Review of "The Wishing Season"

Review of The Wishing Season

by Denise Hunter

She daydreams of whipping up sauces and souffles in her own restaurant. His heart is set on helping foster children. Both dreams are at stake. So are their hearts.

With grand plans to open her own bed & breakfast in Chapel Springs, PJ McKinley can't afford the most crucial part: the brick and mortar. But when the owner of a local historic home announces a contest and promises her property to the worthiest candidate, PJ makes a fervent wish and tosses her name into the hat.

Cole Evans is cool, confident, and successful, but he'll never forget his roots. He's thankful for how far he's come and knows his life could have turned out drastically different. If he can win the stately old mansion, he'll turn it into a home for children aging out of the foster system.

When the eccentric house owner narrows the entries down to only two applicants, she extends the contest, giving PJ and Cole one year to prove which one of them can make the best use of her beloved home. As the pair competes in close proximity, something deeper than rivalry sparks between PJ and Cole. And in this battle, they're likely to lose their hearts.

MY REVIEW:    Surprises, surprises, surprises......I thought this was a Christmas book based on the cover, but it is not.   PJ and Cole are both competing for ownership of the Wishing Mansion.  PJ wants to turn it into a Bed-and-Breakfast and restaurant and Cole wants to provide housing for 18 year old foster children to transition.   Then they have to share it for one year before the board determines who will receive ownership.  Chemistry flies between PJ and Cole and things become heated and not just in the restaurant's kitchen.   

This romance is very cute, very funny and completely endearing.  I could not help but like PJ and Cole and I was torn about the potential outcome as both deserved the Wishing Mansion.   Cole has some issues to deal with as he himself was a foster child after his parents and little sister were killed in a car accident for which he blames himself.   PJ has not always made wise choices in men and so she has some things to overcome as well.   I could picture the mansion in my mind and wished I could visit the restaurant and taste some of the delicious food prepared there.   Denise Hunter has written a lovely ending and readers will have to get a copy to find out what happens!    I rate this novel 5 stars and highly recommend it to readers.

I received a free pdf version of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review. 

About the Author:

Denise Hunter is the award-winning author of 20 novels, including The Accidental Bride and Convenient Groom. 

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!