Wish Me Home

There is a lot going on in this book and it took some time to feel its rhythm. Once I did, I read it nearly non- stop. The characters were believable and made me want to root for their success as they navigated different kinds of love and learned to forge new relationships.

I almost didn't read this story because I thought it would be far too depressing.... Foster kids, poverty, mental illness are not uplifting topics. Cara has decided to walk from Georgia to Key West to see where Hemingway lived. She's leaving behind her chronically depressed and frequently in trouble twin sister Hanna. On her path she meets several truly decent people who help her in small ways. A bed to sleep in for a night or two, a shower, a meal...all small human touches that affect her immensely. The most important one is a dog that just shows up and takes her into his life. Hemi stays by her side and loves and protects her.Cara finally learns from their old former caseworker the real history of how these two girls ended up in state care and how much their caseworker fought for them. Most importantly they learned that they had been deeply loved by their mom. It's that fact that starts to change how these girls see everything.The story is quietly uplifting... improvement is slow and steady. The story sort of grows on you ..comfortable like!

I loved going on this journey with Cara and Hemi. There are still good people out there and I'm so glad this book included some.

Three things caught me in this book, a desperate young woman, a lot of really good people, and, of course, a really good dog.

Wish Me Home is a powerful novel by Kay Bratt touching upon family relationships, learning how to lean on others as well as developing a sense of self-worth. This is an absolute deviation from her usual writing, and I look forward to many more such books by one of my favorite authors!At 29 years old, Cara Butter is on the road to Key West to see the home of her childhood Hero Ernest Hemingway. Along the way, Cara meets up with Hemi, a stray dog that she names for her hero. They quickly become devoted to each other although Cara tries to convince herself that it is only until she finds a good home for him. Cara and Hemi meet up with strangers who open their homes and hearts to the two wanderers. They touch the heart of almost all they meet along the along the way.Cara and her twin sister Hana grew up in the foster care system after loosing their mother at 7 years old. As the older twin, Care feels responsible for Hana. Their lives have been defined by their struggle to remain together while in the foster care system. She has plenty of time on her journey to think about their relationship and how their growing up defines each of them.You will need a box of tissues as you read this story! I think you will enjoy Cara and Hemi's adventure as much as I did!Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for the Advance Reader's Copy (ARC) of Wish Me Home by Kay Bratt.

Just a good story with a good ending. Easy to read and a positive message. Plus it has a dog in it so of corse I would love it.

As always with Kay’s books, once started, it’s hard to put down. She always inserts a bit of he own life experiences in her writing. If you haven’t read anything by Kay Bratt, you’re definitely missing out on a great reading journey!

Hard to put into words how I feel about this book.Loved the story idea; an interesting premise. A young woman in some mysterious kind of trouble is moving cross country on foot, with under $300 in her backpack. She is found by a stray dog and they become inseparable.What I liked: Interesting premise, and I love a story that includes a dog. Loved the people she met in the Georgia diner, the old man on the beach and everyone in Key West. Loved her home at Hadley House and the whole dog rescue scenario.What I didn’t like: Too much reverie. Every time the story got moving, she harkens back to her childhood in foster care. I don’t doubt the trials and tribulations of our inadequate foster care system, but to be honest it seemed like very page Cara was whining about her childhood situation. The book could have been as good with just a paragraph or two of her childhood situation. Do I doubt that a set of twins could have been treated so abominably in foster care, or that it would affect every day of their adult lives? No I do not, but do I want to read it for pleasure? No.Cara is damaged from her page gobbling childhood. She is hesitant, distrustful, and suspicious of everything. That got really old. I understand it given her childhood, but this is fiction and I could have done without all the constant angst.Cara trusts no one, but oddly enough except for one homeless man, and a few teens looking for trouble, everyone she meets takes her home and treats her like a queen. That’s a little hard to swallow-not that there aren’t kind people out there, but rather that there are people willing to take home a strange young woman and her dog, no questions asked.

Being a dog lover I was looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed! I felt it was tedious when it could have been more interesting and too involved with the main character’s earlier life without actually informing the reader of the details until nearer the end. A bit twee.I returned the book before completing. Also wasn’t aware it was an aged related book!

Audio version - this was my first book by this author and I am so glad I chose it. It was the relationship between human beings and dogs that drew me to it and it did not disappoint. As a lifelong lover of all animals, but in particular dogs, this book shows the healing powers of having such a loyal furry friend in your life and how enriched they can make it. It is an endearing story about Cara, her relationship with a stray dog and her estranged twin sister. The book in my opinion was written very well and flowed nicely. I listened to it over two days and always find audio brings books to life. I would definitely recommend.

Cara, on the run from trouble in Georgia, meets a number of people who change her perception of life and show her kindnesses she has never known before.A beautiful tale about a young woman learning to trust…and to love.

Once I got into this story I couldn’t put it down I was totally engrossed in the twists and turns and would definitely recommend it to others

This looked a good story, so I got it (on my Kindle.) Looking forward to starting it. Thanks.