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Regencies #1
Tangled Reins
A traditional regency romance from a best-selling author - Content with her humdrum life, Miss Dorothea Darent has no intention of marrying. She knows that her unfashionable curves and outspoken ways make her a disastrous match for any gentleman of the ton. The scandalous Marquis of Hazelmere is equally intent on remaining single – but when he encounters Dorothea, he’s entranced. He doesn’t expect Dorothea's unconventional charm to take society by storm . . . but when the lady is surrounded by suitors, the confirmed rake must fight for his beautiful prize! This is a first time regular print hardcover previously available in a mass market edition.
296 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 1998
329 people are currently reading
1096 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
206 books5,591 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
May 14, 2018
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
An earlier stand-alone pre-Cynster Dynasty work that is purely Regency romance in all its finest chivalry, social angst, and dialogue. Ms. Laurens, as expected, reigns supreme in her research skills, setting, and detailed descriptions. Her working knowledge of social morals and mores keeps everything believable.
Lord Marc Henry aka Hazelmere and Dorothea Darent form a sublime pair by coming together in a charismatic duel of wits and wiles. This delightful tale with its roster of entertaining, supporting characters and a simple, yet amusing, plot held my attention until the end.
Warnings: None. No real OW, OM except by rumor and suggestion. Unlike the Cynster books, there are only passionate kisses, and further intimacies are hinted at or discussed after the fact.
An earlier stand-alone pre-Cynster Dynasty work that is purely Regency romance in all its finest chivalry, social angst, and dialogue. Ms. Laurens, as expected, reigns supreme in her research skills, setting, and detailed descriptions. Her working knowledge of social morals and mores keeps everything believable.
Lord Marc Henry aka Hazelmere and Dorothea Darent form a sublime pair by coming together in a charismatic duel of wits and wiles. This delightful tale with its roster of entertaining, supporting characters and a simple, yet amusing, plot held my attention until the end.
Warnings: None. No real OW, OM except by rumor and suggestion. Unlike the Cynster books, there are only passionate kisses, and further intimacies are hinted at or discussed after the fact.
January 31, 2022
Oh boy, time is not always kind to how we react to re-reads. I remember devouring Stephanie Laurens' books as a teen so when I saw this for 99p I didn't hesitate to click. I should have paused and re-thought.
The writing didn't easily create a story I was able to get lost in, instead, there was a tone to the writing that felt a bit too stiff.
I wanted sparks to fly between Miss Dorothea Darent and the scandalous Marquis of Hazelmere - they sadly didn't.
I have another book in this series purchased years ago that I use to really enjoy tempted and nervous to see if that is still the cause.
The writing didn't easily create a story I was able to get lost in, instead, there was a tone to the writing that felt a bit too stiff.
I wanted sparks to fly between Miss Dorothea Darent and the scandalous Marquis of Hazelmere - they sadly didn't.
I have another book in this series purchased years ago that I use to really enjoy tempted and nervous to see if that is still the cause.
August 7, 2024
Started well, was hoping for a bit of a better story between these two. Went a bit flat.
June 25, 2022
Kitap daha ikinci sayfasından öyle bir başladı ki dedim bu sefer tamam aradığım kan bulundu.
Maalesef bulamamışım. Hayır yani sen kalk öyle bir başlangıç yap sonrasında da bize durağan hiç bir olay olmayan öylesine sıradan balolar ve park gezileri okut.
Aradığım kaosu ve entrikayı bulamadım.
Sakin keyifli bol balolu bir tarihi romans okumak isterseniz kesinlikle okuyun ama benim gibi bir arayıştaysanız sıkılırsınız.
Maalesef bulamamışım. Hayır yani sen kalk öyle bir başlangıç yap sonrasında da bize durağan hiç bir olay olmayan öylesine sıradan balolar ve park gezileri okut.
Aradığım kaosu ve entrikayı bulamadım.
