Book Details
Wish I Were Here
Type-A mathematician Catherine Lipton’s carefully calculated life goes awry when a university’s human resources system rejects her employment paperwork. Soon after, her credit card is declined. At the Social Security office, Catherine makes a shocking discovery—she’s disappeared from the government’s records, and there’s no evidence she exists at all.
The one person who offers to help is Luca Morelli, her attractive but aggravating doorman who spends more time flirting with Catherine’s neighbors than he does enforcing the building rules.
Left with no other options, Catherine reluctantly agrees to enlist the help of Luca’s well-connected Italian family. Soon, she finds herself following Luca into a smoky bar to meet the Mafia, breaking into the records room of a local hospital, doing a little light stalking, and having a surprising amount of fun–all while growing closer to Luca.
As Catherine begins to unravel the mystery behind her missing identity, she may discover that the “real” Catherine is someone she never expected.
Hello Book friends!
Today I’m reviewing Wish I Were Here by Melissa Weisner. In Weisner’s latest novel we follow Catherine Lipton, a math professor with a no-nonsense personality. Her dream job is at risk due to the fact Catherine somehow doesn’t exist. She’s about to lose everything when Luca Morelli, her apartment buildings doorman, swoops in like a knight in shimmering armor to help her out.
Review of Wish I Were Here
What worked:
I truly enjoyed the quirkiness of the novel. It’s unlike anything I’ve read recently with a splash of magical realism, silly side characters, and a plot that focuses on someone no longer existing. It’s a cosmopolitan of old people, Luca’s very large extended family (he seems to have a family member literally everywhere Catherine and Luca go), and Catherine’s own charismatic father, that you find yourself enjoying the zaniness of it all. The magical realism was fun, where Catherine interacts with the residents of her apartment complex, but by the end of the novel you wonder: are they really alive???
What didn’t work:
Sadly, the chemistry between Catherine and Luca didn’t feel real. I was at a bit of a loss when suddenly they were kissing. Literally had to pause and go back a few chapters to try and figure out when and why this happened. They felt more like good friends throughout, and nothing more, which honestly would have worked for me.
As for Catherine herself, she’s somewhat of an off-putting and a bit of an unlikeable character. Her dad too is over the top and her birth mother was even more unpleasant than Catherine.
The story itself had a lot going on. The plot essentially is about Catherine losing her identity (literally). But there are so many other ingredients and spices being thrown into the mix (I’ll let you discover those) that you start to lose the flavor of what you’re experiencing.
Even though this one wasn’t completely for me, romance readers who enjoy opposites attract, quirky side characters, and the found family trope, then make sure to add Wish I Were Here to your TBR.
Happy Reading ~ Cece
RATING: 
– Satisfyingly Inked
About the Author
Melissa Weisner is the award-winning author of contemporary romantic comedies and emotional women’s fiction. Her work has earned praise from Kirkus, Booklist, Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly and has been featured in Women’s World, First for Women, and The Knot. Melissa’s romantic comedy, The Second Chance Year was a Book of the Month add-on pick. Her novels will soon be translated into a dozen languages.
Along with her charming husband and two adorable children, Melissa splits her time between the big city of Pittsburgh, PA and rural West Virginia.
You can learn more at: MelissaWiesner.com
publication details
| Pub Date | ISBN | Page Count | Publisher | Age Group | Source & Format | Review Posted Online |
| 15-Oct-24 | 978-1538741948 | 368 | Forever | Adult | NetGalley, Digital ARC | July 25, 2024 |
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Welcome Reader!
I’m Cecelia and I’m so glad you’re here! You’ll find honest reviews, book recommendations, along with other bookish essentials. So happy you stopped by!
– C
ABOUT THE CREATOR
CECE BECKMAN
Cece holds a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach. She lives in California with her husband and children. When she’s not reading or writing reviews she can be found wandering book aisles at local bookshops, drinking iced cold lattes with cold cream foam, or passing the time with her cats.
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