A Secret Wish

Three women, three birthdays and one unforgettable night that will change their lives forever.


One night in San Francisco, three women make a birthday wish believing it can’t possibly come true. Liz is turning thirty. A successful nurse, she has a good career, but no man to share her life. All her friends are married, and she’s alone, still trying to outrun a tragedy from her past. Then she meets a handsome stranger.


Angela, a member of a large, loving Italian family, is facing thirty-five with no baby in the nursery. Eight years of infertility treatments have put a strain on her marriage. Will she have to choose between her husband and having a child? When she is mugged by an unexpected assailant, her life takes a new turn.


Carole, a corporate wife, is staring down forty candles. Having grown up poor, she worked hard to get ahead, but when her kids bail on her birthday, and she discovers her husband with another woman, she realizes that she may have nothing at all. She goes back to where it all began, the mother she left behind, and the man whose heart she once broke.


(A short novel of 40,000 words – approximately 180 pages)



PRAISE FOR A SECRET WISH

“A SECRET WISH is a beautifully written contemporary romance novella that will warm your heart. Talented author Barbara Freethy brings this story to life with her phenomenal storytelling ability and descriptive language. These three women, who are total strangers, share the same birthday, but their lives are interwoven on this one life changing night, as some of their wishes are fulfilled in a way that none of them expect. A brilliant tale, I was unable to put it down until I found out whether these women received their wishes. At times, humorous and at times, tearful, this novella, with its interesting plot, humor, surprising plot twists, heartfelt emotions, clever dialogue and romance, is unforgettable. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading Ms. Freethy’s next book in her WISHES series; JUST A WISH AWAY. Do yourself a favor and get your own copy of A SECRET WISH!” — Romance Junkies


“Each woman has her wish, and each is desperate for it to come true. As Liz explains to John, “I want what everyone else has. Excitement, passion, all that crazy mad-about-you stuff. I want to fall in love.” They each fight for their wish to come true, and that’s why you will enjoy this brisk read. Liz, Angie and Carole are well sketched characters, and Barbara Freethy lets us see their good and bad points. A Secret Wish is a nice, simple story that will take you an hour or two to read. There are no sex scenes, although at least two of the women engage in some romance. It’s a nice little novella.” — Cupcake On Books Blog


“A Secret Wish by Barbara Freethy is a refreshing read. Ms. Freethy leads us into the insight of not just one mind, not two, but three different pairs. She did a tremendous job at capturing my attention, holding it, and then releasing it on down to the last minute. I truly enjoyed reading this novel and look forward to more she has to provide. Four out of five stars.” — Romance Romp