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Wish You Were Her
Book Lovers meets Notting Hill with a slice of You've Got Mail in Wish You Were Her, the brand new rivals-to-lovers romance from bestselling, award-winning Elle McNicoll.
18-year-old Allegra Brooks has skyrocketed to fame after starring in a hit television show, and she's the overnight success that everyone's talking about. They just don't know she's autistic. Now, all she wants is a normal teenage summer.
Her destination for escape is the remote Lake Pristine and its annual Book Festival, organized by the dedicated but unfriendly senior bookseller, Jonah Thorne.
In small towns like Lake Pristine, misunderstandings abound, and before long the two are drawn into high-profile hostility that's a far cry from the drama-free holiday Allegra was craving. Thank goodness for her saving the increasingly personal emails she's been sharing with a charming and anonymous bookseller who is definitely not Jonah Thorne . . .
An unforgettable romcom about finding the one person who makes you feel yourself when the whole world is watching.
Praise for Elle McNicoll's Some Like it Cold:
'A clever, poignant and healing love story . . . Some Like It Cold is a heartfelt romance that is sweeping in its scope and tender in its emotional depth. McNicoll has crafted a powerful ode to love in all its of community, of home and of ourselves – as well as the genre of romance itself.' -- Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen
'I utterly adored this book! Some Like it Cold is a warm, wonderful winter romance to cosy up with - brilliant characters, sizzling chemistry, and so full of heart, Elle has written a truly gorgeous book that’s a must-read.'-- Beth Reekles, author of The Kissing Booth
'As much an ode to the history of the romance genre as a classic yet modern love story in its own right. Achingly honest and heartfelt, this is McNicoll at her best. It is quite literally my favourite romance novel of all time.' -- Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Make You Mine this Christmas
'McNicoll delivers a breathtaking story of love and joy that will keep the reader hooked until the very last page. It was such a pleasure being immersed in Jasper's world.'-- Anika Hussain, author of This Is How You Fall In Love
'A sweet will-they-won't-they rom-com set in a small town, dealing with autism, grief, love and being comfortable in your own skin. This is a cosy, heartwarming wintery romance. -- Abiola Bello, author of Only for the Holidays
18-year-old Allegra Brooks has skyrocketed to fame after starring in a hit television show, and she's the overnight success that everyone's talking about. They just don't know she's autistic. Now, all she wants is a normal teenage summer.
Her destination for escape is the remote Lake Pristine and its annual Book Festival, organized by the dedicated but unfriendly senior bookseller, Jonah Thorne.
In small towns like Lake Pristine, misunderstandings abound, and before long the two are drawn into high-profile hostility that's a far cry from the drama-free holiday Allegra was craving. Thank goodness for her saving the increasingly personal emails she's been sharing with a charming and anonymous bookseller who is definitely not Jonah Thorne . . .
An unforgettable romcom about finding the one person who makes you feel yourself when the whole world is watching.
Praise for Elle McNicoll's Some Like it Cold:
'A clever, poignant and healing love story . . . Some Like It Cold is a heartfelt romance that is sweeping in its scope and tender in its emotional depth. McNicoll has crafted a powerful ode to love in all its of community, of home and of ourselves – as well as the genre of romance itself.' -- Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen
'I utterly adored this book! Some Like it Cold is a warm, wonderful winter romance to cosy up with - brilliant characters, sizzling chemistry, and so full of heart, Elle has written a truly gorgeous book that’s a must-read.'-- Beth Reekles, author of The Kissing Booth
'As much an ode to the history of the romance genre as a classic yet modern love story in its own right. Achingly honest and heartfelt, this is McNicoll at her best. It is quite literally my favourite romance novel of all time.' -- Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Make You Mine this Christmas
'McNicoll delivers a breathtaking story of love and joy that will keep the reader hooked until the very last page. It was such a pleasure being immersed in Jasper's world.'-- Anika Hussain, author of This Is How You Fall In Love
'A sweet will-they-won't-they rom-com set in a small town, dealing with autism, grief, love and being comfortable in your own skin. This is a cosy, heartwarming wintery romance. -- Abiola Bello, author of Only for the Holidays
352 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2025
19773 people want to read
About the author
Elle McNicoll
20 books723 followersHey, I'm Elle. I'm Scottish, autistic and an author/screenwriter who is really bad at logging her reading choices.
I write about autistic girls finding out who they are and what makes them happy, because I'm an autistic girl trying to find out who she is and what makes her happy.
I don't read reviews, as they are for readers, but I'm grateful to any and everyone who engages with my work, on the page or on the screen. My Young Adult Romance debut is called Some Like It Cold in it will be published on the 3rd of October. Official professional shiz below:
Elle McNicoll is a bestselling and award-winning novelist and screenwriter. Her debut, A Kind of Spark, won the Blue Peter Book Award and the Overall Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, as well as Blackwell’s Book of 2020. She is a four time Carnegie nominated author, and was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Awards 2020, 2021 and 2022, the Branford Boase Award 2020 and The Little Rebels Award 2020 and 2021. She was also honoured in the US with the Schneider Award, 2022.
Her second Middle Grade novel, Show Us Who You Are, was Blackwell’s Book of the Month and one of The Bookseller’s Best Books of 2021. Her first fantasy middle grade, Like a Charm, was nominated for Best Children’s Book for Older Readers in the first ever Week Junior Book Awards, and was highly praised in the New York Times.
Her debut novel, A Kind of Spark, has also been adapted for television, which debuted on UK and US screens on the 2nd of April, 2023. It is Emmy nominated and won Best Children’s Programme at the Broadcast Awards and the Royal Television Society Awards in London, 2024 and is now streaming in many territories around the globe. A second season is currently airing on CBBC.
Her debut Middle Grade was named as one of the greatest children’s books of all time, coming in at number 75, and she is twice nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
Her YA debut, Some Like It Cold, will be published on October 1st (US) and October 3rd (UK). She is an advocate for better representation of neurodiversity in publishing, as an autistic and dyspraxic novelist, and currently lives in North London.
I write about autistic girls finding out who they are and what makes them happy, because I'm an autistic girl trying to find out who she is and what makes her happy.
I don't read reviews, as they are for readers, but I'm grateful to any and everyone who engages with my work, on the page or on the screen. My Young Adult Romance debut is called Some Like It Cold in it will be published on the 3rd of October. Official professional shiz below:
Elle McNicoll is a bestselling and award-winning novelist and screenwriter. Her debut, A Kind of Spark, won the Blue Peter Book Award and the Overall Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, as well as Blackwell’s Book of 2020. She is a four time Carnegie nominated author, and was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Awards 2020, 2021 and 2022, the Branford Boase Award 2020 and The Little Rebels Award 2020 and 2021. She was also honoured in the US with the Schneider Award, 2022.
Her second Middle Grade novel, Show Us Who You Are, was Blackwell’s Book of the Month and one of The Bookseller’s Best Books of 2021. Her first fantasy middle grade, Like a Charm, was nominated for Best Children’s Book for Older Readers in the first ever Week Junior Book Awards, and was highly praised in the New York Times.
Her debut novel, A Kind of Spark, has also been adapted for television, which debuted on UK and US screens on the 2nd of April, 2023. It is Emmy nominated and won Best Children’s Programme at the Broadcast Awards and the Royal Television Society Awards in London, 2024 and is now streaming in many territories around the globe. A second season is currently airing on CBBC.
Her debut Middle Grade was named as one of the greatest children’s books of all time, coming in at number 75, and she is twice nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
Her YA debut, Some Like It Cold, will be published on October 1st (US) and October 3rd (UK). She is an advocate for better representation of neurodiversity in publishing, as an autistic and dyspraxic novelist, and currently lives in North London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
June 7, 2025
This was so cute. I loved the neurodiverse rep in this book. It's my first Elle McNicoll book, and I absolutely intend to read more from her now. I've had Like a Charm and A Kind of Spark on my TBR for a while and they've been bumped up now. I also want to get to Some Like it Cold.
As someone with ADHD, I saw a lot of myself in this book, related a lot to how both Allegra and Jonah felt. I loved the spotlight shined on being neurodiverse in the limelight as a celebrity. I thought it was done brilliantly.
I do wish Allegra had come clean about the emails earlier but over, I loved this. It was brilliant.
Thank you to Book Break, Pan Macmillan and First Ink for sending me an early copy of this book and hosting the readalong I took part in.
As someone with ADHD, I saw a lot of myself in this book, related a lot to how both Allegra and Jonah felt. I loved the spotlight shined on being neurodiverse in the limelight as a celebrity. I thought it was done brilliantly.
I do wish Allegra had come clean about the emails earlier but over, I loved this. It was brilliant.
Thank you to Book Break, Pan Macmillan and First Ink for sending me an early copy of this book and hosting the readalong I took part in.
September 4, 2025
1 star ࣪ ˖
na romance ┆ 17+ ┆content warnings below
➴ this was a dumpster fire of a book.
—i am super disappointed. i was expecting romantic emails (so basically letters), but what i got was a mmc who was super rude to allegra as soon as they met, while allegra was patient and understanding?
jonah. sooooo he was super rude, started yelling at allegra for displaying a movie tie-in cover, acknowledged that he was being rude and said he would stop to himself, then continued to be rude, and his excuse was being autistic and that all the wrong words came out and he was just saying all those rude things bc allegra was pretty? mind you, allegra is autistic too, but didn’t start treating jonah terrible. if you think a girl is pretty you tell her, not get mad at her over things that are totally ok?
allegra. kind and understanding despite people who constantly hate on her online for being famous. love the curvy representation and how allegra wasn’t ashamed of her body! and i’m not autistic so i can’t criticize how well it was represented but the author is autistic so it’s probably approached well lol!
—ok so when jonah finally apologizes they start making out and rolling around on the floor, someone treats allegra like jonah used to do, jonah hits said guy, then happily ever after, with allegra upset by the media every once in a while during the book
content warnings:
spice : non-descriptive but hinted at, so idk why it’s categorized as young adult
language : swearing
alcohol : underaged people drinking
violence : people getting into fights
TWS: photos of couple in a state of undress leaked online
na romance ┆ 17+ ┆content warnings below
➴ this was a dumpster fire of a book.
—i am super disappointed. i was expecting romantic emails (so basically letters), but what i got was a mmc who was super rude to allegra as soon as they met, while allegra was patient and understanding?
jonah. sooooo he was super rude, started yelling at allegra for displaying a movie tie-in cover, acknowledged that he was being rude and said he would stop to himself, then continued to be rude, and his excuse was being autistic and that all the wrong words came out and he was just saying all those rude things bc allegra was pretty? mind you, allegra is autistic too, but didn’t start treating jonah terrible. if you think a girl is pretty you tell her, not get mad at her over things that are totally ok?
allegra. kind and understanding despite people who constantly hate on her online for being famous. love the curvy representation and how allegra wasn’t ashamed of her body! and i’m not autistic so i can’t criticize how well it was represented but the author is autistic so it’s probably approached well lol!
—ok so when jonah finally apologizes they start making out and rolling around on the floor, someone treats allegra like jonah used to do, jonah hits said guy, then happily ever after, with allegra upset by the media every once in a while during the book
content warnings:
spice : non-descriptive but hinted at, so idk why it’s categorized as young adult
language : swearing
alcohol : underaged people drinking
violence : people getting into fights
TWS: photos of couple in a state of undress leaked online
August 26, 2025
“He couldn’t think about her. She was from a different story, one that had no room on the call sheet for someone like him. She was too special. Too much of everything”
This was such a cute YA small town romance and I absolutely ate it up!
Allegra is an 18 year old actress taking a break for the summer at Lake Pristine to help her father with his bookstore and the upcoming book festival. Unfortunately, she has to work with the grumpy and cute bookseller Jonah. Their arguments and disagreements are such a spectacle and there’s so much tension between them. But neither of them has a clue that they’re emailing each other under behind the scenes and forming a wholesome bond. I love a good secret email/secret identity trope because it’s so fun and exciting to see when they finally realize their true identities.
The chemistry between Jonah and Allegra was so good and I loved every moment between them! Their relationship develops from two opposite ends and their vulnerable moments made me fall in love with the romance in this! As a neurotypical reader, the autism rep was interesting and I felt that it was done quite well as an own voices story. I really loved the meaningful discussions framed throughout the book. And that epilogue was everything 🥹
I also enjoyed the book festival setting in this because it definitely hit the vacay and summer vibes. It initially felt weird that they’re both teenagers given their behavior(or perhaps I’m just older now) but I wonder if would’ve enjoyed this more if they were college students. However, it was interesting to read about Allegra’s experience as a successful teen actress and seeing alot of her struggles in the industry with her autism. I really liked her character because she always stepped up for the right things and her development had me cheering for her.
I just wish the identity reveals happened early on because it dragged on for a while. The miscommunication between Jonah and Allegra had me wanting to shake them both😭There was a third act conflict from a different circumstance but I wasn’t too upset because the reconciliation made up for it.
I’m not sure if it’s the digital format of the ARC, but the transitions between Jonah and Allegra’s POVs were confusing sometimes because it was missing that separation. It would improve the reading experience if there was a clear distinction between the start of a new POV.
Other than that, this was such a fun and adorable YA romance and I’d recommend it as a summer book!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and SMP for the eARC!
This was such a cute YA small town romance and I absolutely ate it up!
Allegra is an 18 year old actress taking a break for the summer at Lake Pristine to help her father with his bookstore and the upcoming book festival. Unfortunately, she has to work with the grumpy and cute bookseller Jonah. Their arguments and disagreements are such a spectacle and there’s so much tension between them. But neither of them has a clue that they’re emailing each other under behind the scenes and forming a wholesome bond. I love a good secret email/secret identity trope because it’s so fun and exciting to see when they finally realize their true identities.
The chemistry between Jonah and Allegra was so good and I loved every moment between them! Their relationship develops from two opposite ends and their vulnerable moments made me fall in love with the romance in this! As a neurotypical reader, the autism rep was interesting and I felt that it was done quite well as an own voices story. I really loved the meaningful discussions framed throughout the book. And that epilogue was everything 🥹
I also enjoyed the book festival setting in this because it definitely hit the vacay and summer vibes. It initially felt weird that they’re both teenagers given their behavior(or perhaps I’m just older now) but I wonder if would’ve enjoyed this more if they were college students. However, it was interesting to read about Allegra’s experience as a successful teen actress and seeing alot of her struggles in the industry with her autism. I really liked her character because she always stepped up for the right things and her development had me cheering for her.
I just wish the identity reveals happened early on because it dragged on for a while. The miscommunication between Jonah and Allegra had me wanting to shake them both😭There was a third act conflict from a different circumstance but I wasn’t too upset because the reconciliation made up for it.
I’m not sure if it’s the digital format of the ARC, but the transitions between Jonah and Allegra’s POVs were confusing sometimes because it was missing that separation. It would improve the reading experience if there was a clear distinction between the start of a new POV.
Other than that, this was such a fun and adorable YA romance and I’d recommend it as a summer book!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and SMP for the eARC!
Want to read
November 19, 2024#ownvoices autism romance 😭🙏
Read
April 3, 2025This was an absorbing YA romance about a teenager who found herself rocketed to stardom, and how that chewed up her life. Especially as she is neurodiverse, something she only admits late in the story, though the hints are all there. In escaping the fame fishbowl (and its not-so-nice dangers) for a summer with her dad, she meets a neurodivergent boy at Dad's bookstore--and sparks fly. At first, sparks of anger and hurt.
How the two untangle the crossed signals, and make friends and plans for their futures along the way, leads the reader through the rest of the book at a fast clip. A terrific read for teens on the spectrum--and teens who want to understand what that means.
How the two untangle the crossed signals, and make friends and plans for their futures along the way, leads the reader through the rest of the book at a fast clip. A terrific read for teens on the spectrum--and teens who want to understand what that means.
May 18, 2025
Elle McNicoll has DONE IT AGAIN 😭💘
This book? This book owns me. "Wish You Were Her" is small-town romcom meets quietly revolutionary autism rep, and I was not prepared to be emotionally devastated and utterly smitten all at once.
___________
🌟 Allegra Brooks is THAT girl 🌟
Let’s get one thing straight: Allegra is NOT your typical leading lady. She’s autistic, she’s a literal movie star, and she’s not here to play nice for anyone’s comfort.
___________
📧 Secret emails + enemies to lovers = PERFECTION
So Allegra escapes to her dad’s sleepy bookshop in Lake Pristine, trying to disappear from the chaos of fame—and bam, she runs straight into Jonah. Bookseller. Broody. A bit of a grump. Very hot. Their banter? Chef’s kiss. The chemistry? SCREAMING. But it’s the emails... The secret, flirty, anonymous little love notes back and forth?? I was on the floor.
And when it’s revealed who’s behind the emails? The ANGST. The YEARNING. The “why didn’t you tell me”s and “I’ve been in love with you the whole time”s??? I blacked out. 🫠
___________
💔 Jonah is the new book boyfriend standard 💔
Jonah Thorne is IT. The book boy blueprint. He’s prickly and defensive but has the softest, most golden heart underneath. He sees Allegra—like truly sees her—in a way that makes your chest ache.
___________
👯♀️ Allegra + Grace = friendship GOALS
Let me just say it: I would die for Grace. That girl deserves the entire world and a book of her own IMMEDIATELY. Her friendship with Allegra is so real and affirming, full of sass and softness and the kind of radical honesty you rarely see in fiction.
___________
😒 Simon + Skye + George = BYE
There always has to be someone to rage at, right? Simon = 🚩 Skye = 🔥 (as in, put her in the fire) and George?? That man acted like he was mentoring Jonah when really he was just being mean for vibes. Like okay, Dad 2.0, maybe try emotional intelligence instead of sabotage next time 😤
The only thing I wanted more of? Some deeper clarity on why George thought being cruel was the answer. That bit didn’t fully land for me.
___________
🌍 Autism rep that’s full of POWER, not pity
As with Some Like It Cold, the autism rep here is phenomenal. Allegra isn’t painted as broken or weird or fragile—she’s complex and confident and learning to love herself, even in a world that constantly misunderstands her.
___________
🎬 Bonus: Cameos & callbacks
Seeing Jasper and Arthur again?? My heart sang. It’s so special when authors build interconnected worlds like this, and getting a glimpse of their happy ending post-Some Like It Cold just made everything feel richer. The friendship between Jasper and Allegra?? Ugh, so wholesome and affirming. I love this little neurodivergent girl gang SO MUCH 🥹
___________
📚 Final thoughts: A romantic gem with sharp teeth and a soft heart
"Wish You Were Her" is a sparkling, slow-burn love letter to neurodivergent girls everywhere. It’s about learning to take off the mask, demand more, and fall in love with yourself as fiercely as you fall for someone else. It’s funny, emotional, painfully relatable at times, and full of quotes you’ll want to highlight and cry over.
The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars? A couple redemption arcs (Simon & George) felt undercooked for me and Allegra's reaction to Jonah being revealed as her pen-pal didn't feel true to her character when she became all mean girl, but honestly? I’m still obsessed.
So if you’re looking for a romance with email flirtation, bookstore vibes, autistic rep that slays, and a cinnamon roll grump of a love interest? This book will COMPLETELY wreck you in the best way.
Rating: 4.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
Would reread just for the line:
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
This book? This book owns me. "Wish You Were Her" is small-town romcom meets quietly revolutionary autism rep, and I was not prepared to be emotionally devastated and utterly smitten all at once.
___________
🌟 Allegra Brooks is THAT girl 🌟
Let’s get one thing straight: Allegra is NOT your typical leading lady. She’s autistic, she’s a literal movie star, and she’s not here to play nice for anyone’s comfort.
"Girls like her were studied, not admired. They were diagnosed, not loved...They were whispered about. They were sometimes shunned for being too different or ignored for being too good at camouflaging."From page one, she’s bold, blunt, and completely unbothered by anyone who tries to put her in a box—unless your name is Jonah Thorne, in which case, prepare for the slowest, sweetest emotional unraveling of your life 🫠💌
"Autistic girls were told they were their own worst enemies, but Allegra knew that was a neurotypical lie. She was her own ally. She was her own protector."Like HELLO?? I want that quote tattooed on my soul. It hits so hard.
___________
📧 Secret emails + enemies to lovers = PERFECTION
So Allegra escapes to her dad’s sleepy bookshop in Lake Pristine, trying to disappear from the chaos of fame—and bam, she runs straight into Jonah. Bookseller. Broody. A bit of a grump. Very hot. Their banter? Chef’s kiss. The chemistry? SCREAMING. But it’s the emails... The secret, flirty, anonymous little love notes back and forth?? I was on the floor.
And when it’s revealed who’s behind the emails? The ANGST. The YEARNING. The “why didn’t you tell me”s and “I’ve been in love with you the whole time”s??? I blacked out. 🫠
"You. I want you. And I want you more than anyone else.Spoiler: she kissed him. 😭💘
Kiss me."
___________
💔 Jonah is the new book boyfriend standard 💔
Jonah Thorne is IT. The book boy blueprint. He’s prickly and defensive but has the softest, most golden heart underneath. He sees Allegra—like truly sees her—in a way that makes your chest ache.
"I don't want to chase her down. I want to stand still with her."
"How do I convince the girl that the whole world wants a piece of that she's my whole world? And that I want all of her?"McNicoll didn’t come to play. She came to ruin us beautifully 🫡💔
___________
👯♀️ Allegra + Grace = friendship GOALS
Let me just say it: I would die for Grace. That girl deserves the entire world and a book of her own IMMEDIATELY. Her friendship with Allegra is so real and affirming, full of sass and softness and the kind of radical honesty you rarely see in fiction.
"Can I run something by you and will you tell me if it's too sociopathic?"and the classic:
"Sure. I'm a great litmus test for monstrous behaviour."
"Friends tell their friends when they're being dicks."10/10 dialogue. No notes. Just vibes.
___________
😒 Simon + Skye + George = BYE
There always has to be someone to rage at, right? Simon = 🚩 Skye = 🔥 (as in, put her in the fire) and George?? That man acted like he was mentoring Jonah when really he was just being mean for vibes. Like okay, Dad 2.0, maybe try emotional intelligence instead of sabotage next time 😤
The only thing I wanted more of? Some deeper clarity on why George thought being cruel was the answer. That bit didn’t fully land for me.
___________
🌍 Autism rep that’s full of POWER, not pity
As with Some Like It Cold, the autism rep here is phenomenal. Allegra isn’t painted as broken or weird or fragile—she’s complex and confident and learning to love herself, even in a world that constantly misunderstands her.
"You've always said I'm so good at auditions. Ever wonder why? Autism. When every fucking social interaction feels like an audition, you get really good at it."This line SHATTERED me 😭 McNicoll gets it. Every scene where Allegra masks, spirals, or asserts herself is handled with such care and nuance. And that scene where Jasper calls it an “autistic canonical event”? I YELLED.
___________
🎬 Bonus: Cameos & callbacks
Seeing Jasper and Arthur again?? My heart sang. It’s so special when authors build interconnected worlds like this, and getting a glimpse of their happy ending post-Some Like It Cold just made everything feel richer. The friendship between Jasper and Allegra?? Ugh, so wholesome and affirming. I love this little neurodivergent girl gang SO MUCH 🥹
___________
📚 Final thoughts: A romantic gem with sharp teeth and a soft heart
"Wish You Were Her" is a sparkling, slow-burn love letter to neurodivergent girls everywhere. It’s about learning to take off the mask, demand more, and fall in love with yourself as fiercely as you fall for someone else. It’s funny, emotional, painfully relatable at times, and full of quotes you’ll want to highlight and cry over.
The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars? A couple redemption arcs (Simon & George) felt undercooked for me and Allegra's reaction to Jonah being revealed as her pen-pal didn't feel true to her character when she became all mean girl, but honestly? I’m still obsessed.
So if you’re looking for a romance with email flirtation, bookstore vibes, autistic rep that slays, and a cinnamon roll grump of a love interest? This book will COMPLETELY wreck you in the best way.
Rating: 4.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
Would reread just for the line:
"Not the paperbacks, the jackets will bend."😳🔥
"Hardbacks it is."
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
July 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.
I would like to preface this by saying I’m autistic. That being said, I think—more than anything—this book is more of a case study in the difference between autism in men vs autism in women than it is a love story.
Jonah is brash, doesn’t try to nor care to conform to societal expectations, is incredibly and continuously disrespectful, and I can count on /one/ hand how many times he’s apologized for said disrespect throughout the entire book.
Allegra spends her entire life shrinking herself down, masking, forcing herself out of her comfort zone, molding herself into who others want her to be, continuously apologizes almost instinctually even when she’s not at fault, and is a chronic people pleaser.
I also believe the synopsis of this novel needs to be more clear about the fact that this is an enemies-to-lovers novel because it reads more like strangers-to-friends-to-lovers. Because if I knew that this was enemies-to-lovers, I would’ve never picked it up. Maybe if I enjoyed that trope, I might like this book. But then again, maybe not. Sue me, but I prefer for love interests to be nice to each other
Most of the characters were very unlikable. Allegra and Jonah spend almost the entire book taking turns lying to each other for literally no reason I can see other than justifying the 350-something page length of this novel.
Jonah is incredibly rude to Allegra from their very first meeting and just…keeps being rude. He never apologizes for it. In fact, for some reason, all his friends are the ones who keep apologizing to Allegra on his behalf as if that ices the burn. Then when he tells her she’s pretty, he’s suddenly like “oh I can’t stop thinking about you, tell me you feel it too.”
This book takes place over the span of 3 weeks—/maybe/ 4—and 2 of those weeks are spent with Jonah treating Allegra like she’s dirt at the bottom of his shoe. But somehow from day 15 to 21, when Jonah reveals he’s autistic, Allegra for some reason decides that somehow absolves him of his ill treatment towards her and they start falling in love?
Allegra’s dad, George, who’s the store owner, treats Jonah horribly, which apparently is a complete 180 from how he used to treat Jonah for the past 3 years, for a reason that’s so idiotic that all I could really do was sigh.
I also don’t like how the subject of autism is being portrayed in this book. It’s handled as if we’re some alien species or something. It’s constantly used as an answer rather than what it actually is, which is just a small facet of what makes a whole person. Jonah is an asshole because he’s autistic. Allegra starts liking Jonah because he tells her he’s autistic. Allegra is cold because she’s autistic. Allegra and Jonah are perfect for each other because they’re autistic. Give me a break.
Overall, this novel left a very sour taste in my mouth and I’m very disappointed at the execution of this novel.
I would like to preface this by saying I’m autistic. That being said, I think—more than anything—this book is more of a case study in the difference between autism in men vs autism in women than it is a love story.
Jonah is brash, doesn’t try to nor care to conform to societal expectations, is incredibly and continuously disrespectful, and I can count on /one/ hand how many times he’s apologized for said disrespect throughout the entire book.
Allegra spends her entire life shrinking herself down, masking, forcing herself out of her comfort zone, molding herself into who others want her to be, continuously apologizes almost instinctually even when she’s not at fault, and is a chronic people pleaser.
I also believe the synopsis of this novel needs to be more clear about the fact that this is an enemies-to-lovers novel because it reads more like strangers-to-friends-to-lovers. Because if I knew that this was enemies-to-lovers, I would’ve never picked it up. Maybe if I enjoyed that trope, I might like this book. But then again, maybe not. Sue me, but I prefer for love interests to be nice to each other
Most of the characters were very unlikable. Allegra and Jonah spend almost the entire book taking turns lying to each other for literally no reason I can see other than justifying the 350-something page length of this novel.
Jonah is incredibly rude to Allegra from their very first meeting and just…keeps being rude. He never apologizes for it. In fact, for some reason, all his friends are the ones who keep apologizing to Allegra on his behalf as if that ices the burn. Then when he tells her she’s pretty, he’s suddenly like “oh I can’t stop thinking about you, tell me you feel it too.”
This book takes place over the span of 3 weeks—/maybe/ 4—and 2 of those weeks are spent with Jonah treating Allegra like she’s dirt at the bottom of his shoe. But somehow from day 15 to 21, when Jonah reveals he’s autistic, Allegra for some reason decides that somehow absolves him of his ill treatment towards her and they start falling in love?
Allegra’s dad, George, who’s the store owner, treats Jonah horribly, which apparently is a complete 180 from how he used to treat Jonah for the past 3 years, for a reason that’s so idiotic that all I could really do was sigh.
I also don’t like how the subject of autism is being portrayed in this book. It’s handled as if we’re some alien species or something. It’s constantly used as an answer rather than what it actually is, which is just a small facet of what makes a whole person. Jonah is an asshole because he’s autistic. Allegra starts liking Jonah because he tells her he’s autistic. Allegra is cold because she’s autistic. Allegra and Jonah are perfect for each other because they’re autistic. Give me a break.
Overall, this novel left a very sour taste in my mouth and I’m very disappointed at the execution of this novel.
June 20, 2025
I would just like to preface this by saying that I am autistic- and I went into this book really excited to see some neurodivergent representation. Unfortunately, I can’t quite explain how much I hated this. But please don’t forget- this is just my opinion, and I do tend to be quite blunt but I absolutely mean no ill will 🩵
I disliked the whole book but I think the best way for me to review this is to bullet point the things I really couldn’t get past.
- Allegra’s actions and motivations never aligned with her character. She did things seemingly out of nowhere, and that irritated me to no end.
- I swear it was like a switch had been flicked when Jonah told Allegra he was autistic, it was only THEN that she liked him. She didn’t like him before that, and found nothing redeemable about him. The fact that she only seemed to like him because he was autistic (an ongoing theme in the book) left me with a bad taste in my mouth. It made me feel very “other”- like as autistics, we’re a different species and should only be with each other. I hated that notion and the way it was portrayed.
- There was far too much miscommunication in this book, which is a trope I wholeheartedly hate. Allegra constantly created scenarios of miscommunication that were always misinterpreted and unnecessary. Don’t even get me started on the mistaken identity trope- it’s utterly infuriating.
- The writing felt bland and disconnected, as did the characters- especially with some of the dialogue.
- One of my least favourite scenes in the whole book is when Allegra convinces her friend (a famous author) to come to the book festival, and she CONSTANTLY repeats that she’s ONLY there for Allegra. Why on earth would you keep saying that to crowds of your fans?? It was a ridiculously horrible section that was just so unnecessary??
- There was far too much telling instead of showing, which made bland characters even more lifeless.
- My least favourite part by far, was when the high and mighty Allegra used her power and influence to get a girl into university by posting her on her instagram. She claims she’s beyond the fame, then turns around at the first drop of a hat and does something like that (to get a girl she barely knows to forgive her.) It felt incredibly slimy and made me dislike Allegra’s character even more.
- George’s treatment of Jonah was utterly stupid, bizarre and nonsensical- Ah yes, let’s take this loyal employee that has been nothing but good to me (and who I know struggles with social communication) and treat him horribly so that he’ll leave his job and I don’t hold him back. I’m sorry?? Make it make sense. It was absolutely absurd, and then just completely brushed under the rug like, “You know what? He’s right.”
- Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the whole story happens across the span of about three weeks- and the two MC’s fall ridiculously in love in that time frame, despite hating each other for like the first week. Not a fan of insta-love, especially not masquerading as rivals to lovers.
- And finally, I personally hated the last two lines of the book. (“For autism means, in one’s own world. And that’s what they were: each other’s whole world.”) It capitalised on what I said earlier, about making me feel like, because I’m autistic, I’m a different species, that we’re “other”. My reasoning might not make any sense- but it’s how it made me feel. I finished this book feeling dreadful, like I’d been dragged through the mud. Personally, that’s not the kind of representation I was hoping for, nor was it was I was expecting. Instead of relating to the characters and seeing myself in them, I feel more alone in my diagnosis now than when I started it.
This really missed the mark for me, and I cannot recommend it in good faith. Thank you very much to Book Break UK for having me on the readalong and for my copy of the book- my opinions are entirely my own and l’m still exceptionally grateful for your generosity.
I disliked the whole book but I think the best way for me to review this is to bullet point the things I really couldn’t get past.
- Allegra’s actions and motivations never aligned with her character. She did things seemingly out of nowhere, and that irritated me to no end.
- I swear it was like a switch had been flicked when Jonah told Allegra he was autistic, it was only THEN that she liked him. She didn’t like him before that, and found nothing redeemable about him. The fact that she only seemed to like him because he was autistic (an ongoing theme in the book) left me with a bad taste in my mouth. It made me feel very “other”- like as autistics, we’re a different species and should only be with each other. I hated that notion and the way it was portrayed.
- There was far too much miscommunication in this book, which is a trope I wholeheartedly hate. Allegra constantly created scenarios of miscommunication that were always misinterpreted and unnecessary. Don’t even get me started on the mistaken identity trope- it’s utterly infuriating.
- The writing felt bland and disconnected, as did the characters- especially with some of the dialogue.
- One of my least favourite scenes in the whole book is when Allegra convinces her friend (a famous author) to come to the book festival, and she CONSTANTLY repeats that she’s ONLY there for Allegra. Why on earth would you keep saying that to crowds of your fans?? It was a ridiculously horrible section that was just so unnecessary??
- There was far too much telling instead of showing, which made bland characters even more lifeless.
- My least favourite part by far, was when the high and mighty Allegra used her power and influence to get a girl into university by posting her on her instagram. She claims she’s beyond the fame, then turns around at the first drop of a hat and does something like that (to get a girl she barely knows to forgive her.) It felt incredibly slimy and made me dislike Allegra’s character even more.
- George’s treatment of Jonah was utterly stupid, bizarre and nonsensical- Ah yes, let’s take this loyal employee that has been nothing but good to me (and who I know struggles with social communication) and treat him horribly so that he’ll leave his job and I don’t hold him back. I’m sorry?? Make it make sense. It was absolutely absurd, and then just completely brushed under the rug like, “You know what? He’s right.”
- Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the whole story happens across the span of about three weeks- and the two MC’s fall ridiculously in love in that time frame, despite hating each other for like the first week. Not a fan of insta-love, especially not masquerading as rivals to lovers.
- And finally, I personally hated the last two lines of the book. (“For autism means, in one’s own world. And that’s what they were: each other’s whole world.”) It capitalised on what I said earlier, about making me feel like, because I’m autistic, I’m a different species, that we’re “other”. My reasoning might not make any sense- but it’s how it made me feel. I finished this book feeling dreadful, like I’d been dragged through the mud. Personally, that’s not the kind of representation I was hoping for, nor was it was I was expecting. Instead of relating to the characters and seeing myself in them, I feel more alone in my diagnosis now than when I started it.
This really missed the mark for me, and I cannot recommend it in good faith. Thank you very much to Book Break UK for having me on the readalong and for my copy of the book- my opinions are entirely my own and l’m still exceptionally grateful for your generosity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2025
Sometimes a book comes at the right time and this book came at the perfect time. It is wonderful. I adore both Allegra and Jonah and the positive autism representation is refreshing and pitched brilliantly. I felt seen! A gorgeous romance, with a wonderful added depth.
June 2, 2025
This was a cute small town YA romance - I’d recommend if you’re looking for a quick read with neurodivergent representation and a cute enemies to lovers story with a ‘you’ve got mail’ feel.
I really liked the MMC Jonah - he puts his foot in it when they first meet which sets them up for a rocky beginning, but he has his reasons. He loves books and wants to be a writer - no short term goals of leaving his small town life. I really enjoyed his character and the representation he provided.
“She had never enjoyed walking into rooms. She always felt a little unwelcome. Becoming famous had done nothing to change that. Her world had, ironically, shrunk. The bigger your name becomes, the more strangers will start to use it. Then one day you realize you haven’t heard a loved one say it in for ever. They’ve given up trying to be heard over the din of the crowd.”
Allegra became famous at 13, now 18 and struggling with the media side of fame. Autistic but no one knows so is sometimes portrayed negatively in the media - as they don’t know why she acts how she does. She’s spending the summer in a small town, at her dad’s bookshop, to get away from it all. She wants to try and carve her own slice of life - make friends and find love - to just not feel so alone. Again, she provided such good neurodivergent representation and I liked her character.
Loved the small town bookshop setting and the mail correspondence sections. The theme of friendship was particularly strong in this book, and I adored the friends she made and the relationships she developed. This was a strong point for me.
Overall, I’d recommend this one - Young adult, ‘enemies’ to lovers, ‘you’ve got mail’, small town, autism rep.
ARC copy provided by Macmillan Children’s Books & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I really liked the MMC Jonah - he puts his foot in it when they first meet which sets them up for a rocky beginning, but he has his reasons. He loves books and wants to be a writer - no short term goals of leaving his small town life. I really enjoyed his character and the representation he provided.
“She had never enjoyed walking into rooms. She always felt a little unwelcome. Becoming famous had done nothing to change that. Her world had, ironically, shrunk. The bigger your name becomes, the more strangers will start to use it. Then one day you realize you haven’t heard a loved one say it in for ever. They’ve given up trying to be heard over the din of the crowd.”
Allegra became famous at 13, now 18 and struggling with the media side of fame. Autistic but no one knows so is sometimes portrayed negatively in the media - as they don’t know why she acts how she does. She’s spending the summer in a small town, at her dad’s bookshop, to get away from it all. She wants to try and carve her own slice of life - make friends and find love - to just not feel so alone. Again, she provided such good neurodivergent representation and I liked her character.
Loved the small town bookshop setting and the mail correspondence sections. The theme of friendship was particularly strong in this book, and I adored the friends she made and the relationships she developed. This was a strong point for me.
Overall, I’d recommend this one - Young adult, ‘enemies’ to lovers, ‘you’ve got mail’, small town, autism rep.
ARC copy provided by Macmillan Children’s Books & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
July 16, 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
i know it’s being said a lot but this book really is a good combo of the notting hill movie & book lovers by emily henry!!
silly me realised halfway through the book that is kinda part of a series (features some characters mentioned in some like it cold) but that just goes to show how this could be read as a standalone and you can still thoroughly enjoy it!
set in a small town, a celeb comes to visit for a book festival and falls in love with a bookseller <3
there are mini situations i wish didn’t occur but i guess also added to the storyline?
i loved the found friendship with allegra, grace, jasper and eventually kerrie? i have no nice things to say about skye :)
westendgirl & shopfloor@brooksbooks…. allegra & jonah… literally two peas in a pod!! i loved them, i loved the enemies(?) to lovers with them and the big realisation at the end for one of them about something was so so funny.
also i must say, the autism representation in this book?! i haven’t read many books which include having both an autism fmc & mmc (which is a shame!!) but this was done so so well and i hope for the readers who are autistic felt a sense of acceptance and understanding - breaking down any stereotypes and showing the world that look an a-list celebrity is autistic and there’s nothing wrong with that !!
i know it’s being said a lot but this book really is a good combo of the notting hill movie & book lovers by emily henry!!
silly me realised halfway through the book that is kinda part of a series (features some characters mentioned in some like it cold) but that just goes to show how this could be read as a standalone and you can still thoroughly enjoy it!
set in a small town, a celeb comes to visit for a book festival and falls in love with a bookseller <3
there are mini situations i wish didn’t occur but i guess also added to the storyline?
i loved the found friendship with allegra, grace, jasper and eventually kerrie? i have no nice things to say about skye :)
westendgirl & shopfloor@brooksbooks…. allegra & jonah… literally two peas in a pod!! i loved them, i loved the enemies(?) to lovers with them and the big realisation at the end for one of them about something was so so funny.
also i must say, the autism representation in this book?! i haven’t read many books which include having both an autism fmc & mmc (which is a shame!!) but this was done so so well and i hope for the readers who are autistic felt a sense of acceptance and understanding - breaking down any stereotypes and showing the world that look an a-list celebrity is autistic and there’s nothing wrong with that !!
June 23, 2025
3.75* An adorable big city girl meets small town boy bookish romance.
This was such a fun and heartwarming summer YA read. As a bookseller myself, I absolutely loved the how accurately the job was portrayed (although I would have loved to see more of it.) I also really liked the autism representation and the way Elle McNicoll explored both Allegra and Jonah’s different yet similar experiences being neurodivergent.
Allegra was an especially interesting character to follow and I really enjoyed reading about her journey with fame. As much as I enjoyed her romance with Jonah, I think my favourite part of this book was watching Allegra find friendship in Grace and Jasper (who I adored getting to see again after Some Like it Cold).
My only gripe with this book is that I wish Allegra had come clean about her identity and the emails sooner. It started to feel dishonest and somewhat uncomfortable after a while. But over all, I had a lovely time with this and can’t wait to read whatever Elle writes next.
what to expect:
• bookseller x famous actress
• small town romance
• autism representation (mmc & fmc)
• found family
• dislike to love
• you’ve got mail x notting hill vibes
This was such a fun and heartwarming summer YA read. As a bookseller myself, I absolutely loved the how accurately the job was portrayed (although I would have loved to see more of it.) I also really liked the autism representation and the way Elle McNicoll explored both Allegra and Jonah’s different yet similar experiences being neurodivergent.
Allegra was an especially interesting character to follow and I really enjoyed reading about her journey with fame. As much as I enjoyed her romance with Jonah, I think my favourite part of this book was watching Allegra find friendship in Grace and Jasper (who I adored getting to see again after Some Like it Cold).
My only gripe with this book is that I wish Allegra had come clean about her identity and the emails sooner. It started to feel dishonest and somewhat uncomfortable after a while. But over all, I had a lovely time with this and can’t wait to read whatever Elle writes next.
what to expect:
• bookseller x famous actress
• small town romance
• autism representation (mmc & fmc)
• found family
• dislike to love
• you’ve got mail x notting hill vibes
Read
August 4, 2025Who could resist a book pitched as Book Lovers meets Notting Hill with a slice of You've Got Mail? Not me!
I read this on a long plane ride and because of that, didn't realize it was YA. If I'd known that, I'd have been a lot less confused. I thought maybe it was New Adult (which honestly, it sort of feels like, as the main character, though eighteen, is a global superstar.) When she returns to her small town to hide out for the summer, she meets the most rude and annoying boy ever to exist, not realizing that he has also become her anonymous email pen pal.
I loved the small town vibes of this one, and thought the male/female autism rep was really interesting and added so much to the story.
I do question whether this story would have worked better if the characters were aged up seven or eight years, but again that could be because I spent most of the book thinking I was reading adult romance (there is spice, but it's closed door.)
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
I read this on a long plane ride and because of that, didn't realize it was YA. If I'd known that, I'd have been a lot less confused. I thought maybe it was New Adult (which honestly, it sort of feels like, as the main character, though eighteen, is a global superstar.) When she returns to her small town to hide out for the summer, she meets the most rude and annoying boy ever to exist, not realizing that he has also become her anonymous email pen pal.
I loved the small town vibes of this one, and thought the male/female autism rep was really interesting and added so much to the story.
I do question whether this story would have worked better if the characters were aged up seven or eight years, but again that could be because I spent most of the book thinking I was reading adult romance (there is spice, but it's closed door.)
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
August 21, 2025
4 Star Review
Firstly
I loved this book and highly recommend it to all lovers of cute love stories.
Highlights:
Very cute moments
Complex emotions portrayed well and relatable
Fun and memorable characters
To me it feels like a love letter to book lovers
Not too long goes by in a breeze
Audiobook performance was incredible
Overall this book was incredible and had I not come off a high of a reading through the Empyrean series before hand my rating may be higher. It was wonderful how quickly this book went by although I wanted even more of these characters. The book had a bit of a slow start setting up the plot and introducing the characters it wasn't a long wait and helped make the characters have more depth in the long run. The complex emotions and relationships were written so well and there were awesome moments. The cute and emotional moments were the highlights sometimes getting between moments was a bit boring but it never dragged on. The ending came on kind of suddenly to me and was left happy but not fully satisfied I could have been entertained by the main characters Jonah and Allegra for much longer by the end. It was such a fun a cute read!
Thank you so much Elle McNicoll, Wednesday books, Netgalley and Macmillan audio for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest and heartfelt review.
Firstly
I loved this book and highly recommend it to all lovers of cute love stories.
Highlights:
Very cute moments
Complex emotions portrayed well and relatable
Fun and memorable characters
To me it feels like a love letter to book lovers
Not too long goes by in a breeze
Audiobook performance was incredible
Overall this book was incredible and had I not come off a high of a reading through the Empyrean series before hand my rating may be higher. It was wonderful how quickly this book went by although I wanted even more of these characters. The book had a bit of a slow start setting up the plot and introducing the characters it wasn't a long wait and helped make the characters have more depth in the long run. The complex emotions and relationships were written so well and there were awesome moments. The cute and emotional moments were the highlights sometimes getting between moments was a bit boring but it never dragged on. The ending came on kind of suddenly to me and was left happy but not fully satisfied I could have been entertained by the main characters Jonah and Allegra for much longer by the end. It was such a fun a cute read!
Thank you so much Elle McNicoll, Wednesday books, Netgalley and Macmillan audio for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest and heartfelt review.
August 16, 2025
Thank you to SMP and Wednesday books for the E-ARC of this book.
The bones of this book are really cute with definite Notting Hill and You've Got Mail vibes set in the YA world.
I appreciated the neurodivergent representation but felt like it was really in your face and instead of showing the reader through actions that the main characters were autistic, the author repeatedly tells us. I don't know that I have read neurotypical and neurodivergent so many times in one book. The labels are slapped on the characters and take away from the story. It is their diagnosis, not their identity.
The bones of this book are really cute with definite Notting Hill and You've Got Mail vibes set in the YA world.
I appreciated the neurodivergent representation but felt like it was really in your face and instead of showing the reader through actions that the main characters were autistic, the author repeatedly tells us. I don't know that I have read neurotypical and neurodivergent so many times in one book. The labels are slapped on the characters and take away from the story. It is their diagnosis, not their identity.
July 2, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for this amazing arc!
3.5 ⭐️
Wish You Were Here by Elle McNicole was a touching and inspiring romcom about two individuals, Allegra, who is very famous, and Jonah, who is a bookseller in Allegra’s father’s bookstore. Both of these individuals were diagnosed with autism, and this story follows both of them navigating life and their love life with one another. I LOVED how this book followed the Notting Hill and You’ve Got Mail tropes, and I think it was a brilliant idea. I loved the characters (my favorite was Jasper) and I felt like each character was shown very well. I also ADORED the realtionship between Allegra and Jonah, but sometimes it felt rushed, and other times it was very slow paced and I was like JUST GET TOGETHER ALREADY OMG. I loved how Jonah is so protective of Allegra and cares for her so much. There were some points in the story where I had to reread to figure out what the author was trying to convey, but that could very well just be me. I think this book covers a lot of very good topics and you should 100% read it this summer!
spice: no explicit scenes, but a couple steamy ones
language: a few words here and there
3.5 ⭐️
Wish You Were Here by Elle McNicole was a touching and inspiring romcom about two individuals, Allegra, who is very famous, and Jonah, who is a bookseller in Allegra’s father’s bookstore. Both of these individuals were diagnosed with autism, and this story follows both of them navigating life and their love life with one another. I LOVED how this book followed the Notting Hill and You’ve Got Mail tropes, and I think it was a brilliant idea. I loved the characters (my favorite was Jasper) and I felt like each character was shown very well. I also ADORED the realtionship between Allegra and Jonah, but sometimes it felt rushed, and other times it was very slow paced and I was like JUST GET TOGETHER ALREADY OMG. I loved how Jonah is so protective of Allegra and cares for her so much. There were some points in the story where I had to reread to figure out what the author was trying to convey, but that could very well just be me. I think this book covers a lot of very good topics and you should 100% read it this summer!
spice: no explicit scenes, but a couple steamy ones
language: a few words here and there
June 4, 2025
Elle McNicoll is easily one of my favourite authors so when a bookish YA romance was announced I could not wait to read it because I knew that I would almost definitely love it and I was not in any way disappointed by it.
Wish You Were Her follows actress Allegra Brooks who when she decides she needs a break she goes to her dad’s small town Lake Pristine for the summer book festival where she immediately clashes with the local bookseller Jonah and soon enough Allegra is convinced the charming bookseller she has been emailing can’t be Jonah.
This was a book that I read really quickly and really loved. There was a book festival I really wanted to visit, characters I would love to spend time with and autism representation that I continue to love.
Along with fantastic stories that I love, one of my favourite things throughout Elle McNicoll’s books is the brilliant representation. This book has two autistic lead characters which was really special to read, you got to see two different but similar perspectives on being autistic which you don’t see a lot of in books with neurodivergent representation.
I loved the romantic plot line in this book. It was great to watch the characters get to know each other better both in person and through their emails. There were also a couple of scenes where one took after the other one that just made me so happy to read.
It was so nice to be back in Lake Pristine. It is a small town that I love, full of characters who I would read books and books about. The book festival element was really interesting to read about as someone who loves attending book festivals. There were also some discussions I loved particularly around genre, romance and crime books. It was also so nice to read about the characters that I loved from Some Like it Cold again, particularly Grace, Jasper and Arthur.
Jonah and Allegra were both characters that I connected to quite a lot while I read this one but on top of that they felt really well fleshed out giving them depth that didn’t just spark from their diagnosis.
This book felt full of a wide range of characters who were all very different but I do think they created some interesting conversations including about what it is like to be an autistic person in the spotlight and constantly having to hear people’s opinions of you.
I absolutely loved this one and will be recommending it as much as possible over the summer, it is another book that really does feel perfect for summer. Every book I read from Elle makes me more excited for the next and I truly cannot wait for every book she releases because I know I will love them.
Thank you to Netgalley and First Ink for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Wish You Were Her follows actress Allegra Brooks who when she decides she needs a break she goes to her dad’s small town Lake Pristine for the summer book festival where she immediately clashes with the local bookseller Jonah and soon enough Allegra is convinced the charming bookseller she has been emailing can’t be Jonah.
This was a book that I read really quickly and really loved. There was a book festival I really wanted to visit, characters I would love to spend time with and autism representation that I continue to love.
Along with fantastic stories that I love, one of my favourite things throughout Elle McNicoll’s books is the brilliant representation. This book has two autistic lead characters which was really special to read, you got to see two different but similar perspectives on being autistic which you don’t see a lot of in books with neurodivergent representation.
I loved the romantic plot line in this book. It was great to watch the characters get to know each other better both in person and through their emails. There were also a couple of scenes where one took after the other one that just made me so happy to read.
It was so nice to be back in Lake Pristine. It is a small town that I love, full of characters who I would read books and books about. The book festival element was really interesting to read about as someone who loves attending book festivals. There were also some discussions I loved particularly around genre, romance and crime books. It was also so nice to read about the characters that I loved from Some Like it Cold again, particularly Grace, Jasper and Arthur.
Jonah and Allegra were both characters that I connected to quite a lot while I read this one but on top of that they felt really well fleshed out giving them depth that didn’t just spark from their diagnosis.
This book felt full of a wide range of characters who were all very different but I do think they created some interesting conversations including about what it is like to be an autistic person in the spotlight and constantly having to hear people’s opinions of you.
I absolutely loved this one and will be recommending it as much as possible over the summer, it is another book that really does feel perfect for summer. Every book I read from Elle makes me more excited for the next and I truly cannot wait for every book she releases because I know I will love them.
Thank you to Netgalley and First Ink for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2025
2.5 stars
I liked this book very much at the start, though but this one fell short. I felt it was quite boring at times- maybe because i couldn't relate to it? Hoping the next book is better!
I liked this book very much at the start, though but this one fell short. I felt it was quite boring at times- maybe because i couldn't relate to it? Hoping the next book is better!
June 24, 2025
3.5 stars - as an almost 40 year old woman I do not think I was the target demographic for this book so my rating is probably more related to that than anything else. A fab YA romance, Notting Hill vibes, big time actress meets small town bookseller. Both characters are autistic so really highlights both the difficulties they face in a world not made for neurodivergent people but also their strengths.
March 27, 2025
Even though I don't typically read too much YA, the fact that this had been compared to one of my favourite movies, You've Got Mail, had me eagerly requesting this. And it certainly delivered some very similar vibes, even if I was cursing when it comes to the scene where the two characters are set to meet up in person for the first time only for one of them to stand the other up.
I loved the bookshop and book festival setting. If you've ever dreamed of working in a bookshop, and a small town one at that, this part was particularly effective.
I also liked seeing Allegra make friends and start to experience the teenage years that she had missed out on.
As someone who is undoubtedly neurodivergent myself, it was nice to see some autistic representation, but it did feel a bit heavy handed at times. I understand that it affects all aspects of your life, but sometimes it felt a bit repetitive when they brought it up over and over and over again. Maybe that's because I have an inherent understanding. However, it will no doubt be eye-opening and important for some.
I'm also still not sure why George was so distant with Jonah. I get that he wants him to expand his horizons and move on, but that didn't really excuse the way that he treated him.
And do I love miscommunication (even though I knew I would be getting some, given its You've Got Mail angle)? No. So, that was frustrating too.
It was a quick and easy read though.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the bookshop and book festival setting. If you've ever dreamed of working in a bookshop, and a small town one at that, this part was particularly effective.
I also liked seeing Allegra make friends and start to experience the teenage years that she had missed out on.
As someone who is undoubtedly neurodivergent myself, it was nice to see some autistic representation, but it did feel a bit heavy handed at times. I understand that it affects all aspects of your life, but sometimes it felt a bit repetitive when they brought it up over and over and over again. Maybe that's because I have an inherent understanding. However, it will no doubt be eye-opening and important for some.
I'm also still not sure why George was so distant with Jonah. I get that he wants him to expand his horizons and move on, but that didn't really excuse the way that he treated him.
And do I love miscommunication (even though I knew I would be getting some, given its You've Got Mail angle)? No. So, that was frustrating too.
It was a quick and easy read though.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2025
I don't even know where to start with this. It's rare that I read a book I resonate so deeply with - despite having a very different life to the characters!
I guess this is what representation and feeling seen feels like ❤️
I have ADHD and likely autism too so there were so many parts of this that I really resonated with. The way autism is discussed and how both Allegra and Jonah go into their personal experiences with it. The feeling of being on a different frequency to everyone else was very relatable. And while their struggles with autism or rather people's reactions to it were clear, they were also unapologetic which I really liked. There were so many parts that just hit home and spoke to me deeply. It was a bit bittersweet as I wish I'd had this book when I was younger - reading about someone like me could've been life-changing.
The massive Notting Hill and You've Got Mail fan girl in me was kicking her legs!! The whole story was so cinematic and I could so easily picture it. The ending especially was surreal but nice 😉 and felt like it was out of a movie. I was rooting so much for them and it took me right back to reading YA romance as a teenager.
The setting was really lovely!! Very small town which fits perfectly with the cinematic feel of the book. The emails and the bookshop and even Jonah's old fashioned mannerisms really captured something that modern media often doesn't. It felt like old rom coms but with autistic characters and interesting perspectives on journalism and the media. I think the mishmash of the two worlds worked so well as opposites but also similar in judgement from local gossip and social media.
Just stunning. Thank you Elle McNicoll.
I guess this is what representation and feeling seen feels like ❤️
I have ADHD and likely autism too so there were so many parts of this that I really resonated with. The way autism is discussed and how both Allegra and Jonah go into their personal experiences with it. The feeling of being on a different frequency to everyone else was very relatable. And while their struggles with autism or rather people's reactions to it were clear, they were also unapologetic which I really liked. There were so many parts that just hit home and spoke to me deeply. It was a bit bittersweet as I wish I'd had this book when I was younger - reading about someone like me could've been life-changing.
The massive Notting Hill and You've Got Mail fan girl in me was kicking her legs!! The whole story was so cinematic and I could so easily picture it. The ending especially was surreal but nice 😉 and felt like it was out of a movie. I was rooting so much for them and it took me right back to reading YA romance as a teenager.
The setting was really lovely!! Very small town which fits perfectly with the cinematic feel of the book. The emails and the bookshop and even Jonah's old fashioned mannerisms really captured something that modern media often doesn't. It felt like old rom coms but with autistic characters and interesting perspectives on journalism and the media. I think the mishmash of the two worlds worked so well as opposites but also similar in judgement from local gossip and social media.
Just stunning. Thank you Elle McNicoll.
August 30, 2025
Elle McNicoll has always been a writer who combines wit with heart, and in Wish You Were Her she brings that signature blend into the realm of romantic comedy. Known for her earlier works like A Kind of Spark and Show Us Who You Are, McNicoll has built a reputation for portraying autistic protagonists with sensitivity and authenticity. This latest novel takes her hallmark strengths into a romcom setting, offering readers both a lighthearted romance and a thoughtful exploration of identity, communication, and belonging.
The Story at a Glance
The novel follows Allegra Brooks, an eighteen-year-old who has just shot to fame after starring in a hit TV show. The world knows her as an overnight sensation, but what they don’t know is that she is autistic. Overwhelmed by the pressure of celebrity life, Allegra craves normalcy and decides to spend the summer in Lake Pristine, a small town famous for its book festival.
Her plans for a quiet summer are immediately disrupted by Jonah Thorne, the surly senior bookseller who runs the festival. Their initial encounters are fraught with tension, misunderstanding, and open hostility. Yet in the midst of this, Allegra begins exchanging increasingly personal emails with an anonymous bookseller—someone who seems to understand her better than anyone else. What she doesn’t realize, at least at first, is how close these two worlds might collide.
The setup is familiar to fans of classic romcoms like You’ve Got Mail or Notting Hill, but McNicoll brings her own voice to the genre, grounding the story in a deeply personal perspective.
Allegra Brooks: A Protagonist Worth Rooting For
Allegra is the novel’s most compelling force. She is sharp, funny, and unapologetically herself, even when the world pressures her to conform. Her autism is not treated as a quirk or token trait but as an essential part of her identity that shapes the way she experiences fame, friendship, and love. Her desire for a “normal teenage summer” is both relatable and poignant, reminding readers of the universal longing for spaces where one can simply belong without performance.
Her inner voice—captured in witty narration and heartfelt emails—creates a bond between her and the reader. McNicoll’s greatest strength lies in how she writes Allegra with equal parts vulnerability and strength, refusing to reduce her to stereotypes.
Jonah Thorne: More Than a Surly Antagonist
At first glance, Jonah is the stereotypical grumpy bookseller, critical and unwelcoming. His brusque manner makes it easy for readers to side with Allegra in their early clashes. However, McNicoll gradually develops Jonah into a more nuanced character. His guardedness masks his own disappointments and insecurities, and as Allegra pushes against his walls, layers of complexity emerge.
That said, some readers may find his initial hostility too harsh, even off-putting, before his eventual redemption softens him. While his character arc ultimately works, it risks alienating those who prefer a gentler trajectory from enemy to love interest.
Themes that Resonate
Autism and Authenticity
McNicoll continues her commitment to authentic autistic representation. Allegra’s challenges with overstimulation, masking, and navigating relationships are shown with empathy and clarity. Importantly, the book avoids any narrative of “fixing” her. Instead, it celebrates Allegra’s perspective and highlights the ways in which others must learn to meet her where she is.
Fame and Privacy
Through Allegra’s struggles with sudden stardom, McNicoll critiques the invasiveness of celebrity culture. The novel raises questions about how much of ourselves we are allowed to keep private when the world insists on consuming every detail of a public figure’s life.
Communication and Misunderstanding
The anonymous emails serve as a clever device to contrast Allegra’s guarded public life with her unfiltered private voice. They highlight how miscommunication often stems not from what is said, but from what is assumed. In Allegra and Jonah’s story, true connection requires stripping away assumptions to see one another clearly.
Writing Style and Tone
McNicoll’s writing strikes a delicate balance between breezy romcom charm and emotional depth. The dialogue, especially the banter between Allegra and Jonah, sparkles with humor. The descriptions of Lake Pristine create a cozy small-town backdrop that amplifies the novel’s themes of community and connection.
Where the novel stumbles is in pacing. The antagonism between Allegra and Jonah lasts longer than necessary, stretching the middle sections. Likewise, the anonymous-bookseller twist, while charming, is somewhat predictable from early on, muting the impact of its eventual reveal. Still, these structural hiccups are outweighed by the warmth of the prose and the emotional resonance of Allegra’s voice.
Strengths
Representation: Allegra’s autism is depicted with nuance and care.
Romantic Tension: The banter and email exchanges are engaging and heartfelt.
Atmosphere: The book festival setting and small-town feel are vividly drawn.
Heartfelt Themes: Explores fame, privacy, and authenticity beyond typical romcom territory.
Weaknesses
Predictability: The email identity reveal is obvious too soon.
Jonah’s Hostility: His early harshness might push some readers away.
Supporting Cast: Some side characters feel one-dimensional.
Uneven Pacing: The conflict stretches longer than it needs to, slowing the story’s momentum.
Final Thoughts
Wish You Were Her is a delightful mix of romcom fun and heartfelt exploration. Elle McNicoll proves that the genre can be playful while still tackling themes of identity, visibility, and belonging. Allegra Brooks is a heroine who lingers in the reader’s mind: flawed, funny, and fiercely herself. Jonah Thorne, while occasionally difficult, ultimately complements her journey in a way that feels earned.
The novel’s flaws—predictability, pacing, and occasionally thin secondary characters—are real but forgivable. What remains most memorable is Allegra’s voice, the warmth of the email exchanges, and the reminder that true love comes from being seen for who you are, not who the world expects you to be.
Wish You Were Her is more than a romcom. It’s a story about connection, authenticity, and the courage to step into the world on your own terms.
The Story at a Glance
The novel follows Allegra Brooks, an eighteen-year-old who has just shot to fame after starring in a hit TV show. The world knows her as an overnight sensation, but what they don’t know is that she is autistic. Overwhelmed by the pressure of celebrity life, Allegra craves normalcy and decides to spend the summer in Lake Pristine, a small town famous for its book festival.
Her plans for a quiet summer are immediately disrupted by Jonah Thorne, the surly senior bookseller who runs the festival. Their initial encounters are fraught with tension, misunderstanding, and open hostility. Yet in the midst of this, Allegra begins exchanging increasingly personal emails with an anonymous bookseller—someone who seems to understand her better than anyone else. What she doesn’t realize, at least at first, is how close these two worlds might collide.
The setup is familiar to fans of classic romcoms like You’ve Got Mail or Notting Hill, but McNicoll brings her own voice to the genre, grounding the story in a deeply personal perspective.
Allegra Brooks: A Protagonist Worth Rooting For
Allegra is the novel’s most compelling force. She is sharp, funny, and unapologetically herself, even when the world pressures her to conform. Her autism is not treated as a quirk or token trait but as an essential part of her identity that shapes the way she experiences fame, friendship, and love. Her desire for a “normal teenage summer” is both relatable and poignant, reminding readers of the universal longing for spaces where one can simply belong without performance.
Her inner voice—captured in witty narration and heartfelt emails—creates a bond between her and the reader. McNicoll’s greatest strength lies in how she writes Allegra with equal parts vulnerability and strength, refusing to reduce her to stereotypes.
Jonah Thorne: More Than a Surly Antagonist
At first glance, Jonah is the stereotypical grumpy bookseller, critical and unwelcoming. His brusque manner makes it easy for readers to side with Allegra in their early clashes. However, McNicoll gradually develops Jonah into a more nuanced character. His guardedness masks his own disappointments and insecurities, and as Allegra pushes against his walls, layers of complexity emerge.
That said, some readers may find his initial hostility too harsh, even off-putting, before his eventual redemption softens him. While his character arc ultimately works, it risks alienating those who prefer a gentler trajectory from enemy to love interest.
Themes that Resonate
Autism and Authenticity
McNicoll continues her commitment to authentic autistic representation. Allegra’s challenges with overstimulation, masking, and navigating relationships are shown with empathy and clarity. Importantly, the book avoids any narrative of “fixing” her. Instead, it celebrates Allegra’s perspective and highlights the ways in which others must learn to meet her where she is.
Fame and Privacy
Through Allegra’s struggles with sudden stardom, McNicoll critiques the invasiveness of celebrity culture. The novel raises questions about how much of ourselves we are allowed to keep private when the world insists on consuming every detail of a public figure’s life.
Communication and Misunderstanding
The anonymous emails serve as a clever device to contrast Allegra’s guarded public life with her unfiltered private voice. They highlight how miscommunication often stems not from what is said, but from what is assumed. In Allegra and Jonah’s story, true connection requires stripping away assumptions to see one another clearly.
Writing Style and Tone
McNicoll’s writing strikes a delicate balance between breezy romcom charm and emotional depth. The dialogue, especially the banter between Allegra and Jonah, sparkles with humor. The descriptions of Lake Pristine create a cozy small-town backdrop that amplifies the novel’s themes of community and connection.
Where the novel stumbles is in pacing. The antagonism between Allegra and Jonah lasts longer than necessary, stretching the middle sections. Likewise, the anonymous-bookseller twist, while charming, is somewhat predictable from early on, muting the impact of its eventual reveal. Still, these structural hiccups are outweighed by the warmth of the prose and the emotional resonance of Allegra’s voice.
Strengths
Representation: Allegra’s autism is depicted with nuance and care.
Romantic Tension: The banter and email exchanges are engaging and heartfelt.
Atmosphere: The book festival setting and small-town feel are vividly drawn.
Heartfelt Themes: Explores fame, privacy, and authenticity beyond typical romcom territory.
Weaknesses
Predictability: The email identity reveal is obvious too soon.
Jonah’s Hostility: His early harshness might push some readers away.
Supporting Cast: Some side characters feel one-dimensional.
Uneven Pacing: The conflict stretches longer than it needs to, slowing the story’s momentum.
Final Thoughts
Wish You Were Her is a delightful mix of romcom fun and heartfelt exploration. Elle McNicoll proves that the genre can be playful while still tackling themes of identity, visibility, and belonging. Allegra Brooks is a heroine who lingers in the reader’s mind: flawed, funny, and fiercely herself. Jonah Thorne, while occasionally difficult, ultimately complements her journey in a way that feels earned.
The novel’s flaws—predictability, pacing, and occasionally thin secondary characters—are real but forgivable. What remains most memorable is Allegra’s voice, the warmth of the email exchanges, and the reminder that true love comes from being seen for who you are, not who the world expects you to be.
Wish You Were Her is more than a romcom. It’s a story about connection, authenticity, and the courage to step into the world on your own terms.
Read
August 17, 2025Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
Wish You Were Her by Elle McNicoll is a third person multi-POV YA romance between two autistic leads. Allegra has received a lot of praise and attention for her work on the biggest fantasy show in years, but when an interviewer picks up on her Autistic tics and marks Allegra as cold, a new change of pace is in order. Allegra goes to stay in the small town her father operates a bookstore in where she meets Jonah, an employee of Allegra’s father who struggles to express his feelings and comes across as rude because of it.
I have never read Book Lovers, so I’m not sure if that works as a comp, but Notting Hill and You Got Mail are very accurate. The You Got Mail aspects really shine with the bookstore and anonymous emails between Jonah and Allegra and the romance is built on those elements. The Notting Hill aspects are more based on Allegra’s fame and Jonah working in a bookstore and how all of that comes into play over the beginning of their relationship. The fame aspects are more intense than what I remember in Notting Hill because it’s rooted in social media, but it worked really well here.
For the most part, this is focused on Jonah and Allegra’s POVs, but there are a few short moments where we get the POV of other characters and how they view Jonah and Allegra. In most instances, there is a chapter break that clearly shows that the POV has changed, but there is not one every time in the ARC that I received. Because of this, it can read as head-hopping, but this might be corrected by the time the official release rolls around.
As someone who is Autistic, I did really resonate with both Allegra and Jonah. When they discussed how they don’t like the phrase ‘with Autism,’ I immediately understood because I have always felt that the phrase was more about the comfort of parents of Autistic kids than actual people with Autism’s comfort and many of my Autistic friends feel the same way and use the term ‘Autistic.’ I also appreciated the conversations around masking and how constantly feeling rejected makes you grow up way too fast in some ways, which many Autistics do experience being called ‘little adults.’
Content warning for depictions of sexism, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and ableism
I would recommend this to fans of YA romance looking for two neurodivergent leads and readers of romance who want an exploration of fame that sympathizes with celebrities
Wish You Were Her by Elle McNicoll is a third person multi-POV YA romance between two autistic leads. Allegra has received a lot of praise and attention for her work on the biggest fantasy show in years, but when an interviewer picks up on her Autistic tics and marks Allegra as cold, a new change of pace is in order. Allegra goes to stay in the small town her father operates a bookstore in where she meets Jonah, an employee of Allegra’s father who struggles to express his feelings and comes across as rude because of it.
I have never read Book Lovers, so I’m not sure if that works as a comp, but Notting Hill and You Got Mail are very accurate. The You Got Mail aspects really shine with the bookstore and anonymous emails between Jonah and Allegra and the romance is built on those elements. The Notting Hill aspects are more based on Allegra’s fame and Jonah working in a bookstore and how all of that comes into play over the beginning of their relationship. The fame aspects are more intense than what I remember in Notting Hill because it’s rooted in social media, but it worked really well here.
For the most part, this is focused on Jonah and Allegra’s POVs, but there are a few short moments where we get the POV of other characters and how they view Jonah and Allegra. In most instances, there is a chapter break that clearly shows that the POV has changed, but there is not one every time in the ARC that I received. Because of this, it can read as head-hopping, but this might be corrected by the time the official release rolls around.
As someone who is Autistic, I did really resonate with both Allegra and Jonah. When they discussed how they don’t like the phrase ‘with Autism,’ I immediately understood because I have always felt that the phrase was more about the comfort of parents of Autistic kids than actual people with Autism’s comfort and many of my Autistic friends feel the same way and use the term ‘Autistic.’ I also appreciated the conversations around masking and how constantly feeling rejected makes you grow up way too fast in some ways, which many Autistics do experience being called ‘little adults.’
Content warning for depictions of sexism, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and ableism
I would recommend this to fans of YA romance looking for two neurodivergent leads and readers of romance who want an exploration of fame that sympathizes with celebrities
July 31, 2025
4 stars
I've read most of McNicoll's books (and plan to read them all eventually), and I like this author more with each new read. _Wish You Were Her_ reflects all of the features that make McNicoll stand out in a positive way.
Allegra is a young woman, but she has some added experiences that have given her an unusual perspective on life: mainly, her celebrity status! Like most people with any level of acclaim these days, Allegra struggles with the ways in which the media represents her and the public feels a sense of ownership around even the most personal aspects of her identity. One need not be famous to have a dash of empathy for even the ways in which social media impacts our perceptions of ourselves in modern times. How much worse is that cooptation, and how much more dangerous is it, for a famous person? Well, Allegra's experiences will not leave readers on the hunt for their five minutes of fame.
Like other characters this author has penned, Allegra is autistic, and this also impacts her in many implicit and explicit ways. Her desire to keep this information to herself is strong. She thinks about her public persona and her private life frequently. McNicoll brings an in-depth understanding of this situation to her characters, and on a related note, an absolute highlight of this book is the way in which masking is described. Even folks who are completely new to this concept will get a good sense of what this means and how it impacts folks.
As the cover suggests, but I've done a terrible job of relaying thus far, this book is actually a romance and a good one at that. What makes it so good, in my estimation, is that there is so much more happening besides just that piece. The relationship between Allegra and Jonah is complicated, layered, and positive, and it's easy to root for them BECAUSE they are developed characters.
Fans of YA/new adult romance and folks looking for some solid representation of autism in multiple characters will get so much out of this read. I look forward to recommending it to students!
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Althea Mignone at St. Martin's Publishing Group for this alc and widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I've read most of McNicoll's books (and plan to read them all eventually), and I like this author more with each new read. _Wish You Were Her_ reflects all of the features that make McNicoll stand out in a positive way.
Allegra is a young woman, but she has some added experiences that have given her an unusual perspective on life: mainly, her celebrity status! Like most people with any level of acclaim these days, Allegra struggles with the ways in which the media represents her and the public feels a sense of ownership around even the most personal aspects of her identity. One need not be famous to have a dash of empathy for even the ways in which social media impacts our perceptions of ourselves in modern times. How much worse is that cooptation, and how much more dangerous is it, for a famous person? Well, Allegra's experiences will not leave readers on the hunt for their five minutes of fame.
Like other characters this author has penned, Allegra is autistic, and this also impacts her in many implicit and explicit ways. Her desire to keep this information to herself is strong. She thinks about her public persona and her private life frequently. McNicoll brings an in-depth understanding of this situation to her characters, and on a related note, an absolute highlight of this book is the way in which masking is described. Even folks who are completely new to this concept will get a good sense of what this means and how it impacts folks.
As the cover suggests, but I've done a terrible job of relaying thus far, this book is actually a romance and a good one at that. What makes it so good, in my estimation, is that there is so much more happening besides just that piece. The relationship between Allegra and Jonah is complicated, layered, and positive, and it's easy to root for them BECAUSE they are developed characters.
Fans of YA/new adult romance and folks looking for some solid representation of autism in multiple characters will get so much out of this read. I look forward to recommending it to students!
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Althea Mignone at St. Martin's Publishing Group for this alc and widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
August 24, 2025
Having enjoyed A Kind of Spark and Some Like It Cold, I was really excited for Elle McNicoll’s next romance, Wish You Were Her. I enjoyed the characters, introspective, and story, though maybe not as much as I did as her previous reads due to some pacing issues.
Wish You Were Her made me think this as an autistic version of You’ve Got Mail, except the woman is an actress, not a rival bookshop owner. Allegra is 18 years old and taking a summer break from her acting due to a gig falling through, and spending it in Lake Pristine, a small UK town. She ends up working in her father’s shop with the grumpy Jonah. While they seem to always feud in real life, on the internet, they get along as secret pen pals. I enjoyed watching the two bond, as well as interacting with their friend group and the rest of the town, which was fairly fleshed out. From the lovable characters to the absolute worst, they were all standouts.
Taking place five years after Some Like It Cold, we see Lake Pristine in a summer setting during a popular book fair, which is the opposite vibes of the latter, and giving the two books a sense of continuity. There’s also some cameos and I really enjoyed seeing certain characters again. Even if you haven’t read Some Like It Cold, you can read this book and you won’t get lost.
I do like how we dip deep into the interiority of Allegra and Jonah as they have to deal with their lives and how autism affects their lives, not in a sob story way, but both the triumphs and the struggles. It’s a part of both of their characters and influence their choices and character development as they realize what they really need out of life and in their romance. It made things easier to understand for a neurotypical audience and made many autistic readers feel seen and relate to the characters and the romance. I especially like how Allegra’s autism reflected into her acting, for instance how she’s always playing a role in real life and acting wasn’t much different. We also see how Jonah’s autism affects his life in Lake Pristine, and how he’s fighting for underrepresented voices to be heard at the book festival. I do appreciate that both of the main POV characters are on the spectrum as well. Overall, the romance was well developed and I appreciated the cute moments. There’s no spice.
The biggest issue for me was the pacing. I was a fan of the slower paced story, but I felt the chapters after the third act break up were rushed and probably needed some more breathing room to process, as well as no resolution to some side plots. However, the ending was cute and satisfactory.
Charlie Sanderson returns to narrate this cute small town romance, and I had the same cozy vibes.
This romance was fun and recommended if you want to see a small town romance with autistic characters.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. All opinions are my own.*
Wish You Were Her made me think this as an autistic version of You’ve Got Mail, except the woman is an actress, not a rival bookshop owner. Allegra is 18 years old and taking a summer break from her acting due to a gig falling through, and spending it in Lake Pristine, a small UK town. She ends up working in her father’s shop with the grumpy Jonah. While they seem to always feud in real life, on the internet, they get along as secret pen pals. I enjoyed watching the two bond, as well as interacting with their friend group and the rest of the town, which was fairly fleshed out. From the lovable characters to the absolute worst, they were all standouts.
Taking place five years after Some Like It Cold, we see Lake Pristine in a summer setting during a popular book fair, which is the opposite vibes of the latter, and giving the two books a sense of continuity. There’s also some cameos and I really enjoyed seeing certain characters again. Even if you haven’t read Some Like It Cold, you can read this book and you won’t get lost.
I do like how we dip deep into the interiority of Allegra and Jonah as they have to deal with their lives and how autism affects their lives, not in a sob story way, but both the triumphs and the struggles. It’s a part of both of their characters and influence their choices and character development as they realize what they really need out of life and in their romance. It made things easier to understand for a neurotypical audience and made many autistic readers feel seen and relate to the characters and the romance. I especially like how Allegra’s autism reflected into her acting, for instance how she’s always playing a role in real life and acting wasn’t much different. We also see how Jonah’s autism affects his life in Lake Pristine, and how he’s fighting for underrepresented voices to be heard at the book festival. I do appreciate that both of the main POV characters are on the spectrum as well. Overall, the romance was well developed and I appreciated the cute moments. There’s no spice.
The biggest issue for me was the pacing. I was a fan of the slower paced story, but I felt the chapters after the third act break up were rushed and probably needed some more breathing room to process, as well as no resolution to some side plots. However, the ending was cute and satisfactory.
Charlie Sanderson returns to narrate this cute small town romance, and I had the same cozy vibes.
This romance was fun and recommended if you want to see a small town romance with autistic characters.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. All opinions are my own.*
August 27, 2025
2.5 stars I picked up this book because of its neurodivergent representation and because its blurb said it's 'Book Lovers meets Notting Hill with a slice of You've Got Mail'. Sounds delightful!! It had strong neurodivergent rep, a splash of Hollywood and gave homage to the popular book/movies, but despite all that, it didn't work for me.
I liked the small-town, bookish setting and initially the rivals-to-lovers trope, but the story becomes a bit of a slog halfway through when miscommunication takes the front seat, we get a cast of mainly unlikeable characters and some silly explanations for certain character's behaviours (I'm looking at you, Allegra's dad!)
I would like to state that I am not autistic, so I don't claim to know what it is like to be autistic. But from my neurotypical POV, I can't help but feel like autism was portrayed in a negative light and it bothered me. It felt like the autistic characters' personalities (mainly their negative behaviours) are explained away with their diagnosis. It felt uncomfortable and 'othering' to those characters.
The premise was cute, and I assume the author, who has autism, was going for a heartwarming read with a neurodiverse focus but unfortunately, I found the execution of the story very weak. I am in the vast minority with my opinions on this book so if you're looking for a small-town, YA read, then you may want to give this one a try.
Disclaimer: Thanks to St Martin's Press for the complimentary digital copy of this book that was provided in exchange for my honest review.
I liked the small-town, bookish setting and initially the rivals-to-lovers trope, but the story becomes a bit of a slog halfway through when miscommunication takes the front seat, we get a cast of mainly unlikeable characters and some silly explanations for certain character's behaviours (I'm looking at you, Allegra's dad!)
I would like to state that I am not autistic, so I don't claim to know what it is like to be autistic. But from my neurotypical POV, I can't help but feel like autism was portrayed in a negative light and it bothered me. It felt like the autistic characters' personalities (mainly their negative behaviours) are explained away with their diagnosis. It felt uncomfortable and 'othering' to those characters.
The premise was cute, and I assume the author, who has autism, was going for a heartwarming read with a neurodiverse focus but unfortunately, I found the execution of the story very weak. I am in the vast minority with my opinions on this book so if you're looking for a small-town, YA read, then you may want to give this one a try.
Disclaimer: Thanks to St Martin's Press for the complimentary digital copy of this book that was provided in exchange for my honest review.
August 3, 2025
This very new adult Shop Around the Corner had me clicking request for the arc based on that premise.
What I got was a clever way for a Hollywood sweetheart to be sure about the people she was getting to know. The characters were compelling, both principles are autistic. Seeing interactions through their lens was compelling but there was a lot of sorting behaviors into allistic and autistic-presumably some are natural human conditions but for 18 and making sense of the world, it still worked and was compelling.
The small town of Lake Pristine felt a little flat, aside from the lack of characters (some of Allegra's new friends were great, even if fallible) and there were a couple of times I wondered about the author's geography because I had to keep reminding myself this was set in the USA. When Jonah said in a final chapter "that cost us five pounds thrifting" and I figured out the author is Scottish some of the way the characters talked made sense.
Which brings me to the writing. It vacillated between stilted and quite moving and lovely. It generally kept me reading once I was invested.
It had me rooting for Allegra, but most of all for Jonah and both of them.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this and SATC always makes me click (though at a point this was genuinely catfishing imo)
Thanks to the author and netgalley for this arc, which had not affected my review. 2.57 rounded up
What I got was a clever way for a Hollywood sweetheart to be sure about the people she was getting to know. The characters were compelling, both principles are autistic. Seeing interactions through their lens was compelling but there was a lot of sorting behaviors into allistic and autistic-presumably some are natural human conditions but for 18 and making sense of the world, it still worked and was compelling.
The small town of Lake Pristine felt a little flat, aside from the lack of characters (some of Allegra's new friends were great, even if fallible) and there were a couple of times I wondered about the author's geography because I had to keep reminding myself this was set in the USA. When Jonah said in a final chapter "that cost us five pounds thrifting" and I figured out the author is Scottish some of the way the characters talked made sense.
Which brings me to the writing. It vacillated between stilted and quite moving and lovely. It generally kept me reading once I was invested.
It had me rooting for Allegra, but most of all for Jonah and both of them.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this and SATC always makes me click (though at a point this was genuinely catfishing imo)
Thanks to the author and netgalley for this arc, which had not affected my review. 2.57 rounded up
August 3, 2025
Alright, we couldn’t have arc wins forever, there had to be one. Right off the bat, the narration was a miss for me, I’ve listened to British narrator’s before but something about the tone was off for me and that took some getting used to. Going into the book itself, this felt like trash autistic rep and from reviews I’m seeing I’m glad I’m not the only autistic person feeling this way. Like maybe instead of lying to everyone around you and constantly having miscommunication and blaming it on autism’s we could idk go to therapy. I also had a huge ick from the enemy suddenly becoming a love interest as soon as he admits he’s autistic - like ahhhh yes this man I hate has suddenly become desirable only because he has the same neurospice as me. Idk maybe I should’ve done myself a favor and DNF’ed but I try not to DNF arcs or alc’s so I can follow through and review. Also why were all the characters so incredibly unlikable? Not to mention a bunch of colleges reaching out to some random ass girl to be accepted to uni over an ig post? lol this book was a trip, not a great one, but the rep was appreciated, I just wish it was better? Thank you Macmillan audio and NetGalley for this alc in exchange for my honest review.
March 30, 2025
As a big fan of not only YA but Elle McNicol, I was really excited to receive the ARC of Wish You Were Her.
On the whole it was a fairly good read. Obvious positives are the representation of autistic characters who lead the story, and do this well. Despite being a world wide mega star, Allegra is portrayed as overwhelmingly just the girl next door, which I guess was good.
I liked the setting in Lake Pristine and supporting characters. My favourite was Jonah who I thought went on more of a journey than anyone else.
I did feel the story dragged on a bit and was waiting for more of a conclusion around Allegra’s relationship with her dad, but hey ho it was all harmless enough in the end really
3.5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this story.
On the whole it was a fairly good read. Obvious positives are the representation of autistic characters who lead the story, and do this well. Despite being a world wide mega star, Allegra is portrayed as overwhelmingly just the girl next door, which I guess was good.
I liked the setting in Lake Pristine and supporting characters. My favourite was Jonah who I thought went on more of a journey than anyone else.
I did feel the story dragged on a bit and was waiting for more of a conclusion around Allegra’s relationship with her dad, but hey ho it was all harmless enough in the end really
3.5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this story.
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