The Meaning of Love

The Lady Osbaldestone’s Christmas Chronicles

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Matthew Brenher

What happens when a love left behind doesn’t die?

Melissa North had assumed that after eight years of not setting eyes on each other, her youthful attraction to - or an infatuation with - Julian Delamere, once Viscount Dagenham and now earl of Carsely, would have faded to nothing and gasped its last. Unfortunately, during the intervening years, she has failed to find any suitable suitor who measures up to her mark, and she is resigned to ending her days an old maid.

Then she sees Julian across a crowded ballroom, and he sees her, and the intensity of their connection shocks her. She seizes the first chance that offers to flee, only to discover that she has jumped from the frying pan into the fire.

Within 24 hours, she and Julian are the newly engaged toast of the ton.

Julian has never forgotten Melissa. Now, having inherited the earldom, he must marry and is determined to choose his own bride. He had assumed that, by now, Melissa would be married to someone else, but apparently not. Consequently, he is not averse to the path fate seems to be steering them down.

And, indeed, as they discover, enforced separation has made their hearts grow fonder, and the attraction between them flares even more intensely.

However, it’s soon apparent that someone is intent on ensuring their married life is cut short in deadly fashion. Through a whirlwind courtship, a massive ton wedding, and finally, blissful country peace, they fend off increasingly dangerous, potentially lethal threats, until, together, they unravel the conspiracy that has dogged their heels and expose the villain behind it all.

©2021 by Stephanie Laurens (P)2021 by Blackstone Publishing

Great story. Poor reading.

Loved the story as expected, but the reading was one step above monotone. The reader had a definite rhythm and did not adjust it to fit the text, making phrases hard to follow. I had to force myself to finish.

Wonderful ending to the series!

So happy Julian and Melissa finally got their story and happy ending!
I really enjoyed this "more adult" episode! It had both mystery and romance which kept me listening almost non-stop. At first I found the narration a bit slow but upped the speed on.my kindle and all was well! I particularly liked that the H and h fell in love and became a team early in the story, working together for the remainder of the book. I am so over couples who spend whole books with nothing but misunderstandings, angst and arguments and don't get together until practically the last chapter! So for me this was a most welcome story.. very enjoyable.. thank you Stephanie I will look for more of your books!!

Disappointing

This book needed the work was and good humor of the other four. On its own it is an ok book. you do glimpsed at the previous characters and it was disappointing how gloss over it was. I wouldn’t read this as an sequel to the Christmas novels.

Intriguing

Wow. I was Not expecting this story. The mystery went on and on. It was a bit wordy but it kept your interest and kept it moving. I think the author did an excellent job moving the story so it did not get stale. My only criticism is that I think she could have weeded the words down an hour😏it had the love-family togetherness, lies and of course… mystery

Riveting and Worth It

Not at all like the other four (I really missed the old familiar characters in the beginning) Nevertheless, this was a compelling mystery!! I liked the interesting engagement and wedding details most stories gloss over. Melissa finally got her happy ending!!!! Worth it!!!!!