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A Lady of Expectations and Other Stories
A Lady of Expectations
Jack Lester seeks the perfect bride—one who is attractive and kind, but who also loves him in spite of his wealth. Which is why he keeps this trifling detail hidden. But when Sophie Winterton enters his life, believing he must marry into wealth to run his family's estate, how will he convince her that she is the woman he desires—and that he can be the husband she deserves?
Secrets of a Courtesan
Eve Nightingale thought she had put her past as mistress to the Duke of Welburn behind her. But when the handsome duke strolls into her small village, she finds it hard to keep her secrets concealed…and to keep her heart from stirring for him once again.
How to Woo a Spinster
Still unmarried at twenty-eight, Lady Emmaline Daughtry has resigned herself to spinsterhood. Then Captain John Alistair arrives at her door—the very image of the perfect lover of her most private dreams. But can a man with a secret and a woman who's never known love find happiness together?
Jack Lester seeks the perfect bride—one who is attractive and kind, but who also loves him in spite of his wealth. Which is why he keeps this trifling detail hidden. But when Sophie Winterton enters his life, believing he must marry into wealth to run his family's estate, how will he convince her that she is the woman he desires—and that he can be the husband she deserves?
Secrets of a Courtesan
Eve Nightingale thought she had put her past as mistress to the Duke of Welburn behind her. But when the handsome duke strolls into her small village, she finds it hard to keep her secrets concealed…and to keep her heart from stirring for him once again.
How to Woo a Spinster
Still unmarried at twenty-eight, Lady Emmaline Daughtry has resigned herself to spinsterhood. Then Captain John Alistair arrives at her door—the very image of the perfect lover of her most private dreams. But can a man with a secret and a woman who's never known love find happiness together?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
51 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
207 books5,597 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 26, 2013
No, no, and no.
A Lady of Expectations was profoundly aggravating. Jack wants Sophie, Sophie wants Jack, and the only thing keeping them apart is one Big Misunderstanding after another. I loathe one Big Misunderstanding, so to be assaulted by several in the same book always leaves me feeling a bit murderous.
And can I just say that I hate, hate, hate it when an author puts the heroine into a ridiculous situation in order for the hero to save her? I hate it. Did I mention I hate it? Jack says Sophie shouldn't be riding such a powerful horse, Sophie bristles and says she can handle it, and SURPRISE! Sophie can't handle it. I was hoping and praying that Sophie would be capable of handling the situation on her own, thus showing Jack that women aren't weak, incapable nitwits, but no. Of course Jack had to save her. (This is where the eyeroll gif would go if I were so inclined, but I don't want to waste a perfectly good gif on this terrible story).
Secrets of a Courtesan was stupid, too. Just a short story about two people who were separated for five years by, what else, lies and miscommunication.
Authors everywhere: Knock that shit off. We're tired of it.
How to Woo a Spinster was...weird. Not bad, but not particularly good. There was an element of bizarre humor I appreciated, but as it's nothing more than a short romance, there isn't much to help it stand on its own.
A Lady of Expectations was profoundly aggravating. Jack wants Sophie, Sophie wants Jack, and the only thing keeping them apart is one Big Misunderstanding after another. I loathe one Big Misunderstanding, so to be assaulted by several in the same book always leaves me feeling a bit murderous.
And can I just say that I hate, hate, hate it when an author puts the heroine into a ridiculous situation in order for the hero to save her? I hate it. Did I mention I hate it? Jack says Sophie shouldn't be riding such a powerful horse, Sophie bristles and says she can handle it, and SURPRISE! Sophie can't handle it. I was hoping and praying that Sophie would be capable of handling the situation on her own, thus showing Jack that women aren't weak, incapable nitwits, but no. Of course Jack had to save her. (This is where the eyeroll gif would go if I were so inclined, but I don't want to waste a perfectly good gif on this terrible story).
Secrets of a Courtesan was stupid, too. Just a short story about two people who were separated for five years by, what else, lies and miscommunication.
Authors everywhere: Knock that shit off. We're tired of it.
