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You Wish
Sometimes imagination is not enough.
Thomas Lash grants secret wishes . . . on-screen, that is.
White wedding gone horribly wrong and need to swap the groom? Never went to university but must have a graduation photo? Need to create a fake family for that job interview? Problem solved with expert Photoshopping and Tom's peculiar ability to know exactly what you desire. Tom never says no, even when giving grieving parents the chance to see what the lives of their lost children may have looked like.
But where do you draw the line . . . and what happens when the fantasy Tom sees on-screen starts to bleed into his real life?
PRAISE FOR LIA WESTON
"Finds the funny side of serious issues" Adelaide Advertiser
Thomas Lash grants secret wishes . . . on-screen, that is.
White wedding gone horribly wrong and need to swap the groom? Never went to university but must have a graduation photo? Need to create a fake family for that job interview? Problem solved with expert Photoshopping and Tom's peculiar ability to know exactly what you desire. Tom never says no, even when giving grieving parents the chance to see what the lives of their lost children may have looked like.
But where do you draw the line . . . and what happens when the fantasy Tom sees on-screen starts to bleed into his real life?
PRAISE FOR LIA WESTON
"Finds the funny side of serious issues" Adelaide Advertiser
320 pages, Paperback
Published March 27, 2018
1 person is currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Lia Weston
4 books28 followersLia Weston is a fiction writer. Her debut novel, THE FORTUNES OF RUBY WHITE, was published by Simon & Schuster Australia in 2010. Her next two novels, THOSE PLEASANT GIRLS and YOU WISH, were published with Pan Macmillan in 2017 and 2018. In between wrestling with plot points, Lia runs a bicycle shop with her husband Pete and works as a freelance copy-editor.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 7, 2018
This book is seriously funny, thought provoking and did I say seriously funny.
I’m a bit crushed that now I’m finished I have to leave Tom behind.
Ignis Fatuus – A deceptive hope, an illusion that misleads. IF is born.
Tom, co founder of IF, makes personal photo albums for clients projecting their dreams and wishes through airbrushing and photo-shopping. Tom with his knack of reading people can produce exactly what they wished for. No request is too extreme and although Tom does find the idea morally challenging his clients leave with photos of the life they dreamed of, not what reality gave them.
But what happens when Tom’s work life bleeds into his home life and he is no longer sure what is real and what is fake.
The author uses narrative intrusion to draw the reader in and feel a connection with Tom. His friends think he is a bit strange, afraid of commitment and reluctant to grow up. The reader sees a different Tom. He is sensitive, an introvert. He burdens himself with everyone’s problems. Tom feels he is not accepted by others. He is an observer and this quality has enabled him to read people effectively which also sets him apart from others.
”That thing you do. Do that thing. It’s that weird gift you have.”
People are always asking him to read a room and it invariably gets him into trouble.
The story is multi-layered with many small plots weaving throughout with themes of family, friendship and morality.
Tom’s mother, Amanda Lash, best-selling author, inspirational figure and YouTube celebrity is swamped by fans wherever she goes. His father is reticent and withdrawn which is cause for much speculation. His teenage sister, Genevieve, is having trouble with her own feelings and reaches out to Tom. Their relationship and closeness is touching to read.
Weston’s writing is taut, fast and satirical. The characters are well developed and believably flawed. The concept of the story is thought provoking and challenging. Innocent on the surface but how far do you go and what are the consequences. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as Weston finds humour in the everyday.
Highly recommended! Readers are in for a roller coaster ride as Tom battles his parents, his girlfriend, his sister, his colleagues, his best-friend but mostly his morals.
With my thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for my copy to read and review.
I’m a bit crushed that now I’m finished I have to leave Tom behind.
Ignis Fatuus – A deceptive hope, an illusion that misleads. IF is born.
Tom, co founder of IF, makes personal photo albums for clients projecting their dreams and wishes through airbrushing and photo-shopping. Tom with his knack of reading people can produce exactly what they wished for. No request is too extreme and although Tom does find the idea morally challenging his clients leave with photos of the life they dreamed of, not what reality gave them.
But what happens when Tom’s work life bleeds into his home life and he is no longer sure what is real and what is fake.
The author uses narrative intrusion to draw the reader in and feel a connection with Tom. His friends think he is a bit strange, afraid of commitment and reluctant to grow up. The reader sees a different Tom. He is sensitive, an introvert. He burdens himself with everyone’s problems. Tom feels he is not accepted by others. He is an observer and this quality has enabled him to read people effectively which also sets him apart from others.
