Title: The Queen of Wishful Thinking
Author: Milly Johnson
Published: May 4th 2017
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 496
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Women’s Fiction
RRP: $29.99
Rating: 5 stars
Mrs R’s review:When Lewis Harley has a health scare in his early forties, he takes it as a wake-up call. So he and his wife Charlotte leave behind life in the fast lane and Lewis opens the antique shop he has dreamed of. Bonnie Brookland was brought up in the antiques trade and now works for the man who bought out her father’s business, but she isn’t happy there. So when she walks into Lew’s shop, she knows this is the place for her.
As Bonnie and Lew start to work together, they soon realise that there is more to their relationship than either thought. But Bonnie is trapped in an unhappy marriage, and Lew and Charlotte have more problems than they care to admit. Each has secrets in their past which are about to be uncovered. Can they find the happiness they both deserve?
The Queen of Wishful Thinking is the latest release by Milly Johnson. Milly is one of those authors I will immediately buy without knowing what the book is about because they are always a sure thing. The covers are adorable, giving a little insight to the narrative and the title aptly chosen. Despite its outwardly cheery cover, Milly deals with a lot of issues within this book. Emotional abuse is a big theme and to a lesser extent, physical abuse. ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ is also explored and the devastating effects it has on marriage and friendship. Assisted suicide is sensitively dealt with but on the lighter side, second chances play a big role for many people in the book as does forgiveness.
All the drama takes place in Spring Hill, England. I liked the name Spring Hill when I first came across it but the more I read the more I fell in love with the carefully chosen names of places and people! Pot of Gold is the name of an antique store where the star of the show, Bonnie Brookland, works after leaving the suitably named Grimshaws. Bonnie is a smart, resourceful woman in her early 40’s trapped in an unhappy marriage due to circumstances beyond her control. I loved Bonnie because despite her marriage, she finds joy where she can. From her love of antiques to her colourful clothes, she brings a positive energy with her. She also brings her old friends in the antique business to Pot of Gold. With names like Stickalampinit, Uncle Funky, Starstruck and Jackpot how could I not have a smile on my face? Her boss, Lewis Hartley, is the other star of the show who benefits from Bonnie’s presence in his life. He has turned to the simple life after a heart attack but it seems that the same cannot be said for his wife or friends who are obsessed with wanting more. The cracks start to appear and he learns who he can really trust. Kudos to Lewis and Bonnie because they are both moral characters who resist the attraction to each other while they are married. This made their happily ever after all the sweeter when it finally comes along.
With the quote ‘Wish. Think. Do.’ The Queen of Wishful Thinking left me feeling happy and positive about life!
The Queen of Wishful Thinking by Milly Johnson was published on May 4th 2017 by Simon & Schuster. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
To learn more about the author of The Queen of Wishful Thinking by Milly Johnson, visit here.
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