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Blossom Street #5
Twenty Wishes
Anne Marie Roche wants to find happiness again. At thirty-eight, her life is not what she had expected. She is childless, a recent widow, alone. She owns a successful bookstore on Seattle's Blossom Street, but despite her accomplishments, there is a feeling of emptiness.
On Valentine's Day, Anne Marie and several other widows get together to celebrate what? Hope, possibility, the future. They each begin a list of twenty wishes, things they always wanted to do but never did.
Anne Marie's list starts with: Find one good thing about life. It includes learning to knit, doing good for someone else, falling in love again. She begins to act on her wishes, and when she volunteers at a local school, an eight-year-old girl named Ellen enters her life. It is a relationship that becomes far more involving than Anne Marie intended. It also becomes far more important than she ever imagined.
As Ellen helps Anne Marie complete her list of twenty wishes, they both learn that wishes can come true but not necessarily in the way you expect.
On Valentine's Day, Anne Marie and several other widows get together to celebrate what? Hope, possibility, the future. They each begin a list of twenty wishes, things they always wanted to do but never did.
Anne Marie's list starts with: Find one good thing about life. It includes learning to knit, doing good for someone else, falling in love again. She begins to act on her wishes, and when she volunteers at a local school, an eight-year-old girl named Ellen enters her life. It is a relationship that becomes far more involving than Anne Marie intended. It also becomes far more important than she ever imagined.
As Ellen helps Anne Marie complete her list of twenty wishes, they both learn that wishes can come true but not necessarily in the way you expect.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Debbie Macomber
843 books19.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,467 reviews
August 24, 2008
This book has actually changed my life. It is a novel about making goals for yourself in your life. I loved it. I actually made a 20 wishes list for myself and have completed one wish so far. It makes me excited to try new things in life and remember some of the goals I have had in life.
February 2, 2023
Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber
3 1/2 ⭐️’s
When I want a quick, heartwarming and fun read I always turn to Debbie Macomber.
3 1/2 ⭐️’s
When I want a quick, heartwarming and fun read I always turn to Debbie Macomber.
August 1, 2012
This would have to be one of my favorite in the Blossom Street Book Series.
1. The Shop on Blossom Street
2. The Good Yarn
3. Susannah's Garden
4. Back on Blossom Street
5. Twenty Wishes
6. Summer on Blossom Street?
7. Hannah's List
I fell in love with the characters. I can't wait for the next book.
1. The Shop on Blossom Street
2. The Good Yarn
3. Susannah's Garden
4. Back on Blossom Street
5. Twenty Wishes
6. Summer on Blossom Street?
7. Hannah's List
I fell in love with the characters. I can't wait for the next book.
December 8, 2023
I couldn't get into this at all, I just couldn't get into the story line or relate to the characters.
One star.
One star.
July 22, 2020
As readers, especially as women readers, we tend to take chick-lit for granted. It is an essential part of our lives, but as it is looked upon with disdain by "serious" readers, we don't really consider chick-lit as reading. By extension, we hardly ever post reviews of such books except in a few rare cases. So here's the change I'll make: I'll post about any and every good book I read, irrespective of genre. I now venture to clear my name and prove that I can and do enjoy chick-lit! 😜
By far, my favourite chick-lit author is Debbie Macomber. And just this week, I have read Twenty Wishes. This is part of the Blossom Street series, but I haven't read any other book from the series so far as each book is standalone.
Twenty wishes has almost everything a reader (or dare I say, a female reader) could want in a book. It has not one but four strong female lead characters, and in the course of their personal struggles, they decide to come up with Twenty Wishes, a bucket list of wishes for their own happiness and not for others. How they go through the next year with this list in mind and how it changes their lives forms the crux of the story.
It's a typical feel-good read, and will leave you feeling cozy and happy at the end, which is what chick-lit is about, right? 😊
Go for Debbie Macomber! She's one of the best!
********************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, " Readers Forever! ", for more reviews and other book-related discussions and fun.
By far, my favourite chick-lit author is Debbie Macomber. And just this week, I have read Twenty Wishes. This is part of the Blossom Street series, but I haven't read any other book from the series so far as each book is standalone.
