The Wishing Hill: A Novel
Juliet Clark knew things were too good to be true. She followed her husband to Puerto Vallarta, selling her paintings almost faster than she could finish them, until Michael declared that he didn’t love her anymore. While Juliet slowly starts putting the pieces of her life back together, she learns that her mother, Desiree, has broken a hip and decides to fly back to the Boston suburbs to care for her. Juliet and Desiree have always had a tense relationship, but after Juliet discovers a few of her mother’s deepest secrets, their already rocky relationship may be forever altered. Robinson’s first novel sparkles with warmth and wit while tackling the prickly sides of a mother-daughter relationship. Juliet and Desiree are real and relatable heroines, and Robinson’s background in journalism shows in a clear, concise writing style. With deeply emotional passages tempered by humor and some surprising romance, Robinson’s portrayal of family members striving to forge deeper connections after self-imposed absences is compelling. Fans of Martha Southgate and Heidi W. Durrow will enjoy this tender, full-hearted tale of quiet triumphs, mended fences, and new connections. --Stephanie Turza