Name: By Winter's Light
ISBN: 9780778317470

Stephanie Laurens

As the six Cynster families gather together for the holidays at snowbound Casphairn Manor in Scotland, Claire Meadows, widow and governess to Gabriel Cynster's daughter, despite her misgivings, starts a relationship with tutor Daniel Crosbie until disaster strikes. Original.

By Winter's Light

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
 

  First Impressions

By Winter’s Light is the first book in the Cynster New Generation series and is also a holiday romance that is set in the Victorian Era as its year 1837. I have been wanting to read this one for the longest time and I have been wanting to explore more of this author’s work. She isn’t an author that I want to read all at once though because I know sometimes her books can feel the same (some author’s writing styles are like this so its intelligent to space them out). I was really intrigued with the setup of the story, as I do love a good unrequited love or intentions of marriage. There is also a Christmas theme to this story and I can’t tell you how much I adore this cover. There is such a magical theme to it. It really fits the Christmas setting. And one thing you can truly depend on with Stephanie Laurens is that her books are so authentic to the era. I love the realism feel to it, with the combination of culture and society and history that she is able to implement. But it also means that you need to be more patient as she takes the time for the description and captures the scene. The romance is charming, the characters and reconnecting, and the setting is purely festive.


  Summary

By Winter’s Light begins with the youger generation of the Cynster clan have arrived to Casphairn Manor, which is Richard and Catriona Cynster’s place of residence. Daniel Crosbie, the tutor to Lucifer’s Cynster’s son nand Claire Meadows, govern to Gabriel Cynster’s daughter are drawn together during this festive time. Daniel and Claire have known each other previously, and there is an attraction between them. Daniel is looking to win the hand of Claire, but Claire had a ot great marriage the first time around and isn’t eager to participate in it once again. But Daniel and Cynster younglings are determined to bring these two together with a level of matchmaking. We see another story prop up with Lucilla to help with childbirth with the other Cynster’s aiding her in bringing about the miracle of a child being born. Will Daniel be able to convince Claire that they are meant to be together and overcome her fears?


  What I Loved

There were quite a few things about this one that I actually enjoyed. I loved the authenticity element to the time period and the way in which the author really capitalized on the culture of the Christmas season. You see the richness that is displayed. We also get some wonderful family dynamics and I was having so much fun getting back with the Cynsters. I do think that the Christmas/Winter theme will work for quite a few. The romance that is developed is quite sweet and endearing and I really enjoyed Daniel’s devotion and determination to win over Claire’s hand. I was really drawn into the charm and elegance that is displayed and the writing stye that is so clearly a “Stephanie Laurens” signature.


  What I Struggled With

While there were quite a few things that I enjoyed, there was also some aspects to this story that just didn’t quite work out or me. Quite frankly, I was mostly bored with this story. I had to really force myself to keep going with this book and just pushed the speed faster on the arration to get through it.. I wasn’t too invested in the romance, I wasn’t a fan of Claire’s character and it felt choppy at moments. I didn’t quite get the separate storylines that happen in this story, and would have wished for more focus on the actual romance between Daniel and Claire. I felt like they didn’t get the story that they deserved here, It also could be the author’s writing style just doesn’t work for me anymore, as I have grown pickier with historicals. As I know there were some readers that really enjoyed this one. At the end of the day, I just don’t think that it was for me.


  The Narration

Despite my reservationsm, I really do feel like the narration was well done on this one here. The narrator really captured on the character’s personalities, and the level of excitement and magic of the Christmas season in this story. I would definitely listen to him again.


  Overall View

By Winter’s Light is a magical tale of renewing love, endearing familial connections and a sense of renewal and fresh starts!

By Winter's Light

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