Wish You Were Her by Elle McNicoll, a NetGalley review. Allegra Brooks is an actress and has been from a very young age, now 18 she desperately needs a break away from fame so she heads to Lake Pristine where her father owns a bookshop. However Allegra gets more than she bargins for when she clashes with Jonah Thorne. I’ve heard great things about this author and was aware when I requested this book that it was classed as a YA book, on Amazon it says for 12 years and up. For me this is a good enjoyable read but sadly that’s it. I think it’s aimed at the right age, because I found it a bit tame. Allegra and Jonah are both autistic, which I thought was great, it’s rare that you read about autistic characters and I think as a YA book it would be great for opening discussions about autism. But it lacked for me any depth, basically I felt that it was a romance novel with two main characters that happened to have autism. I thought the book could have perhaps had more depth to it, been a bit grittier, talked more about the struggles for people with autism, the differences these two people could have had in that respect because autism is different for everyone. I hate to say this because i did enjoy the book but it talked about autism on more of a superficial level of that makes sense, with no depth to the subject. I did like the fact that books and reading was a big part of the story but sadly it was very predictable from the start. As a woman in her 40’s I was never this books target audience however I believe YA fiction is that transition from kids books into more adult themed books, books that will capture young people’s reading and their future reading and I don’t know if this is a stand out example of this, especially when at best all I can describe this book as is nice. I’ve given it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the subject matter as I do think/hope it will start discussions, it’s unusual to read books with autistic main characters and as romance books go it was an enjoyable read. Not sure I would recommend it going forward. Not the best read this year but certainly not the worst 📚📚

Another fantastic book from Elle McNicoll. A book that made me feel seen and understood in ways in which I rarely find I am. And what a beautiful way to celebrate the special relationship that can only happen between autistic people, where you feel truly understood.

It was interesting reading this knowing a bit about Elle McNicoll’s experience as an author and seeing what she’s drawn from her own life experience. It is incredible what people think they can say to people just because they’re autistic and famous. And this book really shone a light on that.

On a non-autistic note, I loved seeing Lake Pristine again. I loved the book festival and the plot surrounding it. But most of all, I loved seeing Allegra’s character come together. How she was similar to Jasper in some ways, but in other ways very different.

Overall, I loved this book and look forward to returning to Lake Pristine again in the next one.

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.

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.

Many thanks to the author, Elle McNicoll, NetGalley and the publishers, Macmillan Children’s Books, for a digital ARC of this book, which is out on 5 June.

Allegra Brooks is eighteen and one of the biggest stars in the world. But having been in the entertainment business since she was thirteen, she’s craving a normal teenage summer. With some time off between movies, she decides to spend time with her father in the small town of Lake Pristine, working at his bookshop and helping out with the town’s literature festival. She initially falls out with Jonah Thorne, one of the booksellers (and organiser of the festival) and the two spend several weeks at each other’s throats. Simon, another young bookseller, seems more like Allegra’s type, and she hopes that it’s Simon she’s been carrying on a secret correspondence with.

I read three YA books over a week and this was the weakest of the three. That’s not to say it’s a bad book – it’s engaging and kept me turning the pages - but it does have flaws. I found the characterisation and characters’ motivations weren’t always realistic. Allegra appears to be a perfect character. Although she’s a movie star, she’s humble, down-to-earth, hard-working, kind, an excellent communicator, doesn’t bear grudges etc etc. I imagine that the author wanted to show a positive representation of an autistic character, and I think it’s particularly useful to show that someone with autism can be highly emotionally intelligent – but I found myself hoping that Allegra would have at least one minor character defect. Meanwhile, Simon’s character is portrayed inconsistently – it felt like he became immature very suddenly – and George’s explanation for being distant towards Jonah felt unlikely. There’s also a minor character in the novel (whose name I can’t now remember) whose sole purpose is to say bitchy things to other characters and try to stir up trouble. In the same way that no one is perfect, I don’t think anyone is totally flawed, so this felt unrealistic, too.

I thought that the neurodivergent representation was really important – it’s so unusual to find a romance novel with two neurodivergent leads. It's clear that the author is passionate about conveying her experiences as a person with autism so that things become easier for others. However, I thought that passion actually made the book unbalanced at times - there are passages where the narrative goes off-topic for a bit - but I'm not a teenager or autistic, and the book might land differently with its intended audience.

If you want to read a romance with excellent neurodivergent representation, or you want a positive portrayal of autism, I would recommend this.

The story was a fun escape - and I think readers can learn some great messages from it. Overall, I’d recommend this one - Young adult, ‘enemies’ to lovers, ‘you’ve got mail’, small town, autism rep.

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

Another absolutely delightful and informative romcom from Elle! I loved this one every bit as much as Some Like It Cold and was so happy to be back in Lake Pristine with so many familiar faces (including Jasper and Arthur). Allegra and Jonah made great love interests, and of course I loved the bookshop/bookseller angle - but mainly it’s great to read gorgeous, warm romances with neurodivergent leads and great representation. It definitely makes me feel like I’m understanding a little more.

Also love the brilliant friendships which are every bit as important to the story as the romance. Would absolutely recommend!

Well that was a rise. I think Wish You Were Her is such an enjoyable romance read with absolutely impeccable writing thanks to Elle McNicoll.

I adored seeing neurodiversity explored with such tenderness. The observations of societyy's belief that they own famous people was so on point, yet disturbing.

Essentially though I think this is aimed so well at the young adult market. Sometimes I worry that some books miss the mark, but I thought the romance level, the social aspects were just spot on. Oh and I loved returning to Lake Pristine, I mean youll enjoy this book whether youve read Some Like it Cold or not, but seeing how some of the characters are getting on was also really special.

A wonderful summery romance with real depth and joy, especially book joy!!

Wish You Were Her is a phenomenal book that celebrates the power of love and literature. Elle McNicoll continues to cement her status as a must-read author across her work.

Allegra and Jonah might just be some of my favourite characters of the year so far. Allegra is firmly in the spotlight with her rapid rise to fame. The way she talks about acting is fascinating, with the way she utilises the survival skills she’s learnt from masking to pour herself into a character, but also in the way she feels free in letting loose in that same space. She can just be and that is such a powerful thing. Her narrative voice is incredibly charming with a sense of vulnerability. She is smart, caring, loving, thoughtful and fiercely loyal. Her sense of humour is sharp and makes for some excellent moments. Jonah is outwardly a little quieter, remaining in the shelves of books and feeling overlooked at times. He shares a lot of Allegra’s traits, though they do nothing but clash at first. He sees her as a brash interloper and she sees him as a snobby and colder person. Of course, nothing is at it seems and watching them warm up to one another is magical. Around them is a stellar cast of supporting characters who I adore too. There may even be a few familiar faces that appear.

McNicoll makes her books such a safe space. They face up to the sometimes cruel realities of life but they also feel like an escape and a much needed source of comfort in trying times. For me, they’re like sunshine bottled—full of joy and love and happiness. This is no exception with a wonderful love story. The romance in this book is top tier with plenty of hurdles to overcome and the kind of chemistry that sparks off the page. There is great banter and playful dynamics that have an undercurrent of that intangible something that makes your heart catch fire. You just fall in love with them and want them to succeed against it all. For me, it’s the kind of book that makes you believe in true love.

I loved the representation in them and how so many readers will be able to see themselves reflected, centre stage and thriving. Autistic readers deserve to see themselves in the leading roles. Both Allegra and Jonah have been mistreated by a world that refuses to understand them, particularly with toxic friendships and the glare of the celebrity spotlight. They have a shared understanding of navigating the world through this lens that is deep and wonderful to witness. There are a multitude of wonderful scenes of quiet and vocal support for one another that speaks to this in a truthful and deeply affecting way. The dynamic between the two of them is palpable and shifting in a way that feels real. You cannot help but root for these enemies to turn into lovers.

If Some Like It Cold was a love letter to films and the power of the cinema, this continues that pattern but also is such a dedication of love to the book community. Literature and film can connect people from all over the world, pulling them into a shared story. McNicoll explores that here with the central book festival as a shining beacon of books bringing people together. It is also constantly referenced in the dialogue and narrative, with bookish arguments forming some of Allegra and Jonah’s initial clash. We go down well-trodden paths of arguments that bookworms will recognise. There is also some interesting commentary about certain types in the industry that readers may recognise. Being back in Lake Pristine is brilliant too, adding more texture to the familiar setting from Some Like It Cold. There is a real throughline about homecoming and what that means to return to the place you grew up in. The expectations and mindset of a community can be a heavy burden, but so can dreaming about what you want to do both within and outside of it.

Wish You Were Her was a phenomenal return to Lake Pristine with a heartfelt romance at its core. It was a real ray of sunshine.

This 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

#ownvoices autism romance

I’ve followed Elle’s writing since A KIND OF SPARK and it’s such a joy to see her grow and develop as a writer. She was already brilliant and she just keeps getting better!

i really liked the representative here. and i thought it was honest in showing how this condition can shower over so much of life. its often others that need to adjust and dont. but this showed how being on the spectrum can impact life. especially the life of this young woman when pushed into such a fish bowl typ pressured environment. its hard to watch anyone fall into the net of fame, not least young people. its becoming increasingly clear how problematic he industry is but nothing seems to be being done.
and that when our character escapes for the summer. and gets to know someone who gets her. but do they. and quite who are they?
a really clever novel with enough deep bits to make it what a good novel should be. real.
i was feeling so heart ached for our character at times. i wanted her to be ok and could see some pitfalls coming her way and new they would impact harder for her.
i loooove the small town bookshop vibe. this would be my dream life.yes please. and the description around that were just perfect.
i also liked how both Allegra and Jonah went through their own journeys and i loved reading both. they complimented each other really well. it didnt feel like we were getting to know one because of the other kind of thing.
ive never read anything by Elle before and i thoroughly enjoyed doing so.

WISH YOU WERE HER was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, Elle McNicoll's second YA romance, and it did not disappoint.

Where SOME LIKE IT COLD is a wintry romance, this one is a summery one. It's warm and bright (and this summery-ness is echoed with a bit more heat in the intimacy of the romance too). The new season also makes the setting - Lake Pristine - feel a bit "new". We're seeing it in a different light, full of tourists and bunting and flowers, which was a really nice way of it feeling distinct while also being familiar again.

The book is centred around a book festival! It's an absolute treat for book lovers. There's all the inside knowledge about book selling and publishing that makes the roles feel authentic. The bookish setting also adds another layer of dream idyl to it all, surrounding the characters with the things readers love: books, books, and more books!

And then of course there is the romance. It's sweet but also has some heat, two people who are so used to masks finally letting it down around others. Allegra being a movie star and all those pressures (and horrible fans) play really nicely with why she's reluctant to trust someone with her love. The world has an idea of her - a fake version of her - and she isn't sure Jonah isn't interested in that fake her rather than the real her.

I loved that both Allegra and Jonah were autistic - and that they aren't the only autistic characters in this world. There are so many neurodivergent people in the world and they don't fit into stereotypes and I just appreciated that this was on the page by not just having the one token autistic.

And yes, two autistic characters in a romance! The relief of being able to completely unmask around someone, know they get it in a way that neurotypicals can't.

Jasper and (to a lesser extent) Arthur from SOME LIKE IT COLD return! It's been a few years and they're nicely settled in their new life. I really liked Jasper taking on that older sister role for Allegra (who's an only child.) She is there to comfort Allegra when things go wrong but also encourage her to do what she wants. Jasper is someone who has been there as an autistic woman and is looking out for a younger girl who needs someone with the same sort of experiences to give advice.

In that way, she's like Keedie from A KIND OF SPARK. I love that Elle McNicoll is exploring the idea of autistic women protecting and helping one another, a sisterhood of understanding and advice. It's something I've found in the neurodivergent community and I love that it gets celebrated here.

This was the first time I haven't ugly-sobbed at an Elle McNicoll book (I definitely teared up several times though.) I think it's because this is the seventh full length novel by Elle McNicoll (plus several short stories in anthologies and the like). That means it's not such a shock to see characters living with the things I do (which led to crying so much you get a headache). It's still super cathartic though (hence the tears). Like knowing there's a spring up ahead in the desert rather than just stumbling across it. And that's special too - and why it's important publishing continues to give book deals to autistic writers. It should be commonplace for everyone to see themselves in print.

I cannot wait for whatever Elle McNicoll writes next.

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.

"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.
Kiss me."
Spoiler: she kissed him. 😭💘
___________

💔 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 🫡💔
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👯‍♀️ 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?"
"Sure. I'm a great litmus test for monstrous behaviour."

and the classic:

"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 🥹
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📚 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."
😳🔥

“‘Reject me’, he said. ‘So I can start getting over you.’”

I loved this cutesy, contemporary young adult novel and I absolutely adore Elle McNicoll. . As a huge fan of ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and ‘Notting Hill’, this really hit the spot.

The relationship between Allegra and Jonah was developed wonderfully. Despite times where they were at arguing, they still understood each other and they were able to progress.

The representation of autism here is amazing. It is highlighted, rather than glamourised, and Elle navigated through both the positives and negatives.

Lake Pristine was the perfect setting. I loved the small town vibe, the bookstore and the book festival. It was the perfect escape for Allegra and really helped me to immerse myself into the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Elle for the ARC!

Eighteen year old Allegra Brooks, world-famous actor, has the summer off and decides to spend it in Lake Pristine where her Dad owns a bookshop, Brooks Books, and organises a festival each year. Allegra and bookseller Jonah Thorne get off to a bad start from their first meeting but as summer goes on things change.

Oh this book is JOYOUS!!! I read it in one go and literally couldn't put it down. Brilliant writing about a fabulous story, fabulous characters and a fabulous setting... perfection! Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I've loved all of Elle McNicoll's books and this one is no different. I love reading books where I can relate to characters and just find her books really portray what it is like to be autistic. I just couldn't help but read this super fast and then found myself sad that it was already over. I'm excited to read future books by Elle!

I love, love, love, LOVE this book.

Allegra Brooks, famous movie star, decides to spend the summer in her Dads small town, away from the public eye, working in his book shop. I love how this book commented upon the pressures of fame and what it’s like for people to always have an opinion on you — how you’re not enough, how your too much, how you’re too kind, how you’re too mean…you can just never win.

I really liked Allegra and Jonah. I thought their chemistry was amazing, and their relationship had a great build up. I loved their understanding of each other, even when they were at each other’s throats.

The autism representation in this was beautiful and so amazing and I really enjoyed it. I think it was such a good representation too, without glamourising the struggles that autistic people face. I think it highlighted well both the positives and joys of being autistic while also showing the way people who are neurodivergent can struggle in ways that neurotypical people don’t or often understand.

Loved it.

I hadn't clocked in advance that this book would also be set in Lake Pristine (the setting of Some Like It Cold) and I was THRILLED. I am a sucker for a small town romance series, and re-meeting some previous characters was a treat, although you could certainly read this without having read the previous.

Loved Allegra, loved Jonah, still narrowing my eyes with ill-concealed rage at a couple of the other characters. Hoping I get to visit Lake Pristine again!