Under the Wishing Star (Star Trilogy) [Mass Market Paperback]

Since her brother married, Natalie, who is a spinster by the day's standards, finds herself being an uncomfortable third wheel in the household. When she is offered a nanny's job for Malcolm's daughter, she jumps at it. Unfortunately, this raises the eyebrows of society, placing the two in the position of having to marry. Malcolm has sworn to never love anyone, except his daughter. Natalie is in love with him, but does not want a marriage that is not based on love. However, faced with an ultimatum, she gives acceedsd to the inevitable.

**** Follow the sometimes rocky course of love in this heartwarming tale. Natalie sparkles with endearing charm that is able to work past the tough and guilt ridden barriers Malcolm has in her way. This is a gentle read with well rounded characters and situations. ****

Natalie Whittaker's life has taken a turn for the worse. From being undisputed chatelaine of her father's house (Crosby Hall), Natalie must now relinquish the reins to her unpleasant half-brother, Hector, and his equally unpleasant wife, Mabel. Almost a poor relation, Natalie is finding life at Crosby completely intolerable; and then she makes the acquittance little Sarah Chase and her father Lord Malcolm Chase.

Sarah is under the care of a somewhat harsh and unimaginative governess, and meeting Natalie allows Lord Malcolm to realize something that he has suspected for quite a while: that the severe governess just will not do. And so he fires the governess and offers Natalie the position. Except that convention dictates that a young lady of Natalie's position cannot accept such a position; and so she declines, albeit reluctantly. But Lord Malcolm is determined that Natalie become part of Sarah's life. The obvious solution is that he marry his charming neighbour. Unfortunately, Natalie wants a love match, and Lord Malcolm doesn't believe in love. Can Lord Malcolm persuade Natalie to agree to a marriage based on friendship and respect? Or will Natalie open Lord Malcolm's eyes to the possibilities of love and passion?

I enjoyed this grownup romance novel even though there were really very few frills and fancies. "Under the Wishing Star" was a 'straight' romance novel about two likable people who have a wonderful friendship and who are fortunate in that their relationship was able to deepen into love. How the authour allows for this to occur at a brisk but unhurried pace, was what made the novel all the more satisfying and delightful. And if it wasn't for the unwanted (in my opinion anyway) plot twist near the end of the novel (but I suppose this was done so as to facilitate Farr's next novel which will feature Natalie's younger brother, Derek, as hero), "Under the Wishing Star" would have been an unreserved 6 star recommended read.

Malcolm Chase, second son of a duke, wants to make Natalie (and he just met her!) his daughter's new governess. At first, Natalie thinks Malcolm is crazy and impulsive. But then she seriously starts to consider his offer. But it's not probable for an unmarried lady to live under the same roof as a widower.

The solution?: Malcolm wants to marry Miss Whitaker. After all, Natalie gets along so well with his motherless daughter. But Natalie Whitaker will only marry for love. Unfortunatly, Malcolm doesn't believe in love. ...Or will he?

Diane Farr gives us an extremely well-written, heart-warming romance, complete with a charming hero and heroine. The novel goes by very quickly. Even so... I often found myself wishing something, err... more exciting... would happen. Still, the novel is thoroughly enjoyable. I, for one, enjoyed the small, clever plot twists at the novel's end. But I'm not sure Natalie's brother is worthy of his own novel. His character was a bit weak.