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A review by attytheresa
The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens
4.0
This is not only the last of my quarantine listens (they aren't helping me get to sleep any longer so time to abandon), but the second and final of the Cynster Sisters duo. The amethyst necklace has been given to cousin Lucilla, the next female Cynster to marry but not yet ... and yes, that book already exists but I've had enough for now, LOL.
Mary is the last Cynster girl of her generation, the last opportunity for a good 10 years or more for any family of the ton to create an alliance with the wealthy and powerful Cynster family. But Mary is no biddable miss, and is determined not only to choose her own mate but remain in control of her destiny, including the terms of her marriage. She's set her eyes on Randolph Cavanaugh, one fo the young men of her generation, and hopes the necklace's magic will awaken him to her. Of course, that's not what's happened because young men like Randolph are too immature or green to be even thinking about marriage, can't even bring themselves to dance a waltz with a young lady. Frankly, he's terrified of Mary! BUT, the necklace does work its magic, only in an unexpected way.
It brings Ryder Cavanaugh to her attention, the elder step-brother of Randolph by a decade or so, and holder of the title and estates. Ryder needs a wife, needs to 'set up his nursey', and sets his eyes on Mary, the last of the Cynster girls of her generation, as his perfect bride. You see, he wants to unite his family, mend the rifts caused by his stepmother, and knows Mary. coming from the closely knit Cynster family, will be perfect for the job. It's very entertaining to watch stubborn Mary pursue Randolph, rebuff Ryder all while being attracted to him, while Ryder just keeps pursuing her.
It all reaches a head quite quickly when Ryder is attached in the street and Mary saves his life. Ther marriage follows and all seems to be heading towards a HEA when more accidents and attacks happen but to Mary this time. Ultimately, the villain identified and stopped, and at the very end, we see Mary start to unite the Cavanaugh family into the cohesive loving unit Ryder years for, as well as merging into the Cynster Clan.
There's also a great epilogue that has us revisiting all the Cynsters at the annual summer gathering, catching up on the stories we know, seeing the promise of the next generation - many of whom have had their stories told.
Benhar was once again the reader here and it was ok - but I have reached the point that too many of the male and female voices he uses just don't work for me. I think that's why in part I'm ready to stop my quarantine listens here. If I start up again, I might search out some other readers if I'm sticking with my favorite Laurens.
Mary is the last Cynster girl of her generation, the last opportunity for a good 10 years or more for any family of the ton to create an alliance with the wealthy and powerful Cynster family. But Mary is no biddable miss, and is determined not only to choose her own mate but remain in control of her destiny, including the terms of her marriage. She's set her eyes on Randolph Cavanaugh, one fo the young men of her generation, and hopes the necklace's magic will awaken him to her. Of course, that's not what's happened because young men like Randolph are too immature or green to be even thinking about marriage, can't even bring themselves to dance a waltz with a young lady. Frankly, he's terrified of Mary! BUT, the necklace does work its magic, only in an unexpected way.
It brings Ryder Cavanaugh to her attention, the elder step-brother of Randolph by a decade or so, and holder of the title and estates. Ryder needs a wife, needs to 'set up his nursey', and sets his eyes on Mary, the last of the Cynster girls of her generation, as his perfect bride. You see, he wants to unite his family, mend the rifts caused by his stepmother, and knows Mary. coming from the closely knit Cynster family, will be perfect for the job. It's very entertaining to watch stubborn Mary pursue Randolph, rebuff Ryder all while being attracted to him, while Ryder just keeps pursuing her.
It all reaches a head quite quickly when Ryder is attached in the street and Mary saves his life. Ther marriage follows and all seems to be heading towards a HEA when more accidents and attacks happen but to Mary this time. Ultimately, the villain identified and stopped, and at the very end, we see Mary start to unite the Cavanaugh family into the cohesive loving unit Ryder years for, as well as merging into the Cynster Clan.
There's also a great epilogue that has us revisiting all the Cynsters at the annual summer gathering, catching up on the stories we know, seeing the promise of the next generation - many of whom have had their stories told.
Benhar was once again the reader here and it was ok - but I have reached the point that too many of the male and female voices he uses just don't work for me. I think that's why in part I'm ready to stop my quarantine listens here. If I start up again, I might search out some other readers if I'm sticking with my favorite Laurens.