What do you think?
Rate this book
The Boyfriend Wish: A Sweet and Flirty YA Romance with South Indian American Enemies to Lovers
A charming romantic comedy about a South Indian American teen girl who makes a wish upon a flower for her perfect boyfriend…and then a new boy moves in right next door. With love triangles, prank wars, and a sizzling sweet romance—this is perfect for fans of Sandhya Menon and Jenny Han.
Deepa’s a hopeless romantic. And even though Deepa’s checklist for the perfect boyfriend is a mile long, her mom and dad’s fairy-tale love story makes her feel like romantic success ought to be a family trait. It’s why when her grandmother gives her a jasmine flower with the promise that it will fulfill her heart’s greatest desire, and then a new boy moves in across the street, Deepa knows—he must be her wish come true.
Rohit checks off every box on Deepa’s timelessly handsome, a thoughtful listener, and a romantic who knows his flowers. Deepa’s next-door neighbor (and constant tormentor) Vik also surprisingly approves, though she knows it shouldn’t be a mark against Rohit.
Is it luck or is it magic? Deepa doesn’t want to take chances, so when her grandmother warns her that the wish is only permanent if she seals it with a kiss, she knows she needs to move quickly. Rohit is the right boy in every way, so then why does Deepa not feel like he might not be the right choice?
Deepa’s a hopeless romantic. And even though Deepa’s checklist for the perfect boyfriend is a mile long, her mom and dad’s fairy-tale love story makes her feel like romantic success ought to be a family trait. It’s why when her grandmother gives her a jasmine flower with the promise that it will fulfill her heart’s greatest desire, and then a new boy moves in across the street, Deepa knows—he must be her wish come true.
Rohit checks off every box on Deepa’s timelessly handsome, a thoughtful listener, and a romantic who knows his flowers. Deepa’s next-door neighbor (and constant tormentor) Vik also surprisingly approves, though she knows it shouldn’t be a mark against Rohit.
Is it luck or is it magic? Deepa doesn’t want to take chances, so when her grandmother warns her that the wish is only permanent if she seals it with a kiss, she knows she needs to move quickly. Rohit is the right boy in every way, so then why does Deepa not feel like he might not be the right choice?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2024
24 people are currently reading
5142 people want to read
About the author
Swati Teerdhala
6 books621 followersSwati Teerdhala is a storyteller and writer.
After graduating from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Finance and History, she tumbled into the marketing side of the technology industry. She’s passionate about many things, including how to make a proper cup of chai, the right ratio of curd-to-crust in a lemon tart, and diverse representation in the stories we tell.
She currently lives in New York City.
After graduating from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Finance and History, she tumbled into the marketing side of the technology industry. She’s passionate about many things, including how to make a proper cup of chai, the right ratio of curd-to-crust in a lemon tart, and diverse representation in the stories we tell.
She currently lives in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
Read
March 21, 2024Super cute book about a high-achieving South Indian American teenager with a bucket list. On the list: find the perfect boyfriend.
Like magic, the perfect guy appears right on her block. But she can't get her extremely annoying neighbor out of her mind (because he's so annoying, right? Or is it more?)
Very sweet story about family and about learning to put down the checklists and spreadsheets and listen to your inner voice and your heart.
Read my full review and find ALL the books for readers who used to read YA back in the day and kind of miss it. The Boyfriend Wish on YA All Day
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Like magic, the perfect guy appears right on her block. But she can't get her extremely annoying neighbor out of her mind (because he's so annoying, right? Or is it more?)
Very sweet story about family and about learning to put down the checklists and spreadsheets and listen to your inner voice and your heart.
Read my full review and find ALL the books for readers who used to read YA back in the day and kind of miss it. The Boyfriend Wish on YA All Day
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Want to read
August 15, 2023This premise? This cover? THE FACT THAT IT IS DESI AS HELL? Like what is not to like and be head over heels in love with? This has to be like one of my most anticipated reads now. I’m just so obsessed. Can’t wait!!
March 1, 2024
South Indian book by a South Indian author 😭😭😭😭 my heart is full!!
Though one of the love interests shares a name with a family member so that was awkward 💀
Read if you enjoy:
- frenemies to lovers
- rom com vibes
- a cute bromance
- dosas (always)
Though one of the love interests shares a name with a family member so that was awkward 💀
Read if you enjoy:
- frenemies to lovers
- rom com vibes
- a cute bromance
- dosas (always)
February 10, 2024
“Life isn’t about getting things right. It’s about finding what matters to you and going after it with all your heart.”
What a cute romcom full of charm! The perfect lighthearted young adult romance!
Overall pretty well-written and a quick fun read. The characters were all super likable and loved the neighborhood family dynamics. Although the ending was predictable, it was super cute and I enjoyed it.
Recommend checking this one out!❤️
Thank you @booksparks and @swatiteerdhala for this #gifted copy!🫶🏼
What a cute romcom full of charm! The perfect lighthearted young adult romance!
Overall pretty well-written and a quick fun read. The characters were all super likable and loved the neighborhood family dynamics. Although the ending was predictable, it was super cute and I enjoyed it.
Recommend checking this one out!❤️
Thank you @booksparks and @swatiteerdhala for this #gifted copy!🫶🏼
March 4, 2024
3.5 rounded up.
This was a cute YA romcom featuring South Asian teens. The main character is determined to find a boyfriend her junior year and makes a wish on a flower with her grandmother's encouragement. What follows is an enemies to lovers love triangle between the boy next door and the new boy who moved in across the street. Charming, funny and perfect for fans of authors like Amy Lea, Jenny Han or Sajni Patel. This was also good on audio too. Definitely looking forward to checking out more by this new to me author.
This was a cute YA romcom featuring South Asian teens. The main character is determined to find a boyfriend her junior year and makes a wish on a flower with her grandmother's encouragement. What follows is an enemies to lovers love triangle between the boy next door and the new boy who moved in across the street. Charming, funny and perfect for fans of authors like Amy Lea, Jenny Han or Sajni Patel. This was also good on audio too. Definitely looking forward to checking out more by this new to me author.
February 19, 2024
I absolutely adored this book! Deepa is a high school student who tried and failed to ask out her crush, buoyed by her neighbor and rival Vik. she wishes for the perfect boyfriend.l after her grandmother gifts her a flower. Enter Rohit, the new boy on the block. Her wish has to be sealed with a kiss, so Deepa gets to work planning… only she starts seeing Vik in a new light. Is he her perfect boyfriend after all?
Things I loved about this book:
Deepa! I loved who she was. I loved her relationship with her family and her discovery of feelings for Vik. I also thought she was super self aware for a high school student.
Vik! What a fun as heck love interest. He was so silly and cute, but also supportive and brought Deepa out of her shell.
Rohit! He was a great character and just a genuinely good guy.
The prank war was so much fun.
The meddling siblings lol
The almost kiss!!!
That super stinking cute ending.
This was fantastic. I loved it so much!
Things I loved about this book:
Deepa! I loved who she was. I loved her relationship with her family and her discovery of feelings for Vik. I also thought she was super self aware for a high school student.
Vik! What a fun as heck love interest. He was so silly and cute, but also supportive and brought Deepa out of her shell.
Rohit! He was a great character and just a genuinely good guy.
The prank war was so much fun.
The meddling siblings lol
The almost kiss!!!
That super stinking cute ending.
This was fantastic. I loved it so much!
November 2, 2023
I'll be honest and say this book didn't do a lot for me. I really wanted to love it, and I did find it very sweet and charming, but it never quite clicked with me. I never really found myself rooting for the romance—between Deepa and either of her potential love interests. I did find all of the characters likable, I just wasn't very attached to them.
But I don't have any major complaints or criticisms about this book. Despite it never quite working for me, I could very easily imagine enjoying it more than I personally did. I would say it's a cute, fun story, and if anything about the description is appealing to you, I'd recommend giving it a read. It's definitely worth checking it out, and I have no trouble believing that where it didn't quite connect with me, it will absolutely connect with lots of other readers.
But I don't have any major complaints or criticisms about this book. Despite it never quite working for me, I could very easily imagine enjoying it more than I personally did. I would say it's a cute, fun story, and if anything about the description is appealing to you, I'd recommend giving it a read. It's definitely worth checking it out, and I have no trouble believing that where it didn't quite connect with me, it will absolutely connect with lots of other readers.
May 5, 2024
You knew how the story was gonna go, and how it was gonna end, from the first page but it was still adorable.
April 6, 2024
3.5/5 stars
This was an okay read. Rather predicted, enemies to lovers although I'd rather frame it as rivals to lovers since Vik and Deepa have been childhood rivals but you won't call their relationship hatred. Just intense, friendly rivalry.
Anyway, I could relate to Deepa a lot, she's your typical Type A personality who plans everything in her life and likes to be in control. Which is why the unpredictable prankster Vikram gets on her nerves so much. All Deepa wants is perfection, which is really the central theme of the book. I thought it got a bit repetitive with repeated emphasis and started getting on my nerves.
I wish we could have seen more of Vik and Deepa, I loved their chemistry but so much of the book was taken up by Rohit and Deepa. The author kept teasing us about some secret about Rohit or his past and it felt very anti-climatic in the end. Rohit is seen as the perfect guy and his perfection truly got on my nerves. On one hand, the author tries telling us that nothing and nobody is perfect but on the other hand even at the end of the book, Rohit remains a perfect guy with no flaws which is frustrating.
I did like the message of different things and different people being right for someone but wrong for another person and the story carried that out quite well.
I loved the side characters as well, especially the younger sibling squad but I wish their stories had been elaborated more on. I feel like we started with character arcs for most of them but the author kind of abandoned them halfway through. Like what happened with Lily and the idea of her coaching? I would have loved to see their arcs completed and given a better ending, or rather any satisfactory closure.
Also, was the author paid to advertise Dubai because this felt like a massive tourism advertisement...
All in all, the book has its ups and downs but special props to the lovely audiobook narrator who got all the pronunciations right and made the experience so enjoyable!
This was an okay read. Rather predicted, enemies to lovers although I'd rather frame it as rivals to lovers since Vik and Deepa have been childhood rivals but you won't call their relationship hatred. Just intense, friendly rivalry.
Anyway, I could relate to Deepa a lot, she's your typical Type A personality who plans everything in her life and likes to be in control. Which is why the unpredictable prankster Vikram gets on her nerves so much. All Deepa wants is perfection, which is really the central theme of the book. I thought it got a bit repetitive with repeated emphasis and started getting on my nerves.
I wish we could have seen more of Vik and Deepa, I loved their chemistry but so much of the book was taken up by Rohit and Deepa. The author kept teasing us about some secret about Rohit or his past and it felt very anti-climatic in the end. Rohit is seen as the perfect guy and his perfection truly got on my nerves. On one hand, the author tries telling us that nothing and nobody is perfect but on the other hand even at the end of the book, Rohit remains a perfect guy with no flaws which is frustrating.
I did like the message of different things and different people being right for someone but wrong for another person and the story carried that out quite well.
I loved the side characters as well, especially the younger sibling squad but I wish their stories had been elaborated more on. I feel like we started with character arcs for most of them but the author kind of abandoned them halfway through. Like what happened with Lily and the idea of her coaching? I would have loved to see their arcs completed and given a better ending, or rather any satisfactory closure.
Also, was the author paid to advertise Dubai because this felt like a massive tourism advertisement...
All in all, the book has its ups and downs but special props to the lovely audiobook narrator who got all the pronunciations right and made the experience so enjoyable!
November 20, 2024
This book was so fun and CUTE! I will say it was a bit young for me but the story was SO SWEET! The main character when through a journey and it was so wholesome and fun! I loved the deep connections she has with her family and her friends! I just adored this book!!!
Read
February 20, 2024disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was absolutely adorable! Deepa's grandmother gives her a jasmine flower and tells her to make a wish, and Deepa wishes for her ideal boyfriend.. So guess who moves into the neighborhood the very next day?! HER DREAM BOYFRIEND! She literally created a list of what she wanted in a boyfriend and there he is, moving in next door! There is a bit of a love triangle because Deepa realizes what she really wants: the perfect boyfriend, or chemistry you simply cannot deny!
This was my introduction to Swati Teerdhala and I am so glad I requested this ARC. The first-person POV of Deepa was funny, relatable (I'm also a list-maker and planner lol), and so precious! I recognized why she was so invested in making the "right" decisions because she had seen the heartache that comes with a failing relationship (her aunt got divorced and it was still considered a “stain” on a family in their community, & she is hyperfocused on finding the right person for her. Is that a bit intense for a teenage to put on her shoulders? Sure, absolutely. However, it doesn't negate the fact that kids do internalize this messaging! Anyway, I will absolutely check out ST's other works, and I look forward to more YA romcoms from her!
This was absolutely adorable! Deepa's grandmother gives her a jasmine flower and tells her to make a wish, and Deepa wishes for her ideal boyfriend.. So guess who moves into the neighborhood the very next day?! HER DREAM BOYFRIEND! She literally created a list of what she wanted in a boyfriend and there he is, moving in next door! There is a bit of a love triangle because Deepa realizes what she really wants: the perfect boyfriend, or chemistry you simply cannot deny!
This was my introduction to Swati Teerdhala and I am so glad I requested this ARC. The first-person POV of Deepa was funny, relatable (I'm also a list-maker and planner lol), and so precious! I recognized why she was so invested in making the "right" decisions because she had seen the heartache that comes with a failing relationship (her aunt got divorced and it was still considered a “stain” on a family in their community, & she is hyperfocused on finding the right person for her. Is that a bit intense for a teenage to put on her shoulders? Sure, absolutely. However, it doesn't negate the fact that kids do internalize this messaging! Anyway, I will absolutely check out ST's other works, and I look forward to more YA romcoms from her!
February 12, 2024
“So was I willing to accept the uncertainty? Was I willing to finally ask myself what I wanted, instead of what I should want? The real question—was I willing to take the risk?”
Meet Deepa, a self-professed hopeless romantic whose standards for love are set sky-high because of her parents’ fairytale love story. When her grandmother gifting her a supposedly wish-granting flower coincides with a cute boy, Rohit, moving in across the street, Deepa thinks she’s found the one. Even Vik, her next door neighbor, approves of the new guy, even though all Vik ever does is make fun of Deepa. Her grandmother warns that the wish is only permanent if sealed with a kiss, but, despite how perfect Rohit is, Deepa keeps hesitating. Is he really the boyfriend she wished for, after all?
The Boyfriend Wish is not my ideal rom-com, but it was still undeniably charming! The love triangle was refreshingly exciting—though Deepa’s inevitable choice was fairly obvious. Both Rohit and Vik were compelling and distinct love interests, a rarity in YA romance. Rohit is, as Deepa says multiple times during the book, the “perfect guy” (or at least, he seems to be): he’s suave, stylish, and sends Deepa flowers. Vik is literally the boy-next-door, Deepa’s childhood friend-turned-menace, her forsworn enemy in their legendary prank war. Both boys have their fair share of romantic scenes with Deepa, and the storage closet scene (you’ll know it when you read it!) in particular was deliciously tension-filled and had me smiling uncontrollably. I adored the characterization of all the maniacal younger siblings, too—their scheming, plotting, and quipping was essential to Deepa’s happy ending. While Deepa eventually got her wish, I found myself with my own: a longer story that expanded on what could’ve been peak rom-com scenes! Deepa and Vik have a paintball fight together, but instead of a scene filled with flirting and yearning, this interaction was glossed over and done within paragraphs. Additionally, the characters sometimes felt a little dull and lacking complexity. Amamma, for instance, felt like she was created solely for the purposes of filling the role of the “wise old woman” that gives Deepa a magical flower and cryptic advice about life. With that being said, I still finished the book feeling all warm and fuzzy because of how sweet it was, and, of course, grateful for the South Indian—specifically Telugu—representation. If you’re looking for a fun, breezy YA rom-com, The Boyfriend Wish is the perfect read for you.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley, SparkPoint Studio, and Katherine Tegen Books for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Meet Deepa, a self-professed hopeless romantic whose standards for love are set sky-high because of her parents’ fairytale love story. When her grandmother gifting her a supposedly wish-granting flower coincides with a cute boy, Rohit, moving in across the street, Deepa thinks she’s found the one. Even Vik, her next door neighbor, approves of the new guy, even though all Vik ever does is make fun of Deepa. Her grandmother warns that the wish is only permanent if sealed with a kiss, but, despite how perfect Rohit is, Deepa keeps hesitating. Is he really the boyfriend she wished for, after all?
The Boyfriend Wish is not my ideal rom-com, but it was still undeniably charming! The love triangle was refreshingly exciting—though Deepa’s inevitable choice was fairly obvious. Both Rohit and Vik were compelling and distinct love interests, a rarity in YA romance. Rohit is, as Deepa says multiple times during the book, the “perfect guy” (or at least, he seems to be): he’s suave, stylish, and sends Deepa flowers. Vik is literally the boy-next-door, Deepa’s childhood friend-turned-menace, her forsworn enemy in their legendary prank war. Both boys have their fair share of romantic scenes with Deepa, and the storage closet scene (you’ll know it when you read it!) in particular was deliciously tension-filled and had me smiling uncontrollably. I adored the characterization of all the maniacal younger siblings, too—their scheming, plotting, and quipping was essential to Deepa’s happy ending. While Deepa eventually got her wish, I found myself with my own: a longer story that expanded on what could’ve been peak rom-com scenes! Deepa and Vik have a paintball fight together, but instead of a scene filled with flirting and yearning, this interaction was glossed over and done within paragraphs. Additionally, the characters sometimes felt a little dull and lacking complexity. Amamma, for instance, felt like she was created solely for the purposes of filling the role of the “wise old woman” that gives Deepa a magical flower and cryptic advice about life. With that being said, I still finished the book feeling all warm and fuzzy because of how sweet it was, and, of course, grateful for the South Indian—specifically Telugu—representation. If you’re looking for a fun, breezy YA rom-com, The Boyfriend Wish is the perfect read for you.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley, SparkPoint Studio, and Katherine Tegen Books for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
August 11, 2025
The concept sounded really cute, and the first third (1/3) of the story was pretty compelling. But after such a solid opening, the writing - in terms of characterization, storytelling finesse, and chemistry building - started coming across as deeply uninspired. With too many missed opportunities for me to ignore.
You know when you have a really great, really promising thesis for your paper? But as you start writing more and more pages, your motivation starts to dwindle and affects the quality of your work? And, in the end, you're left with a pretty mid-tier paper with a weak conclusion that doesn't sufficiently support all the argumentative points that you've made?
That's my entire reading experience of The Boyfriend Wish in a nutshell.
Not recommended. (Maybe read The Tiger at Midnight instead.)
You know when you have a really great, really promising thesis for your paper? But as you start writing more and more pages, your motivation starts to dwindle and affects the quality of your work? And, in the end, you're left with a pretty mid-tier paper with a weak conclusion that doesn't sufficiently support all the argumentative points that you've made?
That's my entire reading experience of The Boyfriend Wish in a nutshell.
Not recommended. (Maybe read The Tiger at Midnight instead.)
July 10, 2024
Soft DNF for now(?) at 30% cause one of my ICKs is when a girl is desperate for a guy and ends up chasing them. She uses her one wish to wish for the perfect guy and I quote instead of the full ride scholarship to Harvard? Pass. Maybe it’s the aroace man hater in me but a girl so desperate for a guy that she chases him in exchange for her dreams and potential future is a nonono I cannot understand at all.
April 2, 2025
I am too old for this but I fear I ate it up
May 3, 2024
This book was such a rollercoaster in terms of enjoyment. The beginning was promising, then some of the prose began to feel—for lack of a better word—cringe (not in terms of romance, actually, but in general), but then it really picked up and I found the latter part of the book to be very sweet and romantic.
November 15, 2024
solid cute read
February 16, 2024
A fun, light romcom read. The plot is not overly complicated and it didn't have to be. The author takes you to a cul-de-sac where Deepa, her family and friends are always trying to have a good time. Loved the descriptions and all the details through this very light-hearted, warm and charming story. Earlier in the book, the story leads you to assume there will be some mystical/magical element at some point, which felt mostly unnecessary at the end but still, the story was very much enjoyable.
April 5, 2024
― Rating: 4.5 Stars ★★★★ 1/2
The Boyfriend Wish is the best magical YA romcom I've ever read??! Deepa wants the perfect romance, so when her plans are ruined by her annoying* childhood neighbor (& nemesis) Vik, she makes a wish on a magic flower for the perfect guy, who happens to move in right next door! Its got a hopeless romantic mc, magical flower, prank wars, the infuriating neighbor-nemesis, and all the romcom vibes - one of the BEST YA romance books of 2024, it was hilarious, sweet and for the romcom lovers!🌼🧡˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚
MY HEART, okay this book the sweetest blend of light magic and all the romcom moments, its LITERALLY THE CUTEST BOOK EVER WHAT THE HECK, I NEED MORE DEEPA x VIK, ROHIT, LILY AND THE OCEANIA COURT DRIVE CREW!!
I'd been so hyped to read this one because of the synopsis, beautiful cover, I'd read one of Swati's previous books also and have been in the biggest romcom reading mood! Magical romcoms are also literally my favorite kinds of stories - so I knew I had to pick this one up. Its funny, nostalgic, heartwarming, clever and utterly charming in every way. I think its easy to feel like most romance stories can be cliche but sometimes that's what makes them so comforting and fun to read - another plus was Swati's unique storytelling, fantastic characters and underlying themes about making mistakes, the encouraging/supportive family thread (her little sisters are so funny!) and the relatable theme focused around self-growth and reflection.
When Deepa plans for the "perfect" junior year, of course it doesn't go quite as planned. The plot begins with an entertaining opening as she's preparing to ask Jake Nakamura, her long-time crush, to an upcoming dance of course her plans are foiled by irritating nextdoor neighbor Vikram Mehta with a prank at one of the most inconvenient times (which involves her car). So she's forced to ask her nemesis for a ride to school where her romantic ask is ultimately turned down. After what feels like one of her worst days ever, her grandma tells her about a tradition of magical flowers granting ones deepest wishes & desires - so her wish is for the perfect boyfriend.
Enter Rohit D'Souza the guy who magically appears on her close-knit street the follow day and next door. He literally checks off her list for the flawless guy and realizes in order to make sure her wish fully comes true, she'll have to seal it with a kiss. Enter planning with her best friend Lily to ensure she wins over Rohit (who is already crushing over Deepa). The story follows classic day-to-day high school shenanigans, planning for an upcoming Winter dance, avoiding Vik and making sure she has her *perfect relationship for junior year.
Deepa Josyula, oh she was fantastic I loved that this was in first person POV because she is hilarious, she's a planner, hopeless romantic and in a long-time rivalry with her neighbor Vikram! I think what resonated with me was Deepa's journey to live more in the moment and embrace the unexpected, which makes life a little more fun! Teerdhala has a knack for charming storytelling that really makes you feel for the characters, the unique romance and the deeper threads that make it such a beautiful YA romance - not only unique but heartfelt too!
Vikram Mehta, what a great mmc - he's snarky, always pushing Deepa's buttons but also a great, reliable friend. He cares a lot about his family, community and friends - he's the complete opposite of Deepa in many ways ( when he talked about how he was more willing to have fun than her I always laughed) and seeing their banter with eachother was perfection! Like he pranks her and literally asks her right after is she needs a ride to school, so unserious and literally serious at the same time - he was SO GREAT!
While reading this book in just a couple sittings, I also annotated while I was reading and it was such a fun experience! probably one of my favorite quotes that encompasses the overarching idea of this romcom was "That's what a good plan did. It made sure you didn't get hurt. It made sure you got what you wanted...(31) - it says so much about Deepa and how her perspective drives her to avoid mistakes (or fear of getting hurt) I loved that was explored so deeply within the story <3
THE BANTER IN THIS BOOK, PERFECTION 10/10! I was unsure about the love triangle here but seeing her navigate her relationship with Rohit and also be forced to team-up with Vik made for a lot of funny moments between them. He loves teasing her and it was srsly so hilarious, her comebacks were witty and their chemistry builds it was so entertaining!!!!
I know love triangles seem really overdone these days, but TRUST ME this one was so miraculously executed with mc's who are kind, charming and not really in competition with each other (there's a surprising bromance between them which was so fun!!!). Deepa also has a great relationship with her best friend Lily and you see her life as the oldest sister with two little sisters, i loved that so much!!! Such a beautiful theme of sisterhood and showing their love in unexpected ways +bickering + fighting with each other (as siblings do) was true in every way.
As far as romcoms go, this one is easily ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITES - cozy, funny and sweet magical YA romance with all the romcom movie vibes that will literally be the book i think about for the rest of the year!!! Need a magical YA romcom with rival neighbors, friendship, pranks, great banter, fantastic characters, excellent romance, & an utterly charming story - go read THE BOYFRIEND WISH RIGHT NOW!
The Boyfriend Wish is the best magical YA romcom I've ever read??! Deepa wants the perfect romance, so when her plans are ruined by her annoying* childhood neighbor (& nemesis) Vik, she makes a wish on a magic flower for the perfect guy, who happens to move in right next door! Its got a hopeless romantic mc, magical flower, prank wars, the infuriating neighbor-nemesis, and all the romcom vibes - one of the BEST YA romance books of 2024, it was hilarious, sweet and for the romcom lovers!🌼🧡˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚
MY HEART, okay this book the sweetest blend of light magic and all the romcom moments, its LITERALLY THE CUTEST BOOK EVER WHAT THE HECK, I NEED MORE DEEPA x VIK, ROHIT, LILY AND THE OCEANIA COURT DRIVE CREW!!
I'd been so hyped to read this one because of the synopsis, beautiful cover, I'd read one of Swati's previous books also and have been in the biggest romcom reading mood! Magical romcoms are also literally my favorite kinds of stories - so I knew I had to pick this one up. Its funny, nostalgic, heartwarming, clever and utterly charming in every way. I think its easy to feel like most romance stories can be cliche but sometimes that's what makes them so comforting and fun to read - another plus was Swati's unique storytelling, fantastic characters and underlying themes about making mistakes, the encouraging/supportive family thread (her little sisters are so funny!) and the relatable theme focused around self-growth and reflection.
When Deepa plans for the "perfect" junior year, of course it doesn't go quite as planned. The plot begins with an entertaining opening as she's preparing to ask Jake Nakamura, her long-time crush, to an upcoming dance of course her plans are foiled by irritating nextdoor neighbor Vikram Mehta with a prank at one of the most inconvenient times (which involves her car). So she's forced to ask her nemesis for a ride to school where her romantic ask is ultimately turned down. After what feels like one of her worst days ever, her grandma tells her about a tradition of magical flowers granting ones deepest wishes & desires - so her wish is for the perfect boyfriend.
