• The Truth About Love

  • The Cynster Novels, Book 12
  • By: Stephanie Laurens
  • Narrated by: Matthew Brenher
  • Length: 16 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (281 ratings)

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The Truth About Love  By  cover art

The Truth About Love

By: Stephanie Laurens
Narrated by: Matthew Brenher
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Publisher's summary

Bold, passionate, and possessive, the Cynster men let nothing stand in their way when it comes to claiming the women of their hearts. Gerrard Debbington, Vane Cynster's brother-in-law, is one of London's most eligible gentlemen. Uninterested in marriage, his driving passion is to paint the fabled gardens of Lord Tregonning's Hellebore Hall, an opportunity that is now at hand - if Gerrard agrees to create an honest portrait of Tregonning's daughter as well.

Gerrard chafes at wasting his talents on some simpering miss, only to discover that Jacqueline Tregonning stirs him as no other. Certainly, she is beautiful, but it is her passionate nature that strikes sparks with Gerrard's own, igniting desire, sweeping them into each other's arms, and convincing Gerrard that he has found his ideal soul mate - the lady he must have as his wife.

But something is horribly wrong at Hellebore Hall. Evil and lies are reaching out to ensnare Jacqueline, and Gerrard will have to move heaven and earth to protect the remarkable woman who, for him, personifies the truth about love.

©2016 Stephanie Laurens (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Truth About Love

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I totally miss Simon Prebble

This will probably be my last Cynster(audio book) novel. I have listened to the last 11 books in this series and thought that since I liked the series I could tolerate the new narrator. I was wrong. I found myself replying it often to keep up. After a person listens to the voices of characters, it's difficult to keep up with the changes. Don't get me wrong. I think the narrator is an okay listen, but he's no Simon Prebble. As far as the story goes, it was just okay. The author is a fantastic storyteller. The book is well written and I found that the mystery was unforseen.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Dreadful narrator

This guy has no business reading a romance novel. He reads like it's a cookbook. Needs to take lessons from the master, Simon Prebble.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Felt like listening to a documentary

This narrator does not make me feel anything It feels like he is a fact reader. I missed Simon Prebble he made you feel every word. And honestly if I have to hear this guy say portrait one more time I’m going to cry

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story TERRIBLE narrator

Sigh. I hate to bash anyone's work, but ugh what a TERRIBLE narration. Not only were his various character voices horrible, but the tender love scenes SL is known for sounded like he was reading the phone book...or a dictionary. No life and absolutely NO passion. All I can say is I managed to finish just to continue the story line, but if you are just looking for a one off read...DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. Where are Simon Prebble and or Rosalyn Landor when you need them!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Picture-painting worth a thousand rumors

Date: 1831 June
Chronology: set after The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae; before What Price Love?

Antecedents: We first meet Gerard Debbington in A RAKE’S VOW when his sister Patience meets and marries Vane aka Spencer Cynster. He also has a supporting role in A SECRET LOVE when he helps Gabriel aka Rupert Cynster trap a swindler for Alathea Morwellan.

I love the series and there’s much about this book I do like, like the gardens and the mystery, but it’s the one that makes the least sense to me. Gerard Debbington’s painting of Jacqueline Tregonning will be so revealing and expose her character so clearly that all will know her innocence. Huh?
But it is excellent at making you feel the mystery and menace in the situation. And the mutual interest between Gerard and Jacqueline holds a fascination as it develops.
It’s also a joy to visit with Vane, Patience and their now four children: Christopher, Gregory, Therese, and Martin. And I really like Barnaby Adair being added to the cast of Cynster characters.
Brenher does a good job of narration but is still a little weak on female characters.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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I want my Simon Prebble!

I have been reading the Cynster series in order, and didn’t want to skip one. In spite of it being a different narrator I went for it. He’s not too bad with voices, but oh my goodness, the love scenes… He could’ve been reading from an IKEA catalog. I think Stephanie needs to get a thesaurus, and figure out some new words instead of constantly using “blatantly” and “evocative.” I was shocked that she resurrected aunt Clara from the dead, as she had died in the previous novel. Oops. Maybe they were numbered wrong? If this is your first novel by Stephanie Laurens, take heart! They get better and better when you get Simon. Looking forward to the next one.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I would pay for Prebble

I paid for the book before this one. It had Simon Prebble as an option and someone else. I paid for Prebble. Please please let Prebble redo the rest of the cynsters. This narrator is not the worst but just is not good enough. He makes the stories boring and tedious. Very very sad.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Love this author but couldn’t finish the book

Could not finish this book, reader was just so painful to listen to. I’m sorry, it’s unfair to the writer but there it is.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Mediocre narrator of Cynster saga

The narrator of this story is a little dry. Simon Prebble is over the top but I prefer it to Matthew Brenher. He is on the boring side. I found my mind wandering. Over all the story is good. Love Aunt Minnie and Timms and glad they are in the story.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Narration was subpar

The series has been very enjoyable up to this point for a couple of main reasons: 1) good story with entertaining characters, and 2) good narration (pleasing voices). In this audible book the narration grated on my senses and was somewhat off putting. I labored to finish and to resist the urge to skip along.

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