Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber (2009, Paperback, Reprint)

I love to read anything by Debbie Macomber. She is a fabulous author. Tweny Wishes is a heart felt, warm, loving story. I loved it and was sad when I finished this book.
This is a story of a young widow and her friends who get together on Valentine's Day and they come up with a plan to make a list of twenty things that they want to do. It is almost like four stories in one. Anne recently lost her husband and just found out that her cheated on her with his secretary. She is heartbroken, to say the least. She volunteers at the school to do a lunch buddy program. This is where she meets the sweetest little girl named Ellen. These two feel there way around each other but find they like one another. Anne had a dog named Baxter. Anne takes the dog to school and Ellen falls in love with him. Three weeks into the program, Anne gets a call from Ellens grandmother. She is very ill and wants Anne to take Ellen. Anne doesn't want to but can't refuse the older lady. She and Ellen become friends and visit her grandmother often. About a month passes before Ellens grandmother comes home. Anne is happy and takes Ellen home. She finds though that her life is empty without the little girl. Soon after, Anne gets another call. She is asked to go to the school where she finds out that Ellen gram passed away. Anne knows she must take Ellen. She found love in one little girl.
Barbie is rich and sexy. She lost her husband and father in a plane crash about a year ago. She is lonely, she wants love. One Monday, feeling depressed, she goes to the movies and discovers love sitting in a wheelchair right next to her. He fights her at every angle. He knows he lost when he figures out that his niece is in on the charade. She works at the theatre and is helping Barbie find her uncle by directing her to the movie he is seeing. In the end they end up together. With a few laughs to boot.
The last is Barbie's mom. I can't recall her name but she also finds love when she isn't even looking. She lost her husband in the plane crash. Now, to celebrate life, she buys a hot, little convertible. The first thing she does is take Anne out for a spin. While driving, something goes wrong with the car. She calls the dealership and a hot mechanic comes out to get the car. She instantly feels the attraction. They try to deny it. When she picks up her car, he offers to ride with her for a few miles, just to make sure everything is okay. This is when he asks her out on a date. He takes her bowling. She loves it. Then he invites her over for dinner. The most romantic evening. It is spoiled by his son who walks in on them dancing in his fathers kitchen. This she thinks is the end of a budding romance. Until some weeks later she gets an invite to his retirement party. She decided to go eventhough she thinks it's a mistake. When she arrives, she is welcomed with open arms. He has had a conversation with his family and now everything is okay. Love is in the strangest places.
I loved this book and can't wait to read her next book. This book had it all, love, heartbreak, romance, how to deal with someone in a wheelchair, everything.
If you get the chance to read this book, take it. You will not be let down. Debbie Macomber has a way of reaching in and touching your heart with her stories.