I Wish You Would, the debut from Eva Des Lauriers, is an absolute dream of a YA novel. In fact I’d go as far as saying this is YA romance perfection.

I Wish You Would is set across the course of a single day, with the exception of its first and final chapter. The day in question is Senior Sunrise, the highlight of Liberty students’ summer; it’s an epic overnighter and the start of their senior year. But for best friends Natalia and Ethan it’ll be the first time they’ve seen each other since Prom, when they almost crossed the line from best friends to something more. During the festivities the classmates write their Lion Letters, where they pour out their private hopes and dreams. But seven letters are scattered in the wind, and secrets and desires are set to be revealed.

There is absolutely so much to love about this one. To start with its characters all feel perfectly authentic and like real world teens. Our MCs Natalia and Ethan are written with depth and heart, they’re young, their lives are messy and complicated and my goodness you can’t help but root for them. Additionally, I really enjoyed reading about the wider cast of characters and the incredible representation they brought. Especially wonderful also was the pair’s incredible friendship group.

This is a best friends to lovers where the main hurdle is miscommunication but you know what it works so well. The hurdles that Natalia and Ethan face to be together are so befitting of their age and stage; it really is a brilliant YA story in that these are teenagers just trying to figure things out but making typical teenage errors along the way.

The duel POV worked incredibly well taking us through the 24 hours, whilst also revealing the feelings and thoughts of both Natalia and Ethan. The short punchy chapters allowed us to really gain an understanding of where each character was coming from and made it next to impossible to put down.

Overall this was a truly wonderful read and one I’d highly recommend.

*Special thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for providing a complimentary e-copy in exchange for an unbiased review.*

Wow. As someone with an undeniable weakness for best-friends-to-lovers narratives, this book flawlessly captured the essence of mutual yearning and the accompanying heartache.

The story unfolds during a brief school trip, a tradition where everyone pens a private letter answering the question "What would you do if you were braver?" Natalia and Ethan, longtime best friends whose relationship is strained after a near hookup two months ago in the name of a backup pact, confine their true feelings to these letters. With broken families, secret dreams, and the looming possibility of relocation adding complexity, a sudden gust of wind scatters several letters, potentially revealing Natalia and Ethan's hidden emotions. The two are compelled to collaborate in preventing the exposure of these secrets, navigating their own emotional turmoil in the process.

Initial concerns about the short timeframe of the story quickly dissipated, as the narrative immediately captivated me from the opening pages. The book adeptly set up the backstory of Ethan and Natalia, delving into their individual personalities and lives, illustrating the evolution of their relationship dynamics. The school trip became a riveting roller coaster ride of emotions, featuring heart-to-heart conversations, dramatic conflicts, and tense class activities. Not a single dull moment transpired, and the plot progression unfolded organically, mirroring the seamless development of the characters.

This book serves as an exemplary instance of how multiple perspectives can enhance a story. The inclusion of both Natalia and Ethan's viewpoints allowed for genuine empathy, providing insight into their individual struggles and clarifying the motivations behind misunderstandings. Witnessing both characters yearning for each other in their unique ways was everything I hoped for and more.

The characterizations of both leads are truly impressive. The reader gains comprehensive knowledge of their dreams, habits, and fears without feeling overwhelmed or subjected to information dumping. Even the side characters are intricately personalized, adding depth to the overall narrative.

Moreover, the novel exhibits a remarkable maturity. While it encompasses the expected high school drama moments (which I unapologetically enjoy), it also delves into the characters' concerns about family and the future. The acknowledgment that life encompasses more than just romance contributes significant depth to their relationship. This transcends the typical teen romance narrative.

In conclusion, I cannot laud this novel enough. It's been a while since a book has evoked such a visceral response in me. "I Wish You Would" stands as a testament to why I love reading about love.

I am so giddy with delight ahhhh! Des Lauriers debut novel was so wonderful, it had me smiling so big and swooning with every breath. I just adore YA stories like I Wish You Would— full of tenderness and self-reflection, making mistakes and trying to fix them. Des Lauriers perfectly captured the tentative, awkward and frustrating experiences of being, not just a teenager navigating their tumultuous formative year, but also two bumbling best friends in love.

The miscommunication aspect was truly perfect because Natalia and Ethan really felt like teens who don’t understand how they feel and don’t know how to convey how they feel either. Which just results in huge messy clashes full of angst and heartbreak. But the ending was so satisfyingly sweet.

I also adored the cast of characters around Ethan and Natalia, they were really fun and easy to root for. This was just everything id want in a YA romance, and not to mention the cover is absolutely stunning!!

Eva Dez Lauriers debut novel is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Kasie West, and anyone who loved Amy Lea’s Woke Up Like This.