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Enchanted #2
Skylar Wishes
Grace is the only one who remembers the truth—that comets are the source of extraordinary destinies. Since their last night together, all memory of their comets and their old powers has abandoned Skylar and Alina. All that is left is Alina’s enduring envy for everything Skylar touches, and Alina’s sudden ability to wake up inside of Skylar’s body, if only for a few minutes.
After Alina finally forces her will and switches bodies with Skylar, harsh realities surface. The holes in Skylar’s relationship with Darren are exposed, and Skylar herself becomes seduced by the idea of living two lives at once, and loving two men at once.
Grace might be able to save them, but everything Skylar and Alina know about love has to change. When their comets return, these three women must choose their fate once more.
After Alina finally forces her will and switches bodies with Skylar, harsh realities surface. The holes in Skylar’s relationship with Darren are exposed, and Skylar herself becomes seduced by the idea of living two lives at once, and loving two men at once.
Grace might be able to save them, but everything Skylar and Alina know about love has to change. When their comets return, these three women must choose their fate once more.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2013
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Tina L. Hook
2 books55 followersTina L. Hook grew up in Orlando, Florida where she earned a Liberal Arts degree from Rollins College. After her early career in South Florida, she eventually settled into small town life near Nashville with her husband and two cats. When she is not daydreaming, she is blogging at GirlwithaNewLife2.com. Her debut novel, Enchanted by Starlight, has been nominated as a 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist. She is a featured author at Book Expo America 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 2, 2015
This was a very novel book. I started by checking the book out on Goodreads and then saw a review which told me the book would have multiple Points of Views. By then I had already started reading a little and knew atleast 2 different points of views. But 7? How was I going to handle that?
But I did. And I rather enjoyed reading about it. This book spoke to me on so many different levels.
The book starts with Alina shifting into Skylar’s body and finding herself so powerful And getting something she always wanted. Skylar realises something is wrong when she finds herself in Alina’s body, miles away from civilization.
This book although it shifted through multiple points, kept the storyline taut and I was fully involved. I could make out Skylar’s daring swagger of changing through bodies and liking it, Alina’s desperate desire to be who she always envied and Grace who always wanted a family.
It made me wonder the extents to which we went to get our way and how living a fairytale life was sometimes not enough? What about the sacrifices we made to keep people happy even at the cost of living a life which was secondary to what we are supposed to be?
Their lives intersect when Skylar’s decision to enjoy her life in Alina’s body leads her to go much farther than she expected. What she does not count on are her feelings which betray her and which compel her to be human.
I found myself wondering what I could do if I could shape shift. If I could live in someone else’s body, just to see how they lived their lives. Would someone else want to live in mine? How come we only considered people at face value but never looked at the lives they led behind the closets? This book made me introspect on those lines.
However having said that, the ending was a little chaotic before an epilogue of sorts fitted everything in a slightly hazy perspective. The characters don’t grow on you but you find yourself wondering nonetheless.
But I did. And I rather enjoyed reading about it. This book spoke to me on so many different levels.
The book starts with Alina shifting into Skylar’s body and finding herself so powerful And getting something she always wanted. Skylar realises something is wrong when she finds herself in Alina’s body, miles away from civilization.
This book although it shifted through multiple points, kept the storyline taut and I was fully involved. I could make out Skylar’s daring swagger of changing through bodies and liking it, Alina’s desperate desire to be who she always envied and Grace who always wanted a family.
It made me wonder the extents to which we went to get our way and how living a fairytale life was sometimes not enough? What about the sacrifices we made to keep people happy even at the cost of living a life which was secondary to what we are supposed to be?
Their lives intersect when Skylar’s decision to enjoy her life in Alina’s body leads her to go much farther than she expected. What she does not count on are her feelings which betray her and which compel her to be human.
I found myself wondering what I could do if I could shape shift. If I could live in someone else’s body, just to see how they lived their lives. Would someone else want to live in mine? How come we only considered people at face value but never looked at the lives they led behind the closets? This book made me introspect on those lines.
However having said that, the ending was a little chaotic before an epilogue of sorts fitted everything in a slightly hazy perspective. The characters don’t grow on you but you find yourself wondering nonetheless.
August 3, 2016
Be careful what you wish for. That old adage used to be one of my grandmother’s favorite sayings. She always believed that you could spend too much time coveting the things other people had, and forget to be happy with what you actually have, or seek to improve it. That phrase feels as if it could have been the genesis idea for the plot in Skylar Wishes, a beautifully written and thought provoking story.
Alina is a covetous character, she wears her envy like a cloak with many pockets she is gathering items that she wants or desires and holding them close, adding them to her pile. And then, she wishes for them: not a ‘oh I wish I had ___” sort of thing, but a full bodied, every atom held with laser focus wish. And what’s strangest about this is Alina isn’t without her own positive attributes: it just isn’t enough for her. She idolizes and envies Skylar with equal fervor.
Skylar has everything that Alina wants: the man, the curves, the personality and the seeming adoration of all who know her. It isn’t that Alina wants similar things; she wants exactly what Skylar has, in full measure.
So, at night, she wishes. She wishes for Skylar’s life, her man, her clothes and her friends. And one night, a quick switch happens and Alina is able to slip into Skylar’s body. While only momentary, Alina is exhilarated and decides to work at being Skylar full time. The two women are switched: Alina has what she thinks she always wanted, and Skylar is thrust into a life that she didn’t ask for. Skylar must decide if the life that was forced upon her is one that she will live with now that she has come to know Wells, an old friend of Alina’s family.
What is most striking about this story is the cleverness of the character portrayals, Tina L. Hook manages to make both Alina and Skylar sympathetic characters, when neither was a barrel of monkeys to start with: and neither should be particularly attracting to readers. The writing is beautiful and smooth, bringing a sense of the emotions each character is feeling, and the confusion in the early moments of the switch. Best of all is the questions that arise from the story: just how dangerous could a wish be, and how far would you go to change your life?
I really enjoyed this book: unlike anything that I have read before it was engaging, quick reading and makes me want to read it again just because it flows so well. Tina L. Hook manages to take a unique premise, mix in behavior that we all do, and have it twist up into a cautionary tale of learning and contemplation.
I received an eBook copy of the title via Novel Publicity for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Alina is a covetous character, she wears her envy like a cloak with many pockets she is gathering items that she wants or desires and holding them close, adding them to her pile. And then, she wishes for them: not a ‘oh I wish I had ___” sort of thing, but a full bodied, every atom held with laser focus wish. And what’s strangest about this is Alina isn’t without her own positive attributes: it just isn’t enough for her. She idolizes and envies Skylar with equal fervor.
Skylar has everything that Alina wants: the man, the curves, the personality and the seeming adoration of all who know her. It isn’t that Alina wants similar things; she wants exactly what Skylar has, in full measure.
So, at night, she wishes. She wishes for Skylar’s life, her man, her clothes and her friends. And one night, a quick switch happens and Alina is able to slip into Skylar’s body. While only momentary, Alina is exhilarated and decides to work at being Skylar full time. The two women are switched: Alina has what she thinks she always wanted, and Skylar is thrust into a life that she didn’t ask for. Skylar must decide if the life that was forced upon her is one that she will live with now that she has come to know Wells, an old friend of Alina’s family.
What is most striking about this story is the cleverness of the character portrayals, Tina L. Hook manages to make both Alina and Skylar sympathetic characters, when neither was a barrel of monkeys to start with: and neither should be particularly attracting to readers. The writing is beautiful and smooth, bringing a sense of the emotions each character is feeling, and the confusion in the early moments of the switch. Best of all is the questions that arise from the story: just how dangerous could a wish be, and how far would you go to change your life?
I really enjoyed this book: unlike anything that I have read before it was engaging, quick reading and makes me want to read it again just because it flows so well. Tina L. Hook manages to take a unique premise, mix in behavior that we all do, and have it twist up into a cautionary tale of learning and contemplation.
I received an eBook copy of the title via Novel Publicity for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
March 21, 2014
For as long as she's known Skylar, Alina has wanted to be her. Everything Skylar has, she wants, including her man. She knows she shouldn't covet someone one's life, but she can't help herself. It's hard living a life you don't really want to live, most especially when you're never satisfied with the circumstances that have led you to where you are now.
A random wish one night soon changes Alina and Skylar's life. Somehow, Alina has learned how to switch bodies with her friend. So much so, that she's determined in living out every aspect of Skylar's life. In her mind, she'll get to experience what she's never experienced before, and she'll finally enjoy everything her life has to offer. Deep inside, it's her way of exacting retribution on Skylar for past slights.
Skylar, on the other hand, refuses to stand by while Alina wreaks havoc on the life she's carefully constructed. She's always know Alina wanted more than what she's had, but she never expected her friend to callously take what doesn't belong to her. If she's to succeed in regaining what truly belongs to her, she'll need to make sense of the changes Alina has forced on her.
Her new life is tempting, and she's learned a lot in the process. Yet she can't help but to want what she had before. The choices she now faces are hard to bear. Alina must repent for what she's done. Skylar knows she'll need to do what's right when the time comes. The question is, how can she do so when she doesn't know what she wants in the first place?
Skylar Wishes is one of those stories makes that you think, What if? I found the book itself to be a wonderful change from the usual stories I read. Tina has crafted a world around the theme of wishes and what their consequences would be. Have you ever wanted something different? To have your true love by your side? Or perhaps to have someone you cared for come back to life? What if you could wish for it, and have that wish come true?
Skylar Wishes centers around that very theme. It explores the consequences of wishing for something a character really wants. It's enlightening to see how each of the women deal with the extraordinary circumstances that change their lives forever. Circumstances that strengthen their demeanors, and allow them to grow in more ways than one. This is a story that's truly thought-provoking, and lends credence to the old adage of, "Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it." You're going to want to give this book a chance. You won't regret it, trust me.
A random wish one night soon changes Alina and Skylar's life. Somehow, Alina has learned how to switch bodies with her friend. So much so, that she's determined in living out every aspect of Skylar's life. In her mind, she'll get to experience what she's never experienced before, and she'll finally enjoy everything her life has to offer. Deep inside, it's her way of exacting retribution on Skylar for past slights.
Skylar, on the other hand, refuses to stand by while Alina wreaks havoc on the life she's carefully constructed. She's always know Alina wanted more than what she's had, but she never expected her friend to callously take what doesn't belong to her. If she's to succeed in regaining what truly belongs to her, she'll need to make sense of the changes Alina has forced on her.
Her new life is tempting, and she's learned a lot in the process. Yet she can't help but to want what she had before. The choices she now faces are hard to bear. Alina must repent for what she's done. Skylar knows she'll need to do what's right when the time comes. The question is, how can she do so when she doesn't know what she wants in the first place?
Skylar Wishes is one of those stories makes that you think, What if? I found the book itself to be a wonderful change from the usual stories I read. Tina has crafted a world around the theme of wishes and what their consequences would be. Have you ever wanted something different? To have your true love by your side? Or perhaps to have someone you cared for come back to life? What if you could wish for it, and have that wish come true?
Skylar Wishes centers around that very theme. It explores the consequences of wishing for something a character really wants. It's enlightening to see how each of the women deal with the extraordinary circumstances that change their lives forever. Circumstances that strengthen their demeanors, and allow them to grow in more ways than one. This is a story that's truly thought-provoking, and lends credence to the old adage of, "Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it." You're going to want to give this book a chance. You won't regret it, trust me.
March 4, 2014
Have you ever been so jealous of another that you wanted what she had? A job? A car? A boyfriend? A life?
That’s the fascinating premise of Skylar Wishes by Tina L. Hook. Although it is the second book in the Enchanted Series (preceded by Enchanted by Starlight), it can easily be picked up and enjoyed on its own. The exciting concept is matched by beautiful, elegant writing that somehow makes the characters sympathetic and relatable when they definitely shouldn’t be.
We start with Alina. Alina is in love—only it’s with someone else’s boyfriend. Skylar has everything Alina ever wanted, starting with Darren’s heart and continuing on to a slamming, curvaceous body, an easy confidence, and an irresistible personality.
Alina may be great at her job, but she doesn’t find that important in the scheme of things. She wants Darren to look at her the way he looks at Skylar. To quote an old song lyric, “She wants him to want her. Needs him to need her…” You get the picture.
One night, Alina founds she’s wished so hard for Skylar’s life, she actually ends up inside of her skin. It’s only for a few seconds and happens in the still of night, so Skylar doesn’t notice. Overjoyed with this development, Alina continues to practice until she can take over Skylar’s body for long stretches of time.
