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Wish #2
Just a Wish Away
#1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Barbara Freethy, takes us back to the beach in an emotional love story between two best friends who have been separated for a very long time.
Alexa Parker and Braden Elliott fell in love when they were twelve years old. On a summer day, while searching for sea glass on the beaches of Washington State, they discovered an unusually shaped blue bottle. The ever-imaginative Alexa declared it a genie’s bottle. Popping the cork, they were surprised by a rogue wave that sprayed them with a fine, cool mist. Closing their eyes, they each made a wish …
Before their love had a chance to grow, life, family and tragedy separated the two best friends. Now fifteen years later, Alexa returns to Sand Harbor after her aunt is injured in a mysterious break-in at her antique store. Braden is also back, but he’s not the innocent boy Alexa remembers. His military service has left him with physical and emotional scars.
Can the sweet love of youth be recaptured by two now cynical souls? Can solving the mystery of the past bring them to a new future? Or will it take a wish, maybe two …
Alexa Parker and Braden Elliott fell in love when they were twelve years old. On a summer day, while searching for sea glass on the beaches of Washington State, they discovered an unusually shaped blue bottle. The ever-imaginative Alexa declared it a genie’s bottle. Popping the cork, they were surprised by a rogue wave that sprayed them with a fine, cool mist. Closing their eyes, they each made a wish …
Before their love had a chance to grow, life, family and tragedy separated the two best friends. Now fifteen years later, Alexa returns to Sand Harbor after her aunt is injured in a mysterious break-in at her antique store. Braden is also back, but he’s not the innocent boy Alexa remembers. His military service has left him with physical and emotional scars.
Can the sweet love of youth be recaptured by two now cynical souls? Can solving the mystery of the past bring them to a new future? Or will it take a wish, maybe two …
264 pages, Nook
First published January 1, 2012
664 people are currently reading
795 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Freethy
152 books2,691 followersBarbara's love of writing developed out of a love of reading. Growing up in an all-boy neighborhood, she spent quite a bit of time reading through her mother's large library, many of which were romantic novels. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, she went into Public Relations, but soon discovered that writing was her true passion.
Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.
Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.
When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!
For a complete list of her books, visit her website!
Barbara was traditionally published for many years, then formed her own publishing company FOG CITY PUBLISHING in 2011 and has since sold over 10 million books! She has published 75 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense and contemporary romance.
Her book SUMMER SECRETS was a #1 New York Times bestseller! And twenty-five other novels have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is currently writing two ongoing series, a contemporary romance series set in Whisper Lake and a romantic suspense series: Off The Grid: FBI Series. She is also known for her bestselling Callaway Family Series, which offers up fourteen books and two novellas.
When Barbara isn't writing or publishing, which isn't very often these days, she is playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family in beautiful Lake Tahoe or reading books!
For a complete list of her books, visit her website!
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May 29, 2021Şeker, hafif ve yer yer duygusal bir hikayeydi. Geçmiş ve günümüz arasında yaşanan acılar , kayıplar ve umutlar anlatılıyordu. Beni en çok da ebeveynlerinin yaptığı seçimler yüzünden acı çeken çocuklar etkiler. Yani hayata her şeyden habersiz başlıyorlar ve yaşamları kendi seçimleri dışında yön alıyor. Bazen söz hakları bile olmuyor. Acı verici...
Yazarın hikâyeleri çok farklı, akıcı yada muhteşem değil. Ama nedense kitabı okurken biri bana kendi yaşamından bir şeyler anlatıyormuş gibi hissediyorum. Okudukça dertlerini mutluluklarını paylaşıyormuş hissine kapılıyorum.
Hikayenin karakterleri Braden ve Alexa yaz dönemlerinde beraber takılan çocukluk arkadaşları. Yavaş yavaş aralarında bir sevgi oluşmaya başladığı sırada ailevi sebeplerden yolları ayrılır. Zamanla telefonlar, mektuplar da azalınca bağları iyice kopmuş.Yıllar sonra Phoebe Halası bir kaza geçirene kadar...Aralarında çözülmemiş duygular, çözmeleri gereken bir saldırı olayı ve geçmişin sırları vardır.
Okumaktan hoşlandığım bir hikaye oldu. Sakin bir tempoda ilerledi. Okuyucuya heyecan ya da sabırsızlık verdiğini söyleyemem ama yumuşak bir serüvene davet ediyor.
Yazarın hikâyeleri çok farklı, akıcı yada muhteşem değil. Ama nedense kitabı okurken biri bana kendi yaşamından bir şeyler anlatıyormuş gibi hissediyorum. Okudukça dertlerini mutluluklarını paylaşıyormuş hissine kapılıyorum.
Hikayenin karakterleri Braden ve Alexa yaz dönemlerinde beraber takılan çocukluk arkadaşları. Yavaş yavaş aralarında bir sevgi oluşmaya başladığı sırada ailevi sebeplerden yolları ayrılır. Zamanla telefonlar, mektuplar da azalınca bağları iyice kopmuş.Yıllar sonra Phoebe Halası bir kaza geçirene kadar...Aralarında çözülmemiş duygular, çözmeleri gereken bir saldırı olayı ve geçmişin sırları vardır.
Okumaktan hoşlandığım bir hikaye oldu. Sakin bir tempoda ilerledi. Okuyucuya heyecan ya da sabırsızlık verdiğini söyleyemem ama yumuşak bir serüvene davet ediyor.
January 9, 2013
Why is that the cover shows an old man? For goodness sake, the hero, Braden is only 30 years old. I shudders at the cover. This is a romance book! You, the publisher, the author, the editor should choose a hero that is handsome to the max, like a devil, not some man who has a receding hairline! I should have a fantasy and you kill it off, d*** book!
Ok, enough about that. Now, I would expect this lady named Barbara Freethy to write a poignant story like she did with the first book in this series, A Secret Wish.
And you give me a half cooked story line? What Ms. Freethy? I expect something spectacular, something over the moon, something that I could cry, cherish and laugh. And you give me a lame romance write up with a mix of detective skill story, plus lame suspense.
I am OK with Alexa and Braden's story. It started off beautifully. This is a childhood love. Meeting your first love should be wonderful, like a haunting song prose.
But then, you killed it off with a story on murder and break-ins. Why why why? I found quite a few romance books focusing on thriller, but yours is just too lame. I could not comprehend that Braden and Alexa were investigating the break ins, and found a connection with another cold case, 15 years earlier. Then suddenly you find suspects, then you asked them, first hand. And discussions continue during dinner, take outs about the case. Ehhh, the romance plot line evaporated.
I think I have watched enough CSIs in my life to know that you cannot have discussions about a highly sensitive case, if you are the detective with outsider. Haven't you learned about confidentiality? And the way you ask outside, in open space to suspects about your suspicion is totally ridiculous.
And why the suspect admits his crime in a hospital in front of other people? That I cannot accept, and comprehend.
Oh my, I am totally disappointed with this book.
Ok, enough about that. Now, I would expect this lady named Barbara Freethy to write a poignant story like she did with the first book in this series, A Secret Wish.
And you give me a half cooked story line? What Ms. Freethy? I expect something spectacular, something over the moon, something that I could cry, cherish and laugh. And you give me a lame romance write up with a mix of detective skill story, plus lame suspense.
I am OK with Alexa and Braden's story. It started off beautifully. This is a childhood love. Meeting your first love should be wonderful, like a haunting song prose.
But then, you killed it off with a story on murder and break-ins. Why why why? I found quite a few romance books focusing on thriller, but yours is just too lame. I could not comprehend that Braden and Alexa were investigating the break ins, and found a connection with another cold case, 15 years earlier. Then suddenly you find suspects, then you asked them, first hand. And discussions continue during dinner, take outs about the case. Ehhh, the romance plot line evaporated.
I think I have watched enough CSIs in my life to know that you cannot have discussions about a highly sensitive case, if you are the detective with outsider. Haven't you learned about confidentiality? And the way you ask outside, in open space to suspects about your suspicion is totally ridiculous.
And why the suspect admits his crime in a hospital in front of other people? That I cannot accept, and comprehend.
Oh my, I am totally disappointed with this book.
September 23, 2018
Güzel bir kitaptı. Bir okuyuşta hemen bitti. Karakterleri güzeldi. Saçma yanlış anlamalar yoktu. Sadece biraz daha uzun olmasını isterdim. Ve soygunu yapan için biraz daha gizem kalmalarını. En başta kim olduğunu tahmin ettim. 😄Kitap benim için beş yıldızlıktı. Ama o sona kadar belirsiz olan sonları sevmem, nefret ederim. Yazar bir epilogu çok görmüş. Okumak isterdim "Alexa camla ne yaptı? Nerede kaldı? " bunları okumak isterdim. Çok geçiştirilmiş.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2013
Beyond Reading
First, let me say, I so did NOT appreciate the balding guy on the cover.
But, anyway, Nancy Drew was the first series of books that got me interested in reading. It was also the series that made me realize how much I loved romance. I loved the mystery of Nancy Drew, no doubt, but I always found myself searching for Scenes with Nancy and Ned and daydreaming about them. Just A Wish Away carried me all the way back to my Nancy Drew times, with the romance that I so wanted back then.
