Hero, Come Back: Lost and Found / The Matchmaker's Bargain / The Third Suitor
by Stephanie Laurens (Contributor), Elizabeth Boyle (Contributor), Christina Dodd (Contributor)
Governess Brides (Collections and Selections — "The Third Suitor", 5.5), Danvers Family Tree (Collections and Selections — ), Adair/Bastion/Cynster (Sep 1834 - Anne Ashford/Reggie Carmarthen in: Lost and Found .25)
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Description
Two superstar New York Times bestsellers, Stephanie Laurens and Christina Dodd, join forces with one exciting rising star, Elizabeth Boyle, to create this sexy anthology with an exciting new theme. In an innovative new twist for anthologies, each author is reintroducing a secondary character from a previous book to star in his own story!.Tags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
This anthology showcases three Regency-era novellas about characters from each author’s respective series, but you don’t need to be familiar with the full-length novels to understand and enjoy this book.
In “Lost and Found” by Stephanie Laurens, Reggie’s uncle is on his deathbed and that means big changes are coming to Reggie and the Carmarthen family. Soon enough, he’ll become a viscount and then an earl. When news of this hits the ton, all the matchmaking mamas and their daughters will chase after him for marriage. Reggie, a resolute bachelor, decides to find his own wife before they do. When he stumbles upon Anne Ashford in a heated discussion with another man, he comes to her rescue. After all, she’s his best show more friend’s sister and they’ve known each other for years. For the first time, he sees her in a different light. When they have to work side by side to help unite a sweet orphan with his long-lost family, loves blooms between them.
This is a sweet story and I liked it, but it was a little slow and the POV shifts were confusing.
3 Stars
In “The Matchmaker’s Bargain” by Elizabeth Boyle, Amanda finds herself stranded in a storm and takes shelter in the home of a mysterious old woman. She unknowingly drinks a potent tea and pays for the woman’s services. In the morning, she learns she has to find her heart’s desire and be married in a few days. Desperate to finally live her life on her terms, she enlists the help of Jemmy Reyburn, the old woman’s neighbor and Amanda’s unrequited love from years past, to help her escape the town unwed.
Jemmy doesn’t remember Amanda, but he’s entranced by her now. After serving in the war against Napoleon, he’s no longer the arrogant rake she remembers. He’s bitter, scarred, and has a bum leg. He’s given up on living until Amanda brings the light back into his world. As the town gathers to see her married, he soon realizes he wants her for himself, but can he convince her to give him a second chance and stay in Bromley Hollow?
Jemmy is definitely troubled, but he’s so kind and comes out of his shell around Amanda. She’s torn between what her heart wants and what she knows is polite decorum. They both find themselves and grow as characters throughout the story. I think Amanda’s parents are by far some of the worst parents I’ve ever read in a book. I really sympathized with the poor woman and the life she’s led. The story is well-written with no stray POV shifts. This is a wonderful story and my favorite in the anthology.
5 Stars
In “The Third Suitor” by Christina Dodd, Harry is on holiday in a sleepy English coastal town to relax after risking his life abroad serving his country. He’s bored and thinking about his next mission, whatever that might be, when he finds a young woman sneaking through the garden outside his rented cottage. Jessie is in hiding from a persistent suitor and beseeches Harry for his help. Friendship quickly blossoms between them, and Harry scares the man away. When he finds out she has three unwanted suitors (Jessie and her unwatchful chaperone are on holiday to meet to meet and pick from the men), he’s determined to help her out of the dreadful matches. Things heat up between them, but he’s a man with a past and his secrets could get her killed.
This is a great story and I love the characters. Harry is dashing and mysterious, Jessie is smart and brave, and the chemistry between them sizzled the pages. Though well-written, there were a few POV shifts. I felt a little lost during the climax. In my opinion, the beach scene could’ve used more description. I had a hard time picturing the cliff and the boulders, but maybe that’s just me.
4 Stars
Book Overall
4 Stars show less
In “Lost and Found” by Stephanie Laurens, Reggie’s uncle is on his deathbed and that means big changes are coming to Reggie and the Carmarthen family. Soon enough, he’ll become a viscount and then an earl. When news of this hits the ton, all the matchmaking mamas and their daughters will chase after him for marriage. Reggie, a resolute bachelor, decides to find his own wife before they do. When he stumbles upon Anne Ashford in a heated discussion with another man, he comes to her rescue. After all, she’s his best show more friend’s sister and they’ve known each other for years. For the first time, he sees her in a different light. When they have to work side by side to help unite a sweet orphan with his long-lost family, loves blooms between them.
This is a sweet story and I liked it, but it was a little slow and the POV shifts were confusing.
3 Stars
In “The Matchmaker’s Bargain” by Elizabeth Boyle, Amanda finds herself stranded in a storm and takes shelter in the home of a mysterious old woman. She unknowingly drinks a potent tea and pays for the woman’s services. In the morning, she learns she has to find her heart’s desire and be married in a few days. Desperate to finally live her life on her terms, she enlists the help of Jemmy Reyburn, the old woman’s neighbor and Amanda’s unrequited love from years past, to help her escape the town unwed.
Jemmy doesn’t remember Amanda, but he’s entranced by her now. After serving in the war against Napoleon, he’s no longer the arrogant rake she remembers. He’s bitter, scarred, and has a bum leg. He’s given up on living until Amanda brings the light back into his world. As the town gathers to see her married, he soon realizes he wants her for himself, but can he convince her to give him a second chance and stay in Bromley Hollow?
Jemmy is definitely troubled, but he’s so kind and comes out of his shell around Amanda. She’s torn between what her heart wants and what she knows is polite decorum. They both find themselves and grow as characters throughout the story. I think Amanda’s parents are by far some of the worst parents I’ve ever read in a book. I really sympathized with the poor woman and the life she’s led. The story is well-written with no stray POV shifts. This is a wonderful story and my favorite in the anthology.
5 Stars
In “The Third Suitor” by Christina Dodd, Harry is on holiday in a sleepy English coastal town to relax after risking his life abroad serving his country. He’s bored and thinking about his next mission, whatever that might be, when he finds a young woman sneaking through the garden outside his rented cottage. Jessie is in hiding from a persistent suitor and beseeches Harry for his help. Friendship quickly blossoms between them, and Harry scares the man away. When he finds out she has three unwanted suitors (Jessie and her unwatchful chaperone are on holiday to meet to meet and pick from the men), he’s determined to help her out of the dreadful matches. Things heat up between them, but he’s a man with a past and his secrets could get her killed.
This is a great story and I love the characters. Harry is dashing and mysterious, Jessie is smart and brave, and the chemistry between them sizzled the pages. Though well-written, there were a few POV shifts. I felt a little lost during the climax. In my opinion, the beach scene could’ve used more description. I had a hard time picturing the cliff and the boulders, but maybe that’s just me.
4 Stars
Book Overall
4 Stars show less
Stephanie Laurens, Lost and Found- 2 stars.
I'm working my way through Stephanie Laurens' Cynster series, to I picked up this book mostly to read her novella. It wasn't one of her stronger ones, and probably wasn't necessary for that series either, but... now I know. The characters kind of felt like shells, and the plot was pretty cookie cutter and I'm not sure I even buy their romance. They just suddenly claimed to be deeply in love, but it seemed 80% based on only attraction.
Elizabeth Boyle, The Matchmaker's Bargain- 1 star.
I dislike giving single stars, but this was just such utter nonsense. I decided to go along with the premise of magical matchmaking and a 'very convenient for the story' preposterous made up law. But all the rest show more was unlikely and ridiculous as well. The plot, the dialogue, the "twists", everything. I can't think of any part of it I enjoyed, it was completely daft. This is my third story by Boyle, and I haven't enjoyed any of them. I think she's just very much a miss for me.
Christina Dodd, The Third Suitor- 3 stars.
I disliked some of the choices the characters made, and a couple things pushed believability, but overall this kept my interest and I was curious how it would turn out. I hadn't read anything by this author before, and I would consider reading more. show less
I'm working my way through Stephanie Laurens' Cynster series, to I picked up this book mostly to read her novella. It wasn't one of her stronger ones, and probably wasn't necessary for that series either, but... now I know. The characters kind of felt like shells, and the plot was pretty cookie cutter and I'm not sure I even buy their romance. They just suddenly claimed to be deeply in love, but it seemed 80% based on only attraction.
Elizabeth Boyle, The Matchmaker's Bargain- 1 star.
I dislike giving single stars, but this was just such utter nonsense. I decided to go along with the premise of magical matchmaking and a 'very convenient for the story' preposterous made up law. But all the rest show more was unlikely and ridiculous as well. The plot, the dialogue, the "twists", everything. I can't think of any part of it I enjoyed, it was completely daft. This is my third story by Boyle, and I haven't enjoyed any of them. I think she's just very much a miss for me.
Christina Dodd, The Third Suitor- 3 stars.
I disliked some of the choices the characters made, and a couple things pushed believability, but overall this kept my interest and I was curious how it would turn out. I hadn't read anything by this author before, and I would consider reading more. show less
Lost and Found by Stephanie Laurens
The Matchmaker's Bargain by Elizabeth Boyle
The Third Suitor by Christina Dodd
The Matchmaker's Bargain by Elizabeth Boyle
The Third Suitor by Christina Dodd
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Author Information
Stephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. Her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she eventually received a Ph.D in biochemistry. She and her husband moved to London for four years where they worked as research scientists. They returned to Melbourne where she worked in the field of cancer show more research and eventually ran her own research laboratory. She began writing romance novels as a hobby, but due to her success she became a full-time novelist. Her first book, Tangled Reins, was published in 1992. Her other works include the Cynster Family series, the Cynster Sisters series, and the Bastion Club series. Stephanie's book's, By Winter's Light and The Lady By His Side made the New York Times bestseller list. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Governess Brides (Collections and Selections — "The Third Suitor", 5.5)
Danvers Family Tree (Collections and Selections — )
Adair/Bastion/Cynster (Sep 1834 - Anne Ashford/Reggie Carmarthen in: Lost and Found .25)
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Hero, Come Back: Lost and Found / The Matchmaker's Bargain / The Third Suitor
- Original title
- Hero, Come Back
- Original publication date
- 2005-06
- People/Characters
- Reggie Carmarthen; Anne Ashford; James Reyburn; Lord Edmund Kennard Henry Chamberlain, Earl of Granville (Harry); Lady Jessica Macmillian (Jessie); Amanda Preston (show all 75); Earl of Carlisle; Lord Herbert Carmathen, Viscount Northcote; Lady Amanda Fullbridge, Countess of Dexter; Amelia Ashford; Benjamin Carmathen (Benjy); Lord Hugh Caverlocks, Marquess of Elderley; Lord Caverlocks, Duke of Portsmouth; Luc Ashford; Portia Ashford; Penelope Ashford; Mrs. Nichols; Mr. Patricks; Mrs. Patricks; Mrs. Kieghly; Emily Ashford; Mrs. Keggs; Lord Thomas Caverlocks; Lady Hendrick; Lady Imogen Caverlocks, Marchioness of Erlderley; Lady Minerva Ashford, Viscountess Calverton; Lady Farewell; Mrs. Pickering; Lady Hexham; Melissa; Lord Martin Fulbridge, Earl of Dexter; Mr. Leighton; Lady Hammond; Gordon Canterbury; Harriet Grismead; Robbie Jenkins; Petey Smythe; Mr. Cooper; Lord Neville Caverlock; Lady Angela Caverlock; Bessie; Esme Maguire; Mrs. Stocken; Miss Emery; Bramley Holmes; Lady Evaline Reyburn, Baroness Finch; Mrs. Drummond-Burell; Mrs. Radleigh; Lady Kirkwood; Lord Bellweather; Mr. Addison; Lord Worledge; Lady Worledge; Monsieur Suchet; Earl of Simmons; Mrs. Hanley; Lady Mitton; Lord Cedrick Preston, Viscount Farleigh; Lady Marianne Preston, Viscountes Farleigh; Regina Preston; Lady Alice; Dr. Albin; Hortensia; Oswald; Miss Hendrika; Lord Gerald Jenour-Redmond; Mr. Dehaan; Lord Atlay; Clyde Murray; Miss Jones; Frank; Garrick Throckmorton, the Third; Celeste Throckmorton (Celeste Milford); Enid MacLean; Stephen MacLean
- Important places
- London, England, UK; Dorset, England, UK
- Disambiguation notice
- PLEASE NOTE: Before you combine or separate entries from the anthology edition.
If the short story contained in an anthology exists in a stand-alone format (i.e., short story paperback or e-nov... (show all)ella) then the stand-alone edition
can be connected to the anthology edition, through the "Work-to-work" Relationships section on the CK [Common Knowledge] page.
The LT'ers personal entry will still reflect their choice of titles, but won't cause issues with the count of the anthology nor the cover pulled from Amazon.
If the LT'er still desires to list the separate the stories in the anthology, but do not own the stand-alone edition (or a stand-alone edition does not exist),
a manual entry can be made for each short story, sans ISBN.
This will allow for the truer tabulation of the bulk of the copies owned (in the anthology format) to be reflected and which affects the majority of LTers.
Thanks!
Classifications
- Genres
- Romance, Fiction and Literature
- DDC/MDS
- 808.8385 — Literature & rhetoric Literature, rhetoric & criticism Rhetoric and collections of literary texts from more than two literatures Collections of literary texts from more than two literatures Collections of fiction Genre fiction Romance
- LCC
- PS648 .L6 .L38 — Language and Literature American literature American literature Collections of American literature Prose (General)
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 373
- Popularity
- 83,336
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.75)
- Languages
- English, French
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 6
- ASINs
- 4
