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Wish Me Home
In her first work of contemporary women’s fiction, bestselling author Kay Bratt draws on her own life experiences to create a raw, yet inescapably warm, novel about friendship and a wary heart’s unexpected capacity to love.
A hungry, stray dog is the last thing Cara Butter needs. Stranded in Georgia with only her backpack and a few dwindling dollars, she already has too much baggage. Like her twin sister, Hana, who has broken Cara’s heart one too many times. After a lifetime of family troubles, and bouncing from one foster home to another, Cara decides to leave it all behind and strike out alone—on foot.
Cara sets off to Florida to see the home of her literary hero, Ernest Hemingway, accompanied only by Hemi, the stray dog who proves to be the perfect travel companion. But the harrowing trip takes unexpected turns as strangers become friends who make her question everything, and Cara finds that as the journey unfolds, so does her life—in ways she could never imagine.
A hungry, stray dog is the last thing Cara Butter needs. Stranded in Georgia with only her backpack and a few dwindling dollars, she already has too much baggage. Like her twin sister, Hana, who has broken Cara’s heart one too many times. After a lifetime of family troubles, and bouncing from one foster home to another, Cara decides to leave it all behind and strike out alone—on foot.
Cara sets off to Florida to see the home of her literary hero, Ernest Hemingway, accompanied only by Hemi, the stray dog who proves to be the perfect travel companion. But the harrowing trip takes unexpected turns as strangers become friends who make her question everything, and Cara finds that as the journey unfolds, so does her life—in ways she could never imagine.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2017
8650 people are currently reading
3985 people want to read
About the author
Kay Bratt
55 books2,074 followersWriter, Rescuer, Wanderer
Kay Bratt is the powerhouse author behind 40 internationally bestselling books that span genres from mystery and women’s fiction to memoir and historical fiction. Her books are renowned for delivering an emotional wallop wrapped in gripping storylines. Her Hart's Ridge small-town mystery series earned her the coveted title of Amazon All Star Author and continues to be one of her most successful projects out of her more than two million books sold around the world.
Kay's literary works have sparked lively book club discussions wide-reaching, with her works translated into multiple languages, including German, Korean, Chinese, Hungarian, Czech, and Estonian.
Beyond her writing, Kay passionately dedicates herself to rescue missions, championing animal welfare as the former Director of Advocacy for Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas. She considers herself a lifelong advocate for children, having volunteered extensively in a Chinese orphanage and supported nonprofit organizations like An Orphan's Wish (AOW), Pearl River Outreach, and Love Without Boundaries.
In the USA, Kay served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Georgia, as well as spearheaded numerous outreach programs for underprivileged kids in South Carolina. Most recently Kay spent a year volunteering as a Hospice volunteer.
As a wanderlust-driven soul, Kay has called nearly three dozen different homes on two continents her own. Her globetrotting adventures have taken her to captivating destinations across Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, the Philippines, Central America, the Bahamas, and Australia. Today, she and her soulmate of more than 30 years find their sanctuary in St. Augustine, Florida.
Described as southern, spicy, and a touch sassy, Kay loves to share her life's antics with the Bratt Pack on social media. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the fun and buckle up for the ride of a lifetime. Explore her popular catalog of published works at Kay Bratt Dot-Com and never miss a new release (or her latest Bratt Pack drama) by signing up for her monthly email newsletter. For more information, visit www.kaybratt.com.
Kay Bratt is the powerhouse author behind 40 internationally bestselling books that span genres from mystery and women’s fiction to memoir and historical fiction. Her books are renowned for delivering an emotional wallop wrapped in gripping storylines. Her Hart's Ridge small-town mystery series earned her the coveted title of Amazon All Star Author and continues to be one of her most successful projects out of her more than two million books sold around the world.
Kay's literary works have sparked lively book club discussions wide-reaching, with her works translated into multiple languages, including German, Korean, Chinese, Hungarian, Czech, and Estonian.
Beyond her writing, Kay passionately dedicates herself to rescue missions, championing animal welfare as the former Director of Advocacy for Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas. She considers herself a lifelong advocate for children, having volunteered extensively in a Chinese orphanage and supported nonprofit organizations like An Orphan's Wish (AOW), Pearl River Outreach, and Love Without Boundaries.
In the USA, Kay served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Georgia, as well as spearheaded numerous outreach programs for underprivileged kids in South Carolina. Most recently Kay spent a year volunteering as a Hospice volunteer.
As a wanderlust-driven soul, Kay has called nearly three dozen different homes on two continents her own. Her globetrotting adventures have taken her to captivating destinations across Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, the Philippines, Central America, the Bahamas, and Australia. Today, she and her soulmate of more than 30 years find their sanctuary in St. Augustine, Florida.
Described as southern, spicy, and a touch sassy, Kay loves to share her life's antics with the Bratt Pack on social media. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the fun and buckle up for the ride of a lifetime. Explore her popular catalog of published works at Kay Bratt Dot-Com and never miss a new release (or her latest Bratt Pack drama) by signing up for her monthly email newsletter. For more information, visit www.kaybratt.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,155 reviews
August 13, 2018
Ok, so I’m not a big fan of women’s fiction. But if it has a dog in it, I’m a sucker. So, I decided to give this one a chance. And yes, it’s definitely women’s fiction. But Hemi is such a sweetie, he drew me in.
Here’s what we know. Cara is a twin. She and her sister Hana were bounced around from foster home to foster home. Now, into her 20s, she’s become a road warrior. What has happened to make her leave her sister behind? We’re not told. She meets Hemi, an adorable mongrel with a bit of lab/Shepherd in his background, early on into her travels. From there, she meets people that are loving, decent, caring and trustworthy. She has to learn to trust them, however.
This is a love story, between a girl and her dog. Yes, there is also a human love story but Hemi was the one to first open Cara’s heart.
While overall the book did a good job of explaining depression, at a critical scene, it treats it in a glib way, like something that can be dealt with in a matter of hours. And the ending was very dissatisfying.
One thing this audiobook taught me is that I really prefer my listening choices to be more fast paced. I kept wondering if I would have enjoyed the book more if I had read it rather than listened to it.
October 15, 2017
I've received an ARC in exchange of an honest review about this book. This is definitely one of the best women's fiction novels I've read. Everything about this book is to be loved: from the plot and pacing of the story, characterization, setting(s), and most especially Hemi the Dog.
If you are a dog lover like I do, you will enjoy and love also this poignant and spectacular novel. There are several tear-jerking scenes in the story especially the part where Cara just left Hemi in the care of Luke and Toni because she needs to run and hide, fearing that the authorities are pursuing her.
One great novel that will leave you a lot of emotions from sadness, happiness, hope, and love. Lastly, it teaches us that it's okay to be vigilant; but we must still learn to trust and face the fact that there are still a lot of people out there who are willing to help us.
If you are a dog lover like I do, you will enjoy and love also this poignant and spectacular novel. There are several tear-jerking scenes in the story especially the part where Cara just left Hemi in the care of Luke and Toni because she needs to run and hide, fearing that the authorities are pursuing her.
One great novel that will leave you a lot of emotions from sadness, happiness, hope, and love. Lastly, it teaches us that it's okay to be vigilant; but we must still learn to trust and face the fact that there are still a lot of people out there who are willing to help us.
October 24, 2017
4 stars to Wish Me Home
Wish Me Home was the perfect audiobook palate cleanser between heavier reads. Cara is on her way to visit Ernest Hemingway's home; however, we find out quickly that she is not just going for a visit. She's running from something or someone. But as she runs, Cara finds the most endearing stray dog, Hemi (dog lovers will LOVE him ❤️), she confronts her past, and she finds peace and maybe even a happy ending after all. I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, but I found it heartwarming, sincere, and well-done. I will definitely look for more books by this author and am grateful she has clearly known the love of a good dog. 🐶
Wish Me Home was the perfect audiobook palate cleanser between heavier reads. Cara is on her way to visit Ernest Hemingway's home; however, we find out quickly that she is not just going for a visit. She's running from something or someone. But as she runs, Cara finds the most endearing stray dog, Hemi (dog lovers will LOVE him ❤️), she confronts her past, and she finds peace and maybe even a happy ending after all. I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, but I found it heartwarming, sincere, and well-done. I will definitely look for more books by this author and am grateful she has clearly known the love of a good dog. 🐶
April 19, 2017
When I was in my teens, I totally idolized Ernest Hemingway, so it was easy to like the principal character of this story. As much of it is set in Key West, and features a kind of pilgrimage to the Hemingway house & the famous six-toed cats, which I've also seen, setting was perfect as well. The principal character, Cara, is a woman on the run from something, tho' only at about 80% of the way do we find out from what. In some ways the plot is a reworking of a favorite feel-good theme where a solitary woman escaping her past is taken in by kindly people who offer her lodging & work—often as a cook or waitress but here even better, assisting in a shelter for lost dogs. Of course the manager is a handsome widower with feisty cute 10 y/o dog-whisperer dtr & a kind and loving sister. Cara is making this pilgrimage afoot from Georgia, but on the journey she manages to encounter the kindness of stangers repeatedly, acquiring a dog, a bicycle, & trailer, & a tent along the way. Only one of her encounters proves nasty. This is most definitely a feel-good book, which is why I chose it. It is also a quick read & after so many recent outings constantly scrutinizing minutiae for the fearful "killer twist" it was nice just to enjoy the story. Unfortunately, the plot contains serious artistic flaws. Basically Cara's main story is ready to conclude @ 4/5 of the way, but then Cara is sent back to Georgia to clean up the backstory & we finally find out the truth about twin sister Hana. The aesthetic effect was like an originally well proportioned house had been later "remuddled" with an awkward annex in a completely different style & painted in a clashing color. Now I keep thinking of so many better artistic ways of holding the stories together, even if mulitiple points of view were required. Actually, two-ended phone conversations would have helped. Also found it odd that as depression & suicidal ideation play a role in this book, Ernest Hemingway's own chronic mental condition & bad end were ignored. We get many admirable quotations in this book from the great man on how to live, but it was ironic for me to reflect how often he failed in the end to become the person he aspired to be. That kind of realism does not have to detract from the generally uplifting tone. But I was so moved by the experience of reading a book most of whose characters could give us lessons in becoming who we should be, that I was a bit generous with my stars despite artistic flaws.
March 3, 2017
My reviews can also be found at www.noveldeelights.com
Wish Me Home is a beautiful story of one woman’s journey, not only from Georgia to Key West, but to finding her inner strength and self-worth. It touches on the complicated relationship between twins, the pitfalls of the foster care system and how hard it is to regain trust in your fellow humans when you’ve been hurt and let down more times than you care to remember.
I must admit, I chose this novel based on the cover. I’d never done that before. But there’s a dog! I love dogs! It was that simple. Luckily, the dog actually plays a huge part in the story. Meeting him is what really sets the pace for Cara’s journey and it’s such a lovely tale of the bond between a human and an animal. I kept petting my own dog, happy that I have her in my life.
For me though, the book was just nice. I couldn’t connect to Cara and disliked Hana tremendously. I also found that once Cara made it to Key West, the story started to drag a bit too much. It couldn’t keep me captivated although the last two chapters made up for that.
I received my copy from Netgalley and chose to review.
Wish Me Home is a beautiful story of one woman’s journey, not only from Georgia to Key West, but to finding her inner strength and self-worth. It touches on the complicated relationship between twins, the pitfalls of the foster care system and how hard it is to regain trust in your fellow humans when you’ve been hurt and let down more times than you care to remember.
I must admit, I chose this novel based on the cover. I’d never done that before. But there’s a dog! I love dogs! It was that simple. Luckily, the dog actually plays a huge part in the story. Meeting him is what really sets the pace for Cara’s journey and it’s such a lovely tale of the bond between a human and an animal. I kept petting my own dog, happy that I have her in my life.
For me though, the book was just nice. I couldn’t connect to Cara and disliked Hana tremendously. I also found that once Cara made it to Key West, the story started to drag a bit too much. It couldn’t keep me captivated although the last two chapters made up for that.
I received my copy from Netgalley and chose to review.
August 2, 2017
Touching story.
Story is about twin girls Cara and Hana. Children left to defend themselves, legal system, foster parents often left them out cold. One they're aged out of system, but Cara can't deal with Hana, she's determined to go to Key West and see the home of her literary hero, Hemingway. Injured stray dog, she named Hemi is her body from Georgia to Key West. Along the way many caring people will help them, some will hurt them. This book is about the love of dogs, but also feel good love story.
Story is about twin girls Cara and Hana. Children left to defend themselves, legal system, foster parents often left them out cold. One they're aged out of system, but Cara can't deal with Hana, she's determined to go to Key West and see the home of her literary hero, Hemingway. Injured stray dog, she named Hemi is her body from Georgia to Key West. Along the way many caring people will help them, some will hurt them. This book is about the love of dogs, but also feel good love story.
July 4, 2017
Kay Bratt has the ability to delve into difficult subjects with artistry and compassion. This is a story of hope, healing, and finding family that you won't want to miss.
March 11, 2017
I put off writing my review of Wish Me Home by Kay Bratt for a few days because I’m feeling a bit conflicted over how exactly to present it. I loved the writing but sometimes the storyline was just so convenient that it turned me off. Cara (our lead) kept finding herself in these situations with strangers and it was just always oh-so-lucky that they were good people who took her in and let this complete stranger (who just happened to also be a broke, homeless, vagabond with a stray dog) take over their guest room. Uh-huh…what?! I’m sorry but I just don’t find that believable at all.
I mean, if I was walking down the sidewalk with two small children and some aimless wanderer wasn’t paying attention and almost ran us over with her bike and tow trailer the last thing on my mind after she swerves and wrecks is, “Oh! That poor thing! Let me take her home, put her up in my guest bedroom, and ask my brother to fix her bike for free.” No. I would think, “Wow, she looks hurt. I’ll call her an ambulance and hopefully she’s ok. She should have been paying attention! Thank God my kids weren’t seriously hurt.” I’m giving the mom and two kids a pass on paying attention because in the story one of the kids has autism and she’s distracted because of his behavior.
Sure, there is one scene where Cara meets some ruffians but of course, nothing major happens and everything is coming up roses again in less than 2 pages so, you know, eye roll.
Although…
I feel like I have to give the book a pass for being too convenient and rosy and full of hope because of the author’s background. Her bio says,
Kay Bratt is the author of eleven full-length novels and two children’s books. Her writing became her solace and support while she navigated a tumultuous childhood, followed by a decade of abuse as an adult. After working her way through the hard years, Kay came out a survivor and a pursuer of peace—and finally found the courage to share her stories
and based on that it seems pretty clear that her mission with her stories is to give hope to people that are struggling with their own personal circumstances. In that case, Wish Me Home accomplishes her goal. It’s sweet, uplifting, and encourages people to believe in the goodness of strangers, but I prefer more drama and tension in the books I read.
If you want books that are about overcoming obstacles and finding hop in a fresh start, you’ll probably love it. If you’re looking for something with a bit of conflict and obstacles to overcome, I’d skip this one. If you’ve already read it then let me say yeah, I read the whole thing and I know why Cara was “on the run.” It’s just that it seemed kind of lame to me too. There’s no way that I believe that she would go on the run for that reason without actual proof that it had actually happened. I mean…PLEASE.
I thought the ending was well done but I could never commit to the book. There were moments that were great and moments that left me feeling disconnected from the whole thing. It was just, meh.
I mean, if I was walking down the sidewalk with two small children and some aimless wanderer wasn’t paying attention and almost ran us over with her bike and tow trailer the last thing on my mind after she swerves and wrecks is, “Oh! That poor thing! Let me take her home, put her up in my guest bedroom, and ask my brother to fix her bike for free.” No. I would think, “Wow, she looks hurt. I’ll call her an ambulance and hopefully she’s ok. She should have been paying attention! Thank God my kids weren’t seriously hurt.” I’m giving the mom and two kids a pass on paying attention because in the story one of the kids has autism and she’s distracted because of his behavior.
Sure, there is one scene where Cara meets some ruffians but of course, nothing major happens and everything is coming up roses again in less than 2 pages so, you know, eye roll.
Although…
I feel like I have to give the book a pass for being too convenient and rosy and full of hope because of the author’s background. Her bio says,
Kay Bratt is the author of eleven full-length novels and two children’s books. Her writing became her solace and support while she navigated a tumultuous childhood, followed by a decade of abuse as an adult. After working her way through the hard years, Kay came out a survivor and a pursuer of peace—and finally found the courage to share her stories
and based on that it seems pretty clear that her mission with her stories is to give hope to people that are struggling with their own personal circumstances. In that case, Wish Me Home accomplishes her goal. It’s sweet, uplifting, and encourages people to believe in the goodness of strangers, but I prefer more drama and tension in the books I read.
If you want books that are about overcoming obstacles and finding hop in a fresh start, you’ll probably love it. If you’re looking for something with a bit of conflict and obstacles to overcome, I’d skip this one. If you’ve already read it then let me say yeah, I read the whole thing and I know why Cara was “on the run.” It’s just that it seemed kind of lame to me too. There’s no way that I believe that she would go on the run for that reason without actual proof that it had actually happened. I mean…PLEASE.
I thought the ending was well done but I could never commit to the book. There were moments that were great and moments that left me feeling disconnected from the whole thing. It was just, meh.
December 9, 2023
As others have mentioned, Wish Me Home has a young-adult feel to it. Cara is determined to walk (and then bicycle) to the Florida Keys. Along the way she is joined by a sweet dog she names Hemi, after Ernest Hemingway.
Sometimes Cara's wishy-washiness drove me crazy, especially when it pertained to Hemi. However, Wish Me Home is filled with wonderful and helpful people, flawed people (even a couple of horrible ones), romance, and friendship. It also addresses issues such as foster homes and depression.
Oh. And did I mention I adored Hemi??
Sometimes Cara's wishy-washiness drove me crazy, especially when it pertained to Hemi. However, Wish Me Home is filled with wonderful and helpful people, flawed people (even a couple of horrible ones), romance, and friendship. It also addresses issues such as foster homes and depression.
Oh. And did I mention I adored Hemi??
July 18, 2019
WISH ME HOME by Kay Bratt took me on an emotional journey, filled with interesting people, and a dog who melted my heart. “The One” appears, but this is mostly about running away and finding your bliss.
Read my review in full color at my site, TheZestQuest.com.
I love Kay Bratt’s style. She pulls me in right away with her engaging characters who keep their stories secretive. Little by little, the character interacts with others and I get a peek at who they are, always curious for more. Favorite themes of living on the road, walking, cycling, camping. Destination: Hemingway’s house and Key West.
Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR? I went through my print TBR and didn’t find any intriguing contemporaries that were less than 300 pages. I needed something quick. WISH ME HOME popped up on my Kindle library with a cute dog on the cover. I have no idea if I downloaded it, or if Amazon Prime put it there, but it howled at me and I had to read it.
My review…
There were so many of my favorite themes in this book that if it wasn’t in my TBR, it would be soon. I love, love, love travel stories, especially those “run away from home” type stories where the main character is roughing it in some way. I say I’m running away from home every time I go camping. It’s my form of escapism – well, not REAL camping without conveniences. I Glamp Tiny in a 16-foot, 3-person camper, complete with indoor plumbing, microwave, refrigerator, air conditioning, etc. I do like deep woods and privacy, but some humans close by to hear me scream if a bear attacks is helpful. LOL
So, Cara’s initial situation of walking with a backpack along a highway appealed to me. I wasn’t sure if she was homeless, running away, or simply trying to find a gas station to get help for her broken down car. It was a lovely surprise that she was running – from something or someone. I couldn’t wait to discover her secrets.
When Cara meets a dog in need as much as she is, my heart melted. The sad little pup seemed to think that Cara was his person. Cara tried to ignore the dog, but when a canine decides you’re their person, it’s hard to walk away. When Cara realizes he is hurt, she has to help him. And then feed him. And name him Hemi after her favorite author, Hemingway. Well, you know what happens next, right? He’s not going to leave a good thing!
I was a hot mess reading about that dog. Oh my gosh, Kay Bratt can pull on the heartstrings. I cried like a baby at one part, and I was so glad she let me have my Happy for Hemi.
When Cara gets a tent and starts to stay in campsites toward the Keys, I was excited. I once tent camped down the coast by island-hopping as much as I could. I’ve been to the Keys several times, and it’s one of my favorite places. I can’t wait to get back there in the Glamper Tiny, so reading about this location made my week.
But Cara isn’t doing this for fun – she’s running from something, and the reader doesn’t find out “what” until almost the last quarter of the book. That’s okay with me because I found her journey fascinating. And her confession even more exciting!
There was also suspense dealing with depression, which I found absorbing. I love books that delve into some sort of chronic illness or disability. I love the characters’ methods of survival as a catalyst in the plot. This one was very realistic and interesting.
My thoughts and quibbles…
There wasn’t as much romance development as I prefer, but I can understand why. Although this story is mostly about Cara and her HEA (happy ever after), it’s also about her twin sister. Their connection as twins was life altering, and one couldn’t move on without the other.
All the characters are essential in this book. They each serve a purpose propelling Cara toward her HEA. The majority of the book is about Cara’s struggle during her journey and her past. There is a good romance, but for those of you who enjoy that subgenre of fiction, it may not be as deeply developed as you prefer. Don’t let that stop you from trying this beautiful book.
I love novels about runaways. Even though Cara’s journey resembles a teen’s story, she is an adult. She felt much younger to me in the beginning. Her traumatic childhood dominates her memories and thought process, so you’re living through her journey as she soothes her child and adult selves. It’s very moving and I loved her story.
Her dog Hemi is such a good character. I loved his part in Cara’s journey. Everyone needs a support system – Hemi and Cara found each other at the right time.
What wasn’t perfect for me? There were some timeline jumps that I felt were abrupt. Cara’s connection with Luke’s daughter Ava seems to skip some development, so I actually thought I had skipped a couple chapters. I didn’t recognize another animal mentioned when Cara and her sister are together. It bumped me out of the story, wondering what I missed. Luke and Cara’s romance moved faster than the reader gets to experience. Again, I think that works for this story. It just may be less than you expect if you’re primarily a Romance reader.
Even with those few bumps in my reading experience, I still really enjoyed this book. For those who suffer with depression, or know someone who does, this book is a great healing journey example.
In the end, my favorite parts of the book were centered on Cara and Hemi. I’m a huge animal lover and advocate for rescue and adoption. I’ve lived through separation from a pet at a young age that is a vivid memory. Many of my pets have been lost souls who found their way to my door. Hemi and Cara’s relationship is very emotional and loving. It spoke to me and tied me to this book until I could rush to the end for their conclusion within 24 hours. Animal lovers will gobble this up because of their relationship.
I found Kay Bratt when I requested DANCING WITH THE SUN for review. Since I read all types of fiction, I’m never sure if a book I’ve chosen will meet romance readers’ preferences. I’m a bit more flexible, since I enjoy women’s fiction and young or new adult books. This one held me captivated, even though Cara doesn’t meet Luke until halfway through the book. I can’t put this book into any specific category – it has nuances of all I’ve mentioned, including some suspense, so I think it will appeal to a wide variety of readers.
WISH ME HOME is a Prime Freebie, so grab it and see if you agree with me about Kay Bratt’s talent. I know I’ll check out her backlist and am looking forward to what’s next. Loved my TBR Challenge choice this month- first book I’ve read in 24 hours in a long time!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. Digital copy received for free from Amazon Prime. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media.
Don’t miss my review of Dancing with the Sun by Kay Bratt, a recommended read.
Read my review in full color at my site, TheZestQuest.com.
I love Kay Bratt’s style. She pulls me in right away with her engaging characters who keep their stories secretive. Little by little, the character interacts with others and I get a peek at who they are, always curious for more. Favorite themes of living on the road, walking, cycling, camping. Destination: Hemingway’s house and Key West.
Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR? I went through my print TBR and didn’t find any intriguing contemporaries that were less than 300 pages. I needed something quick. WISH ME HOME popped up on my Kindle library with a cute dog on the cover. I have no idea if I downloaded it, or if Amazon Prime put it there, but it howled at me and I had to read it.
My review…
There were so many of my favorite themes in this book that if it wasn’t in my TBR, it would be soon. I love, love, love travel stories, especially those “run away from home” type stories where the main character is roughing it in some way. I say I’m running away from home every time I go camping. It’s my form of escapism – well, not REAL camping without conveniences. I Glamp Tiny in a 16-foot, 3-person camper, complete with indoor plumbing, microwave, refrigerator, air conditioning, etc. I do like deep woods and privacy, but some humans close by to hear me scream if a bear attacks is helpful. LOL
So, Cara’s initial situation of walking with a backpack along a highway appealed to me. I wasn’t sure if she was homeless, running away, or simply trying to find a gas station to get help for her broken down car. It was a lovely surprise that she was running – from something or someone. I couldn’t wait to discover her secrets.
When Cara meets a dog in need as much as she is, my heart melted. The sad little pup seemed to think that Cara was his person. Cara tried to ignore the dog, but when a canine decides you’re their person, it’s hard to walk away. When Cara realizes he is hurt, she has to help him. And then feed him. And name him Hemi after her favorite author, Hemingway. Well, you know what happens next, right? He’s not going to leave a good thing!
I was a hot mess reading about that dog. Oh my gosh, Kay Bratt can pull on the heartstrings. I cried like a baby at one part, and I was so glad she let me have my Happy for Hemi.
When Cara gets a tent and starts to stay in campsites toward the Keys, I was excited. I once tent camped down the coast by island-hopping as much as I could. I’ve been to the Keys several times, and it’s one of my favorite places. I can’t wait to get back there in the Glamper Tiny, so reading about this location made my week.
But Cara isn’t doing this for fun – she’s running from something, and the reader doesn’t find out “what” until almost the last quarter of the book. That’s okay with me because I found her journey fascinating. And her confession even more exciting!
There was also suspense dealing with depression, which I found absorbing. I love books that delve into some sort of chronic illness or disability. I love the characters’ methods of survival as a catalyst in the plot. This one was very realistic and interesting.
My thoughts and quibbles…
There wasn’t as much romance development as I prefer, but I can understand why. Although this story is mostly about Cara and her HEA (happy ever after), it’s also about her twin sister. Their connection as twins was life altering, and one couldn’t move on without the other.
All the characters are essential in this book. They each serve a purpose propelling Cara toward her HEA. The majority of the book is about Cara’s struggle during her journey and her past. There is a good romance, but for those of you who enjoy that subgenre of fiction, it may not be as deeply developed as you prefer. Don’t let that stop you from trying this beautiful book.
I love novels about runaways. Even though Cara’s journey resembles a teen’s story, she is an adult. She felt much younger to me in the beginning. Her traumatic childhood dominates her memories and thought process, so you’re living through her journey as she soothes her child and adult selves. It’s very moving and I loved her story.
Her dog Hemi is such a good character. I loved his part in Cara’s journey. Everyone needs a support system – Hemi and Cara found each other at the right time.
What wasn’t perfect for me? There were some timeline jumps that I felt were abrupt. Cara’s connection with Luke’s daughter Ava seems to skip some development, so I actually thought I had skipped a couple chapters. I didn’t recognize another animal mentioned when Cara and her sister are together. It bumped me out of the story, wondering what I missed. Luke and Cara’s romance moved faster than the reader gets to experience. Again, I think that works for this story. It just may be less than you expect if you’re primarily a Romance reader.
Even with those few bumps in my reading experience, I still really enjoyed this book. For those who suffer with depression, or know someone who does, this book is a great healing journey example.
In the end, my favorite parts of the book were centered on Cara and Hemi. I’m a huge animal lover and advocate for rescue and adoption. I’ve lived through separation from a pet at a young age that is a vivid memory. Many of my pets have been lost souls who found their way to my door. Hemi and Cara’s relationship is very emotional and loving. It spoke to me and tied me to this book until I could rush to the end for their conclusion within 24 hours. Animal lovers will gobble this up because of their relationship.
I found Kay Bratt when I requested DANCING WITH THE SUN for review. Since I read all types of fiction, I’m never sure if a book I’ve chosen will meet romance readers’ preferences. I’m a bit more flexible, since I enjoy women’s fiction and young or new adult books. This one held me captivated, even though Cara doesn’t meet Luke until halfway through the book. I can’t put this book into any specific category – it has nuances of all I’ve mentioned, including some suspense, so I think it will appeal to a wide variety of readers.
WISH ME HOME is a Prime Freebie, so grab it and see if you agree with me about Kay Bratt’s talent. I know I’ll check out her backlist and am looking forward to what’s next. Loved my TBR Challenge choice this month- first book I’ve read in 24 hours in a long time!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. Digital copy received for free from Amazon Prime. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media.
Don’t miss my review of Dancing with the Sun by Kay Bratt, a recommended read.
February 23, 2018
I found this book quite draining to read. The early chapters really didn’t grab my attention, to the extent that due to the constant talking about the foster carers by whom she had been looked after, I assumed that the main character was around late teens, so I was astounded in chapter 11 to find that she was 29! Although Cara did meet some fairly interesting characters on her journey to Key West, it was all just a bit unremarkable. The big reveal about why she was running away, which turned out to not be what she thought it was, was all just rather pathetic and the ending was pretty predictable. I’m confused as to why they didn’t answer the question about her mother at the end but I just found the constant whining and self-deprecation too tiresome for me to enjoy the book.
November 29, 2017
If Disney ever made a movie about poverty and homelessness it would probably look a little like this.
That said, there is a place for books like this. I enjoyed it...honestly I loved it...but it's closer to Cinderella than Winter's Bone.
That said, there is a place for books like this. I enjoyed it...honestly I loved it...but it's closer to Cinderella than Winter's Bone.
September 14, 2017
4 STARS!
This book was on my Kindle Unlimited feed and I clicked on it because I loved the cover. The summary sounded interesting and the fact that the audiobook was included - Score. The narrator, Kate Rudd was excellent. No surprise, since she has narrated a number of bestsellers.
We meet Cara Butter walking on the interstate from Georgia to Florida and a stray, limping dog has begun to follow her. She tries to ignore the dog, but it doesn't take long for her to succumb to his persistence. He has no collar or tags, so she names him Hemingway (Hemi) and bandages his hurt foot. With no real destination other than away from Georgia, she had decided to travel to Florida and visit her idol, Ernest Hemingway's home in Key West.
As we travel with Cara and Hemi, she slowly reveals her past in bits and pieces as she reminisces about how she and her twin sister, Hana were bounced around foster homes until they aged out. We learn of her relationship with Hana and how very different they were. They struggled doing odd jobs, waitressing and the like. Because of her past she is very wary of strangers and especially when she encounters kindness from them.
There is a romance but I didn't feel any chemistry between them. (Now, as I think about it. I think her relationship and love with Hemi, was better developed. Hemi, will go down as one of the best dogs ever). However, because the romance wasn't the main story, it was her journey, how she changed and finds her HEA. That was the story.
This book was on my Kindle Unlimited feed and I clicked on it because I loved the cover. The summary sounded interesting and the fact that the audiobook was included - Score. The narrator, Kate Rudd was excellent. No surprise, since she has narrated a number of bestsellers.
We meet Cara Butter walking on the interstate from Georgia to Florida and a stray, limping dog has begun to follow her. She tries to ignore the dog, but it doesn't take long for her to succumb to his persistence. He has no collar or tags, so she names him Hemingway (Hemi) and bandages his hurt foot. With no real destination other than away from Georgia, she had decided to travel to Florida and visit her idol, Ernest Hemingway's home in Key West.
As we travel with Cara and Hemi, she slowly reveals her past in bits and pieces as she reminisces about how she and her twin sister, Hana were bounced around foster homes until they aged out. We learn of her relationship with Hana and how very different they were. They struggled doing odd jobs, waitressing and the like. Because of her past she is very wary of strangers and especially when she encounters kindness from them.
There is a romance but I didn't feel any chemistry between them. (Now, as I think about it. I think her relationship and love with Hemi, was better developed. Hemi, will go down as one of the best dogs ever). However, because the romance wasn't the main story, it was her journey, how she changed and finds her HEA. That was the story.
November 11, 2022
This was a book I chose by the cover and I am happy to say that I was not at all disappointed. :) When I first started the book, I didn't really feel any connection to the main character at all...until she picked up a stray dog and became friends with it. She wasn't doing so well herself and still she tried to help this dog and they got each other through a lot. Cara is running away from something and we don't learn right away what that is but we follow her on her journey to Key West...her dream destination. Some parts were a little cliche but I learned a lot by reading this book and I loved almost all of the characters in the end. It gave me all the feels... :)
July 5, 2017
My Musings
I thoroughly enjoyed this emotionally charged novel. I didn't know what to with this one since I took advantage of the chance to read and listen though Kindle Unlimited. Glad I took a change. The 🌟of this book was Hemi. I just feel in love with him. Happy reading 📚!
I thoroughly enjoyed this emotionally charged novel. I didn't know what to with this one since I took advantage of the chance to read and listen though Kindle Unlimited. Glad I took a change. The 🌟of this book was Hemi. I just feel in love with him. Happy reading 📚!
February 26, 2017
After the death of their mother when they were seven, twin sisters Cara and Hana Butter became wards of the state and faced more than their share of challenges while growing up. They found themselves placed in one bad foster care home after another with only each other to truly rely on. Hana, the twin with the strongest personality, was rebellious and always getting the girls into trouble, while Cara did her best to appease her sister and keep the peace in difficult situations. Those roles continued well into adulthood until the day Cara was compelled to leave Hana and her past behind. She set out on a solo journey with little money and no specific destination in mind. Early on she acquired a stray dog as a traveling companion and decided to head for Key West, Florida. Although she encountered adversity along the way, Cara also experienced unexpected kindness from many different strangers. After years of steeling herself to always expect the worst from people, her heart begins to soften. In Key West, she finds fulfilling work and develops meaningful relationships. Cara begins to realize that she is both capable and worthy of giving and receiving love. However, Hana is never far from her mind. As events unfold, Cara’s past starts to catch up to her and threatens to jeopardize her new life. Is long-term happiness even possible, or is it always going to elude both her and Hana?
“Wish Me Home” is a poignant glimpse into dysfunction in families, pitfalls of the foster care system, and the long-term effects of neglectful and abusive relationships. I didn’t expect to be so caught up in the storyline, but I quickly developed an emotional connection to the characters and couldn’t put the book down. This is the first time I’ve read anything by author Kay Bratt, but I’m sure it won’t the last. I highly recommend this book to fans of women’s fiction, particularly for individuals with an interest in the difficult subject matter it covers.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also available on my blog at: https://hopenbooksdotcom.wordpress.co...
“Wish Me Home” is a poignant glimpse into dysfunction in families, pitfalls of the foster care system, and the long-term effects of neglectful and abusive relationships. I didn’t expect to be so caught up in the storyline, but I quickly developed an emotional connection to the characters and couldn’t put the book down. This is the first time I’ve read anything by author Kay Bratt, but I’m sure it won’t the last. I highly recommend this book to fans of women’s fiction, particularly for individuals with an interest in the difficult subject matter it covers.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also available on my blog at: https://hopenbooksdotcom.wordpress.co...
July 23, 2017
This was a very good story that, I believe, had the potential to be great. I do not want anyone to think that I am, in any way, putting down the author--or even am trying to re-write the book. It is just, after finishing the story, my first though was "why was the end finished so quickly, whereas the beginning had such a terrific build up?"
I realize the this book is suppose to be a feel-good book. I have to admit that it was the reason I choose to read it. And the author, Kay Bratt did a terrific job in showing me the life of Cara. Piece by piece she gave me a picture of Cara and Cara's life. I went from wondering why Cara was the way she was to grudging really liking her and admiring how she was (even if not lightly) able to jump over her shadow and accepting that maybe people could be good. Of course not all that happended to Cara on her trip to Key West could be considered anything more than too good to be true coincidences. That always meeting people that are good and want to help just doesn't happen--or could it? I love to believe that this is possible, that one meets the people one needs to. And Kay Bratt did add the very negative experience...
Unfortunately, I felt, the author did not paint the end of the story with as much care as she put in the beginning. The explanations that came seemed to be told, not drawn with the care she took at the begin of this novel. This made the end, for me, feel rushed--like there was suppose to be more, but it just wasn't there.
Still, I am not sorry I read Wish Me Home and I can see me re-reading it. The author caught me with her picturesque way of describing the themes that she wanted to introduce, even if the themes often had very negative points to them. I especially loved the way that she used dogs to make her story even more complete.
I realize the this book is suppose to be a feel-good book. I have to admit that it was the reason I choose to read it. And the author, Kay Bratt did a terrific job in showing me the life of Cara. Piece by piece she gave me a picture of Cara and Cara's life. I went from wondering why Cara was the way she was to grudging really liking her and admiring how she was (even if not lightly) able to jump over her shadow and accepting that maybe people could be good. Of course not all that happended to Cara on her trip to Key West could be considered anything more than too good to be true coincidences. That always meeting people that are good and want to help just doesn't happen--or could it? I love to believe that this is possible, that one meets the people one needs to. And Kay Bratt did add the very negative experience...
Unfortunately, I felt, the author did not paint the end of the story with as much care as she put in the beginning. The explanations that came seemed to be told, not drawn with the care she took at the begin of this novel. This made the end, for me, feel rushed--like there was suppose to be more, but it just wasn't there.
Still, I am not sorry I read Wish Me Home and I can see me re-reading it. The author caught me with her picturesque way of describing the themes that she wanted to introduce, even if the themes often had very negative points to them. I especially loved the way that she used dogs to make her story even more complete.
January 12, 2018
Wish Me Home has been the right choice for starting this new year. In this novel, Kay Bratt captures the essentials of the human soul and describes with delightful prose how different forms of solidarity can help a girl to find herself and her inner strength and fight for her happy ending.
From the beginning, we follow Cara’s trip and soon we can appreciate her new and strong bond with Hemi, a stray dog who becomes her most loyal friend. Page after page, we discover fragments of Cara’s past and her unbalanced relationship with her twin sister, Hana.
During her journey to Key West to visit the home of Ernest Hemingway, Cara’s favorite author, she and Hemi meet many lovely persons, but they also must face difficulties. When they finally arrive at their final destination, Cara could finally reconsider important aspects of her life and recall the most dramatic events of her past, to find peace. But will she be able to focus only on her happiness, or will be again trapped in a complex and unhappy life because of her twin’s depression?
In Wish Me Home, Kay Bratt has this extraordinary ability to explore, with such sensitivity, themes of depression and how negative experiences of foster children can influence their personalities, but also the importance of the twin’s bond and how even small altruistic gestures can make the difference in our modern society.
As the story progresses, I was really curious to discover about Cara and Hana’s relationship, and how their past affects their present choices. In my opinion, the characters are very well described, and I really appreciate the author’s compelling style.
From the beginning, we follow Cara’s trip and soon we can appreciate her new and strong bond with Hemi, a stray dog who becomes her most loyal friend. Page after page, we discover fragments of Cara’s past and her unbalanced relationship with her twin sister, Hana.
During her journey to Key West to visit the home of Ernest Hemingway, Cara’s favorite author, she and Hemi meet many lovely persons, but they also must face difficulties. When they finally arrive at their final destination, Cara could finally reconsider important aspects of her life and recall the most dramatic events of her past, to find peace. But will she be able to focus only on her happiness, or will be again trapped in a complex and unhappy life because of her twin’s depression?
In Wish Me Home, Kay Bratt has this extraordinary ability to explore, with such sensitivity, themes of depression and how negative experiences of foster children can influence their personalities, but also the importance of the twin’s bond and how even small altruistic gestures can make the difference in our modern society.
As the story progresses, I was really curious to discover about Cara and Hana’s relationship, and how their past affects their present choices. In my opinion, the characters are very well described, and I really appreciate the author’s compelling style.
April 27, 2018
Lost points for "The Big Reveal" of why she was traveling cross country. It was what I had expected. But then the solution was just a hand wave, and boom, solved. Um, wait, what? She didn't, um, how could she, um, no, just, no. Can't go into more detail without spoiling it, but I'm not buying that.
Still, I did finish the rest of the book. And the next big reveal almost at the end was too much like the first, and the emotional impact just felt wrong, forced.
I kept waiting for her to contact some of the people that helped her on the road. I mean, she's thinking about them, wondering about them, so wouldn't she at least call or email them? Send a thank you card maybe? Something?
Some of, I don't know, just seemed missing. There should have been more detail about her relationship to some of the main characters, some of it is, "well, this happened.' OK, so how did that impact her? How did the two interact after that event? Seemed glossed over.
I liked it, but I'm not itching to go back and read it again, not even to get some of what I might understand better now that I know what's going on.
Still, I did finish the rest of the book. And the next big reveal almost at the end was too much like the first, and the emotional impact just felt wrong, forced.
I kept waiting for her to contact some of the people that helped her on the road. I mean, she's thinking about them, wondering about them, so wouldn't she at least call or email them? Send a thank you card maybe? Something?
Some of, I don't know, just seemed missing. There should have been more detail about her relationship to some of the main characters, some of it is, "well, this happened.' OK, so how did that impact her? How did the two interact after that event? Seemed glossed over.
I liked it, but I'm not itching to go back and read it again, not even to get some of what I might understand better now that I know what's going on.
September 12, 2017
Cara Butter is a broken 30-year-old. She and her twin sister, Hana, have been constantly let down as children in the foster care system and things have not worked out well since. Searching for meaning of some sort in her life, she decides to walk from Georgia to Key West to see where Ernest Hemingway wrote some of his stories. Along the way she is befriended by a stray dog. Naming him Hemi, they form a tight bond. Lessons about kindness, trust and the basic goodness of ordinary people break down barriers on this journey. The loyalty and unconditional love of a dog are beautifully portrayed. Unexpected twists keep the reader fully engaged as Kay Bratt weaves her magic with words, bringing us to a most surprising ending.
May 24, 2018
Bad writing. Implausible story line. "She couldn't help but notice that in addition to his paw issue, his matted white fur was a mess" Wouldn't that be the FIRST thing a person would notice? "It scared her and she jumped, but Cara refrained from reacting..." Jumping IS reacting. OMG...I'm only at page 19 and I am in pain. Cara carries a spade in her backpack...seriously? I'm going to skim and get to the ending...my bet is she meets a man who makes her life complete and she reunites with her twin sister. Yup...Groan...
abandoned
April 25, 2018A story about a girl and her dog? Traveling to Hemingway's House (where I'm getting married)? Slam dunk, right?
But, though this wasn't badly written or anything, I was just...bored.
But, though this wasn't badly written or anything, I was just...bored.
February 11, 2018
My Review of “Wish Me Home” by Kay Bratt
Kudos to Kay Bratt, Author of “Wish Me Home” for writing such an emotional, and heartwarming, sensitive and enjoyable novel. The Genres of this novel are Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, and Women’s Fiction.
Kay Bratt describes her colorful characters as flawed, complex , complicated and for the most part likable. Cara and Hana are twin sisters that have been brought up in a negligent foster system for the most part. Issues such as betrayal and trust seem to be a large part of their lives. Hana seems to be the lead controlling twin, but does suffer from bouts of depression.
After a traumatic situation, Cara finds herself on the road with hopes of seeing Hemingway’s home, one of her favorite authors. After her car breaks down, she is traveling with very little cash, and determination she will walk the hundreds of miles. A homeless dog is following Cara. The last thing Cara need is anything else alive to take care of, but she becomes attached and names the dog Hemi, short for Hemingway.
Symbolically Cara’s physical journey turns into and emotional journey as she stumbles upon good and giving people for the most part that ask for nothing in return for their kindness. When Cara and Hana were little their one wish was to “Wish Me Home”. More than anything Cara wants a home and to be loved.
Is it possible for Cara to let herself find a home and love? Is it possible for Cara to be able to make her own decisions?
I appreciate that Kay Bratt brings up such significant topics in today’s society such as mental illness, depression, the foster system, adoption, and seeking professional help when it is needed. I love that the author uses the example of working with animals to get their perfect home as well. This is such a wonderful book that I highly recommend to readers of Women’s Fiction and Contemporary Fiction. This is the first novel that I have read by Kay Bratt, and I look forward to reading more of her novels.
Kudos to Kay Bratt, Author of “Wish Me Home” for writing such an emotional, and heartwarming, sensitive and enjoyable novel. The Genres of this novel are Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, and Women’s Fiction.
Kay Bratt describes her colorful characters as flawed, complex , complicated and for the most part likable. Cara and Hana are twin sisters that have been brought up in a negligent foster system for the most part. Issues such as betrayal and trust seem to be a large part of their lives. Hana seems to be the lead controlling twin, but does suffer from bouts of depression.
After a traumatic situation, Cara finds herself on the road with hopes of seeing Hemingway’s home, one of her favorite authors. After her car breaks down, she is traveling with very little cash, and determination she will walk the hundreds of miles. A homeless dog is following Cara. The last thing Cara need is anything else alive to take care of, but she becomes attached and names the dog Hemi, short for Hemingway.
Symbolically Cara’s physical journey turns into and emotional journey as she stumbles upon good and giving people for the most part that ask for nothing in return for their kindness. When Cara and Hana were little their one wish was to “Wish Me Home”. More than anything Cara wants a home and to be loved.
Is it possible for Cara to let herself find a home and love? Is it possible for Cara to be able to make her own decisions?
I appreciate that Kay Bratt brings up such significant topics in today’s society such as mental illness, depression, the foster system, adoption, and seeking professional help when it is needed. I love that the author uses the example of working with animals to get their perfect home as well. This is such a wonderful book that I highly recommend to readers of Women’s Fiction and Contemporary Fiction. This is the first novel that I have read by Kay Bratt, and I look forward to reading more of her novels.
June 9, 2017
A stray dog attaches himself to Cara, a homeless 29 year old woman. This is the tale of their journey within America to find a forever home.
I was attracted to this book by it’s cover. There is something about the bond that holds between a dog and their owner. Although the blurb for this novel describes it as contemporary women’s fiction, I feel that this will also appeal to male dog owners too. I think that this story would be a good holiday read as when you are away from your home, you have only the basics around and are temporarily homeless too.
Wish Me Home covers a lot of issues. Homelessness, foster care, the kindness of strangers, dog welfare and the dynamics of a family. I liked how this story was told and I very quickly developed an empathy for Cara. I thought it was good how Cara’s situation focused highly on what is really important in life and how the stray dog became dependent on her, giving all his trust and love.
Wish Me Home was a very pleasant read. The pace was comfortable and there were loads of feel good moments. I liked all the dog parts of this story and the romance was gentle too. No harm came to any animal and there was no gritty sex to read through. It was a nice cosy warm read that makes readers who have both a dog and a home feel really good about themselves.
Okay, the generosity of strangers was rather unrealistic but don’t let that put you off this story. I found Wish Me Home to be a GOOD holiday type read and it does have a happy ending. This book gave me that nice passing through feeling, as though I had met Cara on holiday for 14 days but we would never meet again. A book that leaves such a nice resonance behind gets 4 stars from me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Lake Union Publishing for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.
I was attracted to this book by it’s cover. There is something about the bond that holds between a dog and their owner. Although the blurb for this novel describes it as contemporary women’s fiction, I feel that this will also appeal to male dog owners too. I think that this story would be a good holiday read as when you are away from your home, you have only the basics around and are temporarily homeless too.
Wish Me Home covers a lot of issues. Homelessness, foster care, the kindness of strangers, dog welfare and the dynamics of a family. I liked how this story was told and I very quickly developed an empathy for Cara. I thought it was good how Cara’s situation focused highly on what is really important in life and how the stray dog became dependent on her, giving all his trust and love.
Wish Me Home was a very pleasant read. The pace was comfortable and there were loads of feel good moments. I liked all the dog parts of this story and the romance was gentle too. No harm came to any animal and there was no gritty sex to read through. It was a nice cosy warm read that makes readers who have both a dog and a home feel really good about themselves.
Okay, the generosity of strangers was rather unrealistic but don’t let that put you off this story. I found Wish Me Home to be a GOOD holiday type read and it does have a happy ending. This book gave me that nice passing through feeling, as though I had met Cara on holiday for 14 days but we would never meet again. A book that leaves such a nice resonance behind gets 4 stars from me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Lake Union Publishing for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.
March 13, 2017
Wish Me Home is a heartfelt book about a variety of things: creating our own family, trusting people, finding our self-worth, and being strong enough to stand up for ourselves. I think we all struggle with feeling worthy of love and the fear of abandonment, which is why I think that Wish Me Home will touch many people and perhaps help them to hope again.
What is the most fascinating part of this book to me, is Cara’s characterization and relationship to her sister. It was easy for me to identify with Cara’s feelings of abandonment and the questions she has about her mother, but I’ll elaborate further in this book review. Wish Me Home is about Cara’s emotional journey and while I could see the ending coming, it was satisfying and also a little bittersweet.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
What is the most fascinating part of this book to me, is Cara’s characterization and relationship to her sister. It was easy for me to identify with Cara’s feelings of abandonment and the questions she has about her mother, but I’ll elaborate further in this book review. Wish Me Home is about Cara’s emotional journey and while I could see the ending coming, it was satisfying and also a little bittersweet.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 31, 2019
After growing up in foster homes, Cara is homeless and on her own until she takes in a stray dog, Hemingway. "He was the best and most loyal friend she'd ever had," and their adventures together lead her to Key West, Florida where she finds much more than just another roof over her head.
This was a sweet and hopeful story about second chances. I loved that: adopting Hemingway helped Cara heal, the story included random acts of kindness, and she worked at an animal rescue. If you love books about dogs that end on a happy note, then I would recommend this one!
Location: Sandy Springs, Georgia and Key West, Florida
Audiobook
This was a sweet and hopeful story about second chances. I loved that: adopting Hemingway helped Cara heal, the story included random acts of kindness, and she worked at an animal rescue. If you love books about dogs that end on a happy note, then I would recommend this one!
Location: Sandy Springs, Georgia and Key West, Florida
Audiobook
March 29, 2025
Román o hledání sebe sama, o uzavření neutěšené minulosti, o lidských touhách a strastech a v neposlední řadě o silné psí lásce. Nebylo to vůbec špatné, ale při čtení jsem skákala mezi absolutním nadšením a pak ani ne nudou, ale spíše vyvracením očí v sloup.
April 14, 2019
Keep the tissues handy, but don’t pass on this one.
First off, let me say that I foster cats for a local no kill shelter.
I cried throughout this whole book, which is not usual for me. I am a reader, so I will laugh, chuckle, roll my eyes, etc. with a story that keeps me reading. I kept reading, and I’m glad I did.
Cara is homeless, on the run, and a victim of the foster system after her mother dies of an overdose, so she does not trust easily. When a good hearted cop takes her to his mother’s diner for a good meal, it starts Cara on a path to learn to trust others. Along the way, she helps an injured dog, who becomes her traveling companion as she heads to Key West to fulfill a lifelong dream to visit Hemingway’s house. She ends up working at a animal shelter under the care of Luke, a handsome widower with a daughter who is rescue dogs greatest champion. Cara knows she is falling for Luke, but can he love her after he learns her secret?
This book is so far from my normal reads of cozy mysteries. Despite the hit my tissue box took, I am very glad I read it.
First off, let me say that I foster cats for a local no kill shelter.
I cried throughout this whole book, which is not usual for me. I am a reader, so I will laugh, chuckle, roll my eyes, etc. with a story that keeps me reading. I kept reading, and I’m glad I did.
Cara is homeless, on the run, and a victim of the foster system after her mother dies of an overdose, so she does not trust easily. When a good hearted cop takes her to his mother’s diner for a good meal, it starts Cara on a path to learn to trust others. Along the way, she helps an injured dog, who becomes her traveling companion as she heads to Key West to fulfill a lifelong dream to visit Hemingway’s house. She ends up working at a animal shelter under the care of Luke, a handsome widower with a daughter who is rescue dogs greatest champion. Cara knows she is falling for Luke, but can he love her after he learns her secret?
This book is so far from my normal reads of cozy mysteries. Despite the hit my tissue box took, I am very glad I read it.
August 2, 2017
Compelling, heartfelt, real, and oh-so-satisfying, I was totally hooked from the first page of WISH ME HOME by Kay Bratt. It’s a journey story, kind of in the way some classic fairy tales are journey stories. In this case a young woman through a web of unfortunate circumstances finds herself on the road, not to Oz, but to Florida, specifically Hemingway’s house in Key West. This is a wonderfully told story about learning to trust in life and yourself despite experiences that seem to indicate you shouldn’t. Ultimately it’s a story about love and family, how either one can be found in the most unlikely places, and sometimes the most treasured family members are the furry variety with four legs.
November 19, 2020
This was such a beautiful story, although heart wrenching at times. I am not going to lie, at about the 50% mark I was listening to this book at work and a particular scene had me sobbing. I was just sitting there hoping none of my co-workers came to my area and saw me. I did really love this book though, I loved everything with the dog rescue and all of the people Cara met along the way. And I have never read a thing by Hemingway but the quotes from this book made me want to.
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