I Wish You Would has been one of my most anticipated reads, and it did not disappoint! The premise is to die for, with secrets of a gossipy private high school's senior class scattered across the beach—and the way it brings together two estranged best friends, pushing them closer and closer to confessing their wounds to each other and giving their relationship a shot, is just delicious. Eva writes with such heart and atmosphere and joy—I couldn't put this down!

I liked the premise of the story. It was cute. Though parts I felt were repetitive. And the letters were interesting and at times intense. Overall, it was a nice romance story of two best friends. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book! When I was in Middle School/ early High school, I used to devour YA romances. As I got older, I switched to reading more fantasy books. It's been a while since I read a good romance, and this one gave me all the nostalgic feels.

I really enjoyed the characters, particularly our main ones, Ethan and Natalia. They felt so well fleshed out and realized. Every emotional response felt earned, which isn't always true in this genre of books. These felt like real people and I recognized so many of my own feelings and fears and insecurities from that time in my life. I was rooting for them from the start, and that never stopped. I also loved the side characters. Again, this felt like a real group of high schoolers.

The setting and the fact that the bulk of the story took place in a 24 hour time span also worked for me. I'm not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope, but I have to say, it worked here. I understood why these kids weren't talking and the heightened sense of emotion and stakes felt true to what a seventeen year old would be feeling at the time.

Honestly, this was just a blast. It was swoony and sweet and filled with character you will come to love.

What a wonderful debut novel!

This was chock full of angst that kept me turning the page. I was rooting for Ethan to be nosy and read Natalia's letter almost from the beginning, just so those poor kids could be put out of their misery. I needed to see Natalia and Ethan realize the other loved them and just confess their feelings. As a result, I sped through this in almost one sitting.

I think fans of Jandy Nelson will really like this. It's got the coastal Norcal setting, the artistic protagonist, and a good dose of family drama.

3.75⭐️

There's really nothing better than the drama and angst of a YA novel. This book follows best friends Natalia and Ethan, who after almost crossing the line at junior prom and not speaking to each other all summer, have to confront their issues after confession letters go missing at a senior class overnight trip.

Both characters are struggling with family issues and with themselves. Ethan is suddenly popular after being bullied for most of his life. He is struggling with his relationship with his famous father. Natalia is striving hard to be perfect and be good enough for everyone else. She's struggling with her parent's marital issues and with wanting to do art instead of what her father wants her to do. They could be frustrating (between some miscommunication about prom night and them both keeping secrets), but they were likable.

This was an angsty, but sweet first love story.

I started and finished this book in one day. I could not put it down. This story and these characters are undeniably special, about such a meaningful time in a person’s life - when you discover who you are, and even more than that, that YOU get to decide who you are. Multiple lines brought me to tears and I know this is a book I will reread for the feels. A wonderful, magical debut.

I WISH YOU WOULD tells the story of high school seniors-to-be, Natalia and Ethan, who were best friends until something happened the night of their junior prom. They haven't spoken in months, ghosted each other, and are now reunited when their senior class comes together before school starts. This novel was so well written I was not surprised it sold *at auction*. Told in dual perspectives, the characters (not just Natalia and Ethan) felt real, solid, and alive. That's hard to do! Bravo to Des Lauriers for that! The aching romantic tension was a flame lit high. I could not put this one down and can see fans of Kristin Dwyer, Sarah Dessen, Rachel Lynn Solomon and Jenny Han being into this one. I can't wait to shove into the hands of teens-reading-romance at the library in May. :)