Book Review: The Wish by Lena Gibson

About The Wish by Lena Gibson

The Wish Review

I was compensated for my time reading the book and writing this review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and are based on my honest personal experience reading the book. Nor did the author in any way shape or form ever pressure me to give a positive review.

The Wish is a time-travel romance novel that combines themes of romance, intrigue, mystery, time travel, and a dash of magic. The plot is centred on Elizabeth, a woman who has been haunted by her decisions throughout her life, including a turbulent marriage to an abusive man. When she finds out about her ex-boyfriend’s untimely passing, the tragedy of her life only gets worse.

Desperate, Elizabeth prays for a second chance at life in her darkest hour. She is shocked to see that she awakens in 2017 rather than 2022. Her burning desire to make up for her past errors is realized, but the past wasn’t without flaws of its own. As Elizabeth continues to struggle with the trauma of lacking a voice and simultaneously being stalked by an unidentified person, she works to get her life back on track and out of the trench that it would be in the future.

Right off the bat, the thing that stood out to me and caught my attention was the premise of this book. I’ve wanted to try time travel romance for a while now, so it’s great timing on Gibson’s part to reach out to me with this book. Her review request served as an ideal catalyst to finally get me to check off this reading bucket list.

Readers of The Wish will find themselves faced with complex emotions, thought-provoking subjects, and the enduring notion that we may turn our regrets into our most meaningful choices. This book transports readers through time and the complexities of interpersonal relationships with its blend of modern challenges and a hint of fantasy. This story encourages us to think about the value of second chances and the resiliency of the human spirit through the character development of Elizabeth.

And boy did I have a fantastic time reading this book. As a romance fan, everything was so well done! The chemistry? The pacing? integrating the events of the story to be independently entertaining while still simultaneously setting up opportunities for romance and relationship development? All impeccable.

It was remarkable how effectively the author harnessed Elizabeth’s experiences of abuse as the foundation and driving force behind her journey through time. This narrative choice is not only grounded in realism but also profoundly relatable and realistic, providing a clear and understandable motivation for her desire to time travel. It serves as a believable catalyst for her goals and ambitions, both during and after her time-traveling adventures. The seamless cohesion of these elements within the story is a testament to the author’s remarkable storytelling skill.

I must admit, I usually tend to avoid romance books that delve into themes of abuse. They have a way of hitting a personal nerve with me, evoking an intense emotional response that can sometimes be overwhelming. It’s almost as if I become overly invested in the characters and their struggles, and the sheer emotional turmoil they endure can leave me feeling quite distressed while reading. This is why I don’t feel very comfortable with the idea of reading books that too heavily focus on themes like abuse.

With that being said, I found myself surprisingly at ease with this book. A large part is because the author did not romanticize or glorify abuse in any way. Gibson portrayed the intricacies of abusive relationships by highlighting how victims often find themselves trapped through no fault of their own. The sense of helplessness and the loss of one’s voice were depicted with remarkable accuracy. Witnessing the protagonist’s arduous journey towards regaining her voice and independence was an emotional rollercoaster, but it also carried a profound message of empowerment and hope for victims of abuse.

Furthermore, the infusion of fantasy and magical realism into the storyline was a welcome relief. Despite abuse being a very contemporary issue, the book presented it through a more “magical” and fantastical lens with the time travel trope. This creative approach acted as an emotional cushion for me as a reader, making it easier to engage with the themes of abuse without feeling overwhelmed by the stark realism, stress, and dread often associated with such narratives. The touch of fantasy not only enriched the storytelling but also allowed for a more accessible exploration of sensitive subject matter, making The Wish a great book choice for those who are initially hesitant to read about said topics, especially romance.

Overall, this is an underrated book! For romance readers out there who enjoy the time travel setting, second chance trope, and more, please check it out. It’s also freely available on Kindle Unlimited! 

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The Wish Recognitions

Maxy Award Winner 2023: Best Romance/Women’s Fiction.

Firebird Award-First Place 2023: Best Cross Genre Book.

Reader’s Favorite and San Francisco Book Review-Five Stars.

About the Author of The Wish