Title: Wishink Well
Author: Jordan Castillo Price
Publisher: JCP Books
Genre: Paranormal M/M
Length: Novelette 14,300 words, 48 PDF pages
Rating: 5+ stars out of 5, DIK,
Summary review: Eddie had the best send off of anyone in recent memory, and maybe the smile on his face was real.
THE BLURB
Dying with dignity. Passing on one’s own terms. Approaching the end in a caring, nurturing atmosphere. There are plenty of reasons people check in to Hospice House…but Eddie Flynn’s just there for the morphine.
Eddie’s lung capacity is down to 15%, he’s in continual pain, and he’s constantly burning up with fever from the infection he just can’t shake. Given his physical condition, he’s baffled to find himself fawning over the hot guy stocking the vending machines.
Eddie figures it’s futile to even flirt with someone, considering how little time he’s got left. But there’s something about the guy with the name “Chance” embroidered on his coveralls that he just can’t stop thinking about—not only for Chance’s naughty smile and bedroom eyes.
It seems Eddie’s somehow ended up with Chance’s pen.
THE REVIEW
This is, without a doubt, one of Jordan Castillo Price’s most innovative and imaginative stories, maybe the most imaginative, as well as the most moving, poignant and sympathetic. In fact I think the plot and execution are brilliant. As I was reading Wishink Well I was reminded of the title of a book by Dame Agatha Christie which has always resonated with me, and in this case it seemed quite appropriate – Death Comes as the End. I knew how this current book would end, I just didn’t know the circumstances. And what an incredible way to go – up in flames, a frozen daiquiri or brain freeze.
Chance the master manipulator plays a different and much more hands-on and important role in Wishink Well than he has in the other stories. Initially he seemed a bit unsure of his assignment, his chocolate shop had disappeared and in its place was Sweets to the Sweet Vending Company. His job was to stock the vending machines in the hospice, Eddie Flynn’s current and probably last address. Eddie was too young at 30 to be dying from lung disease but Death is no respecter of age and that’s his fate. He was aware that his chances of leaving the hospice on his own two legs were slim and none, and he was resigned to having only a matter of days left to live. He was in the hospice because he was dependent on the morphine to ease his excruciating pain.
This particular day Eddie, who was constantly burning up with a high temperature because the morphine could only do so much, noticed the very attractive vending machine guy as he was trying to get a Pepsi from the machine. Of course it swallowed up his money, and when he asked Chance (he knew his name because it was embroidered on his overalls) to get him another can, Chance gave him his pen and told him to fill in the form and he would get his money back in 4 – 6 weeks. For someone who had only days left this was really funny, so Eddie told Chance that under his current circumstances it would be a better idea to get him a Pepsi from the machine rather than wait for a response in a month to 6 weeks. I suppose Chance could see his point so he gave Eddie his Pepsi but when he left he forgot his pen, and this opened a whole can of worms because Eddie felt he was either losing his mind, the pen had magical powers, or there were a lot of coincidences going around.
Wishink Well reveals to readers of the Petit Morts series something that we have probably always suspected, that Chance is more than just someone who could help out in a pinch in situations where he was able to get potential lovers together, or ensure that a crook got his comeuppance. Eddie was in the last stages of lung disease through no fault of his own and the morphine was barely helping, but he wasn’t despondent – he was attracted to Chance who reminded him of the days when he could probably get any man he wanted. Unfortunately, in his present condition he could only imagine the pleasures that he was no longer able to give or receive, but a guy can dream can’t he?
I think that Jordan’s brain went into overdrive in the characterizations and plotting of this story and I was sucked into Eddie’s imaginary world, or maybe it was his reality that I was living. I don’t know, but it sure seemed real to me. Some readers may not get Wishink Well which would be a pity because it’s so different and incredibly creative, and while it does require the suspension of disbelief, what a wonderful story this is from that fertile brain of Ms Price. You may think due to the subject matter that this story would be depressing, but on the contrary it’s incredibly uplifting and entertaining and Eddie was very funny. His mind was not always full of death and dying, sometimes it was quite the playground.
I re-read this book today and updated the rating to 5+ stars DIK because I do think the story is a ‘keeper’. This series is getting better and better. All of the stories have been great so far and I don’t know if the authors can equal or top them when the last 5 books are released. Whether or not they do, I think the enjoyment that I received from the last 10 books is more than worth the investment. Chance’s character growth is, I think, the key to this series and Jordan’s growth as a writer is also evident in her approach to the story, which could have had a different and more traditional ending. I’m so glad that she had the courage to write a story she believed in rather than what was expected. Great job on Wishink Well Jordan.
Jordan wrote a wonderful story. I need to read through it again. However, it touched me in such a way that I felt I needed to give it some distance before going through it again. I cried the first time just from the pure emotion of the story. I want to read it again for the clues about Chance. Lots to speculate about there! 😉
Patty
I love, love this story. Jordan outdid herself and Chance is getting bigger every day. 🙂 It was a very emotional story and the ending blew me away.
(kind of spoilerish)
As much as I could appreciate the writing in this story, I still feel a bit conflicted about the story. For me, one of the great pleasures of Jordan’s writing is that I typically read her stories multiple times over – I read a lot of depressing things for work and like to ‘slip into something more comfortable’ for my pleasure reading. So, I can revisit Vic and Jacob over and over and feel happy and relaxed, but with this particular story, given its ending… there’s no reason, at least for me and **what I want to get out of my fiction reading**, to revisit this story the same way I might revisit others.
Of course, people want different things out of the books they read and I would never suggest that someone not read it due to my own predilections. 🙂 This is a very well written story with vivid characterization, and I did spend a lot time thinking about it after I had finished reading it.
Davina
As I said in the review, many readers may not get this story because of their expectations. It is an unfortunate fact of life that death is all around us and I think the important thing is to leave this world with a smile, and Eddie sure did. He achieved something many people don’t, and that is wish fulfilment.
I understand why you feel like you do and many “romance” readers may feel the same way, but I read many genres and I don’t expect that every situation will turn out with hearts and flowers. Dreamspinner Press has a new series called Bittersweet Dreams which demonstrates this very well.
I think what you said is probably what Jordan hopes every reader takes away from this story. As you also said, it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I would not have wanted to miss Eddie’s story.
Wave, I have to say I find your tone patronizing – I ‘got’ the story perfectly fine. I deal with a number of horrific things at my day job, so trust me when I say I’m well aware that the world is not solely comprised of kittens of rainbows. As I mentioned in my comment, this type of story isn’t the sort of thing I want to read when reading fiction (especially romantic fiction), regardless of whether the character gets what he wants in the end.
You can understand something, and even appreciate it, without necessarily liking it. Being able to do so doesn’t mean that I don’t ‘get it’, and it is offensive to me that you would suggest that *that* is the case in this situation.
Davina
Let me start over.
As you are aware, these stories are not romances but little life lessons or vignettes, and so many romance readers who may be looking for something with a traditional HFN or HEA ending will be disappointed. There are many stories that I don’t get as authors are quick to point out, and in some cases I agree because when I read them I bring a different perspective and expectation.
So there is no disrespect in my comment to you and if you feel that my comment was patronizing I apologize sincerely. That was not my intent.
I agree that this story is not for everyone and that is what I should have stressed – it was tough to read but oh so uplifting for me.
Great review, Wave, and I completely agree with the 5 stars.
I read this book on the plane coming back from SF, sandwiched between 2 people. I got to the end and had to have a serious talk with myself about the inappropriateness of bursting into tears. In the end I had to surreptitiously wipe my eyes a few times :).
This was so moving, and so delicately handled, showing true craftsmanship for a short story. Plus I loved that we get to see a development in the character of Chance, that he’s not just the facilitator in this story as he has been with the others.
I’m really looking forward to the next batch of Petit Morts.
Jen
I hope that “romance” readers will realize that, as I said earlier, life is not just hearts and flowers. Jordan did a fabulous job in this story and I really do think it’s one of her best yet. The sensitivity with which she handled a topic that we all avoid I believe should be commended.
Very insightful review Wave. Jordan did a wonderful job with what could have been a very depressing story, and turned it into something gentle and kind of sweet. I just loved Eddie and felt the ending was more bittersweet than sad. And I loved where Jordan took Chance.
I was fascinated to read more about Chance and how he deals with his role as it evolves. For me, this was probably the best if all of the stories so far. Jordan has raised the bar for the final books and I can’t wait to see where the authors take us.
TJ
As you so correctly said, Jordan did a terrific job with what could have been a depressing story.
I was totally blown away by her approach and her writing and this morning when I re-read parts of the story I had to upgrade it to DIK because I believe that’s what it is, a ‘keeper.’
I may have mentioned (at every web site I visit) that I love this book. So I agree wholeheartedly with you.
Oddly, even though I am a crier of the easiest degree, I didn’t shed a tear with this one. I think it was because instead of wallowing in sentimentality there was humor, sex, mystery and provocation of thought that kept several parts of my mind active at once!
Wren
Like you, I didn’t shed a tear because this was a very uplifting story. It wasn’t about Death but about Eddie’s journey that Chance made such a glorious one. Jordan is a fantastic writer. I hope she doesn’t see this review and develop a big head. LOL At least she is not a guy and only has one head. 🙂
This book is fantastic! I had to read it in one sitting. It was so compelling I could not stop. I give it 5+ stars. It ties the whole series together and gives more insight to the four before it, and we find out Chance’s true purpose. It will be interesting to see how they write the next five books.
stella
Great minds think alike. I have to leave but I did exactly what you did and updated the rating without seeing your comment. I think this book deserves to be a ‘keeper’ on anyone’s bookshelf.
Great review, Wave. This is an unusual, amazing story and a reviewer has to work to do justice to fiction like this in a review.
I can see what Davina means about the subject matter in that this was a hard read for me as well. I try to avoid stories about terminal illness even if they are handled in an innovative way. There’s enough suffering in life, and the value of escapist fiction can’t be overstated.
But I also had a reaction like Wren’s when I read it — different parts of my mind were engaged in seeing how well the story was put together. It’s definitely one that will stand out in my memory for a long time.
Val
I couldn’t do the story justice in the review because I was afraid of saying too much. It is an amazing story and Jordan did a great job to make a topic that we all fear into something that was almost lighthearted.
My definition of a “keeper” is exactly what you said – “a story that will stand out in my memory for a long time”. I won’t soon forget Eddie’s story.
Great review, Wave. I think it might help readers if they remember that first and foremost the PMs aren’t romances. They’re really quirky little character studies. Almost examinations of particular dynamics rather than any neat genre definition. That was something Jordan discussed right from the beginning — and it was one of the big attractions of doing this series: that there would be no genre expectation other than the best writing we could do in short format.
I think it’s a wonderful, touching story. Kudos to Jordan.
Hi Josh
You and Sean also did a fantastic job on your stories and I loved them all. In this case the topic is something most authors don’t write about, death and dying which is a real downer right there, and I thought that the sensitivity with which Jordan handled Eddie’s last days was touching and showed a masterful touch.
These stories are so unusual that they do not fit into any genre, and that is the best thing about them. Each one is a surprise and a pleasure. Maybe I’m just wierd to enjoy the strange and unusual as much as I do. I loved The Twilight Zone and these stories are reminiscent of TTZ.
Also, I do understand Davina’s meaning because there are many stories where I admire the writing but I just do NOT like the story. (Not that she didn’t like it, just…I understand that feeling).
But I’m really quite a marshmallow in my reading no matter how cruel I am to my own readers! ;-D
Josh
So if I understand you correctly, you make us suffer needlessly while you cower in a corner? I have to remember that the next time one of your characters is killed horribly. LOL
I’m soooo glad this didn’t have a wishy-washy predictable romance ending. It would have totally ruined the story.
Hi Stella
I agree with you 100%. There is no doubt that a few readers will not like this story because it’s too realistic, but reading the blurb should give anyone the sense that this would not end well. 🙁
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I agree it’s not a story for everyone and I tried to word the blurb to convey as much. I do see the ending as uplifting rather than a downer or a senseless tragedy.
Don’t worry, Wave, I won’t get a big head over it. I just get performance anxiety 😉
Hi Jordan
As I mentioned to Stella, the blurb was a big red flag that this story would not end well, in the sense of a traditional romance ending. But then these stories are not supposed to be romances – they are slices of life, and as I indicated to Josh, they remind me of The Twilight Zone. 🙂
Performance anxiety? I thought it was mostly stage performers and guys who can’t get their equipment to work that get performance anxiety. LOL
Two things struck me as I read the story. First, Eddie, who may have been something of a player in his life, did a totally honorable thing by not using the pen to change the outcome of his life. He recognized a “loose” application of Newton’s theory in that every action has an opposite, but equal reaction. Eddie was not willing to take the chance that someone else might loose his or her life because Eddie had wished for his own. How cool is that?
Secondly, I keep seeing all of these stories as stepping stones to what will eventually be Chance’s redemption. Chance has no heart to warm his blood, for a reason. The Fates place him where they will for a specific purpose even though we, as readers, don’t understand why. Chance himself says that he has come a long way; all of the stories and their lessons(for Chance) involve matters of the heart. Presumably that is where Chance messed up in his mortal life.
I want to know how Jordan will write Chance’s story as just a novelette. I suppose more of his back story will unfold in subsequent shorts, but wow! Chance must have some story to tell! I can’t wait. 🙂
Hi Patty,
I love your analysis of Eddie’s character arc. That’s exactly the way I saw it, and the extent of his growth and redemption is really what makes me feel like this is a positive story, rather than one where a bunch of lousy uncontrollable tragedies happen to someone, they suffer, and that’s it.
I can’t comment on Chance 😉
Jordan
What do you mean you can’t comment? LOL I can’t wait for another year to find out how this all comes together. I deliberately didn’t say how I felt about Chance’s story and the story arc because I didn’t want to include potential spoilers in my review – I should be rewarded. 🙂
I finally got my hands on new Petit Morts and, oh, boy… While I liked the first five stories just fine, for some reason, I enjoyed these five much, much more. It seemed to me that both Jordan and Josh had sort of relaxed and let the stories just go where they want – with exceptional results. And Sean Kennedy was also the great addition to the team. His story really made me smile.^^
Among them all, this story stands out – it’s fabulous. I’m not ashamed to say – I cried through half of it. It warmed me to know that Eddie did the right thing, but also that he didn’t lost his spark in the last, painful days. And, Chance, oh, dear… There were moments during the series when his coolness (and not the literary one) irritated me as much as the characters of the stories. It was nice to know he was not made of ice. I’m looking forward to the next part of the series and the guy who will melt him completely. There has to be a guy. Right? RIGHT?! XD
Ah, the waiting… I’m starting to count the days. ^^
Hi Lady M
Like you, I loved the last 5 books in the series. They were all exceptional. However, I take my hat off to Jordan with Wishink Well. That story moved me on a number of levels, and while this was Eddie’s story I loved, loved Chance and the way he made Eddie’s dream come true.
I’m hoping that in the last book there’s a man for Chance somewhere who will be the answer to his wish and dreams.
Thanks, LadyM! Sean’s story added a lot to the pacing of the series, I think, but I also loved the setting being non-US, which added to Chance’s story, showing that he could end up anywhere.
I’m glad to hear what you saw in Wishink Well despite it being a weeper. Personally, sometimes I just like to cry. It’s cathartic. There’s this video of a kid raising a baby hummingbird someone emailed me that does it every time for me 😉