The Fountain: A Novel - Hardcover

Grayson, Emily

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060184868 ISBN 13: 9780060184865

Publisher: William Morrow, 2001

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author:

Emily Grayson is the author of four previous novels, The Gazebo, The Observatory, The Fountain, and Waterloo Station. She lives in New York City with her husband and children.

From Library Journal:

Casey Stowe plans to leave her happy 20-year marriage and children for Will Combray, the man who jilted her at the altar as a teenager. Before Will resurfaced, Casey hadn't seen him in a generation, and she admits to herself that she doesn't really know him (beyond knowing that he's undependable). But her attraction to him is all that really matters. This tale of one woman's relationships with her dedicated husband ("Old Dependable") and more exciting former flame is prettily written and easily read. However, this reviewer found it hard to get involved with a protagonist that she couldn't respect. At the story's very end, Casey does have a sudden change of heart, but it's too late readers will have already lost interest in this selfish woman. Lacking the complexity required to keep the discerning audience engaged, this book does not offer a lot for the price. Recommended only for libraries where Grayson's earlier books, The Observatory and The Gazebo, have been popular. Carol J. Bissett, New Braunfels P.L., TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0060184868
• ISBN 13: 9780060184865
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208