Elizabeth Ashton (1)

The Joyous Adventure by Elizabeth Ashton is a 1979 Harlequin Romance publication.

Susan is a young widow who wants to keep her husband’s estate- Thurston Hall- for her children’s sake- but in order to do that she will have to find a way to make the estate profitable.

Enter Raoul Sansterre-

Raoul, despite his obvious skepticism, agrees to help Susan launch a high-end restaurant on the estate. The pair instantly clash- but they are also irritatingly attracted to one another. Susan insists on keeping their relationship on a professional level, while Raoul has made it clear that he wouldn’t mind mixing a bit a pleasure with business…

This book was originally published back in 1979. I was so surprised to see it in the KU program, I felt obligated to help support it, as it is so hard to find older books in e book format.

Although, I do keep in mind the time frame in which a book is published, especially when it comes to older romance novels. Unfortunately, there were two scenes that, even if I had read this book in 1979, would have been a deal breaker, even then.

So, without spending too much time on it- Raoul was not a redeemable character. I hope Susan never has another ‘hysterical’ episode and hope any future pets will stay clear of Raoul!

1.5 stars

*Despite my issues with this book, I do hope any author- or their estate- who has the rights to their books will consider digitizing them. Once garage sales, eBay, and used bookstores stop selling these in favor of the next wave of 'retro-reads- these out of print books will be lost forever, especially as libraries are continuously challenged in their efforts to continue to provide older books for those patrons who are interested.… (mere)

She had no idea who she was or where she came from -- only that she had been in an accident somewhere in the remote northwest of India and that Clive Stratton had rescued her. He found a name for her -- Angela -- and took her under his wing.

Back in England, in the peaceful surroundings of Clive's Dorset home, they both hoped that gradually memory and happiness would return to Angela. But what chance of happiness had she, when she found herself living with the glamorous ghost of Clive's first wife?

COMMENTS :
Angela remembers while still in India immediately after they marry and consumate the marriage. Clive turns on her immediately; her name is an anaethma to Clive and his step-mother both of whom seem to be obsessed by his first wife who died 9 years before. She seeks to clear her father's name but upsets the step mother causing a stroke and Clive blames her. She decides to leave him but realizing she is pregnant she returns and the misunderstandings are cleared up...again too convenient and quick after unforgivable actions on the part of the hero. Why are these women so eager to ignore the rotten behaviour and forgive so easily.… (mere)