We Love Lisa Kleypas discussion

***Zachary Bronson has built an empire of wealth and power -- now he needed a wife to help secure his position in society...and warm his bed in private.But not just any woman will do for a man whom all of London knows is not a gentleman. Then he unexpectedly swept Lady Holly Taylor into his arms for an unasked for -- but very alluring -- kiss, and suddenly he knew he had found a woman whose fierce passions matched his own.

Lady Holly Taylor was beautiful, generous, and, as a widow, destined to spend her life playing by society's rules, even when they went against her bolder instincts. But Zachary's kiss had aroused her, and though the shocking offer he made didn't include marriage, she was compelled to risk everything and follow him to the place where dreams begin.***

I just finished this one and think it may be one of LK's most under-appreciated books. It's a little low-key compared to some of her other books, but I really liked it. I'm glad to see a few other group members mentioning it in their intros. Up 'til now I hadn't seen hardly anyone saying anything about it.

I agree, Julie. On Ami & GR, the fanz always give a shout-out to 'Devil in winter' & 'Dreaming of U'. Again, different strokes for different folks. WDB is 1 of my favs. The whole cast is appealing & it just has all the right ingredients I luv in a romance ;o)~

Julie, I think you are so right. This story is amazing but I don't hear alot of hype on it. I just adored Zachary!

This was just such a sweet lovely story, I couldn't help but like it. Now granted I haven't read The Wallflowers or Derek Craven's story, both of which I've heard so much about, so when I get around to them, they may be at the top of my list too. For right now though, Where Dreams Begin is IMHO as good or better than the other 10 LK books I have read.:-)

I'm looking forward to reading Where Dreams Begin very soon.

This one wasn't one of my favorites either. I am not sure why. It was a sweet story...the characters were great...it just didn't leave my heart fluttering. It could be because of when I read it. I probably read it after one of my favorites and was expecting something else. I don't know. I particularly didn't like her getting sick in the end..it just didn't feel right to me for some reason. It's still a better read than any other non-Kleypas book though!

It's a very good book, but I prefer that the heroine not be so in love with another man besides the hero. I'm selfish that way.

I have Somewhere I'll Find You and Because You're Mine on hold at B&N this morning.

Can't wait to read your reviews.

Bekah wrote: "This one wasn't one of my favorites either. I am not sure why. It was a sweet story...the characters were great...it just didn't leave my heart fluttering. It could be because of when I read it. I ..."

I recently read another reader's review in which they said they didn't care for the ending either. I personally liked it just fine, because I saw it as a way for LK to show just how deeply Zachary and Holly loved each other and it was a final closure to Holly's first marriage, clearing the way once and for all for their HEA. That's just my take on it though.:-)

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "It's a very good book, but I prefer that the heroine not be so in love with another man besides the hero. I'm selfish that way."

I can see how you would feel that way, Danielle, because it's nice to think that the H/H have only ever truly loved one another. For me, the first spouse who was an abusive monster or there simply wasn't any love in the marriage at all can be a little cliched, so sometimes it's nice to read a story where that wasn't the case. I'm OK with it as long as the author makes a distinction between the two relationships and shows how they differ, because no one would have the exact same type of love and interactions with two different people. I thought that LK made that distinction pretty well in Where Dreams Begin. That said, I did think that Holly hung onto George a bit too long which did frustrate me a little. It wasn't enough for me to dislike the story though, because I understood where she was coming from.

Well said, Julie. I don't think all first spouses have to be evil. Some can be very much good spouses, but part of me just wonders what's the point in reading a romance book where the new spouse is second fiddle to the first. It's not as romantic to me.

I've always sorta felt that way too Danielle. But I think a couple books changed my mind to that. One was Tina Wainscott's "On the Way to Heaven" I haven't read it in a LONG time, its a different kind of story, but I remember loving it. I also liked Sandra Brown's Texas! Chase..where he loses his wife in a tragic accident. I dont view it as second fiddle anymore. It's someone who they did love, but who is now gone. And this is the story I'm reading, and it almost feels like (at least to me in my own crazy mind) the new love is even more powerful because in order to attain that happiness with the new love they HAVE to let go of the old love. So it's kind of a bigger wanting than the orignial was. Make sense?? I know its all jumbled...but now this scenario doesn't bother me as much as it once did.

I am cool with the second spouse being the most beloved spouse (even though they loved the first spouse a lot). I just need to see this in the book, or I'm pretty let down.

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I am cool with the second spouse being the most beloved spouse (even though they loved the first spouse a lot). I just need to see this in the book, or I'm pretty let down."

I'm with you on that. I am starting to feel that I will be ok with Tohr having another shellan... but the WARDen just has to write it so I feel it. Know what I mean? Though I still tear up when I think about that happening.

I have to say, I've had this book sitting on my bookshelf for a while, but I've been hesitant to read it since i've seen such mixed reviews.

I have read books in the past where one person is still clinging to the memory of their first husband/wife/partner, but if handled in the right way, it doesn't usually bother me...as long as it results in it being clear that the person isn't just 'settling' for the hero or heroine. That there is obviously a deep love between the h/h. If that makes any sense?

Regardless, I plan on reading this once I finish the Wallflower series.

UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I am cool with the second spouse being the most beloved spouse (even though they loved the first spouse a lot). I just need to see this in the book, or I'm pre..."

Oh, Dhestiny. Tohr's story will be hard b/c I knew and loved Wellsie so much. It's different if you don't know the first spouse before the book starts. I'm glad it's going to be a while before she does Tohr's book.

Holly wrote: "I have to say, I've had this book sitting on my bookshelf for a while, but I've been hesitant to read it since i've seen such mixed reviews.

I have read books in the past where one person is still..."

--Holly, it's hard to say how you'll like this book. It was very good, but it didn't move me the way some of her other books do. I guess we all have the books that we connect more with. I hope you enjoy it when you read it.

I'm a little over half way through Where Dreams Begin, and I have to say I am completely in love with it. I adore Zachary..it's so nice to see a self-made hero. :)

Yay!

I just finished this today, and I sobbed my eyes out. More than once actually. This has vaulted to the top of the list of my favorite LK books. The story just moved me so much...*sigh*

I'm so glad you loved it, Holly!

Definately one of her best! IMO!

oh my gosh, I LOVED this book too! it was one of the best ones from Lisa Kleypass--Zach was amazing...

and so i stir the waters since march 15! LOL

well that my current read.

im at the stage where holly moves to zach`s house. I have a few glitches with her character. but i have hope on zach! he is surprisingly not bitter about life even as he is self made.. thats something that appealed to me right away!

i have to see how it goes. :)

Atumn wrote: "and so i stir the waters since march 15! LOL

well that my current read.

im at the stage where holly moves to zach`s house. I have a few glitches with her character. but i have hope on zach! he i..."

Hopefully this isn't a spoiler for you then- I found it difficult to get past the bit where one of the maids tells Holly about him having menage a trois sometimes- that and his bad architectural taste sort of put me off him as a character!! I guess he has big appetites in every way.

This is one of my favorites by LK. I loved Zach and Holly.

I haven't read the earlier series yet.

Mshj wrote: "Atumn wrote: "and so i stir the waters since march 15! LOL

well that my current read.

im at the stage where holly moves to zach`s house. I have a few glitches with her character. but i have ..."

LOL!!! those scenes made me laugh!! because that is the behavior of a newcomer up-claimer into the big world! so, it fitted him quite well! i liked his character well enough. Specially the way he was able to laugh and be roughish despite his struggles. he truly raised above himself and whatever his faults were, he had no problem admitting it!! so thats **thumbs up for Lisa** Holly.. mmm.. dunno.. had some problems with her.. i have to be honest. but in all truth it was a pleasant read.

******hope didnt give spoilers**********

I have just received my copy of this novel after waiting about 3 weeks for it to arrive from the USA. It was cheaper to get it from USA but obviously it took a longer time to receive it.

I see that it was read in 2010, has anyone read it this year? or re-read it? What did you think of it?

I have only read LK more recent works, so I will be interested to see how this novel compares.

I've read it several times, Sue. And listened to the audio once. It is one of my very favorites of hers. I plan on listening to it again sometime over the course of this first quarter.

Keep us posted on what you think of it.