What We Wish For

by Melody Maysonet

From award-winning author Melody Maysonet, What We Wish For is a poignant YA novel that explores one teenager’s coming-of-age as she struggles through homelessness, family feuds, and her mother’s addiction.

Be careful what you wish for …

Fifteen-year-old Layla Freeman likes to pretend her life is fine. After all, her mother is about to celebrate thirty days sober, and yeah, they’ve moved into a homeless shelter, but it’s only temporary, right? Her mom will get better, and in the meantime, it’s important that no one at school finds out where she’s been living for the past month. Layla has worked hard to build her reputation as a girl who doesn’t care what others think of her, but the truth is she does care—deeply—and she’s tripping over her own lies, especially to her best friend, as she tries to pretend nothing’s wrong.

With their time at the shelter running out, Layla hatches a plan to get help from her rich aunt and uncle, despite the long-standing feud between their families. When the plan backfires and her mom ends up in the hospital after an overdose, the silver lining is that she’s sent to fancy rehab—paid for by Uncle Scott and Aunt Tanya. Layla gets to move into her aunt and uncle’s mansion while her mom is gone and begins building a tentative friendship with her snobby cousin—even as her relationship with her best friend deteriorates.

Armed with new wealth, new relationships, and even a new mother figure, Layla thinks all her dreams have come true … But secrets have a way of coming out, and one secret above all threatens to turn her world upside down—and destroy her entire family.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Audiobook, Poverty, Friendship, Addiction, Family

376 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2024

About the author

Melody Maysonet has been an English teacher, editor, columnist, and ghostwriter. A self-proclaimed geek, she loves reading fantasy but prefers writing edgy, real-world fiction—as evidenced by her first novel, A WORK OF ART, which won the 2016 Hoffer Award for best fiction and was named a Best Book of 2015 by YA Books Central. Melody lives in Coconut Creek, Florida, with her husband, son, and two cats. Visit Melody's website at www.melodymaysonet.com, or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, but one that deals with some very weighty issues.
The protagonist, teenager Layla, has been through a lot in her life; a rollercoaster ride of very few ups, but many downs. What with her mom’s drug addiction, which led to them being homeless and in a shelter, and still attending high school, Layla feels desperate. Desperate to keep even her closest friend from finding out the situation, and to make her mom take rehab seriously this time, before it’s too late for them both…
Red Flags:
Alcoholism and drug abuse are prevalent, with adults and teens in this book. There is some vulgar language. Parental infidelity is an issue that’s discussed.
Trigger Warnings:
Child abuse, spousal abuse, attempted suicide

[Nikki | graciouslybooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was…all the emotions. A book of addiction and relapse and abuse. Sad but heartwarming. A lovely story. I miss these characters already.

[Cayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for having sent me a gifted copy of What We Wish For. Giving this one a 3.5 stars.
I have never read anything by this author but reading about what the story was about sounded interesting so I wanted to give it a shot and it turned out to be a really good story, The story felt like such a real-life one because of the issues that go on in it and it happens in everyday life all over this world.
It is a story you need to really understand though. Its about a girl and her mom who are basically homeless because Layla's mom is alcoholic and somewhat of a drug addict as well and so they basically were living off the streets while her mom kept fighting her battle with her addiction.
Luckily, Layla has a "Uncle" and Aunt who are wealthy and they take her in while they try to get her mom into rehab. The family have had some previous past issues that has made it hard for Layla and her mom and secrets that Layla ends up discovering and is shocked. She even tries to hide her own secrets too from her closest friends but she doesnt know how long she can hold those secrets for.

This story like I said has a lot of serious issues that you want to consider when reading this such as addiction, alcoholism, drugs, abuse and suicide.

[Rebecca Trovitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I would get pulled into a book about a teenage girl since my preference for novels is typically suspense, crime or mystery. By page 2 I had my answer. Nearly everyone I know had a complicated childhood and especially teenage years. Maybe not as extreme as the book's main character, but you will find yourself connected to her pain, confusion, stubbornness, lack of sense of self and wanting for what she believes will fix all of her problems, nonetheless. By the final chapter, my heart felt connected to the emotional growth and healing and I found myself closing the book with tears streaming down my face. A truly beautiful and well-shared story.

[Anya Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

What We Wish For introduces us to Layla, a resilient teenager grappling with the harsh realities of having an addict mother and the instability of living in a homeless shelter. She does everything to keep her home life circumstances hidden from those around her.
When Layla's mother overdoses, Layla is sent to live with her aunt and uncle. There, she experiences the normalcy of clean clothes, having her own room, food and a seemingly more stable environment. However, life in her new environment unveils its own set of challenges and complexities, exploring themes of belonging, new beginnings, family and the enduring impacts of past traumas.
And I must add, how much I loved the nods to Ellen Hopkins “Crank.”

[SCSoftballMom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC. This is an awesome YA book about Layla, who is a teenager trying to navigate her Mom's alcoholism. Layla is one of the strongest characters I've read about recently. This is an excellent read!

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story! I really enjoyed the growth of Layla's character. Her journey of self discovery and learning to confront and accept the truth! Some of the decisions she makes are always realistic or the best but in the end I feel it made her even more relatable and realistic. It's a story that's both emotional and thought provoking! Thank you Bibliolifestyle, Melody Maysonet and Blackstone Publishing for sharing this book with me!

[BookishMunchkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up. Wasn’t the best book but wasn’t the worst. The main characters lack of empathy in the beginning and middle of the book was so frustrating and made me not like her very much. The plot twists were well done though, which is why I’m rounding up the rating to three stars.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great YA novel by Ms. Maysonet. She tackles difficult topics with such empathy. I always find it hard to put down her books as I’m anxious to find out if the protagonist comes out the other side. She has an incredible ability to write dialogue as though you feel part of the conversation.

[Shannon Stiens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me interested

[Ellyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of addiction, of loss, of hope and of family. A mother daughter relationship is hard enough let alone, the alcoholism and homelessness but somehow, Layla and her mother manage to understand each other in the most heartwarming way.

[Kaley Kowarick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Synopsis: Layla Freeman is 15 and navigating a traumatic home life through poetry and with the support of some unexpected confidants.

Opinion: This YA book covers many important topics (e.g., loved ones and addiction, being unhoused, domestic abuse, insecurity, etc.) in a compelling and poignant way. The character development for Layla is strong and moving, the plot and pacing are good, and the ending of the book is beautiful. I didn’t love the development of Tanya’s character and felt that some of her dialogue was unrealistic, but the rest of the characters were written well. I would recommend this book to my students because the perspectives are important and the plot is engaging.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some astounding statistics:
Approximately 10.5% (7.5 million) of U.S. children ages 17 and younger live with a parent who has alcohol-use disorder, according to a 2017 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

At least 25% of alcoholics and drug addicts commit suicide (NIH). n most cases, mid-to-long-term alcohol abuse makes suicidal ideation both more frequent and more powerful, subsequently increasing the likelihood of suicide attempts (Alcohol Help).

Forty-six percent of high school students currently use addictive substances; and 12% meet the clinical criteria for addiction. 90% of Americans who meet the clinical criteria for addiction started using substances before the age of 18 (drugfree.org).

Six in 10 children – or 400 million children – under 5 years of age regularly suffer physical punishment and/or psychological violence at the hands of parents and caregivers (WHO)

Estimates suggest that as many as 4.2 million youth and young adults (700,000 youth ages 13–17 and 3.5 million youth ages 18–25) are homeless within the United States each year. In 2023, 186,084 people in families (at least one adult and one dependent under 18) were counted as experiencing homelessness in a single night, which is 29 percent of the total population of people experiencing homelessness. Of those, approximately nine in 10 were sheltered. (Youth.gov)

From these statistics, we can see just how many teens are affected by alcoholism, drug addiction, physical abuse, and homelessness. It would be highly likely that many of them are in our classrooms, peers of our readers, or our readers themselves. I have in other posts referred to these children as “hiding in plain sight.”

Books such as Melody Maysonet’s WHAT WE WISH FOR which a portrays a main character affected by all these circumstances—Layla’s mother is an alcoholic and attempts suicide, her cousin’s father physically abuses her and her mother, her new friend Gabriel is recovering from drug addiction, and she and her mother are homeless—depict realistic conditions for today’s teens, and novels such as these validate the lives of many of our readers while building empathy in their peers.

Layla Freeman tries to keep her circumstances a secret from everyone at her high school, even her best friend Morgan. “And yeah, I pretend not to care what people think of me, but it’s all an act,…” (45) Her one refuge is writing poetry.

It is a delicate balancing act, especially when Gabriel, who also lives in the shelter, enrolls in her high school and her mother, having just earned her 30-day sober chip, overdoses on heroin. “[Mom] needs me though, so I give her a quick hug, and I smile at her as though everything is awesome. When really there is a dark tear that’s ripping me in half, but I can’t let anyone see that.” (9)

With her mother agreeing to go enter rehab, Layla goes to live with her mother’s wealthy sister, her uncle, and her cousin Celeste who actually turns out to be nicer than she appears to be at school. Her uncle is running for mayor and is only helping Layla and her mother so the press doesn’t find out he has been letting his family live in a shelter and is has a quick temper, is abusive, and for some secret reason hates Layla’s mother.

What follows is a life of highs and lows and feelings of safety and vulnerability is Layla’s secrets are uncover as she uncovers secret. But Layla is a strong, resilient character.

This was an emotional read that will be necessary for many of our teens so that they know they are not alone. It is a story of family, friends, and those who stand by us to help us decide what we wish for.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"What We Wish For" by Melody Maysonet is a poignant and gripping YA novel that delves into the complexities of family, friendship, and learning to grow. Before reading this book, I do want to provide a trigger warning for alcoholism and drug use in this book. The MC never partakes, but others in the book do. Also, I wanted to provide a trigger warning for domestic abuse (this is described in the book).

Fifteen-year-old Layla Freeman is adept at putting on a façade, pretending that everything is fine despite her family's struggles. With her mother's sobriety hanging by a thread and their recent move into a homeless shelter, Layla is determined to keep up appearances at school. However, as the pressure mounts and Layla's lies become harder to maintain, she finds herself grappling with the truth and the fear of judgment from her peers. When Layla's desperate plan to seek help from her wealthy aunt and uncle goes awry, her world is turned upside down. Yet, amidst the chaos, Layla is granted a glimmer of hope as her mother receives treatment in rehab and Layla moves into her relatives' opulent mansion. However, as Layla navigates her new life of privilege, she discovers that not everything is as it seems, and buried secrets threaten to unravel her newfound stability.

Maysonet expertly crafts a compelling narrative that explores themes of resilience, forgiveness, and the importance of confronting one's past. I really enjoyed Layla’s journey of growth as well as learning from her own mother’s mistakes. Layla’s thoughts and actions felt very realistic for her age, especially because of the experiences she has had growing up and throughout the plot of the book. There were times where Layla made some decisions that weren’t thought-out or had some thoughts that were prejudiced, but I think these decisions/thoughts made Layla even more realistic and relatable. Through Layla's journey, you are taken on an emotional rollercoaster as you witness her struggles and her growth as she learns to confront the truth and embrace her authentic self. While I didn’t think the romance in the book was entirely necessary (I was much more invested in the plot regarding Layla’s mother and the major secret she was hiding), I really liked how Maysonet played out the romance at the very end; I thought it was a smart decision and worked the best for both Layla’s circumstances as well as the love interest’s. I did find the major twist in the book to be rather predictable, but I was very invested in Layla’s growth once that twist was revealed.

