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The Ideal Bride (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.00) - 2,150 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Michael Anstruther-Wetherby is a man destined for power. Except that Michael, for all his political skill and intelligence, lacks the most important element of success: a wife.
So he goes searching for his ideal bride, a gently bred, well-managed young lady. Michael discovers such a paragon, but finds a formidable obstacle in his path, the young lady's beautiful, strong-minded aunt, Caroline Sutcliffe. Caro has lived through an unhappy political marriage, and wants nothing of the sort for her niece, especially as the young woman has already lost her heart to another.
Caro and the younger woman hatch a plot -- Caro will demonstrate why an inexperienced young lady is not the bride for him. In deflecting Michael's matrimonial attentions away from her niece, Caro unwittingly focuses them on herself. And then it is Michael's turn to be persuasive, a task that requires every ounce of his seductive charm.
A series of mysterious and dangerous accidents befall Caro -- it becomes clear that an assailant has stepped in with his or her own idea for Caro's future -- one that could even involve murder. Before Caro can become Michael's ideal bride, they must race to uncover the unknown's identity before all hope of what they long for, and wish for, is destroyed.
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"eLibrary. Michael Ansthruther-Wetherby, brother of Honoria Cynster, has progressed nicely in his political career, now for advancement he needs to find a wife and fulfill the home life of a politician. He has his sights set on a young daughter of a just retired politician, Elizabeth, but she is in love with her aunt's secretary, Edward. With the help of her aunt Cora they portray Elizabeth as not politician wife material, and end up giving way to feelings between Cora and Michael."
— Kerin (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Marvelous”
— Cathy Kelly, #1 bestselling author -
“Laurens's newest romantic offering, set in early 19th-century London, possesses two of her trademarks—coolly confident characters and plentiful and graphic sex scenes.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“How Michael uncovers the key to Caro's heart is a feat worthy of any Cynster, and Cynster fans will be delighted to see again the characters first introduced in Devil's Bride.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
The Ideal Bride Listener Reviews
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" This wasn't one of my favorite Cynster novels, though I did enjoy it enough to finish it. The characters were too stodgy, even though they were quite the hurricane in the bedroom. If I read the phrase "social mask" one more time I was ready to scream! The mystery part of the book was entertaining though I thought it took too long to ramp up. Hopefully the next one will be better. "
— Allison, 2/9/2014 -
" Solid romance--writing is good, characters are somewhat interesting, and there's some excitement in the slight mystery/thriller subplot. I'll read more of her for sure! "
— Michelle, 1/24/2014 -
" Not sure if I really like this book. I guess I like more mystery in my novels. "
— Jeanne, 1/3/2014 -
" I enjoyed the by-play between the hero & heroine. "
— Valerie, 12/27/2013 -
" This was an ok book. Definitely erotic, but definitely romantic. It was, in the grand scheme of things, pretty boring. I would not read it again. "
— Lauren, 12/22/2013 -
" 4 unexpectedly touching moments "
— Denae, 12/21/2013 -
" When you read any romance novel, you expect a little skin but this book had way too much. I skipped over nearly a third of the book because there was so much. It was boring. "
— Janalynn, 12/13/2013 -
" Wndrflly done acct of political & diplomtc doings w/ lv n lust btwn Michael A-W & widow Caro "
— Susan, 12/10/2013 -
" Not as good as the first time around. "
— Frances, 11/6/2013 -
" I love Stephanie Laurens books! I thought this was a great book and love the way she interacts her characters and keeps you updated or has family members help solve mysteries in the books. "
— Karen, 11/1/2013 -
" I like almost everything of hers. "
— Carolyn, 7/16/2013 -
" Tepid...no real highs or lows in this romance novel. The main characters are likable enough but sometimes pleasant isn't enough to stoke the passion of the readers imagination. "
— Cheryl, 2/17/2013 -
" Another of the Cynster books, in this one Honoria's brother Marcus is looking for a bride. Great book as always from this author. "
— Diana, 1/9/2013 -
" I reread this when I purchased it on kindle. "
— Sharon, 8/25/2012 -
" This book was just OK. It was slow moving and I never felt excited while reading it. It took me much longer to read than most books do. "
— Tiffany, 5/16/2012 -
" Lauren's might have tipped her hand early regarding the villain but I was an unexpected set up. Also explains a lot about Breckenridge. "
— Melissa, 12/13/2011 -
" I was just ok.Don't know why i battled this much to finish a book.Thank goodness! "
— Tuesday's, 10/6/2011 -
" A really enjoyable read of how Michael learns to fall in love and realises that marrying for practical reasons isn't what's best for his life and career. She is so amazingly strong, so capable, and yet so vulnerable. It was a really well written story. "
— Tasneem, 6/3/2011 -
" Maybe its because Caro was a widow that I enjoyed this book more. Or maybe I just actually preferred Michael as a non-rake hero. But still my heart just isn't in this series anymore. "
— Kez, 1/23/2011 -
" dah baca nih..ya owlo kipas-2 baca buku ini..padahal karisma yang terjemahin..hmpfh jadi penasaran mo lanjut baca seriesnya nih... "
— annisa, 1/2/2011 -
" Tepid...no real highs or lows in this romance novel. The main characters are likable enough but sometimes pleasant isn't enough to stoke the passion of the readers imagination. "
— Cheryl, 12/5/2010 -
" When you read any romance novel, you expect a little skin but this book had way too much. I skipped over nearly a third of the book because there was so much. It was boring. "
— Janalynn, 9/20/2010 -
" The first book of stephanie that i read. <br/>i found the translation in Kharisma book store some years ago <br/> <br/>I love this story very much. so wicked "
— Sweety, 6/14/2010 -
" I was just ok.Don't know why i battled this much to finish a book.Thank goodness! "
— Tuesday's, 4/6/2010 -
" Not sure if I really like this book. I guess I like more mystery in my novels. "
— Jeanne, 2/20/2010 -
" Dragged a little, but still good. Always can depend on Laurens to deliver a steamy romance. "
— Danette, 2/2/2010 -
" An enjoyable escape read, although the characters of Michael and Caroline are not as intriguing as the heros/heroines of the other Cynster series novels. Much more of a lukewarm romance. "
— Carla, 6/26/2009 -
" Maybe its because Caro was a widow that I enjoyed this book more. Or maybe I just actually preferred Michael as a non-rake hero. But still my heart just isn't in this series anymore. "
— Kez, 6/25/2009 -
" Lots of heaving breasts and heated loins. Escapism, pure & simple. "
— Carrie, 5/4/2009 -
" Typical Cynster novel...alpha hero, slightly feminist heroine...sex in a semi-public place...yada yada yada. Laurens is definitely a comfort read...you know exactly what you're going to get with her competent if predictable writing. "
— Kim, 8/18/2008
About Stephanie Laurens
Stephanie Laurens began writing as an escape from the dry world of professional science, a hobby that quickly became a career. Her New York Times bestselling novels, set in Regency England, have made her one of the romance world’s most popular authors.
About Clare Higgins
Clare Higgins, an award-winning English actress, is a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. As a stage actress, she has had leading roles in London and on Broadway in such plays as A Streetcar Named Desire, Night of the Iguana, and Measure for Measure. She has had roles in numerous BBC television plays and series, including Downton Abbey. In film, she best known for Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, and The Golden Compass. Her acting awards include three Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, and a London Critics Circle Award. She has narrated more than a dozen audiobooks, earning three AudioFile Earphones Awards.