4.5 Stars but rounding up for the review!

I picked this book up expecting a romance (note: it's not) but wasn't at all bothered by the completely slow burn romantic subplot. This story was a fun coming of age about Juliette navigating her last year at summer camp. I can't lie, this was one of the nicest camps ever making the story more fun and nostalgic. I loved the many activities at camp, her two camp besties and the details surrounding all of the characters. The story felt age appropriate and did a great job of highlighting how big things can feel when we are young. I also think it did a good job of not explaining everything (ie why Galahad had no backstory - sometimes adults are just mean!). I enjoyed the relationship between Juliette and Priya. They had lots of fun, sarcastic banter and showed the awkwardness we sometimes feel when we make assumptions about others. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something light to read who enjoy coming of age stories!

If I’m being completely honest this YA book just wasn’t for me. It took too long to get anywhere. I didn’t feel any chemistry between Juliette and Priya. The way the book paced they honestly should’ve just ended with being friends. They don’t feel believable as a couple. Priya was more interesting than the main character. This book has me feeling as though I’ve aged out of young adults.

I received an advanced copy of Wish You Weren't Here by Erin Baldwin from the publisher Penguin Group via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: During the school year, Juliette feels constantly in the shadow of Priya Pendley. Priya is beautiful, popular, has social media fame, and a track captain boyfriend. They are not alike but their friend groups overlap, so Juliette puts up with her and it’s fine, because at camp, she shines and can be herself. But then she finds out that Priya is going to be at Fogridge and guess what? She’s her bunkmate. Juliette is devastated because it’s her last summer as a camper and something’s gotta give or it could ruin everything!

What I Loved: I loved the camp vibes and I enjoyed so much having a book set at camp. I think Baldwin really highlighted the joy and nostalgia at camp. The feeling of coming together for a few weeks of year and being so important to one another. The setting really shine. I also really liked the chemistry between our leads and was eagerly awaiting for them to figure it out and for Juliette to get over herself.

What I Didn’t Like: The conflict and dislike is very contrived and difficult to wrap my head around. The fact that these two really have no reason to dislike each other (other than Priya who Juliette is borderline rude to), made it hard to buy into the hate which led to strong annoyance/borderline. It made me really get frustrated and not really relate or enjoy our main character. I also found it a little silly to have Priya be social media famous, this seemed pretty unbelievable based on the plot.

Who Should Read It: People who want the nostalgia of camp. People who love YA romance.

Summary: Two frenemies are put in a cabin at camp and all kinds of sparks fly!

Wish You Weren’t Here by Erin Baldwin is the sapphic romance book I wish I’d had when I was in high school! This book is wholesome, funny, adorable, and the perfect love story for young adults looking to get into romance!

I loved everything about this book! In the story, you are reading from Juliette Barrera-Wright’s point of view as she navigates her Senior Year of high school. She often feels invisible in every aspect of her life, until she’s at her one happy place, Fogridge Summer Camp. Her Senior Summer at Fogridge is going to be the best yet! Until she realizes there her number one least favorite person, Priya Pendley is not only at camp for the summer too, but is her roommate!

What follows is a story of finding yourself, and learning that your perception of someone, or their situation, is often not what you initially believe it to be. And if you can learn to accept that and shift your understanding, wonderful things can bloom.

A Delightful Sapphic Romcom!

I had the pleasure of diving into Erin Baldwin’s sapphic romcom, “Wish You Weren’t Here,” courtesy of an ARC from NetGalley.

Juliette Barrera-Wright, introverted high school junior, is counting down the days until she can escape to Fogridge Sleepaway Camp for her last summer before college. Fogridge has always been her sanctuary away from the relentless pressures of school and her small town's societal expectations. But this year there’s a catch: her high-school nemesis, Priya Pendley, the hot, dazzling social media sensation, will be her cabin-mate.

Priya, with her seemingly perfect life, has millions of followers and a stereotypical boyfriend who fits the mold. Yet, appearances can be deceiving. Beneath Priya’s glamorous facade lies a girl grappling with her own struggles—pressure to maintain her image, a less-than-ideal relationship, and the weight of expectations.

When Priya’s presence at disrupts Juliette’s summer plans, chaos ensues, and it appears that it could be the worst summer ever. But sometimes fate has other ideas. Despite the situation they find themselves in, and their rivalry, Juliette and Priya form an unlikely alliance. And, as the days unfold, Juliette discovers that Priya isn’t just the mean girl she assumed.

With her shields lowered, Priya is revealed to be a multifaceted person, with dreams, fears, and insecurities. Her vulnerability surprises Juliette, and their interactions lead to unexpected growth for both characters.

As the summer unfolds, Juliette and Priya’s relationship undergoes a remarkable transformation filled with witty banter, verbal sparring, late-night conversations, secret swims, stolen glances, and longing.

If you’re a fan of swoony moments, humor, heartache, and amazing chemistry, Juliette and Priya’s enemies-to-lovers journey is for you!

Their story reminds us that, sometimes, the person we least expect can become our greatest ally—or something more.

Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.75
This was a very cute & quick read but it feels underdeveloped in a multitude of ways which leads it to be unsatisfying

I wish not only the characters but also some plotlines/conflicts were fleshed out more because it feels a bit choppy at times

This novel is more so a love letter to summer camp than it is about the romance so if that's your thing you will probably eat this up, but I was expecting more of the romance and I didn't get what I wanted from that

The relationship dynamic between the two characters was confusing for me. it was very much a one-sided hatred kind of thing on Juliette’s part rather than it being a mutual "rivals" thing. it just seemed like Juliette’s dislike of Priya was driven by insecurity rather than actual reasoning if that makes sense? but Priya played into it by cropping Juliette out of pictures and keeping a distance but she didn't even have a problem with Juliette? it was a friendly dynamic because they still invited each other to things & were always in each other’s spaces so the negative interactions felt unnecessary

I wish the characterization was better in this story, everything felt surface level and there was a lot of telling not showing

When the characters finally do "get together" it's not seamless & I didn't find myself connecting to them or the romance at that point. it all felt very rushed

PUB DATE: June 4th, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the ARC copy of Wish You Weren't Here in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so fun! It's queer, enemies to lovers, and hilarious. The story is enjoyable and the writing is great. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun sapphic summer read.

Perfect summer read! Love Priya’s character! Definitely pick this up if you want to read about the ultimate summer camp experience.

4.4 rounded down to 4/5.

Erin Baldwin's "Wish You Weren't Here" delivers a delightful summer camp romance filled with heart, humor, and genuine emotion. With a relatable protagonist, engaging plot, and well-crafted relationships, this novel is sure to capture the hearts of readers.

At the heart of the story is Juliette, a teenage girl navigating the complexities of friendship, rivalry, and self-discovery. Baldwin skillfully brings Juliette to life, allowing readers to empathize with her struggles and root for her growth throughout the narrative. Juliette's journey of self-acceptance and understanding is both poignant and relatable, making her a compelling and memorable protagonist.

The dynamic between Juliette and Priya, her rival turned cabinmate, adds depth and complexity to the story. While the premise may seem familiar, Baldwin breathes new life into the enemies-to-tolerating-to-friends-to-lovers trope, crafting a nuanced and authentic relationship between the two characters. Their banter is entertaining, their conflicts feel genuine, and their eventual camaraderie is both satisfying and earned.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of summer camp life. Baldwin captures the nostalgic essence of camp, infusing the setting with warmth, camaraderie, and a sense of adventure. From campfire sing-alongs to cabin pranks, the atmosphere is vividly depicted, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world of Fogridge Sleepaway Camp alongside Juliette and her friends.

The romance subplot is sweet and well-developed, providing a heartwarming counterbalance to the main storyline. Baldwin takes her time to build the connection between Juliette and her love interest, allowing their relationship to unfold naturally and authentically. The inclusion of queer representation adds an important layer of diversity to the narrative, further enriching the story.

While the novel excels in many aspects, there are some minor flaws, such as the unresolved situation with Galahad. However, these shortcomings are overshadowed by the overall strength of the storytelling and character development.

In conclusion, "Wish You Weren't Here" is a charming and heartfelt summer read that will appeal to fans of YA romance. With its engaging characters, well-crafted relationships, and nostalgic camp setting, this novel is sure to leave readers with a smile on their faces and a warm feeling in their hearts.

I was waiting anxiously for this one. I was hoping and praying to be approved for this book and y'all really answered me! This was such a fun read, it was right up my ally. Enemies to lovers, sapphic queer, and it was just overall a great time. It was fun - and funny - and so much more. It filled me up with so much joy. I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this one.

4.75 ⭐️ I have never been to summer camp but WOW does this book make me wish I had gone as a teenager. I loved this book. I love the summer camp vibes, the characters, the plot, everything. As soon as I saw this book, I knew I wanted to read it. I was so excited when I got this ARC that I did a little happy dance because I was beyond stoked to be able to jump in IMMEDIATELY.

Juliette is a phenomenal main character. There are so many moments that I deeply connect to her and am reminded of all of the times I felt the same during high school. She has good moments and some not so good moments but all in all she is a teenager trying to find her place in the world and camp is the one spot she feels safe enough to be 100% herself. I really liked Priya as well. Not just as a love interest but as her own character as well. She brings a different type of perspective to Juliette's not so sunny disposition and offers up her own intensity to match. My favorite part of their romance was not the romance itself but instead two people finding someone who makes them feel seen and like there is no reason to change who you are for anyone else.

The only downside I really had with this book was that I wish there was more. More time getting to see Juliette and Priya build a relationship, time with Gia and Lucy, more of the other Fogridge staff, and more activities.

I found the rivalry on this to really be kind of one sided, so idk if enemies to lovers is necessarily the best trope to apply to this. Loved the whole camp vibe and nostalgia. I would have really enjoyed getting to see more development of the relationship throughout. Overall an enjoyable sapphic romance read.

Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me. I set it aside for a week and have no interest in picking it back up. I find the characters are hard for me personally to connect with. While the summer camp setting is fun, the MC kind of grated on my nerves. It isn’t for me but I could see others really enjoying it.

I absolutely adored this book. I’ve been expanding the genres I read this year, and it’s safe to say that I’m now a sucker for the classic enemies to lovers trope. You’d think by now it would be played out, but Erin Baldwin did a great job making her characters come to life and making it seem like a completely new subject. I loved how the characters were each their own and had their stand out personalities, and that the story didn’t seem forced or anything. I thought it really interesting how Juliette and Priya didn’t start out as two people who absolutely despised each other, but instead it was more of a forced polite friendship with some complications, which to me made the progression of the plot and character developments so much better, because it was natural, and a refreshing twist on things. I thought this book was super cute and I loved the ending! I finished reading the epilogue and had the biggest smile on my face, which is usually a good sign that the book was very much enjoyed. I can’t wait to read more from Erin Baldwin!

3 1/4 stars rounded down! It was an enjoyable read but I think it could have just included more development.

This book has semi-rivals/who tolerate each other to lovers and camp nostalgia realness!

The problem I had with this book is that it is pretty clear that the rivalry is one-sided, and more like they just tolerate it better? I think the rivalry could have been more developed. Like Juliette are basically just like distant friends and tolerate each other, and Priya is perfect so she's kind of jealous of that? The hate Juliette has in her head seems unwarranted, and like it ruined her whole summer. I think the realization of love could have also been more developed, there was a lot of camp development but not as much relationship development, and it could have been swapped. Additionally, Juliette's home life was.... depressing af? It seemed like she had no friends and also her family was shitty - it just seemed kind of unrealistic??

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers.

An adorable enemies to lovers rom com with a really fun overall dynamic. I liked the way these people were enemies in the believable sort of way– not enemies for real, but more a general dislike and the idea that they like each other the least out of the friend group. This felt like relationships that I have had, and it gave me all the feelings!

A fun, engaging sapphic romance absolutely worth the read.

3.75⭐️

I really enjoyed Juliette as a protagonist and related to her feeling like she was always too intense. I felt the same way while I was in high school and also found it hard to make friends because of it. I wish I’d had a book with a character who felt like this when I was 16/17.

I did find it a little harder to connect with Priya but this could be due to the fact we weren’t in her perspective. I liked seeing how their relationship developed from dislike to friendly to crushes. Overall this was a really cute summer camp romance and I would definitely recommend to someone looking for a quick and fun read.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

Reading this after becoming the waterfront director of my old summer camp brought out all of my old camp memories (and all of my old camp crushes) I Wish You Weren’t Here was a wonderful story about finding yourself in the place you feel at home and learning that home doesn’t have to mean where you live or who you’re related to, home can be a person or a summer camp.

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0 ☆

i love a good summer romance so i went into this book with high expectations and it delivered.

injuring yourself doing something stupid that really shouldnt have injured you really spoke to me (i once broke my leg/ankle slipping in a puddle of water)

i really want another book or even just a bunch of bonus scenes of their lives after this camp, when they go to college, when they get the apartment, etc

we love the former gifted child vibe she gives except shes still gifted she got into fucking yale.

we love relationships where both people feel inferior and its only through eachother that they realize they're worth shit.

i waited way too long to write this review this is why i normally write them right after, before i can read another book. i had so much more to say but i forgot it.

I picked this book to read because I saw a reviewer say that it was 'filled with hate-to-love perfection' and that really drew me in. While I do agree that this book is excellent, I wouldn't say that it's a hate-to-love story. Or at least, not a true enemies-to-lovers, though the <i>idea</i> of enemy-to-lovers is there, I wouldn't call this a true enemy-to-lovers story.

Juliette Barrera-Wright is a character that feels very much like your typical high school age teenager, just on the cusp of adulthood but still holding on for dear like to the plausible deniability of childhood. I never attended a summer camp of any sort (I'm queer but unfortunately I'm not the outdoorsy type of queer) but this book made me wish that I had. The friendships that Juliette has with the camp regulars, both fellow campers and the staff, makes me long for those kind of relationships.

The relationship between Priya, the social media starlet that holds a yearly Priyatopia for her birthday, and Juliette is one that is a bit like a Sour Patch Kid - both sweet and sour, in a way that I found endearing. Like I said at the beginning, this isn't a true enemy-to-lovers story but one that feels like a safer version of that trope and I wasn't mad about that in the slightest.

There were times when things felt a bit unbelievable but never enough to pull me out of the story. It was a very cute story, one that almost made me wish I went to summer camp (I say almost because the bugs will always cause me to not wish for that).

I loved Juliette's growth throughout the book, it felt incredibly believable, and though the story felt like it ended abruptly, the epilogue did help to tie everything together.

I enjoyed this book a lot and it deserves the 4 stars that I'm giving it, especially if you enjoy slice-of-life queer teen books.