Careful What You Wish

The Wishing Tree #7

by Ashley Farley

Wishes in branches tied with string. Someone's hopes. Another's dreams.

Mary May has lost her way. She’s husbandless, childless, and soon to be homeless. She’s lost her housekeeping job, and with no income, she can’t afford the repairs on her family’s dilapidated ancestral home. On a whim, she ties a wish to the town’s famous wishing tree. She doesn’t expect her wish to come true. None of her many others have. And she’s astounded when the maple tree in her backyard sprouts hundred-dollar bills.

After making the house repairs, Mary goes on a spending spree, purchasing a new wardrobe and fancy automobile. While the money buys the material goods she covets, it can’t buy her the one thing she wants most. Friendship.

Mary’s granted wish turns out to be both a blessing and a curse. Mary embarks on a journey to discover what message her Money Maple is sending her.

Join Ashley Farley, bestselling author of Palmetto Island Series, as she brings the latest book in The Wishing Tree series alive, featuring a heartwarming story of friendship and new beginnings.

Book 1: The Wishing Tree – perma-FREE prologue book
Book 2: I Wish... by Amanda Prowse
Book 3: Wish You Were Here by Kay Bratt
Book 4: Wish Again by Tammy L. Grace
Book 5: Workout Wishes & Valentine Kisses by Barbara Hinske
Book 6: A Parade of Wishes by Camille Di Maio
Book 7: Careful What You Wish by Ashley Farley

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2022

About the author

⭐️USA Today Bestseller⭐️
Ashley Farley writes heartfelt stories about women navigating life’s challenges. Her characters—mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives—face real-life struggles with resilience and grace. Best known for her Sweeney Sisters series, Ashley’s books have touched the hearts of readers far and wide.

A wife and mother of two young adults, for more than two decades, Ashley has split her time between Richmond and the Northern Neck of Virginia. Yet, a piece of her heart will always belong to the South Carolina Lowcountry, where she draws inspiration from the moss-draped oaks, coastal cuisine, and the warm, welcoming spirit of its people.

Ashley loves to hear from her readers.
Visit her website @ http://www.ashleyfarley.com
Sign up for her newsletter @ https://ashleyfarley.com/newsletter-s...
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyFarley...

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read Ashley Farley before (Sweet Tea Tuesdays, for one), and appreciated the connection to Charleston, SC. In this story, the series took on a different edge. Mary May is a domestic that makes a poor choice, and her life hasn't been the easiest. Even tho she doesn't believe in the power of THE WISHING TREE, after countless attempts at making wishes, she reaches out to it never thinking anything could come true. Except....

I like seeing how Mary comes to realize what she is truly seeking in life. She has been beaten down, but truth has a way of always winning. And, there are some people around her that have lessons to learn as well. There are a few uncanny things that take place, and you can't help but to root for Mary Ellis May!

This story did not connect to the Wishing Tree folks for me like that other stories did. I liked it, but it felt "separate," and not really part of the series, shy The Wishing Tree, itself. All of the characters were new, with a mention in only a couple places of "friends" from the other books.

That said, I do really like Farley's books.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved books 1-6 in this series, but I really didn't enjoy this one as much. It really didn't fit for me like the rest of the series. The others really fitted together well as a series. This one was very stand alone, and with none of the characters we have grown to love. It's a pity the author didn't read the other books in the series before writing this one. Where was Neva, the keeper of the wishes? This was just a bit too far fetched for me.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary May is in trouble. She works for a rich woman as a maid and covets her lifestyle. Mary is about to lose her home and has been fired from being caught trying on her employers clothes and jewelry. She doesn't like her life and wishes for a husband and children, friends and a better life than she's living now. She ties a wish to the Wishing Tree that changes her life. When she wakes up in the morning, her yard is full of money - lots of money that have fallen from her maple tree. This continues day after day. She rakes the money up and uses it to do renovations on her house, buys better clothes and a car and hopes to be accepted by the richer people in town. But the money does not make her happy and she tries to discover what her tree wants her to do with her new riches. However, when other people find out about her new riches, she is arrested for stealing from her previous employer. Will she go to jail or will she learn the importance of sharing her money with people less fortunate?

Ashley Farley always writes book with great characters and Mary May is a wonderful, caring character who is learning valuable lessons in her life. This is a great story about friendship and sharing.

[Ami Edmonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different from the rest of the series

This book was very different from those in the series so far. You didn’t see your characters from the other books mentioned. The story line was different and up until the end I didn’t know what was going on, if this was a fantasy read or how it was going to end. Was very different. Not my favorite.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book in the Wishing Tree series was more fantasy than something that would actually happen and seemed very far-fetched to me. It also did not seem to blend with the other books in the series as the others did. Perhaps the lesson Mary learns about what is important is the point of the book.

[Leila Denning · Rating 1 out of 5]

awful

Very poorly written and not in keeping with the rest of the series, it’s like the author didn’t read any of the previous books.

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 7 in The Wishing Tree series.
I love how this series has given me a chance to read books from bew to me authors.
Ashley Farley us one such author.
Her addition to the series brings a more fantastical twist to the stories.
As always we are brought to the famous tree in Linden Falls.
Mary May is a cleaner in the house of a rich socialite. Part employee, part friend, she's been working there for 10 years.
A misjudgement of time means that she is found asleep wearing her employers clothes and jewellery, causing her to lose her job.
Where does the tree come into it?
Well, after wondering why the tree diesbt just grow money to solve peoples problems, strange things begin to happen in her own back yard.
Strange things that mean she is able to renovate her aging house, and begin to do more good for her community.
In doing so, she makes new friends, and is seeing the glimmer of happiness return to. Her life, when her former employer presses false theft charges upon her.
I won't go into it, but the fantastical element I mentioned earlier is at work, ensuring the right decisions are made and that Mary finds a tribe of her own.
I'm sad I have to wait for more Linden Falls stories now!!

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Careful What You Wish by Ashley Farley is the seventh book in The Wishing Tree series. Mary May has been adrift. Her husband left her, she has no children and she’s on the verge of losing her home. Now she has lost her housekeeping job. With no income, she has lost all hope that she can repair her family’s dilapidated home. As a sarcastic joke, she ties a wish to the town’s famous wishing tree. She never expected her wish to come true and come true in an amazing fashion! All of a sudden her maple tree sprouts hundred dollar bills resulting in thousands of dollars. As she makes the necessary repairs, she begins to go on a spending spree and gives herself a much needed makeover. Soon she realizes that it wasn’t money she truly needs but friends. As her wish becomes a blessing and a curse, she must discover the true meaning behind her wish fulfillment.
I have been enjoying The Wishing Tree immensely which is why it hurts to not enjoy Careful What You Wish. The story didn’t seem to fit with the others. Despite being from the town, no one seems to know or recognize Mary which doesn’t jive with the small town atmosphere. While the other books had small overlap with each other, Careful What Your Wish doesn’t have a single character that I recognize from the other books. Not even Neva, the Curator of Wishes, fails to make an appearance. Even the magic of the tree seems to be out of place with the previous books. The wish fulfillment in this story had more of a supernatural/divine intervention feel than the others. Mary was a hard character to care for and sympathize with. Sadly, I was highly disappointed in Careful What Your Wish and only recommend it as a part of The Wishing Tree series. I wonder how this story will fit with the remaining stories.

Careful What You Wish is available in paperback and eBook

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary May has lost her job by being caught trying on clothes from her employers closet. Her now ex employer Daisy is a self-absorbed manipulator. She also enjoys having control over her friends.
When Mary May ties a wish to the Wishing Tree, she is definitely not expecting what happens!
Mary learns a lesson in what real/true friendship really is.

I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Careful What You Wish is the seventh book in The Wishing Tree series and there was a lot of darkness and meanness in it. Although set in Linden Falls, Vermont this didn't have the flavor of the first books in the series.

Mary loses her job as Daisy's housekeeper and it seems like Mary's only been holding on by a thread for quite a while. When she gives the Wishing Tree an ultimatum, when none of her wishes over the years have been granted, she's in for a big surprise.

Daisy and her husband are bullies and it throws another dimension on the small town. They are both hard to like as are some others (who redeem themselves in my eyes) who seem to follow them blindly but it turns out they have a reason to.

There are many twists and turns and bullying reaches a peak. Mary turns out to be likable and others in town think so as well. There is closure and some sweet moments.

Ms. Farley is a new to me author. I may give a few of her other books a try.

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #7 in The Wishing Tree series. Like the others in this series, the story grabbed my heart from the start. As is typical of Ashley, her characters come alive and for me, I continue to think about them long after the last page has been turned.

Mary loses her job through some unfortunate choices on her part, however, her former boss Daisy is a manipulator, self-absorbed, and seems to thrive on the control she has over her friends.

Being single, with no hope of a job, no friends and the fear of losing her home, she walks past the famous linden tree, known as "The Wishing Tree" noticing all the people gathered around it. Mary has lived in Linden Falls all her life and she's never had a wish fulfilled which has led her to believe the tree is a scam and that people are misled. In a moment of anger she yells at the tree asking why if the tree is so great it doesn't grow money instead of leaves. When it doesn't suddenly sprout dollar bills, she gives the tree a kick and heads on home.

Mary loves her garden and while outside kneeling to gather rose petals to make potpourri, she notices a hundred dollar bill floating to the ground. She is shocked when seeing the branches of her maple tree covered in money instead of leaves. Each morning there is a new crop of money on her lawn, that apparently only she can see. She is able to repair her dilapidated house, buy a car, and refresh her outdated wardrobe, however, this unexpected blessing, also creates some major big problems including being arrested and thrown in jail.

This is an intriguing story as well as heartwarming. Despite the difficulties Mary faces, she learns a big lesson about reaching out and making a difference in the lives of others. Somehow when you do that, the recipient is not the only one blessed, but also the giver.

[Jeanne Chepko · Rating 5 out of 5]

wishing tree...are you sure you want this wish?

Have you ever been envious of someone's life, home, marriage or wealth? Wishing you could be them, only to find out everything isn't as it seems and you need to be careful what you wish for!
Back in Linden Falls VT, Mary is unfortunately down on her luck, she doesn't really believe in the power of the tree as previous wishes never came true. This time she inadvertently asks for money to grow on trees...her backyard maple tree complies. At first it is a windfall, but then everything becomes horribly complicated. The town, "friends" and neighbors become hateful. Mary needs to rely on a certain few to get her life back on track. Will the valuable lessons about charity, friendship and faith allow Mary to better her life?

Quick read, makes you take a look at what is really important in life.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions in this review are my own.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the seventh book in the Wishing Tree series by multiple authors. This one was written by Ashley Farley. It is the story of Mary May who recently lost her job, isn’t married, childless and friendless. She doesn’t believe in the Wishing Tree so she dares the tree to grant her wish. Suddenly her backyard tree starts dropping money like leaves everyday. It becomes a blessing but also a curse. But eventually she realizes the money can’t buy happiness and begins to understands what the tree is telling her. She starts helping others with this money, finds true friendship, and love. This is a wonderful and heartwarming story. It’s about paying it forward and the kindness that still exists in this world. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series. The stories are so relatable.

[Cindy Provance Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy fun book

Ok this book was a fun read. Nice lady Mary works as a maid for a lady Daisy who is rich and thinks she is all that. When Mary tries on the employers fancy dress and jewelry and fails asleep from exhaustion and Daisy finds Mary and goes postal. And fires mary. Mary sarcastically makes a wish on the wishing tree.
How is she going to pay her bills now. Her wish Why doesn’t money grow on trees? Haven’t you ever wish money grows on trees. I did even planted change in the flower bed. ( ok I .
As like 5 ). Well that is the just of the story. Through it all you will built faith, believing in yourself and the one most important thing money can’t buy happiness.

[Karen Derr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

First book I have read by this author and it did not disappoint, fit perfect for this series. The title says it all - Careful What You Wish. It reminds us in life that we may want and wish for many things but what Mary found out is life is not about monetary things. She felt so empty after spending her new found money on a car and clothes and felt hollow and unhappy. She decided to give that money.instead anonymously to people in need. What a heartwarming story for all of us to really think about in our lives. I loved this book and can't wait to read more by this author!

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 7 in this wonderful series! Mary has never been a believer of the Wishing Tree that Linden Falls is so famous for. However, one night she tells the tree to start growing money instead of leaves. The next morning, the tree in her backyard is sprouting money all over the place. She rakes them up, but each day the tree sprouts more money. Mary has never been well off, so people are now skeptical of her new found money. What will this new "wish" do to Mary's life. Does money really buy happiness? This is a must read in such a wonderful series from a variety of authors. Highly recommend!!

[patt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary May works as a maid for a well to do family. She makes a serious mistake and ends up getting fired. Things don’t seem to have gone well for Mary for a long time. Even her wishes she has left on the Wishing Tree don’t get granted, until one day they do. I felt that we see a different side of Linden Falls, VT in this book than we have so far. Apparently it isn’t quite the perfect town it has appeared to be, or is it? I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I recommend this one and highly suggest you read the previous books if you haven’t already.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful heartwarming read! I loved this book and hated to see it end. Mary May's story will touch your heart. It's a beautifully written story that has just enough drama and conflict to keep you turning the pages. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys clean heartwarming books.
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read in the Wishing Tree series. It was a light fun read.
Some of it seems unbelievable, but it is still a light, fun read.
(Why she gets fired and how her wishes come true)
It is a story about true friendship, not the kind where all your friends talk about you when you are not around. A true friend is there to help you when you need in most.

These stories are a nice light read before bed.

[Serena Soape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #7 in this Series has rounded off this Series quite well. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by Ashley Farley. I have read her books in the past and they never disappoint.
The characters in this were just great and interesting to get to know.

I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for fair and honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I liked about Careful What You Wish is the cautionary warning of wishes. Mary made her wish on the wishing tree, and then had to deal with the consequences of that wish. Mary grew so mush as a person and found out what is really important in life. A wonderful read in this great series.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. This is my honest review.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heart warming story. Mary looses her job and makes a wish under the wishing tree. The next morning money is falling from her tree. With this sudden windfall, Mary thinks she has all she’s ever wanted. Soon she is thinking twice about her wish.
Mary was like her flowers who truly blossomed when giving happiness to others.
I love this series!

[Annette Rorke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Careful What You Wish For, book 7, in
The Wishing Tree Series by Ashley
Farley, is a heartwarming story of
Mary May, a resident of Linden Falls,
wishing on the magical Wishing tree,
navigating through the outcome of
her wish, learning the purpose of her
wish, finding hope, making new
friendships and romance! I give it 5
stars!

[Rachel (storybookcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this story to everyone. It's a beautiful story about friendship, giving back to the community and those in need, and it shows that people can have a change of heart when they've wronged people. It's a quick read that is sure to put a smile on anyones face. I really enjoyed this lighthearted and inspirational story.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who hasn’t wished money grew on trees, our children certainly believe it does. This time the wishing tree comes through in an unusual way. Ashley Farley had given us a story you don’t want to put down because you need to know what is going to happen next. I loved this story with its wish, humor, romance and twists.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this authors writing and love this series with a different author for each book. This story was one to take to heart. Making a true friend not just people who don’t have your back. Doing good for others with your blessings and trusting in that “magic” from above. Beautiful story if friendship and kindness.
Can’t wait for the series to resume.

[lynn redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wouldn't we all love to have this opportunity

I enjoyed this light hearted storyline of what positive things should & could be done if given the opportunity.
I would recommend this & all of the Wishing Tree books.
Ashley Farley is my favorite author & I have read & recommend every book she has written.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a different story from the rest but it was still interesting and fun to read. To read about 2 middle aged women getting past some deadly blows, especially from some so-called prominent women in the community, was very inspiring. The story was really well written and very interesting. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Elizabeth Lefler · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting read about what happens when wishes come true.

I found this story to be a step off the beaten path, one I thoroughly enjoyed. Many have wised for a money tree in their back yards, but what if one actually appears? Would it be a blessing or a curse? Or both? This story fulfills with answers to these and other questions, a good read with a satisfying ending.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been enjoying this series so much...util this one. It just didn't match up with the others as well. It felt more like a stand-alone, especially since it really didn't incorporate the other characters such as Neva Cabot the way the others had. You could skip this one all together and not miss a thing in this series.