”That thing you do. Do that thing. It’s that weird gift you have.”
People are always asking him to read a room and it invariably gets him into trouble.
The story is multi-layered with many small plots weaving throughout with themes of family, friendship and morality.
Tom’s mother, Amanda Lash, best-selling author, inspirational figure and YouTube celebrity is swamped by fans wherever she goes. His father is reticent and withdrawn which is cause for much speculation. His teenage sister, Genevieve, is having trouble with her own feelings and reaches out to Tom. Their relationship and closeness is touching to read.
Weston’s writing is taut, fast and satirical. The characters are well developed and believably flawed. The concept of the story is thought provoking and challenging. Innocent on the surface but how far do you go and what are the consequences. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as Weston finds humour in the everyday.
Highly recommended! Readers are in for a roller coaster ride as Tom battles his parents, his girlfriend, his sister, his colleagues, his best-friend but mostly his morals.
With my thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for my copy to read and review.
October 15, 2018
This was my first read by Lia Weston but I am not sure if this was for me its funny in parts but couldn't get the jist of the humour it just wasn't me, however the plot sounded interesting but unfortunately it just wasn't for me, lets just say its a comical look at what society today is dealing with. Was well written & was a light hearted fast paced book that you may or may not enjoy read this for yourselves.
March 29, 2018
* https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
You Wish, the third novel penned by Australian author Lia Weston and the first I have read by this author, taps into our very current obsession as a society with perfectionism, especially of the images we project onto social media. It is a highly relevant and topical point of basing a book and I’m glad the very talented Lia Weston has tackled this topic. Although there are some serious points to You Wish, it is all carefully balanced with Weston’s cynical tone.
Imagination and appearances are the main feature of You Wish, the new novel from Lia Weston. Thomas Lash is a genie in bottle, he is able to grant wishes, hopes and fantasies most people only dream of achieving. He is a tech expert, using his top notch skills in the photoshopping field to devise perfect images for his clients. It is air brushing at another level and the more Thomas creates, the more successful he becomes. No job or request seems too hard for Thomas. He seems to have a special gift, a gift in knowing what people desire most from the images they want to project. However, Thomas begins to realise he must draw the line somewhere, especially when the severity of what he is doing morally begins to seep into his own life. The question is, can Thomas continue to create these images or will his conscience catch up with him and convince him what he is doing is wrong?
I loved spending time with You Wish and the character of Thomas Lash over the days I devoted to reading this new book. It was a welcome experience to be introduced to a new (to me) Australian writer, with such bright and original story concept. I really liked how Lia Weston chose to situate her new and third novel on a different style of art, photographic illusions.
As I tend to champion Australian female writers, it surprises me that I haven’t got to Lia Weston’s work up until You Wish. After thoroughly enjoying my reading experience of Lia Weston’s latest, I have made a firm commitment to chase up and read my copy of Those Pleasant Girls. I have nothing but praise for Weston’s writing style, it is current, fresh, sardonic in places and reflective at the same time. As a whole, I was impressed by You Wish, it was very well written and it has a consistent flowing quality to it.
Lia Weston chooses to examine a set of interesting issues and themes in You Wish. I appreciated the focus on our technology driven world, social media, our selfie obsession and our desire to project false, but often perfect images to the outside world. There is plenty to ponder on while reading this book. Personally, You Wish encouraged me to take a step back and consider my own desires, in terms of the images I wish to or have released to the outside world. Morality is a point of contention in this book and it something that I, along with the main character of Thomas, wrestled with at many points in this novel. A book that makes you think this way is certainly going to gain my attention and You Wish did this precisely!
Readers of You Wish will love the lead, Thomas Lash. Thomas has some loveable characteristics and his relationships are just great to follow. I did enjoy the funny and often difficult binds Thomas and his company managed to get themselves into. While some were hard, others did leave me sniggering! It is impossible not to get caught up in the full life of Thomas Lash and those who surround him. Hats off to Lia Weston for creating a memorable lead. By the close of You Wish, the audience will find it extremely hard not to hope that Thomas will succeed in all he sets out to accomplish.
I found You Wish to be a real genre bender, which was simply refreshing. It contains some comedic elements, some futuristic/fantasy based concepts, magical ‘fairy godmother’ like whimsy, a little intrigue and even a touch of sentiment with the romance elements included. With such a fresh and very topical concept driving this novel, it is with confidence that I recommend You Wish to readers far and wide.
*I wish to thank Pan Macmillan for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
You Wish is book #27 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
You Wish, the third novel penned by Australian author Lia Weston and the first I have read by this author, taps into our very current obsession as a society with perfectionism, especially of the images we project onto social media. It is a highly relevant and topical point of basing a book and I’m glad the very talented Lia Weston has tackled this topic. Although there are some serious points to You Wish, it is all carefully balanced with Weston’s cynical tone.
Imagination and appearances are the main feature of You Wish, the new novel from Lia Weston. Thomas Lash is a genie in bottle, he is able to grant wishes, hopes and fantasies most people only dream of achieving. He is a tech expert, using his top notch skills in the photoshopping field to devise perfect images for his clients. It is air brushing at another level and the more Thomas creates, the more successful he becomes. No job or request seems too hard for Thomas. He seems to have a special gift, a gift in knowing what people desire most from the images they want to project. However, Thomas begins to realise he must draw the line somewhere, especially when the severity of what he is doing morally begins to seep into his own life. The question is, can Thomas continue to create these images or will his conscience catch up with him and convince him what he is doing is wrong?
I loved spending time with You Wish and the character of Thomas Lash over the days I devoted to reading this new book. It was a welcome experience to be introduced to a new (to me) Australian writer, with such bright and original story concept. I really liked how Lia Weston chose to situate her new and third novel on a different style of art, photographic illusions.
As I tend to champion Australian female writers, it surprises me that I haven’t got to Lia Weston’s work up until You Wish. After thoroughly enjoying my reading experience of Lia Weston’s latest, I have made a firm commitment to chase up and read my copy of Those Pleasant Girls. I have nothing but praise for Weston’s writing style, it is current, fresh, sardonic in places and reflective at the same time. As a whole, I was impressed by You Wish, it was very well written and it has a consistent flowing quality to it.
Lia Weston chooses to examine a set of interesting issues and themes in You Wish. I appreciated the focus on our technology driven world, social media, our selfie obsession and our desire to project false, but often perfect images to the outside world. There is plenty to ponder on while reading this book. Personally, You Wish encouraged me to take a step back and consider my own desires, in terms of the images I wish to or have released to the outside world. Morality is a point of contention in this book and it something that I, along with the main character of Thomas, wrestled with at many points in this novel. A book that makes you think this way is certainly going to gain my attention and You Wish did this precisely!
Readers of You Wish will love the lead, Thomas Lash. Thomas has some loveable characteristics and his relationships are just great to follow. I did enjoy the funny and often difficult binds Thomas and his company managed to get themselves into. While some were hard, others did leave me sniggering! It is impossible not to get caught up in the full life of Thomas Lash and those who surround him. Hats off to Lia Weston for creating a memorable lead. By the close of You Wish, the audience will find it extremely hard not to hope that Thomas will succeed in all he sets out to accomplish.
I found You Wish to be a real genre bender, which was simply refreshing. It contains some comedic elements, some futuristic/fantasy based concepts, magical ‘fairy godmother’ like whimsy, a little intrigue and even a touch of sentiment with the romance elements included. With such a fresh and very topical concept driving this novel, it is with confidence that I recommend You Wish to readers far and wide.
*I wish to thank Pan Macmillan for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
You Wish is book #27 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
May 7, 2018
You Wish is the third novel by Australian author, Lia Weston. Artist Tom Lash’s uncanny ability to discern, at first glance, what a person really wants has, coupled with his creative skill (and the input of friends with financial and marketing acumen), morphed into a profitable business. IF produces bespoke albums of images for every occasion, for every dream. And corrections for every nightmare.
Although his parents, his best friend and his girlfriend believe he is wasting his artistic gift and should be producing “real” art, Tom is happy doing what he does. And if he occasionally scratches that artistic itch with a bit of anonymous street art, that’s nobody’s business but his own.
But then his girlfriend’s criticism goes a step too far, and Tom finds himself in the middle of a very public dumping. As the dumper. That puts him in everyone’s bad books. Thank goodness for work. But no, something’s going on there too. His co-founders want to head in a direction Tom’s not comfortable going. And when he fields a certain customer complaint, he becomes even more concerned.
Weston gives the reader a charming story that also tackles a few topical issues. Her plot is easily believable, with a few twists and an unexpectedly exciting climax. Weston’s characters are appealing, if also at times irritating or exasperating. They’re the sort of people we encounter every day, whether in person or in the media, and their dialogue is familiar and natural. The rapport between Tom and his little sister Gen is especially delightful.
In these days of relentless social media, Weston’s tale will make the reader think twice about images of themselves online and how these might be used. For all that, there’s also plenty of humour, a bit of heartache, infidelity (both real and presumed), bizarre health food concoctions, a cute five-year-old, betrayal of trust, a real lump-in-the-throat moment, and a fox. This is a funny, heart-warming and thought-provoking read.
Although his parents, his best friend and his girlfriend believe he is wasting his artistic gift and should be producing “real” art, Tom is happy doing what he does. And if he occasionally scratches that artistic itch with a bit of anonymous street art, that’s nobody’s business but his own.
But then his girlfriend’s criticism goes a step too far, and Tom finds himself in the middle of a very public dumping. As the dumper. That puts him in everyone’s bad books. Thank goodness for work. But no, something’s going on there too. His co-founders want to head in a direction Tom’s not comfortable going. And when he fields a certain customer complaint, he becomes even more concerned.
Weston gives the reader a charming story that also tackles a few topical issues. Her plot is easily believable, with a few twists and an unexpectedly exciting climax. Weston’s characters are appealing, if also at times irritating or exasperating. They’re the sort of people we encounter every day, whether in person or in the media, and their dialogue is familiar and natural. The rapport between Tom and his little sister Gen is especially delightful.
In these days of relentless social media, Weston’s tale will make the reader think twice about images of themselves online and how these might be used. For all that, there’s also plenty of humour, a bit of heartache, infidelity (both real and presumed), bizarre health food concoctions, a cute five-year-old, betrayal of trust, a real lump-in-the-throat moment, and a fox. This is a funny, heart-warming and thought-provoking read.
June 21, 2018
Such a fun, easy read. Lia has a wonderful knack for believable dialogue and interesting predicaments. I devoured this book and fell in love with the characters. At some parts I felt like yelling at the book like one might yell at the TV during a sports match.
Read
April 3, 2018I wish I’d read this book earlier. It cheered me up no end. I can’t remember the last time I was so surprised by a book. It is so original that I just couldn’t see where it was going. It is contemporary. So fresh. Australian. And very, very entertaining. Lia Weston makes us look at the ramifications of unreal, on-line worlds, and it is fascinating.
The inner-city-dwelling Tom Lash is talented. He’s an artist (portraits and graffiti), almost psychic, and his photo-shopping skills snowball into a burgeoning company with three partners. He is also a son to an extremely attractive, famous lifestyle author, a boyfriend, a brother to a precocious teen, best friend to Dan, and a jogger.
However, Tom’s life isn’t quite right. The question of ethics arises in his photo-shopping work and catastrophe is just around the corner, he realises his relationship is fine but never good, never great, and a fox is tailing him. Lia Westin uses a funny, light touch to explore the deeper issues in our modern lives.
I love all the nods to our culture – the yoga girls on Tom’s jogging route wear Lorna Jane, other people are on Tinder, and takeaway Indian is the thing to have in winter.
I highly recommend You Wish for lovers of Contemporary Fiction and Australian Fiction, for Young Adult readers, and for anyone who's ever thought of photo-shopping themselves. - Jenny
The inner-city-dwelling Tom Lash is talented. He’s an artist (portraits and graffiti), almost psychic, and his photo-shopping skills snowball into a burgeoning company with three partners. He is also a son to an extremely attractive, famous lifestyle author, a boyfriend, a brother to a precocious teen, best friend to Dan, and a jogger.
However, Tom’s life isn’t quite right. The question of ethics arises in his photo-shopping work and catastrophe is just around the corner, he realises his relationship is fine but never good, never great, and a fox is tailing him. Lia Westin uses a funny, light touch to explore the deeper issues in our modern lives.
I love all the nods to our culture – the yoga girls on Tom’s jogging route wear Lorna Jane, other people are on Tinder, and takeaway Indian is the thing to have in winter.
I highly recommend You Wish for lovers of Contemporary Fiction and Australian Fiction, for Young Adult readers, and for anyone who's ever thought of photo-shopping themselves. - Jenny
March 25, 2018
You Wish is my introduction to the writing of Lia Weston and I am now feeling like I’ve completely cheated myself by not having read her previous novels. Such wit! I loved this novel, enjoyed it so much, laughing out loud, feeling all of the feels and getting completely caught up in the mystery and action. The characters were all so well collated, bouncing off each other with terrific dialogue; all of the elements that went into crafting this story just popped right off the page in the very best of ways.
You Wish is told from the perspective of Thomas, creative director of IF, a company who deals in the business of photographic wish granting. This was refreshing for me, to read a humorous novel from the male perspective, but written by a woman. And it worked, so well. Thomas is fundamentally likeable, even when he’s stuffing things up. He has a good heart, which is kind why he gets himself into certain scrapes. He’s dedicated to his family, particularly his younger sister who he feels a measure of responsibility towards, and this relationship in particular was a lovely one, totally heart-warming. Thomas is also deeply intuitive, a trait that sees him in a sometimes enviable and sometimes not so enviable position—depending on who he’s intuiting at the time. He was a great guy to spend the duration of a novel with and I found myself wholly championing him at every turn.
The concept behind this story is unique, slightly scary, probably happening currently in some form, and definitely thought provoking. At the basic level, there doesn’t seem much harm in putting yourself into a photo with a celebrity or posing in an exotic location you’ve never visited. But what becomes lies? How far does the moral compass need to swing? As the client requests get more outlandish, the employees at IF begin to find themselves having to justify what they do for a living to family and friends more and more, until eventually, they begin to question it all themselves. In amongst the laughs and mayhem lies an issue of morality that requires deep contemplation. At what point does faking it overtake reality?
You Wish is a highly entertaining novel with widespread appeal. Contemporary and fresh with a realistic cast of characters to champion for, Lia Weston’s natural wit will have you flicking through the pages rapidly long past your bedtime. Comedy, romance, mystery and action all converge in this highly original story that plays out with a distinctive Australian vibe.
Thanks is extended to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a copy of You Wish for review.
You Wish is told from the perspective of Thomas, creative director of IF, a company who deals in the business of photographic wish granting. This was refreshing for me, to read a humorous novel from the male perspective, but written by a woman. And it worked, so well. Thomas is fundamentally likeable, even when he’s stuffing things up. He has a good heart, which is kind why he gets himself into certain scrapes. He’s dedicated to his family, particularly his younger sister who he feels a measure of responsibility towards, and this relationship in particular was a lovely one, totally heart-warming. Thomas is also deeply intuitive, a trait that sees him in a sometimes enviable and sometimes not so enviable position—depending on who he’s intuiting at the time. He was a great guy to spend the duration of a novel with and I found myself wholly championing him at every turn.
The concept behind this story is unique, slightly scary, probably happening currently in some form, and definitely thought provoking. At the basic level, there doesn’t seem much harm in putting yourself into a photo with a celebrity or posing in an exotic location you’ve never visited. But what becomes lies? How far does the moral compass need to swing? As the client requests get more outlandish, the employees at IF begin to find themselves having to justify what they do for a living to family and friends more and more, until eventually, they begin to question it all themselves. In amongst the laughs and mayhem lies an issue of morality that requires deep contemplation. At what point does faking it overtake reality?
You Wish is a highly entertaining novel with widespread appeal. Contemporary and fresh with a realistic cast of characters to champion for, Lia Weston’s natural wit will have you flicking through the pages rapidly long past your bedtime. Comedy, romance, mystery and action all converge in this highly original story that plays out with a distinctive Australian vibe.
Thanks is extended to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a copy of You Wish for review.
August 17, 2018
Lia Weston is hilarious and I love her.
April 9, 2018
My interview with the author can be found here
You Wish is Weston's third book, and a marked step up from her debut The Fortunes of Ruby White. While she's shown her hand at casual comedic genius, You Wish touches on a whole new range of subjects, and subtly builds a cast of characters whose wants, thoughts, fears, and wishes drive them toward a central theme of too much.
Thomas is an artist, who found a niche in the 21st century for manipulating photos designating the life people really want. What started out as being photo-shopped into a movie, or having dinner with the cast of Friends quickly devolved (as humanity is want to do) into wedding pictures with a different bride, or a life built around an unrequited love. When grey areas start being thrown into the mix (children that will never grow up, a sexuality still hidden), it quickly becomes clear that not everyone in Tom's life is on his side.
My only gripe with this book is that the main character got a lot of flack for not much. I wanted him to Lash out (hahaha, because his last name is Lash), a lot more than he did. The , but each and every character, apart from his younger sister, seemed out to be annoyed at him, or use him. I hope .
Weston's writing remains strong and solid. Her prose is easy to read, flows well, and leans toward the humourous side of things when possible. But this doesn't stop her from shying away from very tough scenes to write, and the exploration into her characters feels natural and developed. I've described her books to friends as chocolate bars - because you just want to enjoy them while they're there (I honestly keep reading them too fast).
This author, and this book in particular, are one to put on your to-read list. A rising star in the world of Australian fiction, I'm desperately waiting for another book.
You Wish is Weston's third book, and a marked step up from her debut The Fortunes of Ruby White. While she's shown her hand at casual comedic genius, You Wish touches on a whole new range of subjects, and subtly builds a cast of characters whose wants, thoughts, fears, and wishes drive them toward a central theme of too much.
Thomas is an artist, who found a niche in the 21st century for manipulating photos designating the life people really want. What started out as being photo-shopped into a movie, or having dinner with the cast of Friends quickly devolved (as humanity is want to do) into wedding pictures with a different bride, or a life built around an unrequited love. When grey areas start being thrown into the mix (children that will never grow up, a sexuality still hidden), it quickly becomes clear that not everyone in Tom's life is on his side.
My only gripe with this book is that the main character got a lot of flack for not much. I wanted him to Lash out (hahaha, because his last name is Lash), a lot more than he did. The , but each and every character, apart from his younger sister, seemed out to be annoyed at him, or use him. I hope .
Weston's writing remains strong and solid. Her prose is easy to read, flows well, and leans toward the humourous side of things when possible. But this doesn't stop her from shying away from very tough scenes to write, and the exploration into her characters feels natural and developed. I've described her books to friends as chocolate bars - because you just want to enjoy them while they're there (I honestly keep reading them too fast).
This author, and this book in particular, are one to put on your to-read list. A rising star in the world of Australian fiction, I'm desperately waiting for another book.
March 31, 2018
This was such a lot of fun to read! The characters, the premise and Lia Weston's hilarious sense of humor had me laughing out-loud, while simultaneously making me think - I loved it!
October 23, 2018
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Thomas Lush can made your dreams come alive. You want to marry someone else? You need a fake graduation photo to show off to those one-up relatives of yours? Thomas and his business can do that for him. Thomas is happy just performing his photoshopped works of art, but there are darker things going on in the business that he will have to take off his headphones and grow up.
This was a wizbanger of a novel! I loved the concept and connected well with the main characters. To some extent, people already do this. I cropped a person out of a photo (it just wasn’t the photo I needed), and it didn’t look half bad. And I have NO art or photoshop skills. I’m certain there are businesses doing this already, but it’s more black market than what seems to be going on with Thomas’ work.
Imagination is totally all you need. I disagree that giving people what they want is wrong, and that it isn’t art. To create something that looks like it really happened, and for everything to look natural, is amazing. Why shouldn’t you have the chance to change the fact that the woman you married was actually sleeping with all of your groomsmen? The ones of dead kids growing up are a bit weird, but if it provides comfort for parents? This novel gently asks you how far your ethics are able to stretch.
Oh! The irony of that love story! How embarrassing. And yet so perfect. I’m not sure I saw the way the novel ended (hindsight is a beautiful thing, my readers), and the twist was excellent. Things worked out better than I possibly thought they could. This novel resonated through my bones and brain for a long time after I read it, that’s how much I loved it.
I’m giving this novel 5 stars, and lending it to my other reader friend to assess it. From the Publisher’s media sheet, I now know that this is Weston’s third novel, and that I need to get my hands on her other novels ASAP. This novel and Ready Player One would be at my top reads for 2018. Go get yourself a copy and ask yourself how far you could justify changing the past.
Thomas Lush can made your dreams come alive. You want to marry someone else? You need a fake graduation photo to show off to those one-up relatives of yours? Thomas and his business can do that for him. Thomas is happy just performing his photoshopped works of art, but there are darker things going on in the business that he will have to take off his headphones and grow up.
This was a wizbanger of a novel! I loved the concept and connected well with the main characters. To some extent, people already do this. I cropped a person out of a photo (it just wasn’t the photo I needed), and it didn’t look half bad. And I have NO art or photoshop skills. I’m certain there are businesses doing this already, but it’s more black market than what seems to be going on with Thomas’ work.
Imagination is totally all you need. I disagree that giving people what they want is wrong, and that it isn’t art. To create something that looks like it really happened, and for everything to look natural, is amazing. Why shouldn’t you have the chance to change the fact that the woman you married was actually sleeping with all of your groomsmen? The ones of dead kids growing up are a bit weird, but if it provides comfort for parents? This novel gently asks you how far your ethics are able to stretch.
Oh! The irony of that love story! How embarrassing. And yet so perfect. I’m not sure I saw the way the novel ended (hindsight is a beautiful thing, my readers), and the twist was excellent. Things worked out better than I possibly thought they could. This novel resonated through my bones and brain for a long time after I read it, that’s how much I loved it.
I’m giving this novel 5 stars, and lending it to my other reader friend to assess it. From the Publisher’s media sheet, I now know that this is Weston’s third novel, and that I need to get my hands on her other novels ASAP. This novel and Ready Player One would be at my top reads for 2018. Go get yourself a copy and ask yourself how far you could justify changing the past.
