The Wish, by Nicholas Sparks

When Maggie Dawes is faced with her cancer diagnosis with little hope of remission, she reaches out to a young employee for one last memorable holiday season. The Wish, by Nicholas Sparks, takes place in two time periods, Maggie's young teens in 1996 and her late 40s in 2019, as she recounts the stories of her summer in Ocracoke to her new friend Mark. As the holidays draw closer, Maggie's stories become increasingly intertwined.

I loved this book as a feel good holiday book. I enjoyed Spark's depiction of teenage pregnancy and the many ways it can affect a young teen, whether they be as big as, well, birth, to the smallest changes to day to day life like the comfortability of a bicycle seat. Maggie is such a lovable character that you cannot help but root for. In addition, I could have never predicted the ending of the book, and Sparks is so talented at crafting a complex storyline that always draws you in for more. Even the smaller supporting characters quickly became some of my favorites.

Reviewed by AL, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library