The Things We Wish Were True is listed under psychological, women’s fiction. Personally, I would classify it as an adult romance with a little psychological mystery thrown in. That’s because the author spent much more time developing the romantic interests of the characters than she did the mystery, casually embedded in the plot.
The story finds Jancey, and her two children, returning to small town Sycamore Glen for the summer, to temporally live with her parents. A return not of her choosing, but one forced by her husband’s imprisonment and the confiscation of everything they owned. Something she desperately wants to keep secret.
Once home, she finds that little has changed. Especially, at the town pool, where everyone spends their summer gossiping and minding everyone else’s business. Even though she knows she’ll be the main topic of discussion, Jancey is more concerned with how she’s going to face her best friend Bryte. Bryte, the one who is now married to Everett, her ex-boyfriend, and who both have their own secrets. In the midst of all this, Jancey meets Lance, whose wife has left him, and who is obviously interested in Jancey.
Sounds complicated? Not really. The plot is like so many others, with a few twists, turns, hang-ups and complications thrown in. Original only in their uniqueness to the storyline.
The story is however well written, with well-developed characters and a mystery added in for good measure. All that added up to a short review, and four stars rather than three.
The Things We Wish Were True is a cute, easy read, romance that I think you’ll enjoy. However, if you’re looking for a psychological thriller, this is not it.