Wish I Were Here

Opposites attract when a buttoned-up professor and carefree doorman must restore a magically missing identity in this sparkling romance, perfect for fans of Sophie Cousens and Ashley Poston.

For type-A mathematician Catherine Lipton, growing up with a free-spirited single dad who worked part-time as a clown was more than a little stressful. So as an adult, the only place she’ll allow for variability is in her data sets. Everything in Catherine’s 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 the government’s 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. 

Catherine knows she can’t count on her dad, and the university is only concerned with who will teach her classes. The one person who offers to help is Luca Morelli, her attractive but aggravating doorman who spends more time flirting with Catherine’s neighbors than he does enforcing the building rules. The older residents might fall for Luca’s charm, but if he can’t keep bikes out of the lobby or put packages in their designated area, how can he help Catherine get her life back?  

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 a smoky bar to meet the Mafia, breaking into the records room of a local hospital, doing a little light stalking, and having a surprising amount of fun. She also finds herself growing closer to Luca, who makes her laugh and challenges her well-ordered ways. As Catherine begins to unravel the mystery behind her missing identity, she may discover that the “real” Catherine is someone she never expected.

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