The Final Wish of Mr. Murray McBride

The Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride #2

by Joe Siple

From the award-winning and #1 bestselling author of The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride

Jason Cashman has reached the goal he spent the last twenty years seeking, but instead of feeling content, he feels empty. When he meets Alexandra Lopez, a ten-year-old America-loving girl facing deportation, he is inspired by his old friend, Murray McBride, to give her five wishes before she must leave.

They set out to check off as many wishes as possible, but when Jason's transplanted heart begins to fail, he must choose between his obligations to the past and his hope for a future.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Family, Inspirational, Amazon, Book Club

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2021

Reviews

[Lindquistheather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved his first book, The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride, but this one was just ok. This one felt forced and wasn't really necessary. I'm still glad I read it, but I didn't love it.

[Leona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the first book, The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride. I had no problem suspending belief sometimes in order to appreciate the bottom line of the book - everyone must find purpose in their life. I do find the original to be a must-read before reading this one.

In this follow up book, I was quite put off by the author's relentless manipulation of the reader (me) by using illegal immigration as the premise of this book. Every immigrant that comes to America, whether legally or illegally, has a hard luck story or he or she would not leave their own country. So what would be the author's solution? Every child in the world with Type 1 diabetes should be able to come to this country? Are we talking about open borders for everyone?

The time line for all that was done on the day of the singing at the Nationals Game was just nuts. All what happened could not have happened in one day.

Far too many unbelievable circumstances in this book as well: Illinois is one of 16 states that allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses so Juan's arrests would never have been an issue. Visiting a prisoner on any day of the week? The prisoner just showing up to convince Jason to accept the next heart? Jason's ability to steal the donor waiting list? Diverting the airplane from its D.C. route to Texas on a whim? Recognition of the 11-year old girl singing the Star Spangled Banner by someone at the Washington Memorial prompting her to give up her tickets to ride to the top of the monument? Singing on stage? Getting the attention of the Congresswoman and casting her vote in the House of Representatives?

The only thing keeping me going on this one was to find out whether Jason would let go of Tiegen. Aside from that question, I would've stopped reading long before the half-way mark.

[Elizabeth Dorizas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too unbelievable for my taste

I enjoyed the first book much more than this one. I seriously could not handle Jason as an adult. The whole 20 years he isolated himself from his family, to make Tiegan's wish come true? Not believable. And then him stealing the transplant list and stalking the people on it, to help him decide if he should take a pass on the next available heart? Yeah right. And how he was always cutting it so close time-wise, getting to important meetings, the hospital to receive a heart? Too much...And visiting a prisoner in a whim, multiple times, and being allowed in? And the sudden appearance of the prisoner at the courthouse to convince him to take the heart? Good God...If there is a 3rd book in the series,I won't be reading it.

[Karen121 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one. Still, it’s a sweet, emotional story. I just wasn’t riveted by the writing this time.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend recommended I read this book as she found it an excellent read. No surprise, so did I. An emotional journey begins when a man facing the end of his time decides to use what is left of his life to better that of a 5 year old girl who is facing deportation. Each interaction between the two characters is sure to draw you in and lighten your day. I will now recommend this book to the rest of my reading circle. I'd never keep such a good book to myself.

[Courtney Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up to the first book. These stories are so adorable and wholesome I can’t stand it. Cheeky banter between the kid and the adult like before and just fun watching to see if and how the wishes might be fulfilled. Definitely recommend!

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not impressed

I loved the first book. Did not care for this sequel. It seemed forced. I don’t think the characters would have turned out this way. I don’t think Jason would have shut his mom out of his life which he did. Did not have the same magic. Disappointed I only finished it because I wanted to see how it ended but it was difficult to keep focused.

[Agnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the Five Wishes of Mr Murray McBride you have to read the next one. And so thats what I did because we need to know what goes on after you finish a story that is not quite finished yet. We again need the tissues because we find Jason Cashman is now handing out wishes .....

If the world was only so kind, it would be a better place. People helping people or just fulfilling their wishes so that we manage to remain optimistic as we go along in life. A life that is way to short. But we are rules by our decisions and Jason has a tough one to make...

A heartwarming story that lets you see the better side of humanity.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a touching book! It was a wonderful sequel to the first book and the prose was equally as enjoyable. The story was good, yet fell a little short of the first book, The Five Wishes. A feel good book that I recommend.

[Cassie VanScoyoc · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did like this book about Jason, it surely doesn’t hold a candle to Murray’s story. Far less emotional, however still very wholesome. Definitely heart wrenching at times. I really wish I could read more about Murray and Jason!

[Ema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely, heartfelt story by Joe Siple ... continues where "The Five Wishes" left off.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Final Wish of Mr. Murray McBride, Joe Siple takes readers on a remarkable and compassionate journey. We enter the lives of the young and the not so young, the healthy and those suffering from chronic illness. For Jason it’s about coping with a failing heart transplant and the complicated feelings he holds for the donor. Young Alexandra shows how it’s possible (given the right treatment) to manage disease effectively. Here we have fiction that extends the legacy of an earlier friendship with Mr. Murray McBride and continues the pattern of intergenerational relationships. It’s positive to see those suffering illness and disease given a platform. In a totally appropriate novel for our time, readers begin to understand the experiences of characters who seek a safer yet illegal life in America and who want nothing more than the opportunity to contribute to the community where appropriate help is offered. In this outstanding story, full of twists and turns, Joe Siple’s characters are courageous in the face of challenges but totally human with regrets, weaknesses, feelings of guilt, fears and hopes. This is a wonderfully affirming read which offers powerful messages about acceptance and belonging.

[Sherrie Crim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me reading. I just didn't want to put the book down.

I read the first in the series so I just had to follow up with the second. I typically don't read these types of fiction but the author really captured my attention. The wishes and the time that they were completed (in both books, but more this one) is totally unfathomable but it's what makes the story captivating. I will say that the part that actually got me a bit unnerved was the timing of going from Chicago to Dallas to Washington, D.C. and back to Chicago.

I have no idea how I'd ever make 5 wishes, so I really like how the author came up with these particular wishes, especially adding in a humanitarian wish. To think like a 10 or 11 (and a quarter!) year old is pretty neat. When I think of my own grandchildren I certainly don't think they'd ever think of wishes like these. Guess that's one of the reasons I was captivated!

Overall a great series of 2 easily read books. Would recommend to anybody who likes a bit a good, clean fiction, never second guessing the content. So, these books would be great for school aged children!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This too deserves more than five stars


I know you can't really be more than perfect or deserve an A plus plus but I once had a teacher who gave me an A plus for content and a D for mechanics and spelling. I usually averaged out at C plus or B minus. This deserves at least one plus after the A, or rather five stars. I read Five wishes yesterday and then I saw there was a sequel. Of course I HAD to start that one immediately. It takes up right where the First book left off.
My shirt is soaked from using it on my tears. This second book has a few laughs in it too but for me it contained more tears. The end is happy so some of the tears were happiness but not as many as those caused by laughter in the first book. This one has ups and downs and surprises too but not as many since I had some expectations and guesses after reading the first one.
This is a new author I will be exploring now. I am not the big 10 zero for a few decades yet but reading good clean books is one of my favorite pass times in my retirement years.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the continuation of The Five Wishes of Murray McBride. I read them back to back and I am glad I did. I feel this book cannot be read as a stand alone. This story picks up from where the first book ended, in the life of Jason, although it is 20 years later. He is following in the footsteps of Murray McBride. I liked the book, but not as much as the first. This one was predictable and I found some of the thoughts and feelings of the main character were repetitive. It is a definitely a heartwarming book though.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book "The Final Wish of Mr Murray McBride" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. I read the first book "Five Wishes of Mr Murray McBride" and loved it. I was happy to see another book that continues the story. This was also a good book. I enjoyed reading about the characters as they are older. I would definitely read the first book before this one as you can understand the story better. Heartfelt story that will show you how your life affects others.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely worth the read.
The fact that I didn’t read the first book “Five wishes of Mr. Murray McBride” it was nice that the author referenced the book a lot. I didn’t feel lost per-say. This book touches base on the illegal immigrants, the American dream, loyalty, life and death, etc. Book left me wanting more, maye a sequel book on Alexandra’s life??

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

rare

It’s not often a sequel is as good as the first book, but this one manages. The links between the two books do not feel contrived, but very natural. When I reread them, which I’m sure I will, they will need to be read as a pair, as two halves of the same story.

Beautiful.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the 1st one better.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little over a month ago I came across this author’s ’The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride’, which I really enjoyed, so when I saw that he had a sequel to it, I was happy to see that there would be more to the story.

This was equally as enjoyable, if not more so. There’s an essence of so much love the people in this story have for one another, even when they barely know each other as the story begins. Although they have problems that seem almost insurmountable, they take the time to help each other along the way, and offer comfort and as much help as they can. Murray McBride is especially so, he has his own wounds that never seem to let go, and he has suffered for most of his life over a past that still haunts him.

When he meets a young girl whose father is in prison, he more or less takes her under his wing, checking in on her, and helping her navigate her future. As young as she is, she is also very determined to take care of herself, because she understands that as young as she is, she is the only one who can do so. He becomes her champion, and in her own way, she helps him navigate his own life.

A story of memories that haunt, of compassion and love.


Pub Date: 25 Feb 2025

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Union Square & Company

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to purchase for anyone wishing to feel blessed and enlightened after reading it.

With the news and media pushing the cruelty of mankind and a world full of war, hate, fear, mass shootings, violence and devastation it so easy to slip into a life closed off from everyone and thing. A shelter from the reality that clouds the beauty of life. This is a heartwarming, beautiful book, which is well written, and a reminder of the important “things” in life. While reading this book my thoughts reflected on how if everyone who supports closing the borders needs to read this book! I understand the system must be improved. I understand it is illegal to enter without going through the imperfect process - BUT everyone has a story. Not everyone has ill intentions. We as humans must open our hearts, minds, and ears to listen. This book deals with life, health, death, and the immigration process.

[Allison Mclean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jason Cashman has finally fulfilled the last wish of his childhood friend. Then he meets Alexandra, a 10 year old girl who has lived most of her life in America. But she is now on the list to be deported. Jason decides it is time to pass along what Murray McBride did for him and grant her 5 wishes before having to leave the US.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two books in the Mr. Murray series are EXCELLENT!

AND REMEMBER!!!

SBK ~ Always be Strong, Brave, and Kind!

And, as an author, Joe Siple did an extraordinary job narrating. Most authors who narrator their own books aren't as prepared to share

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride. This sequel to that book was not a gripping as the first one. I found that the repetition of the same plot was too similar to the first book. I was disappointed.

[Karen Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not quite as poignant as the Five Wishes book, but still couldn’t put it down. It definitely made me tear up several times.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of personal struggle in this book when the choices should have been easy IMO. Loved the journal entries and sweet Alex.

[Judy Mareda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride that just as sweet and makes you feel good. It also made me stop and assess what I’m doing to help others who need help and encouragement.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in a series of 3. It wasn't as good as the first book, but it still had a lot of good feeling moments.

[Marie Campuzano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story

[Celiaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Murray McBride books......

I loved them both. Read them both straight with stopping except to eat. So good I could not put them down. The first one ..5wishes gav we me lots of laughs.