The Beguilement of Lady Eustacia Cavanaugh

The Cavanaughs, Book 3

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Justin Hill

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Number one New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens continues the bold tales of the Cavanaugh siblings as the sole Cavanaugh sister discovers that love truly does conquer all.

A lady with a passion for music and the maestro she challenges in pursuit of a worthy cause find themselves battling villains both past and present as they fight to secure life’s greatest rewards - love, marriage, and family.

Stacie - Lady Eustacia Cavanaugh - is adamant marriage is not for her. Wealthy and well-born, she needs for nothing, and with marriage off the table, to give her life purpose, she embarks on a plan to further the careers of emerging local musicians by introducing them to the ton via a series of musical evenings. Yet despite her noble status, Stacie requires a musical lure to tempt the haut ton to her events, and only one musician commands sufficient cachet - the reclusive and notoriously reluctant Marquess of Albury.

Frederick, Marquess of Albury, has fashioned a life for himself as a musical scholar, one he pursues largely out of sight of the ton. He might be renowned as a virtuoso on the pianoforte, yet he sees no reason to endure the smothering overattentiveness of society. Then his mother inveigles him into meeting Stacie, and the challenge she lays before him is...tempting. Enough for him not to immediately refuse her.

A dance of subtle persuasion ensues, and step by step, Frederick finds himself convinced that Stacie’s plan has real merit and that it behooves him to support her. At least for one event.

Stacie’s first musical evening, featuring Frederick as the principal performer, is a massive success - until Fate takes a hand and lands them in a situation that forces them both to reassess.

Does Frederick want more than the sterile, academic life he’d thought was for him?

Can Stacie overcome her deepest fears and own to and reach for her girlhood dreams?

Impulsive, arrogant, and used to getting his own way, Frederick finds his answer easily enough, but his new direction puts him on a collision course with Stacie’s fears. Luckily, he thrives on challenges - which is just as well, because in addition to convincing Stacie that love can, indeed, conquer all, he and she must unravel the mystery of who is behind a spate of murderous attacks before the villain succeeds in eliminating all hope of a happy ending.

©2019 Stephanie Laurens (P)2019 Stephanie Laurens

Truly awful reader

I could not get past Chapter 2 on account of the reader. I have his name and will never again purchase a book read by him.

What a surprise

Who would have thought that such a delightful romance mystery or mystery romance could be so successfully narrated by a man? Justin Hill is an accomplished surprise, an actor I will look forward to hearing perform many books to come. Bravo Audible, you knocked this one out of the park!

Another perfect book!

This lighthearted regency romance is part of a series, but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. What I liked about this book is that it was believable. It wasn’t another Duke falls in love with the scullery maid book. That just suspends my disbelief a little TOO far. These people were in the same class, but they had emotional scars. Oh.... and someone is trying to kill them. Yeah.., there’s that.
Needless to say, it’s a great book with just the right amount of tension. And the narrator is perfection. I rarely give 5 stars but Ms Laurens deserves them. Her stories are fun and the quality of her writing is a dream. Thank you Stephanie!!

Fresh focus

All three of the Cavanaugh books have a different important focus in addition to the love story. This one's is music and musician's. I enjoy the fact that the characters are doing something with their lives.

Good narrator; good story

Stephanie Laurens works better for me in audio. When reading, I'm distracted by her wordiness. Justin Hill's narration fixed that problem. This audiobook was free via Audible Plus; the rest of the series cost $$, but I may try them someday.

Slow at first

It was slow on the beginning but quickly became better. Excellent story. The reader did a good job.

I wanted more

It's unusal to say this, but I wanted to see a bit of a sub-plot before the villain was revealed because it was so good. As usual a solid relaxing story with characters who are not one dimensional.

My review

I love Stephanie Lauren’s books although this one is not the best but it does finish out the story from the previous book. The plot is very slow and not very interesting like all the other books. Not as much excitement.

It’s a perfect story

It has the progression of a beautiful song. A balance in the characters and the development of their life’s and relationships.
Narrator was awesome!

Better

This is the 3rd in the series and even better than the first two. I loved it even though it made me cry

more cartland than heyer

OKish for easy listening, but unfortunately (in my view) more Cartland in execution than Heyer. Lacks the humour and adds some rather dubious oversharing of feelings.

heartwarming

beautifully read heartwarming story of love and romance. thoroughly enjoyed the entire volume and the performance

Enjoyable listen

It’s a lengthy novel and narrators are good. The ending was well plotted out and I’m off to look for final in series!

The best book of the series

Loved this book.An ode to love.It was focused on the relations of the heroes which the 2 first books lacked. It is breathtaking to witness the power of love.

Another great story by Stephanie Laurens!

Really enjoyed listening to this book it was a lovely story beautifully written. I loved the role music played in both hero and heroine's lives. The narration was excellent. The voice was deep and resonating! Great performance!
Definitely one to keep in my Audio Library!

So many errors, but there was worse

Yet again too many historical errors, the worst was the use of the phrase 'going forward' - ouch.
But the description of the wedding night deserved the bad sex award and appeared to have been written by a man who knew nothing of virgin regency ladies.

Laborious

The narrator was better than the tedious story. The characters are too clever, too nice, too beautiful. There's also a distinct lack of humour.

lovely story

great narrator reading a good story.
stephanie Laurens never fails to provide entertainment.
the subject this this time of music is fascinating.

great book

loved this 3rd novel in the Cavanaughs series. the pacing and the plot were good and yes, the writer put a nice spin on it.

I loved the Cavanaughs

This Eustacia’s story rounded out the aftermath of the Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh, after the blighting affect their had reaped upon then. I look forward to Godfrey’s story.