sure at the beginning,
but be sure that you will love it!
I really like how Victoria Connelly shows the importance of love and family.
It-s one of those books you can't stop reading because you want to know what
will happened.
but be sure that you will love it!
I really like how Victoria Connelly shows the importance of love and family.
It-s one of those books you can't stop reading because you want to know what
will happened.
September 4, 2021
I found this book a bit slow to get going in comparison with the first book of the series, and the ending was a bit predictable. However I did enjoy reading it and May read books 3 and 4 in the future.
June 24, 2017
Fantastic!
Really great reading, I loved it from the start to the finish. Read first book then this one, fantastic books.
Really great reading, I loved it from the start to the finish. Read first book then this one, fantastic books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews