The Wishing Tree

by Barbara Winkes

Anything to make her wish come true...

Ana wants nothing more than Christmas like it used to be, when she felt loved and accepted by her family. Her last resort is the town of Angel Falls where people come from all over the country to hang their wishes on the famous wishing tree.

Stevie, who doesn’t believe in magic or Christmas, wants to help her best friend, so she agrees to join her on the trip to Angel Falls.

The perfect holiday might not turn out to be what either one of them imagined, but it comes with a sweet surprise nonetheless…

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, Christmas, Holiday, LGBT, Friends To Lovers

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2024

About the author

Barbara Winkes writes suspense and romance with lesbian characters at the center. She has always loved stories in which women persevere and lift each other up. Expect high drama and happy endings.

Discover a variety of genres, serial and standalone. Women loving women always take the lead.

Reviews

[Rene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. The story was sweet and the town known for its magical tree was amazing. The main characters were perfect for each other, and the side characters were all incredible. This was well written and left me wishing Christmas lasted longer.

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet holiday romance!

Stevie just wants to help her best friend, Ana, to have a special Christmas with all the magic she remembers from before things got complicated with her family. Going to Angel Falls to hang their wishes of a famous wishing tree, they both get more than they expected this Christmas.

Absolutely loved how sweet and heartfelt this story was. Stevie had my heart right from the very beginning with her selflessness in making sure they did something to brighten Ana’s mood during the Christmas season. They couldn’t have picked a more perfect destination, which was very picturesque and completely magical. It was the setting that really added the spark into their relationship growing beyond friendship, and encouraging Stevie to get in the Christmas spirit and reignite her spark for the magical time it could be.

There was of course some sombre moments, especially for Ana and they helped to understand why she was so sad about Christmas time. Those moments gave us a chance to get to know her intimately and empathise with the situation she’d come into with her family not accepting her identity. I really felt the belief she had in the power of the Wishing Tree though, and it was infectious not only for the reader but for Stevie. You could literally feel the turning points where although a sceptic, she was hoping for the wish to be granted on Ana’s behalf.

A lovely, magical, sweet romance to get you in the Christmas mood.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet and cozy quick Christmas read! Friends to lovers, forced proximity (sort of) only one bed, small town with some found family included. Ana and Stevie and the town of Angel Falls, along with a magical Wishing Tree and cozy Christmas Inn, will definitely get you in the Christmas mood or keep you in it!

[Robin Clairvaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully soft and sweet!

Ana and Stevie drive to Christmasy tourist destination Angel Falls so Ana can pin her hopes for her family’s acceptance of her identity on the town’s famous Wishing Tree. But as the magic of the holiday surroundings draws Stevie and Ana together, they begin to realize the answers to their Christmas wishes may just have been closer than they imagined.

The Wishing Tree is a delightfully soft and sweet sapphic romance that sparkles with holiday joy. It’s clear from the start that Ana and Stevie’s relationship is special, but watching them figure it out for themselves with the help of a charming Christmas retreat is heartwarming and fun. Ana’s struggle with her family’s acceptance is relatable and realistic, and it makes her gradual awareness of the love and kindness of community that can be found elsewhere even more poignant. Stevie’s journey from Christmas cynic to true believer in holiday magic is entertaining, and readers will find themselves making the leap of faith right along with her.

For anyone sorely in need of a lift in spirits this season, this sapphic friends-to-lovers romance is a Christmas wish come true.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming cute Christmas story. It also contains a surprising level of tension that keeps one turning pages all the way through.

[Stephanie Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

It bad, but nothing special, kind of boring.

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ana and Stevie have been best friends almost from the moment they met. Ana has a homophobic family and an ex who has recently dumped her. Stevie has a supportive family and no romantic involvement,
Ana asks Stevie to go to Angel Falls with her do that she can put a wish on the Wishing Tree hoping for acceptance and love from her family and her ex.
With tropes of only one bed, road-trip and friends to lovers this is a beautiful festive book showing that you’re not stuck with the family you’re born into, and that you can find your own instead.

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stevie's bestie Ana is down over being dumped and family stuff. She wants to go to the Wishing Tree, to make a wish and, maybe, fix things. Stevie is dubious, but she has the time off and it's for a friend.

After being dumped and her family not accepting her, Ana is down. She hopes the visit to Angel Falls will help, plus she's going with her bestie, Stevie.

Only one bed!

The town is extremely friendly, so much so Stevie is a bit suspicious. She's also working on a plan to help Ana.

When locals mistake them for a couple, Ana decides to go along. Especially as she's having certain... feelings towards her.

Stevie tries to call Ana's Mom, it goes badly and Ana gets angry. They fight, but Ana accepts her intentions were good. They get snowed in, and Ana confesses her feelings, which Stevie returns.

Surprise visit!

Good wrap up. Im glad there was no magic resolution, but some stuff got fixed.

4 out of 5 stars.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Winkes starting off my holiday season right! I love her Christmas stories so much and this one was absolutely lovely. Stevie and Ana are both incredibly likable characters and they both have their own things going on. Ana's issues with her family made my heart hurt for her and the third act drama was almost too much for me and my emotions. I completely understood where Stevie was coming from and what she was trying to do but damn did she make a huge mess of things. Once we get past all of that though and the two reveal their feelings for each other it was great. It delivers on all of the Christmas vibes and I adored it. Great, cozy little read.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cosy Christmas novella. It’s easy to make a wish. But sometimes it’s not, even in a small town with a Wishing Tree all set up. Christmas should be shared with your family. But families are often fickle. So instead, share it with the one you love instead. Of course you have to tell them that first, and they can be the few most difficult words to say. Thank you to Barbara Winkes and Jae for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Carolyn G. Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Wishes

Ana and Stevie have been friends since meeting during senior year in high school. When Ana had come out, her family had not been accepting and wanted her to get fixed. Asking Stevie to go with her to Angel Falls so she could make a wish on the Wishing Tree was a grasp for happiness. Best friends really are forever.

[Anna Furtado · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of repeat angst to tell the story. Also, giving each person a chapter with their name at the start customarily means the chapter will be told in first person, so it was a little strange to find it was written in 3rd person. Two stars were mostly for the repetitive misery and anxiousness. The story had the potential to be lovely otherwise, but just wasn't quite there.

[Michael Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas wish

Ana and Stevie were good friends from childhood.. there are many hopes and fears in the story. Ana’s family does not accept that she is a lesbian and I really upsets her because she loves her family. They go to a town that has a wishing tree and they find out wishes do come true. I like this book and I recommend it for all romance readers.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Christmas romance

The character's are very likable . The town was magical and interesting. What more cou look d you want Christmas magic sweet friend s to lovers story. Thanks for a great feel good holiday read.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wishing tree was very beautiful and so sweet . Stevie and Ana were lovable characters. This is the perfect heartwarming romantic holiday story. I absolutely love it!

[Sandy Souder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute & Christmasy

I won't give anything away but cute story. I can certainly re!ate to.the fami!y issues as many of us can. Nice happier vet after

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful sapphic Christmas story. Winkes does a great job with developing the characters, setting, and plot in her books, and her Christmas stories are so sweet.

[maela ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"you've been the best friend i could ask for, all these years. but maybe i'm asking for more."

[Phyllis Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I loved this book. It was great that all the wishes came to Anna but it was also sad that her family didn't accept her as she was, but she found a family anyway.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

this was okay

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet Christmassy romance