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Governess Brides #5
In My Wildest Dreams
Since she was a little girl, Celeste has had one burning desire: to marry Ellery Throckmorton. But what chance does a gardener's daughter have of capturing the heart of one of England's wealthiest gentlemen? However, the education she receives at the Distinguished Academy of Governesses enables Celeste to return to Blythe Hall with a refinement that complements her ravishing beauty—and makes her bold, romantic dream more attainable. But, alas, temptation gets in the way...
For wherever Celeste turns, it is not Ellery she encounters, but his serious, yet undeniably intriguing, older brother, Garrick. The elder Throckmorton will have no one interfere with the younger's impending nuptials, and his meddling infuriates Celeste to no end. Still, she cannot disregard the fluttering of her heart whenever Garrick deigns to smile at her. And the passion she senses smoldering beneath his formidable control is tempting her in a manner a lady must never allow...
For wherever Celeste turns, it is not Ellery she encounters, but his serious, yet undeniably intriguing, older brother, Garrick. The elder Throckmorton will have no one interfere with the younger's impending nuptials, and his meddling infuriates Celeste to no end. Still, she cannot disregard the fluttering of her heart whenever Garrick deigns to smile at her. And the passion she senses smoldering beneath his formidable control is tempting her in a manner a lady must never allow...
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2001
84 people are currently reading
1377 people want to read
About the author
Christina Dodd
103 books5,915 followersUpcoming:
— 6/30/26 TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN: Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #3 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
New and Now!
—MUCH ADO ABOUT MISTLETOE: Daughter of Montague Christmas novella https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— THUS WITH A KISS I DIE Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #2
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA Historical Fiction Trade Paperback Once upon a time a young couple met and fell in love. You probably know that story, and how it ended (hint: badly). Only here’s the thing: That’s not how it ended at all…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
— WELCOME TO GOTHIC: A Gothic novella in ebook (at last!) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Daughter of Montague novella 1.5 "I’m the daughter of Romeo and Juliet. Yes, that Romeo and Juliet. No, they didn’t die in the tomb…" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— GIRL ANONYMOUS “Crackling sexual chemistry and a few love scenes guaranteed to scorch readers’ fingers as they turn the pages." — ⭐️ Booklist
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Readers become writers, and Christina has always been a reader. Ultimately she discovered she liked to read romance best because the relationship between a man and a woman is always humorous. A woman wants world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants a Craftsman router, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will make his bald spot disappear.
When Christina’s first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?
Ha! It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before she was published. Now her suspense, paranormal, historical, and mystery novels have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 15 million copies in print. Praised for her “brilliantly etched characters, polished writing, and unexpected flashes of sharp humor that are pure Dodd” (Booklist), her award-winning books have landed on numerous Best of the Year lists and, much to her mother's delight, Dodd was once a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest, where her 700 lavender plants share the yard with her husband’s various “Big Projects,” including a treehouse, zipline, and their very own Stonehenge.
Enter Christina’s worlds and join her mailing list for humor, book news and entertainment (yes, she’s the proud author with the infamous three-armed cover) at christinadodd.com. For more information on A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA, visit daughterofmontague.com. Her legions of fans know that when they pick up a Christina Dodd book, they'll find the story, "Wildly entertaining, wickedly witty!"
Christina is married to a man with all his hair and no Corvette, but many Craftsman tools.
(Source: http://www.christinadodd.com )
— 6/30/26 TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN: Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #3 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
New and Now!
—MUCH ADO ABOUT MISTLETOE: Daughter of Montague Christmas novella https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— THUS WITH A KISS I DIE Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #2
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA Historical Fiction Trade Paperback Once upon a time a young couple met and fell in love. You probably know that story, and how it ended (hint: badly). Only here’s the thing: That’s not how it ended at all…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
— WELCOME TO GOTHIC: A Gothic novella in ebook (at last!) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Daughter of Montague novella 1.5 "I’m the daughter of Romeo and Juliet. Yes, that Romeo and Juliet. No, they didn’t die in the tomb…" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— GIRL ANONYMOUS “Crackling sexual chemistry and a few love scenes guaranteed to scorch readers’ fingers as they turn the pages." — ⭐️ Booklist
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Readers become writers, and Christina has always been a reader. Ultimately she discovered she liked to read romance best because the relationship between a man and a woman is always humorous. A woman wants world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants a Craftsman router, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will make his bald spot disappear.
When Christina’s first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?
Ha! It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before she was published. Now her suspense, paranormal, historical, and mystery novels have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 15 million copies in print. Praised for her “brilliantly etched characters, polished writing, and unexpected flashes of sharp humor that are pure Dodd” (Booklist), her award-winning books have landed on numerous Best of the Year lists and, much to her mother's delight, Dodd was once a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest, where her 700 lavender plants share the yard with her husband’s various “Big Projects,” including a treehouse, zipline, and their very own Stonehenge.
Enter Christina’s worlds and join her mailing list for humor, book news and entertainment (yes, she’s the proud author with the infamous three-armed cover) at christinadodd.com. For more information on A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA, visit daughterofmontague.com. Her legions of fans know that when they pick up a Christina Dodd book, they'll find the story, "Wildly entertaining, wickedly witty!"
Christina is married to a man with all his hair and no Corvette, but many Craftsman tools.
(Source: http://www.christinadodd.com )
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
March 19, 2011
It didn’t take me long to figure out that In My Wildest Dreams was a rip-off of Billy Wilder’s charming 1954 movie
Sabrina
with the immortal Audrey Hepburn. I remember groaning as I caught onto Christina Dodd’s storyline. As much as I like Harrison Ford (he deserved an Oscar for
The Fugitive
, IMHO), he wasn’t as right for the role iconized by Humphrey Bogart. Plus, the original
Sabrina
is one of my all-time-favorite movies! If I was not overly impressed with the re-make of the 1995 movie, how was I going to like this book? Okay, okay, some of you may know that Wilder’s movie was actually a remake of a Broadway play entitled Sabrina Fair, and also has a UK version with the same title, neither of which I’ve seen. But, I digress…
Luckily, with nothing better to read, I kept plowing through. You really need to think Sabrina meets To Russia, With Love , with the hero, Gerrick, as James Bond. The heroine, Celeste (being the daughter of the gardener and the cook), has grown up on the hero’s estate. After graduating from the Distinguished Academy of Governesses and working in Paris for a Russian diplomat, where she learned the language, she has now returned to Blythe Hall where she will work as a governess. I won’t reiterate the Sabrina screenplay as it really only applies to the first few chapters, and will say there are a few surprises and a lots of original laugh-out-loud moments due to the dialogue.
True, I expected that a well-educated man practicing espionage in foreign countries would speak the regional dialects (Russian, for one); nonetheless, I remembered, even the Russian court communicated in French, so I just shrugged and went with it. Lady Hyacinth, Celeste’s rival for the roguish Ellery’s (the younger brother) attention, is part of the cast-of-characters; but, Dodd doesn’t fall into the cliché of painting her as either a black or white option, making her role bigger and with more humor and depth. From the kids to the other servants, I enjoyed all the characters. Yes, I found myself remembering scenes from the movie and comparing them to the book and still I was smiling. CD pulled this one off, and I was pleased with this Victorian rendition of an American Movie Classic in romance book form.
Luckily, with nothing better to read, I kept plowing through. You really need to think Sabrina meets To Russia, With Love , with the hero, Gerrick, as James Bond. The heroine, Celeste (being the daughter of the gardener and the cook), has grown up on the hero’s estate. After graduating from the Distinguished Academy of Governesses and working in Paris for a Russian diplomat, where she learned the language, she has now returned to Blythe Hall where she will work as a governess. I won’t reiterate the Sabrina screenplay as it really only applies to the first few chapters, and will say there are a few surprises and a lots of original laugh-out-loud moments due to the dialogue.
True, I expected that a well-educated man practicing espionage in foreign countries would speak the regional dialects (Russian, for one); nonetheless, I remembered, even the Russian court communicated in French, so I just shrugged and went with it. Lady Hyacinth, Celeste’s rival for the roguish Ellery’s (the younger brother) attention, is part of the cast-of-characters; but, Dodd doesn’t fall into the cliché of painting her as either a black or white option, making her role bigger and with more humor and depth. From the kids to the other servants, I enjoyed all the characters. Yes, I found myself remembering scenes from the movie and comparing them to the book and still I was smiling. CD pulled this one off, and I was pleased with this Victorian rendition of an American Movie Classic in romance book form.
September 9, 2022
4 Estrellitas. Llegamos al 4° libro de la serie Institutrices de Christina Dodd. Aunque tiene poquito o nada que ver con los primeros de la serie. Aquí no salen Charlotte, ni Pamela, ni Hannah, las fundadoras de la Distinguida Academia de Institutrices.
"En mis sueños" ocurre pocos años después de los primeros libros, y lo que nos trae Christina Dodd es la historia de la película "Sabrina", trasladada a la Inglaterra victoriana.
Celeste Milford es la hija del jardinero de Blythe Hall, la mansión de la poderosa familia Throckmorton. Celeste ha estado enamorada desde niña de Ellery, el hermano menor, un guapo y despreocupado sinvergüerza, del que todas la mujeres se enamoran. Consciente la familia y servidumbre de éste hecho, deciden poner distancia entre medio, enviando a Celeste a la Distinguida Academia de Institutrices.
Han pasado cuatro años y Celeste ha crecido, se ha convertido en una joven dama con modales y que ha visto mundo; ha vivido en París y viajado a Rusia. Pero a la menor oportunidad que se le presenta, vuelve a casa, a Blythe Hall, pero ésta vez lo hará en calidad de institutriz de dos niñas, una ilegítima de Ellery, y la hija de Garrick, el hermano mayor.
La vuelta de Celeste trae un gran revuelo en la familia, Ellery se ha fijado en ella en el peor momento, cuando está a punto de prometerse con otra joven, y ésta vez, Celeste no cejará en su empeño de conquistar por fin a Ellery.
Los planes de la joven se truncarán cuando Garrick entre en acción. Si no puede deshacerse de Celeste por las buenas, tendrá que ser por las malas, seduciendo a la joven de tal manera que ésta olvide su encaprichamiento por Ellery.
Una serie de circunstancias propiciarán que Celeste y Ellery no puedan verse, mientras Garrick "cuida" a Celeste en nombre de Ellery. Entre ellos habrá una serie de encuentros amorosos que no harán más que confundir a la joven. Pero esto no será todo, ambos protagonistas trabajarán juntos cuando Garrick necesite la ayuda de Celeste para traducir unos textos de vital importancia para el porvenir de su país.