And just as she’d expected, she loves being Skylar. Darren seems to love these changes too. He thinks he’s conquered the once feisty woman and turned her into a docile, love-sick creature. Loving Alina’s personality in Skylar’s body, he promptly proposes.
Meanwhile to get back at Alina, Skylar seduces an old family friend, a farmer named Wells. Soon, however, Skylar finds she appreciates Wells’s simplicity, kindness, and newness. While she started this affair as a prisoner, Skylar finds she starts to enjoy life in Alina’s body.
Will she accept the situation Alina’s thrown her into, or will she find her life is worth fighting for? How good does someone else’s life have to be to get you to throw away your own?
Skylar Wishes is a quick, engaging, and thought-provoking read, and I highly recommend it to fans of paranormal, speculative, and even romance. It would also be a great segue into any of these genres for fans of literary fiction.
Note: Since I no longer run the Novel Publicity blog tour program, I can finally review books for it! This is my honest and heartfelt review and is in no way influenced by my previous association with the blog tour program.
That’s the fascinating premise of Skylar Wishes by Tina L. Hook. Although it is the second book in the Enchanted Series (preceded by Enchanted by Starlight), it can easily be picked up and enjoyed on its own. The exciting concept is matched by beautiful, elegant writing that somehow makes the characters sympathetic and relatable when they definitely shouldn’t be.
We start with Alina. Alina is in love—only it’s with someone else’s boyfriend. Skylar has everything Alina ever wanted, starting with Darren’s heart and continuing on to a slamming, curvaceous body, an easy confidence, and an irresistible personality.
Alina may be great at her job, but she doesn’t find that important in the scheme of things. She wants Darren to look at her the way he looks at Skylar. To quote an old song lyric, “She wants him to want her. Needs him to need her…” You get the picture.
One night, Alina founds she’s wished so hard for Skylar’s life, she actually ends up inside of her skin. It’s only for a few seconds and happens in the still of night, so Skylar doesn’t notice. Overjoyed with this development, Alina continues to practice until she can take over Skylar’s body for long stretches of time.
And just as she’d expected, she loves being Skylar. Darren seems to love these changes too. He thinks he’s conquered the once feisty woman and turned her into a docile, love-sick creature. Loving Alina’s personality in Skylar’s body, he promptly proposes.
Meanwhile to get back at Alina, Skylar seduces an old family friend, a farmer named Wells. Soon, however, Skylar finds she appreciates Wells’s simplicity, kindness, and newness. While she started this affair as a prisoner, Skylar finds she starts to enjoy life in Alina’s body.
Will she accept the situation Alina’s thrown her into, or will she find her life is worth fighting for? How good does someone else’s life have to be to get you to throw away your own?
Skylar Wishes is a quick, engaging, and thought-provoking read, and I highly recommend it to fans of paranormal, speculative, and even romance. It would also be a great segue into any of these genres for fans of literary fiction.
Note: Since I no longer run the Novel Publicity blog tour program, I can finally review books for it! This is my honest and heartfelt review and is in no way influenced by my previous association with the blog tour program.
March 22, 2014
It was described as an eloquent paranormal read. The term eloquent doesn't quite do it justice. This tale of body thieves, love, loss and magic was stirring, passionate and impressive.
I've always loved books that are written from different characters perspectives each chapter, and it really made sense to organize this story that way. I found the first chapter not exactly confusing, but it did make me ask quite a few questions. Who is Grace? Is Skylar is Alina's body, or the other way around? How did magic play a role? Why are the stars and comets so important?
In other words, the first chapter did exactly what it was supposed to do. It hooked me, and I had to keep reading to find out all the answers to the questions.
It's a great book to read aloud by the way - so the term eloquent in that sense really works. I have a few adult couple friends that always read to each other, and I've recommended this book as lends itself really well to the spoke word.
It's not all magic and fun though.
Hook did a great job of exploring a really complicated love triangle (or square?) between Skylar, Alina, Darren and Wells. I guess that's more like two love triangles - or perhaps a love star.
Grace's role in the book was also really intriguing. I think I looked forward to her chapters best, and it was her story line that really kept me reading.
Overall, I really enjoyed the read. There are definitely people I'd recommend it to, and while I wouldn't recommend it to hard core sci-fi fans, I think this book has many great qualities. It's well written, definitely eloquent, and tells a story that keeps you reading right until the end.
I've always loved books that are written from different characters perspectives each chapter, and it really made sense to organize this story that way. I found the first chapter not exactly confusing, but it did make me ask quite a few questions. Who is Grace? Is Skylar is Alina's body, or the other way around? How did magic play a role? Why are the stars and comets so important?
In other words, the first chapter did exactly what it was supposed to do. It hooked me, and I had to keep reading to find out all the answers to the questions.
It's a great book to read aloud by the way - so the term eloquent in that sense really works. I have a few adult couple friends that always read to each other, and I've recommended this book as lends itself really well to the spoke word.
It's not all magic and fun though.
Hook did a great job of exploring a really complicated love triangle (or square?) between Skylar, Alina, Darren and Wells. I guess that's more like two love triangles - or perhaps a love star.
Grace's role in the book was also really intriguing. I think I looked forward to her chapters best, and it was her story line that really kept me reading.
Overall, I really enjoyed the read. There are definitely people I'd recommend it to, and while I wouldn't recommend it to hard core sci-fi fans, I think this book has many great qualities. It's well written, definitely eloquent, and tells a story that keeps you reading right until the end.
February 4, 2014
I received this novel in exchange for an honest review.
When I began this novel, I didn’t realize this was a sequel, and if you haven’t read the first novel, I cannot recommend trying the second. For the majority of the novel, I was completely confused. Seven POVs (alternating between first and third) didn’t help my understanding. By the end, even the comet gets a few cryptic chapters.
I felt as confused with all the body snatching as the men in the novel. I had to rely on the chapter headings to keep track of what was happening. With each leap, the characters lose and transfer memories, and by the end, I knew the feeling exactly. I was so confused by who had slept with whom and who was pretending to be whom that I began to question if I’d missed some chapters somewhere.
I struggled to the end, hoping for some closure; however, I found it unsatisfying. It really seemed like several novels jammed into one. The author definitely has some talent, but I think the romance aspect was much better executed than the sci-fi. I enjoyed Wells’s story, and I really wished the novel had explored that relationship more, but I found the other men confusing and contradictory. In fact, everyone’s emotions were convoluted. No one seems to know what he/she wants . . . not sexy enough, too sexy, not forceful, too forceful. The men were completely threatened by confident women but complained when they subjugated themselves.
The idea is interesting, but I’m afraid it was stellar.
2 stars
When I began this novel, I didn’t realize this was a sequel, and if you haven’t read the first novel, I cannot recommend trying the second. For the majority of the novel, I was completely confused. Seven POVs (alternating between first and third) didn’t help my understanding. By the end, even the comet gets a few cryptic chapters.
I felt as confused with all the body snatching as the men in the novel. I had to rely on the chapter headings to keep track of what was happening. With each leap, the characters lose and transfer memories, and by the end, I knew the feeling exactly. I was so confused by who had slept with whom and who was pretending to be whom that I began to question if I’d missed some chapters somewhere.
I struggled to the end, hoping for some closure; however, I found it unsatisfying. It really seemed like several novels jammed into one. The author definitely has some talent, but I think the romance aspect was much better executed than the sci-fi. I enjoyed Wells’s story, and I really wished the novel had explored that relationship more, but I found the other men confusing and contradictory. In fact, everyone’s emotions were convoluted. No one seems to know what he/she wants . . . not sexy enough, too sexy, not forceful, too forceful. The men were completely threatened by confident women but complained when they subjugated themselves.
The idea is interesting, but I’m afraid it was stellar.
2 stars
December 28, 2013
I was spellbound! It took me less than four days to complete the book as soon as I started it a few days ago. Tina L. Hook weaves her magic once again in creating a sequel that completely took an unexpected turn. I was extremely drawn by Wells and Skylar's romance and the amazing storytelling through the eyes of various characters. Highly recommended!
June 25, 2014
This book was certainly unique in concept. I have never read a book quite like it, and if you like stories about body switching and supernatural occurrences, you are sure to enjoy this book. It was easy to read and interesting, but a little more could have been done on the character development.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews