By Penny Jordan
She never thought love would spoil her marriage Harassed by her brother-in-law's loathsome advances, Jessica decided that the only solution was marriage. And the easiest way to find a husband was to advertize in the newspaper! Besides, she reasoned, the experience could prove the thesis of her book: that romantic love was not the best foundation for marriage. Lyle Garnett, a busy English doctor needing a mother for his two troublesome sons, answered Jessica's ad. He seemed equally determined to keep their relationship strictly practical. But, to her dismay, Jessica fell in love with the irascible doctor and her theory began to crumble.
Severity reflects intensity, not value — “central theme” means a warning is a core part of the book, not that the book is bad.