To Wish Upon a Roman

Lucy Brady is your average woman, except for her deep love of the past. When she inherits a locket from her aunt, she thinks nothing of the warning that comes with it: “Don’t ever say his name."  Whose name? So, with some research and the help of Google, she finds it - Hadrian Marias. But the moment she articulates the name, a handsome man shows up in her apartment. Clearly, it’s a gag orchestrated by her friend, right?

General Hadrian Marias is not happy. He’s been tricked by a witch and stuck in a locket for over a millennium. So when Lucy summons him and sets a stipulation on setting him free, he jumps at the chance. It’s not like he minds the stipulation: “In fourteen days, I will release you, but only if you become my sex slave and guarantee my satisfaction.”  Looks pretty cut and dried, until their feelings get involved.

A Roman general in 21st century dedicated to a woman? Stuff a girl can only dream of. The problem lies in the romance. The physical side of Lucy and Hadrian’s relationship is what is shown the most. The emotional side suffers, probably due to the shortness of the story. But it’s the resolution to the main conflict that’s the problem. It’s unsatisfying and almost feels like cheating

"To Wish Upon a Roman" is a tale of witches, curses, Roman generals and of course, true love, that would’ve been even more satisfying with a little more plot and emotional development.

Ana Smith