The Wish List: A heartbreaking and charming page-turner

‘I absolutely loved this... I couldn’t put it down, grabbing every opportunity to continue... Heart-wrenchingly sad but... also one of the most uplifting and heartwarming books... It had me crying (and I mean big heaving sobs!!)... I finished this book last night, and yet here I am 24 hours later still thinking about it!... Fabulous, amazing, wonderful!!’ Stardust Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sometimes you have to hit the bottom before you can float to the top.

Maria Birch is seventy years old and, for her, every week is the same.

On Monday, she does her weekly shop. On Tuesday, she goes for a blow-dry. On Wednesday, she visits the laundrette. But Thursday is her favourite day of all – everything hurts less on a Thursday.

Every Thursday Maria walks to her local café. Waiting for her at one of the red gingham-topped tables is Albie Young, a charming man with a twinkle in his eye and an impressive collection of tweed flat caps. Every week, the pair share a slice of marble cake and a pot of tea.

Except, one week, Albie doesn’t turn up.

When Maria finds out what has happened, her perfectly ordered life is ripped apart at the seams. Suddenly, she is very lonely. Without her Thursday friend – her only friend – she no longer has the energy to circle the weekly TV listings, she has no reason to leave her apartment, no reason to laugh.

Then she discovers that Albie isn’t who she thought he was, and she’s left wondering if she knew her friend at all. But Albie has left behind a legacy – a handwritten list of wishes he never got the chance to complete.

Maria is resigned to facing the rest of her days heartbroken and alone. But fulfilling Albie’s wishes could hold the key to her happiness – if only she’s able to look past his secret…

This life-affirming and heartfelt tale is for anyone who has ever looked at their life and wanted more. Fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Keeper of Lost Things will love this poignant story, which shows us that for the truest loves, the end is never really the end…

Readers are totally falling in love with The Wish List:

‘What a wonderful story this is… Really touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes… A really feel-good factor read that made me glow inside... A super book, couldn't have asked for more from this lovely story.’ Books from Dusk Till Dawn, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow! Wow! Wow! What a brilliant, beautiful, feel-good, heartwarming book! I absolutely loved it!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a beautiful book!... Managed to make me cry with emotion without depressing me at all then lifted me up with hope and happiness… I was glad I was all on my own reading this as it made me cry on more than one occasion.’ Sandie’s Book Shelves, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘You'll have to have a heart of stone if you don't find yourself shedding a tear or two during this stunning debut… It's one of those stories that makes your heart burst with happiness… <