Mary Cynster, the youngest and last of the sisters to wed has been biding her time, waiting for the necklace of the Lady to become hers. She has her 'one and only hero' all picked out, she only needs confirmation from the rose quartz stone to move forward with her plans to find a husband who will never impede her, one less mature and set in his ways. Only then can she be certain to live her life based only on her choices, not on the dictates of a husband. If only her chosen one's older brother would just keep out of her way!

Ryder Cavanaugh is determined to protect his younger half- brother from the machinations of his step mother and the force of nature known as Mary Cynster. Any serious thought toward leg-shackling is likely to scare the poor chap right back into short pants, or worse, trap him in marriage while still too young to know his own mind. Ryder finds Mary fascinating, however, and knows he may be among the very few men in existence strong enough to match her will. Yes, she will do very well as his wife, it is only left to convince her of the truth.

As is usual, Stephanie Laurens has blended a bit of mystery and suspense with her fascinating historical romance, nothing too dire but enough to keep the story piquant, and as usual the love scenes are finely crafted and deliciously emotive. The intertwining of love and family has always been the underpinning to all the Cynster novels, but THE TAMING OF RYDER CAVANAUGH more than any of the rest is a true love letter to the strength of family. Rarely has an epilogue moved me as much as the one Laurens has created. If this second in the Cynster Sister duo is indeed the final book in the Cynster saga, she has done her fans proud.

Even so, I can't help looking forward to the possibility of hearing Lucilla's story as she is the next to wear the Lady's stone, although she may not be ready for a wedding until a decade more in the Cynster universe. No publication date has been released at this point, and it is possible THE TAMING OF RYDER CAVANAUGH is the last of the Cynster novels, but I will continue hoping.