Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Cynster Next Generation #12
Publication Date: 3/16/23
Period: Victorian – 1854
Number of Pages: 399

Stephanie Laurens’s books are always excellent reads. While I will agree with some other reviewers and say that those first Cynster books were some of the best-ever books – maybe the first 6-8 books. I would have given them more than five stars if I could have. Saying that doesn’t mean that all of the later Cynster books aren’t first-rate, they just aren’t quite where the first ones were.

Nicholas Cynster is the oldest son of Demon and Felicity Cynster (A Rogue’s Proposal -Cynster #4). Nicholas and all the members of his family are horse mad, and that is why they own the premier thoroughbred breeding stable in England. Nicholas is delighted to be managing those stables since his parents have moved to London. All is quiet at the stables with his parents and both siblings gone – at least it was quiet until he got word about a sighting of a thoroughbred that had disappeared from the racing books several books. The Barbarian would be a boon to their breeding program and Nicholas is determined to acquire him. A trip of several days to Aisby Grange to negotiate with the Earl of Aisby is totally worthwhile.

Lady Adriana Sommerville has been running the estate for quite some time so her mother can spend all of her time caring for the Earl who has been suffering from bouts of extreme brain fog (Alzheimer’s). They keep everyone as far away as they can so word about the Earl doesn’t spread – it could mean disaster for all of them. However, what is she to do when this tall, handsome man appears at a most inopportune time? He has already seen her as her normal self because she didn’t know he was there and now can’t don her Miss Flibbertigibbet personality that is usually so effective at keeping others – especially men – away.

Just when Nicholas thinks all is settled and he’s ready to purchase the horse, The Barbarian is stolen right out of his paddock and the thief has several hour’s head start on them. With so many villages and so many roads, it will take them forever to rescue the horse – but rescue him they will.

It was an entertaining ‘road trip’ story with unexpected twists and turns. The thief will surprise you as will the reason and when you throw in some family drama along with that, you have a really entertaining read. I hope you will enjoy Nicholas and Adriana’s journey to their HEA as much as I did.

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