AJ: Saving Wishes By GJ Walker-Smith (Book 1 in The Wishes Series)
This review is spoiler free!
As that saying goes, “The creative adult is the child who survived.” Like it or not, we all have an inner child. The child that believed in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy. As we grow, that child may fade and we become the mundane adults that we all fear (or at least I do) and dread. Or of course we could never lose them. That child is, without a doubt, the best part about life. The person who believes in the impossible and the enchanting. When we are children we are irrational, but that’s what makes it worth it. We don’t think, we do.
So when you get you’re hands on GJ Walker-Smith’s book, I can guarantee that that inner child will rise again kicking and screaming. She takes us to a realistic world filled with fate, miracles, and love. It’s heartwarming and beautiful.
When it comes to magic, Charli Blake, a seventeen year old Australian surfer, never grew out of her inner child. She’s misguided, wicked and brazen, but that is what makes her so wonderful. Like any other dreamer, the girl saves her wishes, relies on fate, and captures moments in time. Charli also has ambitions. Living in the tiny cove never fit her right, and she wants out. Traveling is what she had in mind and it wasn’t something that would ever change for the irrational dreamer.
So when the hot French American New Yorker, Adam Décarie, shows up in Charli’s cove on vacation, she has to admit that it was magic that brought him there. After a near accident, the two begin to bond. And although she it takes her a while to see it, she’s head over heels for him. But will she really give up her life goals to chase after her Boy Wonder when he leaves or will she let him go? As the story progresses, you are left with one question: Is love something you fight for or do you have to make the heart-wrenching decision to let it go?
Saving Wishes left me shivering and crying. It’s a must read for all my fellow dreamers and Fangirls. It is thrilling, albeit the story is slow and fluffy. The soft words make you feel warm inside, and the twists are like sharp turns on a roller coaster. Overall, it is a gratifying tale that leaves you smiling. To me, the book was great. Sure, it has it’s faults and times when you want to reach into the book and make the characters do something different, but that is really just part of every book. In my eyes, it was a simple and delicate read; beautifully written and gentle. However, I must say it’s more of a teen read, as the characters do some “adult things” (HAHAHA! That came out a little wrong) and the characters are very mature (except Charli) throughout the book. If I have to rate it, I give it a 4.5; It was wonderful, and I really enjoyed what Walker-Smith wrote. Honestly, this is the kind of book that really depends on you and how you take it in. It won’t suit you if you’re looking for a serious or dense read. Who can resist that sexy French boy who fell for the whimsical Australian? A mischievous and adorable novel that makes you wonder if magic really exists.