Make My Wish Come True #BookReview #HappyHolidays

Book: Make My Wish Come True by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date: 2024

Source: E-book borrowed from the library

Summary: Caroline Beckett had a crush on Arden James when they were both fourteen. That was before Arden left their small Christmas-obsessed town for Hollywood and the whole world developed a crush on Arden James.

Arden James sacrificed everything for her career. Was it worth it? Maybe if she can get the role that would tap her true talent. Unfortunately, the director thinks that she’s the party girl that everyone wants her to be. Arden talks her way into a second chance, but the scheme requires Caroline — the girl that she abandoned four years previously.

Thoughts: The fake date trope gets Christmas trimming with twelve holi-dates, all happening in a town that loves Christmas.

Caroline, it turns out, is half-Jewish. She always felt a bit out of step with the town, because of that. I enjoyed how this story handles that aspect of her identity. Apparently, the story happens in 2024, because Hanukkah begins on December 25, just as it does this year.

There’s a splendid cast of characters in this book. Caroline has a big family and several high school friends (something that is missing in Arden’s life). Arden left a grandmother behind, as well as Caroline. The grandmother runs Edie’s Eatery, the local diner where Caroline works as a waitress.

Appeal: Make My Wish Come True was a terrific book to finish on Christmas Eve. If you’re looking for one last festive read of the season, this is a good choice. Otherwise, get it on your list for next year!

Challenge: I intended to read four Christmas-themed books for the 12 Books of Christmas Challenge, but I only managed two. A Lot Like Christmas took a long time to finish, but I enjoyed having the accompaniment of those short stories through my holiday season.