Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the second BOTM for August 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 firs the theme:Humor. Happy reading!


The Country Gentleman by Fiona Hill

Synopsis:
When her fortune is lost, witty, irreverent Anne Guilfoyle is forced to leave London and her beau of ten years standing for the confines of country life in Cheshire, where she has fortuitously inherited some property. Anne pines for the social and political life she has left behind, especially when confronted with the society of her nearest neighbor, country bumpkin Henry Highet. Yet all is not what it seems, as Anne soon discovers in this pleasant Regency tale.

I've started my reread of this one. Anyone joining me? A lovely book. A completely clean read, with a very nice romance at its centre. I've already giggled at some of the funny scenes and moments. Ms Hill's wry, humorous tone and clever writing just carry you along. The scene when we meet Henry is a very funny meet-cute. Ann's surprise and disdain at Henry's unique style of laughter is priceless.

Jan just saw your post. It is available on Hoopla so I checked it out and I am in for the read!

Just finished the first chapter. It sets up the back story for the characters and the reason for the move. The writing is holding my interest but you know when you listen to music from the 1990's there a difference in sound. I feel that way when I read older books. This may not make any sense.

I have just finished this. Merry - your comment make sense. This is kind of bordering on Geogette Heyers style - but just not quite as good.
As Jan said - a very clean romance.

Susan and Jan, I can see the Heyer influence. I am up to the point where the move to the country is taking place. I do not understand how Anne could have a beau of TEN YEARS and everyone would just accept that he was going to marry someone else...to the point Anne is encouraging it.

Merry wrote: "Just finished the first chapter. It sets up the back story for the characters and the reason for the move. The writing is holding my interest but you know when you listen to music from the 1990's t..."

I know what you mean. It has got a different feel to the writing. Hope that doesn't put you off this enjoyable read.

Merry wrote: "Susan and Jan, I can see the Heyer influence. I am up to the point where the move to the country is taking place. I do not understand how Anne could have a beau of TEN YEARS and everyone would just..."

Yes that is perhaps a bit of a stretch. I guess originally everyone thought they would marry, but after all this time people accept they are not going to tie the knot. It's clearly frustrating to Anne's mother and to her good friend Maria. But (view spoiler)[ Anne doesn't see/understand Ensley's innate selfishness till much later in the book. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3, I really did enjoy how Anne met her neighbor lol. I know there must be something about Maria's "dead" husband that the reader doesn't know....

I am just starting this one, looking forward to it.

The start of Chapter 5. (view spoiler)[ I had wondered how Anne and Ensley were going to continue their friendship after marriage. So now he has made an offer to make Anne his mistress after her telling him she is poor. That she is blaming herself for wanting him to ask her to marry....how lovestruck can one be. Plus her thoughts on living with Ensley while he is married to another and she is a single woman strikes me as unrealistic (hide spoiler)]

Merry wrote: ".....I know there must be something about Maria's "dead" husband that the reader doesn't know...."

You're right about that ;)

End of chapter 5. Glad Maria was honest about Annes relationship with Ensley.

Merry wrote: "End of chapter 5. Glad Maria was honest about Annes relationship with Ensley."

Yes, Maria is a true friend to Anne. She is able to see Ensley for what he is, more clearly than Anne does.

I've nearly finished the book now. I've been enjoying the last few chapters where (view spoiler)[the country Christmas celebrations take place. (hide spoiler)] It feels very authentic.

Finished the book today. Still 4 stars :) It's a few years since I last read it, and I'd forgotten some of it, so this time around I took my time more, and tried to take in the details which Ms Hill provides so well, rather than just racing through the story. And I really enjoyed the whole thing once again.

I noticed that the author breaks the fourth wall and addresses the reader directly a couple of times. For me this worked quite well, with her tongue-in-cheek tone. There were some very funny scenes. The book fits this month's BOTM 'Humour' theme really well.

I liked the romance between Anne and Henry. Yes, it did develop slowly, but it was sweet and very believable. The ending was lovely and quite satisfying.