Member Reviews
Adorable and perfect Christmas read. Arden has a reputation in Hollywood that needs to be changed. What better way than fake dating your ex best friend for a cosmo article?! They agree to go on the 12 dates of Christmas and Caroline will write an article about it to help Arden’s rep. This book is so cozy and fun!
Make My Wish Come True was a great holiday fluffy read. Fake dating isn't my favourite trope, but I liked how Aren and Caroline both had reasons to go along with it. Their age made it feel unbelievable though and I think. that it would have been stronger if they were in their early 20's. Especially with the drinking scene, a small business bar shouldn't be serving underage. The consequences are too big to risk it, even if it's family. Had they spiked their hot cocoa on their own during a date or something that would've been fine.
This was the perfect little YA holiday romcom. It was very sweet and fun, and full of likable characters. It was pretty buttoned up for a romantic story with the focus definitely being the emotional journeys of the main characters, and it felt refreshing to read a YA romance that really felt like it was written for a teen audience. The conversation around being Jewish in a town that has historically been all about Christmas felt really authentic, and I loved the way this was eventually rectified in the end. I also love that it was written by two wives, and that Rachael Lippincott if part of the KidLit4Ceasefire movement. All in all, this was super cute and I'd recommend it to anyone trying to stifle their inner Scrooge for a few hours.
What a cozy little holiday read. High school me would have ate this book up. At times, it felt a little rushed like the plot should have been flushed out a lot more. However, I would recommend this book without hesitation to the queer group I mentor.
This was an ok read for me. I liked the characters and the premise, but it was just not as captivating for me as I was hoping it would be. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
I switched my phone over and lost my notes on this :(
There wasn't anything wrong when it came to the writing, but it never really grabbed my attention. I do think there were some really cute winter date scenes but that's kinda all.
I think the plotline would've worked better with characters that were a bit aged up. It was just hard to believe the backstory of the one character would've all happened when she was 14. I get the industry is fucked up, but I just couldn't get into it.
Okay also was just reminded of a scene where their older brothers serve them alcohol in public at the business they own- dumb as fuck. I don't mind having underage characters drink in booms because it is realistic, but to encourage adult figures supplying them with it and not showing that it's bad? Nope
There are a few authors that I get excited for when I see they have a new book coming out, and both Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick fall into that category. I'm always a sucker for a sapphic romance, and this one lived up to my expectations. It was cozy, with the perfect amount of angst and fluff. I read it all in one sitting because I just could. not. stop!
Make My Wish Come True had me sold with it taking place around Christmas and fake dating! While reading this book I really felt like it could be a Hallmark Christmas movie. I read this book in one sitting and it left me with a smile on my face. I knew how it would end from the start, but that's the best thing about holiday books like these.
I have to start off by saying I really appreciated that this book was written in dual POV. I feel like having both Caroline and Arden's POV really helped me get to know and understand both characters. Arden's acting career has taken off, but she's not sure it's everything she wants anymore. Finally finding a role that speaks to her, it's time to change the image that everyone has of her as a party girl. Caroline is still missing her best friend who just seemed to disappear once she headed to Hollywood. It's her senior year and she's getting her journalism portfolio ready. Needless to say she isn't expecting her former best friend to come back and ask her to fake date.
Having these characters get to know each other again is so heartwarming when you add some holiday activities and things they used to do together. I loved the questions Caroline thought of to ask Arden for the article she'd be writing. I couldn't help but smile and hope these two would find their way back to each other. Make My Wish Come True had all of the heartwarming elements I expect in stories like these. I don't want to tell you too much, because I do feel like you need to experience them for yourself.
I will say that this book also had amazing side characters. Caroline's best friends were amazing, but Arden's grandmother really stole the show. The small town vibes this book gives and it's love of Christmas was so much fun. I also appreciated the mention of Hanukkah and holidays for people who aren't religious. If this small town was real, I would visit it in a heartbeat. I would love if this author duo gave us more holiday stories.
My review will also be posted on https://thebookdutchesses.com on December 5th.
This was a very enjoyable holiday book. I liked the representation, especially including Jewish characters in this small town obsessed with Christmas. I also enjoyed both characters and their "fake dates" together.
I did think the ending was a little bit rushed and I would've enjoyed some flashbacks or deeper looks into their initial friendship. Overall though I recommend this to fans of YA, and I will continue to read books by this author/wife duo!
A sapphic YA holiday romance perfect for fans of Hallmark movies!
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Infamous Hollywood teen actress Arden James has a reputation as a party girl, but when she can’t land her dream role because of it, she decides to head back to her hometown to prove to the director that she’s a small-town girl at heart with a serious girlfriend back home. Caroline Beckett hasn’t seen her former best friend, Arden, since she left almost four years ago to chase stardom. Now she’s back and asking for a huge favor: fake date her for twelve days and Caroline can write an article about it since her aspirations are in journalism. What happens when you put two former friends and long-time crushes together at the most wonderful time of the year?
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Loved. Loved, loved, loved this YA romance. It had not only Christmas representation, but also Hanukkah as well. Tropes include: holiday romance, fake dating and childhood friends I love that this was written by wives Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick.
CW: alcohol, parental abandonment, drug use
MAKE MY WISH COME TRUE - Rachael Lippincott
Young LGBTQ Love - 4 stars
Plot - 4 stars - Teen actor Arden James' messy reputation becomes a problem when a director won't give her a role because of her party-girl image. So she and her publicist plan a rustic homecoming trip, with photos. When Arden turns up on her old friend's doorstep and promises her an article in Cosmopolitan magazine if she'll pretend to be her girlfriend, Caroline agrees to play along. But when old feelings start to bubble up, what will fall faster – Arden and Caroline or the Christmas Eve snow?
Writing - 4 stars - I was caught up in this story right from the beginning. It is written in a casual style that was easy to read. The characters were caring and loving, definitely sounding like they'd be fun to hang around with.
Characters - 4.5 stars - This is where the story shone for me. Arden starts out as the poor little rich girl, struggling with fame and fortune, finally beginning to realize what she wants and what she has sacrificed for her success. Caroline has been happy in her hometown, but when Arden returns, she comes face to face with the realization that she has missed Arden more than she thought. She's strong and intelligent, but she shows her vulnerability to Arden's behavior. Secondary characters of Edie (Arden's grandmother), Caroline's family, and Caroline's high school friends added more dimension to the book and allowed us to get to know the main characters better.
Title - 4 stars - Both main characters have their dearest wishes in sight (Arden's movie and Caroline's article), but neither is sure if it will come true because they're both dependent on the other's cooperation. Plus will the granting of their wishes end up being what they really want?
Cover - 3.5 stars - I'm not a big fan of the current trend in cartoony covers, but this one does show the main characters and the setting of a holiday-themed small town.
Overall - 4 stars - Although I usually prefer a heterosexual romance, this story caught my attention right from the first page. The characters are charming--vulnerable yet friendly--and I felt that they were very approachable. It was eye-opening to see behind the scenes of a famous and trending lifestyle like Arden's. It was the best of both worlds when she slipped back into her hometown--she got to spend time with loved ones and remember how it felt when she was younger, plus the town's holiday celebrations of today benefited from her celebrity. I enjoyed watching Arden and Caroline rekindle their love, and it was funny that everyone else could see it so clearly when they couldn't. I liked that the author wrote about such warm small-town holiday activities. It was a nice way to build up through the holiday season as well as describe the Christmas-y setting. This is a nice feel-good book for the holiday season.
Lesbian romances aren't really my thing, but I thought I'd give it a go because I have enjoyed other books by Rachael Lippincott. I'm glad I did--tt was actually pretty cute, and not over the top in the romantic actions which I very much appreciated. This is definitely YA, the girls are still figuring out who they are and what matters to them, and the parental figures aren't all loving and supportive. One part that I felt left the reader hanging was Arden's parents. I wanted more of a resolution with that plotline. Overall this is a solid choice for a cozy holiday read.
'Make My Wish Come True' was the sapphic holiday romance of my DREAMS.
After not loving 'she gets the girl' as much as I hoped I was a little apprehensive of going into this one but I had absolutely no reason to be. Its got celeb romance, its got small town holiday traditions, its got fake dates, its got a wonderful romance, great atmosphere and was everything you will need this holiday season. It's written by two seasoned writers, who are in LOVE and who share that love with you on every single page. If they want to make a holiday romance every year, I will be eating it up.
Sit back, grab a mug of hot cocoa, put on the fairy lights and read this story. You'll have the best time of your life.
I love Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick and this book did not disappoint. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
Thank you netgalley for an ARC of Make My Wish Come True.
I won’t say that all holiday novels are the same because every story was different but this does feel like the class fake dating, ex best friends to lovers story. It feels like a holiday novel.
There were aspects of this story I really enjoyed. Caroline’s family dynamics for one. I loved her family and their relationship with Arden. I also liked seeing Arden vs Arden James. My favorite thing had to be the holiday representation for people who celebrate different days.
Overall its a fun read but it just did just remind me of most the Holiday novels ive read before.
I do think that the ending was super fast however.
This book was such a delight! Such a classic city-girl-returns-to-small-town Christmas romcom, but Rachael and Alyson have put a spin on the trope that made it feel wholly new and exciting. I was so engrossed that I was confused when I looked up and didn't see any snow or fairy lights around me. A wonderful love story and a perfect treat for the holidays.
This was a super cute story about discovering who you are, what you want, and the lengths you'll go to be yourself. I thought the relationship between Caroline and Arden was adorable and really enjoyed the small town setting and the characters that made up the town. My one nitpick would be that Caroline and Arden acted in ways that felt older than they were supposed to be and I sometimes had a hard time believing they were only 18. Otherwise, this was a sweet, charming holiday romance.
1 Sentence Summary: Famous teen actor Arden James’s messy reputation is threatening her ability to land her dream role, so with a plan from her agent to rehabilitate her image, she goes back to her small town home for the first time in four years to fake date her childhood best friend Caroline, who never got over Arden leaving and now wants nothing to do with her.
My Thoughts: So yes it was a little cheesy, but it’s a Christmas romance! Cheesiness is expected! It was fun and festive and overall lighthearted yet with some more serious moments intertwined.
I really liked the deeper topics that were explored, and in fact even wished they had been fleshed out a bit more. I loved the explorations of the struggles of child/teen celebrities, as well as the need for inclusion of Jewish and other non-Christian faiths during the holiday season.
The characters were likable, the romance was sweet, and I really want some salted caramel hot chocolate now.
(Also, this would be such a good movie.)
Recommend to: Fans of holiday romance and fake dating trope!
(Warnings: swearing; underage drinking; implied sexual content; child abandonment)
As an avid supporter of Hallmark movies AND the authors’ previous works, I KNEW I was going to love this one. There was no ifs ands or buts about it, this was going to be one of my faves. And sure enough, I was right. Definitely reminded me of my favorite types of movies.
So many Hallmark movies are all the same. Big time exec comes to this place that he’s never been or comes back home to a small town and meets a local. And from here they fall in love. All with a winter holiday background. For me, this is a type of comfort. So imagine how hopeless I was when I started reading this book. It was everything that I wanted, except they were teens. I loved the spin she put on it too as to why she moved lol They’re teens so she couldn’t exactly be big time execs lol But I thought it was funny how she made it back to her. And then to add fake dating to it too? We all know how that ends up for me. This was such a comfort read. I really hope to read more like it later this holiday season.
The romance was also pretty cute. I know y’all be hating on friends to lovers, but they are friends to enemies to lovers, so there’s a little something there for everyone. But it was definitely cute. I mean THE DATES THEY WENT ON?! The cutest ever. The Christmas tree? And the hot chocolate contest tasting? I’m 36 and I haven’t had anyone do anything like that for me ever. This was super cute and I loved it. However, I DID feel bad about that other chick. I personally don’t think she needed to be in there. She was really there for no reason, other than to get hurt. They made a love triangle when one didn’t have to happen and I just didn’t care for that.
This was a super cute YA holiday comfort read that I can’t get enough of. I really hope there are more cozy holiday books coming out this year that are just like this. Why did I say coming out this year? Because trust and believe I read the ones that are already out that I’ve seen or heard about. I’m a sucker for a cutesy romance and I gobble them up like they’re candy.
Although pretty unrealistic, this is a fun rom-com holiday story with enjoyable characters - perfect for someone who wants to get lost in the magic of the holiday season.