“Love is a wordless secret; It’s an inside joke. Only the two of you have to understand it.”

Beautiful and heartfelt, and once again, Renee Carlino has delivered the touching prose she does so well! Wish You Were Here is a thought provoking, poignant, and remarkable story about self-discovery and love. At its essence, this is a story about love. Whilst this isn’t a gut wrenching sob your heart out story, there were certainly times we read through tears, courtesy of some very moving moments in Renee Carlino’s latest romance.

“Do you believe in soul mates, Charlotte?”
“I think so.”

This author cemented our belief that people come into our lives for a reason, that each person we meet, be it good or bad, becomes part of our fabric. Each person we give our hearts to leaves a footprint on our lives, responsible for how we live and love, and for Charlotte Martin, this couldn’t be more accurate when she meets Adam. Charlotte could never imagine the impact this man would have on her.

‘You broke his damn heart.’

There are those who will arrive in a blaze of glory, unsettling our foundations, forcing us to see inside ourselves, and for Charlotte, that person was Adam, and it was because of Adam that Wish You Were Here had us hooked from the outset. Adam was such an intriguing character and the way Renee Carlino set up this story, dangling those little emotional carrots, preparing our hearts, repairing our hearts, left us breathless.

“Different people connect to different parts of our souls.”

Adam and Charlotte had a true connection and we felt it. It was as though they’d crossed paths in a previous life and found each other again. That sort of soulmate love, but the planets weren’t aligned and Adam and Charlotte part ways, though Charlotte never forgot the man who impacted her so deeply.

Time goes by and Charlotte meets a soulful and beautiful man named Seth Taylor, and oh boy did this man steal our hearts. Seth is the sort of man a girl dreams of and we loved him deeply.

And here is where Wish You Were Here lost us in some ways. Charlotte’s treatment of Seth was awful. Seth was such a sweet character, that Charlotte’s actions towards him incensed us. There were times we felt as though Seth was merely a distraction for Charlotte. A means to while away the time while she secretly hoped her path would once again cross with Adams, and Seth didn’t deserve that. We felt Charlotte was insincere to Seth and it was as though Charlotte was continually on the defensive. Always quick with a hurtful jibe or bratty pout, not only towards Seth, but towards her friend Helen also. When reading, we always put ourselves in the heroines shoes, to try and relate to her, to understand he feelings and action; sadly in this case, we couldn’t.

Now, that being said, we did love this book. We did become swept up in this story, which in itself was heartfelt. The two men in Charlotte’s life were divine, and there’s no doubt Renee Carlino kept us on our toes wondering how this story would play out. The writing was stunning, with Renee Carlino delivering a love story with warmth and honesty and two men our hearts ached for . And each made moved us for very different reasons.

“Your art, our memories, the memories people have of us. It makes us immortal. When you love someone, whether it be your family, friends, partners, whatever, it’s like planting a little seedling of yourself inside of their hearts.”

Renee Carlino certainly tugged at our heartstrings, but she also provided light relief courtesy of some fabulously witty secondary characters. The insulting banter and witty sibling rivalry between Charlotte and her brother Charles was priceless! Chuck needs his own book! So whilst we did have issues with the heroine, there’s no doubt the story itself and the characters reminded us why we continue to pick up this authors books time and time again, and why we always will.

4 stars

TBB RENEE CARLINO RECOMMENDED READS
“CLICK ON BOOK COVERS FOR REVIEWS AND PURCHASE LINKS”

SWEAR ON THIS LIFE – 5 STAR STANDALONE
Searing second chance love story.

When we say that every single emotion came into play, we mean Every. Single. Emotion. It was utterly captivating and stunningly beautiful. This is without question one of the most intense and complicated second chance romances we’ve ever read.

‘She sat there holding her smooth legs to her chest, staring out the window, popping her gum, bored, and saying inconsequential things. But still…she was the center of the universe. She could make the whole world go around without even breaking a sweat.’



BEFORE WE WERE STRANGERS – 5 STAR STANDALONE
Second chance love

What an utterly beautiful story! A breathtakingly moving story of an intense first love, of searing second chance love, and one of missed connections, miscommunication and wasted opportunities that spanned fifteen years with a love between two people we felt deep in our hearts.

‘You can’t recreate the first time you promise to love someone or the first time you feel loved by another. You cannot relive the sensation of fear, admiration, self-consciousness, passion, and desire all mixed into one because it never happens twice. You chase it like the first high for the rest of your life.’

Wish You Were Here by Renee Carlino is a stand-alone romance novel. This is a emotional read. Wish You Were Here gutted the hell out of me.
Charlotte, drifting through her life collides with Adam. Adam , a georgeous painter. They spend the night together and their chemistry is through the roof high. It was one look and they clicked. But the next day he gives her the cold shoulder. Months later, Charlie is in a new relationship she meets Adam again. Soulmates that fate let collide.
But nothing is as it seems, nothing.
Wish You Were Here is a heart wrenchingly story, a very emotional read. Can you have more than one soulmate? More than one true love; a love of a lifetime? After I finished this book I was an emotional wreck. I needed tissues, a lot. I suffered with the characters, I cheered for them and in general I loved them.
I loved the story, I loved the writing and I loved the words. Wish You Were Here is a book that stays with you. I recommend this book and give 5 stars. Thank you Renee Carlino!

Renee Carlino serves up another unexpected romance with Wish You Were Here. A one-of-a-kind twist on the love triangle, Charlotte’s story is fairly low on drama and overall, incredibly hopeful. This book read quickly and I was undeniably intrigued by the premise of the story. Fast paced and filled with fascinating secondary characters, Wish You Were Here explored life, love, and family in a totally unique way. I appreciated the various relationships Renee Carlino explored throughout this book. In addition to Charlotte’s very different relationships with Adam and Seth, the author highlighted the heroine’s friendship with Helen along with her relationships with her brother and parents. Endearing, self-reflective, and just the right amount of funny, this novel was sweet, surprising, and utterly life-affirming.

My biggest issue with this novel was the emotional development of the heroine. Written to be flighty and unfocused, Charlotte’s voice sometimes came across as unfeeling and disconnected. We were told how Charlotte felt instead of being made to experience the emotions through her dialogue, deportment, and inner musings. This narrative style kept me at arms length and I was never really able to feel for the character the way I so desperately wanted to. Charlotte just felt too inconsistent and by the end of the story, I still wasn’t convinced her feelings were authentic. I genuinely missed being wholly captivated by Renee Carlino’s words and felt as if this story lacked the kind of heart-wrenching emotional depth and perfectly fluid pacing I’ve come to expect from this author.

That’s not to say I didn’t love pieces of this book. I definitely enjoyed getting to know both Adam and Seth. I’m always happy to fall in love with the hero, but falling for two was even better. Renee Carlino did a great job developing these completely different personalities while still managing to make both men utterly swoon-worthy and worth rooting for. Admittedly, the storyline had its ups and downs for me, but the last thirty percent or so really hit its mark. The beautiful imagery and poetic prose that colored the conclusion of Charlotte’s story was much more reminiscent of Renee Carlino’s usual style and I found myself truly appreciating the novel for its raw and poignant plot. Other readers may connect better with Charlotte than I did, in which case Wish You Were Here will certainly enchant. Renee Carlino reminds readers to live, laugh, and fall in love with this decidedly intriguing read.

Renée Carlino has become one of those rare authors that I know I'm going to read whatever she writes - and be emotionally impacted by it. She has a gift for writing stories that I slip into seamlessly and become fully immersed in the lives of characters that feel like they could be my friends, my sisters, my family. Wish You Were Here was no exception.

Charlotte is coasting through life with a series of failed careers and failed relationships behind her. A chance meeting with Adam leads to a one-night stand and an intense connection. However, the morning after brings another side of Adam and Charlotte is left questioning how all they shared the previous night could have vanished so quickly. Six months later Charlotte is still shaken by her encounter with Adam and even a tentative new relationship with a seemingly great guy cannot shake her conviction that her story with Adam is still unfinished.

There's little I can say plot-wise without giving away much of the story and it's best to experience Wish You Were Here without too much information - just let the story unfold. So instead let's talk characters. Carlino did her usual magic and created a main character so flawed and so human and it was impossible not to feel her uncertainty and lack of direction. Admittedly, the two main male characters at times fell into the too-good-to-be-true category but I loved them both so much that I couldn't hold it against them (or Carlino). Every interaction was filled with such heart and emotion and humor, often making me smile through tears. There were times when I was frustrated with Charlotte, wondering if she was being deliberately obtuse, but watching as she changed and truly came into her own made it all worthwhile. Yes, it could be argued that there is insta-love (or at least an insta-connection), but it was impossible not to fall under the romantic spell that Carlino cast. I was swept away by the sparks that were flying, by the grand gestures, by the quiet moments. Somehow, Carlino took the trope, added her signature mixture of realism and emotion, and made it work.

Wish You Were Here puts a spotlight on not only romantic relationships but those with friends and family as well. As the story progresses, it was satisfying to see Charlotte's relationships with her best friend, her parents and her brother change and evolve as she herself changed. Her relationship with her brother was a real highlight and their banter rang so true. Anyone with a sibling will understand and appreciate the love-hate relationship, the rivalry, the inside jokes, and the way the relationship (hopefully) evolves into something even stronger and deeper in adulthood.

Wish You Were Here is about having the courage to choose love no matter what the cost. It's about soul mates and second chances. It's about growing up, finding direction, and living in the moment. Ultimately, Wish You Were Here is the perfect novel for those who are in love with love.

Review link posted below.

”I promise to love you forever. As long as there is love in this world, we will be a part of it.”

So sweet!! Filled with tons of romance and some real emotion. Don't read any spoilers for this book! I'm glad I didn't know anything about it.

Renee Carlino's books ALWAYS captivate me. 'Swear on This Life' is one of my all-time favorite stories. I will say that Adam is definitely my favorite thing about this book. *SIGH* Adam is one of the most memorable characters ever created by Ms. Carlino. Impulsive, sweet, charming, creative and loving, he really puts himself out there when he meets Charlotte. While I'm not always a fan of insta-love, it just WORKED here. Charlotte opened up her heart to Adam because he seemed, well, absolutely perfect.

I was absolutely enchanted by Adam and could understand how Charlotte fell for him. But life has a funny way of working out and things don't turn out quite how Charlotte expected. There was definitely something off about Adam right from the beginning but I couldn't put my finger on it.


“You’re stunning and beautiful and I loved every second of it. I’m sorry you didn’t like it. Did I hurt you.?”

“No, but are you going to paint it?”

“Paint what?”

“Us, what we just did?”

“No.”

“No?”

“No. I don’t need to. I’ll never forget it and it’s sacred.”

The story took a lot of twists and turns and it was definitely one that I was not expecting!! Charlotte has had terrible luck at relationships and let's just say that Adam does not turn out to be everything she expected or imagined. Nonetheless, he still feels like the one love of her life, even though they spent a very short time together.

Life moves on and Charlotte gets back in to the dating scene. She meets the adorable Seth, who is a minor-league baseball player. He really likes her but she can't quite forget Adam. Seth is patient and sexy and athletic and funny and smart and is just an all-around wonderful man!! But can Charlotte move on from her brief time with Adam?

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.

This is a lovely, romantic, bittersweet story filled with wonderful life lessons about healing and loving. I also adored all of the characters. This is not at all a love triangle (although I love those, too!). Don't read any spoilers about this one, you will enjoy the book so much more going in blind. The conclusion was just lovely and as always with Renee Carlino's stories, I was sorry to see this one end!

“I want you to know that I am grateful to you. I’m grateful to you now. I got to experience IT in this life, and I don’t think it’s measured with time.”

“You don’t think what’s measured with time, Adam?”

“Love, Charlotte.”

In the market for your average sweet romance, insta-love connection, or steamy quick read? Keep looking. Wish You Were Here is anything but your average story. Remarkable characters, a memorable and unique storyline, and an instant and unshakable love unlike any other. It should come as no surprise by now that Renee Carlino produces a distinctly epic love story, yet I'm pleasantly surprised with each and every new story produced by this author.

From the moment Adam and Charlotte meet you can just tell that something is different. Not just in the sense that this is not your run-of-the-mill heroine, but instead one that is a bit flighty and quirky and ready for something big to happen in her life, and it's not your average Joe that she meets, but instead one that is fun and artistic and mysterious. It's not just the immediate and electrifying connection. Not just the speed at which things move. But maybe Adam's erratic behavior? Maybe Charlotte's out of character decisions? It has to be Adam's mantra. Something is unquestionably unique and thrilling and mystifying, something that had my interest instantly piqued and from that point on I was completely and most definitely hooked.

If nothing else Adam is 100% admirably free spirited, unrestrained, and carefree. To be so uninhibited, so spontaneous, and so full of life is extremely enviable for those of us that may, more often than not, miss out of some pretty amazing opportunities by being overly cautious. Unfortunately, it takes a life altering event for most of us to embrace such a philosophy at which time it may just be too late. If you take just one thing from this story, I would hope it would be this outlook, this attitude, and this positivity in the face of both the good and the bad.

Talk about insta-love. After just one night together, there is a bond so extraordinary and so intense that no matter the time or distance, the mind insists on returning to that short time together. While I've never been a big fan of a profession of love after an incredibly short amount of time, I have never seen a connection such as this done so well. The characters don't claim to love one another after that first night, which was a huge relief for me, they didn't necessarily equate what they were feeling to true, all-consuming love, even in their own minds, and it was less about the word love or the label of being in love, but more about the overwhelming feelings of being incomplete without that person, of finding someone that could be your perfect match, of relating to someone as you never have before. I was not just okay with all this this time around, I enjoyed it, I was totally on board with it, and yes, even loved the romanticism of it all. Renee Carlino proves that insta-love can not only be tackled successfully, but it can also be powerful and believable and even relatable.

At one point I thought I had it all figured out and believed I knew just how this story would end. I soon came to find that, though the majority of what was expected did in fact take place, it was in a much more beautiful and breathtaking way than I ever anticipated. From the very start I never wanted there to be even an inkling of settling or leftovers and when I believed that this was indeed going to happen, I became very frustrated with what had previously been a fun, exceptional, and life affirming story. Believe me, even if you think you know, see this one out. I'm honestly not sure how I could have doubted Renee Carlino in the first place, but it was so much more complicated, compelling and poetic than ever anticipated. Each person we meet and choose to allow into our lives changes us in some way. Some more than others, and there is a reason for them all. I love that everyone in Charlotte's life had a reason and that while they may have come into Charlotte's life at inopportune times, their purpose was not lost on her and things worked out as they were meant to in the end.

A striking and important story that will remind you to appreciate what you have while you have it and to live each day to the fullest. Wish You Were Here is highly emotional, wonderfully surprising, and powerfully poignant. Your average Renee Carlino masterpiece making it anything but your average romance.

*complimentary copy provided by publisher for an honest review

Charlotte is at loose ends. She works at a restaurant where there endless bowl of soup night is the big draw. She has had a string of disastrous boyfriends. She lives with her best friend from childhood who is a lot more of a free spirit. And then one night, she meets Adam and throws all caution to the wind. He is a lawyer who quit his job to create and paint. He has painted murals around the city. They fall into each other and Charlotte thinks that she has found something special but in the morning, he seems to be distant. She doesn’t hear from him again. Oh, she looks for him, but no Adam. Then she meets Seth. Seth is what you would probably call the perfect man. She begins something with him and maybe life is looking up. And then…..she sees a mural of a story she told Adam THAT night. When she finally finds him, she finds out the secret that he was keeping from her. (A secret that I think everyone reading could figure out right away) What happens next is everything that changes all their lives.

I enjoyed this book. I really did but there was something that just didn’t sit right with me. I am the biggest romantic in the world and cry at the drop of a hat, but I didn’t feel that at all. I felt the meeting and falling in love was maybe a bit too abrupt. I loved the ending. The letter at the end did touch my heart. I have read many reviews of people loving this so maybe it just didn’t hit the right chord for me for some reason.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.

Wish You Were Here is an absolutely stunning book. This is my first time reading Renee Carlino's work and it definitely not be the last. From its gorgeous cover to every word on the pages in between, I am in awe of this author and her ability to craft this amazing story. Its snappy dialogue will make you laugh and beautiful imagery will transport you. But mostly, this book will set up permanent residence in your heart and that will be just fine, let it happen. It is so worth it.

When we meet Charlotte, she is living a half-life and looking for the THING that shouts at her heart and shoves her forward. When it shows up, in the form of Chinese food-bearing stranger, well you do not turn it away. You suspend every bit of your disbelief and allow yourself to be pulled into his orbit, because resistance is futile.

Charlotte is plucky, brilliant and always felt authentic. I loved this woman so much and she spoke to me on so many levels. Her journey is part inspiring and frustrating, but she faces with a humor that never fails her.

I can say without a doubt, I was not prepared to love this book as much as I do. Wish You Were Here is a sweet, funny, emotional story that days later I am still feeling soul-deep. This is the best kind of book hangover. Sigh. Enjoy.

Happy Reading!!

Laurie’s Rating: Not. Enough. Starry. Nights.

I didn't really connect with the insta-love and felt bad for Seth. I get where Renee was trying to go with this book, so for that, I give it 4 stars. Unfortunately, that disconnection meant the difference between out-of-this-world amazing book to it's a good read.

5+ Everyone Needs to Read This CROWNS

This is going to be a relatively short and sweet review for two reasons. First, everyone should read this book with out any spoilers, even minor ones. Second, my words will never live up to how beautiful and poignant this journey is.

This book moved me on a real-life level. I didn't swoon over heroes, get overheated from the steamy scenes, or sit on the edge of my seat from angst or suspense. What this story did for me as a reader was to make me look at life as valuable. I know that seems clear, but in the hustle and bustle of life, we often forget to cherish the moments, truly live our lives, and love fiercely, even if it hurts us in the end. This story reminds you of all of that.

The other aspect of this story that made my heart soar is the idea that love isn't a once in a lifetime thing. This idea of having multiple soulmates, of connecting with different people, and being able to find happiness amidst pain is uplifting and brings so much hope for days to get better.

This story is one of that will be remembered for more than it's great romance and characters. It will be remembered for its themes and its relevance to the real world and the relationships we encounter every day, and I know, personally, it will stay with me forever.

Simply put, Wish You Were Here is the most beautifully heartwrenching and profoundly uplifting book I've read this year. It's a story that is so tragic yet so full of magic, it's hard for me to describe it as anything less than PERFECT. This is my absolute favorite book from Renee Carlino to date, a superbly written, thought provoking story of love and soul mates, fate and loss, hope, healing and acceptance. Its breathtaking and heartbreaking and I loved every single word.


This book took my breath away. Wish You Were Here had me laughing out loud, smiling from ear to ear. It brought me to tears, kicked me in the gut, filled my heart up with hope just as often as it broke it into a million pieces. I was infuriated. I was heartsick. I was in love. I completely melted with how blissfully romantic it is. I was devastated. I was overjoyed. I was intoxicated and consumed and torn up and filled up and in the end, I was blown away by how absolutely perfect it all was. And the more I reflect on it, the more perfect I find it. 


There's something remarkable about a book that can give you fresh perspective, that demands the reader see the world in a whole new way. Wish You Were Here takes the reader through such an array of emotions as you take this journey with this character. Charlotte is a mess, quite frankly, and this story of her evolution as a woman, as a daughter, as a sister, as a friend, as a partner and lover and as an individual is inspiring and humbling and challenging. It's beautiful what Renee Carlino does here within these pages, what she does with every single character in this story, and you can't help but to feel a bit changed after you finish reading. 


This book is like nothing I've ever read. It's beautiful. Everything from the complexity of the storyline, to the vivid imagery illustrated by the author's lush writing, to the relationships between every character, to the raw emotion on every pages, you the intricate development of every single personality... Everything about it is simply STUNNING. This is a book you have to read. You just have to. This is an unforgettable story that deserves a place on every bookshelf and in the heart of every reader. It's a must.

This was my first Renee Carlino book even though a dead friend of mine (whose opinion I trust implicitly) has highly recommended Swear On This Life. Now that I've read Wish You Were Here, not only am I on a mission to read Swear On This Life, I have to read all of Renee Carlino's work and probably buy hard copies of everything too (it doesn't hurt that all of her covers are stunning). The book has turned her into a must read author for me. Although my life in no way resembles Charlotte's (I became a single mother at the age of 18, married at 25, and had two more children along the way), I completely related to her feeling of aimlessness. Life has always been something that just happened to me - I have purpose but no direction. So upon meeting Charlotte, I was completely engrosses in the character and her story. And I really loved that about this book - it is very much a character driven novel and you couldn't ask for better characters to follow than Charlotte and Adam. I don't want to say too much about the book because it really is best to go in blind in order to get the fullest experience. Just be prepared with Kleenex and brace yourself for surprises. Wish You Were Here stole my heart in a very real and unexpected way. I give it 4 out of 5 wine glasses.

Swear on This Life is one of my all time favorite books, and I was very much looking forward to reading this one. I really didn't like this book, mostly because of the characters. I felt they were severely underdeveloped. Charlotte was supposed to be so insightful, yet behaved like an oblivious child most of the book. Adam reminded me of the episode of Sex and the City where Carrie discovered she was dating a man with ADD (even though I completely understand why his behavior was erratic). And Seth came across like a rapey asshole. I didn't like anyone, and I wasn't rooting for anyone to end up together.

Carlino is capable of great stories and unforgettable characters, this book just didn't work for me.

QueenZany 4.5 Star Review
WISH YOU WERE HERE
RENEE CARLINO


WISH YOU WERE HERE is a breathtaking, heart stopping, kinda shake you to the core kinda reads!! The one that will move you, shake you and rock your socks off! But has that added humor, dirty talking and that oh so perfect Alpha attitude!! Which seems to balance out the story! Making you fall that little more, with just the hint of snarkiness to add!
WOWZER!!! Like for real!! I just can’t say enough about the brilliancy of RENEE CARLINO ‘s journey she lead me on! Pure Soul entrapping marvel!!

Oh, this book. There were times I was SO frustrated with Charlotte and times she actually had me crying. I actually cried through several parts of this book. And, when I finished, I cried some more.

This was such a heart rending story. I absolutely LOVED it. I knew something was up with Adam almost right away, but my guess about his issue was totally wrong. Yay!! The characters were so real and had me totally mesmerized and engrossed in their world.

A story about love, loss, growing up and somewhat cheesy at times that I absolutely loved and enjoyed.

Huge thanks to Atria Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

This story was absolute magic. The words, the story, the characters, all came together to create one amazingly stunning piece that days later I am still thinking about.

The emotions this book evoked left me speechless after reading. I am still attempting to come up with any words to do this book justice. Their is heartbreak, yet there is love and romance and complete swooniness. There is words that will speak to you and your heart.

This will definitely be a story that will stay with me for a long time to come. Renee Carlino is definitely a one-click author for me. I can't wait to see what she brings us next.

I feel like I am the only person who has read this book so far that wasn't moved to tears. Normally, I would say that it's because I am so tough when it comes to emotions while reading. I don't think that is all it is with this one.

I have been a huge fan of Carlino's since she published her very first book. She has been a go-to author when I want a romance story. Her writing is phenomenal, and she is able to tell a story with complete expertise.

In the beginning of the story, I was totally jiving with it. I was on board. Then, the book took a turn. I began to loathe Charlotte. I couldn't shake my disdain for her character. In my eyes, she was selfish. No matter what, she had a tough time redeeming herself to me.

I can see where and why people were brought to tears while reading this book. The disconnect for me that sets me away from those readers is my inability to feel any form of empathy or sympathy for Charlotte. I felt for the characters she affected the most around her, but not her.

By the time this book ended, I still just didn't like Charlotte, but I was happy with the final result of the story, even though I didn't feel Charlotte deserved it.

Carlino's writing is spot-on like it always has been. After reading my thoughts above, it might not seem like it. This just wasn't a story that I totally got into.