fictionalkate's review against another edition
4.0
Fun story about a mix-up leading to a secret revealed, family drama and perhaps a chance at love.
I liked the characters and enjoyed watching as they worked out what they wanted - from life, from others and from themselves. The aussie flavour is present throughout the story.
If I had a negative about the story it would be that it all ties up a little too neatly (like one of Marnie's expensive yet gorgeous hand wrapped gifts) and I wanted a little more angst. Even when things weren't going smoothly for all the characters, this book has a bit too much of a positive vibe (which is its appeal but also not. I'm not entirely sure how to put my feelings into words but I know I loved the optimism I felt but I also wanted it a bit more hopeless at times) .
Would read again. Very glad I impulse borrowed this from the library.
I liked the characters and enjoyed watching as they worked out what they wanted - from life, from others and from themselves. The aussie flavour is present throughout the story.
If I had a negative about the story it would be that it all ties up a little too neatly (like one of Marnie's expensive yet gorgeous hand wrapped gifts) and I wanted a little more angst. Even when things weren't going smoothly for all the characters, this book has a bit too much of a positive vibe (which is its appeal but also not. I'm not entirely sure how to put my feelings into words but I know I loved the optimism I felt but I also wanted it a bit more hopeless at times) .
Would read again. Very glad I impulse borrowed this from the library.
melissatrew's review against another edition
4.0
I adored this sweet little book! With Love from Wish & Co. tells the story of Marnie Fairchild, a boutique owner who specializes in custom gift-buying and gift-wrapping services. She dreams of expanding her business into a historic building nearby that her grandfather used to own, but her dreams may be dashed when she makes a mistake that could bring her entire company crashing to the ground.
"To be unseen meant freedom, but loneliness. To be seen meant connection, but vulnerability. Why was nothing easy?"
To start things off, Marnie is the first book character I've ever encountered who does my dream job, and reading about the life of a professional gift-giver brought me so much joy. The author made this career sound even more wonderful than I'd already dreamed it up in my head to be, and taking a mini-vacation from my own life to experience the world of professional gifting was utterly delightful.
"There were few things in life she loved so much as a happy ending to a gift-giving story."
Not only that, but a secondary character, Suzanne--the world's best cook, gardener, party hostess, homekeeper, mother, and grandmother--was one of the most endearing characters I've ever read about. I adored her more than I can even describe. I want to be Suzanne when I grow up, with her perfectly-planned luncheons and her beautifully-tended roses and her delightfully-coordinated kitchen appliances and her food-and-wine budget that spares no expense. The way Minnie Darke captured Suzanne's love for her family, and a crowded table, was just beautiful and so heartwarming to me. I felt so seen.
"We are fortunate to live in this beautiful house, in this lovely part of town, to have nice things. But the true blessing, for me, is in the people around this table and the relationships we all have. This is our wealth: our children, our beautiful grandchildren."
I don't typically choose books that wrap up so neat-and-tidy, like a Hallmark movie, but sometimes the mood just strikes, and this one was absolutely the right choice for when you want a feel-good story that is sweet and romantic. My only hangup was the way infidelity was treated throughout the story. I wish it could have been different. Even so, I still really loved the book!
——
A huge thank you to Minnie Darke, Ballantine, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
"To be unseen meant freedom, but loneliness. To be seen meant connection, but vulnerability. Why was nothing easy?"
To start things off, Marnie is the first book character I've ever encountered who does my dream job, and reading about the life of a professional gift-giver brought me so much joy. The author made this career sound even more wonderful than I'd already dreamed it up in my head to be, and taking a mini-vacation from my own life to experience the world of professional gifting was utterly delightful.
"There were few things in life she loved so much as a happy ending to a gift-giving story."
Not only that, but a secondary character, Suzanne--the world's best cook, gardener, party hostess, homekeeper, mother, and grandmother--was one of the most endearing characters I've ever read about. I adored her more than I can even describe. I want to be Suzanne when I grow up, with her perfectly-planned luncheons and her beautifully-tended roses and her delightfully-coordinated kitchen appliances and her food-and-wine budget that spares no expense. The way Minnie Darke captured Suzanne's love for her family, and a crowded table, was just beautiful and so heartwarming to me. I felt so seen.
"We are fortunate to live in this beautiful house, in this lovely part of town, to have nice things. But the true blessing, for me, is in the people around this table and the relationships we all have. This is our wealth: our children, our beautiful grandchildren."
I don't typically choose books that wrap up so neat-and-tidy, like a Hallmark movie, but sometimes the mood just strikes, and this one was absolutely the right choice for when you want a feel-good story that is sweet and romantic. My only hangup was the way infidelity was treated throughout the story. I wish it could have been different. Even so, I still really loved the book!
——
A huge thank you to Minnie Darke, Ballantine, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
elliedo's review against another edition
1.0
boring rich person problems (although admittedly i did only skim read this bc i decided halfway through to reread kulti)
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
(free review copy) I ended up really enjoying this unique story, mostly for the way it forced me to introduce more gray area thinking into my usually black and white worldview. I also enjoyed the Australian setting despite it taking me awhile to figure out that’s where it was set.
Just one tiny criticism ~I think the cover art is horrible and am disappointed that it’s what the publisher chose - they could have done so much better!
Just one tiny criticism ~I think the cover art is horrible and am disappointed that it’s what the publisher chose - they could have done so much better!
kansascorley's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first book by Minnie Darke and I was pleasantly surprised. While the first half of the book moved a little too slowly for me, the second half kept me fully engaged and I was rooting for a happy ending!
I would recommend this to any reader who is a fan of the romcom genre and doesn’t mind a slow pace with a pay off in the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a free copy of the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I would recommend this to any reader who is a fan of the romcom genre and doesn’t mind a slow pace with a pay off in the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a free copy of the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
blairchristine's review against another edition
5.0
Random House Ballantine reached out to me via NetGalley and offered me an ARC Copy. At first I was unsure if I wanted to read it. I hadn’t read anything else from the author and thought it sounded interesting. A few days later I decided to give it a go and I am SOOO HAPPY I did! Marnie is a professional gift buyer. Browning up she found out that there was nothing better then a person receiving the perfect gift! In the end she ends up making it into a business.
Everything is going great! She has steady business and is continuing to grow in clientele. One day she is wrapping and getting together her best clients, Brian, gifts. A lovely present for his wife on their 40th year anniversary… and one for his mistress
Everything is going great! She has steady business and is continuing to grow in clientele. One day she is wrapping and getting together her best clients, Brian, gifts. A lovely present for his wife on their 40th year anniversary… and one for his mistress
blairchristine's review against another edition
5.0
Random House Ballantine reached out to me via NetGalley and offered me an ARC Copy. At first I was unsure if I wanted to read it. I hadn’t read anything else from the author and thought it sounded interesting. A few days later I decided to give it a go and I am SOOO HAPPY I did! Marnie is a professional gift buyer. Browning up she found out that there was nothing better then a person receiving the perfect gift! In the end she ends up making it into a business.
Everything is going great! She has steady business and is continuing to grow in clientele. One day she is wrapping and getting together her best clients, Brian, gifts. A lovely present for his wife on their 40th year anniversary… and one for his mistress
Everything is going great! She has steady business and is continuing to grow in clientele. One day she is wrapping and getting together her best clients, Brian, gifts. A lovely present for his wife on their 40th year anniversary… and one for his mistress
lids_84's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A cute little read. I found the characters really loveable and I couldn’t wait to see what happens. While it was a little cliche and the ending was predictable I did very much enjoy this.
jackie_d's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? No
3.0