Robin’s Rave Reviews – 2022
What have you been reading? Share with me! I want to know! I recently read The Wish by Nicholas Sparks. When I finished the last page and closed the book, I sighed with contentment at having spent time with a wonderful story and enjoyable characters.
The protagonist of The Wish is Maggie Dawes, a famous travel photographer who co-owns a gallery in New York City. A recent cancer diagnosis* causes her to reflect on her past. Through several conversations with her gallery assistant, she bravely shares her story of falling in love as a teen. After a naïve mistake at sixteen, Maggie found herself pregnant and was shipped off to Ocracoke, on the Outer Banks, to live with her aunt. Her aunt set up tutoring to help her get through her schoolwork with a local boy, Bryce.
Bryce is a smart, down-to-earth young man who is preparing to enter West Point. They start with a tutor/student relationship, but over time, they become friends. Through Bryce and his mom, Maggie discovers her passion for photography that later becomes her career. This innocent friendship turns into a sweet story of teenage first love. But the clock is ticking. She is due in May and he goes to West Point in July.
The story of Bryce is told over several encounters with the gallery assistant, Mark, taking the timeline seamlessly back and forth from 1996 in Ocracoke to 2019 in New York City. During the NYC timeline Mark helps Maggie enjoy the Christmas season in the city. Maggie and Mark build a friendship through doing several “tourist” activities she’s never taken time to do. (Although the novel takes place at Christmas, it isn’t what I would call a Christmas novel. You can read it any time of year.)
*Note: You should know Maggie has cancer before picking up the book, just in case timing is bad, and you find yourself too sensitive to the topic to read the book right now. Sparks keeps a good emotional balance so the story doesn’t feel too dark.
Part of The Wish was predictable, but it was so enjoyable, I didn’t care. I had to keep reading because I loved the characters. The story ends in a satisfying way. If you like the Nicholas Spark formula, you’ll love this one!
In case you missed them, here are links to other Nicholas Sparks book reviews I’ve done: Every Breath ( and a feature on the Kindred Spirits mailbox) and Two By Two.
May I suggest buying The Wish through Bookshop.org? Your purchase helps local, independent bookshops stay in business!
So it’s cold outside, at least here in Ohio. What novels are you curling up with this winter? Comment below!
Follow me on social media –
Facebook and Instagram @author.robin.shelley
Check out this link to a synopsis of Debbie Macomber’s newest holiday novel, 
It may seem early, but The Santa Suit, a heart-warming Christmas novel, comes out September 28. It can be pre-ordered now. (Remember: buying a new book through pre-order or the first week of publication is the most helpful to an author.) The Santa Suit would make a great gift – even for yourself! Too busy to read during the holidays? No problem. The Santa Suit is a light, easy read with a Hallmark movie feel (but less predictable). You might just find the holiday stress slipping away while you read.