The Wish

By: Nicholas Sparks

Narrated by: Mela Lee, Will Collyer

From the author of The Longest Ride and The Return comes a novel about the enduring legacy of first love, and the decisions that haunt us forever.

The year 1996 was the one that changed everything for Maggie Dawes. Sent away at 16 to live with an aunt she barely knew in Ocracoke, a remote village on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, she could think only of the friends and family she left behind...until she met Bryce Trickett, one of the few teenagers on the island. Handsome, genuine, and newly admitted to West Point, Bryce showed her how much there was to love about the wind-swept beach town - and introduced her to photography, a passion that would define the rest of her life.

By 2019, Maggie is a renowned travel photographer. She splits her time between running a successful gallery in New York and photographing remote locations around the world. But this year she is unexpectedly grounded over Christmas, struggling to come to terms with a sobering medical diagnosis. Increasingly dependent on a young assistant, she finds herself becoming close to him.

As they count down the last days of the season together, she begins to tell him the story of another Christmas, decades earlier - and the love that set her on a course she never could have imagined.

Nicholas Sparks recently curated a “Chapter and Verse” playlist for Pandora. Visit it here.

©2021 Nicholas Sparks (P)2021 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Sparks has definitely mastered the art of love.” (Associated Press)

“Sparks is a poet...a master.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

“Nicholas Sparks is one of the best-known writers in America and overseas for good reason: He has written stories that reveal the yearning for our most prized possession: love.”—Mobile Register

Tugs at the heart

This was a fantastic book. Tear jerker for sure, but a lovely heartwarming story. Definitely can say it’s one of my favorites. I hope it’s made into a movie. It would be amazing!

Nicholas Sparks at his very best!

Bring a true fan of Nicholas Sparks novels of course I wanted to read this newest story and knowing how I get caught up in reading I made a deal with myself to pace my reading over a few days. After all I had several projects underway in my life. Can I just say that deal evaporated almost immediately. I got interested right away with the story. Maybe because I’m a product of growing up in NC and vacationing often on the coast riding the ferry to Ocracoke village was always an adventure. From making that trip over the years, I could picture the scenery and almost feel the ocean as Maggie & Bryce walked among the grasses and soft sand. The surprises developing for the last part of story took me totally by surprise and the ending brought tears because the descriptions of the feelings of the characters became so vivid in my mind.
I feel this is one of the best novels from such a gifted writer. A film surely needs to be produced and shared for the story content for as Maggie and Mark discovered, God puts people in our lives to bring the joy and love He desires for us.
Thank you Nicolas Sparks for an amazing story and the enjoyment your storylines bring to your readers.

This is one of his best books , I know I have read all of them .

I never thought Nicholas Sparks could out do the Notebook, I was wrong. I myself don’t want to give any thing away . But the best narrators and you won’t be sorry you purchase this book.

My new favorite Sparks book!

I preordered this as I’m a huge Sparks fan and couldn’t wait to get started! You’re pulled in immediately in this one! So easy to fall in love with all the characters. Will keep you wanting to listen until it’s completely over!! Then.. wish it wasn’t! You’ve out done yourself again Mr.Sparks!

The best book so far

This is the best book Nicholas Sparks has written today . Mela and will brought life to the characters. I’ve read all of Nicholas books and this is the best. Love passion joy sadness and happiness and redemption

Thank you for this great story

how do you know a good story?

by the ending. The narrations are perfect with his and her performances. A Must Read.

It’s Nicholas Sparks, be prepared.

I’ve read all of his books so I am definitely a fan. Thus book will tug at your big time. Read it anyway.

Remarkable

Another beautiful and memorable book.
I have never been disappointed with Nicholas Sparks. Thank you for this story.

Sad to happy

The Wish is different from some of Nicholas Sparks’ recipes books in that it goes from sadness to a degree of happiness, where others do the opposite. In the beginning, I thought the book was going to be totally depressing. As is life, it has happy moments, as well as sad ones.

Sparks does a masterful job in going from present to past. Often this switching back and forth becomes laborious. Not so with this story.

Although Maggie’s life as a whole wasn’t a happy one, Sparks gave her enough exhilarating moments to make the bad ones almost seem worth it.

Best ever❤️

This book is by my favorite of all his novels! It has many levels of love, heart break and joy!
Thank you Nicolas Sparks