Romance

Review: Willowbrook Wishes by Kristen Reads

May 5, 2026

Synopsis:

Can a wish tear down walls around a heart?

In the summer of 1998, Lily Harper drifts into Willowbrook, Ohio, her heart guarded by old scars and a plan to leave as soon as she’s done rebranding the town’s beloved county fair. But Ethan Calloway, the gruff bookstore owner protecting his late father’s legacy, turns her quick exit into a heated clash of wills. Their bickering sparks something deeper, kindled by the Wishing Tree’s hopeful ribbons and starlit summer nights.

As 90s pop songs blast from boomboxes and kids race through the fairgrounds, Willowbrook’s loyal friends weave a community that tugs at Lily’s defenses. Can she trust a town—and a love—worth staying for?

Review:

Is this a true enemies-to-lovers story? Not quite. I’d describe it more as two people meeting under difficult circumstances – starting out wary of each other, not particularly fond, but forced to work together.

Lily and Ethan come from very different backgrounds, each shaped by their own experiences. Lily never knew the comfort of a loving family or the feeling of being truly wanted. As a result, she avoids staying in one place too long and hides behind a carefully crafted façade, making sure no one looks too closely at how fragile her happiness really is. Ethan, on the other hand, grew up in a small town where everyone knew each other and strong personal bonds were the norm. After losing someone important, he struggles with stepping into their role and finding his own path forward.
Both characters are marked by loss and find themselves at a crossroads, unsure how to move on. That sense of being stuck is coming across very well. Though they grieve in different ways, their shared pain quietly connects them. Their fear of change often puts them at odds, leading to frequent clashes, but once they begin to recognise the value in each other’s perspectives, those differences stop feeling like obstacles.

What stood out most was how clearly it came across that both Lily and Ethan have big hearts and care deeply for others – yet have neglected themselves along the way. Watching them slowly grow, heal, and begin to care for one another was genuinely rewarding.
If, like me, you enjoy a slow burn, this is one worth picking up. The banter between them had me smiling often, and even though the endgame was fairly clear, I enjoyed the journey getting there. A few of the 90s references were a gentle reminder that I’m not getting any younger, and while I would have loved to explore both characters’ backgrounds in a bit more depth, this was still a very enjoyable read overall.

🌙 Recension: Willowbrook Wishes (The Willowbrook Series #1) by Kristen Reads
📚 Genre: Romance
📅 Release Date: May 5, 2026
📱 Read as: Kindle
📗 included in Kindle Unlimited
💸 I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages: 463
⭐️ 4/5