How to Woo a Spinster was...weird. Not bad, but not particularly good. There was an element of bizarre humor I appreciated, but as it's nothing more than a short romance, there isn't much to help it stand on its own.
February 23, 2018
Well, the Stephanie Laurens' book was better than I was expecting due to all the negative reviews. I found it dated and old-fashioned in the 'masterful male knows much better than the naive young innocent how to run her life' condescending trope. That is annoying, but I'm old enough to remember this used to be the way all romances were.
I did find some enjoyable touches mixed in though. I particularly enjoyed the commencement of the seduction in church. Well done! I thought to myself. You rarely see that type of thing in 'sexy' books, but this reminded me of a favorite scene in Open Season . When well done, (and while this one was not up to Howard's--one of my all time favorites ever), it was very good. This little scene showed more authorial mastery than I was expecting, kudos for that.
The rest of the book was not bad either if you can handle the dominant overbearing male aspect. Maybe because she was so young, this wasn't as annoying as it often is for me. While she stuck up for herself somewhat, at age 22, I doubt if she'd be up to his equal and able to hold her own against a much older male IRL anyway. I did find the "My Dear"ing every possible moment to be condescending and squicky, but that's my reaction present day and coming during the #Metoo movement; not when this was first published, let alone it's Regency setting. So...YMMV.
Lauren's book took up 75% of the space. The other 2 novellas are very short and share the remaining 25%. They were slight, fairly pleasant, and I'll forget their plots by tomorrow.
As to #2, I personally hate Mistress plots (no matter how much "love" they supposedly enjoy/ed), because I find that the selling of her body for money grosses me out. It's distinctly unromantic, and puts her at such a power disadvantage, that I can't get over my internal disgust. For all of that, this second novella wasn't too horrid and ended on a sweet note, but I still hate this type of story, can't turn off my internal disgust, and usually avoid. Again, YMMV. I have weird prejudices, so make up your own mind.
I really have nothing much to say about the third novella. It was short, it was painless, it was forgettable.
I did find some enjoyable touches mixed in though. I particularly enjoyed the commencement of the seduction in church. Well done! I thought to myself. You rarely see that type of thing in 'sexy' books, but this reminded me of a favorite scene in Open Season . When well done, (and while this one was not up to Howard's--one of my all time favorites ever), it was very good. This little scene showed more authorial mastery than I was expecting, kudos for that.
The rest of the book was not bad either if you can handle the dominant overbearing male aspect. Maybe because she was so young, this wasn't as annoying as it often is for me. While she stuck up for herself somewhat, at age 22, I doubt if she'd be up to his equal and able to hold her own against a much older male IRL anyway. I did find the "My Dear"ing every possible moment to be condescending and squicky, but that's my reaction present day and coming during the #Metoo movement; not when this was first published, let alone it's Regency setting. So...YMMV.
Lauren's book took up 75% of the space. The other 2 novellas are very short and share the remaining 25%. They were slight, fairly pleasant, and I'll forget their plots by tomorrow.
As to #2, I personally hate Mistress plots (no matter how much "love" they supposedly enjoy/ed), because I find that the selling of her body for money grosses me out. It's distinctly unromantic, and puts her at such a power disadvantage, that I can't get over my internal disgust. For all of that, this second novella wasn't too horrid and ended on a sweet note, but I still hate this type of story, can't turn off my internal disgust, and usually avoid. Again, YMMV. I have weird prejudices, so make up your own mind.
I really have nothing much to say about the third novella. It was short, it was painless, it was forgettable.
March 2, 2013
the first story was ok, but the second was lame, and the third I swear I've read in another compilation. so it was redundant.
November 24, 2017
When I buy a multiple author book, I expect to have those authors be given equal space. However, with this volume Stephanie Lauren's book was a full length novel and took up most of the space with 306 pages. It was good but I wanted three shorter novellas and not a full length book. I was disappointed in this. The other two books were good but short because the first book took up 3/4 of the volume. I didn't feel Stephanie's book was as good as most of the ones I have read by her. I liked the third book by Kasey Michaels the best even though it was only 56 pages. I found the characters delightful.
February 20, 2023
The first story was so boring that I can’t even remember what it was about and I just finished yesterday. The second story was just plain stupid, that would never happen, and why would somebody write such a story about such an impossible situation. The third story was a solid three and therefore I gave this anthology two stars instead of one. Skip the first two.
April 29, 2020
Terrible
September 28, 2023
I enjoyed reading.
November 27, 2019
x-rated. Laurens performs to expectations.
October 16, 2016
2 stars for one story and 5 stars for two
The first story by Stephanie Laurens was about a courtship between a lovely woman and an arrogant man. Although well written it was too long, boring, repetitive and didn't have much of a plot. The second two stories, very different from each other in tone, are well worth keeping and reading again.
The first story by Stephanie Laurens was about a courtship between a lovely woman and an arrogant man. Although well written it was too long, boring, repetitive and didn't have much of a plot. The second two stories, very different from each other in tone, are well worth keeping and reading again.
September 29, 2018
A Lady of Expectations
Jack Lester seeks the perfect bride—one who is attractive and kind, but who also loves him in spite of his wealth. Which is why he keeps this trifling detail hidden. But when Sophie Winterton enters his life, believing he must marry into wealth to run his family's estate, how will he convince her that she is the woman he desires—and that he can be the husband she deserves?
Secrets of a Courtesan
Eve Nightingale thought she had put her past as mistress to the Duke of Welburn behind her. But when the handsome duke strolls into her small village, she finds it hard to keep her secrets concealed…and to keep her heart from stirring for him once again.
How to Woo a Spinster
Still unmarried at twenty-eight, Lady Emmaline Daughtry has resigned herself to spinsterhood. Then Captain John Alistair arrives at her door—the very image of the perfect lover of her most private dreams. But can a man with a secret and a woman who's never known love find happiness together?
Review"All I need is her name on the cover to make me pick up the book."-New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard, on Stephanie Laurens
"A rising star of the Regency arena."--Publishers Weekly, on Nicola Cornick
"Kasey Michaels aims for the heart and never misses."-New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts, on Kasey Michaels
About the AuthorNew York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens originally began writing as an escape from the dry world of professional science. Her hobby quickly became a career; she has been writing historical romance novels for more than 20 years. Currently living outside Melbourne, Australia with her husband and two cats, she spends most of her days writing new stories in her signature 'Errol Flynn meets Jane Austen" style. Visit her online at www.stephanielaurens.com.
USA Today bestselling author Nicola Cornick has written over thirty historical romances for Harlequin and HQN Books. She has been nominated twice for a RWA RITA Award and twice for the UK RNA Award. She works as a historian and guide in a seventeenth century house. In 2006 she was awarded a Masters degree with distinction from Ruskin College, Oxford, where she wrote her dissertation on heroes.
USA TODAY bestselling author Kasey Michaels is the author of more than one hundred books. She has earned four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, and has won an RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award and several other commendations for her contemporary and historical novels. Kasey resides with her family in Pennsylvania. Readers may contact Kasey via her website at www.KaseyMichaels.com and find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKaseyMi....
March 4, 2017
Okay, so the "primary" story here by Stephanie Laurens, A Lady of Expectations, is boring and completely passionless. Not worth the read at all. I reviewed it separately. This one story takes up 70% of the book. Which means the last two stories are 30% between the two of them - super short.
Nicola Cornick's story was pretty good actually. It's kind of hard to forgive the guy for acting the way he did and I kinda felt like she just needed to give up her secrets already since she just keeps hurting the guy she loves, but it was an enjoyable, angsty (although very short!) read. This is where I would have added a third star.
But then Kasey Michael's story was just too weird to be believed and that kept it at a solid 2 stars. Honestly, these people fall in love in less than 24 hours? Perhaps I would have believed it if the author had been able to make me believe it. Their romance feels bland for supposedly falling in love at first sight. Not even a major dose of lust here. And really...his "secret" is NOTHING, so there's a bit of needless angstiness which doesn't even really count for anything. Eh.
Nicola Cornick's story was pretty good actually. It's kind of hard to forgive the guy for acting the way he did and I kinda felt like she just needed to give up her secrets already since she just keeps hurting the guy she loves, but it was an enjoyable, angsty (although very short!) read. This is where I would have added a third star.
But then Kasey Michael's story was just too weird to be believed and that kept it at a solid 2 stars. Honestly, these people fall in love in less than 24 hours? Perhaps I would have believed it if the author had been able to make me believe it. Their romance feels bland for supposedly falling in love at first sight. Not even a major dose of lust here. And really...his "secret" is NOTHING, so there's a bit of needless angstiness which doesn't even really count for anything. Eh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2015
A Lady of Expectations
I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I wish she'd nixed the sex scenes, or at least kept them all to second base or so. The hero's "seduction" consisted of a lot of ignoring her when she said no. And I think it detracted from a plot and subplot that I found delightful! The novella was just short of 300 pages - if she'd bulked out the subplot I would happily have read and reread it as a novel.
Just under 4 stars, entirely because of the "no means try harder" sex scenes.
The Secrets of a Courtesan
Really enjoyed! I liked seeing both POVs but was really into the heroine's.
How to Woo a Spinster
Too short! I liked them both and I wanted chapters and chapters of them having angsty Oh No A Funeral pains and more of all the side characters. And a plot that wasn't resolved with "whatever, we don't care." But I loved what I got.
I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I wish she'd nixed the sex scenes, or at least kept them all to second base or so. The hero's "seduction" consisted of a lot of ignoring her when she said no. And I think it detracted from a plot and subplot that I found delightful! The novella was just short of 300 pages - if she'd bulked out the subplot I would happily have read and reread it as a novel.
Just under 4 stars, entirely because of the "no means try harder" sex scenes.
The Secrets of a Courtesan
Really enjoyed! I liked seeing both POVs but was really into the heroine's.
How to Woo a Spinster
Too short! I liked them both and I wanted chapters and chapters of them having angsty Oh No A Funeral pains and more of all the side characters. And a plot that wasn't resolved with "whatever, we don't care." But I loved what I got.
September 24, 2012
I really liked this story. Jack kept his fortune a secret and almost lost the love he's been looking for. Well written and I love all of Stephanie Lauren's books. Lenore & Harry are the other too Lester siblings and their stories are also very good
November 5, 2012
Love Nicola Cornick and had fun with Stephanie Laurens and Kasey Michaels too. A good read.
Read
December 27, 2014Category: Historical Romance
January 2, 2013
I didn't like the first and longest story because the Protagonist had no personality, except that she is nice and blond and pretty. The other two stories where better and I wish they were longer.
April 7, 2013
Very good stories! Definitely one to keep on the bookshelf
April 25, 2013
The Stephanie Laurens story was excellent. The other two stories were by authors I hadn't read before, and unfortunately they were so short it was hard to gain much about their style of writing.
May 26, 2013
Another collection of short stories. The Laurens was fun.
July 9, 2015
Love Stephanie Laurens and loved this book. Nicola Cornick and Kasey Michaels also included a story. Nice read and great for a summer afternoon.
Want to read
February 4, 2016OVERALL:
A Lady of Expectations
Secrets of a Courtesan
How to Woo a Spinster
A Lady of Expectations
Secrets of a Courtesan
How to Woo a Spinster
April 5, 2016
To be so wooed by a gentleman. I enjoyed this book. I only read Stephanie Laurens book and not the others. I am a big fan of hers and was happy not to be disappointed.
April 26, 2014
All great authors and great little stories
January 24, 2015
I really enjoyed the story of Sophie and Jack.
April 6, 2017
Maybe half a star better than the previous book in series. Too predictable and Laurens' s male protagonists are overbearing and treat women as really inferior. Waste of time reading these.
April 17, 2017
Third story flop
I enjoyed the first book with this collection the second was ok and the third had potential but just did not quite there. It ended too soon.
I enjoyed the first book with this collection the second was ok and the third had potential but just did not quite there. It ended too soon.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews