Ravish Me with Rubies

Feather concludes her London Jewels Trilogy (after Seduce Me with Sapphires) with this uneven tale of social reform and romance in Edwardian London. It’s a time of feather boas, flash new motorcars, and determined suffragettes—among them wealthy Petra Rutherford and her friends. At 14, Petra fell for handsome 24-year-old Guy Granville and he callously broke her heart. Ten years later, the sexy brute reenters Petra’s life, now a member of the House of Lords and a political ally of Petra’s brother. Petra has no intention of letting their renewed flirtation become serious—until Guy asks her to marry him. Petra agrees, but two things stand in the way of their happiness: Guy’s disdain for the women’s vote, and his ruthless former mistress, who’s determined to destroy their marriage. Though some readers won’t be able to reconcile Guy and Petra’s opposed belief systems, Petra is a plucky heroine and Guy will appeal to fans of alpha male tropes. Feather vividly recreates the world of the Edwardian upper class, where champagne flows like water and women enjoy new social freedoms. Heavier on atmosphere than swoonworthy moments, this series finale still offers all the lively characters and delightfully tangled plotting fans expect. (Feb.)