This book screams summer reading on a patio at night! I loooooved it! I adored the characters and the sweet storyline. The setting was breathtaking and took me away from rainy spring..

there was something so warm about this book. not just in how it feels with the weather,warmer climates we meet there. it felt like a soothing story of love, a balm for the soul. certainly a balm for the souls of our characters who have more than their share of hurts in all things love.
Gull Island is somewhere id happily be transported to right now. can i stay?
Annie is a widow,she suffered a huge loss but somehow has kept going and i living the best she can running her lovely shop and bringing up her young son.
Cal is new to town. hes an author but not seeing so much ability to write his stories at the moment. writers block has arrive where his stories should've. hes got out of a relationship with a painful divorce and his relationship with his daughter is fractured.
both didn't expect the other. but what they find together forms something kind of beautiful. they and their hearts had no choices here, because there connection just cant be ignored.
this story is bout our main characters yes. but its about so much more of the wider community too. the interaction the Catherine writes with the others in this small town life was also wonderful. they each had their vital role to play in how we feel like is on Gull Island. they all add their own kind of sun beams to the whole feel of the book.
getting to know our couple in their own right and then their connection with each other felt lovely. and they dont just fall in love and its plain sailing. and that made their relationship feel even more real.
this whole story felt complete. like it was always meant to be told and just waited for Catherine to do so. the setting of this Island play its own role to the story. it was holding our couple with their pasts and pains and so were the local community. it was just the place two lost souls should be to heal and try to figure out what their story means moving forward. the development on all things in this read felt spot on.
this is just the book you need to give you warm hugs and like reading it makes you feel just slightly better about the world.

This is a beautiful story for a slow burn second chance romance.
He is newly divorce trying to reconnect with his daughter. She is a widow single mother.

She owns a business in a small coastal town. He goes back to try to rebuild his life and reconnect with his writing.
they connect in a beautiful story.

Thank you the publisher, the author and Netgalley for the advance copy.

Wishes on the Waves is a bright, feel-good summer romance that instantly transports you—Gull Island completely stole my heart. Even though it’s book two, it works perfectly as a standalone. This is a soft, slow-burn follow-up to Sand, Sea, and Second Chances, featuring a fresh set of characters.

Annie, a widow, is raising her son while running her family’s seaside shop, Gift and Garden. Cal is an author facing writer’s block, a messy divorce, and the challenge of reconnecting with his teenage daughter. As their paths cross, grief, secrets, and uncertainty complicate their chance at something more, adding depth and emotion to their story.

What really makes this book shine is the cast— from a quirky, intuitive barista to a no-nonsense Southern grandma, lovable kids, and a blunt, guarded teen. They bring so much heart and charm. The writing makes every emotion feel tangible, and the strong sense of community weaves through each chapter, creating that cozy, can’t-put-it-down feeling. The character development is especially well done, with backstories and personal journeys that make each one feel fully alive.

I absolutely loved this story! Thank you to Catherine Michaels for reaching out, gifting me the ARC and allowing me to experience Gull Island!

A slow burn coastal romance that genuinely earns every moment of the payoff.

Annie is a widowed shop owner who has built a beautiful, full life -- and kept her heart firmly out of it. Cal is a bestselling author running from a painful divorce, trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter and rediscover his voice. Neither is looking for anything. Gull Island, of course, has other plans.

What I loved about this one is how unhurried it feels. The setting does so much work here -- sea turtle nests, summer storms, twilight conversations on the coast -- and the slow drift of two guarded people finding their way toward each other felt completely organic. This isn't a romance that rushes to the good parts. It trusts the build, and the build is everything.

The added layer of both characters navigating parenthood alongside their own healing gave this real depth. These are fully realized adults with full lives, and that made the stakes feel genuinely meaningful.

Kisses-only and still completely swoon-worthy. That's the mark of a well-crafted slow burn.

4 stars -- exactly what you want from a sweet coastal romance. Perfect for a beach read or honestly anytime you need something warm and hopeful.

Wishes on Waves
By: Catherine Michaels
Pub Date: May 5, 2026
I love a good romantic story. The town of Gull Island with Annie and Cal story was a delightful read.
Annie is a widow raising her son and running a seaside shop. This shop is quaint and cozy.
An author, Cal shows up in Gull Island. He is trying to rebuild his life after a divorce, while trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter. He is dealing with writer’s block.
They each are dealing with some grief and other things. As their friendship grows, you can see them heal. The community and heartwarming feeling is a plus.
Thank you to the author for sharing an ARC with me. I look forward to reading her other book.

This book is about second chances, healing, and rediscovering love in the charming seaside town of Gull Island. Inthis book, we follow Annie, a widowed shop owner devoted to her son and family business, and Cal Carter, an author struggling with writer’s block, divorce, and reconnecting with his teenage daughter. When their lives intertwine, friendship slowly blooms into something deeper—though grief, secrets, and lingering fears threaten their fragile happiness.

This novel shines through its warm, small-town atmosphere and strong sense of community. Gull Island feels alive with supportive neighbours, cosy traditions, and meaningful friendships that add depth and comfort to the story. Annie and Cal are instantly lovable, and their emotional journeys feel authentic and heartfelt. Their banter sparkles, their chemistry grows naturally, and their shared moments feel tender without ever becoming overly dramatic.

More than a romance, this story celebrates resilience, family bonds, and the courage to open your heart again after loss. Gentle, uplifting, and full of seaside charm, it’s the perfect escapist read that leaves you with a lingering sense of hope and warmth.

Widowed business owner Annie Lawson has built a steady, carefully guarded life for herself and her young son on Gull Island. Love is firmly off her agenda until Cal Carter, a bestselling author and single dad recovering from a difficult divorce, moves into the cottage next door. Seeking a fresh start and a way to reconnect with his teenage daughter, Cal doesn’t expect to find himself drawn to Annie’s warmth and resilience. As the two grow closer, a long-buried truth from Cal’s past threatens to upend everything they have begun to build.
This is a lovely, slow-burn romance that unfolds at a satisfying pace, allowing the relationship between Annie and Cal to develop naturally. Their connection feels genuine, and the witty banter between them added a lightness that balanced the more emotional moments. Both characters had their own back story and, with it, plenty of vulnerabilities, which made their journey toward opening up again to love even more rewarding.
Even as the second book in a series, Wishes on the Waves works well as a standalone, with enough context to feel grounded. I also really enjoyed several of the secondary characters who had their own distinct personalities and made the backdrop of Gull Island even more enjoyable to read about. Overall, an entertaining and uplifting read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A beautiful romance of second chances. Both Annie and Cal are both finding their way again after dealing with grief for Annie and a broken marriage for Cal, better hearts find each other on Gull Island. Remnants of memories from their childhood days bring them closer. Annie runs acquaint and cozy beach shop while Cal is a well known author who has retreated to Gull island after developing writers block.

A very slow burn romance, idyllic settings, two gentle hearts

This is the first book I’ve read by Catherine but would be interested in reading more. I’ll check out book 1 and from the EXTRA at the end of book 2 I’m already looking forward to book 3 Where Wishes Begin