When Ava Fairchild's mother dies, Ava learns that her step father, Lord Downey, has no intention of giving her, or her sister and cousin, a penny of the inheritance. Lord Downey is taking off for France in search of his mistress, but before leaving, he threatens to marry off each of the girls to the first bidders upon his return. Not one to sit idle while her life crumbles around her, Ava decides it's time to go husband hunting.

Jared Middleton, future duke, is a known rake and is not secretive about it. After meeting Ava at a soiree, he decides to give in to his father's will and marry to beget an heir. For both Ava and Jared, a marriage of convenience is the perfect situation: Ava can marry for title and money, and Jared gets a broodmare.

After the wedding, Ava quickly finds out that convenience isn't all that it's cracked up to be and decides that she wants more from her marriage, only Jared is incapable of love. While things come to a boil in the bedroom, the pot cools off in the light of day. Ava is miserable knowing that her husband does not love her and is carrying on with his mistress while Jared is conflicted with his feelings for his wife that are breaking down his walls and threatening his life as he knows it.

This is your typical run of the mill romance story. The characters were well written, giving the reader that in-depth look at their emotions. With no grand scheme, no great rescuing of a damsel in distress, the climax is not of some terrible mishap that must be overcome, but of the turmoil within Ava and Jared's relationship. While lacking in the imagination department, I still tend to enjoy this type of story and wasn't let down by this book.

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Publisher: Pocket Star (May 23, 2006)
ISBN: 1416516158
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