Four in Hand

by Stephanie Laurens

Book Overview

"Better than any other Regency period romance writer, rivalling Georgette Heyer" The Bookseller - Max Rotherbridge couldn't believe it. Along with the dukedom of Twyford, he - London's most notorious... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373835396
• ISBN13: 9780373835393
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Harlequin Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.5" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Not My Favorite

Four In Hand is one of the weaker Stephanie Laurens' novels that I've read. Four romances, plus the chaos that the Twinning sisters create, leaves the character development lacking.

a thoroughly enjoyable read

I loved this book. I had never read a Stephanie Laurens book before and I found it at the library so it's a few years old and I read it in one night. It's what I call a 'fluff' read-a book with likeable characters, lively dialogue and fun situations. Yes, as other reviewers have mentioned, there isn't a lot of time spent on each of the girls' romances but I was okay with that. I wasn't looked for a book with big,dark secrets or high drama. It was a fun, light read where the author tried to keep some historical realism. it's a great book to curl up with if you're having bad day or at the beach where you want something to make you smile and feel light. A word of warning though, this book was blessedly free of graphic details during the love scenes. She had just enough details to make you sigh and then she 'closed the door'. I like that a lot. I've found that lately a lot of authors are sacrificing a story for graphic love scenes-or having the characters thinking constantly about the love scenes. I've found some wonderful authors out there-lynn kurland for one-who created wonderful love stories with memorable characters without the grahic sex. I thought Stephanie Laurens was one of those so I bought one of her recent books. I actually went online to check and see if there were TWO Stephanie Laurens out there because the writing style was so different. (The way the characters acted wasn't true to the period, the storyline was frustrating and read like a modern story and well...that's a whole 'nother review). Suffice it to say, be warned that if you like the way this story is written, I'd avoid her newer books. But this one, I would buy and enjoy it over and over again.

wonderful light, happy romance

I was really surprised at some of the negatives reviews because I absolutely loved this book! This was my first Stephanie Laurens book and it left me wanting more of the same. No, it didn't have heavy sex scenes-because it didn't need it! She kept just the right mix of inunendo, bringing things just to the edge without becoming graphic. It was a freshing change from some stories where it seems like the story is shoved aside to see how many times an author can destribe a couple making love in minute detail. There were really four love stories going on and each character was likable and engaging. The rakes acted like rakes and the characters seemed to like each other from the start-something I like in a romance. This is the perfect book to read on a bad day when you need a lift, a light happy romance that will leave you sighing happily at the end.

A great romance - 4 great romances!

Stephanie Laurens has done it again. Or, as she in fact wrote it earlier in her career (this was the second book Laurens ever wrote), she has set the precedent for her future work. A well written, fast paced Regency Romance - in fact four for the price of one.Max Rotherbridge inherited more than a dukedom on the death of his father eighteen months previous to the opening of the book - unknown to him he also inherited 4 wards. An established rake, he is initially dismayed to learn of his responsibilities, but dismay quickly turns into something else when he is presented with the eldest of the four sisters, Caroline Twinning.It appears that Twinnings have something of a thing for rakes, as the four gorgeous sisters cut a swath through the ton and have the men at their feet. They may seem young, with the exception of 26 year old Caroline, but their eighteen months in America have given them a great deal of polish, and the freedom to discover what it is they really want in life.This is a truly delightful tale and for me the principle enjoyment is the relationship between the females in the story. Set in a time when women rarely triumphed, here Caroline and her sisters Sarah, Arabella & Lizzy, their chaperone (Max's aunt) and the friends they make in London are able to set their goals, pursue and obtain them - even if it takes a little scheming and risk to get what they want. Each is a true character in their own right, and yet takes comfort in the relationship with their sisters (in the modern sense). Their story is told with a great deal of humour and style.There has to be some sacrifice in squeezing four stories into one volume. This is firstly that Caroline and Max's is the main romance - the other three are something more than subplots and yet slightly less than a fully developed story in their own right. And finally, of course, is the improbability that all four romances should resolve themselves at the same time. To some extent this is satisfactorily dealt with by making the suitors either friends or relatives of Max. Each romance develops with a different plan of attack, and the charming thing is that although more confident than the typical deb, none of the four women are sure they will be able to hold out for marriage, as they themselves fall in love.If you enjoy romance and the Regency genre, you will enjoy this well written example. Regular readers of Laurens will not be disappointed - I certainly wasn't.

An Instant Favorite!!!

I absolutely adore the Cynster series, but I was unsure about how well Ms Laurens could create a novel that could stand alone. I could not have been more pleased. I loved that there were so many characters and so much passion going around. I always like to read about a good rake being brought low, but four in one book!! It was heaven. The girls were delightfully cheeky,and the men they chose were perfect for each of them. It was really refreshing to read a romance novel based on just that- romance. There are no murderers or treasures or evil relations, just four irrepressable young women. Anyone who loves an EXTREMELY happy ending (or endings!) would really enjoy this story.

Fantastic Light Read

A wonderful light summer read. I love the book. You can just imagine "rake" Max seeing the 4 beauties all together for the first time and knowing he is doomed. It is a wonderful story of 4 sisters all hitting the Ton at once, and they seem to attract rakes to the chagrin of Max (the new Duke, and their guardian). Especially since he is one of the biggest rakes of them all and is falling hard for Caro the oldest. It is a real cute story showing how all of the different personalities intertwine and just how smart the girls are :)A light but fun read!