The Fountain: A Novel

by Emily Grayson

From the bestselling author of The Gazebo and The Observatory comes a romantic tale of the conflicting seductions of contentment and passion. What if you had a second chance at love that was denied long ago? This is exactly what happens to Casey Becket two days before she and her husband, Michael, are to celebrate their twentieth wedding anniversary. For there, suddenly, standing in her backyard by the fountain, is Will Combray, the man she once deeply loved and was engaged to marry, who jilted her on their wedding day. Older and wearier now, yet still handsome and unpredictable, Will tells Casey that he's come back in order to try to piece together his own life, which has been a series of emotional failures. He knows in his heart that everything went wrong for him the day he left her. Will's reappearance throws chaos into Casey's ordered life. Her marriage to the kind and faithful Michael Becket, who has been her best friend since childhood, has been a source of great comfort, if not passion. Long ago, after Will's cruel and inexplicable disappearing act, which was followed by a family tragedy, Michael promised to take care of Casey and give her a happy life, and he has kept his word. But now, with Will's sudden return after more than twenty years, Casey is forced to ask herself a difficult question. Which is the better life. one that is calm and contented or one unpredictable and deeply charged?Tugged in one direction by faithfulness and honor, and in another by pure desire, Casey Becket must relive her own troubled history to discover which choice will satisfy her heart. The Fountain is Emily Grayson at her shimmering, heartfelt, romantic best.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one was much better than The Gazebo, which was the first one I read by this author. I was skeptical to try another one by her since I wasn't too impressed with The Gazebo, but I'm glad I read this one. I enjoyed it.

[Victoria B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridiculous women make me mad.

[Beth Orr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked it out of a pile of brown paper wrapped books at the library to read, rate on an enclosed slip of paper, and return to library for a Valentines Day drawing. Although she’s written at least four other books, I had not heard of Emily Grayson. I will read another book of hers.

I very much liked it. Will, a new man traveling through a small town disrupts a lifetime relationship between Casey and Michael only to disappear as Casey awaits him on their wedding day. Michael steps back in to help Casey deal with the abandonment and then a family tragedy. Their restored and steady love relationship is once more disrupted when Will appears with an outrageous request several days before Casey’s and Michael’s 20th wedding anniversary party. Casey has a huge life-changing decision to make, one that the author doesn’t reveal till the very end, leaving the reader in suspense through the last half of the book. The suspense enriched the book.

[Mrs.navarroツ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another lovely story by Emily Grayson. Its about a woman torn between 2 men. It was good but definetly one of those situations when you know something the Character doesn't and you keep talking to her outloud telling her "What is wrong with you? The other guy is soooo wonderful!!!", Kind of like when your trying to save someone in a horror movie by telling them "TURN AROUND!!! TURN AROUND HES RIGHT BEHIND YOU WITH A KNIFE!!". Its good but had some slow parts & some very cute parts. = D

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes

This was what love did. It unhinged you.

[Kyrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily really does know how to write very realistic love stories, and I think that's why I truly enjoy her stories.

I do think I enjoyed The Gazebo more just because of the twist at the end, and I think I was just more invested in the mystery that was there, but this book still was a good read.

I personally think this book would have had more impact on me if it was longer. I think with a love story like this and the complications in the relationships, you could spend more time with these characters and their story.

It's a very fast read, and I think that most people can relate to the "what ifs" and questions about past love. It's a great, quick, relatable romance.

[Rissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew I wouldn't like Casey. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, I truly did.

But no, she knew what she was doing and she did them anyway. She didn't deserve Michael and I wish Tom didn't do what he did because then she would have gotten what she DESERVED. I really truly don't like selfish women (or men, selfish people in general).

The one good person in this book is Tom. And Michael. But really, TOM.

[Keshia Burchette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm just not sure how I felt about this book. I can understand she was torn between the 2 when she was a teenager but when she is 40 years old and has been married for 20 years you don't just skip off with someone who left you at the altar 20 years ago. I was angry with Casey pretty much the whole book.

[H. Susie Coddington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book I read only because I was at a location without WiFi to download something else. One of the things disliked the most with the cover fountain not matching the fountain in the book. There was several references to two "angels" in the fountain but only one statue on the cover.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I had read The Gazebo years ago and finally found a copy of this to read, it was in the same vane and a feel good read.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend suggested this book because she loved The Gazebo so much. Maybe I’ll have to try The Gazebo; this plot where Casey has to face the reappearance of her first love Will just days before she and her husband Michael celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary left me cold. It takes until pg. 50 to get the story of Casey and Will’s original relationship. It took until pg. 131 for the plot to advance again.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick easy read. It did have a surprise at the ending, and even going into the ending I wasn't sure which guy she'd go with.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Becky Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed the story. Story of friendship, love, passionate love. Choices you make. Casey Mike and Will

[Sandi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not the book I was looking for but I read it anyways. It would appeal to readers of romance but it certainly didn't do anything for me.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story felt familiar, in a good way. Who hasn’t thought of the road not taken? It felt more like that than a cheesy romance novel which also uses this plot line often. Casey wasn’t necessarily a sympathetic character, but there was a genuineness to her that made the story work. If she’d been nicer this story would have been boring. As it was I read through this one fast because I wanted to know what she would choose-her comfortable life with Michael or the great unknown with Will.

It was a quick read and one that drew me in and surprised me along the way.

there's more on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/201...

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts with two families living besides each other and having such a good time decide to get rid of the hedge that separates the yard. The put in a fountain. Where all the kids enjoy playing and where the parents hope their kids will marry at the fountain.
Then real life happens, and major events take place and things get complicated. fast forward 20 years and more problems again with the same people... Will they make the same mistake?
exciting and well written. would recommend.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The things people do in the name of Love are almost as bad as the things they do in the name of God.

Good writing, with good continuity and transitions. I also felt like even though this had an almost fairy-tale ending it was a pretty accurate conveyance of what people might do in this type of situation.

I'm curious to check out her other novels now.

[Kirsten Scher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story really pissed me off towards the end, but it did a turn around. Is this not what life is really about thinking you know one thing and then that is not true. Trust that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. Everything happens for reason. I really enjoyed this read although at one point I was about to throw the book out the window.

[Gio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book many moons ago....and I have to admit...I really liked it.
I thought the story was very Nicholas Sparks-esquette. Is that how you spell it? I may read alot but not such a hot speller.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was 199 pages. I finished it in about 1 hr 45 min. It was pretty good. A quick, easy read. It did have a surprise at the ending, and even going into the ending I wasn't sure which guy she'd go with.

[Cherice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this book!
I didn't want to put it down and
I did not want it to end.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good romantic story. This author writes very similar to Nicholas Sparks.

[Christa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hopelessly romantic and cheesy!

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, I identified with lots of elements in the story.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing like a little romance now and then, and Grayson never disappoints.

[Kathywalter · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read 8/8/2002, 2/1/2022

[Heather Costa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Makes you wonder what she would have done had she not found out he was a creep!

[Glenette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice short book. I really like Emily Grayson's books.

[Mieke Moontiger · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me it was a relaxing book. Ofcourse I was intriged when suddenly the lost fiancé appeared. And I could relate to what Casey was feeling many times. It's a nice book to read on a relaxing day.