#298 KLEYPAS, Lisa, Chasing Cassandra

Synopsys: Everything has a price.

Railway magnate Tom Severin is wealthy and powerful enough to satisfy any desire as soon as it arises. Anything—or anyone—is his for the asking. It should be simple to find the perfect wife—and from his first glimpse of Lady Cassandra Ravenel, he’s determined to have her. But the beautiful and quick-witted Cassandra is equally determined to marry for love—the one thing he can’t give.

Everything except her.

Severin is the most compelling and attractive man Cassandra has ever met, even if his heart is frozen. But she has no interest in living in the fast-paced world of a ruthless man who always plays to win. When a newfound enemy nearly destroys Cassandra’s reputation, Severin seizes the opportunity he’s been waiting for. As always, he gets what he wants—or does he? There’s one lesson Tom Severin has yet to learn from his new bride: never underestimate a Ravenel.

Opinion: I have this habit of listening to audiobooks while I work. The perks of working from home!

I always start these books never knowing if I have already read it before, but this one didn't ring a bell at all. I think I would've remembered Tom Severin. As for Cassandra, she isn't much different from every other "leading lady" in this kind of literature. She's gorgeous, voluptuous - she was a bit overweight, which is interesting - kind, at times naïve, etc.

There wasn't much conflict in this #6 of the series, it was more subtle than that. I particularly enjoyed the subplot regarding Tom's past, the fact that he had been abandoned in the time of the workhouses in England - brutal as they were -, as well as the detail of how Cassandra made him start reading, and they'd talk over those reads. There was this kid that Tom was always reluctant to help who reminded him of himself - since this was an audiobook, I have no clue on how to write it... Basel? - and it was nice seeing him overcome his insecurities and traumas to embrace the mission of raising a child.

It's interesting how this books always revolve around people too afraid to start families. The one depicted in Chasing Cassandra really moved me at times, and the steam was just spot on! Tom was pretty perfect, although he had all the motives in the world to be completely ruined by his upbringing.

But jeez, couldn't Kleypas pick a better name than Cassandra?