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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
This was such a unique and interesting concept, and I loved all of the quirky side characters from the building! However, I did find the romance to be a bit sudden and underdeveloped. I also wish we got to understand the magic more throughout the book instead of explained at the end. Without that, the story did feel a bit unbelievable. Overall though, it was a fun read and I did really appreciate the overall message of the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Forever for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
A cute story about the transformation of an unfortunate situation into a fresh perspective and opportunity for change. The book is a little slow to start in its introduction to the characters and setting, but thankfully picks up once the plot kicks into gear and Catherine's world is turned upside down. It's interesting and often entertaining to see the various avenues that she takes to regain her missing identity and the unexpected individuals who become her allies. I didn't ever feel undeniable romantic chemistry between Catherine and Luca, whose primary characteristic is his colorful tattoos that are mentioned nearly every time he appears; readers are given more information about him during the final act, but I would have preferred this earlier to understand him better. There is a bit of magical realism sprinkled throughout the book, and one particular instance caught me mostly off guard and was a rather lovely reveal near the end. A pleasant enough read that will have me seeking out more from Wiesner in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title.
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was very cute! Luca was such a sweetheart! I loved how willingly he was to help Catherine no matter how many family members he needed to get involved. This was definitely lighter on the romance but I still found it adorable.
I love magical realism so I knew I was going to enjoy this but the twist with Sal and Mrs. Hartman was not the one I was expecting!
The one thing I didn’t enjoy was how quickly Catherine judged Luca :( I had really hoped she wouldn’t just listen to her mom without explanation. But I did like how it ended and how she grew to accept her dad, Luca and the other performers at ArtSpace and embrace them more in her life/career!
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wish I Was Here is by Melissa Wiesner who also wrote The Second Chance Year which I loved! Wish I Was Here comes out October 15, 2024.
This book is about Catherine who while having a rough start to her morning bumps into her building’s doorman, Luca, and later when she discovers her identity doesn’t exist, her birth certificate is a fake, and she can’t start her new job as a math professor, Luca is the only one who can help.
This book was fine but I didn’t love it. It was a quick read. It had a little bit of the magical realism element like in The Second Chance Year but it doesn’t make as much sense as in that book. I liked the Morelli family, they were fun. I didn’t get a lot chemistry between Catherine and Luca. I found the secret behind why she had a fake birth certificate kind of anti climactic.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
This book is about Catherine who while having a rough start to her morning bumps into her building’s doorman, Luca, and later when she discovers her identity doesn’t exist, her birth certificate is a fake, and she can’t start her new job as a math professor, Luca is the only one who can help.
This book was fine but I didn’t love it. It was a quick read. It had a little bit of the magical realism element like in The Second Chance Year but it doesn’t make as much sense as in that book. I liked the Morelli family, they were fun. I didn’t get a lot chemistry between Catherine and Luca. I found the secret behind why she had a fake birth certificate kind of anti climactic.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Catherine is on her way to be a tenure track professor of mathematics, when her identity magically disappears. With the help of Luca, her building's carefree and devilishly handsome doorman, Catherine embarks on a journey to validate her existence.
The highlight for me was the community the author built for both Catherine and Scott. Catherine was raised by a merry band of artists. And Scott by his massive family, even if some of the members aren't his blood relatives. I enjoyed the cast of elderly residents in the DeGreco building. They made the building seem like such a warm and inviting place to live.
Overall, Wish I Were Here was a quick cute read that touches upon sexism in the workplace and gentrification in larger US cities.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The highlight for me was the community the author built for both Catherine and Scott. Catherine was raised by a merry band of artists. And Scott by his massive family, even if some of the members aren't his blood relatives. I enjoyed the cast of elderly residents in the DeGreco building. They made the building seem like such a warm and inviting place to live.
Overall, Wish I Were Here was a quick cute read that touches upon sexism in the workplace and gentrification in larger US cities.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wish I Were Here is a romance with a magical realism twist. I thought some aspects of the story were cute and fun. The main character, Catherine, is a young mathematics professor who is ready to spread her wings with a new dream job at a university and her own apartment. Luca is a young, handsome tattooed doorman at her apartment building.
When Catherine has the worst day ever and Luca comes to her rescue, they begin a tentative friendship that has the potential to become more as they spend time together. There is a mystery element to the story when Catherine is advised that her identity is missing from all the government databases, and she needs to find her original birth certificate to restore her records. She can’t start her new job without resolving the issue, and she only has a short window of time to get it done.
Catherine and Luca embark on a “quest” to try to find her original birth certificate and the mystery surrounding her unknown birth mother.
While there are some steamy parts and references in this novel, the writing and some of the situations seemed immature/young. I found myself skimming some of the scenes because they just went on a little long and the content didn’t hold my interest.
What I liked about the story was how Catherine had herself all figured out, but then showed growth in realizing that a fulfilled life can involve more than she originally thought.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
When Catherine has the worst day ever and Luca comes to her rescue, they begin a tentative friendship that has the potential to become more as they spend time together. There is a mystery element to the story when Catherine is advised that her identity is missing from all the government databases, and she needs to find her original birth certificate to restore her records. She can’t start her new job without resolving the issue, and she only has a short window of time to get it done.
Catherine and Luca embark on a “quest” to try to find her original birth certificate and the mystery surrounding her unknown birth mother.
While there are some steamy parts and references in this novel, the writing and some of the situations seemed immature/young. I found myself skimming some of the scenes because they just went on a little long and the content didn’t hold my interest.
What I liked about the story was how Catherine had herself all figured out, but then showed growth in realizing that a fulfilled life can involve more than she originally thought.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
You'll love WISH I WERE HERE for:
• Opposites attract
• You're right where you belong
• Neighborly shenanigans
• Extended Italian Family
• A quest AND a heist
• Golden retriver MMC
• Closed door romance
Catherine's life goes from hectic to non-existent the day she wishes she was nobody. From an early age she's been the parentified child to her free-spirited father. Even now, she's still mindful of how her brand new career in academics is the only stable income between the two of them. Her anxieties are deep rooted and it'll take storm of shenanigans to shake them loose.
Enter Doorman Luca. Or rather, crash into him right off the frequently in need of maintenance elevator. He's as laid back as Catherine is scheduled. Always on a "time is relative" speed with no rush through life. And he's got a family for every favor you might need - from a cousin that let's you skip the DMV line to an offer for cracked some skulls from Uncle Vito.
Often there is an even push-pull in an opposites attract relationship. Luca does a lot of the work here to slow Catherine down. Helps her reframe her perception of success and responsibility that will allow a life full of love and a tad bit more spontaneity.
There's also some pretty deep trauma that Catherine processes throughout the book. A childhood without a sense of permanence. A mysterious absentee mother. I appreciated the work done to reframe but never invalidate Catherine's lived experience.
The supporting cast of neighbors in the DeGreco building are equally treasures and terrors. But often their shenanigans felt like filler side-quests that took away from the urgency of getting Catherine's identity mystery sorted out.
There's something magical in how Wiesner blends an intense emotional throughline with pops of hijinks and comedy. Wiesner continues to be an author I seek out looking forward to what's next.
Thank you Netgalley & Forever / Grand Central Publishing for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
• Opposites attract
• You're right where you belong
• Neighborly shenanigans
• Extended Italian Family
• A quest AND a heist
• Golden retriver MMC
• Closed door romance
Catherine's life goes from hectic to non-existent the day she wishes she was nobody. From an early age she's been the parentified child to her free-spirited father. Even now, she's still mindful of how her brand new career in academics is the only stable income between the two of them. Her anxieties are deep rooted and it'll take storm of shenanigans to shake them loose.
Enter Doorman Luca. Or rather, crash into him right off the frequently in need of maintenance elevator. He's as laid back as Catherine is scheduled. Always on a "time is relative" speed with no rush through life. And he's got a family for every favor you might need - from a cousin that let's you skip the DMV line to an offer for cracked some skulls from Uncle Vito.
Often there is an even push-pull in an opposites attract relationship. Luca does a lot of the work here to slow Catherine down. Helps her reframe her perception of success and responsibility that will allow a life full of love and a tad bit more spontaneity.
There's also some pretty deep trauma that Catherine processes throughout the book. A childhood without a sense of permanence. A mysterious absentee mother. I appreciated the work done to reframe but never invalidate Catherine's lived experience.
The supporting cast of neighbors in the DeGreco building are equally treasures and terrors. But often their shenanigans felt like filler side-quests that took away from the urgency of getting Catherine's identity mystery sorted out.
There's something magical in how Wiesner blends an intense emotional throughline with pops of hijinks and comedy. Wiesner continues to be an author I seek out looking forward to what's next.
Thank you Netgalley & Forever / Grand Central Publishing for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved Melissa Weisner’s book The Second Chance Year, so I was really excited for another opportunity to read one of her books!
Wish I Were Here is a charming, whimsical novel with elements of magical realism, found family, and opposites attracting. Our FMC, Catherine has lived her life as a type-A overachiever with a passion for lists and order. She gets her dream job as a tenure track math professor, only to have that dream swept away as a result of her identity disappearing seemingly overnight.
With the help of the sweet as pie, tattooed doorman of her building (and his many relatives around town), she has to get to the bottom of her missing identity to get everything back on track with her job - and her future.
I loved all the sweet secondary characters living in Catherine’s building, as well as her dad’s friends at the art space. The romance element of this book was very sweet, and I would have liked to get to know Luca even more. As someone who had to grow up quickly without a lot of parental support, I resonated with Catherine’s drive and perspective - and loved the journey she went on throughout the book. The magical realism was a very sweet touch, and made me tear up a few times. This was a lighthearted, wholesome, cozy read that I certainly enjoyed!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief