notes for myself: mistress project book 2 electric boogaloo (view spoiler)[ An earl, Bryn, that only sleeps with his mistresses - who must be virgins pnotes for myself: mistress project book 2 electric boogaloo (view spoiler)[ An earl, Bryn, that only sleeps with his mistresses - who must be virgins prior to entering an arrangement with him. his father was a wastrel and died of syphilis and this is why Bryn won't sleep with non-virgins. Clare was procured for Bryn by the former house mistress of a brothel, who had previously interviewed and provided Bryn with virgin mistresses. This was a lot but the beginning of the book was interesting! The middle was a little boring and last third did pick back up but it never was as compelling as the beginning. Of course, the book ends in marriage, fmc is not pregnant by the end which was a surprise considering all the birth control talk which usually signals someone is getting pregnant. I think we are in Bryn's POV the most and he thinks a lot about keep Clare as his mistress and living with her and raising children with her after he sires a legitimate heir with a wife. I wish someone were brave enough to write that romance!
Something I did appreciate is that the book does talk about expectations of being a long-term mistress: it's about companionship, stupid! Going places, seeing things, experiencing moments in life with another person. Bryn wants someone who he can have unprotected sex with without fear of disease AND he wants a partner to share experiences with. So he had enjoyed this with his previous mistresses but with Clare, it's shifting a bit in that he wants this partnership for life. This is reminding me a little bit of Wulfric Bedwyn and the relationship he had with his deceased mistress - she was a life partner. I have unfinished thoughts and maybe I'll come back when I have clarified them. . . ------------------------- My kingdom for another Madensky Square! So far, only Madensky Square by Eva Ibbotson ends with the mistress remaining a mistress; however the mechanics are different in that book. Susanna, the lead, is not a mistress in the sense of being hired to be a companion, she is with a man who is in a loveless marriage. He doesn't provide for her and there is no contract. (hide spoiler)]...more
important to get this out of the way: Madensky Square is historical fiction with some romance.
I'm still floored by this book which I first read aboutimportant to get this out of the way: Madensky Square is historical fiction with some romance.
I'm still floored by this book which I first read about scrolling through the Dear Author comments section about mistress romances - Sherry Thomas actually rec'd this book! I have longed to read a romance about a mistress who remains a mistress by the end of the book - without an "elevation" to wife status. I want stolen moments and secret accounts, separate lives that intersect in hotels and rented homes over long weekends . . . This book has all of those things. And it works so well probably because the book is not genre romance.
Every meeting is like wading through shifting sand to an oasis.
1911, Vienna: Susanna is the esteemed owner of a dress shop in Madensky Square. The square is bustling with other shops and families who live and work here. Susanna is the mistress of an important officer who is in a loveless marriage. Told through journal entries over one year, we meet Susanna's neighbors, clients, and her lover, Gernot. Due to his important position, Gernot is unable to divorce his wife. I loved getting to know Susanna's neighbors and friends. Ibbotson created such fascinating secondary characters - I shared their worries and delighted in their happiness.
The book ends in March 1912 and although things end positively (imo) for many of the characters, we, the reader, know what historical events are coming soon. and oh my heart my heart, how I wish there was more time with this special place.
When I was 20 I backpacked through Europe with a friend. The first city we stayed in was Vienna - so it's always been a special city to me. Our first night, as we were running through the streets to catch our bus we came upon a woman underneath an arch playing a harp. I don't recall the song but I remember how it made me feel: alive. This book made me feel similarly but it might be because I'm very romantic about Vienna. I wish I could say more about the book but everything I want to say feel inadequate!...more
I read three of these In Death novellas with a friend who is more knowledgeable about the series and out of the three this one was my favorite (weird I read three of these In Death novellas with a friend who is more knowledgeable about the series and out of the three this one was my favorite (weird since there was no vampire or sex cult in this one!) It took me almost the entire book to figure out the twist which I appreciated....more