Wish I Were Here - by Melissa Wiesner (Paperback)

About the Book

"For type-A mathematician Catherine Lipton, growing up with a free-spirited single dad was more than a little stressful. So as an adult, everything in her life is ordered, from her lists to her lesson plans at her new job as a college professor. Catherine's carefully calculated life goes awry, though, when the university's human resources system rejects her employment paperwork. Soon after, her credit card is declined. At the social security office, Catherine makes a shocking discovery-she's disappeared from all government records, and there's no evidence she exists at all. Catherine can't seem to convince anyone she's a real person, even though she's standing right there in the flesh. The only person who offers to help is Luca Morelli, her attractive but aggravating doorman who spends more time flirting with Catherine's elderly neighbors than he does enforcing the building rules. But left with no other options, Catherine reluctantly agrees to enlist the help of Luca's well-connected Italian family. Soon, Catherine finds herself following Luca into the back room of a smoky bar to meet a man named Vito, breaking into the records room of a local hospital, and having a surprising amount of fun. She also finds herself growing closer to Luca, who makes her laugh and challenges her in ways she never expected. As Catherine begins to unravel the mystery behind her missing identity, she may discover that the "real" Catherine is someone she never expected"--

Book Synopsis

In this witty and charming love story perfect for fans of Sophie Cousens, Ashley Poston, and Josie Silver, a buttoned-up math professor is forced to rely on her carefree doorman when her identity mysteriously disappears.

Catherine Lipton carefully calculates everything, and not just because she's a math professor. She had a chaotic childhood growing up with a free-spirited single dad. So now, from her daily to-dos to her afternoon snacks, Catherine has a plan for it all. But sometimes she wishes she could be someone else, someone with a totally different life. Until suddenly her entire identity--from her Social Security number to her driver's license to her academic record--mysteriously disappears. There's no evidence Catherine Lipton ever existed.

With no ID and no other options, Catherine reluctantly accepts help from her exasperatingly laid-back--and infuriatingly attractive--doorman, Luca Morelli. Before long, by-the-books Catherine finds herself bending all the rules with the charismatic Luca--from taking meetings in smoky bars to breaking into hospital record rooms--and having a surprising amount of fun. As Catherine unravels the truth behind her identity's disappearance, she may discover that the real Catherine has been missing for a lot longer than she realized.

Review Quotes

"Charming and nuanced...Wiesner will have readers hooked."--Publishers Weekly

"A compelling opposites-attract love story with a central message about finding meaning and happiness in life." --Library Journal

"Wiesner charms with engaging characters and an incredibly clever premise. Who among us wouldn't like to disappear for a while?"--Ginny Baird, New York Times bestselling author

"The Second Chance Year is a charmingly sweet time-loop romance about a hard yet hope-filled journey to discovering what truly matters in life, embracing your voice, and standing up for what you believe in."--Chloe Liese, author of Two Wrongs Make a Right, on The Second Chance Year

"The Second Chance Year is an adorable, swoony, beautifully written romance that I devoured in a day. Full of warmth, heart (and food), I was completely charmed by Sadie and Jacob and cried all the happy tears. I didn't want it to end!"--Catherine Walsh, author of Holiday Romance, on The Second Chance Year

"The Second Chance Year's hooky premise drew me in right from the start, and kept me turning pages with its hints of magic, found family, and slow-burn yearning for the nerdy dreamboat of a hero. With equal measures sweet and bitter, Wiesner delivers an ultimately empowering journey that's as satisfying as the protagonist's mouthwatering pastries."--Anna E. Collins, author of Love at First Spite, on The Second Chance Year

"*The* book you need to read before setting your resolutions. "--The Knot, on The Second Chance Year

"A delightful story filled with empowered characters, lovable found family, delicious desserts, and a sweet romance, all sprinkled with a dash of magic. This book warmed my heart like a fresh-out-of-the-oven brownie!"
--Lauren Kung Jessen, author of Lunar Love, on The Second Chance Year

"A sweet, smart, & satisfying romcom that addresses important issues with grace even as the characters make us laugh and fall in love right along with them."--Sophie Sullivan, author of Ten Rules for Faking It, on The Second Chance Year

"A swoony romance with a subplot about harassment and sexism in the workplace, Wiesner's latest will resonate with every reader who's wondered, 'What if?'"--Booklist, Starred review, on The Second Chance Year

"A thoughtful exploration of Sadie's growth as well as the ingrained unfairness of being a woman in a man's world. Sadie is spunky and her outspoken sense of justice is wonderful. Tough themes with a light touch and many winning characters."--Kirkus on The Second Chance Year

"A touch of magic and a heap of self-growth animate this sparkling and sophisticated rom-com."--Publishers Weekly, Starred review, on The Second Chance Year

"An ambitious woman finding her way in the world and the heart-meltingly caring man who loves her for who she is combine to make this a charming romance."--Library Journal, on The Second Chance Year

"Wiesner, a top-notch storyteller, puts a fresh, fun spin on a classic set-up. A self-aware, flawed, quirky heroine--with a strong supporting cast; a slow-burning, opposites-attract romance; and well-drawn scenes that tackle issues of feminism and workplace microaggressions--makes for a delightful seriocomic read that dynamically explores the what-ifs of life."--Shelf Awareness, on The Second Chance Year

About the Author

Melissa Wiesner's mother didn't allow her to watch much TV as a child and instead, made her play with paint, colorful pipe cleaners, random bits of fabric, and all manner of other crafty things. This set Melissa up for a lifetime of creative pursuits, and it was only a matter of time before things took a bookish turn.

A night-owl, Melissa began writing novels when her early-to-bed family retired for the evening. She is the award-winning author of contemporary romantic comedies and emotional women's fiction. Her work has earned praise from Kirkus, Booklist, Library Journal, and Publisher's Weekly and has been featured in Women's World, First for Women, and The Knot. Melissa's romantic comedy, The Second Chance Year was a Book of the Month add-on pick. Her novels will soon be translated into a dozen languages.

Along with her charming husband and two adorable children, Melissa splits her time between the big city of Pittsburgh, PA and rural West Virginia.

You can learn more at:
MelissaWiesner.com
Instagram @MelissaWiesnerAuthor
Facebook.com/MelissaWiesnerAuthor