Saturday, January 3, 2009

My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway *****

I enjoyed this book all the way through, but it was the ending that turned it into a 5-star read for me.

It was fun to watch 2 intelligent protagonists spar with words as they corresponded for 4.5 years - she trying to keep up with him to send his "allowance" so that she could keep the inheritance, he trying to stay one step ahead while he waited her out. When he finally shows up, a few months early of the 5 year deadline, the 2 then have to "fight" it out - who will inherit the property? It's funny that in the description it says "the woman whose love brings him home" because he does indeed fall in love with her letters, even though he has no intention of letting her get the better of him.

It's an unusual theme for a historical - Lily is a staunch feminist who is out to prove that, not including things which require physical strength, women can do anything men can - including successfully run a homestead and even make a profit. Avery is just waiting to inherit the home he was promised as a child and is just waiting for Lily to fail so that he can.

But it was the romantic ending that got me - Avery risked it all in a gamble to win over the woman who swore she would never marry anyone.

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