Review: I Wish You Would, Eva Des Lauriers

I Wish You Would was on my most anticipated reads of 2024 list. I mean, ex-best friends, a lovely Californian beach setting, so many unsaid feelings, that sounded like my jam. Let’s see if I enjoyed it, shall we?

I Wish You Would by Eva Des Lauriers
Published by Henry Holt and Co. on May 21, 2024
Genres: romance, young adult
Format: ARC
Source: Edelweiss
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In this drama-filled love story, private confessions are scattered on the beach during a senior class overnight and explosive secrets threaten to tear everyone apart, including best friends (or maybe more?), Natalia and Ethan.
It’s Senior Sunrise, the epic overnight at the beach that kicks off senior year. But for Natalia and Ethan, it’s the first time seeing each other after what happened at junior prom―when they almost crossed the line from best friends to something more and ruined everything. After ghosting each other all summer, Natalia is desperate to pretend she doesn’t care and Ethan is desperate to fix his mistake.
When the senior class carries out their tradition of writing private letters to themselves―what they wish they would do this year if they were braver―Natalia pours her heart out. So does Ethan. So does everyone in their entire class. But in Natalia’s panicked attempt to retrieve her heartfelt confession, the wind scatters seven of the notes across the beach. Now, Ethan and Natalia are forced to work together to find the lost letters before any secrets are revealed―especially their own.
Seven private confessions. Seven time bombs loose for anyone to find. And one last chance before the sun rises for these two to fall in love.

I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS: (click to reveal)

none in particular, if you found some, please let me know!

There are no spoilers in this review.

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I ENJOYED…

☂️

• If you’re a fan of the best friends to lovers romance trope, I Wish You Would certainly is a must read for you. At its heart are Ethan and Natalia, two ex best friends that haven’t talked to each other in months, since they almost went from best friends to something, more. Right from the very start, we’re getting so much pining, jealousy, feelings bubbling inside each of the characters, it’s quite intense and really, thrilling to read if you’re a fan of this trope. It’s a whole lot of will they, won’t they and when will they finally, it’s such a heartfelt book for that, for sure.
• The writing in this story is beautiful, perfectly reflecting the intense moments, the characters’ feelings. I just loved how Natalia’s feelings were painted like a canvas in words, reflecting her love for art. The storytelling made the book all the more enjoyable, really.
• We have such an interesting cast of characters here, as well, even if we mainly focus on Natalia and Ethan. I really liked Rainn, a close friend of both, as well as Sabrina. They felt like little highlights here and there in the story, but unfortunately weren’t explored as much. Understandable, given the fact that the book was quite short!

• I liked the short time frame of the story, as well. The whole thing happens in like, barely two full days, which made it fast-paced and exciting to read, packing a punch in just a couple of hours. I was pleasantly surprised by the back and forth in the story, how other characters around Ethan and Natalia got involved in the story, making it all the more captivating to read. It was really fun overall!

I HARD A HARD TIME WITH…

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• I have to say it: the book relies heavily on miscommunication. I wasn’t too surprised, kind of expected it, to be honest – and it felt realistic, in this situation and given the characters’ ages. At times, it could be a tiny bit frustrating, but I was expecting it, too, so I can’t really be mad about it, if that makes any sense?

OVERALL

☂️

If you’re looking for a beautiful second chance, friends to lovers YA romance with a beach setting, I highly recommend I Wish You Would. I know I’ll eagerly wait for whatever the author has planned, next!

FINAL RATING : 4,5 stars!

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