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Seventeen Wishes
This is a story about a boy and a girl.
About friendship.
Secrets.
Omission.
Fate.
About the lies we tell ourselves so we can hold on to hope.
About the lies we tell those we love to protect them.
About risking it all and the price one pays when choices are made.
But above all, this is a story about wishes, love and the hope we hold onto when there’s nothing left to grasp.
There was never a time when Zac and Lilly hadn’t been in each other’s lives. They are neighbors, playmates, and best friends. But unknown to Lilly, she’s also the love of his life.
And the reason for Zac’s secrets.
If knowing the truth could leave you more broken than believing the lies, would you still want to know it?
***Previously a part of Between Hearts: A Romance Anthology***
*Stand Alone Novella.
*Not recommended for readers younger than 17.
About friendship.
Secrets.
Omission.
Fate.
About the lies we tell ourselves so we can hold on to hope.
About the lies we tell those we love to protect them.
About risking it all and the price one pays when choices are made.
But above all, this is a story about wishes, love and the hope we hold onto when there’s nothing left to grasp.
There was never a time when Zac and Lilly hadn’t been in each other’s lives. They are neighbors, playmates, and best friends. But unknown to Lilly, she’s also the love of his life.
And the reason for Zac’s secrets.
If knowing the truth could leave you more broken than believing the lies, would you still want to know it?
***Previously a part of Between Hearts: A Romance Anthology***
*Stand Alone Novella.
*Not recommended for readers younger than 17.
74 pages, ebook
First published September 8, 2016
186 people are currently reading
835 people want to read
About the author
Erica Alexander
13 books532 followers ♥ Heart & Hope with a Side of Sexy ♥
My love affair with books started at a very early age. I was already an avid reader at five and I remember reading everything I could put my little hands on. It did not change as I grew older and my love affair became my obsession.
I used to sneak my mom’s books that were in no way appropriated for my age and spent countless hours at the library and Barnes & Nobles. While most parents tell their kids to read, mine told me to stop reading because it was all I did.
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember but up to now, I have been a closet writer. Well, it is about time I left the closet.
I have degrees in Communications and Computer Science but left all that behind a few years ago to dedicate myself to my family and my children and in doing so, I found the time to write again.
Life is Good.
My love affair with books started at a very early age. I was already an avid reader at five and I remember reading everything I could put my little hands on. It did not change as I grew older and my love affair became my obsession.
I used to sneak my mom’s books that were in no way appropriated for my age and spent countless hours at the library and Barnes & Nobles. While most parents tell their kids to read, mine told me to stop reading because it was all I did.
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember but up to now, I have been a closet writer. Well, it is about time I left the closet.
I have degrees in Communications and Computer Science but left all that behind a few years ago to dedicate myself to my family and my children and in doing so, I found the time to write again.
Life is Good.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
April 26, 2017
That was incredible!!!! Zach has an expiration date. He is 17 and probably won't make it to 18. And he has his best friend, Lilly, who he has known and loved all his life. She is his heart and his hope. She is what is keeping him in this life. As her 17th birthday arrives, he gifts her a glass jar of 17 wishes that she can only read when he tells her to do so. This boy!!! So beautiful and pure and wise beyond his years. Sigh!!!!
January 24, 2018
Deseo que sepas que si hubiera tenido la opción de tener un corazón perfecto o tenerte en mi vida, te elegiría a ti una y otra vez.
Aww fue una novela corta pero bonita y emotiva, un friends to lovers muy dulce
January 20, 2023
2 young people and one heart
A touching and beautiful story about a boy and a girl who have lived next door to each other since they were born.lily and Zack love each other. But Zack needs a new heart . only thing is he has never told lily how sick he is.
A touching and beautiful story about a boy and a girl who have lived next door to each other since they were born.lily and Zack love each other. But Zack needs a new heart . only thing is he has never told lily how sick he is.
April 16, 2018
Sinopsis
Esta es una historia sobre un chico y una chica.
Sobre la amistad.
Los secretos.
La omisión.
El destino.
Sobre las mentiras que nos decimos a nosotros mismos para poder aferrarnos a la esperanza.
Sobre las mentiras que le decimos a los que amamos para protegerlos.
Sobre arriesgarlo todo y el precio que uno paga cuando se toman decisiones.
Pero, sobre todo, esta es una historia sobre los deseos, el amor y la esperanza a la que nos aferramos cuando no queda nada por agarrar.
Nunca hubo un momento en el que Zac y Lilly no hubieran estado en la vida del otro. Son vecinos, compañeros de juegos y mejores amigos. Pero sin saberlo Lilly, ella también es el amor de su vida.
Y la razón de los secretos de Zac.
Si conocer la verdad podría dejarte más roto que creer las mentiras, ¿aún querrías saberla?
Una historia cortica pero tierna...
Pensé que me iba hacer llorar por un momento... pero no fue así
January 24, 2018
La verdad en verdad por un momento crei que moria pero quize confiar y si sin duda tubo su final feliz zac y lily es corto pero no de cortaa venas es entretenido para un dia sin que saber que leer jaja
January 23, 2018
Un historia cortita pero linda que me conmovió y llegó al corazón
July 15, 2017
What took me so long?
Goodness, I'm so happy when I discover great voices with great stories to tell. The combination is rarer than you'd think—hell, we all struggle with it as writers. I love Zac and Lilly's story so much. Just make sure to have your tissues at the ready for both your sad-tears and your happy ones. You'll use them both and be grateful you dove in.
Goodness, I'm so happy when I discover great voices with great stories to tell. The combination is rarer than you'd think—hell, we all struggle with it as writers. I love Zac and Lilly's story so much. Just make sure to have your tissues at the ready for both your sad-tears and your happy ones. You'll use them both and be grateful you dove in.
January 5, 2017
And absolutely brilliant novella I will read over and over again. A 6 Star read if ever there was one.
This story deserves more than 5 stars, way more. I was simply amazed that so much story, so much emotion and such amazing characters could be conveyed in a short novella, but Erica Alexander does it spectacularly. I was so completely invested in Zac and Lilly. Their story is absolutely beautiful, the writing is beyond gorgeous and the why the 17 wishes are tied into the plot is brilliant.
This book is an absolute must read. And for me, it is a must read over and over again. It's amazing that Erica is a first time author because this book reads like the work of a seasoned professional. I read a LOT of short stories and lots of anthology shorts and I can honestly say I have NEVER read one better than this.
This story deserves more than 5 stars, way more. I was simply amazed that so much story, so much emotion and such amazing characters could be conveyed in a short novella, but Erica Alexander does it spectacularly. I was so completely invested in Zac and Lilly. Their story is absolutely beautiful, the writing is beyond gorgeous and the why the 17 wishes are tied into the plot is brilliant.
This book is an absolute must read. And for me, it is a must read over and over again. It's amazing that Erica is a first time author because this book reads like the work of a seasoned professional. I read a LOT of short stories and lots of anthology shorts and I can honestly say I have NEVER read one better than this.
February 5, 2017
I loved, loved, loved this sweet little story! So much heart packed into such a quick read, it gave me all the feels! I was in bed reading this last night and just had tears streaming down my face.
Zac and Lilly are adorable, the love they have for each other is so inspiring and beautiful. Such a wonderful story of that kind of once-in-a-lifetime love we all wish for. I laughed, I smiled, I cried...my heart was so full by the time I got to the last page.
*Part of the Between Hearts: A Romance Anthology, now available as a standalone.
May 24, 2016
I completely adored Seventeen Wishes. It surprised me in so many different ways—I did start it without reading the synopsis. I loved the characters; Zach and Lilly—Oh. My. Gosh.—were amazing. I am so honoured, so ecstatic to have the chance to read this, to follow these two people, and I am so relieved that my heart is still in one piece.
May 6, 2017
Oh, the feels! This novella is perfection! It's like come back in time and have the butterflies that you have when you first fall in love. Swoon! I don't want to tell too much and spoiled it. Your heart will beat together with Zac and in each page will stutter with him. You will finish the novella and want to know more, what's next? Seventeen wishes will make you wish for more! Read it!
July 22, 2018
Beautiful book that will definitely have you ugly crying!
FIVE STARS
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Seventeen Wishes by Erica Alexander has been sitting on my kindle for months and months, with me putting off reading it because I just knew it would involve ugly tears that would blur the screen and make reading impossible, and boy was I right.
Zac and Lilly leave you breathless with there love for one another. I wanted everything to be perfect for Zac and for him to get his happily ever after with Lilly.
After reading Seventeen Wishes I will be driving to the DMV as soon as I can to register as an organ donor so that when I no longer need my organs they can go to someone waiting to live there life to the fullest.
FIVE STARS
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Seventeen Wishes by Erica Alexander has been sitting on my kindle for months and months, with me putting off reading it because I just knew it would involve ugly tears that would blur the screen and make reading impossible, and boy was I right.
Zac and Lilly leave you breathless with there love for one another. I wanted everything to be perfect for Zac and for him to get his happily ever after with Lilly.
After reading Seventeen Wishes I will be driving to the DMV as soon as I can to register as an organ donor so that when I no longer need my organs they can go to someone waiting to live there life to the fullest.
November 23, 2022
omg this book was so sweet and sad all in one. i read this short book within an hour and it was so worth it. such a sweet love story and a heartbreaking story all in one. zac’s love for lilly is so beautiful and i loved the wish jar for her. this is such a good read
August 14, 2017
What a sweet, beautiful short story. This may be a short story but has the impact as a full length novel. It's sweet, sexy, romantic, and full of love and friendship!
--I wish I wasn't broken, but looking into her eyes makes me feel whole again.
Zac and Lilly has been friends since they were infants. Born only five months apart and next door neighbors, they have built a friendship that lasts a lifetime. They share everything and are always spending time together. Zac has always loved Lilly, and now that she is seventeen, he plans to let her know that his love for her is beyond that of just friendship. He's given her a present, a jar full of seventeen wishes, one for year of her life.
The wishes are sweet, and had me swooning! The stipulation of the wishes is that she has to open them in order and only when he tells her to. Which this is a major part of the story. Because you see, Zac has a secret. A major one. I don't wanna say what it is and ruin the plot but Lilly knows about it, but not the full extent of everything. Zac has been keeping it a secret from her. Sometimes secrets are meant to protect the one we love. But they say even the bumpiest roads were pa ed with good intentions. What happened when Lilly discovers some of the secrets Zac has been keeping? I think once Lilly gets to read all her wishes, she will fulling understand his reasoning for everything.
--I wish I wasn't broken, but looking into her eyes makes me feel whole again.
Zac and Lilly has been friends since they were infants. Born only five months apart and next door neighbors, they have built a friendship that lasts a lifetime. They share everything and are always spending time together. Zac has always loved Lilly, and now that she is seventeen, he plans to let her know that his love for her is beyond that of just friendship. He's given her a present, a jar full of seventeen wishes, one for year of her life.
The wishes are sweet, and had me swooning! The stipulation of the wishes is that she has to open them in order and only when he tells her to. Which this is a major part of the story. Because you see, Zac has a secret. A major one. I don't wanna say what it is and ruin the plot but Lilly knows about it, but not the full extent of everything. Zac has been keeping it a secret from her. Sometimes secrets are meant to protect the one we love. But they say even the bumpiest roads were pa ed with good intentions. What happened when Lilly discovers some of the secrets Zac has been keeping? I think once Lilly gets to read all her wishes, she will fulling understand his reasoning for everything.
January 10, 2025
Romance
2 stars
2 stars
June 9, 2017
Beautiful short story
Ive had this on KU for a while and got diatracted before I started reading it and man....I missed out! A beautiful story of young man Zac in love with his best friend and counting down his days due to ill health. Im always impressed if a short story can hook you in, make you fall in love and fear for characters in the space of an hour or so of reading. Its well written, which makes reading a pleasure and Ill be following the author for more to come! Grab a copy and read on the beach :)
Ive had this on KU for a while and got diatracted before I started reading it and man....I missed out! A beautiful story of young man Zac in love with his best friend and counting down his days due to ill health. Im always impressed if a short story can hook you in, make you fall in love and fear for characters in the space of an hour or so of reading. Its well written, which makes reading a pleasure and Ill be following the author for more to come! Grab a copy and read on the beach :)
September 24, 2022
i didn’t even realized how short this book was but i enjoyed it. it broke my and put it back together again
September 23, 2023
That was a rollercoaster
The amount of times I've ugly cried while reading this.... that was the sweetest and most painful thing I've read in a while.
The amount of times I've ugly cried while reading this.... that was the sweetest and most painful thing I've read in a while.
December 31, 2023
Absolutely wonderful.
I started last night and this morning was reading in bed and I almost drowned in my own tears; it was so touching.
I started last night and this morning was reading in bed and I almost drowned in my own tears; it was so touching.
July 3, 2017
I loved Zac in this story. He was much stronger than most 17 year olds, certainly stronger than I was at 17. For him to never fall into depression, for him to not blame his mother, for him to still be able to love despite everything. I loved how it was only Lilly for him and only him for Lilly. A really good love story is one of my favorite things of all time and this one was great.
July 21, 2018
Beautiful!
What an amazing, beautiful story. A true friends to lovers, that were destined by fate to always be together. An emotional journey of a life on the line, and a young love story just starting.
What an amazing, beautiful story. A true friends to lovers, that were destined by fate to always be together. An emotional journey of a life on the line, and a young love story just starting.
August 14, 2017
I'm going to start with my one criticism of this novella...I want the novel!! Man, I loved the premise of this so, so much, that I wish it had been a full-length novel. This novella is movie material, I swear. I'd go, take my besties with me, and buy popcorn and Pepsi. If you like books that pierce the heart, then this it.
I adored Zac's jar of seventeen wishes. I loved how they were a birthday gift and how Zac chose to give them to Lilly. The author used amazing literary tools to bring this novella to life, the characters to life. I pictured every little detail, and I think that's a huge feat with this being a novella with no accompanying novel. Truly a testament to this author's skill.
I think this is Erica Alexander's first and only right now, but I'm sure it won't be her last. In fact, I'm hoping it's not. Because she's on my #mustread list now!
I adored Zac's jar of seventeen wishes. I loved how they were a birthday gift and how Zac chose to give them to Lilly. The author used amazing literary tools to bring this novella to life, the characters to life. I pictured every little detail, and I think that's a huge feat with this being a novella with no accompanying novel. Truly a testament to this author's skill.
I think this is Erica Alexander's first and only right now, but I'm sure it won't be her last. In fact, I'm hoping it's not. Because she's on my #mustread list now!
July 14, 2018
This was a very short but sweet novella. I kinda loved the cuteness of it. Lilly and Zac were the cutest childhood bestfriends ever. I was so happy to see things work out in the end.
July 11, 2018
This was a super adorable novella. I love how it was just the right amount of emotional. It pulled the heart strings but I wasn’t sobbing. Can’t wait to read more of her work
August 28, 2016
Wow. Just Wow. This novella was simply wonderful to read. From the very first page I was held in Zac and Lilly's world and didn't want to miss any of it. The writing is great. The way Ms. Alexander brings us into how Zac feels, the decisions he makes - it's extremely real and honest. His struggle is very real and as a reader I felt the clock ticking with him. I might have wanted to know more from Lilly's POV if the story were longer, but for this Novella it didn't hurt to have less of her POV than a reader would usually see from the female perspective. I simply enjoyed every page of this book and find myself very fortunate that I was given an ARC to review. But beware, once you start you'll be happily hooked for the following book(s).
September 10, 2016
"I pray that God, the Universe, Fate or whoever is out there watching had a plan all along, and this is not the final chapter but the first one, and all that I lived up to this point was just the prequel for an amazing adventure. I hope that adventure will always include you."
Seventeen Wishes was super adorable. Filled with everything cute, passionate, and romantic. I was really scared there for a while that things weren't going to work out how I wanted them too but of course all was well. I would love to see this short story competed as a full novel. It would be awesome to hear more about Lilly and Zac. Reminds me a bit of A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole, but I love that book so all is well.
Seventeen Wishes was super adorable. Filled with everything cute, passionate, and romantic. I was really scared there for a while that things weren't going to work out how I wanted them too but of course all was well. I would love to see this short story competed as a full novel. It would be awesome to hear more about Lilly and Zac. Reminds me a bit of A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole, but I love that book so all is well.
February 2, 2017
74 pages of raw emotion.
Zac's heart is a ticking time bomb. His 18th birthday is looming over his head like a death sentence. Can he hang on? He has to for Lilly. She is his entire reason for living. His reason to breath, to fight, to go on. And she is turning 17. Zac gives Lilly her present, but what he gets in return is an even better gift.
I started this book over my lunch break but didn't end it until the next day, because I started crying in chapter 2. The next morning I picked it up and read the rest of the book. Crying in between smiling and cheering for Zac and Lilly! YEAH! Team Zac and Lilly.
Need a heartfelt story, pick this book up. It will make you believe in soulmates and true love!! Be warned you will cry, sniffle, or whimper.
Zac's heart is a ticking time bomb. His 18th birthday is looming over his head like a death sentence. Can he hang on? He has to for Lilly. She is his entire reason for living. His reason to breath, to fight, to go on. And she is turning 17. Zac gives Lilly her present, but what he gets in return is an even better gift.
I started this book over my lunch break but didn't end it until the next day, because I started crying in chapter 2. The next morning I picked it up and read the rest of the book. Crying in between smiling and cheering for Zac and Lilly! YEAH! Team Zac and Lilly.
Need a heartfelt story, pick this book up. It will make you believe in soulmates and true love!! Be warned you will cry, sniffle, or whimper.
June 6, 2016
Let me just say I loved this book so much. Erica knocked It out of the park. I absolutely bawled my eyes out reading this book. It was the perfect mixture of sexiness and sweetness all rolled in one.
Erica you knocked it out of the park.
Kudos to you for kicking a$$. I want MORE!!
Erica you knocked it out of the park.
Kudos to you for kicking a$$. I want MORE!!
May 23, 2016
What a beautiful story of friendship and love and fear of loss. I can't wait to read more from Erica Alexander.
September 13, 2016
Read as part of the Between Hearts anthology.
What a sweet beautiful story.
What a sweet beautiful story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews