The Wish List

‘I absolutely loved this… I couldn’t put it down, grabbing every opportunity to continue… Heart-wrenchingly sad but… also one of the most uplifting and heartwarming books… It had me crying (and I mean big heaving sobs!!)… I finished this book last night, and yet here I am 24 hours later still thinking about it!… Fabulous, amazing, wonderful!!’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars…

Sometimes you have to hit the bottom before you can float to the top.

Maria Birch is seventy years old and, for her, every week is the same.

On Monday, she does her weekly shop. On Tuesday, she goes for a blow-dry. On Wednesday, she visits the laundrette. But Thursday is her favourite day of all – everything hurts less on a Thursday.

Every Thursday Maria walks to her local café. Waiting for her at one of the red gingham-topped tables is Albie Young, a charming man with a twinkle in his eye and an impressive collection of tweed flat caps. Every week, the pair share a slice of marble cake and a pot of tea.

Except, one week, Albie doesn’t turn up.

When Maria finds out what has happened, her perfectly ordered life is ripped apart at the seams. Suddenly, she is very lonely. Without her Thursday friend – her only friend – she no longer has the energy to circle the weekly TV listings, she has no reason to leave her apartment, no reason to laugh.

Then she discovers that Albie isn’t who she thought he was, and she’s left wondering if she knew her friend at all. But Albie has left behind a legacy – a handwritten list of wishes he never got the chance to complete.

Maria is resigned to facing the rest of her days heartbroken and alone. But fulfilling Albie’s wishes could hold the key to her happiness – if only she’s able to look past his secret…

This life-affirming and heartfelt tale is for anyone who has ever looked at their life and wanted more. Fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Keeper of Lost Things will love this poignant story, which shows us that for the truest loves, the end is never really the end…

Readers are totally falling in love with The Wish List:

‘What a wonderful story this is… Really touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes… A really feel-good factor read that made me glow inside… A super book, couldn’t have asked for more from this lovely story.’ Books from Dusk Till Dawn

, 5 stars

‘Wow! Wow! Wow! What a brilliant, beautiful, feel-good, heartwarming book! I absolutely loved it!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘What a beautiful book!… Managed to make me cry with emotion without depressing me at all then lifted me up with hope and happiness… I was glad I was all on my own reading this book as it made me cry on more than one occasion.’ Sandie’s Book Shelves, 5 stars

‘You’ll have to have a heart of stone if you don’t find yourself shedding a tear or two during this stunning debut… It’s one of those stories that makes your heart burst with happiness… Totally adorable and a wonderful antidote of a read to the often heartless and harsh world we are living in. A must-read!!’ Books and Me Review, 5 stars

‘An absolutely heart-warming and heartbreaking read, it’s so beautiful, I cried a lot reading this… A complete delight to read (even with the emotional side affects) and I thoroughly recommend this, one of my favourite reads this year.’ Tara’s Bookish Blog, 5 stars

‘Beautifully written… I found the story was playing on my mind when I wasn’t reading it, and the pages turned fast while I was. I has hooked… and even ignored some of my work in order to finish reading as I was enjoying it that much… Fabulous writing, a story with a lot of heart.’ Rachel’s Random Reads

‘This book was SO good. I laughed and cried. I cannot wait to read more by this author. I highly recommend this book!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘The Albie Effect took my heart by a storm… Hope sparkled in every page like a rare diamond… The book affirmed, through its simple yet emotional story, one simple thing – life is today and now. And every moment is a good time to start living. If Maria could start life once again at the age of 70, why can’t I?’ Shalini’s Books & Reviews, 5 stars

‘Heartbreaking and sweet… I loved it from front to back.’ Margarita and Camouflage, 5 stars

‘What an absolutely fantastic book which I loved from start to finish. Very heartwarming and emotional but such a lovely story.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘An emotional, heartwarming read!… Would definitely recommend to others!’ Once Upon a Bookclub

‘A warm-hearted read… I give this book five glowing stars, it was everything I anticipated it to be and more besides… Special.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars