A predictable moment in many regency novels is the revelation of a secret that breaks up the hero and heroine. This predictable moment achieves several things. Fist, it generally is the climax of the story and propels the narrative toward the resolution. Second, the moment aids in tying up loose ends or unresolved issues between the hero and heroine. Finally, it adds heightened tension between the hero and heroine, making for a fantastic make-up love scene. While adhering to the formulaic mold is safe, change is refreshing. Catherine CoulterÕs Mad Jack breaks the secret revelation formula and wanders down the exciting path of open communication.

Winifrede Levering Bascombe is in trouble. She's about to be forced to marry an old lecher so her step father and her prospective husband can get their greedy hands on the trust left to her by her real father. She does the only thing that she can; she runs away disguised as a young valet named Jack. Her plan: find her father's solicitor, the moderator of her trust, and beg for his protection.

Grayson St. Cyre, Baron Cliffe leads a comfortable life in London. He volunteers for charitable duty by helping women in abusive situations, but other than encountering the occasional outraged husband, he enjoys the predictability of his daily life. Without warning his life is thrown into an uproar when his great aunts come for a visit toting their young valet named Mad Jack.

From the moment Gray catches Jack trying to steal his horse and discovers Jack is really a young woman, Gray loses his head. He offers Jack his protection and in the process loses his heart. In Gray and Jack's adventure the twists and turns will leave you breathless and the refreshing honesty exhibited by both characters will enhance your enjoyment of this thrill ride.

Catherine Coulter tried something new in a regency romance with Mad Jack by producing characters that don't keep secrets from one another. They face challenges together, head on, and topple the tests one by one. While Mad Jack doesn't adhere to a formula many regencies follow, it also doesn't truly establish itself as the one that broke and reformulated the mold. Coulter, ever the skillful writer, fashions memorable characters immersed in expert prose and dialogue, but I didn't feel this was a stand out novel. The story of Gray and Jack never delved deeper than the surface, keeping it within the constraints of the regency romance genre, and I couldn't help feeling like there was so much more to learn about Gray and Jack, as though only the surface was scratched.

Please note that I thoroughly enjoyed Mad Jack as I have other novels by Catherine Coulter. It is an entertaining read that doesn't fail to endear you to its characters. In fact, Douglas and Alexandra, Ryder, Colin and Sinjun reappear in Mad Jack, and Coulter introduces a new character, Helen Mayberry, who has a story of her own in a subsequent novel. I would recommend Mad Jack to those readers in need of an enjoyable, quick, light read. The effort made to escape for a little while will be worthwhile. In that capacity, Mad Jack hits its mark.

Reviewed by Maci Walker
© 2004