Review: Mistress by Marriage by Maggie Robinson

Too late for cold feet

Baron Edward Christie prided himself on his reputation for even temperament and reserve. That was before he met Caroline Parker. Wedding a scandalous beauty by special license days after they met did not inspire respect for his sangfroid. Moving her to a notorious lovebirds' nest as punishment for her flighty nature was perhaps also a blow. And of course talk has gotten out of his irresistible clandestine visits. Christie must put his wife aside—if only he can get her out of his blood first.

Too hot to refuse. . .

Caroline Parker was prepared to hear the worst: that her husband had determined to divorce her, spare them both the torture of passion they can neither tame nor escape. But his plan is wickeder than any she's ever heard. Life as his wife is suffocating. But she cannot resist becoming her own husband's mistress. . .

Caroline Parker is a fiery, outspoken redhead, the exact opposite of Edward Christie's first wife, Alice, who is now deceased.  In a way, that's why Edward married Caroline only days after meeting her, but that's also the reason they cannot live together.  Things would be much simpler if they divorced, though neither can get the other out of their respective minds (and hearts).  So when their yearly visit arrives, Caroline is prepared for Edward to announce he's going to finally divorce her.  Imagine her surprise when what he proposes is so much more scandalous. 

Mistress by Marriage is more in line with the first book of this series, Mistress by Mistake, though all of the heroines within the series live on the fictional Jane Street.  It's about a couple who love one another and are faithful, no matter what outward appearances say.  They are clearly miserable alone, though their misery leads to some much-needed humor -- particularly Caroline, who is a romance novelist and bases her villains on her husband, having the most fun plotting his death in each book --  and both are completely stubborn.  Theirs was a journey covering the entire emotional spectrum, and I was so glad to have been a part of it.