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There are currently 21 member reviews
for The Secret Ingredient of Wishes
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Virginia B. (Foster, RI)
Be Careful What You Wish For
This quick read is an entertaining love story that plays with the idea that a person can have the ability to grant wishes and this ability can have dark, unintended consequences. As improbable as this idea is in our modern world, Crispell manages to paint convincing characters and evoke a southern setting that feels real. A little escape from reality is healthy sometimes and this book is good medicine.
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Carm D. (Omaha, NE)
The Secret Ingredient of Wishes by Susan Bishop Crispell
I very much enjoyed this book, it was like a grown up Brothers Grimm story.
Kind of predictable but fun anyway. I liked the way the characters developed very much and could almost smell the pies! If only there was such a place as Nowhere!
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Erin, Ft. Vancouver Regional Library District, WA
Great choice for a book club selection
This is a good choice for fans of Sarah Addison Allen, as it had a similar feel and concepts (semi-sentient fruit trees, anyone?). There were quirky and engaging characters, a charming town, and magic in the air. A delightful read, to be sure.
It would make an excellent book club selection--there were so many times I wished I could discuss this book with someone! For example, does anyone else feel like there should have been more significance to the poisoned plum tree--how it got poisoned and what might have happened when it was ripped out? Or Rachel's family photo--I was surprised Rachel didn't use it as proof both with her parents at the time of the accident as well as with Ashe when the truth about her brother came out.
This book also made me want to eat pie. Lots of pie. And sit on a porch enjoying the shade on a hot, sunny day.
For readers advisor's: character, story, and setting doorways were all strong. There is a fair amount of swearing, which didn't bother me but might bother some people (things like "damn" and "bat-shit crazy"). Some kissing, touching, and removal of a shirt but no actual sex scenes. No violence.
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Dorinne D. (Wickenburg, AZ)
A Fairytale for Adults
With wishes floating around on slips of paper, and secrets baked into pies, this charming story catches you up and holds you. Definitely a great summer beach read! I enjoyed it immensely and will be looking for Ms. Crispell's next book when it comes out.
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Diane H. (Leawood, KS)
A Very Pleasant Read
Be careful what you wish for as it may come true. This theme predominates the story line. The book was thoroughly enjoyable and would be a great beach read. It is a really nice story of wishes, secrets, pleas and love.
The characters are ones the reader can relate to.
Overall, a great read
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Peggy K. (San Diego, CA)
Wishes
A delightful romance but one also with topics of importance in life. Who hasn't wished that all they wanted could be granted or that their secrets could be hidden away? It sounds so good but in this lovely story we can see the pitfalls of having that ability. Readers of all ages can simply enjoy the romance and the idea of it all but reader clubs can find a gold mine here to talk about in just what it might mean to be able to grant wishes at will. We can see the damage that can be done to the person who has this ability as well as the effects on those that wish. Hiding secrets baked in a pie might look like a great idea too but again there are many pitfalls here and one thing affects another sometimes to the good and sometimes to the bad. I don't read romances often these days but I found this one to be very enjoyable and I think readers will as well.
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Carol N. (San Jose, CA)
From Memphis to Nowhere
Lovely caper filled with imagination. . . one learns you must be careful for what you wish for, you may have to live with its consequences. This book is charming and completely filled with mouthwatering descriptions of pies, one of my favorite desserts. Did I get lose myself in Nowhere, yes and no. One must admit it is a great name for a city! The characters were fascinating and very memorable, however, its plot was predictable. With its charming Southern setting and Rachel's interactions with Nowhere's quirky residents, it made for fun and easy read.
