It is revealed that Joe is a serial philanderer who, in spite of his best efforts, is unable to avoid chasing women.

As Alice intermittently suspects Joe is having affairs she becomes unhappy with her marriage, which is blessed with enormous wealth and prestige but has no warmth or passion.

After the move Alice becomes increasingly invigorated and secure with herself as she takes on the project of restoring an old country home to immaculate condition.

Eventually, on the night Joe is finally rejected by his latest extramarital pursuit and all four are at a local party, Alice and Harry kiss under the stars while intoxicated.

"[1] Deirdre Donahue of USA Today commended the book to single women envious of their friends wedded bliss with the observation that "marriage to Mr.

"[2] Spellbound topped the Original Fiction section of the Daily Telegraph's best-seller list on 26 January 2003[3] dropping to third place by 2 March 2003.