You Wish: a book recommendation
5 out of 5 stars.
I decided as a LTWF contributor, I really ought to read one of Mandy Hubbard‘s books (since she’s a fellow contributor). Based on the positive buzz everywhere, I expected her young adult novel You Wish to be entertaining . What I did not expect was to LAUGH CONSTANTLY. Or to IDENTIFY SO MUCH with the main character.
Kayla is a high school sophomore with a distaste for the popular crowd (whom she calls the Old Navy dress clique) and a taste for Chuck Taylors. When her mom throws her an enormous and unwelcome Sweet Sixteen party, Kayla angrily blows out the candles on her over-the-top birthday cake. She wishes that “for once in her life, all her birthday wishes would come true”.
Well, luckily (or rather, unluckily) for Kayla, the wishes do come true — starting with a life size My Little Pony prancing around in her backyard. And now she has 14 more wishes that have to come true (one a day), and there’s one she’s really dreading: on her 15th birthday, Kayla wished she’d get a kiss from Ben Mackenzie.
But, oh yeah — Ben Mackenzie may be the Crush of Her Life, but he’s also her best friend’s boyfriend…
This is book is HILARIOUS. I haven’t laughed out loud at a book since Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries, yet You Wish had me giggling non-stop. (Oh my gosh, the scenes with “Carson!” I laugh just thinking about it.)
And did I mention I read this book in one sitting? Yeah… I picked it up for a mini-break from work, and ended up doing almost no work the entire day. I had to know how Kayla was gonna deal with her wild wishes. I had to know what the next wish would be. I had to know if the kiss with Ben was gonna happen or not!!
So if you’re looking for something fun to read or you’re just in need of a laugh, definitely check out You Wish!
You tell me: Have you read You Wish or any other books by Mandy Hubbard? What about other funny YA books you recommend?
-S.
Laura
November 26, 2010 @ 9:53 am
I loved You Wish! I was reading it on the train en route to Amsterdam, and people were staring at me because I kept laughing out loud. Prada and Prejudice was really fun too! In terms of funny YA, I recommend Rachel Hawkins ‘Hex Hall’. The main character, Sophie, has a really sarcastic voice much like Kayla in You Wish. There weren’t as many LOL moments, but the tone throughout was fabulous! When I finished it, I described it to my sister as ‘Meg Cabot meets Harry Potter’ 🙂
Susan
November 26, 2010 @ 11:07 am
Oooooh! Thanks for the Hex Hall rec. I’ll have to read that after I finish Prada & Prejudice (which I’m loving!).
Katharine Owens
November 26, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
So nice to read this– I am planning to query Mandy and I must read at least one of her books before then. I love the premise– I will pick it up ASAP.
Madeleine
November 27, 2010 @ 12:19 am
I’ve never *really* considered reading this book. It’s not the sort of thing I’d typically find interest in, not to mention the fact that its’ JUST SO PINK. However, your enthusiasm is contagious. 😀 I might have to give this a try! Thanks!
Amie Kaufman
November 28, 2010 @ 8:16 am
Sold! I’ve been meaning to read this for ages–I’m putting together my Christmas list just now, and You Wish has just become one of my wishes!
maddy
November 3, 2013 @ 1:53 am
i loved wish
maddy
November 3, 2013 @ 1:55 am
i’m doing a book report on it right now. its called book in the book i have to right this essay and fill things in the box to represent this story and i’m putting in gumballs, a raggyde anne doll, a barbie doll, and more. if you ever do a book project then use this book.