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Sunset Beach #3
The Wishing Tree
Savvy, determined Ivy Marshall discovers that her husband has cheated on her on the very same day her sister's perfect boyfriend proposes on national television. When Ivy's mother asks her to return to her family's beach home to plan her sister's upcoming wedding, she decides to use the excuse to escape from the pain of her broken heart.
When her return to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, brings Ivy face to face with her former fiance, old feelings are rekindled and she wonders if there is a future for them. However, when Ivy refuses to talk to her husband, he resorts to tweeting to her, expressing his remorse and making it clear he doesn't want to give up on their marriage. As she helps prepare the wishing tree for her sister's wedding, she must examine her dreams for her own future and what true love should be.
'A lovely journey of discovery and forgiveness.' ---Sheila Roberts, best-selling author of What She Wants
'Marybeth Whalen writes with a light hand, skillfully blending issues of faith and the realities of modern life into a compelling and believable read.' ---Marie Bostwick, New York Times best-selling author of Between Heaven and Texas
When her return to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, brings Ivy face to face with her former fiance, old feelings are rekindled and she wonders if there is a future for them. However, when Ivy refuses to talk to her husband, he resorts to tweeting to her, expressing his remorse and making it clear he doesn't want to give up on their marriage. As she helps prepare the wishing tree for her sister's wedding, she must examine her dreams for her own future and what true love should be.
'A lovely journey of discovery and forgiveness.' ---Sheila Roberts, best-selling author of What She Wants
'Marybeth Whalen writes with a light hand, skillfully blending issues of faith and the realities of modern life into a compelling and believable read.' ---Marie Bostwick, New York Times best-selling author of Between Heaven and Texas
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2013
56 people are currently reading
1153 people want to read
About the author
Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
20 books1,063 followersMarybeth Mayhew Whalen is the author of When We Were Worthy, The Things We Wish Were True and five previous novels. She speaks to women's groups around the US. She is the co-founder of the popular women's fiction site, She Reads www.shereads.org. Marybeth and her husband Curt have been married for 26 years and are the parents of six children. The family lives in North Carolina. Marybeth spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes long enough to scribble some words. She is always at work on her next novel. You can find her at www.marybethwhalen.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
October 10, 2019
Ivy finds out that her husband is cheating on her.
What would you do?
She has a chance to go to her hometown where her sisters preparing to get ready for her wedding.
Through this, Ivy discovers what true love is all about.
She bumps into an old flame, but meanwhile her husband is wanting to come back and be forgiven.
I know what I “think” I would do, but what does Ivy do?
What would you do?
She has a chance to go to her hometown where her sisters preparing to get ready for her wedding.
Through this, Ivy discovers what true love is all about.
She bumps into an old flame, but meanwhile her husband is wanting to come back and be forgiven.
I know what I “think” I would do, but what does Ivy do?
April 24, 2019
Two and a half stars
On the same day that Ivy Marshall learns what she has suspected for a while, that her husband Elliott is cheating on her, her younger sister’s boyfriend proposes to her on national television. Shea is destined it seems to have the prefect wedding that Ivy, because of her actions, never had. What’s more it is all going to be televised too. When Ivy’s mother asks her to help her plan Shea’s soon to be televised wedding, Ivy uses it as an excuse to run from Elliott. She returns back to her family and to Sunset beach. It brings her face to face with her past and all that could have been hers if she had gone ahead with her wedding with Michael, instead of running off to Elliott. Scenes from the past come back to haunt Ivy making her wonder whether she made the right decision five years earlier. Is she prepared to forgive?
I started off feeling sympathetic towards Ivy but the longer it went on the more annoyed I became with Ivy. This was largely to do with her attitude which I found selfish in the way she didn’t seem to car as much about the feelings of others and hurting them. It was another of those stories where so many issues could have been sorted out earlier, if only family members and partners had talked to each other instead of just making assumptions about what others were thinking and feeling and how they would respond. All of this meant it ended up a pleasant enough read but not particularly memorable. It probably didn’t help either than I had recently finished a book that I adored, so timing of this read for me could have been part of the problem. How you react to this book will, I suspect, depend on how much you relate to Ivy and empathise with her. I did like the idea of the wishing tree which plays a pivotal part in the story.
On the same day that Ivy Marshall learns what she has suspected for a while, that her husband Elliott is cheating on her, her younger sister’s boyfriend proposes to her on national television. Shea is destined it seems to have the prefect wedding that Ivy, because of her actions, never had. What’s more it is all going to be televised too. When Ivy’s mother asks her to help her plan Shea’s soon to be televised wedding, Ivy uses it as an excuse to run from Elliott. She returns back to her family and to Sunset beach. It brings her face to face with her past and all that could have been hers if she had gone ahead with her wedding with Michael, instead of running off to Elliott. Scenes from the past come back to haunt Ivy making her wonder whether she made the right decision five years earlier. Is she prepared to forgive?
I started off feeling sympathetic towards Ivy but the longer it went on the more annoyed I became with Ivy. This was largely to do with her attitude which I found selfish in the way she didn’t seem to car as much about the feelings of others and hurting them. It was another of those stories where so many issues could have been sorted out earlier, if only family members and partners had talked to each other instead of just making assumptions about what others were thinking and feeling and how they would respond. All of this meant it ended up a pleasant enough read but not particularly memorable. It probably didn’t help either than I had recently finished a book that I adored, so timing of this read for me could have been part of the problem. How you react to this book will, I suspect, depend on how much you relate to Ivy and empathise with her. I did like the idea of the wishing tree which plays a pivotal part in the story.
April 22, 2025
Whalen’s latest novel is an ultimately satisfying read, but enduring the process with Ivy, the main character, is quite tedious. Her actions ring as quite hypocritical and make for a very frustrating journey through the tale. The author reveals the backstory too slowly to allow any sympathy for Ivy and her choices.
Ivy Marshall has long felt shunned by her family for choosing to marry Elliott rather than her hometown fiancé. Ivy learns that her sister is getting married, and she also discovers that Elliott has cheated on her. She escapes back home, ostensibly to help her sister prepare for her wedding, but mostly to try to heal her wounds — and possibly to reconnect with her former fiancé. When Elliott begins to tweet his apologies to Ivy, is she willing to mend things or does she just want to move on?
Ivy Marshall has long felt shunned by her family for choosing to marry Elliott rather than her hometown fiancé. Ivy learns that her sister is getting married, and she also discovers that Elliott has cheated on her. She escapes back home, ostensibly to help her sister prepare for her wedding, but mostly to try to heal her wounds — and possibly to reconnect with her former fiancé. When Elliott begins to tweet his apologies to Ivy, is she willing to mend things or does she just want to move on?
June 17, 2021
Skimmed/reread 6/16/2021 still 2 stars, not impressed
June 7, 2013
Jaime Boler: Thank you, Marybeth, for letting me ask you these questions. Your fourth novel struck such a chord with me—it’s incredibly moving, tender, and sweet. Did you always want to be a novelist?
Marybeth Whalen: Thank you! Yes, I have wanted to write novels for as long as I can remember. But the thought of putting myself out there, and possibly failing, terrified me. Of course, now I'm so glad I finally did!
JB: How would you describe The Wishing Tree in ten words or less?
MW: A story about wishes we make and power of forgiveness.
JB: What inspired you to write this story?
MW: In researching the history of guest books for my last novel (The Guest Book), I stumbled across information about the tradition of putting up a wishing tree at a wedding. I was intrigued and decided that would make a great element to wrap a story around next.
JB: I confess that, prior to reading The Wishing Tree, I had no idea what a wishing tree was. Can you explain what it is? Is it a regional practice? Is the wishing tree a tradition in your own family?
MW: It's actually a Dutch tradition that I'd never heard of either before my research. But I loved the idea of starting off a life together with all these wishes from those you love. And then I thought how all marriages begin with wishes-- and then those wishes change over time. And what a picture that is of marriage. I had the theme and element I knew would make for a great story.
JB: In The Wishing Tree, Elliott gets to know his wife, Ivy, all over again through social media sites like Pinterest, Goodreads, and Twitter. While reading that, I thought to myself: “How modern and how cute!” You have a presence on all these sites. Is this your love letter to social media?
MW: It's my acknowledgement of how these sites have invaded our lives, for better or worse. They're a part of our culture and I felt they should be included. I originally had the idea of a husband who apologized to his wife via Twitter because she wouldn't talk to him and he was desperate to get to her. I put myself in that situation and knew that-- if it were me-- just knowing he was talking about me would compel me to peek, no matter how stalwart I was about my anger. That tension between wanting to know what he's saying and wanting to keep her distance, creates a dilemma for Ivy in the book. Of course, it's not her only one!
JB: Have you ever gotten to reconnect with someone through social media?
MW: Facebook has put me in touch with many people from my past. It's been so fun! I was actually able to hear from the girl who took me to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, the first time. Without her I'd never know about this special place where 3 of my books are set. So it was so wonderful to be able to thank her.
JB: Ivy’s mother, Margot, says to her: “I didn’t even consider that something that was over could have a new life.” How does the wishing tree reflect Ivy and Elliott’s marriage?
MW: The wishing tree is a symbol of their marriage. Where do we hang our wishes? Is it right to hang our wishes on another human being? Can they withstand the weight of those wishes? And what happens if they can't? The story that ensues is an examination of that.
JB: You choose not to show the reader the conversation between Ivy and Elliott near the end of the book, the talk in which they got back together. Why not feature it within the narrative?
MW: That conversation was so raw and personal and intimate I felt it was almost like a sex scene. Better to say it was happening, then leave the details up to the imagination. To try to hash it out line by line somehow cheapened the scene.
JB: How different were earlier versions of The Wishing Tree compared to the final version?
MW: Pretty similar except there were some character issues-- motives, history, resolution-- that had to be resolved.
JB: What was the most difficult thing about writing this novel? And did you learn anything new about yourself in the midst of writing and editing?
MW: Dealing with Ivy's motives in pursuing Michael. It made me uncomfortable and I knew it would my reader as well. Also determining how the book should end. I didn't know for most of the book what would happen. In some ways that was fun and in some ways unnerving!
JB: What are some of your favorite books and who are some of your favorite authors?
MW: Elizabeth Berg is probably my all-time favorite. I read all her work. She has a knack for noticing the little things that are actually poignant and preserving them in prose.
JB: You are a wife, mother of six children, novelist, and the director of She Reads, an online book club focusing on the best in women’s fiction. You are Superwoman! How do you do it all?
Marybeth Whalen
MW: I do the best I can every day, working my priorities, which vary according to the day. I try to be flexible and forgive myself when I fail, which is a lot. Somehow it all gets done.
JB: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
MW: Read. Hang out with my family. Watch movies or true crime shows. Now that it's summer, we spend a lot of the time at the pool.
JB: What do you hope readers take with them after reading The Wishing Tree?
MW: The power of forgiveness-- forgiving others, forgiving yourself.
JB: What’s next for you? Are you working on anything new?
MW: I just finished my fifth novel which, Lord willing, will be out this time next summer. It's another Sunset Beach story with a symbolic element bringing two people together a la The Mailbox, The Guest Book, and The Wishing Tree!
JB: Thanks, Marybeth, for a wonderful interview! Good luck with the book.
Marybeth Whalen: Thank you! Yes, I have wanted to write novels for as long as I can remember. But the thought of putting myself out there, and possibly failing, terrified me. Of course, now I'm so glad I finally did!
JB: How would you describe The Wishing Tree in ten words or less?
MW: A story about wishes we make and power of forgiveness.
JB: What inspired you to write this story?
