Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the June 2019 BOTM. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)

Happy Reading!

Love in the Afternoon



She harbors a secret yearning.

As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted... and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man—just to avoid spinsterhood?

He is a world-weary cynic.

Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix's friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul—and it's becoming clear that Christopher won't come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru's disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru's letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep... and when Christopher comes home, he's determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix's innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love—and a passion that can't be denied.

One of my favorites by LK! Wasn't overall fond of this series/family, but LOVED Beatrix and Christopher.

Looking forward to reading with the group!

Yes, this is my favorite of The Hathaways. I loved it and will definitely re-read!

I read this but don’t remember much. I will definitely reread. Glad to know it is a good book!

One of my absolute favorites! I will try to join in audio, which I have not tried before.

I read this series years ago but think I will go back and revisit as I loved these characters.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "One of my absolute favorites! I will try to join in audio, which I have not tried before."

I used a credit for this on audible. I still haven't been able to listen to books yet, but I'm going to try with this one.

I'm assuming since I already know and love the book, it might be easier.

I have read the other books in this series. But not read this one. While at the library today. I came across the book. Must have been waiting for me LOL

Starting BOTM today.

Ordered my copy, looking forward to sharing this read with everyone. I've read this author's work before but not within this series.

Shaz wrote: "I have read the other books in this series. But not read this one. While at the library today. I came across the book. Must have been waiting for me LOL"

Ha ha. Meant to be.

I've read this before, but only once, and it was back in 2017. I found it lovely, so I'm happy to join this read. Will start within the next few days - reading Venetia with the Georgette Heyer Fans group at the moment. When that's done, I'll start this one.

Half way through this nice story, Having read the first 3 books. It's nice to read about Beatrix as she's grown into a woman. Had a few giggles up to now.

I've started Chapter 1 today, and already hooked in! I don't normally enjoy books with the letter-writing trope that much, but both Christopher's and Beatrix's first letters are absolutely beautiful.

Through chapter 5. This is a re-read for me, and I'm trying it on audible this time. This is my favorite story of the Hathaway's, and I can see why. You connect with Beatrix really soon and feel her heartbreak throughout the first few chapters.

Another thing I love is that despite it being 5 chapters our MC's haven't yet physically interacted (which in normal circumstances would put me off from reading further) but it doesn't bother me in this book.

This book has done something with the "letter writing" and "Mistaken-Identity" trope that I didn't expect. (view spoiler)[ Christopher believes himself in love with Prudence from the get go, and it kind of stings at the start thinking he's imaging marrying a completely different woman than Bea, but the author does a wonderful job of turning that around. (hide spoiler)]

I read this series years ago and all this talk makes me want to go back and reread. I just finished a reread of the Walflowers series and was either going to pick up the Hathaways or the Ravenels next. I love these old LK series and revisiting them is so much fun.

Just finished reading and enjoyed the story. I also enjoyed the letters between both Beatrix and Christopher. And the humour of the Hathaway family.

It's cold here (winter in southern Australia) and I had a staying-in-and-reading kind of day yesterday. Fire going, hot chocolate..... And I got 3/4 way through in a day! I'd forgotten what a lovely book this is.

Darbella, yes the funny story in your spoiler is hilarious. I absolutely love the letters in this book. They are so well done, and show the soul-deep connection between the MCs.

I also liked the part where Beatrix's family (view spoiler)[ notice the connection between Christopher and Beatrix and are surprised - they didn't think he would be Beatrix's 'type' initially. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to the start of Chapter 22. (view spoiler)[ They have realised they love each other and gone to bed together, in a rather HOT scene (hide spoiler)] It's a while since I read this, and now I'm wondering what will happen next!

Glad you enjoyed, Shaz.

I'm at Chapter 16 - Listening is much slower than reading.

I still marvel at how LK had Christopher insiting he loved Prudence and even attempted to court her and it didn't put us off him. Also, Beatrix is just the most adorable thing ever.

I finished my reread this morning. The whole ending section of the book is beautiful - so well-written. I had forgotten what happens, actually, so it was like a new read.

I loved Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[ honeymoon in the Cotswolds ... happy sigh (hide spoiler)].

