A Comfortable Wife

Rating:
Summary: a commendable attempt
Review: ...perhaps Stephanie should be commended for her attempt at a 'true' regency. The real regency lies in the flirting of a fan, the swish of a cloak or even the glint of steel and determination in a duel.I personally prefer my regencies without the blatant overt sensuality that seems to be the norm. I have been a reader of Ms Laurens for a long time before she became world famous with her 'bar cynster' series, she wrote books like 'four in hand' and others. And she wrote them very well without the sexual scenes so many authors write in to sell their books. They are not true regencies. I mean, do we really need to be voyeurs to these characters?
A romp with wit, humour, and memorable characters is my idea of a good regency read. ...

Rating:
Summary: A glowing, feel good read
Review: Antonia Mannering knows what she wants. She wants to be a wife. At 24, she's had 8 years to think about it, while effectively cloistered away with her grief-stricken mother and much younger brother. Now, following her mothers death and their year of mourning, Antonia is ready to put her plan in action. Further, she wants to be the wife of her childhood friend, Lord Philip Ruthven, whom she `objectively' considers to be in need of a wife. Antonia knows what is expected of a society wife, and has every intention of being a comfortable wife, one that fits well within the boundaries of their mutual station, one who knows what is expected of her and conforms to them nicely. That's the plan. Until at last Philip and Antonia meet again, and everything begins NOT to work to plan.

This is a glowing, feel good read. The feeling that these two have for each other is established early on, at least for the reader. Each is very honest with the other - they have been friends forever, after all. Yet somehow neither understands what the other thinks about marriage, specifically their own planned marriage. Philip has a well deserved reputation with women, but even Antonia, eight years removed from his circle, knows how he needs a wife. A fact that Philip himself has only recently discovered, following the example of his friends the Lester's. Each is no young, green thing, their maturity in temperament, even as they are occasionally adrift in confusion, is obvious. Comic moments are sprinkled throughout the book with Laurens customary light yet deft touch. Sometimes it is the conversations the two have, sometimes a bit of physical comedy, sometimes that Antonia and Philip are talking at cross purposes. There are some very poignant moments too - when Antonia discovers she may not be able to be a comfortable wife, after all, for example.

There are no hidden subplots here - the romance between the two and how they sort out their unconventional conventional marriage is the focus of the story. It deserves to be - both these individuals are admirable in themselves and a true force combined. The passion is there, but it is not a sensual tale - they do not consummate their relationship other until close to the end, so if you're looking for a spicy tale, this isn't it. What it is a warm, truly Romantic tale with a capital R.

Rating:
Summary: A glowing, feel good read
Review: Antonia Mannering knows what she wants. She wants to be a wife. At 24, she's had 8 years to think about it, while effectively cloistered away with her grief-stricken mother and much younger brother. Now, following her mothers death and their year of mourning, Antonia is ready to put her plan in action. Further, she wants to be the wife of her childhood friend, Lord Philip Ruthven, whom she 'objectively' considers to be in need of a wife. Antonia knows what is expected of a society wife, and has every intention of being a comfortable wife, one that fits well within the boundaries of their mutual station, one who knows what is expected of her and conforms to them nicely. That's the plan. Until at last Philip and Antonia meet again, and everything begins NOT to work to plan.

This is a glowing, feel good read. The feeling that these two have for each other is established early on, at least for the reader. Each is very honest with the other - they have been friends forever, after all. Yet somehow neither understands what the other thinks about marriage, specifically their own planned marriage. Philip has a well deserved reputation with women, but even Antonia, eight years removed from his circle, knows how he needs a wife. A fact that Philip himself has only recently discovered, following the example of his friends the Lester's. Each is no young, green thing, their maturity in temperament, even as they are occasionally adrift in confusion, is obvious. Comic moments are sprinkled throughout the book with Laurens customary light yet deft touch. Sometimes it is the conversations the two have, sometimes a bit of physical comedy, sometimes that Antonia and Philip are talking at cross purposes. There are some very poignant moments too - when Antonia discovers she may not be able to be a comfortable wife, after all, for example.

There are no hidden subplots here - the romance between the two and how they sort out their unconventional conventional marriage is the focus of the story. It deserves to be - both these individuals are admirable in themselves and a true force combined. The passion is there, but it is not a sensual tale - they do not consummate their relationship other until close to the end, so if you're looking for a spicy tale, this isn't it. What it is a warm, truly Romantic tale with a capital R.

Rating:
Summary: A Comfortable Wife - too comfortable - enough to be a yawn!
Review: As an avid Stephanie Laurens reader - this book was just not up to par with her other books. I loved her Cynstar series books, but I really had to struggle to finish this one, and when I did I was disappointed. If you love her other books - I suggest that you pass this one - it is not up to the Lauren's style of sensual storylines with well-thought out characters.

Rating:
Summary: what a sad and boring mess
Review: I don't understand what happened here. I love this writer's books (at least I've really liked all the Bar Cynster books), and this one just didn't measure up. The story was flat. The characters were boring, and the romance almost non-existent. Even the writing wasn't up to her usual standards (several time I was extremely distracted by the repetitive use of the same word two or three times in a single paragraph-and I'm not talking about "the" or "and"). I just hope the next Bar Cynster novel is up to snuff, because if it's not, it will break my heart.

Rating:
Summary: Worst Laurens Book EVER
Review: I have read all of Ms. Lauren's book, and this was far and away the most boring. As one of the other reviewers noted - yes, it is more like a "Classical" Regency novel. In other words ... it's a snooze-fest.

Rating:
Summary: Worst Laurens Book EVER
Review: I have read all of Ms. Lauren's book, and this was far and away the most boring. As one of the other reviewers noted - yes, it is more like a "Classical" Regency novel. In other words ... it's a snooze-fest.

Rating:
Summary: A Comfortable Read
Review: I have read all of Stephanie Laurens novels - Devils's Bride being my favorrite - This story of Lord Philip Ruthven and Antonia was a pleasant read although not quite as exciting and sensual as others she has written. Antonia has always loved Philip with a great passion and her feelings are kept subdued based partly upon 'advice' from her mother.

Her mother's immense grief over losing her husband - a love match - made her bitter and she warned Antonia to guard herself from having her heart broken - never fall in love - have a comfortable arrangement. Thank God, Antonia didn't quite listen!

Again, her cast of supporting characters, are wonderful, especially the irreverant butler. A very good read, but not my favorite which is the 'Devil's Bride'.

Rating:
Summary: not up to her cynster par
Review: I have yet to finish this book. It is slow and I don't really feel like there is any passion between the two main characters. Her bar cynster series is much more riveting.

Rating:
Summary: Snooze
Review: I love Stephanie Laurens and have read every single book she's put out. This one, however, was a big disappointment. There didn't seem to be a plot. She wants to marry him, he wants to marry her. She wants to wait until after the Little Season. He agrees. That's it. They go to parties and he's proud of the way she handles herself, she feels she can make him a good wife and at the end, they're in love. I just saved you reading the book, aren't I helpful?
But please, read all of her other books!!