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Regencies #2

Four In Hand

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The Duke of Twyford is forced to give up his hedonistic lifestyle when he is sworn to protect the four Twinning sisters. But he soon finds himself fighting to guard the oldest sister, Caroline, from the biggest rogue of all -- himself!

286 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

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1118 people want to read

About the author

Stephanie Laurens

206 books5,585 followers
Stephanie 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.

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5 stars
887 (30%)
4 stars
948 (32%)
3 stars
794 (27%)
2 stars
253 (8%)
1 star
55 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
Profile Image for Ruth.
594 reviews72 followers
March 18, 2011
I really struggled to get through this one.

It did have some redeeming features (hence the two stars and not the one star), but on the whole, it wasn't enjoyable.

None of the main characters were remotely sympathetic. In fact, I actually thought they were all quite unpleasant people. The "heroines" were selfish, flirtatious and manipulative. The "heroes" were all apparently rakes, although I didn't see anything much rakish about them, other than having had mistresses, slept around a bit, and wanting to sleep with the "heroines". All the main characters were totally one-dimensional to me and rather trite. For example, of the heroines, you had the Mother-figure, the Flirt, the Schemer and the Innocent one. The heroes all rather melted together for me, into one Tall, Broad Man with Eyebrows.

The plot itself is actually quite a fun one, and it could have worked better as a series of novellas, perhaps, or with one less sister, or a bit more diversity of characters and some more plot twists, but the book doesn't make the most of what it could have been.

There were a couple of things, which, for me personally, were just total killers. First, all the heroines were drop-dead gorgeous. Yes, I know that some HR readers like to read about heroines who are beautiful, so they can live vicariously through them (although I actually have my doubts about how many that actually is, considering the rave reviews for Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake) . However, considering that most of us are actually quite ordinary-looking, and I know it's quite petty of me to care, but it really annoys me when an author takes a group of sisters/heroines/friends and paints them all as totally beautiful with only different shades of hair color, or eye color or height, to tell them apart. As soon as I realized all of them fit this particular mold, it just turned me off and I started to read faster, not because I was really getting into it, but I wanted to get through it.

Another thing that really bothered me was all the constant descriptions of clothing, and even worse, from the heroes' points of view. Sorry, in general, most men would only notice a woman is (a) wearing a dress, (b) whether it's bright, and (c) whether you can see her tits and her butt through it. I know this is a contemporary way of putting it, but I struggle to believe that evolution has changed things that much over the last two centuries.

And finally, my biggest gripe, is that I have no idea why each of the heroes, or each of the heroines, fell in love. I mean, the eldest sister, Caroline, is supposed to be the "main" heroine, but you get no understanding of why the hero wants her, and is willing to marry her, other than she's got a killer rack. Loads of woman are generously-endowed, why did he pick this one? Don't know. Don't really care. And this was the case for all of the couples. As a result, I was left feeling rather sad. All the romances seemed predicated on the heroes wanting to have sex with their chosen heroine, and realizing the only way this would happen was through marriage. That doesn't leave me with any confidence of a HEA for any of them, to be honest, beyond procreating the Heir and the Spare.

2 stars, and I'm probably being on the generous side.
Profile Image for fleurette.
1,534 reviews161 followers
August 15, 2019
This is a good book but not an amazing one. One of those that you will find nice to read but you won’t remember in two weeks. There are some better books by Stephanie Laurens out there.

As usual with Stephanie Laurens, we are dealing with very well outlined and interesting characters. And we're talking about four pairs here! And in a fairly short book! The main pair is Caroline and Max. In my opinion, the least interesting of all couples. Sarah and Darcy as well as Arabella and Hugo are much more remarkable. I would like to see Arabella and Hugo as the main one. Unfortunately, they are definitely on the margins of the whole story. It is a pity.

I am not entirely convinced about the motives that guide Max from the very beginning. As soon as he meets Caroline, he decides to seduce her. And without fail implements his plan. For what purpose? To make her his lover? It doesn't really suit the romance hero. This is a bit strange and vague.

Anyway, the story is okay, could be better.
Profile Image for Olga.
1,121 reviews162 followers
May 29, 2017
Horroroso, un completo desatino . Le doy una estrella porque no se puede poner negativos...

No sé qué pensaba la escritora para hacer este libro pero es horroroso ... 4 libertinos que de repente conocer el amor por 4 hermanas virginales pero que saben demasiado de cómo controlar y conquistar a los hombres. No he encontrado mi pues no cabeza a casa una de las historias . Parecía un querer y no poder.. creo que no le doy más oportunidades a esta autora!
Profile Image for Darbella.
635 reviews
March 8, 2022
Caroline and Max, Sarah and Darcy, Arabella and Hugo, and Lizzie and Martin. I devoured this in one sitting. Finally, a romance book centered on romance. This was a delightful, fun read to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Susan.
153 reviews15 followers
January 15, 2015
I loved the premise and the light hearted fun tone to the story. I even liked the heroine and her sisters despite their perfection and beauty. It was amusing to consider the horror that went through Max when he realized he was guardian to all four. Also, the writing was good and professional and the plot moved along briskly.

But the story did not deliver on its promise. I just could not get past the fact that Max and Darcy were intent on sleeping with virginal debutantes and had no shame in doing so. Yes, they did get swayed to marriage in the end but not for wont of trying first. It just seemed ludicrous to me that men of standing in the ton actually would think of setting up debutantes from good family as their mistresses with no thought to scandal. And Max was a terrible guardian. Despite some statements about needing to protect the three younger sisters (forget Caro), Max seemed more than happy to allow his friends to debauch the the girls and actually seemed to have more sympathy with the men instead. Capping it off, I really didn't like the ending and how Max basically set up Caro's abduction and seduction so that HAD she wanted to not sleep with him or even turn down his proposal, she would have been thoroughly compromised anyway. Not cool. Basically, I guess I'm saying that Max was not a great hero.

Beyond that, I just felt like no one actually fell in love in this story. It was all lust and wanting. In fact, no one's HEA included a declaration of being in love, or even the thought of it. Yet despite all that lust, there were no satisfying sex scenes, just vague allusions and after the fact summaries. Disappointing. At least give me the hot sex if there is going to be no love!!
Profile Image for Melis.
514 reviews
June 17, 2019
Linda Howard'ın Stephanie abla için dediği "Kitabı elime almam için Laurens'ın adını kapakta görmem yetiyor." sözleri benim içinde geçerli. Ne kadar kötüde, vasatta olsa ben beğeniyorum Laurens ablayı. Ama okuduklarımın hepsi iyiydi bence. Vasat kitabı bile bana harika geliyor. Böylesine nasıl bağladı beni kendine bilmiyorum ama onun kalemine bayılıyorum. Ve bu kitabında da bu bozulmadı. Hatta en sevdiğim kitaplarından biri oldu. Çünkü bu kitabında bir çifti değil tam dört çifti anlatıyor Laurens abla. Evet 300 gibi kısacık sayfada bir sürü şey sığdırabilmiş. Okurken gülmekten duramadım. Her yeni sayfaya geçişim de meraktan çatlayacaktım resmen :)) Kitaptaki her karaktere bayıldım. Kızlarımızın hepsi birbirinden güzel ve akıllıydı. Erkekler ise zamparanın önde gideniydi ama bu onların aşklarına engel olmadı. Okursanız beğeneceğinize eminim, bence bir şans verip okuyun derim.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
304 reviews2 followers
June 7, 2018
Interesting premise and the aunt was amusing. Lots of [wasted] potential.

I was seriously creeped out by the men, especially Max. These four men wanted to seduce these four young women. So great, the men get a good time - yay for them. Meanwhile, comprised women were thrown out of society, unable to marry or have a family, and were completely ruined to the point that some became prostitutes. I kept picturing the other poor women who had fallen victim to these four men previously and had their lives ruined. But, hey, it's all good now that they've found the right women. Barf.

So the heroes are not properly heroic. The heroines are excessively beautiful, are amused a lot, and apparently have freakishly small hands and feet.



This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tuba Özkat.
Author 72 books208 followers
March 28, 2016
3 ve 4 arasında gidip geldim. Puanı 3.5. Aslında kitap güzeldi, ama bir yandan da klasik historical havası yoktu. Yani 4 kız kardeş ve onları çok beğenen 4 zampara vardı ve içlerinden biri de kızların vasisi olması gereken genç Dük'tü. Ama olay sadece büyük kız kardeş ve dük arasında değildi, dört kızın ve adamların düşüncelerini de gördük, bu bir yandan eğlenceli ve güzeldi, ama bir yandan da o historical'ın karaktere özel tadını veremedi. Yeterince içine almadı kitap, okuyucuyu biraz dışarıda bırakıyordu. Ama bütün bunlara rağmen kendini hızla okuttu. Çünkü güzeldi, sadece iki ana karakter seçip onlara odaklanmasını isterdim sanki :)
Profile Image for Suzanne.
363 reviews54 followers
January 9, 2014
Four charming rakes and four strong-willed 'rake-magnets' conduct a perilous battle of the wills throughout a series of London ballrooms, on terraces, in ante-rooms and opera boxes, within gazebos, as well as the shrubberies. A light, humorous, and escapade-filled regency!

The narrator, Ashford MacNab captured the humor and sexiness of Laurens' novel, and did a great job with the male and female voices.
Profile Image for Stasha.
676 reviews22 followers
February 1, 2009
Not bad, Stephanie does well with the multiple character story lines. She did have Four in Hand on this one. I expected at least one pun regarding a carriage but although the main character has four unusual wards, a light touch on their reins, he only drove with matched pairs.
Profile Image for Jeanna.
52 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2012
I'm just thankful it's over. This book took an inordinately long time to read when so very little happened. None of the characters were relatable nor were they interesting in any way. The end, however, was amusing. Too bad it took so long to get there.
Profile Image for katnick.
93 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2020
I've really enjoyed books by this author before, but all I have to say about this one is: attraction is not consent. Rape is not romance.
Profile Image for Maureen.
1,009 reviews
August 9, 2025
Books I Own. Mad About Series HRBC Challenge 2025. Tropes: Regency Romance, Matchmaker, RomCom, Heiress.* (Second book Stephanie Laurens wrote)*
*MC's* h. Caroline Twinning 26,and three sisters, Arabella,20 Sarah,19 and Lizzie,18. Parents have passed away. Guardian Duke of Twyford. The three sisters are all beautiful and when they walk into a room everyone stops and looks in admiration and awe. They also have large dowries.
*H. *Max Rotherbridge, Duke of Twyford, 34, newly a Duke aka Viscount Delmere, a known rakehell and a very wealthy gentleman.

Max Rotherbridge,34, Twyford, aka Viscount Delmere, not only inherited the Dukedom but three wards, Arabella, 20, Sarah, 19 and Lizzie, 18, with an older sister, Caroline, 26, (not actually his ward but is pretending to be). The sister's were possibly the most beautiful and striking women he had ever seen. They were also heiresses with large dowries. He was going to have his hands full, so he asked his favorite aunt, Lady Benborough to be their chaperone. He was in over his head being a known rakehell but also responsible to keep fortune hunters and rakehells away. He also had to keep matchmaking mama's away from him too. This is a funny romcom sharing the sister's antiques to manipulate men and their guardian to get their own way. Max wants to seduce Caroline and is planning how to do that while being a proper guardian to the three sisters. It is an enjoyable read watching all 4 ladies get their men. I rated this 3.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Abi Mallett.
274 reviews28 followers
September 8, 2021
Really not the best of Lauren's work. There isn't a problem with the writing, it's the characters and plot to a degree. The 'heroes', and I call them that very loosely, are just the worst. Four rakes who have clearly never understood the term "no". The heroines were not much better. Preached one thing, did another. I dont understand why any of the couples, yes there are four, fell in love. The ending wrapped up very quickly and conveniently and I cannot help but feel that their futures will not be a happy one. Ironically I was more intrigued by the side character and her love story.
Profile Image for Yumru.
139 reviews15 followers
March 27, 2018
Sıkıldım yahu bu yazarı severim ama bu hikaye olmamış 😐
Profile Image for Cruth.
1,656 reviews146 followers
June 15, 2014
Author: Stephanie Laurens
First published: 1993
Length: 282 pages
Setting: Regency London
Sex: Frequent interludes with closed door almost-conquests. Basically clean.

A romance in the vein of Austen or Heyer with the romances of 4 sisters weaving through the story.

My biggest annoyance is Max. Really, he's not a very good guardian - let's his wards be compromised by his friends because he feels sorry about them and determines to make Caroline his mistress from the outset.

But overall it's an easy story. Written at that time in the genre history when readers didn't want bodice rippers and subservient women but weren't quite ready for the highly explicit sex scenes of today. It fills a nice, comfortable niche for a fun read.

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...

(ISBN 978-1-4268-2846-1)

-CR-
Profile Image for Ne.
600 reviews62 followers
September 14, 2016
4 em 1 acaba sempre por perder um pouco da magia.
5 reviews
February 22, 2011
This book is a pure joy to read. By the third sentence, I am smiling and by the third chapter I am laughing. By the time I closed the book, I sat sighing with a wide smile and dreamy eyes. Shrug, corny I suppose.
Having said that, let's clear the air - I am no regency expert.
The heroes are stuff of dreams (I am mostly a romance HEA reader). Wicked men that are ready to be caught but doesn't know it yet and boy you would love watching them when they fall and doesn't know it or doesn't know what to do. It is a delight watching their valiant effort to hold on to their bachelor state.
Enter the Twinning sisters, four lovelies with marriage in mind as they stepped London for the Season. They are heroines you would want to have tea with, to share confidences with and to sheme with. And boy when they put their heads together, the stuff they do - delicately balancing society's dictates - are adventures you wish to be a part of.
A book of the wicked delights of courtship dance that would make you laugh, swoon, laugh some more, and transport you into a place worth visiting again and again.
I love it!
Profile Image for Maria.
2,376 reviews50 followers
October 5, 2014
Although the storyline of a rake finding himself saddled with four wards to fire off during the season should have been entertaining, much of the fun was lost by the portrayal of eight characters with twentieth century morals dumped into a nineteenth century setting. It was almost gruesome to suffer through the four young ladies having to deal with the importunities of the type of males that those of us dating after 1960 know only too well. One of the delights of Regency romances is not having to put up with men who are all over a lady with the least provocation, so I found this book jarring to say the least. I had hoped Ms. Laurens earlier books would be better than the ones I have read recently where over a third of the books are sex scenes, but in this I was disappointed. Even without the overabundance of sex scenes, it still was not that great a read.
Profile Image for Sandra R.
3,345 reviews46 followers
October 23, 2020
While this historical romance was beautifully written, I didn't like it much and didn't get past the half way mark. It was the story of 4 sisters and unfortunately there were 4 romances. Two in a book I can handle, but 4? The author kept changing from one to another with lightning speed - just as I was getting interested in one couple, she changed to another. Plus there were many points of view, including other characters. Sigh.
Profile Image for Carrie.
1,013 reviews25 followers
September 20, 2017
Book read a little too much like a Cartland novel for me, too many rakes and longing and lusting. I didn't feel any chemistry, just cock-tease heroines and cocksure heroes. To me at least it felt like the heroes were mostly proposing marriage as a last ditch attempt to get under their dresses. And I feel highly doubtful all of them would be faithful husbands. Maybe Max and his brother.
Profile Image for France.
173 reviews46 followers
May 9, 2018
I really liked this book.
Profile Image for Nanna.
1,213 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2020
This story was included in a book by Stephanie Laurens called Four in Hand. It was a bonus book.
I loved both of these stories, the are very different , Four in Hand is about a rogue who has just become a Duke.
He is still sorting thru what the last duke left him and the biggest surprise is he is now the guardian of four lovely young ladies ! It is a wonderful story, with twist and turns lots of humor and trail and error in finding everyone happy ever after..... Do give it a try.

The Dissolute Duke is the best love over all book I have read this year. Taylen Ellesmere, the Duke of Altlerworth
he is known as The Dissolute Duke. His disregard of all manners pretending to society rules.
Lady Lucinda Wellingham it talked into going to the wildest party of the season by a friend. When she finds out
what kind of event it is she tries to escape some of the "Gentleman " who are chasing her and picks the Duke's bedroom to hid in. One problem Taylen is in his room, nude in bed reading ....
This story is about loss of childhood, evil in people over those smaller, how others can change a live for better or worst. This is a story for the ages and I loved reading it.... there is evil, sadness, hurt and great joy and love.
I have owned this book for awhile and just never picked it up.... am sorry I waited so long.
I hope you will give it a try... This is my first story by Sophia James and the last in a series. I will be reading more of her's for sure....
Profile Image for Blondie.
267 reviews30 followers
May 17, 2019
I enjoyed this book but the narrator made it much better for me.

The Heros of this book are my favorite kind of heros. They are all responsible handsome men. Of course they all need convinced to be brought to the the alter but that's ok. However, they all knew the ladies wanted husbands and families of their own but they were willing to compromise them and try to convince them to become Mistresses instead which I thought went against them. The ladies were all beautiful but they were nice to the other ladies and none acted like they were better than the other ladies so I liked them all. All and all I enjoyed listening to this book.

Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,579 reviews9 followers
April 17, 2021
This book was so cute; it gave me the giggles. Max inherits a dukedom after his uncle and cousins die. Along with all of the responsibilities that go along with being a duke he also inherits four wards; beautiful sisters. When he meets the oldest he is immediately smitten and then he meets the other three and realizes that he will have his hands full. The oldest, Caroline, falls for Max and the other three fall for rakes as well. This book follows the love stories of all four Twinning sisters as they each get their happily ever after, with a few shenanigans thrown in. This was thoroughly enjoyable and I cannot wait to read the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews

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