Review: Great summer beach read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 19, 2013
`Shelley's Second Chance' is Book 1 in `The Wish Granters Series' by L.B. Gschwandtner.  This is the first of Gschwandtner's titles that I've had the pleasure of reading, but it most certainly won't be the last.  There were so many things I loved about this book, it's difficult to know where to start.First of all, the storyline falls within my favourite genres...it's a mix of the paranormal, chick-lit style drama ensconced within the typical complexities of love and romance, rounded out with some genuine heart-warming philosophical-type lessons on the true meaning of life.  It reminded me of one of my favourite Cecilia Ahern titles, `The Gift', though with a style all of its own.Meet Shelley, a recently engaged young woman with the world at her feet.  However, unfortunately, like many of us, she has no real concept of the value of what she already has in her life and, instead, seems content on risking it all in the false hope that a `lottery win' will bring her the contentment she is seeking.Enter Alanna and Joe, two beings who have seemingly departed the world as we know it, and been entrusted with a mission to help themselves by helping (or granting a wish) to Shelley.  The only trouble is, there is no manual to guide them through their mission, nor can they grasp exactly what it is they're supposed to do or why.I enjoyed this book so much, I really don't want to say much more and spoil the read for others.  The dialogue was easy to follow, the characters likeable, the story steadily built in such a way that kept you connected, eager to learn more as the events unfolded.  The only downside was that I'd easily come to the end before I was quite ready to let go but, on the plus side, given that it's part of a series, I can look forward to losing myself in a few other Wish Granters titles.My favourite kind of summer beach read.  Highly recommended.