How Not to Make a Wish [Paperback]

Kira Franklin was still recovering from her breakup. A whole year after the fact, and thirty extra pounds later, practically jobless and in need of a miracle, she unexpectedly got one in the shape of a genie. That's right, a real rub-the-lamp genie named Teel. Kira's troubles are over!

Or so she thinks. As it turns out, her wishes make her life anything but easier. She wishes for a new job that turns out to be a huge fiasco, and after wishing away her extra thirty pounds, her friends and family start to think she's anorexic.

But Kira doesn't regret her wishes, and besides, it's not like she can take them back...right?

Did I like How Not to Make a Wish? I'm on the fence. I like Mindy Klasky. I'm a huge fan of her Jane Madison series, but How Not to Make a Wish lacked some of the charm that "Sorcery and the Single Girl" and "Girl's Guide to Witchcraft" oozed in excess.

Instead of a fantasy with a love story thrown in as her previous books were, How Not to Make a Wish was more like a love story/coming of age story with a genie thrown in to stir things up. I was really surprised that Mindy Klasky did not reveal more about the character of Teel the genie. The story focused mostly on Kira and her friends, while Teel just popped in every now and then to help move the story along.

Don't get me wrong, I thought Kira had a lot of depth as a character and I related to her in many different ways. I guess I just didn't find her as loveable as Jane Madison. I really wanted to fall in love with How Not to Make a Wish the way I have with Klasky's other novels, I just couldn't force myself to enjoy every page as I had in the past.

Will I read the rest of the "Wish" series? Sure I will. I'm still a fan of Klasky and am curious as to how she's going to shake up the next book (When Good Wishes Go Bad) and make it different from How Not to Make a Wish. Will I be first in line at the bookstore at midnight? Probably not.

I was very excited when I heard Klasky was coming out with a new book. I've read all of her other novels and enjoyed them. This one did not disappoint. It takes you to that magical realm where you are granted wishes and even makes you wonder what you would do in the same situation. Also makes you realize that sometimes the old adage is true "be careful of what you wish for"

Things haven't been too great in Kira Franklin's life for a while. Her ex-fiance dumped her, the dinner theater she's working at is a dead-end for her stage managing career and her lawyer father has been breathing down her neck trying to get her to give up theater and take the LSAT. But all that changes when she cleans up an old lantern found in the prop closet... and a genie pops out ready to grant Kira's wishes. Her first wish? Become the stage manager for the Landmark's newest production. Surely, stage managing the totally nouveau production of Romeo and Juliet will open doors for Kira's career.

Yet, as Kira enjoys her new job her genie begins putting the pressure on for her to finish up with her wishes. Catching the eye of one of her sexy cast would be a plus, if only she could get out of her sweats and back into her skinny jeans and voila! Having a genie on her side certainly has its perks but Kira is about to learn that sometimes you don't need wishes and magic to get what you want most of all.

Alright, so I assume most are wondering why the okay rating. I liked Klasky's Jane Madison book I read last fall a lot. So I was really interested in seeing what she could do with a story involving a genie. I mean, there aren't enough genie stories out there anyway! How Not to Make a Wish has a really good plot if you're into theater. I definitely recommend it for people who are into stage plays and theater who want to read a romance. All the technical stuff was a bit lost on me since the last time I was involved in a play it was performed by elementary school aged children. I found myself really wanting to call up a friend of mine who is heavily involved in this sort of stuff in college so she could help me picture some of the stage stuff. That is why I found it to be only okay. It can be frustrating to read something you expect to be entertaining and find yourself too unclear about the details to focus.

My other small issue was the romance itself. Most perceptive readers can pick up on it right away so they'll expect (or at least I did) a little more interaction and character development for the love interest. When the book ended I felt like I didn't know enough about him to be sure I felt any chemistry between he and Kira. That might not bug all readers but it's essential for me as a reader.

On the whole this IS a good book. It's just not the book for me. If you're an urban fantasy reader or paranormal romance reader looking for a fun genie story this really isn't it. BUT if you're in the market for a contemporary romance with a touch of magic this should be right up your alley.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 11 reviews  3.4 out of 5 stars