El libro me ha gustado mucho, lo he disfrutado un montón y los protagonistas me han encantado, pero si no le he dado más estrellas es porque he visto que la historia de la institutriz está metida con calzador y es una excusa para trasladar la historia de Sabrina a la Inglaterra victoriana. De institutriz se ve poco o nada, Celeste está casi siempre codeándose con los aristócratas en la fiesta de compromiso de Blythe Hall, o en el invernadero con Garrick, o en el despacho de Garrick, y las niñas apenas salen en dos o tres escenas.
Christina Dodd le ha dado más importancia a la trama tal como se plantea en la película Sabrina. Por supuesto, si has visto la película, no hay mucho misterio sobre qué ocurrirá durante el libro, pero siendo sincera, me ha gustado mucho el homenaje que ha hecho la autora. Los protagonistas están bien definidos y se refleja muy bien la evolución de ambos, sobre todo me ha acabado sorprendiendo Ellery.
El romance ha estado bien, me ha gustado bastante más que el del anterior libro, y Garrick, pese a lo frío, soso o desalmado que pueda parecer, en el fondo tiene su corazoncito y es terriblemente leal a su familia. La horma de su zapato será Celeste y lo que ésta despierta en él.
Pues sí, ha funcionado muy bien y me ha gustado mucho. Hasta la fecha creo que es la serie de Christina Dodd que más me está gustando, y estoy deseando seguir con ella.
"En mis sueños" ocurre pocos años después de los primeros libros, y lo que nos trae Christina Dodd es la historia de la película "Sabrina", trasladada a la Inglaterra victoriana.
Celeste Milford es la hija del jardinero de Blythe Hall, la mansión de la poderosa familia Throckmorton. Celeste ha estado enamorada desde niña de Ellery, el hermano menor, un guapo y despreocupado sinvergüerza, del que todas la mujeres se enamoran. Consciente la familia y servidumbre de éste hecho, deciden poner distancia entre medio, enviando a Celeste a la Distinguida Academia de Institutrices.
Han pasado cuatro años y Celeste ha crecido, se ha convertido en una joven dama con modales y que ha visto mundo; ha vivido en París y viajado a Rusia. Pero a la menor oportunidad que se le presenta, vuelve a casa, a Blythe Hall, pero ésta vez lo hará en calidad de institutriz de dos niñas, una ilegítima de Ellery, y la hija de Garrick, el hermano mayor.
La vuelta de Celeste trae un gran revuelo en la familia, Ellery se ha fijado en ella en el peor momento, cuando está a punto de prometerse con otra joven, y ésta vez, Celeste no cejará en su empeño de conquistar por fin a Ellery.
Los planes de la joven se truncarán cuando Garrick entre en acción. Si no puede deshacerse de Celeste por las buenas, tendrá que ser por las malas, seduciendo a la joven de tal manera que ésta olvide su encaprichamiento por Ellery.
Una serie de circunstancias propiciarán que Celeste y Ellery no puedan verse, mientras Garrick "cuida" a Celeste en nombre de Ellery. Entre ellos habrá una serie de encuentros amorosos que no harán más que confundir a la joven. Pero esto no será todo, ambos protagonistas trabajarán juntos cuando Garrick necesite la ayuda de Celeste para traducir unos textos de vital importancia para el porvenir de su país.
El libro me ha gustado mucho, lo he disfrutado un montón y los protagonistas me han encantado, pero si no le he dado más estrellas es porque he visto que la historia de la institutriz está metida con calzador y es una excusa para trasladar la historia de Sabrina a la Inglaterra victoriana. De institutriz se ve poco o nada, Celeste está casi siempre codeándose con los aristócratas en la fiesta de compromiso de Blythe Hall, o en el invernadero con Garrick, o en el despacho de Garrick, y las niñas apenas salen en dos o tres escenas.
Christina Dodd le ha dado más importancia a la trama tal como se plantea en la película Sabrina. Por supuesto, si has visto la película, no hay mucho misterio sobre qué ocurrirá durante el libro, pero siendo sincera, me ha gustado mucho el homenaje que ha hecho la autora. Los protagonistas están bien definidos y se refleja muy bien la evolución de ambos, sobre todo me ha acabado sorprendiendo Ellery.
El romance ha estado bien, me ha gustado bastante más que el del anterior libro, y Garrick, pese a lo frío, soso o desalmado que pueda parecer, en el fondo tiene su corazoncito y es terriblemente leal a su familia. La horma de su zapato será Celeste y lo que ésta despierta en él.
Pues sí, ha funcionado muy bien y me ha gustado mucho. Hasta la fecha creo que es la serie de Christina Dodd que más me está gustando, y estoy deseando seguir con ella.
May 10, 2015
Hey, ladies! Do you love rape? How about being raped by a ruggedly not-quite-handsome romance novel protagonist, in a scene reminiscent of nothing less than Don Draper aggressively dominating some poor woman in a random restaurant hallway? Then you will LOVE this. A blatant 1:1 retelling of the classic movie Sabrina, with notably poorer characterization and a dash of mid-19th century espionage, this novel gives you all the THRILLS and CHILLS of your actual rape! Aren't you excited to relive this moment YET AGAIN as you read the tender story of naive Celeste and her super-controlling and creepy wooer Throckmorton (yes, Throckmorton)? Isn't it SO ROMANTIC that he just couldn't control himself? Isn't it JUST PEACHY that we're supposed to believe this experience could not only cause our heroine's first sexual awakening, but also lead her to realize she has fallen in love with him?? I KNOW I AM 100% CONVINCED.
March 17, 2018
"In My Wildest Dreams" is the story of Celeste and Garrick.
What happens when your gardener's daughter, who has always been love with your handsome younger brother, and whom you cunningly sent away to train in an academy returns back as your kid's governess just when your brother might be getting engaged?
Why yes, seduce her yourself and make her a pawn in your spy conspiracy.
Another round of snooty, deceitful and detestable heroes, strong heroines who are easily seduced, loads of drama and an almost non-con scene, I question myself why I keep reading this series when almost EVERY book has disappointed me, and the answer is to kill time at work. Sissy secondary characters and barely likable primary ones, this was a regrettable read.
Unsafe
1/5
P.S. I didnt believe any of the "love confessions"- neither by the pig hero or his pig of a brother
What happens when your gardener's daughter, who has always been love with your handsome younger brother, and whom you cunningly sent away to train in an academy returns back as your kid's governess just when your brother might be getting engaged?
Why yes, seduce her yourself and make her a pawn in your spy conspiracy.
Another round of snooty, deceitful and detestable heroes, strong heroines who are easily seduced, loads of drama and an almost non-con scene, I question myself why I keep reading this series when almost EVERY book has disappointed me, and the answer is to kill time at work. Sissy secondary characters and barely likable primary ones, this was a regrettable read.
Unsafe
1/5
P.S. I didnt believe any of the "love confessions"- neither by the pig hero or his pig of a brother
September 21, 2020
Regency Sabrina
Spies, lies and the gardener's daughter. Celeste returns from the continent more sophisticated and vivacious. An experienced governess, she's hired by her father's employer, Garrick Throckmorton, to take care of two little girls. In love with his younger brother Ellery since she was a young girl, she's determined to make him fall in love with her. Garrick decides to intervene and seduce her instead. Ellery's already engaged and the financial deal has to go through. In the meantime, Garrick is in charge of a network of spies and there is a leak. He decides to use Celeste as a pawn since she speaks and reads French and Russian. He didn't realize what a mistake he made until it was almost too late. Humor, tears, spies and a cold man who finally thaws out. Never a dull moment.
Spies, lies and the gardener's daughter. Celeste returns from the continent more sophisticated and vivacious. An experienced governess, she's hired by her father's employer, Garrick Throckmorton, to take care of two little girls. In love with his younger brother Ellery since she was a young girl, she's determined to make him fall in love with her. Garrick decides to intervene and seduce her instead. Ellery's already engaged and the financial deal has to go through. In the meantime, Garrick is in charge of a network of spies and there is a leak. He decides to use Celeste as a pawn since she speaks and reads French and Russian. He didn't realize what a mistake he made until it was almost too late. Humor, tears, spies and a cold man who finally thaws out. Never a dull moment.
October 16, 2012
I don't really get why so many people had objections about this book being a historical duplicate of the movie "Sabrina".
The story was good despite its' lack of originality. The characters were genuine and their feelings and motives exceptionally conveyed. Not to mention that it was a rare combination of espionage and romance. The love triangles didn't bother me the least - always had the feeling, things would eventually work out for everyone.
Garrick was an incredible man full of confidence and emotional stability. Until he met Celest. She was the gardener's daughter, a commoner with no money, his daughter's and niece's governess, and madly in love with his rake of a brother. Or so it seemed.
Both brothers set out to charm her and found themselves enchanted instead. The tomboy teenager who was sent to be trained as a governess, returned as a beautiful young woman, with lots of courage, wit and exceptional educational background. Ellery simply couldn't take his eyes off of her and Garrick found himself utterly besotted. Both brothers hit rock bottom in different ways each. We can clearly see Garrick's facade that had been carefully built through the years falling apart in a few days until there is no more. And when he is evidently and thoroughly exposed, after he realises what he truly wants and needs, he gets... ditched!
Honestly, I liked that part. Both Ellery's and Garrick's transformation is based on the fact that they aknowledge their feelings for the women they care for, and are willing to do anything for them, casting their own insecurities or prejudice away. Yet even at their humblest, they manage to keep their heads up high, with complete lack of arrogance, but playfulness and respect instead.
The story was good despite its' lack of originality. The characters were genuine and their feelings and motives exceptionally conveyed. Not to mention that it was a rare combination of espionage and romance. The love triangles didn't bother me the least - always had the feeling, things would eventually work out for everyone.
Garrick was an incredible man full of confidence and emotional stability. Until he met Celest. She was the gardener's daughter, a commoner with no money, his daughter's and niece's governess, and madly in love with his rake of a brother. Or so it seemed.
Both brothers set out to charm her and found themselves enchanted instead. The tomboy teenager who was sent to be trained as a governess, returned as a beautiful young woman, with lots of courage, wit and exceptional educational background. Ellery simply couldn't take his eyes off of her and Garrick found himself utterly besotted. Both brothers hit rock bottom in different ways each. We can clearly see Garrick's facade that had been carefully built through the years falling apart in a few days until there is no more. And when he is evidently and thoroughly exposed, after he realises what he truly wants and needs, he gets... ditched!
Honestly, I liked that part. Both Ellery's and Garrick's transformation is based on the fact that they aknowledge their feelings for the women they care for, and are willing to do anything for them, casting their own insecurities or prejudice away. Yet even at their humblest, they manage to keep their heads up high, with complete lack of arrogance, but playfulness and respect instead.
