Lindy DeKoven

Kenzie Armstrong, an marketing and advertising woman, her BFF Gemma Haskins, her co-worker Sarita Mahajan and her nemesis Brynne Tomlinson all have obstacles in this book to overcome. Each of them is involved in "Wishful Thinking" about a life they want or think they want. The chapters in this book are narrated alternately by the four characters. Brynne suffered a humiliating experience as the youngest executive at Victory Studios in Hollywood. She disappears from the scene and reappears four years later just promoted from hot walker at a down and out racetrack, to Director of Marketing. Can she pull off the marketing and resurrect the track? Can she find someone to love? Will the ring be involved in her decisions? Gemma was raised by her mother and has never known her father. Recently she has found some documents letting her know who her father is. She seeks him out and insinuates herself into his family with the hope of revealing herself to them and being accepted with open arms. Will she finally have the family she has always dreamed of? Brynne Tomlinson has been married for 19 years. She is well off financially and looks down on others. She also feels that her life as a wife and mother is superior to working women's lives. She tries her best to get her demoted and/or fired. When Brynne's husband is seen kissing another woman, she has some decisions to make. Where will she turn? What is going to happen to her marriage? Sarita is stubborn and rebellious. Her father is a very traditional Hindu man and wants his daughter to become a wife and mother, based upon his choices. He is also very stubborn, and set in his ways. Sarita has just landed her first job as the social media person at the track and works with Kenzie. Sarita has been living a secret life as a goth singer and when her parents find out about it and her boyfriend, Sarita is forced to make a decision. When she does not want to marry the man her father has chosen, she is kicked out of the house. Will Sarita give in to her parent's demands? Will she embrace who she really is and move on with her singing career and the goth scene?

The Secret Life of Wishful Thinking follows these four women as they are forced to make life choices. They have many ups and downs along the way, but are finally able to realize that what they wish for and want may be within their reach after all. There were times in the story that I was angry with one or more of these women. They did not realize how much inner strength they had and seemed somewhat wishy washy at times. Then there were situations where they showed their backbone and strength. This is very typical with women and made me root for them along the way. The plot was relatively quick but did have some slower moments. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It is a story of self-affirmation and strength for women and girls.… (mais)

I just finished reading The Secret Life of Wishful Thinking by Lindy DeKoven is a sweet novel. It is about four woman who are letting wishful thinking getting in the way of living their lives or facing reality.

Kenzie Armstrong is the youngest executive at Victory Studio in Hollywood and she is at the top of her career. She is about to give a speech in New York in front a very large audience. Kenzie goes to the restroom before heading onto the stage (just wait and you will see why this is important). She is giving her speech when the audience starts laughing. After a few minutes a stage manager comes and up and whispers in her ear that her skirt is tucked into her pink thong. Kenzie freezes up and walks off the stage. She later discovered that she suffered a panic attack. Kenzie had lost her mother recently and had never taken the time to grieve.

Four years later Kenzie is working at Grayson Downs Racetrack. She just received a promotion. Kenzie has been walking the horses after training for the last four years and is now Director of Marketing for the track. The track needs more exposure to get better attendance and more people using their facilities during the off season. Kenzie receives a prediction from Gemma's psychic. The ring that Kenzie found on the beach (it is a suffragette ring and just lovely) will belong to her future husband and that this future husband will come into her life within the next six months (according to the psychic, Annalisa, who then drops dead). This prediction will affect Kenzie's life in negative ways as she lets it rule her relationships.

Gemma Haskins is Kenzie's best friend. Gemma was raised by her mother and she has never known her father. Until recently Gemma thought her father was a sperm donor until she found paperwork in her mother's closest. Her father had signed an agreement with Gemma's mother. He would pay expenses for Gemma until she was 18 as long as there was no contact. Gemma is determined to find her father and connect with him. (You just know that this is not gong to go well). Gemma sets out to meet her father and his family (he is married with two kids). Gemma believes that when he will embrace her and be happy to see her.

Brynne Tomlinson has been married for 19 years and has twin daughters. Brynne thinks she is superior to other people. She has wealth, a big house, lovely daughters, and a husband who loves her. Brynne owns several horses that she keeps at the track. Brynne does not have any close friends and does not believe that woman friends can be close and help one another. Brynne's life is going to change drastically as well as her perceptions.

Sarita Mahajan is stubborn and rebellious. Her father is very traditional, stubborn, and set in his ways. Sarita has just returned from college and has gotten her first job. She is the social media person at the track and works with Kenzie. Sarita is into the goth scene and wants to be a singer. She has been hiding this from her parents until one night they catch her on the front porch kissing her boyfriend, Damien. Her father wants her to marry and be a housewife (very old-fashioned). What will it take for Sarita to embrace who she is as a person as well as her heritage?

The Secret Life of Wishful Thinking is a lovely book with a very good ending. It is interesting to see the changes that happen to each character and how they come together in the end. I give The Secret Life of Wishful Thinking 4 out of 5 stars. Happy Reading!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.… (mais)