Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Buddy Read discussion for:



How the Scot Was Won by Caroline Linden.

Loriidae and I plan to read this novella. Book 2.5 in her latest series. All welcome!

I’m going to be starting book 2 here soon, so I’ll watch from the sidelines and see how this story goes for you all.

T. wrote: "I’m going to be staring book 2 here soon, so I’ll watch from the sidelines and see how the story goes for you all."

Oh me too. Is there a thread to join it? I really enjoyed book 1

There isn’t one yet but if there is interest I can create one.

Looking forward to see what Felix did that annoyed Agnes....

I just finished book 1 and loved it but I got some mixed reviews regarding book 2. has anyone of you read it???

I have just read book #2 and my thoughts were very similar to Joanna's review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~ preeti~~ wrote: "I just finished book 1 and loved it but I got some mixed reviews regarding book 2. has anyone of you read it???"

I've got it on my TBR to read shortly. Really liked the set up for this series.

I think my notifications are not working at the moment.

Book 1 v Book 2

- I thought book 1 was more of a character study of Max, who was an enigma and very interesting to me. I just didn’t click with book 2 in that way. I think it is still a good read and it may work better on rereads.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I think my notifications are not working at the moment.

Book 1 v Book 2

- I thought book 1 was more of a character study of Max, who was an enigma and very interesting to me. I just didn’t click ..."

What I really liked about book 1 was the different scenario of the heroine in trade and the parts about the pottery factory. And the fact Max was aristocracy but several generations removed. So we got to see that section of society not highlighted much in historical romance.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I think my notifications are not working at the moment.

Book 1 v Book 2

- I thought book 1 was more of a character study of Max, who was an enigma and very interestin..."

There is a bit of that in book 2, though less the inner workings of a specific trade/business. (view spoiler)[ Drew’s family is the poor genteel and has turned to trade, and the heroine’s family is in trade. I did like the Edinburg setting for a change as well. It was shown in a way I hadn’t seen. (hide spoiler)]

I have started the novella. I read the prologue and chapter 1. I liked seeing events we learn about in book 1 from Agnes’ perspective. I also enjoyed the flirty banter and how they became reconnected.

Prologue:
It's interesting that Felix is from a family of solicitors, that he is not the typical third son that either studies law or enters the clergy. I guess when reading the second book I expected him to be the latter.

Felix: (view spoiler)[I like that as a late teen he tried to help Drew by enlisting his father. It says a lot about his character. (hide spoiler)]

Time jump: (view spoiler)[ I am so glad we had the time jump. I had only just finished reading Ilona Andrews blog, where she discussed how she wasn't going to pair two secondary characters when one was older and had known the other as a child, she wrote that it felt too much like grooming... and in the Prologue Felix in his mind sees two little girls watching up the stairs....and my mind immediately went oh no....hence my relief that they hadn't had anything to do with each other in the intervening years. - smiling now in relief.... (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter four. Loving it. On one hand, I want to devour it and on the other make it last.

I'm going to read book 2 then this one and join in, if that's okay.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I'm going to read book 2 then this one and join in, if that's okay."

Great we'll be here. :)

Loriidae wrote: "Time jump: [spoilers removed]"

Yes, that is tricky and can easily seem like grooming. However, when it’s like this with just a memorable moment or two, it works better.

Am through chapter 4 now too. Don’t want to put it down.

Chapter 3:(view spoiler)[ so easy to follow the progression of events. It was exhilarating and nerve wracking (as in “how far is this going to go?”). Can see how this leads to ups and downs and misunderstandings. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[Felix does the right thing. Earns a lot of points for that but he really needed to sober up first! Glad Agnes does not want to accept given his reasoning and regrets. (hide spoiler)]

I finished book 2, which I enjoyed just a shade less than book 1 but still a great story. Then I devoured the novella this afternoon, it was a great companion to the main book. Felix and Agnes were characters that could definitely carry their own story.

I'm very much looking forward to the final book next year and seeing how it all plays out. And who actually inherits Carlyle.

I think I'll check out Caroline Linden's back catalogue as well. I enjoy how she writes with a good story balancing out the romance and intimate scenes.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: ". . .think I'll check out Caroline Linden's back catalogue..."

My favourite series are "the truth about the duke " followed by "the Reece family"

Loriidae wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: ". . .think I'll check out Caroline Linden's back catalogue..."

My favourite series are "the truth about the duke " followed by "the Reece family""

Thanks for the tips. I'll check them out. 😘

Finished (view spoiler)[ While I enjoyed Felix and Agnes, it was a little disappointing not to have any new information added to the overall plot. I tend to agree with one reviewer who wrote that it was a mistake to read the two so close together because of the recapping. I really liked Felix, and I liked that the misconceptions between them were cleared up relatively early. (hide spoiler)]

I have finished this as well. Will plan to add my thoughts this weekend. Just have had any time!

Loriidae wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

I think it probably did help that I had a few weeks between. I am not sure if I expected more resolution to the sub story of the thievery, but I did think it interesting to get Felix’s view of what Isla should do.

I liked how the relationship started with casual flirting at the coffee shop and then progressed too quickly that they had to sort through their feelings.