The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh (The Cavanaughs #2) by Stephanie Laurens I enjoyed this second book in THE CAVANAUGHS .. Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for allowing me to preview and review this book. This is Kit and Sylvia's story... They both have love and marriage hangups his caused by his mother.. hers avoiding her attraction to him "the rake". There are laughs, mystery, danger, twists and turns all leading to a leading to a very HEA.. Can't wait for number three.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining Action-packed Happily Ever After Page-turner Great world building Easy-to-read Romantic Funny Wonderful characters Steamy

I received this book for free from Netgalley. This did not influence my review.

Stephanie Laurens is one of the reigning queens of Historical Romance, so I’m not sure how so many years have gone by since the last time I read one of her novels. I saw The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh on Netgalley and decided it was time to jump back in.

Lord Christopher Cavanaugh (Kit), the young half-brother of a marquess, has had a difficult upbringing. His mother was something of a Lady Macbeth character. He managed to avoid her schemes and matchmaking by pretending to be an irredeemable rake. Now that she is dead, he’s stuck with his reputation. Undaunted, he leaves London for Bristol to follow a passion he has long yearned to indulge: he wants to start a company that builds luxury ocean-going yachts. He has the capital, a good business sense, important connections, and a close friend who knows yachts. Bristol was once a hive of wooden ship-building activity, but since the coming of steamships, the city is in decline. The city’s elders are thrilled beyond measure that a man of consequence is bringing jobs back. Kit has his eye on a particular warehouse for lease and has no difficulty securing it.

Unfortunately, the building is not exactly vacant. A local charity has been using it. But the owners assure Kit the charity will quickly clear out.

Sylvia Buckleberry is a clergyman’s daughter who has found her calling: running a school for the sons of local dockworkers and craftsmen. She has the support of the local church and has been able to hire a couple of teachers and purchase supplies. But she relies on the goodwill of the owner of the warehouse recently secured by Kit for a venue. When she learns that the warehouse is about to be leased out from under her, she is determined not to let the school fail.

Sylvia and Kit have met before, at the wedding of friends. Kit was intrigued but put off by her cold shoulder. Sylvia was cold on purpose because she was actually giddily infatuated with his bad-boy image and appalled at herself for it.

Sylvia expects the worst from Kit and is surprised when he acts opposite the way she expects. In fact, he outdoes her in concern for the welfare of the students, the fate of the school, and the general condition of the unemployed dockworkers and boat builders. His wealth is seemingly bottomless and he stands ready to hire everyone who wants to work.

There is a problem though. Not everyone supports the school and not everyone is rooting for the success of Kit’s business. While the romance is the main focus, the story is carried along by this additional conflict and potential danger.

The novel is a quick, enjoyable, escapist read. The protagonists verge on a bit treacly as they spread their goodwill thickly and hold no grudges against those who wish them ill – most of them anyway. But their pleasantness was a nice break from heavier reading. It’s clear why Laurens is a perennial favorite.

Sylvia has had a crush on Kit, Lord Kavanaugh for as long as she can remember. She tries to hide it even from her self, obsessing in the night. She meets him at a wedding and does her ice queen act so she can hide what she feels. He believes it. She has a school for the dock worker's children in an old warehouse. She hopes to better their lives. It seems that Kit wants that warehouse to start a yacht making business. Sylvia goes to see Kit and the ice queen demeanor is gone. Kit likes the new Sylvia and Sylvia likes this side of Kit. Kit has a family secret that has caused him great pain. Will they be able to solve their differences? Will they be able to overcome Kit's former life. I loved this book. The interaction between the two main characters were really great. I received this book from Net Galley and Harlequin/Mira for a honest review.

This is the classic Stephanie Laurens books I remember and loved. A fast moving plot, characters I enjoyed spending time with, and a classic romance. So much fun!

The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh (The Cavanaughs #2)
by Stephanie Laurens
Definite buy buy book.

A very intriguing book. While it was not by any means my favorite from this author, it leads me to keep looking for more from her. I liked the characters and the plot. It was perhaps a little slow in some spots but not enough to make me dislike it. The one thing you will absolutely adore is all the different elements and layers this author writes into her books. It makes them keepers and readers and re-readers. To me, this makes this book a keeper. While I enjoyed the story, I just wanted more stories within it at the same time. Not really fair of the reader but it keeps me wanting more. The author is superb. I was given this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions written here are my own and voluntary. Regards, Anna

The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens, Harlequin, 2019.

This historical romance is set in early Victorian Bristol, England, the second of the Cavanaugh Series and the third of Laurens’ books about this family. After meeting in one of the earlier books, where neither welcomed their attraction to the other, Kit, son of a Marquess and Sylvia, daughter of a country vicar, meet again. This time they join forces to benefit her charity school for boys and his new yacht-building business. As their respect and affection for each other develop, unknown forces working against them present danger to their enterprises.

This book is well written with likeable characters. Although the story seems to develop over a much shorter period than is typical for historical romances, and there is much more detail provided about the characters’ day to day activities, these things do not make the story bog down or detract from enjoyment of this light romance.

It is a pleasant, entertaining read that left me looking for the earlier books about the Cavanaughs.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon review to follow.

I really enjoyed Kit and Sylvia's story! I loved watching these two come to know one another. They had met in the previous book and thought they know what the other was like. They soon learned that their first impression was not an accurate one. I also really enjoyed that this story took place away from ton and the high society life. It was a nice change of pace.

It's been awhile since I have read any of Laurens' work and I'm so glad that I came back to it! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

So we meet Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’ who likes to help poor children and has started as school for them that is what lives for. Then we have Lord "Kit" Cavanaugh who is starting his business and about to take over where Ms. Buckleberry's school if, however these two are about to have a fight on their hands as someone is out to stop the school and Cavanaugh's business. While I didn't hate the book it wasn't my favorite of her, however it did intrigue me enough to wait to read the next installment.

I really appreciate a well-researched Victorian era book, and there’s no doubt Stephanie Laurens knows her stuff.

This is the second book in a series – a series I’ve not read the first book of. I get the impression both hero and heroine were featured in the earlier book, and I think I might have enjoyed watching the evolution of their relationship over both instalments.

My issue with the beginning of this one is that the first quarter is about only one incident. For the first 25%(ish) of the story, all we see are hero and heroine moving a boys’ school from one building to another. We see every step of the boys moving chalk, and desks, and books, and… It was beautifully written, and SO well-researched, but it was still 20 000+ words of people moving furniture.

On the other hand, the author seems to be well familiar with her setting, and it made a big difference to have all the personal, realistic touches, and that’s what kept me reading.

Laurens is a prominent author in the genre, and you know you’re going to get a quality story. In the case of THIS book, I’d recommend persisting beyond the slowish start.

I still love Stephanie Laurens original Cynster series. All of her other work pales in comparison for me. I did enjoy this book and I can see myself reading the others in the series because I want to know what happened with the crazy mother and all of the other siblings, but it wasn't my favourite.

Love Lauren's and she keeps going! She puts the reader right into Regency England to experience life! The Cavanaughs are a wonderful family readers will love to see get all their HEAs!!

A Gentleman of Means....A Woman of Character ....An Unstoppable Duo....

One of the most eligible bachelors in London, Lord Christopher “Kit” Cavanaugh has discovered his true path. Never mind that a society marriage is just not in the cards.

Miss Sylvia Buckleberry’s passion is her school for impoverished children. Enter on the scene, Kit Cavanaugh. His new business venture is taking over the school's current location.

It becomes clear to this intrepid pair that someone else wants to put an end to both the school and Cavanaugh Yachts.
This well written book is a page turner. Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and intrigue her readers.
This latest Cavanaugh novel releasing in late April/early May is not to be missed.
The characters are delightful for the most part and as usual for this author they pull you right in.
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

This title is on my preorder list for my store. I have read Stephanie Lauren for a long time and this story does not disappoint. I am enjoying the era written and the characters.

Stephanie Laurens is the reigning queen of historical romances. We always buy her for our library. Compelling plots, romance and great dialogue to be found within all her covers.