Customer Reviews

A Lady of Expectations

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3 star:		(6)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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 ---

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.

It was a relief to read a Stephanie Laurens book that wasn't one-third sex scenes. The female character was not as abrasive as her usual heroines. Worth reading.

I have always enjoyed Stephie Laurens. Her historical and romantic descriptions are excellent as are her characters and plot. While this may not be her best, it was still a good read and I enjoyed it. I am interested in the rules and mores of the time, and this book encompasses these. Karen Greenstein

Jack Lester has found his "golden head" bride in beautiful blonde Sophie Winterton, but keeps his repaired fortune secret so that he'll be loved for himself. She's attracted to him, too, but alas! she believes It Can Never Be based on a rival's gossip that Jack must marry for money. Meanwhile, she lets an overbearing suitor, Marston, lecture her at every turn on his perceived impropriatories instead of telling him to get lost. Jack always shows up at the right moment to save Sophie from Marston's lectures. She never bothers to ask Jack about his intentions. And so it goes, endlessly.

I have come to love the later books of Laurens much more than this earlier work. There is nothing better than the Cynster novels. This was rather tame and almost a little boring. Still I would recommend it over other books because Lauren does know how to write romance and it is fun to watch a rake like Jack Lester have to romance Sophia in the more conventional ways approved by the ton. It was also fun to see him coach Ned to finally measure up for young Clarissa. if our in the mood for a light romantic read without much sizzle of later Lauren books, nor the deeper plots of the Bastion club then you might enjoy this book!

This is a great romance for a light read, or for a younger romance reader, who maybe shouldn't be exposed to the Connie Mason-esque sex scenes that appear in some novels.
The story is good, complete with a few conflicts, some unnerving characters, a few love-to-hate personalities, and a handful of boiseterous children and a slew of horseback riding outings in the park.
Sophie has just enough pique and pizazz to be fun to follow and Jack is steady and determined enough to hold the tension out throughout the course of the book.
Still, there is no grand derring-do - up until the last fifteen pages, anyways. Unlike many other romance novels, no one has a deep, dark secret, no one is a spy, pirate, illegitimate issue, etc. This is simply a boy-wants-girl-but-girl-wants-boy-to-fulfill-his-dreams-rather-than-throw-them-away-for-love-which-she-feels-too story. At the end of it, the reader feels happy for the Sophie and Jack (and Clarissa and Ned,too), but you aren't going to be reading this one into the wee hours of the morning.
As usual, Laurens has the same, accessible style that allows for a broad readership.
It's worth a read, but try to get it used or from a library.

A Regency romance, set in England. Jack Lester (newly and secretly financially enriched) is looking for a wife. She has to be beautiful, kind, and be a good conversationalist. She also has to overlook Jack's supposed poverty, and want him for himself. When Jack meets Sophie Winterton, he knows that she is exactly the perfect mate for him. But there is one catch - Sophie believes that Jack is poor, and refuses to marry him so that he can go out and catch an heiress. Sweet and cute story about a man who loves a woman who perhaps loves him a little too much.

Sweet and cute, but perhaps not very memorable...

A Lady Of Expectations by Stephanie Laurens was very basic love story - Boy meets girl , girl trys to protect boy and refuses boy and boy get girl. I wouldn't spend your money on this book - pick it up at he library.