Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Review - - When You Wish Upon a Duke

When You Wish Upon a Duke
by Charis Michaels
Awakened by a Kiss - Book 2
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: August 24, 2021
Reviewed by PJ



All it takes….

After a childhood spent cavorting around Europe with a dangerous crowd, Miss Isobel Tinker has parlayed her experience and language skills into a safe, reliable life. Working as a clerk in Mayfair’s Everland Travel Shop, she dreams of someday owning her own travel agency and has vowed never to leave the familiar shores of England ever again. When a handsome duke arrives at her doorstep, she realizes her staid existence is about to take flight.

…is faith and hope

Jason “North” Beckett, the Duke of Northumberland, desperately needs a travel guide. He’s inherited a dukedom but has a final mission for the Foreign Office—rescuing his wayward cousin from Nordic pirates. Isobel Tinker is the ideal translator, discreet and unknown, but she’s also uncooperative, stubborn, and disarmingly beautiful.

And a little bit of trust

In exchange for her help, North promises Miss Tinker her own travel agency upon return and strict professionalism at sea. Isobel cautiously agrees but soon realizes “strict” and “professional” are not how she would describe her feelings for the irresistible duke. As their adventure sweeps them to the shores of Iceland and beyond, can temptation and growing trust give way to the magic of wild, passionate love?


PJ's Thoughts:


Maybe it's because Peter Pan was my favorite holiday television special when I was a child, or because I couldn't get enough of Disney's Peter Pan's Flight ride that carried me off into the magical world of Neverland. Maybe it's because I was thoroughly captivated the first time I saw Tinkerbell sweep through the night sky, sprinkling fairy dust as she flew overhead. Or maybe it all comes down to Charis Michaels' charismatic writing and spellbinding storytelling. Whatever the reason, once I started reading this fresh, original, and thoroughly entertaining historical romance inspired by Tinkerbell and other characters from Peter Pan, I couldn't put it down. Michaels snagged my interest almost immediately, then took me on a twisty adventure from England to Iceland and back again, weaving together an unlikely romance between two intriguing characters. Is it a bit over the top at times? Yes. Did I care? Not in the least. 


Isobel and North are both fully fleshed characters whose personalities and back stories gradually unfurl as their journey progresses. I love that both of them turn out to be so much more complex than they seem at first appearance, with intriguing layers as well as surprising strengths and weaknesses, and a few twists I wasn't expecting. The chemistry between them sparks almost immediately, leading to wonderfully delicious friction, tension, and snappy banter. No easy road for these two but what a fun, adventure-filled, and thoroughly satisfying journey. 


The nods to elements from Peter Pan, seamlessly woven into the story, felt like a delightful gift each and every time I stumbled upon them. And the characters inspired by Peter, Hook, Tinkerbell and more, while all true to their time, place, and part in this story, still honored those earlier characters from whom many of their characteristics were taken. 


You know those books that charm you, enthrall you, and make your heart flutter with glorious butterflies? This is one of those books. It's an adventurous, heartwarming, happily ever after that pays homage to one of my favorite characters who never got a happy ending - until now - in a way that made me laugh, cheer, sigh, cheer some more, and pretty much grin from beginning to end. It's going straight to my keeper shelf where it's destined to become one of my comfort reads, a story I can revisit whenever I need an infusion of joy. 



9 comments:

  1. Love the idea that it's based on a fairy tale (Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorites) - sounds like a great read!

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  2. I just started this ARC last night.

    denise

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  3. I could use an infusion of joy too. Thank you for the wonderful review. You have made me realize I need to read Ms Michaels books. This does sound like so much fun.

    Hope everyone is well and safe and taking care.

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  4. PJ you take me back to Tinkerbell sprinkling fairy dust. I will definitely add this to my list. We could all use some take me away books.

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks PJ.

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  6. Thanks for such a great review. I've added this to my ever-growing list of books to read.

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  7. This just went to the top of my Wish List. I "lived" Peter Pan when I was a child. At 10, I was telling stories to my younger siblings of my nightly adventures with Peter and Tinker Bell. There is still a part of me that really doesn't want to grow up and longs to be sprinkled with fairy dust to fly off to adventures. This sounds delightful and a book I must read.

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  8. Love your 5 * review!
    I can’t wait to go along for a ride reading Charis Michaels’ story!

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