As You Wish

Three Wishes #2

by Jennifer Malin

While touring an English estate, American Leah Cantrell finds an antique coin in a spring and tosses it back, casually wishing she knew who originally made a wish with it. The next thing she knows, she slips into the water and finds herself drowning in an abyss. In 1815, David Traymore, illegitimate son of the Marquess of Solebury, saves Leah from drowning on his father’s property. In his
view, she’s dressed scantily, speaks with a strange accent and talks a lot of nonsense. Is this mysterious woman a madwoman, a French spy, the victim of a crime … or the answer to his wish?

Genres: Romance, Time Travel, Time Travel Romance, Historical Romance

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

JENNIFER MALIN inherited double copies of the bookworm gene from a mom who reads voraciously and a dad who once spent his downtime writing in the crane he operated.

Her first two novels, AS YOU WISH, a time travel, and ETERNALLY YOURS, a ghost romance, were originally published by Jove (Penguin Group USA). Four works set in Regency England followed--one from Leisure and three from Zebra. Her latest books are TEMPLUM, a time travel with a contemporary heroine and an ancient Roman hero; THE FIVE-DAY DIG, a mystery set near Pompeii; and SEVENTH SANCTUARY, a steamy romance novella of ancient Ur.

Jen and her husband, Martin, an Aussie ex-pat, live outside of Philadelphia and love to travel. She's an art and archaeology enthusiast, a fan of film and Formula 1, and the proud aunt of two brilliant nephews.

Descriptions and sample chapters for all of Jen's books are available at www.jenmalin.com.

Reviews

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Time travel and lost love. Two lives that were intertwined by a wishing well and an ancient coin. One turn-of-the-century man longing for the love of his life and a modern woman wanting adventure and intrigue. He wishes and she falls in, being transported to his time. Through several mishaps and strange plots on both their lives, they come to love each-other with great passion. Although she can't stay, and must return to her own time. Love finds a way to bring them together again.

The only aspect about this novel I was not super keen on was the constant arguments and emotions that where never voiced. I found myself thinking "come on just kiss her and get it over with, you know you want her". However, I couldn't put it down.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 2 out of 5]

** In all, "As You Wish" by Jennifer Malin is adequate. I would rather read a later book by the same author, in hopes of better character growth, eccentricity of individuals, and vivid place experiences, hinted at in this volume. I would expect more lavish sensory descriptions and witty dialogue and humourous escapades from the bare bones. Confusing with multiple wishes and time jumping twice, but overall a twist on Regency Romances. Some explanations for inappropriate costumes and trespassing, but not believable, especially the resolution.
The hero, David Traymore, is a lookalike for a disappeared without a body relative with the same name. Convenient diary noted the heroine, Leah, and was read by the right person in the present, Lady Traymore. Everyone is too helpful and generous in both times, 1999 and 1815.
Definitely escapist, but dwelling on worry and head-bumps, rather than how overwhelming a British estate would be, both inside and out. Slang expressions from both times are used, yes, somewhat awkwardly, at least recognizing some resulting confusion, for a little humor. Leah obsessess about three lost years with Kevin, who turns out to be a dud, begging the question, why she cared, then or now, and why she is worthy of David. Obviously her spunk and "American" independence attract, but all we really see is outer beauty and helplessness, not the ideal heroine to me.

[Carol Scherer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this time travel book by Jennifer Malin. The story line was well written, believable, and keep my interest throughout. I especially enjoyed the contrast between the accepted social mores of the early 1800's and the 2000's. I feel the book's real strength is in Jennifer's setting and character descriptions. She is very skillful in sharing her knowledge of expected and acceptable behavior in the early 19th Century, and the unchanging behavior of humans in every time period. I had to laugh out loud at her accurate description of the maid's reaction to her interchange with Lord William. It was truly refreshing to read a time travel book that didn't end with the traveler staying in the period to which they were thrown, but returned to their own time with a passenger in tow.