September 29, 2019
This book was another free-library bin read and while not breathtaking storytelling, the premise and the characters made for a light, entertaining Sunday afternoon read. I really like the heroine, Celeste, who was of humble origins, a gardener and cook's daughter who grew up on a wealthy estate. Celeste has grown into an astute young woman and as a recent grad of the Distinguished Academy of Governess of London, fluent in French, Italian, Russian and some Romanian, she returns home to take the job of governess for the widowed hero's daughter as well as another ward of the family.
Though Celeste had a long unrequited love for the hero's younger brother, Ellery, she is nonplussed by her attraction to Ellery's more staid older brother, Garrick Throckmorton. The verbal interactions between Celeste and Garrick were humorous and engaging, especially since she was educated enough to hold her own. I am glad that Lady Hyacinth, Celest's rival for Ellery's affections, was not portrayed as the usual caricature as an evil, conniving other woman. I am very happy that the author didn't portray the heroine as a insecure shrew. Three stars for those points.
The incessant one/two star complaints regarding comparisons to the book plot and the movie Sabrina seems rather petty and flimsy criticism. Yes, I seen the movie starring Audrey Hepburn as well as the not as charming remake and while there are similarities, there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to fictional stories. The flood of vampire, fae, werewolf, etc., plotlines that are the foundation of the plethora of current PNR/UF plots are glaring examples of author putting their own spin on old stories. Dodd has done a decent job with her re-telling of the Sabrina-eques story set in a historical genre.
Though Celeste had a long unrequited love for the hero's younger brother, Ellery, she is nonplussed by her attraction to Ellery's more staid older brother, Garrick Throckmorton. The verbal interactions between Celeste and Garrick were humorous and engaging, especially since she was educated enough to hold her own. I am glad that Lady Hyacinth, Celest's rival for Ellery's affections, was not portrayed as the usual caricature as an evil, conniving other woman. I am very happy that the author didn't portray the heroine as a insecure shrew. Three stars for those points.
The incessant one/two star complaints regarding comparisons to the book plot and the movie Sabrina seems rather petty and flimsy criticism. Yes, I seen the movie starring Audrey Hepburn as well as the not as charming remake and while there are similarities, there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to fictional stories. The flood of vampire, fae, werewolf, etc., plotlines that are the foundation of the plethora of current PNR/UF plots are glaring examples of author putting their own spin on old stories. Dodd has done a decent job with her re-telling of the Sabrina-eques story set in a historical genre.
February 21, 2023
Non mi aspettavo di adorarlo tanto, ma AAAAAAAAAAA!
Spionaggio! Fredda seduzione che sfugge di mano! Protagonista femminile per nulla ingenua per quel che conta! E curiosa (nonostante l’inesperienza) per quel che conta “meno”! Protagonista maschile che cade rovinosamente e perde del tutto il controllo della situazione!
Anche i personaggi secondari, fantastici, persino le mocciose hanno una tridimensionalità meravigliosa.
Adoro, adorato, adorerò ♥️
Voglio altro così 🤩
(C’è un momento di dub-con a metà, ma vista la dinamica del tutto non è stato sgradevole e non è neppure passato così sotto traccia, è stato riconosciuto come tale… per nulla scontato visto l’anno di uscita.)
Spionaggio! Fredda seduzione che sfugge di mano! Protagonista femminile per nulla ingenua per quel che conta! E curiosa (nonostante l’inesperienza) per quel che conta “meno”! Protagonista maschile che cade rovinosamente e perde del tutto il controllo della situazione!
Anche i personaggi secondari, fantastici, persino le mocciose hanno una tridimensionalità meravigliosa.
Adoro, adorato, adorerò ♥️
Voglio altro così 🤩
(C’è un momento di dub-con a metà, ma vista la dinamica del tutto non è stato sgradevole e non è neppure passato così sotto traccia, è stato riconosciuto come tale… per nulla scontato visto l’anno di uscita.)
November 12, 2023
Very good! I can see that the movie SABRINA has inspired the author.
Again, the only thing that could be better was the ending. It could be more elaborated. It was a little short for my taste and an epilogue would have been wonderful.
Again, the only thing that could be better was the ending. It could be more elaborated. It was a little short for my taste and an epilogue would have been wonderful.
February 2, 2020
I wasn't expecting the spies? There's some uncomfortable employee/employer dynamics in here, especially when you layer in that the hero is also the heroine's father's employer and that he's trying to seduce her to keep her away from his brother. But it was readable.
February 16, 2022
This was almost exactly like Sabrina except with some espionage thrown in.
October 15, 2018
"Her eyes opened, seeing him as a silhouette against the stars. The stars were still there, but no longer familiar. Brighter, cleaner, and changed somehow. Instead of the constellations that had illuminated the night sky from time immemorial, they had shifted to form different shapes- flowers blossoming in the eternal night, lacy gowns of white, lovers wrapped in each other's arms.
Then he leaned over her, blotting them out. He kissed her lips urgently. He tasted of velvet night sky, of darkness that went on forever. He tasted of stars burning far away, of grandeur barely glimpsed, of words lost in the ether where exotic emotions held sway and he could command her body and all its responses. Each stroke of his tongue took her farther away from this place, this world, and she went willingly, not knowing where she wandered or why."
P. 166-167 💗
Then he leaned over her, blotting them out. He kissed her lips urgently. He tasted of velvet night sky, of darkness that went on forever. He tasted of stars burning far away, of grandeur barely glimpsed, of words lost in the ether where exotic emotions held sway and he could command her body and all its responses. Each stroke of his tongue took her farther away from this place, this world, and she went willingly, not knowing where she wandered or why."
P. 166-167 💗
March 2, 2016
I didn't expect to like it. I nearly finished it in a day. Life interrupted before I could. I was a bit annoyed when I started reading In My Wildest Dreams because of the similarities it had to the classic film Sabrina. If I could tell how the story was going to unfold I did not want to read any more. However, I am glad I continued reading. It was a pretty good take on what if the film were in a historical setting to start with and after that it is its own story. I look forward to possibly reading more books by Christina Dodd. I had only read one book by her before this one-not my first pick either, but it was the only one that sounded sort of interesting and was available at the library.
February 6, 2017
DNF; stopped at pg 49
February 25, 2017
It kept my interest. Enjoyable read. 4*
July 6, 2021
I'm pretty sure I read this years ago, but it was worth finishing a second time.
March 21, 2023
I loved this book! Smart heroine, smart hero. Fabulous mother in law! Just loved them all!
Warnings for dubcon.
Warnings for dubcon.
December 4, 2023
Para algunos puede ser controversial pero, a mí me encantó
December 7, 2023
Sweet story. It does need a suspense of reality to accept it all though. Too fickle and too fast, but it all worked out in the end. Well narrated by Karen Cass.
December 20, 2022
I read this YEARS ago in my early 20's and LOVED it. Read it again and...I would not have read another book from this author. It's amazing how tastes change.
This is a total rip-off from the movie Sabrina--which actually, I don't mind that aspect. I love retellings, I think they're fun.
But whenever she veered away from the retelling is when I didn't like it. There was spying, and assuming the heroine was stupid, and general unlikableness of the hero. The spying just didn't really fit with the romance in my opinion, probably because there were times when the book was literally an exact copy of the movie in terms of scenes, and then randomly they'd talk about spying. It just didn't work for me.
This is a total rip-off from the movie Sabrina--which actually, I don't mind that aspect. I love retellings, I think they're fun.
But whenever she veered away from the retelling is when I didn't like it. There was spying, and assuming the heroine was stupid, and general unlikableness of the hero. The spying just didn't really fit with the romance in my opinion, probably because there were times when the book was literally an exact copy of the movie in terms of scenes, and then randomly they'd talk about spying. It just didn't work for me.
May 27, 2025
Fam. The bag was fumbled. A beautiful premise—Sabrina, Billy Wilder’s fizzy romantic comedy starring a luminous Audrey Hepburn, but set in Regency times—ruined by…I don’t even know what the f happened. Like I’m reading and realizing there’s some bonkers (derogative) spy subplot and not only that but the spying is on behalf of the British Empire in India. Looooong sigh. Was not expecting the racism to pop up like that. The book makes a huge thing about the spying and keeping control of India and WHY?!?!?! Why not just retell Sabrina in a Regency setting oh because that would be charming and delightful?! Ugh
January 15, 2024
Light hearted, good banter, fun characters, and a touch of historical espionage. If you suspend the 2024 lense it's enjoyable.
July 9, 2013
This books begins a new arc for the series. None of the previous characters are mentioned and there is a new intrigue. I was interested that this story dealt with the conflict between Russia and England regarding Central Asia. Of course during this time tea was very important to the English and they wanted to control the areas that produced this commodity. Spying has been going on for a very long time and this was just one taste of when it has been used. I was also glad that this story while involving aristocrats was more concerned with the wealthy upper class and those the served them. We also have a illegitimate child that must be acknowledged and loved. I think that the main male character in this story is one of my favorite heroes. Garrick Stanley Bekenridge Thorckmorton is what a gentleman and a hero should be. He has no problem dealing with the aristocracy or the common man. He feels no shame in falling in love with the gardener's daughter. He is however most confused about even falling in love with anyone especially Celeste Milford. He has controlled his life and family for so many years that losing control while with Celeste just dumbfounds him. I enjoyed the way his mother has to step in to show Garrick that love isn't so bad and should be something that he wants and need.
Celeste has come home so she can marry Garrick's brother Ellery. She has loved him for most of her life. She thinks that she will do anything for the chance to win Ellery's heart. What she doesn't realize is that her heart isn't really for the fickle Ellery but for the stalwart Garrick. There is so much anxiety and hurt at the end of the book and it caused mostly by Celeste's lack of confidence in Garrick's love and the vile man that betrays his country for gold. Celeste is very intelligent and capable of learning many different languages. She is also caring, compassionate, and loving. She has a gift with children that lets her win them over with much ease. She is an enjoyable character to read and I hope that we get to see more of her and Garrick.
This is a very good book that reads very quickly. The plots along at a good pace and there are few slow spots that would make you want to skip them. The characters are lovable, well except for the villain. The villain is all that is wrong with the stuck aristocratic English and he is a traitor. I do wish that he had suffered a little more but he was dealt with and that is all that matters.
Celeste has come home so she can marry Garrick's brother Ellery. She has loved him for most of her life. She thinks that she will do anything for the chance to win Ellery's heart. What she doesn't realize is that her heart isn't really for the fickle Ellery but for the stalwart Garrick. There is so much anxiety and hurt at the end of the book and it caused mostly by Celeste's lack of confidence in Garrick's love and the vile man that betrays his country for gold. Celeste is very intelligent and capable of learning many different languages. She is also caring, compassionate, and loving. She has a gift with children that lets her win them over with much ease. She is an enjoyable character to read and I hope that we get to see more of her and Garrick.
This is a very good book that reads very quickly. The plots along at a good pace and there are few slow spots that would make you want to skip them. The characters are lovable, well except for the villain. The villain is all that is wrong with the stuck aristocratic English and he is a traitor. I do wish that he had suffered a little more but he was dealt with and that is all that matters.
December 13, 2009
4.5 stars - which I'm quite harsh at rating. I really enjoyed reading this book. Sometimes I get bored and start to skim through some parts of book. I read every single word of this book. Ms. Dodd really lets you know your characters and their conflict was heartfelt. I felt the emotion of the characters through her writing. The two main characters have an interesting interaction as they slowly "fall in love". Typical romance but I really enjoyed the character descriptions. I am a sucker for strong heroine characters and men that seem to melt in the hands of the "one woman they truly can't live without". Yes its cliche, but its the romantic in me. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Ms. Dodd's books.
May 1, 2015
Celeste era a filha do jardineiro, viva, audaciosa que retorna para casa onde seu pai trabalha para ser a professora de duas meninas . Volta disposta a perseguir seu sonho que é o de casar com Elery, o mais bonito e conquistador dos irmãos. Mais quando chega, ele já está comprometido com outra jovem e rica. Mas então Garrick, o sisudo e bem comportado irmão mais velho, não quer que nada atrapalhe o casamento do irmão e para evitar isso começa a perseguí-la com intuito de afastá-la do irmão. Celeste sempre achou-o serio e aborrecido. Mas de repente se torna cativa dos seus beijos apaixonados e cada vez mais próxima dele.
En mis sueños é uma divertida história, recheada de intrigas, disputas e de tete-a-tete que nos fazem rir. Uma história feita pra lhe proporcionar momentos agradáveis.
En mis sueños é uma divertida história, recheada de intrigas, disputas e de tete-a-tete que nos fazem rir. Uma história feita pra lhe proporcionar momentos agradáveis.
January 3, 2015
If you loved the film "Sabrina" and like sensual romance, this is a must-read. It's a delightful retelling of the chauffer's-daughter-love-triangle tale, in a Victorian setting, and one of the best of Christina Dodd's inimitable Governess Brides series. Stern older brother sets out to discourage a match between his handsome rake of a younger brother and the pretty governess whose parents were family servants. If he seduces the chit, he reasons, his brother will be motivated to make a more appropriate match...And we know how that turned out for Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn, right? In Dodd's version, we get steamy love scenes. Enjoy!
August 11, 2015
As stated in most of the reviews for this book, the plot is a knock off of a movie that originally starred Humphrey Bogart, William Holden & Audrey Hepburn. The movie happens to be one of my favorites! This book wasn't.
2 1/2 stars
2 1/2 stars
May 28, 2023
Celeste treptat intelege ca este atrasa nu de fratele mai mic, dar de cel mai mare , care este mai bătrân ca ea, mai sever, dar cand sunt in doi toata severitatea dispare si lasa sa fie doar tandrete, pasiune ce o face sa isi piarda capul.
April 21, 2020
One might be initially put off by the obvious rip off from Sabrina (but I’m sure the author meant it more as an homage) but once given a chance, In My Wildest Dreams will pull one in with its own charms. Throckmorton is a passionate and sizzling hero but he’s also confused and bumbling when it comes to love and dealing with Celeste. This makes him human and funny. I loved the part where he witnessed Celeste being kind to her rival (for Garrick’s brother, Ellery) and even advising the rival female how to make Ellery notice her. Garrick got so angry, he cornered Celeste after. Celeste couldn’t understand his mood (it is also left unclear for the reader), and only when Garrick vents to his mother, Lady Philberta (who’s a smart and charming character as well), do we understand what made him explode.
“Mother, this is not going to work!”
Startled, Lady Philberta looked up from her writing to see her elder son storm into her sitting room.
“What won’t work?”
“I can’t continue this.” Garricl ran his fingers through his hair, ruffling the already ruffled strands into a telling whirlwind of madness. “She has got to go.”
“Who?”
“Celeste, I tell you!” His cravat dangeld half-off, he’d torn the fastening on his collar and he sported a small, still-bleeding scratch above his eye. “She’s got to go back to Paris, Ellery or no Ellery, spies or no spies.”
“Damn, son, lower your voice.” Lady Philberta stood and hurriedly shut the door. “Now sit down and tell me what’s happened.”
He sank down in the chair she indicated. “She told Lady Hyacinth how to entice Ellery.” He stared at Lady Philberta as if expecting outrage.
He got confusion. “Why would she do that? She says she wants Ellery.”
Leaping to his feet, he paced across to the desk. “Because she’s a virgin, that’s why.”
She was asking questions. He was answering. But somehow the questions and the answers didn’t match. “Garrick, have you been drinking?”
“Not yet.” He shook his finger at her. “It’s a conspiracy of virgins.”
Puzzlement battled with exasperation. “I suppose it’s possible she’s a virgin, I’ll even admit it’s probable, but – “
“Oh, she’s a virgin, all right.” Picking up her inkwell, he held the bottle up to his eye and squinted at the liquid as if he were a jeweler and the ink a diamond. “No doubt about that. I just proved that to my satisfaction.”
Lady Philberta almost choked with horror. God help them, they were going to lose their head gardener.
Not only that – Garrick had lost his mind. “You just proved that…Garrick, did you take her?”
“No, I didn’t take her!” He slammed the ink down hard enough she feared for the bottle. “What kind of man do you think I am? Do you think I’m as careless and unthinking as Ellery?”
“No, but – “
“I would hope not. I’m the responsible brother and I wouldn’t despoil Milford’s daughter, virgin or no virgin, although what I did do was…but she provoked me.”
Lady Philberta lifted her painted-on eyebrows almost to her hairline. “What did you do to her?”
“I just…she just…she also told Lady Hyacinth what to expect on her wedding night.” He snatched up her best quill pen and waved it wildly about. “What do you think about that?”
“I think somebody needs to tell these girls what’s about to happen.”
“You would think that.” He glared at her fiercely. “Some mother you are. If she hadn’t been wearing that bodice. And she was nice to Lady Hyacinth. Nice. Genuinely…that girl…she’s a scheming harlot trying to break up the suitable alliance I worked so hard to bring about. You should have seen how easily it opened.”
“The alliance?” Lady Philberta questioned carefully.
“The bodice!”
She was starting to find logic in this lunacy, and she didn’t know what to think. Garrick, her Garrick, her shrewd, rational, bloodless son, had been carried away on a wave of passion for a girl ten years his junior and miles below his station. Because she’d been nice? “Celeste’s kindness to Lady Hyacinth offended you?”
“I like my people to stay true to type.” He pointed his finger at her. “First there’s Stanhope, spying for the Russians, then Penelope is tying up her nursemaid, and now Celeste is being pleasant…have you noticed this whole thing started when she arrived?”
Garrick wanted people to act as they’re supposed to act. A delightful and amusing passage. And clearly shows how Garrick is confounded by his feelings for Celeste. This goes on until the last part of the book where everybody knows he loves her but he doesn’t want to admit it (because Celeste thinks he’s ashamed of succumbing to her who’s below him in station, who’s younger, who makes him lose control). But of course, he does realize it and he does admit it in the end. I remember now why I like Ms. Dodd.
“Mother, this is not going to work!”
Startled, Lady Philberta looked up from her writing to see her elder son storm into her sitting room.
“What won’t work?”
“I can’t continue this.” Garricl ran his fingers through his hair, ruffling the already ruffled strands into a telling whirlwind of madness. “She has got to go.”
“Who?”
“Celeste, I tell you!” His cravat dangeld half-off, he’d torn the fastening on his collar and he sported a small, still-bleeding scratch above his eye. “She’s got to go back to Paris, Ellery or no Ellery, spies or no spies.”
“Damn, son, lower your voice.” Lady Philberta stood and hurriedly shut the door. “Now sit down and tell me what’s happened.”
He sank down in the chair she indicated. “She told Lady Hyacinth how to entice Ellery.” He stared at Lady Philberta as if expecting outrage.
He got confusion. “Why would she do that? She says she wants Ellery.”
Leaping to his feet, he paced across to the desk. “Because she’s a virgin, that’s why.”
She was asking questions. He was answering. But somehow the questions and the answers didn’t match. “Garrick, have you been drinking?”
“Not yet.” He shook his finger at her. “It’s a conspiracy of virgins.”
Puzzlement battled with exasperation. “I suppose it’s possible she’s a virgin, I’ll even admit it’s probable, but – “
“Oh, she’s a virgin, all right.” Picking up her inkwell, he held the bottle up to his eye and squinted at the liquid as if he were a jeweler and the ink a diamond. “No doubt about that. I just proved that to my satisfaction.”
Lady Philberta almost choked with horror. God help them, they were going to lose their head gardener.
Not only that – Garrick had lost his mind. “You just proved that…Garrick, did you take her?”
“No, I didn’t take her!” He slammed the ink down hard enough she feared for the bottle. “What kind of man do you think I am? Do you think I’m as careless and unthinking as Ellery?”
“No, but – “
“I would hope not. I’m the responsible brother and I wouldn’t despoil Milford’s daughter, virgin or no virgin, although what I did do was…but she provoked me.”
Lady Philberta lifted her painted-on eyebrows almost to her hairline. “What did you do to her?”
“I just…she just…she also told Lady Hyacinth what to expect on her wedding night.” He snatched up her best quill pen and waved it wildly about. “What do you think about that?”
“I think somebody needs to tell these girls what’s about to happen.”
“You would think that.” He glared at her fiercely. “Some mother you are. If she hadn’t been wearing that bodice. And she was nice to Lady Hyacinth. Nice. Genuinely…that girl…she’s a scheming harlot trying to break up the suitable alliance I worked so hard to bring about. You should have seen how easily it opened.”
“The alliance?” Lady Philberta questioned carefully.
“The bodice!”
She was starting to find logic in this lunacy, and she didn’t know what to think. Garrick, her Garrick, her shrewd, rational, bloodless son, had been carried away on a wave of passion for a girl ten years his junior and miles below his station. Because she’d been nice? “Celeste’s kindness to Lady Hyacinth offended you?”
“I like my people to stay true to type.” He pointed his finger at her. “First there’s Stanhope, spying for the Russians, then Penelope is tying up her nursemaid, and now Celeste is being pleasant…have you noticed this whole thing started when she arrived?”
Garrick wanted people to act as they’re supposed to act. A delightful and amusing passage. And clearly shows how Garrick is confounded by his feelings for Celeste. This goes on until the last part of the book where everybody knows he loves her but he doesn’t want to admit it (because Celeste thinks he’s ashamed of succumbing to her who’s below him in station, who’s younger, who makes him lose control). But of course, he does realize it and he does admit it in the end. I remember now why I like Ms. Dodd.
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