The Wish List Trip

by Kerry Lonsdale, Orly Konig

The Wish List Trip is an unputdownable story of sisterhood, self-discovery and how not to smuggle your friend’s ashes through French border control… Addictive, escapist and bittersweet, perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Emily Giffin and Jojo Moyes.

Dear Holly and Anna,

I knew it would take drastic measures to bring you together, so, ta da, one drastic measure! I’m sorry I died. And I know you guys haven’t spoken in five years. But here’s the over fourteen days, you are going to scatter my ashes in every place we vacationed together in our twenties.

I wish I could have fixed your friendship before I passed away. But dying comes with one perk—you can’t say no to me now.

You’re going to have the best time. I’ve planned rum cocktails in Cabo and café hopping in Paris. And along the way, I’ll keep sending you letters. Because there’s a secret I wasn’t brave enough to share when I was alive… and if I know the three of us, I suspect we’ve all been hiding something from each other.

The times we spent together were the best days of my life. Nobody made me laugh like you did, Anna. And Holly, promise you’ll let your hair down one last time for me.

I hope by the end of this trip, there’s nothing left we’re afraid to say...
xo, Zoe

Read what everyone’s saying about Kerry Lonsdale and Orly

“WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!! Oh my goodness what an amazing book!… I deliberately read this book slowly to savor it. Emotional and draws you right in and I didn’t see the twists coming! Beautiful.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Holy Cannoli! What did I just read??… I absolutely inhaled this book in less than one day. I’m pretty sure my husband was ecstatic when he knew I had finally finished because no-one was talking to me until I did. I was obsessed… I’m just blown away... I loved it. Wowza.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“HOLY MOLY! I finished in under 48 hours… to give my heart time to process the emotions… a rollercoaster ride of emotions… the twist! Oh my, the twist!... Kerry, you have done it once again… love it!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Great googly moogly… amazing… I loved the story, I loved the writing, I loved the characters… it was the twists and turns this story took… brilliant… I stand here loudly clapping my hands and bowing to Kerry Lonsdale!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Absolutely astounded by what I just read. One of the best stories I’ve ever read… I loved every page…. I needed this... This book will stay with me FOREVER!!!!!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I simply couldn't put this beautiful

Genres: Travel, Fiction, Friendship, Audiobook, Womens Fiction

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2026

About the author

Kerry Lonsdale is the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Amazon Charts & #1 Kindle bestselling author of standalone and series-based romantic women's fiction and emotionally charged domestic drama with over twenty-seven foreign language translations. She resides in Northern California with her husband.

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Reviews

[L A · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The times we spent together were the best days of my life. Nobody made me laugh like you did, Anna. And Holly, promise you’ll let your hair down one last time for me.
I hope by the end of this trip, there’s nothing left we’re afraid to say...
xo, Zoe"

Holly, Anna and Zoe were once the unimaginable friends to travel and laugh with until one day they were no more. Holly and Anna had a falling out on one of their trips, so not only hurting themselves but Zoe too. Zoe has an all expense paid trip for Holly and Anna to travel around the world and carry her ashes with them to spread at each stop. In some countries it is illegal to do such...
This was an emotional, yet reviving of friendship trying to right itself on a traveling path. I'm not sure if it is for everyone, but if you have lost someone and dreamed of hearing from them one more time...this is for you. It's not perfect, but sadly, fun.
With every letter revealed, I waited in anticipation for the reconciliation, as the lies and secrets became the truth.
I listened to it on audio with fabulous narrators Amy Hutchins and Victoria Connolly.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this incredible audio in exchange for my review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a warm and tender book! I loved reading this one. Full of friendship, secrets, love and loss, the writers certainly pull on the heart strings in this story.

Anna and Holly have had a significant falling out and it is only after the death of their best friend Zoe are they forced to come back together. Because before had she died, Zoe had created an itinerary whereby the girls would travel to their past holiday destinations, scattering her ashes, and reading letters that Zoe wrote before her death. Considering that Anna and Holly haven’t spoken for many years, on paper, this sounds like a disaster. How can the two women work together and honour Zoe’s wishes if they cannot stand to be the same room as each other?

It doesn’t help that Zoe’s father also has little faith in Anna and Holly and the first destination that the women reach simply proves this point. There are many references to an event that happened in Greece – the time when the friendship fell apart – and I loved how readers are left waiting until the final destination, when the reason for their falling out finally becomes clear. In the early parts of the book, Holly remains very distant from Anna; Anna continues to present her life on social media and it is clear that this is a cause of contention for Holly.

Yet, after Zoe’s first couple of letters, the friends are forced to evaluate everything they knew about Zoe. They might have been close friends, but they soon learn that there were many secrets that Zoe kept from them. These are quite tender moments when the women are reading the letters and this added to the emotion of the story. Adding the fact that Anna and Holly haven’t been exactly honest with each other, this memorial trip becomes an opportunity to heal rifts, share memories and just realise that friendship is too precious to leave behind. These poignant letter-reading moments personified the meaning of the story of the value of friendship. I really enjoyed getting to know Zoe’s character through her letters and it was lovely to see how much she understood her friends, even though she cannot be there with them on these trips.

In just a short space of two weeks, Anna and Holly do resolve their differences, but it is not without those bumps in the road that you would expect. I enjoyed watching the evolution that the women undertake in this journey and by the end of the book, felt like I was part of their friendship group. Furthermore , the use of social media was quite an apt theme in the novel, particularly considering how far we all seem to go to share “perfect” moments online. In today’s current climate with social media bans and the impact on mental health, I think this is a poignant reminder to readers that life is for living, not necessarily presenting to others.

This was a story that was full of emotion and I was immersed in it from the beginning. Thanks to the gorgeous locations that Zoe’s trip takes us on, we learn about her wishes, her secrets, and that important friendship between her Holly and Anna. A lovely summer read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

With thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Yia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clearly, I'm in the minority with such high reviews, but this sadly wasn't for me.

The premise sounded great, and I hoped for a novel that celebrated female friendships, but the narrative just didn't hit home. Mostly, the two main characters just clashed and bickered, and I kind of checked out part way through, with the conclusion taking a little longer to reach than I would've liked.

And rather than rooting for them to mend their fractured friendship (as i suspect was the authors' intention), I felt they really shouldn't be friends, with Holly constantly judging Anna, and Anna not having enough self-respect to walk away from the relationship.

I wish I had liked this more, but again, I am in the minority it seems.

Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and Bookouture for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jo Lee]

Dnf - I’m sure it’s no fault of the author it was entirely due to the narration which managed to somehow some overacted and robotic.

I truly appreciate the opportunity to review the ALC from Bookouture Audio and NetGalley.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wish List Trip is a heartwarming story of friendship. Holly, Anna, and Zoe were best friends for years, taking trips all over the world, until something happened to sever that bond. Can returning to those places heal that rift? That is the question that Holly and Anna must face. There are many raw, sad moments in this story, but there are also lighthearted moments, and bittersweet and poignant moments, too. I loved that two authors that I admire came together to.write this wonderful book. I received and advance reader copy of this novel.

[Kerrie Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the wish list trip we meet Holly and Anna they have been best friends since they started university and were sharing a room together. Shortly after they met Zoe who became their third amigo.

The three best friends took a trip every year since they qualified and finished university until the fateful trip to Greece six years ago.

Holly and Anna have not spoken since despite Anna trying several times to apologise. Zoe has also tried to bring them together but unfortunately Holly has found it difficult to forgive.

Until it’s too too late. Zoe, who has recently passed away after battling cancer has a request of both Holly and Anna to scatter her ashes in all the places they visited over the years in the hopes of reuniting the two. Can Holly and Anna put aside their differences to honour Zoe’s last wish?

Oh the tears I cried reading this from the very first page the authors have done a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, I could not help but feel their every emotion. From reading Zoe’s heartfelt letters to the scattering of the ashes in the many different places. The memories each place invoked for both characters and the way the book unfolded told in alternative chapters from both Holly and Anna interspersed with Zoe‘s letters

I highly recommend this book and the audio version which I also listened to and both narrators did an amazing job of bringing together the story. Just make sure you have some tissues handy as you may need them.

I would like to thank both Kerry and the publisher for the opportunity to read and listen to this title Kerry for allowing me the opportunity to read the book early as part of her team Kerry and the publisher for granting me the opportunity to listen to the audiobook

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, you know that I never read blurbs before reading a book and I was obviously drawn to this one by the beautiful free, summery front cover image - but I just had a feeling that this might be in the category of books that break me!

After Zoe's death, best friends Holly and Anna receive a last wish letter asking them to scatter Zoe's ashes in all the places that they used to holiday together.
The only problem, Holly and Anna haven't been friends or even spoken in 5 years!

This was always going to be an emotional read from that point on and although I knew that this trip would bring both girls back together, it was never going to be the same without Zoe.

I loved meeting the three amigos and seeing all the memories of the times they spent together - but I was apprehensive to find out just what had happened six years ago in Greece, that had been the thing to break Anna and Holly apart.

This was a real journey not only with all the different settings both now and then, but also a journey of friendship and grief and also of hope.

We followed the story through the pov's of both Anna and Holly so this really allowed us to get into both their heads throughout.
This did however mean that we felt every one of their emotions throughout too.
With Zoe's letters popping up in-between, this really was a heart wrenching read.

This was so well written and especially well blended through both author's work.
A great storyline but some really relatable and believable characters that you couldn't help loving.

Get those tissues ready, but definitely a read I'd recommend.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to an advance audiobook copy.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the premise, and I especially appreciated the way the story kept the friend who had passed away present throughout the entire journey. I thought her presence was a beautiful and meaningful part of the story, and I liked how she ultimately acted as a guide for the two friends as they found their way back to each other.

That said, I did feel that the story was somewhat stretched in places. There were moments where I felt certain parts could have been tightened or removed altogether, which would have made the story feel more concise and natural. The extent of the disconnect between the two friends also felt a little prolonged to me, and I think their estrangement could have been shortened without taking away from the emotional impact of the story.

At the same time, I can appreciate that the length of their disconnect and the complicated emotions between them can reflect real life. Friendships can become messy, and people can carry hurt, grief, and misunderstandings for much longer than we might expect. That said, I appreciated the rawness and emotional honesty of the characters, as their complicated emotions felt very true to real life.

Despite a few pacing issues, this was an enjoyable and emotional read with a premise I really loved. I appreciated the themes of friendship, grief, reconciliation, and finding your way back to the people who matter.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Kerry Lonsdale and Orly Konig, The Authors of "The Wish List Trip" have written a captivating, emotional, powerful, memorable and thought-provoking novel. I loved everything about this well written and well told story by two incredible and talented authors. The Genres for this unique book are Sisters Fiction, Friendship Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Adventure and Suspense. Both Authors vividly describe the scenery, the landscape. the plot, and the colorful and dramatic characters. Three best friends have traveled together, and after one of the friends, Zoe passes away, the other two friends, are left with letters, instructions, and Zoe's ashes and assigned to complete the Friendship List Wish. Anna and Holly have been estranged since their last trip to Greece. Zoe's last wishes are for Anna and Holly to reconnect and rebuild their friendship. Zoe has other plans as well, and wants Anna and Holly to re-visit the places the three had gone on vacation, and leave Zoe's ashes, in fourteen days.

Zoe includes some secrets that she had never shared while she was alive. There are twists and turns, surprises, adventures, travels to beautiful places, wit, sadness and tears. One of the difficulties is trying to smuggle an urn with ashes into different countries with strict rules. On this bucket list, is the opportunity to create new memories, and also remember Zoe. I appreciate how the authors describes the importance of friendship, sisterhood, relationships, and family. I highly recommend this amazing book to others.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to begin to write a review since this book had me laughing, crying and coaching the characters to make good choices. The characters were so believable that they became like friends who needed my help to get them back together in a right relationship. Zoe, Anna and Holly are so different and yet form a perfect circle of support and friendship with one another. Zoe’s love for her friends is no more evident than after her death, when she plans a trip for Holly and Anna to take together in order for them to reconcile after a huge breakup during their last trip with Zoe. Holly, ever practical, doesn’t want to go because she wants to fulfill her home responsibilities. Anna, ever adventurous, wants to go, just maybe not on a reconciliation tour with Holly. The fact that Zoe asks them to go and then plans the whole trip is what makes the story so unique and fun to read. The settings are spectacular, from cliff diving in Mexico to climbing the heights overlooking Santorini. The authors did a fantastic job of realistically portraying the places and putting me there with the characters. The plot was moderate, but the perfect pace for such an emotional and heart-wrenching story. So many revelations are uncovered about Zoe, her family and the lives of Holly and Anna that the book and its secrets captivated me as much as the unlikely friendships between this trio of young women. I loved the entire story and was sad to see it end, but I was also delighted with the cleverly written and satisfying conclusion. This is an emotionally charged book, so keep tissues handy and enjoy the insights into wonderfully written characters in a charming and compelling story. A definite five-plus stars and a standing ovation for such a brilliant and positive story!
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Susan (The Book Bag) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful story of friendship and rediscovery. I was totally captivated by this book and loved every minute of it. Two friends embark on a trip at the request of the third friend who is no longer with them. Will this trip mend fences or will that tie be broken forever?

I could relate parts of this book to myself and my friends. Not that we've traveled all over like Holly, Anna and Zoe did, but more of just recognizing the bonds that we have with each other. One of our friends has passed away, like Zoe did in this story, but we still get together regularly, to honor her and the friendships that she inspired.

This is my first time reading anything by Orly Konig. And of course I love everything Kerry Lonsdale writes. I think I have just found a new author to read because this collaboration by these two authors is amazing. Writing in general seems like it would be challenging enough but then to write with another person? That takes it to whole other level and that process just is mind-blowing to me.

This amazing, creative duo has another book coming out in early 2027 and I am so excited to see what they create for us then.

The Wish List Trip is a spectacular, unforgettable story and one I highly recommend!

[Diana Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read an ARC of The wish list trip by Kerry Lonsdale and Orly Konig. I could not put down this emotional, bittersweet tale of former best friends who have to put aside their differences and come together to fulfill their friend's Zoe last request; to travel to all their previous vacation spots and scatter her ashes, while repairing their friendship. Secrets are revealed, while sad moments are interspersed with humor had me reaching for the tissue box constantly. While former friends Anna, and Holly are front and center, its their friend Zoe who drives the story with her letters to them on each leg of the trip. I definitely recommend this book and the authors! Perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Emily Giffin and Jojo Moyes.

[Randi A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was exactly the kind of book I needed right now - it was a warm hug. I will say, and my biggest gripe, was with Anna and the central conflict that ended the friendship. I do not feel it was justified or properly explained because it feels completely bananas a grown woman would do this. I also was shocked given how many revelations Zoe shared that nobody even got upset that their friend had lied to them their entire friendship. Would’ve added a bit more complication to the plot. Solid 3.5 rounded up.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Wonderful stars to this brilliant, heartwarming celebration of life, love and friendship. When Zoe passes away she leaves her last wish to her two best friends, Anna and Holly, to re-visit their vacation trips together and leave some of Zoe’s ashes in each spot, while rebuilding their broken friendship. The characters are wonderfully written and I appreciated the humor sprinkled throughout. A beautiful story! I thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book .

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Wish List Trip' by Kerry Lonsdale and Orly Konig

Where, Oh Where have you been all my life Lonsdale and Orly??!?!?! What an absolutely extraordinary, stunning, one of a kind fantastic page turner!!

An absolutely EXTRAORDINARY, BEAUTIFUL, SWEET and UNIQUE book fair play!!

I SERIOUSLY LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, EMOTIONAL, ESCAPIST, REFLECTIVE AND EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING NOVEL!! IT TRULY IS AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, ADDICTIVE AND PAGE TURNING MUST READ!! AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING READ FROM AMAZING AUTHORS!!

IF YOU LOVE EMOTIVE, DRAMA, SISTERHOOD, ESCAPISM, INSPIRATIONAL READS, ENTERTAINMENT, FUN OR JUST LOVE A BRILLIANT READ THEN GRAB THIS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING FUN, FANTASTIC AND FABULOUS PAGE TURNER NOW!!!!

THIS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE PAGE TURNER HAS JUST SHOT TO MY TOP SPOT OF 2026 AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE!!!

CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES AND GRAB THIS ABSOLUETLY BRILLIANT PAGE TURNING BOOK TODAY!! ONE THE BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ!! GRAB YOUR COPY NOW!! I CAN GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!! YOU CAN THANK ME LATER!!!

This may be the first book I have read by these extremely talented authors but there is no way in hell it it is going to be my last!! I cannot wait to read more of their individual books and hope that they collaborate and write another book together again as they work together beautifully! What a blooming epic read!! Seriously, if you are a fan of escapism, fun, adventure or just looking for something to turn a frown upside down and looking for a brilliant read then you will LOVE this!! I would absolutely LOVE to see this book turned into a movie!!

OMFG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS ADDICTIVE, BEAUTIFUL, INSPIRATIONAL AND EPIC BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING MUST READ!!!

The first thing I have got to say is an absolutely HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the AMAZING authors Lonsdale and Orly! Where on Earth have you BOTH been hiding all my life? I am SHOCKED I have not read any of either of your books before!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!!! Thank God I have rectified that stupid mistake and read this and now I can devour the rest of your books singularly and hopefully together. I mean, if this is anything to go by then they are guaranteed to be epic!! What an absolutely extraordinary, sweet, beautiful, inspiration, evocative and escapist must read!! This is definitely one of the BEST and most heartfelt novels I have ever read and it is also one of my favourite books of all times!!! You SERIOUSLY have to grab your copy of this brilliant page turner today!! You can thank me later! The descriptions, the escapism, the characters and the absolutely brilliant and stunning storyline!!! This book NEEDS to be turned into a movie!!! I mean seriously I cannot describe just how sweet, emotional, realistic, unique, refreshing and stunning this book is!!! There are just no words. I mean I'll try but my advice is stop reading this review and GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! If you like realistic characters, realistic situations, female friendship, entertainment, feel good books… Do you know what...whatever you like to read just give this a go and you will NOT regret it!!! As you can tell I thoroughly enjoyed this addictive and stunning page turner!!! I mean I have read loads of books this year but THIS book has just shot to my favourite book of 2026 and I will be very surprised if anyone manages to knock it off that spot!!I I am not going to go into details about the storyline as the publishers have done an amazing job of telling you what you need to know in the fantastic synopsis so if you want to more then you will just have to grab your copy of this absolutely fabulous page turner today and I can absolutely GUARANTEE you will not regret it! With a storyline ram packed with female friendship, loss, emotions, travelling, humour, drama, heartache, romance, family, regrets, inspiration, entertainment, moving on, beauty, secrets, mistakes, stunning locations, courage, loyalty, determination, stubbornness, kindness, warmth, realistic characters and so, so, so much more what on Earth are you waiting for??? It absolutely captivated my attention from the very first page and kept me glued to the pages until the very last word and definitely left me wanting more!! Lonsdale and Orly's incredible evocative writing skills and vivid descriptions will transport the reader around the World with Holly and Anna. Lonsdale and Orly do an absolutely beautiful job of weaving the storyline through the multiple protagonist perspective's of both friends Holly and Anna giving us a greater insight into what each of them are thinking, feeling and seeing ensuring the reader doesn't miss out on anything! I absolutely LOVED the fact that these brilliant authors also included an epilogue from Zoe's perspective on why she set her friends on this beautiful adventure after her death. It was an absolutely fantastic and beautiful idea to include this at the end! This is one of the few books that I have listened 100% on Audiobook. If I listen to a book on audiobook I usually also read the physical book between but I listened to the whole book and I was impressed! I must say a HUGE congratulations to the narrator Amy Hutchins and Victoria Connolly who did an absolutely incredible job of bringing this story and it's larger than life characters to life. I would listen to this book in the car and while walking at any opportunity and Amy and Victoria did a fantastic job on both male and female characters voices and portraying the characters emotions through their voices!!! I'm not only looking forward to reading even more books by Kerry & Orly but also to listening to more books narrated by Amy & Victoria! This is one of those fantastic books that is perfect to read anywhere and everywhere from curled up next to a roaring fire to sunning yourself on a beach as regardless of where you are Lonsdale and Orly will whisk you in to the story where everything and everyone will come to life at the turn of each page!! I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting as there was no way I could put it down!! Each and every time I even thought about it to get some actual house work done the characters called me back to demand their attention!! One of the things I really enjoyed about this storyline is that it is unique to me as I had never read a storyline like it which always makes a lovely change after reading so many books as it is getting harder and harder to find something new. An absolutely stunning read that will make your day brighter!! You need to clear your schedules because you will not be able to put this book down. AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!!

Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you get lost in this stunning, heart warming, epic, escapist, unique addictive page turner!!

I absolutely loved the larger than life, unique and just fantastic characters that Lonsdale and Orly has created for this book and I am missing them already as they truly started feeling like friends thanks to Lonsdale and Orly's descriptions and Amy and Victoria's fantastic narrations!! Thanks to her epic descriptions it truly feels like you are right next to Holly and Anna and the rest of the amazing characters throughout. I absolutely loved meeting them and was rooting for them throughout. All of the characters are unique with their own personalities, weaknesses, flaws and strengths and I loved meeting and getting to know them all! The only downfall with the characters is that they are entirely fictional even though Lonsdale, Orly, Victoria and Amy brings them to life unfortunately, no matter how much I would love to, I am unable to meet up with them in the real world!! I was completely invested in them all throughout and I was gutted when the time came to say Goodbye! The fact that Lonsdale and Orly genuinely care for her characters shines through the pages in the fantastic way they brought them to life and ensures their readers feels, sees and hears everything that they are. They truly do an absolutely amazing job of bringing the story to life and the characters leap out of the pages as your turning them thanks to their evocative writing skills and I enjoyed getting to meet them all!! It really goes to show how talented they are creating such a wonderful storyline and all these brilliant characters in this stunning book and cannot wait for their next collaborated book, I would love to see this turned into a movie, have I mentioned that? Hint, Hint Lonsdale and Orly!!! Pick up your copy of this book today and meet these fantastic, memorable and unique characters yourself.

Clear your schedules as this is one unforgettable, beautiful, unique and unputdownable stunner ❤️ Lonsdale and Orly welcome to my favourite author list as well as for writing my FAVOURITE READ OF 2026!!! I CANNOT WAIT FOR YOUR NEXT GUARANTEED SUCCESS!!!

Overall an absolutely emotive, fun, escapism, UNIQUE, EPIC, UNFORGETTABLE MUST READ!! ABSOLUTELY BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL!!

#TheWishListTrip #KerryLonsdale #OrlyKonig #Bookouture #BookoutureAnonymous

@KerryLonsdale @OrlyKonig @Bookouture @BookoutureAnonymous

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[Leanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into The Wish List Trip expecting something warm, escapist and emotionally rich — a story about friendship, grief and reconnection that would pull me in and keep me there. The premise has so much promise: two estranged friends, a fourteen‑day journey through old memories, and Zoe’s letters guiding them from place to place. It’s the kind of setup that should have been irresistible.

But for me, the book never quite lived up to what it could have been, and I finished it feeling genuinely disappointed.

The emotional beats didn’t land the way I hoped. Holly and Anna’s relationship had potential, but I struggled to feel the depth the story kept insisting was there. Their tension felt repetitive rather than layered, and instead of drawing me into their shared history, it left me a little detached. Zoe’s letters — meant to be the heart of the story — often felt more like plot nudges than something truly intimate or revealing.

There are moments that shine: a few settings that sparkle, a couple of lines that capture the ache of growing apart from people you once loved. But those moments were scattered, and they weren’t enough to bring the story together for me. I kept waiting for that emotional click, that sense of connection or catharsis, and it just didn’t arrive.

A lovely premise, but ultimately a story that didn’t find its footing and left me disappointed.

[Carla Suto · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE WISH LIST TRIP is a heart-tugging and powerful story of female friendship, love and self-discovery written by two outstanding authors, Kerry Lonsdale and Orly Konig. It is a book about three women, Anna, Holly and Zoe who have been best friends since college. Since their college years, the three friends have taken a trip together every year, exploring exotic destinations and exciting adventures. But something happened six years ago during their trip to Greece that caused Holly to stop speaking to Anna. Anna tried repeatedly to apologize to Holly and Zoe tried to get them to reconcile, but to no avail. Now, Zoe has passed away from cancer and her last wish was that the former friends reunite to recreate the trips of the past and scatter her ashes along the way. Can Holly and Anna put aside their differences and come together to honor Zoe’s dying wish? Can they find their way back to the strong friendship they once knew? This emotional story of secrets, damaged friendships, grief and forgiveness is both heart-breaking and hopeful. Told from the viewpoints of Holly and Anna, as well as Zoe’s voice from her letters to her friends, I felt like I knew the three women personally. I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing collaboration between these two author friends and highly recommend it. Thank you to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

[Janie Hickok Siess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authors Kerry Lonsdale and Orly Konig met in 2010 when they were both “budding writers with big dreams” and were assigned to be critique partners. Both were members of the Romantic Women’s Fiction chapter of the Romance Writers Association. They quickly became friends who felt they had known each other their whole lives. Together, they founded the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and dreamed of co-authoring a book.

