If you could wish for a different life, would you? What if that life changed everything you thought was real?Adopted as a baby, Hazel Hayes has alw...
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reviews
Aug 18, 2011
Nafiza
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Wishful Thinking is the companion novel to Bullen’s debut novel Wish and it continues in the same vein as the first book. Ms. Bullen writes a beautiful story. She takes magical elements and weds them to very real conflicts with an expertise that has the reader charmed. I loved the complex relationships in the novel. The depth of the protagonist’s desire for a family was exquisitely portrayed. The characters in the novel came to life on the island setting and, in the most empathetic of ways, the
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Jul 29, 2011
From the author of Wish comes the next installment where dresses have the power to change an unhappy young woman’s life in Wishful Thinking by Alexandra Bullen
Hazel has never belonged anywhere in her life; she was adopted as a baby, and then shuffled around in foster care after the death of her adopted mother. On her eighteenth birthday she is given a valuable piece of information, the name of her birth mother. Fueled with the possibility of meeting the woman on the paper, Hazel brings a dre More...
Hazel has never belonged anywhere in her life; she was adopted as a baby, and then shuffled around in foster care after the death of her adopted mother. On her eighteenth birthday she is given a valuable piece of information, the name of her birth mother. Fueled with the possibility of meeting the woman on the paper, Hazel brings a dre More...
Mar 09, 2011
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
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Wishful Thinking is a lovely magical book. The story has the feel of a fairy tale and it's a quick read-perfect for a blustery winter day when you want to curl up with a magic tale. It's a quite book-there's not a ton of action, but there's magic and a sweet romance and readers are sure to enjoy it.
Hazel is a character that you can easily like-she could be a depressing character who is down on herself, but instead she remains positive and maybe sometimes a bit naive. The story moves More...
Hazel is a character that you can easily like-she could be a depressing character who is down on herself, but instead she remains positive and maybe sometimes a bit naive. The story moves More...
Jan 31, 2011
Ashley
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I really liked this book!!!! It's about a girl who's mother gave her up (for some reason she didn't know) right after she was born, and then her adoptive mother died when she was still really little. Her "dad" (who also adopted her) tries, but really misses his wife and the main character, Hazel, is sad. She had one dress, that she got in a thrift store, that was gorgeous, but had a hole in it. For her 18th birthday she gets her birth certificate with her real mother's name on it. She
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Jan 11, 2011
Sarah
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I hadn't planned on picking up this Uncorrected Proof to read first (out of the tons I received at ALA Midwinter this week in San Diego), but I was waiting for my ride to the airport and this was sitting on the coffee table in the Hotel Solamar lobby. I was bored and too lazy to get out one of my books from my bag, so I picked up this book with an attractive cover.
Hazel isn't happy with her life--she's been passed around foster homes since her birth mother gave her up as a baby. On her More...
Hazel isn't happy with her life--she's been passed around foster homes since her birth mother gave her up as a baby. On her More...
Jan 10, 2011
Rachael
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Ever since she was a baby, Hazel Snow has always been alone. Offered up for adoption by her birth mother and shuffled between homes ever since, Hazel has never really had a family, but she desperately yearns for one. So when by chance she receives three magical dresses, each that will grant her a single wish, Hazel wishes to know her mother. To her surprise, she is transported across the country and into the past, a place where her mother is alive and well. This strange new life isn’t perfect, b
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Jan 05, 2011
Jennifer
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If you were given 3 wishes, what would you wish for?
When Hazel Snow is given 3 dresses that can grant her any 3 wishes that come from her heart, she wishes to meet her birth mother. She's never felt like she belonged to anyone or anywhere, and she needs answers. But she didn't know that after 18 years, it would be too late. She thinks her birth mother is dead, and her first wish sends her back in time to Martha's Vineyard, where she encounters artistic Rosanna Scott, who takes her in u More...
When Hazel Snow is given 3 dresses that can grant her any 3 wishes that come from her heart, she wishes to meet her birth mother. She's never felt like she belonged to anyone or anywhere, and she needs answers. But she didn't know that after 18 years, it would be too late. She thinks her birth mother is dead, and her first wish sends her back in time to Martha's Vineyard, where she encounters artistic Rosanna Scott, who takes her in u More...
Apr 27, 2011
Carol
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This book is out of the usual genres that I read. I just had a hunch when I saw the beautiful cover that I would enjoy it. I was not disappointed. This is sort of a fairy tale without fairies but with golden butterflies instead. Hazel is young adult who has had a miserable life from the beginning of her childhood. She was taken in by a very loving woman only to have the old woman to die. This book is the sequel to 'Wish' but it is also a stand alone book. I had not read 'Wish' but I never felt l
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Mar 02, 2011
Kari
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This book is heartbreaking. A companion novel to Wish it's easily a stand alone since there's no character cross over except for Posey (I wish Alexandra Bullen would give us a book just about Posey!).
Hazel has spent her whole life feeling unwanted. Adopted as a baby then shuffled around from foster family to foster family the only thing Hazel's ever wanted is to know where she came from. Enter Posey. But does getting what you want necessarily equal happiness?
I've re More...
Hazel has spent her whole life feeling unwanted. Adopted as a baby then shuffled around from foster family to foster family the only thing Hazel's ever wanted is to know where she came from. Enter Posey. But does getting what you want necessarily equal happiness?
I've re More...
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Feb 01, 2011
Kelsey
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Having never read the prequel/companion novel, Wish, I wasn't sure what to expect with Wishful Thinking. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it and am definitely looking forward to reading Wish now more than ever.
Hazel Snow (isn't that such a great name?) was a main character I immediately connected with, even though I couldn't really relate to her, and wanted the best for. Her life had not been easy so far and things only become more complicated when she is presented with More...
Hazel Snow (isn't that such a great name?) was a main character I immediately connected with, even though I couldn't really relate to her, and wanted the best for. Her life had not been easy so far and things only become more complicated when she is presented with More...
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Jan 27, 2011
Tricia
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"Wishful Thinking" is the sequel to "Wish" yet reads well as a standalone. Hazel was adopted as a baby but her adoptive mother died soon after and she was bounced around a bit, never feeling "home". On her 18th birthday she receives a clue about her birth mother--the name "Rosanna Scott". She is also gifted three magical dresses from a fairy-like girl--each with the power to grant a wish. She sets off on a quest to meet her birth mother using these magi
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Jan 25, 2011
Madison
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The one word I would use to describe this novel is: bittersweet. This was just such a heart-wrenching story of a girl who gets a second chance, and has to decide if she wants it.
This book, in my opinion, was better than Wish. I think Hazel Snow was a more realistic and relateable character for me. Plus, I liked the story line of this one better, I liked that she got to go back to the past and try and create her life for the future. And I just loved the setting of Martha's Vineyard. More...
This book, in my opinion, was better than Wish. I think Hazel Snow was a more realistic and relateable character for me. Plus, I liked the story line of this one better, I liked that she got to go back to the past and try and create her life for the future. And I just loved the setting of Martha's Vineyard. More...
Dec 17, 2011
Sabrina
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Having never read "Wish', I did not know what to expect of the author. I have heard good praise about her previous novel and when I saw this in the library, I thought, "Why not?" Being only 240 pages long, I finished in one weekend. It was light, funny, romantic and sweet. This book could have been developed more but I did like it and I loved the feel of the book, that I'm-reading-a-fairytale-but-it-seems-pretty-modern feel that still makes you go "awww" in all the right
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Mar 15, 2011
P.E. at Tantalizing Illusions
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Wishful Thinking is all about a girl named Hazel who had a terrible childhood without a family so when she gets the opportunity to meet her birth mother, she's ecstatic. Sadly for Hazel, the reunion turns out completely different from what she expected. With three dresses and wishes, Hazel can change her past and future. The question is what will she wish for?
Hazel is a good character. She's independent, kind, but has issues letting people in. She's insecure sometimes, but a realisti More...
Hazel is a good character. She's independent, kind, but has issues letting people in. She's insecure sometimes, but a realisti More...
Jan 19, 2011
Jessica
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QUICK OVERVIEW:
Bullen is back again with a fun and inspirational read, but this time she has thrown a few more elements into the mix to give Wishful Thinking a feeling of substance and reality.
REVIEW:
Wishful Thinking was a pleasing improvement from the first book in the series, Wish. While both books were enjoyable, Wishful Thinking held a lot more quality and substance. Even though you don't need to read Wish to understand or even enjoy Wishful Thinking, I still recommend More...
Bullen is back again with a fun and inspirational read, but this time she has thrown a few more elements into the mix to give Wishful Thinking a feeling of substance and reality.
REVIEW:
Wishful Thinking was a pleasing improvement from the first book in the series, Wish. While both books were enjoyable, Wishful Thinking held a lot more quality and substance. Even though you don't need to read Wish to understand or even enjoy Wishful Thinking, I still recommend More...
Apr 20, 2011
Shelley
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A modern day, magical Hanging Out With CiCi, I think! I wasn't wowed by the story, but I liked it well enough. Hazel was adopted as a baby, but her adoptive mother died and her adoptive father was in and out of rehab, so she was in and out of various families. Now she's 18, pretty bitter and sad, and has found magical dresses that make wishes come true. So she wishes to meet her mother and ends up 18 years in the past. (Which I still find hard to believe is 1993. Augh. But the author cleverly do
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Jan 25, 2011
Amanda
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If you could ask for a new life, would you?
It’s a question many people ask themselves all the time. Would I change things? Would I wish to be someone else, somewhere else? And it’s a question Hazel has always thought she knows the answer to. Having grown up in the home of an adoptive father who has addiction problems, with an adoptive mother who was killed when Hazel was a baby, she wonders what her life would have been like had she grown up with her birth mother. On her 18th birthday More...
It’s a question many people ask themselves all the time. Would I change things? Would I wish to be someone else, somewhere else? And it’s a question Hazel has always thought she knows the answer to. Having grown up in the home of an adoptive father who has addiction problems, with an adoptive mother who was killed when Hazel was a baby, she wonders what her life would have been like had she grown up with her birth mother. On her 18th birthday More...
Mar 21, 2011
Cleverly
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You will never read another book like Wishful Thinking. Here's just a few reasons why....Magical Dresses, Time Travel & Star Crossed Love. Hazel went on an amazing journey. Not just a physical one either. If you could go into the past to find out what your biological mother was like would you? Hazel didn't have much choice. Once she was there she seemed to make the best of it. The emotions seemed real. You really felt like you were on the journey with her. The ending was perfect in my opinion.
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Feb 23, 2011
Lorie
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Adopted as a baby, Hazel Snow has always been alone. She's never belonged anywhere--and has always yearned to know the truth about where she comes from. So when she receives three stunning, enchanted dresses--each with the power to grant one wish--Hazel wishes to know her mother. Transported to a time and place she couldn't have imagined, Hazel finds herself living an alternate life--a life with the mother she never knew.
Over the course of one amazing, miraculous summer, Hazel More...
Over the course of one amazing, miraculous summer, Hazel More...
Feb 08, 2011
Amy Rose
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This book is a great read, but be prepared to do some crying. The storyline is just heartbreaking. All of the characters are incredibly well-rounded and you grow to love each and every one of them, even the ones that most authors create just for you to hate. The ending was heartwrenching and I have a hard time liking a character as selfless as Hazel because I don't know if I could find it in myself to be even half that caring. Even though, I really do love the character and wish that I could
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Dec 20, 2010
Adriana
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I really enjoyed the story of Hazel and her three wishes. This is the second book in this series, but you don't have to read the first book, Wish by Alexandra Bullen, in order to understand this one. Hazel Snow grows up in foster care after her adoptive mom passes away and her adoptive dad is in and out of rehab. Because of this Hazel pretty much has no high expectations for life and she's always had to deal with temporary situations. On her 18th birthday she finds out her birth mother's nam
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May 16, 2011
Laura
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I thought it was much better than the first. The writing was better and more interesting, plus I couldn't guess the end. I'm usually predicting the patterns in book, and guessing what will happen. But I was off, a lot... I truly enjoyed this one. I kept thinking; "What's going to happen?" "She twisted it again. I didn't see that coming." Though, sometimes the plot was veryyyyy predictable, only the main character didn't want to see it, sooooo that doesn't count! Overall, get
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Jan 19, 2011
Claire
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Posey is back, the wish granting seamstress at Mariposa. In this case Hazel has always wanted a mother. Wendy, her adoptive mother died when Hazel was young and Roy, her adoptive step dad is living with her again, sober again. Hazel is depressed and feels abandoned (even though Roy always takes care of her when he can) in and out of foster homes is a drag on the spirit. On her 18th birthday, Roy presents Hazel with her birth certificate and the wishes start....
