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The Cavanaughs #2
The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh
Bold and clever, THE CAVANAUGHS are unlike any other family in early Victorian England.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens continues to explore the enthralling world of these dynamic siblings in the eagerly anticipated second volume in her captivating series.
A Gentleman of Means
One of the most eligible bachelors in London, Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh has discovered his true path and it doesn’t include the expected society marriage. Kit is all business and has chosen the bustling port of Bristol to launch his passion—Cavanaugh Yachts.
A Woman of Character
Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s passion is her school for impoverished children. When a new business venture forces the school out of its building, she must act quickly. But confronting Kit Cavanaugh is a daunting task made even more difficult by their first and only previous meeting, when, believing she’d never see him again, she’d treated him dismissively. Still, Sylvia is determined to be persuasive.
An Unstoppable Duo
It quickly becomes clear there are others who want the school—and Cavanaugh Yachts—closed. Working side by side, Kit and Sylvia fight to secure her school and to expose the blackguard trying to sabotage his business. Yet an even more dastardly villain lurks, one who threatens the future both discover they now hold dear.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens continues to explore the enthralling world of these dynamic siblings in the eagerly anticipated second volume in her captivating series.
A Gentleman of Means
One of the most eligible bachelors in London, Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh has discovered his true path and it doesn’t include the expected society marriage. Kit is all business and has chosen the bustling port of Bristol to launch his passion—Cavanaugh Yachts.
A Woman of Character
Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s passion is her school for impoverished children. When a new business venture forces the school out of its building, she must act quickly. But confronting Kit Cavanaugh is a daunting task made even more difficult by their first and only previous meeting, when, believing she’d never see him again, she’d treated him dismissively. Still, Sylvia is determined to be persuasive.
An Unstoppable Duo
It quickly becomes clear there are others who want the school—and Cavanaugh Yachts—closed. Working side by side, Kit and Sylvia fight to secure her school and to expose the blackguard trying to sabotage his business. Yet an even more dastardly villain lurks, one who threatens the future both discover they now hold dear.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2019
586 people are currently reading
826 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.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 173 reviews
August 28, 2019
3.0 Slow burn stars
Lord Kit Cavanaugh is too good to be true. He's handsome, rich, and can do no wrong. Miss Sylvia Buckleberry is the Vicar's daughter and the administrator over a charity school for poor children.
There is a saboteur and a small mystery that needs solving. But that was the only interesting thing in the plot. The characters were nice enough, but completely bland and un-memorable.
2.5 stars rounded up
Lord Kit Cavanaugh is too good to be true. He's handsome, rich, and can do no wrong. Miss Sylvia Buckleberry is the Vicar's daughter and the administrator over a charity school for poor children.
There is a saboteur and a small mystery that needs solving. But that was the only interesting thing in the plot. The characters were nice enough, but completely bland and un-memorable.
2.5 stars rounded up
April 11, 2019
Series: The Cavanaughs #2
Publication Date: 4/30/19
Number of Pages: 384
Kit Cavanaugh first met Miss Sylvia Buckleberry (I love her name) in the first book of the series, The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh and it was not an auspicious beginning for them. She treated him coldly and it seemed that she couldn’t wait to get away from him. So, while she intrigued him, he left his brother Rand’s wedding never expecting to see her again.
Kit spent some time with his older brother, Ryder, and his family and then left for Bristol where he is starting a yacht building business. He rented the perfect warehouse for building the yachts and all he had to do was to wait for the charity that was using the warehouse to vacate the premises. He wondered what sort of charity was using the warehouse.
The next day, an absolute force of nature in the guise of Miss Sylvia Buckleberry accosted Kit in his offices. She was quite different from the cold, aloof woman he met at Rand’s wedding. She demanded his help in relocating her charity school since he is the cause of them having to move. Kit had no idea it was a school he was dislocating and he was anxious to help with the relocation, the costs – whatever was needed. Sylvia couldn’t believe this was the same man whose reputation she had so much about before.
Kit and his partner, Wayland Cobworth, can hardly wait to begin work. Bristol’s shipbuilding industry is floundering since the invention of iron ships. Luckily for Kit and Wayland, that leaves the finest craftsmen available for hire. They are fortunate to put together a top-notch crew including a secretary that keeps it all together.
Kit and Sylvia spend more and more time together because of the school. Who knew that a charity school could have an enemy? But it does. Then again, who knew that a new business providing many jobs to an impoverished community would have enemies? But it does. Add to that – someone is watching Sylvia. Are they all related?
The road to romance is fairly smooth with each person coming to know and respect who the other really is. It is the danger to the school, the business, and Sylvia that moves the plot along. The mysteries are interesting and you won’t know who the villain is until the solution presents itself.
This is an excellently written book with interesting and compelling characters to whom you can totally relate. I really liked Kit who is not at all what his reputation makes him out to be. I also admired Sylvia who set a goal for her life and then went about making it happen. She’s quite an admirable heroine.
I definitely recommend this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 4/30/19
Number of Pages: 384
Kit Cavanaugh first met Miss Sylvia Buckleberry (I love her name) in the first book of the series, The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh and it was not an auspicious beginning for them. She treated him coldly and it seemed that she couldn’t wait to get away from him. So, while she intrigued him, he left his brother Rand’s wedding never expecting to see her again.
Kit spent some time with his older brother, Ryder, and his family and then left for Bristol where he is starting a yacht building business. He rented the perfect warehouse for building the yachts and all he had to do was to wait for the charity that was using the warehouse to vacate the premises. He wondered what sort of charity was using the warehouse.
The next day, an absolute force of nature in the guise of Miss Sylvia Buckleberry accosted Kit in his offices. She was quite different from the cold, aloof woman he met at Rand’s wedding. She demanded his help in relocating her charity school since he is the cause of them having to move. Kit had no idea it was a school he was dislocating and he was anxious to help with the relocation, the costs – whatever was needed. Sylvia couldn’t believe this was the same man whose reputation she had so much about before.
Kit and his partner, Wayland Cobworth, can hardly wait to begin work. Bristol’s shipbuilding industry is floundering since the invention of iron ships. Luckily for Kit and Wayland, that leaves the finest craftsmen available for hire. They are fortunate to put together a top-notch crew including a secretary that keeps it all together.
Kit and Sylvia spend more and more time together because of the school. Who knew that a charity school could have an enemy? But it does. Then again, who knew that a new business providing many jobs to an impoverished community would have enemies? But it does. Add to that – someone is watching Sylvia. Are they all related?
The road to romance is fairly smooth with each person coming to know and respect who the other really is. It is the danger to the school, the business, and Sylvia that moves the plot along. The mysteries are interesting and you won’t know who the villain is until the solution presents itself.
This is an excellently written book with interesting and compelling characters to whom you can totally relate. I really liked Kit who is not at all what his reputation makes him out to be. I also admired Sylvia who set a goal for her life and then went about making it happen. She’s quite an admirable heroine.
I definitely recommend this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 12, 2019
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
May 1, 2019
Terrific book. Now that his brother's wedding was over, Kit was ready to head for Bristol and get his dream of Cavanaugh Yachts launched. All he needed was the right location and the craftsmen with the right skills, and he would be set. The site was quickly found; all he needed to do was wait for the charity using it to vacate the premises.
Daughter of a vicar, Sylvia found her calling in providing education for the sons of Bristol dockworkers. She and her team worked hard for the last two years and had just started seeing real progress in their efforts when she found out that they were losing their building.
I loved both Kit and Sylvia, both of whom made brief appearances in the previous book, The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh. Kit had quite the reputation around London as a rake. What no one knew was that it was a carefully cultivated reputation, designed to discourage his manipulative mother's matchmaking aspirations. Having been a witness to his parents' marriage, Kit had no desire to marry. In reality, Kit was an honorable, kind, and hardworking man. Sylvia gave up on the idea of marriage for herself long ago, after she endured one season of the glitz and glamour. She is intelligent, determined, and kind. Both of them have dreams that they are passionate about.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Kit and Sylvia. Their first encounter was at Rand's wedding, where they were partnered during the wedding celebration. Kit was intrigued by Sylvia, but she treated him coldly, so he tried to put her out of his mind. Sylvia struggled to maintain her distance from the rake she was inexplicably drawn to and had crushed on two years earlier. She never expected to see him again and was dismayed to find he had leased the building that housed her school. I loved their next meeting, as Sylvia burst into Kit's office and harangued him about dislocating her school. Kit was stunned by the difference in Sylvia and intrigued all over again. I loved how he took the wind out of her sails by merely agreeing to help her find a new spot for her school. As they spent time together looking for a new location, both Kit and Sylvia discovered that their previous beliefs about each other were all wrong. I enjoyed seeing them get to know and respect who the other is, and the realization of how much alike they are. I liked Kit's move into courting Sylvia, though it took a bit for her to realize what he was doing. As the trouble that stalked them heated up, I loved Kit's protectiveness of Sylvia, which added to his growing feelings for her. Sylvia was also protective of Kit, and I enjoyed how she did things that would help him. But it took the danger at the end for them to realize just how deep their feelings for each other were.
The suspense in the story was good. There were attacks on the business, attacks on the school, and Sylvia's persistent feelings of being watched. Were these incidents related, or were they separate issues? There were multiple twists and turns as each event was dealt with, revealing some interesting motivations and solutions. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was all over.
The secondary characters gave added depth to the story, helping both Kit and Sylvia shine. The boys that Sylvia teaches, and their families, showed another side of Victorian England. The advances in the technology of boat building changed the economy of Bristol, and this book showed the effects on the ordinary people. The struggles to take care of their families was vividly portrayed. I liked Sylvia's compassion and practical ways of helping and dealing with problems. Her connection with her students and their families also played a big part in helping Kit get his business started. I loved Kit's practical methods of running his business, and his hands-on approach. It was especially fun to see the variety of reactions. I loved the assorted boys and their parts in the book. Each one has a unique personality and history. There were some pretty funny situations that they got involved in, but they also played a huge part in the final confrontation. I liked the appearances of the previous couples in the series and their roles in moving the relationship along.
Daughter of a vicar, Sylvia found her calling in providing education for the sons of Bristol dockworkers. She and her team worked hard for the last two years and had just started seeing real progress in their efforts when she found out that they were losing their building.
I loved both Kit and Sylvia, both of whom made brief appearances in the previous book, The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh. Kit had quite the reputation around London as a rake. What no one knew was that it was a carefully cultivated reputation, designed to discourage his manipulative mother's matchmaking aspirations. Having been a witness to his parents' marriage, Kit had no desire to marry. In reality, Kit was an honorable, kind, and hardworking man. Sylvia gave up on the idea of marriage for herself long ago, after she endured one season of the glitz and glamour. She is intelligent, determined, and kind. Both of them have dreams that they are passionate about.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Kit and Sylvia. Their first encounter was at Rand's wedding, where they were partnered during the wedding celebration. Kit was intrigued by Sylvia, but she treated him coldly, so he tried to put her out of his mind. Sylvia struggled to maintain her distance from the rake she was inexplicably drawn to and had crushed on two years earlier. She never expected to see him again and was dismayed to find he had leased the building that housed her school. I loved their next meeting, as Sylvia burst into Kit's office and harangued him about dislocating her school. Kit was stunned by the difference in Sylvia and intrigued all over again. I loved how he took the wind out of her sails by merely agreeing to help her find a new spot for her school. As they spent time together looking for a new location, both Kit and Sylvia discovered that their previous beliefs about each other were all wrong. I enjoyed seeing them get to know and respect who the other is, and the realization of how much alike they are. I liked Kit's move into courting Sylvia, though it took a bit for her to realize what he was doing. As the trouble that stalked them heated up, I loved Kit's protectiveness of Sylvia, which added to his growing feelings for her. Sylvia was also protective of Kit, and I enjoyed how she did things that would help him. But it took the danger at the end for them to realize just how deep their feelings for each other were.
The suspense in the story was good. There were attacks on the business, attacks on the school, and Sylvia's persistent feelings of being watched. Were these incidents related, or were they separate issues? There were multiple twists and turns as each event was dealt with, revealing some interesting motivations and solutions. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was all over.
The secondary characters gave added depth to the story, helping both Kit and Sylvia shine. The boys that Sylvia teaches, and their families, showed another side of Victorian England. The advances in the technology of boat building changed the economy of Bristol, and this book showed the effects on the ordinary people. The struggles to take care of their families was vividly portrayed. I liked Sylvia's compassion and practical ways of helping and dealing with problems. Her connection with her students and their families also played a big part in helping Kit get his business started. I loved Kit's practical methods of running his business, and his hands-on approach. It was especially fun to see the variety of reactions. I loved the assorted boys and their parts in the book. Each one has a unique personality and history. There were some pretty funny situations that they got involved in, but they also played a huge part in the final confrontation. I liked the appearances of the previous couples in the series and their roles in moving the relationship along.
May 14, 2019
Somebody save me from these romance novels that don’t feature any passion. I don’t want pleasant. I want intensity.
April 29, 2019
Wow! What a remarkable author, Stephanie Laurens has published 50 historical romances. 29 of them have been New York Times bestsellers. What a splendid way to relax and read her books. She sets her historical romances in the time of the British Regency and setting her stories from Scotland to India. I loved reading The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh which is volume 2.
The Cavanaughs books are in order
volume 1 The designs of Lord Randolph Canvanaugh
Volume 2 The Pursuits of Lord Cavanaugh
Volume 3 The Beguilement of Lord Eustacia Cavanaugh
You don't need to read these books of order about the Cavanaughs as they can be read as a standalone.
With 50 books of different titles to choose from I'm sure some readers of historical fiction will find a book of your own interest, within Stephanie Laurens category.
The Cavanaughs books are in order
volume 1 The designs of Lord Randolph Canvanaugh
Volume 2 The Pursuits of Lord Cavanaugh
Volume 3 The Beguilement of Lord Eustacia Cavanaugh
You don't need to read these books of order about the Cavanaughs as they can be read as a standalone.
With 50 books of different titles to choose from I'm sure some readers of historical fiction will find a book of your own interest, within Stephanie Laurens category.
April 21, 2019
Overall I enjoyed this latest edition to the world of the Cynsters; they’re comforting and I love returning back to this world. However, this story was short and with less action. Also, quite repetitive; we get it Kit, you’re attracted to this spunky Sylvia! I feel like this would have been better suited as a short story so she could have cut it down quite a bit.
January 1, 2025
This was my first time trying Stephanie Laurens and it went pretty well! This is a low-steam historical romance with a bit of a mystery plot and two ambitious characters. Kit is making his way in the world, and has purchased a warehouse for building yachts as a business plan. But the owners must displace a charity organization housed there.
Silvia, daughter of a clergyman, runs a school for the sons of dockworkers and is angry about having nowhere to go. When she confronts Kit, he surprises her by offering to support and sponsor the school in a better location. A friendship grows between them, but after a fire is set outside the school and work on one of his boats wrecked, they must wonder if someone is out to get them.