MW: In researching the history of guest books for my last novel (The Guest Book), I stumbled across information about the tradition of putting up a wishing tree at a wedding. I was intrigued and decided that would make a great element to wrap a story around next.
JB: I confess that, prior to reading The Wishing Tree, I had no idea what a wishing tree was. Can you explain what it is? Is it a regional practice? Is the wishing tree a tradition in your own family?
MW: It's actually a Dutch tradition that I'd never heard of either before my research. But I loved the idea of starting off a life together with all these wishes from those you love. And then I thought how all marriages begin with wishes-- and then those wishes change over time. And what a picture that is of marriage. I had the theme and element I knew would make for a great story.
JB: In The Wishing Tree, Elliott gets to know his wife, Ivy, all over again through social media sites like Pinterest, Goodreads, and Twitter. While reading that, I thought to myself: “How modern and how cute!” You have a presence on all these sites. Is this your love letter to social media?
MW: It's my acknowledgement of how these sites have invaded our lives, for better or worse. They're a part of our culture and I felt they should be included. I originally had the idea of a husband who apologized to his wife via Twitter because she wouldn't talk to him and he was desperate to get to her. I put myself in that situation and knew that-- if it were me-- just knowing he was talking about me would compel me to peek, no matter how stalwart I was about my anger. That tension between wanting to know what he's saying and wanting to keep her distance, creates a dilemma for Ivy in the book. Of course, it's not her only one!
JB: Have you ever gotten to reconnect with someone through social media?
MW: Facebook has put me in touch with many people from my past. It's been so fun! I was actually able to hear from the girl who took me to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, the first time. Without her I'd never know about this special place where 3 of my books are set. So it was so wonderful to be able to thank her.
JB: Ivy’s mother, Margot, says to her: “I didn’t even consider that something that was over could have a new life.” How does the wishing tree reflect Ivy and Elliott’s marriage?
MW: The wishing tree is a symbol of their marriage. Where do we hang our wishes? Is it right to hang our wishes on another human being? Can they withstand the weight of those wishes? And what happens if they can't? The story that ensues is an examination of that.
JB: You choose not to show the reader the conversation between Ivy and Elliott near the end of the book, the talk in which they got back together. Why not feature it within the narrative?
MW: That conversation was so raw and personal and intimate I felt it was almost like a sex scene. Better to say it was happening, then leave the details up to the imagination. To try to hash it out line by line somehow cheapened the scene.
JB: How different were earlier versions of The Wishing Tree compared to the final version?
MW: Pretty similar except there were some character issues-- motives, history, resolution-- that had to be resolved.
JB: What was the most difficult thing about writing this novel? And did you learn anything new about yourself in the midst of writing and editing?
MW: Dealing with Ivy's motives in pursuing Michael. It made me uncomfortable and I knew it would my reader as well. Also determining how the book should end. I didn't know for most of the book what would happen. In some ways that was fun and in some ways unnerving!
JB: What are some of your favorite books and who are some of your favorite authors?
MW: Elizabeth Berg is probably my all-time favorite. I read all her work. She has a knack for noticing the little things that are actually poignant and preserving them in prose.
JB: You are a wife, mother of six children, novelist, and the director of She Reads, an online book club focusing on the best in women’s fiction. You are Superwoman! How do you do it all?
Marybeth Whalen
MW: I do the best I can every day, working my priorities, which vary according to the day. I try to be flexible and forgive myself when I fail, which is a lot. Somehow it all gets done.
JB: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
MW: Read. Hang out with my family. Watch movies or true crime shows. Now that it's summer, we spend a lot of the time at the pool.
JB: What do you hope readers take with them after reading The Wishing Tree?
MW: The power of forgiveness-- forgiving others, forgiving yourself.
JB: What’s next for you? Are you working on anything new?
MW: I just finished my fifth novel which, Lord willing, will be out this time next summer. It's another Sunset Beach story with a symbolic element bringing two people together a la The Mailbox, The Guest Book, and The Wishing Tree!
JB: Thanks, Marybeth, for a wonderful interview! Good luck with the book.
May 20, 2017
Ivy Marshall's sister just got engaged on national television and their mom wants Ivy to go to Sunset Beach to help out with the wedding. Ivy is hesitant to go because she has a strained relationship with her family except for her father. Her parents are divorced and she has been working for her father until recently. Five years ago Ivy dumped her longtime boyfriend Michael after meeting and falling in love with Elliott Marshall. She and Elliott got married and her family has never really accepted Elliott into the fold. But now Ivy's mom is wanting her to come help out with her sister Shea's wedding. At first she said no but a suspicion that Ivy has had that Elliott is cheating on her is proven to be true. She decides that spending time with her family is better than being around Elliott, who says he was only with someone else once and wants Ivy to forgive him. Ivy doesn't tell her family about Elliott's affair and has quite a time between avoiding his phone calls and the tension with her sister. Shea's fiance' is cousins with Michael so Shea is bitter about the way Ivy left Michael. Michael is the best man and Ivy is matron of honor so they do see each other. Ivy is in turmoil because of the reception by her sister, her fiance' and Michael as well as trying to decide what to do about Elliott. Her only friend April is encouraging Ivy to listen to Elliott and see how sorry he is for his mistake. She is confused about the breakup with Michael thinking that she made a mistake five years ago. On top of that her mom is acting strangely and is gone a lot. Ivy is at a real crossroads in her life. Her husband has cheated and her job is over. She has to face unresolved issues from before as well as current issues. This is a very good book about forgiveness, both accepting and giving forgiveness. It is also about communication and talking things out instead of projecting what we feel that others are thinking and feeling. All of these things are important for healing and moving on pass our mistakes. The wishing tree aspect in the book is a good idea of hanging wishes from wedding guests on the tree to be displayed at the wedding reception. The wishes range from advice to scripture quotes. A great book.
March 16, 2013
Ivy Marshall's life is unraveling. On the day her sister accepts a proposal on national TV is the same day Ivy finds out her husband cheated on her and loses her job. Disappointed in how her life has turned out, Ivy escapes to the past, where she was a girl in love who had hopes and dreams. When her sister asks her to create the wishing tree, a family wedding tradition, Ivy must come to terms with the boy she left behind (who is still in town and clearly not over Ivy) and the husband who is determined to win her back via Twitter.
I enjoy Mary Beth Whalen's books because while the plot moves slowly, the characters are vivid and perfectly flawed. Ivy reacts to her husband's one-time affair with raw emotion and anger. I enjoyed seeing her deal with her pain from the present and the past and grow as a character.
My favorite character may have been the guy from Ivy's past, the one she broke up with to marry her husband. In fact, Ivy annoyed me when she flirted with him because he still had feelings for her and deserved better than a confused ex-girlfriend.
Cheating is a hot topic, and people debate back and forth whether a person should take back a cheating spouse. Whalen may take some heat for how the book ends, but I think the ending was a solid and satisfied conclusion.
Fans of Christian fiction, especially those who enjoy real-life circumstances with a glimmer of hope, will love this book.
I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.
I enjoy Mary Beth Whalen's books because while the plot moves slowly, the characters are vivid and perfectly flawed. Ivy reacts to her husband's one-time affair with raw emotion and anger. I enjoyed seeing her deal with her pain from the present and the past and grow as a character.
My favorite character may have been the guy from Ivy's past, the one she broke up with to marry her husband. In fact, Ivy annoyed me when she flirted with him because he still had feelings for her and deserved better than a confused ex-girlfriend.
Cheating is a hot topic, and people debate back and forth whether a person should take back a cheating spouse. Whalen may take some heat for how the book ends, but I think the ending was a solid and satisfied conclusion.
Fans of Christian fiction, especially those who enjoy real-life circumstances with a glimmer of hope, will love this book.
I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.
July 6, 2013
My Thoughts
This story has a lot going for it. It’s about love - lost love and found love, old love and new. It’s about family, misunderstandings, forgiveness and faith. The author did a great job of pulling this all together into a very lovely tale.
A nice, uplifting and spiritual story. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Whalen and I definitely intend on checking out some of her other books.
Thanks to HCCP/Zondervan, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Publish date: June 4, 2013.
This story has a lot going for it. It’s about love - lost love and found love, old love and new. It’s about family, misunderstandings, forgiveness and faith. The author did a great job of pulling this all together into a very lovely tale.
A nice, uplifting and spiritual story. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Whalen and I definitely intend on checking out some of her other books.
Thanks to HCCP/Zondervan, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Publish date: June 4, 2013.
April 21, 2025
Very fluffy story. I found Ivy to be such a selfish young woman. What she tried with Michael really frustrated me…leave the poor guy alone…you picked someone else over him so why would he ever trust you again. I truly questioned if she even knew what love is.
July 9, 2013
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Full Blog Review
Novels seeped in an emotional fallback put in play a lot of unresolved fallout and is prone to open new wounds. Even inside a synopsis that I, as a reader cannot relate to, The Wishing Tree is – mostly, a "good" novel full of second chances and forgiveness. I liked Marybeth’s ability to write a heart-tugging story and the setting of the book. Descriptive surroundings backdrop the characters, lending a pretty haven as their home, which in turn opens the door to some great pose writing during walks along the beach. Stories that involve a cheating spouse like Ivy Marshall discovers of her husband (just when she leaves for her sister’s wedding, no less) needs to be carefully written. Particularly those on the Christian market. For myself as a single girl, I have definite opinions on the “right” and “wrong” of an affair – opinions that go beyond even an affair since I don’t buy into all the clichés that men generally fall into, and in no way find it “okay” even if it was one night and not a long standing relationship. Whalen certainly took care with the subject by choosing the former to be the sin of Ivy’s husband. But, should even that transgression be considered lightly?
Cons: Once the novel draws to a close and it’s transparently obvious who is giving whom a second chance, sticking with Ivy’s point-of-view seemed the logical choice yet still I regretted the lack of a boy-girl POV switch-off. It was a missed opportunity, especially since the middle of the novel lagged in interest which I ascribe to a one-person perspective. A reader can only find interest in a characters “lies” and regret of doing so or their conscious being troubled for so long (thoughts that turn repetitive) before something has got to give. In this case, it’s at the expense of the main protagonist – instead of being someone we can applaud, she morphs into the victim who uses her husband as the “excuse” for her attitude instead of her being more proactive.
Whalen also played a dangerous game with Ivy trying to spark up a relationship with an ex-fiancé again. His actions deserved praise, hers were often just on the edge of going “too far” - or these was always a question mark at the end of her conversation with him, and that is not a feeling I personally want to have of a heroine.
Conclusion: By the time I turned the last page of this novel, my mind had run the gauntlet of emotions on this one; I felt like I had a love/hate relationship with it. Starting out, I really liked it. The story was easy to read and I accepted Ivy’s reactions and attitude early on. When her lies, flirting and unnecessary “confusion” factored into chapter after chapter, I began to feel less care for what would eventually happen. Feeling empty at the end of a book is not something any reader wishes for.
Sincere thanks to Booksneeze for a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it.
© Copyright 2011-2013 Dreaming Under the Same Moon / Scribbles, Scripts and Such
Full Blog Review
Novels seeped in an emotional fallback put in play a lot of unresolved fallout and is prone to open new wounds. Even inside a synopsis that I, as a reader cannot relate to, The Wishing Tree is – mostly, a "good" novel full of second chances and forgiveness. I liked Marybeth’s ability to write a heart-tugging story and the setting of the book. Descriptive surroundings backdrop the characters, lending a pretty haven as their home, which in turn opens the door to some great pose writing during walks along the beach. Stories that involve a cheating spouse like Ivy Marshall discovers of her husband (just when she leaves for her sister’s wedding, no less) needs to be carefully written. Particularly those on the Christian market. For myself as a single girl, I have definite opinions on the “right” and “wrong” of an affair – opinions that go beyond even an affair since I don’t buy into all the clichés that men generally fall into, and in no way find it “okay” even if it was one night and not a long standing relationship. Whalen certainly took care with the subject by choosing the former to be the sin of Ivy’s husband. But, should even that transgression be considered lightly?
Cons: Once the novel draws to a close and it’s transparently obvious who is giving whom a second chance, sticking with Ivy’s point-of-view seemed the logical choice yet still I regretted the lack of a boy-girl POV switch-off. It was a missed opportunity, especially since the middle of the novel lagged in interest which I ascribe to a one-person perspective. A reader can only find interest in a characters “lies” and regret of doing so or their conscious being troubled for so long (thoughts that turn repetitive) before something has got to give. In this case, it’s at the expense of the main protagonist – instead of being someone we can applaud, she morphs into the victim who uses her husband as the “excuse” for her attitude instead of her being more proactive.
Whalen also played a dangerous game with Ivy trying to spark up a relationship with an ex-fiancé again. His actions deserved praise, hers were often just on the edge of going “too far” - or these was always a question mark at the end of her conversation with him, and that is not a feeling I personally want to have of a heroine.
Conclusion: By the time I turned the last page of this novel, my mind had run the gauntlet of emotions on this one; I felt like I had a love/hate relationship with it. Starting out, I really liked it. The story was easy to read and I accepted Ivy’s reactions and attitude early on. When her lies, flirting and unnecessary “confusion” factored into chapter after chapter, I began to feel less care for what would eventually happen. Feeling empty at the end of a book is not something any reader wishes for.
Sincere thanks to Booksneeze for a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it.
© Copyright 2011-2013 Dreaming Under the Same Moon / Scribbles, Scripts and Such
July 10, 2013
MY THOUGHTS:
If ever a girl had a day when Murphy's Law kicked in, Ivy Marshall had it the day her father tells her he's closing the real estate office she's been managing, she learns her husband has cheated on her, and her sister's boyfriend promises his undying love to Ivy's sister on national TV.
If all of this is not enough, Ivy's mother calls request Ivy's help in planning her sister's wedding. Ivy isn't quite up to being a wedding planner, especially with her current marital status hanging in the balance and not to mention the history behind her own wedding.
Yet a trip to her hometown is the perfect way to escape the detritus of a failing marriage. After all, things hadn't been going well for some time with her husband, Elliott, and learning that he's been cheating certainly seals the deal on their relationship.
After arriving in her hometown, Ivy doesn't plan on running into her former fiance, nor does she expect the warm and fuzzy feelings she has for him. Also unexpected is Elliott's sudden fascination with Twitter and announcing his apologies to Ivy to the world!
What's a girl to do? Not much except patiently attempt to figure out who loves who and what her relationship is with the two men in her life.
To find out what the wishing tree is, you'll have to read the book. I feel it might just give too much away.
Marybeth Whalen is a highly successful author, who writes well and masterfully develops believable characters. But I became somewhat irritated with Ivy as the book progressed because of her lack of empathy for those around her and especially for the man she married who is honestly trying to right a wrong.
OK, Elliott has cheated on her. We all make mistakes, and yes, this is a horrendous mistake on his part. However, the farther I got into the book I could almost see why this all happened. Elliott's efforts, via Twitter no less by a man who is not a social media guru, were incredibly supported by women and men of all ages. And yet Ivy won't give him a second chance.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you like a good romance, you'll love The Wishing Tree. For those looking for good Christian fiction, this is the book for you. For fans of Marybeth Whelan, she has done it again!
DISCLOSURE:
I received a free copy of The Wishing Tree from Zondervan via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
If ever a girl had a day when Murphy's Law kicked in, Ivy Marshall had it the day her father tells her he's closing the real estate office she's been managing, she learns her husband has cheated on her, and her sister's boyfriend promises his undying love to Ivy's sister on national TV.
If all of this is not enough, Ivy's mother calls request Ivy's help in planning her sister's wedding. Ivy isn't quite up to being a wedding planner, especially with her current marital status hanging in the balance and not to mention the history behind her own wedding.
Yet a trip to her hometown is the perfect way to escape the detritus of a failing marriage. After all, things hadn't been going well for some time with her husband, Elliott, and learning that he's been cheating certainly seals the deal on their relationship.
After arriving in her hometown, Ivy doesn't plan on running into her former fiance, nor does she expect the warm and fuzzy feelings she has for him. Also unexpected is Elliott's sudden fascination with Twitter and announcing his apologies to Ivy to the world!
What's a girl to do? Not much except patiently attempt to figure out who loves who and what her relationship is with the two men in her life.
To find out what the wishing tree is, you'll have to read the book. I feel it might just give too much away.
Marybeth Whalen is a highly successful author, who writes well and masterfully develops believable characters. But I became somewhat irritated with Ivy as the book progressed because of her lack of empathy for those around her and especially for the man she married who is honestly trying to right a wrong.
OK, Elliott has cheated on her. We all make mistakes, and yes, this is a horrendous mistake on his part. However, the farther I got into the book I could almost see why this all happened. Elliott's efforts, via Twitter no less by a man who is not a social media guru, were incredibly supported by women and men of all ages. And yet Ivy won't give him a second chance.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you like a good romance, you'll love The Wishing Tree. For those looking for good Christian fiction, this is the book for you. For fans of Marybeth Whelan, she has done it again!
DISCLOSURE:
I received a free copy of The Wishing Tree from Zondervan via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 17, 2013
This book was one of the featured summer reads listed on She Reads, which led me to choose to read it on my recent vacation to Bermuda. The author, Marybeth Whalen is also the co-directior of She Reads. I downloaded it and a few others and off I went, thinking that with 4 days and 5 night, I was going to get in lots of reading! Instead, I spent more time having fun, swimming and sunning, relaxing and reconnecting with my husband. This was the only book I finished-and I read it all within a 24 hour period. That being said, I think this is a great summer read. It tells the story of Ivy, who, going through a very difficult time in 5 year marriage, decides to return home to Sunset Beach, to help her estranged mother and sister plan the sister’s wedding. While there, she begins to question her choice to marry her husband Elliot, rather than her childhood sweetheart (and jilted ex-fiance) Michael. This story showed very well the seldom spoken of dark side of young marriage-that it requires a constant amount of attention and work or it will wither and die like a delicate plant. Actually, I think it requires work no matter how long you have been married (hence the reading of only one book on vacation). I thought this book was very well written. If you are looking for an easy summer read, I would definitely recommend this book.
October 23, 2013
Ivy Marshall's life is falling apart. Her father is closing the real estate office she runs, she just found out her husband cheated on her and her sister Shea is planning her dream wedding. Ivy left behind her family 5 years earlier to marry Elliot, and is using the excuse of going home to help with her sister's wedding to escape from her husband's infidelity. Ivy is put in charge of the wishing tree, a family tradition for generations of weddings. Ivy selfishly tries to reconnect with the fiancé she jilted to marry Elliot, although part of her is looking for forgiveness. She also wants to restore the closeness with her family that has been lost in her absence. When Elliot sets up a Twitter account to apologize to Ivy, she begins to reflect on their courtship and what brought them together in the first place. Her Aunt Leah offers sage advice and a place of refuge at her bakery. As Ivy reads the wishes being sent to her sister and fiancé Owen to bless their union, she looks at herself and her own marriage. Ivy grows considerably through the story, finding herself so she can renew her relationships and find strength in God and family.
June 20, 2013
The Wishing Tree is my 2013 top pick for your summer vacation read.
No surprise there, because last year The Guest Book was my top pick, and in 2010, The Mailbox.
Marybeth Whalen's books are THE PERFECT novels to take on vacation, or enjoy anytime you want an emotional, heartfelt escape into reading. I've mentioned before in past reviews, just how vivid and descriptive her writing is. Her books also make me cry and I don't cry easy when reading. I sat down and read this book from start to finish.
The longer I read, the deeper I became engrossed and I could not go to bed without finishing it. I have to say, this book surprised me because I was so stirred emotionally and kind of found myself disappointed at how it ended. Not because the storyline was bad - quite the opposite!
It was SO GOOD that I found myself caught up in the whirlwind of emotions. I felt like I was right there.....almost as if **I** were the one in Ivy's shoes, having to make a very difficult decision.
Do not let this one pass by you - RUN and grab yourself a copy, you will not be disappointed.
No surprise there, because last year The Guest Book was my top pick, and in 2010, The Mailbox.
Marybeth Whalen's books are THE PERFECT novels to take on vacation, or enjoy anytime you want an emotional, heartfelt escape into reading. I've mentioned before in past reviews, just how vivid and descriptive her writing is. Her books also make me cry and I don't cry easy when reading. I sat down and read this book from start to finish.
The longer I read, the deeper I became engrossed and I could not go to bed without finishing it. I have to say, this book surprised me because I was so stirred emotionally and kind of found myself disappointed at how it ended. Not because the storyline was bad - quite the opposite!
It was SO GOOD that I found myself caught up in the whirlwind of emotions. I felt like I was right there.....almost as if **I** were the one in Ivy's shoes, having to make a very difficult decision.
Do not let this one pass by you - RUN and grab yourself a copy, you will not be disappointed.
June 19, 2014
Ivy has gone home to help plan her sister's wedding, she desperately needs this time away after finding out her husband had an affair. Whalen has written another beautiful story about relationships, about love and forgiveness.
Some people won't like the ending but when it comes to a cheating spouse everyone has their own reason for reconciling or divorcing. I think you'll enjoy this nice summer read.
Such a talented writer, I anxiously await each of her new books.
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Some people won't like the ending but when it comes to a cheating spouse everyone has their own reason for reconciling or divorcing. I think you'll enjoy this nice summer read.
Such a talented writer, I anxiously await each of her new books.
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2017
This was a good easy read. Not a ‘have to read’. When you run out of books to read pick this one up but don’t rush to get it.
July 5, 2018
I really enjoyed this 3rd book in the Sunset Beach series. As a frequent visitor to Sunset Beach, NC, I love reading about some of the locations. Plus it's just a wonderful place to visit...and even live. And this book makes you want to pack your bags and move to the beach. Between the sand, waves, ocean breezes, delicious food...you will be ready to enjoy life at the beach.
In some ways, this book was a difficult read for me. As a victim of infidelity, my heart ached a little more with this story. And while my marriage did not survive my husband's choice to cheat on me, I could totally understand the emotions experienced by some of the characters.
Family relationships and their expectations of each other was a major part of this book. It was definitely a story of the journey to forgiveness and redemption. Grace was a major point throughout the book...how we never deserve it, but how it is given to us anyway. And this is true whether it's God's grace or whether it's grace shown by relationships with family, friends, etc.
I'm looking forward to the 4th book in this series. And while I initially purchased the books just because they were based at Sunset Beach, NC, I have discovered a wonderful group of characters that makes me glad I took the time to pick up the books and get lost in the wonder of this delightful place!
In some ways, this book was a difficult read for me. As a victim of infidelity, my heart ached a little more with this story. And while my marriage did not survive my husband's choice to cheat on me, I could totally understand the emotions experienced by some of the characters.
Family relationships and their expectations of each other was a major part of this book. It was definitely a story of the journey to forgiveness and redemption. Grace was a major point throughout the book...how we never deserve it, but how it is given to us anyway. And this is true whether it's God's grace or whether it's grace shown by relationships with family, friends, etc.
I'm looking forward to the 4th book in this series. And while I initially purchased the books just because they were based at Sunset Beach, NC, I have discovered a wonderful group of characters that makes me glad I took the time to pick up the books and get lost in the wonder of this delightful place!
June 5, 2013
Story Description:
Zondervan|May 24, 2013|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-310-33488-0
In The Wishing Tree, Ivy Marshall, a savvy, determined woman, finds out her husband has cheated on her on the same day her sister’s perfect boyfriend proposes on national television. When Ivy’s mother asks her to return to her family’s beach home to plan her sister’s upcoming wedding, she decides to use the excuse to escape from the pain of her circumstances. When her return to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, brings her face to face with her former fiancé, old feelings rise to the surface and she wonders if there is a future for them. However, her husband has started tweeting his apology to her and doesn’t want to give up on their marriage. As she helps prepare the wishing tree for her sister’s wedding, she must examine her own wishes for the future and decide what love should be.
My Review:
Ivy Marshall worked for her father, Simon in one of his commercial real estate offices. He was on the phone telling Ivy that he was going to have to close their Asheville office, the very one she’s worked in for four years. Great, now she was going to be without a job. However, she really wasn’t all that surprised because she’d just told her husband, Elliot last night during dinner. The good thing was that it would take about two months to close the office down so they’d have time to wrap up recent projects and give employees time to find other jobs. The bad thing was that she and Elliot wouldn’t be able to keep their house without her income.
Lately, Ivy and Elliot haven’t communicated much, mostly about what food items needed to be replenished or what bills needed to be paid. She wasn’t worried about telling him she was losing her job as that fell under the category of “business” and that’s the only thing they seemed to talk about – nothing personal.
Margot, Ivy’s mother called just as she was leaving the office. After the day she’d had she just wanted to go home and take a hot bath. Her emotions were just a tad unstable, but now Margot was adding to her already emotionally charged psyche by telling her that her sister, Shea was going to be proposed to on national television tomorrow. Margot want Ivy to come home for the weekend to congratulate her sister in person but that’s the last thing Ivy felt like doing. Since tomorrow was Valentine’s Day she could just tell her mother she didn’t want to leave Elliot alone on Valentine’s Day weekend. The last time Ivy had spoken to Shea was three months ago, their relationship was somewhat strained so Ivy wasn’t all that excited about her sister’s engagement because she was going to have the wedding she never had – at Sunset Beach.
The following day didn’t pan out so well for Ivy either. After having to sit through the nationally televised proposal to her sister, she also found out that Elliot had cheated on her! What else could go wrong in this poor woman’s life? Ivy wasn’t in the mood for talking with Elliot and thought about what she could do. Then it dawn on her, she would go home to Sunset Beach, North Carolina and help finish up planning Shea’s wedding. Although it was already May and the wedding was set for mid-June, there would still be lots to do. She could also help her Aunt Leah out in her shop – Seaside Bakery. And, by going home and helping with the wedding, she wouldn’t have to tell her family about her and Elliot’s crumbling marriage. They all new she was out of a job and had the time to help. She might even be able to see he ex-fiance , Michael and who knows what might strike up with him.
Ivy drove home and went immediately to her bedroom and retrieved the suitcase. As she was packing she heard Elliot come into the room but Ivy so not wanted to talk to him. Of course he apologized for his transgression and said he still wanted to make it work but Ivy said nothing. When he asked where she was going she only replied: “home.” Elliot carried her suitcase to the car and Ivy drove off without a good-bye.
Seeing Shea for the first time was a tad awkward, but like the two adults they are now they were amicable toward each other. Margot immediately pulled out her wedding binder that she’d made and decided the three of them needed to divvy up the remaining items on the list. Ivy has been put in charge of The Wishing Tree which involves mailing out tags to each wedding guest to write down ‘wishes’ for the newly married couple. Then Ivy is to ensure that all those wishes get hung on the tree for the Bride and Groom to read later. It’s been a tradition in their family for a long time. But as Ivy helps ready the tree for Shea’s wedding she must look deep within herself at her own future and what she believes true love should be. Can she reconcile with what Elliot has done? Is she too wrapped up in thinking about her ex, Michael? Or, will she decide true love is loving herself first and remain on her own?
The Wishing Tree is definitely a book about forgiveness. It’s also a beautifully written story of love, loss, betrayal, hope, grace, and finding one’s way back from the brink. You can’t allow bitterness and situations already washed under the bridge to affect the here and now or your future. Everyone deserves forgiveness and true grace. We’re not perfect people but when it comes from a place of faith and a deep understanding of your true heart’s desire, then you need to accept what is.
Marybeth Whalen has penned a most gorgeous read. The Wishing Tree gracefully unravels how tradition, culture and sense of place affect the human heart. Well-done!
Zondervan|May 24, 2013|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-310-33488-0
In The Wishing Tree, Ivy Marshall, a savvy, determined woman, finds out her husband has cheated on her on the same day her sister’s perfect boyfriend proposes on national television. When Ivy’s mother asks her to return to her family’s beach home to plan her sister’s upcoming wedding, she decides to use the excuse to escape from the pain of her circumstances. When her return to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, brings her face to face with her former fiancé, old feelings rise to the surface and she wonders if there is a future for them. However, her husband has started tweeting his apology to her and doesn’t want to give up on their marriage. As she helps prepare the wishing tree for her sister’s wedding, she must examine her own wishes for the future and decide what love should be.
My Review:
Ivy Marshall worked for her father, Simon in one of his commercial real estate offices. He was on the phone telling Ivy that he was going to have to close their Asheville office, the very one she’s worked in for four years. Great, now she was going to be without a job. However, she really wasn’t all that surprised because she’d just told her husband, Elliot last night during dinner. The good thing was that it would take about two months to close the office down so they’d have time to wrap up recent projects and give employees time to find other jobs. The bad thing was that she and Elliot wouldn’t be able to keep their house without her income.
