The lengthy tale, peppered with erotic letters, comes to a satisfying conclusion in Volume 3. Included in this volume as a bonus is the fourth part of the series, the Appendices, as entertaining and erotic, if not more so, than the primary text. Please remember that the three volumes do not stand alone. In order to be enjoyed, indeed, in order to be understood, the volumes must be read in sequence.
Ah, Victorian smut. Well, technically Edwardian smut, but unless publishing was a whole hell of a lot faster than it is now, it was written at the very end of the Victorian period.
Anyway, the point is, this erotic novel was published in 1901. I love that time period, and I love smut. Sadly, for me this book was not a case of peanut butter and chocolate, but more of a crab cake and butterscotch sauce moment. Two things I love, but not necessarily together.
I like love. Romance. I don't require the main characters in the smut I read to get married and live happily ever after, but I do prefer it if they at least like each other. In Suburban Souls, no one really likes anyone very much.
The whole thing was just sort of depressing. I mainly keep the book so I can pull it out and toss at party guests who truly believe that smut and porn are modern inventions.