At First Sight

What I look for in a good read Regnery has delivered to me tenfold. Losing myself in this novella, disconnecting from the world around me, especially in these difficult times, was music to my ears. And one thing that she does exceedingly well is character development. The traits of her Irish and Italian protagonists come across strongly and the dual narrative in present tense not only balances the story, but I also loved exploring Ian and Valentina’s thoughts through their eyes. The title couldn’t have been better and I know one shouldn’t make up their minds before time but after reading the first chapter, I was sold. The beauty of this Modern Fairytale series is each book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone; however, you can also meet Valentina in Shear Heaven, her twin brother Nico’s story.

‘I realize how little I actually know this man.’

My question was if instalove exists! Valentia Di’ Medici and Ian Ladd fall hard for each other at first sight, the author doing an excellent job convincing me that it is possible. Trying not to let on too much, poor boy meets rich girl and sparks fly but in this case, destiny is a double-edged sword. These two youngsters who’d found their soulmates were to be ripped apart…for how long is for you to discover.

‘But would he save me from harm only to hurt me himself?’

I loved the man Ian had grown into. Hot-headed as a teenager, he’d been given the opportunity of a lifetime and got his act together. On the other hand, I thought Valentina had chosen the easy way out to please others for reasons I cannot possibly mention. Over time the solution worked well but beneath her layers, she’d become bitter, distrustful and although she wants for absolutely nothing, feels that true love is for others. Now then, this contrast was bitingly realistic. It happens, it is life and here Katy really got the message home. Once bitten, twice shy.

“You neither trusted nor sought true love in your life. You only gave me your heart because you knew I couldn’t break it.”

The letter…what foresight, the lingos…perfectly conveyed, and her quotes from Romeo and Juliet couldn’t have been more fitting. Regnery has a way with words and her note to readers about how she’d tackled the retelling was for me, enlightening. I’m sure her storytelling would excite even the most skeptical of readers since I am one! Being pulled in from the beginning, I dreaded the ending. The nearer I got to it, the less I wanted this enchanting retelling of Aladdin to end. It’s dead easy to read At First Sight in one sitting and if you’re in want of pure and utter distraction, this book is for you! Bravo, Regnery!

4 stars!

Inspired by the story “Aladdin,” we have Ian and Tina, a “street rat” and a princess, who fall in love in a single night only to be torn apart the next day. It wouldn’t be a fairytale if they don’t find love again, and so with At First Sight, we get a heartwarming second chance romance with a classic fairytale ending

When Ian and Tina meet as teens, their lives couldn’t be more different. There is a spark though that blurs the line between worlds and Tina and Ian share a life changing night with each other. Then stripped of a future together, there is little hope that they will ever see the other again. As they grow up, things for both of them change drastically, and the only thing that remains the same is the memory of the unforgettable and passionate night long ago.

Fifteen years later they are brought together again, and pain and anger aren’t the only things that resurface. The connection they had at first sight is as strong as ever and they have to decide if they can have a future together, or if the past is too hard to overcome.

Though At First Sight is only a novella, it gives us a wonderful story full of emotion. It’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming, painful and full of healing. I loved seeing Tina and Ian together as teens because they grow so much as they become adults. The things they go through to finally make it back to each other are hard but they wouldn’t change a thing because of the life they’ve made when they were apart.

The character growth is well developed. Ian changes so much from the hot tempered child and takes his second chance to become the patient man he was always meant to be. Tina’s idea of love was crushed years ago, and it takes time to break down the walls she built up around her heart but Ian doesn’t give up. I love watching them trust again and seeing them together. It’s beautiful how they fit into each other lives and I loved that they knew what they wanted went after it.

“You were the brightest light my dark life had ever known. Because I didn’t know what beauty was, what love was, what was possible, until I met you. Because when God sees fit to place an angel in your life, you don’t ask how much it’ll cost.”

This story is not angsty but there is conflict that the characters must face. Everything is resolved rather quickly but I liked the way the story progressed. It’s sweet, swoony, and uplifting, and a wonderful addition to the Modern Fairytale Collection. I really enjoyed this one!

Note: Though you don’t need to read Shear Heaven before At First Sight, I am glad I did. Tina’s brother’s story takes place between the time Tina and Ian first meet as teens and when they reconnect as adults. I loved getting a glimpse of Tina’s life in that novella because I saw everything in a whole new light when I finally got her complete story.

I loved this version of Aladdin. They were young, and that one night meant everything. I loved Ian had someone that cared enough to help him. I loved the little kids. They were the sweetest thing ever. I love these fairytale have new life!

Katy Regnery has pleasantly surprised us all by adding to her unique modern fairytale collection with a twist on the classic fairytale of Aladdin. “At First Sight” which is a spell bound second chance fate fueled romance. Where time will tell, if love and passion can conquer all.