Twenty wishes has almost everything a reader (or dare I say, a female reader) could want in a book. It has not one but four strong female lead characters, and in the course of their personal struggles, they decide to come up with Twenty Wishes, a bucket list of wishes for their own happiness and not for others. How they go through the next year with this list in mind and how it changes their lives forms the crux of the story.
It's a typical feel-good read, and will leave you feeling cozy and happy at the end, which is what chick-lit is about, right? 😊
Go for Debbie Macomber! She's one of the best!
********************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, " Readers Forever! ", for more reviews and other book-related discussions and fun.
January 13, 2011
Loved this book, and I'm really excited to read Debbie's story "The Twenty-First Wish" in THE KNITTING DIARIES. (Full disclosure - I wrote one of the stories in THE KNITTING DIARIES, too.)
December 24, 2019
Debbie nin kalemini seviyorum bu kitapta gayet güzel okuttu kendini yeni yıl gelmişken bir dilek listeside ben yapsam iyi olucak😇
November 21, 2013
I really liked this book. It made me realize that no matter what happens you shouldn't give up hope or stop wishing.
I like the fact that Debbie Macomber is able to weave characters that have flaws and problems just like the rest of us but they aren't so over the top that you don't believe them.
She also gives you updates about characters in previous Bloomsom Street books and works them into the story. It was like hanging out with old friends and making new ones.
I like the fact that Debbie Macomber is able to weave characters that have flaws and problems just like the rest of us but they aren't so over the top that you don't believe them.
She also gives you updates about characters in previous Bloomsom Street books and works them into the story. It was like hanging out with old friends and making new ones.
March 27, 2009
At the annual Christmas party of the Sisters of the Sauna, the conversation turned to books as it often does. Our hostess, an excellent storyteller, said that she had read this book and it changed her life. She said that she had begun practicing random a acts of kindness with suprising outcomes. As my antenna is always scaniing the conversations of my friends for great books, I decided to search for it. I secretly hoped it wasn't one of those selfhelp books preach about changing my gutterbound ways to those of the straight and narrow path of the rightous.
What I found was a book about a group of recent widows who got together on Valentine's day....and through their tears developed a plan to learn about themselves and their wishes for their lives without husbands
The book is happy, sad, funny, and feels true. I was suprised abut the random acts of kindness that our hostess picked up as a major theme of this book.........when I thought the major theme was sharing and the support provided by the group............I will look for opportunities to provide random acts of kindness and I'm going to recommend this book to others and I look for more of this author's books.
What I found was a book about a group of recent widows who got together on Valentine's day....and through their tears developed a plan to learn about themselves and their wishes for their lives without husbands
The book is happy, sad, funny, and feels true. I was suprised abut the random acts of kindness that our hostess picked up as a major theme of this book.........when I thought the major theme was sharing and the support provided by the group............I will look for opportunities to provide random acts of kindness and I'm going to recommend this book to others and I look for more of this author's books.
July 30, 2008
CIP: What do you want most in the world?
Anne Marie Roche wants to find happiness again. At 38 her life s not what she d expected--she s childless, a recent widow, alone. She owns a successful bookstore on Seattle s Blossom Street, but despite her accomplishments, there s a feeling of emptiness.
On Valentine s Day, Anne Marie and several other widows get together to celebrate...what? Hope, possibility, the future. They each begin a list of twenty wishes, things they always wanted to do but never did.
Anne Marie s list starts with: Find one good thing about life. It includes learning to knit, doing good for someone else, falling in love again. She begins to act on her wishes and when she volunteers at a local school, an eight-year-old girl named Ellen enters her life. It s a relationship that becomes far more involving than Anne Marie intended. It also becomes far more important than she ever imagined.
As Ellen helps Anne Marie complete her list of twenty wishes, they both learn that wishes can come true--but not necessarily in the way you expect.
Anne Marie Roche wants to find happiness again. At 38 her life s not what she d expected--she s childless, a recent widow, alone. She owns a successful bookstore on Seattle s Blossom Street, but despite her accomplishments, there s a feeling of emptiness.
On Valentine s Day, Anne Marie and several other widows get together to celebrate...what? Hope, possibility, the future. They each begin a list of twenty wishes, things they always wanted to do but never did.
