CHASING CASSANDRA is the sixth book in the “Ravenels” series by Lisa Kleypas. For much of this book, I thought “Captivated by Cassandra” or “Haunted by Cassandra” would have been a more appropriate title. Tom Severin is an intellectually gifted and, at times, instinctually ruthless engineer and ridiculously successful businessman. At the opening of CHASING CASSANDRA, the reader finds Tom experiencing a feeling of ennui and Lady Cassandra Ravenel startles him with her beauty and refreshing way of expressing herself. Tom initially proposes Cassandra take a chance and marry him, despite not knowing each other. At that point, I thought the entire book would be about Severin’s pursuit of Cassandra. That wasn’t exactly how things went.
There are three main obstacles preventing Tom and Cassandra from being together. Cassandra wants love and Tom doesn’t think he’s capable of giving her that. Most of the menfolk in Cassandra’s family don’t think Tom could make her happy. Lastly, not only does Tom think he’s not capable of giving Cassandra the love she craves, he is so enthralled by her that he almost sees his love and attraction as an addiction that he’d best be broken from. Thankfully it doesn’t take too long for Tom to come to his sense and persuade Cassandra how foolish he was and give her all the reasons they’d be right for each other. I love Lisa Kleypas and her industrialist heroes like Severin. Although he’s a man who’s used to getting what he wants, I like Tom’s creative thinking and surprising kindness. He’s not a poetic man, but his feelings for Cassandra lead to some charmingly authentic romantic moments. Cassandra is a mix of sense and sensibility – romanticism and pragmatism. The chemistry between this couple rings true and makes for some entertaining reading.
CHASING CASSANDRA has a couple with an electric connection and superb storytelling. The secondary characters in this book add depth to an already engaging story. I might feel this way about each book in this series but CHASING CASSANDRA may be my favorite in this “Ravenel” series. I look forward to Lisa Kleypas’ next historical romance.
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.
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.
The chase for Cassandra’s hand may be over. But the chase for her heart has only just begun . . .
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