Quick and light summer read! ( )

I was really surprised by Wishful Thinking. It had way more depth than I had expected. Admittedly, I knew very little about it before I began reading, but I did know that Bullen has another book called Wish, so I thought maybe she just wrote the same plot over and over. I still don't know about that, but I am impressed enough by this book that I am not super concerned.

Hazel is a likable heroine. She struggles with selfishness and self-doubt, but who doesn't? Despite all the things she has always wanted, she does not waste her wishes or use them swiftly. In fact, it takes almost half the book until she uses her second wish. Not many people would show such restraint.

Bullen also used the time travel plot (caused by her first wish) well. She acknowledged the awkwardness inherent in falling in love with someone in the past. She also covers issues associated with teen pregnancy without preaching for one side of the debate or another. The best part was the way she conveyed the message that view, both in photography and of one's life, is incredibly important. There may be wonderful things in your life that you're missing, because you cannot see the best in yourself and are not open to others.

This is a sweet, well done YA story. Recommended! ( )

I started WISHFUL THINKING with no expectations, except for the hope that it would be a relatively light and quick read, as I wasn't in the mood for something that would require deep thinking or tear my heart to pieces. Thankfully, Bullen's sophomore offering did neither.

Even though I wasn't expecting to not like it, I was still surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It was an exceptionally fast read, but I didn't feel like the story was missing anything and the characters were all well developed.

Unfortunately, WISHFUL THINKING was a bit predictable, but that didn't ruin the novel for me. Even though I knew what was going to happen, watching Hazel uncover these truths was still engaging. She was so set on her magical experience turning out a certain way that I couldn't help but be curious about how she would handle things when she realized that what you want, isn't always what you get... and, most of the time, you're better off with the latter.

And there is a rather adorable romantic element to the story as well... And there's has a twist, which keeps things interesting.

I'll be picking up WISH, Bullen's debut, at some point to see how the dresses came to land in Hazel's deserving arms. And, please note, that I had no problem following the story line having not read WISH prior to WISHFUL THINKING. ( )

Usually, I tend to read heavy mooded books, and though this had it's own semblance of tragic past but, it is much more enlightening. Q4P3 AHS/ Jacklyn P

Enjoyed this one. Review on my blog. ( )