The Wish List - Michelle Major (HQN - Oct 2022)

Series: Carolina Girls (Book 4)
 
This Christmas the Carlyle sisters will rediscover the gift of family
 
For some families, a Christmas reunion is like a feel-good movie. For Beth Carlyle, it might be more of a disaster epic. Her ex-husband's new girlfriend is already pregnant. Her self-absorbed, bestselling author mother recently suffered a stroke and has summoned Beth's sisters, Freya and Trinity—neither of whom even seem to like Beth very much—back to Magnolia. Beth's so lonely and stressed that she spills her guts to a stranger, wondering why the handsome newcomer affects her so deeply. Reality TV star Freya deliberately forged a career that would upset her mother, who's always been as brilliant as the sun…and just as distant. Now a handsome literary agent is making Freya dream of a different life. As for Trinity, she just wants to start over after leaving an abusive relationship and make a future for her and her baby.
 
It'll be a Christmas like no other in Magnolia. But the Carlyle sisters might find they have more in common than their shared past—and that the holidays are made for second chances.
 
Terrific story of love, family, and second chances. When Beth and her sisters, Freya and Trinity, were young, their father walked out on them, leaving May a single mother. When Beth was thirteen, her mother wrote a bestselling female-empowerment book. While the self-centered May went off to do book tours, Beth was left alone to care for her younger sisters. Worried about being caught and separated, Beth tended to be bossy and controlling to hide that May wasn't around. Unsurprisingly, her sisters resented Beth's attitude and left Magnolia as soon as possible.
 
May recently had a stroke and has summoned Trinity and Freya back home. Beth, who stayed in Magnolia and became a nurse, has picked up the pieces for her mother. Recently divorced, Beth's ex-husband wasted no time letting her know that his girlfriend was pregnant, a hurtful revelation considering the effort Beth put into trying to get pregnant while they were married. Beth spends so much time caring for others that she has no life of her own. She wants to leave Magnolia and finally follow her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. The stress and worry about her mother and her sisters' impending arrival come pouring out during a confrontation with a stranger at the hospital. She and Declan are drawn to each other, but Beth is focused on her plans to leave.
 
Freya is a tv reality star who, as a teen, was the family's wild child. She did everything she could think of to gain her mother's attention. Even now, her D-list Hollywood lifestyle appears to be a cry for attention. She initially comes across as sarcastic and cynical. This is especially evident when she meets Greer, her mother's agent. She doesn't trust him, but the sparks between them are undeniable. Freya is tired of the backstabbing and me-first attitudes and hopes to change her life. She is secretly writing a book that she hopes will take her in a different direction.
 
Trinity was the peacemaker, trying to keep Freya and Beth from going too far. She returns to Magnolia pregnant, escaping from an abusive boyfriend. All she wants is a chance to make a good life for herself and her baby. She worries about being a good mother because of May's example, but Freya and Beth promise their support. Trinity meets their next-door neighbor, Ash, the police chief. Ash is clearly smitten, but Trinity isn't ready for anything more than friendship.
 
I loved following each sister's story as they faced their pasts and worked on writing new futures. I liked watching them forge new bonds as adults, accepting each other for who they are now. There are a few rough patches when past hurts flare up, but overall their love and support win out. Freya and Trinity's support gives Beth the courage to stop putting everyone else's needs ahead of hers. Freya's return to Magnolia gives her a new perspective on her hometown, and new friends help her see the emptiness of her life in California. I loved seeing Trinity's growing confidence as the book progressed, and the mama bear in her shone during the fracas at the baby's christening. When all was said and done, the sisters' relationships with each other were everything they could hope for.
 
I enjoyed seeing each sister find love. Declan is a great guy with a big heart. I loved how his attention helped Beth see herself differently. His feelings for her are obvious to everyone except Beth. She feels the same attraction but is focused on her plans and believes that he will leave Magnolia after the holidays. I ached for Declan when his grand gesture went awry. I wanted to shake both of them for not talking to each other. I liked how they finally figured out how to make both dreams come true.
 
Freya and Greer were an interesting duo. Freya's cynicism and sarcasm made for very antagonistic and flat-out rude interactions with Greer for a good share of the book. Sometimes I couldn't understand why Greer didn't just walk away. Most of the time, he seemed amused by her attitude, though he would push back when she cast aspersions on his honor. I felt like part of her attitude was fear of his reaction to her book, which was why she fought so hard against showing it to him. As her mother's agent, Greer is also privy to the updated portions of May's book, and his liking for May makes it difficult for Freya to trust him. There is quite a scene at the end when secrets come out. I liked that Greer didn't give up on Freya and helped her overcome her fear.
 
Ash and Trinity were sweet together. Ash is a single dad who lives with his mother-in-law so that they can help each other. His daughter Michaela is terrific and has a heart as big as her dad's. Ash recognizes Trinity's skittishness around men and is understanding and gentle with her. I loved how he didn't let her pregnancy stop his interest in her. I had to laugh at how their first date ended and that it didn't stop him from asking for a second one. While he doesn't hesitate to tell her how he feels about her, he is also sensitive enough not to push her for more than she is ready for. His support at the church gave her the confidence to stand up for herself and realize that she was stronger than she knew.
 
I have mixed feelings about May. Despite her very public admission of her mistakes, she doesn't get a pass regarding her actions when the girls were younger. There was no excuse for the way she left them on her own. I could feel the girls' confusion after May's stroke when so many townspeople commented on how nice she was and how proud of her daughters. They were equally confused and suspicious of her loving attitude toward them while at the rehab center. None of the girls are enthusiastic about the upcoming release of the updated version of May's book. I understood their anger and hurt when they finally got to read what she had added. Putting something in a book before talking to them seemed to show that she hadn't changed all that much. This was compounded by her expectations of their support, especially Beth's, during her upcoming book tour. She finally redeemed herself, so I was happy to see that.

I also enjoyed catching up on characters' lives from previous Magnolia books. I'd like to see Declan's "sister," Shauna, get her story. My heart hurt over Declan's story about his brother, and I'd like to see some resolution to that, too.