Single mum Cally's life is all about her little girl Stella. She's resigned to the fact that the only romance she's going to get is from the rom-coms she watches, and with her busy job and her daughter, she doesn't have time to even think about love.
But life becomes very tough when Stella gets sick. Balancing her job as a recipe writer and looking after Stella is all consuming, so when Cally meets handsome baker Jago the last thing she wants to do is fall in love, especially when she's been so badly burned by a Prince Charming from her past. Can laid-back, charming Jago unlock Cally's frozen heart and help her find true love and magic under the mistletoe?
Wish Upon a Star by Trisha Ashley is a heart-warming novel that highlights the importance of family, friends and true love and how easily we can take all of that for granted. The novel is predominantly a first person narrative which follows the story of single mum, Cally, as she tries to keep atop of her job and relationships whilst also fundraising for a life saving operation for her little girl, Stella.
Forgive me if you beg to differ and think I'm over analysing her character, but I personally perceive Cally as quite a strong feminist character. Okay she may not be an action heroine like Katniss Everdeen or someone who lives by her own rules like Alaska Young, but she is a real woman who doesn't allow herself to be controlled or walked over by men, particularly her ex, nor is she particularly bothered about her curves or her looks. Instead Cally is fuelled by the strength and positivity her daughter gives her and the hope she has for her future and that is so heart-warming to read and often brings a lump to the throat, which for itself highlights just how strong the character's in this novel are seeing as it would typically be difficult for an 18-year-old male like myself to connect with such a maternal character.
I particularly loved reading the development of Cally and Jago's friendship and how it blossomed as the book went on. I've grown oh so very tired of romances that seem to fall into place within a matter of chapters which is why it was so refreshing and reassuring to read a well-developed and thought out relationship that isn't based upon materialistic matters such as good looks or diving straight in the deep end and just seeing how things turn out. These are real characters with real problems so it was great to see that brought out in their relationship too. Also, the community spirit and the acceptance the townsfolk give Cally despite her family being the black sheep of the village, which, might I add, was so interesting to follow, was so lovely to read; there's just such a range of characters within the community and something for everyone to enjoy.
What I loved most about this book however is just how beautifully written and constructed it is. Although generally understandable, most novels I've read that contain a seriously ill character I've struggled to connect with because the author has focused too closely on the technicalities and science of the character's illness, which can make it difficult to understand. Ashley, however, tackles Stella's condition in a light that is educational, understandable and somewhat fascinating. Yes, a seriously ill child can be problematic to present but you feel a greater sense of empathy for the character's involved through Ashley's superb portrayal and an appreciation for her writing as a result. I also found myself relishing in Ashley's descriptive techniques throughout the book as they painted such a beautiful picture in my mind of all the buildings, shops and festivities celebrated in Sticklepond. I personally think there's no better setting for a book than a little English village.
I just can't wait to see Cally, Jago, Stella and so many other characters introduced in this book to (hopefully) pop up in future work of Ashley as I just have to know how things work out for them. Until then however this book is ultimately the perfect read to accompany a hot chocolate and a massive blanket and has everything you could possibly want and more, not to mention it really encourages you to appreciate what you've got and who you've got around you.
I give Trisha Ashley and Wish Upon a Star ★★★★★
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