Customer Reviews

Second Star to the Right

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A gorgeous novel. Mary is a superb writer, and I love the subtle way she has extended the Peter Pan story in this absolute gem.

While the original Peter Pan story revolved around Peter's attempt to delay Wendy's transition to womanhood (he took the children on her last night in the nursery), in Second Star we find Peter Pan (the Guardian of the Dead and the Lost Souls) is pivotal to the now aging Wendy's transition to the next life - which as the book suggests, may also be in the Never Land.

Mythology and quantum reality theory aside, this is also a beautiful love story, and the way in which Faye's relationship unfolds is just challenging enough to keep you guessing.

First class piece of writing. I'd love to see a sequel in which the ghost of Pan walks again.

This was one of the best romances I've read in years. I laughed and I cried and I felt like a kid again, experiencing the magic of an unforgettable love story. Mary Alice Kreusi has won a fan for life with this spectacular book.

Highly recommended! I loved Mary Alice Kruesi's Second Star to the Right. Her tale is exquisitely endearing, making wonderful use of the Peter Pan story (I, too had a crush on Peter as I was growing up) and interweaving it with the lives of Jack Graham, the hero, Faye O'Neill, the heroine and her children, and of course, Wendy. The book makes you want to believe in the magic of happy endings, and has you listening for bells and watching for shooting stars. The last chapter was a bit blurred, as I had to read it through tears. Congratulations, Mary Alice: another tour de force!

What a wonderfull surprise!I am not an easily pleased reader. I need my characters to feel real to me. Most romance book characters are fluffy and disapointing. This book was writing of a higher caliber. It was lighthearted and fun with out insulting my intelligence. Thank you Mary Alice Kruesi!

THIS BOOK KEPT ME READING RIGHT THROUGH AT ONE SITING TO THE END. I CONSIDER IT A BEST BOOK! HOPEFULLY MS KRUESI WILL DO IT AGAIN!

After an ugly divorce, ad exec Faye O'Neill leaves Chicago for London accompanied by her two young children (Tom and Maddie). Faye feels lucky that she managed to rent the house the trio now shares with another American expatriate Dr. Jack Graham and its owner crazy Wendy Forrester. Wendy swears that she is the model used by Barrie in Peter Pan.

As Faye becomes fond of her elderly landlady, her two children remain unhappy until Jack begins to enchant them. Jack sees the magic is inside Faye and her children and wants to become part of it. He now believes in love. However, while Faye's heart pleads for happy ever after, her brain says Prince Charming is a male chauvinist hoax.

SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT is a great romantic fantasy that pays homage to Peter Pan. Seeking the references to J.M. Barrie's work adds much delight to an enchanting tale. The lead characters will move readers with their need to believe even when they doubt. The two children and Wendy provide Pan-like touches while the landlady's daughter deserves the hook treatment for tinkering with her mother's affection. No one will feel they lost their shadow to an open window as Mary Alice Kruesi succeeds with her logical yet romantic deference to Peter Pan.

Harriet Klausner

Kruesi has written an incredible story about love, hope, faith and dreams that come true. I've never read Peter Pan, but I know enough about the story to appreciate the symbolism and the magic of that wonderful tale that Kruesi weaves so artfully into this book. SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT did what every great book should do--it made me laugh and cry. It's a real treasure. A true keeper! I expect to see much more from this extremely talented author.

I fell in love with this book the first time I read it, and the 2nd and 3rd. This should be a movie it is so special...

There are almost no words to describe how special this story is to me.

If you haven't read it, please do.. You won't be sorry.

The move to London seemed liked the perfect plan at the time.  After all, Faye O'Neill had to do something to protect her children from her ex-husband.  She did not want them growing up in fear.  Of course, one look at Tom, her son, and it was obvious that he was afraid.  Tom rarely spoke to anyone except to his mom and to his sister Maddie.  Maddie was better at hiding her fear.   Even though they were on the other side of the ocean, Faye and her kids still lived in fear that some day they would be found. She had rented the apartment, or "flat" as she was informed, without even seeing it.  Faye had been that desperate.  An American professor lived in the flat below her.  The landlady's mother lived in the flat above her.  Faye was extremely curious, as to why they were forbidden to visit the elderly lady.  She kept her questions to herself, because she did not want to lose the flat.   Faye could not have asked for a better place to stay.  Her children warmed to the idea a little better, when they visited the garden and saw the statue of a little boy. Dr. Jack Graham loved challenges.  He certainly found one the day he met Faye and her children.  He believed every child should have the chance to believe in the magic, be it the magic of Santa Claus, Easter Bunny or even Peter Pan.  Clearly, Faye did not believe the same way.  She declared all those things were advertising gimmicks.  Her children would grow up knowing the truth.   Jack's heart went out to the two children.  He was ready for the challenge, though.  He would win over the children and their mother, or there was no such thing as Peter Pan. I laughed.  I cried.  I believed.  The magic leaps off the pages of SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT and dares one not to believe.  Don't miss this one.  The romance between Faye and Jack plays an important part in the plot, but the primary plot is more about healing old wounds and the power of believing. SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT is Mary Alice Kruesi's debut book under the Kruesi name.  She has two books written as Mary Alice Monroe.   Her latest book was GIRL IN THE MIRROR.  Ms. Kruesi has created a magical, romantic tale that is guaranteed to touch reader's hearts. SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT is a "KEEPER". Michelle Johnson, Romance Communications

The premise - Peter Pan really lives, the plot and the theme have promise. What could be better than a modern, whimsical, fairy tale? However the author fails to totally deliver with real characters and plot. Not bad - but not a keepr.