A Wish upon a Star

By: Jeannie Levig

Narrated by: Paige McKinney

Leslie Raymond spent the past two years wishing her life had taken a different turn. It’s time for a fresh start, a move across the country, and a new set of rules to help heal her heart—no straight women, no women with kids, and no commitment. But when she meets her new neighbors, the beautiful Erica and her special needs daughter, Siena, she struggles against the pull she immediately experiences.

Erica Cooper has learned to rely only on herself. She knows most people don’t stick around when the going gets tough. And when caring for a child with autism, the going can get tough fast. She is content with the quiet and emotionally safe life she’s constructed, but when they are befriended by their kind, playful, and—damn it—really hot new neighbor, the walls protecting her heart threaten to crumble.

So much for good intentions and firm resolutions—neither stand a chance when the stars align for love.

©2018 Jeannie Levig (P)2024 Bold Strokes Book Inc

“A Wish Upon A Star” by Jeannie Levig, Narrated by Paige McKinney

I have read “A Wish Upon a Star” three times and this is my second time listening to it. And I know there are more reads and listens in my future!

This book is truly phenomenal. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe how much I love it. There’s romance, heartbreak, lost family, found family, lots of laughter and lots of love.

Leslie Raymond, Erica Cooper, Sienna, Erica’s autistic daughter, and Gus, Leslie’s dog, eventually make the perfect family. The story of them getting to that point is wonderful. And the cast of supporting characters are wonderful as well. You don’t want to miss this!

The narrator, Paige McKinney, does a fantastic job; her voice is lovely. She brings the characters to life in the most wonderful way! Needless to say, I am a huge fan of Jeannie Levig and Paige McKinney.

A delicious slowburn

This book was so good. A super slow burn with so much love and tenderness and a touch of angst that made perfect sense for the story. The narrator did a fantastic job. The ending had me in the happiest of tears!

Terrific - audio made this story even better!!!

I have already read Jeannie Levig’s “A Wish Upon A Star” more than once and love it. When I learned it would be coming out in audio I knew I would listen to it as soon as it was available!

This is a beautiful story of finding family. Leslie moves cross country back to her childhood house, hoping to leave heartbreak behind her. The little boy, Elijah, whom she has jointly raised and loves (but isn’t legally hers) was cruelly removed from her life, and after exhausting her legal options, she knows she has to relocate to try to heal her heart.

Leslie’s new next door neighbors, mom Erica and youngster Siena, grab her heart from day one, as does the most wonderful little dog named Gus who she found abandoned at a rest stop along her travel route.

During the story Leslie and Erica are mutually attracted and pulled to each other, while both have their moments when they step back from their feelings in fear of being hurt. The romance is gorgeous, with all the surrounding relationships that develop adding even more depth and love to this story. Siena and Gus form a bond that brings Siena joy as well as calming her autism related “meltdowns”. Gus is the most loyal and miraculous little dog. The relationship that develops between Leslie and Erica's daughter Siena is also lovely and so special.

Jeannie Levig weaves a wonderful story with some angst and many "touch your heart and soul" moments. The narrator, Paige McKinney, does a beautiful job with all the characters, with special admiration for how she voices Siena.

Highly recommend, and don't be surprised if it lands on your re-read / re-listen shelf!!!

Great book, highly recommend

Excellent writing and narration. Storyline feels authentic and the characters are relatable. One of the few books I went ahead and bought rather than waiting for my next credits. Worth it!

The writing

This is one of my all-time favorite books so when I saw there was finally an audio version, I was ecstatic!

This story is a gem. Siena and Gus's relationship is incredible. It is written with such care that you can tell how important it was to the writer to make it realistic yet accurate to tell her story.

The narrator did a great job as well. This is her besti performance, imo.

Awesome book about real world issues.

I loved this book. I have an autistic family member, this book was very relatable. And funny! I loved the humor! Great book and Paige McKinney did an excellent narration! I highly recommend this book!

Heartwarming and sweet

This book was so sweet and heartwarming. Sienna was the sweetest and stole my heart. This was my first listen from this author and I’ll be checking out more from her in the future.

PERFECT LESBIAN AUDIOBOOK

If you are looking for true romance this is the ideal book, this book is wonderful, fun, sexy and with a lot of information about autism. It is really interesting and the narrator is spectacular.

Excellent book

A well written story, excellent MC a cute girl and wonderful narration. I enjoyed every minute of this book. Looking forward to more books like this one.

Wonderful!

At this point in my life, I’ve read so many books that I have a hard time separating many of the characters and storylines within them. I’ll see a book jacket and think, “Oh yeah…I read that one.” However, the details are sometimes a blur. Their plots and protagonists have gotten muddled together over the years, and I find it hard to remember the bits and pieces of their stories. Sometimes something will stir a memory from a story I’ve read, but I can’t quite recall the specifics. I’ll think, “Was that the story by Melissa Brayden or Georgia Beers? Was the main character’s name Quin?” I’ll try and dig back in my memory, but it’s futile. Occasionally, it will drive me to do a Google search. Oftentimes, however, I’ll just shrug and move on. Every now and then, though, I’ll read a book that separates itself and stands out. I’ll be able to recall the characters with supreme clarity. A Wish Upon a Star by Jeannie Levig will remain that way for me.

That being said, I want to make one thing clear: just because I don’t remember a book’s characters or plot doesn’t mean it’s poorly written or not worth mentioning. Many of the ARCs I’ve read go on to win Goldies, Lammys, etc. However, I am constantly reading; I read over 100 books a year. As soon as I finish one, I move on to the next. Over time, characters and story worlds begin to blend together—it’s as simple as that. But like I said, every now and then a book comes along and punches you in the “feels,” stirring emotions that won’t let you forget its characters. I’m sure Leslie, Erica, Siena and Gus will take up space in my head for a good, long while.

This is the second book of Levig’s that I’ve read. Her writing style is wonderfully inviting. Her characters feel like friends, and readers care about them. Their relatability supplies the storytelling with so much emotional depth, making it engaging as well as compelling. Furthermore, the character development is remarkable. She never rushes it. She’s always “showing” the reader who they are, letting things unfold at a pace that feels right for the story. I find this so appealing. I’m able to care about each character’s journey in a way that feels personal and heartfelt. When authors can make the storytelling resonate like this, the narrative sticks, making it a more memorable and satisfying read. That’s exactly what Levig did with this book.

A Wish Upon a Star was originally published in 2018. Bold Strokes recently decided to release it as an audiobook, and I’m so glad they did. Paige McKinney’s voice complements the narrative perfectly. She brings the characters alive, especially Siena. Siena has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), and McKinney’s performance conveys everything Levig pours into her. No doubt, the job was made easier by Levig, though. She scripts Siena with thoughtful and attentive care, masterfully developing her layers with genuine insight and compassion. Readers’ hearts are tugged at every time she enters the story.

Speaking of tugged hearts, Levig’s characterization of Gus can’t be praised enough! He is a dog like no other, and her use of him as a secondary character is brilliant. He provides a unique lens through which to explore unconditional love, patience, and understanding. His loyalty and companionship transcend Leslie, Erica, and Siena’s flaws and failings. The bond he has with each of these characters reveals so much about them. Readers see their strengths as well as their weaknesses, and it adds a sense of warmth and compassion to the storytelling that’s quite endearing. However, it’s the bond he shares with Siena that’s most moving. Through their relationship, readers are able to appreciate the innocence of childhood and the impact of ASD. Gus acts as a confidant and a source of comfort for Siena—a touchstone, really. He influences the emotional landscape of this story in ways very few secondary characters do, providing warmth, humor, and compassion. I could write a whole essay on him, but know this: he’s a driving force in this narrative and a profound reminder of the powerful ways dogs enrich our lives.

The romance between Leslie and Erica is a slow burn, but it has a nice heat once it moves beyond friendship. Both characters are very likable, and that’s one of the reasons readers want to see them together. Levig is wise to take her time in developing the romance; there is a child involved. Readers would question Erica’s priorities if she jumped too quickly into something with Leslie. Levig knows she has to do the work, expose vulnerabilities, build the tension, and create the passion—and it’s effective. It gives the romance time to develop in believable ways. Then, once it does happen, not only are the readers ready for it, but the characters are as well.

Final remarks…

This is a well-written romance. Levig just gets people (and dogs). She nails their quirks and idiosyncrasies—the “what makes them tick”—with finesse. What’s more, she understands the nuances of their relationships. Readers see this in the well-scripted scenes she creates. She patiently paints pictures with her words, and readers feel a part of the storytelling. It all makes for a very lovely read. If you like slow-burning romances between two relatable and warm characters, then A Wish Upon a Star will not disappoint.

Strengths…

Well-written
Likable characters
Fantastic secondary characters
Heartwarming storyline
Very enjoyable story