Wished

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Wished by Sarah Ready is a contemporary magical realist romance that takes readers on an adventure of love and finding out what they want, and what it means to truly figure that out.

Set in both beautiful Switzerland and France, this is the fourth book in the Ghosted series. It tells the story of Anna, a hardworking, true-romantic house cleaner who has secretly loved her wealthy boss, Max Barone, for a couple of years. After making a wish on his family heirloom necklace Anna finds herself in a different reality where she's been married to Max for seven years, and she must navigate this new life while questioning what true love and happiness mean in reality.

Ready successfully combines elements of magic and heartfelt romance yet again. The story makes you reflect on what you want from love, highlighting the saying “Be careful what you wish for”. Anna is a lovable character, and it's heartwarming to see Max change from someone who seems cold to a sweet (if a little dirty) romantic interest.

The book moves quickly, with short chapters and some steamy moments that add excitement to the magical storyline. The audiobook, narrated by Amanda Ronconi and Will Watt (who sadly only got 2 chapters), brings the characters to life and is great for those who enjoy listening.

Having read Fated, I was excited for some justice for poor Max. I was a little off-put by how Max is introduced (not like I remember from Fated), and how he acts when upset. I think it is meant to be powerful and sexy, but if domestic violence is a trigger for you, just be aware that Max has a habit of grabbing and holding Anna by the wrist multiple times throughout. However, he is not a violent man.

This book feels like a slight shift into the billionaire romance genre. It is a little wild that their class disparity is never properly addressed, even as a challenge for them to overcome. The power dynamic is outrageously in Max's favour, with a generational gemstone wealth behind him, while Anna is someone who drifted into house cleaning to take care of her poor family and ended up making it her living. However, if you like billionaire romances, I don't know that it would bother you. I haven't read any, so I am not the best judge.

Overall, “Wished” is a fun escape for anyone who loves contemporary romance with a touch of magical realism. It's perfect for those who believe in wishes and the power of love and living authentically, or enjoy billionaire romances. Whether you're just starting the series or have been a fan for a while, Sarah Ready has done it again!

Thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC & Net Galley for providing an audiobook copy for my unbiased review.