Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Swati Teerdhala (The Boyfriend Wish)!
Meet the Author: Swati Teerdhala
Swati Teerdhala is a storyteller at heart. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Finance and B.A. in History, she tumbled into the marketing side of the technology industry. She’s passionate about many things, including how to make a proper cup of tea, the right ratio of curd to crust in a lemon tart, and diverse representation in the stories we tell. The Tiger at Midnight was her debut novel. She currently lives in New York City.
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About the Book: The Boyfriend Wish
There’s only one item left on Deepa Josyula’s high school bucket list: finding the perfect boyfriend. But when her meticulously planned Homecoming proposal crashes and burns thanks to Vik Mehta—both neighbor and long-term nemesis ever since he started their neighborhood prank war—she’s not sure how she’s going to finish the list. To make things even worse, she’s stuck working with Vik on a Student Council committee. So when her grandmother gifts her a jasmine flower and tells her to make a wish, Deepa doesn’t see the harm. She wishes for her dream boyfriend, just like she had imagined when she was younger. The next morning a new neighbor moves into their cul-de-sac, and Rohit D’Souza crosses off everything on her ideal boyfriend wish list down to a tee: thoughtful, handsome, and romantic as hell.
She can hardly believe it. But according to her grandmother, the wish is only the beginning. To earn it, to complete it, the wish must be sealed with a kiss. But Rohit is quickly becoming the most popular new guy both in school and in her friend group, and Deepa hasn’t kissed a boy since freshman year. The more Deepa plans the perfect kiss with Rohit, the less sure she is of what her heart truly wants. Is it the perfect boy brought by magic—or the uncertainty of the boy who’s always been next door?
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I’ve always wondered what would happen if a wish actually came true. I used to be obsessed with the idea when I was younger. And then a few years back, I came across an old list my childhood best friend and I had put together for the “perfect romance” and then a little while later, the idea for the book came to me.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
That’s hard to pick! I have to say our slightly misguided but loving main character, Deepa. Her journey resonates with me and it was such a joy to write.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
The novel! For the first time, the title did actually come somewhat organically. That wasn’t the case with my last series, The Tiger at Midnight. My working title for the book stuck!
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
I think the ending scene, which I can’t give away. But that one really ties so many parts of the book together—thematically, emotionally, and plot-wise. Plus, it was so much fun to write.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
To keep going even when you want to give up. The act of writing a book is really an act of perseverance against all odds, whether it’s your work/school/family schedule or your brain gremlins telling you that your book is no good. Either way, you must keep going. The world wants to see your stories.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
I LOVE the vibe of it, from the intricate tapestry to Deepa on the couch with the flower and the stack of books nearby. The book cover perfectly encapsulates how I want readers to feel when they’re reading the book—warm, textured, cozy.
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2024?
I’m so excited Samantha Markum’s LOVE, OFF THE RECORD. I love a good rivals to lovers, plus it’s set in college!
YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
I absolutely loved Axie Oh’s XOXO, which I thought was the perfect mix of heart-warming and funny, all bundled up in a K-Pop romance.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I have another project coming soon, but can’t talk about it yet! Keep an eye out for Spring 2025.
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
Rohit, the new neighbor and dream boy for Deepa. I knew there was a deeper layer to him but it took me until the third draft to really figure it out and better understand him.
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?
That there is no such thing as the “perfect” life, or moment, or way to do things. And sometimes the best things that happen to you will happen when you’re looking the other way.
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
You can’t fix a blank page. Get words down in any shape or form they come and then worry about making them good.
Title: The Boyfriend Wish
Author: Swati Teerdhala
Illustrator: Anjali Mehta
Release Date: February 13, 2024
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: YA Romantic Comedy
Age Range: 13+
