The Perfect Lover (Cynster series) Mass Market Paperback – February 24, 2004

Great story and plot. Stephanie Laurens is a one of the great writers of period pieces. I read this book, at least 10 years ago and it still holds your attention and takes you along an adventure. I highly recommend this book. What a delight to find the appeal is still quite strong

He’d lost the thread. “How so?” “She informed me that wanting children, while a perfectly acceptable reason to bring one to consider marriage, was not of itself a sufficiently good reason to marry. However, she assured me that if I kept looking—considering gentlemen to marry—the right reason would eventually present itself.” He twined his fingers with hers. “And has it?” She met his eyes, her smile serene. “Yes. I love you, and you love me. Lady O is, as always, right—no other reason will do.” He drew her into his arms, felt their bodies react the instant they touched, not just sexually but with a deeper, more comforting familiarity. He gloried in the feeling, gloried in her as she draped her arms over his shoulders, as between his hands, he felt her supple strength, in her dark eyes saw an intellect every bit the equal of his. “It won’t be easy.” “Assuredly not—I refuse to promise to be a comfortable wife.” His lips twitched. “You’re quite comfortable enough—‘obedient’ is the word you want, or ‘acquiescent’—you’ve never been either.” “Nonsense—I am when it suits me.” “Therein lies the rub.” “I’m not going to change.” He looked into her eyes. “I don’t want you to. If you can accept that I’m similiarly unlikely to change, we can go on from there.” Portia smiled. Theirs would not be the marriage she’d wanted; it would be the marriage she needed. “Despite all prior experience, we’ve managed remarkably well so far. If we try, do you think we could make this last a lifetime?” “With both of us trying, it’ll last.” He paused, then added, “We have the right reasons, after all.” “Indubitably.” She drew his lips to hers. “I’m starting to believe that love can indeed conqueror all.” He paused, their lips separated by a breath. “Even us?” She made a frustrated sound. “You, me—us. Now kiss me.” Simon smiled. And did. He’d reached the end of his journey and found all he’d been seeking; in her arms, he’d found his true goal.

My rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.This book is well-written, because Stephanie Laurens is a talented writer. I read it several years ago, but recently decided to re-read the entire Cynster series, since I had enjoyed them all. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I still like this book -- maybe not quite as much as the first read, but I still liked it a lot.Simon was OK, but it seemed like he was mostly in lust, not love -- especially at first. It also irritated me that he was so controlling, and had to work really hard to let Portia be herself. But I did appreciate that he at least tried to resist controlling her.I liked Portia, but thought she did a few stupid things that put her in danger. She should not have resisted Simon's protection so much. I get that she didn't want to be confined/controlled, but someone was trying to kill her -- so she needed to be protected for her own safety.I did wish that this book had included an epilogue, maybe a few months later, or at least covering their wedding. It seemed like it ended a little too abruptly.My rating system is below.1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.

To society Simon Cynster has it all - wealth, power, good looks and his sensual allure attracts the more sophisticated ladies interested in pleasure. Yet despite all this Simon knows there is something or rather someone missing from his life. His 6 older cousins, his two sisters and his two best friends have all found that special someone. With this in mind he attends a houseparty at Glossup Hall to discreetly begin his search. To his surprise he encounters Portia Ashford, younger sister of his brother-in-law Luke, who he has known since childhood and someone who has always managed to rub him up the wrong way. Portia, a beautiful, intelligent and highly independent young lady has always said she was not interested in marriage but like Simon feels she is missing that special someone in her life and has decided to use the house party to look for a suitable gentleman. One unexpected and heated kiss soon have Portia and Simon looking at each other and while they begin to explore this new relationship a shocking murder is committed and Portia seems to be next on the list. While trying to keep Portia safe, Simon realises that he has found in her his perfect lover and wife. Another great read from Stephanie Laurens