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The January Wish

(Tarrin's Bay #1)

Juliet Madison (Goodreads Author)

3.78 · Rating details · 125 ratings · 29 reviews

From Escape's queen of ro-magic comedy comes a sweet, emotional contemporary romance about the pleasures of making a wish and seeing it come true.

When Dr Sylvia Greene makes an impromptu wish at the Tarrin’s Bay Wishing Festival, it's the most out of character action she can think of. Hers is not a life of wishes. Hers is a controlled life of order, plans and preparation… ...more

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ebook, 173 pages

Published January 1st 2014 by Escape Publishing

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Jan 14, 2014 Sally906 rated it liked it

Shelves: australian-author, netgalley-review, romance

THE JANUARY WISH is set in Tarrin's Bay which is a fictional town based on the author’s home town of Kiama. Sylvia is a local GP and neat freak, a place for everything and everything in its place, so it is a surprise to her that she acts on an impulse and joins the throngs to make a wish at the annual wishing festival held in Miracle Park each January. Sylvia makes a wish that she can find out what happened to the daughter she gave up for adoption eighteen years previously when she was sixteen. THE JANUARY WISH is set in Tarrin's Bay which is a fictional town based on the author’s home town of Kiama. Sylvia is a local GP and neat freak, a place for everything and everything in its place, so it is a surprise to her that she acts on an impulse and joins the throngs to make a wish at the annual wishing festival held in Miracle Park each January. Sylvia makes a wish that she can find out what happened to the daughter she gave up for adoption eighteen years previously when she was sixteen. The fact that she has a child has been a deeply kept secret and only her best friend, the child’s father and her parents know the truth. The wish comes true a few days later when her daughter Grace Forrester turns up in the beachside town looking for her birth mother. Something that Sylvia embraces happily. There is another new arrival in town; Mark Bastian is a Naturopath and joins the clinic where Sylvia works to set up an alternative practice. Mark is there to compliment the medical profession but Sylvia thinks it is all rubbish and can do more harm than good. So of course you just know that there is going to be a romance between these two. The romance is really very much in the background, the focus is on Grace who is going through a transitional period after the death of her mother, and Sylvia who has reached a cross roads and feels that she is missing out on something, which is her daughter. Mark is the link between them as he helps Grace with some medical issues and while his relationship grows with Sylvia.

THE JANUARY WISH is a feel good story that is well written and quick to read. It tackles some very heavy issues without being preachy. Sylvia, Mark and Grace all have baggage in their past which need to come out in the open before they can move forward, and they are supported by a wonderful cast of support characters in some great settings – loved the bookshop and the café! There were a few twists and turns in the story before the ending arrives – and I really liked the ending and how everything was wrapped up. THE JANUARY WISH is the first in a series set in Tarrin's Bay so I am sure these three will be back as support characters. The next book in the series is ‘February or Forever’ which has just been published and I have lined up ready to read.

Rating: Above average. Was very readable and I really liked it but was easily able to put it down and walk away for a while
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Jul 21, 2014 Rochelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult-books, aussie-author, ebook

I really enjoyed The January Wish. I have a soft spot for books set in small towns, and Tarrin’s Bay, where this book was set, is a charming small town, and based on a real small town that I’ve been to :)

The book is told from three perspectives – that of Sylvia, her daughter Grace and Sylvia’s infuriatingly charming colleague Mark. I loved that it was told this way as we got to delve deeper into the story than if it was told strictly from Sylvia’s view.

Sylvia is a doctor. Her life is very ordere I really enjoyed The January Wish. I have a soft spot for books set in small towns, and Tarrin’s Bay, where this book was set, is a charming small town, and based on a real small town that I’ve been to :)

The book is told from three perspectives – that of Sylvia, her daughter Grace and Sylvia’s infuriatingly charming colleague Mark. I loved that it was told this way as we got to delve deeper into the story than if it was told strictly from Sylvia’s view.

Sylvia is a doctor. Her life is very ordered and she is always conscious of presenting herself in a professional manner. Sylvia has a secret desire to meet the daughter she gave up when she was sixteen. She makes a wish at the wishing festival, never dreaming it would come true.

But then Grace turn’s up in Tarrin’s Bay looking for Sylvia. Sylvia takes it as a second chance to have her daughter. Grace is a talented and level-headed eighteen year old, but with secrets of her own. She settles into life in Tarrin’s Bay and finds herself attracted to one of the locals. As a reader and lover of YA, I loved seeing through Grace’s eyes.

Mark is new to town. He is a naturopath, a profession Sylvia doesn’t take seriously. His office is in the same building as Sylvia’s and he tries to convince her of the benefits of his work. Mark gets under Sylvia’s skin, and there is an underlying attraction between them, but Mark has baggage that stands in his way of letting go and letting someone else in.

I loved reading about Sylvia and Grace. I loved watching their relationship develop as they got to know one and other. Sylvia grew throughout the story and by the end she was a little less uptight and much more open-minded.

Overall, The January Wish was a light-hearted, feel good romance. It’s a story of love in it’s many forms; Letting go of a past love and moving on, opening your heart up to someone you thought you’d never consider, and the love a mother has for her daughter. It was sweet, romantic and funny, with many surprising plot twists. It was a clean read, which is how I prefer my romances. Juliet is a writer to look out for; I will be eagerly searching out her other books. I highly recommend it to lovers of sweet, smile-inducing romances with real heart. ...more

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Jan 04, 2014 Fiona Marsden rated it really liked it

This is the story of Sylvia Greene, family practitioner in Tarrin's Bay. She doesn't believe in wishing but finds herself making a wish at the annual Wishing Festival in the local Miracle Park. The wish involves the daughter she gave up for adoption 18 years ago but she never expected it to come true.

The arrival in town of Grace Forrester, her daughter, triggers a whole lot of happenings. It also coincides with the arrival of Mark Bastian, a Naturopath and Acupuncturist to join the clinic where ...more

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Jan 06, 2014 Roz ~ My Written Romance rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014-reading-challenge, australian-author, romagical, coastal-romance

I read this in January - only just found my notes for the review. Sorry it took so long, Juliet!

As I stated when I initially read The January Wish, this was just such a joy to read. Coming away from this book, I was left in a really sunny, happy mood.

Firstly, what a perfect little setting for a romance, and for a series as a whole! Tarrin’s Bay has its inspiration drawn from the gorgeous NSW South Coast town of Kiama, a very familiar place to me from childhood. The way in which the town and its ...more

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Sep 04, 2014 Cassandra O'Leary rated it really liked it

A sweet, feel-good romance from the author of Fast Forward, a book I really enjoyed. I liked the emphasis on second chances in this story - in love, pursuing a talent such as music and becoming a parent. The magical theme of the wishing fountain added something different from a run of the mill romance. I'll look forward to reading the next book in the series. ...more

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Jan 15, 2014 Shari rated it really liked it

A small town coastal romance set in Tarrin's Bay, Australia. This book has it all, romance, family drama and small town living. The book has three main characters, Sylvia, Mark and Grace. They are each healing from personal pasts. This book will make you laugh and cry,I did not want to leave Tarrin's Bay. Looking forward to reading the next book February or Forever. ...more

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Apr 16, 2014 Trisha rated it it was amazing

I loved this book. All of the main characters had depth. I like suspense novels, so seeing those elements surprised me. I recommend reading this. For my full review, feel free to check out The Celebrity Cafe. ...more

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Apr 21, 2014 Alli Sinclair rated it it was amazing

The first book in the Tarrins Bay series left me wanting more and I am so glad the author is writing more books. It's a wonderful setting for stories and the characters to come alive on the page. I look forward to more enjoyable reads in this series! ...more

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Jan 07, 2014 Melissa rated it it was amazing

http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2014/0... ...more

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Mar 24, 2018 Heather rated it really liked it

Tales interwoven that just kept going on - enjoyed this despite not being the usual crime/murder/mystery genre I like. An easy read while on holiday.
(Time for the Beach - 3-in-1 Australian Sellers)

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Jan 23, 2014 Sam Still Reading rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: those looking for a lovely character driven story

Recommended to Sam Still Reading by: loved Juliet Madison's ro-magic comedies

I’ve really enjoyed the previous ro-magic novellas by Juliet Madison (I Dream of Johnny and Starstruck in Seattle), so I was super excited to see she had a new novel out this month. What’s even better is that it’s the first in a series, linked by place – Tarrin’s Bay. Tarrin’s Bay is a (sadly, fictional) small town by the ocean – just big enough to have some wonderful cafes and residents who don’t know all of the neighbours’ dirty secrets. It sounds like a wonderful place to holiday and unwind w I’ve really enjoyed the previous ro-magic novellas by Juliet Madison (I Dream of Johnny and Starstruck in Seattle), so I was super excited to see she had a new novel out this month. What’s even better is that it’s the first in a series, linked by place – Tarrin’s Bay. Tarrin’s Bay is a (sadly, fictional) small town by the ocean – just big enough to have some wonderful cafes and residents who don’t know all of the neighbours’ dirty secrets. It sounds like a wonderful place to holiday and unwind with the local markets and festivals.

It’s at one of these festivals where Dr Sylvia Greene makes a wish at the wishing well. Why? Sylvia’s not exactly sure herself. Sylvia’s an exceptionally organised person – she has a strict shopping list and never does anything out of routine. She even co-ordinates schedules with her surgeon boyfriend Richard before they decide on a time to go on a date. Then everything begins to change…Sylvia’s daughter (the result of a teenage pregnancy) arrives in Tarrin’s Bay. A naturopath takes the office next door to her. Suddenly, Sylvia’s world begins to be disordered and spontaneous…and she could just like it!

This is a lovely story, as it revolves around a number of easy to like characters, all with their unique backstory that adds to the narrative. While I’ve mainly mentioned Sylvia above, there’s a lot of time spent following Grace (her daughter) and Mark, the naturopath and herbalist. All the characters interact to form a lovely community feel. (Is Tarrin’s Bay full of such lovely people? I’m sure we’ll get to know about more of them as time moves on). I particularly liked the juxtaposition between Sylvia, a general practitioner with a staunch disbelief in anything not proven by a randomised clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine and Mark. Mark, the son of a pharmacist who completed one year of a pharmacy degree has branched out into natural medicine. His beliefs are in naturopathy and natural medicine. It’s a ginormous leap for Sylvia to even spend a moment with someone so diametrically opposed to her professional beliefs, but Mark is a generous man who accepts that all aspects of medicine will never agree. I didn’t feel the natural medicine aspect was pushed to the exclusion of other forms, which is not an easy thing to accomplish.

While there is romance (multiple!) in this story, I didn’t feel that it was the major plotline. I feel this is a story about people, their lives – good and bad. The storyline of Sylvia and Grace meeting each other, then trying to see how they fit in each other’s lives was well plotted and the ending…well, I had tears in my eyes. It was just perfect – a reader couldn’t wish for a better ending. The loose ends were tied up just the way you want them – this type of Happily Ever After (HEA) should be patented! This is my favourite Juliet Madison novel yet and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a sweet, character driven story.

Fortunately, there is a new Tarrin’s Bay story out next month – February Or Forever. I can’t wait to read this one!

Thank you to Escape Publishing and Net Galley for the eARC.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
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Jan 13, 2014 Ana rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014-releases, chick-lit-womens-fiction, netgalley, part-of-a-series, read-in-2014

Also posted on This Chick Reads

*Copy provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Actual rating 3.5/5

I've always been the one to say a 3* rating is not the end of the world and yet, here I am sad and almost brokenhearted for giving this book such a rating (It's actually 3.5/5 to be more precise). I am a HUGE fan of Juliet Madison and have read all her works (except for the second one in this series 'February or Forever' which I will be reading soon) and I did have high e ...more

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Jan 02, 2014 Angela rated it it was ok

The January Wish is women's fiction, family drama, and romance all rolled into one -- and set in Australia. I loved the plot: Sylvia reunites with the daughter she gave up for adoption 18 years ago. And I enjoyed the subplots: Sylvia breaks up with one guy and falls in love with another; Sylvia's daughter experiences young love; small-town citizens support each other personally and in business.

