Series: The Ravenels, #6
Traits & Tropes: class difference; self-made hero; compromised heroine
Publication Date: 02.18.20
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; Hampshire/London/Essex, England, 1876
Heat Level: 3
Rating: 5/5
Narration Rating: 5/5
Tom Severin has amassed immense wealth through railways and real estate. As quite possibly the richest man in England, he can have anything, or anyone, he wants. Finding a wife should be no different and he decides that woman must be Lady Cassandra Ravenel from the moment he first sees her. But lovely Cassandra is prepared to marry for nothing less than love, an emotion Tom is incapable of.
Cassandra finds Tom handsome and fascinating to spend time with, even if he does have a frozen heart. But sweet-natured Cassandra isn’t eager to join the cutthroat world of a man who enjoys arguments and confrontations. When Cassandra makes a vindictive enemy who very nearly ruins her reputation, Tom uses the situation to his advantage to finally get the wife he wants. Soon Tom learns he may have gotten more than he bargained for with Cassandra as she ruthlessly charms him, knowing she’ll not be content until she has all of him.
This may not be the strongest book of the series, but I still loved it. Tom wasn’t as lovable or charming as Rhys or Ethan for me, but that was also, paradoxically, part of his allure. I always love it when we have a hero who has never really been loved and must learn how to give and receive it. I’m not sure Cassandra’s sunny sweetness would’ve worked with any other hero, but it made her perfect for Tom. I loved how she was able to read him and see what he was feeling without him saying anything or as was often the case, even knowing what he was feeling himself. She knew when to push him and when to accept the progress she’d made without pushing him for more. Her patience with him made the growth of their relationship and the development of their feelings for each other feel real and believable. I loved how Cassandra saw Tom having feelings he’d never really experienced and didn’t know how to recognize, and she helped him process the new emotions, adapt, and grow. I think the differences between these two really complimented each other and made them a great couple. Tom’s protectiveness of Cassandra was lovely as was the vulnerability each revealed to the other. I loved the relatively low angst here and how Tom was always ready to step in and be whatever Cassandra needed and she was always there to take care of him even when he didn’t realize that was something he needed or wanted. I loved the progression of this relationship and found this story very soothing. I’m left with a lovely warm, fuzzy feeling and Tom and Cassandra are a new favorite couple for me.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2767691179
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/892783890
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