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Cynster #0.5
The Promise in a Kiss
What would you do if you were kissed by the most handsome stranger you'd ever seen? And what if that man was a Cynster?
Every girl—even convent-educated ones—dreams of forbidden kisses. So when a man literally falls at Helena's feet as she's walking through the courtyard one moonlit Christmas Eve, the pretty, young comtesse d'Lisle knows he's up to no good. He's clearly a bit dangerous... and obviously caught in the middle of a clandestine rendezvous. Why else would he have risked his neck and jumped out of a window into the snow?
It's wrong, it's outlandish . . . and it's the most utterly romantic gesture she's ever seen. So when the good sisters rush up, demanding to know ifshe has seen a man on the grounds, Helena ignores the years of strict upbringing that insist she reveal his presence.
To lie would be a sin, but 'no one can be good all the time.
As a reward for her silence, the stranger takes her in his arms and enticingly, unforgettably kisses her—and then departs, leaving a lingering if unspoken promise of all that might be, should fate decree that they meet again. Although Helena doesn't know it, her wild Englishman is Sebastian Cynster, Duke of St. Ives, a nobleman who will prove to be her destiny.
Seven years later, Helena has been transformed from a pretty schoolgirl to an aristocratic beauty. Her sparkling wit has made her sought after by London's hostesses; her considerable dowry has made winning her hand the aim of many a gentleman . . . but she is deadeningly aware of how boring so many ofthese gentlemen are.
Her manipulative guardian has unexpectedly allowed her to find a husband of her own choosing, and she has no intention of marrying any man who tries to tame her. There must be someone perfect for her . . . someone who can live up to the promise ofthat long-ago kiss.
Then, at a ball, fate strikes. Once again, it is the Christmas season, and across the crowded room Helena stands transfixed . . . for there is the man whose kiss she has never forgotten, the man of her memory whom no other has ever been able to supplant. Her wild, mysterious Englishman, Sebastian Cynster, Duke of St. Ives.
One look, and he's determined to reclaim her . . . .
377 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 6, 2001
356 people are currently reading
2727 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
206 books5,586 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 - 29 of 291 reviews
July 1, 2013
Ok, I made the super huge mistake of reading this as my first Cynster novel because, you know, it was about the parents and I have a total ocd when it comes of cronological order in a series. Then, while I was reading, I found out that some years later the HEA the hero cheats on the heroine. Well ok, i didn't like it but I have an open mind, shit can happen, apparently it was a one night stand sort of thing done out of pity (yeah.... Uhmmm) and then they were happy and in love till death. And THiS is my huge problem!!!!! In the first book of the Bar Cynster, only Helena is alive and well because Sebastian is... DEAD! Apparently he died relatively young several years before. Then why, why write a prequel? There will always be people who will want to start a series at the very beginning. They will fall in love with Helena and Sebastian, they will start Devil's bride sure to see them together and happy as parents and future grandparents and... Sbam!!!!!! "Oh no sorry,sebastian died and he even cheated on his wife in the process." WTF?!!!!
I liked this book, I got attached to the couple and now that i'm reading all the series Ihave to forget them. Uff
I liked this book, I got attached to the couple and now that i'm reading all the series Ihave to forget them. Uff
do-not-read
January 7, 2016Why write a romance book if you've already messed with the HEA?
April 8, 2013
OKAY. So we pick up a Stephanie Laurens and we know - without a shadow of a doubt - that there will be a formula to the novel. Hero meets Heroine, they can't be together because [insert obstacle here], slowly they overcome said obstacle, there is usually some horizontal jogging, but, alas, they are torn apart by... [Insert obstacle here] but then there is an action packed chapter/ending, and then they all live happily ever after.
I enjoy this, I take comfort in this. All is right in the world when THIS happens.
So what happened to Sebastian and Helena?! I loved them as a couple and would have given it five stars based on the development of their romance and the complete likability of their characters. Helena was fiesty without being over-dramatic which can be a fine line in similar novels. Sebastian was the epitome of manliness and male perfection, a standard in Laurens novels, and he wooed our innocent Helena into an ever-lasting bond that nothing could ever destroy <3 Aww.
AND THEN HE CHEATS ON HER?! Sacre Dieu! That soul deep, burning physical need that Sebastian is described as having and he betrays that for the sake of pity? No Thanks. If that was how this story was going to end that I don't think Laurens should have dedicated an entire novel to them as a couple. I like my men manly and monogomous and I will accept no less in a regency novel!
I enjoy this, I take comfort in this. All is right in the world when THIS happens.
So what happened to Sebastian and Helena?! I loved them as a couple and would have given it five stars based on the development of their romance and the complete likability of their characters. Helena was fiesty without being over-dramatic which can be a fine line in similar novels. Sebastian was the epitome of manliness and male perfection, a standard in Laurens novels, and he wooed our innocent Helena into an ever-lasting bond that nothing could ever destroy <3 Aww.
AND THEN HE CHEATS ON HER?! Sacre Dieu! That soul deep, burning physical need that Sebastian is described as having and he betrays that for the sake of pity? No Thanks. If that was how this story was going to end that I don't think Laurens should have dedicated an entire novel to them as a couple. I like my men manly and monogomous and I will accept no less in a regency novel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2014
I'd read this years ago, but somehow, fictfact.com has this listed as both .5 and 7.5 in the series. I wasn't paying attention, and I just requested the next book from my library. As I'm already up to book 17 in the series, I'm well aware of what happens after they marry. I find it interesting that no mention of Richard is made in the Epilogue, that's supposed to chronicle the first few years of the marriage. Kind of an important thing to leave out, don't you think?
I have no issues with the actual story in this book, but this book should never have been written. By the time we get this story, we already know what Sebastian cheats on Helena. I don't care if it was pity. I don't care if it was only one night. We have expectations of romance heroes, and that includes not cheating on their wives. Before Sebastian had his own book, the story was acceptable and completely un-notable. It was just something that happened to Sylvester and Richard's parents. Sure Helena is still alive in the series, but as we've never read their love story, they're only secondary characters. Once they have their own book, that all changes.
I have no issues with the actual story in this book, but this book should never have been written. By the time we get this story, we already know what Sebastian cheats on Helena. I don't care if it was pity. I don't care if it was only one night. We have expectations of romance heroes, and that includes not cheating on their wives. Before Sebastian had his own book, the story was acceptable and completely un-notable. It was just something that happened to Sylvester and Richard's parents. Sure Helena is still alive in the series, but as we've never read their love story, they're only secondary characters. Once they have their own book, that all changes.
December 11, 2021
I love Stephanie Laurens’ possessive alpha heroes. They’re always so obsessed with their heroines and will move heaven and earth to marry them.
BUT
BUT
can-never-read
January 9, 2016Isn't it nice when the premise of an entire series, is the result of the H's CHEATING? *cue sarcastic eye roll*...
Self note:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Self note:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 23, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Just a bit - some banter and dialogue
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is the prequel novel to the Cynster series about Devil and Scandal’s father Sebastian and his relationship with Helena.
Basic plot:
Helena has always been under the control of men. She thinks she can finally get her freedom – with a letter from her guardian all she has to do is find someone with a title, and as much land and money as her, and most importantly is manageable. But Sebastian Cynster is anything but...
Give this a try if you want:
- Georgian time period (1783)
- Medium steam – 3 full scenes and plenty of kisses
- A bit of an age gap (older hero) – he is 14 years older than the heroine
- Duke hero/heiress heroine
- Mix of romance and danger
- A bit of enemies to lovers feel in the beginning – at least from the heroine
- Hero loves first/protective, possessive hero
- Compromised heroine
Ages:
- Heroine is 23, hero 37
My thoughts:
I struggled with this one quite a bit. The beginning was rough for me because the heroine was so uninterested in the hero. And I get a lot of Stephanie Laurens is about the hero pursuing the heroine and I usuall really like that. But other ones I’ve read were more….the heroine wanted to be with the hero, but there was some external thing keeping her from letting him closer. Or she wasn’t sure about him and he gently woos her closer and closer. You know? Like the “No – stay back!” while wiggling your eyebrows at him. The...”Don’t come any closer!” while thrusting your hips at him. (and content notice – OBVIOUSLY not okay to make these assumptions in real life and I’m not advocating for that. But fiction here, ravishment fantasy if you will, is what I’m talking about.
In this one the heroine was legitimately not seeming to be interested in the hero. And she made it known repeatedly and he kept pushing and pushing and pushing. And it wasn’t cute or endearing. I think because the heroine had been under control of manipulating men her whole life and unable to have full independence and choices is why this felt so yuck to me here.
But once she started entertaining a relationship with him, and he really became more of a protector role instead of a pursing role, I started liking him more. So there was a small spot in the middle of the book where I was enjoying it. But then the ending it kind of lost the feels for me again.
I didn’t get to into what happens after this book because honestly it’s been so many years since I read Devil’s Bride I don’t *really * remember. I won’t complain about that stuff within this review, though knowing that and what happens, I really don’t think this book needed to be written at all.
So overall it was an okay read, but not one I would want to reread.
A few other notes:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Just a bit - some banter and dialogue
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is the prequel novel to the Cynster series about Devil and Scandal’s father Sebastian and his relationship with Helena.
Basic plot:
Helena has always been under the control of men. She thinks she can finally get her freedom – with a letter from her guardian all she has to do is find someone with a title, and as much land and money as her, and most importantly is manageable. But Sebastian Cynster is anything but...
Give this a try if you want:
- Georgian time period (1783)
- Medium steam – 3 full scenes and plenty of kisses
- A bit of an age gap (older hero) – he is 14 years older than the heroine
- Duke hero/heiress heroine
- Mix of romance and danger
- A bit of enemies to lovers feel in the beginning – at least from the heroine
- Hero loves first/protective, possessive hero
- Compromised heroine
Ages:
- Heroine is 23, hero 37
My thoughts:
I struggled with this one quite a bit. The beginning was rough for me because the heroine was so uninterested in the hero. And I get a lot of Stephanie Laurens is about the hero pursuing the heroine and I usuall really like that. But other ones I’ve read were more….the heroine wanted to be with the hero, but there was some external thing keeping her from letting him closer. Or she wasn’t sure about him and he gently woos her closer and closer. You know? Like the “No – stay back!” while wiggling your eyebrows at him. The...”Don’t come any closer!” while thrusting your hips at him. (and content notice – OBVIOUSLY not okay to make these assumptions in real life and I’m not advocating for that. But fiction here, ravishment fantasy if you will, is what I’m talking about.
In this one the heroine was legitimately not seeming to be interested in the hero. And she made it known repeatedly and he kept pushing and pushing and pushing. And it wasn’t cute or endearing. I think because the heroine had been under control of manipulating men her whole life and unable to have full independence and choices is why this felt so yuck to me here.
But once she started entertaining a relationship with him, and he really became more of a protector role instead of a pursing role, I started liking him more. So there was a small spot in the middle of the book where I was enjoying it. But then the ending it kind of lost the feels for me again.
I didn’t get to into what happens after this book because honestly it’s been so many years since I read Devil’s Bride I don’t *really * remember. I won’t complain about that stuff within this review, though knowing that and what happens, I really don’t think this book needed to be written at all.
So overall it was an okay read, but not one I would want to reread.
A few other notes:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
October 15, 2016
I started to read this one because it was the prequel to the popular Cynster series and I have the first book on my bookcase but I wanted to read about what started this family off.
I read about the first 75 or so pages. The writing was fine, it wasn't hugely fantastic to me but it was fine and I was enjoying but still not completely invested in the romance between Sebastian and Helena.
However I had found out, through a friend who absolutely loves this series, that Once I knew that I couldn't read any further. Why would I want to get invested and care about these 2 people . No thanks I'll pass on that.
I still plan on reading the first in the series and see if I like the stories the writer weaves but I could not finish this novel.
I read about the first 75 or so pages. The writing was fine, it wasn't hugely fantastic to me but it was fine and I was enjoying but still not completely invested in the romance between Sebastian and Helena.
However I had found out, through a friend who absolutely loves this series, that Once I knew that I couldn't read any further. Why would I want to get invested and care about these 2 people . No thanks I'll pass on that.
I still plan on reading the first in the series and see if I like the stories the writer weaves but I could not finish this novel.
June 17, 2016
EDIT
Prequel to the Cynster series of a sort, this was a sweet read.
Helena comes to England, to escape her ruthless guardian Fabien and choose a meek groom for herself. Fortunately, she encounters Sebastian instead, whom she had shared her heated first kiss, and their (stubborn) mating dance begins.
This was an overall good read. I enjoyed both the leads at times, but Helena was a tad bit stubborn at times, and Sebastian a bit pompous, but they kind of made up for each other.
I again enjoyed their love making scenes and commend the author for making historicals so deliciously hot. However, it just had that oomph factor missing..So..I wish they both would have surrendered long before they actually did.
Safe read
2.5/5
Prequel to the Cynster series of a sort, this was a sweet read.
Helena comes to England, to escape her ruthless guardian Fabien and choose a meek groom for herself. Fortunately, she encounters Sebastian instead, whom she had shared her heated first kiss, and their (stubborn) mating dance begins.
This was an overall good read. I enjoyed both the leads at times, but Helena was a tad bit stubborn at times, and Sebastian a bit pompous, but they kind of made up for each other.
I again enjoyed their love making scenes and commend the author for making historicals so deliciously hot. However, it just had that oomph factor missing..So..I wish they both would have surrendered long before they actually did.
Safe read
2.5/5
October 12, 2019
Más bien se queda en 2,5/5
Empezó con fuerza y parecía que iba a ser otra cosa pero luego se estancó y no terminaba de arrancar. Se me hizo lento y un poco pesado aunque al final remontó un poco.
Se podría haber sacado más partido de Sebastian y Helena, la verdad.
Empezó con fuerza y parecía que iba a ser otra cosa pero luego se estancó y no terminaba de arrancar. Se me hizo lento y un poco pesado aunque al final remontó un poco.
Se podría haber sacado más partido de Sebastian y Helena, la verdad.
January 28, 2014
I was going to give this a 4-star, because it has great character development for books that were already written (books 1-6, particularly Devil's Bride since Devil is Sebastian and Helena's son) but there's one glaring point at issue that is bothering me.
But all that aside Laurens does go a considerable way toward explaining Charles's behavior in book 1 (which isn't that much of a spoiler because if you're reading this, you've read Devil's Bride and if you haven't go read it now). Almira is most definitely a manipulative, amibitious middle-class girl (reminds me of Sophia Challoner from Heyer's Devil's Cub who was scheming to trap a duke's son) and her eccentricities definitely carried over toward Charles's sociopathy.
But all that aside Laurens does go a considerable way toward explaining Charles's behavior in book 1 (which isn't that much of a spoiler because if you're reading this, you've read Devil's Bride and if you haven't go read it now). Almira is most definitely a manipulative, amibitious middle-class girl (reminds me of Sophia Challoner from Heyer's Devil's Cub who was scheming to trap a duke's son) and her eccentricities definitely carried over toward Charles's sociopathy.
January 3, 2020
Me ha costado Dios y ayuda leer esta novela. No me ha enganchado nada y se me ha pasado hasta el mes del Reto para hacerle la reseña en el blog. Anoche ya decidí dar el último empuje y terminé leyendo en diagonal. Demasiado rollo para tan poca chicha, la verdad. Ni fu ni fa.
January 23, 2019
I can't seem to stay interested in the second half of the book just like Book 1 of the series. Both books were an almost DNF. Thus, I am in no rush to read the next book in this series.
November 7, 2019
Siempre que tengo un paron de lectura, regreso a los clasicos pero siento decir que esta vez no Stephaniw Laurens se ha salvado ...
No es que el libro sea malo,( que no lo será), sino te que está tan lleno de clichés románticos repetidos hasta la saciedad que parecía que estaba leyendo el mismo libro de otra autora con él misma historia...
Una pena porque parece que es tipo de lectura se ha quedado atrapada en el tiempo y las autoras no saben ni tienen ideas nuevas .
No es que el libro sea malo,( que no lo será), sino te que está tan lleno de clichés románticos repetidos hasta la saciedad que parecía que estaba leyendo el mismo libro de otra autora con él misma historia...
Una pena porque parece que es tipo de lectura se ha quedado atrapada en el tiempo y las autoras no saben ni tienen ideas nuevas .
February 5, 2010
I listened to this audio while burned out on traditional historical romances and dozed my way through most of it with a vague feeling of having read all it before. I had heard nothing but raves about this author but I didn't find anything special here to wake me out of my book induced semi-coma.
The hero is an arrogant alpha man and the heroine is an arrogant, privileged virgin. Whoopie, how many times have I read this love story before? Still, I finished it hoping the whole time that I wasn't going take out any innocent commuters on my way to and from work . . .
Later: This book was a very average historical romance and pretty much bored me from beginning to end. Not bad, not good, just "eh".
The hero is an arrogant alpha man and the heroine is an arrogant, privileged virgin. Whoopie, how many times have I read this love story before? Still, I finished it hoping the whole time that I wasn't going take out any innocent commuters on my way to and from work . . .
Later: This book was a very average historical romance and pretty much bored me from beginning to end. Not bad, not good, just "eh".
August 20, 2014
This was pretty much a 3 or 4 star book (for the genre)... However, we find out in later books (later chronologically, not by year of publishing) that the H cheated on the h. Oh boy! They were supposedly so in love. But when H goes to some associate's place and sees how his poor wife is mistreated, he pities her, and wants to comfort her, so he sleeps with her, and puts her (and the baby) in a worse situation than before... It just defies logic. The h accepting the baby I get, but accepting what the hubby did, no no no no... Last Stephanie Laurens book I read! And I was quite enjoying the series too :(
January 26, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. What I liked best about it was that the hero and heroine were equals and viewed each other as such. They matched in pedigree and wealth, but more importantly in attitude.
This wasn't some girl being feisty to the indulgence of a suitor. It wasn't some blue stocking drawn into the limelight and made fashionable by a man's interest. It wasn't some eccentric who is adorable being discovered. This was acknowledgement and recognition of equals between equals. I've read a lot of books in this genre and this was the very first time I felt that equality. Up until the point of the letter being received, Sebastian has stated his intent but is respecting Helena's abilities to make up her own mind. He's not seducing her into it, he doesn't take her virginity and then force her to the alter with a special license. He respects her and wants her decision to be just that.
Yes, our hero still gets to save the day, but this is due more to his skills and experience than some alpha need to prove he's a man.
I liked this couple. I liked this book. I will look for more by this author.
This wasn't some girl being feisty to the indulgence of a suitor. It wasn't some blue stocking drawn into the limelight and made fashionable by a man's interest. It wasn't some eccentric who is adorable being discovered. This was acknowledgement and recognition of equals between equals. I've read a lot of books in this genre and this was the very first time I felt that equality. Up until the point of the letter being received, Sebastian has stated his intent but is respecting Helena's abilities to make up her own mind. He's not seducing her into it, he doesn't take her virginity and then force her to the alter with a special license. He respects her and wants her decision to be just that.
Yes, our hero still gets to save the day, but this is due more to his skills and experience than some alpha need to prove he's a man.
I liked this couple. I liked this book. I will look for more by this author.
February 17, 2019
I remember having liked this book, and liking it but then I realised the hero in this prequel book cheats on the heroine only four years after the events of this book, and presents her with the result of that affair to raise. The writer tells us that she doesn’t turn a hair, and of course accepts the baby and raises him as her own and instantly forgives him because she loves him!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BLACK LISTED writer.
My theory is that someone around S. L. must have cheated on her mother, her sister, her brother, her daughter, her friend, her cousin or herself, and she has force fed this utter rubbish about forgiving someone instantly even for such a betrayal, and because she needed to convince herself or the betrayed party she wrote this bit into the series and thus ruined this book and herself forever.
BLACK LISTED writer.
My theory is that someone around S. L. must have cheated on her mother, her sister, her brother, her daughter, her friend, her cousin or herself, and she has force fed this utter rubbish about forgiving someone instantly even for such a betrayal, and because she needed to convince herself or the betrayed party she wrote this bit into the series and thus ruined this book and herself forever.
October 29, 2023
Upon reflection, I think my expectations for this prequel story were unrealistic. While it has many elements for a rollicking good tale, sadly, there is a bit too much protest from Helena throughout, especially when she is so smitten, and everyone knows the inevitable outcome.
Filled with hopeful optimism, I thought there would be more about their later years. Unfortunately, I am even more perplexed by how "Richard Cynster" came to be after this story. Perhaps all will be revealed in Scandal's Bride with some salacious detail.
Simon Prebble is a fantastic narrator... He is the male equivalent of Davina Porter.
Filled with hopeful optimism, I thought there would be more about their later years. Unfortunately, I am even more perplexed by how "Richard Cynster" came to be after this story. Perhaps all will be revealed in Scandal's Bride with some salacious detail.
Simon Prebble is a fantastic narrator... He is the male equivalent of Davina Porter.
July 12, 2018
I have just read (and sometimes skimmed through) the Book #0.5 in the Cynster Series called The Promise In A Kiss which is the story of Devil's parents, the 5th Duke of St Ives, Sebastian Cynster, and Helena de Stansion, the young Comtesse d'Lisle. Unfortunately, it didn't captivate, charm or engage me.
This isn't a stand-alone book. It's the beginning of a series but the author didn't treat it as one. I found the plot disappointing because the author has already written a compelling conflict into this couple’s backstory. Sure, a story of how they meet and fall in love is lovely, but we know Sebastian’s illegitimate child Richard was raised by Helena who, family history says, took him in without a qualm. Did she? How did she feel? How did Sebastian feel about the whole thing? If the author had used the already available conflict, rather than a benign villain who’s motivation veers all over the place in order to sustain the dramatic tension, it would have made a huge difference to the depth of the story and this reader's satisfaction.
I have already read Devil's story Book #1 and also his cousin Vane's story Book #2 and rated them as favourites. However this prequel novel, set in Paris and England in 1776, was boring to me in comparison. I thought Sebastian was a bully. I thought Helena was aloof. I didn't quite catch the passion between them so couldn't envision how a substantial relationship could be founded.
For me to “know" already of a future infidelity incident that will occur between them also soured the story for me before it began. Maybe I subconsciously decided not to invest too much of my own feelings when reading this book. Now, if the author had written their love story around how they survived this infidelity incident, and used flashbacks or memories of their falling in love, I think it could've been a great romantic book had this conflict been addressed in the story. The story had potential to be deeper, stronger, more believable. As it is, I think the love story written was undermined by those issues ignored.
I usually enjoy the progression of courtship into sexy times but Sebastian and Helena's intimacies had me squirming uncomfortably- maybe because I view them as Devil's parents and couldn't see past that fact to when they were young and falling in love themselves. Maybe also, again, because we know their relationship goes through infidelity resulting in a child, I couldn't bring myself to read with such vulnerability.
Ultimately, I won't recommend this book as an enjoyable read of the Cynster series. I only read it out of my own commitment to want to read at least the first six books of the Cynster series and I thought this prequel would give more insight into the family's origins.
This isn't a stand-alone book. It's the beginning of a series but the author didn't treat it as one. I found the plot disappointing because the author has already written a compelling conflict into this couple’s backstory. Sure, a story of how they meet and fall in love is lovely, but we know Sebastian’s illegitimate child Richard was raised by Helena who, family history says, took him in without a qualm. Did she? How did she feel? How did Sebastian feel about the whole thing? If the author had used the already available conflict, rather than a benign villain who’s motivation veers all over the place in order to sustain the dramatic tension, it would have made a huge difference to the depth of the story and this reader's satisfaction.
I have already read Devil's story Book #1 and also his cousin Vane's story Book #2 and rated them as favourites. However this prequel novel, set in Paris and England in 1776, was boring to me in comparison. I thought Sebastian was a bully. I thought Helena was aloof. I didn't quite catch the passion between them so couldn't envision how a substantial relationship could be founded.
For me to “know" already of a future infidelity incident that will occur between them also soured the story for me before it began. Maybe I subconsciously decided not to invest too much of my own feelings when reading this book. Now, if the author had written their love story around how they survived this infidelity incident, and used flashbacks or memories of their falling in love, I think it could've been a great romantic book had this conflict been addressed in the story. The story had potential to be deeper, stronger, more believable. As it is, I think the love story written was undermined by those issues ignored.
I usually enjoy the progression of courtship into sexy times but Sebastian and Helena's intimacies had me squirming uncomfortably- maybe because I view them as Devil's parents and couldn't see past that fact to when they were young and falling in love themselves. Maybe also, again, because we know their relationship goes through infidelity resulting in a child, I couldn't bring myself to read with such vulnerability.
Ultimately, I won't recommend this book as an enjoyable read of the Cynster series. I only read it out of my own commitment to want to read at least the first six books of the Cynster series and I thought this prequel would give more insight into the family's origins.
just-not-for-me-stay-away-hell-no
March 30, 2016self note: H cheats and gets ow pregnant. plus if that isn't enough someone dies. no thank you. I'm staying away from this serious.
April 7, 2025
I don't think I ever read this though I did do maybe the first 3 or 4 books in the series. In any case I needed an audio (hands free for work), this is on Audible Plus (free?), this fit the bill, and I'm happy I listened.
The story takes place in Georgian times (?) and tells the story of the progenitors of the Cynster clan of the series.
I liked that the characters don't suffer from presentism and very much creatures of their time and social class.
IMO this is another point in favor for authors popular a few years ago but who are now frowned on. Separately it's a good story, and uber romantic. Destiny is everything.
I had a good time and thought you wouldn't think it but the choice of Simon Prebble as narrator was absolutely spot on.
The story takes place in Georgian times (?) and tells the story of the progenitors of the Cynster clan of the series.
I liked that the characters don't suffer from presentism and very much creatures of their time and social class.
IMO this is another point in favor for authors popular a few years ago but who are now frowned on. Separately it's a good story, and uber romantic. Destiny is everything.
I had a good time and thought you wouldn't think it but the choice of Simon Prebble as narrator was absolutely spot on.
avoid
February 23, 2021I stopped reading this author's books, because some of her H's end up cheating on their h's in future books, wtf. What kind of HEA is that.
For example: from what I heard, the H in the Promise in a Kiss cheats in another story.
For example: from what I heard, the H in the Promise in a Kiss cheats in another story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2012
Good overall romance and the action was trilling to read. The romance scenes were average but not boring to read. I was excited to read how Sylvester's parents met and married. I loved seeing them fall in love and Helena's internal and sometimes very visible external struggles with her feelings for the Duke. The one question I have about this book is, if the Duke so truly loved his wife and was such an proud man why would he cheat on her while in Scotland with Lady Eleanor McEnery and create Richard (Scandal) as was mentioned in book 3 and 1 in the series. It makes me look negatively on Sebastian, The Duke of St. Ives. He pursues Helena so determinedly and wins her trust to betray it later on in their marriage, it just bothers me. The book as a whole is good and as I said the action and romancing is average. I recommend this book to anyone who's into the series as a way to see how Sylvester's parents came together but it's not a must read to enjoy the rest of the series.
October 1, 2011
Eh. I hadn't read any of the other books in the series, but this one was cheap on Audible and it was a prequel of sorts so I hoped it wouldn't matter much...and it probably didn't. It just didn't do much for me at all, unfortunately. Helene spent too much time wandering over into TSTL territory--never truly crossed over, but she was close. Then she veered wildly between "I can't possibly get involved with a dominant male" to "oh, thank you for rescuing me, you big strong dominent male, you" waaaay too much. Argh. And if I had to hear about her "peridot eyes" one more time....
April 17, 2020
I quite enjoyed this. I had read a few from this author and hadn't really cared for them, but I'd hear people talk about this series, so I decided to give it a shot anyway. The characters were clever, and the hero especially, seemed like a keeper, lol. It reminded me a lot of The Courtship, the prequel to Grace Burrowes's Windham series.
July 8, 2016
An excellent (late) start to the Cynster story. Not as good as Devil's Bride, but it's nice to see Helena before she was one of the grand dames. At least as good as some of my other favorites.
June 3, 2015
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"3.5 stars" I had previously read only one novella by Stephanie Laurens quite a while ago, but I absolutely loved it. Consequently, I've been looking forward to trying one of her full-length novels for a long time. Unfortunately, The Promise in a Kiss left me feeling somewhat disappointed. Even though it's been a while since I read it, I seem to recall that novella being vibrant, sensual, and engaging, but this book was slow, sometimes confusing, and didn't really hold my attention well. IMHO, both the characters and the plot were underdeveloped, leaving me with little to grab hold of for true enjoyment, yet I'll admit that I didn't entirely dislike it. It was an OK read that didn't completely frustrate me like some books have, but not one that I would eagerly recommend or likely read again.
Helena is a wealthy woman in her own right, but over the years has been subject to the whims of her guardian. She longs to be free of him and all powerful men. Therefore, after securing what she believes is her guardian's permission to marry a man of her choosing as long as he meets certain requirements, she goes to London intending to find a man she can wrap around her little finger, so that she can be the one calling the shots. She just didn't count on meeting up with the one man who kissed her in a convent garden seven years ago and whom she has never been able to forget. It seems that Helena's guardian, Fabian, used her for many years by dangling her and her fortune in front of prospective suitors but had never seen fit to allow a marriage. This part of the story was underdeveloped in two ways. First, I didn't really grasp exactly what Fabian was getting out of this game. It seemed to be some sort of political machinations, but the details were never entirely clear to me. The other thing is that Helena was sufficiently off-put by his shenanigans that she wanted nothing to do with any man who was even the slightest bit like him. I wanted to feel sympathy for her, but I never got a good sense of exactly how Fabian's actions had affected her. Without that, it was difficult to understand her coldness and determination to marry a compliant husband. Initially, I had a hard time warming up to Helena, because she could come off as rather manipulative in her actions, during her husband search. I can't say I disagreed with Sebastian when he accused her of being as manipulative as Fabian, just in a slightly different way. Once she finally warms up to the idea of marrying Sebastian, she became easier for me to like.
I had a slightly easier time feeling out Sebastian, but his characterization too, was somewhat lacking. At first, he comes off as nothing more than a ruthlessly charming rogue. Word about town is that he's vowed never to marry, which means his brother will someday succeed him as Duke. What Helena doesn't know though, is that Sebastian's sister-in-law covets the title of Duchess, and Sebastian can't abide the idea of the woman who tricked his brother into marriage and her son succeeding him. Therefore, he has determined to marry and produce his own heir after all, but there is only one woman who has ever intrigued him enough to spend his life with and that's the girl he kissed in the garden. When he spots Helena at a ball, he instantly knows they're meant to be and pulls out all the stops to pursue her. He allows her to believe he's simply helping her find the kind of husband she wants, while engineering his own seduction of her. To be honest, I don't know why Helena resisted him for so long, because Sebastian never seemed to be lording his power over her or truly manipulating her. He honestly cares for her and as far as I could tell, all his actions were meant to gently persuade her into giving him a chance. The author brings Helena into contact with some ladies early on, who tell her of Sebastian's soft spot for damsels in distress and how he has used his influence as a duke to help many a lady out of difficult circumstances. I absolutely loved knowing this about him, but then it didn't really go anywhere. He does eventually help Helena, but I would have like to see more of this side of him. When Helena begins acting distant, Sebastian was very smart and intuitive to discern that something was troubling her and to even have an idea of when and perhaps how it started. I also love that when it came to persuading her to marry him, he gives her space and patiently waits for her to come to him and trust him with her heart. That's why I could never understand why Helena took so long and even late in the story endearingly calls him a “loving tyrant.” Sebastian never seemed tyrannical to me at all. Sure he had some alpha tendencies, but I've read plenty of other romance heroes who I'd much more readily call tyrants than him.
I had mixed feelings about Sebastian and Helena's relationship. The story begins with them sharing a passionate kiss in the garden of the convent where she's staying. Obviously the kiss was special to both of them, as neither of them supposedly forgot it, but the way it was written, I just didn't feel it at the time. Fast-forward seven years and they meet again at a ball, and Sebastian begins his dogged pursuit of Helena. For the first half or so of the book, I honestly couldn't quite fathom what either of them saw in the other, because they're still pretty ill-defined. All I felt between them was a shared physical chemistry, but no particularly deep connection. When they retire to Sebastian's country estate for the Christmas holidays, then I finally started feeling something more between them, maybe because there was a bit more at stake. Helena finds it increasingly difficult to distance herself from Sebastian, but at that point, she's again being manipulated by threats from her guardian, which may mean her having to betray Sebastian. Believing she'll probably never see him again after she does Fabian's bidding, she allows herself to enjoy his seduction. Their love scenes were intense and sensual, one of my favorite parts of the story, but there still seemed to be a lack of trust on Helena's part. I really felt like she should have confided in Sebastian what Fabian was demanding of her and trusted that he would help her, especially since she knew from her conversation with the other ladies that Sebastian was the type of guy who would offer his assistance. He ended up finding out anyway and graciously helping her, and although thankfully, it didn't cause a rift between them, I felt like their connection would have been stronger if she'd gone to him with her troubles first.
The Promise in a Kiss got off to a very slow start. The first half or so of the book was, quite frankly, rather boring to me. Until about halfway through chapter two, I didn't have much of a feel for who the characters were. Even as I started to get to know them a little better, the plot itself plodded along. For nearly the entire first half of the book, the characters don't really do anything except repetitively meet up at an endless string of balls and parties, with the occasional stroll along the Serpentine during the day thrown in for good measure. It was like a dull, tiresome exercise in the interactions of polite society, with little emotion to speak of until Helena gets upset with Sebastian over a bit of high-handedness on his part. IMO, the intrigue portion of the plot could have and should have been woven in sooner to provide a bit more action and a welcome break from the tedium of the balls and parties. The author just barely hints at something being afoot, but it was a little too subtle to be engaging until about a third of a way into the book. When that part of the plot started to pick up, it was better, but I still didn't feel like the “villain” had enough bite. I didn't really sense much menace from him, and in the end, it seems he wasn't truly out to hurt anyone. I also didn't really comprehend the game he and Sebastian had supposedly been playing for years. It almost seemed like little more than an amusement between two bored aristocrats, in which case, it wasn't very compelling. I couldn't help feeling like the stakes should have been higher, both with the suspense and the romantic relationship.
The last thing that bothered me about the book was the writing style. To begin, I detected a fair bit of passive narration, which is likely why I didn't feel as connected to the characters and their burgeoning romance as I would have liked. Also I found the prose to be very uneven. Sometimes, the narration could be too wordy, with a lot of unnecessary qualifying phrases being thrown in, when IMHO, being more straightforward and succinct would have made it easier to feel the emotion of the moment. Other times, it was too short and choppy with mere words or phrases serving as sentences, when again IMHO, they didn't need that extra emphasis. If the author had smoothed out the narration, I think I would have enjoyed the story quite a bit more. Ms. Laurens also engages in a fair bit of head-hopping, which was oftentimes confusing. I would be reading along and then suddenly the POV changed, and I would frequently end up a couple of paragraphs into it before realizing that I was reading a different character's perspective. As an aside many of the characters' surnames and titles were really strange and I'd hazard to guess, difficult for a lot of readers to pronounce. I'd never heard of most of them, and they were so odd, I wondered if the author either chose the most obscure names she could possibly find or perhaps simply made them up. Lastly, there was a huge overabundance of eyebrow arching. Not everyone can even do this, so having both the hero and heroine doing it every few pages or so became an annoyance. Many of these things are rookie mistakes that I wouldn't expect from a seasoned author like Ms. Laurens (they should have been caught by the editor too), which leaves me wondering if she might have written it earlier in her career but didn't get it published until later. I have no idea if my suspicions are correct, but since The Promise in a Kiss precedes the rest of the Cynster books chronologically but was published about seventh in line, it certainly seems plausible.
While I know I've had a lot of criticisms of The Promise in a Kiss, it wasn't a bad book. I liked Sebastian for as well as I got to know him, and although it took me longer to warm up to Helena and I still thought she wasn't a stand out heroine, I liked her well enough. Once they got away from the tedium of the London social whirl, there was some decent action and their connection became much more obvious. There were some good ingredients in this story, and if the author had smoothed out the narrative passages and fleshed out the characters and plot a little better, I could easily see this having keeper status potential, which is why I didn't rate it any lower than I did. So overall, even though several things could have been better, I found it to be a decent read. The Promise in a Kiss is chronologically the first book in Stephanie Lauren's prolific and popular Cynster series, and as I mentioned before, the first full-length novel by her I've read. I liked it well enough, so between that and my earlier positive reading experience with her novella, I'm sure I'll continue with the series at some point.
"3.5 stars" I had previously read only one novella by Stephanie Laurens quite a while ago, but I absolutely loved it. Consequently, I've been looking forward to trying one of her full-length novels for a long time. Unfortunately, The Promise in a Kiss left me feeling somewhat disappointed. Even though it's been a while since I read it, I seem to recall that novella being vibrant, sensual, and engaging, but this book was slow, sometimes confusing, and didn't really hold my attention well. IMHO, both the characters and the plot were underdeveloped, leaving me with little to grab hold of for true enjoyment, yet I'll admit that I didn't entirely dislike it. It was an OK read that didn't completely frustrate me like some books have, but not one that I would eagerly recommend or likely read again.
Helena is a wealthy woman in her own right, but over the years has been subject to the whims of her guardian. She longs to be free of him and all powerful men. Therefore, after securing what she believes is her guardian's permission to marry a man of her choosing as long as he meets certain requirements, she goes to London intending to find a man she can wrap around her little finger, so that she can be the one calling the shots. She just didn't count on meeting up with the one man who kissed her in a convent garden seven years ago and whom she has never been able to forget. It seems that Helena's guardian, Fabian, used her for many years by dangling her and her fortune in front of prospective suitors but had never seen fit to allow a marriage. This part of the story was underdeveloped in two ways. First, I didn't really grasp exactly what Fabian was getting out of this game. It seemed to be some sort of political machinations, but the details were never entirely clear to me. The other thing is that Helena was sufficiently off-put by his shenanigans that she wanted nothing to do with any man who was even the slightest bit like him. I wanted to feel sympathy for her, but I never got a good sense of exactly how Fabian's actions had affected her. Without that, it was difficult to understand her coldness and determination to marry a compliant husband. Initially, I had a hard time warming up to Helena, because she could come off as rather manipulative in her actions, during her husband search. I can't say I disagreed with Sebastian when he accused her of being as manipulative as Fabian, just in a slightly different way. Once she finally warms up to the idea of marrying Sebastian, she became easier for me to like.
I had a slightly easier time feeling out Sebastian, but his characterization too, was somewhat lacking. At first, he comes off as nothing more than a ruthlessly charming rogue. Word about town is that he's vowed never to marry, which means his brother will someday succeed him as Duke. What Helena doesn't know though, is that Sebastian's sister-in-law covets the title of Duchess, and Sebastian can't abide the idea of the woman who tricked his brother into marriage and her son succeeding him. Therefore, he has determined to marry and produce his own heir after all, but there is only one woman who has ever intrigued him enough to spend his life with and that's the girl he kissed in the garden. When he spots Helena at a ball, he instantly knows they're meant to be and pulls out all the stops to pursue her. He allows her to believe he's simply helping her find the kind of husband she wants, while engineering his own seduction of her. To be honest, I don't know why Helena resisted him for so long, because Sebastian never seemed to be lording his power over her or truly manipulating her. He honestly cares for her and as far as I could tell, all his actions were meant to gently persuade her into giving him a chance. The author brings Helena into contact with some ladies early on, who tell her of Sebastian's soft spot for damsels in distress and how he has used his influence as a duke to help many a lady out of difficult circumstances. I absolutely loved knowing this about him, but then it didn't really go anywhere. He does eventually help Helena, but I would have like to see more of this side of him. When Helena begins acting distant, Sebastian was very smart and intuitive to discern that something was troubling her and to even have an idea of when and perhaps how it started. I also love that when it came to persuading her to marry him, he gives her space and patiently waits for her to come to him and trust him with her heart. That's why I could never understand why Helena took so long and even late in the story endearingly calls him a “loving tyrant.” Sebastian never seemed tyrannical to me at all. Sure he had some alpha tendencies, but I've read plenty of other romance heroes who I'd much more readily call tyrants than him.
I had mixed feelings about Sebastian and Helena's relationship. The story begins with them sharing a passionate kiss in the garden of the convent where she's staying. Obviously the kiss was special to both of them, as neither of them supposedly forgot it, but the way it was written, I just didn't feel it at the time. Fast-forward seven years and they meet again at a ball, and Sebastian begins his dogged pursuit of Helena. For the first half or so of the book, I honestly couldn't quite fathom what either of them saw in the other, because they're still pretty ill-defined. All I felt between them was a shared physical chemistry, but no particularly deep connection. When they retire to Sebastian's country estate for the Christmas holidays, then I finally started feeling something more between them, maybe because there was a bit more at stake. Helena finds it increasingly difficult to distance herself from Sebastian, but at that point, she's again being manipulated by threats from her guardian, which may mean her having to betray Sebastian. Believing she'll probably never see him again after she does Fabian's bidding, she allows herself to enjoy his seduction. Their love scenes were intense and sensual, one of my favorite parts of the story, but there still seemed to be a lack of trust on Helena's part. I really felt like she should have confided in Sebastian what Fabian was demanding of her and trusted that he would help her, especially since she knew from her conversation with the other ladies that Sebastian was the type of guy who would offer his assistance. He ended up finding out anyway and graciously helping her, and although thankfully, it didn't cause a rift between them, I felt like their connection would have been stronger if she'd gone to him with her troubles first.
The Promise in a Kiss got off to a very slow start. The first half or so of the book was, quite frankly, rather boring to me. Until about halfway through chapter two, I didn't have much of a feel for who the characters were. Even as I started to get to know them a little better, the plot itself plodded along. For nearly the entire first half of the book, the characters don't really do anything except repetitively meet up at an endless string of balls and parties, with the occasional stroll along the Serpentine during the day thrown in for good measure. It was like a dull, tiresome exercise in the interactions of polite society, with little emotion to speak of until Helena gets upset with Sebastian over a bit of high-handedness on his part. IMO, the intrigue portion of the plot could have and should have been woven in sooner to provide a bit more action and a welcome break from the tedium of the balls and parties. The author just barely hints at something being afoot, but it was a little too subtle to be engaging until about a third of a way into the book. When that part of the plot started to pick up, it was better, but I still didn't feel like the “villain” had enough bite. I didn't really sense much menace from him, and in the end, it seems he wasn't truly out to hurt anyone. I also didn't really comprehend the game he and Sebastian had supposedly been playing for years. It almost seemed like little more than an amusement between two bored aristocrats, in which case, it wasn't very compelling. I couldn't help feeling like the stakes should have been higher, both with the suspense and the romantic relationship.
The last thing that bothered me about the book was the writing style. To begin, I detected a fair bit of passive narration, which is likely why I didn't feel as connected to the characters and their burgeoning romance as I would have liked. Also I found the prose to be very uneven. Sometimes, the narration could be too wordy, with a lot of unnecessary qualifying phrases being thrown in, when IMHO, being more straightforward and succinct would have made it easier to feel the emotion of the moment. Other times, it was too short and choppy with mere words or phrases serving as sentences, when again IMHO, they didn't need that extra emphasis. If the author had smoothed out the narration, I think I would have enjoyed the story quite a bit more. Ms. Laurens also engages in a fair bit of head-hopping, which was oftentimes confusing. I would be reading along and then suddenly the POV changed, and I would frequently end up a couple of paragraphs into it before realizing that I was reading a different character's perspective. As an aside many of the characters' surnames and titles were really strange and I'd hazard to guess, difficult for a lot of readers to pronounce. I'd never heard of most of them, and they were so odd, I wondered if the author either chose the most obscure names she could possibly find or perhaps simply made them up. Lastly, there was a huge overabundance of eyebrow arching. Not everyone can even do this, so having both the hero and heroine doing it every few pages or so became an annoyance. Many of these things are rookie mistakes that I wouldn't expect from a seasoned author like Ms. Laurens (they should have been caught by the editor too), which leaves me wondering if she might have written it earlier in her career but didn't get it published until later. I have no idea if my suspicions are correct, but since The Promise in a Kiss precedes the rest of the Cynster books chronologically but was published about seventh in line, it certainly seems plausible.
While I know I've had a lot of criticisms of The Promise in a Kiss, it wasn't a bad book. I liked Sebastian for as well as I got to know him, and although it took me longer to warm up to Helena and I still thought she wasn't a stand out heroine, I liked her well enough. Once they got away from the tedium of the London social whirl, there was some decent action and their connection became much more obvious. There were some good ingredients in this story, and if the author had smoothed out the narrative passages and fleshed out the characters and plot a little better, I could easily see this having keeper status potential, which is why I didn't rate it any lower than I did. So overall, even though several things could have been better, I found it to be a decent read. The Promise in a Kiss is chronologically the first book in Stephanie Lauren's prolific and popular Cynster series, and as I mentioned before, the first full-length novel by her I've read. I liked it well enough, so between that and my earlier positive reading experience with her novella, I'm sure I'll continue with the series at some point.
September 25, 2021
Puff se me hizo cuesta arriba y no lo abandoné por propio orgullo.
El libro comienza muy bien y promete una historia que con el avance de páginas se va desinflando y se convierte en algo plano sin avance alguno.
El libro comienza muy bien y promete una historia que con el avance de páginas se va desinflando y se convierte en algo plano sin avance alguno.
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