lisabooksit's review
2.0
3rd Laurens book I have read. They are so slow and drag forever. I'm thinking this is my last. I just don't enjoy her stories. Not one of the 3 I have read have I enjoyed. Just seemed to sludge along so I could at least finish.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
And Then She Fell
4 Stars
Series note: This is book #1 in the Cynster Sister Duo not to be confused with the Cynster Sister Trilogy. The trilogy focuses on Gabriel and Lucifer's sister while the duology is about Amanda and Amelia's sisters. Both the trilogy and the duology are connected through the pendant gifted by The Lady in book #3 of the original Cynsters series. Yes, it really is a bit convoluted, but carry on regardless!
Henrietta Cynster is known throughout the ton as the "matchbreaker" for her ability to ferret out the fortune-hunters and other less-than-agreeable suitors courting the young women of society. When she ruins James Glossup's chances, he is furious as he needs to marry to gain his inheritance. After learning about the conditions of his grandaunt's will, Henrietta agrees to help James find a suitable bride, but the two soon realize they are the perfect match for each other. The only problem is the pesky attempts on Henrietta's life.
Laurens has once again hit the mark in a series that is more miss than hit overall.
Henrietta and James's romance is engaging (putting aside the purple prose sex scenes), and the mystery is suspenseful.
Henrietta and James have an intense attraction and their friends-to-lovers romance is very entertaining. There is also, thankfully, no keeping secrets trope as she is aware of his need to marry at the outset.
The suspense plot revolving around the reason for the various attempts on Henrietta's life ratchets up the tension. The explanation for the crimes is logical, and the climax and resolution are excellent. The fact that it is is an added bonus.
While it is clear that Laurens' never met an adjective or adverb that she didn't like, it is possible to look past her often repetitive writing and enjoy her stories. This is a prime example. Looking forward to Mary and Ryder's book next - the teaser in the epilogue is promising.
4 Stars
Series note: This is book #1 in the Cynster Sister Duo not to be confused with the Cynster Sister Trilogy. The trilogy focuses on Gabriel and Lucifer's sister while the duology is about Amanda and Amelia's sisters. Both the trilogy and the duology are connected through the pendant gifted by The Lady in book #3 of the original Cynsters series. Yes, it really is a bit convoluted, but carry on regardless!
Henrietta Cynster is known throughout the ton as the "matchbreaker" for her ability to ferret out the fortune-hunters and other less-than-agreeable suitors courting the young women of society. When she ruins James Glossup's chances, he is furious as he needs to marry to gain his inheritance. After learning about the conditions of his grandaunt's will, Henrietta agrees to help James find a suitable bride, but the two soon realize they are the perfect match for each other. The only problem is the pesky attempts on Henrietta's life.
Laurens has once again hit the mark in a series that is more miss than hit overall.
Henrietta and James's romance is engaging (putting aside the purple prose sex scenes), and the mystery is suspenseful.
Henrietta and James have an intense attraction and their friends-to-lovers romance is very entertaining. There is also, thankfully, no keeping secrets trope as she is aware of his need to marry at the outset.
The suspense plot revolving around the reason for the various attempts on Henrietta's life ratchets up the tension. The explanation for the crimes is logical, and the climax and resolution are excellent. The fact that it is
Spoiler
Henrietta and the other women in the family who rescue JamesWhile it is clear that Laurens' never met an adjective or adverb that she didn't like, it is possible to look past her often repetitive writing and enjoy her stories. This is a prime example. Looking forward to Mary and Ryder's book next - the teaser in the epilogue is promising.
diaryofthebookdragon's review
3.0
Henrietta is a 29-year old and happy about it. But she is not called spinster or something like it. No she has much cooler nickname 'The Matchbreaker'. Why? Because, she uses connections and associations of her powerful family, Cynster clan, to help young women who are courted by men with questionable motives. Henrietta helps them find out what they suitors have in mind and should the match be made ... or broken.
But everyone makes mistakes. And when Henrietta too quickly judges her brother's best friend James Glossup, she has to make it up to him - by finding him a suitable bride. Except the more time James spends with Henrietta, he's more inclined 'to give love a try'. "Who knew? It might suit him?"
The romance between Henrietta and James is sweet. I was afraid that it's going to turn into one of those irritating types where they love each other secretly but they are too stupid or afraid to talk about it until the end of the book.
But no, after just enough tension and interesting turns James and Henrietta admit their love for each other. The rest of the book is devoted to solving the mystery they got entangled with. Honestly, this book should be labeled romantic-suspense not historical romance. That's why the low rating from me - I don't like these type of plots.
But if you like historical suspense novels, this is a good one. I could not guess what is happening until the end.
And Then She Fell is also a treat for Stephanie Laurens fans because a lot of characters from previous Cynster series books will make an appearance here to help out.
My rating: 3 average stars
I recommend this book to fans of: historical suspense romance novels and of course to Cynster series or Stephanie Laurens fans.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review.
But everyone makes mistakes. And when Henrietta too quickly judges her brother's best friend James Glossup, she has to make it up to him - by finding him a suitable bride. Except the more time James spends with Henrietta, he's more inclined 'to give love a try'. "Who knew? It might suit him?"
The romance between Henrietta and James is sweet. I was afraid that it's going to turn into one of those irritating types where they love each other secretly but they are too stupid or afraid to talk about it until the end of the book.
But no, after just enough tension and interesting turns James and Henrietta admit their love for each other. The rest of the book is devoted to solving the mystery they got entangled with. Honestly, this book should be labeled romantic-suspense not historical romance. That's why the low rating from me - I don't like these type of plots.
But if you like historical suspense novels, this is a good one. I could not guess what is happening until the end.
And Then She Fell is also a treat for Stephanie Laurens fans because a lot of characters from previous Cynster series books will make an appearance here to help out.
My rating: 3 average stars
I recommend this book to fans of: historical suspense romance novels and of course to Cynster series or Stephanie Laurens fans.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review.
palnic26's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
helenephoebe's review against another edition
4.0
Review - I felt I could really connect with the characters and they were really well rounded, not too perfect. I was intrigued by James Glossup in Simon Cynster's story, based at Glossup Hall, and he lived up to my expectations of a man who could make a Cynster sister fall in love with him. Aside from the early Cynster novels, Devil's Bride, A Rake's Vow and Scandal's Bride this is my very favourite Cynster novel. It was better than the previous Cynster sisters trilogy. I hope Mary's story lives up to Henrietta's.
Genre? - Romance / Regency / Drama / Mystery
Characters? - Henrietta Cynster / Mary Cynster / James Glossup / Simon Cynster
Setting? - England
Series? - Cynster #19
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 18/20
Genre? - Romance / Regency / Drama / Mystery
Characters? - Henrietta Cynster / Mary Cynster / James Glossup / Simon Cynster
Setting? - England
Series? - Cynster #19
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 18/20
cait_mari's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kateemma's review against another edition
this book didn’t feel like any of the others in the series. i’ve no idea why they liked or loved each other. there was no burn, just chase kiss to sex. no genuine connection. even the mystery wasn’t compelling enough to finish this book. i just didn’t care.
tellmeastoryxx's review
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
juliaem's review
1.0
Hmf. I feel mildly resentful I read this. The main characters are both likeable, and I like the friendship their romantic relationship is built upon, but MY GOD are the sex scenes euphemistic to the point of ridiculousness. During such passages, Laurens overutilizes techniques like alliteration or even rhyme with so much repetition that it adds a Seussian feel I highly doubt was what she was going for. Here's a quote another goodreads reviewer excerpted that captures the absurdity nicely:
"Reassuring, restating, revisiting, and reiterating, they dived in again, plunged in again, seized and surrendered and shared the scintillating delights once again."
WUT. Stop the madness! Plus, it's also a murder mystery, except there's less suspense-building, and more "let's have as many characters as possible in the large Cynster family discuss the actual logistics of how they might catch the criminal," which was boring. On the upside, one of the lending libraries I frequent is full of Laurens' other novels, and now I know to steer clear unless desperately bored.
"Reassuring, restating, revisiting, and reiterating, they dived in again, plunged in again, seized and surrendered and shared the scintillating delights once again."
WUT. Stop the madness! Plus, it's also a murder mystery, except there's less suspense-building, and more "let's have as many characters as possible in the large Cynster family discuss the actual logistics of how they might catch the criminal," which was boring. On the upside, one of the lending libraries I frequent is full of Laurens' other novels, and now I know to steer clear unless desperately bored.
i_hype_romance's review
3.0
The writing was descriptive and captured the moods of the characters. However, I found this slow going. The love scenes were not fiery enugh and the plot was plodding.