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.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

This is the second book in the Come Away With Me series after "Bring me Sunshine" where the three gals met and formed a friendship last year during a holiday in Greece.

Deedee is a travel agent approaching her 70th year. She is still grieving the death of her husband Joe, but would like to have a birthday party in New York, so she invites Gina and Rosie, both around 50, to accompany her. There she reconnects with Yannis, an old flame who is now a good friend. But even from the grave, Joe has a surprise or three for her, resulting in a trip to the posh Hamptons.

The settings of New York and the Hamptons are described well, with a mouthwatering dose of Greek food added. I had to laugh at the old-fashioned way they tried to find a restaurant though. Just take a picture of the logo and put it through Google Lens! I also didn't like how everyone tried to push Deedee and Yannis together, that felt too forced.

If you feature older characters, there will be topics of aging and grief, but it is handled sensitively here. Rosie has had her story already so she barely featured - I would have liked at least a short update or flashback to the first book! I'm hoping Gina will be the main character of the next book.

This is a feel-good, easy to read escapist romance and an uplifting beach read about female friendship and second chances. The brightly-coloured cover is gorgeous.

3.5 stars

This was a lovely read featuring Deedee, Rosie and Gina who featured in Bring Me Sunshine, one year on and the focus is on Deedee as she approaches her 70th birthday with trepidation. This book takes us to New York although it’s far more about the characters than the sights with Deedee struggling to move on from the death of her beloved husband 4 years ago. This is a thoughtful look at grief and aging but by no means melancholic as there’s plenty of uplifting parts to this not least the banter between the characters. It was lovely to catch up with the characters again although I did feel Gina barely featured as most one to ones seemed to be between Rosie and Deedee although I’m hoping that will lead to Rosie getting her own story! This is a heartwarming read and fabulous to have an older main character who is still so young at heart but it has some depth and perceptiveness too.