As You Wish - by Leesa Cross-Smith (Paperback)

About the Book

"For Lydia, Jenny, and Selene, au pairing in Seoul is the opportunity of a lifetime. Lydia wants nothing more than to transform into a leading lady; Jenny is determined to swear off love for good 5,955 miles away from her ex; and Selene is convinced working in Korea will finally lead her to her biological mother. During a combined family vacation with their host families, the women visit an enchanted waterfall on Jeju Island and make a wish under a full moon. Overnight, everything changes. Suddenly, Lydia is the girl everyone wants--except, strangely, her mysterious art class partner from Spain. Jenny is having secret, no-strings-attached fun with her host mom's irresistible younger brother. And Selene is finally getting somewhere in her search for her mother thanks to a research-savvy photographer. But when Jenny's romantic feelings begin to deepen, she realizes her wish is standing in the way of true, lasting love. Her decision to return to the waterfall will have unexpected consequences and force the au pairs to confront the hardest question of all. Could it be that their friendship was the real magic all along?"--

Book Synopsis

They say be careful what you wish for...

An ELLE Best Book of Summer 2025

For Lydia, Jenny, and Selene, au pairing in Seoul is the opportunity of a lifetime. Lydia wants nothing more than to transform into a leading lady; Jenny is determined to swear off love for good 5,955 miles away from her ex; and Selene is convinced working in Korea will finally lead her to her biological mother.

During a combined family vacation with their host families, the women visit an enchanted waterfall on Jeju Island and make a wish under a full moon. Overnight, everything changes. Suddenly, Lydia is the girl everyone wants--except, strangely, her mysterious art class partner from Spain. Jenny is having secret, no-strings-attached fun with her host mom's irresistible younger brother. And Selene is finally getting somewhere in her search for her mother thanks to a research-savvy photographer.

But when Jenny's romantic feelings begin to deepen, she realizes her wish is standing in the way of true, lasting love. Her decision to return to the waterfall will have unexpected consequences and force the au pairs to confront the hardest question of all. Could it be that their friendship was the real magic all along?

Review Quotes

Praise for As You Wish

"Get ready to be transported to Korea--Leesa Cross-Smith has brewed a tale as comforting as barley tea steeped in romance, adventure, and a sprinkle of magic. A heartwarming testimony to the power of love, family, and second chances, As You Wish is the perfect feel-good story, as well as a beautiful reminder to believe in our dreams and treasure our friendships."
―Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

"Even if Cross-Smith had never imagined a legendary waterfall rumored to grant wishes, there would be magic dripping from every page of As You Wish. This novel will transport you to Seoul, dip you in the bright, healing waters of Korean culture, embrace you with the warmth of found family and friendship, then leave you longing for your own daring adventure."
―Christy Schillig, author of Wish You Weren't Here

"A cozy escape that reminds us every wish carries its own shadow--and that sometimes the happiest ending is finding the people who understand yours."
―ELLE

"As You Wish is a charming coming-of-age novel about all the ways to fall in love―with a romantic partner, with friends, with a city, and ultimately, with oneself. Leesa Cross-Smith delivers three remarkably distinct voices in Lydia, Jenny, and Selene, and I couldn't help but root for all of them. With a supportive found family, a whole heap of delectable Korean food, and a hint of magic, As You Wish is an absolute must-read."
―Melissa Wiesner, author of The Second Chance Year

"A cozy, warm hug of a novel. Leesa Cross-Smith's lush prose is made for lingering."
―Elise Bryant, author of It's Elementary

"A heartfelt coming-of-age story full of self-reflection and a longing for acceptance."
―Geek Girl Authority

"Sweet, sexy, and magical―I could never wait to dip back into the warm and comforting world of this book. Made me want to book a flight to Seoul immediately! A gorgeous setting, characters I rooted for from the off, and the most delicious Korean food descriptions―highly recommend."
―Lorraine Brown, author of The Paris Connection

"A gorgeously romantic exploration of what it means to fall in love, layered with a touch of magic and incredible food. You'll be booking a ticket to Seoul after reading!"
―Lily Chu, author of The Comeback

"Sweeping settings, journeys of self-discovery, magical moments . . . Leesa Cross-Smith's newest novel has it all . . . A deeply joyful, cinematic story!"
―Woman's World Book Club

"A poignant, magical insight into friendship wrapped in a love letter to South Korea."
―Roselle Lim, author of Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop

"Charming and heartwarming . . . Readers [will] root for all three of the au pairs to find love and fulfill their wishes."
―Booklist

Praise for Leesa Cross-Smith

"Leesa Cross-Smith is a consummate storyteller." ―Roxane Gay, New York Times bestselling author

"I can't help devouring Leesa Cross-Smith's prose like it's candy, with turns of phrase so unexpected and delightful, so uniquely her own, that I just want to chew and chew them...Goodbye Earl makes murder as delicious as cherry pie." ―Rufi Thorpe, author of The Knockout Queen and The Girls From Corona Del Mar

"Cross-Smith's incredible, easy voice will make your skin crawl one moment and give you goosebumps the next, then smooth out your frazzled emotions with a contented, sunshiny vibe two pages later." ―Associated Press

"Leesa Cross-Smith's richly vivid prose pulls you in and transports you to Paris [in Half-Blown Rose]...An utterly intoxicating story of love, betrayal, and loyalty." ―Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Malibu Rising

"A brilliant, sexy, funny masterpiece. Reading her stunning prose is a full-blown experience. Within the deeply intimate worlds she conjures [in Half-Blown Rose], she captures love, lust, and longing with such emotional intricacy and verve, I'm fairly certain I read this entire book with my hand pressed against my heart." ―Deesha Philyaw, author of National Book Award 2020 finalist The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

"By far the most exhilarating and sexy American-in-Paris story I've ever read. Leesa Cross-Smith's Half-Blown Rose is smart, intriguing, and pure delight." ―Lily King, New York Times bestselling author of Writers & Lovers

"This Close to Okay hits the ground running. Cross-Smith writes tenderly about the trial and error of intimacy and draws you in with enormous warmth and control." ―Raven Leilani, New York Times bestselling author of Luster

"[In So You Can Glow, ] Leesa Cross-Smith writes the way many people wish they could: ferociously, tenderly, and with a tremendous amount of heart." ―Kristen Arnett, New York Times bestselling author of Mostly Dead Things

About the Author

Leesa Cross-Smith is a homemaker and the author of seven books. She was longlisted for the 2022 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award and the 2021 Joyce Carol Oates Prize. Her third novel, Half-Blown Rose, received the Coups de Coeur recognition from the American Library in Paris and was the Amazon Editors' Spotlight pick for June 2022. It was also the inaugural pick for Amazon Editorial Director Sarah Gelman's book club, Sarah Selects, and a Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. She lives in Kentucky with her husband and two children.