Wow! I HIGHLY enjoyed this arc! The slow burn love was perfectly timed- I didn't feel as if it was too slow or too fast. This was also the first book that I've read where the main characters are neurodivergent- there is accuracy in terms of behavior/stims. The overall story was smooth, and flowed together.

This was very cute! The characters were sweet. It helps that You’ve Got Mail is my favorite movie. :) I enjoyed the sweet story, and will definitely recommend

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were relatable, the plot was interesting, and the story was great! I would definitely recommend!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book - beautifully written, wonderful characters, a love story you can’t help but root for. Highly recommending this to everyone - an important story to read!

This book stands out for its honest, refreshing portrayal of an autistic main character, something you don’t see often, especially in a romantic comedy. Allegra is a teen actress trying to escape the pressure of sudden fame, and her voice feels real and relatable. The setting, a cozy lakeside book festival, adds charm while the rivals to lovers dynamic with Jonah brings plenty of tension and heart. I loved the email exchanges with her mystery pen pal, which added a sweet, nostalgic You’ve Got Mail vibe. It’s a thoughtful, fun read with real emotional depth and a perspective that deserves more space in fiction.

This was a really sweet coming of age romance. Allegra is a true superstar, confident, kind, true to herself, and an overall super fun character to be in the POV of. Jonah is the sweetest under his initial grumpy veneer, and the perfect “I’d do anything just to see her smile” kind of boyfriend, which was so endearing and adorable. Outside of the romance, the focus of the book lies on what fame can do to young lives and how unwelcoming society as a whole can be to neurodivergent minds.

The book did leave me wanting a little, however. The strange tension between Allegra’s dad and Jonah didn’t feel fully explained. It had the potential to be an exciting plot point, but the reveal felt pretty underwhelming and didn’t do George any favors. I also found myself wanting more buildup to Allegra and Jonah’s reconnection, and while I know she was sick during it, it felt a little too hazy and non-intentional, and intention is something I would have loved to see from her at that point in the book.

Two things: First, the nighttime bookshop scene had me omg-ing in the margins. And second, Jasper Montgomery has my heart. She’s the perfect big sister character who acts as a much-needed guide throughout the latter half of the book. I also just discovered she has her own story, in Some Like It Cold, and reading more Jasper sounds like such a treat!

Wish You Were Her was such a great read! It follows Allegra, an 18 year old actress who is taking a summer off of fame and acting to live in a small town and work at her father's bookstore. Allegra meets some friends and co-workers at the bookstore and has to navigate social relationships while being incredibly famous.

The autism representation in Wish You Were Her was so well done!! I so appreciated how it was part of everything Allegra did (because it is!!) - that mask sliding into place and the toll it can take not just mentally but physically as well. As a reader I could feel her visceral discomfort in certain situations. It's truly different from a neurotypical experience.

Jonah is a quiet, broody character and has a soft side that comes out only when he is comfortable. I loved his character and how much more we got to see of him as the storyline progressed. The quiet observations he made of Allegra were everything. I love him.

A truly tender and heartwarming read. Thank you Wednesday Books and Elle McNicol for the advanced review copy.

Review 9/10🦋 This book was so cute! I absolutely loved it.

I’ve read a handful of books by Elle McNicoll and while I love the middle grade reads I couldn’t get into the YA book I previously tried so I was a bit hesitant about this one. However the plot seemed like more my kind of story and I ending up loving the characters a lot more!

This story follows a famous young woman named Allegra as she decides to spends her summer helping her dad’s bookshop with their upcoming book festival. She needs a break from celebrity/working and hopes to find it in the small town her dad lives. But what she finds instead is a cute and grumpy bookseller who seems to be the only one not star struck by her. Obviously some (slow burn) romance ensues💗

I absolutely LOVED the double autistic representation in this one, both MCs were autistic and it was so well done. I adored Allegra and Jonah. The book is YA (I would technically say new adult) but I found the characters to be very mature and often kept being surprised they weren’t in their mid 20s.

The town this book takes place in is the same one from the first YA by this author I read (Some Like it Cold) so there were some crossover characters which was fun! I overall enjoyed the town and people in it a lot more in this book. I like when authors write book in the same setting. It’s enjoyable to see the world fill out as you get to know everyone various areas more deeply.

Overall this was a joy to read, highly recommend to romance readers🥹🥰

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for a copy of this book!

P.S. I can’t believe I caught this picture with the most beautiful butterfly during my visit to the butterfly garden this weekend😍🦋

P.S.S. This song is made for Allegra and Jonah🥹 I’ve always liked it but I recently heard it on my shuffle while I was reading this book and it fit so perfectly! You must listen and if you love it read this book! Or if you love the book check out the song☺️

This is how you do representation! I absolutely loved this book with nods to Notting Hill and You've Got Mail, while making its own mark with likeable, flawed characters who felt like just the right amount of young & adult. I absolutely loved this one that showed so many parts of being autistic along with a beautiful love story, plus lots of books!

This was a new author to me and I enjoyed this fun, sweet read! I enjoyed the dynamic of them and how they matched each other perfectly. All in all a amazing read! Enjoyed and would read more from this author.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book captured my heart in every way I didn’t expect. The way Elle McNicoll writes is tender and genuine, making every moment between Allegra and Jonah feel so real and alive. I loved how the story embraced Allegra’s autism not as a hurdle but as a beautiful part of who she is. It made the romance even more meaningful because it wasn’t about changing or hiding, it was about finding someone who sees you completely and still chooses you. I adored how the story explored the desire for normalcy and the courage it takes to be vulnerable when you’re used to keeping walls up. I found myself laughing, feeling tender, and rooting for them every step of the way. The writing style is warm and inviting, making it impossible to put down. The romance gave me all the feels with its mix of sweet, funny, and honest moment. I can’t recommend this enough for anyone who craves a love story that feels fresh, real, and deeply heartfelt.

Welcome back to Lake Pristine! Wish You Were Her is another 5 star read by Elle McNicoll. This is a beautifully written love story with very real and relatable characters! Must read.