2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

Sebastian tells Hero he loves her for the first time. Have they turned a corner in their relationship? Is Kat now a distant memory? What evidence is there that Sebastian is committed to his marriage and Hero?

I hope that Sebastian has put Kat on a far distant back burner. He has already fallen in love with his son, which binds him more to Hero.

It certainly seemed like Sebastian turned a corner here. His feelings for Hero, by his own acknowledgement, are far deeper than he ever felt for Kat. I didn't sense him pining for her either. Hero is clearly his life. They have a strong, comfortable relationship, one he holds dear.

It was a very nice moment and I do think that Sebastian is finally moving away from his nostalgic love for Kat. It was so nice for her to absent for a whole book! That was the best part, lol. Of course, she still has to have a mention (insert eye roll) but I'll take what I can get. It does say a lot though that now Sebastian can't imagine his life without Hero and his fear at the possibility of losing her was almost palpable. I would have liked to have had a longer, more private moment with just Sebastian, Hero, and the baby right after the birth. That felt a little rushed or glossed over. Or I'm just greedy for those little emotional beats.

And I loved the baby's name: Simon Alistair St Cyr. :-)

You said what I was struggling to express, Veronica. His feelings did seem palpable!

In the author's notes, she mentioned that it was customary to have all these people present during labor. Ugh!!!

The baby's name is fabulous. I'm biased because I love both of those names.

It's a great name and I hope it's a positive sign that Sebastian allowed the baby to have Hendon's given name as his middle name. Unless tradition dictated it?

I think it's a good sign, too.

I have underscored, highlighted, and marked the page. I think he will always care for Kat (unfortunately) but his love for Hero is deeper than what he'd had with her. So many intense moments in this book that portrayed how much he loves and cares for Hero.

Veronica wrote: "It was so nice for her to absent for a whole book! ."

One of the absolute best aspects of the book alongside the Sebastian's declaration of love and the indications that he is finally putting Kat into his past where she belongs (as seen when he keeps his calm after Marie Therese's nasty jibe).

Veronica wrote: "Unless tradition dictated it?"

Hero chose the name, so I'm thinking it is her way of trying to bridge the gap between Hendon and Sebastian.

Joanna wrote: "I have underscored, highlighted, and marked the page. I think he will always care for Kat (unfortunately) but his love for Hero is deeper than what he'd had with her. So many intense moments in thi..."

I agree, Joanna. I think it's deeper too. It's a love based on a shared life, on real, daily interactions and a mutual history they are creating together. Contrast that with sporadic, stolen moments with Kat and a love based on the fantasy of "what if...?"

Lauren wrote: "Veronica wrote: "Unless tradition dictated it?"

Hero chose the name, so I'm thinking it is her way of trying to bridge the gap between Hendon and Sebastian."

And Hero is a woman who is accustomed to getting her way, so here's hoping her streak extends to bridging that gap. ;-)

Veronica wrote: "It's a love based on a shared life, on real, daily interactions and a mutual history they are creating together. Contrast that with sporadic, stolen moments with Kat and a love based on the fantasy of "what it...?" "

Precisely!

In relation to Hero and Kat, I'm reminded of a quote by Paul Newman about his marriage to Joanne Woodward:

"I don't like to discuss my marriage, but I will tell you something which may sound corny but which happens to be true. I have steak at home. Why should I go out for hamburger?”

Kat is SO hamburger!

That's perfect:)

LOL!!

I like what Veronica said above--the contrast between mutual interests and history, and stolen moments and fantasy.

I'm hoping that's what we see developing for Gibson as well.