AS YOU WISH took me by surprise with its sincere charm, lighthearted humor, and the best kind of romance.

The development of Viola and Jinn's from master-genie to romantic love was extraordinarily well done. It was subtle and likable, like a romantic comedy movie unfolding before your eyes, except in words. It is rare nowadays to find a romance that doesn't start off from insta-connection and physical attraction, so Viola and Jinn's relationship stands out to me in the best way.

Perhaps the greatest thing about AS YOU WISH, however, is Jackson Pearce's effortless narration. How many authors can truly tell a charming story out of a concept that rides the fence on being sweet and too saccharine? AS YOU WISH didn't read like a forced novel to me, but more like me experiencing a good friend's story, or living out my favorite romantic comedy. I found myself crying through the ending, so involved was I in Jinn, Viola, and Lawrence's story.

Don't be fooled by its childlike cover and fairy tale premise. AS YOU WISH makes you believe in wish-granters and the fact that love can triumph all. This is magical realism at its best, completely worth the list price, and one of the best love stories I've read all year.

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This would be a good book to read with my daughter when she is in high school. It talks about a girl who's boyfriend broke up with her and she feels lost and broken. I would use it as a 'how NOT to' become a serial dater, how girls who think they have to be with a guy to be 'complete' and 'whole' are wrong. Only when you learn what makes YOU happy can you be whole.

I like this quote from the book: "And it's going to happen again, Viola. You don't love him. You'll split with him, and until you can make yourself happy, no amount of wishing is going to stop you from feeling invisible in the long run."

Overall, it was a quick enjoyable read, but I loved Jackson's other books 'Sisters Red' and 'Sweetly' more.

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