This was engaging and the bit of mystery keeps the pages turning. I liked the characters and their relationship is really sweet. I would read more from this author! I received a copy of this book from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Silvia, daughter of a clergyman, runs a school for the sons of dockworkers and is angry about having nowhere to go. When she confronts Kit, he surprises her by offering to support and sponsor the school in a better location. A friendship grows between them, but after a fire is set outside the school and work on one of his boats wrecked, they must wonder if someone is out to get them.
This was engaging and the bit of mystery keeps the pages turning. I liked the characters and their relationship is really sweet. I would read more from this author! I received a copy of this book from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
April 30, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up
This book starts shortly after the ending of the previous book, The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh Lord Kit Cavanaugh has moved to Bristol to start a new venture, Cavanaugh Yachts. He has rented a warehouse and plans to open shop immediately along with his friend and business partner Wayland. They want to take occupancy immediately, but learn a charity has been using it and they need a few days to vacate.
Sylvia Buckleberry learns from the officers of the Dock Company that they have rented the warehouse that she uses for a school and that she must vacate immediately. She knew that it was a possibly that they would lose the space, but with the decline in shipbuilding, she never really thought it would happen. She tries to find another space for the school, but as they haven't the money in the budget for rent, she is faced with the real possibility of having to close. She is upset and barges into Kit's office and rages at him. Kit is stunned and intrigued, the Sylvia he met at his brother Rand's wedding was an ice queen and nothing like this fiery woman. He waits until she is finished with her rant and offers to help find another place for the school - even offering to pay the rent. Sylvia is surprised, she has always harbored a secret crush for Kit, but his reputation was one of a rake and she refused to fall prey and kept her distance from him. But this Kit is nothing like the rumors she heard and she wonders if she misjudged him. They work together and find a place for the school and Kit goes about setting up his new business, but he is drawn to Sylvia and makes excuses to see her.
When the school is threatened, Kit immediately comes to her aid and when someone sabotages his workshop, he wonders if the events are related and vows to protect Sylvia. They again work together to find the villain or villains and a bond develops between them. Kit decides that Sylvia is the woman for him, but needs to take things slowly. Sylvia finds herself falling for Kit all over again, but doesn't know if he feels the same and is not sure if she can trust her instincts as they were so wrong before. But when Sylvia's life is in peril, nothing will stop Kit from saving the woman he loves and he will prove once and for all that she is meant for him.
The ending is fantastic and I liked that Kit was determined to win Sylvia honorably, but a bit more steam would not have been amiss. This was a good story, but it was wordy, dragged a bit and some of it was down-right dull and boring, add to that the misuse of his honorific (which happened in the last book as well) and this was a fair to middling story at best, good but just not great. This is the second book in the Cavanaugh series, but it could easily be read as standalone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an e-arc that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
This book starts shortly after the ending of the previous book, The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh Lord Kit Cavanaugh has moved to Bristol to start a new venture, Cavanaugh Yachts. He has rented a warehouse and plans to open shop immediately along with his friend and business partner Wayland. They want to take occupancy immediately, but learn a charity has been using it and they need a few days to vacate.
Sylvia Buckleberry learns from the officers of the Dock Company that they have rented the warehouse that she uses for a school and that she must vacate immediately. She knew that it was a possibly that they would lose the space, but with the decline in shipbuilding, she never really thought it would happen. She tries to find another space for the school, but as they haven't the money in the budget for rent, she is faced with the real possibility of having to close. She is upset and barges into Kit's office and rages at him. Kit is stunned and intrigued, the Sylvia he met at his brother Rand's wedding was an ice queen and nothing like this fiery woman. He waits until she is finished with her rant and offers to help find another place for the school - even offering to pay the rent. Sylvia is surprised, she has always harbored a secret crush for Kit, but his reputation was one of a rake and she refused to fall prey and kept her distance from him. But this Kit is nothing like the rumors she heard and she wonders if she misjudged him. They work together and find a place for the school and Kit goes about setting up his new business, but he is drawn to Sylvia and makes excuses to see her.
When the school is threatened, Kit immediately comes to her aid and when someone sabotages his workshop, he wonders if the events are related and vows to protect Sylvia. They again work together to find the villain or villains and a bond develops between them. Kit decides that Sylvia is the woman for him, but needs to take things slowly. Sylvia finds herself falling for Kit all over again, but doesn't know if he feels the same and is not sure if she can trust her instincts as they were so wrong before. But when Sylvia's life is in peril, nothing will stop Kit from saving the woman he loves and he will prove once and for all that she is meant for him.
The ending is fantastic and I liked that Kit was determined to win Sylvia honorably, but a bit more steam would not have been amiss. This was a good story, but it was wordy, dragged a bit and some of it was down-right dull and boring, add to that the misuse of his honorific (which happened in the last book as well) and this was a fair to middling story at best, good but just not great. This is the second book in the Cavanaugh series, but it could easily be read as standalone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an e-arc that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
April 4, 2019
3.75 stars--
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 30, 2019
A Gentleman of Means
One of the most eligible bachelors in London, Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh has discovered his true path and it doesn’t include the expected society marriage. Kit is all business and has chosen the bustling port of Bristol to launch his passion—Cavanaugh Yachts.
A Woman of Character
Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s passion is her school for impoverished children. When a new business venture forces the school out of its building, she must act quickly. But confronting Kit Cavanaugh is a daunting task made even more difficult by their first and only previous meeting, when, believing she’d never see him again, she’d treated him dismissively. Still, Sylvia is determined to be persuasive.
An Unstoppable Duo
But it quickly becomes clear there are others who want the school—and Cavanaugh Yachts—closed. Working side by side, Kit and Sylvia fight to secure her school and to expose the blackguard trying to sabotage his business. Yet an even more dastardly villain lurks, one who threatens the future both discover they now hold dear.
••••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars--THE PURSUITS OF LORD KIT CAVANAUGH is the second instalment in Stephanie Laurens’ THE CAVANAUGHS historical romance series, a spin off from the author’s Cynster/Cynster Sisters Duo. This is twenty-nine year old, Lord Christopher ‘Kit’ Cavanaugh, and Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s story line. THE PURSUITS OF LORD KIT CAVANAUGH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Kit and Sylvia) THE PURSUITS OF LORD KIT CAVANAUGH follows the slow building relationship between twenty-nine year old, Lord Christopher ‘Kit’ Cavanaugh, and Miss Sylvia Buckleberry. Hoping for a successful upstart to his new Cavanaugh Yacht building business, Lord Christopher ‘Kit’ Cavanaugh finds himself in a predicament when the new lease on his warehouse forces a charity school, for impoverished children, onto the streets with nowhere to go. Enter Miss Sylvia Buckleberry, the school’s director and administrator, and the woman with whom Kit will fall in love. Hoping to make right his ill-timed business venture, Kit helps Sylvia find a new place for her school, but a place that doesn’t sit well with some of the locals. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kit and Sylvia, and the potential fall-out as both Kit and Sylvia are targeted for who they are, and what they do.
Sylvia Buckleberry, the daughter of a preacher, knows that someone is following. From the destruction at Kit’s Cavanaugh Yacht building, to the numerous attempts to break and enter, Kit and Sylvia are unsure from where the threats are coming.
The relationship between Kit and Sylvia is slow to develop having previously met at Lord Randolph’s wedding (THE DESIGNS OF LORD RANDOLPH CAVANAUGH
#1). Sylvia struggles with her attraction to a man whose reputation as a rake precedes his introduction to their small ton but Kit has no idea as to the cold indifference aimed in his direction. The lone $ex scene is passionate but mostly implied.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters many of whom struggle to survive the streets of 1843 Bristol, England. From destruction to thievery, desperation and loss, the number of locals hoping for a job increases as our hero gives everyone a second chance. We are reintroduced to Kit’s siblings Rand and his wife Felicia, as well as Eustacia aka Stacie, Godfrey and Ryder.
THE PURSUITS OF LORD KIT CAVANAUGH is an entertaining and engaging story; a well-written, slow burning romance between two people who battle not only their attraction to one another but an unknown force that is trying to destroy everything they love. The premise is captivating; the romance is sweet and tender; the characters are edgy and intelligent.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 30, 2019
A Gentleman of Means
One of the most eligible bachelors in London, Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh has discovered his true path and it doesn’t include the expected society marriage. Kit is all business and has chosen the bustling port of Bristol to launch his passion—Cavanaugh Yachts.
A Woman of Character
Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s passion is her school for impoverished children. When a new business venture forces the school out of its building, she must act quickly. But confronting Kit Cavanaugh is a daunting task made even more difficult by their first and only previous meeting, when, believing she’d never see him again, she’d treated him dismissively. Still, Sylvia is determined to be persuasive.
An Unstoppable Duo
But it quickly becomes clear there are others who want the school—and Cavanaugh Yachts—closed. Working side by side, Kit and Sylvia fight to secure her school and to expose the blackguard trying to sabotage his business. Yet an even more dastardly villain lurks, one who threatens the future both discover they now hold dear.
••••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars--THE PURSUITS OF LORD KIT CAVANAUGH is the second instalment in Stephanie Laurens’ THE CAVANAUGHS historical romance series, a spin off from the author’s Cynster/Cynster Sisters Duo. This is twenty-nine year old, Lord Christopher ‘Kit’ Cavanaugh, and Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s story line. THE PURSUITS OF LORD KIT CAVANAUGH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Kit and Sylvia) THE PURSUITS OF LORD KIT CAVANAUGH follows the slow building relationship between twenty-nine year old, Lord Christopher ‘Kit’ Cavanaugh, and Miss Sylvia Buckleberry. Hoping for a successful upstart to his new Cavanaugh Yacht building business, Lord Christopher ‘Kit’ Cavanaugh finds himself in a predicament when the new lease on his warehouse forces a charity school, for impoverished children, onto the streets with nowhere to go. Enter Miss Sylvia Buckleberry, the school’s director and administrator, and the woman with whom Kit will fall in love. Hoping to make right his ill-timed business venture, Kit helps Sylvia find a new place for her school, but a place that doesn’t sit well with some of the locals. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kit and Sylvia, and the potential fall-out as both Kit and Sylvia are targeted for who they are, and what they do.
Sylvia Buckleberry, the daughter of a preacher, knows that someone is following. From the destruction at Kit’s Cavanaugh Yacht building, to the numerous attempts to break and enter, Kit and Sylvia are unsure from where the threats are coming.
The relationship between Kit and Sylvia is slow to develop having previously met at Lord Randolph’s wedding (THE DESIGNS OF LORD RANDOLPH CAVANAUGH
#1). Sylvia struggles with her attraction to a man whose reputation as a rake precedes his introduction to their small ton but Kit has no idea as to the cold indifference aimed in his direction. The lone $ex scene is passionate but mostly implied.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters many of whom struggle to survive the streets of 1843 Bristol, England. From destruction to thievery, desperation and loss, the number of locals hoping for a job increases as our hero gives everyone a second chance. We are reintroduced to Kit’s siblings Rand and his wife Felicia, as well as Eustacia aka Stacie, Godfrey and Ryder.
THE PURSUITS OF LORD KIT CAVANAUGH is an entertaining and engaging story; a well-written, slow burning romance between two people who battle not only their attraction to one another but an unknown force that is trying to destroy everything they love. The premise is captivating; the romance is sweet and tender; the characters are edgy and intelligent.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 18, 2022
I've always enjoyed the books by this author. It's nice to see each person of the same family find their happily ever after. This story is enjoyable enough, the MCs are likable and I did find myself wanting them to be together. There's not too much issues and hurdles they have to get through though. And majority of the time, Lord Kit's noble title seems to smoothly pave the way.
Overall, not a bad romance, but not exactly extraordinary.
Overall, not a bad romance, but not exactly extraordinary.
May 5, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. This was my FIRST Stephanie Laurens novel and it won't be my last. Although it is the second in a series, I could read along just fine without reading the first book.
I enjoyed the sweet love story and the hint of mystery and intrigue to keep it going.
I received a copy from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the sweet love story and the hint of mystery and intrigue to keep it going.
I received a copy from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2019
Overall
I missed this when it originally came out and didn’t hurry to read it, probably because I hadn’t totally loved the first book in this trilogy, The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh. It was fine, but nothing that made me look forward to the stories of Rand’s younger brother and sister. The Cavanaughs are the younger half-siblings of Ryder Cavanaugh, the hero from The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh who married Mary Cynster. Their mother was Lavinia, the villain of Taming, so that makes this series slightly more interesting. After all, Lavinia was truly terrible but raised these kids. What would it be like to have such an utter sociopath as one’s mother?
Designs didn’t really address that and neither does Pursuits. I haven’t reread Taming in a few years (it’s on my list when I do the Cynsters next year) so I don’t remember much other than the big stuff. So I was a bit disappointed to see that thread wasn’t really pursued (ha) here. That being said, this is a sweet read that deviates a bit (in a good way) from the formula that I’ve come to expect from Stephanie Laurens.
When I think of Laurens’ books, I don’t think of characters or the romances. I generally return to her writing because I love her mysteries and her plots. She has a basic approach: her heroes are alpha males who pursue the heroines who generally need to be convinced to marry them. Her female leads are always strong-willed, intelligent, and a good match for the heroes. One of my favorite things about the majority of her romances is that hero values the heroine for that intelligence and they often work together side by side to solve the plot. Her Bastion Club was tour de force of these kinds of romances (save the terrible prequel, Captain Jack’s Woman, and the stalker in To Distraction).
This book isn’t quite the same. There’s more focus on the romance, actually, as our lead characters navigate a series of smaller mysteries as they get to know one another better. Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh is the second of Lavinia’s three sons and has come to Bristol to begin a yacht-building company. His new warehouse lease displaces a charity school run by vicar’s daughter Silvia Buckleberry, the maid of honor at his brother’s wedding. Silvia has a low opinion of Kit at first, but when he helps her relocate the school and goes on to sponsor it, she sees a different side of him.
Laurens also writes a lot of sex scenes in her books — I don’t generally review this stuff because it’s not really what I go to romance for so I end up skipping some of the scenes. But generally her leads have a lot of sex. Pursuits doesn’t have a kiss between her leads for almost two hundred pages, and then the single sex scene is in the epilogue. Instead of lust, Kit and Silvia work together to save the school, find out who’s sabotaging his business, and then who’s following her around Bristol. Silvia is a vicar’s daughter, and Kit respects that. I was surprised by how much I liked that approach. Kit and Silvia weren’t very interesting character on their own, but their romance was sweet and they worked well together. When he finally kisses her, it feels a lot more earned.
The mysteries themselves aren’t super engrossing, but they’re fun to read and follow. There are bits of this book that are a bit overwritten, but that’s part of Laurens’s style so I tend to discount that. This is a sweet book that is a bit outside her norm, and I really liked that.
Spoilers
The small mysteries are generally easily solved and the final one—the attempt to kill Silvia is suitably full of tension. The world that Kit and Silvia have built and the supporting cast of characters play into it nicely. Kit has earned the loyalty of several young boys who also look up to Silvia. It makes sense that they take Silvia’s safety seriously enough to go after her, to watch her.
I do wish that Kit’s background with his mother had been explored a bit more, but that wasn’t the story Laurens was trying to tell so I can let that go. Silvia and Kit seem a bit thin as characters, but that’s pretty normal for Stephanie Laurens, so I’m not going to shake my first at things I know won’t change. After sixty books, I know what I’m getting when I pick up her books.
I missed this when it originally came out and didn’t hurry to read it, probably because I hadn’t totally loved the first book in this trilogy, The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh. It was fine, but nothing that made me look forward to the stories of Rand’s younger brother and sister. The Cavanaughs are the younger half-siblings of Ryder Cavanaugh, the hero from The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh who married Mary Cynster. Their mother was Lavinia, the villain of Taming, so that makes this series slightly more interesting. After all, Lavinia was truly terrible but raised these kids. What would it be like to have such an utter sociopath as one’s mother?
Designs didn’t really address that and neither does Pursuits. I haven’t reread Taming in a few years (it’s on my list when I do the Cynsters next year) so I don’t remember much other than the big stuff. So I was a bit disappointed to see that thread wasn’t really pursued (ha) here. That being said, this is a sweet read that deviates a bit (in a good way) from the formula that I’ve come to expect from Stephanie Laurens.
When I think of Laurens’ books, I don’t think of characters or the romances. I generally return to her writing because I love her mysteries and her plots. She has a basic approach: her heroes are alpha males who pursue the heroines who generally need to be convinced to marry them. Her female leads are always strong-willed, intelligent, and a good match for the heroes. One of my favorite things about the majority of her romances is that hero values the heroine for that intelligence and they often work together side by side to solve the plot. Her Bastion Club was tour de force of these kinds of romances (save the terrible prequel, Captain Jack’s Woman, and the stalker in To Distraction).
This book isn’t quite the same. There’s more focus on the romance, actually, as our lead characters navigate a series of smaller mysteries as they get to know one another better. Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh is the second of Lavinia’s three sons and has come to Bristol to begin a yacht-building company. His new warehouse lease displaces a charity school run by vicar’s daughter Silvia Buckleberry, the maid of honor at his brother’s wedding. Silvia has a low opinion of Kit at first, but when he helps her relocate the school and goes on to sponsor it, she sees a different side of him.
Laurens also writes a lot of sex scenes in her books — I don’t generally review this stuff because it’s not really what I go to romance for so I end up skipping some of the scenes. But generally her leads have a lot of sex. Pursuits doesn’t have a kiss between her leads for almost two hundred pages, and then the single sex scene is in the epilogue. Instead of lust, Kit and Silvia work together to save the school, find out who’s sabotaging his business, and then who’s following her around Bristol. Silvia is a vicar’s daughter, and Kit respects that. I was surprised by how much I liked that approach. Kit and Silvia weren’t very interesting character on their own, but their romance was sweet and they worked well together. When he finally kisses her, it feels a lot more earned.
The mysteries themselves aren’t super engrossing, but they’re fun to read and follow. There are bits of this book that are a bit overwritten, but that’s part of Laurens’s style so I tend to discount that. This is a sweet book that is a bit outside her norm, and I really liked that.
Spoilers
The small mysteries are generally easily solved and the final one—the attempt to kill Silvia is suitably full of tension. The world that Kit and Silvia have built and the supporting cast of characters play into it nicely. Kit has earned the loyalty of several young boys who also look up to Silvia. It makes sense that they take Silvia’s safety seriously enough to go after her, to watch her.
I do wish that Kit’s background with his mother had been explored a bit more, but that wasn’t the story Laurens was trying to tell so I can let that go. Silvia and Kit seem a bit thin as characters, but that’s pretty normal for Stephanie Laurens, so I’m not going to shake my first at things I know won’t change. After sixty books, I know what I’m getting when I pick up her books.
November 30, 2023
The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh
2 Stars
Series note: This book continues the Cynster Sisters Duo spin-off focusing on Ryder's younger siblings (Cynsters book #20). The background to the hero's past is provided in that book, but the romance and plot are standalone.
Following a chilly encounter with Miss Sylvia Buckleberry at his brother's wedding, Lord Kit Cavanaugh is baffled but also convinced he will never see the disdainful woman again. Thus, he is surprised when she storms into his office accusing him of evicting her students from the charity school that will now house his new ship building venture. Working together to find new premises and to uncover the person responsible for several acts of sabotage, Kit and Sylvia learn that first impressions can be deceiving and happiness lies in their grasp if they are willing to take a chance on seizing it.
This second installment in the Cavanaughs spin-off falls as flat as the first. The pacing is slow and the love-hate potential of Kit and Sylvia's romance fizzles into an annoying and saccharine sweet mess. The suspense plot is nothing more than a series of different people with grudges against the main characters and the final showdown is completely lacking in foundation within the narrative.
As I am uninterested in the stories of the remaining Cavanaugh siblings, I've decided to skip to the first book in the Cynster Next Generation. Hopefully, Laurens will be able to give the children of her initial characters better written and better plotted storylines.
2 Stars
Series note: This book continues the Cynster Sisters Duo spin-off focusing on Ryder's younger siblings (Cynsters book #20). The background to the hero's past is provided in that book, but the romance and plot are standalone.
Following a chilly encounter with Miss Sylvia Buckleberry at his brother's wedding, Lord Kit Cavanaugh is baffled but also convinced he will never see the disdainful woman again. Thus, he is surprised when she storms into his office accusing him of evicting her students from the charity school that will now house his new ship building venture. Working together to find new premises and to uncover the person responsible for several acts of sabotage, Kit and Sylvia learn that first impressions can be deceiving and happiness lies in their grasp if they are willing to take a chance on seizing it.
This second installment in the Cavanaughs spin-off falls as flat as the first. The pacing is slow and the love-hate potential of Kit and Sylvia's romance fizzles into an annoying and saccharine sweet mess. The suspense plot is nothing more than a series of different people with grudges against the main characters and the final showdown is completely lacking in foundation within the narrative.
As I am uninterested in the stories of the remaining Cavanaugh siblings, I've decided to skip to the first book in the Cynster Next Generation. Hopefully, Laurens will be able to give the children of her initial characters better written and better plotted storylines.
May 2, 2019
Lord Kit thought he’d never marry having grown up with a horrific mother and so developed a distrust women. Starting a new life in Bristol building yachts, though, he encounters Sylvia.a vicar’s daughter and the creator of a free school for boys living on the dockside. Her kindness, beauty and honesty overcome his previous distrust and he falls in love.
The characters were boringly sweet and simple, the plot simple, the tension level low. Lots of people doing nice things. Lots of kids behaving cute and bravely. Several villains, mostly laid low easily. Even Kit’s getting over his distrust and falling in love comes without any real difficulty. Chemistry was minimal.
I guess Laurens burned out after all this time. These characters don’t have the gravitas, complexity and presence of the original Cynster ones. They’re shallow imitations. Even the villains are inferior, more jokes than real villains. We have several different subplots but none with real depth.
I think I’ll pass on future Laurens though she was once arguably my favorite romance writer.
The characters were boringly sweet and simple, the plot simple, the tension level low. Lots of people doing nice things. Lots of kids behaving cute and bravely. Several villains, mostly laid low easily. Even Kit’s getting over his distrust and falling in love comes without any real difficulty. Chemistry was minimal.
I guess Laurens burned out after all this time. These characters don’t have the gravitas, complexity and presence of the original Cynster ones. They’re shallow imitations. Even the villains are inferior, more jokes than real villains. We have several different subplots but none with real depth.
I think I’ll pass on future Laurens though she was once arguably my favorite romance writer.
May 7, 2019
The story was slow and lackluster. The chemistry between the characters wasn't very exciting. (They didn't even kiss until more than halfway through the book.) We get it, Kit's mom was horrible and she ruined all of her kids and he never thought he'd love until he met Sylvia.
