*CJ*'s Reviews > Almost Heaven

"Almost Heaven" is the story of Elizabeth and Ian.

I LOVE Judith McNaught. "Something Wonderful" introduced me to romance, and since then I have never looked back, rereading the book a 1000x easily, falling more in love with Alexandra and Jordan every single time. "Once and Always" that preceded it was my next novel, and I can still remember laughing and crying with Victoria and Jason on every reread. For some reason, I put off reading the final book in the trilogy until now..and here it is, stealing my heart once again.

Our heroine is Elizabeth Cameron, The Countess of Havenhurst, ethereal beauty, equally courageous, smart and witty. Two years ago, a chance meeting leads her to Ian Thornton, a notorious gambler, illegitimate grandson of the Duke of Stanhope and a social outcast. Their eyes meet, attraction sparks, further inflamed by each other's intellect and charm. However, a jealous acquaintance causes a series of events that leads to a public scandal, an infamous duel, and their inevitable social downfall as they are discovered in each other's arms.

Now Elizabeth is the impoverished countess, with impeccable bargaining skills, fighting hard to keep Havenhurst and her beloved staff afloat. With her brother missing for two years, she is now being blackmailed by her uncle to marry one of the three suitors..one of whom turns out to be the very man responsible for her shunning..Ian!

Confusions leads to a tumultuous confrontation, that is inflamed by passion, desire and love. Soon Ian discovers his past wrongdoings, and offers for Elizabeth's hand. Initially reluctant, she accepts when encouraged by her best friend Alexandra and reassured by her husband Jordan. As Ian and Elizabeth marry, they fall madly and passionately in love, finding all the happiness they had ever craved and wanted with each other. But when a ghost from the past returns and leads to a public scandal, will they learn to forgive each other, making love finally triumph all?

Absolutely WONDERFUL book with lovable characters- both main and secondary, intriguing plot, loads of angst, drama, romance, scintillating lovemaking, heartbreak, grovel and a beautiful epilogue. Ms McNaught never, ever fails to make me cry with happiness, while rooting for her characters- and once again, we saw the alpha hero giving in to the heroine, and yet winning on every single page. The hero and heroine were both fabulous, multidimensional characters, and it was my pleasure to spend the last day with them.

Safe for me
100/5