This book while lighthearted in some areas was also very heavy in other areas. It starts with Marnie, the owner of Wish & co., wishing for her dreams to become reality. But, unfortunately for her, her dreams are on the line when a simple error causes one of her clients marriages to consist thoroughly. Throughout this book you get to see growth from all of the characters within this story. You get to watch characters work through their heartbreak while others experience new romance and others experiencing parenthood for the first time. Honestly, I surprisingly enjoyed this book. It feels like a good book for a bookclub. The author’s writing style is so detailed it leaves quite a bit of unpacking to be done throughout the read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and the author for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

This book was excellent from start to finish - and by finish I mean the accolades in the back were even delightful. Such a great book about two very different upbringings and having to do what it takes to make it. So many themes throughout this book that I enjoyed. This was a very easy read that kept me enthralled wanting to know what was going to happen next. Deception was abound but some for good reason. Big fan!!

Romance

Buying gifts for people can be stressful. Marnie Fairchild has turned what many people find troublesome into a thriving business. She is saving every penny she can to buy the building where her grandfather once ran his own business. It should be easy because she is family, but her uncle considers her a black sheep and puts the building up for auction.

Distracted by the news, Marnie accidentally sends the wrong gifts out. Her largest customer's wife gets a gift intended for his mistress. No fixing that one. The customer of course is furious and pulls his business, his referrals have also started pulling their business, which Marnie cannot afford if she has any hopes of buying the building at auction.

Her solution is to help her customer, Brian, get back together with his wife. She has been buying gifts for the woman for years and feels that she can aide Brian in fixing his marriage. While this is happening Marnie gets friendly with Brian's son Luke. They have a quick connection and since he is a woodworker, their creative interests align well. Trouble is Luke thinks Marnie is no longer buying gifts for the family and calls what she does a form of emotional fraud.

Here is where the book and the relationship stopped working for me. We have had several hundred pages in developing the story and the relationship. Luke seems really opposed to what Marnie does. He goes to the effort to better understand her work, but still finds the whole process distasteful. There always has to be some kind of conflict for the relationship, so of course, he discovers that Marnie is still helping Brian buy gifts. It causes a giant rift. The problem is he gets over it pretty darn quickly. Luke and Marnie's relationship issues get solved and Luke helps save the day in barely the blink of an eye.

The ending took what was a really good novel to just mediocre.

Another original and engrossing read from Darke. I had no idea how it was going to wrap up (ha!), but I truly enjoyed finding out.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Marnie is the brains and talent behind Wish & Co, a gift buying/giving service for busy people. Today, she’s wrapping an anniversary gift for the wife of her most lucrative client, and a birthday gift for his mistress. What could possibly go wrong?

When Brian’s 40 year marriage implodes from the mixup, he first threatens to blacklist Marnie with all his friends, but then agrees to let her “fix” his marriage with a campaign to win back his wife.

This Australian novel explores what one will give — and give up — in the name of love. Very well done! Recommended. #WithLoveFromWish&Co #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

This was a fun and light read, but it seemed to drag a bit too. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy it, it could have just been fewer pages.

While the cover almost deterred me from reading this book, I'm glad I decided to give it a try. It was a light, charming romantic story that was just what I was looking for in my next read. Right from the start I was drawn into Marnie's story. While a little predictable, the story kept me reading. I look forward to reading other books by this author. Thank you netgalley for this ARC.

Romance, infidelity, secrets, and the ability to find a great gift are elements that kept me reading this charming story. Marnie owns a gift giving business. She is detail oriented and does all she can to find the perfect gift for each of her customers. One day however she makes the biggest mistake of her life when she mixes up two gifts for her biggest client. Marnie has to do everything she can to fix this mistake or lose out on her dream of owning the building her grandfather once owned. What Marnie does not expect is to find romance and a chance at true happiness. However everything comes with a cost.

What I liked about this book is that it wasn't just about Marnie. We got to know several other characters and what their perspectives are as the story unfolds. I also felt like I understand gift giving a little better after reading this book. The novel takes place in Australia and I loved learning just a little more about life in Australia. There were also a couple photographs at the end and a recipe that I thought was a great touch by the author. A very charming novel!

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Kathleen Quinlan for this advance copy!

I was hooked from the beginning. I loved all of it. All the characters had depth and you got them. Read this book.

This book is addictive, and while that definitely had to do with the great plot and characters, I also have to give credit to the writing and setting. Minnie Darke’s writing style is so easy to be absorbed by, and the immersive setting hooks you the second you start.. The chemistry between Marnie and Luke was undeniable and the banter was divine.
Overall this is very well done, with such a relatable tone that allows the book to feel both lighthearted and fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

With Love from Wish & Co. By Minnie Darke

My goodness I absolutely loved this story.

This is literally perfect in every aspect whether its writing style, plot, characters, pacing, EVERYTHING
Marnie and Brian's characters were was simply engaging. And I loved getting to know them better.
Minnie Darke's writing is hard to escape from! Once I started I couldn't stop.
The writing style and plot, is smart, charming, engaging, and intentional.
A fun read and for my first time reading this author I really couldn't stop reading this book.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Random House/Ballantine/Dell,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.

This was a quick fun read!

This eARC was recommended to me, upon reading the blurb I was kind of skeptical because it confused me and I couldn’t figure what the story was going to be and also this author is new to me, so I was not sure what to expect.

The first chapters were written with great detail and at first I thought that it was going to be those type of books that drag the plot and become tedious and boring; this was not the case, there is a reason why those details are there and by the time I figured that out, I started to appreciate and learn the author’s writing style.

The story had me giggling and laughing, I felt content with the ending, Marnie was a relatable and driven character; I was flipping the pages nonstop and then I realized it was finished.

I will definitely check this author’s past & upcoming releases!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random Penguin House for providing me and ARC in exchange of my honest opinion

I'm so happy that I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I was unfamiliar with the author, but the premise of the book intrigued me. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and though it was very well-written. The book turned out to be much more substantial than the "chick-lit" I expected, and I was pleased and surprised to find it thought-provoking. The ethical issues raised would make it a good choice for book discussion groups. I will be sure to try the author's previous books and look forward to her next. The book has inspired me to be a more thoughtful gift-giver.

“With Love from Wish & Co.” is by Minnie Darke, a new to me author. I found the publisher’s summary to be an interesting take on a book. I thought this was going to be a light hearted quick little romance - well, that was wrong. While this wasn’t a deep book, there is a lot going on - sometimes too much, but Ms. Darke kept most of it in balance. This book took me a while to figure out who was who, along with keeping track of the various subplots and different plot lines. I did like delving a bit more into “how to pick a gift” for someone (not my strong suit!). I found the main character’s best friends to be fantastically woven into the story - they weren’t just there, they played a part in the story.

With Love from Wish & Co. follows Marnie, a professional gift-giver, in the days leading up to and after a mistake that could potentially cost her her business-- in a rush to get out the door, she accidentally swaps the cards for Brian Charlesworth's wife and mistress. On the day of her 40th wedding anniversary, Suzanne Charlesworth opens a card from her husband-- and the gift meant for Leona Quick, his former (and once-again) mistress.
In the wake of this mistake, a marriage implodes, Marnie risks losing out on purchasing a building that's been in her family for years, and Marnie and Brian's son, Luke, get to know each other better.
One thing I really loved about this book is that, though the story is primarily Marnie's, all the main players have occasional chapters that follow them, which gives us insight into their lives and makes the story feel that much more well-rounded and added a depth to every aspect of the story.
With Love from With & Co. is masterfully written, and I can't wait to read more from Minnie Darke.

This author is brand new to me, so I took a chance on this (recommended) unedited ARC. I am glad I did!
(I am basing my comments and rating on the merits of the story, and not the grammar or punctuation.) :)

Okay, so... in truth, it took me a few chapters to warm up to the author's writing style. It was different to me, but not in a bad way! Just different. There are a great many details in the first few chapters, so I recommend paying attention. (You'll be glad you did. I went back and re-read them to be sure of some things.) While infidelity is one main element of this read, it is only part of this story. Soo many other things that make this story fun to read! I loved the Happy Ever After, it was just what I wanted!

I had no expectations going into this read, but ended the read very entertained, and with a happy heart.

I like the creativity and craftsmanship of this author. The relationships between the characters are well connected and thoughtful. Marnie is very easy to like and I could relate to her drive to succeed. Without spoiling your read, I will say the men are easy to love (or hate) for their qualities and detriments. Time passed quickly, and I was at the end of this book faster than I wanted to be. I love those kinds of reads!

I recommend this book, and this author. I will definitely be looking forward to her next release!

My ARC was provided by Penguin Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


Enjoyable characters, a nicely paced read.

First time author and book for me. I did enjoy the book and characters. Especially Marnie. This was a nice fast read for me. I enjoyed the story and hope to read more from this author.