The Wish

Alex Brown is back and is whisking us back to the idyllic village of Tindledale in her latest release The Wish. The cover of this book is stunning and definitely my favourite cover of Alex’s books.
Sam has worked away from home for a long time now but it now looks like it could have cost him his marriage, determined to save his marriage her returns home to his wife Chrissie and his teenage daughter Holly but is it too little too late?
Holly only wants one thing for her Birthday and that is for her Mum and Dad to get back together but her mum is ruining everything.
Chrissie’s best friend Jude has been living in LA and has decided it is time to return to her roots in Tindledale to be there for her best friend and her dad Tony as well as opening up her own Antiques shop in the village.
I never tire of my visits to Tindledale in Alex Brown’s novels and I love how with each book we get a brief glimpse or mention at how the other characters from previous books are doing but the books are all stand alone’s although secretly when recommending to friends I do tell them to read them in publication order as the books are all such enjoyable and entertaining reads I want everyone to read them all and full in love with the characters and village Alex Brown creates.
The Wish has four central characters this time and this worked really well in this book as we get to hear direct from each character their thoughts and feelings on the situations that involve them all and it just goes to show a lot of things can be resolved if people were honest about their feelings and actually voiced their thoughts.
I loved all of the characters in this book and I wanted everyone to get their happy ending. Holly has diabetes and the concerns from family members, the strain it has on both Holly and her family and friends is portrayed really well in this book, this condition is on the rise and I think it is good to bring awareness of the effects of living with the condition.
The Wish is pure escapism with romance, friendship and long kept secrets that will leave you wanting to wrap the characters up in cotton wool. I loved this book and feel at a loss having to leave the characters and the village I adore behind. I do hope Alex takes us back again soon.

I loved this book and had you hooked from the first page and so heartwarming and poignant and emotional. So true to life with families and perfect read to curl up and escape from life and get hooked in the village life. Very well written with excellent characters and the story plot is so true to life and gets you hooked from the first page.
Sam has been married for years and for some time has been living away abroad with his job and taken him away from Chrissie his wife and holly his daughter. He comes home after a year to the village and Chrissie had already told him their marriage is over but he doesn't want to believe it. So he turns up at home and Chrissie isn't impressed to see him but holly is over the moon and is so upset they are splitting she decides to make it her wish to get her parents together by the time it's her birthday. Jude also moves back to the village at the same time and is holly's goddaughter and is upset to see her friends separated. Holly decides as time goes on she cannot do this alone so speaks with Jude and asks for her help in getting her parents back together. Can they do this or does it all go wrong.
Very well written and highly recommend this book to read.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a story about a couple who have differing ideas as to whether their marriage is over or not, Chrissie thinks it is, sam thinks it isn’t. Their daughter Holly had her own issues to deal with and we also meet a whole host of characters who make up village life including a wee pig called Tiger! This book is well paced with wonderful warm and quirky characters and very well written. A hugely enjoyable book!

i enjoyed this book it was nice to be back in the village however, it was a bit predictable and i could guess that was going to happen with regard to a few bits. loved the story that tackled a few serious issues in a not very serious way

The Wish is the new book by Alex Brown where she takes us back to the village of Tindledale.

Holly wants one wish before her 14th birthday, she wants her parents who are separated to get back together. Sam has spent several years working abroad while Holly and her mum Chrissie have been living in Tindledale. Chrissie has started to resent Sam as she feels she has been left to cope alone while Sam hides out abroad. Sam returns to Tindledale to try and put his marriage back together.

Jude is Chrissie’s best friend, she has also spent several years abroad and has returned home to support Chrissie. Holly asks Jude to help her with her wish and she is happy to help.

An enjoyable entertaining book with a heartwarming storyline, it was also good to see characters from the earlier Tindledale books. A wonderful read which I would recommend.

Sometimes the hardest struggles reap the best rewards. That is the moral of this story for me. Whether it be health, wealth or returning home, change brings with it the good and the bad.

For me, discovery and reconciliation are big themes throughout, be it Sam trying to work out why he made the decisions he did and try to find forgiveness from his wife, Chrissie who felt abandoned at the moment she needed him the most. Or Holly, their daughter who is trying, like most teenagers, to discover where she fits in the world whilst feeling smothered by adults who want to protect her from her own body.
Then there are the secondary, but no less important characters of Jude and Myles who offer some comedic relief.

