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A review by sandrareilly513
The Wish by Nicholas Sparks
4.0
Nicholas Sparks' latest book, The Wish, really showcases how well Sparks is able to grab readers' emotions, even with what seems like the simplest of stories. The Wish has a love story at its center, but is mostly about a young girl forced to grow up fast in a small coastal town far away from her family and all that she knows about life and about herself, and her reflection of her life's decisions as she faces a grim diagnosis later in life. Maggie is a successful photographer with her own gallery, living the life in Manhattan and traveling the world. But when she receives a life sentence in the form of cancer, she begins reflecting on her life and how she got to where she is... As a sixteen-year-old, Maggie was pregnant and alone in the Outer Banks' island of Ocracoke, having been sent to live with her former-nun aunt as she prepared to give her unborn baby up for adoption. Local whiz kid and boy scout Bryce helps tutor Maggie, and they become fast friends. Bryce is kind, caring, and trustworthy -- and is just what Maggie needs as she navigates her new life. But what happens when it's time for her to give up her baby and go back home? And what does 30-something Maggie do when her past starts to catch up to her?
Thoughts: This is another beautifully written story by Nicholas Sparks, but it's not his typical kind of work. Yes, there is a love story here, but that's not really what it's about. It's a coming-of-age and end-of-life story first and foremost, and it is a compelling one that is portrayed in an honest, raw, and emotional way. It's a little disappointing at first, to know this going in, but the story is definitely worth it in the end. I also found that, while a few plot points surprised me, there was a large plot line that I had pegged right from the start. But again, this is a beautiful story that I think will appeal to Sparks' fans as well as fans of angsty drama, and is perfect for young adults and new adults alike.
Thoughts: This is another beautifully written story by Nicholas Sparks, but it's not his typical kind of work. Yes, there is a love story here, but that's not really what it's about. It's a coming-of-age and end-of-life story first and foremost, and it is a compelling one that is portrayed in an honest, raw, and emotional way.