Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Inasmuch as I dearly loved all the other Cynster books, I found this one lacking. I truly had to force myself to finish this book. There was no spark at all to keep me entranced. I missed the family interaction that was in the other books. Simon may be a Cynster in name only because he sure doesn't act like one. Was he adopted??? Portia is an intelligent woman whose priorities are skewed. I think this series is done...time to move on.
Rating: 
Summary: Not one of the better Cynsters, but a good read nonetheless
Review: Laurens is one of my favorite romance novelists, and she always seems to deliver, even in her less than stellar works - which A Perfect Lover represents.The love is quite believable with the backstory of the hero and heroine knowing each other for some years. Both of the main characters are well drawn and likeable. The sex, naturally, is steamy. This is something Laurens is known for, and she doesn't disappoint. The mystery is well written up to the point of the reveal. She does a mystery writer's faux pas and pulls the villain out of a hat, allowing the reader no clues to the identity until the last moment. I would have preferred to see a more intelligent mystery, which Laurens is certainly capable of giving us (see Devil's Bride or A Secret Love). Also a tad trite were the repeated admonitions to the reader that they should consider everyone a suspect. I could have done with about 10 less reminders. Overall this is not one of Laurens' best, but rather a mediocre tale from an extraordinary author which, when compared to most other works in this genre, would still shine as a star among rocks. If you are a long standing fan of Laurens, you will be slightly disappointed with Simon's tale. If you are new to her works, I suggest starting with Devil's Bride, the first in this series of Cynster novels.
Rating:
Summary: I'm so glad this is the last Cynster book!
Review: Plot description on this book's Amazon.com page. This is better than ON A WILD NIGHT & ON A WICKED DAWN. I really disliked those two books. DEVIL'S BRIDE was the best in this series. About this book: it was OK till about a third of the way through; then it seemed to lose its direction. There are just so many pages of sex that can take the place of character and plot development. All the two main characters did was talk about their control issues. They are not willing to risk their heart/soul to another--and the secondary characters were cardboard figures, this book could have been so much more. Simon is part of a group of males who mate for love, and are happy. Yet he seems not to want to risk anything to attain this. It's as if he is afraid of being happy and fulfilled. To be honest, I've never understood the theme that runs through these books about these strong, true men being afraid to love and equating that with the loss of control. Ms. Laurens has beat this idea to death for this series, and it's boring. Simon and Portia have pages of discussion with themselves about what they are feeling and should they/will they connect with each other and if they do can they keep something of themselves back--who cares! You can see the minor mystery coming from a mile away, and the villain is easy to spot. The promise is there but the book is disappointing. Read WORTH ANY PRICE by Lisa Kleypas instead or re-read DEVIL'S BRIDE. At the end of this book is an intro for a new series Ms. Laurens is doing that takes place in the year following Waterloo (1815) with what looks to be 7 men. Let's hope it will be different and more plot driven. Ms. Laurens--sex in romance books is always great, but it should go hand in hand with a good plot, not instead of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Romance/Murder Mystery
Review: Portia Ashford is visiting the Glossops at Glossop Hall with family friend Lady Obaldstone. The Cynster of this story, Simon, is there also. Amidst the usual Laurens style romance, the host's daughter in law, the loose Kitty is found strangled. Apparently the murderer has Portia in mind as the next victim. Stephanie Laurens as usual writes a story that is hard to put down. This is an easy series to get addicted to. Too bad she doesn't write faster, but noone could write fast enough. The characters are quirky and entertaining and the mystery in this one was better than usual. Good read.
Rating:
Summary: Weak Plot.....
Review: Seemed like the plot was just an excuse to string together a series of sex scenes. Not Ms. Laurens best effort. Wait until it comes out in paperback.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not Laurens' best
Review: Simon and Portia have known each other for years-- normally grating on each other's nerves. However, they have both decided that they are ready to marry so when they meet at a friend's house party, they react differently to each other. As neither knows that the other is actually ready to look for a spouse, their interaction is interesting-- especially as Portia has indicated to Simon that she wants to know more about men. As the two begin a subtle courtship, events at the party become tense as one woman flirts with unreceptive male guests, and eventually is murdered. The mystery and subsequent events provide a backdrop for Portia and Simon's courtship, revealing more of their true feelings and natures to each other. Overall, this is an interesting story. The chemistry between the two main characters is great and the fact that they've known each other for years just adds to the passion. However, faithful readers of Stephanie Laurens may be somewhat disappointed as it isn't quite as gripping as earlier Cynister books. I thought the culprit was a bit obvious, but others may not.
Rating:
Summary: Hot sex keeps this book from falling completely flat
Review: Simon Cynster has inherited a house and now he needs a wife. He's never considered his childhood acquaintance Portia Ashford as a potential mate before, but when she proposes that he seduce her and teach her about the sexual side of a relationship, his thoughts come to a quick focus. Portia is an independent woman. Simon is much too demanding to be right for her, but she can't deny the attraction. Author Stephanie Laurens is comfortable with sex, delighting in descriptions of escalating foreplay and frequent intercourse as Portia and Simon act through their charade. In THE PERFECT LOVER, she is a little less comfortable with story. Portia and Simon settle into frequent sex for the first two hundred pages, then decide to solve a murder between sexual interludes in the second half of the book. Set in 1830s England, the games of nobility and manners play out in a country summer party. THE PERFECT LOVER is well enough written, with some amusing word choices (if her breath really comes in ragged pants, shouldn't she repair those pants soon?). The book's real strong point, though, is the sex. Readers who find detailed accounts of sexual activity offensive will want to avoid THE PERFECT LOVER as will readers hoping for a plot. Readers who like titillation in a safely historical setting may find THE PERFECT LOVER a delight.
Rating:
Summary: Rated X
Review: Stephanie Laurens' newest Cynster book "The Perfect Lover" has nothing "perfect" about it. While I've enjoyed her previous novels (especially Devil's Bride and A Rake's Vow), this one leaves a lot to de desired. The story is about the "last unmarried male Cynster of his generation" Simon, who suddenly realizes that he is getting older and hasn't achieved anything in life. He decides to find a wife, and fill his recently inherited estate with children. Enter Portia Ashford, his brother in law's Luc sister, who "surprise surprise" has decided she wants children too. What follows are a large number of very explicit sex scenes, a semi mystery, more sex, endless pages describing the characters thoughts, more sex, and so on...
If you want to read about sex, sex and more sex, this is for you, but if you are looking for a love story skip this one. There was no romance whatsoever, all Portia and Simon did was enjoy eachother's bodies, quite thoroughly.
Rating:
Summary: pretty predictable
Review: The book was fine--not super, not bad, just fine. I did get annoyed with the overuse of the word "flagrent"--really, its an unusual word and Laurens must have used it 20+ times. I did wonder how the couple escaped so often without any of the "ton" commenting on it.
Rating:
Summary: My least favorite in the Cynster Series
Review: The book was just ok. I loved the characters; Simon and Portia. However, the entire story unfolded in one location. There was also no anticipation. There was never a doubt these two would end up together. The love story took a back seat to a murder mystery and that is just unlike Stephanie Laurens. Although I thought the book was ok, it definitely lacked the other Cynster Series magic.
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