Fifteen years passed as they traveled together and eventually found themselves at a writing retreat. Enjoying a bottle of wine, they mulled over story ideas that eventually became the basis for The Wish List Trip. They say the books “themes of enduring friendship, the healing power of travel, and the courage it takes to reconnect after time apart aren’t just fictional. They’re woven from our own experience.”

The story opens with a letter from Zoe to her two best friends, Holly and Anna, when she knew she was dying from cancer. She meticulously planned a fourteen-day adventure for her to embark on after her death. She was confident they would agree to scatter part of her ashes in six places they all visited together – Cabo San Lucas; Napa, California; Bozeman, Montana; Paris, France; Aspen, Colorado; Santorini, Grece — and finally, the place they wanted to visit but never got to see, the Mayan Riviera. She penned letters for them to read at specific junctures, revealing facts about herself and her life that she withheld from her beloved friends. Cleverly, she directed that they take turns opening the letters, ensuring that they would have to travel together and cooperate with each other in order to learn all the details contained in them.

She challenged her friends to be fully present at each location — “Let go and find a spark of joy like we shared that first time; Find a way to releae what you’re afraid to show the world about yourselves.” – and both relive moments they shared there, as well as enjoy new experiences together. And, most importantly, find a way to repair their broken relationship.

She ended each letter with a plea that they never forget her.

Holly and Anna met when they were assigned to be college roommates and continued residing together throughout college. When they met Zoe, the three young women formed a sisterhood.

Holly always felt somewhat like an outsider because Zoe and Anna both came from wealth and privilege, and she could not afford all of the things they could easily acquire. That feeling intensified during the past five years as Anna remained closer to Zoe. During their last girls’ trip (to Greece), Anna’s reckless behavior jeopardized everything Holly had worked so hard for. Furious, and feeling betrayed and frightened, Holly returned home to salvage her life and career. She and Anna never spoke again.

Until they are summoned to the home of Zoe’s emotionally distant parents, advised of Zoe’s final wishes, and challenged to decide whether to comply with Zoe’s request. Anna is eager to embark on the journey and repair her relationship with Holly, who is extremely reluctant. As a practical matter, Anna owns her own business and can travel whenever she likes. But Holly is a married mother of a young son and a high school principal, so planning to be away for two full weeks is much more difficult, both logistically and emotionally. She has never been apart from her child that long.

Ultimately, though, Holly accedes and the two women embark on a physically and psychologically exhausting sojourn back to the places the three friends visited together. Zoe took care of all the arrangements and has prepared a detailed itinerary so all they have to do is recreate their previous experiences, create new memories, leave portions of Zoe’s ashes there and, hopefully, reconcile.

The Wish List Trip is part mystery. What information did Zoe withhold from her friends over the years? Why wasn’t she completely candid but, rather, felt she had to maintain secrecy about aspects of her life? What exactly did Anna do that was so potentially damaging to Holly and, in her estimation, unforgivable?

The story is also, at times, hilarious because some parts of the trip don’t go exactly as planned. The dialogue is crisp, often biting, and always believable. And the tale is deeply, gut-wrenchingly tragic. Lonsdale and Konig deftly reveal their characters’ heartbreaks and struggles, flaws, stubborn determination to be right, and dogged refusal to appreciate the others’ perspectives. But they also skillfully showcase their characters’ gradual realization that they have already wasted enough time being hurt and angry – after all, they have already lost Zoe – and discovery of what really matters in life. Lonsdale and Konig illustrate that perspective is all-too-often hard earned.

Much of the story’s success is attributable to the fact that Holly and Anna are opposites. Holly is organized, stable, methodical. And at times she is resentful because she (mistakenly) believes Anna has had an easier life. She doesn’t view Anna’s luxury travel concierge business as a “real” job and is infuriated by Anna’s obsessive posting on social media accounts. Meanwhile, Anna resents Holly’s refusal to acknowledge that she has built a thriving business completely on her own and understand the vital role that social media plays in its success. She secretly harbors desires that Holly would find surprising and is determined to gain Holly’s forgiveness and respect because she has desperately missed her friend. Anna is not as flighty and vapid as she appears when she arrives with five suitcases full of designer clothing and constantly snaps those annoying selfies she uploads to Instagram. She is, in fact, self-aware, intelligent, and full of longing for very understandable reasons to reestablish her friendship with Holly. She categorically rejects a well-intentioned suggestion that Holly’s friendship “isn’t worth your effort” and “maybe your friendships with Zoe and Holly were only meant to be for part of your life, not your whole life.”

Long-term female friendships are complicated and always provide ample material around which authors can base compelling stories. In The Wish List Trip, Lonsdale and Konig skillfully explore the ways in which their characters have related to each other over the years, as well as their anger, fears, and regrets, through first-person narratives from Holly and Anna. And, of course, those letters from Zoe that reveal how deeply the dying young woman loved her friends . . . and how intent she was on helping them find their way back to each other.

For anyone who has enjoyed a long-time, close friendship, there is much to relate to and contemplate in The Wish List Trip, including how unimportant, in the overall scope of life, squabbles and disagreements, and pride really are. Anyone who has lost a cherished friend of many years will cheer for Holly and Anna to find a way to put aside their messy past, forgive each other and themselves, and resolve to never let anything come between them again so that they can enjoy however much time they still have together.

Because The Wish List Trip beautifully illustrates, sans preachy tone or heavy-handed plot machinations, that we are never granted enough time and it always elapses too quickly.

Is there a moral to the authors’ story? Indeed. Call your friends, take the trips you’ve dreamed about together, overlook their faults, and ask them to tolerate yours. Make as many memories as you can.

Because when all is said and done, memories are all that remain.

Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.

[Poonguzhali A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerry Lonsdale and Orly Konig - this is the first I have ever heard of them and I am usually skeptical about any new authors I try. However, the premise in the blurb of the book really was intriguing, making me opt to try their upcoming book and I have to say, I am very glad I did.

"The Wish List Trip" - the title of the book pretty much sums it up - this book is about three women, Zoe, Anna and Holly, who have been close friends since their college days and have always planned for trips together, every year, since the completion of their course. But the story begins with Zoe's family meeting up with Holly and Anna, after the tragic passing of Zoe due to cancer. Zoe has left detailed instructions about where and how she wants her cremated remains to be scattered, and it's upto Anna and Holly to fulfill her wishes.

The catch here is that Anna and Holly had a falling out in the last vacation they had had just before Zoe's diagnosis, which was 5 years ago, and they still haven't repaired the rift in their friendship. Zoe wishes for them to go to all those places they had vacationed together, in the same order they had gone, and leave a small trace of her in all these places; she also expresses her hope that the two of them are able to resolve their differences in this trip. Whether or not they manage to do it, forms the rest of the story.

I am a fan of stories that are centered on female friendships - particularly those that are very long and deep ones. This book is all about one such deep friendship. However, this book manages to make it much more interesting by making us believe that even such deep and close friendships can be oblivious to certain well-kept, long buried secrets.

The characterization of Zoe, Anna and Holly is perfect; they are real, funny, messed-up people, who are not perfect. They are all unique and the circumstances around them convincingly explain their unique natures. That is what makes the rift believable as well.

The pacing and narrative style of the story is perfect. At no place, did I feel that it is getting boring. The story alternates between Anna and Holly's points of view; that creates an immersive experience as the reader gets to foray into the mindset, thoughts and emotions of these characters. Though the story is about the last wish of a dead friend, it does not make the readers wallow in grief; rather, the story is a celebration of a person who has managed to touch many lives in the short time she had in this world. Anyone who reads this book will do so with a smile on their face while an array of their own bittersweet memories runs through their minds.

I greatly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next book from this pair.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing the ARC of this book. The opinions expressed in the review are entirely my own.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words. This book came along at exactly the moment when I needed a hug.

This emotional and beautifully written story is a heartfelt reminder of the power of female friendship and how these relationships can carry us through both the highs and lows of life. Holly, Anna, and Zoe met in college and almost immediately became best friends. They supported each other through school, and after graduation, they began taking a special trip together every year. Those trips became an important tradition—until their last trip to Greece, when Holly and Anna had a major falling-out and stopped speaking to each other. Five years later, Zoe is gone, but she has one final adventure planned for her two best friends: they must scatter her ashes at all the places they visited together in their twenties.

I absolutely loved this book. Not only did it take me on a journey around the world, but it took my heart right along with it. This is a touching story about friendship, loss, forgiveness, and second chances. Holly and Anna, along with Zoe’s ashes, embark on one final bucket-list adventure planned from beyond the grave, and what follows is an emotional roller coaster in the very best way.

I laughed, teared up, and found myself completely invested in their journey from beginning to end. The story was heartfelt, poignant, and filled with so much emotion. I loved every single minute of it.

The pacing was fantastic. The story never dragged, yet it still took the time to let the emotional moments truly land. I also loved the dual points of view, which added so much depth to the characters and allowed me to connect with each of them on a deeper level. Seeing their stories unfold from both perspectives made every twist, revelation, and heartfelt moment even more impactful.

The narration by Amy Hutchins and Victoria Connolly was wonderful. Both narrators brought their characters to life with warmth and emotion, and their performances made it easy to become completely immersed in the story. They captured the humor, heartbreak, tension, and tenderness so beautifully, adding another layer to an already emotional and memorable experience. Their distinct voices worked especially well with the dual POV and made it easy to follow—and feel—the characters’ individual journeys.

This is one of those books that reminds you why you love reading. It was beautifully written, emotionally satisfying, and nearly impossible to put down. A beautiful celebration of friendship and the people who stay with us—even when they can no longer be by our side.

Thank you to Kerry Lonsdale, Orly Konig and NetGalley for the ALC and this beautiful story.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes / Themes: 👯‍♀️ Female friendship & sisterhood 💔 Grief and healing ✈️ Bucket-list trip 🌍 Travel adventure 💌 Letters from beyond 🤫 Long-held secrets ❤️‍🩹 Broken friendship ✨ Self-discovery 🥹 Emotional but hopeful 💞 Second chances at friendship

I absolutely loved this one! 🥹 The Wish List Trip is one of those books that somehow makes you laugh, ache, and want to book a flight with your best friends all at the same time.

After Zoe dies, she leaves Holly and Anna one final request: take the trip they always talked about and scatter her ashes in the places they once traveled together. The problem? Holly and Anna haven’t spoken in five years. 😬 And because Zoe clearly knew exactly what she was doing, she leaves them letters along the way that force them to deal with the past, the secrets they’ve kept, and what actually happened to their friendship.

I loved watching these women slowly find their way back to each other while also figuring out who they are now. There’s grief at the center of the story, but it never felt overwhelmingly heavy. There’s so much humor, adventure, love, and heart mixed in.

This one also pulled on my heartstrings in some very personal places. As a 4x+ cancer survivor, that fear of not being remembered and the desperate need to fix everything, say everything, and make sure the people you love are okay before you go is a ghost that never completely stops haunting you. Zoe trying to leave something behind for the people she loved hit me especially hard.

There were moments in this book that I felt way more than I expected to. ❤️‍🩹And the idea of your best friend basically orchestrating one last chaotic adventure from beyond the grave? 😂😭 I loved it.

🎧 Amy Hutchins and Victoria Connolly did such a great job with the narration. They brought so much personality and emotion to the characters without making the heavier moments feel overdone.

Perfect for readers who enjoyed One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle, The Celebrants by Steven Rowley, or The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand. If you love emotional friendship stories, grief mixed with humor, travel, messy relationships, and finding your way back to the people who once meant everything to you, this one absolutely hits hard. 🥹✈️💌

🎧 Audiobook runtime: 9 hrs 10 mins
⭐️ 5/5. Absolutely loved it.

Thank you Kerry Lonsdale, Orly Konig, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC! 🖤

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of Ms. Lonsdale that I have read and it was a good read that I did enjoy.

In this story, two friends, Holly and Anna embark on a 12 day trip to multiple places that they had visited in their past while saying goodbye to the third friend, Zoey, in their friend group. Unfortunately, the two embarking on the trip have not spoken in years but forge ahead to honor their deceased friends'wishes. Will they be able to leave the past in the past?

This book is a good read that I did enjoy reading but felt at times that the issues between the friends needed to be laid out sooner so that they could resolve it. The story takes them to some amazing places but the characters are too wrapped up in their issues and at times grief to appreciate their surroundings. I felt that the personal issues of the characters could have been revealed a little sooner than they were so that their resolution at the end did not seem rushed. At times I felt that Holly's anger at Anna was childish in her life of thinking and even though she has a controlling personality it made her rather unlikable to me. Anna on the other hand I felt was a bit immature at times with her care free type attitude but both characters had different upbringings and responsibilities that were glaring differences between them from their first meeting. I felt that the Holly character was very rigid and at times cold so she was rather unrelatable to me. I also understand that the Zoey character where we intent was well meaning used guilt and mystery to manipulate this pair into the trip especially with some of her secrets that she was revealing like cookie crumbs along the journey. By the end of the book I felt that the resolution between the two characters was rushed since they were almost to the end of their trip and it just seemed like after the epiphany moment all was forgiven like nothing happened in the past since something between the pair needed to happen since they ran out of time for anything else.

Overall, this is a light hearted read that I did enjoy. I did like how they called out Zoey;s family in the end and made them face their grief but that resolution was a bit rushed as well. I feel that all of the characters would have benefited from a little bit of therapy but also think we all could in this world.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wish List Trip by Kerry Lonsdale and Orly Konig (2026)
9h 10m narrated by Amy Hutchins and Victoria Connolly, 331 pages

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Travel

Movie Rating Equivalent: R for adult situations

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½⚱️🇺🇲🇲🇽🇫🇷🇬🇷🏺

Hilarious Characters, Heartfelt Moments, and a Morbidly Fun Vacation Read

The Wish List Trip has a funky title for its actual plot, and a cover that gives off contemporary vibes when the actual story is a little hipper. I was not initially enthused to learn that this was a memorial trip, but the characters were so hilariously funny that I quickly let it go. This is a friends-to-enemies-to-friendship story about three best friends—two who are estranged and one who unfortunately passes away, leaving a final request for them to spread her ashes at their previous vacation spots. It sounds a bit morbid, but it was actually a very good time!

​The only reason I couldn't give it five solid stars is that it started to lose steam for me right around the climax. I don't know if it's because of the sudden switch in direction or because they went from comical to serious, but I just didn't like that vibe shift. They did catch it back later, but that bit of a lull kept it from being a perfect 5-star read. I think other readers will be perfectly fine with it, but I'm a tad bit picky when it comes to vacation tropes. Don't mess up my vibe! I was on vacation in my head until they messed it up with that dramatic scene. 😤😂

​All in all, it was a fantastic story, and I am definitely going to be looking for more from these authors.

​Recommend to others: Absolutely! I'm already telling all my book friends they need to read this one.

​I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture Audio via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Featuring: Memorial Trip, Final Wish, Former Friends, 2 Week Vacation with Multiple Destinations, Affluent People, Friendship Feud, Dual POVs, Private School Principal, Travel Influencer, Los Angeles, California; Sisterhood, Self-Discovery, Airports, San Francisco, California; Leukemia, Flashbacks, Urn, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Excursions, Napa California; Forgiveness, Bozeman, Montana; Instagram, Paris, France; Secrets, Self-Actualization, Aspen, Colorado; Family Dynamics, Greece, Mourning, Grief, Acceptance

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! So, where do I even begin with this one?
Three friends. Zoe, Anna and Holly.
They’ve known each other forever. Took trips together…just the girls… every year!
They were the best of friends. And then, two of them had a falling out. They haven’t spoken for FIVE YEARS.
And then, Zoe dies. 😮😳😭

She wanted nothing more than for the two of them to make up. But she couldn’t make it happen when she was alive. Maybe, just maybe, she can guide them from the grave.

I mean, after all, how can you say NO to a dead friend?

So, she devises a plan… before her death. She plans her Bucket List Trip for the three of them. Holly. Anna, and her ashes…. She wants them all to visit the places they went when they were in their 20’s and life was good… and spread her ashes in each of these places… no matter what… no matter how.

At first, they don’t even want to CONSIDER IT! I mean they haven’t talked for years…. But after thinking it through, they decide to do it for Zoe. I mean, she was the BEST of them. She. Always made things fun. And fresh. And wonderful!

And so, off they go… globetrotting!!

And the antics along the way will have you DIE LAUGHING!

BUT… they will also face some real challenges… and have to make some tough decisions along the way…

But they also grow, and forgive, and become girls again, and free-er, and light-er, and so much more…
This one will really tug at your heartstrings… and make you value life and friendships and family…
Because after all… what wouldn’t you do for your best friends????

#TheWishListTrip by @KerryLonsdale and @OrlyKonig. Narrated beautifully by @AmyHutchins and @VictoriaConnolly.

4 1/2 stars for me, happily rounded up to 5! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫


**** THIS ONE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, BUT LOOK 👀 FOR IT SOON! Release date is 9/8/26!! ****

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @BookoutureAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!

And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wish Trip List by Kerry Lonsdale and Orly Konig is a moving story following two former friends as they take an epic trip together at the request of another friend who had died. Holly, Anna and Zoe had been the closest of friends, and in their twenties went on some amazing holidays together. Now Zoe has passed away and Holly and Anna haven’t spoken in five years, since something happened on their trip to Greece.

Zoe’s dearest wish was for her two friends to actually be friends again and be a support for each other. In her will, she asks them to go on a trip she has planned for them, visiting all the places they went on holiday together and to scatter some of her ashes in each place. For two weeks, the women go on a whistle stop tour taking them to several countries and with no option but to be together and talk things over.

The story was told from the perspectives of Holly and Anna and therefore we get to know both sides of the story about their friendship and what happened those five years back. Zoe is very much still part of the story through her letters to Holly and Anna, which are often rather emotional, and through their memories of her. It was so intriguing waiting to find out what had happened in Greece that was so bad that they didn’t speak. Zoe tells her friends in her first letters that she had been keeping secrets from them that she would reveal as the trip went on but also hinted that they had both been keeping secrets too and that was certainly true.

I listened to the audiobook version of the book and the two narrators, Amy Hutchins and Victoria Connolly, did a great job of voicing Holly and Anna. They really captured all the emotions the characters experienced as they spent the fortnight following Zoe’s wish list trip.

The Wish List Trip may make you laugh on one page, then on the next you may find you have a lump in your throat. It is an emotional, often surprisingly funny and ultimately uplifting story of secrets, second chances and firm friendships and I enjoyed spending time getting to know the three friends.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all of the books written by both authors and knew that readers would be in for a treat when the two friends decided to write a book together. This emotional and beautifully written book is about friendships at their highs and lows and reinforces my belief that female friendships are so important and help us get through the highs and lows of our lives.

Holly, Anna and Zoe met in college and almost immediately became best friends. They helped each other through school and once they graduated, they started taking a special trip together each year. Their trips were important to them until that last trip to Greece when Holly and Anna had a major disagreement and haven’t talked to each other for 5 years. Now Zoe is dead and is asking her two best friends to scatter her ashes at all of the places that they went on vacations in their 20s. Holly is reluctant to go – she doesn’t want to be around Anna and hates to leave her husband and son for two weeks. Anna is anxious to go. She misses Holly as a friend and hopes that the friendship can be re-kindled. Zoe planned the trip before she died hoping that her two friends could forgive each other and themselves and find their feelings for each other. Holly finally agreed to go but she wasn’t going to be nice to Anna despite their travels together. At each city on their whirlwind tour, some of the barriers between them began to break down but would the truce hold in Greece, the place where their friendship imploded? Would Zoe’s plan work or would Anna and Holly go back to being strangers and ex-friends.

This book is a look at friendships at their best and their worst and the importance of female friendships. I loved these characters and I loved Zoe’s plan to bring her friends back together after her death. There were a lot of secrets shared and the final HEA ending showed both women not only forgiving each other but also forgiving themselves. Fantastic read!

[Alicia Girardeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.25 stars

What a cozy, feel-good read!

The Wish List Trip follows estranged friends Holly and Anna, who haven’t spoken in five years. After the death of their mutual best friend, Zoe, they’re brought back together to fulfill her final wish: a 14-day trip revisiting places the three traveled together in their twenties and scattering Zoe’s ashes along the way. Throughout the trip, letters from Zoe reveal secrets and force Holly and Anna to confront some hard truths about their lives, their friendship, and themselves.

I loved how relatable the characters were. Holly was rigid, uptight, and a total control freak… she honestly seemed miserable at times. Anna was the fun-loving party girl who may have seemed like she had it all, but she showed so much transparency and authenticity as she tried to apologize and bridge the gap with Holly. And Zoe, the friend who has now passed away, seemed like she had always been the glue of their friendship trio… the balance that kept both Holly and Anna centered.

I loved that I could see parts of myself in each of the different characters. I found myself reflecting on my own life and relationships at times, and I really appreciated how real this story felt despite being such a cozy, feel-good read.

The audio version was also fantastic! I found myself excited to spend time in the car for work just so I could listen… and that says a lot 😂. Having two different narrators tell the story from Holly and Anna’s individual POVs made it even more enjoyable and really helped bring both characters to life.

A beautiful, fun, heartfelt story about friendship, grief, forgiveness, and finding your way back to yourself. I enjoyed every single bit of it! 💛

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an amazing collaboration between authors Orly Konig and Kerry Lonsdale. The Wish List Trip just tugs at your heart from the first page, takes you on a wild, heart-rending, emotional ride and dumps you out exhausted but satisfied.

Holly, Anna and Zoe were best friends for years, sharing secrets, trips, inseparable even when their “real grown-up” lives started and they couldn’t spend as much time together. Until one day five years ago when Anna did something that Holly found unforgivable. Is still unforgivable. The connection of this trio was severed; Anna and Zoe lived near each other and still spent time together, Holly has a husband and child and lives farther away but she and Zoe still kept in touch. However, Zoe became ill and now she’s gone. Gone, but not forgotten. She won’t let them forget her.

Zoe has left instructions with her family for a journey she expects – demands – Holly and Anna make. And that they make up. Over fourteen days, they are to travel together and scatter her ashes in every place they vacationed together in their twenties. Her family has made the arrangements and will fund the trip. Anna is all in. Holly not so much. But how can she refuse her friend’s dying wish? Reluctantly she agrees to go, and starts regretting it before she’s even made it to the airport.

The Wish List Trip will have your emotions pinging all over the place. You’ll laugh, cry, be angry and feel overwhelmed – and you’re not even the one taking the trip. Orly Konig and Kerry Lonsdale are formidable writers on their own, but together they make this story beyond amazing. Excellent writing, just the right pace, the right tug at your heart at the perfect time, and the slowly growing joy and return to love.

I received an advance copy of The Wish List Trip from the authors via NetGalley. I absolutely loved it and recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

SYNOPSIS:
The Wish List Trip follows Holly and Anna, two once-inseparable friends who haven’t spoken in five years after a mysterious falling-out during a trip to Greece. When their beloved friend Zoe dies from leukemia, she leaves them one final request, a 14 day journey to scatter her ashes in the places they once travelled together in their 20s. Armed with Zoe’s letters, old memories & plenty of unresolved feelings, Holly & Anna set off on an emotional adventure through some of their favourite destinations. As they retrace their friendship, Zoe’s carefully planned itinerary begins to uncover long held secrets & forces the women to confront what really happened in Greece, why their friendship fell apart, & whether it’s possible to find their way back to each other

REVIEW:
I mean no disrespect to the efforts of the author; I really wanted to like this one. The premise had so much potential, a grieving friend leaving behind one final adventure for two estranged best friends, beautiful destinations, old memories & long buried secrets, but unfortunately, the execution felt far too cheesy & corny for me. I mean, “holy poop on a popsicle”? Really? What grown woman talks like that? I also struggled with some of the plot holes, particularly the mystery surrounding Greece, which was repeatedly teased only to have the eventual explanation feel almost silly. I couldn’t quite believe that what happened was enough to destroy such a deep friendship, & although there were some genuinely sweet & tender moments, I never connected with them deeply enough for the emotional moments to have the impact they were clearly meant to have. It was a quick, easy & occasionally enjoyable read, & I appreciated the escapist travel, friendship & grief themes, but overall, it didn’t quite get there for me.
Thank you NET GALLERY for this advance copy. Due for release September 2026.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Wish List Trip. It had a little bit of everything I wanted from this kind of story: friendship, grief, travel, secrets, second chances, and just enough humor to keep it from feeling too heavy.

After Zoe dies, she leaves behind one final trip for her two best friends, Holly and Anna, who haven’t spoken in five years. Their job is to travel to the places the three of them once visited together and scatter Zoe’s ashes along the way. And because apparently dying did not stop Zoe from meddling, she also leaves them letters and a few surprises that force them to deal with everything they’ve been avoiding.

I found both Holly and Anna frustrating at different points, but I also think that made them feel more real. Old friendships can be messy, especially when there are years of hurt feelings and secrets involved. What was never in question was how much they both loved Zoe.

I especially loved what Zoe was still able to do for them even after her death. She knew her friends well enough to understand what they needed, even when they didn’t, and I thought that part of the story was really touching.

There are lots of secrets revealed, old wounds reopened, and friendships tested and renewed, all while traveling through some very escapist settings. I also really enjoyed the audiobook narration by Amy Hutchins and Victoria Connolly. Having two narrators helped make Holly and Anna feel distinct and added a lot to the emotional parts of the story.

Bittersweet, heartfelt, and a really lovely story about friendship, forgiveness, and the people who sometimes know us better than we know ourselves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.