Books › To catch a unicorn
To catch a unicorn
187 pages
A windswept, vintage tale of unrequited yearning and family drama set against the rugged Cornish coast.
What it feels like
Reading this vintage romance feels like stepping into a mid-century melodrama, complete with crashing Cornish waves and brooding, aristocratic tension. The narrative unfolds at a steady, deliberate pace, immersing the reader in a world of turbulent family dynamics and quiet, desperate yearning. It is a story steeped in the classic tropes of its era—an innocent, overlooked heroine navigating the shadows of a glamorous rival and the confusing affections of an arrogant, older love interest. The prose is earnest and atmospheric, painting a vivid picture of a grand, chaotic household where every glance holds weight. It will thoroughly delight fans of old-school gothic-lite romances who appreciate a slow-burn emotional awakening, windswept estates, and the satisfying triumph of a quiet heart.
- Mood
- windswept
- yearning
- atmospheric
- angsty
- Tone
- earnest
- melodramatic
- romantic
- wistful
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- coming of age · unrequited love · family secrets · overcoming insecurity · class and belonging
- The writing
- The writing is classically descriptive and emotionally earnest, leaning into the atmospheric tension of its mid-century romantic roots.
- The arc
- The protagonist moves from naive insecurity in the shadow of a glamorous rival to self-assured womanhood and hard-won romantic triumph.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love vintage, slow-burn romances featuring brooding heroes, windswept estates, and innocent heroines finding their inner strength.
Content notes
- dated gender roles
- age gap dynamics
- emotional manipulation
About the book
Would the family legend come true?
Laura felt young and defenseless in the turbulent Trevayne household - completely overshadowed by her glamorous cousin Cleo.
Cleo, widow of Troilus, the third brother, considered herself a true Trevayne and was certainly as unpredictable as the philandering Perry and the arrogant Dominic.
It was unfortunate that it was Perry who treated Laura as a woman; for Laura was in love with Dominic, and he regarded her as a child.
Description from Open Library.
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