Having become familiar with heartbreak and the loss of loved ones, Callie learns to bottle up her emotions and limit her expectations of happiness. She grows increasingly wary of anything that feels too good to be true, and when her fears are ultimately realized in a deeply personal and destabilizing way, she pushes everyone away while struggling to cope with shame and pain. That is, until she’s forced out of hiding while trying to honor a deeply meaningful request that continues to shape her path forward.
Through carefully designed healing activities tagged as wishes, and with each completion unlocking a reward, these moments become more than simple tasks, offering a structured path forward as Callie begins to rebuild. While dealing with all this trauma and finally trying to heal, she also has to question the intentions of three men who express romantic interest in her. Each guy represents a different kind of love: there's Andrew, the steadfast, idealized friend; Jamie, the wounded soul who mirrors her own trauma; and Tyler, the charming, successful suitor with a pre-planned future. But the question remains: do they genuinely want to be with her, or are they more interested in “winning” her?
Blending romance and psychological drama, N. Christine Samuelson’s WISHES focuses on Callie’s emotional journey and personal growth. While the romantic elements are significant, they're secondary to her internal transformation. Samuelson shows how Callie slowly and painfully pieces herself back together (often having visceral reactions to triggers) with deep psychological realism: “Callie hadn’t worn it since the wedding, but tonight she was compelled to find it, hoping for closure. Instead, as she clutched the pendant to her chest, images flashed like lightning.”
In the latter part of the book, though, there are some instances where there is an overreliance on convenience—as when Callie must confront the three men vying for her. Also, while Callie's conversations with one of her love interests capture their vulnerabilities, the dialogue with others can be overly expository and devoid of this same level of dimensionality.
Overall, the box of wishes creates a clear, episodic arc that sustains anticipation. Each new wish promises both an emotional challenge and a tangible reward. WISHES also successfully captures the different stages of grief, moving through denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, and—most importantly—hope.
N. Christine Samuelson’s WISHES captures how, with enough determination and support, healing is not a destination but the practice of small, courageous choices.
~ Gabriella Harrison for IndieReader