Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the first BOTM for April 2025. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is o k' for instructions.)

Join us in reading this HR that fits the theme:Proximity. Happy reading!


It Happened One Autumn– Lisa Kleypas

Synopsis:

It happened at the ball.

Where beautiful but bold Lillian Bowman quickly learned that her independent American ways weren't entirely "the thing." And the most disapproving of all was insufferable, snobbish, and impossible Marcus, Lord Westcliff, London's most eligible aristocrat.

It happened in the garden. .

When Marcus shockingly—and dangerously—swept her into his arms. Lillian was overcome with a consuming passion for a man she didn't even like. Time stood still; it was as if no one else existed—thank goodness they weren't caught in the act!

It happened one autumn. .

Marcus was a man in charge of his own emotions, a bedrock of stability. But with Lillian, every touch was exquisite torture, every kiss an enticement for more. Yet how could he consider taking a woman so blatantly unsuitable . . . as his bride?

Pear in a bottle , Pear in a Bottle, Pear .In. A . Bottle!!!!

I have checked this one out from the library and going to give it a try. I liked book 1 for some reason skipped this one and read book 3 which was meh.

Merry wrote: "I have checked this one out from the library and going to give it a try. I liked book 1 for some reason skipped this one and read book 3 which was meh."

Meh?! Merry, are you talking about Devil in Winter?!

Yes I think I was an outlier on that one (it has a 4.21 rating) but it just didn't hit the spot for me.

Merry wrote: "Yes I think I was an outlier on that one (it has a 4.21 rating) but it just didn't hit the spot for me."

Just when I think I have a handle on the sort of story you might like, you go and surprise me again--it always makes me laugh:)

My library has It Happened One Autumn, so I'll try to join in for April--happy reading!

Olivia, I think I am fickle LOL!!!! One day I like something and the next I change my mind.

Merry wrote: "Olivia, I think I am fickle LOL!!!! One day I like something and the next I change my mind."

Hah!:)

After reading the Prologue the song "Love Potion #9" played in my head.

Merry wrote: "After reading the Prologue the song "Love Potion #9" played in my head."

Yeah, I wasn't sure where Kleypas was going to go with that . . . but I kept reading (Chapter 9 now) . . . and I am definitely having some issues with this book.

I enjoyed this series, the first Lisa Kleypas books I've read. I actually liked the 3rd one the most, Devil in Winter, and this one second. But I think it was because I like Lillian as a character in no. 2 and I like that whole St. Vincent as "reformed rake" trope and Evie as the beautiful wallflower that's way tougher than she looks in No. 3. Marcus was kind of annoying though with his whole snotty "Lillian is inappropriate" attitude.

I also read #4.5 the novella A Wallflower Christmas, featuring Lillian and Daisy's older brother Rafe.

This isn't my favourite one out of this series. There is a prequel that I loved and I really enjoyed book 3 and 4. If I get a chance, I will read this one again before the end of April, I always enjoy Lisa Kleypass!

Well....I am up to chapter 3. The light mystical theme continues with a wishing well. I know Kleypass is a favorite (she is an OK author for me). I am unsure what I plan to do with the book...I keep setting it down to go and read something else.

Merry wrote: "Well....I am up to chapter 3. The light mystical theme continues with a wishing well. I know Kleypass is a favorite (she is an OK author for me). I am unsure what I plan to do with the book...I kee..."

If you keep setting it down, then you're not having a good time, Merry. Don't feel any pressure to keep reading!:)

Eleanor wrote: "I enjoyed this series, the first Lisa Kleypas books I've read. I actually liked the 3rd one the most, Devil in Winter, and this one second. But I think it was because I like Lillian as a character ..."

Yes, I like Lillian's character too . . . It's Marcus's behaviour so far that I'm finding upsetting and seems out of character. Not him being snooty--that's in character. (view spoiler)[It's his lack of control with Lillian that doesn't make sense to me . . . unless of course her perfume is actually a magic love potion--but then, it really should have come with a serious warning!! (hide spoiler)]

Thanks Olivia, I think I will follow along and read others comments and live vicariously.

Olivia wrote: "Eleanor wrote: "I enjoyed this series, the first Lisa Kleypas books I've read. I actually liked the 3rd one the most, Devil in Winter, and this one second. But I think it was because I like Lillian..."

Good point - I guess that's why Lillian is convinced it works as a love potion. But since it isn't really, I guess we're supposed to just think that Marcus was so attracted to Lillian he couldn't do anything about it. I mean, perhaps it'd be more believable for his character if he just sought her company out a lot (a la Mr. Darcy haha), but kissing her just b/c he's close to her is going a bit far in terms of how proper and controlled he's supposed to be.

I've read and really liked this book before, so I'll join this BOTM. Just started my reread today.

I'd forgotten the Prologue stuff about perfume etc. Not that interesting to me, as I'm one of those people that gets hay fever symptoms from many perfumes, so I rarely wear it. But now we've been introduced to the interesting, complex Marcus, and see his annoyance with Lillian, but at the same time how he can't forget her. Looking good!

Finished my reread today. Still fully enjoyed it. I really liked both MCs. The enemies-to-lovers trope worked well, as they gradually realised they couldn't fight their mutual attraction, despite their differences. I particularly liked the way the buttoned-up Marcus was eventually able to admit he had fallen deeply in love with Lillian. I'm a fan of Kleypas' writing style and I really wish she was still writing :(

For those who want to read more, the ending of this book leads directly into one of Kleypas' most beloved books, Devil in Winter, which is Evie and St Vincent's book, and next in the series.

As most of this book took place at a house party, it fitted this month's 'proximity' trope well, so it was a good choice for BOTM.

I agree with you, Jan. I loved it back in 2010 and I love it fifteen years later. It has some minor flaws but overall, it's a wonderful historical romance with great MCs.

Irina (semi-hiatus) wrote: "... it's a wonderful historical romance with great MCs."

Yep. Tis.