I was taken by surprise by (view spoiler)[ the reappearance of Mark Bennett, and the shooting. Eek!! I LOVED that the dog Albert helped him make a connection and start accepting reality. (hide spoiler)]

I loved (view spoiler)[ the medal presentation ceremony and the moment with the queen, and the special award for the dog. Beautifully done (hide spoiler)]

The personal growth in Christopher through the book - his maturing from a fairly shallow, immature man, through the fires of war, grief, ptsd, and his gradual recovery, helped along by the patient and loving Beatrix, was a joy to read. I did shed a few tears in this book - found it quite moving in parts.

What did others think of the part near the end when (view spoiler)[ we found out Mark and Audrey were falling in love? (hide spoiler)] It was kinda sweet on one level, but it did feel a little like an add-on to me. Still, it didn't mar the book. I loved this read.

How is everyone else going with this read?

Tanya wrote: "Also, Beatrix is just the most adorable thing ever."

Yes, isn't she!

Shaz wrote: "I also enjoyed the letters between both Beatrix and Christopher. "

The letters are beautiful, aren't they?

Thanks Darbella. I kind of agree, but it did take me by surprise and just felt a little too sudden and quick. It was sweet, though.

I actually really liked the hint towards Mark and Audrey's maybe-romance. First time I read it, I remember wishing there was a novella for them. I think we saw Audrey from the same; her devastation at John's death, how she got out of it, and also how she gently prodded Christopher.

Darbella wrote: "Jan, the time line is longer than it seems (two years have passed since the death of her husband by the time we get to the epilogue). [spoilers removed]"

Ok, yeah. When I said 'quick' perhaps I meant 'too brief and suddenly sprung on the reader'. I agree with Tanya, a novella would have been nice.

But Audrey certainly deserved her HEA. Kind of reminds me of Phoebe in Devil's Daughter in that way.

I just finished re-reading and enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I also read through the comments and agree with the discussion.

Beatrix is adorable, so kind and understanding.

I happen to love the letter writing trope, and these letters are some of the best--witty, humorous, and sweet.

It was amazing how well LK did handle the whole mistaken identity. Even though Christopher thought he loved Prudence, courted her, and even kissed her so sweetly, it didn't bother me at all. His character development from rake to tortured hero who truly cares was perfect for me.

I love this part of chapter 24:
It was so terribly selfish, and yet she couldn't help from blurting out, "I wish there had been no other women before me."
He looked down at her in a way that made her feel as if she were dissolving into honey. His mouth descended, caressing hers with tender, urgent warmth. "My heart belongs only to you," he whispered. "It was never love-making before. This is a first for me, too."

Their honeymoon in the Cotswalds was lovely. I could imagine it well. My husband and I stayed one night in Bibury during our quick trip through England, and it is still so peaceful.

I think JK should still write a novella with Audrey and Bennett's story. The epilogue was not enough.

Glad you enjoyed, Mariana. I would read that novella too.

This is my review, I gave it 3 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I honestly started off really liking it and blew through 80 pages in my first day of reading it, but more and more I found things I just didn’t like about it

I did really love the honeymoon in the cotswolds though, as quite a few of you have mentioned in this discussion. I am hoping that when I get to the rest of the series, that I will like the other books more than I liked this one.

Erin wrote: "This is my review, I gave it 3 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I honestly started off really liking it and blew through 80 pages in my first day of reading it, but more a..."

Interesting review, Erin. I liked the book more than you did, but I understand your POV. I agree, the bit about Mark Bennett did feel a little sudden and was solved too quickly. I have noticed this kind of thing before in some of Ms Kleypas' other books - something dramatic suddenly happens near the end, sometimes feeling as if it's an add-on or came from nowhere, and will suddenly be resolved.

At the same time, to keep the novel a 'readable' length, it's not really possible for the writer to tell us the secondary characs' stories in great detail. The focus is firmly on the MCs and their romance, as it should be.

So I had a couple of minor gripes too, but overall still loved the book. In spite of all, Ms Kleypas is currently my fav HR author.

Erin wrote: "This is my review, I gave it 3 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I honestly started off really liking it and blew through 80 pages in my first day of reading it, but more a..."

I agree that the first third was better than the final third. I also hope you enjoy the other books in the series better, but this was my favorite. Like Jan mentioned, LK adds some dramatic suspense near the end of all the books in this series.