Helpful Score: 9
I don't remember what made me decide to select this series to read, someone mentioned it on PBS I think. So in true me style. I collected all 15 books published in the Cynster series, before reading the first one. And I can say another GREAT choice of mine. This book is wonderfully written. Taking you through a colorful mystery of a family murder, as well as throwing that lovely Regency romance at you. Honoria is a wonderfully strong minded, stubborn female. And she's put up against the Duke of St Ives Devil Cynster. And what a DEVIL he truly is. He will set any ladies spine a tingling. If you like romance, and you like action. Give this book a read. You will meet the strong clan of Cynster men, their Women, and help solve a murder Mystery.
Helpful Score: 2
I really liked this story. The alpha hero is one of my favorites ever. He never actually says "I love you", but throughout the story the phrase "actions speak louder than words" really ring true. There is a murder mystery involved, but the growing relationship between hero/heroine really is front and center all the time.
Helpful Score: 2
Can I just say how BORING Stephanie Laurens books are! I tried to read Devil's Bride but it literally took me weeks to finish it since each time I tried reading it, I lose focus. Also, I noticed almost all of her books have the same storyline.
Helpful Score: 2
This is the first book of the Cynster family books. Devil, who has earned this name, is found in a compromising situation with Honoria Wetherby, a woman who does the "finishing" year for debutantes trying to find husbands. However, it is not either one's fault that Honoria has found a man who has been shot and that the nearest shelter from a storm is a caretaker's cottage where the three must spend the night.
Devil does the 'honorable' thing and announces his plan to wed Honoria. Honoria, however, does not want any part of this plan, but we all know how Devil's plan will end! Getting to the plan's end is the major part of the book with the intrigue being secondary to the story.
If I had a major complaint about this book it would be that I grew weary of the constant manipulation by the main male character of the main female character. It was stated many times that Honoria was her own person and could not be persuaded to change her mind once it was made up, yet she was constantly being maneuvered or simply bullied one way or another by Devil. The strength of her character would start to glimmer only to be weakened, usually within the same page or two!
I am not going to judge the series based on this book alone; I will read the next one.
Devil does the 'honorable' thing and announces his plan to wed Honoria. Honoria, however, does not want any part of this plan, but we all know how Devil's plan will end! Getting to the plan's end is the major part of the book with the intrigue being secondary to the story.
If I had a major complaint about this book it would be that I grew weary of the constant manipulation by the main male character of the main female character. It was stated many times that Honoria was her own person and could not be persuaded to change her mind once it was made up, yet she was constantly being maneuvered or simply bullied one way or another by Devil. The strength of her character would start to glimmer only to be weakened, usually within the same page or two!
I am not going to judge the series based on this book alone; I will read the next one.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book. The start of an even better series. On my keeper shelf.