Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Wish

Rate this book
Three men. Two timelines. One wish.

Haunted by her choices, including marrying an abusive con man, thirty-five-year-old Elizabeth has been unable to speak for two years. She is further devastated when she learns an old boyfriend has died. Nothing in her life is right.

That night, Elizabeth wishes for a mulligan. When she wakes, to her surprise, it is no longer 2022, but 2017. Though thrilled to have a chance to fix mistakes, the past is not perfect. She has a stalker and is still voiceless. Just like before, her boyfriend slips into a mysterious coma, so she enlists his brother Christopher’s aid to determine the cause. In their investigation, he becomes her staunchest ally and her unexpected soulmate.

Elizabeth’s stalker threatens her happiness, as do those who wish secrets to remain buried. If she can’t reclaim her voice, her former boyfriend will fade away in a coma and her stalker may claim her life.

Don’t miss The Wish, which mixes the mundane with a hint of magic—a romantic and thrilling ride for anyone who imagines they could transform regret into their best decision.

Paperback

First published August 17, 2023

About the author

Lena Gibson

4 books174 followers
Award-winning author Lena Gibson has been a voracious reader from childhood onward and seeks wonderful books in which to escape. Because of her passion for different genres, she combines elements of many in her writing. As an adult newly recognized with autism, she often creates characters that reflect this experience.
When Lena isn’t writing, she reads, practices karate, and drinks a ton of tea. She resides in New Westminster, Canada with her family and their fuzzy overlord, Ash, the fluffiest of gray cats.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
127 (48%)
4 stars
83 (31%)
3 stars
37 (14%)
2 stars
8 (3%)
1 star
8 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
Profile Image for Briar's Reviews.
2,039 reviews541 followers
July 7, 2024
The Wish by Lena Gibson is definitely one of my fave time travel books that I've read in a long time.

We all have those memories we hate reliving. Ones that we might feel guilty about, if we would have just done something differently... Our lead, Elizabeth, is mute after being a part of a tragic accident. And to top it off, she just recently learned her ex died years ago. If only she could go back and change everything... Life could be better.

And somehow, she goes back in time, leaving her just enough time to potentially right some wrongs. Her ex-boyfriend is working in a lab and is up to something fishy. He died from a coma in the future and she is determined to stop his death with the help of his brother (who is also her future coworker). Throw in the ex-husband she hated also being there and finding more ways to torment her... She's got a lot going on.

This book is a delight and I happily binged it all in one night. I couldn't help it. The writing style moved fast enough to keep me engaged and I really needed to know what happened. There was also many twists and turns that kept me on my toes. Throw in a dash of R rated romance too... There's a lot going on, in a good way.

My biggest sticking point was that Christopher can read minds. I felt like that didn't need to be in the story, as it just felt out of place. Sure, it's a fantasy and a lot of the story is out there, but that one just didn't fit. That's my only negative out of the whole book. The rest was a fun, binge-worthy read that left me wanting more books by Lena Gibson in my hands stat.

Five out of five stars.

I received this book for free from the author, Lena Gibson, in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Diane Nagatomo.
Author 9 books63 followers
August 7, 2023
"The Wish" by Lena Gibson is a wonderful story that has a perfect blend of just about everything: romance, suspense, mystery, time travel, and even a bit of magic. Elizabeth Bergstrom is traumatized after an accident that left her abusive husband dead. If only she could go back and do everything different--she wouldn't let the love of her life slip through her hands and make the awful mistakes that put her into her current situation. Her wish is granted and she wakes up five years earlier. This time, things would be different! And they are. Just not the way Elizabeth had envisioned. With dozens of surprising twists and turns, this novel will keep readers guessing.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing an ARC of this exceptional, Five Star book.
Profile Image for Debbie.
285 reviews45 followers
September 13, 2023
The Wish by Lena Gibson
Three men. Two timelines. One wish. This book grab me from the first line and never lets up. It's a thriller and a hint of magic and romance, time traveler.
1,422 reviews8 followers
September 28, 2023
This book deserves five stars because it has it all, time travel, mystery, thriller, magic and love. Elizabeth has lived through a bad time and now has a chance to start all over again. However the past is not what she expected. This author had me turning the pages and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Finding out about Eric and what he wanted from Elizabeth was creepy, no matter what she does he wants her and plans on winning. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more from this author. I received a free book and the views and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Sasha Lauren.
Author 2 books42 followers
August 17, 2023
The Wish is a whimsical, dramatic, romantic page-turner involving time travel. The traumatized protagonist, Elizabeth, makes a wish for a do-over and wakes up five years before she made her wish. Lena Gibson, an author with a beautifully unique voice, writes about selective mutism through Elizabeth's emotional journey of finding her voice. Gibson knits words together in a smooth, fun, dramatic, surprising way that left me on an up note.
Profile Image for Denice Langley.
3,532 reviews35 followers
August 25, 2023
When her life is out of her control and it seems as if she'll never be able to speak again, Elizabeth makes a wish. If she could just go back, she'd "fix" everything that is broken in her life. Her wish is granted, she wakes up the next morning 5 years in the past, before everything went wrong. But can you really fix something before it's broken?

This book is very skillfully written. The characters "fit" the story perfectly. You just want to show them what is wrong and tell them how to fix it, but Lena Gibson does an excellent job of guiding them through the trials in front of them. They must figure out how everything went wrong in order to keep it from repeating. But their actions will change the future, just maybe not the way they predicted. An excellent read for me, no slow chapters, no "what did I just read" events and an ending that makes the thrill of the chase all worth it.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
330 reviews10 followers
August 17, 2023
Trigger warning : domestic violence , stocking

I have discovered a fabulous new writer —I loved this book ! — This is a great time traveling science fiction —love story. It drew me in right from the beginning and it was hard to put down and go back to regular everyday life. Lots of twists and turns in this book —it is full of mystery, it has thriller moments , a romance , and has conspiracy theory — I really got attached to the main character and I began to feel her anxiety and other emotions with her—by chapter 15 I was on the edge of my seat and I really had to know what was gonna happen — Highly recommend !

Thank-you to Netgalley and Black Rose Writing publishing for the ARC , this is my honest review.
1,169 reviews
August 16, 2023
In 2022, Elizabeth finds herself confronted with the news that her ex-boyfriend, Brandon has died years ago. Traumatised by her life choices. Elizabeth finds herself back in time to 2017 where she is no longer married and Brandon is alive. With the help of Brandon’s brother Christopher, they work together to uncover the mystery behind Brandon’s death.
This story has it all with plenty of mystery, suspense and romance. I was so consumed by it all, reading every chance that I could.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Michael Keany.
205 reviews5 followers
September 2, 2023
4.5 rounding up.
Picking this book up, I was expecting a cheesy romance story. While that was in there, this book was more than that. There were mystery elements as well as some thriller moments. It was an easy read that kept me interested until the very end. There are a couple of trigger warnings that you might want to look into before reading if you have some things you don't want to read. I'm not going to spoil anything listing them here.
Profile Image for Jeffrey Levin.
4 reviews3 followers
April 23, 2023
The Wish is a romantic, fast-paced, magical trip through love and terror. You’ll care about the characters and be on the edge of your seat as you hold on through the rollercoaster ride of their lives. Enjoy the ride!
Profile Image for Janalyn Prude.
3,491 reviews102 followers
October 22, 2023
Due to a tragic accident that took the life of her husband Eric Elizabeth no longer has the ability to talk but that doesn’t stop her ex boyfriend Brandon‘s brother from constantly talking to her even doing her voice if necessary. Elizabeth never let him know but it kind of amuses her but on this day he has something very important to ask her and although she would usually say no for some reason she says yes. Elizabeth and Brandon broke up because he basically ghosted her but her and Chris work in the same building for the same company in must interact. That night at dinner Elizabeth finds out some very upsetting things like for example her ex and Chris’s brother is dead due to an overdose but according to Chris he thinks someone murdered him and he wants Elizabeth to help find out what happened. He says he will give her time to think about it but that night before going to sleep she gets her Amber rock that her therapist gave her and just and jest tells her cat Ember she wishes she could have a do over. Imagine her surprise when she wakes up the next morning and Emeril is a kitten and everything is the way it was five years ago before she met Eric and before Brandon left her unfortunately she still has to attend her sister‘s wedding where she met Eric but since Chris invited himself to the event she thinks she’ll be able to avoid him but I guess when you are meant to cross someone’s path you’re going to no matter how many do overs you get. This time however she won’t be married to him but the plague of Eric it’s still horrible and it spreads to Chris. They still want to find out what is happening with his brother Brandon Bowen Eric set it up to make Chris look like a theme and a felon and he gets arrested things couldn’t get worse but they do! This book was so good I love love love Chris and wish they were men like that in real life he was so awesome this is a great book by an author I have read before and she never disappoints what a great mystery romance. I want to thank Blackrose riding and net galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
Profile Image for Nomadic Librarian.
431 reviews10 followers
September 26, 2023
Blending elements of romance, magical realism, mystery and science fiction, Gibson has crafted a unique story that grabs your attention right from the start and never lets go.

Autistic-coded Elizabeth Bergstrom has suffered from selective mutism for 2 years following the death of her abusive ex-husband in a car accident she survived. She met him shortly after her ex-boyfriend Brandon broke up with her and married him on the rebound. As the story opens, we meet Brandon’s brother Christopher who works with her at the Portland Museum of Natural History where he takes pleasure in charmingly goading her, in the hopes he’ll get her to talk. Soon after, she learns that Brandon died many years before and wishes for a do-over. Be careful what you wish for because she wakes up five years in the past. Almost immediately, Elizabeth begins to see past events from a different perspective, but she also has to decide what actions she’ll take to rewrite her future. Surprisingly, she’s still mute, but when she reconnects with Christopher to try to save Brandon, she learns that he can read her thoughts and believes that she’s from the future, making the entire process easier.

There’s never a dull moment in this story, from the ex-husband who is so much worse than she ever knew to her sister who acts as if Elizabeth is incapable of rational thought because she can’t speak (and makes selfish, damaging decisions as a result). The reason behind Brandon’s coma reads like a combination of science fiction and a bloody, psychological thriller, but there’s also a beautiful romance and a few dashes of magical realism with an invisible cloak, time travel, and mind-reading. Gibson also sensitively tackles grief, guilt, scientific ethics, ableism, and domestic violence without these heavy topics weighing down or stalling the narrative.

If you’re looking for a complex story that will keep you riveted and at the edge of your seat, pick this one up. This would be an excellent choice for a book club given how much fodder there is for discussion. I only wish that a major publisher was behind this book because it deserves a wider audience. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Cam Torrens.
Author 3 books67 followers
July 29, 2023
Another blockbuster in the making! Lena Gibson is the writing community's hottest new multi-genre author. I've read her romance writing, her upcoming dystopian series, and now The Wish--a magical, time-traveling, romance-thriller. She's nailing home runs with every new release!

Elizabeth faces insurmountable challenges in 2022--the love of her life is dead and she suffers from selective mutism. Unexpectedly transported five years into the past, her lover still lives, but Elizabeth remains mute. Will she seize this opportunity to change the future?

The Wish is a perfect blend of romance and magic--a thrilling journey of transformation and redemption, where the pursuit of happiness may threaten everything. A must-read!
Profile Image for Renee  Jolly.
66 reviews2 followers
November 30, 2023
This was one of those books I stayed up way too late most nights to binge. I think we all want Christopher to be our lover after this story. What an emotional rollercoaster of love,lust, nausea, sadness, and everything else that comes with every relationship possible. I was pleasantly surprised not having to read thru how absolutely no one believed Elizabeth time traveled, but rather, her therapist was there throughout the journey and Christopher could read her mind - amazing writing; Lena had me questioning what I thought I knew, then brought me back to reality over and over again. Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to review this title; I regret not having read it sooner.
Profile Image for Heather Beal.
Author 3 books14 followers
August 17, 2023
Time travel, mysterious scientific research, steamy forbidden romantic relationships, AND danger around every corner? Check, check, check, and check! If you have every asked “what if” or wondered about second chances, you are going to LOVE The Wish! Raw and real, you will find yourself drawn into the intrigue and madly turning the pages to see what happens next!

- Heather Beal, author of Extinguishing Shadows
6 reviews3 followers
July 30, 2023
Great read. So many twists and turns, a few times I thought I knew what was going to happen and surprise it did not. This book keep me guessing and interested right to the very end.
Profile Image for Holly Mavigliano.
190 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2024
Fun read

This was a very interesting book. Contemporary romance, Action, Mystery, And even a thriller. There is even a dose Of fairy tale/paranormal. This is a great book to read! It's longer than a beach read, but is a stand-alone novel. Recommended!!
Profile Image for Sue.
109 reviews3 followers
May 25, 2024
I could not put this down. Great time travel book with a different sort of plot, a bit of mystery and some romance thrown in. The character is trying to save her ex boyfriend and things change in the past, in unexpected ways!
Profile Image for Rachelle LeBlanc.
321 reviews8 followers
December 29, 2023
This is a dual time story with time travel with a while you were sleeping vibe.

Summary:

Elizabeth works in a museum with Christopher. She dated his brother, Brandon who ghosted her without any explanation. Elizabeth ended up married to Eric who was abusive. He dies in a care wreck when she was driving him to the hospital and loses the ability to speak due to the trauma. At work one day (three years after Brandon disappeared), Christopher breaks the news to her that Brandon went into a coma and had died a few months after he disappeared from what was labeled a drug overdose. That night she goes home and makes a wish to go back in time to try and save Brandon. It works and she is transported back to 2017. In 2017, she enlist the help of Christopher to help save Brandon's life while putting their own lives in danger. Eric is this timeline becomes a stalker (but she doesn't marry him).


My thoughts:

The Wish held my captivated the whole way through. It kept me reading because I wanted to know what would happen with Eric, with Brandon and would they be able to save him with losing their own lives, what would happen between Christopher and Elizabeth and would she ever be able to speak again. There was so much action that I never lost interest and I never saw the ending coming. It made sense but I just think there would be a connection between Eric and Brandon.

I will definitely read more from Lena Gibson and plan to buy The Wish as a physical copy when I can so I can read it again and again.
Thank you NetGalley, Black Rose Writing and Lena Gibson for the complimentary copy of The Wish.
Profile Image for Lorraine Berry.
826 reviews6 followers
September 4, 2023
I love a good time travel story and the main plot of this book sees Elizabeth making a wish for a do-over. She then wakes up five years before she made her wish and she immediately jumps to a time travel conclusion, without even checking her phone or TV for the date! We then have Christopher who believes her without any pushback, which is a little odd until you find out his secret. In addition, her Therapist has witchy ‘powers’ and she hires a PI firm who have an invisible cloak. In truth, I would have preferred the story without all the side characters’ ‘special powers’ - it all felt a little too convenient and it took the story from being semi credible/imaginable, to an absolute farce. The story is readable enough if you can overlook, or accept the weirdness which accompanies the side characters: Unfortunately, I could not. Many thanks however to NetGallery and White Rose Writing for allowing me to get a copy of the book.
41 reviews
December 22, 2023
Wish I could rate this less than one star.

It was just a big mess. It contradicted itself every three pages, Im shocked this was edited before coming out. The story made little to no sense at all, it made it very unpredictable but at the same time completely predictable because of the way the author wrote everything. The million plot twist it had were just not very interesting and it was unnecessarily long.
The FMC was very annoying too.

I liked the other book by this same author so I expected this to be good but it just wasn’t the case.
Profile Image for A Look Inside: Book Review Podcast.
452 reviews47 followers
September 14, 2023
"The Wish" by Lena Gibson is a captivating and emotionally charged tale that seamlessly weaves together elements of romance, time travel, and suspense. Gibson's narrative is a beautifully crafted exploration of second chances, the power of love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

At the heart of the story is Elizabeth, a woman haunted by her past choices, including a disastrous marriage to an abusive man. Her inability to speak for two years serves as a powerful symbol of her inner turmoil and the weight of her regrets. When she learns of the death of an old boyfriend, she is pushed to her breaking point, yearning for a chance to rewrite her history.

The concept of a wish that transports Elizabeth back in time to 2017 is both intriguing and magical, adding a touch of whimsy to the narrative. The author skillfully explores the idea of a "mulligan" or a do-over, allowing readers to contemplate what they might change if given the opportunity to alter their past.

The characters in "The Wish" are richly developed, with Elizabeth at the forefront as a complex and relatable protagonist. Her journey of self-discovery and redemption is both heartrending and inspiring. As she navigates the challenges of her new reality, including a stalker and her boyfriend's mysterious coma, readers are drawn into a suspenseful and emotionally charged plot.

The romance that unfolds between Elizabeth and Christopher, her boyfriend's brother, is beautifully portrayed, offering a sense of hope and healing amid the chaos of the past and present. Their connection serves as a central pillar of the narrative, showcasing the transformative power of love and trust.

Gibson's writing is evocative and lyrical, immersing readers in the emotions and experiences of the characters. The pacing of the story is well-executed, with a perfect balance of romance, mystery, and suspense to keep readers engaged from start to finish.

"The Wish" is a novel that encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and the choices they've made. It is a tale of redemption, resilience, and the belief that it's never too late to rewrite one's story. Lena Gibson has crafted a narrative that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates a blend of romance and fantasy with a touch of magic. This book is a testament to the enduring power of love and the possibility of transforming regret into a brighter future.
Profile Image for Jithendra Jithu.
1,461 reviews57 followers
September 15, 2023
📚 Book Review: "The Wish" by Lena Gibson 🌟

Rating:5/5

Review:

👉"The Wish" by Lena Gibson is a mesmerizing journey through time, love, and the indomitable human spirit. 🕰️❤️

👉In this enchanting tale, we meet Elizabeth, a woman burdened by her past, including a harrowing marriage to an abusive man. Her silence for two years speaks volumes about her inner struggles. When she receives heartbreaking news about an old flame's demise, she yearns for a second chance at life. And, remarkably, her wish comes true, transporting her back to 2017. 🌠

👉The concept of rewriting one's history with a mere wish is spellbinding, adding a touch of magic to an already poignant narrative. It makes you ponder, "What if I could change my past?" 🤔

👉The characters in "The Wish" are brilliantly crafted, with Elizabeth as a compelling and relatable protagonist. Her journey towards redemption and self-discovery is incredibly moving, and her resilience is inspiring. 💪

👉The romance between Elizabeth and Christopher, her boyfriend's brother, is portrayed with such tenderness and authenticity that it tugs at your heartstrings. Their love becomes a beacon of hope amidst the chaos of the past and present. ❤️

👉Lena Gibson's writing is nothing short of enchanting; it immerses you in the characters' emotions and experiences. The pacing of the story is impeccable, keeping you engrossed from the very beginning. 📖

👉"The Wish" is more than just a book; it's a reflection on our own lives and the choices we've made. It reminds us that it's never too late to transform our story, to heal, and to embrace love and second chances. 🌈

👉This novel is a testament to the enduring power of love and the magic of rewriting our regrets into a brighter future. Don't miss this captivating blend of romance, fantasy, and redemption. Lena Gibson has woven a tale that will touch your heart and stay with you long after you've turned the last page. 🌟✨

#BookReview #TheWish #LenaGibson #TimeTravel #Romance #SecondChances #MagicalReads
Profile Image for Courtnee Hoyle.
Author 21 books219 followers
June 23, 2023
In Lena Gibson’s book, The Wish, Elizabeth works in a museum and is introverted, choosing to speak to her cat and communicate with everyone through texts and body motions. Before his death, her husband had been abusive, and since his death, Elizabeth has carried around guilt, continuing to pull away from everyone. After Christopher, her ex-boyfriend’s brother, informs her about Brandon’s death, Elizabeth wished to erase the last few years of her life. The next day, she wakes up five years in the past, with the chance to save Brandon and avoid the relationship that started her abusive marriage. Instead of rekindling her feelings for Brandon, his brother invades her thoughts. There is something deeper involved in Brandon’s impending doom, and Elizabeth and Christopher find themselves in danger more than once as they race to save Brandon and uncover the reason he lies in a coma.

Get ready for Lena Gibson to surprise you with a book you never want to put down. You may even go back and read it again, savoring the moments you loved and discovering Easter eggs you may have missed as your hungry eyes devoured her words the first time. The book is detailed without overextending metaphors or descriptions, keeping the reader invested in every line. The scent of romance is thick, and the reader feels the steam as Gibson turns up the spice! The author creates well-developed characters, and they are relatable or connected to the story in a significant way. Due to a family member's challenges, Gibson has a special understanding of selective mutism, and her experience with it shows in her writing. Readers will feel like time travelers when they pick up Gibson’s story, as they’re swept away by romance and magical realism. For readers who enjoy mystery, intrigue, and romance, The Wish will check the boxes on everything they hope to find when they pick up a novel.
Profile Image for Karen Brees.
Author 1 book30 followers
April 23, 2023
Elizabeth Bergstrom holds herself responsible for the accident that killed her abusive husband and left her psychologically damaged to the point that she’s become mute. Ember, her cat, is the only one who can now hear her voice. Communicating with gestures and text messages has become her grim reality, and the isolation is taking its toll. Estranged from family and friends, she has run out of hope. The past is a nightmare and the present is a persistent reminder of all that’s gone wrong.

Elizabeth wishes she had the chance to travel back in time and not make the worst decision of her life. It’s a wish many of us have, but for Elizabeth, it will become her reality. Will she be able to read the signs and avoid the traps she fell into? Will she be able to change history and prevent a tragedy of unimaginable proportions?

Lena Gibson has the ability to create strong characters who must cope with physical and psychological disabilities while thrust into a maelstrom of events that threaten to spiral out of control. The tension is real, and the depiction of how a victim of spousal abuse attempts to cope is graphic and convincing.

A boyfriend who’s a mind reader, a psychotherapist who’s a witch, and a private investigator with an invisibility cloak help round out this suspenseful tale of an alternate reality as dangerous as our own. The sex-become-love scenes with Elizabeth and her boyfriend leave nothing to the imagination, as our heroine begins the long journey back to wholeness. Is this all enough to keep her in the past, or will she choose to return to the present?

I received an advance reader copy of this book. This is an honest review.
Profile Image for Karen K Brees.
9 reviews2 followers
August 17, 2023
Elizabeth Bergstrom holds herself responsible for the accident that killed her abusive husband and left her psychologically damaged to the point that she’s become mute. Ember, her cat, is the only one who can now hear her voice. Communicating with gestures and text messages has become her grim reality, and the isolation is taking its toll. Estranged from family and friends, she has run out of hope. The past is a nightmare and the present is a persistent reminder of all that’s gone wrong.

Elizabeth wishes she had the chance to travel back in time and not make the worst decision of her life. It’s a wish many of us have, but for Elizabeth, it will become her reality. Will she be able to read the signs and avoid the traps she fell into? Will she be able to change history and prevent a tragedy of unimaginable proportions?

Lena Gibson has the ability to create strong characters who must cope with physical and psychological disabilities while thrust into a maelstrom of events that threaten to spiral out of control. The tension is real, and the depiction of how a victim of spousal abuse attempts to cope is graphic and convincing.

A boyfriend who’s a mind reader, a psychotherapist who’s a witch, and a private investigator with an invisibility cloak help round out this suspenseful tale of an alternate reality as dangerous as our own. The sex-become-love scenes with Elizabeth and her boyfriend leave nothing to the imagination, as our heroine begins the long journey back to wholeness. Is this all enough to keep her in the past, or will she choose to return to the present?
Profile Image for Patti Liszkay.
Author 3 books44 followers
October 9, 2023
In Lena Gibson’s suspenseful time-travel romance, “The Wish,” Elizabeth, an introverted paleoanthropologist, struggles with guilt and PTSD which have left her mute, the psychological fallout from the death, which she blames herself for, of her abusive husband. When she learns the details of the disappearance of Brandon, a man she fell in love with after the death of her husband but who left her without a word, she believes she could have saved Brandon’s life if only she knew then what she now knows.
A wish that she could return to the past and change things mysteriously comes true, and Elizabeth goes back in time and soon begins to see things more clearly than she could the first time around. Brandon, whom she thought she loved, isn’t as loveable as she remembered him; his nerdy brother whom she never cared for now seems more attractive, kind and desirable. And the violent-tempered man she married in the future but now intends to keep her distance from is still present and strangely difficult to escape. Elizabeth learns that changing the past isn’t as easy as she’d imagined it would be, as the original complications still exist, and trying to change things, ironically, creates new ones with unintended consequences and unforeseen dangers. And yet she must navigate the dangers and risk the consequences if she is to set things right and find her voice and her heart.
“The Wish” is the perfect read for those who love a good romance laced with suspense and sprinkled with magic.
Profile Image for Book Reviewer.
2,710 reviews229 followers
October 20, 2023
Lena Gibson's The Wish elegantly melds the thrilling with the emotional, taking readers on a time-traveling journey that is as suspenseful as it is moving. After a heart-wrenching accident leaves Elizabeth mute for two years, a fervent wish catapults her from 2022 back to 2017. As she unravels her past and confronts the haunting reasons behind her boyfriend's coma, she finds an unlikely ally in his enigmatic brother. Yet, as her wish is granted, a lurking threat in the form of a stalker casts a shadow on her newfound chance at happiness.

Gibson masterfully narrates the tale across two timelines without missing a beat, offering readers a seamless experience anchoring them to each page. Her cast of characters, from the introspective Elizabeth to the intriguing Christopher, is both rich and varied, ensuring that every reader finds someone to resonate with.

Beyond the engrossing plot laden with unexpected twists, Gibson's storytelling prowess shines through in her exquisite first-person narrative and evocative descriptions, painting a vivid tapestry in the reader's mind.

More than just a gripping read, The Wish imparts valuable lessons through Elizabeth's remarkable character arc, showcasing her resilience and growth in the face of adversity. With its exploration of poignant themes such as loss, abusive relationships, and profound tragedy, the novel offers depth that touches the soul.

In The Wish, Lena Gibson elevates the time-travel genre, crafting a literary gem that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
410 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2024
A suspenseful time travel romance. Elizabeth's life isn't where she expected it would be. In the past five years, she has been dumped by her boyfriend Brandon (who then fell into a coma and passed away), jumped into marriage with a near stranger, who she then lost in a car accident, and has since suffered from selective mutism. She wishes for a do-over... and her wish comes true. She wakes up five years in the past, prior to all her biggest regrets. She has the chance to fix things, and her ex boyfriend's brother, Christopher, is there to help. But things aren't immediately resolved just by traveling into the past. She's still unable to speak, plus there's a terrifying stalker and a corrupt business in the mix. Can Elizabeth solve the mystery behind Brandon's coma in time to prevent his death, and maybe find her happily ever after along the way?

I really enjoyed this read. Alongside the sweet and sultry romance, there's also an engaging mystery with scifi elements. I felt Elizabeth and Christopher's connection from the start. They worked really well together. Elizabeth's condition was an interesting part of the story, and not something I've seen depicted before. It was easy to empathize with her character. The suspense was great. I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for the villain to get his comeuppance. Would recommend. Side note: I'm quite curious about the private investigator side characters. A story to come, maybe?

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Profile Image for Carolyn Geduld.
Author 10 books27 followers
April 23, 2023
Who has not had the fantasy of going back in time to correct one’s mistakes? In The Wish, Elizabeth gets this opportunity and uses it to re-do her relationships with three men: Brandon, the boyfriend who ghosted her; Eric, the abusive man she married on the rebound; and Christopher, Brandon’s handsome brother and her true love. Complicating matters is the scientific experiment-gone-wrong that lands Brandon in a coma. Saving him might alter things with the other two men.

Gibson keeps her readers guessing as Elizabeth scrambles to find a different future than the one she already experienced. The pace quickens while the clock runs out as Brandon awakens from his coma, Eric stakes his claim, and Christopher hesitates. We might all wish we had a therapist like Elizabeth’s, who guides her patient through the past instead of just interpreting it.

In its lively way, the novel poses a question about reality. Does Elizabeth really alter the future by acting differently the second time around or has she entered a parallel universe? While Gibson provides no answer, she gives the reader a page-turning ride along the way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.