Wednesday 22 December 2010

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

From Goodreads: Kayla McHenry's sweet sixteen sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla's secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin' do.

Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year's supply of gumballs arrives. A boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla's wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride . . . but they MUST STOP. Because when she was fifteen? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is her best friend's boyfriend.


This one really is as good as it sounds! It's definitely quirky and great fun to read!

Kayla has been in love with Ben Mackenzie since ... well it feels like forever. The problem? He's now her best friend's boyfriend. If that's not bad enough a magical birthday wish causes all of her birthday wishes to come true. Cue a giant my little pony, a life size Ken who won't leave her alone and there are gumballs everywhere. But more worryingly, on her fifteenth birthday she wished for Ben to kiss her...

As I said - this is a complete joy to read. It's really funny too and I found myself laughing out loud! But I also really connected to the characters and there is much more going on than just the 'wishes'. Kayla's friendship with Nicole is changing and she doesn't know what to do about it. Her mother is dealing with her father's absence by working all the time. Things are not at all like they used to be and Kayla doesn't know how to feel about that.  Having to face her wishes coming true causes Kayla to really think about everything going on in her life - and decide what it is she wants.

Kayla is a great character and I loved her voice.  I was expecting a bit more romance but the romance I got was awesome.  I loved Ben and his scenes with Kayla were really sweet.  I also really liked Kayla's friend Nicole and enjoyed watching the two re-navigate their friendship.  All the elements work really well together to create a story that is witty and genuine.

Great fun and definitely recommended.  I'm really looking forward to Ripple when it publishes next year.

4 comments:

Ynysawdre Elderly Residents Association said...

I cant wait to read this - it looks so lovely :D

Luisa at Chicklish said...

I have had this one on my wishlist for so long now! Thank you for the review - now I'm looking forward to it even more!

Lauren said...

I haven't read a review of this one before, and now I totally want it! It sounds so fun and cute. And I love wish-fulfilment stories in general. Thanks for an awesome review - I'm adding this to my wishlist right away. :D

Michelle Fluttering Butterflies said...

I'm not sure that I actually knew what this one was about before your review. It sounds like SO much fun and I really want to read it now!

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