See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

119 used & new from $0.01

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
What You Wish For
 
 
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get yours here.
 
  

What You Wish For (Hardcover)

by Fern Michaels (Author)
3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


13 new from $2.00 99 used from $0.01 7 collectible from $24.00

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Guest List

The Guest List

by Fern Michaels
4.0 out of 5 stars (24)  $4.99
Desperate Measures: A Novel

Desperate Measures: A Novel

by Fern Michaels
4.4 out of 5 stars (12)  $7.99
Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers

by Fern Michaels
4.3 out of 5 stars (63)  $7.99
Listen To Your Heart

Listen To Your Heart

by Fern Michaels
3.1 out of 5 stars (14)  $4.99
Plain Jane

Plain Jane

by Fern Michaels
3.0 out of 5 stars (64)  $7.99
Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Bestselling romantic suspense writer Michaels delivers another gripping plot, though it's easy to detect predictable dramatic devices in the story of Helen Ward, a physically abused wife who finally stands up for herself and sets off for a better life. While beating Helen one night, her husband Daniel finally pushes her too far when he kicks her beloved dog, Lucie. Helen retaliates by bashing him with a fireplace poker. Fleeing their house in a California suburb, Helen finds refuge in a veterinary hospital, where she meets Dr. Gerald Davis, who immediately recognizes that Helen needs help as much as Lucie does. He calls local heiress and animal lover Isabel Tyger, who places Helen in a top-secret women's shelter. Much like a participant in the Federal Witness Protection Program, Helen assumes an alias and relocates to New Jersey. Now called Nancy Baker, Helen thrives in her new identity. She establishes an Internet lingerie shop, attends night school and falls for a handsome neighbor and fellow dog-lover, Sam Tolliver. As their relationship grows, Nancy longs to tell Sam the truth about her past, defying the first rule of the program. When her online connection to Tyger's program is interrupted, Nancy suspects her vengeful husband has finally found her. She is further depressed to learn she has been legally declared dead, thus making divorce impossible. Returning to California suggests all kinds of dangers, but Helen/ Nancy refuses to be a victim this time. Michaels (Celebration) builds up enough tension to fuel this contemporary novel, but an O.J. Simpson-style car chase gives way to a disappointingly quick climax. Fans will fill up on Michaels's direct prose in one sitting, while others may find it only a light snack. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
For Helen Stanley, survival means escaping from an abusive husband and creating a new life for herself. She joins an organization that protects abused women but at a cost; she is declared dead, given a new identity, and moved across the United States. She starts her own business, a Victoria's Secret knock-off, and attracts the attention of a loving man, Sam Tolliver. Meanwhile, ex-husband Daniel's fortunes spiral downward. Having lost his job, he blames his misfortunes on his wife's desertion and stalks Helen, bent on a murderous revenge. Fortunately, Helen is rescued by her new beau. Despite the predictable ending, readers will admire Helen's determination to remake her life in a positive direction, meeting each challenge as it comes. Says Helen, "It doesn't matter where you've been. What matters is where you're going and how you get there." Recommended for public libraries and for the many fans of Michaels's previous works (e.g., Celebration).DCarol J. Bissett, New Braunfels P.L., TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 313 pages
  • Publisher: Kensington; 1ST edition (October 1, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0739412167
  • ISBN-13: 978-1575665733
  • ASIN: 1575665735
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #374,586 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Look Inside This Book
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

What You Wish For
71% buy the item featured on this page:
What You Wish For 3.6 out of 5 stars (36)
Family Blessings
8% buy
Family Blessings 2.0 out of 5 stars (20)
$7.99
Listen To Your Heart
7% buy
Listen To Your Heart 3.1 out of 5 stars (14)
$4.99
Finders Keepers
7% buy
Finders Keepers 4.3 out of 5 stars (63)
$7.99

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
Check a corresponding box or enter your own tags in the field below.

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search
No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

 

Customer Reviews

36 Reviews
5 star:
 (19)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:
 (9)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.6 out of 5 stars (36 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fern Michaels is one of our best writers, September 28, 2000
Helen Wood seems to have it all. She owns an exquisite home, beautiful clothing, and tasteful furniture. In reality, Helen lives the life of horror, a long time victim of spousal abuse. Her injuries have been so numerous, Helen wonders when he will kill her. Helen's sole companion and friend is her Yorkshire Terrier Lucie. This time her husband Daniel goes too far, hurting Lucie. Helen fights back by knocking him out with a poker. Grabbing Lucie, she flees to a vet to obtain care for her injured canine's leg.

The vet calls wealthy Isabel Tyger who runs shelters and an underground railroad for battered women. Taking one look at Helen and Lucie, Isabel knows. She places the Californian and her dog in New Jersey where they meet Sam. Sam and Helen fall in love, but she knows the dangerous Daniel still searches to find her to enact a most brutal punishment for what he regards as her betrayal.

Spousal abuse is rarely the centerpiece of a romance novel as it is considered to harsh of a topic. However, the adept Fern Michaels succeeds in showcasing the horrors of abuse without preaching pat solutions to a complex problem. Helen is not only ashamed... but so humiliated that she struggles with the concept of happiness. That is part of Ms. Michaels' message: abuse is more than physical, it is mental and emotional hitting the entire community. WHAT YOU WISH FOR is a deep and complex contemporary tale that combines an in-depth look at a troubling social issue with a bit of romance to takes some of the edge off it. Only the incomparable Ms. Michaels could make that combo work.

Harriet Klausner

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, October 11, 2000
By A Customer
I agree with one of the previous reviewers that Fern Michaels is one of our best writers. What You Wish For is a story of a woman in an abusive marriage who overcomes many obstacles including shame and humiliation to take back control of her life and eventually find happiness. I was so moved by this story that I've been checking out various womens' shelters in the area with a view toward volunteering my time to help out others in similar situations.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The underdog goes over the top, December 2, 2000
By Tasha D. Staggers (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Not since "Sleeping with the Enemy" have I read the story but a victim of spousal abuse become a hero in her own right. Helen Ward tries to break free from "trailer park trash" past, she thinks she finds Prince Charming who turns out to be Prince Terror. I love the relationship she has with her dog, Lucie and I was hoping that she would had children and the end of the book. But instead, she does find love, happiness and unexpected wealth and that in itself is a blessing.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
Ad
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars GET THIS MUTT OFF OF ME
WARNING: Plot spoiler. We are at the climactic scene wherein Helen's husband has finally tracked her down with the intent of possibly killing her. But wait! Read more
Published 4 months ago by S. Wolfrom

5.0 out of 5 stars A literary Sweet 'n sour
This is a book you'd either love or hate. It evolves around the distasteful topic of spousal abuse. The first third of the book is centered around this and it was difficult to... Read more
Published 10 months ago by D. Lane

3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining.....
Not the best book ever, but definately entertaining. It had me looking forward to what was coming next, even though parts were very far fetched. Read more
Published on July 12, 2007 by Dawn ~

1.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't deserve a star...
By far the worst book I've ever read. I kept hoping that it would get better, but it ended up getting worse and worse. I was so sick of hearing about those dogs. Read more
Published on June 21, 2007 by Avid Reader

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping
Once I started the book, I had a very hard time putting it down for any length of time. Fern Michaels did a fantastic job. Never a boring page! Read more
Published on May 12, 2007 by L. Peterson

5.0 out of 5 stars A Better Life
A battered wife fights for a better life for herself, and you'll be cheering her on through this novel. You won't be able to put it down.
Published on April 5, 2007 by Marina Kushner

3.0 out of 5 stars wow, Michaels stole this idea 100%
This book here is the most openly blatant scavenging of someone else's idea I have ever come across. Read more
Published on January 23, 2007 by C. Elgin

4.0 out of 5 stars good book
I love Fern Michaels stories. This was another good one. I had read it before and didn't remember, but it was good enough to read again.
Published on January 9, 2007 by Mrs. Frizzy

5.0 out of 5 stars What You Wish For
This is an excellent book. I just love love love Fern Michaels. You cannot put this book down. Even when I tell myself-It's a book, you can save your place-I couldn't do it... Read more
Published on November 3, 2006 by Lori Baker

2.0 out of 5 stars Great, riveting start but can't hold it for long
When I first started to read this book I found myself unable to put it down. The brutality of the husband and how Helen escapes was great. Read more
Published on October 20, 2004 by Mgster

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   


Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)



Look for Similar Items by Category


Bath Wonders from LUSH

LUSH bath bombs
Find bath bombs, bath melts, shower jellies, and more great gifts for yourself (or a friend!) from LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics.

Shop LUSH now

 

Big Savings in Books

Bargain Books
Find great titles at fantastic prices in our Bargain Books Store.
 

Buy Three Books, Get a Fourth Free

4-for-3 Books
Order any four eligible books under $10 and get the lowest-price book free in our 4-for-3 Books Store. See more details.
 

Best Books

Best of the Month
See our editors' picks and more of the best new books on our Best of the Month page.
 
Ad

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.



Where's My Stuff?

Shipping & Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue shopping: Top Sellers
Free
Free by Chris Anderson
Paranoia
Paranoia by Joseph Finder
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 Doyle
My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates