What to An adult Thumbelina retellingImpressive wingspansShy FMCProtective MMCMatesMedieval fairytale settingPixie dust isn't what you think it is!Heather Thistleby’s thoughts have always been away with the faerie. But as mysterious rains plague the Emerald Isle and she is decreed the royal taste tester- the former scullery maid clings to the one thing that reminds her of her The pink silk ribbon that adorns her hair. A ribbon meant to be tethered to the mythical faerie tree- where pixies abide and trade ribbons for granted wishes.
With rising tensions within the kingdom, Heather fears each meal she tests for the reviled king might be her last… until a curse shrinks her to the size of a thumb, dashing all hope of securing her ribbon to the tree of lore.
As her role twists from pawn to pet, a chance encounter with and enticing pixie leads her to suspect there might be more to the wish ribbons than legends suggest. Heather is determined to discover his secrets, the true meaning behind her keepsake and escape the king’s clutches once and for all.
AWishes in the Wind is one of those cozy, feel-good reads that just sweeps you away into a tiny, magical world. The story kicks off with Heather, a humble servant girl who finds herself accidentally shrunken down to the size of a pixie. Suddenly, she’s swept into a realm full of shimmering wings, unexpected dangers, and one particularly handsome pixie named Skye, who makes her unwanted adventure a bit more worthwhile.
I loved meeting the whole pixie squad! Skye, of course, with his gorgeous wings and mischievous charm, but also Tarragon and Crimson, who added so much personality to the story (and let’s be real, these men have wingspans that are just begging for a little attention 👀🫢).🧚♂️ And I have to shout out Jessa, the absolute sweetheart of the book, and her adorable piglet, Hammy. Honestly, how could you not fall in love with a sunshine girl and her squealing sidekick?🐷
The romance was sweet with just a hint (or should I say a shimmer pixie dust) of spice — think twinkling lights, stolen glances, just enough to keep things interesting. It’s the kind of swoony romance that leaves you smiling, even if it didn’t quite hit that full-on fairytale enchantment I was hoping for. But hey, not every love story needs to be epic to be charming! ✨️
Overall, Wishes in the Wind is a cute, cozy escape, perfect for readers who like their fantasy on the lighter side with a sprinkle of whimsy. If you’re in the mood for a little pixie mischief, swoony wings, and a dash of magic, this one’s definitely worth picking up.
Truly a 5/5 star book. An adult Thumbelina retelling with a kind hearted but strong FMC and a swoony winged MMC. The world building is so incredibly rich I felt like I was seeing the world of Faerie in real life. Every detail was so enchanting. It was like I could see, taste, and feel everything our main character was experiencing. As someone who is a big fan of pixies and fairies this one just checks all the boxes for a 5 star read for me, and one of those books you just wish you could experience reading for the first time all over again.
The author is a master at details. If you are fan of cottagecore, happy endings, and all things enchanting and whimsical then this is absolutely the book you need to pick up next! *PS-Being an adult retelling, this one is sweet with a little side of spicy*
I can’t wait for book 2, and I can’t wait to own a physical copy and do a re-read!
(4.5 stars!) You know how people talk about “where my lore started?” Mine definitely started with Thumbelina as a young girl, and at 28 years old I can truly say it never left. This book just satisfied that little girl in me that used to watch fairy movies growing up, and want to be them. (Jokes on me, I still want to be a fairy when I grow up). We follow Heather on a magical adventure where she acts as a poison taste tester for a terrible king. When that goes wrong…she shrinks. The king tries to exploit her size and use her for his whims, as he locks her in a doll house, to await her fate. Heather meets a snail and gets him to safety and in return for her kindness…she goes on the adventure of a lifetime. If you like magic, wishes, wings, and wingspans, you have come to the right place
ARC review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Wishes in the Wind by Rebecca Paris
Wishes in the Wind is a Thumbelina inspired romantasy full of magic, adventure, and a little spice. Heather is a cupbearer to a tyrant king and she fears for her life daily, until one day she is shrunk to the size of a pixie. She is whisked away to faerie by Skye and she quickly falls for the mysterious pixie. I loved reading about a soft fmc who is deeply romantic and who cares for her kingdom. The world of faerie was so cozy and whimsical, with fantastical beings and flora. Skye’s family and friends were a fun supporting cast and I hope to hear more about their antics in the future. Especially Rhoden and the villainous Crimson. Wishing on ribbons 🎀 is such a sweet magic and I’ll be attempting it in every interesting tree I find until I’m let into faerie myself. Thank you @rebeccaparisauthor for the opportunity to read your book.
Everyone should read Wishes in the Wind when it releases on June 10th, 2025!
This book brings AAAAALLLLL the vibes! It was like stepping into a storybook but with swoon and spicy romance that had me kicking my feet giggling. The cast of characters were so vibrant I felt like I could follow them off page and the world was so lush and cozy I want art of every page.
Rebecca has delivered an incredible debut, I'll just be over here anxiously waiting for the next romance.
"Wishes in the Wind: Wishes Book One" (Kindle Edition) by Rebecca Paris
Reason for DNF (Did Not Finish): A frustrating experience dominated by "insta-love," paper-thin character motivations, and a plot that felt more like a series of coincidences than a structured story. I actively disliked the lack of depth in the central relationship.
Rebecca Paris’s Wishes in the Wind is a historical romance (often set in the 1920s) that attempts to blend the glamour of the era with a sweeping story of destiny and desire. However, for a reader looking for substance, the book quickly becomes an exercise in frustration.
Why it was a "Book I Hate" (2/5) 🌪️ Aggravating "Insta-Love": The biggest hurdle was the romance itself. The characters seemed to fall into a deep, "soulmate-level" connection almost instantly without any meaningful conversation or shared experiences. This made the stakes feel non-existent because the emotional payoff wasn't earned; it was just stated as fact.
Shallow, Archetypal Characters: The protagonist and her love interest felt like cardboard cutouts of historical romance tropes rather than living, breathing people. Their dialogue was often stilted and melodramatic, making it impossible to connect with their struggle or care about their "destiny."
Weak Narrative Structure: The plot relied heavily on convenient coincidences to move forward. Instead of the characters driving the story through their choices, things just happened to them. This led to a feeling of "plot armor" that removed all tension from the reading experience.
Underwhelming Prose: While the 1920s setting has so much potential for rich detail, the writing felt repetitive and lacked the atmospheric "spark" needed to bring the era to life. It felt like a modern story wearing a very thin "vintage" costume.
Conclusion:
I DNF'd Wishes in the Wind because it prioritized romantic clichés over genuine character development. It is the kind of book that relies on the reader simply accepting that two people are "meant to be" without showing why. If you hate stories where the romance feels forced and the plot feels aimless, this is a very difficult read to get through.