The Problem with Wishes

by Hazel Calder

One accidental wish. One impossibly hot genie. And a dream job that might just turn into a nightmare.

Scarlet Monroe is tired of playing by the rules.

At thirty-five, she has spent years climbing the ranks at Velvet, one of New York's most influential beauty and lifestyle publications, only to watch her promised promotion go to someone else. To make things worse, her boyfriend Ethan treats her like an appointment in his calendar rather than a priority. She is stuck, frustrated, and ready for a change.

When a vintage perfume bottle from a luxury Dubai fragrance house lands on her desk, Scarlet expects inspiration for her next feature. Instead, she finds Sahir. He is calm, sharp, effortlessly attractive—and a real, live genie.

Scarlet does not believe in magic, but she does believe in justice. In a moment of pure frustration, she makes a reckless wish. By the next morning, her boss is gone, and Scarlet is suddenly running the show.

But success comes with a price. As work disasters pile up, Scarlet realizes running the department is a lot harder than she bargained for. And worse, Sahir is becoming a major distraction. It turns out magic can change your career in a flash, but it makes a mess out of love.

With only three wishes and everything on the line, Scarlet must decide what she truly wants before she runs out of magic altogether.

Warm, witty and irresistibly escapist, The Problem with Wishes is a sparkling romantic comedy about ambition, love, impossible choices and one very sexy genie.

Genres: Romance

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 29, 2026

About the author

Hazel Calder writes sharp, fast-paced women’s fiction about ambition, relationships, and the choices that shape our lives. Set in international, high-pressure worlds, her novels blend emotional depth with addictive storytelling.

Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan Middle East, The National, and other international publications.

She has spent much of her life living abroad.

Hazel Calder writes under a pen name.

Reviews

[Ifime.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3,5⭐

My first time reading this author, and it went surprisingly well!

What would you do if, at the end of an objectively terrible day (when exhaustion, anger, and injustice are all weighing you down) a genie suddenly appeared out of nowhere and offered you the chance to completely change your life?

Yes, it’s quite a lot for Scarlet to process, but the moment that will change her life has finally arrived..just not quite in the way she imagined😬

This was a short, fast paced, and easy to read story. It’s a lovely reminder that if we believe in ourselves and our abilities, and face our fears and insecurities, we can accomplish more than we think. And sometimes, we don’t necessarily need magic. We just need someone to believe in us and give us that little boost we need🥰

The dialogue was humorous, and the chemistry between the couple came across effortlessly. I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning.

The one thing I missed was Sahir’s POV. I understand why the author chose to tell the story from a single POV, but when it comes to romance books, I will always miss getting the other character’s perspective too. It’s simply the way I connect with both protagonists.

If you’re looking for a sweet story about love, with a dreamy hero who is ready to make her every wish his command🤭, you’ve found it!

[mackenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

this just didn't click for me at any point, i lowkey struggled through the entire middle of the story oops...

it feels wildly overwritten for what the story is, and it was just taking itself far too seriously. give me fun and lighthearted, maybe cover some heavier themes sure, but like... don't write like this is some profound novel that'll change my life. just couldn't look past it unfortunately.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc! all opinions are my own <3

(day 27 of 30 books in 30 days!)

[chi ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

➹⁀ ➷ 3.25/5

✧ little details

┊ date started: july 12, 2026
┊ date finished: july 24, 2026
┊ release date: august 29, 2026

✧ thoughts

this book was actually pretty good. scarlett was very relatable, especially as being an american in the job system. i also thought that her mindset was very much in sync with her age and maturity, likewise her reasoning. sahir was caring with a side of fact and of fun, he was never too boring and never played the wise one in the book, he was just in the middle and i enjoyed that balance.

✧ overall

the book was light, cozy, and easy to connect with the main characters. the reason i gave this book 3 stars was mostly because it didn't really get me inside the story at first. the first few chapters were slow, so i was popping in and out of this book, hence why it took me 12 days to finish this.

✯ thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for this arc! ✯

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Scarlet loses out on a promotion she is discouraged about work and life in general. Going through PR from work she uncovers a mysterious bottle that opens her world to things she would have never expected.

The Problem With Wishes was such a fun, light hearted read. I could not put it down once I started. Sahir helped Scarlet see that she was so much more than she ever imagined and built her confidence in ways she never expected. It was such a sweet story of romance building through genuine friendship and companionship.

[Judy ✨ CM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that this was my very first NetGalley book! I picked it because I fell in love with the cover, opened it, read the description, and I was SOLD. ✨

This book is everything you want a rom-com to be. It’s fun, romantic, heartwarming, has a beautiful message, and of course… a happy ending. But more than anything, it feels magical.

Scarlett is our FMC, and she’s such a relatable character. She struggles with insecurities, anxiety, flaws, and still has so much to learn about life; and about herself.

