Wish List

by Martina Reilly

Like any married couple, Allie and Tony have had their fair share of heartache. But when Tony's actions force Allie and her young sons out of their home, things take a desperate turn for the worse. Without her husband around, Allie must cope with two increasingly inquisitive children - as well as the reappearance of her estranged father. So when her eldest son Mark befriends a mysterious next-door neighbour, Jeremy, Allie's glad he's found a distraction. The only trouble is that Mark believes Jeremy is Santa Claus - and that he can put the family back together. While Jeremy becomes increasingly mortified at the mix-up, a little magic never did anyone any harm - did it?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

374 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Hi. It’s Martina Reilly here, the artist formally known as Tina Reilly! And before that, I was teen writer, Martina Murphy.

Reviews

[Margi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read with what I saw had several stories running side by side. For one, you had the struggles and challenges of a husband with a chemical addiction and his recovering. By his side was his wife trying to support him and run a house, look after her children as well as protect them from where their dad was during his rehabilitation. Then you had a young boy befriending a very saddened, lonely man which was his neighbour, who seemed to be living with ongoing grief who pretends he is Father Christmas in the hope of keeping the boy away from him. Each of these characters had several curve balls thrown at them throughout the book and I felt that the story unfolded at a good rate allowing me to absorb and think about the power of love, family and hope. I enjoyed it for those reasons.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel drew me in with its characters and the story. Allie and Tony are forced to sell their home and move, when Tony gets over his head in debt. That is not the worst of it, as Tony has a drug habit. Meanwhile Allie is left to care for the two boys in a new house.
Next door to them lives a grumpy old man who has more than a few family issues of his own as well as a long held grief over the death of his wife to deal with. When mark, the eldest of Allie and Tony’s two boys, sees the neighbour Jeremy Lyons, he is convinced he is Santa. The man does nothing to disillusion him.
The strength of this novel to me was the insight and heartbreak into the effects drug addiction brings to all around the person taking the drugs. It also highlights how grief can adversely affect other family relationships. Personally, I could have done without the blasphemy and language but even the language tended to become less of a distraction as I became caught up in the story. It’s a story of love and family relationships, of grief and dealing with the pressures of life, of the insecurities that often exist within a person that even those closest to them don’t see, and of second chances. My first book by this author, I thought it was a good read.

[Catherinehaine Haines · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book about a women dealing with her husband's drug addiction, and his recovery.
The end was so true ,when she said.
'There are no guarantees,with anyone. Not ever, only hopes, prayers and wishes.'

[Sue Bowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart warming book that I couldn’t put down. It shows both sides of addiction and I found I learned from the book. It tackles a couple of other sensitive topics too and handles them well. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable book.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read well written story of family ups and downs

[Pat Brackenbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping, difficult to understand imparts but once you do you can't put it down. Little bits if humouy keep you going

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

[Xin Le Koh (Suhatā) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a nice story uncovering some aspects of life that some of us will not have, but yet sharing fair chance to encounter, in our lives. We may not be a drug addict, but we might have met one; and we certainly need to adjust some of our prejudices towards them, to see them more humanely. And everyone encounters death, so we see sometimes effortful works needed before we can fully accept the truth. The story is so real and yet, interesting to be read (;

I love the lines when Tony said he couldn't promise or guarantee anything, when Allie said we only have once in a day (: It's so true and far better than making some promises that you can never pursue. Love the couples (;

Well I just hope that Mark can stop being a Fatso! Wish you all the best turning into a football star in high school lol. Another good read!

Haha but the description of the book lies! I thought of the very important role played by the Santa here hah..

[Sarah-Jayne Windridge-France · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from start to finish ... ironically.

A lovely combo of interwoven relationships of all ages and ones we can all relate to. Some situations, that whether we understand on a personal level or not, we can clearly imagine nonetheless.

Tender moments, fused with some harrowing content - but segued perfectly, particularly the relationship between Tony and Ali and the friendship of Mark and Jeremy, his elderly neighbour.

Martina writes of believable characters and situations and raises questions and highlights scenarios that aren't necessarily as clear as they seem.

This book makes me want to hug my children, look out for my neighbours and believe in Santa Claus!

[Jemimah Lieow · Rating 4 out of 5]

there are so many obstacles on this life journey, family and friends are so important. the bond of love besides making every obstacles bearable, it makes us into a better person. it would be more significant if that love is based on God's love.

[Juveriya · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book takes off nicely just to land in a haste......read three fourth and you may predict the rest. even after that it sketches quite a difficult life for the lead! I frankly liked it.
it shows how a family can overcome impossible tasks by just having understanding for each other.

[Lee at ReadWriteWish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another one I never finished. Yes, I have a habit of doing that... The blurb/cover lies!!!! I was expecting some sweet bit of romance, but instead I get Irish druggies in rehab, obese kids and asshole dads.

[Zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the kind of book that sounds good (drug addicted father) but I liked the story behind the main characters and thought it was really well written. I have persuaded my husband to read it and he said he can understand why I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far it is a very intriguing book....although it is difficult at times to understand the jargon used being a book published in the UK with a setting in IRL.

[Vinay Payyapilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beatiful story of how life doesnt come with guarantees, just hope and a lot of love.

[Mrs Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story with twists and turns!

[Avril Dalton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't even bother to finish it.. Boring

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice book, nothing special though. A few moments to make you smile but limited surprises.
An easy read.

[Neehal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant story. Loved the writing style, the characterization and the way the story unfolded. A good holiday read!

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A down to earth realistic read

[April Thrush · Rating 2 out of 5]

Expecting a seasonal light read and ended up with a story of a woman who needed to get a grip and move on. Life shouldn't be that hard for anyone.

[Pamela Peruzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging book, I just loved the way she writes. The book speaks about family, overcome case and Love. the book is enjoyble, soft and with lots of emotions cases.

[Mollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written story in my opinion. Cute but same time touching as it shows the family problems and the relationship between wife and husband.

[fureshiiness · Rating 4 out of 5]

late review but what i can say is that every person deserves a second chance, its never too late as long as you're alive and willing to take a single step to change for d better, neh ^_^

[Pollypoptart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another fabulous book from Martina Reilly!

[Sue Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

quite a simple story but thought provoking and enjoyable on many levels