Challenge Corner discussion

A lady does not smoke cheroot. She does not ride astride. She does not fence or attend duels. She does not fire a pistol, and she never gambles at a gentlemen's club.

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried—and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing.

But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss—to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston—charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.

If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all—the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love.

Will start this soon.

Started

Chapters 1-5
(view spoiler)[ I’m having a hard time getting into this one. I don’t know if it’s the audiobook or what but I’m just not into it (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 6- 13
(view spoiler)[I love the banter between her and the brother. So far it’s my favorite part.

I love that she was able to find herself fencing, even getting hurt. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 14-19
(view spoiler)[Okay, this book is not good. I don’t know why. But I just think it was so annoying their conversation about getting married. I usually love Sarah MacLean, so I don’t know why I don’t like this one. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
Of course he was shot because of her…
Okay, this one just didn’t work for me. I wish it did, but it just didn’t. I was rolling my eyes at half the things they said and did. (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING OCTOBER 12TH, 2023

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I'm still waiting for the first book from my library

I'm waiting on my library too.

Hopefully can start this soon.

Starting today!

Coming back to this soon.

Coming back still soon.

Same. I just finished book one and will post my comments soon

Starting soon

Getting to this soon.

Me too. I want to get back into to finish the series

Starting soon.

Getting to this soon.

Me too

Will be reading this week

Continuing soon

20% (view spoiler)[Juliana is plenty delightful and just the right bit of scandalous to be a fun confidant to Callie. Her disinterest in noble pursuits is so at odds with Gabriel's plan that it'll be fun to figure out how they get her to go along with it. (hide spoiler)]
40% (view spoiler)[Oof, I do like how this doesn't shy away from him having a mistress. The tension between Gabe and Callie is really delicious, and I wonder what will make them actually end up in a relationship (hide spoiler)]
57% (view spoiler)[That was a little unexpected. Wonder how long Gabe will be able to deny his attraction. He needs to be honest. He wouldn't be playing around if he only saw Callie as his sister's teacher. (hide spoiler)]

74% (view spoiler)[Yes, make him grovel! It must have been hard and humiliating for Callie to say all that, but he needs to reflect on his behavior. What woman would appreciate an apology after being made love to? (hide spoiler)]
100% (view spoiler)[Nothing like a third act break-up. The duel did feel a little much, but, I liked how it tied up. Easily one of my favorite historical romances. (hide spoiler)]

Looking forward to the sequels!

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RESTARTING MAY 23RD, 2024


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26% (view spoiler)[ It's funny how he misunderstood she was interested in him as a lord rather than as an art appraiser. It'll be hard to hide the house of women-- but it's admirable how she's going through such lengths to protect them. (hide spoiler)]

53% (view spoiler)[ It's good that Isabel felt comfortable-- well, vulnerable-- sharing with Nick about why protecting the women matters so much. Obviously, not enough to share the truth about Georgiana, but that's for the end of their story. (hide spoiler)]

74% (view spoiler)[ Finally! She knows the truth and she's rightfully betrayed. It's interesting how they both had something important to hide. (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[ I love seeing Isabel go to Nick. I think it's realistic how she lied about not loving him because she's afraid of being left and hurt. It makes it more fulfilling when they reconcile. (hide spoiler)]

29% (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Nick and Julia had a heart to heart. It's clear their mother's leaving left a wound. Juliana gives a first impression of not carrying, but it's easy to see that she feels it's easier to play into people's expectations. Scandal feels like her burden and her label. (hide spoiler)]

48% (view spoiler)[ Julia and Simon have a strong chemistry but he's been a giant ass. He may not want his arranged marriage but it's still happening. Of course she wouldn't take kindly to believe she's nothing more than a good time. (hide spoiler)]

82% (view spoiler)[ I'm quite annoyed with both of them. Simon has not once said that he wants to be with Juliana so it's no wonder she thinks he looks at it as a responsibility, as what's done. Juliana has expressed her feelings on being an outcast in society so it makes me wonder why Simon isn't paying attention. He's pushing on her trigger point. I'm proud of Juliana being willing to decline his (truthfully, half-assed proposal.) (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[ I didn't expect Juliana to reject Simon's proposal at the ball but it makes me so happy. It's a pivotal moment when she expresses she doesn't want to be a scandal and for them to have a conversation about how Simon's action kind of have pushed her towards it. I'm excited to read more of her work. (hide spoiler)]

Excited to read this one

I will pick up book 2 in the next couple weeks.

Reading this

Chapters 1-5 (view spoiler)[I wasn’t sure at first about this one, but I loved their meet cute and how he saved her and then just wanted to talk about the marbles instead of caring about anything else about him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 6-12 (view spoiler)[ I’m getting a little bored of this one so hopefully it’ll come ick up soon. I like that she is opening up to him a bit about everything. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 13-17 (view spoiler)[Well she has a right to not trust him and feel the way she’s feeling. I don’t even care about these two making up. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[Omg this was terrible. They got married? And then he just left her because she didn’t say she loved him 🤦‍♀️ I seriously could have cared less about these two. (hide spoiler)]

Hopefully finishing this up sometime

Hoping to pick up book 2 soon.

Updating this now since I’ll be on vacation the next few weeks.

Will read soon

Will pick up book 2 soon.

Should be able to pick up book 2 before the end of the month.

Getting back to this soon

Will read soon

I’ll read soon

Will read this soon

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RESTARTING FEBRUARY 10TH, 2025

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I have this on hold from the library, we'll see if I can get it in time.

I will also try to read it !

Going to read this soon

Starting this one in the morning! I only have it on Libby for 2 more days.

End of chapter 1 (9 Rules) (view spoiler)[ I wonder if the sister will be in one of the other books (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 3 (9 Rules) (view spoiler)[ What a kiss! (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 9 (9 Rules) (view spoiler)[ I wonder if Juliana will end up with the Duke of Leighton from the bookstore (hide spoiler)]