I love the world Alex Brown has created in Tindledale, and I would like to thank #Netgalley and #HarperFiction for the Arc. It’s nice to hear about the lives of old friends (See other books in the series). I found The Wish to be most enjoyable and it’s always good to know that no one is perfect, even in fiction.


As always, I will be highly recommending The Wish to my people.

*****5 star rated*****
My review of The Wish by Alex Brown Sometimes the hardest struggles reap the best rewards. That is the moral of this story for me. Whether it be health, wealth or returning home, change brings with it the good and the bad. #AlexBrownBooks #NetGalley #HarperFiction #Tindledale #TheWish

It is always a moment of pure pleasure as you sit down to open a brand new Alex Brown book, and The Wish was no exception. If anything my anticipation had been heightened waiting two years for a new release from one of my favourite authors.

Thankfully it soon became apparent that this was a book that was worth the wait, with its heart warming story taking in multiple generations of two families, and a brave 13 year old who just wants her parents back together by her next birthday.

Holly was easily one my favourite characters, she is young but is coming to terms with her medical condition, which for a teenager must be tough. Her parents Chrissie and Sam seem to argue whenever they get together, which is more frequent now that Sam has returned from working abroad.

Sam also wants nothing more than to put his family back together again, and is determined to be a better husband and father if he is given a chance.

Jude has also returned to Tindledale, and she is Chrissie's best friend, Holly's godmother, and also wants her friends marriage fixed. However Jude also ends up working for a larger than life ex-rock star who turned out to me another of my favourite characters.

Although this is a new book set in Tindledale it can easily be read as a standalone, as all the others can too, there are some familiar faces but the heart of this book is a focus on all new characters, so there is nothing you need to catch up on.

With moments of hilarity, some of high drama, and others tugging at your heartstrings, The Wish has everything and a is w wonderfully written book that I would have liked to keep reading for even longer.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Great to re-visit the village of Tindledale and some of the characters from earlier books as well..
The main story is of Jude, back in the village after living in LA, and Chrissie and Sam, trying to save their marriage.

An enjoyable read - hoping for more books in this series.

This was an enjoyable return to Tindledale for me as I had read the other books set here, although this one could be read on it's own without having to read the others, although of course it is always recommended to know about characters mentioned.

There were two storylines running through this, one about Chrissie, her husband Sam and their 13 year old daughter Holly, and their friend Jude who starts working for Myles, an ex-rock star who has just bought a big property in Tindledale who Jude is sourcing antiques for from her new antiques shop in the village.

Sam has been away in Singapore working as an architect for a big company, and hasn't been very good at visiting home since he's been away. He was in contact via phone and Skype, but always seemed to get caught up in 'important' meetings and had to cancel lots of visits. Chrissie has had enough and now Sam is home, working on the estate Myles has just bought, trying to salvage his marriage. Holly is also trying to get her parents back together with various tricks and also enlists the help of Jude, also her godmother.

I must admit I found Sam a bit irritating, one minute his family didn't see much of him as he's 'too busy working' and the next he's back in Tindledale and acting very over-protective to Holly (who has diabetes) when he couldn't be bothered before. I don't blame Chrissie having had enough of him.

On the other hand I did like Jude - and mad Myles really grew on me! He really was a bit odd, very childlike even though he was in his forties, but he got better as the book went on and was always trying to fit in and make people like him. He actually turned out to be my favourite character in the book, which I didn't expect! He turned out to be such a fun-loving guy who was always trying to make people happy, which he did.

Everything was resolved eventually, after a bit of a panic towards the end, and quite a big secret was revealed. Enjoyable read with a lovely ending!

It’s so lovely to return to Tindledale in this book as you already know the setting and some of the characters and then meet Sam and Christie and their daughter Holly. A great read about triumph over adversity and also highlighting how serious diabetes can be. I love Alex Brown’s books and this is no exception a fantastic unputdowanble read

A heart warming family story. It s well written and definitely worth reading.. Lovely cover picture too

This book had me hooked from the start! It lives up to its tag line as a ‘heart-warming feel-good read’. It is focussed on the Morgan family and their friends and neighbours. Sam Morgan has been working abroad for years, rarely returning home and his wife, Chrissie, has had enough, especially after their daughter, Holly, was diagnosed as diabetic and he hasn’t been there to help and support either of them. Sam realises his mistake and returns home to try to put right his mistakes and reconnect with his family - if only Chrissie will give him the chance! It doesn’t look promising when she won’t let him return to their family home, instead he goes to live with his Gran whilst still hoping to woo his wife again.

Sam isn’t the only one returning to the picturesque village of Tindledale, Jude Darling is, too. Jude is godmother to Holly and she’s a close friend of Chrissie. Holly is thirteen years old and her wish is for her parents to be together again. However, with the choir master helping Chrissie and an ex-rock star making changes, life’s certainly not going to be placid in this delightful village. There’s going to be trouble ahead and secrets revealed in this endearing story of a small community working together, supporting each other and providing readers with an eclectic mix of humour, insights, mystery, drama and romance in an easy read story that it is brilliant to escape into. If you’re looking for a cosy read with plenty of drama, romance and surprises, look no further - grab yourself a copy of this delightful story.

I requested and was given a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.

"The Wish" introduces us to Sam, who's coming back home - he's been living in Singapore because of his job for over a year. His marriage is in jeopardy and his daughter Holly has been diagnosed with diabetes. Sam is desperate to make everything right, but when he returns to Tindledale he realises that it won't be too easy - his wife Chrissie is determined to end their marriage, even though Holly's biggest dream is for her parents to get back together and to have a loving family again. Sam is resolute to prove to Chrissie that he's back for good and that he's serious now.
Jude moves back to the village from Los Angeles and opens an antique shop. She's Chrissie best friend and Holly's godmother and she hates to see them so upset. Holly trusts Jude and asks her to help her with her plan to bring her parents back together. The question is, is it possible or is it too late already?

"The Wish" is another book that is set in this gorgeous village of Tindledale but, even though there are some old characters on the scenes, it introduces us to some very new ones and it can absolutely be read as a stand - alone, as there really is no need on any catch - up. The story is told by narrators, those of Sam, Chrissie, Jude and Holly and it was great to hear their points of view. They all add this extra insight into everything that is going on, not only with their lives but also in relation to other characters and what makes them tick. Also because of this multiple points of view the story progresses relatively slowly, as it also focuses on the villagers, and gives us insight into the characters' lives but nonetheless, the pace is right.

Now, guys. Don't get me wrong. I love an Alex Brown book, I do, but this novel had some weaker points that just bothered me too much. Firstly, I had big problems with Chrissie, one of the main characters. In fact, I've never warmed to her - she came across as a very spoiled and very hesitant and to be honest to this moment I'm not sure what she wanted to achieve alienating Sam. She wanted a great life and she agreed Sam can work abroad but then she changed her mind and went all offended. Yes, I understand, Sam could step it up a notch, yes, he put his job before everything other, but he wanted to make amends and he didn't do this for himself, he was trying to provide for his family. The way Chrissie behaved was childish and I just couldn't help but roll my eyes at the scenes with her. Yes, I do get it - she was alone and was having a hard time juggling the house, Holly's diabetes, loneliness, and I didn't expect her to be ecstatic at Sam's comeback but really, this blowing hot and cold, this indecision, the fact that she was so bitter and unhappy when - in fact - she didn't have a reason just didn't sit with me. Somehow, I just couldn't connect to her! I'm not sure why, I never before had this problem with Alex Brown's characters, I can't put my finger on it, it's just she felt superficial. I'm sorry, but it's the way I feel. All the characters were nice, don't get me wrong, but I wanted them to be more than nice, to be more three dimensional. I wasn't sure if we should fall for Chrissie or for Sam - but it's my problem, guys, so don't worry, and really, other than that it was so typical Alex Brown's book, full of tenderness and love and I had a feeling the author has written this book with her heart on her sleeve, it was so honest and authentic and delivered absolutely brilliant story.
Then there were the repetitions - there came a moment that I thought that if I read the "Get Mum and Dad Together in Time for My Birthday" sentence once more I'm going to cry. Then at every possible opportunity the repetitive mentions that Chrissie was Jude's best friends, that Holly had diabetes... It was as if we were supposed to forget about it and the author felt the need to remind us about it at every potential convenience.
The story had some twists and turns, which is a great thing, but each time I had a feeling that they're being explored from above, from below, right and left, like with the above mentioned diabetes or Sam fixated on the fact that Holly may need a kidney transplant, even though there was not a single indication that this might be possible at all. So we belabour the topic through few chapters and then it's over, nothing more, and it just felt as if the story was so chopped. The few chapters where Sam was obsessed about his blood group, there were so many heavy hints on this what's going to happen, and I only thought that Alex Brown could really do this better. It was also too predictable for my liking.

There was this hard to put into words feeling of genuity in this story. It was not over - done, it sounded realistic and down - to - earth, even if sometimes the characters acted and reacted like drama queens - well, actually, we all sometimes act this way, no? It touched upon different issues, such as betrayal, lies and medical conditions, this all seamlessly blended. Even though it was not my favourite Alex Brown's read, I will still recommend it - it was steady enough, it was a heart - warming, lovely and charming tale. It actually ticks all the box for a perfect summer read - there is enough drama and enough humour, there is a budding and an old romance, it's funny and also touching at the right heartstrings. And of course it has the greatest asset ever - Alex Brown's wonderful, colourful and light - hearted writing style, and she can so beautifully write about emotions and feelings.

Alex Brown writes the perfect cosy story. I loved being back in Tindledale and seeing what everyone was up to.

This books deals with some very serious issues but is also very heartwarming at the same time.

Can't wait to see whats next from Alex!

A perfect summer holiday read. Mix together a struggling marriage, an unwell child, an eccentric rockstar and a secret from the past and you get a great summer read.

Holly can’t work why her mum hates her, all she does is moan and criticize her, she keeps treating her like a small child when she’s thirteen. The worst thing is she’s refusing to forgive her dad for spending too much time abroad working when all he was doing was making money to buy them things. She just wants them to make up and get back together in time for her birthday so she makes a plan to make her wish come true. Alex gives us the details of village life and drama in Tindledale.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Author Alex Brown has certainly kept her long-term fans waiting for a new book, as it was back in 2016 when The Secret of Orchard Cottage was published. Thankfully that long wait is finally over and what makes it even better is that this book is again set in Tindledale. Tindledale has become one of my favourite fictional settings to read about as Alex has created such a warming, caring environment within the small village. Yes everyone may know everyone else’s business but that’s par for the course when you live in a rural setting. But on the other hand it also has its advantages and good points as all the residents are always there for each other in times of trouble or if anyone is experiencing major problems. They are full of warmth, generosity and compassion. They’re not also above having a laugh and celebrating when there is cause to do so. Many of my favourite characters from previous books do make some small reappearances and this was very welcome as most of them had found a firm place in my heart. It was enjoyable to see who would pop up and when. It was also an ideal way of seeing how their stories had developed since we had last met them.

The Wish follows a new set of characters and is very much character driven and based around the idea of family and its importance for our well being. What makes a family? How can a family cope when things get tough? These tough times may then lead to the separation of the parents therefore causing disruption and the breaking up of the family unit with the child, in this case, Holly, very much left in the middle with confused feelings and an unwillingness to let all she has known slip away so easily. The brief prologue gives us a tantalising hint as to a strand of the overall storyline that does pique the reader’s interest but really it does not have any overall forbearing until very much later on in the story. That said it was a vital plot element but until it made came up again, I had forgotten about but it did make sense and needed to be present to help join the dots so to speak.

Normally, a female character would be the lead in this type of story so it was refreshing to see that most of our attention would focus on Sam Morgan. He has worked away from the village for so long, leaving his wife Chrissie and daughter Holly behind, only returning for brief visits. His job takes up much of his time and to use the phrase all consuming would be very apt. He designs buildings and oversees their construction, most recently he has been in Singapore. But now he has been employed on the Blackwood Farm Estate as it is to be redeveloped. This appears to be the perfect opportunity to make up for all the lost time with his family, to reconnect and get to know them even better.

The only problem is Chrissie has reached boiling point. Too many precious events have been missed; the lack of phone calls or their briefness have also not gone down well. Skype calls do not make up for the actual presence of a husband and a father. I could totally understand Chrissie’s viewpoint. When she married Sam it was very much for better or worse but when someone is constantly absent and you begin to feel second best and pushed to the kerb for work, you have to put yourself and your daughter first. On the other hand should she have given up on Sam so easily? Can a leopard change its spots or has the damage gone too far to be reversed? I did feel sympathy for Sam, I suppose he wanted to earn money to create a solid stable financial future for his family but in his innocence and drive for his job he lost sight that family always comes first.

When he arrives back in Tindledale he is very much clueless and heartbroken. Only now as he is on the cusp of losing his family as divorce looms does Sam begin to realise the impact of focusing solely on his job has had. I did think, initially, Sam came across as selfish and that he wasn’t aware of Chrissie or Holly’s needs? How can a woman be expected to keep the show on the road single handily when they were in a partnership, a marriage and promises were constantly broken? Clearly, Sam had a lot of growing up to do and some big decisions to make. But was it too little too late? Had all the damage been done ?

Combined with this wake up call, daughter Holly is dealing with diabetes. It was interesting to see a condition that many people have being written about and how it can affect all members of the family. At times I felt there was perhaps a little too much detail and maybe unnecessary strain around the topic. It did make sense towards the end as this element of the storyline helped to bring something else to light. I do understand that if a child is sick of course parents will worry and want the best for their child and they will bend over backwards to find solutions or just something that will make life that little bit better but here at times it just felt overbearing but that’s just my own personal opinion. The main focus of the story was Sam trying to get back with Chrissie but Holly too also had her own little plot which refers back to the wish in the title. It was sweet and something which I suppose a young child would want to achieve but I was on edge thinking would it all backfire for her or would things resolve themselves in the way she so desperately hoped they would?

In the blurb, there is mention of another character Jude Darling, who is coming home for good to the village. She has spent several years travelling the world and also has been an interior designer in Los Angeles. Now she is returning to set up her own business Darling Antiques and Interiors. She is best friends with Chrissie who really needs her now. Jude also has a soft spot for Holly and would do anything to help her and make her happy. I wanted to read even more about Jude. I felt her storyline with working for Myles King, an eccentric rock star and owner of the Blackwood estate seemed to come to a conclusion before it even began. I would have loved more exploration to this strand of the overall book. I know Sam and Holly were the main focus but Jude was an interesting character. I could see how helpful, supportive, intuitive and creative she was and wanted to learn even more about her. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy her storyline I just wanted even more.

The Wish was a very enjoyable read, although The Great Christmas Knit Off and The Great Village Show still remain my favourites in the Tindledale series. There were lots of important topics explored in this book and as I have mentioned above some I felt I enjoyed more so than others. This book does deal with multigenerational family life and how the events of the past can very much influence those of the present. That they can have repercussions for people way down the line. Alex Brown has highlighted that with time and effort triumph can perhaps overcome adversity but it is so important to try and find the courage to try again as love, family and happiness are so crucial in one’s life. The saying goes, everyone deserves a second chance but does Sam find these or has he travelled too far down the path never to be able to claw his way back to those he loves the most? To find out do pick up The Wish and enjoy this visit to Tindledale.

'The Wish' reads well as a standalone story even though the village of Tindledale features in other novels by this author. The story revolves around two people who grew up in the village returning home after successful careers abroad. Their emotional lives are less rewarding, and both want to draw on family love to help them rebuild their emotional lives.

Sam's marriage is in crisis; he provides material security but not hands-on support and love for his wife and young daughter Holly. Jude wants to build a life in her childhood home after living in LA and a failed relationship.

Holly's dearest wish is to have her parents back together, and the story details her exploits to achieve this and the effect this has on her parents. Sam and Chrissie unravel as their guilt, pain and fear for their daughter's safety are brought to the surface. Jude and Myles provide the light relief in this angst-ridden tale, their cute meet and quirky professional/personal relationship are amusing and romantic.

Family secrets long suppressed return to haunt them but demonstrate the importance and strength of family and friendship and how village community spirit reinforces this. Authentic characters and setting and gentle storyline make this a lovely light read with a satisfying ending.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Fiction Harper Collins via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The Wish by Alex Brown is a wonderful contemporary story that both amuses and has the reader guessing from the start.
There is an eclectic mix of characters who make up village life. The reader 'hears' the narrative from several viewpoints. The style is warm and inclusive. The reader really 'feels' a part of village life.
Everyone has their secrets - some are good, others are destructive. Sooner or later the truth must come out.
The heart of the novel focuses on a marriage that is falling apart. Everyone suffers. "The whole family... were coping in isolation." To fix a relationship, people need to come together and talk.
There are many different families portrayed. I loved the inclusion of dogs. They are family members after all. Many different elements make up families from doting grandmothers to stressed mothers, from desperate teens to loving fathers. "A father carries photos where his money used to be."
The wish portrayed can be seen as the desire of the heart. "If you wished hard enough, anything was possible?" Wishing is the stuff of fairytales but can they really come true?
The Wish immerses the reader in village life with all its highs and lows. I loved the action and the atmosphere. With the summer days ahead, The Wish is just a perfect tantalising read.
I received this book for free from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.