Helpful Score: 2
I absolutely adore this author, but this story left me wanting. The plot was thin and watery - any crisis was resolved almost immediately, instead of building throughout the story. The hero was single-minded and had almost no character development. I guessed the villain as soon as he was introduced into the story. The storyline was so simplistic it was as if Ms. Laurens wrote this in her sleep. Although the love scenes were well-written (as usual), there were moments when I thought they were almost unbelievable - that a 25 year old virgin would become so wanton almost immediately, considering the mores and morals of that time - um, reality check, anyone? Her earlier work, "The Perfect Lover" had a more realistic taste of the times. On the other side of the coin, the teaser for her next book, "The Untamed Bride" really grabbed me; I can hardly wait to read that one.
Helpful Score: 2
Personally I found this book rather slow and I was able to put the book down to do cleaning!
Helpful Score: 1
An enjoyable read. The surreptitious hunt for the family's long-lost treasure was a stretch; however, the villain came as a major surprise. Ms. Laurens did a wonderful job in planting false clues and cloaking the villain's identity.
Would I keep it on my bookshelf with other treasures? No. Would I read it again? Probably.
Would I keep it on my bookshelf with other treasures? No. Would I read it again? Probably.
For long time Laurens fans this is just one more in a long line of the same story, told in the same way, with only a switch of characters and settings.
Laurens can't write a bad book but it's hard to find one lately that has anything new or different. If you're expecting something out of the ordinary from the Cynster family then this book isn't going to be the answer.
Laurens can't write a bad book but it's hard to find one lately that has anything new or different. If you're expecting something out of the ordinary from the Cynster family then this book isn't going to be the answer.
I wonder if Ms Laurens is payed by word or if she just buys her adjectives in bulk. If something is shared, it does not need to be "shared, mutual, joint". And there really is no need to use up three pages describing a kiss.
As for the storyline, it took the main characters 300 pages more than it took me to figure out where the treasure was hidden. Ah well, at least they had a lot of steamy encounters to fill the their time with while they searched.
All in all, I liked the story, but it would have benefited from being told in half the number of pages and it wouldn´t have hurt to let the romance between the main characters develop quite a bit slower.
As for the storyline, it took the main characters 300 pages more than it took me to figure out where the treasure was hidden. Ah well, at least they had a lot of steamy encounters to fill the their time with while they searched.
All in all, I liked the story, but it would have benefited from being told in half the number of pages and it wouldn´t have hurt to let the romance between the main characters develop quite a bit slower.
A great addition to the Stephanie Laurens line.. I enjoyed the expansion of the world she created
I have read all of the Cynster series, and am a big fan of the earlier novels, not so much the newer stories of "What Price Love" and the "Taste of Innocence". However, I thought T & S was better than some of her previous new releases. The lead and supporting characters were all likeable, but felt they could have been more developed. The history the siblings had with their uncle was alluded to, but the reader did not get a definitive feel for why they despised him so much. More of this history might have added to the depth of the story, especially when the uncle makes an appearance at a later point in the plot. The love story was pretter straight forward, and the lead characters had lots of chemistry and attraction.
While still not as good as what made the Cynster series so popular, I did enjoy this one. The plot was not as cookie cutter as I had expected, and will definitely prompt me to pick up her next novel. Overall 3.5 stars.
While still not as good as what made the Cynster series so popular, I did enjoy this one. The plot was not as cookie cutter as I had expected, and will definitely prompt me to pick up her next novel. Overall 3.5 stars.
Temptation - Jonas Tallent, who has masterfully taken the reins of his family's estate, never expected a delectable morsel like Miss Emily Bearegard to step into his library, but he certainly isn't about to hire her as manager for the village inn. A Lady as tempting as Emily belongs in a ballroom, or a bedroom--preferable his.
Surrender
Emily herself hadn't expected her current circumstances, but she has her reasons and doesn't plan to share them, even with someone as seductive as Jonas. Yet he can be so devilishly persuasive. But a villain knows her secret, and soon danger threatens Em, her family, and the powerful love she and Jonas have found in each other's arms.
I found it a delightful story and enjoyed the wonderful way the storyline weaved all the family members in.
Surrender
Emily herself hadn't expected her current circumstances, but she has her reasons and doesn't plan to share them, even with someone as seductive as Jonas. Yet he can be so devilishly persuasive. But a villain knows her secret, and soon danger threatens Em, her family, and the powerful love she and Jonas have found in each other's arms.
I found it a delightful story and enjoyed the wonderful way the storyline weaved all the family members in.
Janet L. (proudgrandma) reviewed Temptation and Surrender (Cynster, Bk 15) on + 285 more book reviews
TEMPTATION
Jonas Tallent, who has masterfully taken the reins of his family's estate, never expected a delectable morsel like Miss Emily Beauregard to step into his library, but he certainly isn't about to hire her as manager for the fillage inn. A lady as tempting as Emily belongs in a ballroom, or a bedroom--perferably his.
SURRENDER
Emily herself hadn't expected her current circumstances, but she has her reasons and doesn't plan to share them, even with someone as seductive as Jonas. Yet he can be so devilishly persuasive. But a villain knows her secret, and soon danger threatens Em, her family, and the powerful love she and Jonas have found in each other's arms.
Jonas Tallent, who has masterfully taken the reins of his family's estate, never expected a delectable morsel like Miss Emily Beauregard to step into his library, but he certainly isn't about to hire her as manager for the fillage inn. A lady as tempting as Emily belongs in a ballroom, or a bedroom--perferably his.
SURRENDER
Emily herself hadn't expected her current circumstances, but she has her reasons and doesn't plan to share them, even with someone as seductive as Jonas. Yet he can be so devilishly persuasive. But a villain knows her secret, and soon danger threatens Em, her family, and the powerful love she and Jonas have found in each other's arms.
Shelley F. (shelleysalibi) reviewed Temptation and Surrender (Cynster, Bk 15) on + 280 more book reviews
From the back cover...
When a gentleman is restless and bored with the careless pleasures of London society, he needs to discover a new diversion is a beautiful woman, so mush the better.
Jonas Tallent, who has masterfully taken the reins of his family's estate, never expected a delectable morsel like Miss Emily Beauregard to step into his library, but he certainly isn't about to hire her as manager for the village inn. A lady as tempting as Emily belongs in a ballroom, of a bedroom-preferably his.
Emily herself hadn't expected her current circumstances, but she has her reasons and doesn't plan to share them, even with someone as seductive as Jonas. Yet he can be so devilishly persuasive. But a villain knows her secret, and soon danger threatens Em, her family, and the powerful love she and Jonas have found in each other's arms.
When a gentleman is restless and bored with the careless pleasures of London society, he needs to discover a new diversion is a beautiful woman, so mush the better.
Jonas Tallent, who has masterfully taken the reins of his family's estate, never expected a delectable morsel like Miss Emily Beauregard to step into his library, but he certainly isn't about to hire her as manager for the village inn. A lady as tempting as Emily belongs in a ballroom, of a bedroom-preferably his.
Emily herself hadn't expected her current circumstances, but she has her reasons and doesn't plan to share them, even with someone as seductive as Jonas. Yet he can be so devilishly persuasive. But a villain knows her secret, and soon danger threatens Em, her family, and the powerful love she and Jonas have found in each other's arms.
