"Little Wishes" by Michelle Adams is a poignant and emotionally charged novel that explores themes of love, longing, and the passage of time. The story revolves around Elizabeth, who has spent fifty years holding on to the memory of her love for Tom, symbolized by the small blue crocus he used to send her every year.

Adams skillfully portrays the depth of Elizabeth's enduring love and her fear of losing the connection she had with Tom. The premise is heartwarming, and the concept of fulfilling Tom's wishes in his absence adds layers of emotional complexity to the narrative.

The book's pacing is steady, and the exploration of Elizabeth's past and her long-held secret keeps the reader engaged. The writing is evocative, and the descriptions of the crocus flowers and the wishes they represent are beautifully rendered.

However, some readers may find the story a bit predictable and the resolution of certain plot elements somewhat rushed. Additionally, while the emotional depth of the characters is evident, their development could have been more nuanced.

"Little Wishes" is a touching story of love and regret, but it falls just short of a higher rating due to its predictability and character development. It earns a respectable three-star review for its heartfelt exploration of its central themes. Readers who appreciate emotional family dramas may find this novel worth their time.

A little too pedantic to really catch me, and since it didn't grab me from the start (the start was so confusing - is it now? Then? Ad when exactly is 'then'?), it just didn't click for me throughout. Not my type of pace, unfortunately

I enjoyed this book it was a really enjoyable read, nothing to heavy and easy to pick up and put down at will as it wasn’t too taxing, all in all not a bad book! .

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

Was a lovely read flicking between last and present. I’ll admit was hard to get into a first but once I did, it was really enjoyable. Thankyou NetGalley

This was one of those books that I struggled with at first. I kept picking it up and reading a few chapters but had no problem with putting it down again - and reading other books before picking it up again.

But I'm glad I persevered as once I really got into the book, I loved it.

Warning though - this book will make you cry and cry.

This book is beautiful
I needed tissues when reading this. This book is so real and so romantic.
I had tears of joy, sadness and cried when I finished the book because I has no more of the story to enjoy
Despite Adams being a thriller writer usually, she absolutely nails romance
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a romance book

Another enjoyable read. It will be good to see what other titles there are by the same author which I’d love to read.

Little Wishes by Michelle Adams. This is another book I was able to read through NetGalley but had been in my Amazon wish list for ages. Elizabeth & Tom fell in love fifty years ago, in very different times and circumstances and it’s nearly as long since they’ve seen each other. Elizabeth never stopped loving Tom and Tom has been leaving Little Wishes at Elizabeth’s door, however on the 50th anniversary the wish fails to turn up on Elizabeth’s doorstep. So Elizabeth goes in search of Tom and the story follows what happens thereafter. 29% way through this book, the love story between Tom and Elizabeth had already captured my heart and I came to realise that this was probably going to be a bit of a tearjerker, without giving anything away, there were subjects we all knew something about or had experience of. This is a little unassuming book, a great example of don’t judge a book by its cover because it has the biggest heart, it’s full of love and emotion, a love story of the greatest kind. Such a timeless love story that despite the other paths the characters took, lasted a lifetime. It’s simplicity is what makes this book a perfect enjoyable read, it’s written with grace and a dignity, without fuss and without it trying to be something its not. The characters could be people you know (or hope you knew), the authors great writing makes them come alive and off the pages, making them feel incredibly real. This would be a great tearjerker of a film, each page you can visually these characters come alive in your mind. A story that can evoke so many feelings and emotions in its readers is something quite special and rare. As the reader you imagine everything about the characters, what they look like and what they sound like, the author does this with such style and passion that the characters just jump off the pages with ease and Tom and Elizabeth are a very special couple that you are privileged to have gotten to known. This little unassuming book, that seems lost in a huge list of great books written this year, shouldn’t be over looked because it can definitely stand out on its own, a triumph in love and romance. A definite must read this year ❤️

This was a lovely read with a dual storyline of past and present. Well written and lovely characters. A nice easy read that is definitely recommended.

Thank you Netgalley.

A lovely but heartbreaking read about lost love and second chances. Such a sweet novel which reminds me of the notebook. Well worth a read!

This book made me sad, happy, and angry. Elizabeth and Tom met when they were young, fell in love, and broke up. And for the past 45+ years, on her birthday, she received a crocus and a note, saying I wish… She knew it was from him.

Then one year, nothing. She went back to find out what happened to him.

My second book by author Michelle Adams, the love was beautifully encapsulated in this book. I loved the concept of one love, second chance. The scenes went back and forth to show me what happened between them. Many a time it brought a lump in my throat, then it would show me their love which brought a smile on my face… You see what I mean… Sad and happy

But what I didn’t get is, in this world, most of us don’t find our soul mate and then to find one, yet not do everything to be with them in the interim years made me so angry. Pining for your beloved was not love. That went with Shakespearen times. You could make sonnets not be worthy of love. They were fools who believed in sweet gestures but not active actions…fighting the world. That set me off completely.

Luckily this anger warded off tears and I could finish the book over the afternoon.

Elizabeth Davenport had one first and true love, Tom Hale. When she opens the door of her Cornish cottage and finds a box with a blue crocus inside, she knows it’s from him. It isn’t the last one note that comes - none of them are signed but each one is started ‘I wish’. On each one is a hand written ‘memory’ of something they would have done or shared together if they were still a couple. She’s kept every single one and then on the fiftieth anniversary of their first realisation they loved each other, there is suddenly no note and Elizabeth is stricken by worry. What has happened to Tom?

Filled with a thousand different scenarios, Elizabeth can’t rest so packs a bag and goes to London to look for Tom. When she finds him, she also discovers the time they have left might not be very long. This employs the popular format of dual timelines, so inbetween Elizabeth’s quest we learn about how the couple first met and what pulled them apart when they were younger. They are a lovely couple, and the book has a very true lesson at its heart. Don’t put things off. You never know how much time you have to let someone know they love them.

I very much liked the premise of the story. A love that outlives 50 years. Little messages with wishes and sometimes even gifts every year on the anniversary. Very romantic. But also very sad if you imagine that these 50 years could also have been lived together!

How the story evolves after Elizabeth doesn't find a message on her doorstep this year wasn't really my cup of tea, although there were bits that I liked - for example some of the wish fulfilments. But I also got bored a bit in between. And for the rest: I didn't see the relevance of the issues between Alice and Brian, James was too ambiguous to be real, Kates story was resolved in a strange way. Several things that didn't sit right with me.

A lovely but oh so heartbreaking read. I liked how to was written in the past and present and you really could interact with the characters. I was gripped from the start. This was such a beautiful loving book.

A beautiful and evocative read that tugs at your heartstrings. Flipping between the past and present day you can't but feel for the characters and their circumstances. Reminds me a little of The Notebook.

First time ever reading a book by Michelle Adams. I really enjoyed the characters and would be eager to read more of her work!

A lovely but heartbreaking read about lost love and second chances.
Whilst a lot of books have the second chance at love theme I really enjoyed how Little Wishes shows this differently. Tom leaving Elizabeth her favourite flower and a “wish” for them for 49 years is the sweetest thing. I loved the then and now storyline too.
Reading it really does show the impact of miscommunication and not taking opportunities that arise.
I did find it slightly frustrating though that the couple didn’t overcome these and reconnect sooner.

This was such a lovely heartwarming story. I loved the characters of Elizabeth and Tom.

Highly recommended by me.

Thanks for the opportunity to read andreview it.

Loved it. Was gripped from the get go. I was enraptured by the story of the protagonist and it being a time slip story too? Added bonus points for that alone.
I hope to read more by the author in the future.