Never Again is one of the best historical romance novel I've ever read. The characters are so thoroughly taped that you can feel their happiness, pain, and remorse.
Feeling that she has inadvertantly destroyed MP Gavin Sutherland's life with her cartoon depiction of his arguement with another MP in Hyde Park when the other man and his lover are murdered, Raine Montand (Raynard the Fox) sets out for a remote seaside community to help Gavin restore his reputation. Disguised as a widow to a British soldier she applies for his secretary opening.
Disowned, alone, and bitter Gavin Sutherland reluctantly hires Raine Jennings without asking too many questions, yet his close physical proximity to Raine wets his appetite about her past. As she assist him in piecing together his mystery novel he can't help but fall in love with her b/c she offers him encouragement and hope.
Jo-Ann Power makes our heart ache with their emotional conflicts. Raine feels she is unworthy of Gavin b/c she has caused his downfall, therefore must leave when his reputation is restored no matter how much she loves him. Gavin on the other hand is chaffing at the heart b/c Raine will not allow him to say "I love you" so he expresses it with his actions instead. What it all comes down to is when Gavin will learn Raine's identity, will he forgive her, and can she forgive herself?
Jo-Ann Power has written a superb novel in Never Again. The story flows well, and the dialogue is wonderful and touching. From Raine's side-stepping of Gavin's questions to his fustration with her secrets, Ms. Power has written a treat.