Beth is the very antithesis of the modern heroine, who always knows her own mind and acts accordingly, but that just makes the reader like her more.
Beth is the very antithesis of the modern heroine, who always knows her own mind and acts accordingly, but that just makes the reader like her more. When Gerard asks Beth to marry him, she immediately says yes, as she can't bear to disappoint her childhood friend. She then spends the remainder of the book running the whole gamut of emotions, as indicated by the titles of the chapters, whilst trying to make herself appear totally unsuitable to be his wife so that Gerard will end their engagement and let her off the hook. This he does do in the end or, at least, the reader is happy that a compromise is reached. This book is very entertaining and easy to read but it does touch on some serious issues too. The romanticized expectations within relationships, peer pressure, the continuance of the class system, care for the elderly and family dynamics are all addressed but without becoming heavy and detracting from the overall pleasure of the reading.