The Wish by Nicholas Sparks -> Starting July 15th, 2022

[Aly]

1996 was the year that changed everything for Maggie Dawes. Sent away at sixteen to live with an aunt she barely knew in Ocracoke, a remote village on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, she could think only of the friends and family she left behind . . . until she meets Bryce Trickett, one of the few teenagers on the island. Handsome, genuine, and newly admitted to West Point, Bryce gradually shows her how much there is to love about the wind-swept beach town—and introduces her to photography, a passion that will define the rest of her life.

By 2019, Maggie is a renowned travel photographer. She splits her time between running a successful gallery in New York and photographing remote locations around the world. But this year she is unexpectedly grounded over Christmas, struggling to come to terms with a sobering medical diagnosis. Increasingly dependent on a young assistant, she finds herself becoming close to him.

As they count down the last days of the season together, she begins to tell him the story of another Christmas, decades earlier—and the love that set her on a course she never could have imagined.

[Ashlyn]

Up to The Nutcracker
(view spoiler)[Bryce seems nice. I could not even imagine what Maggie had to go through at such a young age like that getting pregnant. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Up to The Christmas Tree
(view spoiler)[Those were long chapters. I like the Christmas day and thought their gifts were cute. I love how she is going to teach Bryce how to make the biscuits. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Up to Holiday Spirit and Christmas Eve
(view spoiler)[Their first date was cute. I couldn't even imagine trying to decide if I wanted to hold my baby or not. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Up to Merry Christmas
(view spoiler)[ I love that Maggie put Bryce's future above them staying together. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ That's sad that Bryce died before they were able to meet again. I wasn't expecting Mark to be her son. (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

Heyyyyy, sorry. I did start reading this on Saturday, didn't get too far yet. I had a very busy weekend. I'll get this one finished this week.

I can say that so far it's great.

Her parents shipping her away kinda reminds me of out of sight, out of mind. A young girl needs her mother in a time like this.

Sorry for the delay Ashlyn

[Carrie]

Ashlyn wrote: "Up to The Nutcracker
[spoilers removed]"

I agree, it's hard enough being pregnant as an adult but as a child still. I can only imagine

[Ashlyn]

I'm glad you're liking it so far! Yeah, that's pretty much what her parents did.

[Kira]

I LOVED THIS!

‘Tis the season – Marooned : (view spoiler)[I have been putting this off for a week but I don’t understand WHY! I am loving this, it seems like it has been so long since I read a contemporary romance and I forgot how much I enjoy it. This one deals with some pretty serious issues so it is exactly my kind of book and I can’t wait to know more about Maggie’s journey from teenage pregnancy to a renowned photographer dealing with cancer (hide spoiler)]

The nutcracker – Beginnings : (view spoiler)[Linda is a great character, so much better than Maggie’s mom ngl…..I was skeptical at first considering she used to be a nun but she loves and supports Maggie so much! And I really wanna know where Bryce is in the present scenario…I hope he is well. (hide spoiler)]

The Christmas Tree – The second trimester : (view spoiler)[Those were some long chapters!!! I am loving reading about Bryce and Maggie spending time together but the I love you is surely going to complicate things. Why are they not together in the present? (hide spoiler)]

Holiday Spirit - The Third Trimester : (view spoiler)[I am absolutely on Maggie’s side in this one, Bryce’s hasty proposal just didn’t make sense and I love how author didn’t make this a sappy teenager HEA because real world definitely doesn’t work that way (hide spoiler)]

Merry Christmas – End : (view spoiler)[This was so good! I am sad that Bryce and Maggie couldn’t get their happy ending but when Maggie said that I got that with you to Mark, I was just about ready to burst in tears. I wasn’t expecting that twist and that made it even more beautiful for me (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

Ashlyn wrote: "I'm glad you're liking it so far! Yeah, that's pretty much what her parents did."

I am sorry I am so slow on this one.

The book is fantastic so far. If only everyone could be as non-judgemental as Bryce and his family and I love the relationship that Maggie and her aunt are starting to form!!

[Carrie]

Thru The Christmas Tree - I love this so much. I keep finding myself dreading having to do normal everyday life things, you know working, sleeping, eating because I want to know what happens.

I'm so glad she got a tree for the studio and I love Mark. He seems like such a wonderful guy. I can't wait to read what happens next in Ocracoke.

[Carrie]

I finished last night!! I sobbed when her aunt sent her the letter about Bryce and WOW what an ending. Nicholas Sparks never ceases to amaze me. His books are absolutely fantastic.

And Mark, bless him, to give her the things he did before she passed. How amazing was this her story.

[Carrie]

Kira wrote: "I LOVED THIS!

‘Tis the season – Marooned : [spoilers removed]

The nutcracker – Beginnings : [spoilers removed]

The Christmas Tree – The second trimester : [spoilers removed]

Holiday Spirit - Th..."

I never had a clue that he was her child up until the moment she opened the box and the Maggie-bear was inside. If only they had more time together. But I am so so glad he found her and he knew giving him up was the best option for him, he never held a grudge. Man, I LOVE NICHOLAS SPARKS BOOKS.. I can't wait to read See Me with you!! Thanks for buddying with me Ashlyn

[Ashlyn]

So glad you loved this one!