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Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'
Make My Wish Come True by Alyson Derrick, Rachael Lippincott
15 reviews
imstephtacular's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bookcheshirecat's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
„I want you, Arden. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Can’t you see that?”
I love you, I want to say. I have always loved you.“
➽ This was the perfect swoony Holiday Romance for me! Make My Wish Come True follows teen actress Arden who has to improve her image to land her dream role and ends up fake dating her ex-best friend Caroline. Arden left her hometown behind years ago without a proper Goodbye and Caroline has been trying to move on from her childhood friend and secret crush ever since. She's not thrilled about the fake dating scheme, but agrees to it in the end, as she'll get to write the article. As an aspiring journalist, this might just be the big piece that'll boost her application to Columbia!
➽ The story explores the downside of Hollywood and how Arden had to contort herself into someone she's not. I felt so sorry for her, as she was lonely and apart from her manager, and all the money couldn't give her a loving family. Her parents abandoned her after she got emancipated and was no longer willing to fund their holidays. Now, she's only got her work and even though Arden enjoys acting, she has to pretend to be someone else. Her 'bad girl' image unfortunately became a reality but for her dream role, Arden has to fix her reputation. Being a small-town girl with a cute girlfriend might convince the director to give her the role that could turn around her career! I loved seeing how Arden found herself again in her hometown, surrounded by people who truly loved her. Her grandmother in particular was so precious and I loved her relationship with Arden!
➽ Caroline still hasn't gotten over her first crush. Arden's move to LA gutted her, as she was left behind so easily, despite all their shared experiences. Just when she thinks she'll be able to move on with cute Cheerleader Taylor, Arden comes crashing back into her life. Caroline's passion for journalism prompts her to go along with the fake dating in exchange for being allowed to write the big article about Arden. She's still hurt and hesitant to trust Arden again. However, Caroline slowly begins to see the Arden she knew again, instead of the image she projects to the public!
➽ I loved the romance, it was so cute! I'm not normally super into celebrity romances and fake dating, but here it worked for well. Both characters have a reason to agree to the scheme and I love that they used to be childhood friends that had a secret crush on each other. It almost feels like a second chance romance, even though they never confessed their feelings back in the day! Caroline and Arden go on festive fake dates for the 12 days she's here, but slowly the attraction between them turns real. I was rooting for them, as you could tell the unresolved feelings were coming to light again. After reading this book I found out that the author cowrote it with her wife and you can tell how much care they put into the story!
➽ Despite the festive vibes of the story, this wasn't super Christmas-focused, so it's perfect if you're looking for a more lowkey festive Romance! Caroline even talks about feeling out of place in a Christmas-obsessed small town as she's Jewish and wishes there was a more diverse selection of holiday events!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
grace_b_3's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I loved She Gets the Girl, but this one didn’t have the same charm that that one had.
I think this would have been better if the characters were a little older, and more believable that way. The high school angle didn’t mesh well with the celebrity angle.
Also, the fake dating in this was both too much and not enough.Everyone around them knows they’re fake dating, which deflates the tension of fake dating.
There were some interesting plot lines, but they weren’t the romance. I foundArden reconnecting with her grandmother and Caroline reckoning with being Jewish in a Christmas town to be more compelling.
Also,Taylor deserved better.
I think this would have been better if the characters were a little older, and more believable that way. The high school angle didn’t mesh well with the celebrity angle.
Also, the fake dating in this was both too much and not enough.
There were some interesting plot lines, but they weren’t the romance. I found
Also,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism
betweentheshelves's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for a review copy of this book!
If you like sort-of cheesy Christmas movies with a touch of deeper emotional connections, you'll definitely want to add this one to your holiday TBR. Lippincott and and Derrick are such a fabulous writing pair, and their books are always sure to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. So happy they decided to write a holiday themed romance!
The plot does follow your typical fake dating romance, but I loved how it allowed Arden and Caroline to reconnect throughout the story. It had been years since they had talked to each other, but their "fake" dates allowed them to revisit why they were such close friends in the first place. That is, close friends with something more simmering underneath.
As usual, Lippincott and Derrick have crafted well-rounded characters you'll fall in love with by the end of the book, as well as a cast of supporting characters that just make a fun, small town community. It's definitely a feel good holiday story, mixing Hanukkah and Christmas together in a town that's always enthusiastically celebrated Christmas.
As we move into the holiday season, definitely keep this one in mind for your winter TBRs!
If you like sort-of cheesy Christmas movies with a touch of deeper emotional connections, you'll definitely want to add this one to your holiday TBR. Lippincott and and Derrick are such a fabulous writing pair, and their books are always sure to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. So happy they decided to write a holiday themed romance!
The plot does follow your typical fake dating romance, but I loved how it allowed Arden and Caroline to reconnect throughout the story. It had been years since they had talked to each other, but their "fake" dates allowed them to revisit why they were such close friends in the first place. That is, close friends with something more simmering underneath.
As usual, Lippincott and Derrick have crafted well-rounded characters you'll fall in love with by the end of the book, as well as a cast of supporting characters that just make a fun, small town community. It's definitely a feel good holiday story, mixing Hanukkah and Christmas together in a town that's always enthusiastically celebrated Christmas.
As we move into the holiday season, definitely keep this one in mind for your winter TBRs!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
nicoleanthony's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment