Their mother needs a fresh start...could he be what they've been waiting for?
Back in her hometown with her twin daughters, widow Marilyn Sofitel is set on never falling in love again. She's sure her heart is safe spending time with Wyatt Walker as he works to fix the carousel her girls love. Everyone knows he's handsome, charming...and trouble. But as they grow closer, might their unlikely friendship to develop into something deeper?
An avid knitter, coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four novels at a time. The bestselling author of over fifty books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-year career with over 1.5 million books sold. In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com to learn more.
“It was an uncomfortably tight squeeze to poke back into town salvaging the pieces of a once pretty life.”
First, that cover. Isn’t it adorable? Those girls are just as cute on the pages of the book too – you’ll love meeting Margie and Maddie, just as much as you love their mom Marilyn & their self-proclaimed Carousel Man and unlikely friend – Wyatt Walker.
Second, I’m embarrassed to admit that this is the first book by Allie Pleiter that I’ve read. But it certainly won’t be my last. The people, the plot, the setting, the writing style – all of it is delightful and held my undivided attention from beginning to end.
Mari and Wyatt are both sympathetic and relatable characters, in each their own distinct ways, and while they may at first seem nothing alike, it’s not long before we see how much they really do have in common. There’s something about a bad boy hero who’s really a softie deep down in his heart (often hidden even from himself), and Wyatt will have you wanting to reach into the pages and hug him (don’t get distracted by his swooniness though…. well, at least not for too long LOL). This line – “I really hope your mom isn’t watching because I’m about to kiss the daylights out of you.” – is just… I mean, can you even read that without grinning like a besotted fool?? Clearly I can’t anyway lol. I also loved watching Mari come into her own strength, bolstered by the love – and support – that come in unexpected ways through unexpected people.
Bottom Line: Their Wander Canyon Wish by Allie Pleiter is sweet, swoony, and endearing. The town of Wander Canyon is perfectly etched in your mind off the pages – the good, the bad, and the ugly of a small town. Mari and her adorable twin girls immediately capture your heart – and Wyatt’s – and Pleiter skillfully crafts a heart-touching plot with the right blend of lighter moments amid the emotional ones. While Mari & Wyatt may at first glance seem like an unlikely match, it’s quickly apparent that their happily ever after is one to cheer for. Looking forward to the next visit to Wander Canyon!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
The small-town resident bad boy is not the man Marilyn Sofitel expected to find a friend in. Yet, Wyatt Walker with all his bravado and defiance is a much better man than most people in Wander Canyon give him credit for.
Allie Pleiter presents a story about finding love when (and where) you least expect it and the importance of and strength in finding the people who will stand beside you when the worst of life batters all your hopes and dreams.
While Wyatt was introduced in the final Matrimony Valley book, readers really get to know and understand him better in this one. And don’t worry if you haven’t read the previous book. Since this is the start of a new series, you won’t feel like you’re left out of anything.
Their Wander Canyon Wish is an excellent introduction to this little Colorado town, its beloved carousel, the gossips, the true friends, and two adorable twin girls who will capture your heart a little bit. If you are looking for a sweet, uplifting, quick read, Pleiter delivers above and beyond.
Disclosure statement: I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Marilyn is moving back to Wander Canyon with her twin girls. She recently became a widow. Upon arriving in town she wants to take the girls on the carousel but finds it out of order. Wyatt is supposed to be fixing it but hasn’t got it done yet.
I love Wyatt and Marilyn’s story, she helps him out with his paperwork. She discovers something he is not aware of.
I also enjoyed the twin girls. Children in a book always makes it better. Of course, Wyatt falls in love with the girls and wants to get the carousel fixed just for them.
Marilyn discovers things she wasn’t aware of about her deceased husband. I loved how Wyatt helps her deal with it.
I received an advanced copy of the book from the author. This book review is my own opinion.
I enjoyed this book so much and I can relate to the small town feel for I grew up in one and lived in another one. I loved the characters so much especially Wyatt. He has feelings just like the rest of us do. Only being a guy he shows them much differently than you or I would. Men aren't allowed to show their feelings. So Wyatt does the only thing he knows to do. Act out. When reading further into the book the author shows us exactly why he does that. Poor man. I loved Marilyn's twins so much! Aren't they just adorable? I wish I had some of their energy. I laughed, cried, and sniffled right along with the characters in the book. I also rooted for them too. I'm glad I gave this author a try! I love her writing style. I will need to read the first one to this sweet book too. Marilyn's mother is sort of a snob. I detest those kinds of people because Kevin's mom is much like her. They are too quick to judge other people when thy have no idea what the other person's life might be like. It's why God made us all different. I do love his idea. If we were all the same wouldn't life be boring? I highly recommend this sweet book. I finished it in one night and yes I lost some sleep but the book was well worth it. I cried because I had to say goodbye to my sweet girls. I hope we get to watch them grow up? Hint hint? My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. NO compensations were received and all opinions are my own
This was my first time reading a book by this author and I enjoyed it. I found it to be a sweet story. Marilyn, a young widow, moves back to her hometown with her young twin daughters after her husband’s death. All is not as it appears on the surface. Everyone, including her parents believe only the best about her late husband. Instead, Marilyn is dealing with many issues while still trying to help her daughters grieve. She gets reacquainted with Wyatt, and as they say, the rest is history. Wyatt is the perfect hero. Marilyn and Wyatt learn to know each other and how to be strong for the other. This story seemed a bit unrealistic in how quickly everything progresses, but I found it to be a sweet love story. Clean, light reading, perfect for a quick read.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Their Wander Canyon Wish was another wonderful story from Allie Pleiter. I've loved everything I've read from her and this is my favorite one yet.
It was deep and meaningful. I hurt for the characters and rejoiced with them. I laughed with them and shed a tear right alongside them. It spoke to me on so many levels. The pain of harsh and unfair judgments, the untrue labels others place on you, can be so hurtful, but there is always hope and love in the Lord. What a wonderful reminder!
This was a quick read that I enjoyed immensely. I sped through it in just two days. I didn't want to leave these characters, but when I did have to set it down to tend to other things, they were always on my mind. It's a sweet and inspirational read that's sure to delight fans of contemporary romance. I can't wait to visit Wander Canyon again!
I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
God can take anything and bring beauty out of it. Marilyn has been broken by here late husband although she hides it really well. Moving back home was a chance a a new beginning for her and her girls and although it was hard, she found friendship and community. I love how in the midst of every struggle, she tried to centre herself in Christ telling him her struggles, going to him in thanksgiving and most times surprised when he answered really quickly but still grateful that he did. And then there's Wyatt, everyone knows he's trouble and he doesn't mind the label at all. He becomes Marilyn's friend and sticks by her especially when certain things about her late husband come to light that shake her foundation, he's a source of comfort to her and falls in love in the process without realising it. Marilyn's twin blessings were an added bonus to this story and I really enjoyed it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are solely mine
Books with twins in them are absolutely delightful. Heartwarming story of a defiant Wyatt and a strong Marilyn. I loved reading about her strength even when things were bad. Her loyalty was really admirable. She lost her husband and was trying to navigate life with her adorable twins. Going back home to her parents threw her into more turmoil. Life had not been fair to her for a while but it did not make her bitter or unkind to people, rather sympathetic. Wyatt's most admirable virtue was his protectiveness over Marilyn and the twins. It was so beautiful to read it all. He had been tagged as the bad boy but Marilyn's presence in his life did wonders to him.
Together they rode some pretty big storms but they came out having each other.
Beautiful story of second chances and God's faithfulness.
I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.
I've lost count of just how many Love Inspired titles I've read and enjoyed over the years, but Allie Pleiter's are quickly becoming some of my all time favorites. I've honestly enjoyed each and every one of the titles I've been lucky enough to read by her, and Their Wander Canyon Wish ended up being my favorite yet. I knew that after first being introduced to Wyatt Walker in Wander Canyon Courtship, that his story was going to be one that would truly tug at the heartstrings, and that was definitely the case. He truly meets his match in widowed single mother Marilyn Sofitel, even though she's exactly what he thought he'd never want in his life.
Over the course of this heartwarming story, the reader is treated to a budding relationship between Wyatt and Marilyn that first starts out as a sweet friendship. Wyatt and Marilyn have both known and experienced great heartache, and they begin to find healing and love through each other and through strengthening their relationship with our Heavenly Father. Along the way, Allie Pleiter throws in many important issues like the stigmas that comes along with stereotyping, the hurt that can come from small town gossip being thrown around with no thought to its consequences, and the hardships that come from navigating learning disabilities, especially when they were never diagnosed.
From start to finish, this one was everything I was hoping for and more, and I could barely put it down once I started. As much as I enjoyed the romance, the small town setting (especially the carousel), and the strong emphasis on faith, family and friendship, I have to be honest and say that it was Marilyn's young twin daughters Maddie and Margie who truly made this one a winner in my eyes. I loved their refreshing views on everything, and the adorable interactions they have many times with Wyatt throughout the course of the story.
I wholeheartedly enjoyed this one, and can't possibly recommend it enough. It was the perfect start to a new series surrounding Wander Canyon, and I can't wait to find out what Allie Pleiter has in store for the residents of this small town in upcoming books.
Thanks so much to Allie Pleiter for providing me a complimentary copy of this novel to read and review!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this novel from the author as part of her street team. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.
Their Wander Canyon Wish is a great book that I enjoyed from start to finish. It pairs two unlikely people and a set of twins that really steal the show.
Marilyn Sofitel is a young widow with twin daughters who has had to come home to her hometown to try and heal and regroup. Marilyn's marriage left her feeling depleted and she needs to heal. When she takes her car in to seek help in scheduling upcoming repairs, she encounters Wyatt Walker. They know each other from high school and could not be any more different. But Marilyn and Wyatt are both trying to heal and find direction. The two begin to help one another and form a friendship. When Marilyn's past catches up with her, Wyatt comes to the rescue. Soon Marilyn and Wyatt realize their feelings for each other run a lot deeper than either anticipated. Can a set of twins, a broken carousel and a small town bring a set of unlikely people together? That is exactly what you get answers to in this very adorable book.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest feedback.
4.5 stars A wonderful small-town romance with plenty of heart and soul for the characters.
Small towns can be the proverbial can of worms anytime something happens. Before you can sneeze, everyone in town knows and has formed their own opinion. Doesn’t matter what you say or do after that, your reputation is set in stone. For Marilyn and Wyatt, this small-town ripple effect could have devastating effects.
Allie Pleiter creates believable characters who will tug your heartstrings with their antics and emotions. The twins add a level of fun and excitement while helping build trust between the adults.
Wyatt starts off with that bad boy vibe, and I loved the way his armor was slowly chipped away and we get to see the man behind the mask.
Their Wander Canyon Wish is an excellent example of how God can take something we see as broken and turn it into something beautiful.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Wyatt Walker has lived his life just on the edge between wrong and right, so when he volunteers to fix the town's iconic carousel, no one believes he will or can actually do it. Widowed Marilyn Sofitel returns to Wander with her twin daughters to get her bearings following her husband's death. The first place they go is to the carousel, where they encounter Wyatt. While Wyatt charms her girls, Mari knows that charm can hide many things that aren't so appealing. Her husband was a case in point.
When Mari takes her van to Wyatt for service and discovers the disorganization of his office, she decides that one way she can help him in return for his assistance is to organize his office. As they work together, Mari discovers that Wyatt is a much more honorable man than the persona he shows the town. She also discovers a man whose flaws make him someone she can relate to.
Wyatt and Mari have both sworn off relationships, each for their own reason. When Mari's reason becomes a tongue-wagging scandal throughout the town, will Wyatt step into the breach and take some of the heat onto his own broad shoulders? Can their friendship survive the secrets they've kept?
I loved this story so much. Mari is so wounded that all she wants is to be left alone. However, she has adorable twin daughters who don't understand the grief she feels, or the need she has to keep her secrets. Wyatt, too, has been wounded, first by parents whose expectations he failed to meet, then by nearly everyone in town who failed to see his antics as what they were, a cry for independence. He's a first rate mechanic whose birthright is to be a rancher. He has no desire to work with cattle (or cows, as he calls them to annoy his father) and has fought for the right to leave the ranch. Unfortunately, he sees the disappointment in his father's eyes every time he goes to the ranch, and he feels the pressure to return.
Sweet romance readers will love this story. Wyatt is definitely a swoon-worthy hero, and Mari is a classic "damsel in distress." Their Wander Canyon Wish is actually the second book set in Wander Canyon by Allie Pleiter. The first, Wander Canyon Courtship, is the story of Wyatt's brother, Chaz and Yvonne, and kind of sets the tone for how Wyatt is portrayed at the beginning of Their Wander Canyon Wish. Read both if you want the full family story!
I enjoyed reading "Their Wander Canyon Wish". I felt that it was well written and that it had a nice flow (There were a few instances where Maddie was called Maggie, but that wasn't too big of a deal). I found the characters to be realistic and I connected with them even though I wasn't like either one of them personally. Maddie and Margie were adorable additions to the story and I loved their interactions with Wyatt. I found the story thread dealing with dyslexia to be interesting and well done. There is also a faith thread woven through the story. I liked how the characters grew throughout the story. This is the first book I've read by Allie Pleiter and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.
What a fun read I love when a story involves kids I feel like they always add a huge element to a story. I think the one thing I felt was left hanging was something that played out through the story with out giving anything away it felt like you were left with some questions in the end. I am not sure if this is going to be a series and eventually it will all play out or if you are just left to figure it out on our own. I did like Mari and Wyatt, they both had troubles and struggle they need to face but it wasn't something they need others to face it with but they needed to conquer on their own. I was not a fan of Marilyn's mom, I hope there is more to come I would love to find out what happens next. Over all this book was a good clean read and suitable for all ages.
Their Wander Canyon Wish by Allie Pleiter Wander Canyon Series Book One Wyatt Walker had always been Wander’s bad boy. And now, the town looked at him with disgust because he left his legacy…Wander Canyon Ranch. Marilyn Sofitel has returned to Wander Canyon after her husband passed away. With her twin daughters in tow. Also with secrets. She just didn’t realize how bad the secrets were until they were exposed. Such a heartwarming story. Wyatt was still the outcast and bad boy, but Marilyn sees through to a different man. And the little girls added to the story. Not to mention a few pinch-faced older women to complete the story. https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Pros: FINALLY a story where they're not playing 'oh of course I'm not in love' games. Pretty cute. Definitely one of the better Love Inspired books.
Cons: The guy's faith story was weak, at best. Changed because he was falling in love, pushed the narrative of a woman being able to get a man in the church's doors.
Best: Small Town but make it Evil. I have to admit, every one of these books being set in a small town that's somehow better than the rest of the world is...grating. Seeing the bad sides of the small town pushed instead of the good was actually quite refreshing and surprising. I enjoyed seeing both characters struggle against expectations, but I would've also loved to see Christianity in general utilized more in the mix.
Returning home after her husbands death with her twins was going to be hard. Marilyn was prepared for that but she wanted her girls to remember their father in a good light. Accomplishing that will be the hardest part and the help comes from the most usual source. Wyatt has always been a rebel but is that a cover for problems he faces? They just may be what each other needs to get through this. As always, Allie Pleiter has a very human and enjoyable story. Her characters are all realistic. I won a copy of this book but would have bought it anyway. My review is entirely my own.
I really enjoyed this clean, second chance romance. I voluntarily chose to review this story and I've given it a 5* rating. I really felt for this broken heroine and the things she went through. I needed a couple of tissues for this. Not only did she go through a lot but she struggled to keep her twin daughters protected from a lot of it too. This also addressed the problem of dyslexia. Loved the ending.
What a sweet book this was... I loved how the characters interacted and grew on you. I can't wait to read the next books that hopefully will include snippets of more of Mari and Wyatt's story! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Author and Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.
Thunderstruck. You will really enjoy reading about Wander Canyon, “Because Wander Canyon is watching—Wander Canyon is always watching”. Twins are adorable! Marilyn found what she’d been missing – “hope, love, and the heart of a truly good man.”
I received an ARC of this book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions in this review are my own.
Oh my goodness, this is a wonderful book! I really enjoyed the story line with all the characters within it making a very enjoyable way to spend the day. Definitely pulls at the heartstrings and draws out the emotions. Beautifully written! I am looking forward to reading all the Wander Canyon books!
I really enjoy Allie Pleiter's books and this one is no exception. Visiting Wander Canyon again was very enjoyable and worth the read. I love how the relationship between Wyatt and Marilyn grows and changes both of them in a realistic, not too sappy way.
What a sweet adorable story! If I weren't already an Allie Pleiter fan Their Wander Canyon Wish would definitely make me one. I really do think it's my favorite of her books so far.
I'll confess that I was a bit dubious when I started it because I hadn't really cared for Wyatt in his first appearance so I wasn't sure how much I'd like him now. Needless to say, I changed my mind. And as much as I liked Marilyn and felt for her as she dealt with loss as well as the fall-out of secrets coming to light, it was her two little girls Maddie and Margie that I fell in love with. Those two were just so cute!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my absolute favorite thing about Their Wander Canyon Wish, the carousel. I've loved them since I was little girl and rode one for the first time. There is something magical about carousels that transcends age.
Love carousels and faith-filled romance? I would heartily suggest Allie Pleiter's charming Love Inspired novel. It's a quick and easy read that is sure to brighten your day.
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)