What do you think?
Rate this book
Devil's Brood Trilogy #2
An Irresistible Alliance
Listening Length: 12 hours and 42 minutes
A duke’s second son with no responsibilities and a lady starved of the excitement her soul craves join forces to unravel a deadly, potentially catastrophic threat to the realm - that only continues to grow.
With his older brother’s betrothal announced, Lord Michael Cynster is freed from the pressure of familial expectations. However, the allure of his previous hedonistic pursuits has paled. Then he learns of the mission his brother, Sebastian, and Lady Antonia Rawlings have been assisting with and volunteers to assist by hunting down the hoard of gunpowder now secreted somewhere in London.
Michael sets out to trace the carters who transported the gunpowder from Kent to London. His quest leads him to the Hendon Shipping Company, where he discovers his sole source of information is the only daughter of Jack and Kit Hendon, Miss Cleome Hendon, who although a fetchingly attractive lady, firmly holds the reins of the office in her small hands.
Cleo has fought to achieve her position in the company. Initially, managing the office was a challenge, but she now conquers all in just a few hours a week. With her three brothers all adventuring in America, she’s been driven to the realization that she craves adventure, too.
When Michael Cynster walks in and asks about carters, Cleo’s instincts leap. She wrings from him the full tale of his mission—and offers him a bargain. She will lead him to the carters he seeks if he agrees to include her as an equal partner in the mission.
Horrified, Michael attempts to resist, but ultimately finds himself agreeing—a sequence of events he quickly learns is common around Cleo. Then she delivers on her part of the bargain, and he finds there are benefits to allowing her to continue to investigate beside him—not least being that if she’s there, then he knows she’s safe.
But the further they go in tracing the gunpowder, the more deaths they uncover. And when they finally locate the barrels, they find themselves tangled in a fight to the death—one that forces them to face what has grown between them, to seize and defend what they both see as their path to the greatest adventure of all. A shared life. A shared future. A shared love.
Second volume in a trilogy. A historical romance with gothic overtones layered over a continuing intrigue. A full length novel of 101,000 words.
A duke’s second son with no responsibilities and a lady starved of the excitement her soul craves join forces to unravel a deadly, potentially catastrophic threat to the realm - that only continues to grow.
With his older brother’s betrothal announced, Lord Michael Cynster is freed from the pressure of familial expectations. However, the allure of his previous hedonistic pursuits has paled. Then he learns of the mission his brother, Sebastian, and Lady Antonia Rawlings have been assisting with and volunteers to assist by hunting down the hoard of gunpowder now secreted somewhere in London.
Michael sets out to trace the carters who transported the gunpowder from Kent to London. His quest leads him to the Hendon Shipping Company, where he discovers his sole source of information is the only daughter of Jack and Kit Hendon, Miss Cleome Hendon, who although a fetchingly attractive lady, firmly holds the reins of the office in her small hands.
Cleo has fought to achieve her position in the company. Initially, managing the office was a challenge, but she now conquers all in just a few hours a week. With her three brothers all adventuring in America, she’s been driven to the realization that she craves adventure, too.
When Michael Cynster walks in and asks about carters, Cleo’s instincts leap. She wrings from him the full tale of his mission—and offers him a bargain. She will lead him to the carters he seeks if he agrees to include her as an equal partner in the mission.
Horrified, Michael attempts to resist, but ultimately finds himself agreeing—a sequence of events he quickly learns is common around Cleo. Then she delivers on her part of the bargain, and he finds there are benefits to allowing her to continue to investigate beside him—not least being that if she’s there, then he knows she’s safe.
But the further they go in tracing the gunpowder, the more deaths they uncover. And when they finally locate the barrels, they find themselves tangled in a fight to the death—one that forces them to face what has grown between them, to seize and defend what they both see as their path to the greatest adventure of all. A shared life. A shared future. A shared love.
Second volume in a trilogy. A historical romance with gothic overtones layered over a continuing intrigue. A full length novel of 101,000 words.
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 11, 2017
488 people are currently reading
2310 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
206 books5,589 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
August 10, 2018
2.5 stars
Yes, this plot unfolded at a very slow, tedious pace and I was as frustrated but determined as the dog in this gif. I got to the end because I needed to know how the gunpowder plot was gonna develop. This novel is part 2 in the continuing mystery plot that was started in The Lady By His Side. I enjoyed that a lot more because the MC's in that novel were more appealing. I think the romantic storyline in this middle novel suffered a lot because most of the author's efforts were spent on the quest to find the villains behind the gunpowder plot. In the first novel, one villain was caught but he was just a stooge or a pawn and the MC's in this book are caught up searching for the main villains and the mastermind.
Maybe part of the reason why this novel frustrated me a little is because I'm a seeker of instant gratification and I knew, at the onset, that the mystery will not be solved until I got to the end of the 3rd novel. Yeah, I'm not a fan of books with cliffhanging storylines. And, to make things worse, I also put myself in a position where I was reading a few books concurrently:
Why do I do this to myself ? Well, I suffer from slight amateur attention deficit disorder when it comes to my reading hobby. I can't help but jump to a new novel if I see something that sparks my immediate interest. But, since this novel was formulated along the lines of a mystery I was forced to read through it in one sitting and since my curiosity was spiked, I had to rush on to the final book and finish that too. At the end of it all, I'm dog tired:
But that's more than enough of my incessant waffling ! Moving on to the review...
Since this is a mystery I won't give spoilers. I will say, though, that the second villain gets killed at the end but the MC's were still left in a land of confusion because:
1. They don't know why the mastermind and the other villains are so keen to fulfil this gunpowder plot. They know ( obviously ) that the villains want to blow something up, but they don't know the underlying rationale.
2. They don't know who the remaining villains are since they ( villains ) have been shielding their activity by using the Young Irelanders and the Chartists to do their dirty work.
The MC's in this novel are Lord Michael Cynster ( the second son of Devil Cynster and the brother of the H from book 1 ) and Cleo. She's the daughter of the MC's from Captain Jack's Woman and she's an intelligent young woman who worked just as hard as the H to help uncover the mystery. She even ended up shooting the villain at the end too. Although I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the novel, I felt that the author was so invested in it that forgot all about the romantic storyline. That's why I can't rate this higher. There was even less romance in this than in the first novel and the MC's were always too busy with all the intrigue and danger to take some time out to have a hot make out session. I don't know why it bothered me so much because if it was a movie, I'd be totally cussing if the MC's stop in the middle of a dangerous situation just to engage in some kissing. Lol. I suppose it's because in a romance novel ( albeit one that has a significantly heavy mystery storyline ) my expectations are different.
But the mystery was very gripping- so much so that I rushed off to read the 3rd novel ! That novel ended up being fabulous !
Yes, this plot unfolded at a very slow, tedious pace and I was as frustrated but determined as the dog in this gif. I got to the end because I needed to know how the gunpowder plot was gonna develop. This novel is part 2 in the continuing mystery plot that was started in The Lady By His Side. I enjoyed that a lot more because the MC's in that novel were more appealing. I think the romantic storyline in this middle novel suffered a lot because most of the author's efforts were spent on the quest to find the villains behind the gunpowder plot. In the first novel, one villain was caught but he was just a stooge or a pawn and the MC's in this book are caught up searching for the main villains and the mastermind.
Maybe part of the reason why this novel frustrated me a little is because I'm a seeker of instant gratification and I knew, at the onset, that the mystery will not be solved until I got to the end of the 3rd novel. Yeah, I'm not a fan of books with cliffhanging storylines. And, to make things worse, I also put myself in a position where I was reading a few books concurrently:
Why do I do this to myself ? Well, I suffer from slight amateur attention deficit disorder when it comes to my reading hobby. I can't help but jump to a new novel if I see something that sparks my immediate interest. But, since this novel was formulated along the lines of a mystery I was forced to read through it in one sitting and since my curiosity was spiked, I had to rush on to the final book and finish that too. At the end of it all, I'm dog tired:
But that's more than enough of my incessant waffling ! Moving on to the review...
Since this is a mystery I won't give spoilers. I will say, though, that the second villain gets killed at the end but the MC's were still left in a land of confusion because:
1. They don't know why the mastermind and the other villains are so keen to fulfil this gunpowder plot. They know ( obviously ) that the villains want to blow something up, but they don't know the underlying rationale.
2. They don't know who the remaining villains are since they ( villains ) have been shielding their activity by using the Young Irelanders and the Chartists to do their dirty work.
The MC's in this novel are Lord Michael Cynster ( the second son of Devil Cynster and the brother of the H from book 1 ) and Cleo. She's the daughter of the MC's from Captain Jack's Woman and she's an intelligent young woman who worked just as hard as the H to help uncover the mystery. She even ended up shooting the villain at the end too. Although I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the novel, I felt that the author was so invested in it that forgot all about the romantic storyline. That's why I can't rate this higher. There was even less romance in this than in the first novel and the MC's were always too busy with all the intrigue and danger to take some time out to have a hot make out session. I don't know why it bothered me so much because if it was a movie, I'd be totally cussing if the MC's stop in the middle of a dangerous situation just to engage in some kissing. Lol. I suppose it's because in a romance novel ( albeit one that has a significantly heavy mystery storyline ) my expectations are different.
But the mystery was very gripping- so much so that I rushed off to read the 3rd novel ! That novel ended up being fabulous !
August 15, 2021
.
I really enjoy reading historical romance novels. But I was not satisfied with the narrator, so I'm hoping that I would have enjoyed the story more so if I had read it on my own. Started slow, but eventually improved some. The women are way too bold and daring for the era they belong to. Too much heat in the Sexual scenes, which were extremely lengthy and way too detailed, which I personally can do without.
The H/H belonged to the same social circle, but had never met one another before. Some couples in that era court for the entire season before committing to marriage. Not so with these couples! They instantly become intimately involved while trying to solve a mystery together.
I personally prefer that each book in a series be able to stand on its own. However, this book does not stand up to that preference and concludes with a cliffhanger regarding the elusive mystery. By the conclusion of the second installment, they still aren't married and the mystery cliffhanger continues on.
I don't feel compelled to complete the series. Frankly, I don't even care who was behind the plot or who the target was. It was not captivating enough to garnish any further attention from me personally.
I really enjoy reading historical romance novels. But I was not satisfied with the narrator, so I'm hoping that I would have enjoyed the story more so if I had read it on my own. Started slow, but eventually improved some. The women are way too bold and daring for the era they belong to. Too much heat in the Sexual scenes, which were extremely lengthy and way too detailed, which I personally can do without.
The H/H belonged to the same social circle, but had never met one another before. Some couples in that era court for the entire season before committing to marriage. Not so with these couples! They instantly become intimately involved while trying to solve a mystery together.
I personally prefer that each book in a series be able to stand on its own. However, this book does not stand up to that preference and concludes with a cliffhanger regarding the elusive mystery. By the conclusion of the second installment, they still aren't married and the mystery cliffhanger continues on.
I don't feel compelled to complete the series. Frankly, I don't even care who was behind the plot or who the target was. It was not captivating enough to garnish any further attention from me personally.
February 8, 2025
Devil's second son. Plus the daughter of Kit and Jack from Captain Jack's Woman. Yay! I've been hoping that some of the Cynster children and some of the Bastion Club's children would be hooking up! Loved Kit and Jack, if their daughter is anything like them, I'll be happy! :D
May 15, 2017
Series: Devil’s Brood Trilogy #2
Publication Date: May 11, 2017
The Devil’s Brood Trilogy features the three children of Devil Cynster from the Bar Cynster series. Devil (Sylvester) and Honoria have three children – two sons and a daughter. The Devil’s Brood Trilogy features Sebastian Cynster (oldest and the heir) in the first book, Michael (second and spare) in the second book and the third and last will feature Louisa (known as Lady Wild). There is a mystery flowing through all three novels and the three Cynster’s each have a hand in a portion of the solution. Someone is plotting against the crown and is planning to blow up something – they don’t know what or who is behind it, but they do know that ten barrels of gunpowder is involved. In the first book Sebastian and Lady Antonia Rawlings discovered where the gunpowder had been and learned that it had left for London. In this book, Michael and Miss Cleome Hendon are tasked with finding where the gunpowder was delivered in London and keeping watch on it to try to follow its target location.
Lord Michael Cynster leads a hedonistic life, but it is beginning to find that lifestyle very unsatisfying. So, when Drake Wolverstone tasks him with locating the gunpowder and following it to its target location, he jumps at the chance. He realizes that the villains can blow up pretty much anything they want to with that much gunpowder. He also knows how dangerous these plotters are because they have so far murdered everyone who has participated in their plot just as soon as their part was finished. No loose ends.
Michael believes that the first step must be to identify who carted the gunpowder into London. Since the transport of gunpowder is highly regulated and monitored and ONLY registered carts and carters can transport it, Michael sets off to determine who those carters were. He goes to Hendon Shipping Company in hopes of speaking with one of the Hendon brothers only to learn that all three of them are out of the country. However, he is taken to the person who runs the company because of their intimate knowledge of the kind of details he needs. My goodness is he surprised when he meets that person -- Miss Cleome Hendon. Oh my – a female running a shipping business. Cleo hears Michael out and says she can indeed help him – but she has conditions for that help. She wants some adventure and guarantees she can identify the carters, but insists that he let her help with the investigation.
So, now we have a typical male who is accustomed to ruling his world and protecting the females in his life, paired with a strong, intelligent woman who wants adventure in a mans world. What could go wrong there!!!
Michael and Cleo investigate, protect each other and even fall in love. What more could you ask for in a wonderful novel. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Then -- we can be off to read the next book and see the grand finale!
Publication Date: May 11, 2017
The Devil’s Brood Trilogy features the three children of Devil Cynster from the Bar Cynster series. Devil (Sylvester) and Honoria have three children – two sons and a daughter. The Devil’s Brood Trilogy features Sebastian Cynster (oldest and the heir) in the first book, Michael (second and spare) in the second book and the third and last will feature Louisa (known as Lady Wild). There is a mystery flowing through all three novels and the three Cynster’s each have a hand in a portion of the solution. Someone is plotting against the crown and is planning to blow up something – they don’t know what or who is behind it, but they do know that ten barrels of gunpowder is involved. In the first book Sebastian and Lady Antonia Rawlings discovered where the gunpowder had been and learned that it had left for London. In this book, Michael and Miss Cleome Hendon are tasked with finding where the gunpowder was delivered in London and keeping watch on it to try to follow its target location.
Lord Michael Cynster leads a hedonistic life, but it is beginning to find that lifestyle very unsatisfying. So, when Drake Wolverstone tasks him with locating the gunpowder and following it to its target location, he jumps at the chance. He realizes that the villains can blow up pretty much anything they want to with that much gunpowder. He also knows how dangerous these plotters are because they have so far murdered everyone who has participated in their plot just as soon as their part was finished. No loose ends.
Michael believes that the first step must be to identify who carted the gunpowder into London. Since the transport of gunpowder is highly regulated and monitored and ONLY registered carts and carters can transport it, Michael sets off to determine who those carters were. He goes to Hendon Shipping Company in hopes of speaking with one of the Hendon brothers only to learn that all three of them are out of the country. However, he is taken to the person who runs the company because of their intimate knowledge of the kind of details he needs. My goodness is he surprised when he meets that person -- Miss Cleome Hendon. Oh my – a female running a shipping business. Cleo hears Michael out and says she can indeed help him – but she has conditions for that help. She wants some adventure and guarantees she can identify the carters, but insists that he let her help with the investigation.
So, now we have a typical male who is accustomed to ruling his world and protecting the females in his life, paired with a strong, intelligent woman who wants adventure in a mans world. What could go wrong there!!!
Michael and Cleo investigate, protect each other and even fall in love. What more could you ask for in a wonderful novel. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Then -- we can be off to read the next book and see the grand finale!
June 26, 2021
This one drug on a bit. If I never hear the word gunpowder again it will be too soon!
February 4, 2018
"An Irresistible Alliance" is the story of Michael and Cleo.
Michael is the second son of Devil and Honoria, and since his brother Sebastian gets engaged, he decides to leave his hedonistic pursuits and help them in solving the puzzle set by Ennis.
As he moves on to track the missing gunpowder barrels, he finds help in Cleo Hendon, the daughter of the owner of Hendon Shipping Company- who is bored of her monotonous life and decides to offer her help to Michael, irrespective of whether he wants it or not.
After that, the WHOLE book is them interviewing various people and going on trails for the barrels while fighting the bad guys. There are one or two odd scenes of chemistry between them, and the consummation happens in the last 3/4th, but most of the book is detailed account of them running around behind Drake's adversaries- barring few scenes with family interaction.
The couples falls in love within 2 days and have heavy confessions- but their chemistry is not explored much. The book also lays plot for Drake and Louisa, and hopefully that goes better than this.
Safe
2/5
Michael is the second son of Devil and Honoria, and since his brother Sebastian gets engaged, he decides to leave his hedonistic pursuits and help them in solving the puzzle set by Ennis.
As he moves on to track the missing gunpowder barrels, he finds help in Cleo Hendon, the daughter of the owner of Hendon Shipping Company- who is bored of her monotonous life and decides to offer her help to Michael, irrespective of whether he wants it or not.
After that, the WHOLE book is them interviewing various people and going on trails for the barrels while fighting the bad guys. There are one or two odd scenes of chemistry between them, and the consummation happens in the last 3/4th, but most of the book is detailed account of them running around behind Drake's adversaries- barring few scenes with family interaction.
The couples falls in love within 2 days and have heavy confessions- but their chemistry is not explored much. The book also lays plot for Drake and Louisa, and hopefully that goes better than this.
Safe
2/5
June 28, 2018
1.5 stars
Hmmm why do I keep torturing myself with SL books?
Having said that, I'll probably listen to the next!!!!!!!!!!!
Hmmm why do I keep torturing myself with SL books?
Having said that, I'll probably listen to the next!!!!!!!!!!!
February 11, 2021
It was o.k., but found it a bit boring. The ending was rather strange. I very much prefer the last Cynster generation. 2.5☆
October 9, 2017
3.5 stars
June 23, 2017
An Irresistible Alliance is the second in the trilogy of Devil and Honoria's children. This is Michael and Lady Cleome Hendon's story. The drama, intrigue, suspense and love continue as Michael and Cleo work together to locate 10 barrels of gunpowder that has been transported to London for unknown nefarious reasons. During their investigation, Michael learns that Cleo is like no other lady that he has met and now finds that he has found his other half. Cleo isn't sure she wants to give up the independence that she has worked so hard to obtain, but the chemistry between her and Michael is so intense that neither cannot deny it. I loved this story and am anxiously awaiting the conclusion.
November 22, 2017
I found this book very boring. It was supposed to be about this guy and woman tracking down a bad guy. Well, most of their "tracking" consisted of talking about it. Seriously, do we need 10 pages worth of deciding whether to act or not!?
October 7, 2017
"You men always want to keep all the fun for yourselves."
FINAL DECISION: A well rounded, if a little intellectual and mechanical, romance that mixes mystery with two people working a partnership to solve a mystery into a life partnership.
THE STORY: Lord Michael Cynster has been freed from his obligation to carry on the family line by the betrothal of his older brother, but now Michael feels at loose ends. When his brother and fiancee cannot continue the investigations they began, Michael takes up the reins to discover the barrels of gunpower now in London. His search takes him to Hendron Shipping for help where he meets Miss Cleome Hendon who has been running the family shipping offices. Cleo's efficiency is her enemy as she longs for something new and exciting. Michael's appearance offers that as Cleo bargains with information in order to become part of the investigation.
OPINION: This book brings together two of the children from Laurens' Cynster and Bastion Club series. I enjoyed this book, but have to admit that I miss the parents who seem like a lingering and missing presence in the book.
This book has a political mystery drama (similar to the Bastion Club series) that continues from the first book. Cleo is definitely her mother's daughter and demands her equal role from the start. The mystery of the book is the method by which these two work out their relationship. In that fashion, it is a historical romantic suspense. The mystery is the central story here with the romance a constant presence, but only worked out as the two engage in their investigations.
While I enjoyed the interactions between these characters and I especially like that Michael quickly reconciles himself to wanting all of Cleo (including the adventurous part). His father gives him some good advice and I did enjoy seeing Devil in his fatherly role. The romance between the two seemed too pat and organized and reasonable. I have to admit that I kind of like romances where the match needs to be worked out more. This one was like pulling on a pair of favorite socks. Comfortable but not particularly exciting. Perhaps that it what is likely to happen with well known characters children (who don't have misfortunes in their background).
I thought the story was well constructed and I enjoyed it, but it doesn't reach the level of the early Cynster books which were superlative.
WORTH MENTIONING: This is really a next generation book so fans wanting glimpses of the original Cynsters might be disappointed. There are small glimpses of Devil and Honoria but only small ones.
CONNECTED BOOKS: AN IRRESISTIBLE ALLIANCE is the second book in the Devil's Brood Trilogy which is a spin-off of the Cynsters Next Generation series (Book #5) which is itself a spin-off of the Cynsters series (Book #25). This book should be read as part of the Devil's Brood Trilogy because there is an overarching storyline that is divided between the books even if the romance is self-contained.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
FINAL DECISION: A well rounded, if a little intellectual and mechanical, romance that mixes mystery with two people working a partnership to solve a mystery into a life partnership.
THE STORY: Lord Michael Cynster has been freed from his obligation to carry on the family line by the betrothal of his older brother, but now Michael feels at loose ends. When his brother and fiancee cannot continue the investigations they began, Michael takes up the reins to discover the barrels of gunpower now in London. His search takes him to Hendron Shipping for help where he meets Miss Cleome Hendon who has been running the family shipping offices. Cleo's efficiency is her enemy as she longs for something new and exciting. Michael's appearance offers that as Cleo bargains with information in order to become part of the investigation.
OPINION: This book brings together two of the children from Laurens' Cynster and Bastion Club series. I enjoyed this book, but have to admit that I miss the parents who seem like a lingering and missing presence in the book.
This book has a political mystery drama (similar to the Bastion Club series) that continues from the first book. Cleo is definitely her mother's daughter and demands her equal role from the start. The mystery of the book is the method by which these two work out their relationship. In that fashion, it is a historical romantic suspense. The mystery is the central story here with the romance a constant presence, but only worked out as the two engage in their investigations.
While I enjoyed the interactions between these characters and I especially like that Michael quickly reconciles himself to wanting all of Cleo (including the adventurous part). His father gives him some good advice and I did enjoy seeing Devil in his fatherly role. The romance between the two seemed too pat and organized and reasonable. I have to admit that I kind of like romances where the match needs to be worked out more. This one was like pulling on a pair of favorite socks. Comfortable but not particularly exciting. Perhaps that it what is likely to happen with well known characters children (who don't have misfortunes in their background).
I thought the story was well constructed and I enjoyed it, but it doesn't reach the level of the early Cynster books which were superlative.
WORTH MENTIONING: This is really a next generation book so fans wanting glimpses of the original Cynsters might be disappointed. There are small glimpses of Devil and Honoria but only small ones.
CONNECTED BOOKS: AN IRRESISTIBLE ALLIANCE is the second book in the Devil's Brood Trilogy which is a spin-off of the Cynsters Next Generation series (Book #5) which is itself a spin-off of the Cynsters series (Book #25). This book should be read as part of the Devil's Brood Trilogy because there is an overarching storyline that is divided between the books even if the romance is self-contained.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
September 25, 2017
It is great fun to have the offspring of two of my favorite characters in the first generation Cynster novels and Bastion Club companion series interacting and falling in love. I still find myself missing the fathers, and their presence or lack thereof overshadows these second generation novels. Maybe it's simply that I met Devil Cynster, his brother and four irrepressible cousins in my first months of reading regency romances. While the enjoyment has not worn off with my favorite handful of writers in the years since, the novelty has. Regardless, the sons of Devil and Royce, likable and charming as they are, do not have the same riveting force of character. I think some of it is the missing camaraderie that the original 6 Cynsters and Bastion Club heroes had, a sense of having been through the fire together and not only survived but won.
Our current hero Michael Cynster, Devil's younger son, is working with his older brother Sebastian and Royce Varisey's oldest son Drake to uncover a deadly plot a la the Bastion Club and Black Cobra series, but they do so strictly in consultation not actively shared adventure in the one-for-all, all-for-one way usual in the earlier novels. His partner in adventure and romance Cleo Hendon, the daughter of Jack and Kit Hendon and frequent collaborators in Cynster-Bastion-Cobra adventures, seems unaware of that heritage. I enjoyed the ease with which Michael and Cleo came together and Michael's greater willingness to be more accepting of Cleo's right to her own choices, more so than many of Laurens' heroes. It is a sweet love story, and Michael's vulnerability refreshing. That said, it felt too fast. It did not have the depth of development Laurens's best novels commonly have.
As for the ongoing plot, it is intriguing enough to keep me interested, while at the same time it feels very reminiscent of earlier Laurens political danger plots, so much so given the anonymous villain's extreme age I wondered if he's an old Dalziel/Royce foe. Not simply because part of the draw of these books is the hope of revisiting favorite characters did I find Laurens' repeated refrain "it's your generation's turn, our time is past" frustrating; it made no sense. Devil and Royce particularly are too valuable a resource not to tap with the stakes being as high as they are, especially once Michael and Drake surmise the mastermind is an older man with vast political experience. To use that resource as Sebastian did Wellington in the previous book takes nothing away from the sons, enhances the sense of connection and legacy, and respects that even as men in their 60s their fathers are men who are still as able and committed as ever to ensuring the country's well-being, though in changing roles.
Our current hero Michael Cynster, Devil's younger son, is working with his older brother Sebastian and Royce Varisey's oldest son Drake to uncover a deadly plot a la the Bastion Club and Black Cobra series, but they do so strictly in consultation not actively shared adventure in the one-for-all, all-for-one way usual in the earlier novels. His partner in adventure and romance Cleo Hendon, the daughter of Jack and Kit Hendon and frequent collaborators in Cynster-Bastion-Cobra adventures, seems unaware of that heritage. I enjoyed the ease with which Michael and Cleo came together and Michael's greater willingness to be more accepting of Cleo's right to her own choices, more so than many of Laurens' heroes. It is a sweet love story, and Michael's vulnerability refreshing. That said, it felt too fast. It did not have the depth of development Laurens's best novels commonly have.
As for the ongoing plot, it is intriguing enough to keep me interested, while at the same time it feels very reminiscent of earlier Laurens political danger plots, so much so given the anonymous villain's extreme age I wondered if he's an old Dalziel/Royce foe. Not simply because part of the draw of these books is the hope of revisiting favorite characters did I find Laurens' repeated refrain "it's your generation's turn, our time is past" frustrating; it made no sense. Devil and Royce particularly are too valuable a resource not to tap with the stakes being as high as they are, especially once Michael and Drake surmise the mastermind is an older man with vast political experience. To use that resource as Sebastian did Wellington in the previous book takes nothing away from the sons, enhances the sense of connection and legacy, and respects that even as men in their 60s their fathers are men who are still as able and committed as ever to ensuring the country's well-being, though in changing roles.
October 2, 2018
Todo el libro es bla bla bla búsqueda de barriles de pólvora bla bla bla te amo. Fin... Continuemos con la siguiente novela.
Los últimos tres capítulos son los que que rescatan a la novela ya que aparecen personajes de las novelas pasadas lo cual es lo único que me interesa jajaja. El drama del misterio en los tres libros la verdad me parece muy aburrido.
Los protagonistas Michael y Cleo se enamoran por insta love, lo sentí que en un segundo paso todo, la autoñra ya no sigue la misma fórmula que en sus otras novelas que era todo más largo y con descripciones enormes, tal vez quiere cambiar ese aspecto pero de verdad que no le está saliendo nada bien, por ahí leí que le hace falta una buena editora que la ayude a salir de ese hoyo y estoy muy de acuerdo. Stephanie escribe incleible, a mi me encanta me ha transportado, he sentido con sus personajes, pero de tiempo acá no se ha aparecido nada de eso, solo misterios aburridos y casi nada de química entre los protagonistas.
No lo recomiendo sí nos has leído absolutamente nada se esta autora.
Los últimos tres capítulos son los que que rescatan a la novela ya que aparecen personajes de las novelas pasadas lo cual es lo único que me interesa jajaja. El drama del misterio en los tres libros la verdad me parece muy aburrido.
Los protagonistas Michael y Cleo se enamoran por insta love, lo sentí que en un segundo paso todo, la autoñra ya no sigue la misma fórmula que en sus otras novelas que era todo más largo y con descripciones enormes, tal vez quiere cambiar ese aspecto pero de verdad que no le está saliendo nada bien, por ahí leí que le hace falta una buena editora que la ayude a salir de ese hoyo y estoy muy de acuerdo. Stephanie escribe incleible, a mi me encanta me ha transportado, he sentido con sus personajes, pero de tiempo acá no se ha aparecido nada de eso, solo misterios aburridos y casi nada de química entre los protagonistas.
No lo recomiendo sí nos has leído absolutamente nada se esta autora.
September 7, 2020
2.75 stars.
I don't think it warrants 3 stars. The most interesting thing about this book is that Michael is Devil's second son and Cleo is the daughter of Jack and Kit Hendon. So there's a bit of a crossover even though we don't actually see Jack and Kit, but we did get cameos from Devil and Honoria.
The book probably could have been better if there was either more action or romance but instead the characters just keep sitting around to recap on what's happened. I was wondering why there was such a long recap scene at the end of the book until I realise it was used as a vehicle to introduce Drake's lady for the next book by having her eavesdropping on the whole discussion.
So overall, not that interesting an instalment and needed more editing.
I don't think it warrants 3 stars. The most interesting thing about this book is that Michael is Devil's second son and Cleo is the daughter of Jack and Kit Hendon. So there's a bit of a crossover even though we don't actually see Jack and Kit, but we did get cameos from Devil and Honoria.
The book probably could have been better if there was either more action or romance but instead the characters just keep sitting around to recap on what's happened. I was wondering why there was such a long recap scene at the end of the book until I realise it was used as a vehicle to introduce Drake's lady for the next book by having her eavesdropping on the whole discussion.
So overall, not that interesting an instalment and needed more editing.
February 25, 2024
Not bad.
June 4, 2025
2.4.
"We might not be able to rescue everyone, and we can’t erase the pain, but making bad better is something we can and should do.”
"We might not be able to rescue everyone, and we can’t erase the pain, but making bad better is something we can and should do.”
May 20, 2017
Usual good effort from this author but too little romance for my liking
July 21, 2017
Love the way that Cleo has shaken up Michael's world by turning the tables on him.
August 20, 2017
Well she has done it again. I have read all of Stephanie’s books and you feel like you are reading about family. I love the fact that her books aren’t just romance but have mystery and adventure through all of them. They definitely keep you on your toes trying to work out who the villain is and what is going to happen next. Even though each book is related to another, they can be read as a stand alone book.
November 17, 2025
Lord Michael Cynster and Miss Cleome Hendon learn to work together as full partners to help in this second stage of foiling a plot to blow something, or someone, up in London. Michael is feeling free of society's demands since Sebastian is now engaged, wondering what to do next, when he gets involved with Drake Wolverstone, who he's worked with before. He needs to track down the transporters of the dynamite and the family is acquainted with the Hendon Shipping Company due to their parents beings involved with them in the early 1800's. It's now 1850 and the new generation is working actively to protect and defend. Michael is surprised to find that the Hendon he'll be working with is Cleome, and he gets a little warning from Michael of what her mother had gotten up to during her younger years, but he finds she is a kindred spirit with a surprising mesh of thoughts, ideas and ability to take action. They succeed in their part of the task, with one of the senior people in the plot killed, but they know the spider at the center of the web is still out there, and surmise that it's someone from their world. Drake is reviewing everything with the other four at the end of this book, when Louisa makes her appearance, with information no one else has. An excellent read!
