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Wanting
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jul 25
A searing debut novel of envy, longing, and regret across three lives and two countries that asks how far we’ll go for a friendship, a romance, a dream.
Ye Lian is thriving in Beijing. She has a well-paid job, a nice boyfriend, and plans to marry and move into a luxury high-rise apartment. She’s wanting for nothing–until her childhood best friend, Luo Wenyu, comes whirling back into her life after a decade in California with seemingly everything–a successful career as an influencer, a millionaire American fiancé, and a bespoke mansion in the Beijing suburbs–throwing Lian’s own reliable choices into high relief.
As the two women rekindle their friendship, Wenyu reveals a shocking secret about a past love that pushes Lian to question her own relationship. A few neighborhoods away, aging architect Song Chen is forced to confront his own past and the dissolution of his marriage as he’s tasked with building Wenyu’s dream home. And when the dark side of Wenyu’s enviable life emerges and threatens everything Lian and Wenyu have built for themselves, they must make a choice between the stable known and the frightening unknown that may have devastating and unexpected consequences.
In girlhood memories and karaoke afternoons in Xidan Square, in aspirational YouTube channels and billboard ads, in private hotel rendezvous and secret WeChat messages, Claire Jia’s debut novel is a love letter to friendship; a powder keg of impossible, interwoven desires; a siren song that explores why, even as it destroys us, we always want more.
Ye Lian is thriving in Beijing. She has a well-paid job, a nice boyfriend, and plans to marry and move into a luxury high-rise apartment. She’s wanting for nothing–until her childhood best friend, Luo Wenyu, comes whirling back into her life after a decade in California with seemingly everything–a successful career as an influencer, a millionaire American fiancé, and a bespoke mansion in the Beijing suburbs–throwing Lian’s own reliable choices into high relief.
As the two women rekindle their friendship, Wenyu reveals a shocking secret about a past love that pushes Lian to question her own relationship. A few neighborhoods away, aging architect Song Chen is forced to confront his own past and the dissolution of his marriage as he’s tasked with building Wenyu’s dream home. And when the dark side of Wenyu’s enviable life emerges and threatens everything Lian and Wenyu have built for themselves, they must make a choice between the stable known and the frightening unknown that may have devastating and unexpected consequences.
In girlhood memories and karaoke afternoons in Xidan Square, in aspirational YouTube channels and billboard ads, in private hotel rendezvous and secret WeChat messages, Claire Jia’s debut novel is a love letter to friendship; a powder keg of impossible, interwoven desires; a siren song that explores why, even as it destroys us, we always want more.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 25, 2025
Claire Jia’s debut novel, Wanting, is a striking exploration of envy, longing, and the roads not taken. Through the intertwined lives of Ye Lian, Luo Wenyu, and Song Chen, the story examines how our choices shape us—and how, no matter how much we have, we often find ourselves wondering, what if?
I really enjoyed this novel, especially its honest portrayal of girlhood and the emotional turbulence that comes with hitting a quarter-life crisis. Jia captures the way life can feel like a constant comparison game, where the grass always seems greener on the other side. Having spent my 20s living abroad—immersed in different cultures, learning languages, and making friends from all over the world—I could deeply relate to the mindset of these characters. Even now, I sometimes find myself reflecting on the paths I didn’t take. Did I make the right choices? Could things have been different?
One of the novel’s strongest elements is its emotional depth. The longing and uncertainty that linger beneath the surface of Lian and Wenyu’s friendship feel incredibly real. The novel resonates because it taps into a universal feeling: the idea that, no matter where we end up, we sometimes question if it’s enough.
My only critique lies in the book’s structure. The narrative felt like one continuous flow, without clear breaks or pauses, making it feel like a long, run-on chapter. While this may have been an intentional stylistic choice, I found myself wishing for more structured moments to breathe.
That said, Wanting is a solid four-star read for me. It’s an evocative novel that would make for a fantastic discussion among friends, especially those who have ever questioned their own life choices.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tin House Books for the free eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
I really enjoyed this novel, especially its honest portrayal of girlhood and the emotional turbulence that comes with hitting a quarter-life crisis. Jia captures the way life can feel like a constant comparison game, where the grass always seems greener on the other side. Having spent my 20s living abroad—immersed in different cultures, learning languages, and making friends from all over the world—I could deeply relate to the mindset of these characters. Even now, I sometimes find myself reflecting on the paths I didn’t take. Did I make the right choices? Could things have been different?
One of the novel’s strongest elements is its emotional depth. The longing and uncertainty that linger beneath the surface of Lian and Wenyu’s friendship feel incredibly real. The novel resonates because it taps into a universal feeling: the idea that, no matter where we end up, we sometimes question if it’s enough.
My only critique lies in the book’s structure. The narrative felt like one continuous flow, without clear breaks or pauses, making it feel like a long, run-on chapter. While this may have been an intentional stylistic choice, I found myself wishing for more structured moments to breathe.
That said, Wanting is a solid four-star read for me. It’s an evocative novel that would make for a fantastic discussion among friends, especially those who have ever questioned their own life choices.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tin House Books for the free eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
February 7, 2025
‘Wanting� is a novel full of introspective characters all pondering some version of the same question: What if I had chosen differently? Whether in choice of partner, career, location, friendships, or any number of factors, wondering “what if� is a universal experience that Jia captures beautifully in her character arcs. Ultimately, as in life, Jia’s characters are left to deal with the consequences (and sometimes, wreckage) of their decisions and their chosen paths. Parts of the ending felt a little flat to me, but at the end of the day, this was a worthwhile read and would be great for a bookclub discussion. Thank you to Edelweiss and W.W. Norton for the ARC!
March 18, 2025
4/5 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Tin House Books for an ARC of this novel-- what a pleasure to have been able to read this months ahead of its official publication, seriously.
In few other books I've read have I felt so... seen--- and not in a physical sense but psychological and even emotional way. As the title frames it, this book is about wanting, both from other people but even just from ourselves- independent of other people, and what we give, take, and forgo in pursuit of.... something. But what is that 'something'? Is it something about how other people perceive us, is it about self-perception, is it about possessing something or not needing to possess something? Is it one thing or many things? Lastly, is it about actually obtaining something or is it simply the pursuit of a goal? Whatever the answer, I was enraptured by Claire Jia's writing in her characters and their lives, the thoughts she cleverly poses to a reader.
Along with the great philosophical puzzle 'Wanting' put before me, the composition of the story and its pieces were magnificent to experience. There was a clarity to 'Wanting's narrative though it didn't show its cards all at once nor all-too-soon; and there were so many smart parallels and well-done continuities between various characters and in the narration.
All to say, I loved this book-- even as an ARC!-- and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I read it again in its finished form come July.
In few other books I've read have I felt so... seen--- and not in a physical sense but psychological and even emotional way. As the title frames it, this book is about wanting, both from other people but even just from ourselves- independent of other people, and what we give, take, and forgo in pursuit of.... something. But what is that 'something'? Is it something about how other people perceive us, is it about self-perception, is it about possessing something or not needing to possess something? Is it one thing or many things? Lastly, is it about actually obtaining something or is it simply the pursuit of a goal? Whatever the answer, I was enraptured by Claire Jia's writing in her characters and their lives, the thoughts she cleverly poses to a reader.
Along with the great philosophical puzzle 'Wanting' put before me, the composition of the story and its pieces were magnificent to experience. There was a clarity to 'Wanting's narrative though it didn't show its cards all at once nor all-too-soon; and there were so many smart parallels and well-done continuities between various characters and in the narration.
All to say, I loved this book-- even as an ARC!-- and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I read it again in its finished form come July.
Want to read
March 10, 2025love a good story about girlhood and friendship
thank you to the publisher for the e-arc!
thank you to the publisher for the e-arc!
April 1, 2025
So, I've rounded down this 3.5 star title because the further into the book I read, the less I found myself enjoying it. Only for the suspense to return, ebb and flow, and then let me down again.
The heart of the novel is the friendship between Lian and Wenyu, girlhood besties who drift apart only to fall back into each other many years, and many experiences, later. Our girls seem to have an easy pattern that lasts throughout their lives. Their friendship, "with its obsession and envy," is intense, is enviable, feels real. It's easy to picture the Americanized YouTube personality, documenting their perfect life for their fans who fantasize about their own lives being as grand, as beautiful, as rich, as happy. The mask of the online persona slipping only for a dearest friend, the loyalty and sacrifice in the name of friendship, the uncertainty of whether something is true or we're just unable to let go of the past, the lies we tell ourselves and others in the name of wanting. All these things are aspects of a stellar part one to the story. I'm a sucker for a devoted friendship, and that's what I got with these two women.
In part two, the story of Chen and Fan, I was at times completely intrigued to continue flipping through pages but at other times was unable to relate or care, feeling parts of their story lingered too long. While the wanting is still obvious in this section of the novel, it focuses on different elements of wanting, different desires and sacrifices, different choices. While perhaps equally, or even more, realistic than the relationship(s) in part one, the emphasis in part two was just harder to enjoy. Much earlier in the book, Jia wrote about the separation of karma and revenge, "that one was predestined, the natural consequence of one's actions; the other, a human plot. Both pointed to some initial debt." Exciting, and certainly more a focus in this "chapter," but, ultimately, disappointing.
I found the connection between part one characters and part two characters... charming. A reminder that we all know somebody who knows somebody, the seven degrees of knowing, reminding us, perhaps, the world isn't as big as we make it seem. I appreciated that it wasn't some grandiose revelation, even if I felt other aspects of the conclusion were lacking. The first part of the book was so strong, I'd anticipated the remainder to be as captivating. The pacing, the prose, the character studies, the wanting, it's still all there. It just didn't leave me feeling... obsessed.
Some of the main characters "romanticize a time in their lives when their dreams were boundless-when they were young and friends were plenty," while others wonder what it would be like to get something they'd "actually yearned for." Still, each thinks about "all the almosts or not-at-alls" and wonders what life could have been had they but made one different choice. Or many different choices. These are easily relatable questions with billions of differing answers, so I agree with some other reviewers that this would be an excellent book club read. All in all, I don't think you'd be disappointed reading this. Maybe you'll even do some reflection and decide what you want, too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tin House for this e-ARC.
The heart of the novel is the friendship between Lian and Wenyu, girlhood besties who drift apart only to fall back into each other many years, and many experiences, later. Our girls seem to have an easy pattern that lasts throughout their lives. Their friendship, "with its obsession and envy," is intense, is enviable, feels real. It's easy to picture the Americanized YouTube personality, documenting their perfect life for their fans who fantasize about their own lives being as grand, as beautiful, as rich, as happy. The mask of the online persona slipping only for a dearest friend, the loyalty and sacrifice in the name of friendship, the uncertainty of whether something is true or we're just unable to let go of the past, the lies we tell ourselves and others in the name of wanting. All these things are aspects of a stellar part one to the story. I'm a sucker for a devoted friendship, and that's what I got with these two women.
In part two, the story of Chen and Fan, I was at times completely intrigued to continue flipping through pages but at other times was unable to relate or care, feeling parts of their story lingered too long. While the wanting is still obvious in this section of the novel, it focuses on different elements of wanting, different desires and sacrifices, different choices. While perhaps equally, or even more, realistic than the relationship(s) in part one, the emphasis in part two was just harder to enjoy. Much earlier in the book, Jia wrote about the separation of karma and revenge, "that one was predestined, the natural consequence of one's actions; the other, a human plot. Both pointed to some initial debt." Exciting, and certainly more a focus in this "chapter," but, ultimately, disappointing.
I found the connection between part one characters and part two characters... charming. A reminder that we all know somebody who knows somebody, the seven degrees of knowing, reminding us, perhaps, the world isn't as big as we make it seem. I appreciated that it wasn't some grandiose revelation, even if I felt other aspects of the conclusion were lacking. The first part of the book was so strong, I'd anticipated the remainder to be as captivating. The pacing, the prose, the character studies, the wanting, it's still all there. It just didn't leave me feeling... obsessed.
Some of the main characters "romanticize a time in their lives when their dreams were boundless-when they were young and friends were plenty," while others wonder what it would be like to get something they'd "actually yearned for." Still, each thinks about "all the almosts or not-at-alls" and wonders what life could have been had they but made one different choice. Or many different choices. These are easily relatable questions with billions of differing answers, so I agree with some other reviewers that this would be an excellent book club read. All in all, I don't think you'd be disappointed reading this. Maybe you'll even do some reflection and decide what you want, too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tin House for this e-ARC.
March 27, 2025
3.5/5 stars. That loss of 1/2 might be more due to me as the reader not being the target audience?
I was already thinking this novel isn’t for me based on the authors note: “…friendship is most intense when you’re wanting, and wanting is intensified by friendship.�
A book blurb says it’s a “love letter to friendship�. Really? Not any friendship I’d want to have.
Readers who enjoy Liane Moriarty are likely to enjoy Wanting. Although it doesn’t have the same length, I think readers who enjoyed The Goldfinch might also enjoy Wanting.
It starts off almost as if it’s a beach read, but it’s half-literary. Claire Jia is an insightful and clever writer. She leaves room for the reader to reach their own conclusions and make the connections. I could also picture it being a modern C-drama, the type that Apple produces in the US. (Lin Yi would play Zhetai.)
The first part focuses on Lian, a superficial, insecure, and petty 29-year-old woman. I found her unlikeable and boring—which means there was room for character growth.
The second part is focuses on Chen and his current goals and situation.
The third part then is how they connect. But don’t expect a strong connection. That’s not really the crux of the story. There are things the main characters have in common and Chen is I think around 55 years old.
While there is some character growth for Lian, it’s not a massive unbelievable 180. Our author is showing us how the thoughts and behaviors of cheaters and liars affect their lives and others at a variety of life stages.
I realize this review might make it sound like I didn’t enjoy the book. I actually couldn’t put it down. I’m not one for these type of characters (grossly flawed and unlikeable; two of them arguably sociopaths). But the writing compelled me and Jia (or her narrator) has distinctive perspectives and interpretations, not all of which I think we agree on. This will make it a great book club read—a lot of discussion to be had.
Thank you to Tin House and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was already thinking this novel isn’t for me based on the authors note: “…friendship is most intense when you’re wanting, and wanting is intensified by friendship.�
A book blurb says it’s a “love letter to friendship�. Really? Not any friendship I’d want to have.
Readers who enjoy Liane Moriarty are likely to enjoy Wanting. Although it doesn’t have the same length, I think readers who enjoyed The Goldfinch might also enjoy Wanting.
It starts off almost as if it’s a beach read, but it’s half-literary. Claire Jia is an insightful and clever writer. She leaves room for the reader to reach their own conclusions and make the connections. I could also picture it being a modern C-drama, the type that Apple produces in the US. (Lin Yi would play Zhetai.)
The first part focuses on Lian, a superficial, insecure, and petty 29-year-old woman. I found her unlikeable and boring—which means there was room for character growth.
The second part is focuses on Chen and his current goals and situation.
The third part then is how they connect. But don’t expect a strong connection. That’s not really the crux of the story. There are things the main characters have in common and Chen is I think around 55 years old.
While there is some character growth for Lian, it’s not a massive unbelievable 180. Our author is showing us how the thoughts and behaviors of cheaters and liars affect their lives and others at a variety of life stages.
I realize this review might make it sound like I didn’t enjoy the book. I actually couldn’t put it down. I’m not one for these type of characters (grossly flawed and unlikeable; two of them arguably sociopaths). But the writing compelled me and Jia (or her narrator) has distinctive perspectives and interpretations, not all of which I think we agree on. This will make it a great book club read—a lot of discussion to be had.
Thank you to Tin House and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2025
*4.5
Thank you so so much to Tin House and NetGalley for the ARC. I absolutely loved it. The writing style was perfection - the author was able to keep me grasped throughout the whole book and captured feelings so well. I loved the complexity of the characters and the way it described "wanting" and desire, as well as how it delved deep on the characters' struggle with identity and success. As someone who is also an immigrant that struggles to discern "belonging" and to define what "home" is, this book was so incredibly relatable and made me feel less lonely. I also loved the way the story keeps you in your toes until the very end. Finally, the author was able to capture an inner struggle I have had for a while of trying to understand and define for myself what "greatness" and "success" means, and how much it is defined by ourselves or dictated by society.
Thank you so so much to Tin House and NetGalley for the ARC. I absolutely loved it. The writing style was perfection - the author was able to keep me grasped throughout the whole book and captured feelings so well. I loved the complexity of the characters and the way it described "wanting" and desire, as well as how it delved deep on the characters' struggle with identity and success. As someone who is also an immigrant that struggles to discern "belonging" and to define what "home" is, this book was so incredibly relatable and made me feel less lonely. I also loved the way the story keeps you in your toes until the very end. Finally, the author was able to capture an inner struggle I have had for a while of trying to understand and define for myself what "greatness" and "success" means, and how much it is defined by ourselves or dictated by society.
April 8, 2025
"Wanting" is absolutely perfect. Jia paints such a nuanced picture of friendship that its characters felt like close friends (or frenemies) by the end. It's a great mix of literary and universal; I couldn't put it down, but the writing is so beautiful that I had to stop to reread a few of the best passages. Highly recommend!
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