I've read hundreds of romance novels over many years, and this one stands out. Raschid is the heir to an Arabic country, and Evie, a member of the British aristocracy. The book begins after this couple have been together for two years and are struggling to remain together, with pressures from both families to marry within their cultures. This is unusual, as most romance books begin with couples who meet for the first time or have been separated for years. Events happen in both Evie's and Raschid's lives which force them to a decision point. Although Raschid and Evie have intense pressures to deal with, neither of them fly off the handle and take erratic actions, even though their emotions push them in these directions. Michelle Reid did such a good job of describing the conflict that prevented these two from marrying that I could not predict a resolution. The romantic feelings between the couple, the way they knew and understood each other, dealt with each other's foibles, was far above the maturity of most characters in romance novels. At the same time, Michelle was able to create a dominant man who was not domineering, and a woman who loved him deeply, enough to put her own needs aside, if doing otherwise would destroy the basis of their love for each other. This is a keeper and perhaps the best of Michelle Reid's books to date. I also recommend, "The Sheik's Chosen Wife," in which Evie and Raschid are secondary characters. Two more related books are planned for release in September and December 2002.