I didn't like the characters, though. I thought they were a little wishy washy, a little boring, a lit The January Wish is women's fiction, family drama, and romance all rolled into one -- and set in Australia. I loved the plot: Sylvia reunites with the daughter she gave up for adoption 18 years ago. And I enjoyed the subplots: Sylvia breaks up with one guy and falls in love with another; Sylvia's daughter experiences young love; small-town citizens support each other personally and in business.

I didn't like the characters, though. I thought they were a little wishy washy, a little boring, a little unrealistic in their behavior. For example, we hear repeatedly (too many times, really) about Sylvia's reserved and organized life - from her wardrobe to her car to her office - and then she lets loose dancing on the bar at a bachelorette party (hen night). That just doesn't make sense to me. That kind if thing happens more than a few times. Later in the book, two conservative characters decide to play strip Scrabble. It just didn't seem natural based on what the author told us about this couple... So why add it?

The unnatural dialogue hurt my ability to enjoy the book as well.

...
"Yes, she mentioned how she quite enjoys her acupuncture sessions now... But how anyone could enjoy having tiny needles stuck into their skin is beyond me!" Sylvia managed a friendly laugh.
...

Even if someone were to say those exact words, I imagine them said under the breath or out of the side of the mouth, not exclaimed and followed by laughter (and this is spoken by the reserved, boring gal).

The characters and dialogue just weren't up to par and really hindered any enjoyment of the plot. The writing was so verbose and descriptive at times, I was distracted from the plot. (Um, recurring mentions of Mr. Benson -- why? How did this relate to the story?) I started skipping paragraphs just to find something related to the plot or subplots.

All in all, I didn't like the writing, characters or dialogue. Unfortunately, they took away too much from a beautifully thought-out plot.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jan 01, 2014 Ali (Our Book Boyfriends) Flores rated it really liked it

Dr. Sylvia Greene is taking a bold step for herself. She goes to the Tarrin’s Bay Wishing Festival and makes a wish. One she doesn’t share with anyone. Then she soon finds her life flipped upside down. Some of the changes are hard, like her boyfriend walking out on her when he discovers she had a baby as a teen. Sylvia is strong, though, and rises to every challenge! Including the handsome Mark who’s struggling with his own set of issues. Then there’s Sylvia’s daughter Grace Forrester. Grace’s c ...more

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Jan 18, 2014 Alex rated it liked it

Shelves: contemporary, aussie, for-review, net-galley, romance

The Deal: Dr. Sylvia Green is a practical woman, she works hard as a GP in her small costal town, she's dating a surgeon from a near by hospital and is generally happy with her own life. But a flight of fancy took her to the Tarrin's Bay Wishing Festival held every january at the town's park, and made her throw in a coin and make a wish, even though she knows it's silly.

But, when a week later, her all grown up daughter - the daughter she gave up for adoption 18 years before, shows up she realiz ...more

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Jan 19, 2014 Sheree rated it really liked it

Shelves: aussie-author, romance, own, read-in-2014, reviews

3.5 stars

The January Wish is a sweet, easy read but not without substance, likable characters with interesting back stories round out the story.

Sylvia's ordered life takes a leap into new territory when she makes a wish at the Tarrin's Bay Wishing Festival and Grace, the daughter she gave up for adoption re-enters her life. I was surprised by how much I liked Sylvia and her obsessive, controlling personality, she does manage to keep her 'uptight' under tight rein but it was nice to see her rela ...more

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Jan 15, 2014 Maryline M's Bookshelf rated it it was amazing

I very much enjoyed reading The January Wish. The main character, Sylvia, is not someone I would relate to in real life, but that didn't keep me from warming up to her almost instantly. Throughout the novel, hints are dropped about the character's past. Sylvia, Grace, Mark,.. they all seem to have a difficult past they're trying to leave behind and I loved how nothing about it was predictable. Not what they've been through, not how they handled/ handle it, not how the relationships between the c ...more

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Dec 28, 2013 Ceri ( A Book Between) rated it liked it

The January Wish is the story of Sylvia Greene and how, with the help of one little wish, her life is changed forever. Dr Sylvia Greene prides herself on her well organised life, full of science and routine, but all that changes when she makes a wish at the Tarrin's Bay Wishing Festival. Before long she is faced with the daughter she gave up for adoption and a new, very attractive work colleague.
The January Wish starts off slowly but really picks up the pace towards the end of the book where it ...more

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Jan 12, 2014 Book-shelf Shelf rated it really liked it

A story of Syliva, a well respected doctor in Tarrin’s Bay, but who has a secret that comes back to meet her after she makes a wish at the annual festival. This is the first in the Tarrin’s Bay series and a good start, although i loved Fast Forward more (and am still telling people about the Epad!)this is a good second book and start to the series. I will certainly be following the whole lot and cant wait for the next book to see how we meet more people from the area and if the characters from J ...more

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Oct 28, 2014 Kirsty Wenn rated it really liked it

I'd probably rate this book 3.75, but I'm happy to give it 4 stars because I quite enjoyed my visit to Tarrin's Bay. In retrospect, I think that I wanted bit more insight into Sylvia's wish at the beginning of the story. I also found myself thinking that Mark being in Sylvia's friend's wedding was too much of a coincidence and it felt a bit contrived to get Sylvia and Mark together. Aside from those things, I enjoyed the relationship between Sylvia and Grace and the beautiful happy ending the au ...more

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Apr 26, 2015 Terra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2015

This was my first time reading one of Juliet's books. I have been wanting to read one of her books, so was excited to check out the first of this series. This story is kind, loving, and full of happiness. For me, I personally love stories that are full of heart and soul, and avoid sharing all the negative. This story shares about letting go of the past, finding peace with our decisions, and celebrating the future. I definitely recommend this sweet story! ...more

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Aug 17, 2014 Jess rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Firstly, I can't wait to read more in this series. Secondly, what a great book to have been able to read. Meeting a child that you've given away when you were young and actually having a great relationship with that child makes you see the love, devotion and strength people can have. A romance blossoming between two adults and overcoming grief. A great novel leaving me filled with hope, inspiration and wanting to read more ...more

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Feb 05, 2015 Joanne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015-reads, australasia

funny and emotional, a book that you will laugh, and cry at the same time. Maybe not the book that you want to read in a public space, if you are one who got effected by the book easily, like me. I'll definitely look up other works by this author. ...more

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Jan 05, 2014 Eleni Konstantine rated it really liked it

Shelves: australian-author, 2015, australian-setting, aww, e-book, romance, rwaus, sweet-romance, own-a-copy

A lovely read about reunion, loss, guilt and finding oneself. A lot of emotional depth is found in a his first book of the Tarrin's Bay series. Looking forward to to reading the next installment.

4.5 stars ...more

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Jan 19, 2015 Bettina rated it really liked it

First story I've read by this author and I really really enjoyed it. Loved the small town atmosphere and it had a bit of a 'Hart of Dixie' feel about it. Really enjoyed the naturopath vs medical practitioner theme too. Will be reading more books by this author! :) ...more

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Jan 06, 2015 JAX R.V rated it it was amazing

Enjoy reading this book. It has romance, parts that makes you cry and really appreciate the life I'm living with my precious two kids. ...more

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Jan 13, 2016 Brooke rated it liked it

Shelves: ya

This book was exactly what it promised: a sweet, simple, ya romance. Just lovely but not particularly complicated or scintillating.

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Apr 02, 2015 Kristy Cunningham rated it it was amazing

I loved this book. Was a good easy read.

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Aug 09, 2014 Nicole Tucker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Enjoyable lighthearted read

I really enjoyed this book. It was light, warm & enjoyable.
The characters were ordinary people, working through life's challenges. ...more

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Linnea rated it really liked it
Feb 19, 2017

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About Juliet Madison

Juliet Madison

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Juliet Madison is a naturopath-turned-author of fiction and self-help, and a colouring book artist. She likes to combine her love of words, art, and inspiration to create books that entertain and empower readers to love, laugh, and live.
She enjoys putting her characters into extraordinary situations and taking them on a challenging journey to discover their true passion and inner strength, weavin ...more