The Last Wish List: The most weepy road trip romance

by Jacqueline Silvester

Dash & Lily meets P.S. I Love You in a life‑affirming rom‑com about seizing your chance and learning to love.

Scream into the void
Do something that scares you
Fall in love . . . ?

When Nadia’s best friend Lizzy dies, she leaves her last wish list – 16 wild and random things to do to help her get over her grief. Every item on the list feels impossible without Lizzy, especially finding a way to meet their favourite megastar.Nadia’s quest takes her to America where, grieving and alone, she meets Fran, a boy with a big heart and an empty home. Setting out on the road trip of a lifetime along Route 66, the two make an odd couple. But with fate having thrown them together can they help each other find what they’re looking for?

A beautiful, swooning debut following the road trip of a lifetime for fans of You've Reached Sam, Girl in Pieces and John Green, exploring friendship, grief, freedom, and the rush of first love.

Praise for The Last Wish List:

'The Last Wish List is a beautiful, buoyant roadmap to the heart. I fell in love, cried my heart out, and swooned over Jacqueline Silvester’s gorgeous prose, and afterward I felt ready to take on the world' Jennifer Niven, bestselling author of All the Bright Places
 
'Joyful, tender, and achingly romanic, this is a love letter to all the fearless, hopeful, starry-eyed teenage dreamers' Simon James Green, bestselling author of This Book is Gay
 
'A joyous, swoony road trip that tackles grief, healing and new hope' Wren James, award-winning author of Last Seen Online
 
'A genuine, compassionate, and deeply-felt exploration of grief and healing. Silvester writes with an open heart about the pain of loss and about the long, sun-drenched, and unexpected road we sometimes have to take to find our way back to hope.'  Cecilia Vinesse, author of Seven Days of You
 
'Heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure, a beautiful story of friendship, loss and healing.' Amy McCaw, author of Mina and the Undead

Genres: Romance, Young Adult

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2025

About the author

Jacqueline has had a colourful and dual life thus far; she's lived in a refugee camp in Sweden, a castle in France, a village in Germany, and spent her formative years in between Los Angeles, London and New York. As a result, she speaks four languages. In 4th grade she won her school's poetry contest and she has not stopped writing since. She has written in many forms ranging from poetry to screenwriting, from prose to copywriting, and on one occasion a viral jingle.

Jacqueline has a Bachelors in English Literature from the University Of Massachusetts, and a Masters in Screenwriting from Royal Holloway, University Of London. After graduating she wrote her first novel and began writing (and selling) cartoon screenplays. The two years she spent in an arts boarding school in the woods have inspired the particular world described in debut novel Wunderkids. She lives in London with her husband, her excessive YA collection and a hyper husky named Laika.

Reviews

[Inge Korporaal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about grief and how everyone deals with it differently and has their own story!!! Also some romance involved!!! For me at this time it was perfect! Only a little rushed at the end but other than that i loved it!

[caoimhe murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, main character was a bit annoying at times but I enjoyed it nonetheless

[Ash_reads24 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in 2 sittings today!

What a lovely cute & emotional read. It covers grief and hope really well.

The characters were really likeable and it’s a perfect YA book rec throughly enjoyed it.

[whatbooknext · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nadia is lost without her best friend Lizzy. It’s been a year since she lost her, and no-one gets how broken Nadia still feels. Her family are the worst, her mother particularly so. Nadia is so frustrated that everyone wants her to move on, keep busy – in other words, get over it.

Her sorrow constantly consumes her still, and it’s not until she finally snaps at school that she is given an opportunity to do something to try and ease her grief.

Lizzy left her a list. It was supposed to for them to do it together, but Lizzy changed it to things Nadia can do alone. Some things on the list are simple, some almost impossible. Almost.

Nadia is soon flying out of London and heading to the US to get Lizzy’s PJ’s signed by their favourite popstar. The craziest thing on Lizzy’s list.

She knows she is going to be in serious trouble with her strict Russian mother when she returns home, but luckily there are others in her family who know she needs to get away for a while. With tickets to a concert, Nadia finally has something to focus on besides her aching heart – until the well laid out plans fall apart.

But she knows she will never get another chance if she doesn’t stay in the US for a little longer. Gathering all her courage, and determination to see this through, she finds so much more in small town USA. A boy, a way to honour Lizzy’s list, and how to sooth her broken heart along the way.


If you’re looking for a novel to make you laugh, cry and cry some more – The Last Wish List is it.

A devastating loss, a mother who just doesn’t understand, and a teen who is falling apart. The grief is so raw on the page, I wanted to step inside the book and give main character Nadia the hugs she needs to get through her days. The loss of her friend has taken so much from her, and her grief continues to creep up and swamp her and give her nightmares at night.

But just when you think she will never get through this wall of pain, somewhere and someone new, crack through. He has his own pain, but between them they discover another way of being. His determination holds true when hers sags, and she is the catalyst for discovering the truth about a loss in his life.

If you’re not reaching for the tissues during their road trip, you will be by the beautiful ending.

A simply gorgeous novel.

[rachೃ⁀➷ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just the cutest little nostalgia trip. From the very first page, I felt like I was back on holiday as a kid, fully engrossed in my Kindle in the back of the car, and getting totally lost in a story. It strikes the perfect balance of hopeful, funny, and emotional, and I’ll be recommending it to every young reader I know. Short, fast paced, and full of heart, this one’s a winner.

One of my favourite things about it was how simple the writing is. It’s a quick read, but still filled with sweet, meaningful moments. Nadia and Fran are dealing with different types of grief/loss, and their road trip to complete a bucket list left behind by Nadia’s best friend pulls them into something bigger than either expected. They’re young, they’re emotional, there’s a bit of drama, and it all adds so much depth and heart to the story. Also, Nadia’s absolutely terrible comebacks cracked me up, bless her. So quintessentially fictionally British.

Overall, this was a short and sweet read that I’ll definitely be thinking about all summer. Big thanks to Insta Book Tours, Simon & Schuster, and Jacqueline Silvester for the gorgeous PR package and signed copy! And for including me in the tour. Can’t wait to share this with my Instagram community, it’s such a lovely little gem.

✧.* Roadtrip
✧.* Bucket Lists
✧.* Strangers to Lovers
✧.* Overcoming Grief & Dealing with Loss

my bookstagram!

[mila_readss · Rating 5 out of 5]

˖°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 ˖°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: YA Romance
𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 310 pages
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5 ⭐

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:

• Young/First love
• Grumpy x sunshine
• Exploring grief
• Road trip (route 66)
• Slow-burn chemistry
• Full of healing and hope

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴!

If you're in the mood to experience a whirlwind of emotions, then this book is definitely for you!

I found this book to be incredibly powerful, blending sadness with a sense of hope. It beautifully delves into the theme of grief, something we can all relate to.

I felt a strong connection to the main character, her feelings resonated with me completely. And when Fran showed up 🥺 I just knew he was the perfect match for her. Their rocky start and the way they kept bumping into each other felt like fate.

The whole idea of the to-do list was fantastic, and when we reached the final chapters where Nadia had to finish her last task, it hit me hard emotionally, bringing both tears and joy.

AND the ending... was just spot on 🥹❤️‍🩹

Sometimes we shy away from reaching out to others because we think we might burden them with our issues, but this story really opened my eyes to the fact that sharing our thoughts and pain is often the key to moving forward. At the end of the day, it's all about connection, and that's exactly what happened here...

I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who feels a bit lost. It truly offers hope for brighter days ahead.

[Metaphors & Tea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un roman qui arrive 15 ans trop tard, et n’aurait jamais dû quitter Wattpad. Avec des thèmes et des tropes bien trop datés pour être appréciés aujourd’hui. L’idée de la bucket list a été vue et revue en littérature, et celle-ci est vraiment trop clichée pour fonctionner sur la Gen Z ou Alpha.
L’histoire de la popstar qu’on suit pour avoir un autographe est tirée des pires fan fictions Wattpad. La rencontre finale (et tant attendue) avec la dite pop star est l’élément le plus irréaliste que je n’ai jamais lu de ma vie. Le coming out de Shawn en conclusion nous rappelle les ship interdits de notre adolescence. Tout cela à un effet très boomer presque comique. J’ai bien ri, et ce n’est pas le but de ce livre.
L’ensemble est absolument irréaliste, et nous fait lever les yeux au ciel plus d’une fois. Même la romance avec Fran n’arrive pas à être crédible, car le personnage est vide, tout comme Nadia qui n’a aucune profondeur à part sa colère.
Le seul aspect positif est le traitement du deuil, mais d’autres romans parlent beaucoup mieux de ce sujet.
Difficile de ne pas être sarcastique tant ce roman semble être une blague. Je ne recommande pas du tout sa publication, et j’ai d’ailleurs du mal à comprendre qu’il soit publié tout court en 2025.

[andshe.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Wish List follows Nadia as she navigates her grief of losing her best friend Lizzy. What should have been a summer bucket list, Lizzy turned it into a healing bucket list and left it for Nadia to complete to help her heal. From screaming into a void, face your fears, risk everything, and even have a 'Gosling Kiss', this List has it all to ensure Nadia keeps on living.

This story really captured the true essence of grief. It shows how different grief is for each person and explores the triggers that can make it feel like you're starting all over again. It's just a whopper of an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end.

Nadia is very obviously broken in ways she can't even explain, and she just wishes her family would realise she simply cannot move forward. Then theres Fran, stranger turned soulmate as they hit Route 66. Not only does he help Fran, but unknowingly, she helps him heal also.

It's just a raw, tragic yet romantic story that words just aren't enough to express how good this book was.

If you need a good cry, you need this book. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to instabooktours and the author for a copy of the book.

[Shannon Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so… this book wrecked me in the best way possible. 😭💔✨

It’s giving Dash & Lily meets P.S. I Love You, but make it emotional road trip across America to heal your broken heart. When Nadia’s best friend dies (yes, you will cry within the first few pages), she’s left with a chaotic 16-item wish list that basically forces her to scream, risk it all, maybe fall in love, and somehow keep living.

And then there’s Fran, soft boy energy, sad eyes, total stranger turned accidental soulmate. The two of them hit the road on Route 66, and it’s awkward, sweet, painful, and so real. You’re gonna want to hug them both. Or cry into your pillow. Probably both.

If you’re into:
📚 grief + healing but also heart whelming funny moments
📚 road trips with heart
📚 characters that feel like they could text you “u up?” at 2AM and first love that hurts so good…

You need this book. It’s raw. It’s romantic. It’s real af.
By the last page, I was in tears but also kinda ready to scream into the void and live again?? 10/10, would let it ruin me again. X

[Isla · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you pick up one book this year, please let it be this...

I'm telling you now, this is going to be one of my top reads of 2025, if not of all time.

The Last Wish List is a beautiful story that shares the different ways people process and navigate grief. It successfully captures how grief can be triggered for a number of reasons, as well as how differently it can affect people.

I read this in less than 24 hours — I just couldn't put it down.
It was an emotional rollercoaster I didn't want to get off.
Nadia and Fran are two gorgeous characters and getting to know them / being on this journey with them honestly felt like an honour. Their strength and determination is admirable and I truly felt like I was rooting for real-life people.

My words cannot express just how incredible this book is.

Screaming. Crying. Throwing up.

[tessjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely loved every single part of this book. it really captures what grief is like (in any form) especially when it comes to a best friend. i also love how even though the romance was important it wasn’t the main thing about this book, the friendships throughout stood in front of everything and it was so so beautiful. you will definitely cry. some parts of the book felt a tiny bit rushed but i think that’s just purely me wanting to read more about each character and to get more book, i think the story flows nicely and although it seems absurd for nadia to just go, i think the ending sums it all up beautifully. big fan of whatever trope this is bc it is truly a wonderful sentiment that you can save someone all while they’re saving you<33

[Szandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks so much for InstaBookTours and the author for the ARC opportunity. As always, this is an honest, voluntary review.

This was such a soulful book, so beautifully written, I'd definitely recommend to younger readers. There's so much hope and love in this story. I loved how the two characters helped each other through some really though times, grief and abandonment. There's a bit of drama, a bit of teen over the top meanness and selfishness.
On a slightly personal note, as an Eastern European myself, it was a strange and fascinating experience to read how the next generation might struggle with our inherited way of just "suck it up, buttercup and carry on" attitude.

All in all, I think this is a perfect summer read with all the feels, laughter and tears.

[Jazzy Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am incredibly grateful to both NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK Children's for the opportunity to read and review The Last Wish List. Being selected to explore this captivating story before its official release has been such a treat, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts on it with all of you. A huge thank you to the teams at NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK Children's for their generosity and for making this advanced reading experience possible.

This book is giving 2010's young adult contemporary vibes. Think Jenny Han, John Green and Morgan Matson all rolled into one. This is what I want from the literary world.

The Last Wish List is just so beautifully tragic, I couldn't put it down. I loved each and every page and I just found myself sobbing throughout.

This book has a little bit of everything: grief, friendship, romance, family, mental health, adventure... the list goes on.

I can only imagine how special Lizzy must have been to make that good bye so incredibly hard, what a beautiful friendship.

The Last Wish List is everything I could have wanted and more, I have been craving this kind of book for literal years. It's perfect, I wouldn't change a thing. I do hope that Jacqueline Silvester will continue to write contemporary novels.

I have absolutely no notes.

As a millennial, you just know I was SCREAMING whilst reading this.

[Rebecca Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This book brought all the nostalgic feels of reading in my younger years.
A story of grief of loosing a loved one and how we may deal and perceive life differently.
Family dynamics, romance and friendship all touched upon throughout the story and will a heartfelt ending.
My younger self would have loved this so much and I am glad I could have that feeling brought back into my adult years whilst reading this book.

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a really easy read. I really enjoyed it. After the death of her best friend, Nadia feels lost but is left with a list from her best friend to achieve set things to try and heal. What leads forward is a summer of adventure, fun, road trip, love, and more, all while finding herself again and getting through the death of her best friend. It's a heartwarming read. Positive. Lovely. It's a story a lot of readers can probably relate to in some parts. 4/5 stars.

[Elizabeth Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 🌟
I picked this book up because the narrator, Aliona Baranova. I love her in BG3 and she was a fantastic narrator.
Content wise: it gives very PS I Love You, which is a movie I love. I think this book covered handling grief perfectly. There were times I wanted to grab the main character and shake her for being senseless, but she is a 17 year old girl so the choices made a lot of sense.
Audiobook ran 6ish hours and was a good listen.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow Nadia as she navigates the grief of losing her best friend, completing the summer "bucket list" she has been set- and what an adventure it takes her on. It was really interesting reading about the perspective of Nadia and her experience growing up in the UK but from a different culture - I really enjoyed the interactions with her family members, Larissa in particular!
This was such a dreamy setting, from New York to a tour of Route 66. Along the way we meet Fran - brilliant, but with his own problems to work through, too. There's real character growth for both of them, and it was great to see them bring out the best in each other.
Reminded me of one of my teenage favourites, Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, in the best way. Honestly teen me would have lapped this one up - as did adult me 🥲

[Kelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful YA book surrounding grief and finding yourself in the midst of it.

Culture. Love. Grief & Hope in one book.

Initially a slower read that builds. Simplicity in its readability but overall entertaining and loved the premise

[S.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, heartbreaking tale of friendship, loss, and love. I shed tears several times whilst following Nadia's incredible journey. I was left with one question at the end: Did Fran get it back? I really hope he did! If you want to know what I mean, you'll just have to read the book!

[Laycee's.library · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐
it was cute but felt quite basic and kind of rushed or random plot points. it also felt very unrealistic to .

[Hannah Girodat · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up. I honestly found this quite a mediocre book. I had trouble getting on aboard with the plausibility of the plot, as well as the simplicity of the story.

[Sophia Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

As beautiful and moving as this is I think the romance side is weak…

But I love the portrayal of grief

[Bryony Woodgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. the writing is beautiful and so is the story. it made me laugh and cry but left me feeling uplifted despite the tricky subject matter of grief. I felt really connected to the characters and loved the little details that really made me feel like I knew Nadia and her life. I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Danielle Amor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story in emojis: 🇺🇸🚗🩷

3 things about this book:
•USA Road Trip
•Grief
•Friendship

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely LOVED The Last Wish List! It was such a beautiful and emotional story with relatable characters and I didn’t want to put it down.

My heart broke for Nadia due to the loss of her best friend, but also the difficult family dynamic. I was so pleased she took the road trip across the USA as it helped grow her as a person and also helped to manage her grief.

There were a few times where I sniffed back some tears, but this just added to the story and my appreciation of it.

I really enjoyed Jacqueline Silvester writing style and look forward to reading more from her.