Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the first BOTM for March 2025. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some HTML is ok' for instructions.)

Join us in reading this HR that features the theme Overlooked Heroine!


Irresistible, by Mary Balogh

Synopsis:

Sophia Armitage was a friend, indeed. She had agreed to help Sir Nathaniel Gascoigne find a husband for his cousin, Lavinia, in the glittering city of London—only half hoping that she'd find one herself. Sophia knew the odds were against her. Men simply did not seem attracted to her—not that way. Even her late husband had treated Sophia more as a companion than a lover. But then something shocking happened in London—Sophia found herself in the arms of Nathaniel himself! Not only did this act of indiscretion threaten their lifelong friendship, it revealed the depth of passion that defied everything Sophia believed about herself.

Happy reading!

Can this be read as a standalone?

Lauren, I read this without reading the others and gave it 4*, Usually I make a note if I feel lost. BUT I don't really remember it so disregard everything I just said LOL

Thanks, Merry! That helps

Lauren wrote: "Can this be read as a standalone?"

Yes, definitely. Although there are two other books, there is no need to read the others and you shouldn't feel lost at all. IMO this is the best book anyway.

I love this one and plan to join the (re)read in March. Nathaniel is a wonderful hero, and I love the way the overlooked heroine, Sophy, gradually emerges to reclaim her own life. A beautiful love story.

I've started my reread, and read the first two chapters so far. From memory the pacing in the book is done so well. It starts gradually as everything is introduced. I'm looking forward to seeing the lovely romance between Nathaniel and Sophie unfold. I've read this book a few times in the past, and really loved it. Not having read it for a while, it will be interesting to see whether I still find it a 5-star read.

I'm part way through Chapter 5 now, and getting hooked right back in.

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[I like the conversation Nathaniel has where he shows his understanding of the sad reasons women mostly became prostitutes at that time, and his decision never to visit a brothel again. Although he and his friends clearly went overboard with wine women and song after Waterloo, now he has come to his senses, and we see he is actually quite a moral man who respects women. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ I like this section of Chapters 4-5 where Nathaniel and Sophie unexpectedly hook up. It takes them both by surprise. We find out that they have always liked each other, with Sophie feeling she was perhaps always a little in love with Nathaniel. We also start to get hints about how unsatisfying her marriage with Walter was and how sexually inexperienced she is, for a woman who was married for years. (hide spoiler)]

I've finished, and it's still 5 stars from me. An enduring favourite HR for me, that never seems to get old, even though I've reread it several times now.

The storyline is beautifully paced and cleverly unfolded, so we learn about Sophie's past bit-by-bit. I love both MCs, and it's very enjoyable to see them get their very well-deserved HEA. You really believe they are going to be happy together, and it's going to last. And there's a lovely dog in this story! For me, this is one of Balogh's best books.

Jan, I'm glad it's still a winner for you! I'm hoping to read this book in the next couple of days.

I will not be joining this BOTM this month. I am unable to get either this book or the Amada Quick here in Australia. I read the 3rd BOTM a year's ago - maybe I'll read it again

Susan wrote: "I will not be joining this BOTM this month. I am unable to get either this book or the Amada Quick here in Australia. I read the 3rd BOTM a year's ago - maybe I'll read it again"

How frustrating! I have a PB copy of the book so didn't even check kindle. Sorry - I should have checked before nominating. I do know some older Balogh books still aren't available on kindle Australia, and it looks like this is one of them. (Same for some Amanda Quick books!) But it seems random as to which ones are available and which not. Who knows why!!

That is a hard one as I could find the AQ on hoopla in the USA but apparently it varies by country.

Susan wrote: "I will not be joining this BOTM this month. I am unable to get either this book or the Amada Quick here in Australia. I read the 3rd BOTM a year's ago - maybe I'll read it again"

Hi Susan - I had the same issue. I ended up getting Seduction from World of Books. Hoopla with my library had the audio version of Irrestible, but I didn't enjoy it as much listening to it. It is frustrating when the books don't seem to be available even as an ebook on Amazon. That seems to happen a lot in Australia.