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The Avenhurst Inheritance
THREE BEAUTIFUL WOMENTHREE EXQUISITE PASSIONSTHREE HEARTS BEATING WITH LOVE--FOR THE SAME MANHandsome, passionate Jocelyn Rivers had fallen deeply in love with Celia, the neighborhood beauty whose father's wealth was linked with the Avenhurst title. What then should stand in the way of such a fine match?But their wedding plans were shattered when a horrid set of circumstances forced Jocelyn to flee England and begin anew, unknown and unnamed, on the tropical paradise of Jamaica.There he married Alathea, the gorgeous daughter of a wealthy planter. Theirs was a love shadowed in mystery, and not till her father's death did Jocelyn understand the vow he had pledged never to take Alathea from the protective paradise of the island.It seemed that wherever he turned, Fate awaited him, distracting him, turning his attention away from lovely, sweet Serena, who had adored him from afar since her childhood.
- GenresRomance
253 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
16 people want to read
About the author
Sylvia Thorpe
38 books22 followersJune Sylvia Thimblethorpe was born in 1926 in London, England. Educated in London at a school in Brondesbury, Kilburn High School for Girls, Slade School of Fine Arts, and University College. She worked as secretary from 1949 to 1952 and later she worked as school teacher.
As Sylvia Thorpe, she wrote over 25 historical romance novels from 1950 to 1983. Her novel "The Scapegrace" (1971) won the Elizabeth Goudge Historical Award. She was the third elected Chairman (1965-1967) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was named a Honor Life Member of the organization.
Sylvia is now a trustee for the Goodrich Village Hall Trust. Goodrich is a village, in south Herefordshire which is very close to Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean situated near the River Wye and is famous for its old red sandstone Norman and medieval castle.
As Sylvia Thorpe, she wrote over 25 historical romance novels from 1950 to 1983. Her novel "The Scapegrace" (1971) won the Elizabeth Goudge Historical Award. She was the third elected Chairman (1965-1967) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was named a Honor Life Member of the organization.
Sylvia is now a trustee for the Goodrich Village Hall Trust. Goodrich is a village, in south Herefordshire which is very close to Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean situated near the River Wye and is famous for its old red sandstone Norman and medieval castle.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 20, 2011
Well, Sylvia Thorpe pretty much disappointed me this time around. After reading over 23 of her books, I've got to say that this offering is one of the weakest in her selection.
The story is broken up into three different sections, each section being one of the "loves" of the hero, Jocelyn Rivers, who later takes on the name of Julian Severn to avoid scandal. Jocelyn/Julian is arrogant, rude, vindictive, clueless and craven. How he manages to find not one but three women to fall in love with him is beyond my comprehension, but then again you need to look at the women themselves:
Section one features "Celia", a silly, stupid boyhood friend of Jocelyn's. She claims to love him, but at the first sign of trouble, she bolts like a scared chicken.
Section two introduces "Alathea", a Bertha Rochester clone if ever there was one. I think Thorpe must have just read Jane Eyre as well as Wide Sargasso Sea before penning this character.Bertha Alathea is exotically and sexually potent, but crazy as hell. Idiot Jocelyn/Julian only sees her with his "little head", however, and marries her before getting to see how bat-shite crazy she really is.
Section three showcases "Serena", who every bit lives up to her name, and is the most insipid doormat for Jocelyn/Julian that he could ever desire. The couple are perfect for each other, or as perfect as warm spit can ever be.
I really do love Sylvia Thorpe's writing style (even through you'd never know it from this review). But this book was really, really ridiculous, and not up to her style.
Sorry Sylvia :(
The story is broken up into three different sections, each section being one of the "loves" of the hero, Jocelyn Rivers, who later takes on the name of Julian Severn to avoid scandal. Jocelyn/Julian is arrogant, rude, vindictive, clueless and craven. How he manages to find not one but three women to fall in love with him is beyond my comprehension, but then again you need to look at the women themselves:
Section one features "Celia", a silly, stupid boyhood friend of Jocelyn's. She claims to love him, but at the first sign of trouble, she bolts like a scared chicken.
Section two introduces "Alathea", a Bertha Rochester clone if ever there was one. I think Thorpe must have just read Jane Eyre as well as Wide Sargasso Sea before penning this character.
Section three showcases "Serena", who every bit lives up to her name, and is the most insipid doormat for Jocelyn/Julian that he could ever desire. The couple are perfect for each other, or as perfect as warm spit can ever be.
I really do love Sylvia Thorpe's writing style (even through you'd never know it from this review). But this book was really, really ridiculous, and not up to her style.
Sorry Sylvia :(
July 29, 2022
Sylvia Thorpe reread #20, and the last. I have now reread all my Sylvia Thorpe novels and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She has a way of bringing the periods of history to life whether it is the 17th century, Georgian or Regency.
This is one book that took a while to get into but as we progressed it definitely improved. Unlike most hist.roms this novel revolved around a man and not a woman. The tale of Jocelyn Rivers/Julian Severn and the three women who were instrumental in his life - the childish, selfish Celia, the beautiful, mysterious Alathea and the ever devoted, loving Serena. It swept from England to Jamaica and back again to England with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I am sad to bid farewell to Sylvia Thorpe and her writing.
This is one book that took a while to get into but as we progressed it definitely improved. Unlike most hist.roms this novel revolved around a man and not a woman. The tale of Jocelyn Rivers/Julian Severn and the three women who were instrumental in his life - the childish, selfish Celia, the beautiful, mysterious Alathea and the ever devoted, loving Serena. It swept from England to Jamaica and back again to England with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I am sad to bid farewell to Sylvia Thorpe and her writing.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews