An Irresistible Alliance (Cynsters Next Generation) (Volume 5)

This book picks up largely where the previous one left off. While I understand that as the second book in a series, there needs to be some recapping of what has come before, this felt like it covered the same ground a lot more times than was really necessary. I enjoyed meeting both Michael and Cleo and seeing them in action, but I’m not sure I ever got the chance to fully invest in their romance. I appreciate that the books about Devil’s brood have corrected the problems, as I saw them, with the mystery presented in the earlier books about this new generation of Cynster’s, but now they’ve gone somewhat to the other extreme with a fully-fleshed intrigue and only a bare-bones romance. I was desperately hoping for a story that did both well. If nothing else, I’m looking forward to the third book to see how everything wraps up.

Not entirely successful novel about the new generation of Cynster. There is a huge potential for writing novels of this series, but it is only used by 25%, it seems that the author does not know the content of previous books. Where there is no title, it is appropriated by Richard Lord Cynster (THE TEMPTING OF THOMAS CARRICK), when Geoffrey Cranmer should be Baron Cranmer, he's just Mr Geoffrey Cranmer. The age of the heroes, too, is not taken into account, although Helena Dowager Duchess of St. Ives and Therese Lady Osbaldestone in 1850 should be 90 years old. In earlier novels, the color of the eyes of Lord Michael Cynster is gray or like that of his mother Honoria Duchess of St. Ives are gray-blue, here his eyes are brown.

An Irresistible Alliance is the second in the trilogy of Devil and Honoria's children. This is Michael and Lady Cleome Hendon's story. The drama, intrigue, suspense and love continue as Michael and Cleo work together to locate 10 barrels of gunpowder that has been transported to London for unknown nefarious reasons. During their investigation, Michael learns that Cleo is like no other lady that he has met and now finds that he has found his other half. Cleo isn't sure she wants to give up the independence that she has worked so hard to obtain, but the chemistry between her and Michael is so intense that neither cannot deny it. I loved this story and am anxiously awaiting the conclusion.

Love reading about the Cynster family!! Stephanie Laurens is an author that writes a story that is hard to put down. This series she has involved the children of other families that are friends of the Cynster's. Cleo Hendon's parents are part of this group. I would recommend any of Ms. Laurens books.