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The Wishing Well Trilogy #1
Catherine's Wish
Join a reformed rogue and a rebellious lady as they turn a quiet English village during the Regency period into a cauldron of simmering, forbidden romance.
HAS A HEART IN HIDING FOUND A LOVE IN WAITING?
Miss Catherine Summerfield is a lady with a scandalous past for whom no gentleman will offer. Longing for a chance at love and happiness, she takes a secret peek into the waters of an old wishing well one magical night. Never did she imagine to see the handsome face of Lord Meredith--already engaged to her closest friend--reflected in the waters. However, this was no mere apparition, but the gentleman himself in the flesh. And before she could even protest, she found herself in his arms, responding to his lingering kisses. But Catherine and Lord Meredith both know their union can never be--unless a twist of fate intervenes and makes both of their wishes come true.
HAS A HEART IN HIDING FOUND A LOVE IN WAITING?
Miss Catherine Summerfield is a lady with a scandalous past for whom no gentleman will offer. Longing for a chance at love and happiness, she takes a secret peek into the waters of an old wishing well one magical night. Never did she imagine to see the handsome face of Lord Meredith--already engaged to her closest friend--reflected in the waters. However, this was no mere apparition, but the gentleman himself in the flesh. And before she could even protest, she found herself in his arms, responding to his lingering kisses. But Catherine and Lord Meredith both know their union can never be--unless a twist of fate intervenes and makes both of their wishes come true.
315 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2000
About the author
Joy Reed
34 books5 followersI have been reading Regency romances since I was in my teens and actually wrote my first one--a truly dreadful effort--when I was about sixteen. But since I chose to pursue an education and career in a different field (automotive technology, with minors in French and business administration), that early effort gathered dust for many years. It wasn't until after the birth of my daughter that I had the time and inclination to take up writing again. I enjoy writing and enjoy even more hearing from readers of my books. I work hard to make my Regencies accurate in period detail as well as entertaining in content.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 25, 2018
Romance readers tend to read A LOT of books most of which get forgotten and passed on but a few become 'Keepers' treasured favourites that get read again and again. For me Catherine's Wish is one of those keepers. I read it years ago from the library and it took me years to finally track it down remembering neither the title or the author, merely the story and characters, only that I really really wanted to read it again.
What I particularly like in this one are the flawed characters. Our heroine Catherine isn't a shy virgin, she ran away from boarding school with her dance instructor and lived with him for two weeks unmarried before being brought home. I love the fact that she isn't sorry about it - and that she was thoroughly disillusioned about romance. I also love Johnathan the hero he too has a colourful past and it makes sense both that he aspires to the angelic Laura but can't resist Catherine his equal in every way.
The forbidden romance is superb in this one - Johnathan's as good as engaged to Laura but totally in love with Catherine and their passion is electric. The sex scenes while not explicit really do deepen the romance and are just beautiful.
As well as a wonderful romance this also balances it with a murder mystery sub plot - there's a villain abroad killing women of poor repute that started up just as Johnathan arrived in town leading gossips to suspect him.
There's a tiny hint of magic with this wishing well - but what I like is that you can read into it that it's pure hokum I mean Johnathan does happen to be standing behind her when she sees his reflection - so it holds just the right amount of whimsy to leave it to the imagination.
Overall I love this one - it pays homage to Hardy & Austen in terms of story and writing, has a truly excellent forbidden romance nicely balanced with an exciting plot and deviates enough from the standard Regency romance formula to make it stand out whilst still having a happy ending. I love that the characters are flawed and not shown in the best light, it makes them seem more real and interesting and the romance all that more touching.
What I particularly like in this one are the flawed characters. Our heroine Catherine isn't a shy virgin, she ran away from boarding school with her dance instructor and lived with him for two weeks unmarried before being brought home. I love the fact that she isn't sorry about it - and that she was thoroughly disillusioned about romance. I also love Johnathan the hero he too has a colourful past and it makes sense both that he aspires to the angelic Laura but can't resist Catherine his equal in every way.
The forbidden romance is superb in this one - Johnathan's as good as engaged to Laura but totally in love with Catherine and their passion is electric. The sex scenes while not explicit really do deepen the romance and are just beautiful.
As well as a wonderful romance this also balances it with a murder mystery sub plot - there's a villain abroad killing women of poor repute that started up just as Johnathan arrived in town leading gossips to suspect him.
There's a tiny hint of magic with this wishing well - but what I like is that you can read into it that it's pure hokum I mean Johnathan does happen to be standing behind her when she sees his reflection - so it holds just the right amount of whimsy to leave it to the imagination.
Overall I love this one - it pays homage to Hardy & Austen in terms of story and writing, has a truly excellent forbidden romance nicely balanced with an exciting plot and deviates enough from the standard Regency romance formula to make it stand out whilst still having a happy ending. I love that the characters are flawed and not shown in the best light, it makes them seem more real and interesting and the romance all that more touching.
Displaying 1 of 1 review