A Secret Love (Cynster Book 5)

My first Stephanie Laurens book was "Devil's bride" which I loved, then I read two other Cynster which left me wondering whether any other member of the family would ever compare to Devil.. I was ready to give up and move on when the star rating and reviews for this book made me give the Cynsters AND Laurens one last chance; needless to say I am glad I did, Gabriel/ Rupert is as strong a character as Devil and Thea is, IMHO, a less exasperating character than Honoria. Well done.

I liked this story. I liked their transformation from lifetime acquaintances to lovers. I loved it when they made love for the first time. I loved his frustration when he didn't know who 'the countess' was. Well, the story about the document was stupid and boring (I mean, was her father really such an incompetent idiot??), but well, they had to get together somehow. And the love story was beautiful. I recommend this one!!

I was first introduced to Stephanie Laurens when I read On a Wild Night and couldn't put it down. In the front of that book is a family tree with a list of the of Cynster books. So I ordered the whole set and loved them all but Gabriel's story was the most touching. Thea is an old friend of the family that was the playmates of Gabriel and Lucifer. She gives up her debut into the ton to save her family and 11 years later must do so again. But instead of asking Gabriel for help she dons a disguise so Gabriel won't know its her. She thinks that they despise each other because of the feelings they both experience when they are together but as the Countess she can explore her feelings for Gabriel. So Gabriel agrees to helpthe Countess find out information on the East African Company her father promises the family fortune to. Gabriel is bound and determined to marry his countess if he can figure out who she is. Once he relizes its Thea he is angry and hurt because she didn't trust him to help her without the disguise. Thea is very level headed with her explaination and Gabriel continues to help her. As the book reaches its climax Gabriel is bound and determined to stake his claim on Thea (so she never has to again wear those ugly spinster caps he hates), but she is good friends with Gabriel's mother so she knows all of the Cynster tricks about how they declare themselves. So Gabriel must come up with another way. His way is so romantic he makes your heart melt. I love the Cynster family and Gabriel is the most lovable because he and Thea always loved each other and didn't know it.

I believe that Alathea and Gabriel's story is probably the most moving of the Cynster series. The heroine's self sacrifice is really out of the ordinary; her self denial is to cry for. The hero really rescues her and boosts her self esteem. I love it. The plot works wonderfully.

I enjoyed the first books of the Cynster series, but the major problem I have with this book and with following books that Ms. Laurens writes is that they basically have all the same plot. It doesn't help that most of the Cynster men are all the same. They all refuse to fall in love, they all do, and they all have to convince the girl to marry them. For the first few books this type of plot makes a fun read, but after the first few it wears thin. I would highly recommend Devil's Bride, it's the best in the series.

A Secret Love (Cynster Novels) The Fifth Cynster is a love well worth waiting for. The liaison's leading up to having your heart and soul shackled are so intense you'll beg for mercy, but you won't get it. This man named "Gabriel" is as far from a saint as he can be. When it comes to passion and desire he reaches down into the pit of your stomach and stays there. Now, take a deep breath and learn "All About Love" next.

Another of the Bar Cynster bites the dust and just as reluctantly as his predecessors (but they sure seem happy once they give in to love!) This is Gabriel's story, but all of the other characters from the previous books show up as well. Gabriel meets with a mysterious countess, who obviously has studied him and his family. She know what buttons to push. Because he is bored and she (and her problem) intrigues him he agrees to help. But she must pay in kisses. Readers of Laurens other books will know where that leads! As with her previous books, both male and female protagonists are confident and stubborn indiviuals, used to protecting their own. Laurens makes the compromises realistic - no wimpy ladies here! I recommend this book if you like humor, intelligent characters and plenty of sensuality.

