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Cynster #9.5
Lost and Found
A Novella from Hero, Come Back
A resourceful beauty's determination to locate the true father of a poor foundling sets off a society scandal—and ignites a fire in handsome Reggie Carmarthen's world-weary, aristocratic heart.
A resourceful beauty's determination to locate the true father of a poor foundling sets off a society scandal—and ignites a fire in handsome Reggie Carmarthen's world-weary, aristocratic heart.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2005
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
218 books5,636 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 28, 2012
I have always wanted to know what happened to Reggie, so I was very happy to find this little short story of his.
Now even though I was expecting a short story I was disappointed to find that it felt rushed and the character development, tension and passion just wasn't there for me. I am a huge fan of the Cynster series and I would recommend them for anyone who likes regency romance but please start with Devils Bride (the first book) and not a book like this that just doesn't get across how good a writer this author is.
Now even though I was expecting a short story I was disappointed to find that it felt rushed and the character development, tension and passion just wasn't there for me. I am a huge fan of the Cynster series and I would recommend them for anyone who likes regency romance but please start with Devils Bride (the first book) and not a book like this that just doesn't get across how good a writer this author is.
Want to Read
January 6, 2014This is the story of Anne Ashford, (sister of Luc (Amelia's husband), Portia (Simon's wife), and Penelope (Barnaby's wife), and cousin to Martin (Amanda's husband)) and Reggie Carmarthen (friend of Amelia and Amanda). I liked Reggie in the twins' books, so might be interesting to check this one out. However, at $2.99 for the Kindle version of this novella, I think I'm just going to keep my eye out for a used paperback of the anthology it originally came from, Hero, Come Back. Bonus because it has a story by another author I read in it :)
Ok I did buy it for Kindle, last year, and never fixed this :o
Ok I did buy it for Kindle, last year, and never fixed this :o
October 11, 2015
A little treasure. Quick enjoyable read.
January 20, 2021
This was below average for me. The characters kind of felt like shells, and the plot was sort of cookie cutter and I'm not sure I even buy their romance. They were just suddenly deeply in love, and it seemed 80% based on attraction.
March 2, 2022
Lost and Found: A Novella from Hero, Come Back is wonderful, light, humorous and just delightful.
Lost and Found by Stephanie Laurens: 5-Stars
Miss Anne Ashford, a reclusive beauty that generally shuns the ton parties and balls, is a woman on a mission. She has recognized the familial features in a foundling and is determined that his family take their proper notice of him. Reggie Carmarthen, a dear friend and confident of the Cynster twins, Amanda and Amelia, now finds himself the target of all the matchmaking mammas in the ton and is determined that he make his choice rather than having it made for him. When he finds Anne in an animated conversation with a gentleman, he is curious. He finds himself caught up in her mission to see Benjy reunited with his family and his mission to find himself united with Anne in marriage.
Lost and Found by Stephanie Laurens: 5-Stars
Miss Anne Ashford, a reclusive beauty that generally shuns the ton parties and balls, is a woman on a mission. She has recognized the familial features in a foundling and is determined that his family take their proper notice of him. Reggie Carmarthen, a dear friend and confident of the Cynster twins, Amanda and Amelia, now finds himself the target of all the matchmaking mammas in the ton and is determined that he make his choice rather than having it made for him. When he finds Anne in an animated conversation with a gentleman, he is curious. He finds himself caught up in her mission to see Benjy reunited with his family and his mission to find himself united with Anne in marriage.
February 12, 2026
This was originally published in 2005 and found in the novella collection Hero, Come Back. (This is one of my favorite novella anthologies, primarily because it includes The Matchmaker's Bargain, by Elizabeth Boyle, which we have also featured on the podcast.)
This "Cynster" novella (is it really a Cynster book if no Cynsters OR HONORARY CYNSTERS make an appearance?) is 3 chapters' worth of Stephanie Laurens trying to make us care about a secondary character so boring we could barely remember who he was ... and we read two books featuring him pretty heavily last summer.
It's Reggie Carmarthen, if that means anything to you. (It probably shouldn't.) (He's Amelia and Amanda's best friend who was so sexually unthreatening that their parents let him escort them home - alone! - in a carriage, the hookup spot of the 19th Century, without a chaperone.)
He sees Anne Ashford, family friend, accosting a member of the ton along with a foundling child. Said child looks exactly like the Caverlocks, an aristocratic family that "breeds true." So obviously, Anne knows he is a by-blow of one of the Caverlock men. She needs to get them to adopt him, or at least pay for his care. Reggie doesn't disagree, but thinks she's going about things the wrong way. Luckily, his main character trait seems to be knowing how to do things the right way, so he can guide her with his superior tonnish knowledge.
They also get caught in the rain and have to take shelter at an inn where they pretend to be man and wife, so it's not all bad.
This is not a very good novella, and yet we both had a ton of fun with it. If you need a Cynster fix, try out Lost and Found for 75 pages of it.
9-Word Summaries:
Laine: How long can a book with no plot be?
Meg: Who needs foster care when you have the aristocracy?
This "Cynster" novella (is it really a Cynster book if no Cynsters OR HONORARY CYNSTERS make an appearance?) is 3 chapters' worth of Stephanie Laurens trying to make us care about a secondary character so boring we could barely remember who he was ... and we read two books featuring him pretty heavily last summer.
It's Reggie Carmarthen, if that means anything to you. (It probably shouldn't.) (He's Amelia and Amanda's best friend who was so sexually unthreatening that their parents let him escort them home - alone! - in a carriage, the hookup spot of the 19th Century, without a chaperone.)
He sees Anne Ashford, family friend, accosting a member of the ton along with a foundling child. Said child looks exactly like the Caverlocks, an aristocratic family that "breeds true." So obviously, Anne knows he is a by-blow of one of the Caverlock men. She needs to get them to adopt him, or at least pay for his care. Reggie doesn't disagree, but thinks she's going about things the wrong way. Luckily, his main character trait seems to be knowing how to do things the right way, so he can guide her with his superior tonnish knowledge.
They also get caught in the rain and have to take shelter at an inn where they pretend to be man and wife, so it's not all bad.
This is not a very good novella, and yet we both had a ton of fun with it. If you need a Cynster fix, try out Lost and Found for 75 pages of it.
9-Word Summaries:
Laine: How long can a book with no plot be?
Meg: Who needs foster care when you have the aristocracy?
July 18, 2021
Reggie Carmarthen knows it is time to look for a bride before the matchmaking mamas come out in force once his great uncle dies, elevating Reggie and his father up in the titled world. Unfortunately none of the latest batch of eligible young women interest him in the slightest.
Anne Ashford rarely attended social events due to overwhelming anxiety whenever she is placed in large groups of people, especially strangers. However, she is determined to get Benjy, one of the orphans at the Foundling Home, accepted by his blood family. If she has to attend social gatherings and parties to shame the possible fathers to take responsibility, she will do so.
Although Reggie and Anne have known each other for quite a while, something has changed. Unexpectedly passion has arisen. While Reggie is determined to marry Anne, he might have some convincing to do with his prospective bride to convince her he wants her because he loves her, not because she would be convenient to marry.
I struggled with this novella, despite my affection for both the Cynster saga and Laurens herself. Is this because I wasn't in the mood for romance? Was this a return of my reading slump? Or was it just that, while I mostly liked the hero and heroine, I didn't really care one way or another what happened? I can't say, but I do believe I might slip back to science fiction and mystery for a while longer, perhaps even some non-fiction, before I try another romance, historical or otherwise. 3 out of 5.
Anne Ashford rarely attended social events due to overwhelming anxiety whenever she is placed in large groups of people, especially strangers. However, she is determined to get Benjy, one of the orphans at the Foundling Home, accepted by his blood family. If she has to attend social gatherings and parties to shame the possible fathers to take responsibility, she will do so.
Although Reggie and Anne have known each other for quite a while, something has changed. Unexpectedly passion has arisen. While Reggie is determined to marry Anne, he might have some convincing to do with his prospective bride to convince her he wants her because he loves her, not because she would be convenient to marry.
I struggled with this novella, despite my affection for both the Cynster saga and Laurens herself. Is this because I wasn't in the mood for romance? Was this a return of my reading slump? Or was it just that, while I mostly liked the hero and heroine, I didn't really care one way or another what happened? I can't say, but I do believe I might slip back to science fiction and mystery for a while longer, perhaps even some non-fiction, before I try another romance, historical or otherwise. 3 out of 5.
December 12, 2021
So this takes place over a couple of days so the romance is FAST even though they have known each other for ages. There is an interesting plot going on with the Foundling House that all the Ashford girls work at. I also love that Reggie got a story because I enjoyed him in Amanda and Amelia’s books.
Overall, quick and easy but also interesting and fun.
Overall, quick and easy but also interesting and fun.
May 20, 2020
Enjoyed this book, but I wish it had been longer
I wish that the author had made this story into a full novel as there were quite a few characters that could have been more developed.
I wish that the author had made this story into a full novel as there were quite a few characters that could have been more developed.
January 7, 2021
I liked the story and was anxiously looking forward to read it. I felt slightly dissappointed on how short it was. I got spoiled by he author's long and detailed stories and felt that this one was completely rushed and because of it, it lacked the WOW factor.
May 24, 2021
This was short and cute. I liked Reggie from the first time he was introduced, even though he was just being dragged around by the Cynster twins. And Anne seemed like a strong heroine. It would make sense why they didn't get a proper book as neither is a Cynster, but overall very very cute book.
March 18, 2022
Pues muy bien, la verdad. Una novelita cortita, rápida, y con todo saliendo bien. No me imaginaba así la historia de Reggie y Anne, pero sí entiendo la similitud de caracteres,la facilidad, y el desenlace en amor y felices para siempre. Bien hecho, SL 😙
August 14, 2022
I know it's a novella, but the "I love you" state happened far too quickly. It would have helped if there was perhaps some interest in Anne from Reggie occurred in Amanda and Amelia's stories to hint at this and make it seem more plausible.
March 30, 2018
too short
June 15, 2020
I like this story. I like the storyline, and that they got engaged before indulging.
March 1, 2022
Good story but way too short. I was beginning to really get into it when it ended abruptly!!
Want to Read
August 27, 2023own in anthology Hero, Come Back
April 8, 2014
Nice Story But Unremarkable
LOST AND FOUND is a novella that is connected to Laurens' Cynster series. It is the story of Reggie Carmarthen and Anne Ashford who we met in the Cynster twins books ON A WILD NIGHT and ON A WICKED DAWN. I liked the short story. I like that Laurens gives the readers some resolution on these characters. The story is, as one might expect, highly condensed and thus somewhat unsatisfying from a character development standpoint. The story does have a short plot and I did like the characters together. This story is really for fans of the series who want to know what happened to some of the minor characters.
LOST AND FOUND is a novella that is connected to Laurens' Cynster series. It is the story of Reggie Carmarthen and Anne Ashford who we met in the Cynster twins books ON A WILD NIGHT and ON A WICKED DAWN. I liked the short story. I like that Laurens gives the readers some resolution on these characters. The story is, as one might expect, highly condensed and thus somewhat unsatisfying from a character development standpoint. The story does have a short plot and I did like the characters together. This story is really for fans of the series who want to know what happened to some of the minor characters.
October 23, 2013
I know it was a short story and the time line might be short. Three days from re-acquaintance to "I love you". That wasn't my issue. The story itself seemed forced. While it did mention the Cynster's and Reggie is apparently a character at least for the twins books, I liked him much better from what I can remember of him from their stories.
January 8, 2016
(2.5)
Desde los libros anteriores quería leer una historia de Reggie y na verdad es que me decepciono.
Que sea una historia corta no significa que debe de ser demasiado rápida, lo que no encontré fue un romance creíble, simplemente no me lo creí ni disfrute al leerlo, me pareció mas bien vacío.
Si lo leen o no, no esperen gran cosa (desde lo punto de vista).
Desde los libros anteriores quería leer una historia de Reggie y na verdad es que me decepciono.
Que sea una historia corta no significa que debe de ser demasiado rápida, lo que no encontré fue un romance creíble, simplemente no me lo creí ni disfrute al leerlo, me pareció mas bien vacío.
Si lo leen o no, no esperen gran cosa (desde lo punto de vista).
June 25, 2012
I'm only a few pages in to this book, but am already reminded as to why I read everything that Stephanie Laurens writes. It's wonderful!..
October 31, 2012
strage.
February 20, 2014
Most enjoyable
I was happy to visit the founding home again, and I'VE always liked Reggie.
It makes me want to read Hero, Come Back.
I was happy to visit the founding home again, and I'VE always liked Reggie.
It makes me want to read Hero, Come Back.
April 22, 2014
A short story that ends abruptly.
April 11, 2016
Short and sweet
This story is very short and predictable. There is a small twist and it is enjoyable.
Four more words required
This story is very short and predictable. There is a small twist and it is enjoyable.
Four more words required
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews