Tangled Reins

I believe this is the first Regency Romance that Stephanie Laurens wrote. It is most enjoyable and very much in the traditional, Georgette Heyer format. I believe some reviewers believe the storyline isn't 'original'. But I feel that she is true to the originals and is an original herself, and that other, later writers have derived their stories and characters from her.Dorothea was a delightful and strong willed heroine. Marc Henry, Marquess of Hazelmere, was a charming rake who was tiring of the batchelor life. This is gentle tale of their courtship, with all the ups and downs and tangles. Add in her very young, but also determined, sister Cecily and her admirer, Tom Fanshawe, not to mention the Marquess's delightful cousin, Ferdie, and there is a good mix to keep the reader going.I am a traditionalist when it comes to this genre of stories, and I also prefer good writing, and lack of words such as 'gotten' in the midst of a Regency gentleman's speech. It should be no surprise, then, that I really enjoyed this and thoroughly recommend it. I know I will be re-reading it again soon.

Fantastic readIf you love Regency this is for you

A story of two sisters, the older taking the main tale with a sub story of the younger sister.It has many twists and turns, by one of my favourite authors.

One of Stephanie’s early books. Definitely a long drawn out predictable tale a bit slow and tedious for the first half. H&H both well developed attractive equally charismatic characters. Dorothea a delightful and strong willed heroine whilst Marc Henry, Marquess of Hazelmere, a charming but high handed persuasive rake who tiring of the bachelor life was delighted to have found his prerequisite bride so easily. He, however, underestimated her determination to ensure that the marriage would happen on her terms. This tale of their courtship, with all the ups and downs misunderstandings and tangles, was told with sound understanding of the strictures Regency society. The storyline was too drawn out . Dorothea was at times too cool for school, irrational and irritating . Add in her very young, determined sister, Cecily spoilt and immature. I’m not sure how at 16 she managed to attract her admirer, Tom Fanshawe, Marc Henry’s close friend. A bit too convenient as a back story however many characters introduced including the Marquess's delightful cousin, Ferdie, a group of supporting characters all dedicated, loyal, together with the prerequisite baddies, enhanced a rather superficial story.

Strong story, characters well drawn,I love all Stephanie Laurens books . Thanks mum, a brilliant find. Worth re-reading.Great for anyone who loves regency period novels.Dare I confess to having a bookcase full of her paperbacks, almost worn out but far from ready to recycle.☺

This is one of Stephanie Laurens earlier books, before she started writing her longer adventure books. Easy to read to while away a few hours while on holiday. Very enjoyable.

Stephanie Laurens is my light relief reading.It is not literature,but she writes well.The heroes are very much to my taste,and I enjoy the erotic episodes.The historical drama,horses,costumes,social detail ,are well sketched.There is always a heroes& villains,will she or won't she,story,sufficiently different to entertain.I always have one by me for long journeys,or wet days.

I liked this book readable good characters and a good story

I really liked it but I usually like more romance and some sexy parts would have been nice

Highly recommend this book

Another well written book by Stephanie Laurens. Unlike a lot of authors, she joins Jude Deveraux, Alex Hailey, Ian Fleming, Richard Castle, and Tom Clancy, in writing books that put you into the scene. AND more importantly, does NOT conclude multiple plot lines with 1 or 2 sentences in a few page last chapter. That is a rare talent seldom mastered by authors.

This is a good Regency romance, because Stephanie Laurens books are always good. That said, this one is a re-release of one of her early books -- and it is not as good as her later books (like anything in the Cynster series, all of which are fantastic). This book, probably because it is one of her earlier works, is quite tame, with no explicit love scenes at all and only a very light mystery element. And that is nothing like her later books.This book is much more typical of Regency romances written some time ago -- the characters attend lots of society events, which means there is much time spent on their clothes, and the strict manners/behavior expected of them. It doesn't have any of the steamy scenes found in Laurens' later books. It also doesn't have any of the strong, independent women found in her later books, who know how to get their men to do what they want, and don't hesitate to rebel at society rules. The women in this book, while intelligent, put up a token resistance to the control of men -- but end up falling into line with what their men want.So, while I did enjoy this book, I prefer Laurens' more recent works. This book is entertaining and well-written. If you are looking for a typical Regency romance, with no explicit love scenes -- this is a good choice.

Ive read all her books and for the first time I just knew what was happening before it did, Too predictable, lost the old spark.