Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Annie wasn’t a wish cast out to sea. She was the tide drawing him home.”

Whenever I think of Catherine Michaels and her beautiful writing, it always takes me back to our honeymoon in 2024 when I read her previous book, Sand, Sea, and Second Chances. I remember the heat and the calming sounds of the water, and that moment in time is something that always seems to stick with me! Catherine’s second book in the Gull Island series was utterly lovely, and it felt like coming home as I found myself back on Gull Island, this time with different characters to focus on. Such a feel-good, uplifting read! I’m so happy to be sharing my review of Wishes on the Waves by Catherine Michaels!

About the book

Widowed business owner Annie Lawson has learned how to live a full life running her shop, raising her young son, and keeping her heart carefully guarded. Letting someone in again isn’t on her to-to list. But when the cottage next door fills with a bestselling author and single dad carrying more regret than pages written, her steady world begins to shift.

Cal Carter comes to Gull Island to escape a painful divorce, rediscover his writing voice, and rebuild trust with his teenage daughter. What he doesn’t expect is a charming neighbor whose warmth slips past his defenses and makes him question the future he thought was settled.

Between sea turtle nests, summer storms and twilight talks, Annie and Cal drift closer than either intended—until a long-buried truth from Cal’s past ask them to risk what they’ve worked hard to protect, and they must decide if the love waiting right next door is worth choosing at last.

The beginning

Catherine does a beautiful job of setting the scene for this book, capturing a gorgeous summer day perfectly. Straight away I could visualise every sight, every smell thanks to such lovely description. Waffle cones and fried seafood, the sounds of flip flops and children’s voices painting a clear, vivid picture. We meet Annie, a widow who balances the running of her own shop with bringing up her son, Dawson. I remembered these characters from the first book and it was so lovely that they now get their own story! They were really easy to love. After an incident outside her shop, a kind stranger steps in to help at just the right moment. You just know this guy will be significant to the story, and you just know he’s going to be Annie’s love interest. But even though these things were obvious, I could really see how it was the start of something beautiful. Cal, our kind stranger, moves into the neighbourhood with his own story. Hes’s going through a bad divorce, has a rocky relationship with his teenage daughter, and also a bad bout of writer’s block. Gull Island would be perfect for him!

“Gull Island sneaks up on you, smooths out the rough edges in ways you don’t expect.”

Cal soon fits into the small town community, one of the parts I loved the most about this series. Gull Island is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. Everyone is friendly and happy to help out whenever it’s needed. I really loved that. It felt cosy and welcoming, and you can really see yourself living here. Cal easily gets settled and makes friends. I loved how the alternating POVs help us to really get to know each of these characters. Their struggles and their back stories, what makes them happy. Their families and friends that mean so much. It was clear there was some chemistry between Annie and Cal. I loved their interactions as they begin to spend more time around each other, and it sure did help that Cal was a big hit with Dawson. He seemed to have such a loveable aura. Despite all the hint of new beginnings and the foundations of new love, Annie was still mourning the loss of her husband, Evan. Her thoughts about him really tugged at my heart, the emotion written beautifully with such care. I was desperate for her to find happiness again with someone new.

The middle

I was quite shocked by how quickly Annie and Cal had their first ‘almost kiss’ and I expected the build up to be a bit longer, but even so, they were so cute together. Over time, their growth felt gentle and pure, something that needed to be protected at all costs. I loved how they could talk to one another with ease, have banter and joke around with one another, yet there was still that nervousness and excitement that a new relationship brings. But I also loved how the author doesn’t just focus on their relationship. Family, friends and community spirit is explored just as well, and it was just a lovely, easy, feel-good progression of the story line. After more quality time together and an ‘actual kiss’ this time, Annie and Cal find they have an audience… and a viral video circling. The bestselling author Cal Carter and Annie locked in an embrace for the whole world to see. Not only was this incredibly embarrassing for Annie, but it continues to cause problems with Cal’s relationship with his daughter. I hoped this mess wouldn’t get in the way of a proper relationship. Things are never simple, are they?

“Maybe she’d never be ready. But if the story was worth telling, he’d be there, careful and all in. Good stories took their time. The best ones didn’t rush.”

Annie can’t get away from her new internet fame, and if that wasn’t bad enough for her, she also finally meets Cal’s daughter, Riley… which was another issue completely. Riley was angry at the world and after the unfortunate viral fame, it seemed it would take a lot for her to come round to the idea of Annie being romantically involved with her dad. This was another subject that was written and explored with such care, and I really couldn’t fault it. The author shows how life isn’t perfect all the time, even when you have such a sweet romance blossoming. There is still ‘real life’ happening that must be navigated. People still have worries, people are still grieving, people experience so much underneath. And to Annie, she would always grieve Evan. She would always love him. But I knew Cal would understand and honour her feelings, always. It does get a bit emotional in parts, but the author effortlessly takes us through all these feelings delicately. It really was beautiful and by this point, I completely loved Annie and Cal with my whole heart. I really wanted their relationship to thrive!

The end

The sense of community gets even better when an awful storm causes damage to Annie’s shop. Seeing her little family-run shop in need of so much repair was so saddening, but everyone comes together to clean up and fix what can be fixed. It was so lovely, but of course, when it rains in a book like this, it pours. Cal has a secret that is revealed in the worst possible moment which causes even more upset for Riley, and sees his ex appear on his doorstep. It’s a tough time for so many characters here, but it was so touching seeing how everyone makes an effort to be there for one another. The conversations characters have with one another were so beautiful and meaningful, and I particularly enjoyed reading Annie’s chats with her mother about her feelings for Cal and what their future looks like, taking away the guilt she feels about moving on with someone new. But there’s another bombshell, something that can’t be avoided. One that sees Cal being forced to move back home, away from Gull Island, to ensure he’s there for his daughter. How would they get their happily ever after now?!

“The words splintered everything. For an instant, she refused them, her mind scrambling for another meaning. But no, the finality in his voice left no doubt. A lock turned, the click echoing through her bones.”

I really felt the painful few months that followed with only tiny snippets of contact here and there for Cal and Annie. But what’s meant to be will always find a way, and I just knew the book would end in the most lovely, satisfying and heartwarming of ways! I loved how they reunited and I loved how they chose one another. It really was the perfect ending for two beautiful souls who really did belong together. What a real feel-good treat this book was! I’ve come to learn that Catherine’s characters are the kind you hold dear, and it felt a bit gutting to be leaving Gull Island and all these wonderful characters behind once again, but knowing there is more to come makes me very happy indeed! Catherine has created such a special, consistent series that really is a must read if you’re a second chance romance kinda person. I love multiple books in a series with a many different characters who all get their chance in the limelight, and I love recognising characters from previous books. If this is you too, add this series to your TBR, immediately!

Overall thoughts

Wishes on the Waves is an uplifting summery romance that will instantly transport you to a warmer climate (which I desperately needed!) The fictional town of Gull Island has my heart at this point, and Annie and Cal were such wonderful characters to follow in book two of this series. Annie is a widow, spending her days running Gift and Garden, the cosy seaside shop that’s been in her family for years. Cal Carter arrives on the scene, an author who is battling writer’s block as well as a painful divorce, and is also attempting to rebuild his relationship with his teenage daughter. As expected, their paths bring these characters closer together. But secrets, grief and uncertainty become barriers to their happiness.

As well as such a beautiful portrayal of new love and second chances at happiness, the book has such a lovely small-town feel. It’s very hard not to love every single character you meet, and I loved every interaction Annie and Cal had with family, friends and even strangers. The sense of community and togetherness is really well written and each chapter gives you that heartwarming feeling that just makes you want to read on and on. The development of these characters was spot on, their backstories and individual journeys helping them come to life even more. And of course, when Annie and Cal are together, they’re the couple you’re rooting for, the couple you want to wrap up in cotton wool, the couple who deserve their second shot at happiness more than anyone. Their connection, their banter, the memories they make built such a beautiful story that really sticks with you! A feel-good, escapist romance you need on your radar for 2026. Looking forward to reading what’s next from Catherine!

You can pre-order your copy of Wishes on the Waves right now from Amazon before it publishes on 5th May! Make sure you’re following Catherine on Instagram for more updates.

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