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A review by meezcarrie
One Wish in Manhattan by Mandy Baggot
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.)