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What You Wish For
If what you wish for is a delightfully bittersweet novel filled with endearing, eccentric characters and situations in the vein of Jennifer Weiner, Jane Green, Marian Keyes, and Meg Cabot, then Kerry Reichs’s What You Wish For is the answer to your prayers. The daughter of forensic crime fiction superstar Kathy Reichs (bestselling creator of the Temperence Brennan mystery series, the basis for TV’s Bones ), Kerry Reichs’s writing talent is ingrained in her DNA, as she’s already demonstrated with her previous books, Leaving Unknown and The Best Day of Someone Else’s Life . Her third novel, What You Wish For , is a tender, loving, funny, and unforgettable tale of five “modern” families, each one following a very different road to happiness, and yet another bravura example of Kerry Reichs’s phenomenal storytelling abilities.
432 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2012
37 people are currently reading
1417 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Reichs
12 books69 followersKerry Reichs graduated from Oberlin College and Duke University School of Law and Institute of Public Policy. She practiced law in Washington, D.C. for several years until she took a sabbatical and discovered that sabbaticals agree with her. She now writes full time, splitting her time between Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, and is still trying to convince her two cats that driving across country is fun. Kerry has been in twelve weddings, has never married, and never worn any of those dresses again. The Best Day of Someone Else's Life is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
July 4, 2012
I remember the day it hit me that I was in my mid-30's and unmarried with no children on the horizon. It was a blow to me, I'm not going to lie. I'd grown up the eldest of nine and, even as a child, fully expected to be married by 21 and a mother by 22. I envisioned a house filled with childish laughter and a white picket fence out front. Now, at 35, I'm wiser and older (although the two did not happen concurrently) and have accepted the very real likelihood that motherhood is not in the works for me, just as I accepted that marriage was not for me about four years ago.
That's a very personal thing to put out there for a review, I admit. But that's how this book affected me. What You Wish For is a novel about unconventional parents. It's about adoption, IVF, natural pregnancy, birth, death, and life. It's real, honest, and it does not pull any punches. Kerry Reichs lays the facts out with brutal honesty and follows the natural path when it comes to the story of Maryn, Eva, Julian, Wyatt, and Dimple - even if that brings harm or an "unhappy ending."
Honestly, I loved and hated this book. I loved it for being so engrossing - I didn't want to put it down. I hated it for being so real. I hated seeing the facts about being a 35 year old woman put down on the page, and knowing that - if I decide to go the same route as Dimple - I may be facing some of the same difficulties. I hated reading about how difficult it is for a single man to adopt, or seeing what happens when zealots get their hands on information for political gains. What You Wish For is more than a feel-good novel, it's a contemporary study on what life is like now, what it is like to try to be a parent in a world that says that the "normal" parents are one man and one woman.
This is an important story and Kerry Reichs does a great job of pushing past the limits to deliver it.
That's a very personal thing to put out there for a review, I admit. But that's how this book affected me. What You Wish For is a novel about unconventional parents. It's about adoption, IVF, natural pregnancy, birth, death, and life. It's real, honest, and it does not pull any punches. Kerry Reichs lays the facts out with brutal honesty and follows the natural path when it comes to the story of Maryn, Eva, Julian, Wyatt, and Dimple - even if that brings harm or an "unhappy ending."
Honestly, I loved and hated this book. I loved it for being so engrossing - I didn't want to put it down. I hated it for being so real. I hated seeing the facts about being a 35 year old woman put down on the page, and knowing that - if I decide to go the same route as Dimple - I may be facing some of the same difficulties. I hated reading about how difficult it is for a single man to adopt, or seeing what happens when zealots get their hands on information for political gains. What You Wish For is more than a feel-good novel, it's a contemporary study on what life is like now, what it is like to try to be a parent in a world that says that the "normal" parents are one man and one woman.
This is an important story and Kerry Reichs does a great job of pushing past the limits to deliver it.
July 25, 2017
Finally! A storyline where a woman doesn't want to have kids and she isn't made to feel guilty about it or give in to a partner's demand for kids. I have waited a long, long time for that.
Not that there is anything wrong with kids, but if you don't have them and you choose not to have them, then people think there is something wrong with you. KR did a brilliant job on this and I loved this book.
Not that there is anything wrong with kids, but if you don't have them and you choose not to have them, then people think there is something wrong with you. KR did a brilliant job on this and I loved this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2012
I adored Kerry Reichs' previous book - Leaving Unknown. (review here) So, I was eager to dive into her latest release - What You Wish For.
We are rapidly introduced to the characters who populate Reichs' tale - and they all have one thing in common. Children. The desire to have them or in some cases - to not have them.
Dimple was first up. She's a moderately successful actress, closing in on the the end of her ticking biological clock. Can the role of a lifetime beat out her desire to have a child? I did find her opening chapter a bit frenetic and didn't really warm up to this character until midway through the book.
Eva has no desire to have children. Will this end her relationship with the man she loves? Or will she change her mind?
Maryn has battled breast cancer and won. Before her treatment, she froze eggs with her then husband. They've since divorced and she needs his approval to use the eggs. But his new wife says no. Will he change his mind?
And my favourite character - Wyatt. He's the principal of a high school, single and straight and he wants to have a child of his own. He's headed down the surrogacy route. Wyatt was just so warm, caring and innocent. But at the same time he's wise to the ways of his high schoolers. These were some of my favourite chapters.
And these four main characters' lives all intersect in the most interesting fashion....
Loved it! Once I had the characters and their lives straight in my head, What You Wish For was an easy, breezy read. Reichs is a clever writer. The amount of puns she worked in between two characters was truly funny. (and some of them were emminently groan worthy!) The banter is light, some situations are quite comical, but there is a depth to What You Wish For that transcends everyday chick lit. Reichs explores the desire to have children from four very different viewpoints with candor and thoughtfulness, allowing the reader to share in each character's decision making - and think about what really consitutes a family.
Reichs utilizes Hollywood as a backdrop for her novel. Her sly skewering of televison dramas and starlets made me laugh out loud.
Fair warning - have the tissue box close by for the ending. My husband looked at me and asked - are you really crying over a book? Umm - yeah, I got that caught up in the story. Thanks Kerry for yet another great read. Pop this one in the beach bag this summer - you won't regret it.
We are rapidly introduced to the characters who populate Reichs' tale - and they all have one thing in common. Children. The desire to have them or in some cases - to not have them.
Dimple was first up. She's a moderately successful actress, closing in on the the end of her ticking biological clock. Can the role of a lifetime beat out her desire to have a child? I did find her opening chapter a bit frenetic and didn't really warm up to this character until midway through the book.
Eva has no desire to have children. Will this end her relationship with the man she loves? Or will she change her mind?
Maryn has battled breast cancer and won. Before her treatment, she froze eggs with her then husband. They've since divorced and she needs his approval to use the eggs. But his new wife says no. Will he change his mind?
And my favourite character - Wyatt. He's the principal of a high school, single and straight and he wants to have a child of his own. He's headed down the surrogacy route. Wyatt was just so warm, caring and innocent. But at the same time he's wise to the ways of his high schoolers. These were some of my favourite chapters.
And these four main characters' lives all intersect in the most interesting fashion....
Loved it! Once I had the characters and their lives straight in my head, What You Wish For was an easy, breezy read. Reichs is a clever writer. The amount of puns she worked in between two characters was truly funny. (and some of them were emminently groan worthy!) The banter is light, some situations are quite comical, but there is a depth to What You Wish For that transcends everyday chick lit. Reichs explores the desire to have children from four very different viewpoints with candor and thoughtfulness, allowing the reader to share in each character's decision making - and think about what really consitutes a family.
Reichs utilizes Hollywood as a backdrop for her novel. Her sly skewering of televison dramas and starlets made me laugh out loud.
Fair warning - have the tissue box close by for the ending. My husband looked at me and asked - are you really crying over a book? Umm - yeah, I got that caught up in the story. Thanks Kerry for yet another great read. Pop this one in the beach bag this summer - you won't regret it.
February 26, 2018
Three women and one single man go down different roads in their quest to have a child in their lives.
I read this for two reasons: there was a woman who didn't want to have kids, and there was a woman who was in a custody battle for fertilized eggs she and her now ex-husband had frozen before she had chemotherapy that rendered her sterile. I liked all four of the characters. And even though I didn't agree with all the decisions they made, I don't have to - that's partially why I read, to be put in other people's heads and to be exposed to different lives. This would have been a four except for some eye-roll-worthy dialoguge - the characters didn't talk, or converse, they had debates with point and counterpoint all delivered in perfect flowy prose. Still, a good read.
I read this for two reasons: there was a woman who didn't want to have kids, and there was a woman who was in a custody battle for fertilized eggs she and her now ex-husband had frozen before she had chemotherapy that rendered her sterile. I liked all four of the characters. And even though I didn't agree with all the decisions they made, I don't have to - that's partially why I read, to be put in other people's heads and to be exposed to different lives. This would have been a four except for some eye-roll-worthy dialoguge - the characters didn't talk, or converse, they had debates with point and counterpoint all delivered in perfect flowy prose. Still, a good read.
July 28, 2014
Set in LA, this book tells the stories of Wyatt, a single school principal who wants to adopt; Maryn, a breast cancer survivor who is in a custody battle with her ex over frozen embryos; Dimple, a 40 year old actress trying to decide if her career or her desire to have a child is more important; and Eva - Wyatt's cousin who keeps losing men when she tells them she doesn't want children. Moving back and forth between the characters, the story basically looks at the struggle to have, and not have, a child. Good summer read, and just enough sad to shed a few tears.
September 12, 2012
Kerry Reich's novels are always delicious to read to pleasure, but they also speak to the struggles and experiences of many around me. She has a unique way of making a simple story also a lesson on life, politics, career, health... and in this case, mostly Motherhood. So many of my friends should read this book for perspective!
July 14, 2017
Disappointed. Big time. I was looking forward to reading this because I felt like I was "the" target audience: 37, single, no children...and I hate that I'm 37, single, with no children. I thought this book would be one I could relate to personally, and maybe it'd even make me think differently about my current situation. Perhaps it would give me hope, a different perspective, or just the feeling that someone else (even a character in a book) felt like I do.
What You Wish For didn't give me any of those things...certainly not hope or a different (realistic) perspective. There WERE characters who were single, "older," and who very much wanted a child, but I could relate to neither of them. I thought the characters were very unrelatable...not even as men and women who did or didn't want children, but as just regular human beings. They, the dialogue, the plot for each character, etc. were...odd. Stories were mish-mashed together and most happenings weren't true-to-life in the least.
I only began to care about some of the characters with about 1/4 of the book left...not a good sign. Unfortunately, this one did not meet my expectations...not even close.
What You Wish For didn't give me any of those things...certainly not hope or a different (realistic) perspective. There WERE characters who were single, "older," and who very much wanted a child, but I could relate to neither of them. I thought the characters were very unrelatable...not even as men and women who did or didn't want children, but as just regular human beings. They, the dialogue, the plot for each character, etc. were...odd. Stories were mish-mashed together and most happenings weren't true-to-life in the least.
I only began to care about some of the characters with about 1/4 of the book left...not a good sign. Unfortunately, this one did not meet my expectations...not even close.
September 18, 2020
Oh my! As in, no I'm not crying, I'm just reading the end of this book here, dear.
I LOVED Leaving Unknown. The Best Day of Someone Else's Life a bit less. This book is magnificent!
"I shrugged. 'I want what everyone wants. Someone who knows the difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re.’ Someone who doesn’t use emoticons. Someone who genuinely believes me when I tell him none of my car accidents was my fault. Someone who owns a passport and knows how to use it. He must agree with the statement: ‘If God didn’t mean for us to eat animals he wouldn’t have made them so delicious.’ He’s kind, cannot have taken up the guitar as an adult, and isn’t bat-shit insane. If I joined a cult I’d like to think he’d come rescue me. What about you?'”
I LOVED Leaving Unknown. The Best Day of Someone Else's Life a bit less. This book is magnificent!
"I shrugged. 'I want what everyone wants. Someone who knows the difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re.’ Someone who doesn’t use emoticons. Someone who genuinely believes me when I tell him none of my car accidents was my fault. Someone who owns a passport and knows how to use it. He must agree with the statement: ‘If God didn’t mean for us to eat animals he wouldn’t have made them so delicious.’ He’s kind, cannot have taken up the guitar as an adult, and isn’t bat-shit insane. If I joined a cult I’d like to think he’d come rescue me. What about you?'”
February 10, 2021
There are a lot of characters you are introduced to at the beginning of the book. It took me a little while to get attached to each one and figure out where their story lines were headed. The more I read, the more invested I was in their quest for a child or to be understood why they didn't want a child.
I did not see how all the story lines were going to intersect at the beginning of the book. It was interesting to see how the author wove each of their lives together. The ending was all you wanted it to be, it let you know where everyone was. The ending made the rest of the book for me.
I did not see how all the story lines were going to intersect at the beginning of the book. It was interesting to see how the author wove each of their lives together. The ending was all you wanted it to be, it let you know where everyone was. The ending made the rest of the book for me.
January 27, 2019
So!!good.the characters are so well developed,the topic is both heart warming and heartbreaking.it centers around the central theme of having children.naturally or with help,single or with partners and toss in cancer. It's one of the best things I've read lately.
April 1, 2013
Review Posted on Reading Lark 7/9/12: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2012/...
The definition of family is something that has evolved throughout time. In America, for a large portion of our cultural history, the nuclear family was deemed the ideal. I would argue that even during the time of the nuclear family that there were far more families out there that didn't meet the definition of this ideal than those that did. In modern society, there are so many different types of families. Kerry Reichs evaluates this concept in her newest book, What You Wish For.
I was intrigued that there were no nuclear ideals of family among these characters. Each one of them has a different view on what family should be and has a different plan for approaching their goal. The characters are what makes this book so appealing. As the chapters bounce around to each one - revealing their perspectives - you form a kinship with this tribe of seemingly disconnected people. By the end, everything is clear on how these stories all fit together, but I really enjoyed making my own predictions as I read. The characters were what kept me thinking about this book and turning the pages; Reichs breathes live into these characters and makes them step off the pages into the world.
The book begins with Dimple, an actress who is just slightly past her expiration date as a hot young thing. She's still talented and gorgeous, but younger actresses are moving on to the scene and parts are becoming scarce. Dimple starts to take stock of her life and realizes that she has put so much on hold for her career. She decides its time to become a mother before its too late and starts a journey to learn more about using a donor. Dimple soon learns that life has its ways of dumping the unexpected into your lap.
In addition to Dimple's story, readers will also be thrown into the conflict between Maryn and Andy. The pair was once the perfect married couple, but Maryn's battle with breast cancer pulled them apart. Their frozen embryos hang in the balance as these two bicker about their fate and unleash a political storm they never expected. The ethical and moral issues surrounding these two were thought provoking and extremely relevant for our times. The battle between the rights of the mother and the rights of the father where frozen embryos are concerned could become quite the hot topic issue in the future as more and more people are seeking fertility treatments in order to conceive. The topic of IVF is explored at length throughout this book.
Next, there is Wyatt. Wyatt is a single man who never met a woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want to be a father. He starts a quest to adopt, but runs into road blocks at every turn. When I started reading, I have to admit that I did pause when I read that a single man wanted to adopt a baby. My mind didn't jump to nefarious purposes, but I have just never thought of men as being the ones with the urge to nest. Wyatt breaks all those stereotypes down. He was by far the most fascinating character in my opinion.
Finally, we get to the meet hilarious and Chuck Norris obsessed Eva. She is Wyatt's cousin and a talent agent. Her lifestyle is hectic and flashy. She has the power to conceive, but chooses not to have kids. Her story elements illustrate that family does not have to equal children. So many women today are choosing to remain childless. There is nothing wrong with this decision, in my opinion, but there are those who would disagree. At one point in the novel, Reichs calls attention to the phenomenon outright, "It seemed to Eva that if nature prevented you from having children through no fault of your own, you were a sympathetic figure, whereas her choice not to was 'unnatural'" (pg. 151). I have never understood why society feels it gets to bully those who choose not to become mothers. Eva's choices also bring with them a certain amount of guilt since Wyatt is trying so desperately to become a father.
Kerry Reichs has put together a story that is both heartbreaking and endearing; readers will spend equal portions laughing and crying. This is my first experience with Reichs' writing and I was pleasantly surprised. She has a knack for getting to the essence of an issue and showcasing it in ways that make it real and thought provoking. The concept of family is something that is on my mind a great deal so I was able to empathize with a majority of the characters on their quests to become parents. Reichs is one of those authors that forces the reader to think and feel. You cannot be passive with this one.
One Last Gripe: Eva's constant Chuck Norris' commentary went from being funny to annoying really fast
My Favorite Thing About This Book: Aside from the characters, I also really enjoyed seeing all the threads of the plot tied together in the final chapter
First Sentence: I have a baby shower, sort of an afternoon/evening thing, so unfortunately, I can't get together Saturday night.
Favorite Character: Wyatt
Least Favorite Character: Summer
The definition of family is something that has evolved throughout time. In America, for a large portion of our cultural history, the nuclear family was deemed the ideal. I would argue that even during the time of the nuclear family that there were far more families out there that didn't meet the definition of this ideal than those that did. In modern society, there are so many different types of families. Kerry Reichs evaluates this concept in her newest book, What You Wish For.
I was intrigued that there were no nuclear ideals of family among these characters. Each one of them has a different view on what family should be and has a different plan for approaching their goal. The characters are what makes this book so appealing. As the chapters bounce around to each one - revealing their perspectives - you form a kinship with this tribe of seemingly disconnected people. By the end, everything is clear on how these stories all fit together, but I really enjoyed making my own predictions as I read. The characters were what kept me thinking about this book and turning the pages; Reichs breathes live into these characters and makes them step off the pages into the world.
The book begins with Dimple, an actress who is just slightly past her expiration date as a hot young thing. She's still talented and gorgeous, but younger actresses are moving on to the scene and parts are becoming scarce. Dimple starts to take stock of her life and realizes that she has put so much on hold for her career. She decides its time to become a mother before its too late and starts a journey to learn more about using a donor. Dimple soon learns that life has its ways of dumping the unexpected into your lap.
In addition to Dimple's story, readers will also be thrown into the conflict between Maryn and Andy. The pair was once the perfect married couple, but Maryn's battle with breast cancer pulled them apart. Their frozen embryos hang in the balance as these two bicker about their fate and unleash a political storm they never expected. The ethical and moral issues surrounding these two were thought provoking and extremely relevant for our times. The battle between the rights of the mother and the rights of the father where frozen embryos are concerned could become quite the hot topic issue in the future as more and more people are seeking fertility treatments in order to conceive. The topic of IVF is explored at length throughout this book.
Next, there is Wyatt. Wyatt is a single man who never met a woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want to be a father. He starts a quest to adopt, but runs into road blocks at every turn. When I started reading, I have to admit that I did pause when I read that a single man wanted to adopt a baby. My mind didn't jump to nefarious purposes, but I have just never thought of men as being the ones with the urge to nest. Wyatt breaks all those stereotypes down. He was by far the most fascinating character in my opinion.
Finally, we get to the meet hilarious and Chuck Norris obsessed Eva. She is Wyatt's cousin and a talent agent. Her lifestyle is hectic and flashy. She has the power to conceive, but chooses not to have kids. Her story elements illustrate that family does not have to equal children. So many women today are choosing to remain childless. There is nothing wrong with this decision, in my opinion, but there are those who would disagree. At one point in the novel, Reichs calls attention to the phenomenon outright, "It seemed to Eva that if nature prevented you from having children through no fault of your own, you were a sympathetic figure, whereas her choice not to was 'unnatural'" (pg. 151). I have never understood why society feels it gets to bully those who choose not to become mothers. Eva's choices also bring with them a certain amount of guilt since Wyatt is trying so desperately to become a father.
Kerry Reichs has put together a story that is both heartbreaking and endearing; readers will spend equal portions laughing and crying. This is my first experience with Reichs' writing and I was pleasantly surprised. She has a knack for getting to the essence of an issue and showcasing it in ways that make it real and thought provoking. The concept of family is something that is on my mind a great deal so I was able to empathize with a majority of the characters on their quests to become parents. Reichs is one of those authors that forces the reader to think and feel. You cannot be passive with this one.
One Last Gripe: Eva's constant Chuck Norris' commentary went from being funny to annoying really fast
My Favorite Thing About This Book: Aside from the characters, I also really enjoyed seeing all the threads of the plot tied together in the final chapter
First Sentence: I have a baby shower, sort of an afternoon/evening thing, so unfortunately, I can't get together Saturday night.
Favorite Character: Wyatt
Least Favorite Character: Summer
April 2, 2019
Fine. Hollywood fine. The frozen embryo debate was important and fluffed this up to the higher echelon of chick lit.
July 29, 2019
It was good enough. I liked that the book first put one person into focus, then another and so on. I also liked the dialogue and the jokes.
December 16, 2015
After Christmas I went on a shopping spree on Amazon because I got a gift certificate and was more than ready to use it. Hell, I’ve been born ready to spent money on Amazon. One of the items in my shopping cart was she newest novel by Kerry Reichs.
You’ve read my gushing on and on about her previous book and if you haven’t, well, you must be new around here. I was excited to finally read this and also a little bit worried if it could live up to my expectations.
The style of the book is different from her previous ones. It’s a multi-character story, so every chapter focusses on a different character. What unites them is their wish to become parents only they are not what anyone would call a traditional family. Far from it. There is the 40-year old actress named Dimple, 50-year old Wyatt who is a high school principle and Maryn the breast cancer survivor who is now sterile. All of them are single and struggle with the prospects of a society that sees family as a mom and dad and kids. Not a single mother. Especially not a single heterosexual man trying to adopt a baby. He surely must be a pedophile, why would he want to have kids?
Throw a couple of other characters into the mix, like Wyatt’s cousin who is healthy and fertile as you can be but never wanted kids and doesn’t change her mind and you’ve got yourself a story. Just imagine, there are women out there who don’t want children, it is possible. Then there is Maryn’s ex-husband whom she is suing for the right to use the eggs they harvested, fertilised and stored in a cryobank before beginning chemotherapy. Andy is against it for reasons I don’t quite understand. He also starts to run for city council and that turns into an ugly mess soon. Last but not least we have director Julian who challenges Dimple to go out of her comfort zone in order to get a role.
In the beginning I struggled a little bit with the jump from one character to the other. I’m not used to so many players in the mix but once I settled into the story I was fine. I really liked the story, the characters and the message it sent. There is more to a family than a mom and a dad. Also, I just love Kerry’s writing style.
There were just some minor things that irritated me, mostly for personal reasons. First of all, when Dimple refers to her libido or inner whatever as LaMimi I’m instantly reminded of 50 Shades of Grey and Ana’s inner goddess. So that’s a dealbreaker. Then there is the legal aspect of Maryn suing Andy over the use of their embryos. Eh, I read about that at length in ‘Sing You Home’ by Jodi Picoult even if it had different circumstances. Also, I’m not that into legal matters. As I said, minor hiccups.
What I liked though was the mention of one character from Leaving Unknown, Laura/Lola, the girl that works at the studios in LA. She is mentioned once but I saw it as a treat and was happy that I recognised her. It’s just a funny occurrence. Then there is the matter that the Reichs women must think Summer is THE name of the rebound wife. Andy’s second wife is named Summer and if I remember correctly, so is the fiancé of Pete who is Tempe Brennan’s ex-husband in the novels by Kerry’s mother, Kathy Reichs.
In the end, all characters come together through different circumstances. It’s heartbreaking and bittersweet but also a good ending. I liked where the book went and not everything turned out exactly as I expected which is always a plus.
There is a Q&A at the end of the book and there is one excerpt I want to share with you because it’s so nice and sad and great and… It’s a letter from one of the characters. It’s not a part of the book but something Kerry envisioned for the character.
I had a second chance to do everything I wanted, but that is rare. Never wait to be asked twice to dance. Dance. Laugh often. Be noisy. Hug your father. Do something every day that doesn’t make rational sense. Be joyful, though you considered all the facts. Love freely, and love those who don’t deserve it. Do a selfless thing each day. Every day won’t be the best day in your life, but that’s okay. If someone were to tell you the world would end tomorrow, plant a tree. Most of all, don’t be afraid of risk. If you open yourself to opportunities, fortuities will land on your shoulder like birds. The only thing that holds you back in life is yourself. I give you permission. Go for it.
Reading this made me cry all over again after I was done crying about the actual book. Maybe it’s wrong to measure the quality of a book by the fact if it made me cry or not but that’s juts how I roll. If I cried, it means the story touched me enough to make me care – to be a catalyst for the feelings I cannot let free on my own.
This is a story about wanting to have kids without having the opportunity to do so on your own. It’s about health that is not distributed fairly and most importantly, it’s a story about family values. A kid can grow up happy having just a single parent, or two mommies or two daddies as long as it’s cared and loved for. There’s nothing more that matters.
You’ve read my gushing on and on about her previous book and if you haven’t, well, you must be new around here. I was excited to finally read this and also a little bit worried if it could live up to my expectations.
The style of the book is different from her previous ones. It’s a multi-character story, so every chapter focusses on a different character. What unites them is their wish to become parents only they are not what anyone would call a traditional family. Far from it. There is the 40-year old actress named Dimple, 50-year old Wyatt who is a high school principle and Maryn the breast cancer survivor who is now sterile. All of them are single and struggle with the prospects of a society that sees family as a mom and dad and kids. Not a single mother. Especially not a single heterosexual man trying to adopt a baby. He surely must be a pedophile, why would he want to have kids?
Throw a couple of other characters into the mix, like Wyatt’s cousin who is healthy and fertile as you can be but never wanted kids and doesn’t change her mind and you’ve got yourself a story. Just imagine, there are women out there who don’t want children, it is possible. Then there is Maryn’s ex-husband whom she is suing for the right to use the eggs they harvested, fertilised and stored in a cryobank before beginning chemotherapy. Andy is against it for reasons I don’t quite understand. He also starts to run for city council and that turns into an ugly mess soon. Last but not least we have director Julian who challenges Dimple to go out of her comfort zone in order to get a role.
In the beginning I struggled a little bit with the jump from one character to the other. I’m not used to so many players in the mix but once I settled into the story I was fine. I really liked the story, the characters and the message it sent. There is more to a family than a mom and a dad. Also, I just love Kerry’s writing style.
There were just some minor things that irritated me, mostly for personal reasons. First of all, when Dimple refers to her libido or inner whatever as LaMimi I’m instantly reminded of 50 Shades of Grey and Ana’s inner goddess. So that’s a dealbreaker. Then there is the legal aspect of Maryn suing Andy over the use of their embryos. Eh, I read about that at length in ‘Sing You Home’ by Jodi Picoult even if it had different circumstances. Also, I’m not that into legal matters. As I said, minor hiccups.
What I liked though was the mention of one character from Leaving Unknown, Laura/Lola, the girl that works at the studios in LA. She is mentioned once but I saw it as a treat and was happy that I recognised her. It’s just a funny occurrence. Then there is the matter that the Reichs women must think Summer is THE name of the rebound wife. Andy’s second wife is named Summer and if I remember correctly, so is the fiancé of Pete who is Tempe Brennan’s ex-husband in the novels by Kerry’s mother, Kathy Reichs.
In the end, all characters come together through different circumstances. It’s heartbreaking and bittersweet but also a good ending. I liked where the book went and not everything turned out exactly as I expected which is always a plus.
There is a Q&A at the end of the book and there is one excerpt I want to share with you because it’s so nice and sad and great and… It’s a letter from one of the characters. It’s not a part of the book but something Kerry envisioned for the character.
I had a second chance to do everything I wanted, but that is rare. Never wait to be asked twice to dance. Dance. Laugh often. Be noisy. Hug your father. Do something every day that doesn’t make rational sense. Be joyful, though you considered all the facts. Love freely, and love those who don’t deserve it. Do a selfless thing each day. Every day won’t be the best day in your life, but that’s okay. If someone were to tell you the world would end tomorrow, plant a tree. Most of all, don’t be afraid of risk. If you open yourself to opportunities, fortuities will land on your shoulder like birds. The only thing that holds you back in life is yourself. I give you permission. Go for it.
Reading this made me cry all over again after I was done crying about the actual book. Maybe it’s wrong to measure the quality of a book by the fact if it made me cry or not but that’s juts how I roll. If I cried, it means the story touched me enough to make me care – to be a catalyst for the feelings I cannot let free on my own.
This is a story about wanting to have kids without having the opportunity to do so on your own. It’s about health that is not distributed fairly and most importantly, it’s a story about family values. A kid can grow up happy having just a single parent, or two mommies or two daddies as long as it’s cared and loved for. There’s nothing more that matters.
March 9, 2017
Beautiful...Emotional...Funny...Real... and truly inspiring...
"Never wait to be asked twice to dance. Dance. Laugh often. Be noisy. Hug your father. Do something every day that doesn’t make rational sense. Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts. Love freely, and love those who don’t deserve it. Do a selfless thing each day. Every day won’t be the best day in your life, but that’s okay. If someone were to tell you the world would end tomorrow, plant a tree. Most of all, don’t be afraid of risk. If you open yourself to opportunities, fortuities will land on your shoulder like birds. The only thing that holds you back in life is yourself."
"Never wait to be asked twice to dance. Dance. Laugh often. Be noisy. Hug your father. Do something every day that doesn’t make rational sense. Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts. Love freely, and love those who don’t deserve it. Do a selfless thing each day. Every day won’t be the best day in your life, but that’s okay. If someone were to tell you the world would end tomorrow, plant a tree. Most of all, don’t be afraid of risk. If you open yourself to opportunities, fortuities will land on your shoulder like birds. The only thing that holds you back in life is yourself."
July 3, 2012
Take the lives of four unique individuals at different stages in their lives and see where life takes them is what you will find in the latest novel from Kerry Reichs. The common thread running through them is often times family, marriage and wanting a child.
Agnis Dyemma Bauskenieks will never be known by that name expect by the parents who decided it would be fun to name her after her grandmother while trying to repair their own fractured relationship with her mom. She instead goes by the name Dimple Bledsoe, who vows never to become fifty years old. One can not be fifty as an actress in Hollywood if she wants to continue to work. So her only other outlet is her agent, Freya Fosse, who she confides in about all her latest break ups while searching for her next job.
Wyatt is forty-eight, a busy teacher who insists on making sure that he will leave this planet a much greener one, taking his bike to work while sorting through his own issues. Losing both of his parents within six months of each other, and is now working through starting his own family with Ilana. He is loving living in Los Angeles where the average temperature never wavers much from 70 and never has a fall.
Maryn finds herself alone during this stage in her life, and gets upset when people take their own lives too casually. Dealing with the aftermath of a divorce to her ex husband Andy, and his current wife Summer who insists on trying to get him to go by Andrew because it's less childish. Maryn is dealing with age and not being young anymore, dealing with wrinkles, a belly and the transformation of her hands into her mothers hands. She knows she can't compete with the younger women and tries to age gracefully, even purchasing a wafer thin bottle of face lotion for $98 and has successfully waged a war against breast cancer. It's dealing with happiness that makes her rage bubble over now and now dealing with infertility that cancer had robbed her of. She and Andy had undergone the procedure prior to her cancer treatment to freeze fertilized eggs, and the only thing holding her up is Andy's consent.
Andy Knox is not sure he wants to sign the consent forms for Maryn to use the fertilized eggs for her to have a baby. Now that he is working on a new marriage with Summer, this kinda complicates things. He can't exactly allow Maryn to have his child now that they are no longer married. They only have seven eggs to use to help Maryn have a child of her own, she has no other choice to become a mom. But with it comes a responsibility that Andy would have a child out there, he'd become a father and he wasn't sure he could do this.
These are the characters the reader will encounter in the novel, What You Wish For by Kerry Reichs, as the chapters alternate with what is happening in the lives of each of them as they move forward. I think this makes for an interesting read but it can be confusing keeping track of who goes with whom and how their own personal stories are being told. In fact, this is almost like getting four books in one! I love how Kerry spent the time crafting each one and where their stories go, you'll have to check this one out for yourself.
I received What You Wish For compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publisher for my honest review. Keeping a note card inside this book enabled me to remember what characters were dealing with what issues until I felt comfortable I no longer needed it to move forward through the book. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars due to some language and subject matter that might bother some readers. Overall I think the novel was well thought out and the author really spent time creating believable characters we can all relate to.
Agnis Dyemma Bauskenieks will never be known by that name expect by the parents who decided it would be fun to name her after her grandmother while trying to repair their own fractured relationship with her mom. She instead goes by the name Dimple Bledsoe, who vows never to become fifty years old. One can not be fifty as an actress in Hollywood if she wants to continue to work. So her only other outlet is her agent, Freya Fosse, who she confides in about all her latest break ups while searching for her next job.
Wyatt is forty-eight, a busy teacher who insists on making sure that he will leave this planet a much greener one, taking his bike to work while sorting through his own issues. Losing both of his parents within six months of each other, and is now working through starting his own family with Ilana. He is loving living in Los Angeles where the average temperature never wavers much from 70 and never has a fall.
Maryn finds herself alone during this stage in her life, and gets upset when people take their own lives too casually. Dealing with the aftermath of a divorce to her ex husband Andy, and his current wife Summer who insists on trying to get him to go by Andrew because it's less childish. Maryn is dealing with age and not being young anymore, dealing with wrinkles, a belly and the transformation of her hands into her mothers hands. She knows she can't compete with the younger women and tries to age gracefully, even purchasing a wafer thin bottle of face lotion for $98 and has successfully waged a war against breast cancer. It's dealing with happiness that makes her rage bubble over now and now dealing with infertility that cancer had robbed her of. She and Andy had undergone the procedure prior to her cancer treatment to freeze fertilized eggs, and the only thing holding her up is Andy's consent.
Andy Knox is not sure he wants to sign the consent forms for Maryn to use the fertilized eggs for her to have a baby. Now that he is working on a new marriage with Summer, this kinda complicates things. He can't exactly allow Maryn to have his child now that they are no longer married. They only have seven eggs to use to help Maryn have a child of her own, she has no other choice to become a mom. But with it comes a responsibility that Andy would have a child out there, he'd become a father and he wasn't sure he could do this.
These are the characters the reader will encounter in the novel, What You Wish For by Kerry Reichs, as the chapters alternate with what is happening in the lives of each of them as they move forward. I think this makes for an interesting read but it can be confusing keeping track of who goes with whom and how their own personal stories are being told. In fact, this is almost like getting four books in one! I love how Kerry spent the time crafting each one and where their stories go, you'll have to check this one out for yourself.
I received What You Wish For compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publisher for my honest review. Keeping a note card inside this book enabled me to remember what characters were dealing with what issues until I felt comfortable I no longer needed it to move forward through the book. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars due to some language and subject matter that might bother some readers. Overall I think the novel was well thought out and the author really spent time creating believable characters we can all relate to.
November 3, 2014
Dimple Bledsoe is a well-known television actress facing a dilemma: although her resume says she's 36, Dimple is closer to 40 and fears that if she waits much longer she'll miss out on motherhood. She'd hoped to meet Mr. Right and start a family the traditional way, but it looks as though that may not happen. Meanwhile, Wyatt Ozols had also hoped to settle down and have a family and, like Dimple, it just hasn't worked out. Wyatt's not one to let that get him down, he's ready for kids and has decided to go the adoption route. Unfortunately, the atypical situation of a single man looking to adopt may not work out in his favor.
Maryn Windsor is a survivor. She beat breast cancer all on her own -- her husband left in the middle of treatment -- and now she wants to be a mom. Maryn and her ex proactively froze embryos in the event that the cancer treatment left her unable to conceive, but now Maryn needs her ex's permission to use them and the situation soon becomes the focus of a heated political debate.
Eva Lytton is a highly successful agent facing a much different situation: she doesn't want kids. The problem is that every man Eva meets does.
Each of them is facing tough decisions and odds that seem to be against them, but each of them is determined to win out in the end. And some of them will find connections with each other that may prove to be additional challenges or provide them with much needed support.
WHAT YOU WISH FOR features an ensemble cast of characters each facing the issue of children. They each have their own problems, their own unique needs, and their own coping mechanisms. At various points in the book, I found myself siding with and rooting for each one. I really don't want to give away too much though since getting to know each of them yourself is the best part.
Reichs also cleverly links the characters in some unexpected ways. Yes, Wyatt and Eva are cousins. Yes, Eva works in the same industry as Dimple. But the unexpected ways they each come together are part of the fun of the story.
WHAT YOU WISH FOR is an emotional read filled with lovely and loving characters. Definitely a heart-wrenching read given the subject, but also a fun one that remains mostly upbeat throughout.
Maryn Windsor is a survivor. She beat breast cancer all on her own -- her husband left in the middle of treatment -- and now she wants to be a mom. Maryn and her ex proactively froze embryos in the event that the cancer treatment left her unable to conceive, but now Maryn needs her ex's permission to use them and the situation soon becomes the focus of a heated political debate.
Eva Lytton is a highly successful agent facing a much different situation: she doesn't want kids. The problem is that every man Eva meets does.
Each of them is facing tough decisions and odds that seem to be against them, but each of them is determined to win out in the end. And some of them will find connections with each other that may prove to be additional challenges or provide them with much needed support.
WHAT YOU WISH FOR features an ensemble cast of characters each facing the issue of children. They each have their own problems, their own unique needs, and their own coping mechanisms. At various points in the book, I found myself siding with and rooting for each one. I really don't want to give away too much though since getting to know each of them yourself is the best part.
Reichs also cleverly links the characters in some unexpected ways. Yes, Wyatt and Eva are cousins. Yes, Eva works in the same industry as Dimple. But the unexpected ways they each come together are part of the fun of the story.
WHAT YOU WISH FOR is an emotional read filled with lovely and loving characters. Definitely a heart-wrenching read given the subject, but also a fun one that remains mostly upbeat throughout.
July 14, 2012
Even though I was incredibly stabby and frustrated that yet again I somehow pick a book in this type of format and it's hands down the most annoying format for a book because it's so hard to end it. Really. It's very difficult to round up every character's story well enough to feel like it's finished. And this book didn't end every story line the way it really should, but I was able to get through it. The book started perking up half way through (I know.. it takes awhile) and by that point I had already invested this much time.. I may as well keep going. So I did and it was OK. I think if you are someone who wants a baby, this is probably a good read for you because it basically covers all kinds of ways you can end up with a baby.
But here's my gripe. And I'm a woman so I can say it: I really hate it when women put off having babies because of their career. There, I said it. I'm not anti-woman, I'm not anti-having-a-good-career either. I'm a common sense, use your brain and don't be stupid. Quite frankly, it's reckless to wait until you are in your forties because think of the unnecessary risks you have now just put on your child. Is it fair to put them at risk because you want a career? I mean really.. that's kind of selfish. On the flip side, I think you should at least wait and not pop out children as tax breaks when you're 19 or 20 either. Granted, I did that... and I regret it. In no way shape or form was I ready for what was coming. But nonetheless, there was one character (Dimple) that I just couldn't stand for this reason. I cried HARD with Maryn's story line because you knew that wouldn't end well.
In the end, it's a really good take on different introductions to parenthood and Wyatt's story line especially will have you asking yourself what your take on it is.
But here's my gripe. And I'm a woman so I can say it: I really hate it when women put off having babies because of their career. There, I said it. I'm not anti-woman, I'm not anti-having-a-good-career either. I'm a common sense, use your brain and don't be stupid. Quite frankly, it's reckless to wait until you are in your forties because think of the unnecessary risks you have now just put on your child. Is it fair to put them at risk because you want a career? I mean really.. that's kind of selfish. On the flip side, I think you should at least wait and not pop out children as tax breaks when you're 19 or 20 either. Granted, I did that... and I regret it. In no way shape or form was I ready for what was coming. But nonetheless, there was one character (Dimple) that I just couldn't stand for this reason. I cried HARD with Maryn's story line because you knew that wouldn't end well.
In the end, it's a really good take on different introductions to parenthood and Wyatt's story line especially will have you asking yourself what your take on it is.
December 31, 2012
Children. Dimple wants one, before she’s too old to have them. Maryn does, and Wyatt, too. Eva doesn’t.
Dimple has to balance child vs. career, especially when the role of a lifetime seemingly lands in her lap. I loved the “auditions” she has to go on for the role, the quirkiness brought smiles to balance the heavy topic. Maryn has to get her ex-husband’s approval to use the embryos they had frozen, but he’s leery of having his genes running around (without him) so he’s been avoiding the issue. It’s especially irksome now that his new wife is trying to get him into politics. But little does he know his and Maryn’s issue is going to be co-opted by the unfriendly opposition, and try as he might he won’t be able to avoid the hailstorm of controversy that erupts.
Wyatt is trying to adopt, and finds out that there are so many more prejudices against a single man adopting than there is against gay couples. Never mind that he’s an upstanding citizen and is around children every day in his job as a school Principal. And Eva gets dumped because even though she says she doesn’t want children, she must – or so her boyfriend thought. Will this color her every relationship?
Kerry Reichs weaves a compelling and thought-provoking look at the lives of these four in their quest for fulfillment and happiness – whether they want children or not, all wrapped in fluid storytelling. This is an emotional and heart-wrenching journey, with plenty of heartache and heartbreak, so be prepared to sniffle – I did, throughout the last third (or so) of the book… Sniffles notwithstanding, this very human story will have you rooting for everyone to have their happy ending. Definitely add to your summer reading, and make sure you have tissues!
drey’s rating: Excellent!
Dimple has to balance child vs. career, especially when the role of a lifetime seemingly lands in her lap. I loved the “auditions” she has to go on for the role, the quirkiness brought smiles to balance the heavy topic. Maryn has to get her ex-husband’s approval to use the embryos they had frozen, but he’s leery of having his genes running around (without him) so he’s been avoiding the issue. It’s especially irksome now that his new wife is trying to get him into politics. But little does he know his and Maryn’s issue is going to be co-opted by the unfriendly opposition, and try as he might he won’t be able to avoid the hailstorm of controversy that erupts.
Wyatt is trying to adopt, and finds out that there are so many more prejudices against a single man adopting than there is against gay couples. Never mind that he’s an upstanding citizen and is around children every day in his job as a school Principal. And Eva gets dumped because even though she says she doesn’t want children, she must – or so her boyfriend thought. Will this color her every relationship?
Kerry Reichs weaves a compelling and thought-provoking look at the lives of these four in their quest for fulfillment and happiness – whether they want children or not, all wrapped in fluid storytelling. This is an emotional and heart-wrenching journey, with plenty of heartache and heartbreak, so be prepared to sniffle – I did, throughout the last third (or so) of the book… Sniffles notwithstanding, this very human story will have you rooting for everyone to have their happy ending. Definitely add to your summer reading, and make sure you have tissues!
drey’s rating: Excellent!
June 9, 2012
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com...
What You Wish For is the quest for parenthood - the desire to have children, the desire to not have children, and the lengths to which people will go to to get what they wish for. The book follows a set of characters on their journey.
Dimple is the single successful actress contemplating her biological clock. Maryn is the divorced childless woman looking to get her husband's permission to use embryos frozen while they were married. Eva is the Hollywood agent who is steadfast in her voice that she does not want children. Wyatt is the single gentleman looking to adopt a child. Their stories overlap and interconnect in unexpected ways.
Surrounding these individual stories is a story of Hollywood and the movie business. Deals made and broken. Actresses hired and fired. Individuals on the brink of fame. Politics and all the drama that entails.
The story weaves back and forth between the characters with each chapter focusing on one character. All the stories do come together. However, sometimes it was necessary to flip back and forth to remind myself where the story was going. Also, the setting of the story competes with the story itself. The Hollywood drama sometimes muddles the individual stories of parenthood. So, a good premise for a story that got a little lost.
*** Reviewed for LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program ***
What You Wish For is the quest for parenthood - the desire to have children, the desire to not have children, and the lengths to which people will go to to get what they wish for. The book follows a set of characters on their journey.
Dimple is the single successful actress contemplating her biological clock. Maryn is the divorced childless woman looking to get her husband's permission to use embryos frozen while they were married. Eva is the Hollywood agent who is steadfast in her voice that she does not want children. Wyatt is the single gentleman looking to adopt a child. Their stories overlap and interconnect in unexpected ways.
Surrounding these individual stories is a story of Hollywood and the movie business. Deals made and broken. Actresses hired and fired. Individuals on the brink of fame. Politics and all the drama that entails.
The story weaves back and forth between the characters with each chapter focusing on one character. All the stories do come together. However, sometimes it was necessary to flip back and forth to remind myself where the story was going. Also, the setting of the story competes with the story itself. The Hollywood drama sometimes muddles the individual stories of parenthood. So, a good premise for a story that got a little lost.
*** Reviewed for LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program ***
August 8, 2014
After reading Ms. Reichs other 2 novels, I was thrilled to find out that there was another one to be read. The interesting observation that I have made is that every time I read a book by this author, the topics are pretty relevant with what is current in my life. This time this book is about women who want to have babies and right now it seems almost everyone I know has baby fever, so it was very appropriate.
As for the story, unfortunately, it was predictable and at times, it drove me a little nuts. I rolled my eyes at the fact Dimple called her "Lady Bits" Le Mimi. How very "Fifty Shades of Grey". Perhaps I just don't know women who nickname their body parts. Also, I just couldn't take another Chuck Norris joke. However, when the jokes weren't about Chuck Norris, I do enjoy Ms. Reichs wit! As for the characters, there wasn't a lot of depth. In fact, it took a chapter or so to really realize that Dimple and Maryn aren't the same person. As they were first introduced in the story, they seemed one dimensional and didn't have enough differences in their conversation/lifestyle to really separate the characters. I had to keep in mind, that this is a summer fluff read, so I shouldn't judge it as the next Great American Novel, but knowing how much I really enjoyed "Leaving Unknown", it set the bar high.
Will I read another Reichs novel? Although I do complain a lot about this book, I still like Reich's lighthearted writing and yes, I would give another book of hers a read.
As for the story, unfortunately, it was predictable and at times, it drove me a little nuts. I rolled my eyes at the fact Dimple called her "Lady Bits" Le Mimi. How very "Fifty Shades of Grey". Perhaps I just don't know women who nickname their body parts. Also, I just couldn't take another Chuck Norris joke. However, when the jokes weren't about Chuck Norris, I do enjoy Ms. Reichs wit! As for the characters, there wasn't a lot of depth. In fact, it took a chapter or so to really realize that Dimple and Maryn aren't the same person. As they were first introduced in the story, they seemed one dimensional and didn't have enough differences in their conversation/lifestyle to really separate the characters. I had to keep in mind, that this is a summer fluff read, so I shouldn't judge it as the next Great American Novel, but knowing how much I really enjoyed "Leaving Unknown", it set the bar high.
Will I read another Reichs novel? Although I do complain a lot about this book, I still like Reich's lighthearted writing and yes, I would give another book of hers a read.
May 30, 2012
In all honesty, I picked up “What You Wish For” by Kerry Reichs because I love her mother’s books and I wanted to see what Kerry’s writing was like. “What You Wish For” is about children – people who want children, those who don’t, and the struggles and triumphs on the way to their goal. Personally, I have no desire to have children of my own. I’m happy being an aunt and godmother. I know others who wish desperately for a child. Ms. Reichs explores the feelings and challenges regarding having children in “What You Wish For”.
The characters aren’t just figments of the author’s imagination in this story. They come alive – living, breathing people who you might see on the street or may even resemble yourself. The author covers topics such as a male single-parent adoption, IVF, ‘natural’ pregnancy, and the hardships and joy that comes along with each as well as the inevitable circle of life. I loved all the main characters: Maryn, Eva, Wyatt, and Dimple. By the end of the book I was so caught up that it made me cry. The story is written to make you deeply care for the characters, yet it’s not heavy, even though the subject matter can be. I loved the humor and grace with which Ms. Reichs brought a confusing and often complicated subject to the forefront. It was a true delight to meet these characters and share in their lives for a short time.
The characters aren’t just figments of the author’s imagination in this story. They come alive – living, breathing people who you might see on the street or may even resemble yourself. The author covers topics such as a male single-parent adoption, IVF, ‘natural’ pregnancy, and the hardships and joy that comes along with each as well as the inevitable circle of life. I loved all the main characters: Maryn, Eva, Wyatt, and Dimple. By the end of the book I was so caught up that it made me cry. The story is written to make you deeply care for the characters, yet it’s not heavy, even though the subject matter can be. I loved the humor and grace with which Ms. Reichs brought a confusing and often complicated subject to the forefront. It was a true delight to meet these characters and share in their lives for a short time.
February 21, 2016
I loved the beginning and the ending was startlingly touching. The middle was a little tiresome but I slogged through.
As an almost 30-year-old who is unsure whether or not to have children, the blurb on the back of this book was intriguing.
I found that Eva's storyline (the one who chose not to have kids) was completely eclipsed by three other people who desperately wanted them. I'm not sure if this was planned or was meant to be condoning a certain decision; maybe the author wanted to explore the various ways we come to have children. It did throw an interesting perspective on what a single man might have to go through to adopt a child barring marriage. (The fact that he was 48 wasn't addressed but I suspect that could cause a problem too.)
I liked the relationship between Dimple and Julian and I loved Sawyer's response to Eva when she enforced her perspective on family. I found it very real and heartfelt. I didn't care for Andy, mostly because I thought his story to be a weird addition and an excuse for a plotline about bad politics, but at least the chapters were brief and so one wasn't with one character for too long. I loved that Reichs only wrote Dimple in the first person so it was easier to keep track of who was who.
Would be a good book to discuss with others!
As an almost 30-year-old who is unsure whether or not to have children, the blurb on the back of this book was intriguing.
I found that Eva's storyline (the one who chose not to have kids) was completely eclipsed by three other people who desperately wanted them. I'm not sure if this was planned or was meant to be condoning a certain decision; maybe the author wanted to explore the various ways we come to have children. It did throw an interesting perspective on what a single man might have to go through to adopt a child barring marriage. (The fact that he was 48 wasn't addressed but I suspect that could cause a problem too.)
I liked the relationship between Dimple and Julian and I loved Sawyer's response to Eva when she enforced her perspective on family. I found it very real and heartfelt. I didn't care for Andy, mostly because I thought his story to be a weird addition and an excuse for a plotline about bad politics, but at least the chapters were brief and so one wasn't with one character for too long. I loved that Reichs only wrote Dimple in the first person so it was easier to keep track of who was who.
Would be a good book to discuss with others!
January 3, 2016
I gave it two stars because I did finish it. But the first part was quite boring just switching between all of these characters, waiting for the "surprising" way that their lives intertwine, but it wasn't surprising at all. Two of the women wanted to have babies by themselves - obvious similarities and they just happened to go to the same clinic. There was a lot of writing that seemed like the author fancied herself a poet with much more complex and fanciful writing than necessary or expected for this type of book. In fact, it detracted from the enjoyment of the story. I think the book could have used a lot more editing and possibly fewer main characters. They all seemed kind of forced, and there was also forced political agenda coming through. I could have done without the entire political side-plot, as well as without any mention of Proposition 11 or what it would do to or for or against anyone {insert fake shocked face}. If I'm reading a light romantic type book, I don't want to have politics shoved in my face, whether or not I agree with any of it. The "villain" was totally unbelievable as to how diabolical he was in, again, a more lighthearted romantic type story. I could have lived happily having never read this book.
August 3, 2012
My Review:
Well, where do I start? I actually started this book once before and stopped on page 42. I was just not feeling it. When I came back the second time I ended up LOVING it and devoured it in about 24 hours time. I fell in love with all the characters and their individual stories. The way that Reichs bring the stories together to create a tight, well written story is masterful. I related to the love, hurt, anger and joys that jumped off the pages and right into my heart. I laughed and I balled my eyes out. I am a mother and have had the joy of bringing two wonderful sons into this world. I can understand why couples would go to the ends of the earth to have a child and why some couples never desire to have children. This story will touch many people. Not all families are created the same way, but love is always at the center. I know if you pick up this 4.5 star book you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to read other novels by this very talented author.
Well, where do I start? I actually started this book once before and stopped on page 42. I was just not feeling it. When I came back the second time I ended up LOVING it and devoured it in about 24 hours time. I fell in love with all the characters and their individual stories. The way that Reichs bring the stories together to create a tight, well written story is masterful. I related to the love, hurt, anger and joys that jumped off the pages and right into my heart. I laughed and I balled my eyes out. I am a mother and have had the joy of bringing two wonderful sons into this world. I can understand why couples would go to the ends of the earth to have a child and why some couples never desire to have children. This story will touch many people. Not all families are created the same way, but love is always at the center. I know if you pick up this 4.5 star book you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to read other novels by this very talented author.
September 17, 2012
Love, love, love!!! Really, that's all I can think after just finishing this. I loved it. Every single character was well-thought out and developed. The story wouldn't have been the same without each one. At first I wasn't digging the writing style; the flow was off to me and I'd have to reread it before it clicked. But once I got into it, I had no problems. I ended up feeling every emotion these characters went through, especially when it came to Wyatt. Oh Wyatt! I was just rooting for him through the whole thing. I loved him! So endearing and you just know he'd make the perfect dad if given the chance. Oh, I just loved it all! I can't wait to have my sister read this. As someone who is nearing her 30th birthday and isn't quite where she wanted to be in life, I know she'll definitely appreciate this read.
September 19, 2014
Great book! There's so much I wanna say without ruining the plot for anyone who hasn't read it yet!
So from here on in, I'm announcing a spoiler alert! This will only make sense for those who've actually read this book, cover to cover.
So glad Wyatt got what he wanted! I was really rooting for him. Even though Maryn's story ended the way it did, I loved the fact that she put her foot down on her decision.
Even though I don't really identify with Eva, I really liked her character (except close to the end, she did something really douchy)
Dimple, I'm on the fence about her. I would be running around like that to prove myself, sorry. A simple 'yes' or 'no' is good enough for me.
And last but not least, I want to thank Kerry Reichs for giving more info on what happens to the characters in the future. This totally gave me complete closure! So glad I bought this book!
So from here on in, I'm announcing a spoiler alert! This will only make sense for those who've actually read this book, cover to cover.
So glad Wyatt got what he wanted! I was really rooting for him. Even though Maryn's story ended the way it did, I loved the fact that she put her foot down on her decision.
Even though I don't really identify with Eva, I really liked her character (except close to the end, she did something really douchy)
Dimple, I'm on the fence about her. I would be running around like that to prove myself, sorry. A simple 'yes' or 'no' is good enough for me.
And last but not least, I want to thank Kerry Reichs for giving more info on what happens to the characters in the future. This totally gave me complete closure! So glad I bought this book!
October 15, 2014
After reading a description of the book I was immediately reminded of the movie "What to Expect When you are Expecting." It's a movie about a bunch of different characters who all have one thing in common, pregnancy. What You Wish For is very similar, a plethora of characters all at different stages of their lives, some who want kids, some who don't some who have kids, some who can't get pregnant, and some who have gotten pregnant but didn't necessarily want to.
I'm a sucker for these types of books, especially when done well, it's like you get to read 3-4 different books for the price of one. Plus, I loved the characters and thought that they each had their own unique voice.
I'm a sucker for these types of books, especially when done well, it's like you get to read 3-4 different books for the price of one. Plus, I loved the characters and thought that they each had their own unique voice.
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