MISS FLIBBERTIGIBBET AND THE BARBARIAN is the twelfth book in Stephanie Laurens’ Cynsters Next Generation series. At first glance, this title sounds like the type of flowery romance written by authors like Barbara Cartland, but that is not the case. The Barbarian in this title refers to a sought-after stallion, and Miss Flibbertigibbet is the alter-ego of an intelligent and exceptionally capable young woman. Nicholas Cynster initially comes to Aisby Grange because of a desire to acquire The Barbarian, but he is delightfully surprised to find potential life companion as well.
Every time I read a Stephanie Laurens novel, I can’t help but imagine how a different author might torpedo the story with cliches and stereotypes. Written by a different author, this hero might be obnoxious in his pursuit of both the horse and the lady. By contrast, Nicholas is completely up front with Lady Adriana Sommerville and shows her respect while negotiating for The Barbarian. Likewise, he’s attracted by Adriana’s beauty and intellect, so he uses his natural charm to woo her as well as being honest and getting to know her better. As they continue working together in MISS FLIBBERTIGIBBET AND THE BARBARIAN, this couple gains a greater appreciation for each other, which only increases the sexual tension in a fabulous way. This is the kind of historical romance I yearn for. When somebody steals The Barbarian, Nicholas offers to help track down the culprit and retrieve the stallion. This is no drawing room mystery. Much of the action takes place on the road as Nicholas, Adriana, and their party hunt down clues and follow all leads as to where the missing horse was last seen. Stephanie Laurens does a phenomenal job of immersing readers in the investigation and making them feel like they’re right in the thick of things. Everybody in this tracking party adds something to the investigation. Adriana and Nicholas balance each other. She is intelligent yet impulsive, while he is more cautious and analytical.
MISS FLIBBERTIGIBBET AND THE BARBARIAN is full of surprises, mystery, and an enchanting evolving romance between two equals. As with other books by Stephanie Laurens, there is roughly an equal amount of romance and mystery in this tale. Normally I prefer more romance in a book than mystery, but Stephanie Laurens always keeps me engaged and eager to see what comes next with any tale of mystery she crafts, and this story is no exception. I look forward to reading Stephanie Laurens’ next book.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns with a story of two people thrown together on a journey of discovery that defines what each most want of life, love, and family.
A gentleman wishing to buy a fabulous horse and a lady set on protecting her family find common ground while pursuing a thief who upends both of their plans.
Nicholas Cynster rides up to Aisby Grange determined to secure the stallion known as The Barbarian for his family's Thoroughbred breeding stable, only to be turned away by the owner's daughter. Nicholas retreats, but is not about to be denied by any lady, no matter how startlingly beautiful and distracting.
Lady Adriana Sommerville knows Nicholas will be back and resigns herself to having to manage his interaction with her aging father. She successfully negotiates that potential quagmire only, at the very last moment, to discover the horse is missing.
Stunned, Addie insists on setting out in pursuit and is not so silly as to refuse Nicholas's support.
But as they follow on the heels of The Barbarian, their adventures and encounters open both their eyes to the prospect of a more enduring partnership. Yet before they can follow that trail farther and before they can lay hands on the horse, through shock after shock, their pursuit uncovers a complicated plot that strips away masks and rescripts everything Addie and her siblings thought they knew about the Sommerville family.
A classic historical romance of adventure, discovery, and reconciliation set in the English countryside. A Cynster Next Generation novel.
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