I am a huge fan of Leesa Cross-Smith and I was super excited for this book. Her love of all things Korea shines through in her writing! It's a very cute concept -- three American au pairs become friends and make wishes to improve their lives. What happens if their wishes come true? A sweet story of finding your way and making your own magic.

For me personally I prefer Leesa's books about older women -- I think she has such a special talent for writing middle-aged women. So I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as her previous books, since the characters are in their 20s.

As You Wish is absolutely heartfelt. A “coming of age” so to speak, with adult characters finding themselves riddled with self-reflection and longing for acceptance, family and most importantly, love. It really shows that no matter our age, where we are in life, or the world we thought we would live in, we are all still learning about life. And even in the darkest of times, we must be careful what we wish for.

The story follows three young women, Lydia, Jenny and Selene, as they grapple with their new life as au pairs (basically a live in nanny) for three different families in Seoul, South Korea. During a communal trip to Jeju Island, the three girls find themselves making a wish under a full moon at a very popular and famous waterfall. The next morning, they discover that their wishes have come true.

The three girls are each so relatable in their own way. Strangers turned friends really grasps the reality of how life is for foreigners in South Korea, and how the unlikely of people can become your best friend with a singular commonality. The bond between the three manifests into such a beautiful friendship, it had me thinking of my own friends I made in Seoul. Leesa’s writing is so delicate, I felt myself get teary eyed in some instances.

As an expat in Seoul, South Korea myself, I thought Leesa really captured the essence, atmosphere and culture of Seoul. The language and description she uses for the various places the girls travel to felt so real, especially for places I’ve been to myself. I must commend Leesa for building this world in such a way that made me feel like I was watching a movie.

However, while the writing style is excellent, the pacing could be better. There is a clear beginning, a subpar middle, and an ending that gave me whiplash. While I am a sucker for happy endings, everything gets resolved so fast that it ruined the ending for me. Also, the characters start off emotionally immature for women in their mid twenties, so I figured their character development would improve and show as the story progressed but I didn’t really feel natural growth.

Even with some shortcomings, As You Wish is such a nice read. If you’ve never been to Seoul, or know nothing about the Korean Culture and Korean pop culture, this is a great read to get a glimpse of what South Korea has to offer. I look forward to reading more from Leesa.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Tiny Reparations Books and Leesa Cross-Smith for sharing the Advanced Reader Copy of As You Wish in exchange for my honest review.

This book was such a heartfelt and thoughtful read! It perfectly captures the chaos and beauty of figuring out who you are and what you’re meant to do, especially in those messy younger years. The story is full of emotional depth and charm, making it an unforgettable read. I’m so glad I got to read an ARC, and I can’t wait to see it out in the world!

(( 3.75 stars ))

'As You Wish' is a heartwarming tale that beautifully weaves together themes of hope, friendship, and the power of appreciation. The story centers around a group of friends who end up with host families that are family friends, and through an unexpected series of events, make their wishes under a magical waterfall in Jeju Island. The author does a remarkable job of building a world where wishes are not just whimsical desires but integral parts of the characters' journeys, filled with emotional growth and self-realization. The magical realism present in the book adds a layer of wonder without overshadowing the deeper, relatable messages about life and relationships.

At its core, the book emphasizes the importance of true friendship. The bonds between the main characters feel genuine, with each individual bringing something unique to the table. As their wishes begin to materialize in surprising ways, they must also confront the complexities of what they truly want versus what they need. This aspect of the story encourages readers to reflect on their own desires and the role their friends play in helping them navigate life’s challenges. The friendships in the book are tested and strengthened, serving as a reminder of how vital supportive connections are in the pursuit of personal happiness.

Jenny was definitely my least favorite of the three, with Selene being my favorite. Jenny's story was definitely fun, but her relationship with Haru felt too quick and physical, which I didn't appreciate. Her immaturity nearing the end of the book got on my nerves a little, but it all turned out well in the end. Lydia's story was extremely heartwarming, and I love how she understood that not everyone needs to like her for herself to be considered a good person. And finally, Selene. She was a great person and her relationship with the "photographer" was so healthy and mature; I loved it !!

The host families were super sweet as well, and the children's dynamic was adorable to witness !! Overall, I'd probably read a book by this author again !!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review !

This book was so sweetly written and carefully wrapped with a bow on top for the ending. I found it to be a beautiful reminder of the messy journey that youth can be when we’re trying to find ourselves and our purpose. For those that like a beautiful K-drama, this book is for you! This project is heavily inspired by them and it shows through perfectly. Even if you’re not a fan of K-dramas or have yet to see one, I would recommend this story. I am excited to have read an ARC of it and can’t wait until it’s released!

**I would like to also note here that I will add a review to Fable if they will ever make the book available to review.

3.5 Stars (Rounded Up to 4)

This novel is a captivating exploration of friendship, identity, and the age-old adage "be careful what you wish for," set against the vibrant backdrop of South Korea. 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 was immediately drawn to the camaraderie and individual journeys of these women, whose bond is the heart of the story. Each character’s distinct arc brought depth to their collective experience, and I appreciated how their friendship evolved as they faced challenges and self-discovery.

One of the most engaging aspects of the book was its thoughtful incorporation of Korean culture and the characters' efforts to navigate life in a foreign country. The lush descriptions of the setting, foods, and traditions made the story immersive, while the philosophical undertones of the "what you wish for" theme added a reflective layer that resonated deeply.

That said, the execution faltered in a few areas. The characters' development felt rushed at times, with pivotal emotional growth and interactions coming across as abrupt or underexplored. Additionally, the dialogue didn’t always match the maturity of characters who are portrayed as being in their mid-twenties. This dissonance occasionally pulled me out of the narrative, making certain moments feel less authentic.

Despite these shortcomings, the novel’s whimsical tone and heartfelt message about friendship and self-acceptance carried it through. The idea that what the characters truly needed wasn’t tied to their wishes but rather to the strength of their bond with one another was beautifully executed.

Overall, while the pacing and characterization could have used more finesse, this book offers a delightful mix of magic, cultural exploration, and emotional growth. It’s a thoughtful and enjoyable read for anyone who appreciates stories about finding oneself in unexpected ways.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Tiny Reparations Books for sharing the arc copy of this heartfelt women's fiction with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

After reading this, I think I found another go-to author! I've always been interested in Korean culture and I really loved how this book explored it. The characters were well written and the story was really exciting and interesting the whole way through. I can definitely see this becoming a favorite among book clubs and those who enjoy a nice heartwarming story!

*An advanced digital copy was received from NetGalley in return for an honest review*

This book drew me in with its slice-of-life charm and found-family vibes. As a former expat in South Korea, I was especially excited to dive into this story, hoping it would capture the culture and experience authentically.

The story follows Lydia, Jenny, and Selene, three women who move to Seoul to work as au pairs. Each woman has her reasons for being in Korea, but they quickly form a strong bond. On a trip to Jeju Island, they make wishes under a full moon at a waterfall, only to discover their wishes have unexpected consequences. Lydia longs to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight, Jenny vows never to fall in love again, and Selene hopes to reconnect with her birth mother. As their wishes unfold, Jenny finds herself falling for her host mother’s younger brother, raising questions about whether the wishes are blessings or curses.

The idea of the story is very promising and intriguing to read. I felt that the trope of "careful what you wish for" was very entertaining to read, and really makes us as the reader question if what's happening is magic or not. Watching the characters’ wishes manifest was satisfying, but the pacing felt rushed, and I would have loved more time to explore each character’s journey. The trio’s dynamic was heartwarming, and the split perspectives gave depth to their backstories and individual growth.

The writing style is very detailed. I loved how the author would walk us through each scene and give us very detailed adjectives about what was happening. It felt super immersive and made me feel like a participant in the story.

One of the biggest reasons that I have for giving this book a 3 star rating is the writing style. It is a story about women that are in their mid twenties and I felt that a lot of the dialog and actions were juvenile and out of place. I personally wish the characters came across as more mature. Another factor that took me out of the story was when various Korean words were randomly included in the writing. The story would progress and the character would think of how to say something in Korean - where the author would then write it out. With some of the writing I also felt that it was romanticizing Korea a bit too much from the perspective of someone outside of the Korean culture. I myself am Korean, but I felt there were a few moments in the book that were a bit cringey to read.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read with an intriguing premise, strong found-family dynamics, and relatable characters. While it didn’t fully resonate with me, readers looking for a slice-of-life story with a touch of magic will likely find it worthwhile.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Really interesting look into the lives of au pairs and Korean culture. The author struck a great balance between explaining the different foods, traditions, etc. but without over explaining. It just flowed and definitely made me hungry, lol. The girls friendship seemed real and I liked the idea that what they wished for evolved in different ways. I received this as an ARC from Penguin Group Dutton via Netgalley.

This book was such a fun and interesting read!!! I loved learning more about the culture in Seoul and then being introduced to more k-pop songs/groups. Although a bit whimsical in areas, the story was lighthearted and still touched on some serious topics. Would love follow up story about the three girls to see where life leads them a year or so after the story ended!

This book was a great read. It is filled with love not only romantically but also platonically. Being able to see each characters point of view truly helped bring everything together.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for an advanced copy of this book! I looooved this one. It takes the "be careful what you wish for" game where wishes don't always work out how you want them to and adds in a really fun setting and group of characters. This one was definitely a fun, cozy read and I could see this being a very cute tv series like XO, Kitty. I love the Korean culture and K-Pop references, and enjoyed seeing some character development with the au pairs.

Selene, Lydia, and Jenny have their reasons for becoming au pairs in Seoul. The story follows the them as they discover more about the culture of South Korea, themselves and love. As You Wish is a sweet story of friendship and love. I found myself wanting to learn more about South Korea, K-Pop, and the FOOD. The Author includes playlists throughout the book, which, while I didn't indulge, was a fun way to bring audio into the story. Overall a great read, it took several chapters for me to get invested.

I really enjoyed reading this story! I know almost nothing about K-Pop and Korean culture, so it was really interesting for me to learn about it and see it in this novel. I also very much enjoyed getting to know each of the characters, and seeing how their relationship evolves.

this is perfect for a book club function because it was so cozy and cute! 4 stars!!!

I’m so thankful I got an ARC of this book. This is my first book I’ve read by Leesa Cross-Smith and I fell in love with how descriptive her writing is.
It’s a sweet and flirty read.
This story was so fun. I honestly would love to see it as a TV series.
I felt like I was in South Korean living my life along with Jenny, Serene and Lydia. It was so fun to follow their journey. All three girls are au pairs in Seoul. They go on a trip with the families and each make a wish - then something magical happens to all three. All three girls went to South Korea looking for something and that wish is just the starting point.
This book has so much drama and some twists I didn’t see coming. Especially with Serene’s story.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a great book!! It had me hooked from page one! I couldn’t put this down. I finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. This was a first for me by this author but it will not be my last!!

Grateful for an advanced copy from Penguin group. The story was beautifully written, I really enjoyed this read. If you're looking for a "feel good, happy ending" read, this one is for you. I love how the author really got the reader to understand and feel from each main character. I'm a sucker for a happy ending and although it did feel a bit rushed at the end, the beautiful history of Seoul was really evident in all of the pages. The author almost had me submitting an au-pair application lol all jokes aside, I would most definitely be reading more books from this author.

This is a phenomenal story! I loved the cast of characters and the setting and culture explored. It was interesting and exciting. I will be reading this again and think book clubs will adore it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.