Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for The Alice Network by Kate Quinn starting on July 9, 2025.


Happy Reading!

Thank you!

Whoops, had a comment here that was for a different book. Though I DID read this yesterday and have a book club tomorrow--but I also have a book club tonight for another book and haven't had a minute to organize my thoughts yet.

I started this a few days ago on audio. I only have it for two more days so I need to get it done!

I am really enjoying it. About 36% in (view spoiler)[ I’m so into whatever is happening with Eve and Renee. He just walked her home and licked her neck and while typing this out, that sounds totally gross, but when I was reading it I was not grossed out. I bet he’s a creep and I’ll be grossed out soon enough. (hide spoiler)]

I love the audio. All the different accents is my favorite.

The narrator does a great job. I love that she does male voices really well.

re: 36% (view spoiler)[Renee is such totally creepy... huge ego and power-trip issues... it makes me think of the movie Lust//Caution... but that was also a spy situation, so.

The bit that got my blood boiling was when Charlie goes to the bank to withdraw HER money from HER bank account that SHE earned with HER work and is told she can't access any without her father or husband or brother. And it's even worse, knowing that this situation was still pretty prevalent as little as 50 years ago... in the 1970s you had to have your husband sign for a credit card application... and many banks wouldn't let an unmarried woman open an account... I love how Eve just sails into the pawnshop and saves Charlie from facing the same fate twice... For all of her problems, she's a better mentor-figure to Charlie than her own mother... (hide spoiler)]

Okay I’m at 71% and am (view spoiler)[ totally grossed out by Rene. I had hoped for a sweet romance but he’s icky. I much preferred her with Cameron though I didn’t like the adultry. Charlie and Finn is the best. I used to hate romance but as I get older, I’m here for it. I also hate sex in books but this one is polite. I get no description of quavering members and virginal flowers. Gross. In somebody else’s hands, the stuff with Renee would be too much for me.

I was also irritated about the bank thing. In some states, even now, you have to have a husbands permission to have a hysterectomy as an elective surgery. I don’t consider myself a super feminist but that irks me. It’s my freaking body, I can take our whatever I want. Even though I do believe any woman would live to regret it. It’s her choice.

I also wasn’t thrilled about how Eve and Lily talked down about motherhood. Everybody picks their own path, no judgement but motherhood is the best thing I ever did and many women are fulfilled by it. I was happy when Charlie decided to keep what will undoubtedly be named Rose.

Sigh I always thought the name Renee for a man was super sexy. I like girl names on men for some reason. My husband is named Gary which is the dudiest name in history. But I guess my name is ultra feminine so it makes sense. (hide spoiler)]

74% (view spoiler)[ Renee is a monster (hide spoiler)]

Just finished this. Loved it. Great pacing. Great characters. Great twists. This was an unexpected treat.

I'm glad you enjoyed! We had our book club yesterday and about half the people finished, half were still reading but also enjoyed. I shared your progression of thoughts about Renee and everyone commiserated and shared (view spoiler)[the hate. He is soooo creepy and a total monster!! Good riddance!

I had the complete opposite reaction as you to the pregnancy conversations, with some similarities--motherhood and pregnancy scare me, and I am tired of people (and books) assuming that the end-all of a woman's (ie: my) life should be to get married and have children. I enjoy books where individuals make those choices or discover that for themselves, but I hate it when people around them or society or even the individuals themselves assume that that is the only way to fulfillment as a woman. So Eve talking down about motherhood didn't bother me the way the opposite extreme would, even if I don't agree--being a mother is frickin' hard, that's why I have no interest in it!

I appreciated the author's varied approach--including women from different walks of life and making different decisions, most bucking the system in their own way. I like that Charlie eventually made her own choice, instead of caving to the pressures of her parents or the world. (hide spoiler)]

It probably comes down to seeing the bias to much for whatever side you are on. Ha ha. I feel like most books talk about how motherhood is awful and only idiot women choose it. And you feel like most books shove motherhood down your throat. I guess it’s never noticeable when you already share the sentiment, if that makes any sense.

But I appreciated how this book showed both option in a positive way.

Felina wrote: "It probably comes down to seeing the bias too much for whatever side you are on...."

That's a good point. If I wanted that path, I would be more excited to talk about it when people brought it up, then it'd probably just fuzzle into a warm background, while if I hate some thing, I get all grrr and then have to rant to all my friends and it sticks harder...

Same!!