Love at Any Cost is the first Julie Lessman book I've had the privilege of reading. My expectations were high when I picked up this book. I've heard so many good things about Julie, I was eager to see for myself. And let me say, I wasn't disappointed!
From the moment I began reading Love at Any Cost, I was transported back to San Francisco in 1902. Julie's details are outstanding and her characters are well-crafted and believable. Each one has a unique personality trait that sets them apart from the others. My particular favorite of Cassie's (the heroine) was her use of slang terms. The very first two words in the novel are: "Sweet thunderation."
Cassie McClare has left her Texas ranch behind to spend the summer with her cousins in San Francisco. She hopes to forget about the man who has broken her heart. Her former fiancé was a fortune hunter and when he found out Cassie's father had just lost all his money, he jilted her a week before the wedding. From now on, she intended to swear off all "pretty men" for good.
Jamie McKenna is a handsome lawyer who has worked his way up from the very bottom of the social ladder. He desires to pull his family out of the slums of the Barbary Coast and make a better life for his mother and sister--but the only way he can do that is to marry into a wealthy family with good political connections. Cassie McClare's arrival in town is the opportunity he's been waiting for.
When Jamie sweeps Cassie off her feet, quite literally, the sparks begin to fly. But will their love survive when Jamie learns Cassie isn't as wealthy as he thought--and can Cassie trust her heart to another "pretty man"?
This story is sweet, funny and full of heart. With a lot of excellent supporting characters, Love at Any Cost is a book I will recommend.
What about you? Have you read a book by Julia Lessman? Have you read this one?
**Available April 15, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.**
I'll add this one to my list. I love experiencing different time periods through books.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my favorite reasons for reading historical fiction, Lisa. We get to experience many different time periods, all from the comfort of our favorite chair!
DeleteI've read a lot of Julie's books and loved her characters too! :) I need to get my hands on this one.
ReplyDeleteGABRIELLE!!! Thank you SO much for the GREAT review -- I am thrilled you enjoyed the McClares and SO appreciate you trying out my "passion with a purpose" style of writing by checking out Love at Any Cost.
ReplyDeleteYou might be interested in knowing that the first book in my 2nd series, A Hope Undaunted, is available for free download right now, so I hope you check it out too.
And a big thanks to LINDSAY, too, for reading my books as well -- MUCH appreciated!! :)
Thanks again, Gabrielle!
Hugs,
Julie