I was really excited for this book because I absolutely loved This Close to Okay but this book fell kind of flat to me. I’m not really a big fan of multiple pov’s and the number of characters I had to remember was a little challenging. I don’t think the plot really did it for me but I was excited to delve into something new to me. I can tell the author really put thought into the concept, culture and characters story and I really appreciate that aspect. I think the pacing and the characters could have used more consideration. With all the being said I enjoyed the book and it lived up to its expectations.

As You Wish by Leesa Cross-Smith is a wonderful story about three young women who Au-pair in Seoul, South Korea. Each young woman has a personal journey they wish to accomplish while in Seoul: falling out of love with an ex, finding confidence in her art skills, and finding her birth mother. On a trip to Jeju Island, the girls make a wish that reroutes their journeys putting them steps closer to reaching their goals.
This is a wonderful book for all ages, but I feel like it will really resonate with older teens and young adults. The beautiful friendship between the girls is such an important part of the book, as if the power of the wish was always within themselves. Anyone would be lucky to have a friendship like Lydia, Jenny and Selene.
This book does a wonderful job of keeping the reader engaged with all three girls individual stories as we bounce between them. Cross-Smith also does a beautiful job in describing the beauty and lifestyle of South Korea, from different locations to the food it was very easy to immerse in the story like I was on this journey with the girls.
I loved the story, it read like a K-Drama! With its periods of calm before bigger plot points. I almost wish this story was either longer, or three different books to really get every detail from each individual character.

This was a cute story about three girls that are au pairs and South Korea for the summer and they make a wish’s. This follows them after the wish. I enjoyed the sisterhood threw out the story.

I enjoyed this one. I really loved the friendship between the three women. I also loved the self-discovery all of them went on. I did find some parts to be a little slow, but I overall found it enjoyable.

A very sweet book about friendship and hope. It is cozy, magical, comforting and healing. I thought the story was beautifully written and I felt like I was along the journey with the friends in South Korea.

i really enjoyed reading it, its now of my fav cozy reads filled with sisterhood, travelling and such a rich korean culture.

A cozy warm hug of a novel. Made me want to book a flight to Seoul immediately. A gorgeous setting, characters I rooted for and delicious Korean food descriptions. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for advanced copy.

"As You Wish" is an enjoyable and cute story. Lydia, Jenny, and Selene have come to South Korea to work as au pairs for three families who live in the same apartment complex and who are close friends. In addition to being au pairs, each young woman has something they want to accomplish -- Lydia is a talented young artist (and will be taking an art class while in Korea) who is seeking validation/admiration (but really she needs more self-confidence); Jenny is trying to get over a devastating breakup and is determined not to lose her heart to another guy (so of course her host mother has a handsome younger brother (Haru) who lives with them and quickly becomes a source of attraction and bed-sports); Selene is trying to find her birth mother. The three young women will each find love but not with facing challenges first.

One of the things I really liked about this book was the emphasis on Korean culture. The story is set in Seoul and focuses on Korean families and au pairs who are of Korean descent, so it makes sense that Korean culture, traditions, locations, music, etc. would be featured. However, instead of merely putting a Korean overlay on a romantic comedy, I felt like the author make a conscious effort to really explain and explore Korean culture and show an appreciation for Korean culture and traditions.

This was a fun story about friendship, self discovery, love and culture. I really loved hearing about all of the different Korean foods and wishing I could try each one. I think each character had their own interesting story and I liked learning more about them as the book went on. This one also had a touch of magical realism that I thought was a fun addition to the story. I did find the beginning of this book to be a bit slow and I wish that part had moved a bit faster but overall this was a pretty good read.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Tiny Reparations Books for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

New sisterhood of the traveling pants, perhaps. Cute and light.

As You Wish follows three American au pairs—Lydia, Jenny, and Selene—who travel to South Korea for a year, each seeking a fresh start. During a trip with their host families, they encounter a mystical waterfall said to grant wishes. While the premise suggests a strong magical element, the story primarily focuses on the personal growth and self-discovery of the three protagonists rather than fully exploring the fantasy aspect.

While I initially expected a more immersive supernatural storyline, the book instead leans into the characters’ emotional journeys as they navigate adulthood and the challenges of their new lives abroad.

At times, the characters’ behavior felt somewhat inconsistent with their ages, and certain moments made them seem younger than they were intended to be. However, by the end of the novel, they do show some growth and maturity.

Overall, As You Wish is a story of self-discovery, friendship, and love, set against the vibrant backdrop of South Korea. While the novel wasn’t quite what I expected in terms of its magical elements (it was of the key points for me to read). Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives about personal growth and new beginnings will like this book more than I did.

Leesa Cross-Smith’s *As You Wish* is a magical read that mixes romance, self-discovery, and a bit of enchantment. Set in the vibrant city of Seoul and the stunning Jeju Island, it follows three young women—Lydia, Jenny, and Selene—on a journey about their personal dreams and the bond of friendship.

The plot kicks off with a mystical waterfall that grants wishes, which turns Lydia into the center of attention, Jenny into someone tangled in a complicated romance she’s trying to avoid, and Selene closer to finding her birth mother. But as the story goes on, they realize that getting what they wanted isn’t always what they truly need.

Cross-Smith does a fantastic job creating relatable characters who deal with the ups and downs of young adulthood. The writing is full of sensory details—like the neon lights in Seoul and the salty air of Jeju—making it all feel really immersive.

While romance plays a big role, it’s really the growing friendship between the three women that steals the show, emphasizing that true magic comes from the connections we make and the lessons we learn. *As You Wish* is beautifully written and leaves a lasting impression, perfect for anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction with a sprinkle of magic and themes of friendship and self-acceptance.

A whimsical escape with a heart of gold, this book delivers a charming blend of romance, friendship, and a touch of magic. I loved watching each of these young women's journey of getting their desires in unexpected and often complicated ways. It's a lighthearted and enjoyable read that truly shows the enduring power of friendship and will warm your heart!

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. This is a wonderful book about, ultimately, friendship and identity. Three women become au pairs in Seoul, all with a personal goal: Lydia wishes to become the best version of herself, Jenny desires to move on from her ex, and Selene is in search of her biological mother. When the girls make a wish at a special waterfall, suddenly their dreams start to come true. Lydia is transformed, Jenny is in an entanglement with her host mother's brother, and Selene makes serious headway into finding her biological mother. However, things get a bit muddled along the way, and Jenny returns to the waterfall to reverse the wish.

I enjoyed the paths the three women took in this book; each was unique and brought with it character growth that was meaningful. I really enjoyed how each character was strong on her own, but also blended well as a group - it was very obvious that within the group, the women were also amplified. I also thoroughly enjoyed the culture in this book, with South Korea/Seoul not always featuring prominently as settings; the author did a great job of incorporating the city and making it its own character. Add in the dose of magic, and this is a great read for a nice spring or summer weekend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton/Tiny Reparations Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about three American girls in their mid twenties that become au pairs for three families in Korea. It's a book about finding their way in the world and growing to learn more about themselves.

I thought the plot was unique. I loved learning a bit more about the culture of the area and reminiscing on aspects of being in your 20s and feeling lost in the world. I did, however, feel as though a lot of the conversation and reactions were a bit juvenile. It read more like a YA book than an adult book for most of it. I also didn't love the third person point of view with a few conversations shared word for word. I would have preferred more dialogue to make it feel like you were a part of the story instead of feeling like it was being narrated. It felt a bit slow towards the middle and felt like a rushed wrap up. It is a lighter read though and some of the themes were fun to watch develop! I did still enjoy it as a light read and loved the aspect of friendships that were showcased!

The story follows Lydia, Jenny, and Selene, three au pairs whose lives take unexpected turns after they make magical wishes during a trip to Jeju Island. I appreciated how their friendship evolved as they faced challenges and self-discovery. I love all the aspects of Korean culture (setting, food, traditions and even different phrases) that were incorporated into this book. I feel that the characters had a very stagnant development and at the very end seemed duper rushed and abrupt. Another thing that I noticed is that while reading this book I felt that the 3 MCs felt more like high school age in their maturity and how they were portrayed then them being in their mid to late twenties. I felt that I really enjoyed the beginning and getting to know each MC but once I felt that the story should be flowing it just seemed a little more stagnant.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

As You Wish
By: Leesa Cross-Smith

This is the first novel I’ve read by Leesa and I loved it. Right from the start I knew I was going to like this book. This book was so cute and cozy. I just so warm inside while reading this book. It was beautifully written.

Three girls end up being au pairs in Seoul. When they all go on a combined family vacation, the girls go to an enchanted waterfall and make a wish under a full moon. Overnight, everything changes. It’s true when they say, be careful what you wish for.

I’m half korean but I still loved getting to learn about Korean culture. There was actually a lot I didn’t know.

I loved all of the characters and their stories. I just wanted all there wishes to come true! I also loved their friendship!

I can’t wait to read more of Leesa’s books! Thank you so much NetGalley, Leesa and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the eARC! I loved this book so much. I will be purchasing a physical copy once it’s available!

Publication Date: June 24 2025
Rating: 💫💫💫💫💫

#AsYouWish #NetGalley

As you wish is a story about three young women who move to Korea to become Au Pair for different families but end up as friends. All three make a wish together for different things which leaves them wondering whether or not the wishes are coming tru.

This is a cute story well written but really not my personal taste I am really not a fan of each chapter being a different characters point of view, it really takes me out of the whole story and makes my brain register that I’m reading which kills the whole mood of the story for me.

That being said I still think it’s a good story and worth picking up just not my personal cup of tea.

Thank you Netgalley PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Tiny Reparations Books for the arc

A sweet story about finding friends, love, and yourself. Be prepared to be hungry after reading all the delicious food descriptions

As You Wish by Leesa Cross-Smith. This was a fun and immersive read. I love books that allow me to do some arm-chair traveling, and this novel delivered on that front. I especially enjoyed the glimpses into Korean culture and cuisine.

Lydia, Jenny, and Selene are the main characters in this story. The three au pairs meet when their host families introduce them, and with all being in their mid-20's they become fast friends. The three make a wish on a full moon, and what ensues is quite the drama! The author does a good job of giving them all unique personality traits. While this book is told in 3 different perspectives, at no time was I confused about which character was the lead for the chapter. Selene was by far my favorite of the three, and I felt like her story arc was the most meaningful.

The supporting cast of characters really made this story. The easy friendship between all 3 au pairs and the relationships they had with their host families was alternately entertaining and comforting.

I appreciated that the author included several K-pop music lists to accompany your reading experience, as well as the extensive list of tv shows and movies listed in the afterword.

4/5 stars. This was a little too soap-opera like for my tastes, but I probably should've expected that since it's somewhat inspired by Korean dramas. Overall a fun look into Korean society and customs, where everything wraps up with a happy conclusion for all.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.