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Cynster #20
The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh
The 2nd in the Cynster Sisters duo, #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens thrills with this fantastic tale of a Cynster who'll stop at nothing for love.
Lady Mary has been waiting years for this opportunity. Not that her sister has thrown off her spinster ways and become betrothed, it's finally Mary's chance for true love. She knows exactly who she wants --and it's not someone as wild, unmanageable, and sinfully seductive as Ryder Cavanaugh.
Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne, had never met a woman who wouldn't happily fall at his feet--or into his bed...until Lady Mary Cynster. But Ryder has made some decisions about his life and he'll only succeed at being the man he wants to be with Mary by his side. And convincing her of that fact is just the kind of challenge he thrills at...
Lady Mary has been waiting years for this opportunity. Not that her sister has thrown off her spinster ways and become betrothed, it's finally Mary's chance for true love. She knows exactly who she wants --and it's not someone as wild, unmanageable, and sinfully seductive as Ryder Cavanaugh.
Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne, had never met a woman who wouldn't happily fall at his feet--or into his bed...until Lady Mary Cynster. But Ryder has made some decisions about his life and he'll only succeed at being the man he wants to be with Mary by his side. And convincing her of that fact is just the kind of challenge he thrills at...
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 25, 2013
315 people are currently reading
2251 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
211 books5,581 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 313 reviews
November 20, 2015
I read this book so far out of order it's not even funny! In fact, this is
Anyway... I adore this story! Fun, romantic, sexy, clever... my only complaint is that I waited too long to venture into this world and now I can't wait to go back and start from the beginning!!
An ARC was provided by Avon Books (a couple years ago) and I loved every word!
January 11, 2021
I just love the way Stephanie Laurens write,her deep stroke and detailed descriptions that only amplified the power of love in this story.Her first book i have ever read had been "In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster" that i read couple of years ago and are one of the best novels i have ever read and "The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh" are just as good!In the former books the Cynster women got a necklace that would help them find their true heroes,so in this book the strongly independent Mary Cynster never imagined that it would be her nemesis,the fiercely resolute Ryder Cavanaugh that suspiciously shows up in every place she visits just to irritate her...and charm the hell out of her!
I loved how Mary searched and chased after suitable husbands,and Ryder was just behind her to steal her off everytime!I completely fell in love with both characters,their banter and awesome chenmistry was off-page electrifying!This book brought mix of humor,romance,adventure and mystery.I smiled so wide many times that people around me wondered what i was reading and i just blushed as an answer!This book is the sweet and perfect kind of romance for me,Ryder and Mary are the kind of couple who will always depend on each other,their wondrous passion and need of each other would never lessen even if they would live 100 years more.
I loved how Mary searched and chased after suitable husbands,and Ryder was just behind her to steal her off everytime!I completely fell in love with both characters,their banter and awesome chenmistry was off-page electrifying!This book brought mix of humor,romance,adventure and mystery.I smiled so wide many times that people around me wondered what i was reading and i just blushed as an answer!This book is the sweet and perfect kind of romance for me,Ryder and Mary are the kind of couple who will always depend on each other,their wondrous passion and need of each other would never lessen even if they would live 100 years more.
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May 6, 2013What's most interesting about this book is that it's the end of the original Cynsters. 18 years have passed in the book, since Honoria and Devil's book, and Mary is the little girl we saw struggling to walk with her siblings at night, during the children's private tribute to their brother Tolly. Mary is the last of those Cynsters from that first book to grow up and get married, so there's a rather lengthly epilogue at the end of this book that reflects on the changes that happened over the 18 years, and also introduces us to the next generation of Cynsters--the children of all those original group, including Honoria and Devil's 18 y/o son and 14 y/o daughter. It was kind of a bittersweet thing for me, to read this epilogue, even though I haven't read all of the books in between, because I still count Devil's Bride as one of my favorite comfort reads. I can read it several times a year and it was a bit strange to realize that their HEA was 18 years ago in book time!
July 6, 2013
"Seduction wasn't about tempting a lady to surrender to her lover’s desire.
It was all about inducing her to surrender to her own.
She had to want him.
She had to come to him.
And she would."
Some series are just begging to die a peaceful death, I'd say the Cynster series has had its run. This is what...the 18th, 19th, or 20th book in the Cynster series? It certainly feels a lot longer and there are so many that I have honestly lost count. At least with the Bridgertons, the series thankfully ended with the last sibling. With the Cynsters, we have to read about brothers, sisters, cousins, friends of the family, first cousins once removed...ok, I'm exaggerating a bit, but just a bit. I feel like in 50, 60 years or so, my own grandchildren will be reading about Honoria and Devil's grandchildren, in the 235th installment of the Cynster series. At the rate this family is breeding, it certainly wouldn't be a far stretch of the imagination. The family tree in the beginning of each book is so branched off, it's beginning to look more like a family forest.
Lest I go too far off tangent about this franchise, this latest installment is not all that bad. It's certainly better than its predecessor, the staid, dull, and preeminently boring pair of Henrietta and James. Mary and Ryder have more fire in them. Infortunately, they have the tendency to get on my nerves. This book is filled with numerous Regency tropes, with neither originality nor the outstanding writing needed to make them memorable. The ridiculously large cast comprising of the rest of the Cynster family also makes this a challenge to read. It feels, at time, like taking a comprehensive test. There's so many details to memorize, so many characters whose background we're expected to know, and frankly, my dear, I don't give a fuck about most of the Cynster family. The Cynster name threatens to overpower the story itself.
I liked the characters, but I felt like the book just dragged on for far too long for what it eventually delivered. There is a thin subplot of danger, as there usually is in a Stephanie Laurens HR, but like the others, it's nothing but fluff to add verbage to the book, and the whodunnit is so obvious as to not even require much mental effort at playing armchair detective on the reader's behalf.
Lady Mary is a believer in the magical Necklace, imbued with some Scottish spirit or another that will supposedly signal her to her love. And man, she is Determined, with a capital D, to get hitched. Mary, for some reason is desperate to find her One Twoo Wuv; she pretty muchstrangled tied it onto her elder sister's Henrietta's neck in the previous installment of this series to get her wedded off so it would be her turn to get married. She is out for blood, I mean, marriage, and her unfortunate target is Randolph Cavanaugh, the half brother of Ryder Cananaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne. Ryder is not fond of the scheme...mainly because he wants her for himself.
Randolph is unsurprisingly, not fond of the idea of getting married just yet. He is but 24, she is 22, Ryder tries to talk some sense into Mary, namely that while Ryder is physically mature, he's mentally immature, and not prepared to settle down, preferring instead to hang out with his friends and chill. Regency men, as it turns out, aren't too different from men of any other era. But nope, our illustrious Lady Mary will not listen. Mary is utterly convinced she is the one for him. She single-mindedly corners him for dances, arranges for dalliances in dark corners, and Rand is just not interested.
She'd engineered such an interlude in a perfectly acceptable way, and offered it up to Randolph—her hero—and he was balking?
No---worse---he was backing away!
She was, indeed, starting to see the light. Randolph and his ilk were frightened of young ladies like her.
Young ladies seeking a husband.
Mary, get it into your head, girl, he's just not that into you.
As much faith as Mary has in ZEE NECKLACE and its magical powers, she's just not ready to listen to what it has to say about Rand. Which is: nothing. Zero. No sparks whatsoever. She's hypocritical. She's determined to use the Necklace to find her true love, but doesn't listen to what it has to say; instead, she's more bent into getting it to tell her what she wants to hear. Naturally, things don't work out the way she plans. Mary is a force to be reckoned with. She should be a prize. She's got the beauty, breeding, and dowry to make her a success on the market, Furthermore, she is the last eligible Cynster of this generation (please let this be the last Cynster novel, please please please) and that is a catch on its own.
"You are the last chance for any of the major families to ally themselves with the Cynsters in this generation. It’ll be a decade or more before your cousins’ children, the next generation, come on the marriage mart. Consequently, no matter what you might wish, you are, indeed, a prize in that regard."
However, she's not altogether successful. Why? She scares off most men. Her single-minded desperation, her intimidation; the men can smell desperation a mile away. Why is she so determined to have Rand even if her attraction to Ryder is so much stronger? "She held no illusions regarding her own strength; Ryder possessed a will stronger than hers. She would never be able to manage him; no woman ever would.
Randolph, on the other hand, was entirely within her scope; he would suit her very well."
Mary is nothing if not determined. If Rand is not the man for her, she will find the hero who is. Still, Mary is not without her ounce of common sense. "Her instinctive reaction to Ryder's interference was to redouble her efforts and even more adamantly forge ahead on her predetermined path, to cling even more tenaciously to her direction. But she was growing too old to react thus blindly to opposition; she hoped she was growing wise enough to acknowledge that sometimes she might not be entirely correct in her assumptions."
Ryder is a typical rake, not along the legendary lines of Devil, Lucifer, and the likes of the Cynster men, but he's one regardless. Who is ready to settle down. He is out--not to thwart Mary's attempts at Rand, but rather, to secure her for himself. He is ready to do his duty, and he realizes that Mary, in all her willfulness, her intelligence, her determination, is the right one for him. The harder problem is to get her to realize it.
"'I've already told you---Rand is not the man for you.' I am. But she would need to come to that realization on her own. In her own time, in her own way. He understood strong characters—like her, like him; they didn't accept others interfering in their lives, and in personal matters didn't readily accept the assessments of others as correct. Neither he nor she would be led. It wasn't a matter of trust, but more one of inviolable self-determination. In that respect, he understood her well, so would give her time—understood the value of giving her time—to reach the right conclusion on her own."
The writing is well-done, the plot is old and recycled, and this is not the worst of the Cynster books by any means. It just dragged on for me after the initial clash-filled beginning, and things seem to fall in place too easily, so that the story just felt like it slowed down to a snail's pace. The mystery is thinly contrived, the coincidences and murder plots fall through too easily. It can be read as a standalone, but I wouldn't recommend it. There is much name-dropping of characters from the previous books, and with the numerous Cynster cousins and their spouses, it can be an enormous task to keep the names straight. A reader diving headfirst into this without first reading the other books would just be confused out of their minds.
It was all about inducing her to surrender to her own.
She had to want him.
She had to come to him.
And she would."
Some series are just begging to die a peaceful death, I'd say the Cynster series has had its run. This is what...the 18th, 19th, or 20th book in the Cynster series? It certainly feels a lot longer and there are so many that I have honestly lost count. At least with the Bridgertons, the series thankfully ended with the last sibling. With the Cynsters, we have to read about brothers, sisters, cousins, friends of the family, first cousins once removed...ok, I'm exaggerating a bit, but just a bit. I feel like in 50, 60 years or so, my own grandchildren will be reading about Honoria and Devil's grandchildren, in the 235th installment of the Cynster series. At the rate this family is breeding, it certainly wouldn't be a far stretch of the imagination. The family tree in the beginning of each book is so branched off, it's beginning to look more like a family forest.
Lest I go too far off tangent about this franchise, this latest installment is not all that bad. It's certainly better than its predecessor, the staid, dull, and preeminently boring pair of Henrietta and James. Mary and Ryder have more fire in them. Infortunately, they have the tendency to get on my nerves. This book is filled with numerous Regency tropes, with neither originality nor the outstanding writing needed to make them memorable. The ridiculously large cast comprising of the rest of the Cynster family also makes this a challenge to read. It feels, at time, like taking a comprehensive test. There's so many details to memorize, so many characters whose background we're expected to know, and frankly, my dear, I don't give a fuck about most of the Cynster family. The Cynster name threatens to overpower the story itself.
I liked the characters, but I felt like the book just dragged on for far too long for what it eventually delivered. There is a thin subplot of danger, as there usually is in a Stephanie Laurens HR, but like the others, it's nothing but fluff to add verbage to the book, and the whodunnit is so obvious as to not even require much mental effort at playing armchair detective on the reader's behalf.
Lady Mary is a believer in the magical Necklace, imbued with some Scottish spirit or another that will supposedly signal her to her love. And man, she is Determined, with a capital D, to get hitched. Mary, for some reason is desperate to find her One Twoo Wuv; she pretty much
Randolph is unsurprisingly, not fond of the idea of getting married just yet. He is but 24, she is 22, Ryder tries to talk some sense into Mary, namely that while Ryder is physically mature, he's mentally immature, and not prepared to settle down, preferring instead to hang out with his friends and chill. Regency men, as it turns out, aren't too different from men of any other era. But nope, our illustrious Lady Mary will not listen. Mary is utterly convinced she is the one for him. She single-mindedly corners him for dances, arranges for dalliances in dark corners, and Rand is just not interested.
She'd engineered such an interlude in a perfectly acceptable way, and offered it up to Randolph—her hero—and he was balking?
No---worse---he was backing away!
She was, indeed, starting to see the light. Randolph and his ilk were frightened of young ladies like her.
Young ladies seeking a husband.
Mary, get it into your head, girl, he's just not that into you.
As much faith as Mary has in ZEE NECKLACE and its magical powers, she's just not ready to listen to what it has to say about Rand. Which is: nothing. Zero. No sparks whatsoever. She's hypocritical. She's determined to use the Necklace to find her true love, but doesn't listen to what it has to say; instead, she's more bent into getting it to tell her what she wants to hear. Naturally, things don't work out the way she plans. Mary is a force to be reckoned with. She should be a prize. She's got the beauty, breeding, and dowry to make her a success on the market, Furthermore, she is the last eligible Cynster of this generation (please let this be the last Cynster novel, please please please) and that is a catch on its own.
"You are the last chance for any of the major families to ally themselves with the Cynsters in this generation. It’ll be a decade or more before your cousins’ children, the next generation, come on the marriage mart. Consequently, no matter what you might wish, you are, indeed, a prize in that regard."
However, she's not altogether successful. Why? She scares off most men. Her single-minded desperation, her intimidation; the men can smell desperation a mile away. Why is she so determined to have Rand even if her attraction to Ryder is so much stronger? "She held no illusions regarding her own strength; Ryder possessed a will stronger than hers. She would never be able to manage him; no woman ever would.
Randolph, on the other hand, was entirely within her scope; he would suit her very well."
Mary is nothing if not determined. If Rand is not the man for her, she will find the hero who is. Still, Mary is not without her ounce of common sense. "Her instinctive reaction to Ryder's interference was to redouble her efforts and even more adamantly forge ahead on her predetermined path, to cling even more tenaciously to her direction. But she was growing too old to react thus blindly to opposition; she hoped she was growing wise enough to acknowledge that sometimes she might not be entirely correct in her assumptions."
Ryder is a typical rake, not along the legendary lines of Devil, Lucifer, and the likes of the Cynster men, but he's one regardless. Who is ready to settle down. He is out--not to thwart Mary's attempts at Rand, but rather, to secure her for himself. He is ready to do his duty, and he realizes that Mary, in all her willfulness, her intelligence, her determination, is the right one for him. The harder problem is to get her to realize it.
"'I've already told you---Rand is not the man for you.' I am. But she would need to come to that realization on her own. In her own time, in her own way. He understood strong characters—like her, like him; they didn't accept others interfering in their lives, and in personal matters didn't readily accept the assessments of others as correct. Neither he nor she would be led. It wasn't a matter of trust, but more one of inviolable self-determination. In that respect, he understood her well, so would give her time—understood the value of giving her time—to reach the right conclusion on her own."
The writing is well-done, the plot is old and recycled, and this is not the worst of the Cynster books by any means. It just dragged on for me after the initial clash-filled beginning, and things seem to fall in place too easily, so that the story just felt like it slowed down to a snail's pace. The mystery is thinly contrived, the coincidences and murder plots fall through too easily. It can be read as a standalone, but I wouldn't recommend it. There is much name-dropping of characters from the previous books, and with the numerous Cynster cousins and their spouses, it can be an enormous task to keep the names straight. A reader diving headfirst into this without first reading the other books would just be confused out of their minds.
July 1, 2018
". . . but rather that she realized long ago that permitting her reaction to any male to show -- whatever that reaction was -- left him in charge, not her. She long ago decided to forever remain in charge, most especially of herself." - Mary Cynster
"His inner predator delighted, encouraged, enticed. . . . That's what he was doing now -- his instincts led him to Mary Cynster, and now he was intent on capturing her. She would be his, and he knew the outcome would be right. The right outcome to lead him forward, to getting what he wanted and needed from his life." - Ryder Cavanaugh
Lady Mary Cynster is the last unmarried, youngest Cynster girl of the current generation. Ryder Cavanaugh, the fifth Marquess of Raventhorne, is secretly hunting for a wife and his instincts have led him to Mary. She wants nothing to do with a domineering nobleman. Her sights are on Lord Randolph Cavanaugh, Ryder's half-brother. Will Ryder succeed in having Mary for his marchioness? Can such a domineering nobleman be tamed?
I read these sisters duo books out of order. Though I knew part of the storyline from Randolph's novel, it didn't detract from Ryder and Mary's story. I found the main characters real and flawed. We have characters from previous novels visit this book, especially in the epilogue. The author moves these characters into place expertly as to not to cause confusion or a lapse in the storyline. The plot and subplots move the pace along at a steady clip. Though I knew the outcome of the plot, I still enjoyed the journey. A delightful novel and recommended to historical romance fans.
"His inner predator delighted, encouraged, enticed. . . . That's what he was doing now -- his instincts led him to Mary Cynster, and now he was intent on capturing her. She would be his, and he knew the outcome would be right. The right outcome to lead him forward, to getting what he wanted and needed from his life." - Ryder Cavanaugh
Lady Mary Cynster is the last unmarried, youngest Cynster girl of the current generation. Ryder Cavanaugh, the fifth Marquess of Raventhorne, is secretly hunting for a wife and his instincts have led him to Mary. She wants nothing to do with a domineering nobleman. Her sights are on Lord Randolph Cavanaugh, Ryder's half-brother. Will Ryder succeed in having Mary for his marchioness? Can such a domineering nobleman be tamed?
I read these sisters duo books out of order. Though I knew part of the storyline from Randolph's novel, it didn't detract from Ryder and Mary's story. I found the main characters real and flawed. We have characters from previous novels visit this book, especially in the epilogue. The author moves these characters into place expertly as to not to cause confusion or a lapse in the storyline. The plot and subplots move the pace along at a steady clip. Though I knew the outcome of the plot, I still enjoyed the journey. A delightful novel and recommended to historical romance fans.
October 26, 2019
Rating: 4 stars
First, I read this one out of sequence but not to my detriment. The only spoiler is that Henrietta and James end up together--which of course is NO spoiler. This leaves me free to read how they became a couple.
Now Ryder Cavanaugh and Mary Cynster were fun to read. They are strong people who learn how to compromise--or rather, Mary learns how to manipulate Ryder, and he is too aware of her dominant nature and enjoying her machinations.
The overall feeling is that this closes a chapter in the Cynster Dynasty to start the next installments with their offspring. Already, Scandal/Richard Cynster and Catriona's twins, Marcus & Lucilla are on the cusp of adulthood.
Again, this was fun and and an important turning point with Mary Cynster as the sole remaining female to marry. I can't wait to see what's in store for the children of Honoria and Devil--among others. Until next time...
First, I read this one out of sequence but not to my detriment. The only spoiler is that Henrietta and James end up together--which of course is NO spoiler. This leaves me free to read how they became a couple.
Now Ryder Cavanaugh and Mary Cynster were fun to read. They are strong people who learn how to compromise--or rather, Mary learns how to manipulate Ryder, and he is too aware of her dominant nature and enjoying her machinations.
The overall feeling is that this closes a chapter in the Cynster Dynasty to start the next installments with their offspring. Already, Scandal/Richard Cynster and Catriona's twins, Marcus & Lucilla are on the cusp of adulthood.
Again, this was fun and and an important turning point with Mary Cynster as the sole remaining female to marry. I can't wait to see what's in store for the children of Honoria and Devil--among others. Until next time...
August 25, 2013
I was not engaged. I did not enjoy it. Characters were flat.
The author has written more than 20 novels in the Cynster family series. For this book I feel like she has run out of things to write about. The best part of a romance novel is seeing two people meet, interact, how they develop feelings for each other, and what they are attracted to in each other. We don’t get that. It starts off with Ryder saying he wants to marry Mary. He follows her around at the balls. She asks him why he wants her. He doesn’t know. He just says “we will suit very well.” (Page 87). On page 179, he says the same thing but adds “And because I want you.. And for me...that’s enough.” On page 354 he adds he was drawn to her family bonds and she refused to swoon at his feet. This was dull. There was no passion, no early interaction causing curiosity, confusion, interest, desire, lust. And what about conflicts? Some of the best novels have couples arguing and at odds with each other and later fall in love. This had nothing of that.
And then the sex scenes, I want to see seduction and desire. But in the first one, Mary comes to Ryder’s home and matter-of-factly says it’s time to have sex because she doesn’t want to be a virgin. She tells him to hurry up and do it. She was giving him orders. The second sex scene was no better. She has “a smug smile” and gives him directions. For me - I want to see a guy desire her and be unable to resist his feelings - and the same for her. But that was not here. This felt like classroom sex - whatever that is.
The main plot has a bad guy doing bad things that get discovered and stopped in the end. That was interesting.
Character definitions: Mary values being in charge and wants a husband she can control. We are told Ryder had affairs with married women in the past, but nothing was shown about that. Now he wants to get married and nothing is shown about why he changed his mind. Mary fears that Ryder will be a “lordly dictator.” I don’t know why she thinks that. What did she hear or see to make her think that? All I know is Ryder had sex with other women in the past. He is 30, and that makes him more mature than men in their 20s whom Mary is considering.
The epilogue was a reunion of characters from prior books in the series. I did not know them. It was too many names to keep track of. It might be fun for readers who have read all the novels. But it didn’t do anything for me. It’s a picnic. Kids are playing, fathers are talking, mothers are talking.
I could not read the whole book. I skipped 100 pages in the middle and then read the last 70 pages.
I read an Advance Uncorrected Proof.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 415 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 3 or more. Setting: 1837 mostly London, England. Copyright: 2013. Genre: historical romance.
The author has written more than 20 novels in the Cynster family series. For this book I feel like she has run out of things to write about. The best part of a romance novel is seeing two people meet, interact, how they develop feelings for each other, and what they are attracted to in each other. We don’t get that. It starts off with Ryder saying he wants to marry Mary. He follows her around at the balls. She asks him why he wants her. He doesn’t know. He just says “we will suit very well.” (Page 87). On page 179, he says the same thing but adds “And because I want you.. And for me...that’s enough.” On page 354 he adds he was drawn to her family bonds and she refused to swoon at his feet. This was dull. There was no passion, no early interaction causing curiosity, confusion, interest, desire, lust. And what about conflicts? Some of the best novels have couples arguing and at odds with each other and later fall in love. This had nothing of that.
And then the sex scenes, I want to see seduction and desire. But in the first one, Mary comes to Ryder’s home and matter-of-factly says it’s time to have sex because she doesn’t want to be a virgin. She tells him to hurry up and do it. She was giving him orders. The second sex scene was no better. She has “a smug smile” and gives him directions. For me - I want to see a guy desire her and be unable to resist his feelings - and the same for her. But that was not here. This felt like classroom sex - whatever that is.
The main plot has a bad guy doing bad things that get discovered and stopped in the end. That was interesting.
Character definitions: Mary values being in charge and wants a husband she can control. We are told Ryder had affairs with married women in the past, but nothing was shown about that. Now he wants to get married and nothing is shown about why he changed his mind. Mary fears that Ryder will be a “lordly dictator.” I don’t know why she thinks that. What did she hear or see to make her think that? All I know is Ryder had sex with other women in the past. He is 30, and that makes him more mature than men in their 20s whom Mary is considering.
The epilogue was a reunion of characters from prior books in the series. I did not know them. It was too many names to keep track of. It might be fun for readers who have read all the novels. But it didn’t do anything for me. It’s a picnic. Kids are playing, fathers are talking, mothers are talking.
I could not read the whole book. I skipped 100 pages in the middle and then read the last 70 pages.
I read an Advance Uncorrected Proof.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 415 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 3 or more. Setting: 1837 mostly London, England. Copyright: 2013. Genre: historical romance.
August 28, 2013
If someone had told me at the beginning of the Cynster books that I would rate this (hopefully) last one with two stars, I would have been offended.
Perhaps my taste for this genre has changed, but I also think that Laurens' writing has suffered. I try to get over my age and grammar issues when I read a romance book, but when any given page of the story consists of one-sentence paragraphs, followed by half a dozen sentence fragments, most of which have multiple adjectives that occur with annoying frequency, I do become weary of reading what I expected to be entertaining and fun.
I am not trying to be a snob here, but I did find myself skimming through so much more than I've done with any previous Laurens book that I was disappointed. I think the editor or someone should proofread before books are in print, to catch the authors' tendencies to fall in certain traps. I also think this book would be better if condensed by about 100-150 pages.
When the villain in the story was finally exposed, I could not believe it. I was sure that it could not have been that obvious, boring and anticlimactic. Even the romantic scenes in this book were dull!
Perhaps my taste for this genre has changed, but I also think that Laurens' writing has suffered. I try to get over my age and grammar issues when I read a romance book, but when any given page of the story consists of one-sentence paragraphs, followed by half a dozen sentence fragments, most of which have multiple adjectives that occur with annoying frequency, I do become weary of reading what I expected to be entertaining and fun.
I am not trying to be a snob here, but I did find myself skimming through so much more than I've done with any previous Laurens book that I was disappointed. I think the editor or someone should proofread before books are in print, to catch the authors' tendencies to fall in certain traps. I also think this book would be better if condensed by about 100-150 pages.
When the villain in the story was finally exposed, I could not believe it. I was sure that it could not have been that obvious, boring and anticlimactic. Even the romantic scenes in this book were dull!
March 29, 2014
26/3 - I just finished digesting Pretty Little Dead Things, fiction's answer to the stodgy, boiled plum pudding; now I need something light, so I thought I'd try a new (to me) Stephanie Laurens, which I've come to think of as fiction's answer to pavlova - light and fluffy, full of nothing but sugar and air. After reading the last four of Laurens' more recent releases I've come to expect Chick Lit from her rather than the romance of her good old days. If I go in with those lower expectations the story might be able to squeeze more than a disappointed three out of me, maybe. We'll see... To be continued...
Later, on page 68 - Best start to a Stephanie Laurens romance since On a Wicked Dawn. I love Ryder! I don't remember reading of any other heroes of his type that 'decide' it's time for them to marry and immediately focus all their thoughts and actions on one girl. Usually, they're unable to admit they've found the one or think she's just the one for right now. Laurens' writing seems to have become too wordy as she's gotten older, but I'm really enjoying the descriptions of Ryder stalking Mary from one event to another. I can't wait to see her reaction when he tells her the truth. To be continued...
Two pages later - "Waltzing with him was like whirling freely within a fragile, essentially intangible construct...", what the hell does that even mean? And what's with all the fragmented sentences? A basic rule of writing is that each and every sentence needs to make sense in it's own right, it shouldn't have to rely on what a previous/future sentence says in order to make sense to the reader. Laurens didn't write like this in her earlier books, I wonder what precipitated the change and why her editor hasn't pulled her up and re-explained the rules of writing to her.
Luckily Mary and Ryder are two of the more engaging characters I've read this year, so I can skim the waffle without too much irritation because I want to continue reading of our couple's adventures in married life (and there are adventures because someone's trying to kill or injure them). To be continued...
29/3 - This was almost a return to the Laurens of the Captain Jack's Woman days. The romance was hot and romantic feeling, even with the waffle unnecessarily doubling (if not tripling) the length of the scenes; the characters had great chemistry; Ryder and Mary both had strong individual personalities; and I liked the reunion (and possibly the setting of the scene for a new series of Cynster romances featuring everyone's children) epilogue. I haven't read most of the earliest books in the original series, so while I know of the couples who attended the reunion picnic I haven't actually read their stories. Since this appears to be the end of the Cynsters, at least for the moment, I think I'll see if I can get my hands on the first book in the series (can't wait to read a Laurens book that I don't feel worried isn't going to live up to expectations, or if you consider the last four books, does live up to expectations). If you read the stories of Heather, Eliza, Angelica, and Henrietta and were dreadfully disappointed give this last one a go, it really did impress and surprise me with how much I enjoyed it.
Later, on page 68 - Best start to a Stephanie Laurens romance since On a Wicked Dawn. I love Ryder! I don't remember reading of any other heroes of his type that 'decide' it's time for them to marry and immediately focus all their thoughts and actions on one girl. Usually, they're unable to admit they've found the one or think she's just the one for right now. Laurens' writing seems to have become too wordy as she's gotten older, but I'm really enjoying the descriptions of Ryder stalking Mary from one event to another. I can't wait to see her reaction when he tells her the truth. To be continued...
Two pages later - "Waltzing with him was like whirling freely within a fragile, essentially intangible construct...", what the hell does that even mean? And what's with all the fragmented sentences? A basic rule of writing is that each and every sentence needs to make sense in it's own right, it shouldn't have to rely on what a previous/future sentence says in order to make sense to the reader. Laurens didn't write like this in her earlier books, I wonder what precipitated the change and why her editor hasn't pulled her up and re-explained the rules of writing to her.
Luckily Mary and Ryder are two of the more engaging characters I've read this year, so I can skim the waffle without too much irritation because I want to continue reading of our couple's adventures in married life (and there are adventures because someone's trying to kill or injure them). To be continued...
29/3 - This was almost a return to the Laurens of the Captain Jack's Woman days. The romance was hot and romantic feeling, even with the waffle unnecessarily doubling (if not tripling) the length of the scenes; the characters had great chemistry; Ryder and Mary both had strong individual personalities; and I liked the reunion (and possibly the setting of the scene for a new series of Cynster romances featuring everyone's children) epilogue. I haven't read most of the earliest books in the original series, so while I know of the couples who attended the reunion picnic I haven't actually read their stories. Since this appears to be the end of the Cynsters, at least for the moment, I think I'll see if I can get my hands on the first book in the series (can't wait to read a Laurens book that I don't feel worried isn't going to live up to expectations, or if you consider the last four books, does live up to expectations). If you read the stories of Heather, Eliza, Angelica, and Henrietta and were dreadfully disappointed give this last one a go, it really did impress and surprise me with how much I enjoyed it.
August 29, 2017
"The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh" is the story of Ryder and Mary, and finally, we are back to passionate Cynster stories!
Mary is the youngest of unwed Cynsters. Wearing the lady's necklace, she sets her eyes on Randolph, the younger of the Cavanaugh siblings. It is however the oldest rake, Ryder Cavanaugh- the Marquess of Raventhorne who sets his eyes on her- thereby dissuading the pursual of his stepbrother.
I really liked the matching two strong leads in a book. Both were equally stubborn and impulsive- and their cat and mouse game was a pleasure to read.
Mixed is a attempted assasination mystery, along with stepmother drama and revisiting the older Cynsters- but what stands out are the passionate interludes between the main couple.
Beautiful lovemaking fills the journey of how this unlikely couple falls for each other throughout the book.
Very honestly, I was a bit bored by the last few Cynster novels but with this enthusiastic tale between a lion and his lioness, Im back on the Cynster train..CHOO CHOO!
And the epilogue..OMG! Apart from the couple's HEA, we get a full on update on the whole Cynster brood-including very sweet moment with Honoria and Devil- and its super adorable.
Safe
3.75/5
Mary is the youngest of unwed Cynsters. Wearing the lady's necklace, she sets her eyes on Randolph, the younger of the Cavanaugh siblings. It is however the oldest rake, Ryder Cavanaugh- the Marquess of Raventhorne who sets his eyes on her- thereby dissuading the pursual of his stepbrother.
I really liked the matching two strong leads in a book. Both were equally stubborn and impulsive- and their cat and mouse game was a pleasure to read.
Mixed is a attempted assasination mystery, along with stepmother drama and revisiting the older Cynsters- but what stands out are the passionate interludes between the main couple.
Beautiful lovemaking fills the journey of how this unlikely couple falls for each other throughout the book.
Very honestly, I was a bit bored by the last few Cynster novels but with this enthusiastic tale between a lion and his lioness, Im back on the Cynster train..CHOO CHOO!
And the epilogue..OMG! Apart from the couple's HEA, we get a full on update on the whole Cynster brood-including very sweet moment with Honoria and Devil- and its super adorable.
Safe
3.75/5
June 27, 2013
Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2013/06/review-...
Favorite Quote: “If you think I’m going to be the first female in my family to go to the altar a virgin, you’re mistaken.”
The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh is a romance story in the truest form and provides us with a wrap up to the original Cynster series. We witness the last Cynster (of age) to marry-Miss Mary Cynster. I have been a huge fan of this series since reading the first book-Devil’s Bride. Mary is first seen in Devil’s Bride as a young child who holds vigil with the rest of the family when her brother Tolly is killed. That being the catalyst to bringing Honoria and Devil together. I am astounded that it’s been fifteen years since the first book published .
Mary Cynster is thrilled when her sister, Henrietta, finally finds her true love and the family necklace comes to her. This talisman is supposed to direct the wearer to her hero. Unfortunately for Mary, it seems to be directing her towards someone she is positive is not the one for her-Ryder Cavanaugh, the Marquess of Raventhorne. Mary doesn’t want a man whose temperament and willpower rivals hers. She wants a man that she can direct; as to retain her independence. Mary knows deep down that Ryder is not a man who will ever dance to her tune. Besides, she is convinced it is his half brother, Randolph, who is her perfect match.
Ryder Cavanaugh has never been particularly interested in marriage, but from his first meeting with Mary and her seemingly lack of interest in him, he finds himself taken with this woman and the challenge she presents. Everyone knows the quickest way to send Ryder running the other way is to lavish him with attention; her lack is her undoing. Once Ryder learns she has her eye on his younger brother, he proceeds to shadow her, showing up at various functions and striving to prove to her that Randolph is definitely not the one for her. Ryder decides she is to be his future marchioness and proceeds to set the stage for her conquest. Mary has other plans, though .
“I’m not going to allow you to seduce me.” A reckless challenge. He was curious as to how she thought she might stop him, but all he said was, “Just don’t try to avoid me-trust me, that won’t work.”
He wouldn’t allow it.
When Ryder is attacked by footpads and suffers a potentially fatal wound, Mary finds him and uses her formidable skills to rally the troops and saves his life. She decides to stay at his home to oversee his recovery. Ryder’s stepmother swoops down on them with two gossipy friends in tow, effectively catching Mary and Ryder together alone. She seals their matrimonial fate and Ryder finds himself getting exactly what he wanted.
Though still not as action packed as earlier novels, The Taming Of Ryder Cavanaugh did have the dry humor and a steamy romance that are trademark to Ms. Lauren’s novels; it just lacked the intrigue and suspense. You discover early on who the villain is and the reasons behind their criminal activities. A smooth plot line that delicately reveals itself along a steady paced story, I found it was the characters who completely dominate this story. Mary and Ryder are perfect for each other. Both are intelligent, sensuous, natural born leaders who complete each other-like two halves of a puzzle. While Mary have never seriously contemplated marriage to Ryder, she realizes once he proposes that she has already begin to fall for him. He effectively wooed her all those weeks as she was chasing his brother. Mary decides that she will tame her “lion” and her plays of seduction leave him both confused and enchanted. He has met his match in Mary and he, unlike some alpha heroes, chooses to nurture and uphold her spirit rather than attempt to crush it. Ryder doesn’t want or need to dominate her, though he is fiercely protective of her. He doesn’t ask she surrender all her control to him. They are equals and that in itself further wins Mary’s heart.
Ryder is quite the gentleman though when his growly side comes out, you understand just why Mary went willingly into marriage with him. Seductive, playful, and experienced; he uses all his tricks to bind Mary to him both in and out of bed, but only ends up trapping himself. A place he is very happy to be. This is not to say he is a pushover. Not at all. He is just like Devil (Devil’s Bride-book one) in alpha-ness, but he realizes that his happiness is dependent on Mary’s so he does everything possible to make sure she never regrets marrying him. Their love scenes are more tell then show (Laurens has always had a bit of a heavy hand with the lyrical prose in her love making scenes) but their smoking hot chemistry leaps from the pages. I love that while Ryder may be the more experienced, he has no qualms about letting Mary take control in the bedroom. And when he realizes she likes to watch him undress…the gloves, err, I mean, the waistcoats, come off slowly. Plenty of humor in their relationship makes for some hilarious scenes and dialogue.
Ryder cast his eyes assessingly over the mare, then lifted Mary to her saddle. He watched as she settled and accepted the reins from the groom. “I take it she’s from Demon’s stables?” “Yes.” She looped the reins through her gloved fingers with casual expertise. “He provides all the family’s horses.” “I’ve heard he’s careful about matching horses to riders.” Clearly recognizing the question behind his statement, she smiled and nodded. “Indeed—he refuses to let us ride any beast we can’t control.” Leaning forward, she smoothed a palm over the mare’s glossy neck. Arched a brow as she met his eyes. “So we all learn to control the animals we ride.”
The majority of the book is watching Mary and Ryder dance, spar, fall in love, and settle into marriage. No real conflict between them at all. That surprised me. I expected a bit more coercing on Ryder’s part. Maybe a past lover putting up a fight to keep Ryder in her bed or resistance from the Cynster circle as to Ryder’s age or past escapades.. Their journey to marriage and even beyond is all very easy and tame. The action doesn’t pick up until the last quarter as our villain goes to extreme lengths to destroy this couple. I would have liked some explanation as to some of the accidents that happened. We never learn exactly HOW they were accomplished and it bears reasoning that in some instances, they should have never been able to happen. I did enjoy the various Cynsters that were woven in throughout the story. It isn’t often we get so many of them in one book and with such stage time. The main conflict is climatic in that all is explained (though, as I stated earlier, it’s very easy to figure out) and the ending wraps everything up nice and neat. We even get a wonderful long epilogue showing all the Cynsters, what they have been up to, and their plans for the future.
All in all, I enjoyed this installment though I would venture to say that unless you are a faithful reader of this series, this one may be a tame historical in comparison to what’s available and also very confusing in relation to all the characters involved.
Rating: B-
Favorite Quote: “If you think I’m going to be the first female in my family to go to the altar a virgin, you’re mistaken.”
The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh is a romance story in the truest form and provides us with a wrap up to the original Cynster series. We witness the last Cynster (of age) to marry-Miss Mary Cynster. I have been a huge fan of this series since reading the first book-Devil’s Bride. Mary is first seen in Devil’s Bride as a young child who holds vigil with the rest of the family when her brother Tolly is killed. That being the catalyst to bringing Honoria and Devil together. I am astounded that it’s been fifteen years since the first book published .
Mary Cynster is thrilled when her sister, Henrietta, finally finds her true love and the family necklace comes to her. This talisman is supposed to direct the wearer to her hero. Unfortunately for Mary, it seems to be directing her towards someone she is positive is not the one for her-Ryder Cavanaugh, the Marquess of Raventhorne. Mary doesn’t want a man whose temperament and willpower rivals hers. She wants a man that she can direct; as to retain her independence. Mary knows deep down that Ryder is not a man who will ever dance to her tune. Besides, she is convinced it is his half brother, Randolph, who is her perfect match.
Ryder Cavanaugh has never been particularly interested in marriage, but from his first meeting with Mary and her seemingly lack of interest in him, he finds himself taken with this woman and the challenge she presents. Everyone knows the quickest way to send Ryder running the other way is to lavish him with attention; her lack is her undoing. Once Ryder learns she has her eye on his younger brother, he proceeds to shadow her, showing up at various functions and striving to prove to her that Randolph is definitely not the one for her. Ryder decides she is to be his future marchioness and proceeds to set the stage for her conquest. Mary has other plans, though .
“I’m not going to allow you to seduce me.” A reckless challenge. He was curious as to how she thought she might stop him, but all he said was, “Just don’t try to avoid me-trust me, that won’t work.”
He wouldn’t allow it.
When Ryder is attacked by footpads and suffers a potentially fatal wound, Mary finds him and uses her formidable skills to rally the troops and saves his life. She decides to stay at his home to oversee his recovery. Ryder’s stepmother swoops down on them with two gossipy friends in tow, effectively catching Mary and Ryder together alone. She seals their matrimonial fate and Ryder finds himself getting exactly what he wanted.
Though still not as action packed as earlier novels, The Taming Of Ryder Cavanaugh did have the dry humor and a steamy romance that are trademark to Ms. Lauren’s novels; it just lacked the intrigue and suspense. You discover early on who the villain is and the reasons behind their criminal activities. A smooth plot line that delicately reveals itself along a steady paced story, I found it was the characters who completely dominate this story. Mary and Ryder are perfect for each other. Both are intelligent, sensuous, natural born leaders who complete each other-like two halves of a puzzle. While Mary have never seriously contemplated marriage to Ryder, she realizes once he proposes that she has already begin to fall for him. He effectively wooed her all those weeks as she was chasing his brother. Mary decides that she will tame her “lion” and her plays of seduction leave him both confused and enchanted. He has met his match in Mary and he, unlike some alpha heroes, chooses to nurture and uphold her spirit rather than attempt to crush it. Ryder doesn’t want or need to dominate her, though he is fiercely protective of her. He doesn’t ask she surrender all her control to him. They are equals and that in itself further wins Mary’s heart.
Ryder is quite the gentleman though when his growly side comes out, you understand just why Mary went willingly into marriage with him. Seductive, playful, and experienced; he uses all his tricks to bind Mary to him both in and out of bed, but only ends up trapping himself. A place he is very happy to be. This is not to say he is a pushover. Not at all. He is just like Devil (Devil’s Bride-book one) in alpha-ness, but he realizes that his happiness is dependent on Mary’s so he does everything possible to make sure she never regrets marrying him. Their love scenes are more tell then show (Laurens has always had a bit of a heavy hand with the lyrical prose in her love making scenes) but their smoking hot chemistry leaps from the pages. I love that while Ryder may be the more experienced, he has no qualms about letting Mary take control in the bedroom. And when he realizes she likes to watch him undress…the gloves, err, I mean, the waistcoats, come off slowly. Plenty of humor in their relationship makes for some hilarious scenes and dialogue.
Ryder cast his eyes assessingly over the mare, then lifted Mary to her saddle. He watched as she settled and accepted the reins from the groom. “I take it she’s from Demon’s stables?” “Yes.” She looped the reins through her gloved fingers with casual expertise. “He provides all the family’s horses.” “I’ve heard he’s careful about matching horses to riders.” Clearly recognizing the question behind his statement, she smiled and nodded. “Indeed—he refuses to let us ride any beast we can’t control.” Leaning forward, she smoothed a palm over the mare’s glossy neck. Arched a brow as she met his eyes. “So we all learn to control the animals we ride.”
The majority of the book is watching Mary and Ryder dance, spar, fall in love, and settle into marriage. No real conflict between them at all. That surprised me. I expected a bit more coercing on Ryder’s part. Maybe a past lover putting up a fight to keep Ryder in her bed or resistance from the Cynster circle as to Ryder’s age or past escapades.. Their journey to marriage and even beyond is all very easy and tame. The action doesn’t pick up until the last quarter as our villain goes to extreme lengths to destroy this couple. I would have liked some explanation as to some of the accidents that happened. We never learn exactly HOW they were accomplished and it bears reasoning that in some instances, they should have never been able to happen. I did enjoy the various Cynsters that were woven in throughout the story. It isn’t often we get so many of them in one book and with such stage time. The main conflict is climatic in that all is explained (though, as I stated earlier, it’s very easy to figure out) and the ending wraps everything up nice and neat. We even get a wonderful long epilogue showing all the Cynsters, what they have been up to, and their plans for the future.
All in all, I enjoyed this installment though I would venture to say that unless you are a faithful reader of this series, this one may be a tame historical in comparison to what’s available and also very confusing in relation to all the characters involved.
Rating: B-
September 20, 2021
Además de que me he enamorado perdidamente de los protagonistas, es un historia muy bien llevada, donde el suspenso y las diferentes situaciones que se presentan en cada capítulo te mantendrán con la curiosidad al máximo.
January 2, 2015
Fantastic book. I love the Cynsters series and this was another terrific one. Mary is ready to find herself a husband. She is very strong-willed and has no intention of giving up control of her life so she wants a husband she can manage. Ryder is definitely not the type of man she wants but he has set his sights on her, and like her he is determined to get what he wants.
Mary is a Cynster woman. She is independent, intelligent and strong willed. Most of the (non-Cynster) men she knows are the type who will do things their way and their wives have no say and she wants nothing to do with that type. She has set her sights on Ryder's younger brother, but as she puts her plans into motion Ryder keeps interfering. I loved the dialogue between her and Ryder from the very beginning. She doesn't hold back when talking to him and it doesn't take her long to discover that he is much more satisfying to converse with that his brother was. Pretty soon Ryder is the man on her mind but she is still reluctant to get involved with him. When she ends up in a position where marriage is the only option she decides to make the best of it. By this time she is starting to realize that Ryder is the one for her, but she also needs to make him realize that being partners is the best way to go on. One of the best quotes in the book is from a letter to Mary from Minerva, Duchess of Wolverstone: "Rather than go against them - which only results in immediately meeting the solid and instinctive wall of their resistance - I have found it pays to find a way to work with them. Once you make it clear you are entirely willing to find a way to solve whatever issue they have - that you are content to work alongside them rather than oppose them - the poor dears are usually so grateful they'll happily share the reins, and then one can steer the applecart in a more amenable direction." This makes sense to Mary and starts her evolving from the bossy control freak into a woman who knows the art of compromise. There were times that her take charge manner was exactly what was needed and others where it just didn't work. In the second half of the book they are trying to figure out who is trying to kill them. I enjoyed seeing them work together and how each was learning about the other.
Ryder was an interesting hero. He had determined that it was time for him to marry, but he wanted to do it his way without interference from matchmaking mamas. He had settled on Mary as his choice and was slightly dismayed to find her pursuing his brother. He knew that they would not suit, but also knew that she would resist his advances. I loved the way that he started out by simply getting in her way over his brother, then moved on to pursuing her somewhat subtly. I loved the way that when she finally figured it out she confronted him, he listened but told her he would have her. Ryder had settled on her because she was suitable, but soon realized that her wit and attitude really appealed to him. He also wanted her because, as a Cynster, she knew and appreciated the value of family. His own family was pretty fractured and he wanted her to help him build a family like hers. He was also determined to stay in control of his emotions, though that became increasingly harder. When he was attacked and nearly killed it was Mary who saved his life. It also put her in a compromising position that Ryder immediately took advantage of: "I haven't reached where I am today without learning to take advantage of every blessing Fate sends my way. So no, I won't be searching for any way to undo what Fate has done." I love the way that he seems to understand her so well. He is protective and possessive but he is also accepts that her traits are what make her the woman she is so he doesn't try to change her. He still spends a lot of time trying to convince himself that his emotions are still completely under his control, when they obviously are not. Especially as she becomes the focus of the attacks he begins to realize that he needs her in his life. The final one really brings it home as they fear they have really reached a point of no escape. I loved the way that the mystery of the attacks played out and how it allows the Cavanaugh family to move on.
One of the best parts of the book is the epilogue as the entire family gathers for its summer retreat. Honoria and the original Cynster brides talk about the family and how far it has come. The importance of family is reinforced as they note that Mary was the last of the current group to get married. They also talk about their children and what they will be like when it's their turn. I especially liked Honoria's thought about trying to manage Devil when their daughters come of age. I hope this sets the stage for books about the next generation, who will be living at the beginning of the Victorian period.
Mary is a Cynster woman. She is independent, intelligent and strong willed. Most of the (non-Cynster) men she knows are the type who will do things their way and their wives have no say and she wants nothing to do with that type. She has set her sights on Ryder's younger brother, but as she puts her plans into motion Ryder keeps interfering. I loved the dialogue between her and Ryder from the very beginning. She doesn't hold back when talking to him and it doesn't take her long to discover that he is much more satisfying to converse with that his brother was. Pretty soon Ryder is the man on her mind but she is still reluctant to get involved with him. When she ends up in a position where marriage is the only option she decides to make the best of it. By this time she is starting to realize that Ryder is the one for her, but she also needs to make him realize that being partners is the best way to go on. One of the best quotes in the book is from a letter to Mary from Minerva, Duchess of Wolverstone: "Rather than go against them - which only results in immediately meeting the solid and instinctive wall of their resistance - I have found it pays to find a way to work with them. Once you make it clear you are entirely willing to find a way to solve whatever issue they have - that you are content to work alongside them rather than oppose them - the poor dears are usually so grateful they'll happily share the reins, and then one can steer the applecart in a more amenable direction." This makes sense to Mary and starts her evolving from the bossy control freak into a woman who knows the art of compromise. There were times that her take charge manner was exactly what was needed and others where it just didn't work. In the second half of the book they are trying to figure out who is trying to kill them. I enjoyed seeing them work together and how each was learning about the other.
Ryder was an interesting hero. He had determined that it was time for him to marry, but he wanted to do it his way without interference from matchmaking mamas. He had settled on Mary as his choice and was slightly dismayed to find her pursuing his brother. He knew that they would not suit, but also knew that she would resist his advances. I loved the way that he started out by simply getting in her way over his brother, then moved on to pursuing her somewhat subtly. I loved the way that when she finally figured it out she confronted him, he listened but told her he would have her. Ryder had settled on her because she was suitable, but soon realized that her wit and attitude really appealed to him. He also wanted her because, as a Cynster, she knew and appreciated the value of family. His own family was pretty fractured and he wanted her to help him build a family like hers. He was also determined to stay in control of his emotions, though that became increasingly harder. When he was attacked and nearly killed it was Mary who saved his life. It also put her in a compromising position that Ryder immediately took advantage of: "I haven't reached where I am today without learning to take advantage of every blessing Fate sends my way. So no, I won't be searching for any way to undo what Fate has done." I love the way that he seems to understand her so well. He is protective and possessive but he is also accepts that her traits are what make her the woman she is so he doesn't try to change her. He still spends a lot of time trying to convince himself that his emotions are still completely under his control, when they obviously are not. Especially as she becomes the focus of the attacks he begins to realize that he needs her in his life. The final one really brings it home as they fear they have really reached a point of no escape. I loved the way that the mystery of the attacks played out and how it allows the Cavanaugh family to move on.
One of the best parts of the book is the epilogue as the entire family gathers for its summer retreat. Honoria and the original Cynster brides talk about the family and how far it has come. The importance of family is reinforced as they note that Mary was the last of the current group to get married. They also talk about their children and what they will be like when it's their turn. I especially liked Honoria's thought about trying to manage Devil when their daughters come of age. I hope this sets the stage for books about the next generation, who will be living at the beginning of the Victorian period.
December 19, 2014
This started out strong, but quickly fell apart for me.
1. The plot was THE SAME EXACT PLOT Stephanie Laurens has used for countless books. Someone is trying to kill H or h or both? Um, seriously. SL needs to work on some fresh new story ideas.
2. The heroine is a virgin. But she acts like a well-experienced courtesan. I know she's a CYNSTER VIRGIN, but still. Even the hero seemed flummoxed by her behavior.
3. The sex scenes...oy. Hero thinks: "I'm one of the greatest lovers in the ton. I can't wait to show her the way." (I'm paraphrasing, but that's pretty close). VIRGINAL heroine shows up, rips his clothes off, and jumps on top of him. Hee hee. OMG.
4. Also, there is actually a line in this book where the hero compares a virgin to a "skittish filly." *Penny jumps off cliff*
5. Also, SL repeats that whole "I'm a bad-ass dude and I cannot say the "L" word or I will lose my super-powers." Whatevs.
So...I might just stick with re-reading the vintage Cynster books and avoid the new ones. Will someone PLEASE remind me I said that before I do this again.
Thank you,
Penelope
1. The plot was THE SAME EXACT PLOT Stephanie Laurens has used for countless books. Someone is trying to kill H or h or both? Um, seriously. SL needs to work on some fresh new story ideas.
2. The heroine is a virgin. But she acts like a well-experienced courtesan. I know she's a CYNSTER VIRGIN, but still. Even the hero seemed flummoxed by her behavior.
3. The sex scenes...oy. Hero thinks: "I'm one of the greatest lovers in the ton. I can't wait to show her the way." (I'm paraphrasing, but that's pretty close). VIRGINAL heroine shows up, rips his clothes off, and jumps on top of him. Hee hee. OMG.
4. Also, there is actually a line in this book where the hero compares a virgin to a "skittish filly." *Penny jumps off cliff*
5. Also, SL repeats that whole "I'm a bad-ass dude and I cannot say the "L" word or I will lose my super-powers." Whatevs.
So...I might just stick with re-reading the vintage Cynster books and avoid the new ones. Will someone PLEASE remind me I said that before I do this again.
Thank you,
Penelope
February 8, 2014
I liked this so much! There was little to no angst between Ryder and Mary. We got to see them interact and fall in love. I was surprised by who the villain was...didn't expect it from the glimpses we got of them, but at the same time, I'm probably dense in not seeing it LOL
The epilogue was wonderful! We get to see all the children from the couples we've come to love. I get that Stephanie Laurens is probably setting it up for us to read their books later, but I kind of wish she'd stop here. The only way Devil and Honoria's oldest son can be a Duke is if Devil dies and I don't want to see that :)
The epilogue was wonderful! We get to see all the children from the couples we've come to love. I get that Stephanie Laurens is probably setting it up for us to read their books later, but I kind of wish she'd stop here. The only way Devil and Honoria's oldest son can be a Duke is if Devil dies and I don't want to see that :)
September 6, 2017
I've read a few of these books, not in the order they are supposed to be 😜but they keep me entertained regardless. But, it's getting to the point that all stories are starting to sound the same somehow.
Ryder really wants Mary for some reason from the beginning of the story, Mary is looking for her future husband but she wants the total opposite of Ryder as he's supposed to be the Ton's most experienced lover and a total rake to boot. But, fate had other plans for them.
Ryder really wants Mary for some reason from the beginning of the story, Mary is looking for her future husband but she wants the total opposite of Ryder as he's supposed to be the Ton's most experienced lover and a total rake to boot. But, fate had other plans for them.
March 22, 2018
Adorei!!
April 26, 2014
Good Ending to This Generation of Cynsters
THE TAMING OF RYDER CAVANAUGH is the twentieth book in the Cynster series. It is the story of Mary Cynster who was a small child when the events of the first novel took place. Mary is a very strong woman. In many ways she reminds me of Honoria in that she will be the matriarch of her own family. Mary is looking for her own hero but Ryder Cavanaugh is looking at her for a potential wife.
Mary and Ryder are simply adorable. Ryder may be a rake but he has a soft heart and really wants to build a strong family. I really like these books where the conflict between the characters is small. The real conflict is who is trying to kill Ryder. Laurens does a great job her of having these characters drawn together by the threats that come upon them. I also really liked how Mary refuses to allow herself to become a victim that needs to be protected. Ryder and Mary are a team. For me, the best Cynster books are the ones where the main characters work as a unit to solve the mystery. This book is one of the better books.
For fans of the series, the epilogue is wonderful. It was really special to see all the couple and their children. Having Honoria and Devil see what their live together has helped create was so moving. They are still my favorite couple and I look forward to reading about the next generation.
I'd rate this book a 4.25.
THE TAMING OF RYDER CAVANAUGH is the twentieth book in the Cynster series. It is the story of Mary Cynster who was a small child when the events of the first novel took place. Mary is a very strong woman. In many ways she reminds me of Honoria in that she will be the matriarch of her own family. Mary is looking for her own hero but Ryder Cavanaugh is looking at her for a potential wife.
Mary and Ryder are simply adorable. Ryder may be a rake but he has a soft heart and really wants to build a strong family. I really like these books where the conflict between the characters is small. The real conflict is who is trying to kill Ryder. Laurens does a great job her of having these characters drawn together by the threats that come upon them. I also really liked how Mary refuses to allow herself to become a victim that needs to be protected. Ryder and Mary are a team. For me, the best Cynster books are the ones where the main characters work as a unit to solve the mystery. This book is one of the better books.
For fans of the series, the epilogue is wonderful. It was really special to see all the couple and their children. Having Honoria and Devil see what their live together has helped create was so moving. They are still my favorite couple and I look forward to reading about the next generation.
I'd rate this book a 4.25.
April 29, 2013
Once again I just fell in love with they whole Cynster family, and by extension the Cavanaugh family. This book will keep you laughing and worrying throughout much of it. I liked how Ryder was a smart enough man that he knew what he needed to do in order to claim Mary as his own. That he needed to let her figure things out for himself and not really push the issue. Both Mary and Ryder are strong willed people who would rather people follow them instead of giving them orders. They are very much alike, and it is fun seeing them do the so romance dance as they truly fall in love. But you also have the mystery here, because someone is trying to hurt them. I do have to admit that they mystery in this book was really good, I had an inking of who the culprit was but often second guessed myself as time went on. But I do think that ir was the interactions between the families with Mary and Ryder that I enjoyed the most. From Mary's close nit Cynster family who was always there to lend a hand, to Ryder and his not so warm step-mother and his younger half siblings. I love the fact that Ryder initially pursued Mary because he wanted for his family what she has with hers. If you have read any of the other Cynster books you will love this one, I think this one has to be among my favorites from this family.
July 11, 2013
Not bad but... the characters was inconsistent. Of course it could be my fault that I jumped into reading this book without reading any of the prequels. I just feel that the H and h's characters where inconsistent. The H is suppose to be a big bad boy yet he definitely does not come off as big and bad at all, just overly possessive. On the other hand, h is suppose to be strong willed and out spoken yet she comes off as spoiled and inconsiderate. Together they were consistently described as a strong willed couple with constant indication that they would be a force to reckon with yet we don't see them in action at all. There is nothing that shows their prowess or their strength as described throughout the novel. I did skim and skip a lot after the engagement party because I just didn't feel the characters that had attracted me to the book were still there. The parts that I did read afterwards was when h was being attacked by someone. Instead of making it overly apparent that it was due to brilliance and quickwit the focus instead make it seem like it was mostly luck and little effort that continued to help save the h. I don't ask that H and h be strong throughout the novel but for there to atleast have some consistency or development allowing us to see how H and h's characters have developed or changed due to circumstances....and not just because.
May 26, 2013
Snagged from Edelweiss.
I started reading this on my vacation and I didn't realize that this is actually the second book of the duology (And Then She Fell is the first). I didn't miss anything, starting with book two, but that was part of the problem I had with Taming. After the initial batch of Cynster books, each new book started to get progressively similar and similar. They're getting too formulaic.
However, I think this is more of a personal preference type of thing than any flaw with the writing. This, after all, is precisely what Laurens is known for and I can't really imagine her writing anything else. If she ever does chose to write within a different genre, she's definitely going to have to use a pen-name or I, for one, will be very confused.
Anywho, I think what it boils down to how you feel about these books. If these Cynster-adjacent books are your comfort reads, then you'll likely love it. If you're looking for a historical that stands out from the pack, keep looking.
I started reading this on my vacation and I didn't realize that this is actually the second book of the duology (And Then She Fell is the first). I didn't miss anything, starting with book two, but that was part of the problem I had with Taming. After the initial batch of Cynster books, each new book started to get progressively similar and similar. They're getting too formulaic.
However, I think this is more of a personal preference type of thing than any flaw with the writing. This, after all, is precisely what Laurens is known for and I can't really imagine her writing anything else. If she ever does chose to write within a different genre, she's definitely going to have to use a pen-name or I, for one, will be very confused.
Anywho, I think what it boils down to how you feel about these books. If these Cynster-adjacent books are your comfort reads, then you'll likely love it. If you're looking for a historical that stands out from the pack, keep looking.
July 8, 2013
I'm not sure why I didn't connect with this book. I found myself skimming and skipping to the end to see what happened. Sometimes when I'm stuck I do that and then as I read backward I want to find out why or how something happened and then I return to my previous spot at the beginning of the book - it's like it jump starts my curiosity and I can get into the book. That just didn't happen for me here. It almost seemed too obvious. I would probably try again later.
July 7, 2013
I loved watching (reading) Mary and Ryder fall in love. Ryder is swoon worthy, he is my kind of hero and Mary was a great match for Him. A book that leaves you with a warm feeling and a smile on your face. A great read!!!!
July 19, 2013
I ended up slimming through parts of the last third of the book. I was so sick of her endlessly flowery prose. Her last book was better on the diarrhea of the pen, but this is back to being overblown and blowsy. Yuck
April 8, 2023
The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh
3.5 Stars
Series note: This is book #2 in the Cynster Sister duology and the final book focusing on the original generation of Cynsters (beginning with Devil's Bride). The series continues with the next generation of Cynster children.
Mary Cynster, the only remaining unwed Cynster in her generation, has already chosen the man she believes to be her hero. Now she merely requires confirmation from the Lady's necklace. Unfortunately, fate has someone else in mind, someone completely unsuitable to Mary's way of thinking - Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne, the most unmanageable man in the ton. For Ryder, Mary is a challenge, and everyone knows he always wins.
The first half of the book focuses on Mary and Ryder's romance as he attempts to convince her that he is her destined hero. With that out of the way, the second half revolves around the mystery of who wants Ryder and/or Mary dead.
From the initial descriptions, Ryder is supposedly from the same commanding and powerful mold as Devil Cynster, Royce Varisey and Dominic Guisachan. While the potential is certainly there, he never completely succeeds in matching the forcefulness of these men's natures and personalities. With regard to his feelings for Mary, his reasons for choosing her as his wife are uninspired - it seems he is more attracted to the closely-knit Cynster clan than to Mary herself.
Mary herself is described as confident and assertive, yet her managing ways come across as haughty and imperious. Her decision to marry Ryder after is inconsistent with her stated desire to find her hero as she is not fully convinced at the time that he is her "one".
Despite these issues, they have solid chemistry, and the tension of the suspense plot adds to the intimacy of their relationship. Speaking of which, the identity of the villain is obvious from the start, and it is rather amazing that the other characters fail to see the truth staring them in the face.
The true highlight of the story is actually the epilogue as numerous Cynster couples and their children arrive at Somersham Place for a family reunion. It is fun to catch up with them all, although readers who have not managed to wade through the previous 19 books may find it difficult to keep track. This epilogue also functions to introduce the next generation of Cynsters who will be the focus of future installments. Hopefully, they will be entertaining.
3.5 Stars
Series note: This is book #2 in the Cynster Sister duology and the final book focusing on the original generation of Cynsters (beginning with Devil's Bride). The series continues with the next generation of Cynster children.
Mary Cynster, the only remaining unwed Cynster in her generation, has already chosen the man she believes to be her hero. Now she merely requires confirmation from the Lady's necklace. Unfortunately, fate has someone else in mind, someone completely unsuitable to Mary's way of thinking - Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne, the most unmanageable man in the ton. For Ryder, Mary is a challenge, and everyone knows he always wins.
The first half of the book focuses on Mary and Ryder's romance as he attempts to convince her that he is her destined hero. With that out of the way, the second half revolves around the mystery of who wants Ryder and/or Mary dead.
From the initial descriptions, Ryder is supposedly from the same commanding and powerful mold as Devil Cynster, Royce Varisey and Dominic Guisachan. While the potential is certainly there, he never completely succeeds in matching the forcefulness of these men's natures and personalities. With regard to his feelings for Mary, his reasons for choosing her as his wife are uninspired - it seems he is more attracted to the closely-knit Cynster clan than to Mary herself.
Mary herself is described as confident and assertive, yet her managing ways come across as haughty and imperious. Her decision to marry Ryder after is inconsistent with her stated desire to find her hero as she is not fully convinced at the time that he is her "one".
Despite these issues, they have solid chemistry, and the tension of the suspense plot adds to the intimacy of their relationship. Speaking of which, the identity of the villain is obvious from the start, and it is rather amazing that the other characters fail to see the truth staring them in the face.
The true highlight of the story is actually the epilogue as numerous Cynster couples and their children arrive at Somersham Place for a family reunion. It is fun to catch up with them all, although readers who have not managed to wade through the previous 19 books may find it difficult to keep track. This epilogue also functions to introduce the next generation of Cynsters who will be the focus of future installments. Hopefully, they will be entertaining.
July 21, 2013
For now, the last of the Cynster books, as it will take some years before the next generation is ready to be married. I was looking forward to this one, and not disappointed in the least. Even when I thought the book would become predictable, it did not, Stephanie Laurens gave her own twists to some common tropes.
Finally it is time for Mary Cynster to find her own true hero. Of course, organized as she is, she has already selected him herself; she just needs the Lady’s necklace to confirm her choice. And she needs the infuriating Ryder Cavanaugh to leave her alone, while she focuses on his younger half brother Randolph. Mary wants a man she can manage, so she can lead her own life, and not be subject to the alpha tendencies like those of her male relatives, and the husbands of her sisters and cousins. And Randolph comes from one of the oldest families in the realm, just like the Cynsters are, so this will be a perfect match.
Ryder certainly is not used to getting dismissed like this tiny girl just did. He is one of the acknowledged lions of the ton, a rake, but he knows it is time he is married and start his own family. And he wants to find his own bride before the matchmaking ladies of the ton decide it is time as well, and throw their daughters, friends’ and relatives’ daughters at him at every opportunity. And now Mary Cynster has caught his eye. He likes her, and has known her from a distance for some years now, and she is the last of her generation. The last chance for many families to make an alliance with the mighty Cynster clan. With Henriette just getting engaged, the focus is not yet on Mary, but it will be soon.
When Ryder finds out that Mary has set her sights on Randolph, he tells her that Randolph is all wrong for her, he is not mature enough yet, and she just scares him. Mary does not believe him of course, but observation sure makes him right. So now she has to find someone else. Ryder tries to help her, with telling her details about the men she seems interested in, and in the mean time securing a place by her side for most of the time. And he does manage to claim a waltz with her every time, ensuring she is not immune to him after all. Yes, Mary is attracted to Ryder, but she certainly does not consider him husband material. He is way too arrogant and managing himself, she will not be able to set him to her hand. But Ryder manages to surprise her, by telling her that as his wife, he would give her a lot of leeway, and not always dictate to her.
Before she can digest that tempting bit, on her way home with her parents’ carriage, Mary sees Ryder (who always went home on foot, as it is faster, and who would dare attack a man as huge as he is), stumble out of an alley and collapse. She makes the carriage stop, and runs to his side. Handling things as quickly and efficiently as she is used to, Mary literally saves his life with putting pressure on the wound in his side, while her servants fetch his to take him home. The doctor sews him back together, but the fact that he stays unconscious, is not good. Mary is determined to stay at his side, not willing to let him die without her ever having the chance to contemplate marriage to him for real. She will bully him back to life if she must. Sending of a note to her parents about her whereabouts, she makes her self comfortable for her vigil. As Ryder has the constitution of an ox, and he heals fast, he does regain consciousness a few hours later, and is happily surprised to see Mary next to his bed.
So when early the next morning the doorbell rings, she is convinced it is her parents, coming to check up on her. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Ryder’s stepmother, who hates and loathes him, has come for a visit with two of the biggest gossips of London in her wake. And when she spots Mary on the stairs, she rudely barges into Ryder’s bedroom to confront them.
Ryder hides being wounded very well, and tells her that Mary is his fiancée. Mary knows it is the only solution possible to avoid a scandal, and that they have no other choice, so she is very reasonable about it all. Ryder has already made clear to her that he wants her as his wife, she just wanted some time to get to know each other better, before she made her decision. And now it is out of her hands.
And so, after a quick courtship and wedding between two very powerful characters, they are off to his country seat to enjoy their honeymoon, and for Mary to get used to the part of being a Marchioness. And to make her husband truly love her, as Cynsters always marry for love. But danger follows them to the country, where this time it is Mary who is targeted time and again. Ryder really does not have a clue who wants him and Mary dead, he cannot believe his stepmother or half siblings have anything to do with this. Even the Cynsters and their relatives and allies cannot find anything about who is behind this all.
From the first, I liked Mary. She is a very sensible and decisive young lady, used to taking the reigns and organizing whatever needs organizing. She knows she has little chance of that with Ryder, as he is way too much like her, but there is that powerful attraction between them, and he is the first man she came across when she wore the Ladies’ necklace for the first time. How can she find out if he is her true hero after all? Still, all the signs seem to point at him.
Ryder longs for a family of his own, and a better bond with his half siblings, something that is not really possible with his stepmother hating him so much. He envies the Cynsters their family life and really wants that for himself and his family. So in that part, he makes a good choice with Mary, she knows how to be part of a large and loving family. She also entertains him and he finds himself having conversations with her about a lot of different topics, she is really smart as well as beautiful.
I liked both Mary and Ryder, I thought Ryder would be more controlling and alpha, but he was not. He gave Mary the time and space she needs, and did not set about seducing her to make her see reason, as happens so often in historical romances. Instead, it was Mary who came to his bed in the middle of the night and would not take no for an answer.
I have to admit, I did have to look up a few words in the google dictionary. Stephanie Laurens does have a wonderful way with words but she does not use short and easy ones. Her books contain a lot of dialogue, both internally and face to face, and she has a very distinctive writing style. I would recognize her writing anytime. I have been a fan of her books for over 25 years now, and I hope to be able to read them for at least 25 years more. A few books ago, I was getting bored with the Black Cobra books as they were too similar in my opinion, but with the Cynster Sisters, she totally made them fresh again.
As an epilogue, the whole extended family is together, and it was fun to see them interact, and to meet all their many children. There sure are some hellions to watch out for in future books! I am looking forward to her new series.
9 stars.
Finally it is time for Mary Cynster to find her own true hero. Of course, organized as she is, she has already selected him herself; she just needs the Lady’s necklace to confirm her choice. And she needs the infuriating Ryder Cavanaugh to leave her alone, while she focuses on his younger half brother Randolph. Mary wants a man she can manage, so she can lead her own life, and not be subject to the alpha tendencies like those of her male relatives, and the husbands of her sisters and cousins. And Randolph comes from one of the oldest families in the realm, just like the Cynsters are, so this will be a perfect match.
Ryder certainly is not used to getting dismissed like this tiny girl just did. He is one of the acknowledged lions of the ton, a rake, but he knows it is time he is married and start his own family. And he wants to find his own bride before the matchmaking ladies of the ton decide it is time as well, and throw their daughters, friends’ and relatives’ daughters at him at every opportunity. And now Mary Cynster has caught his eye. He likes her, and has known her from a distance for some years now, and she is the last of her generation. The last chance for many families to make an alliance with the mighty Cynster clan. With Henriette just getting engaged, the focus is not yet on Mary, but it will be soon.
When Ryder finds out that Mary has set her sights on Randolph, he tells her that Randolph is all wrong for her, he is not mature enough yet, and she just scares him. Mary does not believe him of course, but observation sure makes him right. So now she has to find someone else. Ryder tries to help her, with telling her details about the men she seems interested in, and in the mean time securing a place by her side for most of the time. And he does manage to claim a waltz with her every time, ensuring she is not immune to him after all. Yes, Mary is attracted to Ryder, but she certainly does not consider him husband material. He is way too arrogant and managing himself, she will not be able to set him to her hand. But Ryder manages to surprise her, by telling her that as his wife, he would give her a lot of leeway, and not always dictate to her.
Before she can digest that tempting bit, on her way home with her parents’ carriage, Mary sees Ryder (who always went home on foot, as it is faster, and who would dare attack a man as huge as he is), stumble out of an alley and collapse. She makes the carriage stop, and runs to his side. Handling things as quickly and efficiently as she is used to, Mary literally saves his life with putting pressure on the wound in his side, while her servants fetch his to take him home. The doctor sews him back together, but the fact that he stays unconscious, is not good. Mary is determined to stay at his side, not willing to let him die without her ever having the chance to contemplate marriage to him for real. She will bully him back to life if she must. Sending of a note to her parents about her whereabouts, she makes her self comfortable for her vigil. As Ryder has the constitution of an ox, and he heals fast, he does regain consciousness a few hours later, and is happily surprised to see Mary next to his bed.
So when early the next morning the doorbell rings, she is convinced it is her parents, coming to check up on her. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Ryder’s stepmother, who hates and loathes him, has come for a visit with two of the biggest gossips of London in her wake. And when she spots Mary on the stairs, she rudely barges into Ryder’s bedroom to confront them.
Ryder hides being wounded very well, and tells her that Mary is his fiancée. Mary knows it is the only solution possible to avoid a scandal, and that they have no other choice, so she is very reasonable about it all. Ryder has already made clear to her that he wants her as his wife, she just wanted some time to get to know each other better, before she made her decision. And now it is out of her hands.
And so, after a quick courtship and wedding between two very powerful characters, they are off to his country seat to enjoy their honeymoon, and for Mary to get used to the part of being a Marchioness. And to make her husband truly love her, as Cynsters always marry for love. But danger follows them to the country, where this time it is Mary who is targeted time and again. Ryder really does not have a clue who wants him and Mary dead, he cannot believe his stepmother or half siblings have anything to do with this. Even the Cynsters and their relatives and allies cannot find anything about who is behind this all.
From the first, I liked Mary. She is a very sensible and decisive young lady, used to taking the reigns and organizing whatever needs organizing. She knows she has little chance of that with Ryder, as he is way too much like her, but there is that powerful attraction between them, and he is the first man she came across when she wore the Ladies’ necklace for the first time. How can she find out if he is her true hero after all? Still, all the signs seem to point at him.
Ryder longs for a family of his own, and a better bond with his half siblings, something that is not really possible with his stepmother hating him so much. He envies the Cynsters their family life and really wants that for himself and his family. So in that part, he makes a good choice with Mary, she knows how to be part of a large and loving family. She also entertains him and he finds himself having conversations with her about a lot of different topics, she is really smart as well as beautiful.
I liked both Mary and Ryder, I thought Ryder would be more controlling and alpha, but he was not. He gave Mary the time and space she needs, and did not set about seducing her to make her see reason, as happens so often in historical romances. Instead, it was Mary who came to his bed in the middle of the night and would not take no for an answer.
I have to admit, I did have to look up a few words in the google dictionary. Stephanie Laurens does have a wonderful way with words but she does not use short and easy ones. Her books contain a lot of dialogue, both internally and face to face, and she has a very distinctive writing style. I would recognize her writing anytime. I have been a fan of her books for over 25 years now, and I hope to be able to read them for at least 25 years more. A few books ago, I was getting bored with the Black Cobra books as they were too similar in my opinion, but with the Cynster Sisters, she totally made them fresh again.
As an epilogue, the whole extended family is together, and it was fun to see them interact, and to meet all their many children. There sure are some hellions to watch out for in future books! I am looking forward to her new series.
9 stars.
© 2013 Reviews by Aurian
December 6, 2017
Yeah. I'm giving this 4 stars.
After years of thinking I had moved on from my college/mid 20s obsessions with this series, I found out that three books were just released about Devil and Honoria's kids. I decided I was here for that but should probably finish out the previous generation's books first. Anyone who reads these regularly knows what to typically expect. The love scenes are too long and use the most ridiculous language. The hero are all "I am the commander of all I survey and love will not rule me-oops yes it does oh noes what now". Every. Time.
But Ryder was different enough that I goggled. I liked Ryder (who didn't need taming; this is a dumb title). He decides Mary Cynster is the girl he wants as his wife before the book even starts. Why? Because she gets family and she is bossy and will make a great matriarch. He's a guy who yearns for a family of closeness like the Cynsters have. He actually wants a wife and kids. He isn't even really all that rakish. And that was kind of fun.
So yeah. Despite the stuff that makes me role my eyes when I read a book by Laurens, I liked this well enough that I'm actually excited about the new ones. (I also went back and read some of the early ones and remembered why I was so obsessed with the series to begin with. And that I did really like the Bastion Club books too.)
After years of thinking I had moved on from my college/mid 20s obsessions with this series, I found out that three books were just released about Devil and Honoria's kids. I decided I was here for that but should probably finish out the previous generation's books first. Anyone who reads these regularly knows what to typically expect. The love scenes are too long and use the most ridiculous language. The hero are all "I am the commander of all I survey and love will not rule me-oops yes it does oh noes what now". Every. Time.
But Ryder was different enough that I goggled. I liked Ryder (who didn't need taming; this is a dumb title). He decides Mary Cynster is the girl he wants as his wife before the book even starts. Why? Because she gets family and she is bossy and will make a great matriarch. He's a guy who yearns for a family of closeness like the Cynsters have. He actually wants a wife and kids. He isn't even really all that rakish. And that was kind of fun.
So yeah. Despite the stuff that makes me role my eyes when I read a book by Laurens, I liked this well enough that I'm actually excited about the new ones. (I also went back and read some of the early ones and remembered why I was so obsessed with the series to begin with. And that I did really like the Bastion Club books too.)
November 28, 2019
I loved this romance! Definitely a favorite among these recent reads. Mary and Ryder have such an interesting dynamic. Both are assertive but not in a way that’s downright abrasive. They bicker but it’s sweet and you realize they do truly care for each other. I am forever in love with the “area man horrified to discover he is in love with own wife” trope and thus this was really sweet. Their moment together when they thought they’d die was lovely. I love a good unbending of pride. In general, I thoroughly enjoyed this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2022
3.5 stars!
The villain plot was kind of ludicrous and lost me there. However, I did like the chemistry between the two leads. But man oh man, I cannot read anymore Cynsters. I think I've read like 5 too many.
The villain plot was kind of ludicrous and lost me there. However, I did like the chemistry between the two leads. But man oh man, I cannot read anymore Cynsters. I think I've read like 5 too many.
August 12, 2023
Good summer read if you enjoy historical romances.
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