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clairey_fairy82's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
meuyi's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
athenaevarinya's review against another edition
3.0
This was better than the Devil's Brood books as it wasn't weighted down so much by the mystery plot. It still doesn't hit the same notes as the first Cynster books. And of course, there's my issue with the author making mistakes with information about her characters. Honestly, I think she needs an editor whose job is to keep track of all the character and family details so she doesn't make such mistakes. Like in this book, a male relation was said to be a distant cousin from the maternal line of the hero, but then a few pages later the character in question says he is the BROTHER of the hero's mother. In another case, the paternal aunt of the hero refers to the hero's aunt as her sister-in-law, which would not be the case. She would be a connection, but the only person who should hold the title of sister-in-law would be the hero's mother. Maybe the casual reader wouldn't catch this, but an OCD detail-oriented person like me will and it drives us crazy.
helenephoebe's review against another edition
4.0
Review - I really enjoyed this book. I loved the relationship between Prue and Deghlan. It was interesting to see the negotiations between the two and how they played off each other. I've been finding it quite hard recently to read romances but I got sucked into this one, with all the intrigue. For once I actually guessed who the villain was quite early on as well, which actually surprised me when it was revealed. When some of the original characters are featured, like Demon and Felicity, I forget that this is now 20 or 30 years after the original story and they are now in their 50s or 60s. It's really interesting to see the development of the family through time.
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Prudence Cynster / Deghlan Fitzgerald, Earl of Glengarah / Demon Cynster / Toby Cynster / Felicity Cynster / Felix Fitzgerald / Jay O'Shaunessey
Setting? - Glengarah (Ireland)
Series? - Cynster #27
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 18/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance
Characters? - Prudence Cynster / Deghlan Fitzgerald, Earl of Glengarah / Demon Cynster / Toby Cynster / Felicity Cynster / Felix Fitzgerald / Jay O'Shaunessey
Setting? - Glengarah (Ireland)
Series? - Cynster #27
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 18/20
l1brarygirl's review against another edition
3.0
Pop Sugar’s Advanced 2020 Reading Challenge - A book from a series with more than 20 books
#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
#8 On a Wild Night - ★★★★☆
#9 On a Wicked Dawn - Haven't Read
#10 The Perfect Lover - ★★★★☆
#11 The Ideal Bride - ★★★★☆
#12 The Truth About Love - No Rating
#13 What Price Love? - ★★★★★
#14 The Taste of Innocence - ★★★☆☆
#15 Temptation and Surrender - ★★★★☆
#16 Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue - ★★★★★
#17 In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster - ★★★★★
#18 The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae - ★★★★☆
#19 And Then She Fell - ★★★★☆
#20 The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh - ★★★☆☆
#21 By Winter's Light - ★★★☆☆
#22 The Tempting of Thomas Carrick - ★★★☆☆
#23 A Match for Marcus Cynster - ★★☆☆☆
#24 The Lady By His Side - ★★★☆☆
#25 An Irresistible Alliance - ★★★☆☆
#26 The Greatest Challenge Of Them All - ★★★★☆
#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
#8 On a Wild Night - ★★★★☆
#9 On a Wicked Dawn - Haven't Read
#10 The Perfect Lover - ★★★★☆
#11 The Ideal Bride - ★★★★☆
#12 The Truth About Love - No Rating
#13 What Price Love? - ★★★★★
#14 The Taste of Innocence - ★★★☆☆
#15 Temptation and Surrender - ★★★★☆
#16 Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue - ★★★★★
#17 In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster - ★★★★★
#18 The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae - ★★★★☆
#19 And Then She Fell - ★★★★☆
#20 The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh - ★★★☆☆
#21 By Winter's Light - ★★★☆☆
#22 The Tempting of Thomas Carrick - ★★★☆☆
#23 A Match for Marcus Cynster - ★★☆☆☆
#24 The Lady By His Side - ★★★☆☆
#25 An Irresistible Alliance - ★★★☆☆
#26 The Greatest Challenge Of Them All - ★★★★☆
bookwyrm_lark's review against another edition
2.0
Compared to Laurens’s early Cynster books, A Conquest Impossible to Resist is… bland. Despite several murder attempts, it lacks urgency and intensity: in the romance, in the murder plot, and (despite repeated mentions of the Cynsters’ need for breeding stock) in Prudence’s overall motivation. Deaglan’s motivation works a little better, but he’s a pale imitation of the larger-than-life rakes of the original generation. I don’t object to taking a break from the somewhat over-the-top alpha-male heroes usually favored by Laurens, and I’m happy to see an alpha male who is nonetheless willing to deal with the heroine as an equal—in fact, that part of the relationship was refreshing.
But overall, in the romance as in the rest of the book, there is far too much telling and not enough showing. It even spills into what should, in some scenes, have been dialog. In some places, there’s too much dialogue, but in others, the author tells you the gist rather than show you what was said… and invariably, what isn’t shown would have worked better as dialogue to bring the characters alive.
I think that’s my problem with the whole book, in fact. There’s nothing really wrong with it, but it never really came alive for me, never sucked me into its world so thoroughly that the world outside disappeared.
I could blame that on myself—on being too tired, distracted, and/or stressed with work to really get into the book—but just as a test, I started reading the first Cynster novel, [b:Devil's Bride|363499|Devil's Bride (Cynster, #1)|Stephanie Laurens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388204947s/363499.jpg|2524956], right after this one. The difference is clear and palpable. The writing pulled me out of myself and into Honoria’s world immediately, despite the fact that I’ve read the book at least five times before. Devil’s Bride isn’t perfect, for reasons that lie outside the scope of this review, but taken as a benchmark (it remains one of Laurens’s best and most popular romances), it casts A Conquest Impossible to Resist completely in the shade.
As a final and regretful note, this is not, by far, the first of Laurens’s recent books that lack her early spark. I have hung on a lot longer than I might otherwise, but I’m close to giving up on her. At this point, I’m reading out of habit and loyalty rather than any real excitement for the new books. Very few of her novels since leaving Avon are on my “keep and reread” shelf. And that saddens me.
A slightly longer version of this review was originally published on The Bookwyrm's Hoard blog.
But overall, in the romance as in the rest of the book, there is far too much telling and not enough showing. It even spills into what should, in some scenes, have been dialog. In some places, there’s too much dialogue, but in others, the author tells you the gist rather than show you what was said… and invariably, what isn’t shown would have worked better as dialogue to bring the characters alive.
I think that’s my problem with the whole book, in fact. There’s nothing really wrong with it, but it never really came alive for me, never sucked me into its world so thoroughly that the world outside disappeared.
I could blame that on myself—on being too tired, distracted, and/or stressed with work to really get into the book—but just as a test, I started reading the first Cynster novel, [b:Devil's Bride|363499|Devil's Bride (Cynster, #1)|Stephanie Laurens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388204947s/363499.jpg|2524956], right after this one. The difference is clear and palpable. The writing pulled me out of myself and into Honoria’s world immediately, despite the fact that I’ve read the book at least five times before. Devil’s Bride isn’t perfect, for reasons that lie outside the scope of this review, but taken as a benchmark (it remains one of Laurens’s best and most popular romances), it casts A Conquest Impossible to Resist completely in the shade.
As a final and regretful note, this is not, by far, the first of Laurens’s recent books that lack her early spark. I have hung on a lot longer than I might otherwise, but I’m close to giving up on her. At this point, I’m reading out of habit and loyalty rather than any real excitement for the new books. Very few of her novels since leaving Avon are on my “keep and reread” shelf. And that saddens me.
A slightly longer version of this review was originally published on The Bookwyrm's Hoard blog.
attytheresa's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyed this historical romance set amidst the 'horsey set' of Victorian England and Ireland - a lot! And I'm not even particularly mad about horses! There's a lot about superior race horses in this one.
It's the early years of the Victorian Era, and Prudence Cynster, 29 year old spinster, exceptional horse woman and head of her family's race horse breeding program, is on the hunt for new breeding stock to refresh the bloodlines in her family's stable. The Cynster Stables are racing royalty, and thus their standards are high. Pru's hunt takes her to West Coast Ireland, to the Fitzgerald family holdings, whose deceased patriarch was obsessed with fine horseflesh and had a "collection" of what are essentially the equivalent of purebreds in the world of racing equines - called "foundation bloodlines". There Pru meets the first man to excite any kind of sensual response in her, the current head of the Fitzgerald family, the Earl of Glengarah. Of course, he's a former rake now dedicated to pulling his family's estates back from the brink after the Great Famine, and setting up a breeding agreement between the Cynster Stable and his pater's 'collection' of horses is imperative.
The Earl isn't exactly ready for the sparks flying between the two of them either. In truth, their romance while key, moves rather quickly, without real impediment, into an affair, then true love, and finally a wedding. What really is captivating and drives the story is all the information about the horses (I repeat - I'm not into horses and I found this fascinating), race horse breeding, and the 'accidents' and attempted murder that begins to disrupt Pru's and the Earl's negotiations of a breeding agreement and life-long marital relationship.
What's also nice about this particular historical romance from Laurens is that neither Pru nor the Earl expect to find love in their lives. Pru in particular had carved a life for herself the assumed she would never marry, given no one she'd ever met sustained her interest or elicited a passion in her to equal her love and knowledge of horses. The Earl never expected to find a woman who shared his passion and sense of responsibility for his estates and, of course, horses.
It's the early years of the Victorian Era, and Prudence Cynster, 29 year old spinster, exceptional horse woman and head of her family's race horse breeding program, is on the hunt for new breeding stock to refresh the bloodlines in her family's stable. The Cynster Stables are racing royalty, and thus their standards are high. Pru's hunt takes her to West Coast Ireland, to the Fitzgerald family holdings, whose deceased patriarch was obsessed with fine horseflesh and had a "collection" of what are essentially the equivalent of purebreds in the world of racing equines - called "foundation bloodlines". There Pru meets the first man to excite any kind of sensual response in her, the current head of the Fitzgerald family, the Earl of Glengarah. Of course, he's a former rake now dedicated to pulling his family's estates back from the brink after the Great Famine, and setting up a breeding agreement between the Cynster Stable and his pater's 'collection' of horses is imperative.
The Earl isn't exactly ready for the sparks flying between the two of them either. In truth, their romance while key, moves rather quickly, without real impediment, into an affair, then true love, and finally a wedding. What really is captivating and drives the story is all the information about the horses (I repeat - I'm not into horses and I found this fascinating), race horse breeding, and the 'accidents' and attempted murder that begins to disrupt Pru's and the Earl's negotiations of a breeding agreement and life-long marital relationship.
What's also nice about this particular historical romance from Laurens is that neither Pru nor the Earl expect to find love in their lives. Pru in particular had carved a life for herself the assumed she would never marry, given no one she'd ever met sustained her interest or elicited a passion in her to equal her love and knowledge of horses. The Earl never expected to find a woman who shared his passion and sense of responsibility for his estates and, of course, horses.
staceylynn42's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it mostly. Prudence & Deaglan were a decent couple. Though really, he lacked the 'notorious rakehell' vibe.
His brother writes the Cynsters, in his name, suggesting a breeding alliance. Prudence, who has been looking for new stock jumps at the chance. After some discussion, during which I am sure her mom & aunt forsaw the outcome of the trip, she goes off to Ireland to look at the Glengarah stables.
Side note: I understand the wish fulfillment,not wanting to get too depressing thing. But it's Ireland, right after the famine and somehow the Glengarah estates magically escaped it's effects. I think adding some realism here might have added to the drama and general sense of how Deaglan was working to bring back the estate from ruin
The romance was okay. The titled Aunt (who's name I forget) was annoying. A grande dame was not really needed here & I do hate the "I'll change her mind without asking her to" plot where nearly everyone is in on what is going on but the heroine. Pru isn't stupid, a discussion could have happened.
The mystery was decent. There is a fire in the stables & someone tries to kill Deaglan a couple times, or at least scare him. Lots of horse info. Maybe too much horse info.
My first impression of it was 'meh, okay'. I reread it a month or so later (I do that with books by authors I love when I don't love the book to see if my opinion has changed) and while I feel more than 'meh' about it now, it's unlikely I will reread it again, like I do with some of my favorites.
It's an okay book, solid 3.5 stars.
His brother writes the Cynsters, in his name, suggesting a breeding alliance. Prudence, who has been looking for new stock jumps at the chance. After some discussion, during which I am sure her mom & aunt forsaw the outcome of the trip, she goes off to Ireland to look at the Glengarah stables.
Side note: I understand the wish fulfillment,not wanting to get too depressing thing. But it's Ireland, right after the famine and somehow the Glengarah estates magically escaped it's effects. I think adding some realism here might have added to the drama and general sense of how Deaglan was working to bring back the estate from ruin
The romance was okay. The titled Aunt (who's name I forget) was annoying. A grande dame was not really needed here & I do hate the "I'll change her mind without asking her to" plot where nearly everyone is in on what is going on but the heroine. Pru isn't stupid, a discussion could have happened.
The mystery was decent. There is a fire in the stables & someone tries to kill Deaglan a couple times, or at least scare him. Lots of horse info. Maybe too much horse info.
My first impression of it was 'meh, okay'. I reread it a month or so later (I do that with books by authors I love when I don't love the book to see if my opinion has changed) and while I feel more than 'meh' about it now, it's unlikely I will reread it again, like I do with some of my favorites.
It's an okay book, solid 3.5 stars.