A review by cuppacora
A Simple Wish: The upcoming heartwarming novel from Britain's best-loved saga author by Rosie Goodwin

5.0

 5 Word Review: Family, desperation, betrayal, love, lies.

It was raining outside when I first picked up this book. Proper chucking it down, dark and gloomy and cold. It was a miserable day. And honestly? Rosie Goodwin books were made for miserable days. The sprawling saga stories take you on a journey where you feel every emotion and leaves you at the end feeling like a bit of a different person.

I had a blanket, a hot water bottle, a big pot of tea, a plate of custard creams. And I settled in.

From the very start, the vivid descriptions dragged me into Emerald's world. I felt her shock and her sorrow, and I felt her desperation.

For a story that slowly unfolds, the pace is amazing. I couldn't have put this book down if I wanted. So so much happens between the first page and the last, and the way the characters change felt very natural. It was almost exhilarating, and the danger in the plot really drove the tension.

Emerald is the main character, but I did warm to a few of the side characters - I wouldn't say no to reading more about them. But poor Emerald for much of the book is surrounded by people who don't want the best for her and who manipulate and use her. All she wants is family, and it was pretty heart-breaking to see her lose the one she knew, try to find her biological family, and try to piece together a found family. She goes through some very low points and seeing her get through them, seeing her resilience, filled my heart with hope.

This book isn't one to rush - usually a book of this length would take me four hours, I'd be done in a morning. But I lingered with A Simple Wish, I spent the whole day cooried up in my blanket, taking my time with Emerald's story and getting through far too much tea. It was a perfect way to spend a Sunday.

I know I've said it before, but Rose Goodwin is like the Catherine Cookson this generation. Her books are beautiful and all I really want is for them to be a lavish two part sprawling drama so I can fall into the story on screen too.