Desejos Trocados

by Lynn Painter

Magia e caos cruzam o caminho…

A Emma Rockford sabe que será precisa muita magia para fazer com que o ano letivo corra bem, tanto para ela como para as suas melhores amigas. Felizmente, antes de falecer, a avó deixou-lhe instruções de como aceder a um poço mágico que concede desejos.

Ela decide seguir todos os passos e planear cada um dos seus desejos… no entanto, nunca imaginou que teria de lidar com o Jackson, o novo rapaz irritante da escola, que teima em pedir também uns para si e, literalmente, desviar os dela. Até que a Emma descobre que os seus desejos se estão a tornar realidade... mas para ele.

Ambos percebem que as consequências podem ser desastrosas para as suas famílias e custar fazer com que a Emma perca as suas amigas. Conseguirão resolver tudo a tempo de evitar uma grande catástrofe?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Romance, Magical Realism, Fiction, Audiobook, Young Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2025

Reviews

[Fairuz ᥫ᭡. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐ — The Wish Switch by Lynn Painter

Okay, deep breath—this was a wild little ride of chaos, magic, and seventh grade disasters. Lynn Painter dipped her toes into middle grade for the first time and, I gotta say, it was a bold move… not perfect, but definitely not boring.

First off, the concept? So fun. A secret magical wishing well, a mischievous boy stealing your dreams (literally), and a grandma who leaves behind an enchanted to-do list? That’s the kind of stuff I would’ve eaten up back when I was 12—and even now, I was into it.

But here's the thing: The vibes felt kinda confused sometimes. Like, the writing screams middle grade, but then the dialogue slips into early teen drama territory. The characters say some stuff, which like… sorry but no seventh grader is saying that with a straight face. It made me blink a little.

Emma’s whole wish list? Hilariously relatable. Taller? Check. Cooler? Check. Hot mom date a decent guy? Check. And then boom—Jackson, the new kid, stomps in and somehow steals all her wishes. The audacity. 😤
But not gonna lie, Jackson was kinda a vibe. That football-to-the-face moment and then wearing the nerdy green shirt the next day so Emma wouldn’t feel bad? Yeahhh he won me over.

Emma and Jackson were cute, and their whole "accidental enemies turned reluctant teammates" dynamic definitely gave me early Wes and Liz feels. Like, tiny version of Better Than the Movies without the slow burn. The friendship turned possible-crush thing between them was adorable. Very much innocent, awkward, and just the right level of "wait… do I like him?" Also: shoutout to Jackson’s chaotic great aunt—girl was on another level and stole the show. No notes.

That being said…
The “Lore of Four” magic system needed more explaining. I felt like I was kinda just going with it instead of understanding it. And the pacing got a little messy in the middle—it sped up, then slowed down, then went full-on Disney Channel special for the ending. Still, I was invested. Like, I legit wanted Emma to win. To get her wishes, fix her friendships, and maybe lowkey keep Jackson around.

Overall?
This isn’t Lynn’s strongest book, but it’s definitely cute. I think younger readers will love it, especially the ones into quirky magic and chaotic friendship drama. I wouldn’t scream “read this!!” from a rooftop, but I’d hand it to a younger sibling or cousin without hesitation.

Final thoughts?
Fun, sweet, chaotic.
Could’ve used a bit more polish.
Still made me smile.

3.5 stars from me.
🪄 Wishes gone wrong
💫 Accidental magic
🪄 Unlikely friendship
💫 Enemies to co-conspirators
🪄 First crush vibes
💫 Magic inheritance
🪄 Middle school drama

[em]

1. the middle grade is throwing me off so much

2. why do i feel like this is gonna be bad…or at least that im not gonna like it 😭

[McKenzie (taken🤭)]

Pre read
Do I like middle grade books? No. Do I need a new Lynn painter book right now? Yes.
Here we go I guess?

