I had mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the first 1/2 and getting to know Diana and what she wanted out of life. Once the plot twist happens I kind of disconnected from the story. Definitely not one of my favorites from Picoult.

Sorry for the delay! I was this in 2021 and somehow never left a review. Not sure how that got overlooked. The story was a surprise twist and not at all what was expected. Highly recommend! Another winner for Jodi Picoult!

Jodi Picoult, is one of those authors that you know will put out an amazing book. This was was no exception. Her books are always so easy to read, and you will not want to put this one down!

Wow this book really spun me in a few circles. The central character Diana is about to go to the Galapagos islands but then COVID begins shutting everything down. She has the opportunity to leave the city and go the trip but this will mean her doctor fiance has to stay back. Then the story really takes off when Diana decides to go on the trip with the expectation of meeting back with her fiance soon. I'll stop there and not risk spoiling the story but that's when the real adventure begins.
I love how original this book was, unlike anything else I have read in quite awhile. I loved the exotic location as well as the fascinating cast of characters. And there were even a few twists that came along I did not expect.
While is book could be catergorized as romance I feel it was much more, capturing some of the fear of the early COVID pandemic definitely added some grit to the story. A very solid read and not easy to forget. 4/5 stars
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If a book could capture the feeling that Americans went through the during the beginning of 2020 this book would be it!

This is going to be a polarizing book—and there’s not much I can say without spoiling a VERY big reveal—but I fell squarely on the side of it being a masterpiece. I absolutely loved it. So we’ll-written, unique, and unputdownable.

I was beyond looking forward to this book, but unfortunately this is one of my biggest disappointing reads so far this year..

I never really felt connected with the main character- I was annoyed with her for most of the book.

The "twist" towards the ends was surprising...and not in a good way at all.
Ruined it for me actually.

This wont be my last read by Jodi Picoult, I really do enjoy her writing, But this one completely missed the mark.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ebook in exchange for a honest review.

This book was not my favorite, mostly because of the COVID-19 portion. Maybe I read it at the wrong time. While I enjoy books that incorporate pandemics into the storytelling, this felt like more of a plot device. I enjoy Picoult's other work, but this was not for me.

This book was beautiful. In Picoult’s usual style, it had a great reveal about 60% through that completely changed the direction of the story. I loved the luscious descriptions of the Galapagos, the developing relationships, and the brutal truth of what Covid was like.

As always happens with a Picoult book, I felt emotionally pulled in so many directions. I loved this book!

This was my first Jodi Picoult book and it won't be my last! I have heard about this author a ton but never took the plunge of reading her books. I enjoyed the book. The cover art is fantastic as well.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

Another amazing novel by Jodi Picoult - this time with a "WOW" twist.

At times it was difficult to read this. It brings back memories of a difficult time in our recent history. The perspective of what it was like in a hospital setting was heartbreaking - it was eye opening to be part of it as opposed to just hearing it on the news.

Picoult never fails to amaze as an author.

This was at times tough to read, given my work in an acute care hospital where at one point, half of our patient population was admitted with Covid. I identified so much with Finn’s letters. Jodi Picoult is a master of writing thoughtful novels about difficult and sometimes polarizing ideas.

Oh, this author can spin a tale! I'm always eager to read a new novel by Picoult. As usual, the story is unpredictable and exciting. You'll be turning pages as I did, whether wandering hospital corridors, living on an island, or examining the working of Diana's inner life.

Always worth taking along if you're going on a long trip, waiting for appointments, or need a novel to read before bed. Oh wait - scratch the last. You'll keep reading long past bedtime, so keep it in your tote bag.

This is a story of the resilience of the human spirit in times of strife. The author has created a story during the COVID-19 pandemic that involves the hardship, tragedies, loss, and sacrifices that many in the medical profession had to endure to help others and themselves survive in spite of the dire consequences of this terrible epidemic.

The story also chronicles the life of one woman on her trip to the Galápagos Islands but what she doesn’t realize is that what she is experiencing and seeing is not what it seems. Is she living this life or another?

Many strange things happen during this woman’s sojourn. We feel her angst as she comes to meet obstacles along the way and tries to come to a conclusion about what is real and what is not, what is important and not so, and what makes her happy and what leaves her feeling empty.

There are a myriad of emotions that are emitted that makes the readers think long and hard about life and how important it is.

A wonderful story that I highly recommend as a worthwhile and enjoyable read that brings back the tough times we all had to endure during one of the most trying times of the pandemic for many people.

This book was absolutely mind blowing. I was so enthralled by the story including the COVID-19 pandemic and how she was able to escape to another area that wasn’t as affected and have the experiences she was able to have. BUT THE TWIST! Wow, I never saw that coming. Truly wild that it is based on individuals actual experiences during COVID-19 and includes the after affects on how it affected families. Such an incredible story.

Do you want to hear a great story?! I read this; I really did! I won’t give too much of the story away in case you want to read it but it’s super good and it’s crazy! So……anyways! Here goes…….

This couple has been saving up for this trip for a long, long time and finally, they’ve saved enough money to go. They book their trip, the money is there, they took the time off work, they’re all set. They’re both super excited to go and then, yep…..you got it. Something happened!! One of them can’t go. The boyfriend is a surgical resident at the hospital and he has to work. Now what?

He insists that she go without him. She shouldn’t have the miss the trip because he has to work. She doesn’t want to go without him but the trip is nonrefundable, it’s all paid for and she has the time off. Whatcha’ think? Should she go? Would you? He’s insisting that she go, so she goes.
So, what you thinking? A romantic story? Not really.
Let me finish this, there’s only a small boat to get to the island where they were going to stay. As the boat pulls up to the island, she’s informed that the boat is headed back to the mainland and this will be the last boat for quite some time. The island is shutting down. Think fast! Stay on the island or stay on the boat and go back to the mainland. She’s come this far and she’s not turning back.

I would have done the same thing. Probably not the best decision but how do you know? She’s now on this fantastic, planned vacation complete with her booked hotel that is now closed, all eating and tourist sites closed and she doesn’t speak the countries language. This is supposed to be a fantastic vacation?! She tries to make the best of it, she really does and I loved it! As the community opens up to her, I just couldn’t get enough of this book. It’s like she’d finally discovered life’s meaning, she’s becoming a part of something bigger. Yet, somehow, her boyfriend is connecting with her which is tugging at her heart pulling her back to him. Keeping this rope tied to him while on the island, she’s learning to fly.

I felt she was really breathing, on the island though. When she reconnected to the mainland, her breath was labored and stressed. There were numerous times I found myself talking/yelling out-loud to her as I listened to this book, advising her cut the strings from the mainland and move to the island. How could she not continue on with this great path that she had found? So, what happened? That’s all I’m telling you but this is just the start of her story, my friend. It is just the start.

What a fantastic story! The author threw me for some loops in this book and I fell for them. I had to pick my jaw off the floor for a few of them and I had to tell my husband every last detail of this book whether he wanted to hear it or not as I was super excited about this one. I can see why this one has been so popular. 5 stars for sure!!

Only Jodi Picoult could set a novel in those first scary weeks of COVID and make it incredibly entertaining. Some things that make Picoult's stories so entertaining are that they are surprising, descriptive, and thoroughly researched. Wish You Were Here is no exception. I never expected this story to take me where it did (I'm being intentionally vague to avoid spoilers) and I loved every second of it. The island where much of the novel took place was described so vividly that it feels like a real place. Also, you can also tell that Picoult did her research on the Galapagos Islands and COVID, which goes a long way in making reading this novel an immersive experience. However, the result of this is that it sometimes read more like nonfiction than a novel.

Great book with a good cast of characters. It was a little slow in the first part but picked up from there quickly.

Wish You Were Here is one of my favorite books by Jodi Picoult! Thank you Jodi Picoult, Ballantine and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this incredible ARC.

I have read all of Jodi’s books and despite my familiarity with her style, I was blown away by the twist! Wow…I did not see that coming! What an amazing twist and turn of events! Picoult has created another literary masterpiece, and skillfully crafted a beautiful and unforgettable story in the midst of a worldwide crisis. Wish You Were Here is a story that will stick with readers long after they finish the last page!

Jodi’s descriptions of the environments were so vivid that I felt like I could see everything through her eyes. The character development was flawless, and I loved seeing how the dynamics of their relationships evolved. The questions, curiosities and emotions each character faced was genuine, and I felt gifted to be able to experience their world through Picout’s ability to weave such a brilliant story!

When Diana and Finn are forced to make last minute changes to their travel plans, neither of them knew how quickly the world would change. Unable to leave the hospital during his residency, Finn urges Diana to go on the trip anyways for a much needed reprieve from their busy lives. When Diana arrives at the serene island paradise, she wasn’t sure what to expect. She most certainly didn’t think she’d have to go without the day to day luxuries we have all grown accustomed to though (wifi, shopping, hotel accommodations, etc.). When paradise starts to feel like a trap, she is forced to step out of her comfort zone and the quarantined residents of the island are not exactly welcoming.

With Finn working unbearable hours at the hospital and Diana half a world away, they are both forced to navigate a world of the unknown. When they are finally reunited, the surprises they are both faced with will leave every reader wondering what life would be like if… Sometimes the life we think we’ve chosen may not be as perfect as what our lives could be like if…

To give any more information would risk revealing the twists, but Wish You We’re Here is certainly a must read book that you won’t want to miss!

Reviews are listed on all my affiliated social media platforms, multiple book group and book review platforms. bookseller websites and libraries. Thank you Jodi Picoult, Ballantine and Netgalley!

This book captured my attention right away and did not let go! That twist towards the end really got me!! And by the end of the book I was in tears. I will be a forever fan of this authors work.