The preposterous kidnapping subplots only add insult to injury. The scene in which he sets up an employee to be humiliated is a case in point as is his allowing Kittie to treat his family so badly. Jason is an obnoxious hero and borderline abusive. Second, Jason’s reasoning for becoming engaged lacks credibility. First, her bitchiness is way overdone and is obviously meant to contrast against Gracie's almost angelic status. Speaking of Kittie, Jason’s engagement to her is a completely idiotic plot device. Her reason for keeping her past secret from Jason is also inexplicable – there is nothing shameful about it, and depicting it as such belittles women who have suffered from abuse.

It is a pity that she didn’t put him in his place when he came home with Kittie the cow.

In addition, she is a perfectly sweet doormat and for too accepting of Jason's rejection and snide attitude. Also, she becomes a teacher even though she apparently has a severe learning disability – weird. There is an inconsistency between her supposed mental deficiencies and her obvious social skills. Gracie’s characterization makes absolutely no sense. Rather the characters are one dimensional and vapid, and the story is ridiculous. This book is awful but it is not the borderline incest that turned me off.

OK, here goes my first and, hopefully, my last really negative review. Stung by her rejection, Jason leaves and sets in motion events that may change their lives forever. The feeling seems to be mutual but Gracie has a secret that makes her deathly afraid of love. Gracie Marsh worshipped her stepbrother Jason while growing up but now her feelings for him have evolved into something more intense.

Heartless by diana palmer