What a lovely and heartwarming story by Jeannie Levig and one I won’t forget anytime soon.

Leslie Raymond has lost everything she loved dearly and is struggling to move past the pain she has felt since the day her family walked out the door. She moves back home to California to live in her parent’s home, which is empty since they passed away. What she doesn’t expect is to meet the most alluring neighbour, Erica with the most adorable little girl. But she has to keep the few rules around her heart which are: no straight women and more importantly, no women with children, but when she develops a friendship with her neighbour, Erica and her young daughter, Siena... all bets are off.

This was a beautiful story of two fiercely independent women with big hearts and a secret weakness for one another. It was great to watch both Erica and Leslie grow together in the story but for me, Siena stole the show. She was spunky and fun. She made Leslie feel part of their family from the very beginning. The story would have been nothing without her in it.

I also really liked the cheeky flirting between Leslie and Erica and it made for some good banter and fun chemistry between the two. Talking of chemistry, it was quite apparent from the get go that Leslie and Erica have it for each other in spades. Add that to the love that is growing between them and it’s a real soul mates story.

For me the epilogue was the real winner. I cried my eyes out. What an amazing way to end a book. Don’t want to say too much but this rounded the whole story off beautifully and didn’t leave me wanting more from the characters or story.

This book had me enthralled from the word go and I actually finished it in one day. I think it is currently fighting for first place with Embracing The Dawn on my Jeannie Levig favourites.

5 stars

Leslie has moved across the country hoping the change will help her move on from a bad relationship in her past. When the scruffy dog she picks up on the side of the road befriends the daughter of the woman next door Leslie realizes her desire to keep some distance from her new neighbours might be more challenging than she thought. It’s not long before she has that “Oh no, not again” feeling as she is drawn into a circle of friendship with Erica and Siena. It doesn’t help that she finds herself unavoidably attracted to Erica and charmed by Siena.

Erica is the neighbour next door with a special needs child. She has dealt with all the challenges, small victories and careful planning which come with raising an autistic child like Siena. Her life is ordered and orderly and like many moms with special needs kids, she puts her daughters needs above her own. She is attracted to her hot new neighbour and this attraction grows as she watches Leslie interact with Siena.

This lovely romance features a couple of mature women who begin as friends with undeniable attraction towards one another. Each has faced challenges in their lives and each are wary of changing their personal status quo. Enter two of the most endearing secondary characters, namely Siena and Gus the dog and watch the walls Erica and Leslie have thrown up around their hearts begin to crumble.Their daily interactions make this small romance a deep and moving experience. In the end I found myself thinking this is what love is all about, overcoming challenges and weathering the storms life throws at you and making a home filled with love.

A memorable and sweet read.

ARC received with thanks from BSB via NetGalley for review

If you’re looking for something more than a flimsy romance A Wish Upon a Star fits that ticket superbly. First, the romance is between a couple who are in their 50s who exude experiene and maturity that’s written alluringly and downright sexy. Next is the charming and intuitive mutt that Leslie rescues off the street and becomes a fierce friend and protector in his new home. The real star of the show is Erica’s daughter, seven year old Siena, who is autistic but charms her way into everyone’s heart despite her quirks and behaviors. This romance is about family, through thick and thin, and fierce friendships that make all these characters truly glow. Their growth as human beings, all of them, is the icing on this marvelous story. A feel good story that will warm you in the most pleasant of ways.