Title: Ravishing the Heiress
Author: Sherry Thomas
First published July 1, 2012
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.88
Overview
In Sherry Thomas’ captivating novel, Ravishing the Heiress, Millicent finds herself in an arranged marriage with the impoverished Earl Fitzhugh. They agree to wait eight years before consummating the marriage, leading separate lives after bearing an heir.
Despite this sensible arrangement, Millie falls deeply in love with her husband, who only sees her as a friend. To make matters worse, Fitzhugh plans to reunite with his childhood sweetheart, the recently widowed Isabella.
As the time for them to become true husband and wife approaches, Millie and Fitzhugh must confront the truth in their hearts. Has their agreement only created a great friendship or has it unknowingly blossomed into a great love?
Dive into this tale of love, loyalty, and duty with Ravishing the Heiress.
About the Author
Sherry Thomas, a USA Today-bestselling author, has a passion for writing books that she enjoys reading. She has written romance, fantasy, mystery, young adult, and martial arts epic genres.
Her books are highly acclaimed by trade publications such as the New York Times and National Public Radio, with many receiving starred reviews and being named best-of-the-year. The Lady Sherlock historical mystery series, consisting of A Study in Scarlet Women, A Conspiracy in Belgravia, and The Hollow of Fear, all made it onto NPR’s best books of the year list.
Her 2019 release, The Magnolia Sword, is the first English-language young adult retelling of the original Ballad of Mulan.
Sherry moved to the United States from China at the age of 13, and English is her second language. Her work has been praised by other authors, with New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn stating that A Study in Scarlet Women is a splendid addition to Sherlock Holmes’s world, and Marie Lu, author of the Legend series, saying that Thomas weaves a lush, intricate fantasy world around a gorgeous romance that kept her riveted until the very last page.
Lisa Kleypas, another New York Times bestselling author, described Sherry Thomas as the most powerfully original historical romance author writing today.
Editoral Review
Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas is a steamy historical romance novel that will leave readers breathless. First published on July 1, 2012, the book is the third in the Fitzhugh Trilogy, a series of interconnected stories featuring the romantic escapades of the Fitzhugh family.
Sherry Thomas is a New York Times bestselling author who has won multiple awards for her romance novels, including the RITA Award, the highest award in the genre. Set in Victorian England, Ravishing the Heiress tells the story of Millie Graves, a wealthy heiress who has always felt like an outsider in the world of high society.
When her parents arrange a marriage for her with a man she doesn’t love, Millie decides to take matters into her own hands and elopes with her secret lover, Fitzhugh’s heir Marcus Marsden. But their happiness is short-lived, as they are soon discovered by Marcus’s family and forced to separate.
Years later, Millie is a widowed countess known for her beauty and wit, but still haunted by the memories of her past. When Marcus returns to London, now a successful businessman, he sets out to win Millie’s heart once again.
But Millie is not easily swayed, and must decide whether to risk everything for a chance at love once more. At its heart, Ravishing the Heiress is a tale of passion, betrayal, and redemption.
Thomas masterfully weaves together themes of class, gender roles, and family obligation to create a richly textured world that feels both authentic and captivating. Her prose is lush and vivid, evoking the sights, sounds, and smells of Victorian England with ease.
The characters of Millie and Marcus are complex and well-drawn, each with their own unique struggles and desires. Millie is a strong-willed heroine who refuses to be defined by societal norms, while Marcus is a dashing hero who is torn between his love for Millie and his loyalty to his family.
Together, they make for a compelling and dynamic couple who readers will root for until the very end. The pacing of the novel is steady and deliberate, with tension building steadily throughout the plot.
Thomas’s plot structure is expertly crafted, drawing the reader in with deftly placed plot twists and turns. While the ending may be predictable for some romance fans, the journey to get there is nothing short of riveting.
If there is one weakness in Ravishing the Heiress, it is that some readers may find it slow-moving or overly complex. However, these are minor quibbles, and do not detract from the overall quality of the novel.
Overall, Ravishing the Heiress is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant romance novel that is sure to captivate fans of the genre. Sherry Thomas’s expert storytelling and attention to detail make for a rich and rewarding reading experience that is not to be missed.
It is highly recommended to anyone looking for a sexy, engrossing love story with heart and depth.
Rating: 4.5/5