Annie Marlow has been through the worst. Rocked by tragedy, she heads to the one place that makes her happy: Oceanside in the Pacific Northwest, the destintation of many family vacations when Annie was a teenager. Once there, Annie begins to restore her broken spirit, thanks in part to the folks she meets: a local painter, Keaton, whose large frame is equal to his big heart--and who helps Annie fix up her rental cottage by the sea; Mellie, the reclusive,...

Widow Anne Marie Roche owns a successful bookstore on Seattle's Blossom Street, but still feels empty. Anne Marie creates a list of 20 wishes, which leads her to volunteer at a school, where she meets eight-year-old Ellen. Soon, both learn that wishes can come true.

Claire, Elizabeth, Karen, and Julia meet every Thursday for breakfast to share the events that are happening in their lives, from a painful divorce to an unexpected pregnancy, and to offer each other undying support, love, and encouragement.

The gift of Christmas: "This year Ashley has finished her education, launched her career and affirmed her faith. And she's now in a position to pay Cooper back the money he lent her for college. She's achieved all her goals--except one, and it has to do with Cooper, the man she fell in love with years ago. The man whose love she craves. Cooper gave her the gift of education and Ashley would like to return the favor--and offer him her love. But the...

There's something missing from Anne Marie Roche's life. The bookstore she owns is successful, but that's not enough. Encouraged by a Valentine's Day meeting with a group of other widows, she creates a list of twenty wishes and begins trying to make them all come true. When her list leads her to befriend 8-year-old Ellen, she learns that wishes can come true without you realizing it.