Surprise buddy read with the amazing @darbydoo

[faith𝜗𝜚]

lynn we wanted another YA betting on you/the do over/better than the movies romance novel not… this?😭

[ray ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

edit 05/13/25: happy release date ! i def recommend

4.25 stars ! .ೃ࿔*:･
upper middle grade ┆magical realism


🧚꒱ ˎˊ˗ overall thoughts
this book was absolutely adorable! i have to admit, i was skeptical going into this. not because of lynn painter’s previous works, but that this is her middle grade debut. however, i absolutely adore all of painter’s books I’ve read, and the wish switch is no exception. It’s one of those bingeable books that has you reading late into the night, between the funny banter between our main characters, interesting plot twists (including faeries!), and the relatability. as emma would say, lynn painter 'slayed' again !

⤿ one thing i always liked about Lynn Painter’s books is that the main characters are going through something. in better than the movies it was step-parents, in betting on you and the do-over (all of those are young adult) it was divorce, and this book deals with parent abandonment (emma’s dad has a new family) and reminiscing her time with her nana.


🎮꒱ ˎˊ˗ plot/synopsis
emma rockford’s nana taught her ‘the lore of four:’ a local legend that explained that magical fae grants 4 wishes to 4 grantees every year for 444 years of the 4th month, so when emma and her friends (the AT3) have a field trip on the exact day a magical tree spews the wishes they have to go ! but when all of emma’s friends get their wishes granted and not hers on the first day of seventh grade, who’s the culprit? the insufferable jackson matthews ! emma now has to figure how to get her wishes back, figure out friendships, and crushes in this fantastic middle grade debut.


📣꒱ ˎˊ˗ the writing
lynn painter ate yet again ! the writing is so easy to read, and it has just the right amount of pop-culture references as usual. i love the lynn painter keeps up with the times, and knows the slang and actually uses it correctly, and it didn’t bother me at all that it was there. usually in other books i don’t like it because it feels pretty forced, but in this it feels natural because it’s an everyday part of emma’s and jackson’s lives. also, i found myself laughing out loud sm, which is rare for me when reading a middle grade !

⤿ however, i wish ‘the lore of four’ was explained better, because i was confused about what was going on with jackson’s and emma’s wishes and i felt like ‘slay’ was said one too many times.


🍔꒱ ˎˊ˗ character analysis
emma rockford. girly is so relatable, and i feel like kids in upper elementary school and middle school will really resonate with her and what she goes through! i think emma is a really accurate depiction of modern middle school girls, so much that whenever there was a conflict i felt so mad at whoever caused it and so bad for her haha<3

jackson matthews. ngl, he’s lwk seventh grade wes bennett from better than the movies 🤭 the convos, the being friends with everyone, and when emma’s nose bleeds onto her t-shirt because jackson accidentally throws a football at her and she has to wear a nerdy green shirt, jackson wears it the next day to be nice 🥺 like he’s such a keeper cutie<3

honorary mentions. shout out to the rest of the AT3 and emma’s nana ! tbh, i kinda thought emma’s friends were selfish and only cared about their wishes but glad they got resolved in a non-cringe way unlike most middle grade fights lol. and nana ate for the short time she was there but even off-page she served


🪄꒱ ˎˊ˗ content warnings
i feel like this is ‘percy jackson’ level appropriate, so the language isn’t that salty and it’s appropriate for mature kids/tweens, so upper elementary schoolers and middle schoolers, the inappropriate stuff is implied and isn’t on-page, etc.

language ⋆ God (‘g’ is capitalized), i think there was one crap and one damn

romance ⋆ emma and jackson both have a dream they kissed each other, but emma decides she won’t tell him and just stay friends but still have a crush on him


✎ᝰ. tysm to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review ! all opinions are my own<3

—————————


this was so cute 🤭 rtc<3


—————————


𓆩 pre-read 🧚‍♀️𓆪
no because i was doing my chores, heard my gmail notification, hoped that it wasn’t another arc reject and then SAW THAT I GOT APPROVED TO READ LYNN PAINTER’S NEXT BOOK ! so excited 🤭


—————————


Middle grade?

Mmkay Lynn this is a rlly good genre so you better do it right…

[݁&#x1d717;&#x1d71a; tasia (matching with beloved aimes) &#x1f9f8;ྀི · Rating 4 out of 5]

post read: 👑🥹✨

OMLLLL THAT WAS SO CUTEEEEEE AH LYNN ILY FOR EVERYTHING

pre read: 💖✨🪩

leave a teenage girl alone bro. lynn writes I read. simple 💗💗

[vee ౨ৎ]

LYNN GIRL YOU DID IT AGAIN. but middle grade...?

[angelpompom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuteee💗

y’all can complain about how it’s not her typical genre while I read them all :)

[jo ୨୧]

somehow i missed that lynn was stepping into the mg audience. where was she when i was little?? 😭

[Claire ♥️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 stars!✨
I thought this book was absolutely ADORABLE!! I always say Lynn can’t miss, and this book proved me right yet again. When I first saw that Lynn Painter was doing a middle grade book, I will admit I wasn’t convinced. But this was actually so cute, and something I would’ve loved in middle school (and now!)

This book follows Emma Rockford and the magical wish lore that has been accociated with her family for hundreds of years. One day, her and her friends sneak away from a field trip to make their wishes, but Emma’s get messed up when the pesky new kid Jackson literally throws a rock in her plan. So they have to work together to set their wishes right, or suffer the consequences.

I loved both Emma and Jackson as characters. They were so easy to love and root for, and watching their friendship grow was one of my favorite parts of the book.

Honestly, I would love to see a YA book following Emma and Jackson later on in their teen years! I feel like there is so much potential for them as Lynn’s next iconic young adult book couple. Even just a novella would be so fun!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an arc for this book! So grateful I got to read it early♥️

[ahana ⊹ [ ia ]]

lynn baby... i love you but what is this im scared 😭

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 3.25 stars ✰

“How was I supposed to change the sucky things in my life without magical assistance?”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Well, Emma, considering how your wishes didn't quite work out according to plan, I suppose it is safe to say that you're just gonna have to live life like the rest of the plebeians, and realize that it's not​ all that bad being just as you are.​ 🪄

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The cover's vibrant colors captures the charm and the whimsy of Emma and Jackson's rapport with a frenemy flair to it.​ ☺️ ​I get she's upset and frustrated, and desperate to reverse The Wish Switch so that Hot Hat Jackson can't benefit from her wishes any more than he already has; especially when the last one doesn't exactly work in either of their favors. Which I thought was a unique approach to have them join forces and work together. The fact that he ​kinda​ was innocent in it all, made it all the more endearing to see how he tried valiantly not to ruffle Rockie's feathers too much, in the hopes of perhaps gaining something more in return...​ 🥺

​ “I see you,” Jackson said, shrugging.

​... something about the way he said he saw me, or the fact that he really did​ see me, made me feel a little… shy.​”​

​

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Even though Ms.Painter tried really hard to keep the romance to a minimum, it was kinda sweet how it crept through in the final pages. Not too over-the-top, but just enough to give the feels a tingle.​ 🥰 Vague wishes bring mysterious results', after all, and what's nicer than being someone's very best friend. And I did feel for Emma; her frustration, not to mention jealousy and sadness of watching her friends get their wishes fulfilled, while she, being the one who even passed down the legacy from her Nana, was left behind. That sucks.​ 🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I ​know​ it is her first foray into the level, but the attempt at middle grade lingo was giving me whiplash. It may be a bad description, but the writing was too peppy!​ 😫 Hyper!​ ​Maybe​ it was intentional, like befitting her personality of a weirdo who always seemed to be hopped up on sugar beans' , but I just couldn't get behind it. There was like, no space to breathe, with how hectic Emma's words and actions were always off the rail.​ 😮‍💨

​ “Not everyone gets their wishes, and people shouldn’t see that as a problem. It’s life.”

​​​​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The history of the wishing well system was a bit wishy-washy. I wasn't a fan of how it was explained, nor how it was sorted out in the end, since it felt a bit rushed and well, up in the air​. 😵‍💫​ Almost as if, Ms.Lynn did not want to delve any deeper into the logistics, because, well, there are more important things to​ pay heed to, like friends and family, and maybe even a first kiss???​ 💓

​​​​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I wouldn't have wished it any differently, because it still captured all the tween angsty feels that come when life is changing. It's not always good, it's not always bad, but it's a part of growing up. And even if it took some quirky antics and strange theatrics to get there, it'll only help her along the way on the journey called life.​ ✨

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pre-read: Ummm hi? Yes, it's a middle grade novel and I have a hard time making it through those, but it's Lynn Painter sooooo... Yes, thank you, I'll take it.
- - -
**3.5/5 stars**

For a middle grade novel, this plot was so fun, cute, and honestly genius. But the writing... (add "emo" as a verb to the slang bingo board!) Not only was it not the best, but it didn't feel like Lynn Painter without her "fuckidy fuck"s and her every-other-page "holy shit"s. It was weird.

But again, loved the plot. If someone who didn't read Painter's other books and didn't care about the writing read this, it would definitely be their new favorite.

[ℰrin ⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ 3.5⭑

!!LIGHT SPOILERS!!


EMMA ROCKFORD
Honestly, I know she’s, like, twelve, but I relate to her so hard. Her wanting everything to be perfect, and not wanting to lose her friends is something that I related to a lot when I started secondary school, which unfortunately didn’t work out because I didn’t find my Jackson. 😭
I do think that Lynn Painter missed out on an opportunity to develop her (Emma’s) grief. Obviously, I know it’s a middle grade book, so it’s not supposed to be overly layered or complex; it’s just supposed to be fun and cutesy. But I do think that could’ve been something that she added/developed more into her character.

JACKSON MATTHEWS
Guys, he’s SO SWEET. Like, I wish these type of guys existed in my world (I’m a minor, it’s chill) because he’s just the sweetest boy ever. Wearing the ugly fluorescent shirt of hers? Wanting to exchange all of his wishes for her? STOP I LOVE HIM.
Now, he definitely doesn’t top any of the other guys she’s written (aka, Wes and Charlie, the lomls) but he’s literally twelve, what do you expect?

OTHER

❥ Guys, what if Lynn Painter writes a best friends-to-lovers book with these two as the main characters? I think I would actually die. It would actually just be the sweetest, most cutest thing ever because I already love them, but imagine them hiding their feelings for years, and then she writes a book about them being cute and falling in love.
I’m crying from the cuteness.

❥ I wasn’t expecting this to be as magical as it was. I thought it would be like The Do-Over, but it was magical shit. Like, Fae, portals closing, Nana Marie coming back from the dead. Like, what the hell.

OVERALL
I would give this a 3.5 star. In terms of how much I’ll think about it, I would give it a three, but they’re just too cute that I have to add another half-star. And honestly, this book was sort of addicting for me. I finished it in, like, twelve hours.

[embear · Rating 5 out of 5]

might be the cutest book i’ve read in my life.

[modezireads]

ummmm... WHAT?!??!!??!
i want it so bad but i also have a feeling i wont like it....😭🫣

i do love Sarah Mlynowski and Wendy Mass though.....

[Lillian B (Kaladin Stormblessed version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.80 stars
This was good, but not as good as most of Lynn Painter's other books that I've read.
It was really fun, and I read it in almost one day!!
I feel like the kiss at the end was kinda sudden and they were wayyy too young, but I still enjoyed it!!

[Bethany C · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw Lynn Painter was coming out with a middle grade book, I was so excited to read it because I love her books!!! She’s so funny and I always have a blast reading her work!

I’m not the target audience for this book but it was SO fun!!!!! I loved the magical realism and the little bit of romance + the friendships aspect!

If you are a middle schooler or you just love a silly goofy time or love Lynn Painter’s books, I’d def recommend!!

Thank you edelweiss, Lynn Painter, and Hachette for the arc!!

[DarbyDoo ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ (cardens version)]

Pre-read . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ .

I can’t wait to read this!! I’m a sucker for romance and Ya books, but sometimes a cute middle grade book is all I need. It’s also Lynn painter THE QUEEN OF QUEENS.

Buddy read with the one and the only @McKenzie

[joni ౨ৎ]

loved Wendy Mass and Sarah Mlynowski as a child idk if I'll like it thoo

[chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

this book was so so cute!! i love emma and jackson being best friends i think it’s so cute, and i hope maybe someday lynn can write a young adult book of them having a real romance! i also lovedddd the taylor and hamilton references!!

[୨⎯ gabs ⎯୧]

dnf bc im not in the mood 😔

[cyd⭐️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a cute little young teen romance/fantasy (??) with banter and attitude.
i liked it.. but sadly I didn't love it.
OBVIOUSLY it is a middle school book (which usually doesn't matter to me)
but I just felt so out of touch.. what was going on?

IT'S ME NOT THE BOOK.

this doesn't mean I think Lynn Painter is making anything other than bangers and hits, (she could never I swear) I think/hope that she will always be one of my favorite authors. This is just one of her many GREAT reads, that I don't think I was in the right mindset to read (just finished a thriller/mystery)..(and usually what I need after a thriller is a cute book, but me and this book just didn't click) WHICH IS FINE.

however one thing I just didnt like about this book: the fact that the fmc (Emma, btw her name is really close to Emily from The Do Over, I believe they share the nickname 'Emmers' which I love)
was so pent up over Evan while JACKSON was right there. I mean this is how it always goes, but it doesn't stop me from always rooting for the guy bsf or the enemy in Lynn Painter's books.


(3.4/5)⭐️🪨

[Mia❤ (⋆˚｡⋆JESUS LOVES YOU!!!⋆｡˚⋆ ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting... An overall cute story. Pretty middle grade, but that one kiss felt a bit random. 🤔🧐 And maybe a little too much...🤨 Isn't the main character supposed to be like 13?? 👀😭
Minimal language. Just a cr*p and maybe a d*mn?
Giving it 3 stars. 😒🎉

[Kelsey Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I just saw “Lynn Painter” and hit the request button. Later I realized it was her first ever middle grade book. It was cute!

[hannah ⋆౨ৎ˚˖ ࣪(hiatus)]

uhm I’m not sure how I feel about Lynn painter middle grade book 😭
Hopefully it’s good?🤞🏼

[Abigail♪ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars, okk Lynn!
This novel is absolutely SO cute. I loved everything about it and even found myself reacting to the characters as I would in BTTM.
Althoughhh, this was a middle grade book sooo I really wished it wanted bc it could have SO much potential if it was a YA.
But any middle schooler would love this book, I just know it!!
ALSOO, did anybody else notice when they were announcing the 7th grade thing (I forget) that Emma signed up for and Jackson got that a guy with his last name ‘BENNET’ was announced too?! I was like oh Wes Bennet! And then I was like.. wait this is a Lynn Painter book..
But anyways, I enjoyed this book as much as I would have enjoyed it as a middle schooler.
Thank you Lynn Painter for yet another amazing book to read!!!!

[averie · Rating 5 out of 5]

awww guys that was so cute

i don’t really have a whole lot to say but i did really like it👊

lynn can do no wrong though so i may be biased

please don’t say “sus” again though🙏

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Super cute, super fast read, very middle school. Definitely buying this for my library.