Enter Rohit D'Souza the guy who magically appears on her close-knit street the follow day and next door. He literally checks off her list for the flawless guy and realizes in order to make sure her wish fully comes true, she'll have to seal it with a kiss. Enter planning with her best friend Lily to ensure she wins over Rohit (who is already crushing over Deepa). The story follows classic day-to-day high school shenanigans, planning for an upcoming Winter dance, avoiding Vik and making sure she has her *perfect relationship for junior year.
Deepa Josyula, oh she was fantastic I loved that this was in first person POV because she is hilarious, she's a planner, hopeless romantic and in a long-time rivalry with her neighbor Vikram! I think what resonated with me was Deepa's journey to live more in the moment and embrace the unexpected, which makes life a little more fun! Teerdhala has a knack for charming storytelling that really makes you feel for the characters, the unique romance and the deeper threads that make it such a beautiful YA romance - not only unique but heartfelt too!
Vikram Mehta, what a great mmc - he's snarky, always pushing Deepa's buttons but also a great, reliable friend. He cares a lot about his family, community and friends - he's the complete opposite of Deepa in many ways ( when he talked about how he was more willing to have fun than her I always laughed) and seeing their banter with eachother was perfection! Like he pranks her and literally asks her right after is she needs a ride to school, so unserious and literally serious at the same time - he was SO GREAT!
While reading this book in just a couple sittings, I also annotated while I was reading and it was such a fun experience! probably one of my favorite quotes that encompasses the overarching idea of this romcom was "That's what a good plan did. It made sure you didn't get hurt. It made sure you got what you wanted...(31) - it says so much about Deepa and how her perspective drives her to avoid mistakes (or fear of getting hurt) I loved that was explored so deeply within the story <3
THE BANTER IN THIS BOOK, PERFECTION 10/10! I was unsure about the love triangle here but seeing her navigate her relationship with Rohit and also be forced to team-up with Vik made for a lot of funny moments between them. He loves teasing her and it was srsly so hilarious, her comebacks were witty and their chemistry builds it was so entertaining!!!!
I know love triangles seem really overdone these days, but TRUST ME this one was so miraculously executed with mc's who are kind, charming and not really in competition with each other (there's a surprising bromance between them which was so fun!!!). Deepa also has a great relationship with her best friend Lily and you see her life as the oldest sister with two little sisters, i loved that so much!!! Such a beautiful theme of sisterhood and showing their love in unexpected ways +bickering + fighting with each other (as siblings do) was true in every way.
As far as romcoms go, this one is easily ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITES - cozy, funny and sweet magical YA romance with all the romcom movie vibes that will literally be the book i think about for the rest of the year!!! Need a magical YA romcom with rival neighbors, friendship, pranks, great banter, fantastic characters, excellent romance, & an utterly charming story - go read THE BOYFRIEND WISH RIGHT NOW!
March 5, 2024
In The Boyfriend Wish by Swati Teerdhala, Deepa, a South Indian American teenager, wishes on a jasmine flower for the perfect boyfriend and believes her wish has come true when a new boy moves into her cul-de-sac.
The novel starts with excellent pacing and character development as we are introduced to the characters in Deepa’s first-person POV. Teerdhala’s writing style is lively, character-driven, and balanced between dialogue and character introspection. I love the author’s development of Deepa’s complicated friendship/relationship with Vik—Deepa’s nemesis and neighbor since they were 10—through humorous, emotional, sweet, and angsty interactions that include great sparring, bickering, and banter. It may be my favorite part of the book, along with the prank war. Her exploration of the relationships among Deepa, Vik, Rohit, Lily—Deepa’s BFF—and their siblings is also fascinating. The author deftly develops the characters, only revealing their backstories and detailed connections when she’s ready to. Yet another novel you don’t want to read while hungry.
A hopeless romantic, Deepa has her mind set on finding the perfect boyfriend and relationship to live up to her mom and dad’s fairy-tale love story and avoid the mistakes of her aunt’s romantic past. That’s why Deepa has a deep checklist with all her requirements for the perfect boyfriend, believing that planning can protect you from failure and pain. When Deepa receives the traditional jasmine flower from her grandmother with a promise of fulfilling her heart’s greatest desire, she can’t believe her luck. So, of course, Deepa wishes for the perfect boyfriend to meet all her exacting requirements and believes that Rohit is that wish come true when he moves into her cul-de-sac the next day. But Deepa gets so caught up in sealing her wish with a kiss so she doesn’t lose it that she doesn’t stop to wonder whether Rohit is the right boyfriend for HER or if she’s missing better choices while checking off the boxes on her list.
Deepa is a control freak who likes rules and order. She’s also a planner and thinker who strategizes for her friends and family, but no one plans or thinks for her except for Vik. While he drives her crazy and gives her grief for her particularness, Vik balances her out nicely. He helps her get out of her head, stop overthinking and have fun, do what she needs to, and focus on the now. Best of all, he pushes her to be her best self, challenges her, doesn’t let her get away with anything, and knows her well.
An intelligent, quick thinker who is like family to Deepa’s family, Vik is the bane of Deepa’s existence—especially concerning the prank war. Though Vik’s perspective might have enriched the development and evolution of his friendship with Deepa, the author effectively develops his character enough for us to see his feelings and motivations sufficiently to understand their adversarial relationship. But also, that there is more to it than that. She gives you enough information and background to put the pieces together and figure out why he is there every time Deepa turns around. And I don’t think it’s always just to torment her. Plus, because the author is exploring the impact of Deepa’s close relationship with her aunt and her view of what transpired with her divorce, and how Deepa’s parent’s relationship as the gold standard has become foundational for Deepa’s fixation on having the Perfect Boyfriend, it makes sense that the story is told from Deepa’s POV.
I think the novel might have been more balanced and had less of a feeling of an unreliable narrator if Deepa’s isn’t the only POV. Deepa is sometimes not super likable, and she can be pretty frustrating. But you can understand her motives causing her to make poor choices based on her viewpoint of idol worship of her mom and aunt. The pacing slows a bit just before the midpoint, but it does pick up soon after. Overall, The Boyfriend Wish is a cute, funny, sweet YA/Teen romance recommended for fans of love triangles, friends to foes, friends to lovers, prank wars, friendships, sibling bonding, and family-centered stories.
Katherine Tegen Books provided an advanced review copy via Netgalley for review.
The novel starts with excellent pacing and character development as we are introduced to the characters in Deepa’s first-person POV. Teerdhala’s writing style is lively, character-driven, and balanced between dialogue and character introspection. I love the author’s development of Deepa’s complicated friendship/relationship with Vik—Deepa’s nemesis and neighbor since they were 10—through humorous, emotional, sweet, and angsty interactions that include great sparring, bickering, and banter. It may be my favorite part of the book, along with the prank war. Her exploration of the relationships among Deepa, Vik, Rohit, Lily—Deepa’s BFF—and their siblings is also fascinating. The author deftly develops the characters, only revealing their backstories and detailed connections when she’s ready to. Yet another novel you don’t want to read while hungry.
A hopeless romantic, Deepa has her mind set on finding the perfect boyfriend and relationship to live up to her mom and dad’s fairy-tale love story and avoid the mistakes of her aunt’s romantic past. That’s why Deepa has a deep checklist with all her requirements for the perfect boyfriend, believing that planning can protect you from failure and pain. When Deepa receives the traditional jasmine flower from her grandmother with a promise of fulfilling her heart’s greatest desire, she can’t believe her luck. So, of course, Deepa wishes for the perfect boyfriend to meet all her exacting requirements and believes that Rohit is that wish come true when he moves into her cul-de-sac the next day. But Deepa gets so caught up in sealing her wish with a kiss so she doesn’t lose it that she doesn’t stop to wonder whether Rohit is the right boyfriend for HER or if she’s missing better choices while checking off the boxes on her list.
Deepa is a control freak who likes rules and order. She’s also a planner and thinker who strategizes for her friends and family, but no one plans or thinks for her except for Vik. While he drives her crazy and gives her grief for her particularness, Vik balances her out nicely. He helps her get out of her head, stop overthinking and have fun, do what she needs to, and focus on the now. Best of all, he pushes her to be her best self, challenges her, doesn’t let her get away with anything, and knows her well.
An intelligent, quick thinker who is like family to Deepa’s family, Vik is the bane of Deepa’s existence—especially concerning the prank war. Though Vik’s perspective might have enriched the development and evolution of his friendship with Deepa, the author effectively develops his character enough for us to see his feelings and motivations sufficiently to understand their adversarial relationship. But also, that there is more to it than that. She gives you enough information and background to put the pieces together and figure out why he is there every time Deepa turns around. And I don’t think it’s always just to torment her. Plus, because the author is exploring the impact of Deepa’s close relationship with her aunt and her view of what transpired with her divorce, and how Deepa’s parent’s relationship as the gold standard has become foundational for Deepa’s fixation on having the Perfect Boyfriend, it makes sense that the story is told from Deepa’s POV.
I think the novel might have been more balanced and had less of a feeling of an unreliable narrator if Deepa’s isn’t the only POV. Deepa is sometimes not super likable, and she can be pretty frustrating. But you can understand her motives causing her to make poor choices based on her viewpoint of idol worship of her mom and aunt. The pacing slows a bit just before the midpoint, but it does pick up soon after. Overall, The Boyfriend Wish is a cute, funny, sweet YA/Teen romance recommended for fans of love triangles, friends to foes, friends to lovers, prank wars, friendships, sibling bonding, and family-centered stories.
Katherine Tegen Books provided an advanced review copy via Netgalley for review.
February 19, 2024
Deepa is a planner. She schedules and researches everything. She’s not one for spontaneity. And she’s decided this year is the year she will have her perfect highschool romance. Her parents have been together since highschool so she has a really positive opinion of young love. And she’s picked out the guy she’s going to ask to the school dance which she thinks will springboard into a relationship. I’m not sure how much Deepa actually likes the guy, but she thinks he’s a good fit.
What actually happens is that her prank war with her neighbor Vikram results in Deepa getting turned down for the dance. (It wasn’t in an unkind way, it was more of a timing issue)
Deepa is pretty disappointed and her grandmother offers her a flower that she claims is magic. She encourages Deepa to make a wish on the flower.
Deepa wishes for the perfect boyfriend. And the next morning she wakes up and finds out that a handsome new guy has moved into the cul-de-sac. And the more she gets to know how the more she realizes he checks all the boxes from the perfect boyfriend list that she made in 9th grade, two years earlier.
It seems like the new guy Rohit is fated for her.
But she also gets pulled into a project or two with Vik and they start spending a lot of time together again. They used to have a lot of fun together as kids and they are having fun together again.
Vik isn’t anything like the perfect boyfriend Deepa would choose. She’s never even thought of him that way. But Vik knows that Deepa doesn’t make any time for fun anymore and he wants to see her happy.
Deepa only has a while longer to deal her wish with a kiss. But who should she be kissing?
I really enjoyed this. I tore through the whole book in one day.
What actually happens is that her prank war with her neighbor Vikram results in Deepa getting turned down for the dance. (It wasn’t in an unkind way, it was more of a timing issue)
Deepa is pretty disappointed and her grandmother offers her a flower that she claims is magic. She encourages Deepa to make a wish on the flower.
Deepa wishes for the perfect boyfriend. And the next morning she wakes up and finds out that a handsome new guy has moved into the cul-de-sac. And the more she gets to know how the more she realizes he checks all the boxes from the perfect boyfriend list that she made in 9th grade, two years earlier.
It seems like the new guy Rohit is fated for her.
But she also gets pulled into a project or two with Vik and they start spending a lot of time together again. They used to have a lot of fun together as kids and they are having fun together again.
Vik isn’t anything like the perfect boyfriend Deepa would choose. She’s never even thought of him that way. But Vik knows that Deepa doesn’t make any time for fun anymore and he wants to see her happy.
Deepa only has a while longer to deal her wish with a kiss. But who should she be kissing?
I really enjoyed this. I tore through the whole book in one day.
November 1, 2023
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.
This book probably deserves a 4.5 star rating, but I'm rounding up because it was extremely enjoyable, plus it was well written and clean enough that I can recommend it to both tweens and teens in my library. Kudos!
The thing I appreciated most about this book was the characterizations. Not only did they seem like genuine people, but the author wrote them in such a way that readers could see their flaws, but they were never put down nor did they ultimately need to drastically change their core traits in order to be happy, have friends, etc. So often in these types of books, the characters need to do a 180 in order to find a boyfriend, be happy, or whatnot, and frankly that is just not the case in real life. I love when characters can grow and become the best version of themselves without having to change literally everything about themselves. There is no "one-size-fits-all" model for happiness, and this book did a great job of demonstrating that.
My main issue with this novel is the theme of learning to stop planning your life by a list. And maybe this is super relevant and teens need to hear it, but it has definitely been done before. This book did have a nice twist with the "magical wish" which was different and fun, and the Indian American representation was great, so that definitely made up for the slightly over-used plot theme in my estimation.
Overall, highly recommend. Fun, clean, and will be an easy book to recommend for romance loving teens and tweens.
This book probably deserves a 4.5 star rating, but I'm rounding up because it was extremely enjoyable, plus it was well written and clean enough that I can recommend it to both tweens and teens in my library. Kudos!
The thing I appreciated most about this book was the characterizations. Not only did they seem like genuine people, but the author wrote them in such a way that readers could see their flaws, but they were never put down nor did they ultimately need to drastically change their core traits in order to be happy, have friends, etc. So often in these types of books, the characters need to do a 180 in order to find a boyfriend, be happy, or whatnot, and frankly that is just not the case in real life. I love when characters can grow and become the best version of themselves without having to change literally everything about themselves. There is no "one-size-fits-all" model for happiness, and this book did a great job of demonstrating that.
My main issue with this novel is the theme of learning to stop planning your life by a list. And maybe this is super relevant and teens need to hear it, but it has definitely been done before. This book did have a nice twist with the "magical wish" which was different and fun, and the Indian American representation was great, so that definitely made up for the slightly over-used plot theme in my estimation.
Overall, highly recommend. Fun, clean, and will be an easy book to recommend for romance loving teens and tweens.
March 20, 2024
I'm writing this review in exchange for having received a free eARC from Katherine Tegan Books.
Deepa Josylua's life is organized and time controlled down to the minute. She has a plan for everything, down to where she is going to college, who she is marrying, and how her life turns out. The only problem: everything was supposed to start today with the perfect boy going with her to homecoming--and he's going with someone else because she was two minutes too late because her neighbor pranked her, and made her late. Vik--her loathsome neighbor has once again shot his opening salvo in their years long prank war, and ruined her life. Again.
However, in the midst of her worrying that her life isn't' going to turn out as perfect as her parents, her grandmother offers her a wish on the last jasmine bloom and Deepa wishes for the perfect boyfriend in an effort to set the world right again.
Enter Rohit, whose family moves into the abandoned house across the street the very next day. Suddenly things aren't looking so gloomy for Deepa. Rohit is everything Deepa asked for, she even checked The List that she and her best friend made when they were freshman. But is it as simple as that?
I loved everything about this book. I loved the banter between Vik and Deepa. I loved the best friend. I loved the angst. I loved the parents, and the South Indian community. I loved the family drama, and Rohit's perfection. It was YA romantic comedy at its finest. It was everything I could have asked for. Charming, entertaining, and totally cute.
Deepa Josylua's life is organized and time controlled down to the minute. She has a plan for everything, down to where she is going to college, who she is marrying, and how her life turns out. The only problem: everything was supposed to start today with the perfect boy going with her to homecoming--and he's going with someone else because she was two minutes too late because her neighbor pranked her, and made her late. Vik--her loathsome neighbor has once again shot his opening salvo in their years long prank war, and ruined her life. Again.
However, in the midst of her worrying that her life isn't' going to turn out as perfect as her parents, her grandmother offers her a wish on the last jasmine bloom and Deepa wishes for the perfect boyfriend in an effort to set the world right again.
Enter Rohit, whose family moves into the abandoned house across the street the very next day. Suddenly things aren't looking so gloomy for Deepa. Rohit is everything Deepa asked for, she even checked The List that she and her best friend made when they were freshman. But is it as simple as that?
I loved everything about this book. I loved the banter between Vik and Deepa. I loved the best friend. I loved the angst. I loved the parents, and the South Indian community. I loved the family drama, and Rohit's perfection. It was YA romantic comedy at its finest. It was everything I could have asked for. Charming, entertaining, and totally cute.
March 24, 2024
“The Boyfriend Wish” by Swati Teerdhala tells the story of high school student Deepa and her friends and family. Deepa’s life revolves around school and her friends. She lives on a cul-de-sac with her closest pals, and she finds that life is going pretty well. That is, until a problem occurs when she tries to wish for the perfect boyfriend, and then is surprised when her wish seemingly comes true! Little does she know that the perfect guy may have been closer than she could have ever admitted. While Rohit seems perfect when he moves into the cul-de-sac and takes an interest in her, she finds herself continually pulled toward Vikram, her next-door neighbor and arch nemesis in the prank war that the kids on the cul-de-sac play against each other. Vik’s personality infuriates her, but it also keeps her on her toes, and despite her ever-growing annoyance with him, she finds that being around Vik isn’t quite as bad as she expected after not having been friends with him on a closer basis for several years. Yet, Rohit has it all, but the connection isn’t quite as deep. He doesn’t “get” her the way Vik does, and while she desperately tries to make her wish to have Rohit be her boyfriend pan out, she finds herself stuck in a conundrum—is that really what she wants?
Swati Teerdhala has crafted an engrossing, romantic, thoroughly enjoyable story about young love, crushes, and the worries that come along with it all.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Swati Teerdhala has crafted an engrossing, romantic, thoroughly enjoyable story about young love, crushes, and the worries that come along with it all.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
August 10, 2025
This was such a fun ride—pure YA joy with just the right amount of mischief and heart. The cul de sac prank war was absolute gold: clever, chaotic, and full of energy. I loved the way it wasn’t just the older kids causing mayhem, but their younger siblings getting in on the action too. It gave the whole thing this spirited, all-ages feel that really made the story stand out.
The romance was sweet and had that warm, slow-burn charm that’s perfect for a lighthearted story like this. It didn’t take itself too seriously, and that worked in its favor. I do wish Rohit had been a little more developed—he had potential to be such an interesting foil, but felt a bit surface-level. Same with Deepa—her initial shallowness was hard to ignore, but I appreciated that the story gave a reason for it. The subtle exploration of how trauma shaped her rigidity added some emotional depth that really elevated her arc.
Vikram, though? Total scene-stealer. Funny, grounded, and always the one bringing balance to the chaos—he was hands down my favorite. The kind of character you wish would get a spin-off just to see more of what’s going on in that clever little brain of his.
Overall, this was a charming, energetic read with just enough emotional weight to keep it from being pure fluff. If you’re in the mood for sibling team-ups, prank battles, and sweet teenage love with a few rough edges, this one’s a win.
The romance was sweet and had that warm, slow-burn charm that’s perfect for a lighthearted story like this. It didn’t take itself too seriously, and that worked in its favor. I do wish Rohit had been a little more developed—he had potential to be such an interesting foil, but felt a bit surface-level. Same with Deepa—her initial shallowness was hard to ignore, but I appreciated that the story gave a reason for it. The subtle exploration of how trauma shaped her rigidity added some emotional depth that really elevated her arc.
Vikram, though? Total scene-stealer. Funny, grounded, and always the one bringing balance to the chaos—he was hands down my favorite. The kind of character you wish would get a spin-off just to see more of what’s going on in that clever little brain of his.
Overall, this was a charming, energetic read with just enough emotional weight to keep it from being pure fluff. If you’re in the mood for sibling team-ups, prank battles, and sweet teenage love with a few rough edges, this one’s a win.
December 12, 2023
The beautiful cover and description initially got me really excited to read this book. I went in expecting a fun, lighthearted YA romance and I’d say it definitely delivered! I thought all the characters were likable and I loved that the author showed their flaws in a way that made you feel closer to them, rather than thinking they were annoying or unlikeable.
A few times, I felt the author was doing more telling than showing but it ultimately didn’t bother me too much. I thought the prank war aspect was fun and the friendship and family dynamics were great! The Indian American representation was so cool as I haven’t read many books that had that.
The friendship and relationship dynamics in the book reminded me of Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter. If you liked that book, I think you'll like this one! The ending really did it for me. I thought it was so cute and really made me feel for the characters and love them even more.
If I had read this when I was in high school, I think it definitely would’ve been one of my favorites. If you’re looking for a clean, lighthearted YA romance, this one’s for you!
A few times, I felt the author was doing more telling than showing but it ultimately didn’t bother me too much. I thought the prank war aspect was fun and the friendship and family dynamics were great! The Indian American representation was so cool as I haven’t read many books that had that.
The friendship and relationship dynamics in the book reminded me of Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter. If you liked that book, I think you'll like this one! The ending really did it for me. I thought it was so cute and really made me feel for the characters and love them even more.
If I had read this when I was in high school, I think it definitely would’ve been one of my favorites. If you’re looking for a clean, lighthearted YA romance, this one’s for you!
May 27, 2024
Overall, this was a solid book from Swati Teerdhala!
The Boyfriend wish tackles the question of whether or not we actually know what we want in our "perfect partner".
At the advisation of her grandmother, Deepa Josyula wishes on the season's last jasmine flower. Her wish? The perfect high school boyfriend- one who satisfies every checkbox on the list she made in ninth grade . Miraculously, said boy moves into the cul de sac the next day! But that's just the beginning, what if the perfect boy isn't quite as perfect as she thinks?
This book was delightful! Loved it's desi representation and the truthfulness of the naivety of Deepa. We all have been there, thinking we know what's best when really, the best is exactly the opposite of our ideal.
The writing was engaging, pace was (pleasantly) fast, and the backstories between the characters felt well fleshed out. If definitely read another book by Swati Teerdhala if it's like this one!
The Boyfriend wish tackles the question of whether or not we actually know what we want in our "perfect partner".
At the advisation of her grandmother, Deepa Josyula wishes on the season's last jasmine flower. Her wish? The perfect high school boyfriend- one who satisfies every checkbox on the list she made in ninth grade . Miraculously, said boy moves into the cul de sac the next day! But that's just the beginning, what if the perfect boy isn't quite as perfect as she thinks?
This book was delightful! Loved it's desi representation and the truthfulness of the naivety of Deepa. We all have been there, thinking we know what's best when really, the best is exactly the opposite of our ideal.
The writing was engaging, pace was (pleasantly) fast, and the backstories between the characters felt well fleshed out. If definitely read another book by Swati Teerdhala if it's like this one!
December 26, 2024
4.25 rounded up because this book deserves to have more ratings
But it is not without its flaws. It was a refreshing change of pace that the leading man (boy?) Was not always in love with our Deepa. And sometimes the author gets too into the head of deepa. Leading to repetitive thoughts. It's true to life but sometimes the thought spiral results in repetitive reading which is not great. Okay flaws out of the way.
I can't believe this is a YA book,.the reading age is 12 for crying out loud. Am like two decades older but the feels they generate can rival a book about adults. Vik is delightful, the perfect foil for Dee. But there's also Rohit, who's charming and everything nice. The prank war was gold. I could read a book with just the prank war. The BFF was amazing there's just too many Indian names which could be confusing for other country readers but lovely book. The author questions the teenager's ideal of perfection and makes her realize there's perfect for each not just perfect. Amazing book, looking forward to the next one in line.
But it is not without its flaws. It was a refreshing change of pace that the leading man (boy?) Was not always in love with our Deepa. And sometimes the author gets too into the head of deepa. Leading to repetitive thoughts. It's true to life but sometimes the thought spiral results in repetitive reading which is not great. Okay flaws out of the way.
I can't believe this is a YA book,.the reading age is 12 for crying out loud. Am like two decades older but the feels they generate can rival a book about adults. Vik is delightful, the perfect foil for Dee. But there's also Rohit, who's charming and everything nice. The prank war was gold. I could read a book with just the prank war. The BFF was amazing there's just too many Indian names which could be confusing for other country readers but lovely book. The author questions the teenager's ideal of perfection and makes her realize there's perfect for each not just perfect. Amazing book, looking forward to the next one in line.
March 8, 2024
This book was so incredibly sweet and charming! I loved every second of it. I loved that the characters were easy to root for, likeable people who I wanted to be friends with. There was such great representation of South Indian culture, too. From page one, you got to know Deepa's world quite quickly and thoroughly, which immediately sucked me in and held me there. The romance aspect (spoiler: love triangle territory) was sweet and fluffy and challenging and all things good in a quick-read, light YA. I rooted for Deepa to overcome her need for control, and to lighten up and live in the moment. I loved her interactions with the others around her. And I loved how family-centric this story was in the end; Deepa being a hopeless romantic didn't consume her life or the story. Overall I'd definitely recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest thoughts.
February 13, 2024
Absolute banger!
I grabbed it for the cover! Which I think looks so cute and cozy and the story pulled me in immediately with its adorable chaos.
Deepa is a junior in high school and is wanting the perfect year and the perfect boyfriend for the perfect start of her forever romance. (LOL) Deepa’s grandmother gives her the last Jasmine bloom and tells her to make a wish. She wishes for the perfect boyfriend specifically that meets a list of criteria she and her bestie made a couple years ago. The next day HE MOVES IN ACROSS THE STREET! Is everything going to go according to plan or is her nemesis Vik going to muck it all up?
lol it was dramatic and so cute. I loved every character and all the growth they all had. I found myself grinning for a lot of it.
One thing I will mention. I read an ebook of this and it does have some bantery, flirty, bickering and I read it more on the flirty side but in the past with rivals or nemesis when it goes to audiobook sometimes the narrators lean into the banter/bicker stuff hard and it can feel like yelling. Not having listened to the audio I don’t know how it will translate. I absolutely recommend an eyeball copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Teen for an eARC.
I grabbed it for the cover! Which I think looks so cute and cozy and the story pulled me in immediately with its adorable chaos.
Deepa is a junior in high school and is wanting the perfect year and the perfect boyfriend for the perfect start of her forever romance. (LOL) Deepa’s grandmother gives her the last Jasmine bloom and tells her to make a wish. She wishes for the perfect boyfriend specifically that meets a list of criteria she and her bestie made a couple years ago. The next day HE MOVES IN ACROSS THE STREET! Is everything going to go according to plan or is her nemesis Vik going to muck it all up?
lol it was dramatic and so cute. I loved every character and all the growth they all had. I found myself grinning for a lot of it.
One thing I will mention. I read an ebook of this and it does have some bantery, flirty, bickering and I read it more on the flirty side but in the past with rivals or nemesis when it goes to audiobook sometimes the narrators lean into the banter/bicker stuff hard and it can feel like yelling. Not having listened to the audio I don’t know how it will translate. I absolutely recommend an eyeball copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Teen for an eARC.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews