Read the entire Debbie Macomber Blossom Street Series in order. 1)THE SHOP ON BLOSSOM STREET: There's a little yarn shop on Blossom Street in Seattle. It's owned by Lydia Hoffman, and it represents her dream of a new life free from cancer. A life that offers a chance at love . 2) A GOOD YARN: Lydia Hoffman owns the shop on Blossom Street. In the year since it opened, A Good Yarn has thrived and so has Lydia. 3) BACK ON BLOSSOM STREET: There's a new shop on Seattle's Blossom Street flower store called Susannah's Garden, right next door to A Good Yarn. Susannah Nelson, the owner, has just hired a young widow named Colette Blake. 4) TWENTY WISHES: Anne Marie Roche wants to find happiness again. At thirty-eight, her life's not what she'd expected - she's childless, a recent widow, alone. She owns a successful bookstore on Seattle's Blossom Street, but despite her accomplishments, there's a feeling of emptiness. 5) SUMMER ON BLOSSOM STREET: Knitting and Life. They are both about beginnings and endings.
Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber is a feel-good, easy reading novel and my first book by Ms. Macomber.
Blurb: Mourning the loss of their loved ones a group of Seattle widows meet once monthly. As a support group of sorts they draw strength from each to deal with their devastating loss.
*Spoilers*
What attracted me the most to Twenty Wishes was the theme of grief. Having lost two loved ones in a five-month span I was eager to see how the author depicted grief-stricken characters. And, I think Ms. Macomber does a decent job at tackling a delicate subject. In fact, when two of the widows fall in love again the author sends a powerful message: We can live and love again.
Another thought-provoking concept was that of making a list of twenty wishes. I think making a list allowed the widows (and others grieving in real life) to hope again. I’m considering starting a list of my own .
The story line in Twenty Wishes is authentic and the characters credible. Regarding conflict and tension, there was little of it, so I can say much to that point. Of the dozen characters portrayed in the book several were underdeveloped, but somehow the story flows anyway.
Twenty Wishes is charming and likable. The book is a worthy read for anyone going through the grieving process. I give Twenty Wishes three stars.