The Boyfriend Wish

Seventeen-year-old Indian American high school junior Deepa Josyula has everything planned out for “the perfect Edison High School experience.” Next on her list is finding a boyfriend and asking him to the Winterfest Dance. Things quickly go sideways when a prank by classmate and longtime nemesis Vik results in the two teens being paired up to plan an upcoming school event. Then handsome Rohit moves into Deepa’s neighborhood, and he seems like the perfect candidate for her long-coveted dream boyfriend. To test whether Rohit meets all the criteria on her detailed list, Deepa forms a scheme: go on three romantic dates with—and receive one magical kiss from—Rohit. But Vik keeps derailing Deepa’s plans. Leisurely pacing allows ample time for the teens’ shenanigans—and the emotions that fuel an emergent love triangle—to unfold, while lovable characters and an entertaining rivals-to-lovers twist adds bite to this delightfully digestible, lightly fantastical rom-com by Teerdhala (the Tiger at Midnight series). Ages 13–up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary. (Feb.)