Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Four Stars

Lisa Kleypas is an automatic read for me. I really enjoy her writing and think that she is one of the all-time best romance writers.  I have to confess I have not read all the Ravenel books but I could not wait to read “Chasing Cassandra”. Many of the beloved characters from the previous show up here also. I intentionally call them beloved because Kleypas has such a way of making each character unique. She really knows how to unravel the layers of each one. She always provides some interesting details about how their history formed them and they become real.  I’ve been in such a reading slump that I thought if Kleypas can’t get me interested no author can- and she did!

First, Kleypas is an amazing writing. Her descriptions and subtle nuances make the story unfold before any readers eyes.  Tom Severin shows up in many of the previous books and he always stood out as interesting, rich and ruthless, but emotionally unattached.  At the beginning of  “Chasing Cassandra” he is still the same character however, when Pandora, Cassandra’s twin is about to get married  Tom hears Cassandra lament that she is not getting married also.  All of Cassandra’s live she has wanted to have a family and husband. Tom finds her to be beautiful and offers marriage on the spot!  Cassandra is fascinated by Tom and his “proposal” of sorts, but she wants a marriage based on love not just convenience.  Tom is known for being a collector of beautiful things and many fear that Cassandra is one more acquisition to his collection.  

Cassandra gets to known Tom more and more and she realizes that there are many parts to him.  When someone tries to slander her reputation and trick her into getting married Tom uses every influence, he has to fight for her and protect her honor. 

Overall, this was such a sweet and adorable story. Cassandra was a fun character and very sweet and likeable.  Tom was harder to understand. Although he is painted as emotionally unavailable at times he seems to be too removed and hard to understand. But no one paints hero’s like Kleypas and ultimately Tom wins over Cassandra and the reader!   I would put “Chasing Cassandra” as another Kleypas win! Definitely a story worth reading.