Wish I were here

This charming and nuanced tale of opposites attracting from Wiesner (It All Comes Back to You) follows Pittsburgh math professor Catherine Lipton, who likes her life to be precise and ordered--something she never experienced while growing up with a free-spirited father who largely makes his living through juggling. Now Catherine's up for a tenure track job at the local university--only for it to be discovered, much to Catherine's shock, that there are no government records of her existence. Her Social Security number doesn't exist. Her birth certificate is a fake. Catherine enlists help from her building's carefree and charismatic doorman, Luca Morelli, who seems to have a family connection in every local government agency, as well as some in the mob. Luca's seeming carelessness drives Catherine crazy--until he demonstrates that he has hidden depths, true empathy, and a talent for getting to the truth. As they look into Catherine's mysterious origins, Luca also shows Catherine the benefits of enjoying the little things in life. The characters feel fully three dimensional, their connection rings true, and their investigation keeps the pages flying. Wiesner will have readers hooked. (Oct.)

Wiesner (It All Comes Back to You) offers a moving tale of self-discovery balanced with an engaging opposites-attract romance. The narrative centers on Catherine Lipton, a meticulous math professor who is shocked to learn from her university's human resources department that none of her credentials--not her Social Security number, her birth certificate, or even her academic record--seem to exist. Catherine loses her job and reluctantly accepts the help of her building's well-connected and flirty doorman, Luca Morelli, to help her find her identity. The novel's examination of identity and self-worth is complemented by a number of endearing, tender moments. Although several aspects of the story risk veering into sentimentality, the audio's emotional resonance saves it from being too sappy. Narrator Helen Laser skillfully conveys the charm of Luca and Catherine's growing romance, making their relationship feel full-bodied and natural, with particularly well-captured banter and chemistry. VERDICT Wiesner's latest stands out both as a romance for those craving a good love story and a reflective novel for anyone seeking a tale of personal transformation. A comforting, feel-good audio for those who enjoyed Denise Williams's How To Fail at Flirting.--Jessica Siddharth