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Cynster #10
The Perfect Lover
Never let it be said that a Cynster male can't face up to the one unassailable truth: A successful marriage gives life its fullest meaning. To all of English society, Simon Frederick Cynster has a perfect life—one of enormous wealth and impeccable social status. His lean handsomeness turns the heads of naïve debutantes, while his sensual allure ensures he never lacks for more sophisticated partners for a night, or more, of pleasure. Yet despite all of this, Simon knows that there is something—or rather someone—missing in his life.
To achieve true contentment, Simon must find a lady accomplished enough to be his wife, someone who will spend her days as a member of one of England's most influential families ... and her nights pursuing duties of a more private—and personal—nature.
But Simon knows what to expect if he reveals his intention to choose a bride; nothing could be more tiresome than having every blushing miss on the marriage mart thrust upon him. So he discreetly begins his search at a house party at Glossup Hall . . . and is astonished that the lady who immediately captures his interest is Portia Ashford.
Simon has never considered Portia as a potential wife. He's known the raven-haired beauty since childhood; she's willfully independent and has always claimed to be uninterested in marriage. But an unexpectedly heated kiss abruptly alters the rules of their decade-long interaction. Soon they begin to long for the moments they can spend in each other's arms.
But all is not as it seems at Glossup Hall. As Simon and Portia begin to explore the depths of their mutual passion, a shocking murder is committed ... and it appears that the next victim will be Portia herself. And even more shocking than the fact that a murderer secretly walks among them is the realization that all of Simon's considerable strength and influence may not be enough to protect Portia—his once and always perfect lover . . .
To achieve true contentment, Simon must find a lady accomplished enough to be his wife, someone who will spend her days as a member of one of England's most influential families ... and her nights pursuing duties of a more private—and personal—nature.
But Simon knows what to expect if he reveals his intention to choose a bride; nothing could be more tiresome than having every blushing miss on the marriage mart thrust upon him. So he discreetly begins his search at a house party at Glossup Hall . . . and is astonished that the lady who immediately captures his interest is Portia Ashford.
Simon has never considered Portia as a potential wife. He's known the raven-haired beauty since childhood; she's willfully independent and has always claimed to be uninterested in marriage. But an unexpectedly heated kiss abruptly alters the rules of their decade-long interaction. Soon they begin to long for the moments they can spend in each other's arms.
But all is not as it seems at Glossup Hall. As Simon and Portia begin to explore the depths of their mutual passion, a shocking murder is committed ... and it appears that the next victim will be Portia herself. And even more shocking than the fact that a murderer secretly walks among them is the realization that all of Simon's considerable strength and influence may not be enough to protect Portia—his once and always perfect lover . . .
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 4, 2003
372 people are currently reading
2352 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
208 books5,593 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 217 reviews
January 25, 2023
"Cu ea, el urma un alt scenariu, unul menit sa-i cucereasca mai mult decat trupul. Ii voia mintea si sufletul, in aceeasi masura."
O carte din categoria romance pentru iubitorii povestilor de dragoste senzuale si usor erotice.
Ne aflam in 1835 la conacul Glossup in Dorset si il cunoastem pe sarmantul si irezistibilul Simon Cynster care e ravnit de toate domnitele din societate. El se grabeste sa ajunga la o petrecere la care va participa si frumoasa rebela Portia Ashford, care il intriga pe protagonistul nostru cu firea ei nonconformista si firava totodata, acesta simtind nevoia sa o protejeze de necazurile in care intra de una singura.
Si cum Simon tocmai primise o mostenire de la matusa sa el decide ca ar trebui sa se insoare si o are in vedere si pe Portia. Fata are ganduri asemanatoare rugandu-l sa o invete totul despre intimitate. Cei doi au parte de momente pasionale si se intreaba daca secretul lor e cunoscut de lume. Apoi un criminal in serie intra in scena si vietile tuturor sunt in pericol.
Avem de-a face asadar cu o carte ce cuprinde scene de dragoste, erotice, destul de detaliate, insa nu vulgare si fara cuvinte licentioase.
Autoarea are inspiratia de a introduce si o doza de mister prin cautarea unui criminal in serie, actiunea impartindu-se astfel in doua: scenele de dragoste si intriga politista. In incheiere atasez cateva citate relevante in acest sens:
"In adancul inimii stia ca-i putea cere orice, iar ea, cu buna stiinta, ii va oferi totul."
"Nu putea sa para nici o cocheta, nici o frivola - pur si simplu pentru ca nu era asa -, dar el simti o anume bucurie in ea, anticiparea, incantarea, emotia."
"Ea avusese dreptate: era ceva special intre ei, ceva pentru care merita sa lupte. Dar mai avea atatea de invatat!..."
"Daca si-ar fi rememorat intalnirea cu ea, n-ar fi vorbit decat despre blandetea ei feminina, aceasta ar fi fost expresia potrivita. De obicei, era mai semeata si intepatoare. Astazi se pare ca lasase deoparte scutul si sulitele."
O carte din categoria romance pentru iubitorii povestilor de dragoste senzuale si usor erotice.
Ne aflam in 1835 la conacul Glossup in Dorset si il cunoastem pe sarmantul si irezistibilul Simon Cynster care e ravnit de toate domnitele din societate. El se grabeste sa ajunga la o petrecere la care va participa si frumoasa rebela Portia Ashford, care il intriga pe protagonistul nostru cu firea ei nonconformista si firava totodata, acesta simtind nevoia sa o protejeze de necazurile in care intra de una singura.
Si cum Simon tocmai primise o mostenire de la matusa sa el decide ca ar trebui sa se insoare si o are in vedere si pe Portia. Fata are ganduri asemanatoare rugandu-l sa o invete totul despre intimitate. Cei doi au parte de momente pasionale si se intreaba daca secretul lor e cunoscut de lume. Apoi un criminal in serie intra in scena si vietile tuturor sunt in pericol.
Avem de-a face asadar cu o carte ce cuprinde scene de dragoste, erotice, destul de detaliate, insa nu vulgare si fara cuvinte licentioase.
Autoarea are inspiratia de a introduce si o doza de mister prin cautarea unui criminal in serie, actiunea impartindu-se astfel in doua: scenele de dragoste si intriga politista. In incheiere atasez cateva citate relevante in acest sens:
"In adancul inimii stia ca-i putea cere orice, iar ea, cu buna stiinta, ii va oferi totul."
"Nu putea sa para nici o cocheta, nici o frivola - pur si simplu pentru ca nu era asa -, dar el simti o anume bucurie in ea, anticiparea, incantarea, emotia."
"Ea avusese dreptate: era ceva special intre ei, ceva pentru care merita sa lupte. Dar mai avea atatea de invatat!..."
"Daca si-ar fi rememorat intalnirea cu ea, n-ar fi vorbit decat despre blandetea ei feminina, aceasta ar fi fost expresia potrivita. De obicei, era mai semeata si intepatoare. Astazi se pare ca lasase deoparte scutul si sulitele."
March 2, 2023
The Perfect Lover
4 Stars
Taking a break from Stephanie Laurens' writing seems to have done the trick. The Perfect Lover is a charming addition to the Cynster series as the romance between Portia Ashford and Simon Cynster is smolderingly intense.
Due to the closeness of their families, Simon and Portia are well-acquainted with each other's strengths and weaknesses. They have never gotten along, but now embroiled in a mystery at a house party, they can't seem to keep their hands (and other body parts) off each other.
Thankfully, there is very little of the silly stubbornness or secret keeping nonsense that undermined the last couple of installments. Portia and Simon behave like mature adults and realize that they will have to adapt and adjust to each other in order to make a go of it.
The mystery is intriguing although somewhat obvious and the secondary characters are appealing, which is excellent as a one or two have their own books down the line of this very long series.
Overall, the Cynsters are back on track with this book and I'm hopeful that it will continue in this vein.
4 Stars
Taking a break from Stephanie Laurens' writing seems to have done the trick. The Perfect Lover is a charming addition to the Cynster series as the romance between Portia Ashford and Simon Cynster is smolderingly intense.
Due to the closeness of their families, Simon and Portia are well-acquainted with each other's strengths and weaknesses. They have never gotten along, but now embroiled in a mystery at a house party, they can't seem to keep their hands (and other body parts) off each other.
Thankfully, there is very little of the silly stubbornness or secret keeping nonsense that undermined the last couple of installments. Portia and Simon behave like mature adults and realize that they will have to adapt and adjust to each other in order to make a go of it.
The mystery is intriguing although somewhat obvious and the secondary characters are appealing, which is excellent as a one or two have their own books down the line of this very long series.
Overall, the Cynsters are back on track with this book and I'm hopeful that it will continue in this vein.
January 29, 2016
This book was a let down. It was so boring. The story dragged on for two thirds of the book, towards the end the story picked up but too little too late. I couldn't wait to get to the end and I had to push myself (and I skiped quite a few pages) to finish it. The heroine and her constant logical analyzing how she feels was very boring to read. And I can't believe I'm saying this but there was way too much (sometimes boring) sex scenes and too little plot in between all those sex scenes.
May 17, 2024
As with the other books in this series you get a little plot with a whole lot of loooog sex scenes. The plot, what there is of it, is great for an Historical Romance with Mystery. But, dang, there are a lot of sex scenes to get through to get to that plot.
Simon Cynster is at a point in his life, he's 30, his deceased aunt has left him an estate, where he is ready to settle with a wife and make more little Cynsters. Now he just needs the right woman. On his way to a house party, he spys a long-time family acquaintance and thinks Hmmmm. But he has an uphill battle with this lady. She is not about to accept a man who will control and dominate her and that is what Cynster men are best known for, no matter how handsome they are or how happy they make their brides.
Portia Ashford is 24 and to date has not deemed it necessary to play the mating games the ton requires, except now she wants children and therefore she needs a husband. At a house party at Glossup hall she finds Simon and several other very eligible young men to choose from. As a very intelligent woman she wants to know just what makes a successful marriage. But, you see, some things just can't be learned from observation - hands on experience is what counts.
Simon and Portia get together and get it on and someone dies and they solve the case.
The End.
3 1/2-Stars
Simon Cynster is at a point in his life, he's 30, his deceased aunt has left him an estate, where he is ready to settle with a wife and make more little Cynsters. Now he just needs the right woman. On his way to a house party, he spys a long-time family acquaintance and thinks Hmmmm. But he has an uphill battle with this lady. She is not about to accept a man who will control and dominate her and that is what Cynster men are best known for, no matter how handsome they are or how happy they make their brides.
Portia Ashford is 24 and to date has not deemed it necessary to play the mating games the ton requires, except now she wants children and therefore she needs a husband. At a house party at Glossup hall she finds Simon and several other very eligible young men to choose from. As a very intelligent woman she wants to know just what makes a successful marriage. But, you see, some things just can't be learned from observation - hands on experience is what counts.
Simon and Portia get together and get it on and someone dies and they solve the case.
The End.
3 1/2-Stars
July 10, 2019
I absolutely love all things Cynster but I was dreading this abridged audio. I was expecting too feel as if I missed something, but that wasn't the case. It was perfectly done. It was like getting all the desert without having to eat the veggies!
November 30, 2025
Reread.
Rating 4.5
Beginning and ending of the book were well written, with pacing and character growth.
The middle did drag for me. Had to push myself to get through.
Both hero and heroine were well suited and had good chemistry.
The progress of their relationship and achievement of their HEA was excellint.
Rating 4.5
Beginning and ending of the book were well written, with pacing and character growth.
The middle did drag for me. Had to push myself to get through.
Both hero and heroine were well suited and had good chemistry.
The progress of their relationship and achievement of their HEA was excellint.
March 5, 2015
The first half of the book was so...."Meh".But im glad i tolerated the story and got through the pages....since the second half turned out to be pretty darn good.
No really this book had zero mystery until i reached page 202 of 375...even though the summery states it to be a MYSTERY-ROMANCE book.
*Sign* So sadly i cant rate this a full 4 stars...so 3 and a 1/2 it is.. :/
No really this book had zero mystery until i reached page 202 of 375...even though the summery states it to be a MYSTERY-ROMANCE book.
*Sign* So sadly i cant rate this a full 4 stars...so 3 and a 1/2 it is.. :/
November 14, 2013
3.5 stars
I never thought I'd say this, but there was just too much sex in this book. If we could have cut out some of the 12 page love scenes, we wouldn't have lost anything in the story and I might have enjoyed it a bit more. At one point, I was hoping the couple would get married soon so they'd quit having sex all the time like most married couples.
I absolutely LOVED that Simon told Portia he loved her without her having to ask or guess or cajole him into saying. He just spit it right out and he said it first :) That was so unlike most Cynster men that I actually read the scene twice LOL I also loved that Portia wasn't a doormat. Most of the women in the series aren't. Let's face it, they couldn't be and be with a Cynster man, but not only was Portia strong, she was smart too.
All in all, another enjoyable addition to this great series :)
I never thought I'd say this, but there was just too much sex in this book. If we could have cut out some of the 12 page love scenes, we wouldn't have lost anything in the story and I might have enjoyed it a bit more. At one point, I was hoping the couple would get married soon so they'd quit having sex all the time like most married couples.
I absolutely LOVED that Simon told Portia he loved her without her having to ask or guess or cajole him into saying. He just spit it right out and he said it first :) That was so unlike most Cynster men that I actually read the scene twice LOL I also loved that Portia wasn't a doormat. Most of the women in the series aren't. Let's face it, they couldn't be and be with a Cynster man, but not only was Portia strong, she was smart too.
All in all, another enjoyable addition to this great series :)
July 29, 2016
This was a good read.
Simon Cynster, last single male Cynster of his generation decides to get married. Somehow, he sets his sight on Portia Ashford, the no- nonsense lady- who is also in search for a husband.
As they have their first kiss and start to fall for one another- there is a killing and most of the story focuses either on introducing the characters, or the murder itself.
This was I think the second least favorite of the series for me(after the prequel).
Though it had potential- I felt both the leads lacked the explosive chemistry that I usually adore in SL books. And even the heavy make out/ sex scenes seemed over shadowed by the whole mystery and other characters.
Could have been much better. But I did adore a few scenes between them.
Safe read
3/5
Simon Cynster, last single male Cynster of his generation decides to get married. Somehow, he sets his sight on Portia Ashford, the no- nonsense lady- who is also in search for a husband.
As they have their first kiss and start to fall for one another- there is a killing and most of the story focuses either on introducing the characters, or the murder itself.
This was I think the second least favorite of the series for me(after the prequel).
Though it had potential- I felt both the leads lacked the explosive chemistry that I usually adore in SL books. And even the heavy make out/ sex scenes seemed over shadowed by the whole mystery and other characters.
Could have been much better. But I did adore a few scenes between them.
Safe read
3/5
April 8, 2012
Well the two star up there doesn't mean it was badly written or anything. Its just that, when I read a romance novel, I don't want a subplot taking up so much of the book that I hardly get to see the hero and heroine together. And whenever I did see them together, they were making love! I mean sure that steamy part is all good when I know my characters well. I want to know why the guy falls in love, why the girls accepts the guy. I just don't want to read how they satisfy each other's physical needs! Stephanie Laurens is a good author, but this one did not work for me.
February 5, 2022
I quite liked this book (audiobook version), the couple is more balanced in that they are friends, or at least long time acquaintances though family ties and both are in the mid 20s, not too young and naive or old and jaded. Both of them are arrived at a similar placed in their lives, they want a family of their own.
Simon, is a typical gentleman of his time, he is honorable and responsible and feels like he must protect the people in his life/family and that includes Portia someone he has known since his sister married her brother 10 or so years earlier. When both are invited to a house party it and soon becomes apparent that Portia is acting different than her usual self and her new interest in men and marriage coincides with his own realization that he is ready for marriage, it doesn't take much for him to realize that she would be a perfect lover for him. Portia really wants children and for that she needs to get married, she thinks that a well-reasoned and educated evaluation of what she likes and dislikes in a man is enough to choose a partner, but Simon is determined to show her that love and passion are just as important.
During their back and forth is the backdrop of the house party and a murder mystery that occurs, it does a well enough job at giving the other guests at the house party some personality and presence to fill out the story. The murder was interesting enough, the victim wasn't really sympathetic and was causing a lot of trouble for many people, but now a killer is on the loose and somehow is after Portia. What did she see or notice that the killer is worried about? The mystery is more of a backdrop to have a some extra interest, the support characters are okay but none really standout. I don't know if any of them will get a book, but this series is long so maybe 1-2 will, like Simon's friends?
Overall it was an good read, I liked both Simon and Portia, they felt like a good match, if perhaps a little too perfect (and thus a little boring :).
Simon, is a typical gentleman of his time, he is honorable and responsible and feels like he must protect the people in his life/family and that includes Portia someone he has known since his sister married her brother 10 or so years earlier. When both are invited to a house party it and soon becomes apparent that Portia is acting different than her usual self and her new interest in men and marriage coincides with his own realization that he is ready for marriage, it doesn't take much for him to realize that she would be a perfect lover for him. Portia really wants children and for that she needs to get married, she thinks that a well-reasoned and educated evaluation of what she likes and dislikes in a man is enough to choose a partner, but Simon is determined to show her that love and passion are just as important.
During their back and forth is the backdrop of the house party and a murder mystery that occurs, it does a well enough job at giving the other guests at the house party some personality and presence to fill out the story. The murder was interesting enough, the victim wasn't really sympathetic and was causing a lot of trouble for many people, but now a killer is on the loose and somehow is after Portia. What did she see or notice that the killer is worried about? The mystery is more of a backdrop to have a some extra interest, the support characters are okay but none really standout. I don't know if any of them will get a book, but this series is long so maybe 1-2 will, like Simon's friends?
Overall it was an good read, I liked both Simon and Portia, they felt like a good match, if perhaps a little too perfect (and thus a little boring :).
February 28, 2021
Aunque en un principio me estaba aburriendo mucho este libro, después de la primer mitad mejora muchísimo y lo mejor es que el sexo no predomina mucho, después de nueve libros estaba un poco harta de tanto sexo y fue genial que en este no abundara tanto.
April 14, 2020
The Perfect Lover is the tenth instalment of the Bar Cynster series by Stephanie Laurens.
You would think by book ten this series would be fizzling out by now. How very wrong. Each book I expect to get bored however Laurens keeps things fresh and dramatic with that all powerful romance running throughout.
So who’s turn is it this time? That would be Portia and Simon. Our heroine is head strong smart and dedicated to finding a husband. Unbeknownst to her Simon has also set his mind on marriage and set his sights on Portia. Add in a murder and you have yourself book ten.
I really enjoy these books. The romance in them is enticing without being trashy. With this particular book I found the beginning to be a little slow, however once I hit the halfway mark I raced to the end. I really liked Portia as the female lead and Simon was just as likeable. The murder mystery In this novel kept me guessing to the end and did indeed keep me captivated till the last page. The wonderful thing about these books is you begin to feel like you yourself are part of the ton, I recognised many characters that are recurring in each book. Family members and guests to the gatherings hosted in these books are becoming character favourites for example Lady Osbaldstone. What a force to be reckoned with.
I’m looking forward to the next Cynster and to see what story that brings, along with the crazy antics of this huge family.
You would think by book ten this series would be fizzling out by now. How very wrong. Each book I expect to get bored however Laurens keeps things fresh and dramatic with that all powerful romance running throughout.
So who’s turn is it this time? That would be Portia and Simon. Our heroine is head strong smart and dedicated to finding a husband. Unbeknownst to her Simon has also set his mind on marriage and set his sights on Portia. Add in a murder and you have yourself book ten.
I really enjoy these books. The romance in them is enticing without being trashy. With this particular book I found the beginning to be a little slow, however once I hit the halfway mark I raced to the end. I really liked Portia as the female lead and Simon was just as likeable. The murder mystery In this novel kept me guessing to the end and did indeed keep me captivated till the last page. The wonderful thing about these books is you begin to feel like you yourself are part of the ton, I recognised many characters that are recurring in each book. Family members and guests to the gatherings hosted in these books are becoming character favourites for example Lady Osbaldstone. What a force to be reckoned with.
I’m looking forward to the next Cynster and to see what story that brings, along with the crazy antics of this huge family.
August 17, 2020
Three and a half stars
The romance was good. The suspense sub plot had potential. Overall the book dragged along. At least we saw more of Lady O.
The romance was good. The suspense sub plot had potential. Overall the book dragged along. At least we saw more of Lady O.
November 13, 2013
Really more like a 3.5 Stars, though it was kind of tough to decide. On one hand, the mystery in this one was pretty good, kept me guessing, and while a lot of characters were introduced at the house party, once I got them straightened out in my mind, I liked most of them, and have a feeling we may see them again (I'm thinking maybe James and Charlie). Once Inspector Stokes came on the scene, I really liked him too, and look forward to seeing him some more in the Barnaby books. I mostly liked Simon and Portia too, neither one really overly aggravated me. So, that's the good. The other hand though, I got bored with the abundance of long sex/foreplay/kissing scenes. Like every other scene they were going at it again. I found myself skimming the love scenes again for the first time since like 5 books in this series ago. So that was a negative. I think the mystery balanced it out for me though for the most part. It wasn't too easy for me to figure out, and I liked how it played out. So, 3.5 Stars it is. I also really liked Lady Osbaldestone's role in this one! The old battle-axe had me giggling in a few places, and her cheekiness in pushing Simon and Portia together, telling em to quit wasting time, was a fun bit. For such a proper old society matriarch, she sure did show a naughty side in this book. I liked that. I'm most definitely looking forward to next month's read, Where the Heart Leads, featuring Portia's sister Penelope and that Barnaby guy I've become so intrigued by. And get to see some more Inspector Stokes too, that's also exciting :)
*Edit to add, we will definitely see James again, as I just realized he is the hero of And Then She Fell. So much for Miss Lucy Buckstead, eh? Lol.
*Edit to add, we will definitely see James again, as I just realized he is the hero of And Then She Fell. So much for Miss Lucy Buckstead, eh? Lol.
May 29, 2013
I dislike these books. The first one was mediocre, and each subsequent book has been nearly identical. Basically, I'm just reading them because of my strange compulsion that leaves me incapable of dropping a series once I start. I am looking forward to being done.
June 7, 2016
Bueno, por fin terminado. La verdad es que ni fú ni fá. No sé si por ser el 10º de la serie o qué, pero en ocasiones me perdía bastante. Mejora bastante en las últimas páginas, pero ya. Le doy un tres porque me ha entretenido, pero no es el mejor libro que tiene la autora...
May 24, 2022
1 1/2. Seriously. I’ve been struggling through the last few Cynster novels. The struggle ends here. This one is so bad, it has cured me of Stephanie Laurens. (Actually, I’ve paid for The Ideal Bride already so I’ll listen to it, but that’s it.) The first half of this series was a solid 3 1/2, then it started going wrong but it kept my interest with strong male characters and good sex scenes. This one is so boring I listened to it at double speed. The mystery has potential but never lives up to it. It’s supposed to be a house party murder like an Agatha Christie novel, but it takes so long and the victim was so obvious I was begging someone to kill her already. The solution is so poorly arrived at it made no sense. Timing is everything in a plot of suspense, but the timing here does not create a spooky atmosphere at all.
Meanwhile, we have Portia the bluestocking who has decided, quite scientifically, that she wants to have children so she’d better get herself a husband. But it’s like she’s just emerged from a coma and has no idea what men and women do with one another. Even though she’s had six London Seasons, and she has four sisters. Please. She lets Simon Cynster (I can’t even remember where he fits on the family tree, he’s so boring) seduce her as an experiment, to see if she will get anything positive out of marriage (I guess she’s forgotten about the kid thing already) then refuses to marry him. What?? Every. Single. Book. These stupid women refuse to marry rich, handsome, powerful men who are totally in love with them AFTER they lose their virginity, which means (in our 18th century romance mythology) they can never marry anyone else. It’s so unbelievable. SL writes the worst female characters, and Portia is the worst of the worst. (She needs to know, dammit! ) I think it’s some kind of 18th century feminism or something. I don’t want 21st century values in my 18th century novels. That’s not why I read about this time period. Back to Portia, who is always thinking. You would think the smartest woman in the room would be solving the murder, but she can’t even stay out of trouble herself. She drove me nuts. Simon has decided to marry her already, hence the seduction, but when he tells her he wants to marry her she’s furious. But the whole thing was her idea! She wants kids. Does she think they grow in cabbages? Or does she think she’s going to go marry some other man after what she’s been doing with Simon? I was appalled at her complete lack of morals. He says the only reasonable thing in the whole mess of a plot, what kind of man do you take me for that I would seduce a gentleman’s virgin daughter and not marry her? Finally the man stands up to this stupid willful woman. Geez. She’s completely unlikeable.
Anyway, I’m done waiting for these books to get better. I started with the four Lady Osbaldestone Christmas books, which are actually really good. Lady O is the best thing about this mess, the only thing that kept me going. I just don’t know how a book with two sex scenes in every chapter can be so boring, but it is and it really annoys me. I want my Audible credit back.
Meanwhile, we have Portia the bluestocking who has decided, quite scientifically, that she wants to have children so she’d better get herself a husband. But it’s like she’s just emerged from a coma and has no idea what men and women do with one another. Even though she’s had six London Seasons, and she has four sisters. Please. She lets Simon Cynster (I can’t even remember where he fits on the family tree, he’s so boring) seduce her as an experiment, to see if she will get anything positive out of marriage (I guess she’s forgotten about the kid thing already) then refuses to marry him. What?? Every. Single. Book. These stupid women refuse to marry rich, handsome, powerful men who are totally in love with them AFTER they lose their virginity, which means (in our 18th century romance mythology) they can never marry anyone else. It’s so unbelievable. SL writes the worst female characters, and Portia is the worst of the worst. (She needs to know, dammit! ) I think it’s some kind of 18th century feminism or something. I don’t want 21st century values in my 18th century novels. That’s not why I read about this time period. Back to Portia, who is always thinking. You would think the smartest woman in the room would be solving the murder, but she can’t even stay out of trouble herself. She drove me nuts. Simon has decided to marry her already, hence the seduction, but when he tells her he wants to marry her she’s furious. But the whole thing was her idea! She wants kids. Does she think they grow in cabbages? Or does she think she’s going to go marry some other man after what she’s been doing with Simon? I was appalled at her complete lack of morals. He says the only reasonable thing in the whole mess of a plot, what kind of man do you take me for that I would seduce a gentleman’s virgin daughter and not marry her? Finally the man stands up to this stupid willful woman. Geez. She’s completely unlikeable.
Anyway, I’m done waiting for these books to get better. I started with the four Lady Osbaldestone Christmas books, which are actually really good. Lady O is the best thing about this mess, the only thing that kept me going. I just don’t know how a book with two sex scenes in every chapter can be so boring, but it is and it really annoys me. I want my Audible credit back.
January 21, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up. The premise of their relationship is a bit weak, and also feels like it's just a slight variation on several of the previous books in this series... I didn't dislike this couple, but they didn't particularly stand out in any way either.
March 15, 2019
What can I say, I am a sucker for all Stephanie Laurens books, love them all
September 25, 2013
Review taken from my blog in September 2010:
I've just finished this one this morning, in between packing Toodles off to school (not my turn for the school run today) and packing orders......and it might be heading to the top of the list of Stephanie Laurens titles read thus far - an easy read of Simon Cynster and Portia Ashford, friends/adversaries since childhood and their slow discovery of love that develops. More saucy scenes and a murder ~with Simon and Portia trapping the murderer at the end all ends happily ~ just what I would expect.
I think this one is book 10 in the Cynster series, but as before you can read any of them as stand-alones ... actually though, pay attention they do weave together very nicely!
Right, enough reading for now ~although I have selected another Cynster one, which is ready and waiting to go .... Temptation and Surrender.
Actually, whilst thinking about this there is one point I might have touched on before, but I feel the need to expand: I most assuredly DO NOT like the trashy drawn illustration covers that the books are currently being sold with. The one I have been reading (above) has a much nicer cove. I accept that perhaps the publisher wants to suggest at the saucy nature that lies within, but come on ...... a real photograph of people in the relevant historical period in a saucy pose would give their books the due homage they need .... the trashy illustrated versions just remind me of cheapo books without much going on in them, and written by an entirely less worth author. I would be interested to hear other peoples opinions on this.
I've just finished this one this morning, in between packing Toodles off to school (not my turn for the school run today) and packing orders......and it might be heading to the top of the list of Stephanie Laurens titles read thus far - an easy read of Simon Cynster and Portia Ashford, friends/adversaries since childhood and their slow discovery of love that develops. More saucy scenes and a murder ~with Simon and Portia trapping the murderer at the end all ends happily ~ just what I would expect.
I think this one is book 10 in the Cynster series, but as before you can read any of them as stand-alones ... actually though, pay attention they do weave together very nicely!
Right, enough reading for now ~although I have selected another Cynster one, which is ready and waiting to go .... Temptation and Surrender.
Actually, whilst thinking about this there is one point I might have touched on before, but I feel the need to expand: I most assuredly DO NOT like the trashy drawn illustration covers that the books are currently being sold with. The one I have been reading (above) has a much nicer cove. I accept that perhaps the publisher wants to suggest at the saucy nature that lies within, but come on ...... a real photograph of people in the relevant historical period in a saucy pose would give their books the due homage they need .... the trashy illustrated versions just remind me of cheapo books without much going on in them, and written by an entirely less worth author. I would be interested to hear other peoples opinions on this.
July 13, 2012
The "romance" plot was very typical of Stephanie Laurens : a heroine willing to discover what can be the possible attractions of marriage, the discoveries taking place with someone she's known her whole life, the hero former-rake just decided to create a family realizing she's his perfect bride-to-be.
Honestly this resembled very much the previous books but was nicely and quite convincingly written that I bought it, yet rolled my eyes at one or 2 scenes.
However what was different and what I really liked in this book was the secondary characters and plot. It takes place during a house party, during which a young married lady behaves with no respect to convenances and is finally found murdered. I really liked how the atmosphere progressively deteriorates while Kitty's behaviour flirts with the inacceptable and the investigation afterwards aiming at identifying the mean culprit.
While very predictable on the romance side and the too-classic way this unravels, it was nevertheless an enjoyable read.
Honestly this resembled very much the previous books but was nicely and quite convincingly written that I bought it, yet rolled my eyes at one or 2 scenes.
However what was different and what I really liked in this book was the secondary characters and plot. It takes place during a house party, during which a young married lady behaves with no respect to convenances and is finally found murdered. I really liked how the atmosphere progressively deteriorates while Kitty's behaviour flirts with the inacceptable and the investigation afterwards aiming at identifying the mean culprit.
While very predictable on the romance side and the too-classic way this unravels, it was nevertheless an enjoyable read.
September 1, 2018
It was too long. I finished it only because of my strange compulsion to finish books I’ve started.
It was my first Stephanie Laurens and I am a bit wary about trying a second.
I could understand the heroine’s thought process given the way marriages worked back then but did the author have to hammer it in word by word after every sex and almost sex scene? We get it, Portia doesn’t want to lose her independence. But she likes kissing and sex. And half of the sex scenes would have been better left to the imagination. They did nothing to forward the storyline.
The mystery was good though I guessed the murderer pretty early.
Here too, the author used too heavy a hand. Kitty could’ve been murdered much earlier in the story. We were convinced of her stupidity and awfulness three chapters into the novel. Instead there were pages and pages of her creating scenes and throwing tantrums.
This is one of those stories an author like Eloisa James or Tessa Dare would have treated as a novella, an extra addition to a successful series. And it would have been much better for it.
It was my first Stephanie Laurens and I am a bit wary about trying a second.
I could understand the heroine’s thought process given the way marriages worked back then but did the author have to hammer it in word by word after every sex and almost sex scene? We get it, Portia doesn’t want to lose her independence. But she likes kissing and sex. And half of the sex scenes would have been better left to the imagination. They did nothing to forward the storyline.
The mystery was good though I guessed the murderer pretty early.
Here too, the author used too heavy a hand. Kitty could’ve been murdered much earlier in the story. We were convinced of her stupidity and awfulness three chapters into the novel. Instead there were pages and pages of her creating scenes and throwing tantrums.
This is one of those stories an author like Eloisa James or Tessa Dare would have treated as a novella, an extra addition to a successful series. And it would have been much better for it.
January 7, 2015
I keep saying I am taking a break from Cynsters and then library books I have requested come in. And I cave and read them. Simon's story is just so-so. He doesn't have the appeal of the other Cynster males and Portia is annoying. She all of a sudden wants children and decides she should find a husband. She spends so much time in the book analyzing logically how you feel which is boring to read about. She and Simon have always steered clear of each other to avoid antagonism. Now that Portia wants kids she talks herself into considering all available men at a house party. The best parts of the book included Lady Obaldstone who is the wise, crotchety old lady Laurens features in many of her novels. Lady O can't be outsmarted by young people trying to have an affair- and often gives them advice while matchmaking. ho hum to the rest except for the awful Kitty and her clan.
June 13, 2009
I would have enjoyed this book more had the author not decided to throw in a suspense-y subplot at the last possible moment. The story read almost as if she'd gotten halfway through the book and remembered "oh right, I need a suspense bit." It felt too contrived against the backdrop of what really is a lovely romance with a fiesty heroine who is not too stupid to live and an alpha male hero that doesn't antagonize the reader. Laurens does a great job of character- and conflict- building for the romance plot, but the story isn't strong enough to support an unwieldy murder mystery at the end.
December 15, 2011
Simon has come to the realization that wealth and looks aren’t enough and he needs a wife to achieve true happiness. Knowing that he will set off a landslide of fluttering debutantes knocking at his door if it’s known that he is wife-hunting, he keeps his plans a secret. Portia has just decided that she wants children and in resignation, she realizes to have them, she needs a husband. Portia and Simon were childhood nemesis, but inevitably, they end up in each other’s arms at a weekend house party. Things are going swimmingly until the house party turns deadly and the signs point to Portia being a target.
October 14, 2013
Very willing to DNF due to supreme boredom (and hey we know the formula already, there is a murder somewhere in there... it is coming).. but I don't ever DNF so expect me to reach the end.
Update: can ... not .. finish... soo repetitive that I am not even enjoying the slightly better murder plot that this installment is featuring.
Will finish soon, promises *labours through*.
UPDATE: finished! Was supremely boring throughout the end as well ... it's like they couldn't belabor the different points f their relationship any further, even if they wanted. Because I am sure here were NO words left for it in the English language. Yup.
Update: can ... not .. finish... soo repetitive that I am not even enjoying the slightly better murder plot that this installment is featuring.
Will finish soon, promises *labours through*.
UPDATE: finished! Was supremely boring throughout the end as well ... it's like they couldn't belabor the different points f their relationship any further, even if they wanted. Because I am sure here were NO words left for it in the English language. Yup.
October 29, 2020
I like Simon and Portia. I think this pairing was hinted at way back when in Amelia and Luc's book. So if that is true, then nice. if not, well, let's just pretend it was.
This whole story basically takes place at a house party. I enjoy that because they get to do whatever instead of going to a thousand balls and luncheons. I also enjoy those tbh, so maybe I just enjoy the whole period. Anyway, they are at a house party, then something happens, and they have to fix things. Not really a new storyline, but it was still a fun one.
The characters were less annoying than they could have been and I always enjoy that. Well, the main characters anyway.
This whole story basically takes place at a house party. I enjoy that because they get to do whatever instead of going to a thousand balls and luncheons. I also enjoy those tbh, so maybe I just enjoy the whole period. Anyway, they are at a house party, then something happens, and they have to fix things. Not really a new storyline, but it was still a fun one.
The characters were less annoying than they could have been and I always enjoy that. Well, the main characters anyway.
June 17, 2024
Overall Rating:
⭐️: 4.5/5 - 🌶️: 3/5
Very charming!
This book reminded me of some Agatha Christie stories; Set in a house filled with intriguing characters, each one a potential suspect, it kept me guessing until the end.
It was a bit slow, but I really liked Simon and Portia together. Their chemistry was simply delightful. I'd give it a near-perfect 5 rating, but the sluggish pace nudges it down to a 4.5.
♡◜✧˖°*:･ﾟ✧
Simon & Portia
Cynster Book 10
Simon is the younger brother of the twins, as well as of Charles, the eldest who "passed" away, and Theo,
Chronological Yr: 1835 Jul
⭐️: 4.5/5 - 🌶️: 3/5
Very charming!
This book reminded me of some Agatha Christie stories; Set in a house filled with intriguing characters, each one a potential suspect, it kept me guessing until the end.
It was a bit slow, but I really liked Simon and Portia together. Their chemistry was simply delightful. I'd give it a near-perfect 5 rating, but the sluggish pace nudges it down to a 4.5.
♡◜✧˖°*:･ﾟ✧
Simon & Portia
Cynster Book 10
Simon is the younger brother of the twins, as well as of Charles, the eldest who "passed" away, and Theo,
Chronological Yr: 1835 Jul
September 12, 2011
This story wasn't the usual "Cynster romance". It has a sweetness to it that made me smile throughout. I've read all the Cynster stories in order and absolutely love them. I've looked forward to reading about Simon and Portia ever since Amelia and Luc's love match. I knew when they fought as kids, I'd see them again and really enjoyed reading their love story. Lady O is by far the best of the Cynster series characters. She really showed up in this story. Ofcourse my favorite Cynster man is Devil.
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