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

Time-travel romance has a special place in my heart, and As You Wish is a solid addition to the genre. It's always fun to see how the author makes her lead characters connect/reunite despite the time divide, and bastard-born David and modern Leah mesh really well. There's a family mystery to be solved here, and I like that for the most part it's contained within the parameters of the Treymore estate and not rambling across country. The plot did lose some of its sparkle when it transitioned into modern time, but David finally got his happy ending in more ways than one. A good read.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice escapism time travel romance. Not perfect but managed to hold my interest. One glaring omission, however. Once they're in the future they have access to the family history, yet we're left in the dark as to what happened. Did Phoebe and David's father live to a ripe old age? Did they have more children? I guess William married and had offspring as the title still exists. Why did they never take their valuables out of the hiding place. They hid them due to fear of being ransacked by Napoleon's army. Why leave everything hidden after the war? So much made no sense.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

A time traveling regency novel. I can say very seriously that I've never read a book like this before. I didn't love it. I dont love when it feels like the characters never truly got to know each other and just lusted after each other. As soon as they time hopped to our time, they jumped each other's bones immediately. Felt like an excuse to add a sex scene to a regency novel, hahahaha

[Carolyn Drake-terwilliger]

Great series!

I love this series, especially book #2! Just the right amount of romance & heartbreak. I've been "wishing" for the 3rd book for years & hope Ms. Malin can round out this very good series soon!

[Hannah Parnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago. It is absolutely beautiful. The love story that unfolds is truly remarkable. I definitely recommend this book if you love time travel, romance and traces of mystery too.

[Jeremiah Antioquia]

DNFed

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I have only read a few time travel books. I like the idea of time travel, but it doesn't always go the way I imagine it would if I were to write one. (Not that I intend to write one.) I liked the idea of the spring being the vehicle for time travel. I liked the back-in-time story, and I liked the real-time story. I think all the loose ends were tied up just right. The reason for the 3 stars is that, for some reason I found it real easy to put down and forget about it for a few days. Once I finished chapter 21, I couldn't stop reading, but until then it was just something to do.

[Lynne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy reading historical fiction with its characters in real historic locations and surrounded by historic figures and events. This book is not what I'd call historical fiction. Instead, it's a "bodice ripper" filled with imaginary characters in settings representing what the author imagines the selected period might have been like.
I find it extremely frustrating that both types of story are categorized historical fiction. I inadvertently checked it out of the library, not realizing that it is a romance novel. I realize that many people enjoy these types of stories; I just wish they weren't lumped into the historical fiction genre.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the Goodreads First Reads program. I really like this time travel books for some reason. Although would that make people more interested in time travel if their true love was 200 years in the past or future? Wouldn't that be depressing? Back to the book, alright, this story kept me coming back for more and I enjoyed reading about a gentleman who had such good manners even when a woman was offering it up.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As You Wish is the sequel to Wish I Might and again we meet the characters from the first book but in an completely different way. In this book we have modern day Leah Cantrell travel back in time and deal with all the elements of being totally out of her time and element.

A fun, light hearted take on romance and time travel. Rather enjoyed this easy, fun read. Great follow up to the first book.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mostly predictable time travel romance, but I have a weakness for these, so I'm biased on this review; I tell you that from the outset. I enjoyed it. It was a fun romp and the characters were interesting and easily liked and relatable. The narrative flowed well, and moved along and the pacing wasn't too fast or too slow.

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time travel romance! A American woman in 1999 goes back in time to England in 1815, meets a man & falls in love and both travel back to 1999. Not much history, which I prefer over the romance, but it was an ok story!

[Ann Unger · Rating 5 out of 5]

time travel romance loved it

[Emily Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

11/2 stars, actually.

Blah. Dry writing, cheesy, eye-roll worthy. No emotional reaction elicited.

Why the 1 1/2 stars, then? British guy. England. Counts for something.

[Kristen Amen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cool book. It's like a shorter version of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I really enjoyed it!

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have an obsession with Time-traveling Romances! Love it <3

[Morgan Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read! Wish it continued:)

[Lizabeth Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the time travel thing.