Elle McNicoll has always been a writer who combines wit with heart, and in Wish You Were Her she brings that signature blend into the realm of romantic comedy. Known for her earlier works like A Kind of Spark and Show Us Who You Are, McNicoll has built a reputation for portraying autistic protagonists with sensitivity and authenticity. This latest novel takes her hallmark strengths into a romcom setting, offering readers both a lighthearted romance and a thoughtful exploration of identity, communication, and belonging.
The Story at a Glance
“Wish You Were Her” follows Allegra Brooks, an eighteen-year-old who has just shot to fame after starring in a hit TV show. The world knows her as an overnight sensation, but what they don’t know is that she is autistic. Overwhelmed by the pressure of celebrity life, Allegra craves normalcy and decides to spend the summer in Lake Pristine, a small town famous for its book festival.
Her plans for a quiet summer are immediately disrupted by Jonah Thorne, the surly senior bookseller who runs the festival. Their initial encounters are fraught with tension, misunderstanding, and open hostility. Yet in the midst of this, Allegra begins exchanging increasingly personal emails with an anonymous bookseller—someone who seems to understand her better than anyone else. What she doesn’t realize, at least at first, is how close these two worlds might collide.
The setup is familiar to fans of classic romcoms like You’ve Got Mail or Notting Hill, but McNicoll brings her own voice to the genre, grounding the story in a deeply personal perspective.
Allegra Brooks: A Protagonist Worth Rooting For
Allegra is the novel’s most compelling force. She is sharp, funny, and unapologetically herself, even when the world pressures her to conform. Her autism is not treated as a quirk or token trait but as an essential part of her identity that shapes the way she experiences fame, friendship, and love. And her desire for a “normal teenage summer” is both relatable and poignant, reminding readers of the universal longing for spaces where one can simply belong without performance.
Her inner voice—captured in witty narration and heartfelt emails—creates a bond between her and the reader. McNicoll’s greatest strength lies in how she writes Allegra with equal parts vulnerability and strength, refusing to reduce her to stereotypes.
Jonah Thorne: More Than a Surly Antagonist
At first glance, Jonah is the stereotypical grumpy bookseller, critical and unwelcoming. His brusque manner makes it easy for readers to side with Allegra in their early clashes. However, McNicoll gradually develops Jonah into a more nuanced character. His guardedness masks his own disappointments and insecurities, and as Allegra pushes against his walls, layers of complexity emerge.
That said, some readers may find his initial hostility too harsh, even off-putting, before his eventual redemption softens him. While his character arc ultimately works, it risks alienating those who prefer a gentler trajectory from enemy to love interest.
Themes that Resonate
Autism and Authenticity
McNicoll continues her commitment to authentic autistic representation. Allegra’s challenges with overstimulation, masking, and navigating relationships are shown with empathy and clarity. Importantly, the book avoids any narrative of “fixing” her. Instead, it celebrates Allegra’s perspective and highlights the ways in which others must learn to meet her where she is.
Fame and Privacy
Through Allegra’s struggles with sudden stardom, McNicoll critiques the invasiveness of celebrity culture. The novel raises questions about how much of ourselves we are allowed to keep private when the world insists on consuming every detail of a public figure’s life.
Communication and Misunderstanding
The anonymous emails serve as a clever device to contrast Allegra’s guarded public life with her unfiltered private voice. They highlight how miscommunication often stems not from what is said, but from what is assumed. In Allegra and Jonah’s story, true connection requires stripping away assumptions to see one another clearly.
Writing Style and Tone
McNicoll’s writing strikes a delicate balance between breezy romcom charm and emotional depth. The dialogue, especially the banter between Allegra and Jonah, sparkles with humor. The descriptions of Lake Pristine create a cozy small-town backdrop that amplifies the novel’s themes of community and connection.
Where “Wish You Were Her” stumbles is in pacing. The antagonism between Allegra and Jonah lasts longer than necessary, stretching the middle sections. Likewise, the anonymous-bookseller twist, while charming, is somewhat predictable from early on, muting the impact of its eventual reveal. Still, these structural hiccups are outweighed by the warmth of the prose and the emotional resonance of Allegra’s voice.
Strengths
- Representation: Allegra’s autism is depicted with nuance and care.
- Romantic Tension: The banter and email exchanges are engaging and heartfelt.
- Atmosphere: The book festival setting and small-town feel are vividly drawn.
- Heartfelt Themes: Explores fame, privacy, and authenticity beyond typical romcom territory.
Weaknesses
- Predictability: The email identity reveal is obvious too soon.
- Jonah’s Hostility: His early harshness might push some readers away.
- Supporting Cast: Some side characters feel one-dimensional.
- Uneven Pacing: The conflict stretches longer than it needs to, slowing the story’s momentum.
Who Should Read This Book
Wish You Were Her is perfect for readers who enjoy romantic comedies with a little more depth. If you love You’ve Got Mail, Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter, or The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, you’ll find similar charm here. Fans of Elle McNicoll’s earlier novels, particularly A Kind of Spark, will appreciate how she brings her authentic representation into a new genre.
Final Thoughts
Wish You Were Her is a delightful mix of romcom fun and heartfelt exploration. Elle McNicoll proves that the genre can be playful while still tackling themes of identity, visibility, and belonging. Allegra Brooks is a heroine who lingers in the reader’s mind: flawed, funny, and fiercely herself. Jonah Thorne, while occasionally difficult, ultimately complements her journey in a way that feels earned.
The novel’s flaws—predictability, pacing, and occasionally thin secondary characters—are real but forgivable. What remains most memorable is Allegra’s voice, the warmth of the email exchanges, and the reminder that true love comes from being seen for who you are, not who the world expects you to be.
Wish You Were Her is more than a romcom. It’s a story about connection, authenticity, and the courage to step into the world on your own terms.