November 25, 2018
5 Stars? I'm shocked this book has so many great reviews? I mean it was ALRIGHT, it wasn't great though.
You Wish is the third novel by Australian author, Lia Weston. Tom Lash’s is 29, 6'4 is the older brother by 15 years to his 2 parents in their early 50s. A nuclear family in Melbourne's inner north.
He comes across his business idea of photoshopping fake photos by complete accident IF produces and finds two business partners (the business guy and the finance guy) to do all the logistics for him, he just wants to make art and produce albums of images for every occasion, for every dream. And corrections for every nightmare.
Everybody believes he is wasting his talent and should be producing “real” art, Tom is happy doing what he does. And occasionally produces anonymous street art, that’s nobody’s business but his own. I didn't get the significance behind this.
The plot drags, it takes 150 pages for the story to finally take off. There are twists and the climax which tries really hard to be exciting... is very over dramatic. The person who ends up going to jail, in real life would have been let back out on the streets the next day and probably get slapped with a good behaviour bond. They didn't really do anything criminal.
The characters, are a mixed bag and packed with idiosyncrasies. Weston put a lot more effort into her characters than her plot. Tom your comical, standard aussie bloke, Kain is your annoying boss, Alex is that guy who just wants to please everyone and Amity is your mum's cool friend who you wish was your mum. The rapport between Tom and his little sister Gen is especially delightful. The only thing that was confusing was if Tom's 14 year old bottomless pit of junkfood sister was actually 14 or 4. With the way she skipped around and ate. I don't know a lot of 14 year olds like that.
There were a plot holes and unfinished storylines in this book. And no, there won't be a sequel.
I don't think this book is bad. It's just going to be one I can hardly recall in twelve months time.
You Wish is the third novel by Australian author, Lia Weston. Tom Lash’s is 29, 6'4 is the older brother by 15 years to his 2 parents in their early 50s. A nuclear family in Melbourne's inner north.
He comes across his business idea of photoshopping fake photos by complete accident IF produces and finds two business partners (the business guy and the finance guy) to do all the logistics for him, he just wants to make art and produce albums of images for every occasion, for every dream. And corrections for every nightmare.
Everybody believes he is wasting his talent and should be producing “real” art, Tom is happy doing what he does. And occasionally produces anonymous street art, that’s nobody’s business but his own. I didn't get the significance behind this.
The plot drags, it takes 150 pages for the story to finally take off. There are twists and the climax which tries really hard to be exciting... is very over dramatic. The person who ends up going to jail, in real life would have been let back out on the streets the next day and probably get slapped with a good behaviour bond. They didn't really do anything criminal.
The characters, are a mixed bag and packed with idiosyncrasies. Weston put a lot more effort into her characters than her plot. Tom your comical, standard aussie bloke, Kain is your annoying boss, Alex is that guy who just wants to please everyone and Amity is your mum's cool friend who you wish was your mum. The rapport between Tom and his little sister Gen is especially delightful. The only thing that was confusing was if Tom's 14 year old bottomless pit of junkfood sister was actually 14 or 4. With the way she skipped around and ate. I don't know a lot of 14 year olds like that.
There were a plot holes and unfinished storylines in this book. And no, there won't be a sequel.
I don't think this book is bad. It's just going to be one I can hardly recall in twelve months time.
April 11, 2018
You Wish
, Lia Weston's 3rd contemporary fiction novel, is an excellent cautionary tale about can happen when your life starts to drift and you fail to take control.
With a dry sense of humour and an uncanny knack of being able to see inside his clients' minds, Tom has developed quite the allergy to real life. He'd rather spend his nights creating secret artworks and his days in IF's basement studio - alongside the quirky Mica - Photoshopping digital images to make dreams come true.
No matter how bizarre - or illegal - those dreams might be.
Tom soon discovers that sticking his head in the sand and letting life flow around him can have catastrophic consequences.
This is a contemporary novel that actually reflects real life. People are constantly scanning their phones, text messages interrupt conversations, and work arguments revolve around whether data should be stored in the cloud or in local servers. Weston's sharp wit and ability to send up inner-Melbourne trendites is truly poetic:
You Wish won't send you into an emotional spiral or make you want to spout philosophy from the nearest street corner. But it is an extremely enjoyable read and you might just decide to take a few moments to sit down and think about where your life is actually taking you.
With a dry sense of humour and an uncanny knack of being able to see inside his clients' minds, Tom has developed quite the allergy to real life. He'd rather spend his nights creating secret artworks and his days in IF's basement studio - alongside the quirky Mica - Photoshopping digital images to make dreams come true.
No matter how bizarre - or illegal - those dreams might be.
Tom soon discovers that sticking his head in the sand and letting life flow around him can have catastrophic consequences.
This is a contemporary novel that actually reflects real life. People are constantly scanning their phones, text messages interrupt conversations, and work arguments revolve around whether data should be stored in the cloud or in local servers. Weston's sharp wit and ability to send up inner-Melbourne trendites is truly poetic:
We're at the kind of cafe that has chairs tied to the ceiling and has no punctuation on the menu. Rohan orders a coconut water, proving that one man's embalming fluid is another man's ambrosia. The staff here know him by name. The menu here is sugar-free, gluten-free and dairy-free, so they probably know my mum by name too.
You Wish won't send you into an emotional spiral or make you want to spout philosophy from the nearest street corner. But it is an extremely enjoyable read and you might just decide to take a few moments to sit down and think about where your life is actually taking you.
March 11, 2020
It was recommended to me as a 'cruisy entertaining read'.
It certainly fits that description. It was a very fun book to read. A common theme among Tom's friends' wives is that they all hate Tom's job.
Tom creates dreams and nightmares, and blurs the line between reality and fantasy for his clients through photoshop. But he is not a businessman and doesn't realise the potential his work has for going awry.
I highly recommend this book and author's sense of humor to all readers looking for some light but fun reading.
It certainly fits that description. It was a very fun book to read. A common theme among Tom's friends' wives is that they all hate Tom's job.
Tom creates dreams and nightmares, and blurs the line between reality and fantasy for his clients through photoshop. But he is not a businessman and doesn't realise the potential his work has for going awry.
I highly recommend this book and author's sense of humor to all readers looking for some light but fun reading.
April 26, 2018
Somehow, I did not expect to enjoy this book as it's not my 'normal' read. However, I thoroughly enjoyed You Wish. Weston has an ability with humour and with words that is delightful. It is not comedy though, and that balance of a captivating story without blood and guts is rare. I found I was looking forward to the next page - and yes, I did laugh out loud sometimes. The writing is descriptive too and anyone who loves Melbourne, Australia will find an added delight in reading this novel.
May 8, 2018
Another great book from Lia Weston full of her trademark wry humour. Tom is a well-drawn, self-deprecating character who grew on me as the story progressed. This is a timely story that started out fairly benign and amusing but becomes increasingly uncomfortable as you realise the slippery slope Tom’s company has started on. But carrying the dark themes is always the humour and sharp wit and a cast of great characters that you can love and hate and be frustrated with. Really enjoyable book.
April 21, 2024
3.5 stars!!!
I enjoyed the becoming an adult aspect of this book and moral / ethic outlooks. The first half of the book was a bit too slow for me. I also found some of the relationships hard to follow but could make sense of the outcomes.
A good general read. I think for a male main character book, it wasn’t too focused on typical boy problems, so can be a book catered for any person.
I enjoyed the becoming an adult aspect of this book and moral / ethic outlooks. The first half of the book was a bit too slow for me. I also found some of the relationships hard to follow but could make sense of the outcomes.
A good general read. I think for a male main character book, it wasn’t too focused on typical boy problems, so can be a book catered for any person.
September 24, 2018
I picked this up for a light read and it ended up surprising me - funny, thought provoking and with some well fleshed out characters. So Mica may have a bit of the Manic Pixie Dream girl type with the creative job, but she is still good fun. :)
March 1, 2023
DNF at page 100 (1/3 through).
Well written and had some funny lines, but it wasn’t for me.
I got creepy and stalker vibes pretty quick, and I didn’t feel connected enough to the characters or storyline to continue.
Well written and had some funny lines, but it wasn’t for me.
I got creepy and stalker vibes pretty quick, and I didn’t feel connected enough to the characters or storyline to continue.
May 11, 2018
Sweet and fuuny.
July 12, 2018
Fab book! Funny, thought provoking, great characters, sad to be leaving them behind! I want a sequel to Tom and Mica! Loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2019
Different and interesting. Was localised to the Melbourne area, so it was a novelty being able to read it and know where things were. Really enjoyed it.
January 21, 2024
Initially intrigued by the summary of this book but felt a little let down as what started out as interesting resulted in a flimsy story line with a disappointing end.
Read
September 20, 2018I don't know what I was expecting, but this wasn't it. I found the writing bland and the MC wasn't very engaging. This was a DNF for me.
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