As an orphan who grew up
in a State home, all her life Carol Baker had longed for a family of her own,
unconditional love and laughter; which is why she made the small, close-knit and welcoming
town of Christmas, California, where Christmas is celebrated every day of the year, as her
home. One night, she finds a newly born baby girl abandoned in the town square. Carol
happily but warily volunteers to care for the baby while efforts are made to locate the
mother.
Jack Reilly quit the LAPD
after a traumatic incident left him emotionally shattered. He returns to his hometown of
Christmas where he’s persuaded to fill in for the local ailing sheriff and he does
so, reluctantly. Christmas is thrown in turmoil as the town residents try to discover
which female among them could be mother of the baby. During the course of this
investigation, Jack and Carol come to know each other quite well. Jack’s grouchy and
anti-social behavior doesn’t faze his landlady Carol one bit while her cheerfulness
only irritates him all the more. There is also a sense of deep attraction between them but
Jack won’t let anything happen. Carol and the baby soon develop a deep bond, but more
surprises lie in wait for all of them.
Author Maureen Child has
come up yet another heartwarming story for her readers. This story has two aspects to it
– one is that of Carol and the baby, and the other of Carol and Jack. Both are
intermeshed and how the characters overcome all odds, is the overall story. The
characterizations are wonderful and since the main protagonists have a lot of hidden pain
and angst, it makes the story a journey of discovery. What is Jack hiding and who’s
the baby’s real mother are questions which add suspense to the story. Romance and
sexual tension also heat up the story. The growing bond between Carol and the baby is
lovely to read about and makes for misted eyes. The town of Christmas is an integral part
of the whole story and it’s really cute and festive with streets named North Pole,
and stores like Christmas Carol’s. The close-knit town atmosphere comes out strongly
and it’s many and varied citizens add depth to the story.
Overall, “Some Kind of
Wonderful” is a charming, emotional
and suitable read for the holidays.
Reviewed By Rashmi Srinivas
for The Road to Romance
December 3, 2003 |
