The Stanislaski Brothers: Mikhail and Alex

The Stanislaskis #2,4

by Nora Roberts

Roberts delivers a special collection with two complete novels about the tempestuous and tantalizing Stanislaski brothers. Mikhail's rare talents attract a wealthy and classy beauty in Luring a Lady. In Convincing Alex, Alex mistakenly arrests a headstrong woman who decides the sexy detective is perfect for her research on cops. Satellite media tour.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Adult, Anthologies

435 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

Reviews

[DemetraP · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first story with Mikhail, the contractor/wood artist, and the heroine who was trying to run her grandfather's real estate company.

I did not like the heroine in book 2. She was a soap opera writer and seemed too stupid to live. "I'm going to go undercover as a street prostitute to get ideas for my writing. At the same time a serial killer is targeting hookers!" Moron.

[jenjn79 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes books #2 & #4 of the Stanislaski series.

Luring A Lady, Mikhail's story, is another favorite of mine. It's sweet and sexy all at the same time. I LOVE the character of Mikhail. He's an understated Alpha with a big & burly side and a passionate artistic side, but underneath it all, he's got a huge heart. Between that, the long hair, and the accent, he just makes me sigh.

The romance has a bit of an opposites attract feel to it. Mikhail is a rough & tumble, hard working Ukranian, and Sydney is a prissy blue-blood who comes off a bit icy in the beginning. But the pairing works well, more so as the story progresses. I ended up really liking them together. And it's great to read how Sydney grows and changes throughout the book. I love the part where she changes a baby for the first time.

All the other Stanislaskis make a guest appearance in various parts of the book. And those scenes just make me love the family more. You just get a real sense of their closeness and loyalty. It's nice to read.

Alex's story, Convincing Alex, is probably my least favorite of the 6 Stanislaski books. Not that I hated it, or even that I disliked it. Something about the book just didn't sit right with me; it didn't tug at my heartstrings the way the other books in the series did.

Part of that may be the character of Bess. Half the time she amused me, and the other half I didn't particularly like her. Bess's picture could be in the dictionary next to the work "flaky" because that's essentially what she is. It's amusing sometimes in the way she dressed or talked or her enthusiasm about certain things. But at other times, like when she's driving recklessly and thinks it's funny or when she pretends to be a prostitute to do research without even considering the danger, she comes off as slightly TSTL.

Honestly, I would have liked someone different for Alex. I just wasn't quite feeling their relationship. But I didn't hate the story. It's got it's good and bad points. I like that there was a meatier side-plot (the hooker murders) and that they other Stanislaskis made appearances. But the romance was so-so and I wish there had been a little more focus on Alex's Ukranian roots. It's one of the building blocks of the series, but that aspect felt almost non-existent in his story, which disappointed me.

So in the end I'd give Luring A Lady 5 stars and Convincing Alex 3 maybe 3.5 stars. A 4 overall for the book.

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luring a lady is a tale of love that brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘opposites attract’. It starts of with a rocky start with the relationship between Mikhail and Sydney, it ends with Mikhail madly in love with her and Sydney realising that her past failed marriage doesn’t have to be the reason that stops her from moving on with Mikhail. Throughout the novel you can see that Mikhail is trying to push Sydney to acknowledge how she really feels towards him. When Sydney’s mother says, “A smart woman will always wait for the right man.” It gives some insight to the way that she behaves, when she constantly rejects Channing’s advances it gives the impression that deep down she knows that he isn’t the right person for her and that she also knew who the right person for her was.
Nora Roberts had shown how people from different backgrounds can fit together more than people from the same backgrounds do. She has also continued to make this series even more captivating to read with this second instalment.

Convincing Alex is the fourth instalment in this series. The story between Alex and Bess starts off in a unique way what with Alex arresting Bess and then forming a relationship after she was released. Bess’ past relationships including her four engagement shows how easily she forms relationships with people and also shows how easy going she is. Her whole persona is one that makes most people like her just by having some form of conversation with her. At the end of the novel the relationship between Bess and Alex hits a bump when she is visited by someone from her past coming to give her good news and he takes it the wrong way but once they both come to their senses they end up engaged and back to being happy with their relationship.
Nora Roberts has yet again given us another compelling relationship between two different types of people and yet still manages to make it just as captivating.

[Hacinta Bautista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was trying to see if had read this before but I don’t remember very well. I love Nora Roberts. She always gives me a fix of HEA. I have mixed feelings about this. These are the only two I’ve read from the series.

Luring a Lady, is my absolute favorite of the two. It was such a sweet story and ugh *sigh* I LOVED Mikhail. He was so passionate. It was great. Definitely recommend. It was easy to stay and finish reading it. I’m typically a fast reader but I didn’t want this one to end.

Convincing Alex, this one was okay. It took me so long to get into this book and I don’t know if it was too slow for me. I struggled a bunch for the first few chapters but I did finish it. It was nice. If not a little frustrating with the way Bess was portrayed. She was written to be slightly ditzy when she had potential. It could have been the way Alex saw her but something about that bothered me. It was a great ending but did take some time to get into the story line.

[Playground of Randomness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Nora Roberts' books especially when stories from the same universe or timeline are packaged together.
The Stanislaski Brothers follow the two men in the Stanislaski family. I remember reading Taming Natasha long ago and while I do not remember much of the book, I do remember that I enjoyed it immensely.
This book was no different.
I loved getting another look at the Stanislaskis. This family is colorful like all of Nora Roberts' families however each and every individual has their own personality which is fleshed out fully in each novel.
The Stanislaski Brothers is incredibly well-written with clear chemistry between both pairings. The plot is pretty predictable but I am reading these books for comfort and not mind-boggling plot twists.
If you are looking for a romance read, I always suggest Nora Roberts because her style of writing is like that of a friend reciting a story.
Just maybe, give the entire series a try for this kooky family

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro tiene dos historias, de Mikhail y de Alexi Stanislaski.
Mikhail es un artista que además sabe de construcción y conoce a Sydney, quien heredó de su abuelo la empresa dueña del edificio donde vive. La remodelación de este los acercará y el amor surgirá.
Alexi es un policía de NY que en una redada conoce a Bess, una escritora de telenovelas que está en las calles haciendo inteligencia para su guión. Un asesino en serie acecha las calles, mientras ellos descubren lo que sienten el uno por el otro.

[Valeska Kiloh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy a little light reading in among the more heavy stuff!!

[Tavielle Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

[Brenda Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora Roberts NEVER fails, this is a very good read and very caring family for you get involved with.

[Julie Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Nora Roberts characters. Really enjoyed getting to know this family.

[Shannon Roth · Rating 3 out of 5]

These were adorable stories -- like a Lifetime movie in book form, or a Hallmark movie with actual sex. They were written in the early 90's, so a bit dated, but it didn't detract one bit

[Carol Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the 3 strong brothers who found love

[Julie Vettraino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series great read.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I liked Mikhail better than Alex, but it was still a good story.

[Connie Glasgow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these "coming to America" and making it with hard work and a great family.

Fun characters!

[Lisa Macdonald]

Very classy romance writer - this book was a breath of fresh air! Nothing smutty or cheap about the characters or the plot. I was entertained and will read more.

[Jen Stanislawski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't realize it was 2 stories in 1 book. But it was good. Kept my attention. Found it in an old box of books. I'm glad i decided to give it a try.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stanislaski Brothers: Mikhail and Alex by Nora Roberts – These boys are trouble, so they need some tough ladies to keep them in line! Happy Reading!

[Megan Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread for the summer. Always fun to do Nora’s character studies!

[Jean Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reread for me! It came in a gift basket so I reread it. I liked the series so it wasn’t a hardship. Of you haven’t read the series it’s a great beach or weekend read.

[Sonja Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

[Bella Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Το βιβλίο φέρνει δύο ξεχωριστές ιστορίες αγάπης. Στην πρώτη ιστορία, η Ρέιτσελ, μια πανέμορφη μπαλαρίνα, γνωρίζει τον Ζακ, έναν γοητευτικό άντρα που την πολιορκεί επίμονα. Η Ρέιτσελ, πληγωμένη από το παρελθόν, διστάζει να αφεθεί στον έρωτα, αλλά ο Ζακ είναι αποφασισμένος να την κερδίσει. Στη δεύτερη νουβέλα, ο Άλεξ, ο κυνικός αδερφός της Ρέιτσελ, ένας σκληρός δικηγόρος, έρχεται αντιμέτωπος με την Πόρτια, μια δασκάλα που τον γοητεύει και τον κάνει να αμφισβητήσει τον τρόπο ζωής του. Η Πόρτια, γεμάτη ζωντάνια και καλοσύνη, τον πείθει (convincing Alex) να δει τη ζωή αλλιώς.
Το βιβλίο ασχολείται με τη δύναμη της αγάπης, τη σημασία της οικογένειας και τη δυνατότητα για δεύτερες ευκαιρίες. Η συγγραφέας αναδεικνύει το πώς η αγάπη μπορεί να αλλάξει τους ανθρώπους προς το καλύτερο και να θεραπεύσει πληγές του παρελθόντος. Είναι μια καλή κουβέντα για το πώς η δέσμευση και η εμπιστοσύνη είναι απαραίτητα συστατικά μιας σχέσης.
Η γραφή είναι άμεση, με ρυθμό, χαρακτηριστικό της Νόρα Ρόμπερτς. Η γλώσσα ρέει φυσικά, κάνοντας την ανάγνωση γρήγορη και ευχάριστη. Το ύφος είναι αισθηματικό, με έμφαση στα συναισθήματα και τις ρομαντικές στιγμές, χωρίς να είναι υπερβολικά μελοδραματικό.
Οι χαρακτήρες είναι καλά δομημένοι και συμπαθείς. Η Ρέιτσελ και ο Ζακ, ο Άλεξ και η Πόρτια, είναι ζευγάρια με χημεία και οι ιστορίες τους είναι ενδιαφέρουσες. Η οικογένεια Στανισλάσκι προσθέτει μια αίσθηση συνέχειας και θαλπωρής.
Συνολικά, μιλάμε για ένα πολύ καλό βιβλίο στο είδος του, που αξίζει τα 4 αστέρια. Η αξία του έργου είναι αναμφισβήτητη για τους λάτρεις της αισθηματικής λογοτεχνίας. Η Νόρα Ρόμπερτς, μια από τις πιο επιτυχημένες συγγραφείς του είδους, καταφέρνει να χτίσει δύο συναρπαστικές ιστορίες αγάπης, γεμάτες πάθος και συναισθήματα. Η αφήγηση δεν μένει στην επιφάνεια, αλλά εμβαθύνει στην ψυχοσύνθεση των ηρώων, στις ενοχές και τα διλήμματά τους, προσφέροντας μια ικανοποιητική εμπειρία ανάγνωσης. Η ιστορία της Ρέιτσελ και του Ζακ είναι γοητευτική, ενώ η ιστορία του Άλεξ και της Πόρτια προσφέρει μια καλή δόση χιούμορ και αντιπαραθέσεων. Το βιβλίο προσφέρει μια καλή δόση δράματος, πάθους και ηθικών διλημμάτων, υπενθυμίζοντάς μας ότι η αγάπη μπορεί να βρεθεί στα πιο απροσδόκητα μέρη. Η συγγραφέας δείχνει ότι η ζωή μπορεί να κρύβει εκπλήξεις και ότι η ευτυχία απαιτεί θάρρος και ειλικρίνεια. Παρά το γεγονός ότι η δομή είναι μάλλον τυποποιημένη για το είδος, η αφήγηση είναι καλογραμμένη και διασκεδαστική, κάτι που δικαιολογεί τη βαθμολογία. Είναι ένα ακόμα κομμάτι στο παζλ των Στανισλάσκι, που μας μαθαίνει τη σημασία της συμφιλίωσης με τον εαυτό μας και τους άλλους.
Διαβάστε το αν θέλετε να πιστέψετε ξανά στον έρωτα.
Αισθηματικό, ρομαντικό, διασκεδαστικό.

[Book Reading Gals · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW: This is one of my all time favorite series by Nora. For those of you that know my oldest sons name you are probably going that is where she got the name, and you would be correct.

Mikhail is man that lives very simply. He knows what is right and what is wrong. He knows that Sydney isn't taking care of her tenants, and she needs to fix this. He thinks that she is an ice queen, and doesn't look past his apperance.

Sydney looks at Mikhail and sees what she thinks is a construction worker, and a bossy one at that. The one thing that she really doesn't like is the way that he makes her feel.

I loved how these two come together, I loved watching them fall in love and discover who they were together, and especially in Sydney's case who she was on her own.

Alex is a man rooted in rules and regulation, if you look like a hooker, act like a hooker, and are standing by hookers then you are a hooker. He is a NYC cop, and loves what he does. Love is sacred, love is permanent, love has power. When he meets Bess he has no clue what to think.

Bess writes for a soap opera and firmly believes in first hand knowledge of what she is putting her characters through, so she dresses up like a hooker, acts like a hooker and goes to where hookers get their clients, and then goes to jail. For her it is all part of the experience. So when she comes up against straight arrow Alex she goes after him.

Once again Nora gives us a couple that you love to read. As you watch these two people from completely opposite worlds come together and try and make something you can't help but laugh with them and fall just a little bit in love with them.

I will admit that of the two brothers Mikhail is my favorite (why would I name my son after, him shh don't tell Mike he thinks he is named after him, if he wasn't) of the whole family.

I give this book a 5 out of 5

Review by: Heather
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

[Eden Mengistu · Rating 4 out of 5]

i mean no one writes family like Nora Roberts.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020
Mikhail and Alexi are both incredibly likable (for the most part) main characters. I like that they both find the women that they are meant for and (mostly) accept that as part of their fate or destiny. I wish that they would have been a little bit more open in the beginning of the relationships, but I suppose the drama of it was a bit fun, as well. And the women, of course, were both women that I wanted to be best friends with. Sydney doesn't take flak from anyone. She is a very strong, empowered woman. And pretty kick ass as a female boss. I like that she is in a position of power and not like an underling or something. I like that she can run a company, tries to be the best landlord she can be, without having to defer to a man for help. And Bess is the most likable girl you could ever meet. She can make friends with anybody. She had Alexi's boss at the precinct eating out of her hands. She is just so interested in everybody and instantly makes them feel like the center of the universe.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable! Loved these two stories. Of course, I didn't realize that this was number 2 and number 4 in the series, so it kind of gave some stuff away. But that's okay. I loved Mikhail and Alexi. Mikhail had such a temperament about him but he cared so much about everyone in his building it was hard to not like him. Alexi was one of those characters that I liked but I wanted to throttle him when he made stupid mistakes!! I can't wait to read the individual stories of the Stanislaski sisters. I sort of had some flashes of them, but I want to be able to read their stories from beginning to the end.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The men in the Stanislaski family are more like working with unsanded wood than the polished male characters Ms. Roberts usually provides, and I found it delightful. Both Mik and Alex tumble into love unexpectedly and don't know what to do about it. Sydney is wonderful, finding her feet for the first time in her life, expanding her strengths as she figures out what she wants and how to fight for it. Bess, too, is a great character. The world of soaps comes alive, and Ms. Roberts nails the way viewers get into the lives of fictional characters, which is always amusing. Fun re-reads.

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the series (actually the final) Jane got me started in. God bless good friends who pass down their books to you. And then forgive you when your new puppy shreds one to bits!!
All in all it was exactly what I expect in a Nora Roberts book. But as Margaret always says, "I've read Nora for so many years, I could write Nora." Having read all four books in the series I'm ready for something new and not so predictable.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luring A Lady:I loved this one. I loved Mikhail's character. I wasn't so sure on Sydney at first, but throughout the book I grew to love her, and I was rooting for the characters and a happy relationship! I even skimmed through the other books hoping to get any updates on them.

Convincing Alex:I thought it was good. He didn't pique my interest as much as Mikhail. I liked Bess' character though. She was determined and she seemed to balance out Alexi's character.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another classic Nora Roberts book. Interesting characters, romantic fantasy, same love story.....meet, fall in love, break-up due to a misunderstanding, get back together. I like the brothers in this book, their family ties, and the stories that accompanied the love story. A good escape.