Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired discussion

I'm just taking a minute to say that I've started reading , and I can't put it down! I'm wondering if this is going to be one of those series where I read all the books back to back. I'm long overdue for a series that I can devour!

Hey, Michelle. This could count as one of your chick-lit choices for the April challenge. People argue over whether or not it is chick-lit verses contemporary romance. I think it is a blend.

I love all of the books in Lisa Kleypas' Travis series.

Thanks Lisa Kay! Well, I'm using it for April. I don't know how I fell asleep while reading it last night, but I should be done today, and I just have to discuss it later. I was burnt out on pnr and hr, so this was a welcome change. I know I have Blue-Eyed Devil somewhere, so I need to find it today.

Ok. I allowed myself to get distracted with gr and book reorganization, so I'll be finished with Sugar Daddy today. But, while reorganizing my books, I moved all of my Kleypas books together, and moved them to my physical "to read sooner rather than later" pile.

Michelle, I can't wait to hear what your thoughts are about Sugar Daddy. I listened to the audiobook and loved it. Gage is my favorite Travis actually. LOL Although, there are a lot of people who didn't like it. So, I can't wait to hear what you think.

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Ok, I'm only 1/2 way through, and I thought I'd be done by now. Anyway, I've just finished boo-hooing!! I gathered from the back cover that Hardy leaves, and that Diana leaves or something happens to her for Liberty to end up taking care of her sister. But damn!!!! I was already down that Libertly lost her virginity to Luke in a moment of despair, then after Hardy left, but when her mother died, OMG!! I know its a fictional novel, but all I kept thinking was "that poor girl! Going through it all alone...." I'll probably go to bed late tonight, hit snooze 3x in the morning, and be late for work, because I want to finish this one. Please tell me that Liberty and Hardy have their HEA, or is the ending bittersweet?! No! Don't tell me!!

Hmmm........

*Gigi biting her nails so not to spoil Michelle*

Ditto!

It would appear that dark forces are conspiring against me to prevent me from finishing this book :( However, this is turning out to be a 5 star book, and I won't quit!

Ok, Sugar Daddy is the best book ever!

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I am so glad that Liberty ended up with Gage! At first, I was torn between Hardy and Gage, but Hardy disappointed me when he used info Liberty shared against Gage. I'm hoping he redeems himself in Blue Eyed Devil. What does everyone else think of Churchill's relationship with Diana? All I know is, I'm glad that Liberty didn't end up being some distant Travis relation. I was thinking that she was somehow related up until the moment she realized she was attracted to Gage. Before that, I was thinking that she could be Churchill's grandaughter, or even Gretchen's daughter or something..... I'm still reeling from finishing such a great novel!

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Oh, Michelle! You thought that? I had some of those thoughts going on, but I thought it would be Carrington that was related.

Lisa Kay wrote: "SPOILER
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Oh, Michelle! You thought that? I had some of those thoughts going on, but I thought it would be Carrington that was related."


*Spoiler*
Now that I think about it, I'm glad Carrington wasn't related either. Then Gage and Liberty would both be her siblings, and it would just be sort of weird. I'm still wondering if Hardy had really gotten that info from Marva, or made it up to turn Liberty against the Travises. Either way, Hardy ended up be a of a jackass.

Michelle! Sugar Daddy was my favorite out of the 3 and Smooth Talking Stranger was a close second! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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I was kind of turned off of Hardy for Liberty when we found out that he was keeping track of what happened to Liberty and Carrington, but yet Liberty never heard from him when her mother died. Although, by that time I was strictly already on team Gage. My reaction when Hardy appeared at the party was more like, "Oh no! Not Hardy!" lol

I agree I'm glad that Carrington was not related to Churchill either.

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The most common complaint about the book that I have heard was that there was too much focus on Hardy in the beginning and not enough build-up for her relationship with Gage.

Gigi wrote: "Spoiler





The most common complaint about the book that I have heard was that there was too much focus on Hardy in the beginning and not enough build-up for her relationship with Gage."

I see what you mean! I was so invested in Hardy, but by the time Gage appeared, I was still hoping that Hardy would return, and just wanting Liberty to happy. Don't get me wrong, I loved Gage, its just that Hardy's character had more history with Liberty.

I also couldn't get past Hardy meeting Liberty at the Travis home, and everybody being ok with it. I mean, it would be one thing if he were just an old friend; but not an old flame looking to rekindle the spark!

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I liked what Kleypas did with , though it certainly ruffled a few feathers and made people call it "chick-lit" instead of "contemporary-romance". (I think it's a brilliant blend of the two, but maybe I'm repeating myself.) Anywayz...

I think most of us have a first love, or close to first love; one that was bittersweet; an "if only" young love, if you will. In this, we can all empathize with Liberty. I was right there with her, falling hard for young Hardy (gee, why did she name him that?). Kleypas wanted us to!

And "young" is the operative word here. We do things in our youth, and feel things so differently, that the passions of youth can resonate still, years later. However, after Liberty’s journey, I was ready to fall for Gage, in all his sophistication and power, and I did totally; he’s perfect for Liberty. Yet, just like my first love, I wanted Hardy to be happy. I think that is a true sign of love, though certainly morphed into something else, when you want someone's happiness.

Kleypas gives that to Hardy – and us too! – in Blue-Eyed Devil, where Hardy grows up and learns the meaning of mature love and sacrifice too.

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I'm probably in the minority, but part of my love for Gage stemmed in part from his dedication to Liberty which I felt that Hardy lacked. When Hardy left and never ever contacted Liberty; I was hoping Hardy was gone for good. I was tickled pink when Liberty
nursed Gage back to health. I saw such great potential there. Agreed, Gage was
definitely better for Liberty. I absolutely loved the fact that Gage was so dedicated that at
Liberty's request and knowing about the kiss, Gage was still willing to take a step back
because he wanted all of Liberty.

I definitely liked Hardy a lot more in Blue Eyed Devil. Also, I read in a post (not sure if this is true or not) that Lisa Kleypas wrote Sugar Daddy initially with the intention that Hardy was going to be Liberty's HEA. However, as the booked progressed she changed directions. The Hardy focus in the beginning didn't bother me one way or another. I just saw it as a greater insight into Liberty's character and why Hardy was important to her.

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Hardy wanted Liberty, he just wanted success more. Gage wanted Liberty more than anything else, even hurting her with the truth of her own accidental betrayal. Kleypas wisely lets her characters grow, so Hardy learns he doesn’t want to hurt anyone anymore in his own book, especially Haven, who he loves. spoiler: (view spoiler)[It makes the reason he want to give her up even more valid. (hide spoiler)] It is neat how Kleypas has laided the groundwork, making this a vital part of Hardy’s complex make-up.

Lisa Kay wrote: " SPOILER


Hardy wanted Liberty, he just wanted success more. Gage wanted Liberty more than anything else, even hurting her with the truth of her own accidental betr..."

I listened to the audiobook, which was awesome. I just went to that kiss to refresh my memory. Gage was absolutely heartbroken by that kiss. Liberty and Hardy kissed more than once in that darkened corner. So, for a man so proud (Gage) and used to getting what he wanted it must have torn him apart to step aside knowing he may lose her to someone she obviously still had feelings for.

@Michelle- Anyway, Jack Travis' book (Smooth Talking Stranger) was another good one. I can't wait to hear what you think of the rest of the series.

Gigi, I've read that kissing scene over a few times too! And my heart wept for Gage. You're so right. Oh, the Ache!

LOL! Lisa Kay, I have to say though Lisa Kleypas definitely has a knack for making you feel what her characters are feeling. I wanted to give Gage a hug! LOL

So, now I can't turn the audiobook off. So, I just went back and started listening to Chapter 16 on to the ending again. LOL

Gigi wrote: "Lisa Kay wrote: " SPOILER


Hardy wanted Liberty, he just wanted success more. Gage wanted Liberty more than anything else, even hurting her with the truth of her ow..."

I felt bad for Gage when I read that scene too. I also felt bad that Liberty was so confused when she saw Hardy again. I think I'll move Blue Eyed Devil up in my tbr- meaning I'll start reading it this week. I'd really like to love Hardy again, LOL!

Gigi, I'll be ordering Smooth Talking Stranger tonight!

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I was re-reading the thread, and I see where I posted after Gigi talking about the kiss. But in my posting the betrayal I was talking about was when Liberty accidently leaked to Hardy about the bio-fuel talks. Gage didn't even tell her (or berate her for) what she had done; plus, he trusted that it had been an accident.

Okay, I've gotten notification tht Gigi has posted here, like, four times, and there is nothing new. WTF?

Lisa Kay wrote: "Okay, I've gotten notification tht Gigi has posted here, like, four times, and there is nothing new. WTF?"

I don't know. I just got home from work, and I was so excited to see that I had 32 emails from goodreads. Seventy-five percent were from posts that I've already read.

Lol!! I've posted 4xs?? Lol GR's alerts are out of whack. @Lisa Kay: I really loved Gages unwavering devotion to Liberty.


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As the series progressed and you hear about some of the things that Gage says and does, he is definitely my fav

Gigi, It was your evil twin posting!

Lisa Kay wrote: "Gigi, It was your evil twin posting!
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ROFLMAO!!!

Gigi, I loved Gage too. However, fickle slut woman that I am, I jumped ship for Jack in .

Are there only 3 books in the series?

Michelle, We are all - collectively - praying for more! We want Joe's story!!!

Yes!! Definitely want Joe to have his own story!!! Jack definitely comes in a close second slightly losing to Gage by a 1/2 a point lol.

I'm still excited about Sugar Daddy. So excited that I bought only to get home and realize that I already have . Ugh! I was all excited to get my new book home, and now I just feel let down. Will I return it to Target? Who knows....

Oh, Michelle! I'm sorry. She did change things a bit, but you can read about it in W♥LK group.

I haven't read many of her historicals. Let us know how you liked it!

is not one of my favorites of LK. 3 1/2 stars IMHO. Not her earliest work, but she had not yet perfected her heroine in this story and uses her in a way that I didn't like to further the plot. But it is neat to see an author grow and improve by leaps and bounds like Kleypas has.

It's been a long week. My plan is to stay in for the rest of the weekend and finish The Smoke Thief, and start Blue Eyed Devil and At Graves End. I'm also wondering where my copy of Smooth Talking Stranger is..... I ordered it days ago, and with amazon prime I should've gotten it today. Hmmm.....

My mother wants to read Sugar Daddy, and asked to borrow my copy. It's too good to loan out, so I've ordered her her own copy. LOL! I know, I know. I have a problem!

I don't think so, Michelle. Man-oh-man, I would be hard pressed to loan my out too. They tend to never come back. Then again, to play devil's advocate...SHE IS YOUR MOTHER!

LOL! I'm with you Michelle. The only book out of the trio that I'd be willing to loan out would be Blue Eyed Devil. LOL

Well, I'll grant you, it does make a nice pre-Mother's Day gift. If only we didn't know about Michelle's little "problem".

LOL!!

LOL! My mother knows how sick I am. The only reason she hasn't arranged some sort of intervention is because her book collection has steadily growing since she retired. She's already dropped hints about the Stieg Larsson series. You're right Lisa, books make a great Mother's Day gift- at least in my family.

I read those...well devoured them.

Lisa Kay wrote: "I read those...well devoured them."

That's good to know. I went out to Target last night, and only the 1st book was there. I was seeing those books all the time- even at the grocery store. I guess I'll be going to amazon again.

Michelle, Not everyone likes them. Do you like a offbeat heroine and a complicated plot?

I just received my copy of !

Yipee!

I swear I had every intention of finishing this series ASAP. I did get my mother , which she loved. But now she holding my copies of and hostage.

Well, ✿Michelle✿, give her whatever she wants, just get them back! LOL!