Review Detail

“The Boyfriend Wish” by Swati Teerdhala tells the story of high school student Deepa and her friends and family. Deepa’s life revolves around school and her friends. She lives on a cul-de-sac with her closest pals, and she finds that life is going pretty well. That is, until a problem occurs when she tries to wish for the perfect boyfriend, and then is surprised when her wish seemingly comes true! Little does she know that the perfect guy may have been closer than she could have ever admitted. While Rohit seems perfect when he moves into the cul-de-sac and takes an interest in her, she finds herself continually pulled toward Vikram, her next-door neighbor and arch nemesis in the prank war that the kids on the cul-de-sac play against each other. Vik’s personality infuriates her, but it also keeps her on her toes, and despite her ever-growing annoyance with him, she finds that being around Vik isn’t quite as bad as she expected after not having been friends with him on a closer basis for several years. Yet, Rohit has it all, but the connection isn’t quite as deep. He doesn’t “get” her the way Vik does, and while she desperately tries to make her wish to have Rohit be her boyfriend pan out, she finds herself stuck in a conundrum—is that really what she wants?

Swati Teerdhala has crafted an engrossing, romantic, thoroughly enjoyable story about young love, crushes, and the worries that come along with it all.