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Gabriel's Bay #2
What You Wish For
A funny and poignant Gabriel’s Bay story from the bestselling Catherine Robertson.
Dr Ashwin Ghadavi, the newly imported GP, is trying hard to fit into Gabriel’s Bay. His challenges include the immoveable force of his office manager, Mac, the ambiguities of the Kiwi idiom, and his unrequited attraction to Mac’s daughter, Emma.
Having returned home, Emma is determined to help her old friend, Devon, whether he wants it or not. She’s also on a mission to right eco wrongs, and her targets include local farmer Vic Halsworth, who’s already neck deep in the proverbial and, to make matters worse, seems to be having visions of moose.
Add in a former jailbird, a Norwegian recluse, and a woman struggling to foster a child, and you have the usual endearing and down-to-earth mix that can only occur in Gabriel’s Bay.
Dr Ashwin Ghadavi, the newly imported GP, is trying hard to fit into Gabriel’s Bay. His challenges include the immoveable force of his office manager, Mac, the ambiguities of the Kiwi idiom, and his unrequited attraction to Mac’s daughter, Emma.
Having returned home, Emma is determined to help her old friend, Devon, whether he wants it or not. She’s also on a mission to right eco wrongs, and her targets include local farmer Vic Halsworth, who’s already neck deep in the proverbial and, to make matters worse, seems to be having visions of moose.
Add in a former jailbird, a Norwegian recluse, and a woman struggling to foster a child, and you have the usual endearing and down-to-earth mix that can only occur in Gabriel’s Bay.
384 pages, Trade Paperback
First published January 8, 2019
26 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Robertson
18 books91 followersIf you like fast-paced plots, sparkling funny dialogue and heartfelt emotion, I'm the romcom author for you. I write about real people struggling with real stuff, but who each get their own happy ending. My brand of humor is perceptive and kind and I love jokes and wordplay. I love to write series with characters who develop through each book - basically, I hate to let them go! I live in the glorious wine country of New Zealand, and share my life with one husband, two grown sons, four cats, two dogs and a flock of no longer spring chickens. Get good (and free) stuff by signing up to my newsletter: google catherinejrobertson author
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 19, 2019
I was in the fictional location of Gabriel’s Bay about a year ago, so some of the characters in this story were very familiar from reading the book of the same name. It was rather like meeting the people you haven’t seen since a party last Christmas.
Gabriel’s Bay is an amalgam of New Zealand, a combination of locations and aspects, such that as well as late spring lambing from the South Island, you also have the avocado growing of Northland or the Bay of Plenty. A multitude of places and features and so it speaks to a multitude of readers, reminding them of somewhere they have lived or visited.
Dr Ghadavi is a new character, taking over from the old doctor who retired at the end of the last book. The residents of Gabriel’s Bay are a friendly lot, rallying around those who need a helping hand and constantly besieged by problems, difficulties and even power struggles in the local council. In the latest installment, Catherine Robertson has introduced a small commune of new age eco-warriors who are living off-grid and annoying the local farmers. There is also a talking moose, well at least one whose thoughts we are allowed to hear, linking us nicely to stories about the moose who were introduced to Fiordland in the early twentieth century and whose possible continued existence still makes the newspapers.
There is plenty of humour in the book. For example, there had been a proposal put to the local District Council to change the name of Gabriel’s Bay back to its original Māori name of Onemanawa. The main opponent is Elaine Pardew, “A woman who appeared to be made entirely from pink polyester and spite.” Other new characters in the international cast include a include Magnus Torvaldsen, a tall impressively muscled Norweigan who prefers to live without the use of clothes. His partner, Oksana, is Russian and is very straight talking and welcomes the visiting doctor who has come to play scrabble with: ’Why slapped bum face?’ was Oksana’s greeting. ‘You are here for free wine and food, plus waste-of-time English word game. What to complain about?’.
There are plenty of nationalities represented in our cast of characters. Māori and Pākehā, Indian, English, Irish, Scottish. At one point Robertson displays an unusually detailed knowledge of English geography, citing both Skegness and Cleethorpes. As someone who suffered both of these sea-side resorts as a child, I would have preferred the book to carry a Government Health warning before such horrors are thrown randomly onto a page, provoking both horror and unnecessary trauma. Perhaps the next book can have more about the naked Norweigan, he is a fascinating find, out there on the edge of the bush.
Gabriel’s Bay is an amalgam of New Zealand, a combination of locations and aspects, such that as well as late spring lambing from the South Island, you also have the avocado growing of Northland or the Bay of Plenty. A multitude of places and features and so it speaks to a multitude of readers, reminding them of somewhere they have lived or visited.
Dr Ghadavi is a new character, taking over from the old doctor who retired at the end of the last book. The residents of Gabriel’s Bay are a friendly lot, rallying around those who need a helping hand and constantly besieged by problems, difficulties and even power struggles in the local council. In the latest installment, Catherine Robertson has introduced a small commune of new age eco-warriors who are living off-grid and annoying the local farmers. There is also a talking moose, well at least one whose thoughts we are allowed to hear, linking us nicely to stories about the moose who were introduced to Fiordland in the early twentieth century and whose possible continued existence still makes the newspapers.
There is plenty of humour in the book. For example, there had been a proposal put to the local District Council to change the name of Gabriel’s Bay back to its original Māori name of Onemanawa. The main opponent is Elaine Pardew, “A woman who appeared to be made entirely from pink polyester and spite.” Other new characters in the international cast include a include Magnus Torvaldsen, a tall impressively muscled Norweigan who prefers to live without the use of clothes. His partner, Oksana, is Russian and is very straight talking and welcomes the visiting doctor who has come to play scrabble with: ’Why slapped bum face?’ was Oksana’s greeting. ‘You are here for free wine and food, plus waste-of-time English word game. What to complain about?’.
There are plenty of nationalities represented in our cast of characters. Māori and Pākehā, Indian, English, Irish, Scottish. At one point Robertson displays an unusually detailed knowledge of English geography, citing both Skegness and Cleethorpes. As someone who suffered both of these sea-side resorts as a child, I would have preferred the book to carry a Government Health warning before such horrors are thrown randomly onto a page, provoking both horror and unnecessary trauma. Perhaps the next book can have more about the naked Norweigan, he is a fascinating find, out there on the edge of the bush.
January 13, 2020
Another heartwarming, entertaining and witty read from my favourite NZ author. Catherine Robertson explores changing attitudes in small-town New Zealand through the lives of her believable, funny, loveable characters - farmers adapting to environmental challenges; gay and androgynous characters (oh, I love Devon!) grappling with entrenched prejudices. How will coming out go down at the rugby club? All the talked-about stuff going on in this book, told in such an engaging way. Where is Gabriel's Bay? Catherine tells us at the end. Highly recommended.
March 25, 2020
This was such a beautifully written story about the lives of a group of people in Gabriel’s Bay, NZ. The author has such a great turn of phrase and it was so enjoyable to read. I always thought New Zealand and Australia were separated by nothing more than an ocean but there was a lot of cultural references that went over my head. I am, however, better acquainted with Krispies now.
May 12, 2019
The second Gabriel's Bay novel. This follows the same formula as the first, we follow the inhabitants of rural town in New Zealand. Each chapter is told in third person but with access to the inner thoughts of a different character.
There are eccentric people in this story, and one or two villains, however none of those earn their own chapter, unless you count the moose of course. The story is told by ordinary folks that we can identify with - probably a smart move by Robertson, but ... there is a sameness that can be irritating.
The dialog and internal monologues also irritate. In small town New Zealand there may be one or two people who talk and think theatrically, but surely not everyone. Random samples "Use of past tense noted, with some relief", "Here's to serendipity, synchronicity and magical woo-wah", and worst of all "Triskaidekaphobian". The author may want a world where everyone talks like that, but it just doesn't ring true. I can't shake the impression Robertson is showing off.
I forgive the slightly fake community though, because she does write about things we all care about: love, children, money, identity. This book has its heart in the right place. Take it away with you on holiday, no risk of the bad guys winning and you'll probably be smiling at the end. 3.5 stars.
There are eccentric people in this story, and one or two villains, however none of those earn their own chapter, unless you count the moose of course. The story is told by ordinary folks that we can identify with - probably a smart move by Robertson, but ... there is a sameness that can be irritating.
The dialog and internal monologues also irritate. In small town New Zealand there may be one or two people who talk and think theatrically, but surely not everyone. Random samples "Use of past tense noted, with some relief", "Here's to serendipity, synchronicity and magical woo-wah", and worst of all "Triskaidekaphobian". The author may want a world where everyone talks like that, but it just doesn't ring true. I can't shake the impression Robertson is showing off.
I forgive the slightly fake community though, because she does write about things we all care about: love, children, money, identity. This book has its heart in the right place. Take it away with you on holiday, no risk of the bad guys winning and you'll probably be smiling at the end. 3.5 stars.
February 27, 2019
Not for me. It took a long time to wade through the characters and get to a, slightly, decent storyline. By that time I was over it and flicked forward a bit. I won't finish it and don't really care about the consequences for any characters. Not for me at all.
April 13, 2020
A handsome young Indian GP arrives to take over a small seaside-town practice where it seems his traditional formality and un-Kiwi ways will never fit in; an androgynously beautiful but decidedly straight young Maori boy with long blonde hair fights social media trolls and protesters outside his home; an earth mother of two boys who has been deeply hurt before takes too long to tell her man she is pregnant; a young politically passionate woman causes untold harm on social media while in thrall to a most unpleasant, dreadlocked eco terrorist; a vital older woman and her bookish husband take on a difficult foster child; and a group of travellers set up a long-term camp beside a river belonging to a struggling farmer. These are just some of the numerous twisting stories entwined in Catherine Robertson’s hilarious, compelling novel What You Wish For – a sequel (yet perfectly standalone) to Gabriel’s Bay, the town where it all happens. There is a large cast of characters, thankfully listed at the start of the book. We met many of them in the first book, but this time some of the old familiars take a back seat for new characters to come to the fore.
Big, macho, boatshed café owner Jacko wears a frilly apron while he cooks whatever takes his fancy (he never has a menu) and his fierce wife Mac is office manager for the new doctor. But this time it’s their daughter Emma, newly arrived from the UK along with a mysterious stranger, who takes our attention when her strong anti-capitalist and environmental principles are offside with the local developers and farmers. She decides to name and shame local farmers whose cattle are wandering into waterways, but caught in the headlights is struggling farmer Vic who is already at his wits’ end.
Kerry, the red-haired UK import who arrived at the start of the first novel, Gabriel’s Bay, now has a stable relationship with Sidney, the mother of two boys, but the focus in What You Wish For shifts from him to Sidney as she grapples with her insecurities and how to make do on a tiny income. And newly arrived Dr Ashwin (Ash) Ghadavi is a bundle of insecurities, trying to overcome his formal upbringing and make friends in a country, and particularly in a small country town, where everyone seems so relaxed.
Robertson, a gifted writer, traverses a cross section of inherently Kiwi characters with their distinctive lingo and mix of traditional Down-Under laid-back attitudes, and introduces the necessary conflict by contrasting them with new arrivals who are passionately convicted to a cause. She also manages to integrate humour into some very dark and serious subjects, like depression, gender identity, eco-terrorism and even politics. The writing is incredibly witty and at times laugh-out-loud funny. It’s a genre that many contemporary writers have made popular, treating serious issues with a light touch, so we can still learn from them, but not get lost down in the shadows. In achieving this clever balance, Robertson manages to transcend the ridiculous, snootily-imposed line between literary and commercial fiction and produce a real winner. We should honour Kiwi writers like her who aren’t afraid to celebrate our unique way of life.
Big, macho, boatshed café owner Jacko wears a frilly apron while he cooks whatever takes his fancy (he never has a menu) and his fierce wife Mac is office manager for the new doctor. But this time it’s their daughter Emma, newly arrived from the UK along with a mysterious stranger, who takes our attention when her strong anti-capitalist and environmental principles are offside with the local developers and farmers. She decides to name and shame local farmers whose cattle are wandering into waterways, but caught in the headlights is struggling farmer Vic who is already at his wits’ end.
Kerry, the red-haired UK import who arrived at the start of the first novel, Gabriel’s Bay, now has a stable relationship with Sidney, the mother of two boys, but the focus in What You Wish For shifts from him to Sidney as she grapples with her insecurities and how to make do on a tiny income. And newly arrived Dr Ashwin (Ash) Ghadavi is a bundle of insecurities, trying to overcome his formal upbringing and make friends in a country, and particularly in a small country town, where everyone seems so relaxed.
Robertson, a gifted writer, traverses a cross section of inherently Kiwi characters with their distinctive lingo and mix of traditional Down-Under laid-back attitudes, and introduces the necessary conflict by contrasting them with new arrivals who are passionately convicted to a cause. She also manages to integrate humour into some very dark and serious subjects, like depression, gender identity, eco-terrorism and even politics. The writing is incredibly witty and at times laugh-out-loud funny. It’s a genre that many contemporary writers have made popular, treating serious issues with a light touch, so we can still learn from them, but not get lost down in the shadows. In achieving this clever balance, Robertson manages to transcend the ridiculous, snootily-imposed line between literary and commercial fiction and produce a real winner. We should honour Kiwi writers like her who aren’t afraid to celebrate our unique way of life.
July 13, 2023
This is a continuation of Catherine Robertson’s Gabriel’s Bay. I was super pleased to find a acharacter key in the front of the book, which I definitely needed! There is a lot of characters, which you would expect in any seaside town, somewhere in NZ.
There are so many great characters in this series. The sad old divorcee would be one of my favs. He’s shy and awkward however he is quietly observant, thoughtful and kind. He has a soft spot for the “earth fairies” squatting on his land, he’s forgiving and unknowingly loved by the community, which becomes hugely apparent after a disaster on his land.
I like the new Indian doctor, his crush on local bad girl who has got herself into a spot of bother trying to voice her environmental opinions. Unfortunately her method causes heartbreak to locals and quickly escalates out of hand 😬
It’s all there, the gay hiding in the closet, scared to come out to his staunch “blokie”mates, the reclusive “naturalist”, the baby barren couple taking on troubled foster boy Reuben, and don’t forget our main character Kerry. Kerry’s parents are visiting after covid restrictions on travel and his mum is quick to entrench herself into the community, almost “nosing” into everyone’s business but with the kindest intentions. I love her!!
It’s a fun read, nothing too deep or mind shattering but interesting, relaxing, an easy read and I really enjoyed it. Love the depth into different characters from the original book giving others their time to shine.
There are so many great characters in this series. The sad old divorcee would be one of my favs. He’s shy and awkward however he is quietly observant, thoughtful and kind. He has a soft spot for the “earth fairies” squatting on his land, he’s forgiving and unknowingly loved by the community, which becomes hugely apparent after a disaster on his land.
I like the new Indian doctor, his crush on local bad girl who has got herself into a spot of bother trying to voice her environmental opinions. Unfortunately her method causes heartbreak to locals and quickly escalates out of hand 😬
It’s all there, the gay hiding in the closet, scared to come out to his staunch “blokie”mates, the reclusive “naturalist”, the baby barren couple taking on troubled foster boy Reuben, and don’t forget our main character Kerry. Kerry’s parents are visiting after covid restrictions on travel and his mum is quick to entrench herself into the community, almost “nosing” into everyone’s business but with the kindest intentions. I love her!!
It’s a fun read, nothing too deep or mind shattering but interesting, relaxing, an easy read and I really enjoyed it. Love the depth into different characters from the original book giving others their time to shine.
August 7, 2019
I really liked Gabriel's Bay, and was looking forward to reading this one. I did enjoy it, but I had trouble remembering some of what had happened to the main characters in the first book - reading them closer together would have been a big help. Having said that, you wouldn't need to have read GB to enjoy this, there are plenty of new characters as well as a core group from before, most of them interesting and likable, with the exception of the very obvious villains.
I did wonder about the inclusion of the moose (though I liked him as a character), I had thought the setting was somewhere in the North Island/East Coast - certainly not Fiordland, but the moose and the wapiti head (not wapati as is spelt in the book!), indicate far south.
It's well-written and entertaining enough for me to get through in a day, so quibbles are minor.
I did wonder about the inclusion of the moose (though I liked him as a character), I had thought the setting was somewhere in the North Island/East Coast - certainly not Fiordland, but the moose and the wapiti head (not wapati as is spelt in the book!), indicate far south.
It's well-written and entertaining enough for me to get through in a day, so quibbles are minor.
April 8, 2019
A delightful follow up to Gabriel's Bay returning us to the small coastal town in NZ and reuniting us with its quirky inhabitants. A charming read, it was almost like visiting old friends, and meeting a few new.
Kerry and Sidney are less the focus here, and the mix of different point of views and interweaving storylines got me to thinking how much I would enjoy watching a TV show of these characters, the format matches that of a family drama very well.
Highly enjoyable with an endearing cast, I can definitely recommend Catherine Robertson!
Kerry and Sidney are less the focus here, and the mix of different point of views and interweaving storylines got me to thinking how much I would enjoy watching a TV show of these characters, the format matches that of a family drama very well.
Highly enjoyable with an endearing cast, I can definitely recommend Catherine Robertson!
February 13, 2019
I feel like the inhabitants of Gabriels Bay are my new friends after reading the second book set in this Kiwi seaside town. I recognise them, can relate to them, want to (and do) laugh with them and feel like crying with them. The quirky Kiwi sense of humour, tell it like it is, diverse cast of characters and especially (this time round) the inclusion of more Te Reo Māori just added to my enjoyment of this easy engaging read. I can't wait to find out what they get up to next.
February 24, 2019
An engaging fun story. Interesting characters and events and apparently a part of a series, but stand alone stories. Set in NZ, I really enjoyed the small differences both culturally and environmentally.
There is a strong but not overplayed Maori influence in the story including sections of language used in a way that would not often show up in an Australian book.
Worth a read, enjoyable and fun.
There is a strong but not overplayed Maori influence in the story including sections of language used in a way that would not often show up in an Australian book.
Worth a read, enjoyable and fun.
June 23, 2019
Sort of like the movie 'Love Actually' this novel tracks a large cast of characters whose lives intersect. It's a lovely read in that there are no machiavellian characters to rile the reader, rather there's a sense of exploring the uniqueness of people, even those that seem unlikable or weird. At times, some of the characters seemed too OTT nice though ... maybe quaint little towns like Gabriel Bay do that to people!
April 12, 2019
Another entertaining visit to Gabriel's Bay, a small seaside town in New Zealand. There's a great group of characters and interesting developments. The writing style is easy and flowing, spiced with some hilarious similes. The various storylines move along credibly and with feeling. I enjoyed the moose interlude that bookends the book but would have liked more of King, the gourmand Labrador.
June 6, 2021
I loved this sequel to Gabriels Bay! Such a sweet endearing story about the people who live in a small town and their relationships in the community. It reminded me of the little country town that I grew up and where everybody knew everybody else and everybody else’s business! Just one thing in New Zealand we don’t have barns on farms - they are called hay sheds.
September 13, 2024
A new author to me and a welcome one! She writes NZ very well although there is occasionally a “trying too hard” vibe to her humour. Nevertheless, light, entertaining and with engaging characters.
We start and end with the thoughts of a moose (not native to NZ but the remains of a herd introduced into Fiordland in the 1950’s). Recommended and I am off to source some of her other books.
We start and end with the thoughts of a moose (not native to NZ but the remains of a herd introduced into Fiordland in the 1950’s). Recommended and I am off to source some of her other books.
May 9, 2022
That was an interesting read (and not just because it's set in New Zealand!) I liked the interconnected plot points that really weren't related but still joined all the characters together into one community.
February 6, 2019
Another awesome visit to Gabriel’s Bay. God I hope she writes more about this wonderful place.
March 2, 2019
This book is New Zealand fiction at its best! Really enjoyed it and loved the author's writing style. My review is at https://bookbloggernz.blogspot.com/20...
November 3, 2019
Nice to come across another New Zealand author. This took some time to get into = so many characters! But the story came out quite nicely in the end.
November 30, 2019
An easy read. Possibly too good at tying up loose ends.
February 9, 2020
Just couldnt get into this book, it had so many characters that I was constantly referring back to see who was who, gave up eventually. I hate not finishing a book but just couldn't get into it.
August 18, 2021
Great sequel to Gabriel's Bay. Wide variety of diverse characters.
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December 20, 2022I enjoyed this book. Enough emotion and twists to keep you wanting to know what would happen next
August 19, 2024
Book 2 in the Gabriel's Bay series.
August 27, 2025
This series has been around for a while but funny, lighthearted read. Great beach book.
November 29, 2023
Almost four years after first becoming acquainted with the good folk of Gabriel's Bay I bought the next two books as my Xmas treat. lovely to meet the new Doc, and a few returning inhabitants. The character of Devon is just wonderful, and Mac is not quite as interfering as before. I want to know so much more about the wealthy reclusive Magnus. such an enjoyable read, with NZ flowing through the words like waters through their rivers.
February 7, 2019
A sequel is not always an easy option. But picking up with well-rounded characters and familiar surroundings is comfortable; the challenge is what the author does with them. This novel is a pleasing surprise, the people are colourful, real and engaging. The storyline flows well. It's not a deep read, and there are quite a few Te Reo phrases I didn't know (shame on me, and possibly quite a few readers?) but ignoring that, a thoroughly enjoying, absorbing, "go away, I'm reading" sort of a book.
The real challenge will be the next one....
The real challenge will be the next one....
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews