alissamargaret's review against another edition
4.0
This was cute. A lot of character interaction and development. Clean.
lids_84's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another wonderful example of heartwarming Chic lit.
This book gives all the feels. I laughed, I cried, and I just couldn’t put it down.
Boy meets girl, unlikely (but predictable) love follows. I liked that there was also another plot going on with the characters daughter. So while love was unfolding, so much more was happening.
I found characters to be loveable and the whole book just made me feel good.
So much love and positivity for this read ❤️
This book gives all the feels. I laughed, I cried, and I just couldn’t put it down.
Boy meets girl, unlikely (but predictable) love follows. I liked that there was also another plot going on with the characters daughter. So while love was unfolding, so much more was happening.
I found characters to be loveable and the whole book just made me feel good.
So much love and positivity for this read ❤️
syapotter's review against another edition
5.0
The letter from Mandy at the end of the book said "I hope you have tears streaming down your face right now, but also a big grin too!" YOU BET I DID! Definitely one of my favourite books this year, I laughed and I cried, then I laughed again. I just fell so much in love with both Hayley and Oliver (more to Oliver actually, haha) and gosh, Angel was just that icing on the cake. There's nothing that I don't love in this book =)
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
2.0
DNF - such an annoying male main character, I can't care at all about him (and yes im sure that'll be remedied later).
Another super rich man, who's had such a hard time...
Can get any woman, has to buy nice things to be able to live, acts like a douchebag to his employees, but of course - actually underneath it all he will surely be a nice guy..
I love easy christmas chick lit, and of course it is predictable, but this one just doesn't catch my attention at all. The characters all felt artificial too me. The overly clever 9 year old, the single mum who is of course broke but does everything for her child anyway, the gay brother who is a walking, talking cliché, the rich woman who only wants love and do charity.... They all felt like cardboard cutouts to me.
Also the prose wasn't bad, but felt off at some places, and didn't suck me in.
Sadly not my book.
Another super rich man, who's had such a hard time...
Can get any woman, has to buy nice things to be able to live, acts like a douchebag to his employees, but of course - actually underneath it all he will surely be a nice guy..
I love easy christmas chick lit, and of course it is predictable, but this one just doesn't catch my attention at all. The characters all felt artificial too me. The overly clever 9 year old, the single mum who is of course broke but does everything for her child anyway, the gay brother who is a walking, talking cliché, the rich woman who only wants love and do charity.... They all felt like cardboard cutouts to me.
Also the prose wasn't bad, but felt off at some places, and didn't suck me in.
Sadly not my book.
gothai's review against another edition
4.0
It was a wonderful romance set around the holidays. New York came to life in this book. Angel was a sweet character. Hayley was such a refreshing character bringing lots of humor and life to Oliver. The secondary characters were also qute interesting in their own ways.
The cover is magical.
This was my first book by Mandy Baggot and I'll be surely reading her in the future.
Thanks to netgalley
The cover is magical.
This was my first book by Mandy Baggot and I'll be surely reading her in the future.
Thanks to netgalley
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderfully cozy Christmas read tinted with shades of Scrooge and bits of delightful British humor, One Wish in Manhattan appealed to me on so many levels. Mandy Baggot’s engaging writing style makes those 434 pages feel like merely 100. Drawing on everything that makes New York magical at Christmas, the story settles in around you like a warm quilt while you hang on every word. You can almost feel the snow catching in your hair as the characters tour the Statue of Liberty, stroll through Greenwich Village, and of course ice skate in one of those classic outdoor rinks.
But beyond the quintessential New-York-at-Christmas landscape, One Wish in Manhattan brims with compelling characters. To me, Hayley’s nine-year-old daughter Angel steals the show. From carting her “special dictionary” across the ocean to her running commentary on all things, she adds much of the humor that makes the story so charming. Yet, underneath the genius exterior, Angel still has a child’s heart and a child’s dreams. I loved the authenticity with which the author wrote this endearing little girl, and I for one would love to see her in a starring role as an adult in a future book!
No self-respecting Christmas fan celebrates without A Christmas Carol, but readers who might be looking for a different twist on the classic this year need look no further than One Wish in Manhattan. Oliver Drummond may make Hayley think of Christian Grey, but (thankfully not all billionaire businessmen are created equal) he recalled a different comparison to my mind – Ebenezer Scrooge. Though Oliver started out rather unlikable in many ways, the greatest transformation in the book belongs to him. And while Hayley is actually the one figuratively visited by the ghosts of her past, present, and future, Oliver is the character that seems most rattled by the plot – and consequently the most changed by the end.
The only fault I can find with the book really just may be entirely my own. Despite the dual continent setting, the author uses British English throughout which led to a bit of confusion for me early on as far as whether some of the characters were British or American. Because, you know, it’s important to hear the right voices in your head while you read! Once I got that straightened out for myself though, I was able to overlook Oliver’s tendency to use British phrasing when the narrative was from his perspective; I decided it was simply part of his charm.
For my first Christmas book of the season, I am happy to say that One Wish in Manhattan did not disappoint! Snowy New York scenes, delicious romance, and witty humor left me feeling warm, cozy and ready to put up my tree.
Disclaimer: This is a general market novel. Read accordingly. :)
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
But beyond the quintessential New-York-at-Christmas landscape, One Wish in Manhattan brims with compelling characters. To me, Hayley’s nine-year-old daughter Angel steals the show. From carting her “special dictionary” across the ocean to her running commentary on all things, she adds much of the humor that makes the story so charming. Yet, underneath the genius exterior, Angel still has a child’s heart and a child’s dreams. I loved the authenticity with which the author wrote this endearing little girl, and I for one would love to see her in a starring role as an adult in a future book!
No self-respecting Christmas fan celebrates without A Christmas Carol, but readers who might be looking for a different twist on the classic this year need look no further than One Wish in Manhattan. Oliver Drummond may make Hayley think of Christian Grey, but (thankfully not all billionaire businessmen are created equal) he recalled a different comparison to my mind – Ebenezer Scrooge. Though Oliver started out rather unlikable in many ways, the greatest transformation in the book belongs to him. And while Hayley is actually the one figuratively visited by the ghosts of her past, present, and future, Oliver is the character that seems most rattled by the plot – and consequently the most changed by the end.
The only fault I can find with the book really just may be entirely my own. Despite the dual continent setting, the author uses British English throughout which led to a bit of confusion for me early on as far as whether some of the characters were British or American. Because, you know, it’s important to hear the right voices in your head while you read! Once I got that straightened out for myself though, I was able to overlook Oliver’s tendency to use British phrasing when the narrative was from his perspective; I decided it was simply part of his charm.
For my first Christmas book of the season, I am happy to say that One Wish in Manhattan did not disappoint! Snowy New York scenes, delicious romance, and witty humor left me feeling warm, cozy and ready to put up my tree.
Disclaimer: This is a general market novel. Read accordingly. :)
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
3.0
What a sweet novel! I'm a big fan of Christmas stories and I really wanted to read this one. Hayley and Oliver are absolutely cute. I fell in love with them right from the start and I knew I'd be rooting for them until the end. I got very emotional with Angel's journey to meet her father. This book is about love, values and what truly matters in life - which is how much we care for each other. For some reason, most people only think about that stuff during the holidays, birthdays or other big celebrations. But no, they should think about it all the time, cause life's too short. We must live it up.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
Travel with Mandy Baggot for a wonderful way to start over in New York
Visit the locations in the book here - Mandy Baggot Booktrail
Now I read this at a time where there was no snow on the ground and it was nowhere near Christmas but this book makes things magical! Don't wait till next Christmas to read it!
Ah New York New York, the city that never sleeps and the city of so many people that searching for your real dad is not going to be easy. At any time of year, the city is attractive to visit, but at Christmas, the lights are sparkling, the tree branches are covered in snow, everything seems more magical and inviting. And imagine going there, marvelling at the posh houses on Park Avenue for example and then meeting someone from that world – a billionaire who despite his taste for women – seems to have a heart of gold.
New York at Christmas is a time for adventure, magic and the possibility of starting over. The city is decked out in sparkle and celebrations from the shops to the parks and everything in between. Skating in Central park which becomes a kind of Narnia really is a stunning sight to see and you can ‘t help but wish that Hayley and Angel really start to see the beauty in everything around them.
Visit the locations in the book here - Mandy Baggot Booktrail
Now I read this at a time where there was no snow on the ground and it was nowhere near Christmas but this book makes things magical! Don't wait till next Christmas to read it!
Ah New York New York, the city that never sleeps and the city of so many people that searching for your real dad is not going to be easy. At any time of year, the city is attractive to visit, but at Christmas, the lights are sparkling, the tree branches are covered in snow, everything seems more magical and inviting. And imagine going there, marvelling at the posh houses on Park Avenue for example and then meeting someone from that world – a billionaire who despite his taste for women – seems to have a heart of gold.
New York at Christmas is a time for adventure, magic and the possibility of starting over. The city is decked out in sparkle and celebrations from the shops to the parks and everything in between. Skating in Central park which becomes a kind of Narnia really is a stunning sight to see and you can ‘t help but wish that Hayley and Angel really start to see the beauty in everything around them.
grifsgirl's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
erinecarroll's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect Christmas Read
This was the perfect Christmas read! I absolutely loved the characters , especially Haley and Angel's endless and "Gilmore-like" banter. The ending was absolutely perfect! I love the symbolism of the butterfly. I can't wait to read another book by this author.
This was the perfect Christmas read! I absolutely loved the characters , especially Haley and Angel's endless and "Gilmore-like" banter. The ending was absolutely perfect! I love the symbolism of the butterfly. I can't wait to read another book by this author.