We don’t know about you, but with the warmer weather, we are dying to read more summery YA rom-coms! And we have to say that When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao delivered! We couldn’t get enough of this romantic story!
Summary: Liya and Kai had been best friends since they were little kids, but all that changed when a humiliating incident sparked The Biggest Misunderstanding of All Time—and they haven’t spoken since.
Then Liya discovers her family’s wishing lantern store is struggling, and she decides to resume a tradition she had with her beloved late grandmother: secretly fulfilling the wishes people write on the lanterns they send into the sky. It may boost sales and save the store, but she can’t do it alone . . . and Kai is the only one who cares enough to help.
While working on their covert missions, Liya and Kai rekindle their friendship—and maybe more. But when their feuding families and changing futures threaten to tear them apart again, can they find a way to make their own wishes come true?
Content Warnings: grief, death of a grandparent, death of a sibling (mentioned), cancer (mentioned)
Heartwarming Romance
If we had to describe When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao in one word it would be adorable! We love a great friends-to-lovers story and this book did not disappoint! We couldn’t get enough of Liya and Kai together and seeing their feelings grow over time. If you’re a fan of satisfying slow-burn romances this one is for you! These two characters are perfect for each other in every way, and you can’t help but root for them.
Beautiful Character Development
We’re big fans of books where the main characters learn from their experiences and grow because of them. Not only does this book explore light-hearted topics like wishing lanterns, but it also talks about grief and missing someone important to you. As we followed Liya’s journey of processing the loss of her grandmother, we were inspired by her determination and heart. We also loved seeing Kai become more confident and how both characters supported each other on their journeys.
Full of Culture and Community
Another one of our favorite aspects of When You Wish Upon a Lantern is the community that Liya and Kai live in. Each person within their small neighborhood is unique and offers so much to explore in terms of side character stories. We couldn’t get enough of the scenes where Liya and Kai helped make their community’s lantern wishes come true. The strong sense of unity and trust made the book even more heartwarming. We also loved learning about the festivals that were held and hearing more about Kai’s baking.
An adorable friends-to-lovers romance, filled with baking, wishes, and hope, When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao is a must-read this summer.
Grab your copy of When You Wish Upon a Lantern here!
We’re suckers for a cute romance story! What are some of your favorite romance books? Let us know in the comments below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPop! You can also visit us on Facebook and Instagram!
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