What do you think?
Rate this book
Chasing Wishes
"I wish I didn't have to go home. I wish I was someone else—someone with a future..."
For sixteen-year-old Nina Torres, it feels as if life is nothing but a dead end. Despised by her rich classmates and afraid that she'll become just like her drug-addicted mother, Nina's future seems to get dimmer every day.
There is one bright spot in her life though...
Sitting beside her one night, the only person in the world who cares about her makes a promise. No matter what happens—no matter how much Isaac's wealthy family disapproves—he and his girlfriend Nina will be together forever.
Fate plays a cruel trick on Nina, though, and a visit from Child Protective Services the next morning turns Nina Torres into Irene Hartley, a woman with a future but who will never see her beloved Isaac again.
Nine years later, a blind and incredibly handsome young entrepreneur hires Irene to be his personal assistant. Terrence Radcliffe reminds her so much of Isaac that she can hardly believe her eyes, and she's falling for him fast. Irene knows that fairy tales don't come true, but she allows herself one last wish. She wishes that she could finally say goodbye to Isaac and let herself take a chance on Terrence.
What she doesn't know is that Terrence is also searching for someone: a shooting star who streaked through his life nine years ago, and he won't give up until he finds her...
Chasing Wishes is a powerful contemporary tale of lost love and wishes come true, recommended for ages 17+ due to adult content.
For sixteen-year-old Nina Torres, it feels as if life is nothing but a dead end. Despised by her rich classmates and afraid that she'll become just like her drug-addicted mother, Nina's future seems to get dimmer every day.
There is one bright spot in her life though...
Sitting beside her one night, the only person in the world who cares about her makes a promise. No matter what happens—no matter how much Isaac's wealthy family disapproves—he and his girlfriend Nina will be together forever.
Fate plays a cruel trick on Nina, though, and a visit from Child Protective Services the next morning turns Nina Torres into Irene Hartley, a woman with a future but who will never see her beloved Isaac again.
Nine years later, a blind and incredibly handsome young entrepreneur hires Irene to be his personal assistant. Terrence Radcliffe reminds her so much of Isaac that she can hardly believe her eyes, and she's falling for him fast. Irene knows that fairy tales don't come true, but she allows herself one last wish. She wishes that she could finally say goodbye to Isaac and let herself take a chance on Terrence.
What she doesn't know is that Terrence is also searching for someone: a shooting star who streaked through his life nine years ago, and he won't give up until he finds her...
Chasing Wishes is a powerful contemporary tale of lost love and wishes come true, recommended for ages 17+ due to adult content.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2014
10 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Nadia Simonenko
10 books143 followersNadia Simonenko is a scientist and author currently living in Pennsylvania with her husband, two cats and a dog. When she isn’t writing, she develops new drug compounds and dreams about someday painting her office to look like a forest.
Want to connect with her? E-mail her or contact her at any of the sites below!
E-mail: Nadia@Nadiaromance.com
Website: http://www.nadiaromance.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NadiaSimonenko
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nadia.simonen...
Want to connect with her? E-mail her or contact her at any of the sites below!
E-mail: Nadia@Nadiaromance.com
Website: http://www.nadiaromance.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NadiaSimonenko
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nadia.simonen...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
February 20, 2014
This book is far from what I expected, it was sweet but also quite sad, the prejudice that young Nina and older Irene had to deal with was a constant through out the book. And even when no one around said anything, it still reverberated in Nina's thoughts. Nina and Isaac's love was very young and quite fleeting... I felt like we barely got time to connect with them, therefore I couldn't understand the feelings they had, I guess I wasn't convinced, but be that as it may they never forgot each other.
Now this book goes back and forth in time, past and present. And I struggled with that, it was halting and threw me. I couldn't get into it, also I the pace was rather slow and there were moments that it should have picked up but it kept the same steady pace, which took away any intensity or depth that I was suppose to feel.
Final Thoughts
Chasing Wishes is an NA novel but reads like a YA, which is not a bad thing but it made it difficult for me to connect with the characters. It's also not a light read, but because of the YA feel it wasn't as intense or dare I say as "dark" as it could have been. It was sweet and well.. heartwarming in the end, which is what I always want, I thrive on HEA.
ARC kindly provided by author in return for an honest review
July 19, 2016
REVIEW TO COME!! <33
ARC kindly provided by author in return for an honest review
ARC kindly provided by author in return for an honest review
January 30, 2014
The bigger the wish
The better the wish come true ❤️❤️❤️
The better the wish come true ❤️❤️❤️
April 5, 2015
3.5* out of 5*
I have read it earlier this year, I've just re-read it and I saw I first gave it 3.5 stars on Goodreads. I don't agree with that rating now, I think it definitely deserves the full 4 Stars!
Nina, labeled as “the wrong kind of girl”, has lived a hard life, full of hate and heartache. I can’t even imagine how that must have been like. But she always holds her head high and moves on, where another person might crumble under all that.
The only place she feels at peace, is when she and Isaac are up on the roof watching the stars twinkle. Upon that rooftop is where she makes the wish: “I wish I didn’t have to go home”. And you know what they say, always be careful what you wish for. Cause next morning Nina is whisked away by Child Protective Services. She has gotten a new start with a new home and a new identity, Nina disappears and Irene comes to life. But in the process she looses the most important person in her life, Isaac. Nine years pass by and despite her best efforts searching for Isaac, it seems he has disappeared too.
Unknowingly Isaac too has been looking for his Nina. But he has been through his own identity change, becoming Terrance. His change is brought by the loss of his sight and family. What he gained, wealth and his business. Both give him the means to search for Nina but his efforts too meets with dead ends.
A reading hour at a library, does the impossible. It reunites the two lovers who are desperately yearning and searching for one another. Only they don’t know they have found the ones they are looking for because of the identity changes. Will they ever find out and have a peacefully happily ever after. Or will they settle with their “re-found” love, but secretly always wonder about the ones that were torn from their sides….
Reading this book is like reading a fairytale and I love my fairytales. It is sweet and romantic but it also has that darker side that keeps me grounded but also unleashes so many emotions in me. Isaac and Nina’s tale has my heart aching for them (for me they were always Isaac and Nina never Terrance and Irene). I love how Isaac is always in her corner and isn’t swept away with the mass that bullied Nina. Or with the ones that badmouth her. Nor does he care what his mother thinks of her or what Nina’s mother is like. He is the kind of guy that would walk through fire for Nina.
"I don’t give a shit what my mother thinks or what your mom’s like, Nina," he whispers, squeezing me so tightly that I feel as if I’m going to pop. "No matter what happens—no matter where life takes us—I’m going to find you. We’ll be together and I don’t care what anyone else says.
His feelings, after all those years after their separation, are still so strong and he still wants to keep the promise he had made a long time ago. But all his searching attempts to find Nina ends in failure and Terrance begins to give up hope of ever finding her. I felt so sad for him.
"What a horrible story. That poor prince... all he wants to find his love and live happily ever after, but instead he goes blind and wanders in the desert because of a jealous witch. I hate fairy tales."
Nina too begins to give up on her search. Not only that, she also faces rejection after rejection for her applications in the voice over world and it’s starting to take a toll on her. Makes her more skeptical than she already is. After so much ugliness in her life, that she just can’t escape from, that doesn’t surprise me at all. And again it touches me deeply.
Cassie’s eyes sparkle as she gazes in wide-eyed delight at the glittering chandelier. She’s like Cinderella at the ball, stepping into the royal palace for the first time. I recognize that look—it’s how I felt when I first saw Isaac’s mansion. I almost want to warn Cassie that the fairy tales never tell you how much it hurts when the clock strikes midnight and suddenly it’s all just pumpkins again.
I also loved how Nina brought “color” back to Isaac's sightless eyes, with her vivid descriptions of his surroundings. She'd told it so that it was like she was telling a story and his imagination got a reboot.
Words create worlds, and as Terrence sees the world he lost through my eyes for the rest of the ride home, I can’t help but feel that this is the greatest story I’ve ever told.
The ending disappointed me a bit, revelations were revealed and few pages later it marked the end. That felt rushed especially in contrast to the previous pace. Another small thing I didn't like was the nickname Cassie gave Irene, I just didn't get it. Nevertheless was it still a great read, and if you like fairy tales in modern jackets than you might want to give “Chasing Wishes” a shot.
I have read it earlier this year, I've just re-read it and I saw I first gave it 3.5 stars on Goodreads. I don't agree with that rating now, I think it definitely deserves the full 4 Stars!
Nina, labeled as “the wrong kind of girl”, has lived a hard life, full of hate and heartache. I can’t even imagine how that must have been like. But she always holds her head high and moves on, where another person might crumble under all that.
The only place she feels at peace, is when she and Isaac are up on the roof watching the stars twinkle. Upon that rooftop is where she makes the wish: “I wish I didn’t have to go home”. And you know what they say, always be careful what you wish for. Cause next morning Nina is whisked away by Child Protective Services. She has gotten a new start with a new home and a new identity, Nina disappears and Irene comes to life. But in the process she looses the most important person in her life, Isaac. Nine years pass by and despite her best efforts searching for Isaac, it seems he has disappeared too.
Unknowingly Isaac too has been looking for his Nina. But he has been through his own identity change, becoming Terrance. His change is brought by the loss of his sight and family. What he gained, wealth and his business. Both give him the means to search for Nina but his efforts too meets with dead ends.
A reading hour at a library, does the impossible. It reunites the two lovers who are desperately yearning and searching for one another. Only they don’t know they have found the ones they are looking for because of the identity changes. Will they ever find out and have a peacefully happily ever after. Or will they settle with their “re-found” love, but secretly always wonder about the ones that were torn from their sides….
Reading this book is like reading a fairytale and I love my fairytales. It is sweet and romantic but it also has that darker side that keeps me grounded but also unleashes so many emotions in me. Isaac and Nina’s tale has my heart aching for them (for me they were always Isaac and Nina never Terrance and Irene). I love how Isaac is always in her corner and isn’t swept away with the mass that bullied Nina. Or with the ones that badmouth her. Nor does he care what his mother thinks of her or what Nina’s mother is like. He is the kind of guy that would walk through fire for Nina.
"I don’t give a shit what my mother thinks or what your mom’s like, Nina," he whispers, squeezing me so tightly that I feel as if I’m going to pop. "No matter what happens—no matter where life takes us—I’m going to find you. We’ll be together and I don’t care what anyone else says.
His feelings, after all those years after their separation, are still so strong and he still wants to keep the promise he had made a long time ago. But all his searching attempts to find Nina ends in failure and Terrance begins to give up hope of ever finding her. I felt so sad for him.
"What a horrible story. That poor prince... all he wants to find his love and live happily ever after, but instead he goes blind and wanders in the desert because of a jealous witch. I hate fairy tales."
Nina too begins to give up on her search. Not only that, she also faces rejection after rejection for her applications in the voice over world and it’s starting to take a toll on her. Makes her more skeptical than she already is. After so much ugliness in her life, that she just can’t escape from, that doesn’t surprise me at all. And again it touches me deeply.
Cassie’s eyes sparkle as she gazes in wide-eyed delight at the glittering chandelier. She’s like Cinderella at the ball, stepping into the royal palace for the first time. I recognize that look—it’s how I felt when I first saw Isaac’s mansion. I almost want to warn Cassie that the fairy tales never tell you how much it hurts when the clock strikes midnight and suddenly it’s all just pumpkins again.
I also loved how Nina brought “color” back to Isaac's sightless eyes, with her vivid descriptions of his surroundings. She'd told it so that it was like she was telling a story and his imagination got a reboot.
Words create worlds, and as Terrence sees the world he lost through my eyes for the rest of the ride home, I can’t help but feel that this is the greatest story I’ve ever told.
