This book was SO GOOD! Ethan and Natalia stole my heart from page one and held it tight in their hands until the very end. The writing was so beautiful and I loved all the Swiftie Easter eggs. This swoony story is an absolute must-read, and I know we’ll all feel a lot braver after reading Eva’s words.

“Pauses and says, ‘You’re my best friend.’ And you knew what it was, he is in love.”

Writing? Exquisite. Plot? Compelling. Characters? Intoxicating, frustrating, enchanting.

In Eva Des Lauriers’ YA Debut, I WISH YOU WOULD, readers follow Ethan and Talia over the course of 24 hours where secrets are exposed, hearts are put on the line, and futures are determined all under the pretense of a Senior Sunrise tradition.

“But the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now. And we’re not speaking.”

In a subtle nod to the romances and stories of Taylor Swift, our author crafts a time and space reflective of the most devastating of heartbreaks: the best friend break up. Ethan and Talia have an inexplicable connection and fate keeps drawing them closer into each other’s orbit. But when Prom Night goes disastrously wrong, the two spend a summer not speaking. It’s all very “Story of Us” where they’re not speaking, and dying to know what the other is thinking. The miscommunication is off the charts, but Des Laurier handles the trope well with plausible scenarios and anxieties that keep our tongues tied.

“I wish we could go back, and remember what we were fighting for.”

There’s a LOT going on in this novel, but the writing is so crystal clear and cinematic that I never felt lost, just in a rush to get to the next page!

I hope Ethan and Talia are still painting each other golden, wherever they are.

Thanks to Henry Holt and Net Galley for this advanced copy.

I loved this book! It captures all the nuances of teenage friendships and relationships without being cliche. The Lion Letters was a beautiful unique concept, and I loved the execution. This book is messy and mercurial, the same way teenagers on the edge of their futures are, and it was just a joy to witness Natalia and Ethan’s own joy in discovering how rewarding authenticity can be. Also I lovedddd the subtle nods to Taylor Swift throughout.

I Wish You Would is a good fit for those seeking a heartwarming and relatable story about friendships, miscommunication, and the courage to express one's true feelings, with a touch of drama and romance.

Why do people insist on making adaptations on the shittiest books out there when we could be getting the most stunning adaptation of coming of age EVER with this?!

Half a star knocked down because I hate the miscommunication trope and kids are so stupid I want to strangle them but god damn if this wasn’t one of the realist, most beautiful things I’ve ever read. Probably because kids are so stupid and I really get it.

Do not skip this wholesome, wonderful, incredible book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this book to review.

I Wish You Would is a sweet, will-they-won't-they story of friends who love one another and need to figure it out.

Natalia and Ethan are on their overnight senior sunrise camping trip after having not spoken all summer due to a miscommunication. As the day and night unfold, will they be able to figure it out?

Positives:
- Alternating viewpoints and short chapters made this really hard to put down. I read it in two sittings, about 80% in one night!
- #ownvoices story of a girl who is Latinx and white and presents white and feels conflicted about it
- Great chemistry between the main characters
- Diverse cast of supporting characters we can all relate to
- Depiction of some anxiety issues and family problems

Negatives:
- Whole book would be non-existent if these two would just have a darn conversation. If you hate miscommunication tropes, this is not for you.

A sweet story that I enjoyed reading but I'm not sure will have a lot of staying power in my brain space, and the constant interrupted conversations and miscommunications drove me a little nuts. Maybe that's because I am an adult reading YA, but maybe not.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
'I Wish You Would' is an adorable YA romance. Something I really enjoyed about this book was that it felt a little more grown up than other YA romances, but still fits in the YA category. The characters faced a wide variety of problems that I could relate to my high school experience. Especially the mean girls, lol. The angst and dialogue between Ethan and Natalia, the way they thought about the situations they were in, it felt real and I appreciated that. The way the kids at Senior Sunrise reacted about the letters.. I was like "damn they should be more understanding" but I think that's what makes this book so great. Teenagers are frustrating, lol, and the author portrayed them accurately. There were also real and serious issues throughout the book, which I thought were all handled well except one. One of the students is revealed to have hooked up with a 20+ year old former teacher, and I think the characters should've been more sympathetic about the fact that she was a victim. Natalia does mention she was a victim but it didn't feel like other students understood that. Overall I really liked this book!

This is such a special debut novel. An emotional, beautiful story about deep feelings and even deeper love. The two main characters took hold of my heart and didn’t let go. Their struggles and worries felt so authentic, so much angst and stress and pressure on their shoulders and I felt all of it. A testament to the wonderful writing.

I’m so grateful to have had the chance to read this - I’m going to need it to be made into a film or tv show very soon please, thanks!

*spoiler!!!*

First of all @evadeslaurbooks I am begging you from my bed with my tear stained cheeks to please give me a college story of Mason and Rainn. Begging!!!!!!

Okay second. I loved this. Do you remember the passion and fear of your last year of high school? Falling (even if someone didn’t feel the same…) for someone and the intensity of those moments? That happened in this story the whole time. It was beautiful and lovely and just.. made me so nostalgic and also made me really wish I’d had a high school love story. (I know, I cringe at myself a lot)

Things I loved about this book:
Natalia was so relatable. Her panic attacks were so real. Her fear of not being good enough and how she put so much pressure on herself to be perfect, worrying about everyone else! My heart.
Ethan - I felt so hurt for him, with everything that happened with his dad. He was trying to protect everyone except for himself. Also, he was loyal and giving to a fault!! But I loved him.
Rainn and Sienna - what good friends!!
The balance of the teachers was so good. They were funny in the background.
I loved the dual POV.
I loved how Natalia thought in color and paintings. The sketch of Ethan and her at the beach 😍.
That ending was so lovely.
I wish we’d gotten more of senior year though - I really enjoyed these characters and did not want to leave them behind!

Would fully recommend picking this one up if you love YA! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.7 rounded up to 5/5

"I Wish You Would" by Eva Des Lauriers is a captivating tale of friendship, love, and the complexities of senior year, wrapped in a whirlwind of emotions and secrets.

Set during Senior Sunrise, the novel follows best friends Natalia and Ethan as they navigate the aftermath of a near-romantic encounter at junior prom. As the two reunite after a summer of ghosting each other, tensions run high, and unresolved feelings linger beneath the surface.

The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a senior class tradition where students write private letters to themselves, revealing their deepest desires and fears. When Natalia's heartfelt confession and Ethan's own secrets are scattered across the beach, the stage is set for a race against time to retrieve the lost letters before their secrets are exposed.

Des Lauriers expertly employs the friends-to-lovers trope, drawing readers into the complexities of Natalia and Ethan's relationship. From heartwarming moments to dramatic confrontations, the chemistry between the characters crackles with intensity, keeping readers engaged from the first page to the last. The novel's fast-paced plot and well-developed characters ensure that there's never a dull moment. Backstories are skillfully woven into the narrative, adding depth and complexity to the protagonists' journey.

The private confessions scattered throughout the story add an intriguing layer of suspense, keeping readers guessing until the very end. And the one bed trope adds an extra layer of tension and intimacy, adding to the emotional depth of the story.

With its beautiful cover, heartwarming conversations, and intense plot, "I Wish You Would" is a must-read for fans of young adult romance. Des Lauriers has crafted a story that is both poignant and captivating, leaving readers eagerly anticipating her next novel.

𝘐 𝘞𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 follows sort-of-estranged best friends on a legacy trip before their senior year where accidents occur to jeopardize friendships and trusts.

- ~ -

I hate, absolutely abhor giving debut books negative reviews because I can practically feel the hopes and aspirations resting in my hands.

But here's to hoping someone else loved this because this was beyond mid for me.

Natalia and Ethan were cute and I enjoyed the high school dynamics... but at the end of the day, I didn't like that the whole mess resolved overnight anduch too simply.

The writing felt a tad juvenile and I wish the past insights into their friendship were explored more so that we got to know the details of Natalia and Ethan's present relationship better.

- ~ -

Overall: It's a book highlighting the dynamics of friendship, forgiveness and how, no matter what, some people in your life've always got your back and the thing you do for them in return.

3.37 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

I WISH YOU WOULD takes you to that nostalgic place we all lived in when we were teens and in love. The big feels were feeling. And Eva masterfully takes us on an emotional journey in a day while seamlessly adding in breadcrumbs from the past! She weaves in relatable moments and honestly, the experiences on the page are so human. There's joy, sorrow, deep pains, and bouts of healing. And one tent. THERE'S ONE TENT PEOPLE! This is the kind of story that stays with you like a phantom limb. I think about Natalia and Ethan at the randomest of times.

Such a cute, quick read! The story was adorable, and felt real. I went to a small high school that didn't get to do events, so I enjoy reading stories about other high schools to see what it's like. Do schools really do overnight trips on the beach?? Because that sounds like a lot of fun! The characters were so real, they acted and treated each other like real high schoolers, with petty drama and bullying and crushes and ratting each other out. The last hurrah before senior year, when things get serious and move way faster than anyone expects, and this is exactly the type of shenanigans I expect to hear about. Some of it seemed a little bit outlandish, things that I can't see really happening. Things that they would have gotten caught doing, gotten in trouble for. But overall a very cute read, and I feel like anyone going into high school would really enjoy and probably benefit from this book.

I expected to love I WISH YOU WOULD, but I never expected to fall so hard for it. It definitely reads like a Taylor Swift song--emotional, tension, all the feels!

Natalie is so relatable in her search for perfection and always wants to make other people happy, which is great except for when it's keeping her from happiness. Her best friend, and the boy she's trying not to have feelings for, Ethan is adorable and sensitive, which I adored. Honestly, I found his sensitivity to be such a strength.

What I thought Des Lauriers did so well was show how these two best friends care for each other so deeply, yet are terrified to be honest about their feelings, all in the guise of how it would impact their friendship. Perhaps it's because so much of it reflects my relationship, but the tension and angst is all at once relatable and real. This is definitely a favorite book of the year, and I look forward to many more from Eva!

It’s been a long time since I was in high school, but this book brought all the myriad emotions raging back. Loved this best friends-to-lovers debut from Eva Des Lauriers. 4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story. The tension! I could not put this story down - tearing through pages and chapters needing to know what would happen next. Not wanting to stop-even when it was over-the world and story living rent free in my brain days later. Just such a fun one. With a full cast of endearing characters this friends to lovers romance is one you don’t want to miss!

Thank you MacMillian/Henry Holt and NetGalley for the arc!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

I am so grateful I was able to read this. This book is the perfect YA summer romance and was so fast paced and entertaining, I couldn't put it down. The miscommunication trope is not for everyone, myself included, so there were a couple of moments I didn't enjoy, but as a whole story, this was such a pleasant surprise. While I found myself frustrated at the characters multiple times, I also couldn't help but root for them. As a sucker for best friends to lovers and dual POV, I was hooked very early on. The plot was fun and I loved the whole senior sunrise, the side characters were amazing, and of course, I adored Ethan and Natalia. This book did a fantastic job at not only being a cute romance, but also at tying in more serious subjects such as divorce, cheating, anxiety, bullying, and more. The characters had a lot of realism to them and all had their own struggles, which made it so easy to connect with them. The only reason this isn't 5 stars was because I really just couldn't get past how infuriating the miscommunication was. In the end, they are teenagers full of angst and struggling with their own problems, so I found it pretty realistic that they weren't the best at communicating, but Natalia and Ethan were still a little bit of a mess. It definitely built that tension though and made their resolution so much more satisfying.

Overall, this was an amazing debut novel and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you To Netgally for providing me with an ARC of this book!!
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

If you HATE the miscommunication trope this book IS NOT FOR YOU lol. That being said, I enjoy the miscommunication trope from time to time when it's done correctly. When the miscommunication is some kind of funny happenstance I think thats the best but when the characters are purposefully not talking to each other about their feelings/what happened then I don't really like that. This book was a mix of both. Some of the miscommunication was really funny (i.e when Prashant assumed Ethan and Natalie were hooking up in the tent) and some of it was just full on angsty (i.e Natalie and Ethan dancing around the whole issue of what happened after prom). I didn't necessarily mind the angsty miscommunication UNTIL THE END OF THE BOOK. That's when it's at their worst. Natalie and Ethan are literally RIGHT THERE about to tell each other everything and then Ethan gets upset about her "always walking away instead of talking" AND THEN HE LITERALLY WALKS AWAY FROM HER. They were a mess and should've never done any of this honestly.

The story also covered some heavy topics in such a short amount of time. Addiction, cheating, divorced parents, transphobia, panic attacks, alcoholism, bullying. Some of it I feel was handled really well within the story and others... not so much. It's hard to address so many things in a novel and this ARC I had was pretty short so hopefully some of that was fixed in the final edition.

I did like all of the characters though, despite their angst. They all had a lot of depth and realism to them. I could actually picture this happening in the real world which I think is a good thing. You want the characters and their problems to draw you in and keep you there. I think overall Prashant might've been my favorite. though which is funny since he's a minor character but I loved every scene with him in it. He was was funny and loyal and smart. I also really enjoyed Leti too. Their scenes were also incredible.

Now onto some things I didn't really enjoy about the book.

What I didn't like/could not get behind was how Claire the girl from theatre was "the popular girl" that was honestly the funniest thing I've ever read. I was in theatre for 4 years in high school and nobody, not even us theatre kids, would've called ourselves "popular". Getting people to come to our shows was like pulling teeth. Teachers gave out extra credit if students attended performances. I found out my senior year that an actual popular girl I barely even knew HATED me and my friend group (all theatre people) because we were "annoying". My senior year ACTUAL popular kids joined theatre and thats when some of the "cool crowd" actually bothered to show up for performances. It was honestly hilarious that anyone would characterize theatre kids as "popular". I'm sure my school experience with theatre wasn't niche either.

It was also kind of funny to me how they took the whole impeachment of Natalie so serious. It's literally student council for a high school... I really don't think that matters AT ALL in the grand scheme of things.

There was also a part at the end when Mason came out as gay where Natalie says that she thought Mason was "a tool". I never even got that vibe from him throughout the entire book. He seemed funny and a bit clueless at times but still like a really good guy. Then... he suddenly comes out to the whole class and Natalie is describing him as a "genuine guy" she clearly hadn't tried to get to know him at all if she thought he was a bad person.

Natalie also was so angry with her dad because he didn't understand her art but... she never even talked to him about it. I understand that your parents are hard to talk to, I don't really have that great of a relationship with mine, but I was up front with my parents about what I wanted, all of my siblings were (they're all creative fields) and my parents accepted it even if they didn't understand. Which is exactly what her own dad did. It sounded like Natalie never even bothered to tell her father that she loved art and wanted to pursue it so this whole time I painted him I had him pegged as this terrible person who didn't want his daughter to be happy and then... at the end... you find out that's not true at all. Basically... if everyone just talked to each other instead of running away, none of this would've happened.

requested this book because of the title!! iykyk🤭🤭 BUT OMG!!!! it was very good, i was really surprised but honestly idk why?? because with that cover and name its already amazing!!

This book is, heart on a sleeve, in written form. It's beautiful, bold, vulnerable, and healing. Eva Des Lauriers will forever be an instant buy for me!