The Marriage Solution

Carlton Reef offers to save Katie White's father from bankruptcy if she marries him.

This plot is so clichéd, yet Helen Brooks pulls it off beautifully. The characters are likeable and believable. Even the Big Misunderstanding is not that far-fetched, as we know of Katie's insecurity. The only part I didn't understand is Carlton's confusion over why Katie doesn't like or trust him. During their first meeting (on the phone) and subsequent confrontation he is rude and threatening. It really should come as no surprise that she is somewhat ambivalent towards him. Putting that aside, he's actually quite a nice guy, unlike the aggressive alpha males we normally see in this plot device. Don't get me wrong, he's still very much an alpha, but he's confident not arrogant and overbearing. This was my first book by Helen Brooks and I really enjoyed it.