Originally published in 1988, this romance enjoys a look at
the West of Ireland where life is slower and people have
time to talk. Ginny Groves works in a small hotel
preparing for the Easter trade, but she prefers caring for
the horses than the social aspect. This year there is a new
brash young manager, Guy Rothwell, and Ginny suspects that
he's let another staff member go because she was over
forty. Guy's a workaholic, intent on modernising, and he
seems to be intent on getting to know Ginny better too.
WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE introduces us to all the local
characters, from young lads to elderly gossipers, and to
the horses as well. Chestnut Thoroughbred Colleen is full
of beans after a winter at grass, while placid Christmas is
suitable for new or nervous riders. Local roads wind
around headlands and mountains, with small stone-walled
fields and windblown Atlantic landscapes. Bird-watching,
art, golf, pony racing on the strand... there's plenty to
lure tourists even at this time of year. However Ginny
finds herself pressed into service not just at the
reception desk but as Guy's social hostess. She's not used
to four-course dinners, banquets or male attention. So
it's completely unexpected when Guy's past girlfriend
throws a drink over her. But worse is to come, as Guy
announces that the horses are not part of his long-term
plans.
This story gets us on Ginny's side from the start and we
worry about her being seduced by the smooth-talking
businessman. She knows it's a risk but part of her just
wants to be loved and treated well. Personally I'm not
going to be comfortable around a man who says "You know you
want me to make love to you," as a way of ending an
argument. The girl learns a hard lesson and has to decide
how she will react, and if there is a future for her either
at the hotel or in Guy's immediate proximity. At the same
time, it is completely plausible that Guy might realise
that he's found a keeper in Ginny, he just is so used to
controlling everything that he isn't handling the situation
the way he should. The tension mounts and we can't predict
how the situation will turn out.
With a thrilling beach race and lots of local colour, Janie
Summers has given us a very readable romance in WHEN DREAMS
COME TRUE, which should whet your appetite for an Irish
holiday.
How could a dream job turn into such an unbearable
nightmare?
Ginny Groves had a dream job. Working at a resort in West
Ireland, she wined and dined vacationing guests, and
“worked” nine-to-five—if you could call horseback riding on
the moors, cliffs, forests and beaches work. Sadly for
Ginny, her perfect job was a thing of the past.
For there is a new proprietor in charge of the Puffin Bay
Hotel this summer—and unlike his kindly father, Guy Rothwell
doesn’t believe that work should be fun. A stickler for
propriety, Guy is determined to eke every bit of joy out of
Ginny’s summer job, but the absolute last straw comes when
she finds out he intends to sell all of the resort’s horses.
If only Ginny can convince him to reconsider…
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