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Wanting Rita
When his high school sweetheart experiences a devastating tragedy, Dr. Alan Lincoln reluctantly returns to his Pennsylvania hometown to see her. It’s been 15 years. Rita was a small town beauty queen—his first love whom he has never forgotten. He was a nerd from a wealthy family. Her family was poor. They formed a strong connection during their senior year, but Rita married someone else, and the marriage ended tragically.
Alan’s marriage of three years is disintegrating, and he sees in Rita the chance to begin again with the true love of his life. Rita has been mentally and emotionally shattered, but she reaches out to Alan and fights to build a new life with him. During a passionate summer, however, the past and present converge and threaten their rekindled love, as Alan and Rita must struggle with old ghosts and new secrets.
Alan’s marriage of three years is disintegrating, and he sees in Rita the chance to begin again with the true love of his life. Rita has been mentally and emotionally shattered, but she reaches out to Alan and fights to build a new life with him. During a passionate summer, however, the past and present converge and threaten their rekindled love, as Alan and Rita must struggle with old ghosts and new secrets.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
35 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Elyse Douglas
44 books336 followersElyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age and graduated with a Master's Degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers, and avid readers. Some of Elyse Douglas' novels include: "Time Change," The Summer Letters," "Daring Summer," The Christmas Eve Series" and "Time Stranger." They reside in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 20, 2025
Love this author's time travel's, but her contemporary books don't work as well for me. :(
Sadly, this one really dragged on and I pretty much guessed the ending at the beginning.
No surprises, no twists or turns.
Sadly, this one really dragged on and I pretty much guessed the ending at the beginning.
No surprises, no twists or turns.
February 10, 2024
Hey, bookworms, I'm back with another review of a book by Elyse Douglas. Only three more to go!
This time, I read 'Wanting Rita,' and wow, it was a roller coaster of emotions. It's about Alan James and Rita, who dated in high school but ended when Rita married the football star. Years later, Alan's marriage is over, and he gets a surprise visit from Rita, who reignites his old feelings. But their love story is not easy; it's full of obstacles and challenges that keep them apart for a long time. Will they ever get their happy ending?
I really enjoyed this book because it showed how fragile and powerful love can be, how it can survive through pain and loss, and how it can give hope for the future. I felt so invested in Alan and Rita's relationship that I cried and smiled with them. 'Wanting Rita' is an excellent book for anyone who loves a romantic drama that will tug at your heartstrings.
• ASIN: B007ZSPDDY
• Publisher: Broadback
• Publication Date: 5/1/2012
• File Size: 2312 KB
• Print Length: 424 pages
• Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction, Women's Romance Fiction
This time, I read 'Wanting Rita,' and wow, it was a roller coaster of emotions. It's about Alan James and Rita, who dated in high school but ended when Rita married the football star. Years later, Alan's marriage is over, and he gets a surprise visit from Rita, who reignites his old feelings. But their love story is not easy; it's full of obstacles and challenges that keep them apart for a long time. Will they ever get their happy ending?
I really enjoyed this book because it showed how fragile and powerful love can be, how it can survive through pain and loss, and how it can give hope for the future. I felt so invested in Alan and Rita's relationship that I cried and smiled with them. 'Wanting Rita' is an excellent book for anyone who loves a romantic drama that will tug at your heartstrings.
• ASIN: B007ZSPDDY
• Publisher: Broadback
• Publication Date: 5/1/2012
• File Size: 2312 KB
• Print Length: 424 pages
• Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction, Women's Romance Fiction
August 10, 2020
Wanting Rita
Alan Lincoln sure did love Rita Fitzgerald. From school to marriage to divorce. Rita married and had a daughter but her husband killed her and himself. Rita had a very hard time with that. Alan and Rita saw each other off and on a few times after that. Finally they married and had a son.
Alan Lincoln sure did love Rita Fitzgerald. From school to marriage to divorce. Rita married and had a daughter but her husband killed her and himself. Rita had a very hard time with that. Alan and Rita saw each other off and on a few times after that. Finally they married and had a son.
September 5, 2018
This book was difficult to read in my opinion
The story one was very good but it was hard to keep up with the characters and there quirks. The ending made up for all the rest and I give this book four stars. Still love this author duo.
The story one was very good but it was hard to keep up with the characters and there quirks. The ending made up for all the rest and I give this book four stars. Still love this author duo.
December 29, 2020
Difficult to begin, easy to finish
I've read several books by this author and was able to engage from the first chapter. The first part of the book was a stuggle to get through, but I found the last half far more interesting.
I've read several books by this author and was able to engage from the first chapter. The first part of the book was a stuggle to get through, but I found the last half far more interesting.
April 18, 2021
The persistence of the heart
We all have that internal reality that stretches out in a side path to our life that at times cuts deep into the weeds or woods so far from our day day we stop believing it as our true self.
We all have that internal reality that stretches out in a side path to our life that at times cuts deep into the weeds or woods so far from our day day we stop believing it as our true self.
August 22, 2012
You never forget your first love ...
Alan and Rita were high school sweethearts, but after high school graduation they went their separate ways. Fifteen years later, Alan returns to his hometown in Pennsylvania, and seeks out the woman he has always loved and never forgot. Will Alan and Rita have a second chance at renewing their love, or will the past and some dark secrets once again separate them for good? Will Alan always be just Wanting Rita ... or will he succeed in regaining her love forever?
Wanting Rita is a profound love story that reads like a modern day Romeo and Juliet, it will pull at your heartstrings. Written in a hauntingly beautiful style, the story is told in the first person narrative by our protagonist, Dr. Alan Lincoln, and alternates between the past and present time. The reader will be captivated as they follow along with Alan and Rita's love story. Rich in details and vivid descriptions, the story takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride where they will feel the full gamut of emotions. Their story is haunting, it is tender, it is moving ... it is an honest and real look into the dimensions, changes, and struggles in life and relationships ... it is one that will move your heart and soul.
Rita and Alan are realistic down-to-earth people whose complexities are intriguing and who are easy for the readers to relate to. You can't help but embrace their story, they pull you into their lives, and you will feel their emotions as they struggle through life's changes, and learn to deal with their love and relationship. Be sure to have tissues handy, you're going to need it!
Wanting Rita is an amazing story about true love and second chances. This emotionally charged and moving story will pull at your heartstrings, and will resonate with you long after the last page has been read.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the authors in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Alan and Rita were high school sweethearts, but after high school graduation they went their separate ways. Fifteen years later, Alan returns to his hometown in Pennsylvania, and seeks out the woman he has always loved and never forgot. Will Alan and Rita have a second chance at renewing their love, or will the past and some dark secrets once again separate them for good? Will Alan always be just Wanting Rita ... or will he succeed in regaining her love forever?
Wanting Rita is a profound love story that reads like a modern day Romeo and Juliet, it will pull at your heartstrings. Written in a hauntingly beautiful style, the story is told in the first person narrative by our protagonist, Dr. Alan Lincoln, and alternates between the past and present time. The reader will be captivated as they follow along with Alan and Rita's love story. Rich in details and vivid descriptions, the story takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride where they will feel the full gamut of emotions. Their story is haunting, it is tender, it is moving ... it is an honest and real look into the dimensions, changes, and struggles in life and relationships ... it is one that will move your heart and soul.
Rita and Alan are realistic down-to-earth people whose complexities are intriguing and who are easy for the readers to relate to. You can't help but embrace their story, they pull you into their lives, and you will feel their emotions as they struggle through life's changes, and learn to deal with their love and relationship. Be sure to have tissues handy, you're going to need it!
Wanting Rita is an amazing story about true love and second chances. This emotionally charged and moving story will pull at your heartstrings, and will resonate with you long after the last page has been read.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the authors in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
August 10, 2012
Wanting Rita is a surprisingly good read. It was a perfect example of a book that keeps getting better as you turn each page. It is sweet and heart breaking at the same time.
Wanting Rita is about Rita and Alan, high school sweet hearts, who lost and found love in each others arms after years of separation. Rita on my opinion was kinda weird but I believe that was her charm. She was shy but has that spunk if you know what I mean. Alan was a nerd, someone-who-always-in-the-shadow type until the day he decided to approach Rita. They both clicked because of writing and their stories and that was what solidified their connection. It was somewhat their escape and their own haven against everything.
Like any other growing up stories, Rita and Alan parted ways and lived their lives after high school. 15 years later, Alan decided to sell his fathers house which became a bridge to his connection with Rita once more.
The middle part of the story is where all the juicy parts starts. Wanting Rita started slow for me and there were a few times that I didn’t want to finish it but there’s a pull inside me for Wanting Rita – I cannot explain what but I am glad that I finished this story. As I said, it was heart breaking how Alan was wanting Rita so badly but because of what Rita experienced she wasn’t able to give that love that Alan deserves and she’ll rather sacrifice their relationship than hurt Alan in the long run. It was sad that Rita was all broken and miserable, that she can’t live a truely happy life and it was amazing how Alan’s love for Rita never died, and in some way – it was what sustained him throughout his life. In my opinion, Rita was Alan’s the-girl-who-got-away and I admire Alan for following his heart against all odds.
I love how the story ended. It was truly a love story that would make your heart go “aaaaawwww”. Bear in mind that this is not a mushy love story. It is painful and sad, it portrays the truth that most wouldn’t want to admit and it is very honest. That’s mostly what I loved about Wanting Rita.
Wanting Rita is about Rita and Alan, high school sweet hearts, who lost and found love in each others arms after years of separation. Rita on my opinion was kinda weird but I believe that was her charm. She was shy but has that spunk if you know what I mean. Alan was a nerd, someone-who-always-in-the-shadow type until the day he decided to approach Rita. They both clicked because of writing and their stories and that was what solidified their connection. It was somewhat their escape and their own haven against everything.
Like any other growing up stories, Rita and Alan parted ways and lived their lives after high school. 15 years later, Alan decided to sell his fathers house which became a bridge to his connection with Rita once more.
The middle part of the story is where all the juicy parts starts. Wanting Rita started slow for me and there were a few times that I didn’t want to finish it but there’s a pull inside me for Wanting Rita – I cannot explain what but I am glad that I finished this story. As I said, it was heart breaking how Alan was wanting Rita so badly but because of what Rita experienced she wasn’t able to give that love that Alan deserves and she’ll rather sacrifice their relationship than hurt Alan in the long run. It was sad that Rita was all broken and miserable, that she can’t live a truely happy life and it was amazing how Alan’s love for Rita never died, and in some way – it was what sustained him throughout his life. In my opinion, Rita was Alan’s the-girl-who-got-away and I admire Alan for following his heart against all odds.
I love how the story ended. It was truly a love story that would make your heart go “aaaaawwww”. Bear in mind that this is not a mushy love story. It is painful and sad, it portrays the truth that most wouldn’t want to admit and it is very honest. That’s mostly what I loved about Wanting Rita.
October 21, 2025
A great summer read! Wanting Rita dares to ask the question can you go home again? And when you are reunited with your true love, are there still sparks after all the years? Elyse Douglas not only asks these questions she answers them in her book Wanting Rita.
When Rita goes through a devastating time her mother calls her old boyfriend and begs him to come to town. He comes reluctantly. His marriage is falling apart, he feels drawn to Rita and she to him, yet there are things from their past, and present that they have to deal with.
This is not a feel good, warm fuzzy romance. This is real life, with all the emotion and drama you could want.
When Rita goes through a devastating time her mother calls her old boyfriend and begs him to come to town. He comes reluctantly. His marriage is falling apart, he feels drawn to Rita and she to him, yet there are things from their past, and present that they have to deal with.
This is not a feel good, warm fuzzy romance. This is real life, with all the emotion and drama you could want.
August 28, 2012
Given his short & tumultuous history with Rita and his young age, Alan's love seemed more like infatuation than actual love. I felt like he might have been obsessed with her over the years (though the book does not mention that he really even thought of her much), not that she was his true love. Brought together by tragedy & circumstance, they actually get a 'first' chance at love (you'll have to read it to see if it works out).
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews