Helpful Score: 1
THE SECRET WISH * Jodi Thomas
The little town of While-a-Way, Texas, may as well be named Last Chance as far as Avery Cleveland is concerned. Running her late great-grandmother's quilt shop is the only way to build back her life after losing her dancing career. But local sheriff Daniel Solis is stunned by Avery's beauty and spiritâand hopes to show her how to stitch brand-new dreams together . . .
Good starting over story. Avery was a professional ballerina until a bad fall ended her dance career. Broke and broken, her best hope is the quilt shop her great-grandmother left to her. If she can resurrect the shop and keep it going for a year, she can either stay or sell it and move on. I ached for her as she arrived in the tiny town with barely a penny to her name and ended up sleeping in the store. There was an awkward moment as she danced in the dark in the empty store only to have the sheriff arrive and accuse her of trespassing. I had to love Sheriff Dan, as he was bowled over by her grace, beauty, and spirit to the point of fumbling for words. It turns out that he's a bit shy but immediately smitten with her. Seeing how he did everything possible to make her want to stay was sweet.
I loved seeing how the townspeople welcomed her, and former customers offered to help her get set up and started. Their enthusiasm was balm to her soul, as were the little girls who wanted to learn how to dance. I loved how Avery combined the quilt shop with a dance studio. There is a delightful scene between the little ballerinas and the quilt ladies at the end.
There is also a bit of a mystery. Each night as she sleeps in the store, Avery witnesses a man in black come down the stairs, feed the cat and watch the coffee shop across the street before disappearing again. I was a little concerned about him, but I figured he couldn't be too bad if he fed the cat. I was intrigued by his story when he shared it with Avery and liked how she chose to help him. It certainly provided some unexpected excitement and an unintended boost to the romance between Avery and Dan. He was adorable in his drugged-up state, and his mom was hilarious. I'd love to see more stories involving the town.
WISH UPON A WEDDING * Lori Wilde
Ellie Winter's sister is holding a quilting bee as her bachelorette party, creating a memory quilt for their grandmother. If only the event weren't happening at the ranch where Ellie spent childhood summers, now owned by the man she can't forget. Four days surely isn't enough time to fall in love again . . . but what about four long, hot, summer nights?
Good second chance romance. Many years ago, Ellie and her sister attended a camp for teens dealing with the deaths of someone close to them. She became close with one of the boys who were also there. They fell in love during their last summer there, but Dalton broke things off at the end of the summer, calling what they had "a summer fling." Broken-hearted, Ellie accepted her college scholarship and hasn't seen him since then. She is now a rodeo doctor traveling around the country. That grief camp is now a wedding venue where her sister is getting married. Callie has chosen to do a quilting bee for her bachelorette party, making a memory quilt for their grandmother, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The last thing Ellie expected was to discover that Dalton now owns the ranch.
I loved the first meeting between Ellie and Dalton. There's nothing like seeing your former love being tossed by a bull to make you realize you still have feelings for him. But Ellie is reluctant to pursue those feelings, not wanting to have her heart broken again. Dalton never stopped loving Ellie but can't see anything coming of it because their lives are so far apart. When the truth about their breakup comes out, Ellie realizes she has a choice to make. Does she give in to the fear or take a risk on love? And will their love give Dalton the courage to let go of his fears? I liked the resolution of their dilemma and seeing love win out.
I loved the memory quilt theme. Ellie's grandmother was a sweetheart, and her example went a long way toward helping Ellie.
WHEN YOU WISH UPON A QUILT * Patience Griffin
Paige Holiday's last visit to the International Quilt Festival in Houston ended in heartbreak. It seems like all the women in her family are unlucky in love. So at this year's festival, Paige is focused solely on business, until a gorgeous cowboy crosses her path, ready to turn her lifeâand her luckâaround . . .
Good story. Alaskan Paige is worried about her trip to the Quilt Festival. During her last visit, she fell for a sweet-talking man who turned around and stole her quilt designs. This year she has new designs and a new resolve - no men, just business. But when she meets Holt, that resolve becomes hard to hold onto. Holt is in Houston to support his injured sister and is smitten with Paige as soon as he meets her. However, both have issues that may keep them apart. Paige has trouble trusting after the betrayal she suffered, while Holt's experience shows that long-distance relationships don't work.
I loved seeing Holt and Paige get to know each other. Paige is wary, but Holt's charm gets past her walls, and she falls for him. Holt's sister is overprotective of him and thinks she knows what's best for him, which throws a wrench into their developing relationship. I liked seeing Holt confront her on it and the change in her attitude toward Paige. But just when things look very good for Paige and Holt, he makes a bone-headed move that brings up old fears. I loved the quilt ladies who got to the bottom of the issue and brought Holt and Paige back together.
The little town of While-a-Way, Texas, may as well be named Last Chance as far as Avery Cleveland is concerned. Running her late great-grandmother's quilt shop is the only way to build back her life after losing her dancing career. But local sheriff Daniel Solis is stunned by Avery's beauty and spiritâand hopes to show her how to stitch brand-new dreams together . . .
Good starting over story. Avery was a professional ballerina until a bad fall ended her dance career. Broke and broken, her best hope is the quilt shop her great-grandmother left to her. If she can resurrect the shop and keep it going for a year, she can either stay or sell it and move on. I ached for her as she arrived in the tiny town with barely a penny to her name and ended up sleeping in the store. There was an awkward moment as she danced in the dark in the empty store only to have the sheriff arrive and accuse her of trespassing. I had to love Sheriff Dan, as he was bowled over by her grace, beauty, and spirit to the point of fumbling for words. It turns out that he's a bit shy but immediately smitten with her. Seeing how he did everything possible to make her want to stay was sweet.
I loved seeing how the townspeople welcomed her, and former customers offered to help her get set up and started. Their enthusiasm was balm to her soul, as were the little girls who wanted to learn how to dance. I loved how Avery combined the quilt shop with a dance studio. There is a delightful scene between the little ballerinas and the quilt ladies at the end.
There is also a bit of a mystery. Each night as she sleeps in the store, Avery witnesses a man in black come down the stairs, feed the cat and watch the coffee shop across the street before disappearing again. I was a little concerned about him, but I figured he couldn't be too bad if he fed the cat. I was intrigued by his story when he shared it with Avery and liked how she chose to help him. It certainly provided some unexpected excitement and an unintended boost to the romance between Avery and Dan. He was adorable in his drugged-up state, and his mom was hilarious. I'd love to see more stories involving the town.
WISH UPON A WEDDING * Lori Wilde
Ellie Winter's sister is holding a quilting bee as her bachelorette party, creating a memory quilt for their grandmother. If only the event weren't happening at the ranch where Ellie spent childhood summers, now owned by the man she can't forget. Four days surely isn't enough time to fall in love again . . . but what about four long, hot, summer nights?
Good second chance romance. Many years ago, Ellie and her sister attended a camp for teens dealing with the deaths of someone close to them. She became close with one of the boys who were also there. They fell in love during their last summer there, but Dalton broke things off at the end of the summer, calling what they had "a summer fling." Broken-hearted, Ellie accepted her college scholarship and hasn't seen him since then. She is now a rodeo doctor traveling around the country. That grief camp is now a wedding venue where her sister is getting married. Callie has chosen to do a quilting bee for her bachelorette party, making a memory quilt for their grandmother, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The last thing Ellie expected was to discover that Dalton now owns the ranch.
I loved the first meeting between Ellie and Dalton. There's nothing like seeing your former love being tossed by a bull to make you realize you still have feelings for him. But Ellie is reluctant to pursue those feelings, not wanting to have her heart broken again. Dalton never stopped loving Ellie but can't see anything coming of it because their lives are so far apart. When the truth about their breakup comes out, Ellie realizes she has a choice to make. Does she give in to the fear or take a risk on love? And will their love give Dalton the courage to let go of his fears? I liked the resolution of their dilemma and seeing love win out.
I loved the memory quilt theme. Ellie's grandmother was a sweetheart, and her example went a long way toward helping Ellie.
WHEN YOU WISH UPON A QUILT * Patience Griffin
Paige Holiday's last visit to the International Quilt Festival in Houston ended in heartbreak. It seems like all the women in her family are unlucky in love. So at this year's festival, Paige is focused solely on business, until a gorgeous cowboy crosses her path, ready to turn her lifeâand her luckâaround . . .
Good story. Alaskan Paige is worried about her trip to the Quilt Festival. During her last visit, she fell for a sweet-talking man who turned around and stole her quilt designs. This year she has new designs and a new resolve - no men, just business. But when she meets Holt, that resolve becomes hard to hold onto. Holt is in Houston to support his injured sister and is smitten with Paige as soon as he meets her. However, both have issues that may keep them apart. Paige has trouble trusting after the betrayal she suffered, while Holt's experience shows that long-distance relationships don't work.
I loved seeing Holt and Paige get to know each other. Paige is wary, but Holt's charm gets past her walls, and she falls for him. Holt's sister is overprotective of him and thinks she knows what's best for him, which throws a wrench into their developing relationship. I liked seeing Holt confront her on it and the change in her attitude toward Paige. But just when things look very good for Paige and Holt, he makes a bone-headed move that brings up old fears. I loved the quilt ladies who got to the bottom of the issue and brought Holt and Paige back together.
All three of these stories were published in 2022 for this anthology. Jodi Thomas, a long-time favorite, is the reason I chose this book. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the writing of the other two authors. I've rated each story individually; then given an overall score.
THE SECRET WISH (Jodi Thomas) -- E
Ex-ballerina Avery Cleveland has been having a string of bad luck. After ending her ballerina career due to a traumatic fall, she's down to her last dollar and has arrived in While-a-Way, Texas, to look over her inheritance. But all is not as carefree as it seems. First, a sheriff keeps checking on Avery to ensure she's on the straight and narrow path. Then, a stranger feeds the cat in the old quilt shop while he watches what is going on in the diner across the street. And then, one morning, shots ring out. Great story.
WISH UPON A WEDDING (Lori Wilde) - G+
Dr. Ellie Winter's younger sister is getting married and decided to hold a bachelorette party at a dude ranch/wedding venue. They plan to create a memory quilt for Gram-Gram, diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The only problem is that this party is taking place at the same farm where Ellie and Camille spent so many wonderful summers. Dalton Brand, who made all those summers memorable, now owns the ranch. Has he changed?
This story was repetitive, but not in a good way. I was surprised because this author is nationally known and well-liked.
WHEN YOU WISH UPON A QUILT (Patience Griffin) -- VG
Houston's International Quilt Festival is the scene of this short story. Paige Holiday is unlucky in love and comes by this, honestly. Unfortunately, her mother and grandmother were also unfortunate in the love department. However, Paige is on her way to the Quilt Market (which takes place before the Quilt Festival). It's where quilters and shop owners learn about the newest techniques, fabrics, and tools coming to market. Then Paige meets a Texas cowboy at the Market, helping his injured sister.
THE SECRET WISH (Jodi Thomas) -- E
Ex-ballerina Avery Cleveland has been having a string of bad luck. After ending her ballerina career due to a traumatic fall, she's down to her last dollar and has arrived in While-a-Way, Texas, to look over her inheritance. But all is not as carefree as it seems. First, a sheriff keeps checking on Avery to ensure she's on the straight and narrow path. Then, a stranger feeds the cat in the old quilt shop while he watches what is going on in the diner across the street. And then, one morning, shots ring out. Great story.
WISH UPON A WEDDING (Lori Wilde) - G+
Dr. Ellie Winter's younger sister is getting married and decided to hold a bachelorette party at a dude ranch/wedding venue. They plan to create a memory quilt for Gram-Gram, diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The only problem is that this party is taking place at the same farm where Ellie and Camille spent so many wonderful summers. Dalton Brand, who made all those summers memorable, now owns the ranch. Has he changed?
This story was repetitive, but not in a good way. I was surprised because this author is nationally known and well-liked.
WHEN YOU WISH UPON A QUILT (Patience Griffin) -- VG
Houston's International Quilt Festival is the scene of this short story. Paige Holiday is unlucky in love and comes by this, honestly. Unfortunately, her mother and grandmother were also unfortunate in the love department. However, Paige is on her way to the Quilt Market (which takes place before the Quilt Festival). It's where quilters and shop owners learn about the newest techniques, fabrics, and tools coming to market. Then Paige meets a Texas cowboy at the Market, helping his injured sister.
