Jennifer Paul is a corporate executive working in London. Her life is ordered and professional, and since the death of her parents and younger brother she has had little time for any kind of personal life. Jennifer is driven to make a difference in the world, which she believes she can do through her company, Glidden.
On her way to visit her only surviving relative for Christmas she takes a wrong turn. Jennifer finds herself facing a huge green hedge where there isn’t supposed to be one. When she gets out of her car with her greyhound, Dragon, he chases a cat through the hedge Jennifer chases after him.
What follows is a story reminiscent of the movie Brigadoon. Jennifer finds herself in Clipton Magna, a county that has remained firmly in the past, in 1805, while the rest of the world has moved forward. Clipton Magna was prayed for by nuns for star-crossed lovers, namely the Prince Regent and Mrs. FitzHerbert, who were secretly married but whose marriage was not recognized because Mrs. FitzHerbert was a commoner.
But Jennifer knows this is not her time and place. Even though the lord of the manor’s son, Jeremy, is very handsome, he is not inducement enough for her to stay. But Malkin and Storm, guardians over Clipton Magna — who also happen to be a cat and owl — know that Jennifer is crucial to the county’s continued survival.
Jennifer must choose between an ancient time and love, or her own time and the impact she is longing to make on the world. Whatever decision she makes it will transform both times and in ways she could never imagine.
Beyond the Hedge is well written and engrossing. I was caught up in the romance that blossomed between Jennifer and Jeremy as well as the fantasy aspect of it. I loved the idea that you could have a normal life and then suddenly be cast into some fantastical situation.
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