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One Wish
When Londoner Becky Greene moved to Ireland, she was ready for a fresh start - and to leave her dysfunctional family far behind. But when she discovers that she's pregnant, after a one-night stand, all of a sudden she suddenly has more than herself to think about.
Fast-forward four years and now her daughter Lilly is asking questions about her father. While tracking down high-flying property developer Dennis Prendergast is the last thing Becky wants to do, she knows that Lilly has a right to know who her father is. But when Becky finally locates Dennis, she discovers that his life has taken a very different route. And finding out he has a daughter is definitely not in his five-year plan.
Can people ever really change? As Becky comes to know the person Dennis is now, and a little more about herself, she begins to think that maybe people can.
Fast-forward four years and now her daughter Lilly is asking questions about her father. While tracking down high-flying property developer Dennis Prendergast is the last thing Becky wants to do, she knows that Lilly has a right to know who her father is. But when Becky finally locates Dennis, she discovers that his life has taken a very different route. And finding out he has a daughter is definitely not in his five-year plan.
Can people ever really change? As Becky comes to know the person Dennis is now, and a little more about herself, she begins to think that maybe people can.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2014
About the author
Maria Duffy
10 books56 followersI grew up in the heart of Dublin with my parents and older brother. Being a professional eavesdropper from an early age, I always loved to write about the things I heard and would exaggerate them into proper stories! I spent my childhood devouring books and vowing some day I'd write one myself. But life had other things in mind and after spending 15 years working in a bank, I subsequently left to be at home with my four children. Having lost a lot of confidence in my own ability, it seemed my dream of writing a book was moving further and further away from me. When my youngest started school four years ago and I finally had some 'me' time, I decided to pursue that dream. After having a few short stories published, I eventually got myself an agent and very quickly had a two book deal. My first book, Any Dream Will Do, was published in November 2011 and my latest one, The Terrace, is out now, August 2012. I adore writing and feel like the luckiest person in the world to wake up every morning and live my dream.
Find me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/maria.duffy.14
Find me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/maria.duffy.14
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 25, 2015
Thanks to author and Hachette Ireland for supplying an advance review copy of this book..............
Becky Greene is content with her lot. A great job in the bank, a lovely terraced home and a happy, healthy four year old daughter. Apart from her two best friends, she rarely goes out, but doesn't feel the need as she has everything she needs. Or does she? When her daughter asks her why she doesn't have a Daddy, Becky begins to question to decision to never tell Lilly's father about her existence. She thought they would be better off without him, in the long run, but now her daughter's curiosity is causing uneasy feelings about the situation. Thus, she begins her quest to find him and give him the shocking news that he has a four year old child. Considering the wild, flashy man she remembers, this could be a decision she regrets......
Maria Duffy's forth novel is one I have been watching the post for. Her previous novel, The Letter, was one of my first reviews and I was dying to see if this one was going to be as memorable. I was not disappointed. A story of secrets, rash decisions and fear of change and the unknown. Becky is a strong willed woman who has not only managed to raise her daughter alone but has also had a difficult childhood which she tries her best to forget. Her nanny, Alice, is a gem, and makes life that bit easier for the small family. She loves Lilly as if she were her own child and the reader gets a glimpse into the heartbroken mind of Alice as she keeps up a brave face. Becky's other friend, Kate, is a young, tough Irish girl who is trying to break into the world of modelling. The constant auditions and knock backs are affecting her more than anyone can see. Alongside the girl's tales, is the story of Dennis and how his life has changed since the recession and the collapse of the property market. Through his eyes, the reader can see how different a life can become, in a relatively short period of time. Circumstances can alter any of our lives, for the better, or for the worse.
I'm a big fan of Maria's writing. She uses delicate language, great insight into characters backgrounds and intriguing narrative. The subplots are just as interesting as the main story line and there's great locational detail of Dublin, both North and South. I found Becky a bit annoying at times, she seemed to expect her two friends to drop everything and come to her aide more than a few times, despite her being snappy and offensive at times. However, I really loved reading about Dennis and his dramatic change in circumstances and wonder how many people out there are facing similar fates? I started this just after lunchtime on a (rare) sunny day and had it finished by early evening. It had me flicking pages like it was an Olympic sport and I was going for gold! Warm, endearing and full of shockingly real story lines, I was sorry to turn the last page and say goodbye to these characters. This is a gold medal novel for Maria Duffy. Don't expect to get much done after turning to page one.....
Becky Greene is content with her lot. A great job in the bank, a lovely terraced home and a happy, healthy four year old daughter. Apart from her two best friends, she rarely goes out, but doesn't feel the need as she has everything she needs. Or does she? When her daughter asks her why she doesn't have a Daddy, Becky begins to question to decision to never tell Lilly's father about her existence. She thought they would be better off without him, in the long run, but now her daughter's curiosity is causing uneasy feelings about the situation. Thus, she begins her quest to find him and give him the shocking news that he has a four year old child. Considering the wild, flashy man she remembers, this could be a decision she regrets......
Maria Duffy's forth novel is one I have been watching the post for. Her previous novel, The Letter, was one of my first reviews and I was dying to see if this one was going to be as memorable. I was not disappointed. A story of secrets, rash decisions and fear of change and the unknown. Becky is a strong willed woman who has not only managed to raise her daughter alone but has also had a difficult childhood which she tries her best to forget. Her nanny, Alice, is a gem, and makes life that bit easier for the small family. She loves Lilly as if she were her own child and the reader gets a glimpse into the heartbroken mind of Alice as she keeps up a brave face. Becky's other friend, Kate, is a young, tough Irish girl who is trying to break into the world of modelling. The constant auditions and knock backs are affecting her more than anyone can see. Alongside the girl's tales, is the story of Dennis and how his life has changed since the recession and the collapse of the property market. Through his eyes, the reader can see how different a life can become, in a relatively short period of time. Circumstances can alter any of our lives, for the better, or for the worse.
I'm a big fan of Maria's writing. She uses delicate language, great insight into characters backgrounds and intriguing narrative. The subplots are just as interesting as the main story line and there's great locational detail of Dublin, both North and South. I found Becky a bit annoying at times, she seemed to expect her two friends to drop everything and come to her aide more than a few times, despite her being snappy and offensive at times. However, I really loved reading about Dennis and his dramatic change in circumstances and wonder how many people out there are facing similar fates? I started this just after lunchtime on a (rare) sunny day and had it finished by early evening. It had me flicking pages like it was an Olympic sport and I was going for gold! Warm, endearing and full of shockingly real story lines, I was sorry to turn the last page and say goodbye to these characters. This is a gold medal novel for Maria Duffy. Don't expect to get much done after turning to page one.....
July 5, 2014
One Wish has landed totally unexpectedly on my doorstep, but such surprises are usually the best ones, and, as I have never read a book by Maria Duffy before, I started reading it immediately. It's a book about new chances in life and about being open and not judgemental, and I love the title and the cover of this book. It's so beautiful and for me so full of hope, I don't know why but I just feel so. My absolute runner for my Cover of the Month.
One Wish is about Becky who, after a one - night stand became pregnant and her daughter Lilly is now four years old. As Lilly grows, she starts to asks questions about her Dad and this makes Becky think. What is the best: tell Lilly the truth or let her live in fool's paradise? Becky realises that the older Lilly is, the more difficult it's going to be to avoid questions about her real father and she really doesn't know what to do. By coincidence, she meets Lilly's father, with whom she has no contact, on the street and she starts digging around a little. She wants to know first if it is safe to introduce Lilly to her father and the other way round. The truth about her one - night stand is going to shock Becky very much.
That's the main story. But there are some other subplots in the book as well. We have Becky's friend from work, Kate, who's dreaming about model job and this dream is going to put her in some very serious health troubles. Alice, around fifty, is Lilly's nanny. She's always dreamed about having a baby but this dream never came true and she finds fulfilment in her job. There is Dennis too, Lilly's father, a previous successful estate agent, now walking the streets of Dublin with only rucksack and some euro coins on him because life has again turned out to be a bitch.
The characters were great fun. Maria Duffy made them all complex, not so straightforward people and perhaps this is why they felt so real and vivid. The situations they put themselves in, or rather they were forced to put themselves in, were very realistic and could happen to any of us. The people in the book had their faults and problems and this made me fell for them and keep my fingers crossed for them. Maria has also brilliantly pictured the four - year - old Lilly, with all her excitement about the presents and the reluctance to Len. Well, only children can express their feelings in such a plainspoken, virtual way.
Becky felt she doesn't need anything else as her daughter and her two friends and there were moments that I was desperate with her, especially when she always repeated that there is nothing above Lilly and she is always going to put her first. I can feel it but Becky, woman, get a life:) I was also annoyed with her and her selfishness, in my opinion she has relied on others too much and she always expected her friends to drop everything and be there for her and for Lilly. I think she had a real luck to find such nanny as Alice, without her she wouldn't be able to work and be as independent as she was and built her career, also having in mind her childhood. It was shocking to read how less feelings did she have for her parents but it was also shocking, if not much more shocking, to read about her past and what she must have live with. And I also liked the way Becky has learnt how to trust other people and how to open to them and was glad when she finally told her story to Alice and Kate.
Actually, each of those women has a secret of her own and must cope with her own demons. Their stories are told in a beautiful, calm, subtle way which had me hooked and I couldn't wait to dive into the book again. There is also the story of Dennis and some of his friends, which shows us that actually everything can happen, you can turn from hero to zero in a matter of seconds, but it is also uplifting, heart - warming story telling us that there is always hope.
The book brings up some very serious issues, like homelessness, infertility, eating disorders, domestic violence, alcoholism but it is not a sad book. Well, is some ways it is, because the characters must struggle and fight but it is also optimistic story.
I know some may say that the storyline was predictable and that Becky didn't know what she want. I personally think that Maria has brilliantly described Becky and her feelings of uncertainty, the fact that she really wasn't sure what she should do. Once she wanted to bring Dennis in their life and the next second she thought it could be the biggest mistake of her life, then there were moments she was behaving so aggressively towards those who wished her well. I personally think that this was a real masterpiece, the way the author described this all and I guess we would all behave exactly the same as Becky, having found ourselves in such situation. Because how can you be sure what was is good for you and, especially, for your child?
The main plot, a lone mother with a child wondering about telling the child the truth about its father, as well as a problem of infertility or eating disorder, is maybe not the newest or the most original one, but it worked out in the book. The pace is right, although there was a moment in the book that I felt it is a little too flat, that not much is happening, as if the author has lost the plot a little, but other than that the story keeps us at grips and we can't be sure how it's going to end. The end is actually one that let the readers write their own story but it didn't make me feel uncomfortable or unhappy. Altogether, I really enjoyed the story about normal people and a storyline that feels very real.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
One Wish is about Becky who, after a one - night stand became pregnant and her daughter Lilly is now four years old. As Lilly grows, she starts to asks questions about her Dad and this makes Becky think. What is the best: tell Lilly the truth or let her live in fool's paradise? Becky realises that the older Lilly is, the more difficult it's going to be to avoid questions about her real father and she really doesn't know what to do. By coincidence, she meets Lilly's father, with whom she has no contact, on the street and she starts digging around a little. She wants to know first if it is safe to introduce Lilly to her father and the other way round. The truth about her one - night stand is going to shock Becky very much.
That's the main story. But there are some other subplots in the book as well. We have Becky's friend from work, Kate, who's dreaming about model job and this dream is going to put her in some very serious health troubles. Alice, around fifty, is Lilly's nanny. She's always dreamed about having a baby but this dream never came true and she finds fulfilment in her job. There is Dennis too, Lilly's father, a previous successful estate agent, now walking the streets of Dublin with only rucksack and some euro coins on him because life has again turned out to be a bitch.
The characters were great fun. Maria Duffy made them all complex, not so straightforward people and perhaps this is why they felt so real and vivid. The situations they put themselves in, or rather they were forced to put themselves in, were very realistic and could happen to any of us. The people in the book had their faults and problems and this made me fell for them and keep my fingers crossed for them. Maria has also brilliantly pictured the four - year - old Lilly, with all her excitement about the presents and the reluctance to Len. Well, only children can express their feelings in such a plainspoken, virtual way.
Becky felt she doesn't need anything else as her daughter and her two friends and there were moments that I was desperate with her, especially when she always repeated that there is nothing above Lilly and she is always going to put her first. I can feel it but Becky, woman, get a life:) I was also annoyed with her and her selfishness, in my opinion she has relied on others too much and she always expected her friends to drop everything and be there for her and for Lilly. I think she had a real luck to find such nanny as Alice, without her she wouldn't be able to work and be as independent as she was and built her career, also having in mind her childhood. It was shocking to read how less feelings did she have for her parents but it was also shocking, if not much more shocking, to read about her past and what she must have live with. And I also liked the way Becky has learnt how to trust other people and how to open to them and was glad when she finally told her story to Alice and Kate.
Actually, each of those women has a secret of her own and must cope with her own demons. Their stories are told in a beautiful, calm, subtle way which had me hooked and I couldn't wait to dive into the book again. There is also the story of Dennis and some of his friends, which shows us that actually everything can happen, you can turn from hero to zero in a matter of seconds, but it is also uplifting, heart - warming story telling us that there is always hope.
The book brings up some very serious issues, like homelessness, infertility, eating disorders, domestic violence, alcoholism but it is not a sad book. Well, is some ways it is, because the characters must struggle and fight but it is also optimistic story.
I know some may say that the storyline was predictable and that Becky didn't know what she want. I personally think that Maria has brilliantly described Becky and her feelings of uncertainty, the fact that she really wasn't sure what she should do. Once she wanted to bring Dennis in their life and the next second she thought it could be the biggest mistake of her life, then there were moments she was behaving so aggressively towards those who wished her well. I personally think that this was a real masterpiece, the way the author described this all and I guess we would all behave exactly the same as Becky, having found ourselves in such situation. Because how can you be sure what was is good for you and, especially, for your child?
The main plot, a lone mother with a child wondering about telling the child the truth about its father, as well as a problem of infertility or eating disorder, is maybe not the newest or the most original one, but it worked out in the book. The pace is right, although there was a moment in the book that I felt it is a little too flat, that not much is happening, as if the author has lost the plot a little, but other than that the story keeps us at grips and we can't be sure how it's going to end. The end is actually one that let the readers write their own story but it didn't make me feel uncomfortable or unhappy. Altogether, I really enjoyed the story about normal people and a storyline that feels very real.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
October 20, 2023
This story was so touching, I really enjoyed every minute of it! The characters were so good and relatable, the homelessness angle very moving 🥰 I can’t wait to try out more of Maria Duffy! 📚😍
September 18, 2014
Review also posted @ Go Book Yourself
Thanks to Hachette Ireland for the review copy
One wish is wonderful story about not judging a book by its cover.
Becky's life is perfect. She has a perfect home, a perfect job and a perfectly beautiful daughter. The only ripple in her perfect facade is Lily's father, or rather her lack of one.
Lily was the result of a passionate one night stand with Denis, a cocky business man. Becky is perfectly happy to go solo but she never accounted for how many questions young children will ask.
The topic is extremely relevant in today's world. With so many one parent family's mothers and fathers are having to prepare for a whole new set of questions than they would have had say 50 years ago when divorce and childbirth outside of wedlock was unheard of or was never talked about.
When she decides to search for Denis she learns that his life hasn't turned out quite as she (or he!) expected. A child is the last thing he needs in his life. He has his own demons from his past life to deal with. A guilt that prevents him from moving on and out of the hole he's currently in.
An angel comes to Denis in the form of a cafe owner. I loved her character as she really represented the older Dublin generation. They look out for one another. They have generosity deep in they're bones. Her cakes and conversations became a lifeline to him in a dark and helpless time. A stark contrast from the unforgiving nature of the streets.
At first Becky is disgusted by Denis and he is equally offended by her reaction. But by posing as a reporter in an attempt to find out more about him she realizes that there is more to Denis than his outward appearance. He also discovers that he is worth more than he thinks and that just because his pockets are empty doesn't mean he has nothing to offer.
One wish is heartfelt read with colorful characters the reader can really relate to.
This was my first read by Maria Duffy but it certainly wont be my last. Her writing is so emotive. She is on par with other great Irish writers such as Roisin Meaney and Melissa Hill.
Thanks to Hachette Ireland for the review copy
One wish is wonderful story about not judging a book by its cover.
Becky's life is perfect. She has a perfect home, a perfect job and a perfectly beautiful daughter. The only ripple in her perfect facade is Lily's father, or rather her lack of one.
Lily was the result of a passionate one night stand with Denis, a cocky business man. Becky is perfectly happy to go solo but she never accounted for how many questions young children will ask.
The topic is extremely relevant in today's world. With so many one parent family's mothers and fathers are having to prepare for a whole new set of questions than they would have had say 50 years ago when divorce and childbirth outside of wedlock was unheard of or was never talked about.
When she decides to search for Denis she learns that his life hasn't turned out quite as she (or he!) expected. A child is the last thing he needs in his life. He has his own demons from his past life to deal with. A guilt that prevents him from moving on and out of the hole he's currently in.
An angel comes to Denis in the form of a cafe owner. I loved her character as she really represented the older Dublin generation. They look out for one another. They have generosity deep in they're bones. Her cakes and conversations became a lifeline to him in a dark and helpless time. A stark contrast from the unforgiving nature of the streets.
At first Becky is disgusted by Denis and he is equally offended by her reaction. But by posing as a reporter in an attempt to find out more about him she realizes that there is more to Denis than his outward appearance. He also discovers that he is worth more than he thinks and that just because his pockets are empty doesn't mean he has nothing to offer.
One wish is heartfelt read with colorful characters the reader can really relate to.
This was my first read by Maria Duffy but it certainly wont be my last. Her writing is so emotive. She is on par with other great Irish writers such as Roisin Meaney and Melissa Hill.
August 27, 2020
I think the front cover of this book lets it down; it looks quite sweet and innocent but it deals with homelessness which is a very difficult issue.
The story follows a woman who had a child following a one night stand and decides to track down the father a few years later, at which point in time the father is living on the streets.
The story is good and moves at a good pace. It is also nice that there are small stories on the side going on (with Alice and Kate) as well.
There are a few things that let the story down. The story is predictable and there are no surprises or shocks along the way. I guessed Alice's secret very early on. The grammar spelling and punctuation is fairly annoying - two mistakes by page 4 is unforgiveable and so many closed speech marks at the end of paragraphs where no-one is speaking really lets it down.
Furthermore I have a seven year old daughter and I could tell the author did not have a 4 year old in her life when writing Lilly's story, Duffy is way off on a lot of things she writes, making this character unbelievable.
I like the idea of the story, I just think the end result was a bit of a let down. So 3 out of 5 is a fair rating in my opinion for this book.
The story follows a woman who had a child following a one night stand and decides to track down the father a few years later, at which point in time the father is living on the streets.
The story is good and moves at a good pace. It is also nice that there are small stories on the side going on (with Alice and Kate) as well.
There are a few things that let the story down. The story is predictable and there are no surprises or shocks along the way. I guessed Alice's secret very early on. The grammar spelling and punctuation is fairly annoying - two mistakes by page 4 is unforgiveable and so many closed speech marks at the end of paragraphs where no-one is speaking really lets it down.
Furthermore I have a seven year old daughter and I could tell the author did not have a 4 year old in her life when writing Lilly's story, Duffy is way off on a lot of things she writes, making this character unbelievable.
I like the idea of the story, I just think the end result was a bit of a let down. So 3 out of 5 is a fair rating in my opinion for this book.
July 23, 2018
I chose this book as a book to read in the hot tub, as I didn’t mind if it got slightly wet.
Turns out it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a while!
I really enjoyed the story line and loved getting to know the characters and wished they were my friends.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who like a lovely story about how lives can change..
Turns out it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a while!
I really enjoyed the story line and loved getting to know the characters and wished they were my friends.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who like a lovely story about how lives can change..
July 25, 2017
Ooh, this is not a good book. A cute story, but SO predictable, almost childlike in the way it is written. Nothing exciting happens, you can guess the ending half way through. I'm glad I didn't pay money for this. Avoid this one.
January 26, 2020
Would recommend this book for anyone who is an avid fan of Maria Duffy, she never fails to impress
A lovely heart warming read for a cold winters day. Another excellent read for an author that never fails to impress
A lovely heart warming read for a cold winters day. Another excellent read for an author that never fails to impress
June 23, 2017
Thought provoking
A lovely tale of family and friendship. This is a sweet story of how the power of friendship and hope can over come most obstacles.
A lovely tale of family and friendship. This is a sweet story of how the power of friendship and hope can over come most obstacles.
February 21, 2024
A fun book! Really enjoyed it. All the characters were likeable and the POV’s were all easy to follow along with.
September 26, 2017
A predictable enjoyable read. Nice and easy, no major drama.
September 9, 2014
When Londoner Becky Greene moved to Ireland, she was ready for a fresh start and to leave her dysfunctional family far behind. But when she discovered that she was pregnant after a one-night stand, all of a sudden she had more than herself to think about.
Fast-forward four years and now her daughter Lilly is asking questions about her father. Tracking down the high-flying property developer, Dennis Prendergast, is the last thing Becky wants to do, but she reluctantly admits that Lilly has a right to know who her father is. But when Becky finally locates Dennis, she discovers that his life has taken a very different route. And finding out he has a daughter is definitely not in his five-year plan.
Can people every really change? That’s what Becky sets out to discover and as she comes to know the person Dennis is now, she discovers a lot more about herself in the process.
I was at Maria Duffy's forth book launch of One Wish on 10th July in Dubray Books on Grafton Street & I knew that I was going on holiday for a week in September so I decided to keep this to read until then & I wasn't disappointed, I had it read in just over a day & couldn't put it down, it was such a heart-warming, uplifting story. This story had it all from love, family, protectiveness to more sensitive and hard-hitting issues with a little bit of humor thrown in - I found I had a little tear in my eye at the end along with shedding a few along the way, so grab this book, curl up on the couch and prepare to have a few lump in your throat moments too.
This book is available on Kindle & in all good bookstores.
Fast-forward four years and now her daughter Lilly is asking questions about her father. Tracking down the high-flying property developer, Dennis Prendergast, is the last thing Becky wants to do, but she reluctantly admits that Lilly has a right to know who her father is. But when Becky finally locates Dennis, she discovers that his life has taken a very different route. And finding out he has a daughter is definitely not in his five-year plan.
Can people every really change? That’s what Becky sets out to discover and as she comes to know the person Dennis is now, she discovers a lot more about herself in the process.
I was at Maria Duffy's forth book launch of One Wish on 10th July in Dubray Books on Grafton Street & I knew that I was going on holiday for a week in September so I decided to keep this to read until then & I wasn't disappointed, I had it read in just over a day & couldn't put it down, it was such a heart-warming, uplifting story. This story had it all from love, family, protectiveness to more sensitive and hard-hitting issues with a little bit of humor thrown in - I found I had a little tear in my eye at the end along with shedding a few along the way, so grab this book, curl up on the couch and prepare to have a few lump in your throat moments too.
This book is available on Kindle & in all good bookstores.
April 15, 2015
Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes
A new author for me, Maria Duffy immediately brought me into One Wish. I was fascinated by Becky’s story and couldn’t wait to find out where she’d come from. As well as being interested in Becky’s life I was drawn to both her friends, Alice and Kate. Each woman had their role in Becky’s story and ended up being a great support system for her as well as each other. Their secondary story-lines were just as well planned and delivered as the main one and brought up several complex issues with simplicity and compassion.
One Wish didn’t just explore Becky’s role as a single mother but also delved into the life of Lilly’s father and I was impressed with Duffy’s portrayal of this man who ended up homeless as much by his own lack of forward thinking as the downturn in the economy. It was definitely frustrating that Becky spent so much time deceiving him about her intentions but I suppose that made for intrigue in the plot. Unfortunately, it also made Becky a bit of a pain as she was so entirely focussed on her own difficulties, but I liked the way that she became less obsessed about her job and started drifting into thoughts about Dennis- it made her realistic.
While the novel wasn’t filled with gossipy antics and sticky situations I still read it as I would have a lighter novel because it was written to be read with ease. I really enjoyed Maria Duffy’s writing style- can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you to Hachette Books Ireland for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
A new author for me, Maria Duffy immediately brought me into One Wish. I was fascinated by Becky’s story and couldn’t wait to find out where she’d come from. As well as being interested in Becky’s life I was drawn to both her friends, Alice and Kate. Each woman had their role in Becky’s story and ended up being a great support system for her as well as each other. Their secondary story-lines were just as well planned and delivered as the main one and brought up several complex issues with simplicity and compassion.
One Wish didn’t just explore Becky’s role as a single mother but also delved into the life of Lilly’s father and I was impressed with Duffy’s portrayal of this man who ended up homeless as much by his own lack of forward thinking as the downturn in the economy. It was definitely frustrating that Becky spent so much time deceiving him about her intentions but I suppose that made for intrigue in the plot. Unfortunately, it also made Becky a bit of a pain as she was so entirely focussed on her own difficulties, but I liked the way that she became less obsessed about her job and started drifting into thoughts about Dennis- it made her realistic.
While the novel wasn’t filled with gossipy antics and sticky situations I still read it as I would have a lighter novel because it was written to be read with ease. I really enjoyed Maria Duffy’s writing style- can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you to Hachette Books Ireland for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
July 20, 2014
Another great read from Maria Duffy. The main character, Becky, a single mum, is believable. Her relationships are complex and it becomes clear why. In her effort to tie up loose ends, she comes in contact with the homeless community and Maria Duffy handles this in a realistic manner. At the end of it, you feel like you've gone through a change in yourself, as well as the characters.
Well done Maria!Maria DuffyOne Wish
Well done Maria!Maria DuffyOne Wish
December 3, 2014
This was a wonderful story with many twists and turns . It had an amazing cast of. Characters Becky played the staring role . Kate , Alice . Lily and Dennis played blinding roles . If I had one wish it would be get into this book you won't put it down
May 30, 2018
One Wish - Its a heartfelt and uplifting story of single mother where her daughter starts asking about her missing dad. I like the story how it evolved... I recommend this book for an easy & pleasant read ;)
July 1, 2014
Review to follow....
August 4, 2014
Easy holiday read, predictable story but good.
August 10, 2014
Very predictable
April 11, 2015
surprisingly lively read! likeable characters & plausible story
September 9, 2015
Thought provoking. An eye opener, with regards to homeless people.
April 25, 2016
Not bad
July 20, 2016
Een mooi, voorspelbaar verhaal zoals gebruikelijk is in dit genre. Hier wordt getoond dat je verleden niet noodzakelijk je toekomst zal bepalen en dat er nog ander factoren een rol spelen.
October 1, 2016
Loved it! Definitely a page turner, although without giving spoilers it was clear from reading the first 40 or so pages who was who. Definitely didn't stop me ploughing through it :)
January 12, 2017
A great book. Constantly wanting to know what happened next. Excellent writing
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