The ending disappointed me a bit, revelations were revealed and few pages later it marked the end. That felt rushed especially in contrast to the previous pace. Another small thing I didn't like was the nickname Cassie gave Irene, I just didn't get it. Nevertheless was it still a great read, and if you like fairy tales in modern jackets than you might want to give “Chasing Wishes” a shot.
August 28, 2016
As 3 stars rating says, I liked this book, I just didn’t love it. I would still recommend you to give this book a chance if you enjoy reading NA novels. You may end up loving it.
My Irene and Terrence:
For 16-years old Nina, her wish came true. When child protective service took Nina away to keep her safe from her drug-addicted and prostitute mum, Nina should have been ecstatic. If only it didn’t mean never seeing her only friend and love Isaac ever again...
Nine years later, Nina (now called Irene) still cannot stop thinking about Isaac. When incredibly attractive and blind Terrence hires her to be his assistant, she decides that it is time to give up her memory of Isaac and move on. If only she knew that Isaac may be closer that she ever imagined...
I had mixed feelings towards Nina/Irene. She was nice girl with difficult life, so obviously I felt sorry for her. But her inner thoughts were kind of childlish and irritating. At least, Terrence was always there to save the day, Irene herself and story in general. I really liked his character.
Chasing Wishes is not a bad book. It is beautifully written novel. However, storyline missed some spark and it didn’t wow me as I hoped it would. I guess that New Adult/Coming-Off-Age romance novels are not doing it for me anymore. So if you are lover of NA genre, definitely try this book out, I think you would enjoy it!
*ARC provided by author as an exchange for honest review*
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing
My Irene and Terrence:
"I don’t want to be Nina Torres anymore. I don’t wnat to grow up to be like my mother."
For 16-years old Nina, her wish came true. When child protective service took Nina away to keep her safe from her drug-addicted and prostitute mum, Nina should have been ecstatic. If only it didn’t mean never seeing her only friend and love Isaac ever again...
Nine years later, Nina (now called Irene) still cannot stop thinking about Isaac. When incredibly attractive and blind Terrence hires her to be his assistant, she decides that it is time to give up her memory of Isaac and move on. If only she knew that Isaac may be closer that she ever imagined...
I had mixed feelings towards Nina/Irene. She was nice girl with difficult life, so obviously I felt sorry for her. But her inner thoughts were kind of childlish and irritating. At least, Terrence was always there to save the day, Irene herself and story in general. I really liked his character.
Chasing Wishes is not a bad book. It is beautifully written novel. However, storyline missed some spark and it didn’t wow me as I hoped it would. I guess that New Adult/Coming-Off-Age romance novels are not doing it for me anymore. So if you are lover of NA genre, definitely try this book out, I think you would enjoy it!
*ARC provided by author as an exchange for honest review*
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing
March 1, 2014
Kind of cheesy.
Kind of predictable.
Kind of long.
Kind of unrealistic.
BUT...
Kind of sweet.
Kind of romantic.
Kind of liked it.
Kind of predictable.
Kind of long.
Kind of unrealistic.
BUT...
Kind of sweet.
Kind of romantic.
Kind of liked it.
April 30, 2015
Beautiful second chance romance about kids from opposite side of the tracks who loved each other when they were teens finding each other again in unexpected circumstances as adults and having their fairytale ending.
I loved the h, she came from a terrible background, but the H was so supportive of her, he was amazing! She also aspired to be a voice actor which was unusual. I loved the fairytales she told and the descriptions she gave to the H of his surroundings, in short dialogues by h were always interesting!
The H goes blind due to a genetic disorder, but I liked that not only was he rich, but also smart , worked hard and was a decent guy( sick of all those billionaire manhos!) Both the h and H had dated in separation but H's GF dumped him bcos she couldn't handle him being blind, plus H never truly got over h, even after he lost hope of ever finding her!
I am so happy these two got their HEA, they were one couple who truly deserved to!
I loved the h, she came from a terrible background, but the H was so supportive of her, he was amazing! She also aspired to be a voice actor which was unusual. I loved the fairytales she told and the descriptions she gave to the H of his surroundings, in short dialogues by h were always interesting!
The H goes blind due to a genetic disorder, but I liked that not only was he rich, but also smart , worked hard and was a decent guy( sick of all those billionaire manhos!) Both the h and H had dated in separation but H's GF dumped him bcos she couldn't handle him being blind, plus H never truly got over h, even after he lost hope of ever finding her!
I am so happy these two got their HEA, they were one couple who truly deserved to!
March 31, 2014
OK, this is book is slightly predictable, at times unbelievable, and there are stereotypes galore, but you know what? It was sweet, quick, and easy, and it didn't make me want to break stuff or kill anyone.
That's probably some of the highest praise I've ever given a New Adult novel.
That's probably some of the highest praise I've ever given a New Adult novel.
Read
December 20, 2021Personally feel this missed the mark on blindness representation.
January 24, 2014
I was a huge fan of Nadia Simonenko's Lost and Found: The Complete Series, so when she offered to let me read a preview copy of Chasing Wishes, I was all over it.
This is very different to Lost & Found. I loved those books, but they were very, very dark--great reads, but emotionally exhausting. This has moments of real pain too, but it's balanced with more humor and escapism. All three are great books, but in my opinion Chasing Wishes is her strongest so far.
Racism rears its head several times in the book and I don't think I've ever hated a group of bad guys more than Nina's classmates. Seriously. You will know true hate. The heroine is tough and funny with the strength to do things her own way and follow her dreams. I spent large chunks of the book just wanting to give her a huge hug, which is exactly as it should be. The hero is...wow. Terrence is seriously dishy and Nadia writes the unique aspects of his character (I don't want to spoil anything) very, very well.
There's a fairy tale element running through this book. If you like things like serendipity, mistaken identity and so on, you'll love this. Nadia adds enough grit and texture that it's fairly easy to suspend disbelief and get caught up in the action. The book really flows, with good pacy plotting and I like the fact it's self contained rather than set up for a sequel.
Oh! The love scenes: absolutely smokin' hot!
My summary: Wishes CAN come true! A heroine you really root for shows a seriously hot hero the world he can't see. Sexy, gritty, dreamy and all-round fantastic!
This is very different to Lost & Found. I loved those books, but they were very, very dark--great reads, but emotionally exhausting. This has moments of real pain too, but it's balanced with more humor and escapism. All three are great books, but in my opinion Chasing Wishes is her strongest so far.
Racism rears its head several times in the book and I don't think I've ever hated a group of bad guys more than Nina's classmates. Seriously. You will know true hate. The heroine is tough and funny with the strength to do things her own way and follow her dreams. I spent large chunks of the book just wanting to give her a huge hug, which is exactly as it should be. The hero is...wow. Terrence is seriously dishy and Nadia writes the unique aspects of his character (I don't want to spoil anything) very, very well.
There's a fairy tale element running through this book. If you like things like serendipity, mistaken identity and so on, you'll love this. Nadia adds enough grit and texture that it's fairly easy to suspend disbelief and get caught up in the action. The book really flows, with good pacy plotting and I like the fact it's self contained rather than set up for a sequel.
Oh! The love scenes: absolutely smokin' hot!
My summary: Wishes CAN come true! A heroine you really root for shows a seriously hot hero the world he can't see. Sexy, gritty, dreamy and all-round fantastic!
January 30, 2014
Chasing Wishes is now released!
Link to Amazon
Link to Barnes and Noble
Many months later than I intended, it's finally time to let Chasing Wishes out of its cage and let it fly on its own. :)
I'll sit here and anxiously bite my nails while you all read. I hope you enjoy the story!
Link to Amazon
Link to Barnes and Noble
Many months later than I intended, it's finally time to let Chasing Wishes out of its cage and let it fly on its own. :)
I'll sit here and anxiously bite my nails while you all read. I hope you enjoy the story!
January 26, 2014
This is the first book I have read of her and it has wow'd me it's so beautiful n touching and I have tears from reading it. It has touched me deep inside and I absolutely love this book an think everyone should read who loved a good sweet romance.
August 29, 2014
4.5 'wishing on a star' stars!!
This book was so unexpectedly amazing!! The blurb had me hooked from the beginning, but after reading the first few pages, I was line & sinkered! This is my first time reading a book by Nadia Simonenko, and I was definitely pleasantly surprised in the end. Glad I found this gem of a book.
Things that I liked.....
I really loved the plot of this story. It was unlike any that I have read before. I was very intrigued by the turn of events in this story. I am not even going to provide a spoiler tag, because you really need to read the story for yourself and find out on your own. But literally 8% in and BAM, I'm hit with an unexpected turn of events. Was definitely NOT expecting that. Literally, opened my eyes and made me see this story in a new light.
I also loved both the hero & heroine, Terrence & Irene. It was so beautiful to watch their story unfold, from the very moments of them first meeting, all the way up until the last few pages of their journey. I loved the strength of Terrence, given all that he has been through in life. I also loved Irene's patience and kind heart. Sometimes though, I wanted to shake the both of them!!! . Irene's humor was also a breath of fresh air, she didn't allow the issues between them define their relationship or create any awkwardness. For example...
The flashbacks helped strengthen the overall story by providing the reader with details of the past that have led both Terrence & Irene to this point in their life. It gives us a peek into Irene's back story, & we also get to see some of Terrence's history, which only shows how strong of a bond these two are able to develop . The dual POVs were also nice, because we could see what the other was thinking throughout, and trust me, you really need to get into both of their heads to know the inner turmoil and confusion that plays into their love story.
I LOVED the idea of Terrence's dream world. Given the issues that plague his existence, he is allowed this one guilty pleasure, where all is bathed in light & color!
I'm so sorry you had to wake up this morning, Terrence! lol. :))
Things that I did not like.....
One thing that I did not like - this story was too dang short!!! I really wish that we could have seen more of Terrence & Irene's story throughout. I was sad when their story ended, because I'm a selfish bitch, and I WANTED MORE!! But in all seriousness, the story felt complete, and not necessarily lacking in depth, I just wish that their story could have been dragged out a teensy bit longer, for my selfish pleasure of course! :)
Charlotte.....what more is there to say about her besides, complete BITCH! There is one line in the story that leads me to believe she may be someone from Irene's past, however this detail was neither confirmed nor denied, & I am REALLY freaking curious....
I would definitely recommend this book to others. It was a quick read, with enough angst and turmoil, to keep you on your toes & in the end,. I will be looking into reading more books from this author in the future!
This book was so unexpectedly amazing!! The blurb had me hooked from the beginning, but after reading the first few pages, I was line & sinkered! This is my first time reading a book by Nadia Simonenko, and I was definitely pleasantly surprised in the end. Glad I found this gem of a book.
Things that I liked.....
I really loved the plot of this story. It was unlike any that I have read before. I was very intrigued by the turn of events in this story. I am not even going to provide a spoiler tag, because you really need to read the story for yourself and find out on your own. But literally 8% in and BAM, I'm hit with an unexpected turn of events. Was definitely NOT expecting that. Literally, opened my eyes and made me see this story in a new light.
I also loved both the hero & heroine, Terrence & Irene. It was so beautiful to watch their story unfold, from the very moments of them first meeting, all the way up until the last few pages of their journey. I loved the strength of Terrence, given all that he has been through in life. I also loved Irene's patience and kind heart. Sometimes though, I wanted to shake the both of them!!! . Irene's humor was also a breath of fresh air, she didn't allow the issues between them define their relationship or create any awkwardness. For example...
