Katherine Cartwright's father is desperate enough because of gabling debt to offer up his beautiful daughter to the highest bidder. Before she knows it, Katherine is betrothed to an earl that she she thinks she has never met. In actually the lucky earl is Katherine's childhood friend, James Fenwick, who came unexpectable into a title and a fortune. He invites Katherine and her mother to a house party. At the party, he conceals his identity as her mystery fiancé and instead tries to rekindle their friendship. Things start off fairly well, but as Katherine feels herself drawing closer to her old friend, she feels guilty about betraying her future husband that she believes she hasn't even met yet. Because of her parent's unhappy marriage, Kate doubts the existence of real love, and it takes all of James' charm and kindness to coax her back to a place where she can begin to trust again.
This is the first book I have read by Ms Thornell, and it wasn't bad. This is a more than a little wish fulfillment going on with the love interest. He is the ideal man with fortune, a kind heart, and patience to wait for Katherine to work out her emotional turmoil. It is common in modern stories for the female character to be bold, and even brash in her pursuits, but Katherine is mostly sweet and submissive to the desires of her parents and those around her who care about her. The side theme of Kate and her mother learning to stand up to Katherine's abusive father is satisfying and shows good character development. I will probably try Thornell again, but will wait to put her on my Clean Romance list until I have read at least one more of her full length books. (2021, 218 p.)
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