Rating: 
Summary: long and drawn out
Review: Setting - Eyeworth Manor, near Fritham in New Forest, Hampshire, 1825 --- For fans of Laurens earlier Cynster novels this one features Michael Anstruther-Wetherby, who at 33 is a rising member of Parliament -- a man who clearly has a very promising future, quite possibly destined for greatness but insiders confided to him that advancement would be conditional upon him acquiring a wife. Handsome, well-born and naturally charming he is matchmaking mama's dream, especially with his connections to the wealthy and influential Cynster family -- his sister is married to Devil Cynster, the Duke of St. Ives (DEVIL'S BRIDE). Knowing that he needs a perfect wife, who would be politically astute, Michael has looks over his acquaintances and decides that 19 year old, Elizabeth Mollston would make a perfectly acceptable wife and helpmate as she came from a politically involved family herself. The only problem is that Elizabeth is in love with another and has enlisted the help of her Aunt Caro Sutcliffe, to help her in discouraging him from declaring himself. It doesn't take long before Michael discovers what that Caro has been `managing' him and that it is Caro, the very accomplished foreign ministers widow, who would be the perfect helpmate. Only Caro, whose previous marriage to a much older man, is adamant to remain `The Merry Widow' and NEVER intends to marry again. Michael has to use all of his abundant diplomatic charm to convince her to become his wife. At the same time, in a secondary sub-plot, and after numerous `accidents', he must discover who is trying to kill her. While this latest entry has abundant and graphic sexual encounters, it seemed to me that Laurens came up a bit short in the fire and feisty humor department. Caro and Michael, when not in bed, against a wall, or on the floor or ground hardly ever lose control of their emotions, which believe it or not give them a slightly lifeless appeal. After a while I grew somewhat bored with the repetitive sexual encounters and actually started skipping over them, being more interested in the action and mystery of the sub-plot of who was trying to kill Caro. The well-developed mystery subplot, in my opinion, saved this story being tossed aside, and of course, involving Devil Cynster (one of my all time favorite male heroes) was a treat! The excitement just wasn't there to call this a page-turner. Another point I look at when evaluating a book is that I had no trouble in putting it aside to go to bed. Bottom line.... Good, but not what I've come to expect from such an accomplished author.
Rating: 
Summary: Not her best effort - but still good!
Review: Setting - Eyeworth Manor, near Fritham in New Forest, Hampshire, 1825 --- For fans of Laurens earlier Cynster novels this one features Michael Anstruther-Wetherby, who at 33 is a rising member of Parliament -- a man who clearly has a very promising future, quite possibly destined for greatness but insiders confided to him that advancement would be conditional upon him acquiring a wife. Handsome, well-born and naturally charming he is matchmaking mama's dream, especially with his connections to the wealthy and influential Cynster family -- his sister is married to Devil Cynster, the Duke of St. Ives (DEVIL'S BRIDE). Knowing that he needs a perfect wife, who would be politically astute, Michael has looks over his acquaintances and decides that 19 year old, Elizabeth Mollston would make a perfectly acceptable wife and helpmate as she came from a politically involved family herself. The only problem is that Elizabeth is in love with another and has enlisted the help of her Aunt Caro Sutcliffe, to help her in discouraging him from declaring himself. It doesn't take long before Michael discovers what that Caro has been 'managing' him and that it is Caro, the very accomplished foreign ministers widow, who would be the perfect helpmate. Only Caro, whose previous marriage to a much older man, is adamant to remain 'The Merry Widow' and NEVER intends to marry again. Michael has to use all of his abundant diplomatic charm to convince her to become his wife. At the same time, in a secondary sub-plot, and after numerous 'accidents', he must discover who is trying to kill her. While this latest entry has abundant and graphic sexual encounters, it seemed to me that Laurens came up a bit short in the fire and feisty humor department. Caro and Michael, when not in bed, against a wall, or on the floor or ground hardly ever lose control of their emotions, which believe it or not give them a slightly lifeless appeal. After a while I grew somewhat bored with the repetitive sexual encounters and actually started skipping over them, being more interested in the action and mystery of the sub-plot of who was trying to kill Caro. The well-developed mystery subplot, in my opinion, saved this story being tossed aside, and of course, involving Devil Cynster (one of my all time favorite male heroes) was a treat! The excitement just wasn't there to call this a page-turner. Another point I look at when evaluating a book is that I had no trouble in putting it aside to go to bed. Bottom line.... Good, but not what I've come to expect from such an accomplished author.
Rating:
Summary: YAWN-fest
Review: Tedious and tired. Lots of filler. Neither of the main characters are memorable, much less likeable. Reading this book was like being tortured with boredom. I've never been fond of Stephanie Laurens's writing style -- she draws out every little thing in a very talky way; she uses 20 words when three would do. But her earlier books were more spare and readable. Now each successive book is more and more labored. Plot lines seem re-treaded from earlier Cynster stories. Must every single person in this family be subject to murder plots and blackmail? This one is the worst -- the diplomatic/political angle had her explaining every nuance of every word and gesture the characters used. Where was the editor on this book? Deleting a good 40% chunk of text would have done this book some good. Read in current state only if you need a nap.
Rating: 
Summary: wooden
Review: The Cynster series (very loosely linked!) has gone on for far too long, and the author is really repeating herself here. People in love with others, trying to escape an eforced marriage, the aunt becoming hte love interest instead of the sprightly young niece, and (...)[some] scenes crammed in to substitute for story, or even the characters having to speak to one another in meaningful way, it has all been done to death in Laurens' previous books. I want living breathing characters who care and are committed to each other, not just out to scratch an itch or serve their own selfish purposes by marrying because it is good for their career. The PW review hit the nail on the head-these people are so tightly controlled that we don't even care when they do the wild thing, and the wild thing scenes are completely tedious because so passionless. It reads like more of a Master and Johnson's manual at times. DULL!
Rating:
Summary: wooden
Review: The Cynster series (very loosely linked!) has gone on for far too long, and the author is really repeating herself here. People in love with others, trying to escape an eforced marriage, the aunt becoming hte love interest instead of the sprightly young niece, and (...)[some] scenes crammed in to substitute for story, or even the characters having to speak to one another in meaningful way, it has all been done to death in Laurens' previous books. I want living breathing characters who care and are committed to each other, not just out to scratch an itch or serve their own selfish purposes by marrying because it is good for their career. The PW review hit the nail on the head-these people are so tightly controlled that we don't even care when they do the wild thing, and the wild thing scenes are completely tedious because so passionless. It reads like more of a Master and Johnson's manual at times. DULL!
Rating: 
Summary: A Solid Story by a Proven Author
Review: There are a few authors that you just can't go wrong with and Stephanie Laurens is one of them. Caro was a wonderful heroine who is a perfect match for the hero. Since she's a widow she has none of the hangups of the more virginal type of heroine. I really enjoyed that aspect of the story since it made for some very hot and spicy love scenes. An excellent book that I would highly recommend!
Rating:
Summary: VERVE AND ELOQUENCE IN THIS READING
Review: Tony and Olivier Award winner Clare Higgins brings verve and eloquence to her performance of the latest from Australian romance novelist, Stephanie Laurens. Those familiar with the author's Cynster novels will find "The Ideal Bride" an entertaining listen as Laurens mixes mystery with love. Our hero is Michael Anstruther-Wetherby, a headed-for-great-things politico, who is used to getting what he wants when he wants it. In this case, realizing that a perfect wife will be an invaluable asset to his career, that is what he wants. Elizabeth, a lovely 19-year-old is the bride he wants. However, there are two obstacles in his pursuit - Elizabeth is in love with someone else, and her very attractive widowed aunt, Caro Sutcliffe, is definitely opposed to such a union. Caro's late husband was a politician so she well knows the rigors of being a politician's better half and she wants none of that for her beloved niece. The two women devise a plan to convince Michael that Elizabeth is not a suitable mate - the young woman will behave inappropriately at public functions. Sounds like a good idea. However, their stratagem backfires - quite romantically. Mix in some murder, an unknown enemy, and you have a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. - Gail Cooke
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