A sweet tale of self discovery More...
A sweet tale of self discovery More...
Feb 03, 2011
♥Knightly♥
rated it:
1st off, i have to say the cover is beautiful.
Wishful Thinking went way beyond my expectations. I didn't enjoy the 1st book (Wish), it was cliche and nothing special. But this book brought me to tears for multiple reasons, there was so much to cry about at the end. The ending surprised me as well, personally i love twists and hate those endings that you can guess straight from the beginning.
I'm starting to like the concept of 3 dresses, 3 wishes.
I'm looking forward to the ne More...
Wishful Thinking went way beyond my expectations. I didn't enjoy the 1st book (Wish), it was cliche and nothing special. But this book brought me to tears for multiple reasons, there was so much to cry about at the end. The ending surprised me as well, personally i love twists and hate those endings that you can guess straight from the beginning.
I'm starting to like the concept of 3 dresses, 3 wishes.
I'm looking forward to the ne More...
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Jun 15, 2011
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
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I was really surprised by Wishful Thinking. It had way more depth than I had expected. Admittedly, I knew very little about it before I began reading, but I did know that Bullen has another book called Wish, so I thought maybe she just wrote the same plot over and over. I still don't know about that, but I am impressed enough by this book that I am not super concerned.
Hazel is a likable heroine. She struggles with selfishness and self-doubt, but who doesn't? Despite all the things sh More...
Hazel is a likable heroine. She struggles with selfishness and self-doubt, but who doesn't? Despite all the things sh More...
Feb 27, 2011
Jessica
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Hazel Snow longs to know what it’s like to have a real family. Adopted as a child, she’s never had the pleasure of knowing her real mom. She doesn’t feel like she fits in at school, and she’s not sure what her future holds.
But on her 18th birthday, Hazel is given a copy of her birth certificate, and learns the name of her birth mother: Rosanna Scott. After doing research, she learns that her mother will be hosting a local benefit. Hazel digs out the one nice dress she owns from her c More...
But on her 18th birthday, Hazel is given a copy of her birth certificate, and learns the name of her birth mother: Rosanna Scott. After doing research, she learns that her mother will be hosting a local benefit. Hazel digs out the one nice dress she owns from her c More...
Jan 19, 2011
Alissa
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Aug 04, 2011
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
When Hazel turns 18, her stepfather hands her an envelope. It doesn't contain a birthday card, though, but instead includes the name of her birth mother. More than anything, Hazel wants to belong somewhere. After her adoptive mother died when she was just a baby, she's either been with her stepfather or in foster care.
After doing some research, Hazel realizes that her birth mother lives in the same city. And she's having an More...
When Hazel turns 18, her stepfather hands her an envelope. It doesn't contain a birthday card, though, but instead includes the name of her birth mother. More than anything, Hazel wants to belong somewhere. After her adoptive mother died when she was just a baby, she's either been with her stepfather or in foster care.
After doing some research, Hazel realizes that her birth mother lives in the same city. And she's having an More...
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Jan 16, 2011
Tiffany
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Even though I didn't absolutely love this book I have to give it 5 stars for it's meaning. This was a very touching and heartbreaking story. Hazel has had a hard life and through a magical wish gets to fulfil her biggest wish. In the process she learns a lot about herself and the person she is. I don't want to give anything away but I have to share a quote I loved from the book. Hazel takes photo's with her old polaroid. The photo's she takes are not the average photo's. She takes them of
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Mar 05, 2011
Sara
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I started WISHFUL THINKING with no expectations, except for the hope that it would be a relatively light and quick read, as I wasn't in the mood for something that would require deep thinking or tear my heart to pieces. Thankfully, Bullen's sophomore offering did neither.
Even though I wasn't expecting to not like it, I was still surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It was an exceptionally fast read, but I didn't feel like the story was missing anything and the characters were all well More...
Even though I wasn't expecting to not like it, I was still surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It was an exceptionally fast read, but I didn't feel like the story was missing anything and the characters were all well More...
