I unfortunately had to DNF this book at about 38%. I was just not drawn into the story as I was hoping that I would be. I have been in a bit of a reading slump though, so I think I am going to try to give it a shot when I am out of it. It's got a great premise, I just don't think I was in the right mindset.

This was a not a book with a novel idea, but it was done well, nonetheless. I especially enjoyed the Korea setting and definitely plan to look into a few of the K-dramas mentioned. I didn't connect as much with the characters but think it has more to do with my age. They were well written with typical early 20s issues trying to navigate a new country & find their place there as well as in life. Overall, a good message about being careful what you wish for & a solid 4 star read.

This book was such a cute, feel good read! It made me want to try watching K-Dramas. I loved the story of the girls’ friendship but also love love loved the romance elements

I’m not sure how to rate this one. On one hand, it’s a lighthearted, heartwarming novel about three au-pairs in Seoul who become friends, and navigate life together. It’s cozy and I enjoyed it for that. But the writing also felt strangely wooden. It’s hard to put my finger on it…. Everything was too crisp and clear. I’m not really talking about the plot which was certainly predictable, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing (it makes it cozier!). But the way the characters spoke just felt off, and very surface level. Like no one would actually think or act that way! It felt very much like a YA novel. I can’t really recommend it, though I did appreciate the K-Drama recommendations at the end!

The idea - great, fresh and exciting. The plot - pretty good, I enjoyed the plot twists and development. Execution - not so great... To the point where I wished to finish as soon as possible. I didn't expect 360 pages to be stretched for so long.
All in all, I finally felt like the novel started getting better by the end. I particularly enjoyed the "happily ever after" ending, I feel like the characters deserved a happy resolution to all their struggles. The book still had some weird moments but the style was becoming much more enjoyable in the last third and seemed to be more confident so to say.
Now some of the *not so great* details.
I prefer the book to have more descriptions of how the characters feel, rather than pointing out to every their move or dry depictions of the surroundings (which are, unfortunately, the vibes that this book was giving me). Every chapter I was hoping to find more expressive way of presenting the characters but it was really hard to connect with them even half way through the book exactly due to the lack of depth when it comes to feelings and emotions. I'd care much more about exploring the depth of personal experience and drama than about what they are wearing or in what colors their nails were done.
The writing style also seems a bit off. I'm not squeamish and I read books with trigger warnings, but some moments in As You Wish were just awkward, almost like they don't belong. For example, a dimple Lydia's host (male) that "tempted her to stick her finger into it." Just a bit off. Same with simplified sentences, like "everything was delicious, and Lydia wanted more", "he had really great ears" or "when she emerged," referring to the character leaving the shopping mall, or "anger stewed in her heart like tomatoes". Nothing wrong with using specific words but reading those leaves a weird "aftertaste" in my mind.
Maybe it's just me but it feels hard getting into the characters when the book is written in third person. Separate chapters for each character helps, but not as much as first person point of view, which usually helps me bond with the main characters even more.
Chapter 2: "let's try to be normal" paragraph did not pass the vibe, I'd never say something like this to a person I just met a day ago in real life. And "their thumbs kissed"? Huh?
I'd say I enjoyed the story, even though it was quite a slow burn. However, it just didn't click.
Another moment to note is that I assume this book is presented as YA, so it explains a bit as to why it felt too slow paced, sometimes boring, and not for my personal preference. Especially, the sex scenes that felt awkward and like they didn't belong. So if it's really YA, they should be removed. Otherwise, the author should step up the game to make them seem more aesthetic and pleasant to read. As an example, it doesn't feel right to put a phrase like she "loved spreading her legs for" him when they're talking about how intimate and emotional their experience was. Meanwhile, the "his mouth tasted like a beery steamed bun" is the opposite of hot and sexy - the way that scene was supposed to be.
I also realized that I wasn't a fan of how much the girls were drinking, especially Lydia. At the point when she finally kissed the guy she liked, she had been drunk every time they were hanging out together. As someone who's been sober for 5 years now, I don't appreciate normalizing social drinking and drinking on every single occasion or even without it. It seems unnecessary and unhealthy.

Very cute and beautiful friendship story, The author had good lessons involved
I deff would have picked up a book like this when I was in my young adult years!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

As You Wish had a fun premise—three American au pairs in Seoul, a magical wish, and the promise of self-discovery—but it didn’t quite stick the landing. The shifting POVs made it hard to stay invested, and the characters started to blend together. The magical element felt underused, more like a gimmick than a meaningful part of the story. Romance took center stage, which sidelined the more interesting arcs about identity, healing, and friendship. The third-act conflict was frustrating and immature, and while the ending wrapped things up neatly, it didn’t leave much impact.

This was a cute read! I enjoyed getting to know the characters, although at times there was too much POV switching.

This was such a cool concept and I think this would have done really well as a series rather than trying to fit 3 stories into one book. I felt like the plot had to be fast-paced to get the story in but it took away from the character development. We weren't fully given reasons to care about one character before we were jumping into another's POV. Overall, cool concept and great setting.

Three very different young women arrive in Seoul, South Korea to begin working at Au pairs to 3 families connected by long time friendships. Lydia is a talent painter but lacks life experience and self-confidence, Jenny is a California girl who was recently blindsided by the breakup of her 2 year relationship, and Solene is an influencer who was adopted from Korea after being abandoned in Seoul as an infant. These 3 bond over their desire for something different and love of K-pop and K-dramas. They each make wishes under a full moon at a mystical waterfall said to have the power to grant them. Solene wishes to find her birth mother, Lydia wants to be known in the world, and Jenny wishes to never fall in love again to be so badly hurt. The experiences that they have separately and together are fun, poignant, sexy and make you want to visit Seoul soon. I thoroughly enjoyed each of their stories..

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Reading the description of this book it sounded like a cute story. However, once I started reading it, I just couldn't get into the story. It felt a little bit too YA and just overall too young. The characters are in the mid-20s which sounded fine but in reality I just couldn't connect. Unfortunately this is a DNF for me.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of ‘As You Wish’ in exchange for a review.

I flew through the first 40% of this book (literally and figuratively, since I read it on a plane). After that, it started to fall flat. I felt a lot of story building happened early and then grew stagnant. I guess I’d call that an execution issue.

The third act friendship issue really irked me. It was so childish and came down to a lack of communication, which always bothers me. The girls started to get really annoying as well.

While each character had their own storyline, I also didn’t like that all 3 were falling in love at the same time. It overshadowed other, more important stories of growth that took a backseat.

I did like the way the author wrapped up the ending, though.

Overall…meh.

A feel good, coming-of-age novel about three American au pairs who take once in a lifetime jobs in Seoul in an attempt to jump starting their stagnant lives. The trio finds themselves making wishes at an enchanted waterfall under a full moon in the hopes of making their most heartfelt dreams a reality. But as the old adage goes…be careful what you wish for.

While the writing in this novel wasn’t quite as eloquent as I’ve come to expect from Cross Smith, it was nonetheless meaningful and sensual. The three au pairs, Lydia, Jenny, and Selene could be juvenile and vapid at times but displayed significant growth throughout the novel as they navigated the challenges of work, school, friendships, and romantic relationships. The real stars of the story are the stunning and vivid descriptions of South Korean life from food to music to cultural traditions; come for the romance, stay for the cultural enrichment. This sugary sweet read pairs well with a pretty ribbon in your hair, a shot of soju, and spicy kimchi.

Selene, Jenny, and Lydia all figure that being au-pairs in Seoul is a crazy opportunity that they cannot pass up. And as all three girls are having difficulties in their day-to-day lives, it seems to be the perfect distraction. The girls come upon a magical waterfall that's said to grant wishes, and think nothing of it until their wishes begin to come true. Selene, hoping to find a lead on her birth mother, is getting just that with the help of a new friend. Jenny is determined to get some her-time after a disasterous break-up, but ends up finding a fun fliing in her host-mom's brother. Lydia, wanting to become popular, is suddenly desired by all- except the one she wants attention from. Everything is going great, until the girls realize that not everything is perfect. Will returning to the waterfall to wish away their wishes be the right thing to do?

This book was so cute! Really enjoyed reading it, had a lot of fun trying to figure out what would happen next. The girls had some great character arcs, and I wish there was more to read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Penguin Group Dutton, and Tiny Reparations Books for the eARC! Projected publishing date: June 24th, 2025

3.5 stars but rounded down. I rounded down due to writing style. I found myself wishing that the characters were written more mature.

Thank you net galley.

As You Wish by Leesa Cross-Smith is a contemporary romance set in the vibrant and culturally rich backdrop of Seoul, South Korea. The story centers around three women in their mid-twenties who have traveled to Korea to work as au pairs for three interconnected families. These families, being close friends, embark on a joint vacation to the picturesque Jeju Island, bringing along the au pairs and their children.

While on the island, the au pairs visit a supposedly magical waterfall under a full moon, making a heartfelt wish. As the narrative unfolds, the three women experience personal growth, building deep friendships and romantic relationships. This leads them to question the wishes they made that night. The book beautifully explores themes of love, friendship, and the journey of self-discovery.

The misunderstandings in the story added to the K-drama atmosphere the book. The novel is interspersed with playlists featuring popular K-pop artists and songs which are fun to explore.

Thank you NetGalley and Tiny Reparations Books for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

I really enjoyed this read! Lydia, Selene and Jenny had such unique stories and personalities that were so interesting to watch coexist and stand the tests of friendship and adult dynamics through their own experiences and “the wish” aspect.
I really enjoyed the culture of Seoul and how each girl adapted to life there as an au pair. I’ve never really given that much thought so it was really interesting to see how someone in that profession would work!

Three young women, Lydia, Jenny and Selene head to Seoul to work as au pairs. As the amilies have a close
friendship, the three become friends. When the three make a trip to Jeju Island, they each make a wish at the
moonlit waterfall. Their lives change, as their wishes seem to have come true. Bonds between the three remain
strong until one wants to undo the wishes.The three discover what they truly want as they meet the challenges life
has to offer while exploring Korean culture.
#AsYouWish #PenguinGroupDutton #NetGalley

I received a free copy of, As You Wish, by Leesa Cross-Smith, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Selene, Jenny, and Lydia are au pairing in Seoul, for different reasons. I thought this was a nice, read.

As You Wish is a breezy read about three young women who take au pair positions in South Korea.

I would say that this book is about friendship, finding love, finding yourself through travel and new friends. The relationships that these women build with one another and others in Korea were an accurate representation of being in your early 20s. Lots of misunderstanding that could have been avoided by simply talking to one another.

While I am probably not the target audience for this book, I enjoyed reading it. It was entertaining. I had not heard of almost all of the songs or k-pop artists listed in the various playlists in the book but if you like k-pop or k-dramas you will love these references.

Spice level 2/5.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Tiny Reparations Books, the author, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC for the purpose of review.