And Sahir… he’s exactly the man for the job. HE chose to help her become the best version of herself, and that, for me, is what makes a top-tier MMC.

The connection between them is absolutely beautiful, and watching their relationship grow was pure perfection. 💖

You have no idea how much I enjoyed this book. The writing is beautiful, easy to read, and the kind of story you’ll finish in one sitting because you simply won’t want to put it down.

Definitely a new favorite for me! 🥹🖤

[An · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

We have Scarlet Monroe, our fmc who works for Velvet, a beauty and lifestyle publication company. For years, she had worked really hard only to see her promised promotion be handed over to someone else before a more niche project regarding perfumes from a luxury Dubai fragrance house was assigned to her. Moreover, her boyfriend Ethan acts as though she was nothing more than a weekly schedule in his calendar instead of treating her like a girlfriend. Scarlet is frustrated. and rightfully so.

Imagine her surprise when a genie appears from one of the perfume bottles sent over for the new project assigned to her. Enter Sahir - calm, incredibly attractive, blunt at times, and somehow knowing what she needs every single time. Scarlet does not believe in magic but when disaster after disaster starts happening, she had no choice but to start believing that the wishes granted to her were real.

Scarlet was a very relatable character. Her frustrations were things that I think many of us would have thought of at some point regardless of our age. Her mindset was also realistic for her age and her current status in life. Her work anxiety and her wish for some semblance of stability in her very busy schedule were things that I could relate to very easily as well. What I loved about Scarlet the most was that she was reasonable. There were plenty of moments when Sahir would be blunt with the advice he gives her and she acknowledges that he was correct, even if she hated that what he said was right. It was wonderful seeing her maturity shine in those moments.

I loved Sahir. I would say that he is one of the more well balanced mmc that I have read about in a while. He's very mature and often gives Scarlet several good advice. I actually liked that he was blunt with his words at times because it helped to cut through Scarlet's anxiety and grounds her. He's also very supportive of her and really helped in building up her confidence. I loved that he sees Scarlet for who she is and how patient he is with her. He's the kind of friend everyone wishes to have in their life and he made for an even better partner. It was exactly the kind of person that our fmc needed in her life.

Something about this book healed me a little. It felt good to read a story where we can have emotionally mature characters who still struggle with their life because it tells us that sometimes what we think we want are not what we actually need. It also teaches us that what we actually need may have been with us the entire time.

The book was well written and was the perfect cosy, light-hearted read. I decided to read this book during my long flight and I was not disappointed!

[Alishba Qadir · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’d like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis.
Scarlett works for a fashion magazine and has been stuck in the same job for 10 years. When she’s finally offered a promotion, things don’t go as she’d hoped. Her love life isn’t what she’d like it to be either, as her seemingly perfect boyfriend doesn’t prioritise her as much as she’d like. But everything changes when Sahir, the handsome genius, grants her three wishes.

Characters.
Scarlett is an insecure, clumsy and pathetic girl. All her actions border more on the ridiculous than the amusing. The moment she meets Sahir is so implausible – I mean, there’s a stranger in her house and she’s thinking about how handsome he is. The little self-confidence she has isn’t funny, but rather disappointing. Has she really been waiting so long for that job and then she’s not even capable of taking it on? I understand that someone might doubt themselves, but hers is just over the top.

As for Sahir, the author tries to make him seem like a deeply insightful genius who knows Scarlett better than she knows herself, but his lines couldn’t be more basic. “But is that what you want?” Please, her friend Alice could say the same thing to her – if she hasn’t already told her time and time again.

The only character I find acceptable is Eric, and not because I like him, but because I think he’s well-developed (compared to the others). Although at first it seems as though there’s no problem and that Scarlett is just overreacting, his true intentions are gradually revealed at the same time as the protagonist starts seeing the problem.

Pace.
To be honest, it was often difficult to follow the plot because of the constant interruptions from Scarlett’s inner monologue. Half the time, they added nothing; it was just her repeating the same thing over and over again.

Plot.
I understand the book was meant to be a ‘friends-to-lovers’ story, but I didn’t see either the ‘friends’ or the ‘lovers’ part. Scarlett spends the whole time indignant that Sahir asks her questions that make her reflect on her decisions, and as the bar isn’t set very high (with Eric as her boyfriend), that seems enough to her. What’s more, she’s supposed to have only three wishes, yet he keeps giving in to her demands ‘for free’. In short, it’s very contrived.

Personal opinion.
Personally, I didn’t like it at all. I found the whole thing so implausible, contrived and pathetic that I struggled to finish it. There’s hardly any plot; half the book is spent preparing a presentation that we don’t know anything about, to the extent that it seems as though the author doesn’t know how that world works. I wouldn’t recommend it.

[Taylor Gevaert · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

Unfortunately, I had to DNF The Problem with Wishes. I really wanted to enjoy this one, but I struggled too much with the writing style to stay immersed in the story.

My biggest issue was how repetitive the writing felt. The same information, character traits, and emotional beats were often explained multiple times, sometimes close together. Rather than trusting the reader to understand what was happening or how a character was feeling, the narration frequently reiterated it. After a while, I found myself noticing the repetition more than the story itself.

I also struggled with some of the word choices. There were moments when the vocabulary felt more elaborate than the scene called for, and the words didn’t quite match the emotion or situation being conveyed. Instead of strengthening the prose, it occasionally made the writing feel unnatural and pulled me out of the scene.

More broadly, I felt that the story relied heavily on telling rather than showing. I was often being told what the characters were feeling, thinking, or experiencing instead of seeing those things develop naturally through their actions, dialogue, and interactions. Because of that, I had a difficult time connecting emotionally with the characters or becoming invested in the story.

Scarlett was also a challenging FMC for me. She seemed to complain about nearly everything, and I didn’t find enough humor, self-awareness, vulnerability, or other characterization to balance that out. Rather than finding her relatable, I increasingly found her frustrating to spend time with.

Finally, this is a relatively minor issue compared with the writing itself, but the formatting significantly affected my reading experience. The text uses full justification, which resulted in noticeably inconsistent spacing between words on some lines. Occasionally there were very large gaps between words while surrounding lines appeared normal. Because unusual spacing is something my eye naturally interprets as emphasis, I found it surprisingly distracting and disruptive to the flow of the story. Better typesetting or hyphenation may have helped avoid some of those large gaps.

There are elements of the premise that initially interested me, and I can see this working better for readers who enjoy a very direct, explanatory narrative style. Unfortunately, the combination of repetitive narration, heavy telling, mismatched word choices, my difficulty connecting with Scarlett, and the distracting formatting ultimately made this one not work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Problem with Wishes by Hazel Calder (2026)
246-page Kindle Ebook

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Magical Realism, Women's Fiction

Movie Rating Equivalent: PG-13

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️👩🏼‍💼🗽🧞‍♂️👜✨️

Featuring: Senior Beauty Editor, New York City, New York; Tricenarian, Magazine, Genie, Workplace Setting, Relationship Woes, Self-Actualization, Sex - Off-Camera, Manhattan, New York; Hamptons, New York; Career Goals, Biological Clock

​I was drawn to The Problem with Wishes because of the awesome cover. I went in blind, not knowing what the story was about, but quickly discovered it was a genie story. There were definitely some hiccups. Scarlett is very immature for 35. If this were a television sitcom, I would totally award it five stars, but as a book, there are a lot of plot holes.
​For example, Sahir gives Scarlett detailed rules and even warns her against making careless wishes. What does she do? Of course, she makes a stupid, careless wish. Then, even though he specifically says she only gets three wishes, there are somehow several freebies, like fixing a coffee stain or an email.
​The point where I knew this wasn't going to be higher than a three-star read was when Sahir opened by telling her his previous client was a '60s actress (you have to read to find out who!). Yet, a few chapters later, he is debating how television is entertaining and acting like he's not familiar with acting and film—even though that was his previous client's job. Really? That's the point where I decided to just pretend I was watching TV, and honestly, the book got better from there.
​Overall, the main character is a doormat. Her boyfriend sucks, her boss sucks, her life is meh, and she has a hot genie in a perfume bottle. That's pretty much the gist of the story for me.

​Recommend to others: Maybe. If you like lighthearted, sitcom-like, fun stories that don't know if they want to be romance or women's fiction, this is a great pick. But if you are looking for a solid contemporary romance, you might be dissatisfied with this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hazel Calder via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Books and Authors Mentioned: I Dream of Jeannie by Sidney Sheldon, Aladdin by Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliott, and Terry Rossio [based on] "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp" from One Thousand and One Nights; The Matrix by The Wachowskis, Below Deck by Mark Cronin, Doug Henning and Rebecca Taylor Henning, The Real Housewives by Scott Dunlop

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

I would like to first thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was first pulled into this book with the cover and then when I read the summary and saw that the main character was 35 I got even more excited thinking that I would find her relatable since we are similar in age. However, that is not what I got. Our female main character was so unlikable to me and she just felt very jaded and bitter.

My true annoyance with her really emerged when we meet up with her boyfriend Ethan. In the beginning she is already complaining about her feeling like she is just an appointment to him and that their relationship is just surface level but when she walks into the restaurant his face lights up when he sees her. To me that already showed that he is actually interested in her. You don’t get excited and light up when you see someone if there isn’t at least some amount of interest in the person. The other piece of evidence that made me believe that our main character is just bitter was that throughout the dinner he didn’t pick up his phone and ignore her, he seemed to be interested in hearing about her day and having an actual conversation with her and listening to her. He also at one point makes a comment that she is pretty and in her head she says that saying she is pretty is just generic. My boyfriend could tell me 20 times a day that he thinks I am pretty and I would still be happy to hear it not just think that he is being generic.

Outside of that relationship I found other instances where what the female main character said to just be weird. When the genie first appears her thought in her head is “WTF” and I don’t think I know anyone who literally says the abbreviation especially in their own head. And the last conversational speech that was jarring for me was when the genie asked for the year her response was that it was “two thousand twenty six” which again is not something I have ever heard someone say. This was made even more awkward when a few sentences later the genie refers to a different year but it is written in numerical format and I just think that would have been the best way to write it out.

Unfortunately because of those things and my overall disinterest in the main female character I decided it was best for me to just dnf this book.

[Sneha R · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a delightful surprise and an incredibly enjoyable read. What initially drew me in was the charming premise of a genie appearing from a perfume bottle, but what kept me turning the pages was the heart behind the story. The blend of magic, romance, and self discovery felt refreshing, and I found myself completely invested in Scarlet’s journey from the very beginning.

Scarlet is a character many readers will relate to. After being overlooked for a promotion she has worked hard for, while also dealing with a boyfriend who seems more committed to his schedule than to their relationship, she feels stuck and undervalued. Her frustrations, anxieties, and desire for stability felt realistic and authentic. Watching her navigate disappointment while slowly learning to recognize her own worth made her growth especially satisfying.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was Sahir. He is far more than a magical genie who grants wishes; he becomes a source of wisdom, encouragement, and honest perspective for Scarlet. Their relationship develops naturally through friendship, trust, and genuine companionship, which made the romance feel heartfelt rather than rushed. I especially appreciated how he challenged Scarlet to think about what she truly wanted instead of simply giving her everything she wished for.

The story also delivers a thoughtful message about ambition, happiness, and the difference between what we think we want and what we actually need. The magical elements add plenty of humor and chaos, but they never overshadow the emotional depth of the novel. The workplace setting, the New York atmosphere, and the lessons Scarlet learns along the way all contribute to a story that is both entertaining and meaningful.

Overall, it is a cozy, uplifting romcom with memorable characters, a touch of magic, and a lot of heart. It is the kind of book that leaves you smiling while also giving you something to think about. I would highly recommend it to readers who enjoy lighthearted romance, character growth, and stories that remind us that sometimes the best things in life are right in front of us all along.

Thank you Netgalley and Hazel for the reader copy.

[Niihariiikareads (warner's) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

I wanted to love this, a career driven rom com with a genie and workplace drama sounded like such a fun premise. Unfortunately, the execution never quite lived up to the idea.

The strongest part of the book was Scarlet's professional journey. Watching her deal with imposter syndrome after suddenly landing the job she'd been chasing felt relatable, and I appreciated the message that getting what you think you want isn't always the same as finding what actually makes you happy. I just wish the book had explored those themes with a lot more depth instead of skimming the surface.

The romance, however, did very little for me. For a story that promises an "impossibly hot genie," there was surprisingly little romantic development. The chemistry felt underdeveloped, and by the time the relationship finally went where it was clearly heading, I wasn't invested enough to care. It felt more like the book told me there was a romance than actually made me believe it.

I also found Scarlet frustrating as a protagonist. While I understood why she was unhappy with her career and relationship, she spent so much of the book complaining that it became difficult to root for her. I kept waiting for some meaningful character growth, but it never felt enough to justify her journey.

The biggest issue was the world building. The rules surrounding Sahir's magic seemed inconsistent, and the more I thought about them, the more questions I had. If he's invisible to everyone else, how does he interact with the physical world in public without anyone noticing? Some of these details were easy to overlook at first, but they gradually became distracting enough to pull me out of the story.

That said, the writing is fast paced and incredibly easy to binge. I finished it quickly, and I can see it working well as an escapist read if you don't mind overlooking a few plot holes. For me, it had all the right ingredients but never quite turned them into something memorable.

[Lottie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC of The Problem with Wishes in exchange for my review.

⭐⭐ 3.75/5 stars ⭐⭐

Right, I went into this one properly intrigued, and I am delighted to report it did not disappoint. Loved the concept from the off, and honestly? I can already see this as a Netflix film, the kind you put on with a glass of wine and don't regret it.

Scarlet, my dear girl. Passed over for a promotion, landed with an assignment from hell, and then... a genie turns up. Life should be sorted now, right? Wrong. Because apparently we don't get what we want, we get what we wish for, and there is a difference.

Wish one had me properly cackling, going from zero to a hundred in the workplace faster than you can say "unemployment." Not everything went the way she'd have chosen, but Scarlet was an absolute icon with that marketing campaign. Truly wowed me.

Wish two though... Scarlet. Girl. What are we doing. You KNOW this man isn't the one, because if he was you'd never have needed the wish in the first place. He gave me such an ick, and then meeting the family and getting the "you'll give up your whole career to be my little stepford wife" treatment... I was SO proud when she sent him packing. As she should.

Wish three, I was rooting for her the entire way, and it was exactly the right call. I had my hopes for how it would all wrap up and the HEA delivered. No complaints there.

And Sahir. SAHIR. Mischief personified in a very enticing package, and genuinely one of the best parts of the book. The little non-wish moments got me the most, the way he supported Scarlet, the secret spying on her dates (iconic behaviour, no notes), and just... existing on the sofa with her watching absolute trash tv. That's relationship goals if I've ever seen it.

Anyway. If anyone knows where I can get my hands on my own genie in a bottle, my inbox is open.

[mgn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ☆

Let me start by saying that I wasn't sure we needed another story about the consequences of making wishes before thinking them through. As it turns out, this wasn't really the story that this one was trying to tell so +1 for that.

I am convinced there was no pleasing Scarlett. If her wishes would have been catastrophic or perfectly pleasant, she would have found a way to complain about them. I spent the majority of this book frustrated and wanting to give her a good ol' shake.

And the romance? What romance? I thought I had the ending figured out, and I suppose I was partially correct, but it didn't happen until the literal last chapter with little-to-no build up except a few smiles and sarcastic remarks. By the time it happens, I could have just gone without.

Also, you'll very quickly learn that the love interest "aims to please" and he will not let you forget. *gag*

I felt like the book was trying to explore the differences between what we think we want and what is actually good for us/fulfills us but never really dug in deep enough. The ingredients were there but just left raw on the cutting board. I would love to have spent some more time with this idea because I think it's a much more interesting perspective.

And the parts about imposter syndrome and being thrown into a role you aren't necessarily confident that you are cut out for were really enjoyable/relatable. Those moments felt relatable and gave the story some much needed substance.

Overall, this was a quick and easy read with some genuinely interesting ideas hidden underneath that didn't get to fully develop. The writing is incredibly fast paced, bingeable, and it would be a good choice for someone looking for a quick afternoon read by the pool or in a park.

[bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher and to NetGallery for this ARC ♡♡

2.5 rounded up!

The Problem with Wishes is a solid beach read! It reminded me of the 2000s genre of 'chick lit', which I love. It was exactly the kind of book my Mum and I would buddy read together over the summer when I was a teenager. Cute, fun, and filled with pop culture references and cool beauty products.


Pros:
Firstly, I love the cover! It's bright, has nice colours and fits the general vibe of the book. I also liked the general premise and setting of the book. While the 'three wishes from a genie' isn't exactly reinventing the wheel, it was predictable and fun. Exactly what I wanted from this book!

The MMC is also very cute and was a nice resonsible (yet sexy) balance to the main character. Another thing I liked was all the products mentioned - I love all things beauty and I grew up reading fashion magazines. It was fun to follow Scarlet through her job as a beauty editor!


Cons:
Sadly, it didn't really feel like Scarlet actually liked her job! She had spent a decade in the beauty department, working hard to get a promotion, and yet she seems like she barely tolerates it. Scarlet repeatedly talks down on her assignments like they're beneath her or "not riveting," which is confusing since she supposedly loves the job so much.

Additionally I didn't love the excess italicisation of inner thoughts, especially since the book was written in first person. It felt like the author was using them too much; almost as a cheat code to explain Scarlet's inner thinking without actually having to flesh her feelings out. This really bothered me!

Overall however, this was a short, cute, fun read! It was the kind of book you buy on the way to the beach (or a campfire), along with a bottle of wine and a bag of chips.

[Beverly Kramer gertler · Rating 3 out of 5]

PLOT
Our FMC Scarlett is struggling with feeling fulfilled both at work at her fashion magazine and in her romantic life. After being passed over for a big promotion, Scarlett receives an assignment to review a certain luxury perfume. When she sprays it, she sprays out a magic genie who grants her three wishes. Even more unexpectedly than the wishes, Scarlett is surprised by her ever increasing romantic feelings towards Sahir, the genie.

PROS
I thought the book did a good job of handling the tug between what a person feels like they “should” want vs. what they do want.
It was a fun, quick read and I definitely felt like I wanted to see where everything was going.

CONS
I felt like there were quite a bit of logical inconsistencies. Some were small, for example, at one point the genie gives Scarlett an iced coffee and a paper cup magically appears in her hand with the iced coffee. Anyone who has ever had an iced coffee knows that iced is always served in a plastic cup. That was a minor detail but as an iced coffee lover myself, I couldn’t let it go.

Big picture wise, I felt like the magic of the genie wasn’t really developed well. For example, he obviously has a corporeal body in that he holds hands with Scarlett, lets her rest her head on his shoulder, etc. But it’s also clear that he is invisible to everyone else. She talks about wearing headphones in public so people don’t think she’s talking to herself. But then, he eats a taco in public with her, how does that work? Does the taco appear to float in the air while he’s holding it? He can read her thoughts but also she speaks with him?

For a romance, the spice level was pretty PG.


Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelsey | KLS Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books where I 100% chose to read it simply because of how gorgeous the cover is. I loved the NYC beauty editor vibes and the fact that there was a legit centuries old genie in a bottle who granted three wishes...cue the 1999 Christina Aguilera hit "Genie in a Bottle " ;)

While you would expect the wishes to be fairly simple, the way that Scarlet put thought into them thinking that they would benefit her was a bit unexpected. I am grateful for it because after how the first wish of hers went...she definitely needed to put more care into them.

There is a love triangle in this book as mentioned in the promotional IG posts on Hazel's IG and let me just say that I was rooting for Sahir the entire time. Sahir is the kind of genie who's seen a thing or two...or three and because of that, he warns Scarlet of what wishes can do in certain circumstances. The fact that he always asked if that's what she really wanted when she did use her wishes was so appealing to me.

When it comes to Ethan...ugh, the man drove me nuts. He doesn't get any sort of points. For a man so focused on his own career...I have some choice words for how he treated Scarlett.

The ending of the book wasn't what I necessarily expected it to be, but it was one that was 100% deserved.

Highly recommend this book to readers who are looking for a book that's less than 200 pages to read. I also recommend it to readers who enjoy NYC vibes, beauty, marketing, love triangles with hot men, forced proximity, magic, and career driven women who absolutely earn the promotions they deserve.

Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you Hazel for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover was the first thing that caught my eye, and once I saw it was set in New York with a touch of magic, I knew I had to pick it up. It ended up being such a charming, feel good read that blended romance, humour, and magical realism in a way that kept me smiling throughout.

Scarlet was easy to connect with, especially when it came to her career ambitions and trying to figure out what would truly make her happy. I really liked that the story explored the idea that getting everything you wish for doesn't always lead to the outcome you expect. The wishes added a fun twist, but they also came with consequences that made the story feel more meaningful.

The romance was definitely a slow burn, and I found myself rooting for Sahir almost immediately. He brought such a calm, thoughtful energy to the story, and I loved how he encouraged Scarlet to think carefully before making each wish instead of simply giving her what she wanted. Ethan, on the other hand... let's just say he tested my patience more than once.

For a shorter book, it packed in a lot without ever feeling rushed. The writing was light and easy to read, and I flew through it in one sitting. It struck a nice balance between cosy romance, workplace drama, and a little bit of magic, while still delivering a message about self worth, ambition, and learning to trust yourself.

This was a quick, heartwarming read with New York vibes, magical wishes, a swoon worthy slow burn romance, and a heroine finding her confidence, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a go.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlett works at the fashion magazine Velvet , and after a disappointing setback at work she's assigned a new project that ends up bringing Sahir into her life, a genie who lives inside a perfume bottle. From there, everything changes.

What I loved most about this book was how relatable Scarlett is. I think a lot of us have felt the same way she does at some point, especially when it comes to work and feeling like we're not good enough. There were so many moments where I found myself thinking "is this about me?" Her insecurities felt very real, which made it easy to connect with her.

And Sahir? I adored him. He's basically the emotionally mature, supportive guy we all deserve. He gives Scarlett great advice without ever being preachy, and I loved how kind, patient, and completely non toxic he was. Their chemistry was there from the start and they shared so many funny and sweet moments that had me smiling.

My only real issue was the pacing. Scarlett's storyline started to feel a little repetitive, and for a good stretch of the book it felt like it was going in circles before the plot finally moved forward. At times it felt like the story was stuck in a loop.

Overall, this gave me The Devil Wears Prada meets 13 Going on 30 with an Aladdin twist and I had a lot of fun with it. It's cute, original, and the perfect cozy read for a fall afternoon.

[Kerry Glynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Hazel Calder for the eARC of this book.

This was a quick read and I read it in less than a day. I liked the overall vibe of the book which was loosely aligned to Aladdin and 13 Going on 30. I like that Scarlett was a 30 something who wasn’t really sure what she wanted out of life, but she was having a tough time with societal norms and what it was expected of her to want: the amazing job, the doting fiancé, the fairytale wedding, etc. I think that this is such a common situation for a lot of women and I liked how Hazel put that into words.
I didn’t like how Scarlett was never happy and what she was thinking through her internal monologue was just kind of annoying, especially when she was sitting at dinner with Ethan‘s family who did seem lovely and engaged, but she literally had problems with everything that was said or asked. I did also think that as a woman working in corporate America for 10+ years, she should have been more confident in her abilities. This was way low confidence on a scale that was a little shocking to me. Yes, I get we all have big projects and things that come up that will affect our confidence, but I was struggling with that part a little bit.
Sihir was the best part of the whole book, I just wish we got more of him and Scarlett together when he returned. Maybe like an epilogue or a happily ever after. Cute book, glad I read it, cover is amazing.

[LaLa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Three wishes from one hot Genie, Sahir.

Scarlet is passed up on promotion to someone who has been at Velvet for 2 years vs her 10. Her boss gives her a project to work on to make up for her lack of promotion. A perfume campaign.. but little does she know, this perfume houses a Genie to grant her three wishes.

It’s giving pretty much every movie with a genie.

I think it is safe to say that we are all pretty familiar with how these things go down. The first wish is used for her job and I did like how it was handled. Usually a wish to make someone disappear or “have their life” had me thinking that her boss just never existed. But nope that’s not the route this genie took and I can honestly say I appreciate it being something I didn’t expect.

As we move through the story I feel like we just looking at glimpses of Scarlett’s life vs anything really meaningful happening.. from dating and her job and the re housewives… that pretty much sums up the story.

I think my favorite character in this is Sahir. He just adds much more to the story and I just genuinely enjoyed his character.

This story is pretty “cookie cutter” when it comes to romances. It’s clear to see how the story is going to end from the beginning but I will say that it had me thinking throughout.

[Benedetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley

3.50/5

The book had a lot of potential and I was intrigued by the premise even though I'm not a big fan of magical realism in general.
The main characters, Scarlett and Sahir, were well-balanced and they had a good chemistry; where she was insicure or emotionally in distress, he was her anchor, her wisdom. Sahir needed someone like Scarlett to learn to live a little, to actually enjoy life for himself.

That being said I have some critiques that I need to underline.

-Scarlett was trying too hard with Ethan, she was almost obsessed with this relationship and it was a little counterintuitive giving all the history with her mother. I get it, she's trying to accomplish all of her goals, but she's smart enough to understand that Ethan is not the man for her.
What I'm trying to say is that I really liked Scarlett's character, what she wanted, the path she didn't want to follow and the wounds her mother left, so maybe, as a reader, I would've liked to see some more depth and resolve.

-The relationship between Scarlett and Sahir could have been developed more, I felt the tension but not as much as I wanted, I was a little disappointed.

-I would've liked to know more about Sahir and his past, I feel like there is a very intense story.

Overall it was a nice and relaxing read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover immediately caught my attention, and the New York City setting made me even more excited to pick this up. It turned out to be a cozy, whimsical read that blended romance, humor, and a little bit of magic into an enjoyable escape.

I found Scarlet to be a relatable protagonist, especially when it came to navigating career frustrations and figuring out what she truly wanted. There were moments when I wished she had a little more confidence in herself, but that also made her journey feel authentic.

The writing was smooth and easy to fall into. The romance is a true slow burn, built through subtle moments and growing chemistry rather than instant attraction. While the love triangle wasn't my favorite trope, it didn't stop me from enjoying the story overall.

One thing I especially appreciated was the balance of lighthearted fun with themes of ambition, self discovery, and learning that getting exactly what you think you want isn't always the answer.

This was a charming, feel good read that left me smiling. If you enjoy cozy romantic comedies with a touch of magical realism, workplace drama, and a slow building romance, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an Advanced Copy from NetGalley

Honestly, this book is more of a 4.5.
I really like the development of the FMC over the course of this book. It isn't immediate, it mirrors what you would see in the real world and that was very gratifying and frustrating at the same time.
I deeply understand what the FMC was going through when her "boyfriend" asked her to take a step back from her career so she could support his and while there was no big dramatic moment where the guy gets his comeuppance, it was handled with quiet grace.
I think this book was written very well in the fact that it was easy to read and understand. There might have been a couple of pop-culture elements that people might not have gotten (I had to look up one) but that was all early on in the beginning and didn't detract from the overall book.
I thought the plot was great and very well paced.
The romance is an interesting one. It was everything a slow burn needed and it paid off in the end. The tension is palpable throughout and it creates such a feeling from the audience perspective.
I liked the characters, they were very true to themselves and did not make irrational or confusing decisions that did not align with who they are.

Again, I just felt like this was a super fun book!!

[Cristina A Simple Mood Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley

This was a cute, fun, fast-paced read with a good amount of humor. The genie concept was what initially drew me in because I had never read a romance built around that idea before, and the cover immediately caught my attention. Between the premise, the blurb, and the gorgeous cover, this book knows how to pull a reader in.

That said, the actual reading experience landed somewhere in the middle for me. I can easily see this being someone else’s five-star read, but it simply wasn’t mine.

There were several moments when the story felt a little too surface-level for my taste. I saw the intention and what the author wanted to convey, but it felt like the conclusions were more developed than the evidence, so to speak. I could understand and relate to Scarlett’s struggles, but I also found her very frustrating at times. That doesn’t make her a bad character—no character needs to be perfect. She just wasn’t a main character I personally connected with, and sometimes that makes all the difference in how a story impacts a reader.

Overall, this is an easy and entertaining rom-com with an interesting magical premise. Readers looking for something light, playful, and quick may enjoy this book.

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

WARNING SPOILERS!

This book started out strong and was well written.
It was magical how Sahir entered her life.

Scarlet Monroe sound like a strong and admirable name, She is a smart and hard-working woman in her mid-30s who is a beauty editor for a top magazine in the heart of NYC, (I'm thinking "Devil Wears Prada Vibes."

You don’t enter this profession if you’re weak or shy. But that’s exactly who Scarlet is.
Scarlet grew more and more annoying. She became quite insufferable.

She made a mountain out of a molehill. She let her boyfriend (or barely a booty call) treat her like a doormat. I thought he was either married or gay the way he kept just inviting her to dinner and would never spend the night with her.
He finally takes her to meet his family in the Hamptons. But while she is at The Hamptons, as she calls it, "The H H Hamptons," she couldn’t even dress herself nor choose a pair of earrings without Sahir's help
It was just plain boring and tiring.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

[Kari Bunce (Books With Herb) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! Cute! Cute! ✨

The Problem with Wishes was such a fun, whimsical read! It's a lighthearted romance with a magical fairy tale twist that completely charmed me.

Scarlet isn't thrilled with where her life is headed. Her job is uninspiring, her relationship has gone stale, and she's stuck in a routine that no longer makes her happy. Everything changes when she receives a mysterious bottle of perfume from a client and out pops Sahir—a handsome genie who offers her three wishes.

As Scarlet makes her wishes, she discovers that finding happiness isn't just about magic—it's about figuring out who she truly wants to be. I loved watching her grow while enjoying the romance, humor, and whimsical fantasy woven throughout the story.

Herb and I flew through this one because it was such an enjoyable, feel-good escape. If you're looking for a charming rom-com with a little magic, this is a great pick. Just remember—it's a fairy tale, so settle in and enjoy the ride!

🦴🦴🦴🦴 4 bones from Herb and me! 🐾

[Melanie Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Problem with Wishes is a fun romantic comedy that mixes career ambition, magic, and romance with plenty of humor. Scarlet Monroe's life takes an unexpected turn after a vintage perfume bottle from a Dubai fragrance house releases Sahir, an impossibly attractive genie. One impulsive wish lands Scarlet in the leadership position she thought she wanted, only to discover that managing a magazine department is far more complicated than it looked from the outside.

The magical elements never overshadow the heart of the story. Scarlet's personal growth, her evolving relationship with Sahir, and the messy reality of balancing success with happiness keep the story grounded even as the wishes create chaos. It was an entertaining read with plenty of witty moments and just enough magic to keep the pages turning. My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.

[Reda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really cute story about being careful what you wish for while figuring out who you are. It's also kind of a love letter to New York City, which serves as a fun backdrop for the book. The story is very focused on the internal life of the main character, which is all over the place. Then suddenly she has a cosmic power in her corner smoothing things and guiding her while also becoming obsessed with reality television. There's little explanation of the magical mechanics, or how a millennia-old being would know so little about human nature, but it's fun nonetheless.

I think my one major criticism of this book is that we only get about a five-page glimpse of the main event love story. No epilogue, just a reunion, then a fade to black when they finally get together. It felt like, as much as we the readers invested in the journey, we got cheated on the payoff.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hazel Calder for an ARC in exchange for my honest assessment of this work.

[Kristen//Gen Y Mama · Rating 3 out of 5]

* I was provided an ARC through NetGalley*
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How old is he? No seriously, how old IS he?

In this story we meet a woman who is stuck at her job and stuck in her relationship. When she opens a mysterious perfume bottle she gets herself a genie who will grant her three wishes. Now of course there are rules; you can’t wish for more wishes, you can’t make someone love you and you can’t bring back the dead, if you’ve seen Aladdin these rules will sound familiar.

The premise is fun and cute however I felt that the implied sexual tension/attraction between her and the genie was forced and I never found myself actually rooting for them to get together.

This book had potential to be a classic rom-com but something just really missed the mark for me.

One thing that was never cleared up was how old he actually is, he was granting wishes back in the 50’s so.. is he immortal? Is he now a regular guy in his 30’s? How old is he?