Overall, "What We Wish For" is a thought-provoking and emotional read that will resonate with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Maysonet's skillful storytelling and nuanced characters make this book a must-read for fans of contemporary YA fiction.

[Pine Reads Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I also need to ask him to please not tell anyone he saw me here, because if it gets out how pathetic my life is, the ‘I-don’t-care-what-you-think-of-me’ image I’ve built won’t be strong enough to hide behind.”

As a result of her mother's addiction, Layla and her mom are currently tenants of Helping Hands Homeless Shelter. It's an embarrassing fact Layla will do anything to hide from her classmates, including her best friend, Morgan. When her mother overdoses on heroin, Layla is left in the care of her affluent aunt and uncle, Tanya and Scott Rockwell, while her mom is sent to rehab. Suddenly, Layla has access to luxuries she hasn’t had in ages, such as a nice, warm bed and fancy new clothes. However, living in the Rockwell household is not as pleasant as the family wants people to believe. As secrets get harder to keep and her mother’s condition worsens, Layla learns who she can truly rely on in her times of need.

Melody Maysonet’s What We Wish For introduces readers to a variety of themes that are intricately woven to create a meaningful, nuanced story about addiction, family, and insecurity. Between the trying issues concerning Layla’s mother and her uncle’s status as a corrupt politician, I expected an allegory demanding that the audience live a certain way. Instead, Maysonet lets readers come to their own conclusions about the causes and solutions to mental health problems and addiction, focusing more on the stigma around the issues presented. I found that not steering readers towards the author’s desired way of handling a difficult situation was a refreshing change from some contemporary YA literature. While in search of a more permanent home, Layla guides readers through her introspective journey, adjusting her perspective to find more compassion for her friends, family, and herself. One such example is when another teenager at the homeless shelter becomes a close friend of hers. He encourages Layla to see her mother’s condition as a disease, rather than a choice made without concern for its impact on Layla. Stories about teenagers going through such distressing circumstances can be emotionally challenging to read, but Layla’s perseverance and personal growth in the face of adversity are what make What We Wish For worthwhile.

Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing 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!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's 2025, and I'm kicking off my commitment to start writing reviews again with this book. Thank goodness, too, because it took my expectations and raised them to the next level.
As an adult who still reads and enjoys young adult books, I have to say that I don't always love where the genre is going. I'll get into all that when I read a book that can illustrate some of my points on that topic. But where this book is concerned, I don't want to dwell on the negative because it was everything good about young adult books. A flawed but likable main character who has her future ahead of her. She doesn't make all the right decisions, but her choices make sense under the circumstances.
The MC lives in a homeless shelter, and her greatest fear is that everyone at school will find out she and her mom live there. She writes poetry but was told her poems were no good by a teacher, so she doesn't want to show them to anyone. You would think that with her mom being an alcoholic and you know, living in a homeless shelter, she would have more to worry about, but no. You would also think that given all that, it would be easy to throw her away as immature, but again, no.
I think there is a lot to explore in this book about friendship, about holding onto things we think we can control, about learning about who we are. It's an excellent read for anyone who enjoys stories about young people trying to find their place with friends and family. It's also high drama, and some of you may think it's over the top. So, if you don't like that, don't complain to me because I eat that stuff for breakfast.
Trigger warnings: alcohol and drug abuse, suicide attempts, child abuse, and some bad language.

[Matt Tesoriero · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subject matter in this book was completely foreign to me. I'm well aware of drug and alcohol addiction and halfway houses and replaces and messy, messy lives, BUT I never had a intimate, front row seat like I had reading this heart-filled, heart wrenching story. I was all in on all the characters. Each had a distinct POV, and personality. A mix of loving and frustrating and horrendous characters, much like real life. But the main reason I liked this book and why it resonated with me was due to the complicated relationship between teenage protagonist Layla and her mother. Layla struggles to be there for her mother. Struggles to know how to be her daughter. Struggles to understand, wants to deny and is overwhelmed with resentment with her mother's addiction to alcohol and drugs. Feelings of hate, frustration, love and hopelessness all rolled up into one charming protagonist. Adults are complicated. Our desire to have our parents be perfect, allusive, unrealistic. And let's be honest, hormone-enraged teenagers can be annoying. But in the end Layla is there for her mother. Does not give up on her and walk away even though she is totally embarrassed by her mother. Hides in fear that her super judgmental friends (at least in her mind) will judge her and cast her aside like a piece of trash. But in the end, Layla desperately wants her mother to be clean. To be her mother again. I'm a sucker for a happy ending, and this delivers. #hope #nevergiveup

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

From award-winning author Melody Maysonet, What We Wish For is a poignant YA novel following 15-year-old Layla Freeman, who struggles with homelessness, family estrangement, and her mother’s addictions. Layla hides her life at a homeless shelter from everyone at school, especially her best friend. With their time running out, she turns to her wealthy aunt and uncle for help. When her mother overdoses and is sent to rehab, Layla moves in with her relatives and begins to believe her life is turning around. However, hidden family secrets threaten to unravel everything, forcing Layla to confront the truth.

This book was such a powerful portrayal of Layla, who struggled to conceal her mother’s addiction and their subsequent life in a homeless shelter from everyone—especially her best friend. The emotional complexity, especially Layla’s conflicting feelings of love and anger toward her mother, really stood out to me. The tension escalated as Layla moved in with her wealthy relatives, highlighting the stark contrast between her two worlds. Maysonet offered a raw and realistic look at addiction and resilience.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...

[Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Layla Freeman is living in a shelter with her alcoholic mother, who needs to find a job within 10 days otherwise they are out. Instead of finding a job her mother ODs on heroin and Layla ends up living with her well to do aunt and uncle. Her uncle is running for mayor so decides to use Layla and her mothers situation to score some political points as he offers to pay for Shauna's 30-day rehab stay, but due to a problem at the rehab facility Shauna has to spend thanksgiving with her sister and her brother-in-law with whom she has a secret. Layla is secretive with her friends as she's embarrassed about her mother and their living situation, and roller-coasters between fear, anger, hope, and self-blame regarding her mother. There are also two scenes of visceral domestic violence. This book has some good stuff but is overly melodramatic at times. A decent first person narrative of a teen living with a drug dependent parent. For high school teens who like intense realistic fiction.

[Patty Golditch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written novel, though at times, a little predictable. Heart surging, teen angsty, possibly trauma triggering for readers sensitive to themes with drug addiction, alcoholism, physical, verbal, or mental abuse, houselessness, or issues of abandonment. The author bases some of this novel on her own experiences, and many passages feel authentic because of it. Melody Mayonet prefaces each chapter heading with a few lines of her own anguished teen emotions in poetic form. The words contribute to the raw feelings and edgy tones which add to the twists and turns of the plot. There is a strong undercurrent of religious messages as is perceived within families, as well as in outreach of community support. It is also shared within the framework of AA's doctrine. The characters and how they interact as friends, natural or temporary family units, or as reclusive introverts will resonate across the generations, blurring the line between teens, young adults, parents, and mentors.

[Debbie Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Melody Maysonet’s outstanding debut novel A WORK OF ART doesn’t shy away from weighty themes that leave you reflecting on the book long after you’ve finished it. Her second novel WHAT WE WISH FOR is equally powerful and thought-provoking. Layla, an intelligent and creative high school student, wishes her mother was sober, wishes they weren’t homeless, and wishes they weren’t poor. These wishes come true when a wealthy aunt and uncle take her in while sending her mother to rehab, but Layla soon finds out the meaning behind the adage to “be careful what you wish for”. The pressure of keeping secrets and the power of hope, as well as Layla’s ultimate resilience will keep you rooting for her throughout this emotional, riveting book. A must-read read for both teens and adults. I loved this book.

[Lucy Takeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My problem in reading this was that I kept thinking lots of the books I have read lately involve filthy rich folks interacting with dirt poor folks, and I’m kind of wishing there were books about middle class folks. However, the novel appears to do a great job of demonstrating how addictions destroy lives and how people often don’t see the hidden problems in families.
Layla’s mom is an alcoholic. They are attending an AA meeting where Mom is supposed to get her “ sober 30 days token,” but she’s acting really nervous and scared. They’re staying at a homeless shelter, but funding has been cut. Mom needs to get a job in ten days, or they’ll get kicked out. Mom’s history of making it to interviews and attending classes has been iffy. Layla has learned tricks, such as hugging her Mom to see if she can smell alcohol on her. Then, things suddenly get MUCH worse!

[Dawn Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What We Wish For is a realistic novel about addiction and hope. The story is told from the point of view of a bright and creative high school girl who is living in a homeless shelter with her alcoholic mother. She feels shame in her circumstances and keeps secrets, even from her best friend. All she wants is for her mother to stay sober and have a home again, but time is running out. Then, what seems like a blessing, turns out to be almost disastrous.

I was captivated by all the characters and still find myself thinking about them. The story is so well-written and thoughtful. I highly recommend this book!

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

For readers of writers like Kathleen Glasgow, this one is a ball of emotional upheaval. Layla is a girl whose mother is trying to get sober and they're in a homeless shelter that she tries to shield from anyone who knows her. There's also an ugly family dynamic between her mom and her and an aunt and uncle that continues to rear its head throughout the story.

While this book was not for me, I can see it's appeal though it is lengthy and I'm not sure it's all for the better. It seems to sit and stew in ways that drag the pacing down rather than highlight the traumatic experiences Layla is dealing with and her parentification dealing with a parent with substance abuse.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving 3.5 of 5 stars.

Synopsis: Layla is a 15 year old girl dealing with the outcome of a mother who is an addict. Navigating homelessness, addition, family troubles, school life and more, Layla is determined to find a way to persevere.

Thoughts: This was an interesting read about the struggles of addiction both from the point of view of someone battling addiction but also the child of an addict. Unfortunately I didn’t feel the romantic connection between Layla and Gabriel, but only got friend vibes from them thought out.

Thank you to Melody Maysonet, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read from the Zibby's book club list. I hoped I'd enjoy it enough to join the local Zibby's BC chapter in Boston, but it was meh for me. The subject matter was VERY heavy, with themes of alcohol/drug abuse, homelessness, domestic violence and DCS. It wasn't the heavy tone, though, that got to me. I really didn't care for the writing and had a hard time caring about any of the characters save for Shawna. The high Goodreads rating was surprising to me. Hoping the next pick is a little lighter and a better read.

[Joann Alder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't fallen so deeply into a book in a long time! The characters are each strong, making you want to know more about them! Layla is struggling at 15 to live with an alcoholic mother, all while trying to hide her situation from friends at school. She has wishes met, and then realizes what she has lost in the process. I can't review this book high enough! I encourage you to read it!

[Kerry Cerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually listened to this one on audio, and I don't have adequate words to convey the emotion this powerful book evoked. It's not only beautifully written, but the depth of characterization makes you ache for each person throughout their own journey. It's truly masterful writing elevated by a narrator who nailed the anger, uncertainty, angst, and heartache. The story will gut you and then piece your heart back together again. I loved every minute of it.

[sillybookgrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wait this book was amazing. I picked it up not knowing what it was just because it caught my eyes. I wanted to get out of my book slump after a month of not reading my book and decided to pick up a book that wasn’t a genre I previously read before and it’s one of my favourite books this year now I really like like everything about the book especially the little romance they had so yeah, I think it’s really cute

[Mama K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit heavy and formulaic/predictable.
Characterization is good. Fast-paced narrative.
Does great job of showing how victimized loved ones of addicts are.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest