Holly's Wishes by Karen Pokras

Holly's Wishes by Karen Pokras
Published: July 1, 2014
by Grand Daisy Press

Holly Haines first met Ben Oakes when she was just sixteen years old. For Holly, it was love at first kiss—at least in her sixteen year old mind. Sadly though, Ben didn’t seem quite as interested. When a chance meeting reunites them ten years later, Holly discovers he had feelings for her all along. But not everything is as simple as it seems when she realizes they can’t be together. Was fate playing a cruel joke on them, or will Holly find a way to make all her wishes come true?

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My review:

Holly thinks her life is going along fine. Sure, her long time live-in boyfriend still hasn't proposed to her, but she is positive it is just a matter of time until he does. After her first love reappears, Holly begins to question her relationship with Jared and wonders if he is ever going to grow up and become more responsible. But Ben is unavailable anyway, so she thinks she has to settle for being friends and considering what could have been.

Holly's Wishes is an excellent example of a good series book. The focus is on Holly's story and the main story line is wrapped up nicely in the end; however, we still see details of both Ava and Tess sprinkled throughout which ties all the books together nicely in the Whispered Wishes series. Ms. Pokras showed with this book as well as Ava's Wishes that she is a natural at writing this genre. Her characters are well-developed and the plot lines are engaging.

If you like sweet romantic chick-lit/women's fiction, you will enjoy Holly's Wishes and the Whispered Wishes series.

Copy was provided by the author, but I was not required to write a review.

About the author:

Karen Pokras writes adult contemporary and middle grade fiction under the names Karen Pokras and Karen Pokras Toz. Her books have won several awards including two Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, the Grand Prize in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for two Global E-Book Awards for Pre-Teen Literature. Karen is a member of the Society of the Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). For children, her books include the Nate Rocks series, Millicent Marie is Not My Name, and Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas. For adult readers, Karen’s books include Chasing Invisible, and her soon to be released, Whispered Wishes series. A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her family.  

Find out more at KarenPokras.com.

      

Ava's Wishes by Karen Pokras

Ava's Wishes by Karen Pokras
Published May 26, 2014
by Grand Daisy Press

Ava Haines had big plans for her life. Her short-term goals included passing Statistics (on the third try), graduating college on time, and securing a job in the art gallery on Main Street. Her long-term goal was to one day own an art gallery of her very own. Oh sure, she would some day like to fall in love and get married, but all of that was secondary to making sure her other goals were in line. Fellow student Max Wallis and esteemed photographer Thomas Malloy were just minor distractions she was more than capable of handling. She was entitled to a little fun once in a while, right? However, as reality takes a tumble, Ava begins to wonder if she really can manage it all. Will all her wishes come true?

Goodreads * Amazon

My Review:

All Ava was worried about was passing her statistics class so that she could graduate and get a job. She wasn't looking for a relationship. But life had other plans for Ava because suddenly there are two men in her life. While I had a feeling early on that something was just not quite right with one of them, I was completely shocked at the plot twist. Sometimes things are not what they appear to be.   

Ava's Wishes is an excellent first book in a new series, Whispered Wishes. Karen Pokras, who has also published middle-grade books as Karen Pokras Toz, seems to be a natural at chick-lit. I was very impressed with how Ms. Pokras provided enough of a glimpse at Ava's two sisters to make readers already interested in reading their stories while still keeping the focus of this book on Ava. 

If you enjoy sweet chick-lit stories with clean romance then this book is a good choice, and I would definitely recommend it.

Copy was provided for review.

About the author:

Karen Pokras writes adult contemporary and middle grade fiction under the names Karen Pokras and Karen Pokras Toz. Her books have won several awards including two Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, the Grand Prize in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for two Global E-Book Awards for Pre-Teen Literature. Karen is a member of the Society of the Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). For children, her books include the Nate Rocks series, Millicent Marie is Not My Name, and Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas. For adult readers, Karen’s books include Chasing Invisible, and her soon to be released, Whispered Wishes series. A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her family.  

Find out more at KarenPokras.com.