This is a fabulous story of 3 friends reunited to celebrate one of their milestone birthdays. It is a follow up and was good to hear how they all kept in touch. Alex’s books are a real treat. This one is a very emotional trip to New York. She describes the situation of losing someone dear so well it touches your soul. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful read and highly recommend it.

Deedee is a soon to be 70 years old woman and the book basically revolves around the week of her big birthday celebration in New York. She finds herself a bit at loss as her business (a travel agency in London) is not doing great and she's facing this big milestone of a birthday without her beloved husband by her side. It's been 4 years since his passing but as everyone who ever faced grief knows, missing someone really never goes away and loneliness can hit at any time.
Deedee decides to celebrate her birthday with her best friends Rosie and Gina in NY, a city that meant so much for her and her late husband, little did she know, this trip would open a new chapter in her life.

I found some elements of this book a tad confusing, at the beginning the friendship between Deedee, Rosie and Gina, blossomed during a summer holiday, makes you think you're reading about Sophie and her friends from Mamma Mia! 50 years later, but that is not the case... they met only a year earlier and there's something that I found hard to believe at times, I'm all about friendship and the power of connection especially between women, but maybe because we get to know so little about them and their bond, this kind of a sudden connection and the length they go to for someone they met not so long ago, somehow didn't sit well with me.

Many parts of the book felt like a missed opportunity to be explored more, there's a lot going on, but even if the book is rather slow paced, not much is explored in depth, except for Deedee’s love for her husband and the sexual drive that still persists at her age (admirable).

It is very clear the author tried her best to put herself in a 70yo woman but the final result is not believable, at least from my point of view. Deedee is nothing like any 70years old women in my life or that I ever knew, doesn't matter how lively they are, and I feel like the reader can clearly tell the whole thing is written by someone that is not 70 (this woman doesn't know the meaning of 'situationship' - as she shouldn't - but then she can recognize Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter's songs playing at the radio).

The parts the reader empathizes more with the MC are definitely when her husband is involved, he was one of my favourite character although we only get a glimpse of him, the grief was very real and very believable, but I struggled with a lot of the rest. The element of surprise, the 2 secrets, were really predictable and unfortunately didn't surprise me much.

Overall a lighthearted read about second chances and finding a purpose in life and a new beginning even at 70, something we should all remember. I loved the setting in NY and the Hamptons, the vibe of the Big Apple was very much there and it made me wanna go back again.

I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

At the cusp of turning 70, Deedee Merriman feels untethered. Having lost the love of her life, she's struggled to move past his death by burying her feelings. The milestone birthday's flickering candles brings to light that she's alone. Looking back at her life, she's traveled the world, has supportive friends and a career she loves but what does that mean without her best friend?

Finding herself drifting, Deedee needs to shaken and stir up her situation. The travel business is floundering and she needs a change of scene to take stock of her life. Planning a girl's trip to NYC, this Londoner is ready to take a bite out of the Big Apple and get to the core or at least plant seeds for her future.

Alex Brown's #WIshYouWereHere pens the power of friendship and that true friends will see you through life's storms. While offering her a lifeline, there's still rocky water ahead... so tread lightly.

I'm probably not the target audience for this book, but I found it very cute and cosy, perfect for a relaxing afternoon. The dialogue in the prologue was a bit too stuffy and pompous for the context but the rest of the book is okay.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Delightful read from Alex Brown, a love story with a difference I really enjoyed it . Very well written with a good , interesting storyline , some humour some romance , set in New York and London what’s not to love . Great characters , loved Anthony particularly, easy to read and not over complicated. Would recommend.

I have read numerous books by Alex Brown, and while I did enjoy this, I did not love it. So my rating reflects this.

The perfect feel good book, comforting, fun, and mostly set in fabulous New York!! Gorgeous escapism from one of my favourite author’s Alex Brown.
Deedee is feeling flat as her big birthday is coming, she is still missing her beloved husband, her travel agency is slowing down and she is starting to think her life needs a change. To be positive she sets up a wonderful break in New York with her new friends Gina and Rosie, planning cocktails, visiting film locations and having fun. Also to catch up with some old friends.
Life’s journey can be hard with love and loss, but being reawakened and realising there is still more to live for is inspiring!!
Sensitive, fabulous characters, reminiscent of Sex and the City with a bit of Hollywood. What a brilliant read!
Loved this book and can recommend highly!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the early read!!

Deedee and 2 friends travel to New York to celebrate her 70th birthday. The place she feels closer to her late husband, Jo. Still grieving and worried about her travel agency, secrets emerge. Can she find happiness once more? Relatable characters make this an enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed Wish You Were Here, it follows 3 friends to New York to celebrate a big birthday. Secrets and surprises follow, a great story and lovely characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for the opportunity to read Wish You Were Here by Alex Brown - a fun story about friendship, love, and second chances.

Deedee is turning 70 and wants to celebrate in New York with her friends, she wasn't counting on discovering secrets about her deceased husband.

I really loved this book it is about 3 friends and 2 secrets. Dee is approaching her 70th birthday and planning a party in New York City. She invites her 2 friends Gina and Rosie. Deedee lost her husband Joe 4 years ago. She is still dealing with that. As they venture 2 New York things at times are difficult for her there. Not knowing Joe still has surprises for her that he plans for her birthday. She spends time with her first love while there. There are a lot of things that I could put in here but they would be spoilers and I don't do those. A GREAT READ.

Deedee is going to be 70 years old, her travel business isn't doing well, competing with the ones that are online, and her husband passed away 4 years ago. She decides she is going to invite two of her friends, Gina and Rosie, to go on a trip to New York for a week to celebrate her birthday. The week started out with sadness because there were so many reminders of her husband Joe. Her friends that came with her, and her friends she has in New York, helped turn things around. There are so many things that she learned, many surprises she never expected, and her life sure did change. It was nice reading about her journey, and there is still a lot of life left for her after turning 70. It was quite exciting to see the changes, and when she was feeling so down, she decided to do something, and she saw that things can happen that turns everything around.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

This book was about a woman trying to move on after her husband died. I found it a little slow at times, but it wasn't too bad.

A cute story following the fabulous, soon to be 70, Deedee. We’re transported to fabulous New York and the Hamptons for a beautiful, heartwarming hug in a book. Gorgeous characters and a plot that unfolds and grabs you with each turn of the page. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

I just finished a great women’s fiction read. Wish You Were Here by Alex Brown was enjoyable and tough to put down.

Book Review: Wish You Were Here by Alex Brown

Wish You Were Here by Alex Brown is an uplifting and heartwarming escape into the world of friendship, love, and second chances. Brown, known for her knack for creating vibrant and emotional stories, delivers a fresh tale filled with sunny optimism and the promise of new beginnings.

The novel follows Deedee Merriman, a woman at a crossroads in her life. Running a travel agency, she’s facing challenges at work and contemplating the next phase of her life. With a milestone birthday approaching, Deedee invites her close friends, Gina and Rosie, on a trip to New York, a city that holds special memories of her late husband, Joe. However, this journey soon takes an unexpected turn when she is surprised with a gift – a small, ramshackle beach house in the Hamptons, where Joe spent his childhood. What begins as a beautiful gift soon unravels deeper secrets that will change everything Deedee thought she knew.

What makes this book so compelling is the emotional depth Alex Brown brings to her characters. Deedee, despite the weight of loss, embodies hope and resilience, and her journey of self-discovery feels both raw and inspiring. The friendship between Deedee, Gina, and Rosie is authentic and full of warmth, with each woman bringing her own set of experiences to the table. Their bond is a key aspect of the story, as they navigate the surprises life has in store.

The setting of New York and the Hamptons is a character in itself. Brown’s descriptions of both locations are vivid and rich, capturing the energy of the city that never sleeps and the serene, sun-kissed beauty of the Hamptons. From the hustle and bustle of New York to the peaceful sunsets over the beach, the settings feel like the perfect backdrop for Deedee’s journey.

At its heart, Wish You Were Here is a story about healing, rediscovering oneself, and the power of female friendship. It’s a perfect escape read for anyone looking for a beautiful setting, relatable characters, and a dose of optimism. The twists and secrets that unfold keep the story engaging, while the romantic elements add a touch of sweetness to the narrative.

Alex Brown has done it again, delivering a feel-good, inspiring read that will leave readers with a sense of joy and hope. It’s the kind of book that you can curl up with and savor, a lovely escape to remind you that there’s always room for new beginnings and the possibility of love after loss. A perfect summer read, Wish You Were Here is a delightful celebration of life, friendship, and second chances.

Highly recommended for fans of heartfelt romances and stories of self-discovery.

3.5 stars rounded up

DeeDee is feeling old, getting ready to turn 70. She lost her husband a few years ago, but his loss is still weighing heavily on her heart. But she wants to celebrate her 70th in New York, surrounded by friends new and old, and the memories she and Joe created. She didn't count on a few other surprises popping up during her trip, though, and these could change her memory of Joe forever.

I enjoyed this book. I hadn't read the first one, but no problem. It moved quickly, great locations (NY and the Hamptons), good friends and a coming-to-older-age story (I think I just made up that phrasing!). I would read other books from this author.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Took me a while to warm to the main character . A moving story of moving on after losing the love of your life and having a big birthday. Trusting friends is hard but important . Set mainly in America. Some nice twists . It got better and better. Lovely ending .

Wish You Were Here by Alex Brown, published by Boldwood Books, is book 2 in the Come Away With Me Series.
Deedee runs a travel agency and she loves her job. She invites her best friends Gina and Rose to the Hamptons. Only to find there's a surprise awaiting her.
A sweet story, uplifting, sunny gives all the fuzzy feels, 4 sweet stars.