August 18, 2019
Review - I was eager to read Michael's story because I thoroughly enjoyed Sebastian's story (The Lady By His Side), and this one is a follow-on, so if you haven't read the previous book you really need to, because the mystery element of this one is a direct continuation of the previous one. I still love the idea that Cynster men need to understand that the women they fall in love with need to be allowed to do what they need to do, and they can't let their protective instincts override all. I loved the interplay between the two brothers especially in this one, as it was really lovely to see them rib each other but still demonstrate their affection.
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Michael Cynster / Cleome Hendon / Sebastian Cynster Marquess of Earith / Drake Varisey Marquess of Winchelsea / Antonia Rawlings / Devil Cynster Duke of St Ives / Honoria Cynster Duchess of St Ives / Louisa Cynster
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - Cynster #25 / Devil's Brood #2
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 17/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Michael Cynster / Cleome Hendon / Sebastian Cynster Marquess of Earith / Drake Varisey Marquess of Winchelsea / Antonia Rawlings / Devil Cynster Duke of St Ives / Honoria Cynster Duchess of St Ives / Louisa Cynster
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - Cynster #25 / Devil's Brood #2
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 17/20
September 3, 2017
I struggled through this book. The writer introduces the children of Devil and then they are thrown into a long ongoing mystery, that still isn't solved. Stretch out a story , that was never a nail biter to begin with. I swear Chloe and Michael almost repeat their lines word for word., with the couple of the first book. This book is way to long, without adding more adventure to the story. Two over protective men, who fall for the last person they ever wanted to. Really. Both books. It was just ok. I have read better from her. I will not buy the third. If a library gets it. I may skim read it, but this is no romantic, or murder mystery page turner. Chloe had a little more fire than Michael, and Drake just seems lost since they go over, and over the details constantly. The entrance of their sister at the end was just vampy, and her brothers older, and wiser have no control. Not one of her best.
July 26, 2017
Didn't hate it, didn't love it. Just had trouble being really engaged with story and couple - not sure if it is because she has done the same relationship themes over and over and she just has the children in this generation essentially taking over the roles of their parents, without having their own identity or unique backstories.
Sorry but I just did not feel as engaged as when I read the Bastion Club Series which is on my All Time Favourites List. Final Rating: 3 Stars, but don't know if I liked it enough to re-read...
Sorry but I just did not feel as engaged as when I read the Bastion Club Series which is on my All Time Favourites List. Final Rating: 3 Stars, but don't know if I liked it enough to re-read...
September 10, 2017
I love Stephanie Laurens and can't imagine not reading anything she writes, but this wasn't one of my favorites. It was more "walk me through solving a mystery step by step" than the suspense and sizzling attraction of many of her other books (like the Bastion Club and the original Cynster series). It was more like the Casebook of Barnaby Adair books, which I don't enjoy nearly as much as her other books.
May 21, 2017
Protection and Love
Love reading about the Cynster family!! Stephanie Laurens is an author that writes a story that is hard to put down. This series she has involved the children of other families that are friends of the Cynster's. Cleo Hendon's parents are part of this group. I would recommend any of Ms. Laurens books.
Love reading about the Cynster family!! Stephanie Laurens is an author that writes a story that is hard to put down. This series she has involved the children of other families that are friends of the Cynster's. Cleo Hendon's parents are part of this group. I would recommend any of Ms. Laurens books.
June 11, 2017
Cleo and Michael
I've read and own all of Stephanie Laurens books. I enjoy each, rereading them as time allows. Each series gives me joy and a memory of all the characters that have become welcome friends. The suspense of the intrigue is a delight. Highly recommend. I'm most looking forward to the next romance of Lady Wild and Drake.
I've read and own all of Stephanie Laurens books. I enjoy each, rereading them as time allows. Each series gives me joy and a memory of all the characters that have become welcome friends. The suspense of the intrigue is a delight. Highly recommend. I'm most looking forward to the next romance of Lady Wild and Drake.
September 9, 2017
A very easy read with a pretty template approach on this book. I seem to remember the early books in this series having a lot of passion and sizzle but now it seems as the author is just cranking these out with a slim story line and not much else. Definitely not a strong addition to the series - more Barbara Cartland than I usually prefer.
May 19, 2017
Another winner
Again, Stephanie Laurens has written another must read book. Love all of her Cynsters family books. She has a gift of writing an intriguing book with lots of romance thrown in.
Again, Stephanie Laurens has written another must read book. Love all of her Cynsters family books. She has a gift of writing an intriguing book with lots of romance thrown in.
July 25, 2017
This author uses so many words to convey the same ideas over and over again. While the story has potential to be interesting, I just couldn't wade through all the unnecessary fluff. Really, the book could probably be a hundred pages shorter than it is.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews