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Making Wishes
Elloree Prince is an attractive, creative young woman who marries a wealthy businessman, Tom Randall. After courting his bride with unrelenting determination, Tom moves her into old-moneyed Oak View, where generations of Randalls have lived for years.
Outwardly, Elloree appears to settle into raising their two sons within Oak View's stifling social structure, but inwardly, she yearns for her artistic work. An unexpected phone call from Mark Williams, her former employer, offers her the career opportunity of a lifetime, and she must make a choice. She is torn between her devotion to her sons and her love for her work. Her decision to return to Wishes, Inc. brings dramatic life changes to her and the people she loves.
Outwardly, Elloree appears to settle into raising their two sons within Oak View's stifling social structure, but inwardly, she yearns for her artistic work. An unexpected phone call from Mark Williams, her former employer, offers her the career opportunity of a lifetime, and she must make a choice. She is torn between her devotion to her sons and her love for her work. Her decision to return to Wishes, Inc. brings dramatic life changes to her and the people she loves.
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
About the author
Marilyn Holdsworth
5 books39 followersI live in Southern California. Majored in Literature. World traveler.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 10, 2013
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Elloree is a wife and a mother to two darling boys. However, she feels like something's still missing. That something jumps out at her one day in the form of her old boss Mark calling her up, asking her to come back to Wishes, the company they helped build up together. She's an artist, and her designs will help push the company to new heights; however, her husband is not too keen on the idea of her going back to work. Eventually, she makes up her mind to dive back into Wishes, spending more and more time there as she does so. This leaves Tom, her husband, to pick up the slack at home, but instead HE works even more, until their family starts to pull apart around them. Will they be able to pick up the pieces, or will they continue down this path of destruction, one step at a time?
I rather enjoyed this book, as it's something that I'm sure happens every day, all around the world: Family dynamics are tested based on outside influences, such as going back to work after being a stay-at-home parent. It's incredibly easy to identify with at least one character in the book, whether it's Elloree, the one trying to get back her passion for doing something she loves; Tom, who's trying to keep his family the way he's become used to; or the children, who just don't understand why Mommy isn't around all the time anymore. I found myself invested in the story and the characters almost from the start, especially as time progressed and the family unit became less cohesive. I was eager to see what would become of them, but also a little afraid for them, especially the boys, as they seemed to be having a difficult time of it. Understandable and relatable feelings and emotions were definitely at the forefront, and I could easily see myself as a bystander, watching and waiting for the inevitable outcome.
I would definitely like to read more from this author, and I will certainly be on the lookout for any new works by her.
5 stars
Elloree is a wife and a mother to two darling boys. However, she feels like something's still missing. That something jumps out at her one day in the form of her old boss Mark calling her up, asking her to come back to Wishes, the company they helped build up together. She's an artist, and her designs will help push the company to new heights; however, her husband is not too keen on the idea of her going back to work. Eventually, she makes up her mind to dive back into Wishes, spending more and more time there as she does so. This leaves Tom, her husband, to pick up the slack at home, but instead HE works even more, until their family starts to pull apart around them. Will they be able to pick up the pieces, or will they continue down this path of destruction, one step at a time?
I rather enjoyed this book, as it's something that I'm sure happens every day, all around the world: Family dynamics are tested based on outside influences, such as going back to work after being a stay-at-home parent. It's incredibly easy to identify with at least one character in the book, whether it's Elloree, the one trying to get back her passion for doing something she loves; Tom, who's trying to keep his family the way he's become used to; or the children, who just don't understand why Mommy isn't around all the time anymore. I found myself invested in the story and the characters almost from the start, especially as time progressed and the family unit became less cohesive. I was eager to see what would become of them, but also a little afraid for them, especially the boys, as they seemed to be having a difficult time of it. Understandable and relatable feelings and emotions were definitely at the forefront, and I could easily see myself as a bystander, watching and waiting for the inevitable outcome.
I would definitely like to read more from this author, and I will certainly be on the lookout for any new works by her.
5 stars
August 12, 2016
Elloree Prince is an attractive, creative young woman who marries a wealthy businessman, Tom Randall. After courting his bride with unrelenting determination, Tom moves her into old-moneyed Oak View, where generations of Randalls have lived for years. Outwardly, Elloree appears to settle into raising their two sons within Oak View's stifling social structure, but inwardly, she yearns for her artistic work. An unexpected phone call from Mark Williams, her former employer, offers her the career opportunity of a lifetime, and she must make a choice. She is torn between her devotion to her sons and her love for her work. Her decision to return to Wishes, Inc. brings dramatic life changes to her and the people she loves.
Great read. I loved the characters & the story line.. I found myself crying and cheering with them. This is the first book I've read by this author and I'd love to read more.
Great read. I loved the characters & the story line.. I found myself crying and cheering with them. This is the first book I've read by this author and I'd love to read more.
February 6, 2014
free book for free review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
Elloree Prince is an attractive, creative young woman who marries a wealthy businessman, Tom Randall. After courting his bride with unrelenting determination, Tom moves her into old-moneyed Oak View, where generations of Randalls have lived for years. Outwardly, Elloree appears to settle into raising their two sons within Oak View's stifling social structure, but inwardly, she yearns for her artistic work. An unexpected phone call from Mark Williams, her former employer, offers her the career opportunity of a lifetime, and she must make a choice. She is torn between her devotion to her sons and her love for her work. Her decision to return to Wishes, Inc. brings dramatic life changes to her and the people she loves.
Great read. I loved the characters & the story line.. I found myself crying and cheering with them. This is the first book I've read by this author and I'd love to read more.
Jennifer
Elloree Prince is an attractive, creative young woman who marries a wealthy businessman, Tom Randall. After courting his bride with unrelenting determination, Tom moves her into old-moneyed Oak View, where generations of Randalls have lived for years. Outwardly, Elloree appears to settle into raising their two sons within Oak View's stifling social structure, but inwardly, she yearns for her artistic work. An unexpected phone call from Mark Williams, her former employer, offers her the career opportunity of a lifetime, and she must make a choice. She is torn between her devotion to her sons and her love for her work. Her decision to return to Wishes, Inc. brings dramatic life changes to her and the people she loves.
Great read. I loved the characters & the story line.. I found myself crying and cheering with them. This is the first book I've read by this author and I'd love to read more.
Jennifer
October 14, 2013
Making wishes is akin to The Stepford Wives or even Dallas in some ways as it exists in a world that exuberates glamour and sophistication. The central setting of the story is in a grandeur town where the ladies are lavished with anything they want by rich husbands, they don’t work themselves, at least not the ones mentioned. That is apart from the main character, Elloree Randall and this one difference in comparison with the other ladies around, sets the story on its way.
It is from here that Elloree working sets in motion an inevitable spiral of lack of family time, neglect of domestic problems and thus the manifestation of these problems. It is in no way entirely her fault because the writing allows you to sympathise with her plight. She is entitled to work, as is everybody but in the world in which the novel is set, it is frowned upon that a woman should go out and work. She should be at home, been a lady of leisure and tending to domestic duties according to her peers.
The problems that occur are based on a deep rooted hatred for the man she works for by her husband who seen him as a past love rival. This creates the family tension and Marilyn Holdsworth delivers the story with great technique. The structure of the story is very well done and the description of the sets, the detailed observations are very well done. If I had a gripe on this part, is that it may be overdone in some parts and this kind of stems the flow of the story.
It is this that stops it been a cover to cover one sit read as its not pacey, at least not for me. Details are great for setting but it’s just a little overcooked in this book. That does not take away from the fact that it is well written. The best part of the book is well structured as mentioned but I have to say that I found the ending out of place. It seemed to be written just to end it and get it done. I get that Elloree needed to move on, but without giving away the plot, the last chapters been in a different setting almost seemed like another book with Elloree in it. Yes it is well written and yes it is enthrallingly described but it didn’t feel right.
In all, for a lesson in writing and technique, I would recommend this book as it is worth a read. But it didn’t thrill me; it didn’t fully grab my attention. Although I must admit I sure would like to see Elloree Randall portrayed on screen as the character definitely sounded an elegant, classy and sexy woman. For the men out there, read it and see for yourself, you’ll understand her appeal.
I would rate this book three and a half out of five.
It is from here that Elloree working sets in motion an inevitable spiral of lack of family time, neglect of domestic problems and thus the manifestation of these problems. It is in no way entirely her fault because the writing allows you to sympathise with her plight. She is entitled to work, as is everybody but in the world in which the novel is set, it is frowned upon that a woman should go out and work. She should be at home, been a lady of leisure and tending to domestic duties according to her peers.
The problems that occur are based on a deep rooted hatred for the man she works for by her husband who seen him as a past love rival. This creates the family tension and Marilyn Holdsworth delivers the story with great technique. The structure of the story is very well done and the description of the sets, the detailed observations are very well done. If I had a gripe on this part, is that it may be overdone in some parts and this kind of stems the flow of the story.
It is this that stops it been a cover to cover one sit read as its not pacey, at least not for me. Details are great for setting but it’s just a little overcooked in this book. That does not take away from the fact that it is well written. The best part of the book is well structured as mentioned but I have to say that I found the ending out of place. It seemed to be written just to end it and get it done. I get that Elloree needed to move on, but without giving away the plot, the last chapters been in a different setting almost seemed like another book with Elloree in it. Yes it is well written and yes it is enthrallingly described but it didn’t feel right.
In all, for a lesson in writing and technique, I would recommend this book as it is worth a read. But it didn’t thrill me; it didn’t fully grab my attention. Although I must admit I sure would like to see Elloree Randall portrayed on screen as the character definitely sounded an elegant, classy and sexy woman. For the men out there, read it and see for yourself, you’ll understand her appeal.
I would rate this book three and a half out of five.
November 14, 2013
Review originally posted on Indie ebook review on September 20th 2013
Cover: 16/20
When I saw the cover I thought this book was going to be more about the child, especially with the more 'childlike' title of Making Wishes but it turned out that the company she works for is called Making Wishes. Otherwise the cover looks very professional.
Characters: 14/20
I really liked Elloree and could relate to her pretty much right away but I felt most of the rest of the cast weren't quite so well thought through, except for maybe Nigel. The men were all wealthy and a bit overbearing and the other women all seemed to be the same mold of gossipy upper class women.
Storyline: 10/20
No matter how I tried I found to difficult to follow the storyline of this book. It started fairly well but I could never quite figure out how much time had passed and the incident with Elloree's son just seemed to be too quick and not very explained. I think it would have been a better book if that was expanded upon. I also found the parts in London difficult to read. A lot of it was very stereotypical English and Scottish and seemed a little forced to someone native to the country.
I also struggled with how rich everyone was and how normal that seemed to be. I guess it's maybe because I don't really 'get' the upper class in normal life, let alone reading a story filled with upper class characters, but it felt too unreal to me.
Style: 17/20
The book was easy to read in terms of styling so I can't really fault much there, although I felt time rushed by too quickly, which I mentioned elsewhere and sometime important things were glossed over in favour of progressing the romance, but those were minor niggles.
Spelling and Grammar: 20/20
I don't think I noticed a single mistake so full marks on that side of things.
Conclusion: 77/100
The book started well but I struggled with the settings and upperclass vibe and found the book was less real to me personally. Otherwise this is a sweet romance story and a good look at balancing dreams and motherhood.
Cover: 16/20
When I saw the cover I thought this book was going to be more about the child, especially with the more 'childlike' title of Making Wishes but it turned out that the company she works for is called Making Wishes. Otherwise the cover looks very professional.
Characters: 14/20
I really liked Elloree and could relate to her pretty much right away but I felt most of the rest of the cast weren't quite so well thought through, except for maybe Nigel. The men were all wealthy and a bit overbearing and the other women all seemed to be the same mold of gossipy upper class women.
Storyline: 10/20
No matter how I tried I found to difficult to follow the storyline of this book. It started fairly well but I could never quite figure out how much time had passed and the incident with Elloree's son just seemed to be too quick and not very explained. I think it would have been a better book if that was expanded upon. I also found the parts in London difficult to read. A lot of it was very stereotypical English and Scottish and seemed a little forced to someone native to the country.
I also struggled with how rich everyone was and how normal that seemed to be. I guess it's maybe because I don't really 'get' the upper class in normal life, let alone reading a story filled with upper class characters, but it felt too unreal to me.
Style: 17/20
The book was easy to read in terms of styling so I can't really fault much there, although I felt time rushed by too quickly, which I mentioned elsewhere and sometime important things were glossed over in favour of progressing the romance, but those were minor niggles.
Spelling and Grammar: 20/20
I don't think I noticed a single mistake so full marks on that side of things.
Conclusion: 77/100
The book started well but I struggled with the settings and upperclass vibe and found the book was less real to me personally. Otherwise this is a sweet romance story and a good look at balancing dreams and motherhood.
December 19, 2013
This took me by surprise—very pleasantly so.
When I read the ‘blurb’, I was expecting a gentle, ambling story about a wife struggling to decide whether or not to continue being a trophy wife to her wealthy husband and stay-at-home mum to her two young boys or to feed her artistic talent and need to express her creativity by going back to work for her former employer.
But it had an awful lot more meat on the bones. The anguish she experienced went further than just her: it was shared by her husband who feared her proximity to her former boss (was he her ex-lover?) would rock the increasingly unstable marriage. His paranoia wasn’t helped by his own work problems. It was also shared by her sons, who found it hard to cope with a mum who just didn't seem to be around very much. It was even shared by her former boss, who, while determined to win her back to his growing company, doubted his confidence in being able to keep her with him.
The repercussions of her decision echo loudly, resonantly, and dramatically.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was classy, sophisticated, well written, reasonably well edited, and it was easy to put yourself into each of the main characters’ shoes to see their points of view and feel their passion, whatever its focus. You didn’t necessarily have to like the character: there are one or two undesirables and one or two (deliberately) irksome ones. It was easy to feel an emotion (good or bad) for all the characters; there were none who could be ignored.
This book was about decisions and what-ifs. I found it hard to put down and that’s always a good sign, I think!
When I read the ‘blurb’, I was expecting a gentle, ambling story about a wife struggling to decide whether or not to continue being a trophy wife to her wealthy husband and stay-at-home mum to her two young boys or to feed her artistic talent and need to express her creativity by going back to work for her former employer.
But it had an awful lot more meat on the bones. The anguish she experienced went further than just her: it was shared by her husband who feared her proximity to her former boss (was he her ex-lover?) would rock the increasingly unstable marriage. His paranoia wasn’t helped by his own work problems. It was also shared by her sons, who found it hard to cope with a mum who just didn't seem to be around very much. It was even shared by her former boss, who, while determined to win her back to his growing company, doubted his confidence in being able to keep her with him.
The repercussions of her decision echo loudly, resonantly, and dramatically.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was classy, sophisticated, well written, reasonably well edited, and it was easy to put yourself into each of the main characters’ shoes to see their points of view and feel their passion, whatever its focus. You didn’t necessarily have to like the character: there are one or two undesirables and one or two (deliberately) irksome ones. It was easy to feel an emotion (good or bad) for all the characters; there were none who could be ignored.
This book was about decisions and what-ifs. I found it hard to put down and that’s always a good sign, I think!
November 16, 2014
The cover has a curious and sentimental appeal that illustrates childhood, but once engaged in the story, the reader discovers dramatic complexities of adulthood. With the first chapter, already the reader understand the protagonist as a strong figure, both in motherhood and as a professional career woman. The two worlds are at odds, thereby unfolding the anguish Elloree struggles with. The two men in her life, her husband and boss also show the two worlds at odds; all of which returns to the image of the cover: her love for her children, and by having one son look out the window, yearning, wishing for the return of his mother from the outside world. The dramatic struggles that Elloree faces is dynamic. The dialogue feels very real, making it easy to believe the reality of these people's lives. Some of the pacing felt slow, but the drama and sentiment made it hard to not want know what happens next. I highly recommend this book.
May 18, 2014
Did not think I would like this book, but I completely enjoyed it. The characters were so real..you could feel their emotions. I wanted to finish the book to see how it ended, but then was sorry it was over. I totally enjoyed reading this book.
September 14, 2013
reviewing the cover looks great makes me cry.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews