Secret penpals

 

Wish You Were Her
By Elle McNicoll
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publication date: August 26, 2025
Print length: 352 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1250335562
Reading age: 13 - 18 years
Grade level: 7 - 9

 Publisher’s Blurb:

Allegra Brooks is an eighteen year old actress who is secretly autistic. When a journalist publishes a scathing profile on Allegra, she decides to take the summer off in Lake Pristine, to visit her slightly estranged father. There, she befriends the booksellers of Brooks Books and decides to help them plan the popular Lake Pristine Book Festival. As she gets closer to Simon, the openly enthusiastic and neurotypical of the two, she realizes it's really Jonah, the boy she argues with constantly and finds a bit off-putting, who she's actually more and more drawn to. As the summer wraps up and the festival approaches, Allegra has to make some decisions about what she owes to others, and to herself.

 My thoughts:

She’s been working since she was 13, and everyone’s favorite actress, Allegra Brooks, just wants a rest. So she decides to go stay with her father, whom she hasn’t visited in years, in his smallish town and help with his bookstore and book festival.

 And maybe, meet her anonymous email penpal who works at the bookstore. She really, really hopes it’s funny and charismatic Simon, not grumpy Jonah who insults her on first meeting. Of course, we know it’s Jonah, since this book is told from both of their POVs. (I still love dramatic irony.)

 Honestly, the least believable part of this book is how so many people in the town of Lake Pristine keep Allegra’s visit a secret. She’s there quite a while before the press picks up on. But when the paparazzi arrive…things get bad in a hurry.

 Allegra takes a long time to tell Noah that she is autistic; he had told her of his own autism much sooner. She told others long before she told him. Not realizing she has autism means that Noah assumes some of her intentions—incorrectly. As with any romance, there are miscommunications along the way.

 Many of the side characters are delightful. Some are mean. But they all feel like real people, and add to Allegra’s experience of trying to be more like a normal teenager in her stolen summer. As the story progresses, both Allegra and Noah are forced to break out of their comfort zones, and it’s a good thing.

 Possible objectionable material:

Swearing, including the F word. Mention of same-gender couples. Partying, but the book takes place in the UK (I think—it’s never quite made clear), so the teens are of legal drinking age. Paparazzi. Allegra’s parents are divorced. Description of heavy making out. Later, we get the idea that Allegra and Noah are sexually active. Friend betrayals.

 Who might like this book:

Those who like books about famous people, autistic people, teens finding their purpose.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

 #NetGalley #BookReview #Biblioquacious #ElleMcNicoll #YA #WishYouWereHer #autism #romance #YARomance