Rating: 
Summary: Yawn
Review: ... The stories and characters, perhaps due to their shortness, were bland. Because they involved members of the same family, I expected crossover of characters to weave the three stories together and compensate for the abreviated character development. There was none and I was left feeling slightly cheated. I guess I shouldn't expect 3 great romances for the price of one. ...
Rating: 
Summary: TOO MUCH IN THREE LITTLE STORIES!
Review: I had read so many reviews regarding the writing skills of Stephanie Laurens, that I finally decided to part ways with other romance writers that had not been living up to their (and mine) usual standards to give this one a try. Maybe I should have not started exploring her work through this book, or expected three great reads for the price of one. Three early novels from Ms. Laurens compose the collection: "The Reasons for Marriage", "A Lady of Expectations" and finally "An Unwilling Conquest." What seems to tie these stories together is the fact that they all deal with the misapprehensions of the three elder Lester siblings to enter into the holy sacrament of marriage. What really makes them relate is their inability to truly engage the reader into the lives of the main characters. In order of appearance, Lenore and Jason's story has been done so many times that one tires of always reading the same plot line and obstacles that stand in the way of happiness. Everything could have been solved a lot sooner if the characters only trusted and confided in each other more, and expressed their thoughts and emotions. For Jack, Lenore's elder brother, and Sophia, same rule applies. Communication is severely lacking in these relationships and stories. All the characters seem to have been cut with the same scissors to fill a remarkably look-a-like pattern. Although in the first story Jack and Harry make their appearance, one does not like them very much because they do not seem to have any redeeming qualities at all. And I thought that since they were all siblings, I would be getting to know them better in the ensuing stories, since character development was missing for all. Not a chance, we readers were deprived of that innate right. They do mention them casually, but nothing that would serve our purpose. Last, Harry and Lucinda's stories, the best one of the lot, partly because communication did not represent that big an issue, but a looming threat that dared to want to rob the witty widow's very live. This was an adventure and worth the read, although don't get your hopes up, it is not 5 star rating material either. This does not mean I will stop reading Ms. Laurens' books, since I already have in store the daring and so very acclaimed Cynster series. I hope these books will prove me wrong in my assumptions.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant story for summer reading
Review: I have come to appreciate Ms. Lauren's stories and enjoyed the "Rogue's Reform" as a pleasant diversion for a weekend (I also am a fast reader!). As everyone has different tastes, the three stories had different story lines, but my favorite, which I have reread twice, was the first -- "The Reasons for Marriage". I was touched by Jason and Lenore's story of how a marriage of "reason" becomes one of love. Still, I do agree with another reader in that my favorite Lauren's book is "Devil's Bride". I find it not only the best of Lauren's work, but one of my all-time favorites which I pull from my stack when I am in the mood to be regaled with the Bar Cynster at its best.
Rating:
Summary: Yawn
Review: I have mixed feelings about this anthology. First and foremost I must state that Ms. Laurens is an excellent writer and an extremely consistent one. I have yet to read anything of hers that was out and out bad. The three stories contained in this book were well written and enjoyable to read...(Here comes the "but")...but they were short Regency style stories and not usually what I expect from her. After reading and being kept mesmerized by her Cynaster series, (all full length books), I was a bit disappointed in the content of each of the Lester stories. Each account had some sort of MISUNDERSTANDING and I got very frustrated by this. At one point I just felt like screaming and saying, "damn it, just TALK to one another and you'll solve all your problems! ". The Lesters were reluctant to marry and these are their stories, which are basically about how to convince them otherwise. This led to a bit of a monotonous dialogue, and plotline. We had the three plotlines that could be written about: the female who doesn't want to marry but a male suitor who needs to start a family, a male who doesn't really want to marry but has to for family reasons, and the male who doesn't want to marry at all but falls in love nonetheless. In each story the hero and heroine have a problem communicating. The plots are very thin, revolving around the marriage issue, with a little suspense thrown in for good measure. I am just used to intricate plots and wonderful sensuality in Ms. Laurens books and I found both lacking here. I had not realized that these were all previously released stories and just rereleased in this anthology. By all means, pick this up for short reading bursts (like at the beach or a trip) because the writing is better than 95% of the books out there, just do not expect the typical (later) Ms. Lauren's fare.
Rating:
Summary: Hhhhmmmmm¿..
Review: I have mixed feelings about this anthology. First and foremost I must state that Ms. Laurens is an excellent writer and an extremely consistent one. I have yet to read anything of hers that was out and out bad. The three stories contained in this book were well written and enjoyable to read...(Here comes the "but")...but they were short Regency style stories and not usually what I expect from her. After reading and being kept mesmerized by her Cynaster series, (all full length books), I was a bit disappointed in the content of each of the Lester stories. Each account had some sort of MISUNDERSTANDING and I got very frustrated by this. At one point I just felt like screaming and saying, "damn it, just TALK to one another and you'll solve all your problems! ". The Lesters were reluctant to marry and these are their stories, which are basically about how to convince them otherwise. This led to a bit of a monotonous dialogue, and plotline. We had the three plotlines that could be written about: the female who doesn't want to marry but a male suitor who needs to start a family, a male who doesn't really want to marry but has to for family reasons, and the male who doesn't want to marry at all but falls in love nonetheless. In each story the hero and heroine have a problem communicating. The plots are very thin, revolving around the marriage issue, with a little suspense thrown in for good measure. I am just used to intricate plots and wonderful sensuality in Ms. Laurens books and I found both lacking here. I had not realized that these were all previously released stories and just rereleased in this anthology. By all means, pick this up for short reading bursts (like at the beach or a trip) because the writing is better than 95% of the books out there, just do not expect the typical (later) Ms. Lauren's fare.
Rating:
Summary: Writing style is awful
Review: I thought this book was awful. I read the first 2 stories and had to give up. Not only were they boring, the dialog was terribly repetitive. Every time the hero said something to the heroine, he finshed with "My Dear". She always smiled "serenely". Facial expressions for both of them were limited to "raising one brow" - which they did over and over and over.
EVery once in awhile I try a new author and more often than not I go scurrying back to Nora Roberts, Catherine Coulter, Suzanne Forster, Elizabeth Lowell, Kristin Hannah, and a few others.
Rating:
Summary: Is this REALLY Stephanie Laurens?
Review: I've read a few of her Cynster novels and found them very interesting but this? I only read the first two and I quit. The stories seem to drag with no true character development and no sensual love scenes. I hated their pettiness and dumb arguments. I will not give up on Stephanie, because I know she can write BETTER than this. Until next time.
Rating:
Summary: Is this REALLY Stephanie Laurens?
Review: I've read a few of her Cynster novels and found them very interesting but this? I only read the first two and I quit. The stories seem to drag with no true character development and no sensual love scenes. I hated their pettiness and dumb arguments. I will not give up on Stephanie, because I know she can write BETTER than this. Until next time.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent! 3 Fun Filled Stories!
Review: Rogue's Reform was a magnificent book with three wonderful stories in it. As usual Laurens manages to pull off strong, but likeable heroines who are just the thing to tame the tigers. Her heroes are dahsing and strong, and infinetely loveable. The Reasons for Marriage: Jason Montgomery, Duke of Eversleigh needs to aquire a wife. After listing the characteristics this woman must have, he settles on Lenore Lester. If only he could get her to agree... A Lady of Expectations: Ever since he saw her dancing, Jack Lester knew that Sophia Winterton was the one for him. However, his desire to hide the truth about his new increase in finances could put a damper on their relationship... An Unwilling Conquest: The truth about his fortune out, Harry Lester runs from the matchmaking mamas of the ton, to Newgate where he rescues the widow, Mrs. Lucinda Babbacombe. However, Harry might need a push and a shove into marriage... This trilogy about the Lester family would perk up anybody's day. All three stories are sweet, and will leave you with a warm feeling inside. I recommend it highly and wish you happy reading!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! 3 Fun Filled Stories!
Review: Rogue's Reform was a magnificent book with three wonderful stories in it. As usual Laurens manages to pull off strong, but likeable heroines who are just the thing to tame the tigers. Her heroes are dahsing and strong, and infinetely loveable. The Reasons for Marriage: Jason Montgomery, Duke of Eversleigh needs to aquire a wife. After listing the characteristics this woman must have, he settles on Lenore Lester. If only he could get her to agree... A Lady of Expectations: Ever since he saw her dancing, Jack Lester knew that Sophia Winterton was the one for him. However, his desire to hide the truth about his new increase in finances could put a damper on their relationship... An Unwilling Conquest: The truth about his fortune out, Harry Lester runs from the matchmaking mamas of the ton, to Newgate where he rescues the widow, Mrs. Lucinda Babbacombe. However, Harry might need a push and a shove into marriage... This trilogy about the Lester family would perk up anybody's day. All three stories are sweet, and will leave you with a warm feeling inside. I recommend it highly and wish you happy reading!
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