TEST
Never Again, second in the American Beauties trilogy, is an appealing love story set in the turbulent political scene of England in the late 1870’s. A strong hero and heroine, fascinating glimpses into politics of the day, a mystery to be solved, plus lyrical and witty writing, make this book an enjoyable read despite a few weaknesses in plot and conflict.
The story begins with Gavin Sutherland, Member of Parliament and younger son of a marquess, angrily confronting a fellow MP and his mistress in a public park. This scene, coming on the heels of another public brawl, reinforces the reputation Gavin is gaining for being violent and a hot-head. Gavin goes to the home of the mistress later that night to have it out with the MP and finds the pair tied to chairs and brutally murdered, their bodies still warm, and Gavin’s own handkerchief, now blood-soaked, clasped in the hand of the MP. Gavin takes the handkerchief and flees the scene to avoid being charged with a murder he can’t prove he didn’t commit.
Lovely Raine Montand, the American Beauty dubbed “Wit” by the tabloids, is secretly working as a political cartoonist. Witnessing Gavin’s confrontation in the park, she sketches the scene as a cartoon which is published, thereby setting the press on Gavin as the likely murder suspect. There is no evidence to convict Gavin, but the damage is done. His career and reputation in ruins, abandoned by friends, fiancée, and family, Gavin retreats to an isolated family home in bitterness and despair.
Raine, believing she has ruined the career of a man she respects and admires, determines to compensate by joining with Gavin to assist him in rebuilding his life. She rents a cottage next to his retreat and assumes the identity of a widow. Gavin hires Raine as his secretary to assist him in completing a novel. He hopes the book will provide him with desperately needed funds, will offer him a chance to rebuild his reputation and career, and, which he also hopes will enable him to flush out the true murderer.
The magic in this book lies in the chemistry between Raine and Gavin. While there is an immediate physical attraction, their passion grows on the heels of their friendship and respect for one another. The dialogue is natural, engaging, and at times studded with amusing double entendrés. There were obvious ways that conflict could separate Gavin and Raine because of her lies about who she is and her past, but Ms. Power avoids the obvious. Raine and Gavin accurately perceive each other’s character, and their trust is not here-one-minute-gone-the-next, as one or both jump to false conclusions and immediately think the worst of each other. I consider this a plus, but it is also the root of the weakness.
The conflict is mostly internal on Raine’s part, and this is only partially believable. Her insistence that she must walk out of Gavin’s life because she doesn’t deserve happiness seems inconsistent with the confident, intelligent, savvy woman she is early on. Why would she insist on coming into his life to help him heal just to destroy him again by deserting him once he has fallen in love with her? Gavin also seems inconsistent in his too-perfect reaction to Raine’s frustrating behavior when his own weakness is supposed to be impatience and temper. It is good that he grows in character, but it would be realistic for him to slip up at least once while he is learning.
The mystery, finding the true murderer and discovering why Gavin was the target for ruin, is solved but in a rather sketchy, far-fetched way. Again, a plotting weakness, but in my opinion, not a fatal one. Overall, I enjoyed the book, and especially the epilogue which combines passionate lovemaking with gossipy conversation in a way only “old married” people can probably appreciate.
Grade: B-
Book Type: European Historical Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 02/09/98
Publication Date: 1998
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.