This is the fourth book in Sarah Ready’s Ghosted series, and like the previous entries, this combines a bit of romcom with a sprinkle of magic. Anna is a housekeeper for Max, and after wishing on a piece of jewelry for a love story with Max, she's startled to find it's all come true. I enjoyed the chaos of the magic plot at first, but there isn't really much falling in love on the page. It was more instant lust over and over. I just couldn't connect with this one, and it feels like the weakest of the series.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining!

Twenty-five-year-old Anna is a romantic at heart and longs for a happy future. Circumstances forced her to become a cleaner to support her mother and eight-year-old sister, Emme. She had been cleaning Max Barone’s house for three years and had been in love with him for almost as long.
Max Barone is a thirty-something successful jeweler, running the family business with precision. He wants things to be uncomplicated and simple. He has no idea about Anna.
One day, Anna made a wish for him to love her and for them to be married. It sounds harmless until she realizes that her wish has come true. Now, Anna and Max have been happily married for years. But is it love? Is this what she wants? What should they do?
The story comes in Anna’s first-person POV, with the prologue and epilogue in Max’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
This is my first book by the author. I’ve wanted to read her works for a while but the 400+ page counts were daunting. Wished is just over 300 pages, the perfect size for this genre.
With a premise like this, I was curious to see how it would play out. There are so many factors to consider! I’m pleased to inform you that the execution was fun. I won’t reveal the details as it will dampen the effect.
The prologue by Max puts the reader right in the middle of the plot. Then, we go back to the beginning and listen to Anna tell us how she ‘fell in love at first sight’ with Max and the rest of it.
Anna is really sweet. Yeah, she does sound a bit dreamy and naïve at times but it suits her personality. She’s someone who wants to be kind and do what she can to help others be happy.
I haven’t read the previous books in the series, so this is my first time meeting Max. He does take a wee bit of time to warm up to, but then I can see his side. However, I did wish the shift in his affections was a little more spaced out (or the previous one toned down). While I understand the change in viewpoints, it still feels a bit odd.
The settings are my favorite! I love the description of the house and of the various places in Paris. Even the cramped home where Anna lives gets such a visual description. As a fan of settings, I love it when I can picturize the places easily.
And yeah, this is an insta-love thingy, so it may not work for everyone. While they did have each other in their lives for three plus years, there weren’t enough interactions for a connection. So, everything happens quickly as we get into the main plot.
Still, the book manages to discuss themes like bullying, dysfunctional and toxic family, etc. I like the discussion about the change in how things have been perceived over time (Freud) and that there’s always a choice to be a better person.
The spice is quite high (seems most of my September reads decided to hit level 4). The author likes to use a lot of adjectives for descriptions. While it reads well, some of it feels excessive, especially during intense scenes.
Naturally, there is a third-act breakup. It was supposed to happen, so I was prepared for it. And yes, we get HEA with an epilogue. I do have a few teeny questions but that’s me nitpicking.

To summarize, Wished is an entertaining romance with a touch of magic realism. It needs suspension of belief. However, if you want something fluffy and spicy read, grab this one.
Thank you, NetGalley, Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for providing the ARC.

I am a sucker for this series and the magic that seems to happen in this world. And I am so glad to see Max got something amazing out of his failed proposal to Fiona, because he was one of my favorite characters in Fated. But this book ended up not being my favorite.

It really has to do with Max and how he reacted after Anna made the wish. The first day, he was rightfully angry, but the second day, he just seemed sort of fine with everything. That transition was very jarring for me and the continuity in the story felt very disjointed. Once you move past that weirdness, this book has everything you'd want out of a Sarah Ready novel - a lot of swoon and heart to keep you invested. And while this one may have not been as high stakes as the other three in this series, it was no less impactful.

If you loved the other books in this series, you'll love this one too.

"Wished" by Sarah Ready has effortlessly become one of my top reads of 2024. Ready has always been a skilled storyteller with an incredible talent for bringing her fictional characters to life, and with "Wished," she takes readers on another unforgettable journey. Ready masterfully creates a world where love blooms amidst life's most challenging circumstances, and it's impossible not to get swept up in the magic of her storytelling.

"Wished" is the fourth installment of the "Ghosted" series, an interconnected collection of novels, each with its own unique charm and memorable characters. Like its predecessors, "Wished" is filled with magic, heartfelt moments, and stories of love found in the most unexpected places. From Jillian and Daniel, Serena and Henry, Fiona and Aaron, and now Anna and Max, each book in the series brings new characters that leave a lasting impression, and "Wished" is no exception.

Max was introduced in "Fated" as Fiona’s best friend, and in "Wished," his character is explored on a deeper, more intimate level. As a man who has lived his life believing that passion only leads to heartbreak and that steady, predictable relationships are the safest investments, Max has shielded himself from the kind of love that makes you lose yourself in its intensity. Anna, on the other hand, is a dreamer who has fallen in love with Max at first sight. She cleans his mansion and is invisible to him beyond being "the cleaning lady," never noticed for the person she truly is.

When Anna stumbles upon a magical family heirloom, a Barone necklace, she accidentally wishes that Max was married to her. Realizing her mistake almost instantly, Anna tries to undo the wish, but the magic has already set in motion a week of adventure. The pair embarks on a whirlwind journey through Paris and Saint-Tropez, where both Max and Anna are forced to confront their deepest desires, fears, and what has been missing in their lives all along. As their bond grows in unexpected ways, readers are taken along on a romantic, transformative journey that is full of heart, laughter, and a dash of magic.

What makes "Wished" stand out as an exceptional romance is its combination of a unique premise, engaging storyline, and relatable characters. The romance between Anna and Max is heartfelt and genuine, drawing readers in as they root for the two to overcome their differences and embrace the love that's blossoming between them. Ready's vivid descriptions of the beautiful settings, from the streets of Paris to the sun-soaked shores of Saint-Tropez, enhance the story without overwhelming it. The balance between the romance and the magic of the setting is just right, and the pacing keeps you turning pages late into the night—I know I couldn’t put it down until I was finished at 3 AM!

Max, in particular, stole my heart. Of all the male leads in the "Ghosted" series, Max is by far my favorite. His journey from guarded and emotionally distant to vulnerable and open to love is both believable and captivating. His character development, paired with Anna's resilience and kind-hearted nature, makes their love story one that lingers long after the final page is turned. Their chemistry reminded me of the magic of the "Before Sunrise" series, where two characters have only a limited time to explore their connection, leaving both wanting more time together. Max and Anna’s week together is similarly fleeting yet profound, full of moments that make readers wish for their happily ever after.

The "Ghosted" series as a whole has been a delightful experience, but "Wished" may just be my favorite installment. The seamless blend of romance, magical realism, and personal growth makes it a standout book that captures everything I love about the genre. Sarah Ready has truly outdone herself with this one, and I can't wait to see where she takes her next book.

I had the privilege of reading this enchanting story early, thanks to Sarah Ready, Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC, and NetGalley. I’m grateful for the opportunity to dive into this book ahead of its release, and I highly recommend it to any romance fan looking for a magical, heartwarming read.

Mark your calendars—"Wished" is set to release on October 1st, and trust me, you don’t want to miss it! Whether you’re a long-time fan of the "Ghosted" series or new to Sarah Ready’s work, "Wished" is a delightful and magical story that will sweep you off your feet and remind you that love can be found in the most unexpected places.

I've really enjoyed reading the books in the Ghosted series, however I really struggled to connect with this one. I wasn't a fan of the premise per se and I didn't love the MCs. I don't think the female narrator did it any favors either. I don't know... both the plot and the pacing felt discombobulated. Overall, not my favorite. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC and an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

« I was wrong. There weren’t two choices in love, one side calm turquoise expanse and the other a tumultuous sea. There are infinite choices in love. It’s a river of light, sparkling in millions of different variations and we get to experience each and every one of them” A wish upon an ancient necklace unfolds a dream come true. But what you wish not always is what you get. Anna and Max’s story is magical, tough, sad and happy, and so much more if they are able to really find their true.
I’ve only listened to Sarah Ready’s books and, the moment you start the story, her words, her imagination envelops you and make you feel all the feelings unraveling. Amanda Ronconi and Will Watt make an excellent job with an amazing story.

3.5⭐, 2.75🌶️

Soooo, I have loved the Ghosted Series. Every book is so unique and fun, and as a girl that isn't super into fantasy and magic, these magical realism romances are so fun! Anna and Max were so fun, and entering this book, I loved how chaotic the "magic" plot is for both of the characters. I loved the premise of wishes made, and was excited to see the plot develop and how they would truly fall in love...but alas. The insta lust of this book wasn't for me. And the falling in love plot over and over was odd. I think or me we didnt get to know Anna at all before the magic kicked in, so her already loving Max felt very off. In total, I couldn't fall in love with the love because i blinked and it was there.

I greatly enjoyed the audiobook - Amanda Ronconi and Will Watt were great for the two characters! AND I had 0 cringey listening moments which was great. Overall, maybe this books tropes didn't land FOR ME, but I still enjoyed it, and this series is one I will continue to recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC for an ALC and eARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unpaid review!

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Sarah Ready does it again!! The Ghosted series is underrated, if you ask me! The magical aspect of this romance series makes it extra fun.

Anna and Max are giving Cinderella love story vibes with how different they are. But when given the chance to fall in love will they? Max is so sure he doesn’t want love, but Anna would give her whole life away for one night. This book follows Anna and Max throughout their wished loved story and al the different choices they make. Ready uses so much detail in her writing that I can picture every different scene she sets. I can almost smell the pastries or feel the willow branches in the wind. This book, like all the other Ghosted books, is so good!

I love the uniqueness of each read by Sarah Ready. Wished falls in line with the other beautifully crafted stories I've read by Ready, and they always make me feel so fulfilled and satisfied at the end. Ready has a way with creating a world and building it up to where you feel like you are part of it, and then taking you through the rollercoaster of life each character faces. The storylines are always so different, and Wished did not disappoint. This was a beautifully written masterpiece, and I cannot wait to indulge in the next piece by Sarah Ready.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Highly, highly recommended!

This was such a cute read! I will be honest, Max was not my favorite-offering to settle and live a mediocre life in the last book without passion, no thanks! But he was definitely redeemed this book. It was less twisty than prior books in this series, but it made it a nice and almost comforting cozy read. I loved the deeper look at all the things that play into what could actually happen if wishes came true, the complicated nuances we may never even realize. A great wrap up to these characters stories! I absolutely love this series!

Sarah Ready is quickly becoming a favorite author! And her Ghosted series is why. I didn’t realize how much I would love the magical realism genre, but here I am having read the whole series in the last month, and I still want more! Sarah’s writing pulls you in and she gives so much detail, but not in an excessive way, it is just so easy to see in my mind and feel like you’re there watching the story unfold around you.

Anna and Max’s story was such a unique take on a wish come true, and I loved it. The prologue starting in Max’s POV and then jumping back in time and giving Anna’s was perfectly done. I’m not usually a fan of insta-love but this one is done right. There were so many giggles and sweet moments between them as they navigated how and if they should reverse the wish, and dang were there some good quotes throughout. The ending was perfection and left such a satisfied and content feeling that I don’t always have with books. I definitely recommend you read this one, and the others in the series.

I had the privilege of listening to the audiobook and reading the ebook and that was such a neat experience. To listen to the narrators while also being able to read the book just made the story all the more come alive in my mind. The narrators did an amazing job at breathing life into Anna and Max and I would recommend to anyone who can, listen to it while you read it. It just makes it even more magical!

Great job yet again, Sarah! Now… what’s next? I need more!

The writing is lovely. The characters are compelling. I liked the message of the story. There were lots of important things said about love and living. But it was hard to listen to Anna tell herself all the reasons she shouldn't be happy. The overall tone of the story was sad, and I hadn't been expecting that. The narrator did a very good job with the characters and accents. I enjoyed listening to this.

Sarah Ready did it again with this series. I love magical realism and Sarah Ready is a master of it.

5 stars
2 spice

Book review 📚
Wished by Sarah Ready
⭐⭐⭐⭐

So, this is book 4 of a series, that can easily be read as a standalone. But I have previously read Fated (book 3) and when I was approved for Wished as an ARC, I decided I wanted to go and read the other books in the series (Ghosted and Switched) prior to reading Wished, and I am glad I did.

I have very quickly become a huge fan of Sarah Ready because her writing skill is unmatched. For such simple (in a nice way) stories, she really has a way of keeping you interested and wanting to read more.

Although the story does start quite slow in Wished, you will be happy you held on when you get further in and you become obsessed with needing answers and outcomes. The characters are well described and beautifully portrayed, the world building is as magical as always, leaving me desperate for me and the writing is just so beautifully done.

This has been such a wild series and I’ve loved every second of it, I just wish it hadn’t of taken me as long as it did to read them.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (very descriptive open door scenes)

Anna Benoit is in love with Max Barone. The only problem? He doesn't know she exists. Anna spends her days cleaning Max's home, and he barely even notices her. Then one day, everything changes. Anna wakes up happily married to Max. But how? Can wishes actually come true? Now Anna must decide whether or not to reverse her wish or stay in her new reality. But if she gives up her dream, will she ever get a chance at love?

I've been a Sarah Ready fan for a few years now, but I will admit that this series hasn't caught my interest. I actually DNF'd Ghosted and skipped the next two stories. When I read the description for this on Netgalley, though, I thought it sounded promising. I'm here to say that my Sarah Ready love has been rekindled, because this was a great romance full of magical realism. Yes, this is a love at first sight/insta-love situation, but trust me when I say that the chemistry was there from the beginning. Watching Max and Anna get to know each other and fall in love was enchanting. I loved the moments in Paris and could feel the angst as they both grappled with the decision of whether or not to set things right and cancel Anna's wish. This gave me The Family Guy vibes, but steamier and without kids. It also made me think of The Good Part by Sophie Cousens, although this one worked for me (sorry to the diehard fans who adored that one). Clearly, you don't have to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one, although the epilogue did name drop the other characters, which will satisfy those who love getting little glimpses of past couples when finishing a series. I'm looking forward to seeing what Sarah Ready has planned next!

Thank you Netgalley and Swift and Lewis Publishing LLC for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars
TW: past family trauma, loss of a parent, side character hospitalised, injury to a loved one

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

I've enjoyed how Ready has created this series, and each concept feels unique and well-presented. Whilst I wasn't a huge fan of Max in the last book where he was a side character, I came to thoroughly enjoy him in his own book. However, Anna is truly the star of this book, and I found her really rewarding to read.

I said this about book three too, but some of the tropes used in this book (in this case, instalove, rich guy poor girl) are not ones I usually enjoy, but the way the author utilised them made it a non-issue for me, and I'm impressed by this skill. I enjoyed Anna's naive love at first sight for a man she didn't know enough about, but I appreciated it more when she realised that she couldn't conform to the wish's parameters and enjoy loving Max against his own free will. She is a dreamer but not delusional, and I truly enjoyed this about her. She was happy to accept her wish didn't match Max's feelings and give up that love to make sure he was happy, even at the cost of her own happiness.

However, the twists to Max's feelings were really fun to navigate, and boy was it overwhelming (in a good way) to see him drop his beliefs that passion and love weren't for him. I loved how physically spicy this book got because it worked so well with the dynamics between the main characters. It wasn't placed just to please the thirst readers, but complimented both Anna and Max and how they both expressed passion and feelings. It was very tastefully done and whilst this is the spiciest book in the series, I really appreciate it for being so.

I adore this world, and if this is the last book in the series, I'm very satisfied by the ending of it. Sarah Ready is an instant read for me now.

After finishing Fated I was so excited that the next installation of the Ghosted series would be Max's story.

This one wasn't quite as good as the previous installations. I thought it was a little too insta-love and we didn't get to see their relationship build. It's just like after the wish a switch flipped and Max was in love. I really liked the relationship building in Ready's previous books so this was a little disappointing.

Other than that, it was still a really fun and quirky book. I thought both of the characters were well written and of course, the side characters are always a joy. Ready's premises for her magical romances are so intriguing and original!

REVIEW
cw: mention of death, kidney disease, alcoholism, child abuse, DV, bullying

The moment Anna Benoit caught sight of her enigmatic boss, she was immediately enamoured. Max Barone is the owner of the most prestigious Swiss jewellery company. When Anna makes a wish that she’s married to Max while cleaning his chateau, she wakes up in a topsy-turvy world where her wish comes true, and everyone thinks they've been married for seven years. There's only one problem. Max doesn't even know Anna's name.

I always know I'm in safe hands when I read a book by Sarah Ready, and I ADORED Max from Fated, so I was really excited to read his story. I was also lucky enough to be able to listen to the audiobook alongside reading an eARC, and I highly recommend doing the same as Will Watt & Amanda Ronconi captured Max and Anna perfectly.
I loved getting to know Max better. He was such an interesting character, and understanding why he was so closed off to love made so much sense after we discovered what it did to his parents. I loved the way he was written as such a powder keg of restrained passion. The explosion was intense and extremely satisfying. His fears about love and hate were also sensitively explored. I thought the landmine analogy he talked about was perfect, even though my heart broke for his childhood recollections.
I loved Anna. She was such a sweetheart, and I particularly appreciated how hopeful she was despite everything she'd dealt with in her life. She was such a nurturing person, and I appreciated how she cared for her mother and sister. I loved the almost oppressive chemistry between her and Max after they met for the first time as 'husband and wife'. The way Max's recollections were incorporated was so cleverly done and SO hot, and Agathe, his secretary's reaction to his confusion was hilarious. I also loved their banter as they grew closer.
Their first kiss was sublime. The chapters in Paris were so beautifully written, and I adored the escalating sensual tension between them. It truly was the most exquisite slow burn. Meanwhile, even though I completely understood Anna's ethical dilemma, St Tropez h*rny Max was absolutely hilarious. There's nothing better than a filthy mouth as far as I'm concerned, and Max put his to excellent use.
There were some interesting supporting characters, and I would love to see Anna's sister, Emme, in a story in this series in the future (maybe she could paint herself into a new reality *winks*). I liked Dorene, Anna's boss. She was a lot of fun but also gave great advice.
The magical elements have been a lot of fun in this series, and they were so well executed in this story. I loved that the impact of each wish was a little different but always unexpected. Chapter 31 utterly wrecked me. My heart broke for both of them, but the reunion was absolutely worth the wait. I swooned so much and I ADORED the acrostic ring. Meanwhile, the epilogue was just perfection.
Another truly gorgeous story.

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥.5

📱E-Book Review📱

Wished
Sarah Ready

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Oh how delightful it was to be back in the world of the Ghosted series again!
This is the fourth book in the series and we've (me and my son!) been keeping up to date and have read all 4 books in this series now.

Wished takes us back to Geneva and on a journey with Max and Anna.
I loved this because we obviously got to know Max fairly well in book 3 - Fated - when we meet him in Fiona's story.
Now, I don't want to be giving any spoilers for either book if I can help it, but if you read Fated, then you'll know why I felt really upset that Max was missing out.
Hence my joy for this book!

Once again, we're taken on a magical adventure when Anna, Max's cleaner, finds and makes a wish on one of Max's antique pendants and then finds that they're living an alternate life, where they've been married for years!

I just can't say any more about the storyline because in true form, things progress rapidly, things get muddled up and we are swept away in the crazy, romantic bliss of it all.

I absolutely loved Anna from the start. The contrast in her and Max's background and way of life made for a lovely fairytale style plot and the thing I loved most was that Anna wasn't drawn in by the money and wealth, she was just truly and madly in love with Max.

Max's development was just brilliant. From the man we had met in book 3, to see him thrown into this crazy "wish" world was wonderful and to see the changes in him even towards the end of the book - well I just loved every second.

As ever, the writing style is emotive and descriptive and draws you right in from the first to the last page.
Packed with passion, magic, humour and a fair few twists and spicy scenes, I was completely immersed the whole way through.

If you've seen my other ("Ghosted") reviews, then you'll know that I always share this series with my (grown up) son, who never reads books!
This is also why it takes me far longer to finish these books than normal, as we have to schedule it round both our activities - but we made it through another one and we both absolutely loved every second!

We can't wait to see if there'll be another book coming and who we'll see starting in it!?




💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