Ravishing the Heiress

Quick synopsis- impoverished earl has to marry a rich woman and give up the girl of his dreams. A well used theme, used even by the revered Heyer. The book jumps about time in order to provide background so watch the dates of each new chapter! The heroine is one of these self sacrificing types, loves the husband but agrees to let him live a life of self indulgence with a blatant succession of mistresses, while remaining oblivious and indifferent to his wife’s unhappiness. The hero is a self absorbed, inconsiderate adolescent! Openly discusses his lovers with his wife, who contributes to her own humiliation by tolerating and even encouraging the situation. She should have asked for an annulment in chapter 2 instead of waiting until the end of the book! What makes this book a 4 is simply Ms Thomas’ writing. It is helpful to read these books in order (Beguiling the Beauty was better).