Sakin keyifli bol balolu bir tarihi romans okumak isterseniz kesinlikle okuyun ama benim gibi bir arayıştaysanız sıkılırsınız.
June 2, 2013
I was pretty underwhelmed by The Lady Risks All by this author, but thinking that there must be a reason she's such a big name in the field of historical romance, decided not to give up after just the one sample.
Tangled Reins is a much earlier work of hers, and I suppose could be termed a "comedy of manners", as not much happens and it's cast very much in the Heyer mould - although, without the same lightness of touch and humour.
To say "it wasn't bad" is akin to damning with faint praise, I know - but it wasn't. The basic story is of the Marquis of Hazelmere's courtship of Dorothea Darrent, a young lady of good birth who has lived all her life in the country. Wanting her younger and very beautiful sister to have a London season (and believing herself far too old at twenty-two to require a season herself), after the death of their mother and elapse of the mourning period, they are poised to travel to the capital to make their débuts under the auspices of their grandmother.
Hazelmere initially encounters Dorothea when she's out berry-picking, wearing one of her oldest frocks with no companion and immediately thinking she's a mere country lass grabs her and snogs the life out of her.
Oops.
He rescues her from a difficult situation later when they meet each other while Dorothea and her sister are on the way to London, and because it's apparent they have met each other before, have to concoct a story to account for this in order to satisfy the strict social conventions.
Hazelmere is handsome and autocratic, has a reputation with the ladies and hasn't really given much thought to settling down - but begins to think about it seriously once he's met Dorothea. He marks her out by his attentions at social events, and makes his intentions clear to the ton by paying court to her in a most proper way.
If nothing else, the fact he's paying strict attention to propriety is as good as putting a flashing sign above Dorothea's head saying "mine"; but despite his frequent companionship, his gentle teasing and concern for her, Dorothea can never be sure of his true feelings for her.
By the same token, Dorothea is self-possessed, poised and well-able to match him in the verbal sparring stakes, so Hazelmere is never quite sure of her feelings, either.
The story is about (IMO) two strong characters who are not willing to give too much away, and the way in which their guardedness threatens to spoil their potential happiness. I was reminded at various points of Charlotte Lucas' comment to Lizzie about Jane's needing to show more of her feelings to Bingley in order to secure him.
There's a side-plot about an annoying suitor for Dorothea's hand, a scheme to abduct or ruin her in order to obtain her fortune, various misunderstandings... but of course all ends well.
As I listened (the superlative Rosalyn Landor again turning fairly ordinary material into something worth listening to) I thought there were far too many mentions of Dorothea's incredible beauty and sparkling emerald eyes (and the same of the hero's hazel ones); I don't know if that would have stuck out so much in print, but in audio, it definitely became rather annoying.
Still, it was a pleasant way to spend a few hours, although I'm not sure I'll be listening to it again in a hurry.
Tangled Reins is a much earlier work of hers, and I suppose could be termed a "comedy of manners", as not much happens and it's cast very much in the Heyer mould - although, without the same lightness of touch and humour.
To say "it wasn't bad" is akin to damning with faint praise, I know - but it wasn't. The basic story is of the Marquis of Hazelmere's courtship of Dorothea Darrent, a young lady of good birth who has lived all her life in the country. Wanting her younger and very beautiful sister to have a London season (and believing herself far too old at twenty-two to require a season herself), after the death of their mother and elapse of the mourning period, they are poised to travel to the capital to make their débuts under the auspices of their grandmother.
Hazelmere initially encounters Dorothea when she's out berry-picking, wearing one of her oldest frocks with no companion and immediately thinking she's a mere country lass grabs her and snogs the life out of her.
Oops.
He rescues her from a difficult situation later when they meet each other while Dorothea and her sister are on the way to London, and because it's apparent they have met each other before, have to concoct a story to account for this in order to satisfy the strict social conventions.
Hazelmere is handsome and autocratic, has a reputation with the ladies and hasn't really given much thought to settling down - but begins to think about it seriously once he's met Dorothea. He marks her out by his attentions at social events, and makes his intentions clear to the ton by paying court to her in a most proper way.
If nothing else, the fact he's paying strict attention to propriety is as good as putting a flashing sign above Dorothea's head saying "mine"; but despite his frequent companionship, his gentle teasing and concern for her, Dorothea can never be sure of his true feelings for her.
By the same token, Dorothea is self-possessed, poised and well-able to match him in the verbal sparring stakes, so Hazelmere is never quite sure of her feelings, either.
The story is about (IMO) two strong characters who are not willing to give too much away, and the way in which their guardedness threatens to spoil their potential happiness. I was reminded at various points of Charlotte Lucas' comment to Lizzie about Jane's needing to show more of her feelings to Bingley in order to secure him.
There's a side-plot about an annoying suitor for Dorothea's hand, a scheme to abduct or ruin her in order to obtain her fortune, various misunderstandings... but of course all ends well.
As I listened (the superlative Rosalyn Landor again turning fairly ordinary material into something worth listening to) I thought there were far too many mentions of Dorothea's incredible beauty and sparkling emerald eyes (and the same of the hero's hazel ones); I don't know if that would have stuck out so much in print, but in audio, it definitely became rather annoying.
Still, it was a pleasant way to spend a few hours, although I'm not sure I'll be listening to it again in a hurry.
April 16, 2012
Featherweight, old-fashioned Regency, not at all Laurens' usual bodice-ripper; more Heyer-like, it suited my mood perfectly for a lazy Sunday afternoon on the sun porch! I understand from other reviews that this was apparently an early book for her, but as I've only read her Cynster novels I'm no expert - although this is nowhere near as sexy as those books, I didn't mind as I was in a Heyer kind of mood! Matter of fact, I think I'll go dig one out today, she is the master...
March 13, 2016
Not Laurens' best - not her worst. A solid three-star read. It's not a bodice ripper (which I appreciate), and the hero is way too heavy handed and domineering for my liking. Also, the POV switches frequently, from character to character (hero, grandmother, footman, best friend, etc.).
February 21, 2019
Gostei muito das duas primeiras histórias, mas a última não foi muito boa...
February 21, 2013
Stephanie Laurens'ın okuduğun en sıkıcı hikayesi hangisi diye soranlara bundn sonra Doludizgin cevabını vereceğim.Epsilon inatla çıkarmaya devam ediyor yazarı.Üstelik seriden seriye atlıyor birde.Hayır okuyanların çoğu beğenmezken neden yazarın kitaplarını çevirmekte ısrar ettiğinide anlamış değilim.
Yazarın uslubu sıkıcı.Ben bunu bilir bunu söylerim.Yani adam bir evlenme teklif edicek 290 sayfa boyunca edemedi.Alt tarafı benimle evlenirmisin diyecek yahu.Uzatıldıkça uzatılıp sakıza dönmüş mevzu.Hikayede çok monotondu şahsen.Daha uzun olsaydı uyuyp kalma ihtimalim baya yüksekti.
Diğer kitaplarını okunabilir bulmuştum ama bunu hiç beğenmediğimi söylemek zorundayım:)
Yazarın uslubu sıkıcı.Ben bunu bilir bunu söylerim.Yani adam bir evlenme teklif edicek 290 sayfa boyunca edemedi.Alt tarafı benimle evlenirmisin diyecek yahu.Uzatıldıkça uzatılıp sakıza dönmüş mevzu.Hikayede çok monotondu şahsen.Daha uzun olsaydı uyuyp kalma ihtimalim baya yüksekti.
Diğer kitaplarını okunabilir bulmuştum ama bunu hiç beğenmediğimi söylemek zorundayım:)
February 6, 2019
I’m only in chapter 2 and already this book has pissed me off. The Hero is acting very pompous. The Heroin is dumb, she goes out into the night where there are drunken men for not good reason to get accosted. No can do with this one.
June 17, 2019
Stephanie abladan böyle komik ve eğlenceli bir kitap okumamıştım :)) Kendisini zaten çok seviyorum, kitap da güzeldi. Gönül rahatlığı ile okunabilir. Tastiklendi ve onaylandı :))
June 19, 2019
If I wanted to read Georgette Heyer, I would have selected Georgette Heyer.
February 18, 2018
Lectura rapida, sencilla y simple.
February 27, 2025
que puto bonito es está libro
November 5, 2012
1/11 - To start with this book's pages are very strangely numbered - the first page of the actual story is numbered page 10, it seems the publisher numbered from the first piece of paper in the book, not the start of the first chapter (as most normal publishers do). So while I am on page 48, I have only read 38 pages. Weird and sort of false advertising for the length of the book. So far the story itself is sweet and a bit tame compared to the other Stephanie Laurens books I've read. There is not a lot of depth to the plot or either main character. This looks like it's going to be a light summer-holiday-at-the-beach type of read, nothing too difficult or upsetting in this one. To be continued...
2/11 - It's like one of Stephanie's assistants tried to take over the writing of this book while she was sick and was completely unable to recreate the usual magic of a Stephanie Laurens book. There is no depth of character (I did mention this yesterday, but it seems even more obvious than at the point in the book that I was up to yesterday), I can't see either hero or heroine in my head while I read, which was a normal occurence while reading all her previous books, especially the Cynster Sisters trilogy (where did THAT Stephanie Laurens go?). Within the last few pages both main characters were trying to decide if they loved the other and whether the other loved them, as far as I can see there is no reason whatsoever for either to love the other. There has been absolutely no passion or romance between them. I was originally hopeful when the first thing Hazelmere did upon meeting Dorothea was to 'passionately' kiss her. I don't know about Dorothea, but I felt nothing, if I hadn't known better I would have thought she was going to push him away in disgust, there was so little feeling between them. In my head, as I was reading the scene, all I could see was an awkward mashing of lips, like in a comedy movie. To be continued...
4/11 - I didn't have time to write more of this review yesterday, but don't worry nothing happened in the book that actually needed to be written about anyway. Just more balls and meetings on the afternoon drive/ride around the park, leading up to the BIG ball - the sisters' coming out ball. What Laurens has written is probably pretty lifelike for women and men of Dorothea and Marc's station, but that doesn't mean Laurens, as an author, shouldn't imagine some intrigue, danger or scandal for the characters to become immersed in. Have a ball, drive around the park, get dressed for a ball and repeat doesn't make for a good book, especially not a good ROMANCE. We don't want to read about the real, day-to-day life including all the boring bits, we want, no expect the women to get kidnapped and the men to beat someone up or shoot someone, and from Lauren's other books that's what you get. What happened with pile of fluff? To be continued (keep reading, you never know, they might have a...ball, and wouldn't that be exciting to read about)...
5/11 - A few more balls, a couple of abbreviated love scenes (some kissing, groping and then fade to black before you get to the good bits) and an inept and non-threatening kidnapper end this book on about the same note as it started - sweet, tame and fluffy, kind of like a kitten with its claws removed. Wouldn't recommend to any fan of Stephanie Laurens, as this doesn't read like any of her previous or subsequent books and so you'll likely be disappointed.
2/11 - It's like one of Stephanie's assistants tried to take over the writing of this book while she was sick and was completely unable to recreate the usual magic of a Stephanie Laurens book. There is no depth of character (I did mention this yesterday, but it seems even more obvious than at the point in the book that I was up to yesterday), I can't see either hero or heroine in my head while I read, which was a normal occurence while reading all her previous books, especially the Cynster Sisters trilogy (where did THAT Stephanie Laurens go?). Within the last few pages both main characters were trying to decide if they loved the other and whether the other loved them, as far as I can see there is no reason whatsoever for either to love the other. There has been absolutely no passion or romance between them. I was originally hopeful when the first thing Hazelmere did upon meeting Dorothea was to 'passionately' kiss her. I don't know about Dorothea, but I felt nothing, if I hadn't known better I would have thought she was going to push him away in disgust, there was so little feeling between them. In my head, as I was reading the scene, all I could see was an awkward mashing of lips, like in a comedy movie. To be continued...
