**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Jessica's Wish is a great story about realizing that while love can be difficult at times, it is also the thing that can mean the most in life.

Jessica is the eleven year old daughter of Phil Martinson-Canton. She has Down syndrome and has lived her entire life without her mother, as she chose to walk away from Phil and her daughter when she was a tiny baby. Until now, Jessica hasn't seemed to be phased by not having a mother in her life, but she's gotten to an age where she does understand and she really wants a mother of her own. And, she's not afraid to make that known! Phil has always wanted to do what is best for his daughter, but while finding her a mother figure might be what is best, he's not sure he's willing to open them both up to going through the kind of hurt they could should another woman choose to come into their life and then leave.

Mallory O'Connell has been living in California for the past several years, but she's now returned to her hometown to help take care of her mother following a debilitating accident. When Mallory meets Jessica, the two hit it off immediately. They have drawing and painting in common and Mallory introduces Jess to the world of comics. Mallory also thinks Phil is pretty great, err hot, as well.

As Mallory and Phil grow closer, insecurities and fears from the past begin to rear their ugly head. Will these two be able to move past the hurt they both carry from earlier on in their lives to make a go of it or are they destined to let something that could be amazing pass them by?

Another great book by Marci Bolden and one that I think many will enjoy!

This book was so good. It hit so many emotions. Jessica was such a sweetheart and her dad was so protective of her. Mallory loved Jessica and was starting to love Phil. I was not happy with Phil for a pretty good section of the book, but I understood what he was going through. Kara and Harry are such good people and I liked Annie and Marcus too. All and all, I really enjoyed the book.

Jessica's Wish by Marci Bolden is book four in the Stonehill Series. In some ways it might have been book two since book one is Jessica’s grandparents’ story. However, other events in the small town community had to happen first. With that said, I want to give a background on how I came to know this series so well.

A couple of years ago, I requested book 5 of the series from NetGalley. It was the first one that I read in the series. I fell in love with the Stonehill community and two families in particular. Then I read the first book, loved it so I bought the rest of the series from my favorite ebook site.

You might wonder what makes this series such a gem of a find.
For me, I loved the “this is real life” of the stories, the resilience of the characters, the honesty about the hardships and the believability of it all. I loved the style of the writing, the relationship building within the stories between the characters, both romantically and friendship relationships too.

I especially love in Jessica’s Wish that she is often the focus of the story, playing a major part. I also loved how Phil’s wisdom gave Mallory the comfort that she needed while her zest for life gave Phil the fun that his life needed. Most of all, I love how the story doubled in size from when I bought it to now. Literally the book I bought had seven chapters, this new marvelous. Revised. expanded version has sixteen chapters. Even better the epilogue did not change, making this a circular story that goes full circle, ending as it began with Jessica’s wish.

Did not realise that this was one of a series, but it was easy to read as a standalone. I enjoyed the story and the characters seemed real, pleased it had a happy ending.

This is a sweet, emotional, heartwarming and thrilling journey for two charters that find what could be forever when they were busy dealing with everything else life has given them lately. A very enjoyable read from beginning to end that is both entertaining and engaging. Great reading.

My first book by Marci Bolden, and I am so glad I read it. She has a way with words, I was swept right into the story. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. Well Done.