Anne Marie s list starts with: Find one good thing about life. It includes learning to knit, doing good for someone else, falling in love again. She begins to act on her wishes and when she volunteers at a local school, an eight-year-old girl named Ellen enters her life. It s a relationship that becomes far more involving than Anne Marie intended. It also becomes far more important than she ever imagined.
As Ellen helps Anne Marie complete her list of twenty wishes, they both learn that wishes can come true--but not necessarily in the way you expect.
December 9, 2020
This is women's fiction, and this is the 5th book in the Blossom Street series. Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite author. Blossom Street series is the first Debbie Macomber books I picked up, and I love them so much. This book is about Anne Marie Roche who own a bookstore near the knitting shop that the first couple books follow. I love that this book as a lot of older main characters because not a lot of books as older characters. I love all the characters in this book. Just like many Debbie's book I fell in love with all the characters, and it is so much fun being back on Blossom Street with these characters. (*)
March 29, 2016
This book surprised me. Working in a small town library, you would think that I'd read Debbie Macomber before but this was my first time reading one of her books - and I can safely say it won't be the last. It was incredible to me how something as simple as a plan among four friends to make up and fulfill twenty wishes could snowball into something so much bigger and touch so many lives. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
August 10, 2016
I loved this sweet story with a happy ending and also liked it by making my own 20 wishes/ goals.
June 14, 2009
This was one of the last books bumma was reading, and while she didn't have the strength to finish it, the idea of a group of widows meeting made her wistful. She lost her beloved 28 years ago today, which would have been their 68th anniversary, and never loved another man. She told me once that she thought when my dad first died, that she might remarry, because she was so young. But she soon realized she had no interest in finding another man. She found other passions in her life: grandchildren, Jane Austen Society, taking courses at the College of Charleston, and eventually, BookCrossing. Anyhow, she asked me to read the book and tell her how it came out. So I did.
I found it a little slow at first, but gentle. I'd read The Shop on Blossom Street, which I think was the first in this interconnected series, and was interested in seeing that Macomber has used this street to develop stories about women and the different situations we sometimes go through. As with that first book, this book had realistic situations we might face. And though one of the twenty wishes of several of the women each make was to find love, the way they each found it was different, and not always man-dependent.
I wish there was a Blossom street nearby me, where there could be a bookstore, a yarn shop, a nice cafe and a florist, all of which welcomed people to sit around and chat, laugh and cry. (Actually,I've got all those places here, but not all on one street, so I'm lucky in my own right. And, I've got girlfriends. Great girlfriends, near and far, and the love of an amazingly wonderful man. I am truly blessed.)
I found it a little slow at first, but gentle. I'd read The Shop on Blossom Street, which I think was the first in this interconnected series, and was interested in seeing that Macomber has used this street to develop stories about women and the different situations we sometimes go through. As with that first book, this book had realistic situations we might face. And though one of the twenty wishes of several of the women each make was to find love, the way they each found it was different, and not always man-dependent.
I wish there was a Blossom street nearby me, where there could be a bookstore, a yarn shop, a nice cafe and a florist, all of which welcomed people to sit around and chat, laugh and cry. (Actually,I've got all those places here, but not all on one street, so I'm lucky in my own right. And, I've got girlfriends. Great girlfriends, near and far, and the love of an amazingly wonderful man. I am truly blessed.)
October 9, 2016
Yenə bir Macomber kitabı və yenə ümidlərlə dolu gözyaşları. 4cü Kitabı olan bu kitabı ən çox sevdiyim kitabı oldu. 1 nəfəsə oxudum deyə bilərik. Uzun müddətdir hiss etmədiyim qədər xoşbəxt hiss edirəm özümü. Sabah ilk iş 20 dilək siyahısı yaradacam, məni xoşbəxt edəcək şeylərlə başlayacam siyahıma, düşünərək, əmin olaraq yazacam diləklərimi məndə. Nəticədə "Kalbin sana ne istediyini söyler" və "İsteyince, her sorunun bir çözümü olduğunu anlıyor insan..."
January 30, 2009
I haven't read a Debbie Macomber book in quite a while, and I was pleased with this one. It talks about four widows creating a list of twenty wishes. That are supposed to help them get back to living life. As someone currently dealing with a death in my family it was a great way to remember not to dwell on it, and to remember to keep living your life.
July 9, 2017
One of my favorite adult books.
