A Lady Of Expectations [Mass Market Paperback]

Stephanie Laurens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2005

Jack Lester has to find a bride . . .

But where can he find the perfect woman? She has to be attractive, kind, a good conversationalist . . . and more important, she has to accept him as he is: devilishly handsome, charming and, as far as anyone knows, poor as a church mouse! If London society discovers his hidden wealth, he'll never find the right wife.

Jack's heart races when he first lays eyes on Sophie Winterton. She is everything he desires -- and more -- but he is caught in his own trap. Believing that Jack needs to marry into wealth, Sophie rejects all his advances, certain he would never marry a poor girl like her. As they play out a game of cat and mouse, can Jack convince her that she is the woman he wants -- and that he is the husband she deserves?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Laurens's writing shines." -- Publishers Weekly

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens began writing as an escape from the dry world of professional science. Her hobby quickly became a career. Her novels set in Regency England have captivated readers around the globe, making her one of the romance world's most beloved and popular authors. She currently has 42 books in print, with the last 24 of those becoming New York Times bestsellers. Laurens lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband and two daughters. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Mira (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778321754
• ISBN-13: 978-0778321750
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #770,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Check it out carefully, April 30, 2005

By 

A. M. Ponzo "book woman" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Lady Of Expectations (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a big fan of Stephanie Laurens and eagerly await her new books. I was very pleased to see this one on the shelf. Unfortunately when I got it home I saw that it was published by Mira (aka Harlequine). This is usually a clue that it is a reissue of an old book. I checked the copy write date and this book was originally issued in 1995. If you have not read it before it's worth a read. Not up to the standards of her Cynster novels or the Bastion Club but okay. Her style has matured since this book was written. If you have been reading Ms. Laurens' books for a while you should make sure you have not already read this one. I believe this particular book has been reissued more than once. It was enjoyable but not really a keeper. I will now have to return to the bookstore and wait for Stephanie's next New book.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simmering Sensuality - Superb Character Development 3-1/2*, June 28, 2005

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Lady Of Expectations (Mass Market Paperback)

The story was simple. Reputed rake Jack Lester was ready to settle down. Not wanting to broadcast his good fortune and financial windfall, mainly in order to keep the ton's matrons at bay, he wanted to discover a woman who would love him for himself, while thinking him poor as a church mouse. Naturally, he finds his ideal mate, Sophie Winterton - perfect in every way. So perfect, in fact, that even though Sophie loves him, when she's told he needs money to refurbish his estate she does her best to dissuade and refuse his suit. Unselfishly thinking that he can find and marry the heiress `she determines' he needs to shore up his estates. The plot goes on the way of traditional regencies with a full complement of supporting and engaging secondary characters and romances in a predictable manner. No big surprise here. Yet, even in this earlier effort, Laurens expertise in character development shines in giving you a totally loveable cast of lead characters.

*** I knew when I picked this up that it was a reprint of an earlier work and that it would be more indicative of the traditional regency read with more emphasis on the conduct and wooing practices of that period. In this I was not disappointed. Naturally, fans of the very successful Cynster and Bastion Club series will probably miss the highly charged sensuality that Laurens newer work provides but while I missed the sensuality, I delighted in the clever dialogs and the way she created the character of Jack Lester. Written without the seductive sensual scenes she is so very capable of, Laurens still imbued our hero Jack with an undeniable air of superiority and strength that I could only think she would ultimately use to be her model for Devil Cynster in her later novels. Jack was an alpha male so utterly commanding and with such simmering sensuality that you want to see him ravish the heroine yet, he's always marvelously in control, drop dead gorgeous, and ultimately lethal - in other words, a total turn on! Naturally, to each his own - but for me I only see him as totally divine! Some say this was boring, but for those looking for the truly traditional regency read will enjoy it. --- Marilyn, for www.romancedesigns.com ---

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Decent Read, May 18, 2005

By 

N. Moody - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Lady Of Expectations (Mass Market Paperback)

When i bought this book, I knew it was a reprint. I would say that this book is enjoyable but it does not compare with her newer work. The book has the usual Laurens flare, yet it still is lacking in some areas. I would suggest you read this if you are a die hard fan. if you are new to Stephanie Laurens i would suggest you read her Cynsters novels first.