What do you think?
Rate this book
The Queen of Wishful Thinking
Her mother said if she could imagine doing something in her head, she could do it in real life. But as hard as she wishes for a new life, can Bonnie ever make it happen?
Bonnie Brookland grew up in the vibrant world of antiques, surrounded by the comforting chaos of market stalls, old treasures, and the loyal friends who became her second family. But lately, life has felt anything but colorful. So when she stumbles upon The Pot of Gold, a struggling antique shop in a quiet corner of her British town, something about it tugs at her. It feels like home.
The Pot of Gold is a dream come true for Lewis Harley, who left behind a high-pressure investment banking career after a health scare in his forties. Craving peace and purpose, he's poured everything into the shop. But things haven't gone to plan, and the business is struggling. That is, until Bonnie walks through the door.
However, both are navigating lives that aren't easy to leave behind. And when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, Bonnie and Lew must each decide how much they're willing to risk to rediscover themselves--and whether the life they've always hoped for might still be within reach.
A warm, uplifting novel about second chances, finding light after loss, and the quiet magic of building a life you love.
Bonnie Brookland grew up in the vibrant world of antiques, surrounded by the comforting chaos of market stalls, old treasures, and the loyal friends who became her second family. But lately, life has felt anything but colorful. So when she stumbles upon The Pot of Gold, a struggling antique shop in a quiet corner of her British town, something about it tugs at her. It feels like home.
The Pot of Gold is a dream come true for Lewis Harley, who left behind a high-pressure investment banking career after a health scare in his forties. Craving peace and purpose, he's poured everything into the shop. But things haven't gone to plan, and the business is struggling. That is, until Bonnie walks through the door.
However, both are navigating lives that aren't easy to leave behind. And when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, Bonnie and Lew must each decide how much they're willing to risk to rediscover themselves--and whether the life they've always hoped for might still be within reach.
A warm, uplifting novel about second chances, finding light after loss, and the quiet magic of building a life you love.
432 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2026
9 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Milly Johnson
52 books2,166 followersMilly Johnson was born in Barnsley, raised in Barnsley and still lives in Barnsley. She writes about strong women, often having a renaissance, all ages and has just released her 22nd novel Same Time Next Week. Do check out her website for up to date news and appearance dates.
As well as a novelist she is a professional joke writer, performance poet, newspaper and magazine columnist and also after dinner/motivational speaker.
She is on insta as @themillyjohnson, facebook as @millyjohnsonauthor, Twitter as @millyjohnson and a ridiculous presence on TikTok @millyjohnsonauthor. Do give her a follow - even if it's just out of sympathy!
As well as a novelist she is a professional joke writer, performance poet, newspaper and magazine columnist and also after dinner/motivational speaker.
She is on insta as @themillyjohnson, facebook as @millyjohnsonauthor, Twitter as @millyjohnson and a ridiculous presence on TikTok @millyjohnsonauthor. Do give her a follow - even if it's just out of sympathy!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 4, 2026
The Queen of Wishful Thinking is a warm, gentle read about second chances, emotional endurance, and the quiet courage it takes to imagine a different life.
I loved the antique shop setting and the strong sense of community — it’s cosy, comforting, and very much Milly Johnson’s strength. Bonnie is a sympathetic protagonist, and her journey of slowly reclaiming herself after loss and disappointment is handled with kindness and empathy.
That said, the story unfolds predictably and some conflicts resolve a little too neatly, which kept it from fully resonating with me. This is more of a soothing, feel-good read than a deeply challenging one.
Overall, a comforting novel about rebuilding and hope — perfect if you’re in the mood for something gentle, cosy, and reassuring.
I loved the antique shop setting and the strong sense of community — it’s cosy, comforting, and very much Milly Johnson’s strength. Bonnie is a sympathetic protagonist, and her journey of slowly reclaiming herself after loss and disappointment is handled with kindness and empathy.
That said, the story unfolds predictably and some conflicts resolve a little too neatly, which kept it from fully resonating with me. This is more of a soothing, feel-good read than a deeply challenging one.
Overall, a comforting novel about rebuilding and hope — perfect if you’re in the mood for something gentle, cosy, and reassuring.
Read
December 13, 2025Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'm SO happy that this book is finally being published in the US.
Reading Milly Johnson is fun, heartwarming, romantic, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, and very satisfying. I loved the main and supporting characters, I loved the romance, I loved hating the baddies, I loved the wonderful story, and I totally loved the wonderful HEA.
One of the highlights was definitely the local newspaper typos and apologies; each one made me burst out laughing.
Reading Milly Johnson is fun, heartwarming, romantic, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, and very satisfying. I loved the main and supporting characters, I loved the romance, I loved hating the baddies, I loved the wonderful story, and I totally loved the wonderful HEA.
One of the highlights was definitely the local newspaper typos and apologies; each one made me burst out laughing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There’s a very specific flavor of cozy British chaos that smells like aged mahogany, trauma repression, and lemon drizzle cake, and The Queen of Wishful Thinking is serving it up on mismatched china with a side of deep emotional ache. Bonnie Brookland, my sweet summer candle, is exactly the kind of woman you root for while also texting the group chat “someone get her out of that damn house before I do something illegal.”
Bonnie is stuck in a marriage so bad it feels like a villain origin story, and she works in a shop where the only antique is her will to live. Enter The Pot of Gold, an antique shop that’s more financially cursed than charming, run by Lewis Harley, a man who said “burn it all down” after a heart attack and meant it. He's recovering from capitalism, bless him. The two meet and you immediately know this is a "we are both too tired for nonsense but accidentally fell in love over some vintage cufflinks" situation. It’s delicious.
This book is sneaky. It seems like a cozy romcom about antiques but then suddenly it’s like, oh, surprise. Here’s an emotional hostage situation disguised as a marriage. Here’s generational grief hiding in the drawer under that glass paperweight. There’s humor (the Daily Trumpet typos? ICONIC) and community (the antique dealers with bonkers nicknames? Obsessed), but also some genuinely dark, raw material that hits hard. Bonnie’s story isn't just about starting over. It's about crawling out from under the wreckage of a life you didn’t realize had buried you.
And Lew? Look. I would risk emotional availability for this man. He’s older, gentle, respectful, and has the audacity to listen to Bonnie. He’s also dealing with a marriage that’s been quietly rotting from the inside and doesn’t even smell like hope anymore. Their dynamic is all slow glances and emotional parallel parking. No insta-love. Just a quiet building of trust and shared heartbreak until they both realize maybe, maybe, they deserve more.
The antique shop setting isn’t just window dressing, either. It’s metaphor city. These two aren’t just dusting off old clocks. They’re restoring themselves. It’s all chipped edges, hidden value, and finding the right person to say, “actually, this is worth saving.” If that doesn’t wreck you a little, check your pulse.
Bonnie’s growth is subtle but satisfying. She's not charging into change with a battle cry, she’s whispering her way out of survival mode, and it makes every small win feel huge. And when her secret finally surfaces? Oof. I actually stopped reading, stared at the wall, and muttered “oh, girl” out loud.
If I’m nitpicking (and I always am), the middle third got a little bogged down in Bonnie’s marital quicksand and I wanted more page time with her and Lew making weird eye contact over dusty Victorian umbrellas. But the payoff? Worth it. The final act is emotional demolition and I was here for every tear-streaked, triumphant second.
Four stars and a big, hopeful sigh. The Queen of Wishful Thinking isn’t flashy, but it gets you. It wraps you in a warm blanket, then lights that blanket on fire and tells you it’s time to leave your emotionally manipulative husband. A perfect read for anyone who’s ever wanted to quit their job, change their life, and maybe fall in love with a sad man in corduroy.
Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for early access to this heartfelt re-release.
Bonnie is stuck in a marriage so bad it feels like a villain origin story, and she works in a shop where the only antique is her will to live. Enter The Pot of Gold, an antique shop that’s more financially cursed than charming, run by Lewis Harley, a man who said “burn it all down” after a heart attack and meant it. He's recovering from capitalism, bless him. The two meet and you immediately know this is a "we are both too tired for nonsense but accidentally fell in love over some vintage cufflinks" situation. It’s delicious.
This book is sneaky. It seems like a cozy romcom about antiques but then suddenly it’s like, oh, surprise. Here’s an emotional hostage situation disguised as a marriage. Here’s generational grief hiding in the drawer under that glass paperweight. There’s humor (the Daily Trumpet typos? ICONIC) and community (the antique dealers with bonkers nicknames? Obsessed), but also some genuinely dark, raw material that hits hard. Bonnie’s story isn't just about starting over. It's about crawling out from under the wreckage of a life you didn’t realize had buried you.
And Lew? Look. I would risk emotional availability for this man. He’s older, gentle, respectful, and has the audacity to listen to Bonnie. He’s also dealing with a marriage that’s been quietly rotting from the inside and doesn’t even smell like hope anymore. Their dynamic is all slow glances and emotional parallel parking. No insta-love. Just a quiet building of trust and shared heartbreak until they both realize maybe, maybe, they deserve more.
The antique shop setting isn’t just window dressing, either. It’s metaphor city. These two aren’t just dusting off old clocks. They’re restoring themselves. It’s all chipped edges, hidden value, and finding the right person to say, “actually, this is worth saving.” If that doesn’t wreck you a little, check your pulse.
Bonnie’s growth is subtle but satisfying. She's not charging into change with a battle cry, she’s whispering her way out of survival mode, and it makes every small win feel huge. And when her secret finally surfaces? Oof. I actually stopped reading, stared at the wall, and muttered “oh, girl” out loud.
If I’m nitpicking (and I always am), the middle third got a little bogged down in Bonnie’s marital quicksand and I wanted more page time with her and Lew making weird eye contact over dusty Victorian umbrellas. But the payoff? Worth it. The final act is emotional demolition and I was here for every tear-streaked, triumphant second.
Four stars and a big, hopeful sigh. The Queen of Wishful Thinking isn’t flashy, but it gets you. It wraps you in a warm blanket, then lights that blanket on fire and tells you it’s time to leave your emotionally manipulative husband. A perfect read for anyone who’s ever wanted to quit their job, change their life, and maybe fall in love with a sad man in corduroy.
Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for early access to this heartfelt re-release.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There is something profoundly moving about a story that captures the delicate art of starting over. The Queen of Wishful Thinking is an exquisite exploration of that journey, feeling less like a simple novel and more like a warm invitation into a world of reclaimed treasures and quiet resilience. 🧸🕰️ We are introduced to Bonnie Brookland, a woman whose soul is deeply intertwined with the vibrant, chaotic world of antiques, yet who finds herself standing in a life that has lost its luster. 🥀 Her path crosses with Lewis Harley at his struggling shop, The Pot of Gold. Having abandoned a high-pressure career in investment banking following a health crisis, Lewis represents the weary heart in all of us that yearns for peace and purpose over prestige. ❤️🩹
The connection that blossoms between Bonnie and Lewis is beautifully understated and mature, rooted in a shared understanding of loss and the tentative hope for a second act. 🏹🧡 Watching them navigate the complexities of the struggling business—and their own guarded hearts—is incredibly rewarding. The setting itself acts as a character; I could almost smell the aged wood and wax polish, with the British antique markets rendered in such vivid, charming detail that the atmosphere felt entirely immersive. It is a narrative that honors the "quiet magic" of building a life you truly love, rather than the one you feel obligated to lead. 💭✨
However, the story possesses a compelling depth that balances its warmth, particularly as long-buried secrets begin to surface, challenging the stability they’ve worked so hard to build. 📖 It’s a poignant reminder that while imagining a new life is the first step, the courage to risk everything for it is where the true transformation lies. This novel is a sophisticated, uplifting tribute to second chances and the beauty of finding light after a long season of shadow. It is a truly resonant five-star read for anyone who appreciates a story about the grace found in rediscovering oneself. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The connection that blossoms between Bonnie and Lewis is beautifully understated and mature, rooted in a shared understanding of loss and the tentative hope for a second act. 🏹🧡 Watching them navigate the complexities of the struggling business—and their own guarded hearts—is incredibly rewarding. The setting itself acts as a character; I could almost smell the aged wood and wax polish, with the British antique markets rendered in such vivid, charming detail that the atmosphere felt entirely immersive. It is a narrative that honors the "quiet magic" of building a life you truly love, rather than the one you feel obligated to lead. 💭✨
However, the story possesses a compelling depth that balances its warmth, particularly as long-buried secrets begin to surface, challenging the stability they’ve worked so hard to build. 📖 It’s a poignant reminder that while imagining a new life is the first step, the courage to risk everything for it is where the true transformation lies. This novel is a sophisticated, uplifting tribute to second chances and the beauty of finding light after a long season of shadow. It is a truly resonant five-star read for anyone who appreciates a story about the grace found in rediscovering oneself. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy
I would have liked this book if I was better prepared for it's storyline and overall premise. From the jump this was marketed as a romance, and even the abstract made it feel like it would be a rom-com. However, I would say this falls into a lit fic/women's fic category.
There are many topics, such as domestic violence (on-page), assisted suicide (on-page), miscarriage/abortion (off-page, but heavily discussed) that I feel should have been included in a trigger warning/preface. The marketing, abstract, and cover do not match the inside - this lead me to be blindsided by numerous heavy topics that I was not mentally prepared for.
I loved both of the main characters, Bonnie and Lew, but their romance (?) felt like a strange addition to all the other things happening in this story. I am so, so happy they get a HEA...but it felt so displaced compared to the rest of the plot. Their friendship was very well showcased, but the romance was more "tell don't show".
The writing is lovely, and the atmosphere of the antique shop, found family, and Bonnie's home on Rainbow Road gave so much sunlight to the book.
In juxtaposition, the above mentioned darker elements felt like whiplash as I turned each page. There were also some out-of-date terms, sentiments and verbiage that took me out of the story - it was jarring for the book to have such a strong, incredible FMC, only to also have misogynistic intonations being laced into conversations and characters.
I do feel this story is raw, honest to real life, and does showcase resilience throughout incredibly hard times. I just wish the abstract and marketing had been more honest to what was truly in it's pages.
Thank you so much to BookSparks for an ARC of this book - all thoughts are my own.
There are many topics, such as domestic violence (on-page), assisted suicide (on-page), miscarriage/abortion (off-page, but heavily discussed) that I feel should have been included in a trigger warning/preface. The marketing, abstract, and cover do not match the inside - this lead me to be blindsided by numerous heavy topics that I was not mentally prepared for.
I loved both of the main characters, Bonnie and Lew, but their romance (?) felt like a strange addition to all the other things happening in this story. I am so, so happy they get a HEA...but it felt so displaced compared to the rest of the plot. Their friendship was very well showcased, but the romance was more "tell don't show".
The writing is lovely, and the atmosphere of the antique shop, found family, and Bonnie's home on Rainbow Road gave so much sunlight to the book.
In juxtaposition, the above mentioned darker elements felt like whiplash as I turned each page. There were also some out-of-date terms, sentiments and verbiage that took me out of the story - it was jarring for the book to have such a strong, incredible FMC, only to also have misogynistic intonations being laced into conversations and characters.
I do feel this story is raw, honest to real life, and does showcase resilience throughout incredibly hard times. I just wish the abstract and marketing had been more honest to what was truly in it's pages.
Thank you so much to BookSparks for an ARC of this book - all thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advance copy of The Queen of Wishful Thinking via NetGalley from Harper Muse in exchange for my honest review.
This story was a wonderful blend of emotion, humor, found family, and romance. It touches on deeper, sometimes sad themes, but balances them beautifully with warmth, hope, and genuinely endearing moments.
I found myself rooting for Bonnie from the very beginning. Watching her slowly find her footing, build friendships, and begin to believe in herself was incredibly satisfying. The supporting cast was also a highlight, and even the antagonistic characters were well written.
The world of antiques brought such a cozy, nostalgic charm to the book. Stepping into that setting, meeting the various dealers, and getting to know their personalities gave the story a comforting, almost sentimental feel that I really loved.
The romance between Bonnie and Lewis was thoughtfully paced and well done. It allowed space for Bonnie’s personal growth, making the relationship feel earned rather than rushed. Seeing her blossom on her own made the romantic arc even more rewarding.
Overall, The Queen of Wishful Thinking is a heartfelt, hopeful story about starting over, finding connection, and discovering your own strength. A cozy and emotional read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This story was a wonderful blend of emotion, humor, found family, and romance. It touches on deeper, sometimes sad themes, but balances them beautifully with warmth, hope, and genuinely endearing moments.
I found myself rooting for Bonnie from the very beginning. Watching her slowly find her footing, build friendships, and begin to believe in herself was incredibly satisfying. The supporting cast was also a highlight, and even the antagonistic characters were well written.
The world of antiques brought such a cozy, nostalgic charm to the book. Stepping into that setting, meeting the various dealers, and getting to know their personalities gave the story a comforting, almost sentimental feel that I really loved.
The romance between Bonnie and Lewis was thoughtfully paced and well done. It allowed space for Bonnie’s personal growth, making the relationship feel earned rather than rushed. Seeing her blossom on her own made the romantic arc even more rewarding.
Overall, The Queen of Wishful Thinking is a heartfelt, hopeful story about starting over, finding connection, and discovering your own strength. A cozy and emotional read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
December 22, 2025
This story has a theme about enjoying the simple pleasures in life and reaching for your dreams. The main characters are very sweet but are both in terrible marriages to other people. As the story opens Lewis has quit his high stress job as an investment banker in the city to open an antique store in his small town. Bonnie comes to apply for a job after being let go from another antique store (her boss was awful). She starts to work for Lewis and together they build his business, leasing space to many quirky and fun characters. Bonnie wants to leave her horrible husband, but he is emotionally blackmailing her and so it’s a challenge. Lewis is trying to keep his marriage together but it’s not going well and he longs for children (and a dog:) The story has humor and a sweet romance but it’s not all light and cheery. It has some heartbreaking, darker parts, but I was moved by the story and was wishing I could see more of Bonnie and Lew at the end. 4 ½ stars. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to the author, Harper Muse and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a delightful book about second chances and following your dreams.
Both Bonnie and Lew were very likeable characters; Bonnie having been brought up in the Antiques trade and fired from her unscrupulous boss, finds a job at the newest Antiques shop in town run by Lew, who wanted a slower pace of life, after nearly dying as a result of his high-flying previous career.
I also really enjoyed all the traders that we meet, and how they are a family unit, and a force to be reckoned with. We see this especially towards the end of the book, where hilarity ensues.
Bonnie has been keeping a secret for many years, and we see how her estranged husband Stephen has been manipulating her for much longer. Throughout the course of the book, we see this secret unravel, and the lengths Stephen has gone to in order to maintain control over her. However, it was an important and quite emotive topic to cover, and I really enjoyed how it played out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 3, 2026
Bonnie Brookland has always felt most at home among antiques and market stalls, but her once-colorful world has dulled. When she discovers The Pot of Gold, a struggling antique shop tucked away in a quiet British town, she’s drawn to it instantly and to its owner, Lewis Harley. Lew has left behind a high-pressure career after a health scare, hoping the shop would bring him peace and purpose. Instead, he’s facing failure until Bonnie walks through the door and changes everything.
What follows is a tender, slow-burn connection between two people standing at crossroads in their lives. I loved the cosy setting, which had a great sense of community. Bonnie and Lew are both flawed, believable characters, and their journey toward rediscovering themselves feels earned rather than rushed. The story did take me some time to settle into, and some of the revelations I anticipated. Overall, a great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What follows is a tender, slow-burn connection between two people standing at crossroads in their lives. I loved the cosy setting, which had a great sense of community. Bonnie and Lew are both flawed, believable characters, and their journey toward rediscovering themselves feels earned rather than rushed. The story did take me some time to settle into, and some of the revelations I anticipated. Overall, a great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 11, 2026
This book really surprised me— based on the blurb and the cover, I went in expecting more of a romcom, maybe with some Beauty and the Beast vibes, and this was decidedly not that. However, I still loved it! Bonnie and Lew were so believably human characters— both so sweet and lovable, yet realistically and relatably stuck in lives that weren’t what they expected (or deserved). Bonnie’s story had me on the edge of my seat, agonizing for her to be okay by the end; Lew’s story had me angry on his behalf at every turn. Both deal with real, raw issues and are handled with insightful deftness and storytelling satisfaction. I also loved the entire crew of the antiques dealers— if only we all could have such a community in our corners! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
February 4, 2026
Loved it! My first book by Milly Johnson and I'm already a fan! What a wonderful, warm person she must be to have written this utterly charming tale. Despite the dark themes, the story is more healing than painful because the emphasis is on love, resilience, and second chances. The story is well-written and has colorful characters, leads you can't help rooting for, relatable issues, a community you'd wish to be part of, and loads of warmth and wisdom. And as with all cozy books, the ending is deeply satisfying. What a delightful book! Definitely recommend.
I thank Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thank Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a really cute book! I loved it! Loved the antiques part of it as well.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2026
While a little bit of a soap opera, it will have you rooting for the heroine and smiling by the end.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews