The Time for Love

The Cynster Next Generation Series, Book 12

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Matthew Brenher

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens explores what happens when a gentleman intent on acquiring a business meets the unconventional lady owner, only to discover that she is not the biggest or the most lethal hurdle they and the business face.

Martin Cynster arrives at Carmichael Steelworks set on acquiring the business as the jewel in his industrialist’s crown, only to discover that the lady owner is not at all what he expected.

Miss Sophia Carmichael learned about steelmaking at her father’s knee and, having inherited the major shareholding, sees no reason not to continue exactly as she is—running the steelworks and steadily becoming an expert in steel alloys. When Martin Cynster tracks her down, she has no option but to listen to his offer—until impending disaster on the steelworks floor interrupts.

Consequently, she tries to dismiss Martin, but he is persistent, and as he has now saved her life, gratitude compels her to hear him out. And day by day, as his understanding of her and the works grows, what he offers grows increasingly tempting, until a merger, both business-wise and personal, is very much on their cards.

But a series of ever-escalating incidents makes it clear someone else has an eye on the steelworks. The quest to learn who and why leads Martin and Sophia into ever greater danger as, layer by layer, they uncover a diabolical scheme that, ultimately, will drain the lifeblood not just from the steelworks but from the city of Sheffield as well.

©2022 Savdek Management Proprietary Limited (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Not up to her usual standards

First of all, Matthew Brenher reads so slowly I had to pick up speed on the recording to 1.2. That was just about right. He also doesn’t do women’s voices as well, they all sound like Daisy Duck. He doesn’t even do good mens’ voices like Cornelius Garrett or Simon Prebble. I challenge Ms Laurens to write a book without using the words glory, mentally (“gird up his loins”). On the one hand, I wanted to hear more about the rest of the Cynsters, but on the other, given the date, I didn’t want to hear about the demise of the Bar Cynster.
I’ve read everything she has written at least once, some of the first generation books definitely had more sizzle, but I wasn’t going to miss this one.

Interesting Story

Very interesting story, male voices OK but narrator doing female voices was offputting - they were too namby pamby, not the voice of a strong intelligent woman.

A happy ending for everyone.

I especially liked that the encounter with the chief villain in this story had positive results. I assume that a sequel expanding this ending will be forthcoming, if it isn’t already accomplished. Looking forward to that story.

Not as good as most Lauren books

Mostly a detective novel, not much romance or any dynamic relationship between the two main characters. I hate it when the male characters knows immediately they want to marry the female just because she is so beautiful. A lot of industrial and steel manufacturing detail in beginning that was boring. Ending was interesting. My advice: Skip it!