Review: A touching read for a great cause
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 24, 2014
Originally given 4.5 hearts at Rookie Romance.Novellas tend to be a bit hit and miss, it's hard to write a believable love story that makes an impact in so few pages, but Máire Claremont has definitely written a hit with Lady Wild. It packs just as much emotion, if not more, as full length novels do.Lady Ophelia has been abandoned and shunned by her family and society, leaving her to care for her dying mother in a rundown cottage. Her dreams of becoming an artist have withered and her passion for life fades as her mother's life does as well. Ophelia has a true artist's soul and she feels the loss of art in her life keenly. Not only that but her mother, who she loves dearly, is very ill and her strength is depleting.Ophelia has a very passionate soul and tries her best to be strong for her mother.Andrew is handsome and a bit of a rogue, but he feels empty inside and meeting Ophelia makes him feel for the first time in a long while. He's drawn to her and impulsively invites both Ophelia and her mother to London where he can act as Ophelia's patron to help her pursue her artistic dreams. He's so kind and caring, and I loved the bond he developed with Ophelia's mother, Lady Darlington.Whilst this is a romance, it is also a very touching story about saying goodbye and dealing with the loss of a loved one. It was really heart-breaking and I thought it was all the more moving because of Andrew's closeness to Lady Darlington. Andrew and Ophelia help each other through such a difficult time but it's Lady Darlington who truly brings them together.Máire Claremont has become one of my go to authors, and this novella is a great taster of what a wonderful writer she is. Unusual characters and intriguing plots are always part of her books, but she also has an ability to take 'broken' characters who find their healing through love.Not only is this a wonderful short story that rouses a myriad of emotions in such a short read, it's also for a great cause as Maire Claremont wrote the novella with the goal to raise $10,000 for Hospice. A truly touching story about love and family, all for a good cause. What more could you want?*I received a review copy for my honest opinion. Thank you!