4/11 - I didn't have time to write more of this review yesterday, but don't worry nothing happened in the book that actually needed to be written about anyway. Just more balls and meetings on the afternoon drive/ride around the park, leading up to the BIG ball - the sisters' coming out ball. What Laurens has written is probably pretty lifelike for women and men of Dorothea and Marc's station, but that doesn't mean Laurens, as an author, shouldn't imagine some intrigue, danger or scandal for the characters to become immersed in. Have a ball, drive around the park, get dressed for a ball and repeat doesn't make for a good book, especially not a good ROMANCE. We don't want to read about the real, day-to-day life including all the boring bits, we want, no expect the women to get kidnapped and the men to beat someone up or shoot someone, and from Lauren's other books that's what you get. What happened with pile of fluff? To be continued (keep reading, you never know, they might have a...ball, and wouldn't that be exciting to read about)...
5/11 - A few more balls, a couple of abbreviated love scenes (some kissing, groping and then fade to black before you get to the good bits) and an inept and non-threatening kidnapper end this book on about the same note as it started - sweet, tame and fluffy, kind of like a kitten with its claws removed. Wouldn't recommend to any fan of Stephanie Laurens, as this doesn't read like any of her previous or subsequent books and so you'll likely be disappointed.
July 12, 2022
Hay libros que no envejecen muy bien. Este es un buen ejemplo. Claro que hay que considerar que cuando se publicó, hace unos treinta años, tampoco fue considerado como una gran novela.
¿Qué nos encontramos en este libro? Pues la típica trama de hace unas décadas. Un aristócrata con título, buena presencia o sea muy guapo, con dinero, con fama de mujeriego pues se confunde de persona y termina besando apasionadamente a una desconocida. Que resulta ser una joven dama de unos veinte años.
¿Qué me irrita? Pues que en estos libros los protagonistas suelen hacer lo que les da la gana porque para eso son guapos, tienen dinero y un título. En general son prepotentes y tratan a la gente como si fueran persona de segunda clase. A las mujeres las consideran como objetos que hay que usar y cuando uno se aburre tirar o en el mejor de los casos recompensar por sus servicios. Sus relaciones con la protagonista son de dominio total, puesto que en lo que se fija en el plano físico y no que entre sus rizos exista una mente privilegiada, o al menos una mente con carácter propio. Les atraen las mujeres hermosas, aquellas que tienen muchos admiradores -ellos tienen que ser los que la consigan como si fuera un trofeo- y que saben vestirse y tratar a la alta sociedad con cierto desdén. Tienen que ser alguien que quede bien a su lado, desean una mujer florero. Pero una mujer florero de alta categoría.
Ellas suelen ser modestas hasta que van a la costurera y a la peluquera y les hace un lavado de cara que las deja como Miss Universo. Son muy conscientes de quienes son lo que las hace despreciar en ocasiones a los demás. Su palabra, y sus pensamiento es el que vale. En este caso con unos veinte y tanto años la protagonista se considera muy vieja para casarse. Y lo repite constantemente.
Lo que sucede entre ambos es más de lo mismo: él la ve, la besa, ella no quiere pero luego quiere -nota de que el primer encuentro es un caso que se considera abuso sexual- y bla, bla, bla....
Siempre digo que hay que leer estas novelas románticas antiguas para apreciar lo que se ha alcanzado. Muchas veces nos quejamos de que faltan muchos derechos en el campo de la igual pero hay que considerar que hace unos cuantos años, una década o menos, muchos comportamientos que hoy son completamente inaceptables -por la sociedad y por la ley- eran norma corriente en la literatura romántica. Literatura que consume principalmente el género femenino y que es escrita por el género femenino. Es como tirar piedras sobre nuestro tejado.
Y sobre este libro. Además de tratar temas que nos hacen girar los ojos hacia muestras pobres neuronas para ver si no se han desmayado del susto, es en general un libro bastante aburrido y soso.
¿Recomendable? Solo si se quiere hacer un estudio sociológico de los cambios en las percepciones sociales en los últimos años o si se sufre de un insomnio crónico.
¿Qué nos encontramos en este libro? Pues la típica trama de hace unas décadas. Un aristócrata con título, buena presencia o sea muy guapo, con dinero, con fama de mujeriego pues se confunde de persona y termina besando apasionadamente a una desconocida. Que resulta ser una joven dama de unos veinte años.
¿Qué me irrita? Pues que en estos libros los protagonistas suelen hacer lo que les da la gana porque para eso son guapos, tienen dinero y un título. En general son prepotentes y tratan a la gente como si fueran persona de segunda clase. A las mujeres las consideran como objetos que hay que usar y cuando uno se aburre tirar o en el mejor de los casos recompensar por sus servicios. Sus relaciones con la protagonista son de dominio total, puesto que en lo que se fija en el plano físico y no que entre sus rizos exista una mente privilegiada, o al menos una mente con carácter propio. Les atraen las mujeres hermosas, aquellas que tienen muchos admiradores -ellos tienen que ser los que la consigan como si fuera un trofeo- y que saben vestirse y tratar a la alta sociedad con cierto desdén. Tienen que ser alguien que quede bien a su lado, desean una mujer florero. Pero una mujer florero de alta categoría.
Ellas suelen ser modestas hasta que van a la costurera y a la peluquera y les hace un lavado de cara que las deja como Miss Universo. Son muy conscientes de quienes son lo que las hace despreciar en ocasiones a los demás. Su palabra, y sus pensamiento es el que vale. En este caso con unos veinte y tanto años la protagonista se considera muy vieja para casarse. Y lo repite constantemente.
Lo que sucede entre ambos es más de lo mismo: él la ve, la besa, ella no quiere pero luego quiere -nota de que el primer encuentro es un caso que se considera abuso sexual- y bla, bla, bla....
Siempre digo que hay que leer estas novelas románticas antiguas para apreciar lo que se ha alcanzado. Muchas veces nos quejamos de que faltan muchos derechos en el campo de la igual pero hay que considerar que hace unos cuantos años, una década o menos, muchos comportamientos que hoy son completamente inaceptables -por la sociedad y por la ley- eran norma corriente en la literatura romántica. Literatura que consume principalmente el género femenino y que es escrita por el género femenino. Es como tirar piedras sobre nuestro tejado.
Y sobre este libro. Además de tratar temas que nos hacen girar los ojos hacia muestras pobres neuronas para ver si no se han desmayado del susto, es en general un libro bastante aburrido y soso.
¿Recomendable? Solo si se quiere hacer un estudio sociológico de los cambios en las percepciones sociales en los últimos años o si se sufre de un insomnio crónico.
August 25, 2014
Author: Stephanie Laurens
First published: 1992
Length: 257 pages
Setting: Regency London
Sex: Fade to black.
Heroine: Fairly ordinary older debutante.
Hero: An arrogant Marquis.
Look, it was fine for most of the book - nothing special but I was liking it.
And then it made this turn for the gurgler as Hazelmere started throwing around his weight to preserve her reputation.
The book could not be saved.
It's a 2-star. It's competent. But it isn't particularly good.
Note:
From Laurens' website
References:
Author's website: http://www.stephanielaurens.com/books...
(Read in A Season For Scandal, ISBN 9781741162448)
-CR-
First published: 1992
Length: 257 pages
Setting: Regency London
Sex: Fade to black.
Heroine: Fairly ordinary older debutante.
Hero: An arrogant Marquis.
Look, it was fine for most of the book - nothing special but I was liking it.
And then it made this turn for the gurgler as Hazelmere started throwing around his weight to preserve her reputation.
The book could not be saved.
It's a 2-star. It's competent. But it isn't particularly good.
Note:
From Laurens' website
This work remains under license to Harlequin, and goes in and out of print, or even e-book availability, but is frequently re-published or reissued in various forms, through various avenues, in various markets, at various times. Please note you may come across a publication that combines two or more of the original books, within the same volume, under a different title, or even combines one of Stephanie's books with works of other authors in a combined volume - again often with a different title.
References:
Author's website: http://www.stephanielaurens.com/books...
(Read in A Season For Scandal, ISBN 9781741162448)
-CR-
January 18, 2015
This is a really hard review to write because actually everything that I want to say seems very negative, and yet as a whole I enjoyed the novel.
The characters were okay, but I felt that the constant need to tell us how beautiful Dorothea was became quite tiring. I thought that once Hazelmere met Dorothea his demanding get everything he wants attitude would soften and Dorothea would make him reconsider his demands. NOPE. Right till the end he was exactly the same and I didn't like it.
Plotwise I thought that actually not much happened, it was all about the courtship but I thought this was completely at odds with Hazelmeres personality, he took anything he wanted and made demands but when it came to the supposed love of his life he didn't want to upset the ton. The intrigue of the letters and plot kicked off about halfway through but it wasn't exactly thrilling.
I felt that the writing style became a bit too confusing at times in its attempt to be 'regency' but was generally good.
I know it sounds really negative but actually I didn't mind reading it, and would probably pick up another by Laurens.
The characters were okay, but I felt that the constant need to tell us how beautiful Dorothea was became quite tiring. I thought that once Hazelmere met Dorothea his demanding get everything he wants attitude would soften and Dorothea would make him reconsider his demands. NOPE. Right till the end he was exactly the same and I didn't like it.
Plotwise I thought that actually not much happened, it was all about the courtship but I thought this was completely at odds with Hazelmeres personality, he took anything he wanted and made demands but when it came to the supposed love of his life he didn't want to upset the ton. The intrigue of the letters and plot kicked off about halfway through but it wasn't exactly thrilling.
I felt that the writing style became a bit too confusing at times in its attempt to be 'regency' but was generally good.
I know it sounds really negative but actually I didn't mind reading it, and would probably pick up another by Laurens.
June 17, 2016
3.5 stars rounded up
That book isn't really special. It's rather short, the plot is quite simple and rather uneventful and the characters are a bit cliché (the older country girl convinced of her ugliness and future endless spinsterhood meeting a know-it-all obey-me-immediately rake).
However I really enjoyed reading it. It was a relatively chaste story with only a few kisses here and there, which I found refreshing. Most of the story related the courtship, according to the ton's requirements, and that was also a refreshing change from all the other books in which the leads would never adhere to society's strictures.
That romance was fairly reminiscent of Georgette Heyer's and could sustain the comparison with most, though not Heyer's best.
That book isn't really special. It's rather short, the plot is quite simple and rather uneventful and the characters are a bit cliché (the older country girl convinced of her ugliness and future endless spinsterhood meeting a know-it-all obey-me-immediately rake).
However I really enjoyed reading it. It was a relatively chaste story with only a few kisses here and there, which I found refreshing. Most of the story related the courtship, according to the ton's requirements, and that was also a refreshing change from all the other books in which the leads would never adhere to society's strictures.
That romance was fairly reminiscent of Georgette Heyer's and could sustain the comparison with most, though not Heyer's best.
December 19, 2017
if this was my first Stephanie lauren S boom, I would never have read another. sadly it makes cohesion. The characters are jumping through situations so quickly and without any flow. It leaves a feeling of something more to be desired. Hero is too high handed and heroin is very meek although the author with her words is trying to portray her as different but not successful at all. If I had met the hero in real life,I would not have found any redeemable quality in him. Saving a lady from tricky situation isn't something that any gentleman will not do. It is a normal honorable thing to do but what makes him stand out ? I don't see that.
December 17, 2012
Although the cover touts that this is "the first time in hardback," this book is actually a reprint of a book first published in 1992. Now, I love Stephanie Laurens as much as the next reader of historical romances, but it's obvious that this was one of her very early works, before she polished her signature style she's known for today. I'm not sure, but I'd also guess that this one was once a series romance, as it seems very formulaic. I'd suggest sticking to her Cynster or Bastion Club books for a more enjoyable read.
July 30, 2023
3 stars If you’re looking for sweet and old fashioned then this is the story for you. Traditional characters and the most benign kidnapping I’ve ever come across. Although I like both the H/H, the heroine fell apart at the end. She started out as an independent thinker, happy with her future without a husband then morphed into “does he loooove me” heroine. Several characters hinted that she was not going to fall into his arms easily, yet every time she objected to something he planned, it lasted in her mind for a split second and it was back to “does he loooove me”.
January 17, 2012
I first read this over ten years ago. I recently read another earlier Laurens and did not like it too much because it was not up to todays Laurens. But this one I liked, maybe not as much as the first time but only because Laurens has become such a better writer. This one comes very close to her current books but the heroine is not as strong. The hero is the same Machiavellian protective handsome hero.
January 6, 2012
Usually I don't comment on these types of series so this will be fun!
****
I did not like the characters and how they interacted with each other ... I could only see how controlling the HERO is and how easy the Heroine is BENT TOWARD HIS WILL - NO REAL PLOT EITHER.I also thought there was not depth to the characters and everything was just too predictable. I hope the next book is better.
****
I did not like the characters and how they interacted with each other ... I could only see how controlling the HERO is and how easy the Heroine is BENT TOWARD HIS WILL - NO REAL PLOT EITHER.I also thought there was not depth to the characters and everything was just too predictable. I hope the next book is better.
March 17, 2013
you know that commercial for Wendy's that says "where's the beef?" I guess with this book I really want to know where is the plot! Granted, about halfway through you start getting a hint at something interesting going on but it was barely enough to keep me reading till the end of the novel. Usually I like this author, so I'm kind of disappointed in this particular book.
February 5, 2013
2,5
Epsilon niye bu yazarda bu kadar ısrar ediyor anlamıyorum artık bir seriye başlıyor tutmuyor bırakıyorlar sonra diğer bi serisine başlıyorlar ondanda fayda olmuyor bir diğerine geçiyorlar daha iyiydi bence bu seride pek iş yok yine bakalım sıradaki kitap hangi yeni seriden olacak...
Epsilon niye bu yazarda bu kadar ısrar ediyor anlamıyorum artık bir seriye başlıyor tutmuyor bırakıyorlar sonra diğer bi serisine başlıyorlar ondanda fayda olmuyor bir diğerine geçiyorlar daha iyiydi bence bu seride pek iş yok yine bakalım sıradaki kitap hangi yeni seriden olacak...
February 27, 2016
Typical laurens
Stephanie Laurens is a much loved author for a reason...she keeps us turning the pages of her deliciously naughty and sweet romances in beautiful surroundings. This one is no different.
Stephanie Laurens is a much loved author for a reason...she keeps us turning the pages of her deliciously naughty and sweet romances in beautiful surroundings. This one is no different.
February 18, 2012
Apparently her first, and there were moments that grated (Roger de Clovely?) I rather wonder how she would have written it if she was writing it now, as I know certain aspects would be different.
call-me-maybe
December 21, 2012Ve Epsilon yine yeni bir seriye daha başlar...
June 10, 2015
Very enjoyable, easy read for a cold winter's evening.
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