Wishful Thinking

Lakeview #6

by Melissa Hill

Louise wishes she could be slim, pretty, and popular. So she can’t believe it when it seems her wish is coming true. If only it didn't all cost so much . . .

Dara wishes she could go back in time, and change everything. But she's married now, and nothing can change that. Can it?

Rosie wishes she knew how to make her children happy. Even though they're both grown up with their own lives, they seem to need her more than ever.

Three very different women, about to make a journey that will change their lives forever. You should be careful what you wish for . . .

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Womens Fiction

487 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2005

About the author

Melissa Hill is a USA Today bestselling author living in Ireland’s beautiful County Wicklow. Her page-turning contemporary novels of family, friendship and romance are published worldwide and have been translated into twenty-six languages.

A Hollywood adaptation of her international bestseller Something from Tiffany's, by Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine and Amazon Studios, was released worldwide in Dec 2022.

Other novels including A Gift to Remember and The Charm Bracelet have been adapted for screen by Hallmark Channel USA, with multiple other titles currently also in development for film and TV.

For more info, visit her website at www.melissahill.info

Facebook: facebook.com/melissahillbooks

Instagram: @melissahillbooks

Melissa also co-writes forensic thrillers with her husband under the pseudonym Casey Hill. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Are people really as gullible as Melissa Hill thinks and writes? Two of the three main characters allowed themselves to be bullied by others, the extent to which I found disturbing. And one excuse was that vegetarianism had turned him irritable and he just needed to get some meat down him to be nice again. What a despicable suggestion and pathetic excuse for seriously bad behaviour. Tedious writing with shallow characterisation.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Bronze Horseman, I needed something light and easy. Wishful Thinking is a quick and easy chick lit read. The story was entertaining and the characters were likeable. I would recommend this book as a perfect light travel read.

[Susan Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars from me. Full review to follow. Definitely one of my must-read authors now.

[Booknblues · Rating 3 out of 5]

I often love books with chance meetings, survival and changing course in life and The Getaway promises all three. Despite that it fell under what I look for in a book. Granted it may be me and unrealistic expectations. because I can see that a large percentage of people rated it more highly than I did.

We learn at the very start of the book that there has been a horrible train derailment which some of the people in the book are involved in. The book then retreats in time to fill in their back stories. I did not find all their stories interesting nor did I warm to all of the characters.

The portion of the book before the accident was overly long and then wrapped up quickly after. I won't say what happened to the dog as that just seemed unnecessary and made me angry .

[Nancy Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book probably deserves closer to a five star rating because it addresses so many of life's truths but, and probably because of that, I found the first half of this book depressing and uncomfortable... Everyone had problems, and instead of actively trying to fix them, they were just plodding along and making them worse with every choice they made... Much like many of us do every day. So, it was disturbing. But then clarity struck, sometimes with the help of friends, fate or circumstances, and once that happened, seeing the larger pictured helped folks begin again. We all need to see that there is, indeed, a bigger picture. Thank you, Ms. Hill.

[Wynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the 3 characters were extremists!

Dara is a “lost” woman, idealistic and ungrateful of what she has – till it is gone. Am glad that she didn’t choose her “ideal” man and that her hubby didn’t die.

Louise is young, trying to fit in and is trying to be someone she is not.

Rosie is pathetic, allowing her kids to step all over her – the ending was good. Overheard her kids talk abt her as if she were already dead! That made her realise what sort of kids she has.

[Molly Rudman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, defiantly one to recommend! Keeps you guessing all the way through, very good ending and easy to read. I think I also liked it because I could relate to a lot of it so if you don't have a perfect life read it. This book will defiantly make you appreciate your life and look at it differently xxx

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Easy to read.There were so many surprises in store it ended up being a very addictive book that left me gasping out loud. I was quite sad to finish it to be honest.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I couldn't put down - it had me totally absorbed but at the same time made me seethe & my blood boil!

First example, Rosie's children...the way Rosie's daughter treats her mother - give me strength! Open your eyes woman you're been taken for a right mug!! Not that her son appears to be any better...

Next, Louise & her "friends"....they're not true friends if you have to buy their friendship now are they?

But thankfully it's only a story (though I do know of someone whose daughter treats her a bit like Rosie's does but here's not the place to rant about that) & I guess it's the sign of a good storyteller if she's evoked such emotion in me - & anyway, it's chick-lit so it's all going to end happily (although in Louise's case not very credibly to my mind!) isn't it?.....

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have the tissues handy!

Although I have been known to cry at movies, it takes an exceptional book to bring on the years. No spoiler, but one scene was very emotional for me, bringing back my own memories and feelings. Sometimes a good cry is good for the soul, though, and clears the mind.

These books can be read in any order. However, I am one of those people who has to read from book one. I am glad i did and find myself looking forward to the next story with a great deal of anticipation.

[Karen Liever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different Story Than I Expected.

Reading the Prologue about the train derailment, I couldn’t quite figure out what these three main characters had to do with that event. Although I really liked Dara, Louise and Rosie, I think Rosie was my favorite. Maybe because her kids were so horrible I kept rooting for her to put them in their place. Of course, the dog, Twix, won my heart too, being the huge dog lover I am.
I really did like how the story turned out. All of these women were vindicated in one way or another.

[Adriana S.]

Não estava gostando muito da leitura, mas foi melhorando no decorrer da história.
Em suma, há três personagens principais: uma mãe que sempre arruma justificativas por seus filhos tratarem-na mal; uma jovem que vive gastando mais do que pode, tem consciência disso e ainda assim não para de gastar; e uma mulher que terminou um relacionamento e se ''contentou'' com um colega, casando-se com ele.
As três vão errando ao longo do livro, mas no final amadurecem e começam a fazer a coisa certa. É um livro ok, comecei a leitura irritada com todas elas e terminei torcendo para que desse tudo certo.

[Adeline Kam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wishful Thinking, another interesting read by Melissa Hill. A mother that is being taken for granted by her grown up children, a young lady who gives in to peer pressure and a married woman who is torn between two lovers. There is also a dog in this storyline (for you dog lovers). And is featured in my favorite Dublin. Love the characters and storyline. A wonderful book to read. Always my favorite author.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

emotional read

The emotions. Spoiler alert. Death in book.
The ups and downs emotional. A story about 3 main characters and their lives.
I don’t understand how the title came about, it’s a getaway for a few pages.
I needed something uplifting to read about readying about murders. This wasn’t the light hearted happy book. It could be regular life and everything doesn’t always end on a happily ever after. It was quick and easy read.

[Sylvia Medel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

The storylines were engaging, and enjoyable, including the different scenarios each of the main characters faced and the challenges they encountered. I grew to care about the characters, especially Rosie. The author’s writing felt very realistic, and the outcome of each story was unexpected. I truly liked this book and didn't want to put it down . Thus 5 star rating.

[Lee Anna Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was very engaging and kept me reading. At first the switching between multiple stories was a bit confusing, but this dissipated as I became more familiar with each one. The connections across stories were interesting but perhaps could have been used to greater effect. They all had Hollywood endings, about which I had mixed feelings -- that's certainly not how it works in real life! Still, it was satisfying as a reader.

[Karen Team-orange · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn’t describe this as unput downable, it took most of the book to get in to. It wasn’t clear how all the characters linked until the end so jumping from one snapshot to another of a different character made it feel a bit disjointed. Some despicable behaviour too which wasn’t entirely believable.
This isn’t the first I’ve read by this author and usually enjoyed the Lakeview series more.

[Marianne Citraro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faced with a near death situation, suddenly the problems of the world seem so small. Enjoyed this book and its many characters. At first it was hard going back and forth between their different stories. I kept wondering how all of it was going to be weaved together. Kept me frantically reading until the end.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. By starting with the train crash was a very clever way to begin the book because you had to keep going till the end to find out what happened to Louise, Rosie and Dara. Really enjoyed this book.

[Gail Hayworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! FIVE STARS for sure!

This book was amazing. I so enjoyed every single page of it. I can't wait to read another by Melissa Hill. If was easy and the story line was very realistic.

[Pieter deWaart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

From the cover I expected something totally different. Great characters! Interesting stories that just barely intersect each other. Really messy lives that !make you feel better about your own!!!

[Kim Galiungi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great page turner

Loved the mutli-character storyline. This was interesting and kept me engaged. I was actually frustrated with some of the characters!

Somewhat realistic of day to day life.

Will read others by thus author for sure.

[Ann Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down, even though the separate story lines and multiple characters were confusing at the beginning, and nothing comes together until the end. Altogether it was an enjoyable, quick read.

[Jen McCrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

trite ending

This is one of those books that drags you into the lives of these characters- complicated, engaging and you emotionally invest in them. Only to yank the rug out from under you with an abbreviated climax, followed quickly by the end of the book.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few things are as they seem when it comes to affairs of the heart. A good read. Looking forward to the next book!

[Vicki Groth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light read that kept me interested to the end. Suitable for teenagers too.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read many years ago. But was before I started reviewing and recording books read on Goodreads.

[Kelly Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Sharon Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Getaway (Escape to the Islands - Book 4)
Sara is marring Robert soon -

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read !! Loved the characters and seeing into their lives I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could