The Queen of Wishful Thinking: A Novel

by Milly Johnson

Her mother said if she could imagine doing something in her head, she could do it in real life. But as hard as she wishes for a new life, can Bonnie ever make it happen?

Bonnie Brookland grew up in the vibrant world of antiques, surrounded by the comforting chaos of market stalls, old treasures, and the loyal friends who became her second family. But lately, life has felt anything but colorful. So when she stumbles upon The Pot of Gold, a struggling antique shop in a quiet corner of her British town, something about it tugs at her. It feels like home.

The Pot of Gold is a dream come true for Lewis Harley, who left behind a high-pressure investment banking career after a health scare in his forties. Craving peace and purpose, he's poured everything into the shop. But things haven't gone to plan, and the business is struggling. That is, until Bonnie walks through the door.

However, both are navigating lives that aren't easy to leave behind. And when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, Bonnie and Lew must each decide how much they're willing to risk to rediscover themselves--and whether the life they've always hoped for might still be within reach.

A warm, uplifting novel about second chances, finding light after loss, and the quiet magic of building a life you love.

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Milly Johnson was born in Barnsley, raised in Barnsley and still lives in Barnsley. She writes about strong women, often having a renaissance, all ages and has just released her 22nd novel Same Time Next Week. Do check out her website for up to date news and appearance dates.

As well as a novelist she is a professional joke writer, performance poet, newspaper and magazine columnist and also after dinner/motivational speaker.

She is on insta as @themillyjohnson, facebook as @millyjohnsonauthor, Twitter as @millyjohnson and a ridiculous presence on TikTok @millyjohnsonauthor. Do give her a follow - even if it's just out of sympathy!

Reviews

[Bookworman]

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'm SO happy that this book is finally being published in the US.

Reading Milly Johnson is fun, heartwarming, romantic, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, and very satisfying. I loved the main and supporting characters, I loved the romance, I loved hating the baddies, I loved the wonderful story, and I totally loved the wonderful HEA.

One of the highlights was definitely the local newspaper typos and apologies; each one made me burst out laughing.

[BookForAHeart · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something profoundly moving about a story that captures the delicate art of starting over. The Queen of Wishful Thinking is an exquisite exploration of that journey, feeling less like a simple novel and more like a warm invitation into a world of reclaimed treasures and quiet resilience. 🧸🕰️ We are introduced to Bonnie Brookland, a woman whose soul is deeply intertwined with the vibrant, chaotic world of antiques, yet who finds herself standing in a life that has lost its luster. 🥀 Her path crosses with Lewis Harley at his struggling shop, The Pot of Gold. Having abandoned a high-pressure career in investment banking following a health crisis, Lewis represents the weary heart in all of us that yearns for peace and purpose over prestige. ❤️🩹

The connection that blossoms between Bonnie and Lewis is beautifully understated and mature, rooted in a shared understanding of loss and the tentative hope for a second act. 🏹🧡 Watching them navigate the complexities of the struggling business—and their own guarded hearts—is incredibly rewarding. The setting itself acts as a character; I could almost smell the aged wood and wax polish, with the British antique markets rendered in such vivid, charming detail that the atmosphere felt entirely immersive. It is a narrative that honors the "quiet magic" of building a life you truly love, rather than the one you feel obligated to lead. 💭✨

However, the story possesses a compelling depth that balances its warmth, particularly as long-buried secrets begin to surface, challenging the stability they’ve worked so hard to build. 📖 It’s a poignant reminder that while imagining a new life is the first step, the courage to risk everything for it is where the true transformation lies. This novel is a sophisticated, uplifting tribute to second chances and the beauty of finding light after a long season of shadow. It is a truly resonant five-star read for anyone who appreciates a story about the grace found in rediscovering oneself. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Megan Toofan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of The Queen of Wishful Thinking via NetGalley from Harper Muse in exchange for my honest review.

This story was a wonderful blend of emotion, humor, found family, and romance. It touches on deeper, sometimes sad themes, but balances them beautifully with warmth, hope, and genuinely endearing moments.

I found myself rooting for Bonnie from the very beginning. Watching her slowly find her footing, build friendships, and begin to believe in herself was incredibly satisfying. The supporting cast was also a highlight, and even the antagonistic characters were well written.

The world of antiques brought such a cozy, nostalgic charm to the book. Stepping into that setting, meeting the various dealers, and getting to know their personalities gave the story a comforting, almost sentimental feel that I really loved.

The romance between Bonnie and Lewis was thoughtfully paced and well done. It allowed space for Bonnie’s personal growth, making the relationship feel earned rather than rushed. Seeing her blossom on her own made the romantic arc even more rewarding.

Overall, The Queen of Wishful Thinking is a heartfelt, hopeful story about starting over, finding connection, and discovering your own strength. A cozy and emotional read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Kayne Spooner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has a theme about enjoying the simple pleasures in life and reaching for your dreams. The main characters are very sweet but are both in terrible marriages to other people. As the story opens Lewis has quit his high stress job as an investment banker in the city to open an antique store in his small town. Bonnie comes to apply for a job after being let go from another antique store (her boss was awful). She starts to work for Lewis and together they build his business, leasing space to many quirky and fun characters. Bonnie wants to leave her horrible husband, but he is emotionally blackmailing her and so it’s a challenge. Lewis is trying to keep his marriage together but it’s not going well and he longs for children (and a dog:) The story has humor and a sweet romance but it’s not all light and cheery. It has some heartbreaking, darker parts, but I was moved by the story and was wishing I could see more of Bonnie and Lew at the end. 4 ½ stars. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to the author, Harper Muse and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful book about second chances and following your dreams.

Both Bonnie and Lew were very likeable characters; Bonnie having been brought up in the Antiques trade and fired from her unscrupulous boss, finds a job at the newest Antiques shop in town run by Lew, who wanted a slower pace of life, after nearly dying as a result of his high-flying previous career.

I also really enjoyed all the traders that we meet, and how they are a family unit, and a force to be reckoned with. We see this especially towards the end of the book, where hilarity ensues.

Bonnie has been keeping a secret for many years, and we see how her estranged husband Stephen has been manipulating her for much longer. Throughout the course of the book, we see this secret unravel, and the lengths Stephen has gone to in order to maintain control over her. However, it was an important and quite emotive topic to cover, and I really enjoyed how it played out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kylee Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really surprised me— based on the blurb and the cover, I went in expecting more of a romcom, maybe with some Beauty and the Beast vibes, and this was decidedly not that. However, I still loved it! Bonnie and Lew were so believably human characters— both so sweet and lovable, yet realistically and relatably stuck in lives that weren’t what they expected (or deserved). Bonnie’s story had me on the edge of my seat, agonizing for her to be okay by the end; Lew’s story had me angry on his behalf at every turn. Both deal with real, raw issues and are handled with insightful deftness and storytelling satisfaction. I also loved the entire crew of the antiques dealers— if only we all could have such a community in our corners! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Tina Weathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute book! I loved it! Loved the antiques part of it as well.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.