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What She Really Wants: A Story
Is it really the thought that counts? Sarah Markham loves her husband Tom. They've been married for eighteen happy years, but on some level, she worries that he doesn't see her as she really is. And nowhere is this more evident than in his gift giving. It's not for any lack of love--Tom adores Sarah and spends lavishly--but he never quite surprises her with the perfect something. Enough. This year, when their anniversary rolls around, Sarah tells him, "I want you to think and to look at me and to see who I really am and what I really want."Can Tom rise to the challenge? Will he be able to get Sarah what she really wants? Find out in this delightful 16-page short story, a gift to you from bestselling author Barbara Delinsky.
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2015
664 people are currently reading
1044 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
307 books4,356 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
May 7, 2015
This is the kind of contemporary women's fiction that gives women a bad name. It makes us look like spoiled entitled bitches who are never, ever pleased. It gives anti-feminists ammunition.
The blurb makes me rage more than a little, and thank god this was so short.
Read this blurb.
Middle-aged, upper-class woman. Married a blissful 2 decades to a loving attorney husband who always spoils her and gives her jewelry and generous gifts. He's probably never cheated on her, never did anything to make her miserable, a hard-working, swell guy. A decent dad. A good husband.
But she's not satisfied, no. All this time, and she's not satisfied because *whiny voice* he doesn't know who I really am.
Excuse me while I take out the world's smallest violin and start playing for you.
Are you fucking KIDDING ME? Like how freaking entitled are you? From my POV, this is a pretty nice life. It's not what I want for myself, no, but it really sounds like a blissful, nice life. Do you really need to do that hippie he doesn't know who I really am shit.
Look, my dating experiences are limited, but I know one thing. Guys aren't perfect. People aren't perfect. Hell, I know and it hurts me to say this, but I'm not perfect.
Whew, that took a lot to admit, I'm not perfect ;_;
But seriously. Do you really need affirmation that someone needs to know THE REAL YOU? People are not fucking mind readers. Relationship takes work. I learned very early on, if you want a gift, lol, just go ahead and tell them.
One year, I got a dead cat in a basket. Ok, it wasn't dead, but it was a stuffed cat in a basket that was machine-powered so that it looked like it was breathing. The appearance of life failed miserably. It was, in essence, a dead cat in a basket. Why did he get it? He saw it for sale near the campus bookstore, thought it was cute, and thought that I'd love it.
Clearly, he was wrong. But that's not the point, the point is that from then on, I realized that men are not mind readers. They're awesome, they're my best friends, and they are incredibly bad at reading into what I want. Do guys a favor. Communicate.
And be satisfied with what you've got. My ex was my best friend, he was a wonderful guy, and I never begrudged the fact that he couldn't buy me the perfect gift.
Why? Because I always told him what I wanted.
Romance is great, but what's even better? Reality and common sense.
The blurb makes me rage more than a little, and thank god this was so short.
Read this blurb.
Is it really the thought that counts? Sarah Markham loves her husband Tom. They've been married for eighteen happy years, but on some level, she worries that he doesn't see her as she really is. And nowhere is this more evident than in his gift giving. It's not for any lack of love--Tom adores Sarah and spends lavishly--but he never quite surprises her with the perfect something. Enough. This year, when their anniversary rolls around, Sarah tells him, "I want you to think and to look at me and to see who I really am and what I really want."Like, are you effing kidding me?
Middle-aged, upper-class woman. Married a blissful 2 decades to a loving attorney husband who always spoils her and gives her jewelry and generous gifts. He's probably never cheated on her, never did anything to make her miserable, a hard-working, swell guy. A decent dad. A good husband.
But she's not satisfied, no. All this time, and she's not satisfied because *whiny voice* he doesn't know who I really am.
Excuse me while I take out the world's smallest violin and start playing for you.
Are you fucking KIDDING ME? Like how freaking entitled are you? From my POV, this is a pretty nice life. It's not what I want for myself, no, but it really sounds like a blissful, nice life. Do you really need to do that hippie he doesn't know who I really am shit.
Look, my dating experiences are limited, but I know one thing. Guys aren't perfect. People aren't perfect. Hell, I know and it hurts me to say this, but I'm not perfect.
Whew, that took a lot to admit, I'm not perfect ;_;
But seriously. Do you really need affirmation that someone needs to know THE REAL YOU? People are not fucking mind readers. Relationship takes work. I learned very early on, if you want a gift, lol, just go ahead and tell them.
One year, I got a dead cat in a basket. Ok, it wasn't dead, but it was a stuffed cat in a basket that was machine-powered so that it looked like it was breathing. The appearance of life failed miserably. It was, in essence, a dead cat in a basket. Why did he get it? He saw it for sale near the campus bookstore, thought it was cute, and thought that I'd love it.
Clearly, he was wrong. But that's not the point, the point is that from then on, I realized that men are not mind readers. They're awesome, they're my best friends, and they are incredibly bad at reading into what I want. Do guys a favor. Communicate.
And be satisfied with what you've got. My ex was my best friend, he was a wonderful guy, and I never begrudged the fact that he couldn't buy me the perfect gift.
Why? Because I always told him what I wanted.
Romance is great, but what's even better? Reality and common sense.
February 12, 2016
What She Really Wants is a free download short story by popular American author, Barbara Delinsky. With their eighteenth wedding anniversary fast approaching, Tom Markham needs inspiration for a gift for his beloved, Sarah. Usually, he just asks her what she wants, or buys some jewellery. But this time he overhears a conversation that reveals his gifts have mostly not been perfect. He decides to meet the challenge to get exactly the right gift for Sarah. And while the right gift is just about under his nose the whole time, it takes a change in attitude for him to realise what it is. A sweet romantic snippet that fans will enjoy.
June 28, 2016
Sweet ending and the writing was good but for most of the story the wife didn't endear herself to me at all. The husband and kids weren't fleshed out much so I didn't care about them one way or the other.
Will I check out more of her stuff? Maybe, not a top priority though.
Will I check out more of her stuff? Maybe, not a top priority though.
December 2, 2019
The book is absolutley fantastic.
December 30, 2015
I'm actually in the middle of reading an awesome, mystery/thriller when I saw this ad on the St. Martin's Press website during a quick reading break.
I honestly do not know what to say yet. It's and extremely short story which is one reason I chose it, because I just wanted a very quick read at the moment.
Anyone who knows me *Please note: books are not part of this conversation :-p , I'm so far from a materialistic person and I find it repulsive when I see the greed too many people have *Just speaking my truth* so from page one I truly wanted to cry and scream at this woman for being so "spoiled" over material things and on the other hand, I myself as a woman who is married (separated for six years), I totally understood her reasoning at the same time. In this chaotic me, me, me, need, need, need (the pettiest material crap) society, I know exactly The true meaning of this story.
The execution of it was really a very spoiled brat and whiny kind of read, I do agree with others on that because in parts I wanted to gouge my eyeballs out, put 'em in a box and give them to her. They'd have been special and they would have done what she wished for....." see her all the time.
The more I'm typing the more my I initial feelings are seeing something deeper in this story.
On the other hand, it's really about two people, no matter what kind of life you live, rich, poor, somewhere in the middle, it DOES NOT MATTER as I see others have noted how spoiled she was for having "all the amazing 'things' in her life", but what's not being recognized is that NOTHING in this entire world is more precious than really knowing that you are loved in a way so far and different than what a material gift could ever convey. What goes on behind the closed doors of the rich and the poor are and never will be fully known by anyone outside the walls of others homes so judging should never be happening.
What matters in the end is that she just wanted to know after all those years together (and I know it first hand), was that she as a human being, as a wife was special enough after all those years, more than expensive gifts. I know, as an extremely sentimental person, that it's never ever the cost of a gift.....it is, you are my partner, my other half who completes the whole, we've been through so much, shared our life, loves and deepest wishes....... do you know 'me' and my heart
I absolutely agree she was whiny, but she even said to her mother she didn't want the expensive gifts. I believe I have the right to say at my age that others took this story as I initially did, but truly it's not at all as selfish as it was taken.
I had zero intentions of writing anything because I 'was' just as annoyed, but as I typed this review (mess of words), I began to really see and remember in my own 18 year marriage what this was really about.
My (almost) ex gave me incredible gifts and each one was cherished, but the one gift he gave me and was the most incredible of every. Single. One. Through the years.....not diamonds, tech stuff, etc., but after we separated, it was the book/photo album *OMG, I'm about to cry*, the album that he and my daughter's put together. They went on an adventure and took pictures as he remembered our entire life timeline, of every place we had been together from day one, he remembered every word that was said, he remembered every single detail and this album wasn't just pictures. It was a story which he wrote himself addressed to me about our journey. He literally wrote me our fairytale and it was so Beautiful I cannot even express. It took a parting of ways for both of us to finally see that he 'really' loved me and it wasn't about things! It was about the most sentimental, romantic, tender, Beautiful and amazing gift which was our story written and created by him to me. He 'really knew' and I didn't think or know he did. To see this album is to see Love at its most Beautifully, imperfectly perfect way.
He printed it all out and added to each page was part of the story that correlated with the picture next to it. On other pages he had words printed, cut and glued with every word, place, time, memory we had ever been to, laughed about, shared interests, street names, cities lived, jokes told, pictures and he left empty pages at the end for the ability to add more for a new beginning......
I'm done. I can no longer see my screen because THAT.....that is Love. We had everything we needed, through circumstances we lost it, but that book after we split up was EVERYTHING a woman could have ever asked for because on every single page of that Beautiful gift were the memories I thought he forgot about or just didn't care.
OM*G.....I cannot see anything but blur through my now sobbing tears so please excuse typos. I'll come back to clean this mess up, but this story by Barbara Delinsky is obviously much more special and less ungrateful than it first appeared to be. It took sharing my story of my husbands perfect gift which made me see the deeper meaning and now one which I wasn't going to rate at all......I'm five starring it because just maybe.....maybe with some magic and hope it may help others to open their eyes to see what really matters.
Deepest apologies for the mess and all the typos I cannot see right now. Wow!! Who would have thought this 26 page book would have reduced me to a ball of tears.
I purchased it because I'm about to begin reading
by Barbara Delinsky soon and I wanted a small taste of her writing style.
She makes you dig deep and think for certain.....
Can she make the miracle of second chances happen too?
A short story which may leave a lot of people irritated, but after sharing the above, I know it's worth the read for everyone in need of a reminder about what matters most. ~*Love*~
I honestly do not know what to say yet. It's and extremely short story which is one reason I chose it, because I just wanted a very quick read at the moment.
Anyone who knows me *Please note: books are not part of this conversation :-p , I'm so far from a materialistic person and I find it repulsive when I see the greed too many people have *Just speaking my truth* so from page one I truly wanted to cry and scream at this woman for being so "spoiled" over material things and on the other hand, I myself as a woman who is married (separated for six years), I totally understood her reasoning at the same time. In this chaotic me, me, me, need, need, need (the pettiest material crap) society, I know exactly The true meaning of this story.
The execution of it was really a very spoiled brat and whiny kind of read, I do agree with others on that because in parts I wanted to gouge my eyeballs out, put 'em in a box and give them to her. They'd have been special and they would have done what she wished for....." see her all the time.
The more I'm typing the more my I initial feelings are seeing something deeper in this story.
On the other hand, it's really about two people, no matter what kind of life you live, rich, poor, somewhere in the middle, it DOES NOT MATTER as I see others have noted how spoiled she was for having "all the amazing 'things' in her life", but what's not being recognized is that NOTHING in this entire world is more precious than really knowing that you are loved in a way so far and different than what a material gift could ever convey. What goes on behind the closed doors of the rich and the poor are and never will be fully known by anyone outside the walls of others homes so judging should never be happening.
What matters in the end is that she just wanted to know after all those years together (and I know it first hand), was that she as a human being, as a wife was special enough after all those years, more than expensive gifts. I know, as an extremely sentimental person, that it's never ever the cost of a gift.....it is, you are my partner, my other half who completes the whole, we've been through so much, shared our life, loves and deepest wishes....... do you know 'me' and my heart
I absolutely agree she was whiny, but she even said to her mother she didn't want the expensive gifts. I believe I have the right to say at my age that others took this story as I initially did, but truly it's not at all as selfish as it was taken.
I had zero intentions of writing anything because I 'was' just as annoyed, but as I typed this review (mess of words), I began to really see and remember in my own 18 year marriage what this was really about.
My (almost) ex gave me incredible gifts and each one was cherished, but the one gift he gave me and was the most incredible of every. Single. One. Through the years.....not diamonds, tech stuff, etc., but after we separated, it was the book/photo album *OMG, I'm about to cry*, the album that he and my daughter's put together. They went on an adventure and took pictures as he remembered our entire life timeline, of every place we had been together from day one, he remembered every word that was said, he remembered every single detail and this album wasn't just pictures. It was a story which he wrote himself addressed to me about our journey. He literally wrote me our fairytale and it was so Beautiful I cannot even express. It took a parting of ways for both of us to finally see that he 'really' loved me and it wasn't about things! It was about the most sentimental, romantic, tender, Beautiful and amazing gift which was our story written and created by him to me. He 'really knew' and I didn't think or know he did. To see this album is to see Love at its most Beautifully, imperfectly perfect way.
He printed it all out and added to each page was part of the story that correlated with the picture next to it. On other pages he had words printed, cut and glued with every word, place, time, memory we had ever been to, laughed about, shared interests, street names, cities lived, jokes told, pictures and he left empty pages at the end for the ability to add more for a new beginning......
I'm done. I can no longer see my screen because THAT.....that is Love. We had everything we needed, through circumstances we lost it, but that book after we split up was EVERYTHING a woman could have ever asked for because on every single page of that Beautiful gift were the memories I thought he forgot about or just didn't care.
OM*G.....I cannot see anything but blur through my now sobbing tears so please excuse typos. I'll come back to clean this mess up, but this story by Barbara Delinsky is obviously much more special and less ungrateful than it first appeared to be. It took sharing my story of my husbands perfect gift which made me see the deeper meaning and now one which I wasn't going to rate at all......I'm five starring it because just maybe.....maybe with some magic and hope it may help others to open their eyes to see what really matters.
Deepest apologies for the mess and all the typos I cannot see right now. Wow!! Who would have thought this 26 page book would have reduced me to a ball of tears.
I purchased it because I'm about to begin reading
by Barbara Delinsky soon and I wanted a small taste of her writing style. She makes you dig deep and think for certain.....
Can she make the miracle of second chances happen too?
A short story which may leave a lot of people irritated, but after sharing the above, I know it's worth the read for everyone in need of a reminder about what matters most. ~*Love*~
May 12, 2023
I had a feeling from the synopsis that I might not enjoy this book, but I gave it a shot anyway. It’s a tough premise that will easily villainize the wife, but I approached the story with an open mind. An upper-class lawyer’s wife, Sarah, is dissatisfied with her husband’s lavish gifts, feeling that they aren’t really “her” and challenges him to pay attention and see who she is. On the surface, this seems really ungrateful, and it is.
But I can also understand the feeling of not being seen and understood, and how difficult that can be to communicate. Sarah gives me the impression of being a character with gift-giving being her primary love language, expensive and materialistic gifts are not the goal, but instead something thoughtful, a tangible affirmation of love. The challenge does get her husband thinking, and he observes things about her that he hadn’t noticed before.
It’s a fluffy and sweet story held down I think because Sarah’s character just wasn’t convincing and she is unlikeable. Communication is key for the survival of any relationship and the way that she communicates her needs gives the impression of being self-centered and it will turn off a number of readers. The story didn’t quite nail it for me, but that’s nothing against the writer at all. I’d be willing to give Delinsky another try with one of her novels.
But I can also understand the feeling of not being seen and understood, and how difficult that can be to communicate. Sarah gives me the impression of being a character with gift-giving being her primary love language, expensive and materialistic gifts are not the goal, but instead something thoughtful, a tangible affirmation of love. The challenge does get her husband thinking, and he observes things about her that he hadn’t noticed before.
It’s a fluffy and sweet story held down I think because Sarah’s character just wasn’t convincing and she is unlikeable. Communication is key for the survival of any relationship and the way that she communicates her needs gives the impression of being self-centered and it will turn off a number of readers. The story didn’t quite nail it for me, but that’s nothing against the writer at all. I’d be willing to give Delinsky another try with one of her novels.
August 6, 2017
Lo lei en ingles pero voy a comentarlo en español ya que no vi ninguna reseña.Me sirvio solo para ponerme al dia con el ingles. No me produjo nada mas. Es una historia corta o novella que trata sobre una matrimonio de casi 20 años con dos hijas adolencentes. y justo es el aniversario y el no sabe que regalarle y a lo largo se da cuenta que se dedico mas a su trabajo como abogado que en conocer y saber cuales son los gustos de su mujer. Primera vez que leo a la autora y es mas del estilo de Danielle Steel(que la adoro), Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks, etc. La voy a leer en español a ver si cambia mi persepcion.
July 13, 2015
I guess I am one of these weird ladies out there that tells her husband what she wants for my birthday and anniversary. Just tell your husband what you want!! Don't make him guess. I have been married for 23 years and I have never been disappointed with anything my husband has gotten me. This book made me rant.... rant over!!!
September 5, 2017
I liked the idea on the main message the author is trying to convey here. It's true that men often do not pay the attention they should to their wives. However, I found Sara's character not very convincing. Her husband loves her and has in fact covered her in lavish and expensive gifts for 17 years but she is not using any because "they are not her"??? It shocked me to see at the end that what she had wanted all those 17 years was what she got! Really??? Not buying it.
May 15, 2015
Great short story about married life and gift giving which should be about the person receiving the gift. I know it made some readers mad the wife demanded the husband get the perfect gift without suggestions but I felt it was more of a Story about partners taking time to know each other and picking a gift of love not just for show to prove you can take care of your partner
May 20, 2015
Oh bore me
If you want a mindless, dumb book, you got it. No hints cause it's too short for clues, half cup of coffee and book was read and deleted from Kindle. How old exactly is the author????
If you want a mindless, dumb book, you got it. No hints cause it's too short for clues, half cup of coffee and book was read and deleted from Kindle. How old exactly is the author????
May 12, 2015
This is a great story about marriage and how to put in the effort. I really liked it and it is really fitting for those little waits at an appointment or just to read (and finish!) before bed.
May 23, 2015
Nice short read.
February 5, 2017
Cute story, but I was hoping for something a bit longer. However, I'm convinced to check out more of Barbara Delinsky's work. I very much enjoy her writing style.
September 3, 2021
Cute, kinda light hearted story from an author that I think of dealing with more serious issues in life.
Not a bad premise for a short story, a wife that doesn't want to be showered with the stereotypical gifts that a slightly well off family can afford, the type of stuff that men are taught that "all women" love.
Hell, the wife basically didn't want expensive stuff but something a bit more from the heart, ya know, something that he saw and thought "That's definitely my wife".
I collect Batman stuff, Catwoman stuff and I hoard books. The BF is great at getting me stuff that I love and I promise you, it isn't expensive ass diamond earrings.
So, yeah, I thought that this was a cute story. Kinda read like a chapter of a larger book but didn't leave you feeling like you walked in on a conversation and were completely lost.
Pretty sure this was a freebie, so no big deal.
Not a bad premise for a short story, a wife that doesn't want to be showered with the stereotypical gifts that a slightly well off family can afford, the type of stuff that men are taught that "all women" love.
Hell, the wife basically didn't want expensive stuff but something a bit more from the heart, ya know, something that he saw and thought "That's definitely my wife".
I collect Batman stuff, Catwoman stuff and I hoard books. The BF is great at getting me stuff that I love and I promise you, it isn't expensive ass diamond earrings.
So, yeah, I thought that this was a cute story. Kinda read like a chapter of a larger book but didn't leave you feeling like you walked in on a conversation and were completely lost.
Pretty sure this was a freebie, so no big deal.
July 20, 2020
Unread shelf project 2020: book 48.
Mixed feelings about this story.
Positive feelings:
* I totally understand the desire to have your husband know you well enough to surprise you with a gift you really wanted. This is a struggle I go through with my husband — we’ve been married 12 years and in the past 4-5 years I’ve just started to give him a wishlist for Christmas/birthday/anniversary and then he chooses things from the wishlist, so that way what he picks is still a surprise but he also doesn’t have to stress about gift giving without any guidance. But would I love it if he could pick something out for me that I’d love, the way I can pick things out for him that he loves? Yes, I would. It’s just not realistic for us, though. Experience has taught me that.
Negative feelings:
* Sarah came across as kind of an entitled brat. And I mean, I’m sure I’ve come across like that too when I’ve just wanted my husband to KNOW what I wanted for gifts. Like I said, I can see both sides... but seeing it fully removed from me was kind of an eye-opener.
The characters were not very fleshed out and most of them felt one-dimensional, including Sarah and Tom (the MCs).
But the ending was sweet.
Mixed feelings about this story.
Positive feelings:
* I totally understand the desire to have your husband know you well enough to surprise you with a gift you really wanted. This is a struggle I go through with my husband — we’ve been married 12 years and in the past 4-5 years I’ve just started to give him a wishlist for Christmas/birthday/anniversary and then he chooses things from the wishlist, so that way what he picks is still a surprise but he also doesn’t have to stress about gift giving without any guidance. But would I love it if he could pick something out for me that I’d love, the way I can pick things out for him that he loves? Yes, I would. It’s just not realistic for us, though. Experience has taught me that.
Negative feelings:
* Sarah came across as kind of an entitled brat. And I mean, I’m sure I’ve come across like that too when I’ve just wanted my husband to KNOW what I wanted for gifts. Like I said, I can see both sides... but seeing it fully removed from me was kind of an eye-opener.
The characters were not very fleshed out and most of them felt one-dimensional, including Sarah and Tom (the MCs).
But the ending was sweet.
May 16, 2023
This was a sweet short story about a husband who after overhearing his wife complain to her mother on the phone about the unimaginative gifts he had given her in the past, finally gives some thought to the next gift he buys for her - this one for their anniversary. It's a lesson in "more expensive isn't necessarily better", and seeing the person for who they are and tailoring the gift accordingly.
November 28, 2023
Lovely story, especially for husbands
I enjoyed this short story as much as I enjoy her novels. This is unfortunately a common dilemma, particularly for men. Get a clue: buying jewelry or sending flowers are okay but they don't tell the recipient that you know her, know what is special about her. Buying lingerie seems more like getting her what you want. Same for kitchen equipment! Price often has little to do with the value. This is a "must read".
I enjoyed this short story as much as I enjoy her novels. This is unfortunately a common dilemma, particularly for men. Get a clue: buying jewelry or sending flowers are okay but they don't tell the recipient that you know her, know what is special about her. Buying lingerie seems more like getting her what you want. Same for kitchen equipment! Price often has little to do with the value. This is a "must read".
November 20, 2024
Sarah Markham loves her husband Tom but she worries that he doesn't fully under her which adds tension to their marriage. On their anniversary, Sarah asks Tom to think about who she really is and what she truly wants. The story explores the efforts between Sarah and Tom and whether they can bridge the cap to achieve a deeper understanding of one another. I really enjoyed this wonderful short-story romance fiction.
June 19, 2017
A cute little short story by Barbara Delinsky...
Tom doesn´t know what to give his wife on his wedding anniversary. Sarah doesn´t want jewlery, expensive clothes...she wants a gift from the heart. Watch Tom´s witty quest to find out.
An entretaining work...this short story shows the warm simplicity of Delinsky´s writing...read it for free and enjoy it!
Tom doesn´t know what to give his wife on his wedding anniversary. Sarah doesn´t want jewlery, expensive clothes...she wants a gift from the heart. Watch Tom´s witty quest to find out.
An entretaining work...this short story shows the warm simplicity of Delinsky´s writing...read it for free and enjoy it!
June 5, 2022
I enjoyed this short story/preview.
I enjoyed this short story/preview very much. What She Really Wants was upbeat and entertaining with a sweet happy ending. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys happy endings. The preview of blueprints was interesting if a bit short. I read the synopsis of the book however, and I would enjoy reading it.
I enjoyed this short story/preview very much. What She Really Wants was upbeat and entertaining with a sweet happy ending. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys happy endings. The preview of blueprints was interesting if a bit short. I read the synopsis of the book however, and I would enjoy reading it.
February 23, 2025
Well I was surprised it was just a short story! It seemed like it was winding up and I thought wait - how can that be? So I was disappointed.
Sarah wants her husband to surprise her with an anniversary gift and feels he should know what would make her happy. Just as he starts to uncover clues about what she really wants, it was over. Predictable too.
Sarah wants her husband to surprise her with an anniversary gift and feels he should know what would make her happy. Just as he starts to uncover clues about what she really wants, it was over. Predictable too.
October 11, 2017
Terrible story line.
My two cents worth?
Be grateful for a gift regardless of what it is after all it’s the thought that counts.
Don’t expect the gift giver to read your mind.
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
My two cents worth?
Be grateful for a gift regardless of what it is after all it’s the thought that counts.
Don’t expect the gift giver to read your mind.
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
November 23, 2020
The Surprise Gift
This book was short but I will say her books are great to read.
This book was quite humorous how can a husband not know what to get for his
wife for their anniversary .
This book was short but I will say her books are great to read.
This book was quite humorous how can a husband not know what to get for his
wife for their anniversary .
May 13, 2021
Sweet story …. Perfect
This story was thought provoking because we all get caught in this situation in one way or another. Truly taking the time to “know” a person even after years of being together is a gift in itself. ❤️❤️❤️
This story was thought provoking because we all get caught in this situation in one way or another. Truly taking the time to “know” a person even after years of being together is a gift in itself. ❤️❤️❤️
December 31, 2022
This is a sweet fun read....husband and wife and he wants to buy the perfect gift for her for their anniversaryl He asks her what she wants....her replay.."I want you to think and to look at me and to see who I really am and what I want.
A lovely book that will make your heart warm.
A lovely book that will make your heart warm.
January 5, 2017
Short and sweet.
This is a short story but says a lot about truly seeing beyond the every day commonplace things and people in our life.
This is a short story but says a lot about truly seeing beyond the every day commonplace things and people in our life.
June 3, 2017
A very short novella on kindle about a man who doesn't know what to get his wife for their anniversary.It took maybe ten minutes to read. It was a very quick easy read.
September 25, 2017
Barbara delinsky
These books are the best I am officially hooked on Barbara delinsky she has some amazing writing and I will keep folllowing her
These books are the best I am officially hooked on Barbara delinsky she has some amazing writing and I will keep folllowing her
November 1, 2017
The challenge was met and more came out of this process than just a gift!
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