What an unusual story. After reading several books by Mary Jo Putney, I have to say this much: I never know quite what to expect. I’m not in love with her stuff, but I think it might be fun to pick them up, here and again, when I need a change from the same old same old.
The Wild Child is Meriel, a woman who, as a young child, watched her parents and dozens of others burn to death in a terrible raid/fire. Afterward, she was a prisoner in India for over a year. When she returned to England she didn’t speak, or even seem particularly present in the world.
Before the tragedy, her marriage was arranged to Kyle, the heir to an earldom, who decides, despite her odd mental state, that she’ll suit him just fine. One of her uncles and guardians is in favor of her getting married, worried that without the protection of a husband, she might end up in an institution. But first, the uncle wants Kyle to get to know Meriel, and soon, before her other uncle returns to the country and forbids the match.
Now, Kyle has a problem. His long-time mistress, a woman he loves deeply, is dying, and he wants to return her to her native Spain to die in her homeland. Torn between obligations, he asks his identical twin brother, Dominic, to take his place and court Meriel.
Over the next few weeks, Dominic discovers that there’s more to Meriel than the fae creature she appears at first. He begins to draw her out, and he falls in love with her.
I never completely bought into Meriel as a character, but I liked Dominic and Kyle a great deal. In fact, I think my favorite part of the book was the strained relationship between the twins, estranged for years. They each want to heal the rift, but aren’t sure how, especially when Dominic begins to contemplate stealing his brother’s intended bride.
I also liked the portrayal of the insane asylum, which probably was one of the best of its time, though, of course, it was horrible.
The ending was a bit predictable (and I don’t just mean in the HEA sense of things), but I basically enjoyed this book.
I do have to say, though, that like the other books I’ve read by this author, I missed the spark of chemistry between these two characters. Each had his or her own demons to conquer, and in that respect it was a great dual character story, but the actual romance felt a bit flat.
3.5/5
The Wild Child
Author: Mary Jo Putney
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 0449005844
