Book Review: Wish You Were Here: France by Robin O'Neill

Wish You Were Here: France by Robin O’Neill follows a teen tour group run by Getaway Tours, a company that sends teenagers on week-long, chaperoned trips to destinations around the world. For this particular excursion, Tim and Francine Atkinson serve as the tour guides as they lead five girls and two boys through the south of France. Their journey begins in Carcassonne, located in the Languedoc region, a place steeped in medieval history. While exploring the area, Luci, Jay, Glin, and Logan learn about the legendary Cathar treasure that is rumored to be buried somewhere nearby. Intrigued by the mystery, they set out to uncover the truth behind the legend and discover where the treasure might be hidden.

In high school, I stumbled across a new book series by Robin O’Neill called Wish You Were Here, and it immediately captured my attention. The first book in the series, Wish You Were Here: France, was originally published in July 1996. However, the release timing must have been a little earlier than that, because I already owned and read the first two books quite some time before I traveled to France just a few days after the 1996 Olympics began in Atlanta. Or, the bookstore put the books out before they were supposed to, which I have heard of happening. I live in Atlanta, so I actually missed most of the Olympics while they were happening in my own city but that’s beside the point. What matters is that this series completely enchanted me, and I kept hoping there would be more than the three books that were ultimately published. Unfortunately, from everything I can tell, only the original three books in the Wish You Were Here series were ever released.

One of the things that makes this book so enjoyable is how much you genuinely learn about the setting. The history and geography are woven naturally into the story, and the locations featured are real places you can actually visit. Rennes-le-Château, for example, plays a role in the story, which adds an extra layer of authenticity. It’s a wonderful way to spark a teen’s interest in both history and travel at the same time. Reading it again makes me want to return to France just to see all the places mentioned in the book. That said, the story isn’t all sightseeing and historical facts. There is plenty of adventure, some drama, and even a touch of romance, though nothing too mature or inappropriate for younger readers.

Another standout aspect of the Wish You Were Here series is how different it feels compared to so many other young adult novels. A lot of YA books tend to recycle similar themes and storylines, so it was refreshing to read a work of fiction centered around something so many people love ... travel. I haven’t come across any other YA books that are quite like this series, which makes it all the more disappointing that Robin O’Neill never continued it. I truly wish the author had written more installments, but she seems to have vanished entirely.

I would absolutely recommend Wish You Were Here: France by Robin O'Neill to tweens and teens who have an interest in travel, history, or adventure. Parents can feel comfortable knowing the content is age appropriate and not overly adult. This book earns a solid five out of five stars from me and remains a nostalgic favorite that still holds up years later.