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Things couldn’t be much worse for wedding videographer Tish Gallagher. Business hasn’t exactly been booming—and now she’s just lost a high-profile job. To make matters worse, her car has been repossessed, and she’s got nothing but a few bucks to her name—thanks to an impulse designer-shoe purchase. Then, on a whim, she makes a wish on an old wedding veil that’s supposed to be lucky—and suddenly everything changes.
It starts with a phone call from a prospective client—who just happens to be the First Daughter, Elysee Benedict. It’s a dream job for Tish—one that would get her out of debt and finally get her business off the ground. What she doesn’t know, however, is that Elysee is marrying Tish’s ex-husband, Shane Tremont.
Tish hasn’t seen Shane since he walked out the door two years ago—but she’s never stopped loving him. Though it’s hard to see him with someone else, she knows the job is just what her business needs. Not only that, but Elysee is determined to help Tish and Shane find closure—and maybe that’s just what Tish needs to help her move on.
Once Smitten, Twice Shy is a light, entertaining read that puts a solid and loveable yet definitely flawed character in the spotlight. You can’t help but love Tish—despite her counterproductive urge to spend money that she doesn’t have. She knows what she wants, and she’s determined to do whatever it takes to get it—even that means surviving on ramen noodles. She’s tough and stubborn, and she’ll do anything to keep from showing her weaknesses. And who can’t relate to that?
Unfortunately, though, the things that make Tish human turn out to be the same things that end up making Once Smitten a bit tiresome as the story continues. Tish is still in love with Shane—and it just so happens that he’s still in love with her, too—but they’re both too stubborn (not to mention too afraid) to say anything. While that may be pretty true-to-life, Wilde just drags it out a little too long—turning readers’ anticipation into frustration.
Perhaps the most frustrating part of the book, however, is Elysee Benedict. She’s just too naïve (and too clueluess) to be anywhere close to realistic—and some of the things she does are sure to have you rolling your eyes.
Once Smitten, Twice Shy begins with a couple of interesting characters in an unusual situation. It has great potential—but, after a while, Elysee’s boundless naïveté and the drawn-out story detract a bit from the fun. It’s still an entertaining novel—but I have a feeling that Wilde can do better.