Lately, Ivy and Elliot haven’t communicated much, mostly about what food items needed to be replenished or what bills needed to be paid. She wasn’t worried about telling him she was losing her job as that fell under the category of “business” and that’s the only thing they seemed to talk about – nothing personal.
Margot, Ivy’s mother called just as she was leaving the office. After the day she’d had she just wanted to go home and take a hot bath. Her emotions were just a tad unstable, but now Margot was adding to her already emotionally charged psyche by telling her that her sister, Shea was going to be proposed to on national television tomorrow. Margot want Ivy to come home for the weekend to congratulate her sister in person but that’s the last thing Ivy felt like doing. Since tomorrow was Valentine’s Day she could just tell her mother she didn’t want to leave Elliot alone on Valentine’s Day weekend. The last time Ivy had spoken to Shea was three months ago, their relationship was somewhat strained so Ivy wasn’t all that excited about her sister’s engagement because she was going to have the wedding she never had – at Sunset Beach.
The following day didn’t pan out so well for Ivy either. After having to sit through the nationally televised proposal to her sister, she also found out that Elliot had cheated on her! What else could go wrong in this poor woman’s life? Ivy wasn’t in the mood for talking with Elliot and thought about what she could do. Then it dawn on her, she would go home to Sunset Beach, North Carolina and help finish up planning Shea’s wedding. Although it was already May and the wedding was set for mid-June, there would still be lots to do. She could also help her Aunt Leah out in her shop – Seaside Bakery. And, by going home and helping with the wedding, she wouldn’t have to tell her family about her and Elliot’s crumbling marriage. They all new she was out of a job and had the time to help. She might even be able to see he ex-fiance , Michael and who knows what might strike up with him.
Ivy drove home and went immediately to her bedroom and retrieved the suitcase. As she was packing she heard Elliot come into the room but Ivy so not wanted to talk to him. Of course he apologized for his transgression and said he still wanted to make it work but Ivy said nothing. When he asked where she was going she only replied: “home.” Elliot carried her suitcase to the car and Ivy drove off without a good-bye.
Seeing Shea for the first time was a tad awkward, but like the two adults they are now they were amicable toward each other. Margot immediately pulled out her wedding binder that she’d made and decided the three of them needed to divvy up the remaining items on the list. Ivy has been put in charge of The Wishing Tree which involves mailing out tags to each wedding guest to write down ‘wishes’ for the newly married couple. Then Ivy is to ensure that all those wishes get hung on the tree for the Bride and Groom to read later. It’s been a tradition in their family for a long time. But as Ivy helps ready the tree for Shea’s wedding she must look deep within herself at her own future and what she believes true love should be. Can she reconcile with what Elliot has done? Is she too wrapped up in thinking about her ex, Michael? Or, will she decide true love is loving herself first and remain on her own?
The Wishing Tree is definitely a book about forgiveness. It’s also a beautifully written story of love, loss, betrayal, hope, grace, and finding one’s way back from the brink. You can’t allow bitterness and situations already washed under the bridge to affect the here and now or your future. Everyone deserves forgiveness and true grace. We’re not perfect people but when it comes from a place of faith and a deep understanding of your true heart’s desire, then you need to accept what is.
Marybeth Whalen has penned a most gorgeous read. The Wishing Tree gracefully unravels how tradition, culture and sense of place affect the human heart. Well-done!
September 12, 2023
Refreshing and cleverly wound story which was enticing to this reader although it's not my usual favorite in the crime and suspense genre. It had suspense in that one was pulled along by the main character between her husband (who had admitted to cheating on her - one time) and her old boyfriend who she'd basically left at the alter five years earlier. Family dynamics interchanged with heartbreak -- well, who wouldn't get lost in the telling of the old familiar tale?! Well written and engrossing!
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December 26, 2024Ivy and her sister spend their summers at Sunset Beach hanging out with the boys next door. When their mom gets divorced, they move there. Everyone assumes Ivy will marry Michael but the divorce really throws her and she runs. That's when she falls in love and marries Elliott in Asheville. She turns her back on her family for five years. Then when her sister, April, decides to marry Owen (the other boy next door) and Elliott cheats on her, the choices she made get reexamined. Mountains or Beach. Michael or Elliott.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2024
I had so many problems with this book. Why didn't Ivy's parents and her sister attend her wedding in Asheville? Why would Shea let her wedding be televised? I also felt Ivy was wishy washy. I would have at least talked to Elliott
There were too many things about this book that made me cringe. I read it to the end to find out what Ivy decided to do.
There were too many things about this book that made me cringe. I read it to the end to find out what Ivy decided to do.
January 30, 2025
This story was too sappy, I have enjoy many books by this author. What would you do if you found out your husband was cheating and your sister is getting engaged on morning television. And social media is also apart of the story, there were so many components,too this story that it made it hard to follow.
February 15, 2025
Me decepcionou o final, tanta expectativa de ver os dois resolvendo finalmente suas questões. Acho que na verdade a autora não teve capacidade para desenvolver esse final. O livro todo foi um tanto cansativo, perdoar questões onde nunca se vê o diálogo entre as partes ( como por exemplo, os pais da heróina). Sinceramente, não me marcou como uma coisa boa. Não indico.
January 11, 2018
The Wishing Tree is an easy, quick read that is very relatable. Whalen creates believable characters and weaves the story together nicely, confronting difficulties in life, family, and marriage through a light, spiritual lens.
March 26, 2017
Pleasant story.
August 19, 2017
Another sweet little beach read. I enjoyed theme of forgiveness and grace
April 7, 2018
Loved this book, brings back such wonderful memories of this area of the country.
April 19, 2018
Good beach read
August 26, 2018
I’ll admit that the ending was disappointing to me. However, I found myself relating to Ivy’s character in a way. Not my favorite Subset Beach book, but I’ll keep reading. 🙂
April 25, 2020
I'm a big sucker for the run back home romantic tales so this fit right in.
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