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A review by kelly_e
The Wish by Nicholas Sparks
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Title: The Wish
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: September 28, 2021
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Touching β’ Complex β’ Redemptive
π S Y N O P S I S
Sent to live with her aunt in Ocrakoke, a remote village on North Carolina's Outer Banks, at the age of sixteen, Maggie's life is forever changed. She's gets off on the wrong foot, and resents being there until she meets Bryce. It is Bryce that will show her around and teaches her the basics of photography.
Years later, Maggie is a renowned travel photographer splitting her time between her New York Gallery and shooting in remote and iconic locations around the world. Used to travelling over Christmas, she finds herself grounded and struggling to come to terms with a recent medical diagnosis. Becoming increasingly reliant and close to her assistant, Maggie soon finds herself sharing her story. The story from years earlier that shaped the trajectory of her life.
π T H O U G H T S
I was weary going into The Wish simply because I hadn't enjoyed some of Nicholas Sparks' more recent books. But in this novel he returns to his roots with good storytelling, relatable characters and emotional depth.
This is so much more than a romance, which is why I originally connected with Sparks' work (think The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, The Rescue). It's an easy to read novel with depth. It's a story of family, of first love, of the decisions that haunt us, and of coming to terms with our story. I loved the dual timeline narrative, which flushed out the story naturally. The holiday timeframe also felt fitting and magical.
In the vain of A Walk to Remember this one combines young love and terminal illness, and from the start I knew I'd be needing some Kleenex. I was immediately immersed in Maggie and Bryce's love story. One of my favourite parts is the bond that grew and formed between Maggie and her Aunt Linda. I wanted to reach through the pages to hug Maggie, and Mark was wholesome and kind.
The timeframes flow together very well, but I do wish that the chapters could have been shorter. It made for big chunks to get through at one time. And of course, the big reveal is quite predictable, yet I honestly didn't mind. It just made the story so much more heartfelt.
Although quite predictable, The Wish is the vintage Nicholas Sparks I've come to know and love. He is a master storyteller of the 'true love story that is equally beautiful and painful' trope. A reminder that not everything has a happy ending.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ Nicholas Sparks devotees
β’ coming-of-age teen romance fans
β’ readers in need of a tear-jerker
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"Visiting other places changes your perspective. It helps you understand that no matter where you are, or what country youβre in, people are pretty much the same everywhere."
"... it dawned on me that love was the most powerful emotion of all, because it made you vulnerable to the possibility of losing everything that really mattered."
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: September 28, 2021
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Touching β’ Complex β’ Redemptive
π S Y N O P S I S
Sent to live with her aunt in Ocrakoke, a remote village on North Carolina's Outer Banks, at the age of sixteen, Maggie's life is forever changed. She's gets off on the wrong foot, and resents being there until she meets Bryce. It is Bryce that will show her around and teaches her the basics of photography.
Years later, Maggie is a renowned travel photographer splitting her time between her New York Gallery and shooting in remote and iconic locations around the world. Used to travelling over Christmas, she finds herself grounded and struggling to come to terms with a recent medical diagnosis. Becoming increasingly reliant and close to her assistant, Maggie soon finds herself sharing her story. The story from years earlier that shaped the trajectory of her life.
π T H O U G H T S
I was weary going into The Wish simply because I hadn't enjoyed some of Nicholas Sparks' more recent books. But in this novel he returns to his roots with good storytelling, relatable characters and emotional depth.
This is so much more than a romance, which is why I originally connected with Sparks' work (think The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, The Rescue). It's an easy to read novel with depth. It's a story of family, of first love, of the decisions that haunt us, and of coming to terms with our story. I loved the dual timeline narrative, which flushed out the story naturally. The holiday timeframe also felt fitting and magical.
In the vain of A Walk to Remember this one combines young love and terminal illness, and from the start I knew I'd be needing some Kleenex. I was immediately immersed in Maggie and Bryce's love story. One of my favourite parts is the bond that grew and formed between Maggie and her Aunt Linda. I wanted to reach through the pages to hug Maggie, and Mark was wholesome and kind.
The timeframes flow together very well, but I do wish that the chapters could have been shorter. It made for big chunks to get through at one time. And of course, the big reveal is quite predictable, yet I honestly didn't mind. It just made the story so much more heartfelt.
Although quite predictable, The Wish is the vintage Nicholas Sparks I've come to know and love. He is a master storyteller of the 'true love story that is equally beautiful and painful' trope. A reminder that not everything has a happy ending.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ Nicholas Sparks devotees
β’ coming-of-age teen romance fans
β’ readers in need of a tear-jerker
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"Visiting other places changes your perspective. It helps you understand that no matter where you are, or what country youβre in, people are pretty much the same everywhere."
"... it dawned on me that love was the most powerful emotion of all, because it made you vulnerable to the possibility of losing everything that really mattered."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Grief
adoption