2.5 stars 
 Judith McNaught continues to confuse me. Once and Always is the second book of hers that I've read, and though I'm a fan of her writing style, I've already grown tired of her depiction of meek women being married off to overbearing and straight up abusive men. 
 The most basic summary of the plot: Victoria (meek woman) moves to England after the death of her family, and is subsequently kept away from her true love, Andrew, who is trying to return to her and marry her. Unfortunately, he finds her after it's much too late, as she'd already been duped into marrying Jason (abusive man). 
 Jason is an asshole with an admittedly shitty past. He is a man who is quick to anger, and verbally and physically abuses Victoria throughout the entire book, including up to the last three pages, wherein he says he's going to beat his new wife until she can't sit down. 
 The real kicker in the story is the wedding night rape of Victoria. Jason justifies the rape because he believes she long ago lost her virginity to Andrew. Completely ignoring her protests, look of fear, and tears, Jason forces himself on her. After, he immediately leaves her to return to his room, and appears shocked at sight of her blood on his thighs. But does he go apologize or try to soothe her? Of course not! 
 The next morning, Victoria confronts him and he responds with this gem: She had taken only a few steps when the door burst open behind her with an explosive crack and came flying out of its frame, hanging drunkenly from one hinge. Jason stood in the gaping hole of the doorway, his face white with rage, his voice hissing between his teeth. "Don't you ever bar a door to me again as long as you live," he snarled. "And don't ever threaten me with divorce again! This house is my property, under the law, just as you are my property. Do you understand me?" 
 This book never improves. At the 89% mark, there is a sexual scene where Jason tells Victoria: 
 "Don't make me angry enough to force you," he warned softly. "You won't like what happens if you do, believe me." 
 Sigh, this book is just TOO ROMANTIC for me. /sarcasm