Corazon Rendido Book

[ the heroine's rape that took place two weeks before her wedding. She was a virgin and felt her "gift" to the hero was taken from her. Further, she wasn't able to have sex with the hero in the long tortuous year they lived together. She finally left when the hero gave her an ultimatum - be a proper wife or get out. Now, two years later, she owes her sleezy casino boss 5,000 pounds and she contacts the hero.

It's obvious the hero still cares about the heroine, but he's been deeply hurt by her visceral rejection. It's obvious the heroine is still living the trauma of her rape - with panic attacks happening on a daily basis. Just the first chapter with the heroine's agonized phone call in a phone booth is harrowing. No one would want to live in her head.

There is also a sub-plot about her younger sister being killed by a runaway car, so the heroine is also suffering from grief.

That author tries to fix all of this with the hero's love and some harsh conversations. While making for compelling reading - this is very unrealistic for anyone suffering from the trauma of rape, or even a specific panic like the heroine exhibits in elevators. It's good the heroine finally told the hero what happened, but that is just step one. Step two isn't the heroine being overcome by lust and seducing the hero because she doesn't want to lose his love. (hide spoiler)]