The epilogue felt unnecessary. It was an oddly placed introduction to the heroine of the next book and then a longer than necessary scene of the main characters' wedding night. At that point, I would have been fine with the book ending with their wedding. The scene felt like the author forgot to include a love scene in the book and decided to just add it at the end.
I'll read the next book in the series, but I don't expect much excitement.
The epilogue felt unnecessary. It was an oddly placed introduction to the heroine of the next book and then a longer than necessary scene of the main characters' wedding night. At that point, I would have been fine with the book ending with their wedding. The scene felt like the author forgot to include a love scene in the book and decided to just add it at the end.
I'll read the next book in the series, but I don't expect much excitement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2019
I may be in the minority, but I thought the story overall was dull and slow moving, with the yacht business portions being the most interesting. Sylvia and Kit were decent, nice folks, but not compelling characters, and I certainly didn't feel like I was transported within its pages. I'm not usually drawn to Lauren's romances, and I thought to give her another try, however, the tale turned out lukewarm at best, and I skipped the epilogue a few pages in. I'd rather be sleeping. I'll pass on her in the future. 2 stars.
May 10, 2019
I have been reading Stephanie Laurens for years, she is definitely a queen amongst the Historical Romance genre, she is in a league of her own for excellence and this is right up there with the best. For those who have read Ms Laurens will know what I mean, and for those who haven’t read a Stephanie Laurens book yet, why? You really must, for anyone who loves historical romance then this is the book and the author to go to.
1843, Bristol Kit Cavanaugh; after years of playing the rake, of building up a reputation that will keep all those pushy mama’s and debutantes at bay – but he did it all for reason, it was a way to protect himself from his manipulative and using mother. But with his mother’s death he and his siblings are free to do as they please, free to actually live rather then constantly looking over their shoulders wondering when the old coot was going to come down on them. Now he has found what he is passionate about and fully intend turning his back on the life his mother and all of the Ton would want and pursue his own, to build up his Yacht building business; Cavanaugh Yachts.
Kit and his business partner Wayland plan to rent out a warehouse on the docks, they have big plans not only to forge their new Yacht building business but rather admirably plan on using the destitute dock workers who are in dire need of work – I’m telling you, this man has stolen my heart. But, by doing so they unknowingly push out the charity which is currently using the space and whom have a week to move out for Kit and Wayland to move in.
Sylvia Buckleberry (don’t you just love that name?) runs a charity school out of the warehouse Kit has just stolen from her, and now she must either find a new place to relocate her school too or say goodbye to her noble venture which means letting down all those unfortunate children who rely on the school. She fully plans on confronting the man who has the nerve to take away not just her passion but the future of her children’s education – something she does with great gusto! What she doesn’t realise is that she has already met the devilishly handsome and very swoon-worthy Kit at the wedding between her best friend and Kit’s brother, earlier in the year. Kit is very taken with the feisty, intriguing and passionate young woman who has taken it upon herself to face him down and he vows to help her.
But all is not as easy as it may appear as it soon comes to light that there is a mysterious villain out there who not only would very much like to hurt Sylvia but also destroy both their ventures, can Kit and Sylvia find the truth?
I loved their relationship, they are sweet, loving and adorable. They both tread very carefully as they have found themselves in the company of another who they don’t usually find in their sphere. Sylvia is fresh parsons daughter who isn’t the usually glitzy butterfly that Kit is used to and as such he must be patient when wooing her, she isn’t usually his type but you can see instantly that he is fascinated by her. She knows all about his notorious rakish reputation, she is wary around him, but even she can’t deny that this gorgeous man with the twinkle in his eye has charm.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was such a joy to read. As ever with a Stephanie Laurens you will not be disappointed, the plot is intricate, romantic and fun with a hint of mystery that will have you reading late into the night. But it is the character’s that really pull you in, they are beautifully written, charming and each adorable in their own way.
A definite must read, even though this is book two in the Cavanaugh’s series as with all of Ms Laurens work this can be very easily read as a stand-a-lone.
1843, Bristol Kit Cavanaugh; after years of playing the rake, of building up a reputation that will keep all those pushy mama’s and debutantes at bay – but he did it all for reason, it was a way to protect himself from his manipulative and using mother. But with his mother’s death he and his siblings are free to do as they please, free to actually live rather then constantly looking over their shoulders wondering when the old coot was going to come down on them. Now he has found what he is passionate about and fully intend turning his back on the life his mother and all of the Ton would want and pursue his own, to build up his Yacht building business; Cavanaugh Yachts.
Kit and his business partner Wayland plan to rent out a warehouse on the docks, they have big plans not only to forge their new Yacht building business but rather admirably plan on using the destitute dock workers who are in dire need of work – I’m telling you, this man has stolen my heart. But, by doing so they unknowingly push out the charity which is currently using the space and whom have a week to move out for Kit and Wayland to move in.
Sylvia Buckleberry (don’t you just love that name?) runs a charity school out of the warehouse Kit has just stolen from her, and now she must either find a new place to relocate her school too or say goodbye to her noble venture which means letting down all those unfortunate children who rely on the school. She fully plans on confronting the man who has the nerve to take away not just her passion but the future of her children’s education – something she does with great gusto! What she doesn’t realise is that she has already met the devilishly handsome and very swoon-worthy Kit at the wedding between her best friend and Kit’s brother, earlier in the year. Kit is very taken with the feisty, intriguing and passionate young woman who has taken it upon herself to face him down and he vows to help her.
But all is not as easy as it may appear as it soon comes to light that there is a mysterious villain out there who not only would very much like to hurt Sylvia but also destroy both their ventures, can Kit and Sylvia find the truth?
I loved their relationship, they are sweet, loving and adorable. They both tread very carefully as they have found themselves in the company of another who they don’t usually find in their sphere. Sylvia is fresh parsons daughter who isn’t the usually glitzy butterfly that Kit is used to and as such he must be patient when wooing her, she isn’t usually his type but you can see instantly that he is fascinated by her. She knows all about his notorious rakish reputation, she is wary around him, but even she can’t deny that this gorgeous man with the twinkle in his eye has charm.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was such a joy to read. As ever with a Stephanie Laurens you will not be disappointed, the plot is intricate, romantic and fun with a hint of mystery that will have you reading late into the night. But it is the character’s that really pull you in, they are beautifully written, charming and each adorable in their own way.
A definite must read, even though this is book two in the Cavanaugh’s series as with all of Ms Laurens work this can be very easily read as a stand-a-lone.
April 30, 2019
Kit, the hero, is the not the typical character which plays out between the pages of a novel. He hides who he is, masquerading as a rake for many years. It was his way of protecting himself from the machinations of his mother. After his mother dies, he is free to become the man he wants to be.
He is quite an admiral character, when he sets out to be his own man, starting a business of yacht building. He is able to procure an old warehouse which hadn’t been used for years. With astuteness, he and his old friend from school days pull a team together of experienced and seasoned workers who had lost their jobs as businesses moved out of the town. Kit's dream, unfortunately, dashes another’s—Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s.
Miss Sylvia Buckleberry realizes she is ‘on the shelf’. She is not one to let that stop her in being an active person in society. She decides to move out of London to a small town which can use her help. She starts a school for boys, particularly, those boys whose fathers have lost their jobs with little means to live. She’s given an old warehouse without rent for a place to teach, close to the boys’ homes. She has made great headway in the town—her school teaches 17 boys, employing two teachers and an old woman as their assistant. When the warehouse is taken from her, she no longer has the church’s support to teach the boys if she can’t procure another place to teach.
Sylvia met Lord Cavanaugh the previous month when her close friend married. They were paired together as part of the wedding party. Knowing his lordship’s reputation, she made sure to freeze every sentence uttered to him, even when her senses were mesmerized by his handsome physique. Lord Cavanaugh, in turn, thought she was a cold fish and even though he liked what he saw, she didn’t interest him.
Ousted out of the warehouse, she is frustrated and angry, and decides to confront the demon who did this to her—the rake who cares only for himself. Her anger, passionate appeal and beauty quite undo Kit. Getting off on the wrong foot has made it hard for Sylvia to see a different man than she imaged. He surprises her with his proposal to sponsor her school.
Kit surprises himself. He finds he enjoys helping people and when he can do a good turn for the folk of the town, he does.
I’ve got to love the way he handles Sylvia with kid gloves. She’s a clergy’s daughter, and must be wooed gently, not his usual method of enticing a woman, but then, Sylvia is not just a woman to him. He quickly becomes protective of her. Something or someone is afoot to destroy property. Who are they after? What are they trying to damage?
Author Laurens writes an entertaining story of mystery and suspense supported by spirited characters willing to fight for what they want or believe to be true.
He is quite an admiral character, when he sets out to be his own man, starting a business of yacht building. He is able to procure an old warehouse which hadn’t been used for years. With astuteness, he and his old friend from school days pull a team together of experienced and seasoned workers who had lost their jobs as businesses moved out of the town. Kit's dream, unfortunately, dashes another’s—Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s.
Miss Sylvia Buckleberry realizes she is ‘on the shelf’. She is not one to let that stop her in being an active person in society. She decides to move out of London to a small town which can use her help. She starts a school for boys, particularly, those boys whose fathers have lost their jobs with little means to live. She’s given an old warehouse without rent for a place to teach, close to the boys’ homes. She has made great headway in the town—her school teaches 17 boys, employing two teachers and an old woman as their assistant. When the warehouse is taken from her, she no longer has the church’s support to teach the boys if she can’t procure another place to teach.
Sylvia met Lord Cavanaugh the previous month when her close friend married. They were paired together as part of the wedding party. Knowing his lordship’s reputation, she made sure to freeze every sentence uttered to him, even when her senses were mesmerized by his handsome physique. Lord Cavanaugh, in turn, thought she was a cold fish and even though he liked what he saw, she didn’t interest him.
Ousted out of the warehouse, she is frustrated and angry, and decides to confront the demon who did this to her—the rake who cares only for himself. Her anger, passionate appeal and beauty quite undo Kit. Getting off on the wrong foot has made it hard for Sylvia to see a different man than she imaged. He surprises her with his proposal to sponsor her school.
Kit surprises himself. He finds he enjoys helping people and when he can do a good turn for the folk of the town, he does.
I’ve got to love the way he handles Sylvia with kid gloves. She’s a clergy’s daughter, and must be wooed gently, not his usual method of enticing a woman, but then, Sylvia is not just a woman to him. He quickly becomes protective of her. Something or someone is afoot to destroy property. Who are they after? What are they trying to damage?
Author Laurens writes an entertaining story of mystery and suspense supported by spirited characters willing to fight for what they want or believe to be true.
May 15, 2019
Of course it takes a clergyman's daughter, who is somewhat of a bluestocking, to persuade Kit Cavanaugh that love and family were possible for him! I probably really rate this at 3.5 stars but did really enjoy it so bumped up to 4 stars.
This is the 2nd in the series featuring the Cavanaugh siblings, who were the victims of an evil manipulative mother dispatched in an earlier entry in the author's Cynster Sisters Duo, The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh. All the siblings, damaged by their mother's actions and treatment, believed they could never trust enough to marry. Kit Cavanaugh has chosen to pursue his dream of designing and building ocean-going yachts, and has chosen Bristol to set up shop. Turns out the dockside warehouse he leases has been used by a charity school for dockside boys - that is until he turns up and leases it for his yacht building company. Guess who runs the school? Why Sylvia Buckleberry (gotta love the name), said clergyman's daughter.
Of course there are various mysteries -- someone comes after the school in its new location, someone also attempts to put Cavanaugh Yachts out of business before it finishes its first yacht. Someone else may - or may not - be following Sylvia with evil intent. Unfortunately those mysteries are on the light side, serving more as means to throw Kit and Sylvia together than as serious plot points on their own.
But there was a lot I did like, thus leading to a higher rating:
-it's set at the very beginning of Victoria's reign, but long enough after the Regency that social norms have loosened, upper class women are slightly less constricted and actually are seen holding jobs and dedicating themselves to careers, and steam is changing the world of shipping and manufacturing, something the author uses very effectively in this series.
-there are several 'urchins' who are irresistible and provide much humor
-very little time is spent in 'society'
-lots of interesting historical information about yacht building and the economic effect of steam moving shipping from Bristol to other harbors and the effect on the city and the workforce.
-the romance is more sweet than hot and sexy. Yes, there are steamy scenes, but in a move that is very unusual for Laurens, there is a true wedding night at the very end for the couple, and it does not feel contrived. It felt right. I will say that the kisses exchanged prior to that were pretty dang steamy!
This is the 2nd in the series featuring the Cavanaugh siblings, who were the victims of an evil manipulative mother dispatched in an earlier entry in the author's Cynster Sisters Duo, The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh. All the siblings, damaged by their mother's actions and treatment, believed they could never trust enough to marry. Kit Cavanaugh has chosen to pursue his dream of designing and building ocean-going yachts, and has chosen Bristol to set up shop. Turns out the dockside warehouse he leases has been used by a charity school for dockside boys - that is until he turns up and leases it for his yacht building company. Guess who runs the school? Why Sylvia Buckleberry (gotta love the name), said clergyman's daughter.
Of course there are various mysteries -- someone comes after the school in its new location, someone also attempts to put Cavanaugh Yachts out of business before it finishes its first yacht. Someone else may - or may not - be following Sylvia with evil intent. Unfortunately those mysteries are on the light side, serving more as means to throw Kit and Sylvia together than as serious plot points on their own.
But there was a lot I did like, thus leading to a higher rating:
-it's set at the very beginning of Victoria's reign, but long enough after the Regency that social norms have loosened, upper class women are slightly less constricted and actually are seen holding jobs and dedicating themselves to careers, and steam is changing the world of shipping and manufacturing, something the author uses very effectively in this series.
-there are several 'urchins' who are irresistible and provide much humor
-very little time is spent in 'society'
-lots of interesting historical information about yacht building and the economic effect of steam moving shipping from Bristol to other harbors and the effect on the city and the workforce.
-the romance is more sweet than hot and sexy. Yes, there are steamy scenes, but in a move that is very unusual for Laurens, there is a true wedding night at the very end for the couple, and it does not feel contrived. It felt right. I will say that the kisses exchanged prior to that were pretty dang steamy!
May 7, 2019
Stories like this one have rekindled my love of historical romance in recent months. For this PNR girl, that’s saying something. As one friend put it:
“Who are you? And what have you done with the real Laura?”
*snorts*
I was a newbie to the series and to Stephanie Lauren’s work *hangs head in shame* And, although this is Volume 2 in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. You all know how nosey I am by now, so it’ll come as no great surprise when I tell you I’ve already downloaded Volume 1. What can I say? I have some pesky unrelated-to-this-story questions I need answers to.
I really loved Kit. Once he sets his mind to something, he is steadfast in his aim. He’s determined his new business venture will be a success. He is also passionate and giving. More so than he’d like folks to realise. Kit have a heart? Pfft, perish the thought *smirks* Added to which, his inherent protectiveness for those he cares about *sighs* - yup, I was a goner.
And whether prickly (she’s really not!) Miss Sylvia Buckleberry likes it or not, Kit is beginning to care a whole lot *sighs* (yes, again!) about her. I’d like to think I’d have been a bit like Sylvia if I had been around then. Standing up for what’s right and helping to improve the lives of others.
“Sometimes, in order to seize the good things in life, you just have to have faith and make a start.”
Together this pair are unstoppable force. And when danger lurks, two heads are most definitely better than one.
This book was such an easy read. The author’s writing swept me away enveloping me in the burgeoning romance and nail-biting suspense. I experienced it all. I love to be surprised and I never would’ve guessed.
Guessed what? – you say.
Now that would be telling... *winks*
Happy reading. Go on, you know you want to.
“Who are you? And what have you done with the real Laura?”
*snorts*
I was a newbie to the series and to Stephanie Lauren’s work *hangs head in shame* And, although this is Volume 2 in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. You all know how nosey I am by now, so it’ll come as no great surprise when I tell you I’ve already downloaded Volume 1. What can I say? I have some pesky unrelated-to-this-story questions I need answers to.
I really loved Kit. Once he sets his mind to something, he is steadfast in his aim. He’s determined his new business venture will be a success. He is also passionate and giving. More so than he’d like folks to realise. Kit have a heart? Pfft, perish the thought *smirks* Added to which, his inherent protectiveness for those he cares about *sighs* - yup, I was a goner.
And whether prickly (she’s really not!) Miss Sylvia Buckleberry likes it or not, Kit is beginning to care a whole lot *sighs* (yes, again!) about her. I’d like to think I’d have been a bit like Sylvia if I had been around then. Standing up for what’s right and helping to improve the lives of others.
“Sometimes, in order to seize the good things in life, you just have to have faith and make a start.”
Together this pair are unstoppable force. And when danger lurks, two heads are most definitely better than one.
This book was such an easy read. The author’s writing swept me away enveloping me in the burgeoning romance and nail-biting suspense. I experienced it all. I love to be surprised and I never would’ve guessed.
Guessed what? – you say.
Now that would be telling... *winks*
Happy reading. Go on, you know you want to.
May 5, 2019
Bristol, England 1843 Lord Kit Cavanaugh has finally determined his niche and purpose. Moving to Bristol, he and his partner Wayland are starting a new venture, Cavaugh Yachts. They find a warehouse to rent and want to get started right away but find that a charity who was occupying needs a few days to relocate.
Sylia Buckeberry (yes love that name!) finds out that the school she runs out of the space will have to find a new place to operate, but the problem is they have no funds to pay the rent! Confronting Kit, she rants about there is no place to go and the children need the school. What is amazing is that Sylia and Kit met at his brother's wedding not too long ago, but this seemed a passionate woman compared to the staid one he had met! Intrigued he assures her he will help find a place. He is very drawn to her and she to him.
But there are outside forces that come into play that threaten Syvia's school, he comes to her aid but at the same time someone messes up the ship workshop. What is going on?
Stephanie Laurens is one of my all time favorite authors. Her books have brought me hours of entertainment and swoonworthy heros and fiesty heroines. This story is no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially with the mysterious spin of who is trying to hurt Sylvia. I highly recommend any story by this author and cannot wait for more on the Cavannaughs!
Sylia Buckeberry (yes love that name!) finds out that the school she runs out of the space will have to find a new place to operate, but the problem is they have no funds to pay the rent! Confronting Kit, she rants about there is no place to go and the children need the school. What is amazing is that Sylia and Kit met at his brother's wedding not too long ago, but this seemed a passionate woman compared to the staid one he had met! Intrigued he assures her he will help find a place. He is very drawn to her and she to him.
But there are outside forces that come into play that threaten Syvia's school, he comes to her aid but at the same time someone messes up the ship workshop. What is going on?
Stephanie Laurens is one of my all time favorite authors. Her books have brought me hours of entertainment and swoonworthy heros and fiesty heroines. This story is no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially with the mysterious spin of who is trying to hurt Sylvia. I highly recommend any story by this author and cannot wait for more on the Cavannaughs!
April 18, 2019
I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens is the second volume in her The Cavanaughs Series. It could be read as a standalone however some of the things that happen in the first book have bearing on this one. Miss Sylvia Buckleberry has found her calling running a school for dockworkers children in Bristol but she may be forced to close her school because the warehouse where they held classes has been rented out and they cannot afford to pay rent on another location. Lord Christopher (Kit) Cavanaugh met Sylvia at his brothers wedding recently when they were partnered in the wedding party and he is quite shocked to find that the ice maiden who would not give him the time of day is quite fiery when it comes to defending her school. Sylvia is surprised that the indolent rake whom she has had a secret crush on is perhaps not the person he has been portraying at all. I look upon Stephanie Laurens books as comfort food reading with interesting characters and storylines and this one is no exception. Mild Steam Publishing April 30, 2019 #NetGalley #ThePursuitsofLordKitCavanaugh #HarlequinRomance #MIRA #StephanieLaurens
January 30, 2019
A Gentleman of Means....A Woman of Character ....An Unstoppable Duo....
One of the most eligible bachelors in London, Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh has discovered his true path. Never mind that a society marriage is just not in the cards.
Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s passion is her school for impoverished children. Enter on the scene, Kit Cavanaugh. His new business venture is taking over the school's current location.
It becomes clear to this intrepid pair that someone else wants to put an end to both the school and Cavanaugh Yachts.
This well written book is a page turner. Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and intrigue her readers.
This latest Cavanaugh novel releasing in late April/early May is not to be missed.
The characters are delightful for the most part and as usual for this author they pull you right in.
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
One of the most eligible bachelors in London, Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh has discovered his true path. Never mind that a society marriage is just not in the cards.
Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s passion is her school for impoverished children. Enter on the scene, Kit Cavanaugh. His new business venture is taking over the school's current location.
It becomes clear to this intrepid pair that someone else wants to put an end to both the school and Cavanaugh Yachts.
This well written book is a page turner. Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and intrigue her readers.
This latest Cavanaugh novel releasing in late April/early May is not to be missed.
The characters are delightful for the most part and as usual for this author they pull you right in.
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
April 23, 2019
Who is the real Miss Sylvia Buckleberry, the woman who gave the cold shoulder to Lord Kit Cavanaugh at his brother's wedding or the woman who storms into his office and passionately defends her school for impoverished children? This was such a wonderful story to read and I enjoyed it from start to end.
Kit is such a swoon worthy hero and Sylvia is a very passionate and determined heroine. She soon finds out he's nothing like she thought he would be and in fact, he does everything he can to help her out. There are a few twists and turns in the story as well and just when you think you know who has been following Sylvia and sabotaging both her school and Kit's Yacht construction company, it's not as it seems to be!!
I was given a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Kit is such a swoon worthy hero and Sylvia is a very passionate and determined heroine. She soon finds out he's nothing like she thought he would be and in fact, he does everything he can to help her out. There are a few twists and turns in the story as well and just when you think you know who has been following Sylvia and sabotaging both her school and Kit's Yacht construction company, it's not as it seems to be!!
I was given a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
August 18, 2022
Laurens continues to depict strong men and independent women who discover deep and abiding love that inspires them to make the difficult transformations needed to create strong and long-lasting romantic partnerships.
January 9, 2022
Tak toto ozaj nefungovalo. Že vášne... :-D
November 7, 2019
the plot about shipbuilding, the warehouse, the school, and some nefarious goings-on was fairly interesting. but overall, I was disappointed. I would rather read a romance than about inventions, shipbuilding, schools, and good works. it just wasn't my cup of tea.
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