The characters, Braden and Alexa, met when they were ten, fell in love at twelve and re-met at twenty-seven. I think the idea is very sweet and the book plays it well, mostly, but they dwelled too much on the 'we were in love when we were twelve' aspect to me because, hello? You were twelve. I wish Barbara Freethy would have chosen a more sensible age to make them 'fall in love', maybe 16 or so because, as it was, falling in love at twelve didn't much justify their super short romance (all of maybe five days). I would have preferred to see the book spanning a decent length of time for them to rediscover their friendship and emotions. With that said, they did tap into some deep-rooted problems and lost dreams, which was really sweet and they did rediscover themselves through each other, which was heartwarming - I really connected with the characters and their issues. I really didn't like that they opened Alexa's aunt's mail, which was a character flaw, but it was relatively easy to forgive.
Overall, I didn't expect the book to have so much mystery and reconnecting with the past, but I enjoyed watching the characters revert to ther innocence and dreams and fall in love again, though it was quick. I liked the book, but I don't think it was quite strong enough for me to go out of my way to purchase any more of her work, but only time will tell.
First, let me say, I so did NOT appreciate the balding guy on the cover.
But, anyway, Nancy Drew was the first series of books that got me interested in reading. It was also the series that made me realize how much I loved romance. I loved the mystery of Nancy Drew, no doubt, but I always found myself searching for Scenes with Nancy and Ned and daydreaming about them. Just A Wish Away carried me all the way back to my Nancy Drew times, with the romance that I so wanted back then.
The characters, Braden and Alexa, met when they were ten, fell in love at twelve and re-met at twenty-seven. I think the idea is very sweet and the book plays it well, mostly, but they dwelled too much on the 'we were in love when we were twelve' aspect to me because, hello? You were twelve. I wish Barbara Freethy would have chosen a more sensible age to make them 'fall in love', maybe 16 or so because, as it was, falling in love at twelve didn't much justify their super short romance (all of maybe five days). I would have preferred to see the book spanning a decent length of time for them to rediscover their friendship and emotions. With that said, they did tap into some deep-rooted problems and lost dreams, which was really sweet and they did rediscover themselves through each other, which was heartwarming - I really connected with the characters and their issues. I really didn't like that they opened Alexa's aunt's mail, which was a character flaw, but it was relatively easy to forgive.
Overall, I didn't expect the book to have so much mystery and reconnecting with the past, but I enjoyed watching the characters revert to ther innocence and dreams and fall in love again, though it was quick. I liked the book, but I don't think it was quite strong enough for me to go out of my way to purchase any more of her work, but only time will tell.
January 28, 2013
A fun, easy read.
November 29, 2012
Just a Wish Away
Wish Series Book Two
By Barbara Freethy
Every summer for twelve years Alexa’s Parents would take her to Safe Harbor, WA. On the last summer she was able to visit her friendship with Braden had started to turn into something else. Now fifteen years later Alexa’s aunt has been attacked in her antiques shop and Alexa returns to Safe Harbor to help her aunt with her store while she recuperates. At the same time recently divorced, and recently discharged from the military, Braden is asked by his longtime friend to investigate the burglary gone wrong.
This was such a great romance novel; Barbara Freethy certainly knows how to bring to life not only an absolutely palpable romance but an intense mystery. I loved the characters Alexa is a strong independent woman and Braden is a damaged warrior and as the two investigate not only the burglary but also a mysterious incident that took place on their last night together fifteen years ago the romance that slowly blooms, or should I say comes back into focus, is absolutely beautiful. However if you are expecting lots of highly intimate situations you will be greatly disappointed, but I think this just adds to the charm of the novel.
For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:
http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpre...
http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/
Wish Series Book Two
By Barbara Freethy
Every summer for twelve years Alexa’s Parents would take her to Safe Harbor, WA. On the last summer she was able to visit her friendship with Braden had started to turn into something else. Now fifteen years later Alexa’s aunt has been attacked in her antiques shop and Alexa returns to Safe Harbor to help her aunt with her store while she recuperates. At the same time recently divorced, and recently discharged from the military, Braden is asked by his longtime friend to investigate the burglary gone wrong.
This was such a great romance novel; Barbara Freethy certainly knows how to bring to life not only an absolutely palpable romance but an intense mystery. I loved the characters Alexa is a strong independent woman and Braden is a damaged warrior and as the two investigate not only the burglary but also a mysterious incident that took place on their last night together fifteen years ago the romance that slowly blooms, or should I say comes back into focus, is absolutely beautiful. However if you are expecting lots of highly intimate situations you will be greatly disappointed, but I think this just adds to the charm of the novel.
For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:
http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpre...
http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/
May 4, 2012
Just A Wish Away Book #2, Wish Series by Barbara Freethy
ISBN: 9780985199739
As kids: Alexa was back at Sand Harbor for the summer months again as in previous years.
Braden lived there year round and was so sad his dad was being postponed from coming home from the war.
Love the descriptions of the seaglass, glassblowing and looking for seashells along the shore.
Adult life: Twenty or so years later Alexa was back in town to help her dads sister Phoebe with her antique shop as she had gotten robbed.
Braden is back after the military and divorced and he's got a background in investigating. The local sheriff talks him into checking things out at the store that got robbed, see if he can find any leads.
Something they had seen on one of their last nights as kids could also be the clue to the breakin.
They are both determined to solve both mysteries.
Love the direction this book takes and the ending was just perfect.
The places, details this book took me away to are awesome
ISBN: 9780985199739
As kids: Alexa was back at Sand Harbor for the summer months again as in previous years.
Braden lived there year round and was so sad his dad was being postponed from coming home from the war.
Love the descriptions of the seaglass, glassblowing and looking for seashells along the shore.
Adult life: Twenty or so years later Alexa was back in town to help her dads sister Phoebe with her antique shop as she had gotten robbed.
Braden is back after the military and divorced and he's got a background in investigating. The local sheriff talks him into checking things out at the store that got robbed, see if he can find any leads.
Something they had seen on one of their last nights as kids could also be the clue to the breakin.
They are both determined to solve both mysteries.
Love the direction this book takes and the ending was just perfect.
The places, details this book took me away to are awesome
March 2, 2014
The idea of first love revisited years later drew me in, but little things kept me from getting lost in this tale.
First off, I was uncomfortable with the 12 y/o kids fall in love bit. I think the story would have made more sense if they had been a bit older, say 13 or better yet 14. I have a kid that age and in no way are they ready for true passionate love at 12.
Then there is the question of unresolved issues. Her relationship with her father, his pending divorce, her fear of commitment, his dark memories from the war, all these and more are brought up and then left hanging. I don't expect absolute resolution, but some effort to at least tackle something before the abrupt end would have been nice.
The mystery part also started out intriguing but fizzled in the end.
First off, I was uncomfortable with the 12 y/o kids fall in love bit. I think the story would have made more sense if they had been a bit older, say 13 or better yet 14. I have a kid that age and in no way are they ready for true passionate love at 12.
Then there is the question of unresolved issues. Her relationship with her father, his pending divorce, her fear of commitment, his dark memories from the war, all these and more are brought up and then left hanging. I don't expect absolute resolution, but some effort to at least tackle something before the abrupt end would have been nice.
The mystery part also started out intriguing but fizzled in the end.
July 3, 2023
Sanırım bu kitap hayatımda okuduğum en hızlı kitap olabilir. Öğlen bir gibi başladığım kitabı akşam saatlerinde bitirdim. Çooook akıcıydı, gerçekten. Özellikle reading slumptaysanız, okuduğunuz kitapları yarım bırakıyor ve beğeneceğinizi düşündüğünüz halde beğenmiyorsanız, eh bir de aşk okumak istiyorsanız kesinlikle tavsiye ederim. Bana çok iyi geldi diyebilirim. Kısa ama tatlı bir hikayeydi. Birbirlerine çocukken çok yakın ve aşık olan iki insanın; araya giren mesafeler, ilişkiler, olaylar ve uzun yıllardan sonra karşılaşmalarını anlatıyor. Kitabı tatlı tatlı okurken gizem dolu bir olaya da tanık oluyoruz ayrıca. Ben beğendim. Sadece çok edebi bir eser, aşırı detay ve incelik beklemeyin yeter. Günlük, tatlı bir hikayeydi. Ancak şunu söylemeden de geçemeyeceğim, bazen ana erkek karakterimiz olan Braden'ın kafasına söyle bir çakmak ve 'Kendine gel be adam' demek istemedim değil hsjwjdjw. Bazı hareketleri biraz toksikti bence ama iyi bir sebebinin olduğuna da kabul etmek gerekir. Gerçi her iki tarafında var. Her neyse dene ve tarafını seç diyip incelememi bitiriyor ve size çok keyifli okumalar diliyorum..
