I'm writing this review in exchange for having received a free eARC from Katherine Tegan Books.
Deepa Josylua's life is organized and time controlled down to the minute. She has a plan for everything, down to where she is going to college, who she is marrying, and how her life turns out. The only problem: everything was supposed to start today with the perfect boy going with her to homecoming--and he's going with someone else because she was two minutes too late because her neighbor pranked her, and made her late. Vik--her loathsome neighbor has once again shot his opening salvo in their years long prank war, and ruined her life. Again.
However, in the midst of her worrying that her life isn't' going to turn out as perfect as her parents, her grandmother offers her a wish on the last jasmine bloom and Deepa wishes for the perfect boyfriend in an effort to set the world right again.
Enter Rohit, whose family moves into the abandoned house across the street the very next day. Suddenly things aren't looking so gloomy for Deepa. Rohit is everything Deepa asked for, she even checked The List that she and her best friend made when they were freshman. But is it as simple as that?
I loved everything about this book. I loved the banter between Vik and Deepa. I loved the best friend. I loved the angst. I loved the parents, and the South Indian community. I loved the family drama, and Rohit's perfection. It was YA romantic comedy at its finest. It was everything I could have asked for. Charming, entertaining, and totally cute.

“So was I willing to accept the uncertainty? Was I willing to finally ask myself what I wanted, instead of what I should want? The real question—was I willing to take the risk?”

Meet Deepa, a self-professed hopeless romantic whose standards for love are set sky-high because of her parents’ fairytale love story. When her grandmother gifting her a supposedly wish-granting flower coincides with a cute boy, Rohit, moving in across the street, Deepa thinks she’s found the one. Even Vik, her next door neighbor, approves of the new guy, even though all Vik ever does is make fun of Deepa. Her grandmother warns that the wish is only permanent if sealed with a kiss, but, despite how perfect Rohit is, Deepa keeps hesitating. Is he really the boyfriend she wished for, after all?

The Boyfriend Wish is not my ideal rom-com, but it was still undeniably charming! The love triangle was refreshingly exciting—though Deepa’s inevitable choice was fairly obvious. Both Rohit and Vik were compelling and distinct love interests, a rarity in YA romance. Rohit is, as Deepa says multiple times during the book, the “perfect guy” (or at least, he seems to be): he’s suave, stylish, and sends Deepa flowers. Vik is literally the boy-next-door, Deepa’s childhood friend-turned-menace, her forsworn enemy in their legendary prank war. Both boys have their fair share of romantic scenes with Deepa, and the storage closet scene (you’ll know it when you read it!) in particular was deliciously tension-filled and had me smiling uncontrollably. I adored the characterization of all the maniacal younger siblings, too—their scheming, plotting, and quipping was essential to Deepa’s happy ending. While Deepa eventually got her wish, I found myself with my own: a longer story that expanded on what could’ve been peak rom-com scenes! Deepa and Vik have a paintball fight together, but instead of a scene filled with flirting and yearning, this interaction was glossed over and done within paragraphs. Additionally, the characters sometimes felt a little dull and lacking complexity. Amamma, for instance, felt like she was created solely for the purposes of filling the role of the “wise old woman” that gives Deepa a magical flower and cryptic advice about life. With that being said, I still finished the book feeling all warm and fuzzy because of how sweet it was, and, of course, grateful for the South Indian—specifically Telugu—representation. If you’re looking for a fun, breezy YA rom-com, The Boyfriend Wish is the perfect read for you.

This book was so incredibly sweet and charming! I loved every second of it. I loved that the characters were easy to root for, likeable people who I wanted to be friends with. There was such great representation of South Indian culture, too. From page one, you got to know Deepa's world quite quickly and thoroughly, which immediately sucked me in and held me there. The romance aspect (spoiler: love triangle territory) was sweet and fluffy and challenging and all things good in a quick-read, light YA. I rooted for Deepa to overcome her need for control, and to lighten up and live in the moment. I loved her interactions with the others around her. And I loved how family-centric this story was in the end; Deepa being a hopeless romantic didn't consume her life or the story. Overall I'd definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest thoughts.

In The Boyfriend Wish by Swati Teerdhala, Deepa, a South Indian American teenager, wishes on a jasmine flower for the perfect boyfriend and believes her wish has come true when a new boy moves into her cul-de-sac.

The novel starts with excellent pacing and character development as we are introduced to the characters in Deepa’s first-person POV. Teerdhala’s writing style is lively, character-driven, and balanced between dialogue and character introspection. I love the author’s development of Deepa’s complicated friendship/relationship with Vik—Deepa’s nemesis and neighbor since they were 10—through humorous, emotional, sweet, and angsty interactions that include great sparring, bickering, and banter. It may be my favorite part of the book, along with the prank war. Her exploration of the relationships among Deepa, Vik, Rohit, Lily—Deepa’s BFF—and their siblings is also fascinating. The author deftly develops the characters, only revealing their backstories and detailed connections when she’s ready to. Yet another novel you don’t want to read while hungry.

A hopeless romantic, Deepa has her mind set on finding the perfect boyfriend and relationship to live up to her mom and dad’s fairy-tale love story and avoid the mistakes of her aunt’s romantic past. That’s why Deepa has a deep checklist with all her requirements for the perfect boyfriend, believing that planning can protect you from failure and pain. When Deepa receives the traditional jasmine flower from her grandmother with a promise of fulfilling her heart’s greatest desire, she can’t believe her luck. So, of course, Deepa wishes for the perfect boyfriend to meet all her exacting requirements and believes that Rohit is that wish come true when he moves into her cul-de-sac the next day. But Deepa gets so caught up in sealing her wish with a kiss so she doesn’t lose it that she doesn’t stop to wonder whether Rohit is the right boyfriend for HER or if she’s missing better choices while checking off the boxes on her list.

Deepa is a control freak who likes rules and order. She’s also a planner and thinker who strategizes for her friends and family, but no one plans or thinks for her except for Vik. While he drives her crazy and gives her grief for her particularness, Vik balances her out nicely. He helps her get out of her head, stop overthinking and have fun, do what she needs to, and focus on the now. Best of all, he pushes her to be her best self, challenges her, doesn’t let her get away with anything, and knows her well.

An intelligent, quick thinker who is like family to Deepa’s family, Vik is the bane of Deepa’s existence—especially concerning the prank war. Though Vik’s perspective might have enriched the development and evolution of his friendship with Deepa, the author effectively develops his character enough for us to see his feelings and motivations sufficiently to understand their adversarial relationship. But also, that there is more to it than that. She gives you enough information and background to put the pieces together and figure out why he is there every time Deepa turns around. And I don’t think it’s always just to torment her. Plus, because the author is exploring the impact of Deepa’s close relationship with her aunt and her view of what transpired with her divorce, and how Deepa’s parent’s relationship as the gold standard has become foundational for Deepa’s fixation on having the Perfect Boyfriend, it makes sense that the story is told from Deepa’s POV.

I think the novel might have been more balanced and had less of a feeling of an unreliable narrator if Deepa’s isn’t the only POV. Deepa is sometimes not super likable, and she can be pretty frustrating. But you can understand her motives causing her to make poor choices based on her viewpoint of idol worship of her mom and aunt. The pacing slows a bit just before the midpoint, but it does pick up soon after. Overall, the Boyfriend Wish is a cute, funny, sweet YA/Teen romance recommended for fans of love triangles, friends to foes, friends to lovers, prank wars, friendships, sibling bonding, and family-centered stories.

Katherine Tegen Books provided an advanced review copy via Netgalley for review.

Yo, I’ve been waiting on this book for a long time. Idk what made me want to read this so bad, but I was so hype for it. And unfortunately, it barely lived up to what I had made up in my mind. Was it good? Yes. But I thought it could have been much better.

I guess let’s start with the romance. I think I would have liked it more if the love interest had been different lol As some of y’all may know, I am NOT a fan of enemies to lovers, so this was weird. Not really weird, but I really need to start reading the synopsis of books instead of just buzz words lol Because I was not expecting the whole bit about the one guy. Which was annoying because I did not like him lol But I know it’s a me thing. All of y’all out there like enemies to lovers, but I am just not into it lol Especially when it seems like it takes them forever to get to the point. And this one does just that. I didn’t keep up with this one, but it also took a long time and it annoyed me lol

The characters were the weirdest for me. That dude was annoying lol The sheer audacity he had when he basically treated her like poop the whole time and then was like eh ok now you know I like you and you like me, so I’m going to be mad at you because you’re dating someone and you won’t break up with them even though I want you to. That just had me like wtf. Because why didn’t you just say you liked her and that you wanted her before she found this other person? As for Deepa, I thought she was a bit boring lol I was more interested in the rest of her family. The other person was also boring lol He was too perfect. I fully understood what she was saying when she mentioned that it just felt too easy, too boring. Because it read that way. They didn’t have any chemistry. (But neither did the other person lol) Idk, it was just a weird book all around.

I think the plot of this was the best part. I was so excited to see the jasmine flower and how it was used. I kept thinking about the list she had lol It was terrible lol But I know they were kids so I’m not judging, but I do wish they had said something about it in the end. Like, they have to like the same bands? lol I guess they did kind of cover it, but I do think it would have been better to be more specific. You don’t always have to have everything you’re looking for. And sometimes you have to compromise.

It was ok, but I wasn’t actually wowed by it. I think without the enemies to lovers trope I would have liked it a bit more. And I think reading this so close to another book that had the same trope didn’t help. Idk, it just wasn’t what I was expecting.

A fun, light romcom read. The plot is not overly complicated and it didn't have to be. The author takes you to a cul-de-sac where Deepa, her family and friends are always trying to have a good time. Loved the descriptions and all the details through this very light-hearted, warm and charming story. Earlier in the book, the story leads you to assume there will be some mystical/magical element at some point, which felt mostly unnecessary at the end but still, the story was very much enjoyable.

a really cute romance and love story. When our protagonist makes a wish for a perfect boyfriend, a perfect boyfriend coincidentally moves in. But as she builds up a romance with him, her connection with her snarky neighbor strengthens too. Who will she choose? The boy who matches her dreams, or the one she's known forever

This was just the cute desi romcom book that I needed! I finished reading it in one sitting. The Boyfriend Wish is a cute coming-of-age story which follows our FMC, Deepa. She's a planner - has checklists for everything, even for her "perfect" boyfriend. As an eldest daughter in a desi household myself, I could completely relate to Deepa, especially her over-achiever tendencies. I loved the childhood-friends-to-lovers dynamic and also really liked how the book covered topics around divorce (which is still a taboo in Indian society). Overall, this was a really well-written book and I highy recommend to anyone looking to pick up something that will make your heart warm.

Absolute banger!

I grabbed it for the cover! Which I think looks so cute and cozy and the story pulled me in immediately with its adorable chaos.

Deepa is a junior in high school and is wanting the perfect year and the perfect boyfriend for the perfect start of her forever romance. (LOL) Deepa’s grandmother gives her the last Jasmine bloom and tells her to make a wish. She wishes for the perfect boyfriend specifically that meets a list of criteria she and her bestie made a couple years ago. The next day HE MOVES IN ACROSS THE STREET! Is everything going to go according to plan or is her nemesis Vik going to muck it all up?

lol it was dramatic and so cute. I loved every character and all the growth they all had. I found myself grinning for a lot of it.

One thing I will mention. I read an ebook of this and it does have some bantery, flirty, bickering and I read it more on the flirty side but in the past with rivals or nemesis when it goes to audiobook sometimes the narrators lean into the banter/bicker stuff hard and it can feel like yelling. Not having listened to the audio I don’t know how it will translate. I absolutely recommend an eyeball copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Teen for an eARC.

Book Name: The Boyfriend Wish
Author: Swati Teerdhala

ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, Katherine Tegen Books for an ARC of The Boyfriend Wish by Swati Teerdhala

Standalone
Fast Paced
FMC POV

- Indian Rep
- Cute and Fun
- Similar “vibes” to Netflix

This wasn't a win for me as an adult YA reader. This was much more geared toward the younger end of the YA spectrum. Highly enjoyable but just too young for me. DNF

**Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**

Deepa wants a love like that of her parents, but what she doesn't know is the whole truth. Her grandmother tell her about the magic of the last jasmine bloom of the season, so she wishes for the perfect boyfriend that checks all the items on the "10 Steps to the Perfect Boy" list that she and her best friend, Lily, made freshman year. Before you know it, a new teenage boy is moving in down the street, and of course he's hot and muscular. As time goes on, he manages to say and do all the right things, and seems...perfect? But, Deepa soon realizes that perfect is boring, and people aren't just meant to fit into boxes.

Meanwhile, she gets stuck planning the Junior Lock-In with her next door neighbor and nemesis, Vik. For the longest time, they had had an ongoing cul-de-sac prank war up until Deepa called it off. But, this year with the new boy, Rohit, the prank war is back on -- and "all is fair in love and war."

Is the universe trying to tell Deepa something, and what will happen when/if she decides to actually listen?

This book was predictable from the start, and can basically be summed up by the chorus of Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me." I didn't care at all about the prank war, but I know it was "their thing" and would play an important role in the plot. It also goes to show that sometimes people don't actually know what they want, especially teenage girls.

Such a cute and uplifting, heartwarming YA romcom! It felt like reading a fairytale, especially because everything started with a magical flower, a cunning grandma and a wish that delivered the DREAM GUY. To the neighborhood. Isn’t this every teen wishes for?😌
I really enjoyed the characters’ dynamic and their chemistry!

This was cute and did everything it was supposed to do. It's definitely a good read for tweens or teens that are into romance. This is a very clean book so younger readers can still enjoy it!
That being said, I don't see myself personally rereading it and it's definitely not a favorite of my year.

Thank you to the publisher for the copy!

Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed. I just don't know if it would be a reread or not.

This was absolutely adorable! Deepa's grandmother gives her a jasmine flower and tells her to make a wish, and Deepa wishes for her ideal boyfriend.. So guess who moves into the neighborhood the very next day?! HER DREAM BOYFRIEND! She literally created a list of what she wanted in a boyfriend and there he is, moving in next door! There is a bit of a love triangle because Deepa realizes what she really wants: the perfect boyfriend, or chemistry you simply cannot deny!

This was my introduction to Swati Teerdhala and I am so glad I requested this ARC. The first-person POV of Deepa was funny, relatable (I'm also a list-maker and planner lol), and so precious! I recognized why she was so invested in making the "right" decisions because she had seen the heartache that comes with a failing relationship. Is that a bit intense for a teenage to put on her shoulders? Sure, absolutely. However, it doesn't negate the fact that kids do internalize this messaging! Anyway, I will absolutely check out ST's other works, and I look forward to more YA romcoms from her!

The beautiful cover and description initially got me really excited to read this book. I went in expecting a fun, lighthearted YA romance and I’d say it definitely delivered! I thought all the characters were likable and I loved that the author showed their flaws in a way that made you feel closer to them, rather than thinking they were annoying or unlikeable.
A few times, I felt the author was doing more telling than showing but it ultimately didn’t bother me too much. I thought the prank war aspect was fun and the friendship and family dynamics were great! The Indian American representation was so cool as I haven’t read many books that had that.
The friendship and relationship dynamics in the book reminded me of Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter. If you liked that book, I think you'll like this one! The ending really did it for me. I thought it was so cute and really made me feel for the characters and love them even more.
If I had read this when I was in high school, I think it definitely would’ve been one of my favorites. If you’re looking for a clean, lighthearted YA romance, this one’s for you!

love triangle woohoo! this was so fun and i really loved the hopeless romantic vibe deepa has because same haha! i loved the mix of magic in it

This was cute.

Deepa lives in a neighborhood where everyone is close. They have parties together and even have prank wars. Her best friend Lily lives there. Her friend/nemesis Vik also lives next door. Deepa's parents have a great relationship. When her aunt got divorced, it really affected her by how upset she was and how everyone treated her. Deepa makes plans. It's what she does. And she made a plan for the perfect boyfriend. When her grandma gives her a flower to wish on, Deepa wishes for that boyfriend from her list. The next day, a new family is moving in. The son, Rohit, fits everything from Deepa's list. It must be her wish coming true. So she sets off to seal the deal. She plans out dates and knows she has to kiss him for the wish to come true completely. But as she is forced to spend more time with Vik, she starts to see him in a different way. Rohit is exactly what she wants and is perfect on paper. But there is something different that Vik makes her feel.

I adored the family relationships in this book more than anything. The friendships were great too. The love story was surprisingly my least favorite part, but it was still really cute. This was just a fun read for me.

I gave this book 4 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my earc.

The Boyfriend Wish

HarperCollins Children's Books, Katherine Tegen Books and NetGalley provided an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

This gorgeous cover and the synopsis made me really excited to dive into this book, and for the most part, the book delivered. It seemed like the book was just a bit too overstuffed with details and descriptions that didn’t really add to the story. I could totally see this as a great teen romcom movie though. I think it would really benefit from going through the script and film editing process.

The Boyfriend Wish was such a cute, charming read! When Deepa's grandmother gives her a beautiful jasmine flower and tells her to make a wish, Deepa immediately knows what she's going to do. She wishes for her dream boyfriend, someone who checks off everything on the list she made when she was younger. The next morning, new boy in town Rohit moves into her neighborhood, and he's practically everything Deepa has been looking for. All she has to do is seal her wish with a kiss—but what will happen when, alongside her developing romance with Rohit, Deepa starts forming an unexpected connection with her childhood nemesis, Vik?

I've seen a couple of other reviewers compare this book to a Disney Channel Original Movie, and I can also see that parallel, in a good way, of course! Reading The Boyfriend Wish felt like curling up with a comforting classic DCOM, packed with likable characters, sweet romance, and fun hijinks. Deepa is such an easy protagonist to root for, and her journey was well-done and satisfying. I also really liked all of the side characters! They were all so entertaining to read about, and I especially loved learning about all of the different members of Deepa's family and seeing their dynamic. When it came to the love triangle, I was definitely rooting more for one person in particular (no spoilers here!), but I feel like both of the relationships were very well-developed, and you could appreciate them in different ways. With possibly-magical flowers, laugh-out-loud-funny prank wars, and swoon-worthy romance, The Boyfriend Wish is a truly enchanting story you won't want to miss! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.