With This Ring is a Harlequin "American Romance" novel.  I don't usually read a lot of Harlequin or Silhouette novels--this might be my third or fourth-- but I've been trying to get into them so I be up-to-date on current romance novel trends.  I want to work for that industry someday, and I've neglected this whole facet of the genre.  Usually I only read the longer single titles or series because I'm a very quick reader and I want a book to last as long as possible.  Still, these novelas are good for when I don't have a lot of time on my hands, like right now.  So, onto the review...

Summary
Boy-from-the-projects Brent Borden has been in love with high-society Leslie Durrance since high school, but she's never had much use for him until he shows up outside the church as she runs away from her wedding and her two-timing groom.  Brent lets her stay at his house, a safe haven from all the gossip and questions she will have to endure.  

At Brent's, Leslie experiences a simpler life than she imagined, and she even finds herself enjoying living life on a smaller scale.  She discovers a new side of herself when she offers to plan a fundraiser for the local homeless shelter at which Brent's mom volunteers.  But what happens when she must return to her world, so seemingly disparate from the one in which Brent lives?  Will she keep rejecting Brent as she has done for years, or will she what a great guy he really is?

Opinion (a little spoilerish)
I enjoyed reading this book, but I feel it didn't capitalize on all its elements.  

First, we have class tensions.  Brent's mother, a tireless crusader for the poor, doesn't like Leslie and all her high class background represents.  The two have several uncomfortable encounters with each other.  But suddenly, off-stage, those tensions are solved.  I didn't like Brent's mother, and I wanted to see her put in her place.  But no.  A phone conversation between Brent and Leslie takes care of the whole business.  Also, Leslie's mother is a right snob, but all the issues with her are solved off-stage, too.

Second, we have long-standing love.  Throughout high school, Brent tried to date Leslie, but she always turned him down.  Why?  The only reason I can fathom is that she had a lot going on in high school with all her committees and club meetings, so she didn't have time to go out with him or anyone else.  The book sort of alludes to the fact that Leslie was never attracted to Brent in high school.  But why not?  There's really no good reason.  She just wasn't.  Of course, that happens in real life all the time.  But this is not real life, this is a book, and in books there have to be reasons for everything.  Also, I don't really understand why Brent likes Leslie.  He doesn't seem to think she's special for any specific reasons.  She's special because she's Leslie.  But what makes her Leslie?  I don't think she has enough of a personality for him to like anything about her.  

Third, we have new love.  Suddenly, Leslie is all about some Brent Borden, but what makes him so different now than when he was in high school and she didn't like him?  Nothing that I can tell.  Maybe Leslie's different, but I don't think she is.  There's no reason other than gratitude for Leslie to be in love with Brent Borden now.  I don't know.  Maybe I'm not being fair.  Maybe she would have been in love with him in high school if she'd had the time to get to know him.  But maybe that's reaching...

I don't know.  I had a good time reading this book because it was well-written, and I needed something to read, but I thought Ms. McKenzie could have developed more tension between the characters, and given more reasons for their actions and motivations.

All in all, I give this book a 6 out of 10 for personal enjoyment and a 6 out of 10 for actual quality.

Up next: Not sure, probably Cane by Jean Toomer.