Wishful Thinking by Alexandra Bullen

Summary/Cover Image from Goodreads:

If you could wish for a different life, would you? What if that life changed everything you thought was real?

Adopted as a baby, Hazel Snow has always been alone. She's never belonged anywhere--and has always yearned to know the truth about where she comes from. So when she receives three stunning, enchanted dresses--each with the power to grant one wish--Hazel wishes to know her mother. Transported to a time and place she couldn't have imagined, Hazel finds herself living an alternate life--a life with the mother she never knew.

Over the course of one amazing, miraculous summer, Hazel finds her home, falls in love, and forms an unexpected friendship. But will her search to uncover her past forever alter her future?

In the heart-pounding, luminous sequel to WISH, Alexandra Bullen asks the question: If you could wish for a new life....would you?

Review:

Last year's Wish was bittersweet and hopeful, albeit with a few flaws, and with Alexandra Bullen's sophomore attempt Wishful Thinking she's back and better than ever before, because quite simply Wishful Thinking rocked my socks. It was heartbreaking as well as heartwarming, the characters were ones that had layers to them that made them out to be relelatable and easy to love, and best of all, Alexandra Bullen's writing improved greatly, making this one novel I couldn't put down, not even for a second!

Wishful Thinking tells the story of Hazel Snow, a girl who has never had the easy, carefree life she desired. For one, she was put up for addition when she was just a tiny tot, and while she was adopted by a lovely woman, the woman died in a sudden, horrific accident, leaving Hazel with barley no one to call family. But on her eighteenth birthday she received the best gift ever: her birth certificate. Now with the name of her birth mother (as well as three brand new dresses that contain more then meets the average eye) she's on the journey to find the mother she lost and the life she belongs in, starting with some time travel. But will Hazel find her mother? Will she find the love and hope she yearns for the most? And better yet, when she's given the option to change her whole life, will she? Only time can tell in this fabulous, heart racing tale of one girl's journey to find love and hope in a world where there seems to be little.

Hazel Snow was a fabulous main character if I do say so myself. Her past was a sad one but she never let that truly get her down, instead she put on a brave face and fought for what she wanted most: love, hope, and happiness. And I respected her for that. Furthermore, her story got even better once she landed in Martha's Vineyard because not only did she make some pretty great friendships (including with a certain swoon-worthy boy) but she developed greatly as a character and a person. One of my favorite parts about her was her relationship with Luke, the certain swoon-worthy boy mentioned above, because not only did it develop at a reasonable pace but it was nothing short of sweet. I also loved the characters of Jamie and Rosanna because both were not only complicated and fun characters but they also added to the big mysteries the book was made of.

And talking about that, I loved the premise of Wishful Thinking, and the execution? Well, it was even better! Alexandra Bullen did a great job of developing the different plot lines associated with Hazel's birth parents, and I especially loved how she set the book in such a beautiful and stunning place, because not only did she do a great job of describing Martha's Vineyard, but it gave the book an even better feel so to say.

Lastly, as I mentioned above, Alexandra Bullen grew greatly as a writer with Wishful Thinking. In her debut novel, I felt she sometimes had a hard time with pace and fleshing the story out in a way that she showed more than told, but with Wishful Thinking all my doubts about her as a writer were gone. So, to sum this up, Wishful Thinking has definitely made me a fan of Bullen in the best kind of way.

In all, Wishful Thinking is bittersweet and honest story that I can't help but suggest fans of Meg Cabot, Sarah Dessen, and Mara Purnhagen pick up! Alexandra Bullen truly has a star within this one; one that makes me eager to read more by her ASAP.

Grade: A+

Wishful Thinking is now out!

Source: Publicist at Scholastic. Thanks Shelia!

Interview with Alexandra Bullen, author of Wishful Thinking!

Alexandra Bullen is the author of two YA books- Wish and the newly released companion (with all new characters!) Wishful Thinking. And today, Alexandra is here to answer a few of my questions...

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Wishful Thinking tells the story of Hazel Snow so would you mind telling us a little bit about her? Also, if you could offer her any advice what would you say?

Hazel was a really fun character to write. She’s had a difficult upbringing – she spends most of her time alone and doesn’t have much family or any friends – and at times this makes her hard and closed off. But despite her tough exterior, there’s an endlessly curious, talented and fun-loving girl. My advice, and what I hope she learns over the course of her adventure, would be for her to let that girl out.

Wishful Thinking follows the same basic formula of your first book Wish, which leave me to wonder what made you choose to return to talking about those three stunning dresses and the wish that comes with each?

I really liked the idea of giving three wishes to a girl who truly needed a major change in her life. Both Olivia (in Wish) and Hazel make their first wishes before they even know they have any wishing power. This is a bit of a test. I think of it as Posey’s way of making sure that each girl is deserving of her gift.

In Wishful Thinking, Hazel is an adopted child, which leaves me to wonder why you choose to give her that characteristic. Was it inspired by something in your own life?

As soon as I started thinking about writing another Wish book, I was interested in exploring another character fully deserving of Posey’s magic. The idea of a character searching for her biological mother (especially when she’d grown up without a mother of any kind) came to me fairly quickly. It’s really a book about second chances, and I can’t think of a second chance more meaningful than the one that shows you who you are and where you came from.


Now Out!


I absolutely love the cover of Wishful Thinking, which leaves me to wonder what you thought when when you saw it for the very first time? Also, were you involved in the cover-making process at all?

I’m so glad you love it! I love it, too. I had absolutely nothing to do with it. But I love the model – especially her hair! My brother and cousins are all redheads so I’m happy to see them get some love!

Since Wishful Thinking's release date is fast approaching, do you have any planes of how you'll spend that special day?

I’m hoping to celebrate all month long! We’re having a little party in New York City and I imagine there will be a new sparkly dress or two…

In what ways was writing Wishful Thinking different than writing your first book Wish?

Wishful Thinking came easier in that I already knew the overarching premise, and also because Hazel was starting from a more active place. Even before the wishes, she was already on a mission to find her mother. She knew what she wanted, she just needed a little help getting there.

Name three things that your readers would be surprised to find out about you.

I used to play the piano and wanted to be a jazz singer, once. I love Brussels sprouts. I don’t hate doing dishes.

What's up next for you book wise? Also, is there anything else you would like to add?

I’m working on a new series! It’s a new direction for me – more mystery and suspense and less magic – but it features a really stubborn and strong-minded girl protagonist. I can’t wait to get to know her!

Thanks so much for having me, Lauren!

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You're very welcome! I can't wait to read your new book! :)

Wishful Thinking is now available at Barnes and Noble/Amazon and Wish can also be bought at Barnes and Noble/Amazon. To find out more about Alexandra and her books, be sure to visit her website, as well as the official one for Wish.

Blog Tour For Wish: Contest for Wish by Alexandra Bullen

Thanks to Scholastic I have a fabulous signed copy of Wish to giveaway to one lucky reader!

Summary:

For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back.

With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live again.


In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, WISH asks the question: If you could have anything, what would you wish for?

To enter, just answer the first three questions in the form and after that the extra entries are your choice. So, good luck! Oh, and this contest will close on January 29th at 12:00 PM Eastern and is open to US ONLY .
 
 

Blog Tour for Wish: Quick Qs and As with Alexandra Bullen

Alexandra Bullen is the author of Wish (my review of it is below) which was released this past Tuesday! You can find out more about her and her book at any of the following places:  Twitter (http://twitter.com/akbullen),  her blog (http://akbullen.wordpress.com/), Wish website (http://whatwouldyouwishfor.com/), Guest blog by WISH editor Aimee Friedman, and the official Point website (http://www.thisispoint.com/).

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Can you describe your book Wish in three words?

Olivia starts living.

Can you describe your main character, Olivia, in one sentence? Also, are you similar to her in any ways?

Olivia is sad, stuck, bright, sweet, scared, lost and feeling alone. I definitely relate to the way that Olivia feels invisible sometimes—I think it’s why all of my closest girl friends are so outgoing and charismatic. I’m think I’m drawn to Violets because I’m much more of an Olivia, myself.

If Wish had a theme song, what would it be?

“One Moment More” by Mindy Smith. This song can make me cry just by thinking about it. It’s about wanting more time with someone you’ve lost, and knowing they’re still out there, somewhere.

(Side Note: You can check out the song she mentions here. It actually is a very good song and does remind me of Wish.)

How did the title Wish come to be?

The book was originally called Butterflies, because of the important role they play in the magic, and also because of Olivia’s social transformation. Over time, though, the story became less about Olivia making friends and more about her openness to living life, even if it means letting Violet go. Wish seemed more evocative of that dynamic, and is more magical, I think.

I love the cover of Wish which leaves me to wonder what your reaction to it was when you saw it for the very first time.

Thank you! I love it, too. The first thing I noticed was all of the stars. I think there are even more on the galley than on the hardcover. So lovely.

Since Wish deals with wishes. What would you wish for if you had three wishes?

It would really depend on when I got them. Right this instant – a woodstove, a vacation, and that the Patriots weren’t losing so horrifically to the Ravens.

How does it feel knowing your book is going to be in bookstores soon?

Surreal. Super-exciting. Scary.

Was there a specific moment where you went, “I want to be an author!”?

There was never a time when I wanted to be anything else. I went through a phase in high school when I wanted to a famous jazz vocalist (who doesn’t?) but for the most part I always, always wanted to write.

What made you chose YA as the genre you write in?

It pretty much chose me! I hadn’t read a YA book since I was really young, and I had no idea that there was a whole community of people who loved to write the way I did. It’s been so much fun to discover this exciting and new (to me…) world!

What’s a really good book you’ve read recently?

I just finished How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford on the train to New York and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I really didn’t want it to end.

What’s your typical day like?

I wake up, let my dogs out, make coffee, eat oatmeal, write until lunch, heat up leftovers, take the dogs for a walk, read what I’ve written, decide that it’s terrible, erase all of it except for maybe two paragraphs, run errands, make dinner, watch Friday Night Lights, sleep, dream of Tim Riggins.

What’s up next for you book-wise?

I’m working on the sequel to Wish, which isn’t a traditional sequel in the sense that there are all new characters, but the premise is the same. Three dresses, three wishes, one lucky girl.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for having me, Lauren!

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Also, here's Alex talking about Wish:

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Thanks, Alexandra! Lastly, be sure to check out Alex's next stop on the tour on Lush Budget Production on the 19th:  http://lushbudgetproduction.blogspot.com/.

Blog Tour For Wish: Review of Wish by Alexandra Bullen

Summary:

For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back.

With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live again.

In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, Wish asks the question: If you could have anything, what would you wish for?
 
Review:
 
Ever since seeing the cover and synopsis of this one a while back, I knew Wish was going to be a book I would read. I mean when a book contains wishes and magical dresses I'm definitely in! Luckily enough for me, I truly enjoyed this cute read of love, loss, and magic.

Olivia is a character that brought so much pain and sorrow to the page at first simply because of the fact that she feels like she's nothing without her sister Violet who never let anything get in the way of her living her life to the fullest. Though, as time went on, I liked seeing how she evolved into someone who realized that even when you loose something that means the world to you, you still have to keep going and just live while keeping that person close to you. Plus, I loved how Olivia learned from the mistakes she made because sometimes you don't tend to see that in teen books.

Moving on I liked the different relationships Alexandra portrayed through Wish. Ones that varied from the mixed feelings between the parents and remaining child to typical relationships between friends and boyfriends to my favorite one in the book- the one between siblings. It was refreshing to see just how close Violet and Olivia were and how they depended on each other to help the other. Because of this, there was times in Wish when I just felt like crying my eyes out, since I can't even began to imagine not only hard it is to loose a sibling, but one you were so close to.

The premise in this was also original and fun. I liked how Alexandra incorporated a very different kind of fairy god mother in this one. Plus, as mentioned in the earlier, I loved the idea of wish dresses. I know for one I would love some of those, especially if Posey was making them.

In all, while Wish isn't the most exciting and suspenseful book, it was still a refreshing one that will leave you with a smile on your face by the end.
 
Grade: B+
 
Wish is now out!
 
Source: Publisher for blog tour. Thanks Sheila/ Scholastic!