Rating: 
Summary: Fulfills every romance reader's fancy
Review: For Celeste Milford, gardener's daughter and newly polished governess -- due in part to Lady Adorna Bucknell and "The Distinguished Academy of Governesses" and secondly, her sojourn to Paris -- nothing is impossible; even her most fervent dream of marrying Ellery Throckmorton, the handsome, rich son of Blyth Hall's mistress (where her father has been head gardener for decades). Yes, there's a drastic difference in station: he, the golden boy of the ton; she, of the working middle class; and, yes, her father thinks her foolish and bound for heartache. Celeste is of a different mind, however. She finally, finally has Ellery's attention and it would behoove her to use it, despite his recent betrothal.Celeste has returned to Blythe Hall, you see, to be governess to the daughter of Ellery's older, stodgier brother, Garrick Throckmorton. (It's only later she learns of not only Penelope's existence, but Kiki's as well -- Ellery's so-called love child). Garrick is a thorn in her side from the very beginning. When Ellery is struck by an allergic reaction, it is he Celeste is forced to dance with in the moonlight. Why, the insufferable man even has the temerity to kiss her senseless a few days later! But it is Ellery her heart yearns for; Ellery she wishes to wed. Not Garrick, surely, with his perpetual scowl, strict decorum and harsh good looks (that nonetheless pale in comparison to Ellery's handsomeness). Nothing is to get in the way of Ellery's betrothal, however: a betrothal that will benefit the Throckmorton family in more ways than one. Garrick is determined to safeguard the sanctity of said betrothal, and if that means seducing Celeste, so be it! What Garrick doesn't anticipate is being slowly driven mad by Celeste, by her vivaciousness, beauty, and those damnably appealing dimples. For a man of discipline and carefully leashed emotion, Celeste is the ultimate temptation, and yes, the ultimate threat to his sanity...and his heart. It's hard to avoid making a comparison to that cinematic classic, Sabrina, while reading IN MY WILDEST DREAMS. Ms. Dodd obviously draws inspiration from the movie's plot, transporting it across the sea to Victorian England with a revision or two, thus, putting her own spin on what would appear to be a predictable romance (knowing the plot, as we do, of Sabrina). In the beginning, I pictured Garrick Throckmorton as a young Harrison Ford, but my tendency to do so was eventually wiped clean away. A deliberately vague espionage sub-plot steers the reader even further a field, making such comparisons moot. (Indeed, my main complaint would have to be the deliberate vagueness of Garrick's background and the obscure details we're provided with of his activities). There's plenty of simmering -- nay, sizzling -- chemistry between Garrick and Celeste, however, and Ms. Dodd does a terrific job of describing Celeste's understandably mixed and chaotic emotions (without sacrificing Garrick and Celeste's beautifully blooming relationship). Actually, I was afraid that such a love triangle would cause me severe annoyance; miraculously, all I felt was a giddy delight at reading such a wonderfully prosed and plotted romance! (Garrick's denseness in denying his feelings for Celeste dampened my enthusiasm somewhat. The proverbial brick to the head -- or the impact of some kind of heavy object to his thick skull -- is clearly needed and delivered in a timely fashion, thank goodness). And for those who question the validity of a union between a member of the ton and a gardener's daughter, know that the Throckmorton family tree has its common side. IN MY WILDEST DREAMS is the epitome of romantic fiction: Ms. Dodd fulfills every romance reader's fancy with wit, verve and intelligence! And just like a particularly good dream or fantasy, those delicious tendrils linger...
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointment from Christina Dodd
Review: I don't usually review the books I read but when I see a writer who I enjoy a great deal use as the plot for her book the same plot that I have enjoyed for years as both a book and a movie...this being "Sabrina". The servant's daughter returning from Paris meeting the brother that she has been in love with all of her life at the train station...with him not knowing who she is and becoming enamored with her...the older, more sober brother "taking care" of the girl after he has arranged an accident to the younger brother...using her, falling in love with her and following her back to Paris where he speaks of his love and wins her heart... I have always enjoyed Ms. Dodd's novels and did read this one through and enjoyed her additions to the story of spys but as in movies and in artistic expression around us I would hope to see more original material...
Rating: 
Summary: Sorely Disappointed
Review: If you like the television version of this story with Harrison Ford about a gardner's daughter who falls for the youngst son gets shipped off and returned polish with attention of marrying him, but later falls for the older brother then I guess you'll like this otherwise I could have waited for this to come out again on televison.
Rating:
Summary: Plagiarism, but well-written
Review: While I'm disturbed by Ms. Dodd's unattributed use of the movie Sabrina's romance-plot, she knit in suspense complications and did her usual job of fine writing. Once I got over my pique and dispite being able to anticipate most of the steps in the love story, I enjoyed the book. I only hope that in the future, when Ms. Dodd "borrows" elements of someone else's work, she will acknowledge to whom her thanks are due.
Rating:
Summary: Haven't I heard this story somewhere before?
Review: The overall story was good, however Ms. Dodd extracted some very obvious plot plans from the movie Sabrina. In all actuality, the book is better than the movie Sabrina(the remake), but I would have liked it to be a more original topic.
Rating:
Summary: The new "Sabrina"
Review: Christina Dodd tells a sweet, humourous love triangle as the 4th book in her Governess series. This book is a quick, pleasant read. However, if you've ever watched the movie "Sabrina" you'll find yourself reliving it frequently in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Strangely boring.
Review: Even though I have enjoyed the other Governess romances AND "Sabrina" is one of my all-time faves (the Audrey Hepburn version of course), I found this book strangely boring and disappointing. I hope the next one is more entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: An extreme disappointment
Review: The publisher's oversight in including a disclaimer about the book's homage to Sabrina is unfortunate. Ms. Dodd's lack of originality is regrettable. One would be better served to read the movie script; better entertained to rent the video--the original.
Rating:
Summary: SABRINA KNOCK-OFF
Review: IT'S MASSIVE PLAGARISM, FROM THE PLOT TO CHARACTERS. A HUGE DISSAPOINTMENT AND LACK OF ORIGINALITY AND CREATIVITY.
Rating: 
Summary: Cleverly-Written Historical
Review: Ms. Dodd once again revisits the Distinguished Academy of Governesses in this delightful and thoroughly enjoyable historical. The year is 1847, and four years have passed since Celeste Milford, the gardener's daughter, left Blythe Hall in Suffolk, England. After receiving training as a governess and traveling the globe in that capacity, Celeste returns to be the governess to Mr. Garrick Throckmorton's young charges. As she continues her quest to capture the heart of Ellery, the blonde-blue-eyed younger son, Celeste has numerous encounters with Garrick, the staid older brother. But hilarity and more deep-seated emotions follow as Celeste realizes that maybe Ellery isn't her soul mate, after all. And Garrick's planned seduction of Celeste to keep her from Ellery and his betrothed threatens to overwhelm his carefully controlled persona. With a possible spy in their midst and Celeste's ability to translate the Russian language, she unknowingly becomes Garrick's pawn in a dangerous game. Only Ms. Dodd's clever prose could convince the reader that Celeste has a total change of heart towards Garrick as she begins to rethink her life-long infatuation of Ellery. As Ms. Dodd has the unique ability to combine humor with sensuality, her latest is one of her best yet, full of steamy romance and a refreshing dose of quirky situations. And for readers weary of the most handsome hero always attracting the heroine, Celeste's attraction to Garrick becomes a true lesson in love, as she proves that beauty is more than skin deep.
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