July 5, 2020
When The Past Hurts The Present
Upon her aunt Phoebe being injured during a break in at her store, Alexa finds herself returning to Sand Harbor. When her childhood best friend and first kiss shows up at the store, they both realize they have unfinished feelings they need to look into. When a suspicious death from over a decade ago looks to be tied in with her aunt's assault, Alexa and Ryan leave no stone unturned on their quest for the truth~
Upon her aunt Phoebe being injured during a break in at her store, Alexa finds herself returning to Sand Harbor. When her childhood best friend and first kiss shows up at the store, they both realize they have unfinished feelings they need to look into. When a suspicious death from over a decade ago looks to be tied in with her aunt's assault, Alexa and Ryan leave no stone unturned on their quest for the truth~
July 15, 2022
free ebook
they met as children at the beach but her parents got divorced and she wasnt able to spend her summers with him anymore
they lost touch
he married and went to war, came back and got divorced
she never married and became accountant
her aunt at the beach got hurt when someone came into her antique store. shes in the hospital the whole book
they solved the crime and also about the actress who was found dead at the beach
they fell in love and were going to get married and have kids
they met as children at the beach but her parents got divorced and she wasnt able to spend her summers with him anymore
they lost touch
he married and went to war, came back and got divorced
she never married and became accountant
her aunt at the beach got hurt when someone came into her antique store. shes in the hospital the whole book
they solved the crime and also about the actress who was found dead at the beach
they fell in love and were going to get married and have kids
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 11, 2018A sweet book about two teenagers who move apart after summers together. They were each other's first true love and are reunited years and years later. They are brought together by mystery, family, and more. There are a lot of different things going on in the story which all wrapped together into a heartwarming read.
November 14, 2019
I must have a different cover to others as mine was a young couple on the beach. A lovely story about dreams, childhood wishes, second chances and a touch of mystery. A lovely combination to ensue the reading pleasure of anyone lucky enough to choose this book. Barbara Freethy always puts heart into her books and has the fans to prove it.
June 26, 2020
What to do
When you make a wish on a bottle by the sea at they age of 12, and habe to wait 15 years for it to come true. That is what Braden & Alexa did. Her parents got divorced just after that summer and she was moved to the east coast away from him and her aunt. But now they both are back can it be they finally have a chancr.
When you make a wish on a bottle by the sea at they age of 12, and habe to wait 15 years for it to come true. That is what Braden & Alexa did. Her parents got divorced just after that summer and she was moved to the east coast away from him and her aunt. But now they both are back can it be they finally have a chancr.
December 8, 2020
I enjoyed this one, a very easy read with quite a predictable ending, but parts really hit home, about the importance of doing what you love and being with people that appreciate you. A lovely little romance with a fairly well written mystery behind the scenes. Believable and likeable characters.
June 22, 2024
Just a Wish Away
Braden and Alexia were childhood sweethearts and now they reunite in the small town of Sand Harbor. The two of them solve a long time ago murder mystery. Find out how by reading this interesting book.
Braden and Alexia were childhood sweethearts and now they reunite in the small town of Sand Harbor. The two of them solve a long time ago murder mystery. Find out how by reading this interesting book.
July 29, 2017
Sweet story.
September 3, 2017
Quick moving, shocking ending.
March 26, 2018
3.5 stars
June 22, 2018
çocuk kitabı gibi. karakterler güçsüz. aşk kitabı arasındaki başarısız polisiye kurgusu daha da kötü.
September 3, 2019
3.5 Stars. Second half was rather slow paced and I struggled to retain interest.
September 6, 2019
One of the best of Barbara Freethy’s books I have read! Had a very believable mystery element.
November 15, 2019
I enjoyed the plot. Took awhile to get into it. Interesting characters
July 3, 2020
Easy read
Was ok nothing too exciting ,characters were likeable, story was ok just a bit predictable and not enough excitement ,was hoping for something more thrilling
Was ok nothing too exciting ,characters were likeable, story was ok just a bit predictable and not enough excitement ,was hoping for something more thrilling
July 9, 2020
Good
Two people who were young and both had hoped of a life together but things changed and they lost years.
Two people who were young and both had hoped of a life together but things changed and they lost years.
July 13, 2020
Young summer beach love.. reminds me of my childhood. Good plot & characters.
August 22, 2020
Wishes do come true!!
This was a awesome story!!! It has a little bit of everything in it.....mystery, love and more!!!!
I highly recommend this book.
This was a awesome story!!! It has a little bit of everything in it.....mystery, love and more!!!!
I highly recommend this book.
August 27, 2020
Another sweet story.
Barbara does it again
Barbara does it again
January 10, 2021
I enjoyed the characters quite a lot. However, I found this story dragged a bit and then wrapped up quite quickly and left some open questions. So good but not great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews