You know when you’re looking at someone and you can’t help but smile at how oblivious they are to their own charm? That’s what was happening to me, and it was making me feel…happy. Euphoric. Something indescribable. It was like we already knew each other, like we had met in a previous life. Memories that didn’t exist began exploding in my mind like fireworks. Charlotte has spent her twenties … spent her twenties adrift, searching for a spark to jump-start her life and give her a sense of purpose. She’s had as many jobs as she’s had bad relationships, and now she’s feeling especially lost in her less-than-glamorous gig at a pie-and-fry joint in Los Angeles, where the uniforms are bad and the tips are even worse.
Then she collides–literally–with Adam, an intriguing, handsome, and mysterious painter. Their serendipitous meeting on the street turns into a whirlwind one-night stand that has Charlotte feeling enchanted by Adam’s spontaneity and joy for life. There’s promise in both his words and actions, but in the harsh light of morning, Adam’s tune changes, leaving Charlotte to wonder if her notorious bad luck with men is really just her own bad judgment.
Months later, a new relationship with Seth, a charming baseball player, is turning into something more meaningful, but Charlotte’s still having trouble moving past her one enthralling night with Adam. Why? When she searches for answers, she finds the situation with Adam is far more complicated than she ever imagined. Faced with the decision to write a new story with Seth or finish the one started with Adam, Charlotte embarks on a life-altering journey, one that takes her across the world and back again, bringing a lifetime’s worth of pain, joy, and wisdom.more
Renée Carlino has been one of my absolute favorite authors ever since I read Sweet Thing. She’s a wonderful storyteller and knows how to pull your heart in and drown it in various emotions. This book was no different. The moment I got wind of Wish You Were Here I knew I was in for a mind-blowing experience. And that’s exactly what I got.
Charlotte is this young woman in her twenties that never seemed to stick to just one thing. She switches interests and boyfriends often because she doesn’t get that feeling of certainty that shouts “this is it”, so to speak. Still, I found Charlotte’s character to be very relatable. Like her, I’ve often felt adrift or not quite certain of where to go in life. I feel that many people in their twenties especially think they have to decide on one set path, stay on it, and go with the flow, in spite that their hearts may not be all in. But from Charlotte, you get the sense that it’s okay to try different things, make mistakes, work on yourself, and keep pushing on until you get there because you will eventually.
Another thing I related to Charlotte with was how insecure she felt and how she lacked confidence, not only in herself but in her capability to have a healthy relationship and career. And although her encounter with Adam was rather interesting and turned out to be full of excitement for that one night, the misunderstanding that transpired the morning after didn’t help her self-doubt and already low self-esteem whatsoever. As a matter of fact, her dignity was so bruised that it made it difficult to move on with another. Thank goodness Seth was a great guy and was willing to wait for Charlotte. Even after she reunited with Adam and all that happened after. That’s where the sad elements of the book peaked.
Adam. What could I possibly say about this guy that would sum up his awesomeness in the story? There isn’t one word that could do him justice, to be honest. He was just that wonderful. Adam was facing something so sad and horrible, yet he smiled and continued to appreciate the small things in life. His love for art and Charlotte was so admirable and so real, that I could feel it through the pages. Their connection was intense, beautiful and painful all in one. My heart ached for them, like seriously. And while I did love Seth, his sweet personality and how even though it hurt, he understood and accepted Charlotte’s feelings, a huge part of me loved Adam more and rooted for him.
Regardless of how things went, I was thrilled that Charlotte at least experienced self-growth toward the end of the story and finally saw herself as she should have from the beginning, strong and worthy.
Yeah, the book does have painful moments, but thanks to Charlotte’s brother and her friendship with Helen, there were humorous times as well. The brother/sister aspect was particularly my favorite. Chucky, like most siblings, knew how to push his sister’s buttons and they sure did mess with each other. But at the end of the day, it was all fun and I liked how supportive her brother was in his own way. As for Helen, it was mostly love/dislike for me. I loved that she could cheer up Charlotte and was so close to her family, but I felt like Helen wasn’t really there for her best friend in that whole situation with Adam. I thought she could have been a bit more understanding and stop bringing up Seth every time she was around Charlotte. The situation was already complicated and I didn’t like some of the things she said. Glad they were able to resolve all that over time though.
To conclude, Ms. Carlino has definitely done it again. This was such a great story. I transitioned from laughing to crying to feeling frustrated, then to sad and crying happy tears throughout the book. Only a few authors mess with my emotions this much the way Renée does and I just love that you never know how you’ll end up feeling by the end of her stories. My gosh, I cannot recommend this one enough. If you’re up for an emotional read definitely give this one a chance. You won’t regret it.
I would have liked to rate both the story and the performance with 4.5 stars. I listened to the Audible version. The narration was great, though sometimes it was tough to tell characters apart only by voice. I liked the characters in the story and appreciated the family teasing that was based out of love (not mean spirited). I also liked seeing the growth of charlotte as a person over the course of the story, though the ending seemed a little (or maybe a lot) easier than I would have expected. There are happy moments, sad moments, funny moments and unbelievable moments, but it is done in such a way that I enjoyed the story.
#AudiobookObsession
In life it’s wonderful to have the one great love of your life, but having two? is incredible!
Thats what happened to Charlotte!!!!!! A chance meeting Adam and one night of fun, pretend, and love. an instant attraction. Adam is a free spirit, charming, funny. Their attraction was mutual. ” When people talk about the one, you are my one! ” Adam said.
Due to circumstances beyond his control. Adam and Charlotte lost contact with each other., but reconnect later in the story.
Her mom and her brother set up a profile on A dating sight. Thats how she met Seth, a quiet, caring up and coming baseball player. She was attracted to him, but in her heart she always wondered about Adam.
Renee Carlino story is so well written. poignant, funny at times, and emotional. Be sure to have tissues ready because it’s a tearjerker! Ava Lucas narration is superb. I could feel every emotion, crying, laughing ,throughout the story. Each character had their own voice and her transitioning between each character was flawless
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OMG, why didn’t I read this sooner!!!! I really loved this one! This was so good and such a sad, but heartfelt story!!! I’d suggest going into this one blind, it was a bit of an unexpected romance for me. Ava Lucas did an amazing job narrating.
#AudiobookObsessionReviewer
Fabulous Story & Audible Listen Beautiful & Heartfelt!
Wish You Were Here A Novel
By: Renée Carlino
Narrated by: Ava Lucas
This is such a beautiful and moving story, it is well written and well told with realistic storylines that grabbed my heart and mind. In addition to being complex and well developed the characters are also likable and ones you can easily relate to. I adored Charlotte, her friend Helen and her brother Charles, I just loved the rapport she had with them. The banter between them was hysterical at times. Charlotte is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up, she has tried different careers but has not found the one. Returning home after a night of partying she and Helen see a nice looking guy standing in the middle of the sidewalk. He introduces himself as Adam and helps Charlotte get a tipsy Helen home. Charlotte and Adam bonded from the start, it was like they already knew each other. After Adam leaves, they look outside see he is still there, so Charlotte goes out to see if he needs help. They wind up spending time together and then the night. It was a night to remember but by the morning Adam acted completely different. So she left, confused and heartbroken. It was just one night but she could not get him out of her mind. Her brother sets up a profile for her on a dating site, one that was hysterical, she goes with it and winds up meeting a really nice guy, Seth Taylor. She gets along with him but still has Adam on her mind, then Helen meets his friend and it is instant love between them. Charlotte is faced with a lot of changes in her life, she is hesitant about getting involved with Seth but does make a decision to try to track down Adam and find out what his deal was, she needs closure. But she gets so much more than closure, what she gets is life changing. I loved how well plotted this beautiful story is, it had some heartbreaking and wrenching moment but there were beautiful heartfelt ones too. There is a good balance of humor and drama, some angst and some surprise twists. As well as a whirlwind romance. I loved how far Charlotte came and grew as a person, her story is a great story of love, loss and learning how to live, and I mean really live. Renée Carlino, thank you for this great story and the emotional rollercoaster ride, I loved everything about it.
I listened to the Audible edition, narrated by the wonderfully talented Ava Lucas. She performs the voices for all the characters, giving each their own unique voice and personality, she brings them to life, humanizes them by giving them a whole lot of heart. Her portrayal of the characters is spot on. She perfect tone for the story and handles the back and forth banter with ease, switching character roles effortlessly. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another amazing listen
Thank you @AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsessionReviewer
(5+++ stars)
Over the years I have written several reviews where I state that that particular story will stay with me for a long time. WYWH blew them all away as I have no doubt this story will stay with me FOREVER! I do not say that lightly. I mean that with everything I am. I cannot find the right words to do this book justice. These characters made me laugh out loud while simultaneously ripping my heart out. If you could only read one book this year make it Wish You Were Here.
Wow! This puts a whole new spin on a love triangle!?! The love between Charlotte & Adam was heartwrenchingly beautiful! But the love between Charlotte & Seth was incredibly exciting! Just read the book—you will not be sorry!!
This book was just awesome it’s a love story that will leave you wishing it wasn’t over.
Charlotte can’t make a decision on life careers or men but one night she runs into a crazy sweet man and goes for it a spontaneous night turns into more than she could ever image. It was almost love a first sight she wanted more but somehow it didn’t turn out that way and she was gutted and heart broken.
She tried to move on but she just couldn’t get over him when she finally decides to try again and starts the beginning of something magical her life turns upside down and Adam came back she can’t decide what to do but with his circumstances she goes for her heart.
This book was fabulous so much happens in her life but she finally finds herself and her worth.
She learns more about herself and what she truly wants in life and maybe even a second chance on love.
I haven’t read this author before but her words are truly magical and I will read her other books. This book will make you laugh cry and feel so many things all at once.
Boy oh boy, this book was an emotional roller coaster for me. There was love, loss and healing. Charlotte ticked me off a time or two but I kept forgiving her. Lol
It was a powerful story. Heartbreaking but also beautiful.
I love the way Renée Carlino writes her stories. I fall in love with her characters and it was no different this time. So, with that said, I’m off to read another Renée Carlino book! 🙂