Wish I Were Here had an interesting concept, but I found most of the story a bit repetitious. Though there is reasoning behind it, the FMC was so aggrieved I found her unlikable. While not completely interested in the romance, I loved the found family and community throughout, which emphasized that family is about the people who keep showing up.

I LOVED this book!! It's labeled a romance, but I think romance would be the last description I would put on it. It's contemporary, magical, and maybe a little bit literary. Catherine thought she was starting a new job, but her identity has all of a sudden disappeared and she is catapulted into a chase to find out who she really is. She finds the most unlikeliest of people to help her, Luka, the "doorman" in her building, who turns out to be anything but a doorman. There are so many layers to this story. It's about living with a single dad who doesn't exactly match your ideal of the perfect parent; understanding that your worth has nothing to do with the people who don't appreciate your existence; sometimes opposites can be the exact perfect match; there's so much more to life than the vision you hold for yourself; friends come in all shapes, sizes and ages. There were so many heartfelt messages tucked into this story. And all of the characters were pure gold. Any time would be the perfect time to read this one!

*I received a free copy of this eARC from the publisher; the review is my own.*

After loving Melissa Weisner’s The Second Chance Year, I was really looking forward to reading this book. And I enjoy it, truly. It didn’t quite measure up to the other book, in my opinion, but it was still really good, and I recommend it.

Something Weisner does well is write just a little bit of the magical or supernatural into the real world and make it completely believable. In The Second Chance Year, she messed with time. In Wish I Were Here, she made Catherine’s whole identity disappear, and just when you start to wonder if it wasn’t something fantastical after all . . . well, you see things differently and end up wondering again.

I think that’s one of the themes of this book: Our understanding changes based on our viewpoint. Really, it’s a pretty straightforward piece of information, but it’s one that we tend to ignore as we go throughout life, passing judgment on everyone around us for living in a way that doesn’t fit into our perception of what is best and how things should fit together.

Luca and Catherine done seem like characters that would work because they were so completely different. She adhered strictly to rules and was bothered when others didn’t. Her life was rather sterile, to be honest, likely as a response to having such a free-spirited, carefree father. In some ways, Luca very much resembled Catherine’s father, which is why the two of them seemed such an odd match—she often resented the way she grew up. But Luca was exactly what she needed.

I started to suspect the twist that was revealed at the end, so it wasn’t a surprise to me; however, it was a good little twist, more heartwarming than startling.

Even though I don’t feel like this book quite measured up to the first that I read, I definitely plan to pick up whatever Melissa Weisner publishes in the future.

Note: A little swearing.

I loved the magical realism component of this and how it forced Catherine out of her comfort zone. Luca was a wonderful counterpart as they worked to get her identity back. I loved watching Catherine slowly become more involved in her community and rediscover her joy. It's a sweet story of slowing down and figuring out what matters. The romance and Luca's extended family both added to the story. I recommend picking it up.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy with me. All opinions are my own.

Read if you like:
✨ Magical Realism
🏘️ Sr Neighbors in your Building
🔢 Type A FMC
🔀 Opposites Attract
🍬 Identity Gone Missing
💐 Tattoos
🐕 Golden Retriever MMC

This book was soooo good! I absolutely loved the opposites attract with our FMC being a rigid type a mathematician and our MMC being a tattooed golden retriever with mob ties who doesn’t believe in rules and works as a doorman.

I also love how everything got interesting when Catherine’s identity goes missing and so in her panic she ends up getting help from Luca and his mob boss family and some of the seniors in their building.

I also loved the backstory for Catherine’s childhood as it truly explained her rigidity and type a personality and you truly can’t fault her for wanting to color inside the safe lines with how she grew up.

But Luca is the person to make her question everything and if being so rigid is really worth it, especially when she comes face to face with the mother she never met in order to get her birth certificate and her identity back. Does she really want a buttoned up life like her mother who left her as a baby, or does she want to live a more free spirited life like her dad and Luca?!

The messages within the story were so sweet and the surprises were also so well done!

Thank you so much to Forever for my gifted ARC and finished copies of this one!

I took a while to finish this because I couldn’t decide whether to finish it or DNF, but I forced myself to keep going. I think what affected my connection with the story the most was the FMC, Catherine definitely didn’t win me over, while I absolutely loved Luca, which gave me mixed feelings. Some scenes between the two I just adored, but other times the connection between them felt forced. However, as it got closer to the end, I started to appreciate the story more. It was certainly a bit hard to decide how to rate this, but I’d say in my opinion it’s a 3-star read.

I really wish the author all the success; this is just my take, and others might love and connect with the story more.

Thank you so much, Forever, and NetGalley, for sending me this ARC!

This book took me a little while to get into, but I enjoyed it at the end. I liked the characters of Catherine and Luca and grew to love all of the residents of the apartment building where they live and work. The story also has a magical element, which Wiesner did really well in her first book, The Second Chance Year. It didn't work quite as well here, but I did enjoy the conclusion of this book.

Our FMC in this one, Catherine, is in a giant pickle of a situation! Yet the author, Melissa Wiesner, managed to strike a perfect balance of romance, real life aspects with a healthy dash of magical realism. It really does work! I think the highlight for me was how well the two main characters fit, it was opposites attract in the best way.

Thank you so much for Forever Grand Central Publishing for my ARC, I appreciate it!

RomCom In A Nightmare Setting. Seriously, the title of the review here is pretty much exactly what you're getting. I don't know how common it is, but I know I've had the nightmare that is a version of the basic premise of this book - that you suddenly find out all of your "government" "approved" "identification" is suddenly found to be fraudulent and/ or non-existent... anywhere. How would you survive in modern America? Particularly if you were just starting a new job? And now you have the basic narrative here.

The romance/ romcom aspects of this tale take a bit of the realism of the premise out of the picture, but then, if we wanted a gritty real world version of the premise above, we wouldn't be looking for it in a romcom, now would we? Instead, both sides of romance and comedy work well, so long as you don't mind absurdist/ "What the FUCK?" comedy. (And seriously, if you can't enjoy that type of comedy at least from time to time, that absolutely says more about you than about Wiesner's writing here.)

Ultimately, this *is* a romcom - even with the initial premise - so yes, things get tied up in nice little maybe more Lifetime Movie than Hallmarkie bows, but said bows are absolutely the pink and frilly kind. In other words, don't let the premise get you too anxious here, just sit back and enjoy the ride - if maybe a touch more pulse pounding than many romcoms.

Very much recommended.

Wish I Was Here by @MelissaWiesnerAuthor was such a fun romance about a woman who loses her identity and ends up questioning a lot more than where her social security number went. Thank you so much to author @MelissaWiesner for sending me an advanced copy of this one and to @readforeverpub and @netgalley for an e-arc. This one came out October 15, so you don’t have to wait to get your copy!

Math professor Catherine Lipton plans everything, feels late when she’s 15 minutes early, and doesn’t like surprises. Keeping everything to a tight schedule is the way she processes her chaotic childhood living with a free-spirited single father. She’s about to start her new dream job at a college, but when she shows up to orientation, human resources says there was a problem with her documentation. She goes to the DMV and is told she’s not in the system and worse than that, her driving license is a fake. Catherine’s doorman, attractive, but unreliable (or so Catherine thinks) Luca, offers to help and Catherine lets him because she’s all out of options—or could it be that she actually likes spending time with him?

Melissa Wiesner definitely writes dreamy book boyfriends! I loved Luca, and loved reading a story where someone a little uptight and less fun on the front end was still attractive to a guy like him. This book also has great themes about family—both found and learning to accept you’re the one you were born one—and hints of magical realism that kept me guessing. I also loved the senior citizens who lived in Catherine’s apartment building and peppered the book with wisdom and a different perspective on what makes life worth living.

I’d recommend this one to any reader who’s looking for a tiny bit of magic in their romance and a cast of eccentric characters you’ll be rooting for!

This is a good book by Melissa Wiesner. I have read her previous book and loved it and had high hopes for this one as well. I really enjoyed the added part of magical realism to this story, but I wish it went deeper on the romance aspect. I liked the characters and the overall story, but it was hard to fully get into it and keep my attention. I will continue to read the authors work and hope to see more titles released in the future,

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks for Forever and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

I loved the premise of this—magical realism in the vein of Ashley Poston is one of my new favorite tropes. There was a lot to love here; the voice and humor, Catherine’s neurotic tendencies I saw myself reflected in, Luca himself.

Unfortunately something was missing for me here, and I can’t put my finger on exactly what, which leads me to believe this was a me problem and not a reflection of the book itself. I can see myself giving this another try down the line, and I hope I do, because this is still such a unique premise that I’m not ready to let it go yet.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you Forever Pub and Melissa Wiesner for the ARC.

I was digging this story. It’s not my usual type with the magical elements but I found it adorable…maybe because it’s not too in your face?!

I’m a sucker for opposites attract/found family as well so that was a plus here. This story is sweet, easy to read and fun. Def recommend!

I knew it would have me at the dedication 🥹

Wish I Were Here is a delightful love story full of quirky characters and a touch of magical realism. Melissa Weisner does a lovely job of building a world full of people I really found myself rooting for! Reading this book was pure joy! I totally fell for the charming, pure-hearted MMC Luca Morelli. I love the way the FMC Catherine grew throughout the book. It was just an all around win for me!

After deciding I would be better at DNFing books that I am not enjoying, I DNFed this at 25%.

Honestly right out the gate, this book is stressful and over the top. The MC’s type A personality goes above and beyond with her showing up to things 2 hours in advance because she doesn’t like to be late. It all just felt very outlandish and comical but not in a way that made me laugh.

I released myself from this book and after reading some other reviews, I’m glad I did.

Thank you netgalkey and the publisher for the arc.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It definitely touches base on magical realism which was perfect for this month! Wasn’t as much romance as I thought it was going to be but I still enjoyed this book nonetheless! Highly recommend!

Lovely story with a touch of magical realism. I would have enjoyed a little more of the romance side, but I loved the quirky side characters and found family elements!

Melissa is my go to author for magical realism and this book just reinforced that for me. I was a big fan after reading The Second Chance Year so I knew I had to grab this one.

Catherine and Luca were such great characters. I loved how type A she was and how Luca balanced her out. The side characters were so fun as well - definately a fan of Ginger Ale.

If you like magical realism, you’ll love this one!

I had to DNF this one at 45%. The premise—a woman forced to rebuild her identity after it mysteriously vanishes—had the potential for magical realism and charm, but the story was more anxiety-inducing than heartwarming. The opening scenes linger on a drawn-out elevator incident, and the subsequent social security debacle is overly detailed, slowing the pacing considerably.

Catherine, the main character, came across as overly rigid and difficult to connect with, while her love interest, Luca, lacked the spark to balance the romance. Their chemistry felt forced, making moments like their first kiss feel awkward rather than engaging. While there are some beautifully written passages, the story ultimately felt more stressful than romantic. Perhaps I’ll give it another try down the line, but for now, this one just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Catherine Lipton’s goals are lining up. She’s moved into a nice apartment on her own and she’s interviewing for a university position in the math department that’s on the path to tenure. Sure, there’s a hiccup or two with the doorman who never seems to be at his desk, and then running into her father with her new boss at the university, but she can handle it. When she shows up for orientation though, things start falling apart. Her paperwork was rejected saying she doesn’t exist. Then her credit card is declined and the Social Security office says she doesn’t exist. Doorman Luca Morelli has friends and family all over the city and he helps Catherine track down the details she needs to get her life back online. Becoming friends with many of the elderly residents in the building and realizing that Luca may be more than he seems, adds a spark of possibilities to her life. Her future may be different than she planned.