laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
One a Wild Night
3 Stars
After months of failing to find a suitable husband from amongst the ranks of willing candidates, Amanda Cynster and her twin, Amelia are at their wits end. Deciding to broaden the field, Amanda enters the more unsavory environs of the ton to seek her mate, only to discover that she is in over her head. When things take a dangerous turn, Amanda is rescued by the enigmatic and secretive Earl of Dexter who, unfortunately, is not inclined to marry. Will Amanda be able to change his mind?
While the book starts out well, the pacing deteriorates toward the middle as the hero and heroine try to out-stubborn each other. The story picks up again at the end with the minor suspense plot, which is actually quite compelling. It is just a pity that its development and resolution come so late in the book after the endless descriptions of will she/ won't she, which are completely unnecessary.
Amanda is not the most likeable of heroines. Not only is she stubborn and willful in the extreme, she is also manipulative and not above using others to get her own way. Nevertheless, one cannot help but admire her determination to decide her own future; although it does require a healthy suspension of disbelief to accept that she would be allowed to swan about in all manner of disreputable places.
Martin is a typical Laurens' hero - a rake with a heart of gold, overly protective instincts and possessive tendencies. The scandal associated with his name has some truly heart-breaking consequences, but the investigation into the truth behind it takes too long to get going.
The romance is certainly hot, but Laurens wastes several excellent opportunities to ratchet up the sexual tension before the main act. Moreover, the number of sex scenes are excessive and repetitive. Less is often more in this area!
The cameo appearances by the Cynster cousins and their wives are entertaining although it is Lady Osbaldestone who steals the show.
All in all, not one of the better installments in the series. Hopefully, Amelia and Luc's book will be an improvement.
3 Stars
After months of failing to find a suitable husband from amongst the ranks of willing candidates, Amanda Cynster and her twin, Amelia are at their wits end. Deciding to broaden the field, Amanda enters the more unsavory environs of the ton to seek her mate, only to discover that she is in over her head. When things take a dangerous turn, Amanda is rescued by the enigmatic and secretive Earl of Dexter who, unfortunately, is not inclined to marry. Will Amanda be able to change his mind?
While the book starts out well, the pacing deteriorates toward the middle as the hero and heroine try to out-stubborn each other. The story picks up again at the end with the minor suspense plot, which is actually quite compelling. It is just a pity that its development and resolution come so late in the book after the endless descriptions of will she/ won't she, which are completely unnecessary.
Amanda is not the most likeable of heroines. Not only is she stubborn and willful in the extreme, she is also manipulative and not above using others to get her own way. Nevertheless, one cannot help but admire her determination to decide her own future; although it does require a healthy suspension of disbelief to accept that she would be allowed to swan about in all manner of disreputable places.
Martin is a typical Laurens' hero - a rake with a heart of gold, overly protective instincts and possessive tendencies. The scandal associated with his name has some truly heart-breaking consequences, but the investigation into the truth behind it takes too long to get going.
The romance is certainly hot, but Laurens wastes several excellent opportunities to ratchet up the sexual tension before the main act. Moreover, the number of sex scenes are excessive and repetitive. Less is often more in this area!
The cameo appearances by the Cynster cousins and their wives are entertaining although it is Lady Osbaldestone who steals the show.
All in all, not one of the better installments in the series. Hopefully, Amelia and Luc's book will be an improvement.
saras_books77's review
3.0
Some of it was interesting and funny, some intriguing, some good spice too - there was one explicitly racist paragraph that I just had to push through. Most of all, it dragged on quite a lot and got repetitive. I got this book from a thrift store and do not plan to seek out the rest of the series.
chandelierskies's review against another edition
The story draaaggggeeeeddd. It started off interesting while she was roping in the male lead but when he finally is ready to marry her, she keeps refusing him. I thought the story was almost over because of where they were in their relationship, but I was only 34%. I’m stopping now at halfway because it’s so boring and repetitive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
brittanyt's review
5.0
Amanda is 23 and is less than thrilled by her options on the marriage mart. She would like to marry a man like her male Cynster cousins, but she quickly realizes those men are not attending balls. She decides to start circulating through gaming hells and parties she should not attend. When a man pushes her to make a bet, Martin, the Earl of Dexter, steps in and saves the day. Amanda now has her target for marriage, but she has to beat Martin at his own game to get him to the altar!
If you’re a fan of historical romance, this is a book you will stay up late reading and start thinking about as soon as you wake up! I really love this whole series. I especially loved Amanda and how she refused to settle for less than she deserved, no matter the consequences. I think this book has one of the best descriptive introductions to a hero that I have ever read. Laurens writing (and her ten page sex scenes) are author goals.
If you’re a fan of historical romance, this is a book you will stay up late reading and start thinking about as soon as you wake up! I really love this whole series. I especially loved Amanda and how she refused to settle for less than she deserved, no matter the consequences. I think this book has one of the best descriptive introductions to a hero that I have ever read. Laurens writing (and her ten page sex scenes) are author goals.
ksanders013's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
helenephoebe's review against another edition
3.0
Review - I felt that Amanda and Dexter fell in love too quickly; he asked her to marry him and then about 3/4 of the book was just him asking her over and over to marry him, and her refusing. I think what would have made this book better was more on the scandal which had almost ruined Dexter, and this affected their relationship. However, I did find the characters very likeable - Dexter was tormented, and after reading about Amanda and Amelia in the previous Cynster books, I was intrigued to find out how their stories ended. On a Wild Night is my least favourite Stephanie Laurens book so far. Definitely in the Cynster series. She could have spun out the beginning more, and condensed the middle. I hope Amelia's story isn't as disappointing as I found Amanda's.
Genre? - Historical / Romance / Erotica
Characters? - Amelia Cynster / Amanda Cynster / Martin Fulbridge / Lucien Ashford /
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - Cynster #8
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 16/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance / Erotica
Characters? - Amelia Cynster / Amanda Cynster / Martin Fulbridge / Lucien Ashford /
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - Cynster #8
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 16/20
mrvm's review
1.0
The book was about the heroine getting the hero to marry her. Half way through the hero proposes but the heroine turns him down and everyone is confused as to why. A lot of dumb things happen because she keeps turning down his proposal, again I'm confused as to why.
There was a mystery element to this story but you can solve it in the beginning of the book, basically everyone solved it instead of the hero.
Overall just a really long book that could have been cut in half and had plot points that didn't work at all.
There was a mystery element to this story but you can solve it in the beginning of the book, basically everyone solved it instead of the hero.
Overall just a really long book that could have been cut in half and had plot points that didn't work at all.
l1brarygirl's review
4.0
#1 Devil's Bride - ★★★★☆
#2 A Rake's Vow - ★★★★☆
#3 Scandal's Bride - Haven't Read
#4 A Rogue's Proposal - Haven't Read
#5 A Secret Love - Haven't Read
#6 All About Love - Haven't Read
#7 All About Passion - Haven't Read
#2 A Rake's Vow - ★★★★☆
#3 Scandal's Bride - Haven't Read
#4 A Rogue's Proposal - Haven't Read
#5 A Secret Love - Haven't Read
#6 All About Love - Haven't Read
#7 All About Passion - Haven't Read
melanierae's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
this book answers the question “can a man convince a woman to marry him by never sharing his feelings but giving her many orgasms?”
55bookworm63's review
4.0
This was a case of reading it for the 2nd time. I still enjoyed it, because it has been a long time between readings. Some of it I remembered and some I didn't, but it got me wanting to catch up and read the ones that I never got to!