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Loading... The Ideal Bride (Cynster Novels) (edition 2005)by Stephanie Laurens
Work InformationThe Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens
   None No current Talk conversations about this book.  selsha | Mar 31, 2024 |   2 Stars Laurens writes entertaining stories with appealing characters and interesting mysteries. However, this book highlights the main issue with many of her works, namely her overwrought, excessively wordy, and often melodramatic writing style. Despite her tendency toward purple prose and obscure references to emotional responses, Laurens writes sensual sex scenes that highlight her characters' chemistry and intimacy. That said, there are simply too many of these in this installment, and I found myself skimming. Likewise, the overly detailed passages dedicated to Michael and Caro's political savviness detract from the otherwise engaging romance and intriguing mystery. Michael and Caro's friends-to-lovers relationship does not start out on the right foot. Michael initially comes across as pretentious and pompous in his cold and calculating reasons for finding the ideal bride to advance his political career. Caro isn't all that likable at the beginning either. She deliberately manipulates and deceives Michael rather than simply explaining her concerns about his plans to marry her much younger niece. Thankfully, these issues are resolved quickly without to much angst, and their romance improves as the plot progresses. In terms of the suspense, there are several interwoven threads that with more cohesive and succinct writing could have resulted in an intense and satisfying thriller. As it stands, the question of who is trying to kill Caro and why is lost in the convoluted and even boring writing. In sum, Laurens works have such potential and I keep returning to them for the hidden gems amongst all the waffling. (  ) Lauren2013 | May 5, 2023 | j.alice | Jan 9, 2023 |  ) JorgeousJotts | Dec 3, 2021 |  ) grapeapril75 | Oct 18, 2014 | no reviews | add a review
Distinctions
New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens has created some of romance's most unforgettable novels. Now she has created her most provocative love story--and amazing hero--to date. This is the book that dares to ask the question: Who is this man's ideal bride? Michael Anstruther-Wetherby is a rising member of Parliament--a man destined for power. Aristocratic, elegant, and effortlessly charming, he is just arrogant enough to capture the interest of the ladies of the ton. And with his connections to the wealthy and influential Cynster family--his sister is married to Devil Cynster, the Duke of St. Ives--his future appears assured. Except that Michael lacks the single most important element of success: a wife. Political pressure sends him searching for his ideal bride, a gently bred, malleable young lady, preferably one with a political background. Michael discovers such a paragon but finds a formidable obstacle in his path--the young lady's beautiful, strong-minded aunt--Caroline Sutcliffe. One of London's foremost diplomatic hostesses, Caro has style and status but, having lived through an unhappy political marriage, wants nothing of the sort for her niece, who has already lost her heart to another. So Caro and the younger woman hatch a plot--Caro will demonstrate why an inexperienced young lady is not the bride for Michael. She succeeds in convincing him that what he really needs is a lady of experience by his side. And the perfect candidate is right under his nose--Caro herself. Then it is Michael's turn to be persuasive, a task that requires every ounce of his seductive charm as he tempts and tantalizes Caro, seeking to convince her that becoming his bride will bring her all her heart desires . . . and more. But then a series of mysterious, and dangerous, accidents befall Caro--an assailant has stepped in with their own idea for Caro's future--one that could involve murder. Before Caro can become Michael's ideal bride, they must race to uncover the unknown's identity before all hope of what they long for, and wish for, is destroyed. No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.54Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1945-1999LC ClassificationRatingAverage: (3.56)
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Wikipedia in English
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It was alright. I didn't warm up to Michael at all; he just rubbed me the wrong way. And Caro! I adored her and felt so sorry for her, wishing her nothing but happiness. Which is why I think it took a little longer to warm up to Michael. I was also, so happy in the beginning to finally have an experienced lady in the mix, but then it felt like we were back to the same ol' story.
The culprit seemed obvious right from the start, which was a bit frustrating. And the inclusion of the Brackenridge secret was predictable.
One thing I did appreciate was how involved Devil was in this story.
It wasn't until Chapter 20 that I finally started to like Michael, and the ending tied-up very nicely. (