Wish for it, Darling

by C.K. Franziska

Carena, still haunted by her mother’s death twenty years ago, receives an invitation to her sister’s wedding. Amidst her hectic departure, she unexpectedly crosses paths with a mysterious djinn who has silently guided her since her mother’s passing.

Unable to face the wedding alone, Carena brings the djinn as her fake companion and soon realizes he’s more than just wishes. However, their budding connection is threatened when Carena’s ex-fiancé, Leon, unexpectedly reappears, reopening old wounds and unearthing emotions she thought she had long buried.

Struggling to reconcile her past with her present, and despite her guarded heart, Carena finds herself drawn to the familiarity of her ex but also to the enigmatic djinn.

As the wedding weekend comes to an end, Carena must navigate the complexities of grief, love, and letting go as she enters a journey of self-discovery and healing.



Important Note

This book ends on a cliffhanger. Please be aware that this genie-reimagining isn’t just unicorns and rainbows. While there is spice mixed with humor, the main focus lies on coping with loss through the eyes of a person who has an unhealthy coping mechanism.

Other

early parental death

grief

forced proximity

failed engagement

abandonment issues

depression

aggressive behavior

unhealthy coping mechanisms

manipulation

explicit sex

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2024

About the author

C.K. Franziska is the author of the finished A Speck of Darkness Series, The Crymzon Chronicles, Wish for it Duet, and the Veil of Fire Series. She is the wife of a traveler, as well as the mother of two mini versions of herself and way too many pets. In her spare time, she is also a photographer, traveler, full-time entertainer, and animal lover. She does her best writing at night, at the beach listening to the waves, or while camping. C.K. loves to play make-believe, transporting readers to a place where heroes must step out of the seemingly endless cycle of family curses, where magic is as beautiful and untamable as we think, and where every person deserves to be celebrated.

Reviews

[Jenny•●♡●• · Rating 4 out of 5]

•○● Human wishes are so much more interesting than magic. To grant a human wish, you must fulfill a favor and go out of your way. It's more than just a snap of a finger. To grant my wish, the human must doch a Kind deed for someone else. It's a simple gesture that might not work out, but it's everything for just trying." ●○• Evander

Bevor ihr meine Rezension zu diesem Buch lest, möchte ich euch einladen 🤭
Dieses Buch wird ab diesem Zeitpunkt auf Reisen gehen. Wer es ebenfalls lesen möchte (mit meinen Kommentaren im Buch und bald noch mehreren), kann sich den Beitrag von @marie.bounded.fantasies auf Reado ansehen. Wenn ihr euch für eines oder mehr dieser Reisebücher interessiert, dann antwortet einfach auf den jeweiligen Kommentar. Würde mich freuen, wenn dieses Buch noch mehrere Stops haben kann.

MEINUNG:
Dieses Buch wurde bis jetzt noch nicht übersetzt, daher hab ichs einfach auf englisch gelesen 😋
Alleine die Optik macht so viel her ... love it. Jede Seite in Farbe🩵🩵
Aber auch der Inhalt war unterhaltsam. Ich wurde überrascht mit viel Humor, aber es wurden auch Traumata aufgearbeitet und dies so unscheinbar, dass ich nie das Gefühl hatte, therapiert zu werden. Es sind 250Seiten für 2-3 gemütliche Abende, in denen man sich einfach schön von einem Flaschengeist seine Wünsche erfüllen  lässt 🤭🩵
Der 🌶 🌶  fängt erst spät an, aber dafür geht's dann doch wahnsinnig zu Sache. Carena's Gefühlsdrama war dann doch ab und an ein wenig anstrengend, aber Evander hat es wieder entschärft.

Von mir für jetzt, an kalten Wintertagen, eine gemütliche Empfehlung. 🥰😍

KLAPPENTEXT:
Carena, still haunted by her mother’s death twenty years ago, receives an invitation to her sister’s wedding. Amidst her hectic departure, she unexpectedly crosses paths with a mysterious djinn who has silently guided her since her mother’s passing.

Unable to face the wedding alone, Carena brings the djinn as her fake companion and soon realizes he’s more than just wishes. However, their budding connection is threatened when Carena’s ex-fiancé, Leon, unexpectedly reappears, reopening old wounds and unearthing emotions she thought she had long buried.

Struggling to reconcile her past with her present, and despite her guarded heart, Carena finds herself drawn to the familiarity of her ex but also to the enigmatic djinn.

As the wedding weekend comes to an end, Carena must navigate the complexities of grief, love, and letting go as she enters a journey of self-discovery and healing.

[✨Rissa✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This romantasy takes place in modern times with a little twist of magic. The story follows Carena a successful businesswoman and Evander the genie from her childhood as they attend her younger sister’s wedding. While Carena has her plan for how the weekend will go, Evander has his own plan. This story will give you all the feels and even had me crying because Carena is such a relatable character for me. This book releases May 1st but I’m already looking forward to the second book!

[Printessan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked on this book from the very first page. It has a cozy flow throughout the book which, together with the book's plot, makes it difficult to put it down. But unfortunately life gets in the way so it took a little longer to read.
The book is about Carena who devotes her life to her job and has a hard time letting anyone into her life since her mother passed away when she was younger. Her sister is getting married and she didn't want to go there by herself but for various reasons there is no one who can go with her. She decides to drive past her grandmother's house, which is empty. Where she meets Evander and the adventure begins.
I recommend you read the book to find out what happens.
I'm looking forward to book #2. I need to know what happens given the cliffhanger the book ends with.

This is the first book I read written by C.K Franziska. Am very grateful that I had the chance to be one of her ARC readers for this book. I will also buy her other books. Monsteress and the other books in that series. I really love the covers of the books and they sound exciting.
I give it 4.5 STARS

[Nattievflo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever obsessed with C.K. Franziska’s work. Thank you for letting me read your work! I received an ARC of Wish for It, Darling by C.K. Franziska and finished it in one day!
I was surprised in how quickly she was able to release another book after the completion of the Crymzon Chronicles. She did not disappoint with Wish For It, Darling either. The cover is beautiful!
It was a slow start but you are immediately sucked into the story and are unable to put it down until the end! The book does end on a cliffhanger and while I dislike those it makes me eager to know her work is not over yet!! I really enjoyed how I was able to keep up with all the characters on the story and how they all fit so well into everything. Her book made me laugh, made me tear up, made me angry, made me feel all the feels.
As always - aside from her storyline - C.K.’s descriptive world building is so thoroughly written out. She never misses anything and it makes you feel like you’re a character in the book.
I will say my least favorite character is Carena’s (FMC) ex but I also love what he walks into…you’ll have to read to find that out.
I can’t wait for more!!

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this so much. It made me feel very possible emotion. Carena starts as a woman who used work as a way to keep from dealing with the pain and trauma of losing her mother at an early age. Before heading across the country for her sister's wedding she stops at her house for a sense of peace. While there she comes across a lap she hadn't seen in 20 years. She rubs it to clean it but ends up coming face to face with Evander..a djinn. She comes up with a wild idea to drag him along to the wedding as her plus one. From that point on neither of their lives would ever be the same.

[Janneke RS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned about het books through tiktok. And the first I read where the Crymzon chronicles, and those are so good!
I didn't know what to expect from these, if it was the same or...
And it is so different, but still so good!
Love the banter, the characters and the development of the story. Beside a romantasy it's also a story of healing.
Well written and so much worth reading

[Amber Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 the book is really good, I just think there were times that the FMC got on my nerves. but still great!

[ryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book I read that was written by C.K. Franziska and it was definitely worth it. I received the ARC of Wish it, Darling by C.K. Franziska. It is a short book, but it keeps you hooked all throughout the story. I loved learning about Carena and Evandor’s life.

It was a quick read even with work in the way and it was hard to put the book down. I didn’t have trouble keeping up with who everyone was and enjoyed the story. It did leave off with a cliff hanger(which isn’t always my favorite), but I am excited to see what happens.

Carena and Evandor have my heart. 😊

[Kim reads ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Please note that the review was written as I was reading the chapters.*

I think the beginning feels a bit rushed. I would have liked to see some memories of her younger self with him in the attic, or how they first met and interacted before the new reunion—a little more context. But aside from that, I’m enjoying their interaction; I feel the story is really flowing, perhaps a bit rushed, but that’s what keeps me reading chapter after chapter.

I just wish she would get over Leon already. I get it, it was an engagement, but he—knowing her so well—should understand that she’s not materialistic. She didn’t care about the money as long as she was with him; it was just an excuse for his cold feet. And after all the damage he caused, she’s still drooling over him 🙄.

Her ingratitude toward Evander, who has been fulfilling her every wish all this time, is exasperating. She’s acting so petty; why does she have to be so rude and cruel to Evander? Even the gift he gave her of her mother was so thoughtful, and yet she wished she had never met him in return? Come on! Her sister is constantly rude to her, and she just stays quiet, but the moment Evander tries to help her, she explodes. He’s too good for her.

Okay, I finished it, and I have mixed feelings. I really loved the book, but I couldn’t fully connect with Carena. Her stubbornness was frustrating, and every time she confronted her emotions, she took it out on Evander, which was so unfair. Towards the end, I felt the resolution was rushed, and she never apologized to Evander for treating him so poorly. It felt like she didn’t truly overcome her traumas; she just accepted them, and that was it. Her pride made everything worse.

On the other hand, Evander was always there for her, trying to support her despite her attitude.

[Ariana Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 star read for me. I rounded up because it’s definitely more deserving of 4 stars than 3.

Carena has been running from feelings and her family for so long she doesn’t know how to do anything different. She’s successful and always busy. So when she needs to go to her cabins for her sister’s winter wonderland wedding she tries to bring a date.

Heading back to her grandma’s house based on a nagging old memory that she isn’t sure is real she finds a beautiful lamp that calls to her. And realizes that they were real, all her memories of him

Evander, a djinn, has been keeping on eye on Carena and granting her wishes since childhood. This causes her to face some hard truths and wonder what she truly wants.

He comes with her as a fake boyfriend for the wedding weekend. And breaks down her walls little by little. When she’s faced with her ex she realizes how horrible he truly was and is grateful for Evander standing up for her.

However, she doesn’t want to let her emotional walls down and tries to throw herself back into work. But that doesn’t go to plan.

This is a really quick story. And things don’t get fleshed out as much as I would have liked. But the ends seems to wrap up nicely. Until you read the last paragraph. And are left on a cliff! With so many more questions.

[JabberwockyStories · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for an ARC for an honest review!

The premise of this book was exciting but I felt we could have had more depth in the characters. I wanted to love Carena more but her I kept wanting to reach through the book and shake her. With that said, the grief and stress she is working through felt so realistic. She's such a an understandable character in that way of having a hard time processing everything that life hits her with.

I wanted to hear more of Evander's POV. I loved him and the way he tried to care for Carena and uplift her even though she didn't want it (stubborn girlie).

This book is challenging for me to rate as I enjoyed the story but I think I read it in a time where my mentality couldn't produce the love and joy found in the book. I found Carena too annoying at times and found the presence of Leon wasn't needed for her to work through that failed relationship. I wanted Carena to be able to talk through and work out why that relationship failed and love herself more. I am happy to see the sibling relationship bloom more (though the shower scene I could have done without).

Triggers to be mindful when reading: Female MC works through grief of a parent, a failed engagement, abandonment issues, and depression.

[Stephanie Preece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice Rating 🌶🌶🌶

I was really to be a part of the ARC for Beg for it, Darling but I didn't feel right not knowing the previous story So I ended up reading this novel first to fully understand the plot and characters going forward.

This was a really light, romantasy read after having some time off from reading. A short, cosy but spicy read, featuring a fake boyfriend, a hot djinn, forced proximity all in a beautiful mountain wedding setting.

The storyline, characters, and banter blended so well throughout the development of the story. Besides a romantasy, it's a story of healing.

Going deeper, it had themes of dealing with the loss of a parent and unhealthy coping mechanisms, learning to heal after numerous traumatic events, and growing in confidence and self-esteem.

After the cliffhanger ending, I'm thoroughly looking forward to reading the conclusion of Carena and Evanders' story.

🖤 Romantasy
🖤 Fake Boyfriend
🖤 Hot Djinn MMC
🖤 Emotionally Guarded FMC
🖤 Spice
🖤 Cliffhanger Ending
🖤 Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
🖤 Abandonment Issues
🖤 Genie in a Bottle
🖤 Fake Dating
🖤 Mountains Setting
🖤 Parental Loss
🖤 Forced Proximity

[Jessica J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was extremely lucky to be an ARC reader for C.K. Franziska. This is actually the first book of hers I've read and let me tell you, I want to read them all now!!! As soon as I started reading this I did not put it down till it was done it was that good!
Her ability to make you feel like you're in the book is incredible. Her world building is amazing and as if you are watching it on a screen.... just incredible. Not only that but literally EVERY emotion surfaced while reading this book.
The FMC is a strong, stubborn and ultimately loving woman. The MMC is the djinn... a very sexy, intelligent, take no shit loving man. There are 2 characters that I despise though, the ex (obviously lol) and the sister (you'll see).The spice is woooonderful and tastefully done.
I will scream from the rooftops about how great this book is. It does end on a cliffhanger which I hate to love.
Run don't walk to get this book, you won't be disappointed!!

[Kimberly Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started and finished within the day 🤗 I simply couldn’t put it down. The story is set in modern day and our FMC Carena, has been put through the wringer since childhood. At the age of 10 she looses her mother and herself by trying to fill the void for her siblings Adde & Atlas, as well as help her father Auton, raise them. She comes across a Djinn named Evander in her Grandmother’s attic.

The story starts with Carena, the workaholic family manager trying to pack for her sister’s wedding that she’s been planning. She tries to secure a last minute date with her booty call but has forgotten that people need notice before planning a weekend get away. As a last minute pit stop Carena stops off at her grandmas house that she has inherited and re-finds the lamp that she thought was just in her imagination 🤗 And then the real magic begins. Can’t wait for book 2 Beg for it, Darling.

[KflipinP · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️! A young woman going to a siblings wedding stumbles across an old lamp at her grandmother’s. She remembers it as a child. She cleans the lamp and a man appears. She takes him along to the wedding as her plus one. She lost her mom young and this man has helped her all this time granting her wishes. Her ex is at the wedding and that stirs a bunch of emotions. The djinn helps her any way he can and able. She struggles with trying to hold it all together for everyone around her and just living carefree. Towards the end you learn how the djinn came to be and am left to wait for the next book with the ending hinting at the djinns past possibly catching up to him! Ugh… I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK! 🥰

[Brittany Posey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish for it, Darling was a very surprising romance. The first page alone grabs your full attention by the scene being played out. The combination of a modern world and magic mixes so well together. Carena, oh how my heart felt for her and everything she went through since she was 10. Evander himself even has a but of a tragic past as well. Oh, and let me add that he is a djjin (genie)!!! So much happens during a 4 day span, a wedding, dealing with an ex fiance, heartbreak, family issues, and so much more. Yet those 4 days were exactly what Carena needed to discover what she really wanted for herself. The ending was just wow and left me shocked and hopping it means a second book is in the works. C. K. Franziska did such an amazing job with this book.

[Georgia McMorris · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s lots of parts about this book that I enjoyed and really loved. I loved the themes present and the romance. I have never read a mythical romance before, especially one like this.

The only part for me that was a little bit iffy was that he kept referring to when he knew her as a child. This is challenging territory because since he’s a djinn, I assume he’s kind of like an immortal being. But it still felt weird to me when he would talk about watching her grow up since she was a kid and then having sex with her a few pages later. That felt weird…

The ending definitely did leave me with questions though, so curious to find out if there is going to be a second book and what happens next.

[Monique Vala · Rating 4 out of 5]

A steamy short story about letting go of the past, forgiving yourself, moving on and of course finding new Love.

Carena, the oldest of three siblings, was ten years old when her mother died suddenly. She grew up over one night, helping her Father to take care of her younger siblings.

At her sisters wedding, she meats her ex fiancé, but her new "fake" boyfriend, makes her heart beats faster again and feeling those feelings again, makes her afraid of going through the same thing again as with her ex.

Love this book, all about second chances, forgiveness and moving on. Read if you don't believe me

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this 4 stars because it won't let me do 4.5 stars. The only reason I didn't rate it 5 is because it ends in a cliffhanger. I love the chemistry between Evander and Carena. He's my new book boyfriend. He has a wicked sense of humor. I enjoyed watching Carena come to terms with all that is her life. I love how Evander encourages and supports...even when she doesn't realize it or know about it. Her family is interesting and exhausting...haven't we all been there? The ex....I'll let you make your own decision on that one.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I eat it I devoted it I loved it.

The writing is good the plot is good the spicy is good, i love the main characters I hated the ex and the sister.

I like that was left on a cliffhanger because this is the first for a serie and it was a good cliffhanger leaving me to want more.

Favorite character is the Genie loved his banter.

I normally don't cry but she pulled my string with some scenes on this book specially because i could relate to the main character in many aspects.

Can't wait for the next, great job on this one you slayed it ❤️

[Sara Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book. This book has fake dating, ex fiance, genie in the bottle, loss of a parent and learning how to move on. I have to say the genie who also call Djinn have been helping our MFC for years and watching her. And our MMC the genie seem to whatever it take to help her with thing she feel like she don't need help with. Also this book had spice and let me tell you... well I don't wanna spoil the book for you. Trust me this book is worth it

[Dalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about Carena that at the young age on 10 she lost her mother. While at her grandmothers she met Evander for the first time. As she grew up, she always had him in the back of her mind. She thought she had imagined him. An amazing twist is that he is real and has cared for her whole life. Evander helps her and her family learn about self-love and forgiveness and learning to cope with trauma. The spice was well written and had me blushing.

[Mackenzie Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sat down, opened the book, didn’t get back up until I was finished with it. Such a good read! It has plot, spice, romance, & humor. What more could I ask for?? 5/5 for me, & will be reading more from C.K. Franziska. Thankful to be able to enjoy this book before the release date, & will be recommending to all my book friends!!

[AReadingPotaytoh 🧡 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when you find a djinn in your grandmas attic and decided to take him home to your family for your sisters wedding? Oh boy well do I have a story for you!
I had the privilege of being able to read this adorable story. It felt like a hallmark movie, if hallmark movies included hot supernatural men (djinn) and a dash of smut.
It was funny, sexy, and just all over a lovely story.

[Melissa Melmch · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 starts I enjoyed this book overall. The characters were relatable the genie was definitely my favourite character he had wit and was spicy I found this book to have a slow start but quickly picked up as I kept reading. I was lucky enough to get to read an advanced copy of this book and look forward to reading more of C.K. Fraziska’s books in the future

[Lauren Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this book oh my gosh! I love the way she wrote it and also the cliffhanger making me want more. I love that there will be a book 2 I so can’t wait to see what happens next no spoilers here! This book grabs your attention and doesn’t let go! I love the main characters Carena and Evander hate the ex! This is a must read add it to your tbr fast!

[Kylie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay first off the cover is beautiful! After this book I am a forever fan! I will say it was a slow start but it doesn’t take long to get sucked in. I finished it in two days and was left wanting more! The storyline and the characters made me laugh, cry, angry, and overall feel everything I’d ever want from a book. Definitely worth a read!

[PetraReads2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing to read and way more therapeutic than even I expected. As someone who lost her mom in a similar manner, I could relate so much to Carena and how she handled her trauma and grief. I don’t want to include spoilers because the gut punch that was her conversation with Atlas had me *bawling* and once again, I absolutely canNOT wait until the next book!

[iesha Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

i adore Franziskas writing style.
this book was a short read that kept me captivated the whole time.
the fmc stubborn as hell and the djinn who has been watching her for years.
i love reading about their developing relationship
and that spice!!!
this book didnt disappoint and i would def recommend it. i will be buying a physical copy for my trophy case

[Victoria Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

C. K. is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This book was phenomenal! Fast paced, fascinating, and spicy. The main character dealt with trauma that she carried through most of her life, while her genie (djinn) secretly watched her over the years. Luckily, the two finally met again and developed a relationship like no other ❤️