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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
I'm pretty sure that I read this in 2019 but for some reason it's gone from my library?? Fucking goodreads lol
Everyone must read this book. The bi rep is the most beautiful thing I've ever read, and the story as a whole is wonderful.
Do you like:
- complicated mother/daughter relationships
- gorgeous writing
- stories about family, friendship, and romance
- fantastic bi rep
- excellently written characters
- the! best! romance! ever!
- on-page f/f sex
If you like any of the above things, read How To Make A Wish. PLEASE.
Do you like:
- complicated mother/daughter relationships
- gorgeous writing
- stories about family, friendship, and romance
- fantastic bi rep
- excellently written characters
- the! best! romance! ever!
- on-page f/f sex
If you like any of the above things, read How To Make A Wish. PLEASE.
I just finished this and I cannot stop crying.
Did Ashley Herring Blake steal a piece of soul to write her books? Because I have seen myself in every single one, even though none of them have remotely resembled my life. Though this one tried really hard. Fucking empty vodka bottles stashed under the bed!
Did Ashley Herring Blake steal a piece of soul to write her books? Because I have seen myself in every single one, even though none of them have remotely resembled my life. Though this one tried really hard. Fucking empty vodka bottles stashed under the bed!
How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake is not only a fantastic novel, it is a novel I truly saw myself in. I saw myself in the main Character, Grace. Her identity, the way she acts, everything. She spoke to me. Grace has her faults, but Ashley Blake crafted an extremely dynamic and well rounded character out of her. Each character in this book has their own story, their own personal history, and they were all told so beautifully.
One of my favorite things about this book was the platonic friendship between a male and a female. I really haven't seen much of that in any other novels. The way Grace’s best friend Luca cared for her made me so happy. He truly wanted her to find happiness, and it was clear that he loved her in a platonic way. I appreciate the representation that males and females can be just friends too.
This was also the first book I have read that featured a bisexual main character. This meant a lot to me, and it felt so real, so honest, so well-written. I’ve read plenty of Young Adult romances, but none of them gave me the “feels” quite like this one did. I was rooting for them so much, literally almost cheering for them as I read the pages unfolding their love story. With Grace and her less-than-great mother Maggie, I was filled with so much hope that Grace would find her happiness throughout the book.
I truly feel that I have found a new favorite, and if this sounds intersting to anyone reading this, i strongly urge you to pick this up. It’s phenomenal.
One of my favorite things about this book was the platonic friendship between a male and a female. I really haven't seen much of that in any other novels. The way Grace’s best friend Luca cared for her made me so happy. He truly wanted her to find happiness, and it was clear that he loved her in a platonic way. I appreciate the representation that males and females can be just friends too.
This was also the first book I have read that featured a bisexual main character. This meant a lot to me, and it felt so real, so honest, so well-written. I’ve read plenty of Young Adult romances, but none of them gave me the “feels” quite like this one did. I was rooting for them so much, literally almost cheering for them as I read the pages unfolding their love story. With Grace and her less-than-great mother Maggie, I was filled with so much hope that Grace would find her happiness throughout the book.
I truly feel that I have found a new favorite, and if this sounds intersting to anyone reading this, i strongly urge you to pick this up. It’s phenomenal.
4.5 Stars
Overview:
I just inhaled this in a few hours and I’m so impressed.
I came here for the bi rep and was captivated by this mother/daughter story. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much. Both the cover and the synopsis scream typical summer contemporary.
And in some ways it was… but it also was so much more?
Focusing on Grace’s summer on the Atlantic coast, this story covers her relationship with her immature mother, her friends and the new girl, Eva. Especially when her mother moves them in with her ex-boyfriend’s family.
I received an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to HMH Books for the opportunity!
Pros
The main character is a bisexual girl, and it’s not sexualized. She shuts down threesome jokes and takes her relationships seriously. It’s honestly so rare to see bisexual representation, especially one done this well. Grace doesn’t feel compelled to ‘choose’ or have some crisis of sexuality, she’s secure in her identity and it’s great.
Not to say there’s no sex, because there is. One scene in particular sets this firmly on the more ‘mature’ side of YA. But it was one of the healthiest depictions of a sex I’ve read about. Consent is ongoing. Both characters continually communicate with their partner.
The love interest is a biracial lesbian who isn’t wholly defined by either of these traits. She was a free-spirit who’d suffered a great loss and I loved her character and the representation.
While there is a romance (and I really loved the romance) I would argue this story predominantly focused on the relationship between Grace and her mom. And I found it to be extremely well-written.
Grace’s mother is not a cartoon villain. She’s not vindictive. She doesn’t call her daughter names and swing her fists. She honestly loves her daughter. But she is abusive. There was such a strong undercurrent about discovering agency and the ability to stand-up for yourself, even with loved ones.
FRIENDSHIP. YES. F/M friendship without a forced romance!
Luca is Grace’s best friend, and doesn't exist just to motivate her. Their friendship was treated seriously and I loved their banter
Something about this was just incredibly captivating to me. I don’t know if it was the writing, the characters, or the story itself—but I was completely sucked in. I read this in one sitting, completely immersed and sad when it was over.
Cons:
Grace’s mother begins dating Grace’s ex-boyfriend’s father. Which is crazy and totally should have impacted the plot more than it actually did.
Instead of being treated as real character, Julian instead is set up your stereotypical douchebag ex-boyfriend. He has rare moments of humanity, but his character was never as developed as others.
In Conclusion:
There are several elements of this that still match your typical summer contemporary—the beachy location, summer setting and hazy romance. But there’s also a really important and complex discussion of family and friendship here.
Overview:
“If you really want something, the stars won’t help you. You have to reach out and take it.
I just inhaled this in a few hours and I’m so impressed.
I came here for the bi rep and was captivated by this mother/daughter story. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much. Both the cover and the synopsis scream typical summer contemporary.
And in some ways it was… but it also was so much more?
Focusing on Grace’s summer on the Atlantic coast, this story covers her relationship with her immature mother, her friends and the new girl, Eva. Especially when her mother moves them in with her ex-boyfriend’s family.
I received an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to HMH Books for the opportunity!
Pros
The main character is a bisexual girl, and it’s not sexualized. She shuts down threesome jokes and takes her relationships seriously. It’s honestly so rare to see bisexual representation, especially one done this well. Grace doesn’t feel compelled to ‘choose’ or have some crisis of sexuality, she’s secure in her identity and it’s great.
Not to say there’s no sex, because there is. One scene in particular sets this firmly on the more ‘mature’ side of YA. But it was one of the healthiest depictions of a sex I’ve read about. Consent is ongoing. Both characters continually communicate with their partner.
The love interest is a biracial lesbian who isn’t wholly defined by either of these traits. She was a free-spirit who’d suffered a great loss and I loved her character and the representation.
While there is a romance (and I really loved the romance) I would argue this story predominantly focused on the relationship between Grace and her mom. And I found it to be extremely well-written.
Grace’s mother is not a cartoon villain. She’s not vindictive. She doesn’t call her daughter names and swing her fists. She honestly loves her daughter. But she is abusive. There was such a strong undercurrent about discovering agency and the ability to stand-up for yourself, even with loved ones.
FRIENDSHIP. YES. F/M friendship without a forced romance!
Luca is Grace’s best friend, and doesn't exist just to motivate her. Their friendship was treated seriously and I loved their banter
Something about this was just incredibly captivating to me. I don’t know if it was the writing, the characters, or the story itself—but I was completely sucked in. I read this in one sitting, completely immersed and sad when it was over.
Cons:
Grace’s mother begins dating Grace’s ex-boyfriend’s father. Which is crazy and totally should have impacted the plot more than it actually did.
Instead of being treated as real character, Julian instead is set up your stereotypical douchebag ex-boyfriend. He has rare moments of humanity, but his character was never as developed as others.
In Conclusion:
There are several elements of this that still match your typical summer contemporary—the beachy location, summer setting and hazy romance. But there’s also a really important and complex discussion of family and friendship here.
4.5 stars
Okay wow this very much exceeded my expectations. Maybe it was the cheesy cover, but I was expecting a fairly cookie cutter fluffy YA (queer) rom or romcom sort of situation. But this flipped that expectation on its head in the best possible way. The characters were complex, the story was unique yet relatable to those familiar with any of the struggles these characters face. The story is never stagnant, and focused on more than just one issue. I loved Grace, Luca, Emmy, Eva, and even Maggie, so much. This was such a joy.
Okay wow this very much exceeded my expectations. Maybe it was the cheesy cover, but I was expecting a fairly cookie cutter fluffy YA (queer) rom or romcom sort of situation. But this flipped that expectation on its head in the best possible way. The characters were complex, the story was unique yet relatable to those familiar with any of the struggles these characters face. The story is never stagnant, and focused on more than just one issue. I loved Grace, Luca, Emmy, Eva, and even Maggie, so much. This was such a joy.
I am coming in with a huge love for Ashley's books, so that's coloring my view of this book. Loved the characters and the growth of them. But if I think if I think about the situation in the book like an adult I would bump it down.
Such a beautiful, emotional and lovely book. I really enjoyed reading it <3
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes