How to Wish Upon a Star

Howl at the Moon, Book 3

By: Eli Easton

Narrated by: Matthew Shaw

Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Dr. Jason Kunik is working on the most earth-shattering genetics project ever: DNA mapping of a new species, the quickened - dogs who can shift into human form. The problem is, no one knows the quickened exist, and Jason can't betray them by publishing his studies. When he moves to Mad Creek to continue his research in a town full of quickened, all he wants is peace, quiet, and to be allowed to bury himself in his work. Perhaps if he figures out how the mutation is activated, he can silence his own inner dog forever.

Milo is a hospice comfort dog who has bonded with, and lost, many beloved patients in his life. He intuitively understands sickness and pain on a spiritual level most can't see. When he gains the ability to become a man, he thinks he finally has everything he ever wanted. But being a man isn't the same thing as being loved, and taking shelter in Mad Creek isn't the same thing as finding a home.

When a mysterious illness hits Mad Creek and threatens all the quickened in town, it's up to the scientist and the comfort dog to figure out what it is and how to stop it. Along the way they might discover that true love is possible - if you wish upon a star.

©2016 Jane Jensen Holmes (P)2016 Jane Jensen Holmes

👍👍👍👍👍

love the series. Milo is my Favorite character.
makes me wish a place really existed.

I have loved this entire series!

I have loved this entire series! Jason and Milo are so perfect for each other. Jason (Dr. Kunik) is a super uptight and analytical scientist who hasn't let his dog out in years. He prefers to be in his human form where he has all his faculties. And thumbs! And Milo is a comfort dog living at a hospice center who just recently gained the ability to shift to a man. Lily Beaufort discovers him while visiting a friend in hospice and brings him back to Mad Creek. Milo is just the sweetest thing. And a perfect complement to Jason. I loved the scene at the diner when Milo discovered french fries (potato sticks!). I'm hoping there are many more books in this series :) And kudos to Matthew Shaw for superb narration.

That was fun

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would. You have cute characters, funny ones, stubborns, and some idiots. I like when a book takes the time to build the world and characters main and secondary.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Milo. His heart is pure and he wants to help. He doesn't let the world stop him.

Have you listened to any of Matthew Shaw’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He is amazing. He captured the mood of the book. Each character was well presented.

Who was the most memorable character of How to Wish Upon a Star and why?

Dr. Jason. He is complex and clueless.

Any additional comments?

Would read a fourth book if it came out.

A New Way of Seeing

Wow, this installment of the Howl at the Moon was a nail bitter. I was so worried about where things would go just having Jason join the community with his science and attitude. Then add the adorable Milo and how different they are from each other on the service. The sickness is a whole new later and clearly has the potential for more angst for the community. I really love Milo the whole time and I did like how Jason finally steps up and starts to admit there is more than one way to look at the world. I just want this poor town to be left in peace though.

B+ rating...

My Review:
Overall: 4.0
Performance: 4.25
Story: 4.0

This book had a slightly different feel from the rest of the series. It had a sense of suspense to it that the other two books haven't had and I really liked that addition. In this book there is a new researcher who's moved to Mad Creek. He lived there growing up, but his mom was a wanderer so they didn't stay. He's a quickened and is doing research into how that actually happens...somewhat unsuccessfully. Jason isn't very good with people and he tends to make his interviewees cry.

Milo is the opposite. He's a newly quickened human who is naturally drawn to people. He gives comfort and can sense what's wrong with others. Unlike most quickened, Milo never had one place to call home. First he was in a shelter and then he came to live as a comfort dog in an old folks home. He always knew when the residents were about to pass. But because of that, he fairly traumatized. He never had anyone to get attached to or a place to call home, and then he had to deal with the people he cared about dying and abandoning him. It's heartbreaking. He has PTSD to a certain extent, so when he moves in with Jason and has a person and place to call home, he quickly gets attached...although he's new to this whole human thing, so he doesn't understand the nuances of relationships.

The suspense aspect comes from a new virus which is invading Mad Creek. The virus strikes and the human can't help but shift to their dog form. If they can't find a cure, then they're afraid the sick dogs will revert to their animal form forever.

This was my favorite in the series so far. I loved how both these guys are so incredibly socially awkward...just in totally different ways. They are both really great characters though and I loved how good they were together. They truly do bring out the best in one another.

These books are always good for a light-hearted fun listen and this was another good one. I'm hoping there's more to come for the series...I'd love to see the kennel owner who was introduced in this story find his HEA (hint, hint).

I love Milo!

🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾

How to Wish Upon a Star was another sweet story in the Howl at the Moon series. It does have a bit of a different feel to it than the previous books as a lot of it is focused on finding a cure for the illness spreading through Mad Creek rather than the relationship between Jason and Milo. But I enjoyed listening to it all the same.

Scientist Jason Kunik has a mission in his life. He wants to find how dogs become quickened, to find what triggers the change. But he has one problem; his research subjects are far from helpful when interviewed – he’s even had one man flee through a window to get away. So when he finds himself taking in a newly quickened man he realises he has the perfect subject for his studies right under his nose.

Milo was so sweet and adorable. His story was one of heartbreak, of so much loss and my heart just broke in so many pieces for him. His only wish was one of belonging, finding a true home. He’s that kind of caring person that keeps giving even when he’s nothing left to give, and more than anything you wanted to wrap him up in one giant hug and never let go.

It took a long time for me to warm to Jason, he came across like a very cold, unsympathetic and uncaring person. Sure, it was all a front and shield to keep him from getting hurt like he had in the past, but he’d perfected it too much and there were so many times I wished he would just allow himself to truly feel.

Milo was the true star of this book and I wish we’d seen a lot more of him throughout. You just couldn’t help but love him. You, like everyone else in his path fell in love with him at first sight, and were happily wrapped around his paw for life.

The story wasn’t as good as the previous ones have been, it lacked a bit of the humour, the intimacy and cuteness. It was a bit too focused on the epidemic spreading through town, for Jason to find that elusive cure and keep from being infected himself.

Matthew Shaw was again brilliant in his narration of this book and I can't think of even one thing to change. It was just perfection, plain and simple. I loved every second of listening to his performance and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

The Howl at the Moon series is one of my absolute favourites and I always have such fun visiting Mad Creek - you can never have too many dogs or too much doggie love in your life. And the people of Mad Creek have that in abundance and, most of them, are happy to share - with the select few that they invite to their town. Onto the next one!

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes

Terrific entry in a great series

Would you listen to How to Wish Upon a Star again? Why?

Yes! The story is fantastic and the narration is spot-on, truly bringing the characters to life.

What did you like best about this story?

It's a very funny story, yet also full of heart and even some suspense. I found that to be a great combination.

What does Matthew Shaw bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I'm sure I would have enjoyed it in print as well. But the audio version was a treat because I could listen while I walked. And the story was so engaging that it kept me walking past my daily goals.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. I won't give too much away, but one of the characters yearns for home more than anything. There's a wrenching scene where he's been denied home yet again. Sniff.

Any additional comments?

I'm eagerly hoping for more in this series!

ANOTHER GREAT STORY TO AN AMAZING SERIES

Where does How to Wish Upon a Star rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

on top 3 list with the first and the second book of the same series following

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Wish Upon a Star?

the first time milo is introduced, heartbreaking. all the little things he does to be near jason in order to help him, so cute and adorable. And the end, just lovely

What about Matthew Shaw’s performance did you like?

he is a great narrator and adds to the books. great job, loved him.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

you are sure to laugh and maybe feel a little sad at some points but overall, you are left with good feelings, maybe even hoping that it could be true

Any additional comments?

can't wait for the next one. it can stand alone but it would be best to read them all bcs they worth their money.

I love Matthew Shaw's narration!

Any additional comments?

I unabashedly hard-core LOVE and ADORE this series – ESPECIALLY IN AUDIO FORMAT! It just keeps getting better!

How to Wish Upon a Star is told mainly from Jason’s point of view, though it does include some Milo POV and the initial chapter from Lily’s POV when she finds Milo. I loved the points of view and pacing of the story. Honestly, I just absolutely loved this story from start to finish.

Once again Matthew Shaw delivers a wonderful auditory experience. He has consistently made this series an absolute pleasure and delight to listen to.

The feels in this one had me wound up tight and I spent a lot of the story on the edge of my seat. I was completely invested in Jason and Milo's relationship and in mystery of the sickness hitting Mad Creek.

For those that want to know it's true there's not a lot of sexy times, and what's there comes towards the end, but it fits with the story and it works. This story is more about the heart...and Milo completely stole mine.

If you are looking for a great shifter series with audio narration that kicks butt? BUY THIS SERIES.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Great Book in a Great Series!

I truly loved the book! The author does not overburden the story with excess drama, and the narrator's voice is clear and concise.