"One goat cheese martini over ice, garnished with herring, please." I pretend to tell the bartender, and Terrence stiffens in his chair. "What, you don't like herring?" I ask innocently, trying not to laugh"
The flashbacks helped strengthen the overall story by providing the reader with details of the past that have led both Terrence & Irene to this point in their life. It gives us a peek into Irene's back story, & we also get to see some of Terrence's history, which only shows how strong of a bond these two are able to develop . The dual POVs were also nice, because we could see what the other was thinking throughout, and trust me, you really need to get into both of their heads to know the inner turmoil and confusion that plays into their love story.
I LOVED the idea of Terrence's dream world. Given the issues that plague his existence, he is allowed this one guilty pleasure, where all is bathed in light & color!
"I'm lying in bed as birds chirp outside my window, and between my pounding headache and the loss of my heavenly dream, I have a sudden urge to punch the nearest kitten."
I'm so sorry you had to wake up this morning, Terrence! lol. :))
Things that I did not like.....
One thing that I did not like - this story was too dang short!!! I really wish that we could have seen more of Terrence & Irene's story throughout. I was sad when their story ended, because I'm a selfish bitch, and I WANTED MORE!! But in all seriousness, the story felt complete, and not necessarily lacking in depth, I just wish that their story could have been dragged out a teensy bit longer, for my selfish pleasure of course! :)
Charlotte.....what more is there to say about her besides, complete BITCH! There is one line in the story that leads me to believe she may be someone from Irene's past, however this detail was neither confirmed nor denied, & I am REALLY freaking curious....
I would definitely recommend this book to others. It was a quick read, with enough angst and turmoil, to keep you on your toes & in the end,. I will be looking into reading more books from this author in the future!
May 5, 2015
Note that all quotes quoted below are those that were taken from the ARC copy and not the final one, thank you!
I remember coming across this one a few days before it's release because of a book blitz. After reading the synopsis, I immediately signed up for the blitz and looked for ways to acquire an ARC as I couldn't wait even just one day more! That synopsis pulled me in immediately, and I was goner when Nadia Simonenko messaged me on Goodreads about a copy. When she finally emailed me an eARC, I couldn't help but scream in delight and delved into it immediately!
When Child Protective Services took sixteen-year-old Nina away, she is grateful yet extremely saddened because she will never see her beloved Isaac again. For her own protection, Nina was forced to change her name in Irene Hartley. Nine years later, Irene meets a blind man named Terrence who reminds her so much of Isaac.
After being fired by her boss because of standing up to him, Irene was offered a job to be Terrence's assistant, and Nina accepted. Irene and Terrence got to spend time together and Terrence was able to see the world again from Irene's descriptions. Soon, the two start to fall for each other, yet their pasts get in the way somehow. Told in alternating point of view of Irene and Terrence, and alternating between past and present, readers can get the best of both worlds while reading this novel.
Nina is not rich or anything, but she was able to attend in Isaac's private school because of a special program created by the school. Her social standing ended her up in getting bullied despite her high scores. Everything was always blamed at her, even though she wasn't the one at fault. I admire Nina because she was able to stand her ground despite her having to feed herself and despite all the bullying in school. Not many can take up as much as that.
Nina and Isaac are from two different sections of the world, but their differences never stopped Isaac from approaching and being kind to Nina. Nine years later, Terrence is still the same, kind and fair to everyone. This made me admire him so much because let's face it, there aren't enough people like that in the world, and it amazes me to see someone so kind, even if it's just in a book.
I absolutely loved how Nina and Isaac fell in love with each other nine years ago, and how Irene and Terrence fell in love with each other again in the present, despite knowing Irene is Nina and Terrence is Isaac. I loved how they found each other again after all those years, because destiny and fate wanted them to.
I loved reading this book and even though I already knew that Irene is Nina and Terrence is Isaac, it doesn't keep the book from holding my attention until I finished the book, and even then, I felt like I wanted more! It's not like I disliked the ending, because mind you, the ending is absolute perfection, but I am just hungry for more of their story that I can't help but feel sad that this isn't a series!
This is one of my favorite 2014 reads, and it just breaks my heart to see that it has less than four stars on Goodreads. There is no doubt in my heart that this book deserves far more than that! I hope that you guys can give this one a chance. I promise you, not a single second of your time will be wasted!
---------------------
"Fairy tales never tell you how much it hurts when the clock strikes midnight and suddenly it's all just pumpkins again."
"Words create worlds, and as Terrence sees the world he lost through my eyes for the rest of the ride home, I can't help but feel that this is the greatest story I've ever told."
"What, you think rich people don't have skeletons in their closets too?"
I remember coming across this one a few days before it's release because of a book blitz. After reading the synopsis, I immediately signed up for the blitz and looked for ways to acquire an ARC as I couldn't wait even just one day more! That synopsis pulled me in immediately, and I was goner when Nadia Simonenko messaged me on Goodreads about a copy. When she finally emailed me an eARC, I couldn't help but scream in delight and delved into it immediately!
When Child Protective Services took sixteen-year-old Nina away, she is grateful yet extremely saddened because she will never see her beloved Isaac again. For her own protection, Nina was forced to change her name in Irene Hartley. Nine years later, Irene meets a blind man named Terrence who reminds her so much of Isaac.
After being fired by her boss because of standing up to him, Irene was offered a job to be Terrence's assistant, and Nina accepted. Irene and Terrence got to spend time together and Terrence was able to see the world again from Irene's descriptions. Soon, the two start to fall for each other, yet their pasts get in the way somehow. Told in alternating point of view of Irene and Terrence, and alternating between past and present, readers can get the best of both worlds while reading this novel.
Nina is not rich or anything, but she was able to attend in Isaac's private school because of a special program created by the school. Her social standing ended her up in getting bullied despite her high scores. Everything was always blamed at her, even though she wasn't the one at fault. I admire Nina because she was able to stand her ground despite her having to feed herself and despite all the bullying in school. Not many can take up as much as that.
Nina and Isaac are from two different sections of the world, but their differences never stopped Isaac from approaching and being kind to Nina. Nine years later, Terrence is still the same, kind and fair to everyone. This made me admire him so much because let's face it, there aren't enough people like that in the world, and it amazes me to see someone so kind, even if it's just in a book.
I absolutely loved how Nina and Isaac fell in love with each other nine years ago, and how Irene and Terrence fell in love with each other again in the present, despite knowing Irene is Nina and Terrence is Isaac. I loved how they found each other again after all those years, because destiny and fate wanted them to.
I loved reading this book and even though I already knew that Irene is Nina and Terrence is Isaac, it doesn't keep the book from holding my attention until I finished the book, and even then, I felt like I wanted more! It's not like I disliked the ending, because mind you, the ending is absolute perfection, but I am just hungry for more of their story that I can't help but feel sad that this isn't a series!
This is one of my favorite 2014 reads, and it just breaks my heart to see that it has less than four stars on Goodreads. There is no doubt in my heart that this book deserves far more than that! I hope that you guys can give this one a chance. I promise you, not a single second of your time will be wasted!
---------------------
"Fairy tales never tell you how much it hurts when the clock strikes midnight and suddenly it's all just pumpkins again."
"Words create worlds, and as Terrence sees the world he lost through my eyes for the rest of the ride home, I can't help but feel that this is the greatest story I've ever told."
"What, you think rich people don't have skeletons in their closets too?"
March 3, 2017
I loved this book!!!! Fate or coincidence??? Nina has had the worst childhood. Her mother sells her self out and does drugs and Nina struggles for everyday essentials like food and clothing. Isaac's family is the opposite, rich and well cared for! But things are not what they seem and both find themselves seeing something within each other but a wish comes true and Nina disappears for 9 years.... a truly emotional story
June 9, 2016
*Spoilers.*
.
.
.
.
.
.
This is a Cinderella story done modern, with a completely unbelievable ending. And middle. And beginning. I had some *serious* issues with this book.
First, we have the scenes where Nina is a young girl. The only poor girl admitted on an educational merit program of some kind - to a 'rich kid' school. The author wants us to believe that every single authority figure in the school believes that this Hispanic girl with good grades and impeccable references who happened to have made it as the top choice to be admitted... is suddenly the *ONLY* troublemaker in the school, worthy of constant derision, detentions, and expulsion threats. Really. Because if the trouble started when she came, then it's definitely her fault, not the students who won't accept her. Right?
Second, we have Isaac, who for no good reason (and with no explanation to us that's credible) changes his name to Terrence and disappears off the map, just to *happen* to land in the small Connecticut town where his one true (high school) love resides. Coinkidink, much?! And we're also called to believe that even though his one true love was a short dark haired girl who wanted to be a voice actress and was treated poorly and came from downtown New Haven and a bad family home setting... he can't imagine that she's the same person as the short dark haired girl who's a voice actress, treated poorly at her job, here, who's originally from New Haven. So what if the two have the same birthday? Couldn't *POSSIBLY* be the same girl...!
Third, Isaac/Terrence has gone blind. Five years later, he's still completely inept at getting around without being led by a person, sporting a seeing eye dog that isn't even trained to heel on a leash (!?) and in spite of renouncing his family and rebuffing his fortune, he lives in a mansion and steals tech to make an eye gadget so at the end of the book, he can see? No such tech exists... but we should definitely suspend more reality for it, because some books sacrifice their own integrity for 'happily ever after' with scads of money and non-existent cures.
I was seriously disappointed.
.
.
.
.
.
.
This is a Cinderella story done modern, with a completely unbelievable ending. And middle. And beginning. I had some *serious* issues with this book.
First, we have the scenes where Nina is a young girl. The only poor girl admitted on an educational merit program of some kind - to a 'rich kid' school. The author wants us to believe that every single authority figure in the school believes that this Hispanic girl with good grades and impeccable references who happened to have made it as the top choice to be admitted... is suddenly the *ONLY* troublemaker in the school, worthy of constant derision, detentions, and expulsion threats. Really. Because if the trouble started when she came, then it's definitely her fault, not the students who won't accept her. Right?
Second, we have Isaac, who for no good reason (and with no explanation to us that's credible) changes his name to Terrence and disappears off the map, just to *happen* to land in the small Connecticut town where his one true (high school) love resides. Coinkidink, much?! And we're also called to believe that even though his one true love was a short dark haired girl who wanted to be a voice actress and was treated poorly and came from downtown New Haven and a bad family home setting... he can't imagine that she's the same person as the short dark haired girl who's a voice actress, treated poorly at her job, here, who's originally from New Haven. So what if the two have the same birthday? Couldn't *POSSIBLY* be the same girl...!
Third, Isaac/Terrence has gone blind. Five years later, he's still completely inept at getting around without being led by a person, sporting a seeing eye dog that isn't even trained to heel on a leash (!?) and in spite of renouncing his family and rebuffing his fortune, he lives in a mansion and steals tech to make an eye gadget so at the end of the book, he can see? No such tech exists... but we should definitely suspend more reality for it, because some books sacrifice their own integrity for 'happily ever after' with scads of money and non-existent cures.
I was seriously disappointed.
February 1, 2014
Irene hasn't has the best childhood. At the age of 17 she was taken into foster care her named was changed and she never looked back. Fast forward 9 years, shes swamped with bills, has a couple jobs, her life isn't bad but it could be better. When she is offered a job as a personal assistant for a blind man she takes him up on his offer.
Terrence has enough of his family and dropped all ties once his trust fund came him. He's a highly educated man working and had in a short amount of time become blind. Not wanting to take advantage of a researcher that works for him, he gets himself a personal assistant. She seems to be everything she needs and she is oddly familiar. Terrence once loved a girl and when she disappeared without a trace he couldn't help but compare every one to her. He just can't get her out of his mind. Could he really get over his past girl to really be with Irene?
Now although I really loved this book I wished that there was more of a mystery when it came to their identities, I wished there was more conflict but that's okay this book was sweet all the way. I enjoyed the characters. I was really curious to seeing more of Irene's room mate friend, she was very fun and understanding. I loved that even if Terrence was loaded he wasn't a snob about it. This book was well written. The steamy scenes were great. I overall really enjoyed this book. 4 of 5 stars!
Terrence has enough of his family and dropped all ties once his trust fund came him. He's a highly educated man working and had in a short amount of time become blind. Not wanting to take advantage of a researcher that works for him, he gets himself a personal assistant. She seems to be everything she needs and she is oddly familiar. Terrence once loved a girl and when she disappeared without a trace he couldn't help but compare every one to her. He just can't get her out of his mind. Could he really get over his past girl to really be with Irene?
Now although I really loved this book I wished that there was more of a mystery when it came to their identities, I wished there was more conflict but that's okay this book was sweet all the way. I enjoyed the characters. I was really curious to seeing more of Irene's room mate friend, she was very fun and understanding. I loved that even if Terrence was loaded he wasn't a snob about it. This book was well written. The steamy scenes were great. I overall really enjoyed this book. 4 of 5 stars!
January 26, 2014
Chasing wishes is a story of two young people from opposite worlds. Nina gets a scholarship to an elite school where she is determined to better herself and escape her drug addicted mother. Nina suddenly finds herself the victim of bullying (as no one can accept the fact that she is poor and Hispanic). Isaac is the only person in the whole school that takes the time to get to know Nina and despite all the pressure from his mother and friends, he falls in love with her.
Nina gets placed in foster care just after her seventeenth birthday and not only loses Isaac but her identity.
Fast forward to the future, Nina is now Irene and earning a living making sandwiches while she waits for her voice over tapes to be accepted. She still misses Isaac and has never really gotten over him, that is until the day a blind man walks into the library and changes her world.
I loved this story by Nina Simonenko. I think her books just get better and better. The relationship between Terence and Irene was believable and beautiful and I kept my fingers and toes crossed that they would figure 'it' all out!
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review this book. I am sure it will be a huge success. I look forward to reading your next work!
Nina gets placed in foster care just after her seventeenth birthday and not only loses Isaac but her identity.
Fast forward to the future, Nina is now Irene and earning a living making sandwiches while she waits for her voice over tapes to be accepted. She still misses Isaac and has never really gotten over him, that is until the day a blind man walks into the library and changes her world.
I loved this story by Nina Simonenko. I think her books just get better and better. The relationship between Terence and Irene was believable and beautiful and I kept my fingers and toes crossed that they would figure 'it' all out!
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review this book. I am sure it will be a huge success. I look forward to reading your next work!
February 3, 2014
I received this book as an ARC for a honest review!
And let me just say.....THANK YOU! I was at the point where every book sounded the same! This book surprised me! It was so refreshing to read a story with a completely different and original storyline! I LOVED it! Irene/Nina has had a horrible childhood but it makes her a very strong person. I love the fact that she doesn't see herself that way too. She is extremely funny! Terrance is HOT and a complete gentleman! I totally did not expect the disability thing. But it added to his character! He is funny and sexy! When you realize they are both looking for the same thing, you immediately are on the edge of your seat...waiting....hoping....their love story is beautiful! I would so pay to see this in the movies!
I love that the author did not have a ton of "fluff" in the story. (Useless info that really doesn't matter) i read a review so where that said thAt they felt the author rushed the ending! I totally disagree! she didn't drag out the drama to fill up the pages if the book! I LOVE that! Nadia Simonenko has made me a fan!
And let me just say.....THANK YOU! I was at the point where every book sounded the same! This book surprised me! It was so refreshing to read a story with a completely different and original storyline! I LOVED it! Irene/Nina has had a horrible childhood but it makes her a very strong person. I love the fact that she doesn't see herself that way too. She is extremely funny! Terrance is HOT and a complete gentleman! I totally did not expect the disability thing. But it added to his character! He is funny and sexy! When you realize they are both looking for the same thing, you immediately are on the edge of your seat...waiting....hoping....their love story is beautiful! I would so pay to see this in the movies!
I love that the author did not have a ton of "fluff" in the story. (Useless info that really doesn't matter) i read a review so where that said thAt they felt the author rushed the ending! I totally disagree! she didn't drag out the drama to fill up the pages if the book! I LOVE that! Nadia Simonenko has made me a fan!
January 30, 2014
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review, so here it is. This is a perfect modern fairy tale and I loved it. Nina gets the chance to better her life by going to a private school but her classmates hate her from the start. They give her hell every single day. When Isaac, a guy from the right side of the tracks, tries to help her she is very suspicious. But why wouldn't she be, he is friends with these students. But he is on her side and helps her though most of it. She only wishes to be someone else and with a future. Well when her wish comes true, she looses Isaac. Can she find him after nine years? Will he even remember her? While Isaac moves on with his life, he still remembers Nina and is searching for her. And she is no where to be found. When Irene meets Terrance, he seems familiar to her but maybe it is just his eyes, they are so close to Isaac' eyes. What will happen if they find each other? This is a perfect happily ever after story. Another great job by Nadia Simonenko.
February 4, 2014
This is a beautiful and sweet reading, really good book!
This story starts with Nina and Isaac. Nina had a poor upbringing, a mother who doesn't care about her, and she suffered all type of prejudice, the people were really cruel to her. Isaac a rich young man were the only person who cares about her, and he had promised her no matters what they will stay together. But fate separated them.
Nina is now Irene and nine years after, she can't forget Isaac.
But destiny brings Terrence in her life, a rich man, friendly,and caring ,which makes her rembembers of Isaac, because they are so similar.
Will Irene gives Terrence a chance and forget about Isaac? Finally will she be able to have her happily ever after?
Start reading now to discover...
Thank you Nadia for the copy provided. Very good writing! Congrats!
This story starts with Nina and Isaac. Nina had a poor upbringing, a mother who doesn't care about her, and she suffered all type of prejudice, the people were really cruel to her. Isaac a rich young man were the only person who cares about her, and he had promised her no matters what they will stay together. But fate separated them.
Nina is now Irene and nine years after, she can't forget Isaac.
But destiny brings Terrence in her life, a rich man, friendly,and caring ,which makes her rembembers of Isaac, because they are so similar.
Will Irene gives Terrence a chance and forget about Isaac? Finally will she be able to have her happily ever after?
Start reading now to discover...
Thank you Nadia for the copy provided. Very good writing! Congrats!
February 9, 2014
My first 'favorite' of 2014. Yayyy.
I want to cry because i'm so happy.
This book was superb. Even Ryan Gosling approves
I love the plot and the progression of this book. The pace wasn't slow and it didn't drag on and I found myself grinning since I haven't read a book in a while which didn't leave me bored, unsatisfied and thinking ...
The relationship between the two characters made my heart melt.
I want to cry because i'm so happy.
This book was superb. Even Ryan Gosling approves
I love the plot and the progression of this book. The pace wasn't slow and it didn't drag on and I found myself grinning since I haven't read a book in a while which didn't leave me bored, unsatisfied and thinking ...
The relationship between the two characters made my heart melt.
January 24, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Chasing Wishes is a sweet story of Nina, a poor, bullied Latina girl from the wrong side of the tracks and of Isaac, the sweet, rich boy who falls in love with her in high school. One day in school, Nina is taken away by Child Protective Services and loses contact with Isaac. Nine years later Nina, who now goes by Irene, ends up working for a rich, blind man named Terrence who reminds her of Isaac.
I enjoyed reading this story about Nina and Isaac. It is a second chance, happily ever after that discusses bullying and class distinction. There was not a lot of unnecessary drama, which I am not a fan of in romance novels and no cliff hanger. It was a quick read for me, but definitely worth it.
Chasing Wishes is a sweet story of Nina, a poor, bullied Latina girl from the wrong side of the tracks and of Isaac, the sweet, rich boy who falls in love with her in high school. One day in school, Nina is taken away by Child Protective Services and loses contact with Isaac. Nine years later Nina, who now goes by Irene, ends up working for a rich, blind man named Terrence who reminds her of Isaac.
I enjoyed reading this story about Nina and Isaac. It is a second chance, happily ever after that discusses bullying and class distinction. There was not a lot of unnecessary drama, which I am not a fan of in romance novels and no cliff hanger. It was a quick read for me, but definitely worth it.
January 30, 2014
*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Where do I start? I guess I'll start with this--I loved this book. Not to gush, but Nadia Simonenko is an amazing storyteller. She is truly a talented writer. The story flows so well. Her characters have such real voices. While some of the elements of the story are a bit fantastical, it only adds to the beauty of the story. I would compare it to the movie August Rush...where the likelyhood of it happening in real life is slim, but the story is so beautiful, that you want it to be real, you almost need it to be real. Seriously, read this book!
Where do I start? I guess I'll start with this--I loved this book. Not to gush, but Nadia Simonenko is an amazing storyteller. She is truly a talented writer. The story flows so well. Her characters have such real voices. While some of the elements of the story are a bit fantastical, it only adds to the beauty of the story. I would compare it to the movie August Rush...where the likelyhood of it happening in real life is slim, but the story is so beautiful, that you want it to be real, you almost need it to be real. Seriously, read this book!
January 30, 2014
I received it in exchange of an honest review and... WOW!!!!! AMAZING!!! Powerful and emotional, very well written with a great story, wonderful characters and amazing sexy sweetness this book is a page turner!!!! I cried, i laughed, i wanted to protect Nina, to kiss Isaac, to take care of Terrence and hug Irene!!! This story is so powerful that it makes you feel all the way!!! I had butterflies in my stomach all along and i couldn't stop reading!!!! A real heart fluttering and intense read!!!! Full on pleasure!!! Terrence and Irene welcome to my best couples' list!!!! Nadia Simonenko thumbs up!!!!
January 27, 2014
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a very pleasant surprise. I was hooked from the description and I was not disappointed! I enjoyed both main characters and the alternating past and present chapters flowed well. Of course I wanted "The Big Secret" to come out sooner in the story but I think the way it all played out was great and I always love an awesome epilogue!
Thanks so much to Nadia for the opportunity to read this book :)
This book was a very pleasant surprise. I was hooked from the description and I was not disappointed! I enjoyed both main characters and the alternating past and present chapters flowed well. Of course I wanted "The Big Secret" to come out sooner in the story but I think the way it all played out was great and I always love an awesome epilogue!
Thanks so much to Nadia for the opportunity to read this book :)
January 30, 2014
**ARC** recieved for a honest review. Once upon a time.... Nina meet a boy named Isaac. He seemed nice and even stuck up for her. They were perfect for each other even if they were from different sides of the track. One night, everything changes. How will this fairy tale end? Will Nina & Isaac live happily ever after?
A wonderful, simple, modern fairy tale that put the girl from the wrong side with the boy from the right side.
A wonderful, simple, modern fairy tale that put the girl from the wrong side with the boy from the right side.
February 11, 2014
I stayed up way past my bedtime last night because I just had to know how this love story ended! I absolutely loved this book! Well-written and original, I was totally lost in this heartbreaking story. For someone who has a hard time connecting to the heroine, I loved Nina from the beginning and her don't-give-up attitude. Glad to have discovered another great writer! No cliffhanger, standalone.
January 31, 2014
I loved this book, it was really different to lost and found which I loved dearly, Nadia Simonenko is such a good author she really makes you feel part of the characters, which may I add were adorable, I cant wait to read more of Nadias work because I know im in for a fantastic read, well done Nadia for such a great book :)♥♥♥♥♥
December 5, 2014
This book sucked me in from the beginning! I read it in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down! It's been awhile since I've read a good romance like this! The characters were perfect, the setting was perfect, just an all around great read! I definitely recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews