Review: WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE by Cathy Maxwell

When Dreams Come True
by Cathy Maxwell

Genre:
Historical Romance
Setting:
England, 1815
Publisher: Avon
1st Pub. Date:
Aug.1, 1998
Re-release Date:
March 27, 2012
Received by:
Author for review

An air of fantasy makes this newly, re-released, historical romance a fun, sweetly romantic, and seductive read!

Being the type of reader who subconsciously makes connections of the current book I’m diving into to past reads, I couldn’t help but feel as though When Dreams Come True was the Little Mermaid all grown up. Okay, so maybe I’m seriously stretching it, but how could I not get a feel for parallels based on the following:

A stunningly, beautiful woman with a fabulous personality suddenly appearing from the ocean who attempts (with nothing short of desperation) to hide her past, while capturing the heart of the hero without even really trying?

Check.

Only to be rescued by the most devastatingly handsome, equally honorable, and eligible bachelor of Cornwall, who the village peasants place on the most high pedestal?

Check.

A mother-in-law who is convinced the heroine is not good enough for her son and sets out to disrupt their HEA?

Check.

Complete with a determined attempt to bring the hiding woman home by one ruthless woman who feels the heroine belongs to her?

Check.

Original cover: Pub. 1998

When Dreams Come True was a read wrapped in a cloth of familiar tropes, but placed in the context of fantastical elements that swept me away into the land of “swoon”. Full of romance, the chemistry between the hero and heroine is definitely palpable and is refreshingly sweet. Just as with all romances, the hero and heroine have to overcome obstacles, and with this couple there are trust issues and secrets that threaten to tear them apart, no matter how much they have fallen in love with one another. But, the romantic part is that despite the relationship misgivings, this is a couple that fights for one another, both determined to find an HEA together despite outside forces that are constantly providing the conflicts.

The beginning of the book opens with a prologue that sets the stage for the air of the fantasy elements that initially set me down the path of remembering the childhood classic, The Little Mermaid (and I’m not saying that it resembles this or that others may feel this way – it’s just my own perceptions). And, quite frankly, I wasn’t sure where the book was going or whether or not I would like it. But, like it, I did.

The romance is endearing and I couldn’t help but enjoy both the hero and heroine. Especially when it came to not giving up on their love despite the deceitful and hurtful circumstances that provide the underlying conflict of the main plot. Their personalities make it nearly impossible to dislike them. You can’t help but root for them both and become invested in their quest to seek happiness with one another.

The secondary characters act as more supporting plot-drivers than stand-alone additions to the story. And the setting is so idealistic to the time period and even helps establish the air of romance and fantasy in a quaint little village, whose occupants want nothing but the best for their lord, the earl of Penhallow. Awww…

This was the first Cathy Maxwell book I’ve read and it won’t be my last! I’m glad that Avon made the decision to re-release the book otherwise I may have never found this sweet romantic read.

The recommendation: Historical romance fans looking for a little ‘magic’ with their love, an H/h couple that make chemistry heat the pages, a historical England setting set apart from the ton (or at least for the most part), and want passion but with a healthy dose of sweet romance – oh, and a very cute HEA ending!

Giveaway Details:

This post is part of the Bodice Ripper Revival Weekend at Novel Reflections! The winner of this weekend’s event will choose from either an ebook of My Lady Enslaved gifted via All Romance eBooks or a print copy of When Dreams Come True shipped via Book Depository, B&N, or gifted as an ebook from Amazon.com. {Diana’s review of My Lady Enslaved will post tomorrow.}

To enter, please leave a comment on this post. For an extra entry, come back tomorrow and leave a comment on Diana’s review. Entries will be accepted until 4/30/2012 @ 11:59 pm EST. Good luck!