Stephanie Laurens has written an excellent tale that fits in well with the Cynster series and also stands alone as a wonderful example of romance writing. Similar to the Mallory series by Johanna Lindsey, past characters keep popping up to the delight and satisfaction of this reader. The chemistry and scenes between Gabriel and Alathea were hot! But the sexy scenes are tempered with the emotional ones which makes their relationship more believable. The best book in this series so far is "Devil's Bride", however, this book ran a very close second and I look forward to the future books in the series. One of the best romances I have read this year!

I enjoy all of Stepahine Laurens' books, and this was no exception. It was fun to read, and for those of you following the series...it leaves you anxiously awaiting the next installment. If you enjoy reading Regency books, and have missed the Cynster family series, buy them all any look forward to a marathon read!

This book was wonderful. Just like ll her other books. One of the best new writers that I have read.All of the Cynster books are great.When I read Devil's Bride I just couldn't wait for the next book.She is a very hot and steamy writer just like I like them.Robin Schone is also my favorite.I just love to read,and the authur's today know how the create a sexy scene that is so sweet and steamy that it just takes my breath away.

A SECRET LOVE was one of the best Cynster books... It was Gabriel and Althea's story... it was sweet, and very interesting... They made a very compatable pair, and I love the whole masquerade thing... it was a very enjoyable book, one that I can re-read over and over again.

I loved these two characters, and felt like they truly did belong together. I connected with Alathea instantly. Gabriel was a wonderful hero. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it kind of got boring in some parts.

This was my first Stephanie Laurens book. I'm ashamed to say that I picked it up quite by chance at the local library sale... but that was three months ago. I now own all the books in the Bar Cynster series, and this particular one holds a special place in my heart.
Ms. Laurens has not disappointed. She has - time and again - managed to weave her storytelling spell over her readers until they are hooked to the point of no return!
This is a good read, and I would recommend this to all.

"A Secret Love" is an absolutely wonderful book. It's sensual, romantic and my favorite book out of the Bar Cynster series. In fact, it's my favorite in my whole book collection. Rupert Cynster, more commonly known as Gabriel, is totally my ideal man: handsome, passionate, and protective of those he loves. Alathea Morwellan is a beautiful woman, who gave up her dreams of marriage and a family to help her family out of financial crisis. The story of these two soon-to-be lovers is magical. I highly recommend reading this book, as well as the rest of the Bar Cynster series

I was a little disappointed in this book. I really have liked all the Cynster books so far but this one didn't pull me in like the others. It was a bit slow. The development of the characters was OK but I didn't feel the characters were as good as some of the characters in the other books. A fair historical romance.

I love the Cynster series, and this is another great addition to it. I loved the idea that the hero and heroine had know each other their whole lives, but they never realized they were attracted to each other untill the hero had no idea who the heroine was. Great story!

While the first four books of the Bar Cynster Series had me rolling on the floor laughing with dry wit and humor, I found that lacking in her latest addition. It was still a very captivating book and I throughly enjoyed it but I do love to laugh when reading and until now I figured Stephanie Laurens would be the next Judy Garwood with the humor in her stories. I would still recommend this to anyone and especially if you have been following the Bar Cynster series. I eagerly await her next book in the series.

One of my least favorite Laurens books. I simply find it too unbelievable. Gabriel Cynster has a relationship with Alathea, who poses as a veiled Countess in order to hide her identity from him. Even though they grew up together, and she's nearly six-feet tall, a rarity for the time, and even though he makes love to her several times, he still doesn't know who she is until deep into the story. Though the writing is good, which is why I'm giving it thee stars, the premise is simply too far-fetched even for a romance novel. I couldn't take the story serious enough to get into it.

While reading any of Stephanie Laurens' books the time flies by, and then you wonder were the time has gone and you really want to read more in the lives of the Bar Cynster group. How could six males be so similar, yet be so different.

As all Stephanie Laurens books, this is riddled with intrigue, but has a nice balance of romance as well. To me, its interesting that Gabriel Cynster finds his "one true love" has been right under his nose all of his life as a childhood friend.