February 18, 2009
Debbie, as she always has been for me, had me entranced and enthralled in this book. The lights had gone out in Georgia and I still couldn't put this book down. I curled up next to the lantern and the window and read each and every page. This book is a keeper.
August 17, 2008
An interesting book that has many surprises. It was great to see how each person's story unfolded. Many great lessons to learn, among them were forgiveness and to look beyond the obvious.
August 23, 2020
Anne Marie, Lillie, and Barbie are all friends who each recently lost a husband and are widowers. Eager to find love and happiness again, they come up with a list of twenty wishes of things they would love to accomplish. Will their wishes come true? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good women's fiction romance book. If you like stories about friends, family, forgiveness, and wishes, then definitely check this book out for yourself. Its available at your local library and wherever books and ebooks are sold.
This was a pretty good women's fiction romance book. If you like stories about friends, family, forgiveness, and wishes, then definitely check this book out for yourself. Its available at your local library and wherever books and ebooks are sold.
March 13, 2021
This story focuses on three ladies of varying ages who have all lost their husbands. Each is trying to move beyond widowhood too enjoy life again. When they get together at Anne Marie's bookshop one day, they all decide they need to write down their 20 most important wishes and try to achieve them. As they follow their wishes, they discover joy, tears, laughter, and new experiences; and, most importantly, they learn to love themselves and others once again.
Easy enjoyable read and a good book from the Blossom Street series.
Easy enjoyable read and a good book from the Blossom Street series.
April 9, 2017
Kitabın ilk başlarında sıkılsam da daha sonra keyifle okudum..
Ama sıkıntılı bir süreç oldu.. Kitabın kendisinde mi, çevirisinde mi, yoksa düzenlemesinde mi bilemiyorum, ama bir sürü sorun vardı.. O yüzden ara ara fenalıklar geçirmeme neden oldu...
Sıradaki kitapta Lydia ile yumak dükkanına geri dönüyoruz.. Anne Marie de varmış yine.. Nedense tuttuğu gelin çiçeğinin Ellen'ın babasıyla ilgili olacağını düşünüyorum ama bakalım :D
Ama sıkıntılı bir süreç oldu.. Kitabın kendisinde mi, çevirisinde mi, yoksa düzenlemesinde mi bilemiyorum, ama bir sürü sorun vardı.. O yüzden ara ara fenalıklar geçirmeme neden oldu...
Sıradaki kitapta Lydia ile yumak dükkanına geri dönüyoruz.. Anne Marie de varmış yine.. Nedense tuttuğu gelin çiçeğinin Ellen'ın babasıyla ilgili olacağını düşünüyorum ama bakalım :D
March 6, 2011
This was such an easy read and nice story.
May 13, 2011
I would give this one a 6 out of 5 if I could. This is definetly one of my favorites by Debbie Macomber and I've read at least 2/3 of her books.
February 4, 2019
Loved it of course! 💖💖💖💖 I adore this series!!
August 3, 2024
I'm not much for paperback romance novels, but I picked this one up because I wanted to see what Macomber would do with the plot: a group of widows decide to each make a list of 20 wishes to pursue. I am very attracted to the power of making goals, so I thought it might be a fun read. I expected the wishes to be morphed into different shapes by the end of the novel, and I was right. Life transformed what the women in the novel wanted. We follow Anne Marie who is grieving the loss of her husband, Robert, and her subsequent discovery of his affair with his secretary. Some of her wishes were for fun ('Buy a pair of red cowboy boots') but her one wish to do something for somebody else led her to being a lunch buddy to a young girl in need. Their relationship changed both their lives, and that story line had the schmaltzy satisfaction of an old black and white movie.
Barbie's one dominating wish was to find love, but her story was ludicrous as she pursued a complete stranger that she met in a movie theatre. Mark's character alternated between rude and annoying, so I have no idea why she pursued him. He was in a wheelchair, which is not a reason why she shouldn't love him, but in the real world a beautiful, wealthy widow probably would not make an ass of herself chasing a man in a wheel chair who never said anythng pleasant to her. I'm guessing Macomber's intention was to play out a comic scenario of how love makes us act, but the scenario was silly and undignified.
Barbie's mother Lillie, also beautiful and wealthy, falls for a working class mechanic. He is Mexican and retains the dignity of an upper class Mexican upbringing, so they do meet on the level of common values. The story was Ok, I guess, but really a bit of a cheat because it was only his job that defined him as a different class, not his attitude or behaviour. (Just like Mark's career as an architect eliminated most of the socio-economic problems faced by handicapped people).
I probably won't read Macomber's novels again: I don't find this type of easy reading romance to be appealing. But I may make my own list of 20 wishes, just for kicks.
Barbie's one dominating wish was to find love, but her story was ludicrous as she pursued a complete stranger that she met in a movie theatre. Mark's character alternated between rude and annoying, so I have no idea why she pursued him. He was in a wheelchair, which is not a reason why she shouldn't love him, but in the real world a beautiful, wealthy widow probably would not make an ass of herself chasing a man in a wheel chair who never said anythng pleasant to her. I'm guessing Macomber's intention was to play out a comic scenario of how love makes us act, but the scenario was silly and undignified.
Barbie's mother Lillie, also beautiful and wealthy, falls for a working class mechanic. He is Mexican and retains the dignity of an upper class Mexican upbringing, so they do meet on the level of common values. The story was Ok, I guess, but really a bit of a cheat because it was only his job that defined him as a different class, not his attitude or behaviour. (Just like Mark's career as an architect eliminated most of the socio-economic problems faced by handicapped people).
I probably won't read Macomber's novels again: I don't find this type of easy reading romance to be appealing. But I may make my own list of 20 wishes, just for kicks.
May 12, 2009
Still travelling, but I have small slips of time where I can read for a moment or three. Finished this book on the short flight from Turin to Munich this afternoon.
Debbie Macomber is another of my favourite authors. So far I have enjoyed every one of her books and have not yet been disappointed with her touching stories. I love the idea of making a list of wishes and taking actions to make them come true. Some occur by happenstance, but I think the desire has to be there and you have to be open to the possibility of the wishes coming true. And as Ellen, the little girl so wisely states; "...you have to write them down so you don't forget them". Haven'tyet started my own list, but perhaps I will.
Debbie Macomber is another of my favourite authors. So far I have enjoyed every one of her books and have not yet been disappointed with her touching stories. I love the idea of making a list of wishes and taking actions to make them come true. Some occur by happenstance, but I think the desire has to be there and you have to be open to the possibility of the wishes coming true. And as Ellen, the little girl so wisely states; "...you have to write them down so you don't forget them". Haven'tyet started my own list, but perhaps I will.
September 15, 2009
Absolutely wonderful addition to the Blossom Street series. The new charecters in the bookstore, the return of old favorite characters, and the connections they make with each other. A group of ladies who have one thing in common, being a widow, set out to make the best of a Valentines Day alone. The idea of making a list of 20 wishes is joking tossed about, then they all decide to do that very thing.
Debbie Macober is such a creative writter that is able to make each persons wishes real, warm and a must do. in the end, I felt like making my own list of 20 wishes as did several other people I know that read the book.
Another great book by Debbie Macomber. Really anticipating the next of her books.
Debbie Macober is such a creative writter that is able to make each persons wishes real, warm and a must do. in the end, I felt like making my own list of 20 wishes as did several other people I know that read the book.
Another great book by Debbie Macomber. Really anticipating the next of her books.
August 25, 2013
This was I booked I lucked out on. I had never heard of it, but picked it up anyway. It is about 4 widows that get together on Valentines, and decide to make 20 wishes, (not to be confused with goals). It was fun as they each became committed to their wishes that the wish would bring them so much joy. Ann Marie (one of the widows) decided to volunteer in an elementary school and have lunch with an 8 year old girl, which turns out to be so much more. This an easy read but so enjoyable. I loved it. The idea of the 20 wished does become contagious. Who knows I may give it a try.
May 31, 2009
My Mom gave me this book and said "It was a cute story, that I should read it." I took the book thinking to myself, I will never read it... That night I had some free time so I thought what the heck... I'll read it! To my surprise I liked it and finished the book in three days. I loved how each of these women decided to what makes them happy and no one else. It was a cute book seeing how they made there 20 wishes come true... It made think of what my 20 wishes are... I am actually still in progress of thinking of these and have yet to write them down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,467 reviews