"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.

This ARC has been on my TBR for a while and I wanted to check it off my list. This was my first book I’ve read by Leesa Cross-Smith.

The book is about 3 American girls who travel to Korea to become au pairs to three different families who are friends and live in the same building. They spend a lot of time together.

Lydia comes with low self esteem and lacks experience with dating. Jenny left to Korea after her boyfriend of three years broke things off. Selene is on a mission to find her birth mom. The girls all make a wish to help them overcome these obstacles.

This book was written in the third person which I’m not a huge fan of. Also, each chapter rotated between the girls, but I didn’t really enjoy it that much. I felt like something good just happened and then the chapters ends and goes to the next girl. It was hard to get into, but about halfway through I was invested and needed to see it through.

As You Wish is such a dreamy, atmospheric read—Leesa Cross-Smith has a way of making every scene feel intimate and immersive. The story is filled with longing, second chances, and that bittersweet mix of love and heartbreak. The writing is lyrical and poetic, though at times, I wanted a little more depth in the plot. Still, the emotions hit just right, and I found myself lost in the beauty of it all. If you love a book that feels like a warm, nostalgic daydream, this one’s for you. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This is so engrossing even though I don't have a passion for K-pop or K-dramas. It features the POVs of 3 American au pairs in Seoul, and each has a sweet romance story (I LOVE LOVE LOVE Haru and Joon). While this book is categorized as romance & fantasy, I think it's more women's fiction. The "magic" within the story are the wishes the three women make, and it's left up for interpretation as to whether the magic of the wishes is real or not.

The beginning is slow, but the back half will hook you. I wish there was stronger characterization for the 3 FMCs; their personalities and appearances are left somewhat indistinct. On the other half, there are sentences devoted to the minutiae of the kids, their charges, that I think were unnecessary. The kids themselves don't have an impact on the story at all.

It includes thorough details of Korean culture, food, and destinations, really transporting you to Seoul with its pages. The book is an enchanting and cozy read.

As You Wish by Leesa Cross-Smith is a heartwarming story about three American au pairs in Seoul who make a wish at an enchanted waterfall. The wish changes their lives in unexpected ways, leading them to confront their desires and reevaluate what truly matters. Cross-Smith's charming narrative is filled with themes of love, family, and second chances.

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!