I didn't think I was ready to read a book set during the pandemic, but leave it to Jodi Picoult to write the most perfect book set during Covid. And honestly, until I opened the book, I didn't know it was set during Covid until I saw the first page. I ALWAYS want to read the newest book by Jodi, and so it was on my TBR when Ballantine/Random House sent me an email saying they were giving me an ARC. I was SO excited.

It's such a lovely book. And there is an ingenious plot twist that opens the second half. Some people when they get there are going to so pissed (I'm talking to you, readers who didn't love The Book of Two Ways), but KEEP READING. I promise it does not go the way you expect, and it is such a wonderful exploration of how life can throw you a curveball and whether you catch it or let it pass you by. How do experiences change you? Should they? What can you learn from them?

"Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time.

But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes.

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. The whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders.

Diana finds herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself—and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different."

Thanks to Ballantine Books/Random House and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I didn’t think I was ready to read a novel about covid. I reluctantly did- because of my love for Jodi. I am so glad I did. I loved this book. I loved the twists and turns and I adored Diana.

This book was simply perfect! As someone with anxiety, this book perfectly describes the covid pandemic. The characters are real with emotions that I completely understand. This is going to be a short and sweet review as I don't want to give any spoilers. Just know this is the book we all needed for a real view on covid. This is absolutely the book I didn't know I needed at this time in life!!! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

This book was exactly what I needed to read right now. The beauty of Jodi Picoult is she always crafts stories that are emotionally resonant, but also teach you something and make you consider things in new ways. 

I think the world is still processing Covid and 2020 overall. This book is a thoughtful companion though that process. Seeing another person navigating that time, made me understand my own journey better.

Even though a lot of things were relatable, there are some things about Diana's experience that were completely unexpected and that I did not see coming. It's hard to say too much more without spoilers, but there was one plot point that caught me so off guard that I could not put the book down until I saw how it ended.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book! The emotional journey of the characters, the relationships, and the unexpected direction of the story will stick with me for a long time! 

I knew I had to have this book on my shelf and preordered it right away! It's out November 30th.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.25⭐
PG because you definitely read this book with your mom or your grandma

I think this is a book that will be destined to chronicle what the world was like as life suddenly screeched to a halt in March 2020. Jodi Picoult has always covered hard topics such as cancer and racism is a way that teaches and challenges her readers. This book is probably one of her best.

Jodi Picoult weaves together the story of Diana, a woman stranded in the Galapagos islands exploring a beautiful world while feeling completely isolated from her boyfriend, a medical resident in NYC during the onset of the pandemic. I loved the glimpses into Diana's history from her relationships with her parents to her boyfriend to her best friend while also reliving those early days of 2020 where it was easy to say the pandemic was in Italy and France, not the US.

While I thought the majority of this book was phenomenal, I am still so mad about the twist midway through the book which is honestly the only reason this book isn't getting five stars from me. I don't want to spoil anything so I'll just say it is not my favorite literary choice.

If you're a Jodi Picoult fan or simply enjoy contemporary fiction that will wreck you emotionally, this book will suck you in and spit you out hours later, eyes wet from the last few chapters of this book.

Content warnings for the pandemic, severe illness and death.

I enjoy Jodi Picoult’s books and this is one of her best. Art expert Diana and her medical resident boyfriend Finn are ready to jet off to the Galapagos when COVID hits NYC. Finn can’t leave and Diana has been furloughed so she goes to on the trip alone and gets stranded when travel is shut down. Diana meets a cast of characters on a deserted island and has to barter her art for food and essentials. Finn is stuck in the city dealing with the horrors of the early days of the pandemic. I can say more without major spoilers but the story takes an unexpected twist. Picoult has done an outstanding job not only of showing the immediate impacts of COVID but also done an excellent job of demonstrating how the pandemic has caused so many people to reassess goals and priorities. It is one of my favorite books of this year. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

✨ REVIEW ✨

Wish You Were Here ~ Jodi Picoult

🙏🏼 Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for this gifted eARC copy! Stay tuned - Release date November 30, 2021.

READ IF:

You have dreams of traveling to the Galápagos Islands.
You love a front-line worker.
Jodi Picoult is an author you have followed for almost 30 years and 20+ novels.


SYNOPSIS: Diana O’Toole has it all figured out. She is quickly climbing the ladder at Sotheby’s and her surgical resident boyfriend, Finn, is the man of her dreams - and hopefully her soon-to-be fiancé as they prepare for a trip to the Galápagos Islands.

But with the rise of Covid causing NYC to quickly shut down, Finn is instructed to stay behind and remain on call, leaving Diana to take the trip alone. Upon arrival, she realizes that she has nothing figured out - her luggage goes missing, her hotel shuts down, and she is left without WiFi or any means to leave the island. Then the borders shut down completely and she must wait for the pandemic out alone.

In an attempt to make-do, Diana starts to carve out some daily routines in this most exotic and remote location, including be-friending a local family that she develops a special relationship. Soon Diana’s new life will force her to consider her old, questioning how much she really has figured out after all.

REVIEW: Oh, how I missed Jodi Picoult! The amount of research and attention that she put into this novel is to be admired and praised - from her accounts of ER life in the throes of Covid to her studies of the Galápagos Islands and Darwin’s theory of evolution - this is a true labor of love and I loved every page. Steady pacing allows all the beauty of this novel to unfold perfectly…there is not a line, detail, or development out of place. What I love most is that this book isn’t quite what it initially seems. Yes, you are immediately reminded of what life was like during the Covid shutdown but what you are left with is a powerful narrative on the beauty of adaptability and the ability we all have to follow our hearts and be who we are really destined to be - beyond the veil, in reality, or elsewhere. As someone who experienced a life-changing illness, this book gave me words I never knew I had, further reminding me of the gift of books. Run, don’t walk - reading this is a must. This book will have my heart for years to come.

I received an ARC of Wish You Were Here in exchange for an honest review. This takes place during the time of Covid and is a part of the story. However, as with many Jodi Piccould books, it's about so much more. It is hard to say what the story is about without spoiling it. This is a love story and a story about finding yourself. It seems I rate most of Jodi Picoult's books as either a 3 or a 5. This one is a 5.

I really appreciated the thorough research the author did on the experience of ventilator survivors- that was the best part of this book. I always appreciate Jodi Picoult's writing, but this one was a little predictable for me, and a little covid-preachy.

Another 5 star book from Jodi Picoult! As usual, you can tell that the research was done and The author brings her story to life.
This book begins in March of 2020- so we know where this is going- COVID! And here’s my opinion- I loved the book, I really did. I loved the characters, I loved the characters, I loved how if you follow the author on social media you know her opinions on current events come through. BUT and this is a weird but- I don’t think I would enjoy reading this book 20 years from now, or maybe even 10! Because this was written on a real situation happening right now, the details make sense and I get them. Future me might not get it or might not care. Maybe I’m wrong- who knows!
Either way, thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion, which is- I loved it and will tell my reader friends to check it out!

Oh, what an epic read! Jodi Picoult is such a wonderful storyteller! Was this book a social commentary on the gap between COVID science and deniers? A dream state? A travel-based love story? A documentation of 2020 and pandemic life? A daughter bereft by the loss of her mostly absent mother, who was later struck by dementia? There is SO much to unravel in this book; so many relationships, so many ideas. I really hated for this one to end. Be sure to read the Author's Note!

I don’t what I did to become #taylorjenkinsreid book bff but I’m calling this a #win. And you can’t tell me otherwise 😂 I’ve had a pretty crummy past few weeks/months/days. But. I cried happy tears when I got this. Two of my favorite authors. Ugh. Y’all. I can’t even. #happinessinanemail I read #jodipicoult asap because. Hello is Jodi and she’s a freaking phenomenal author. Like. She’s my top five. #wishyouwerehere unfortunately fortunately is a book around our #covid_19 world. And the #pandemic and while I read to escape the realities of life. This one grabbed at my heart and made me take this ride. First off. Holy heck what a damn #plottwist. Just when I’m all awwww I became all wth 🙈 and not even in a bad way. Just. Shocked. That she could even pull that one off. Diana is our main character. She has her life planned out. Her check list of what she expects and wants per age. And. So far it’s going to plan. Except. The pandemic hits. And what was supposed to be a trip for her and her boyfriend - where she had thought would propose and she would check that off the list - became a solo trip for one. Diana makes you journey with her and her self discovery. It makes you think and ponder your own life. This book. It is a MUST read for all. Jodi has done it again. How she keeps coming up with such storylines. Details. Exquisite writing is beyond me. But. This woman is so dang talented. And. Great at what she does. She will forever be my #authorlove and my #girlcrush. I was so blessed to receive this #arc thru #netgalley I can not thank everyone enough. #kathleenquinlan girl email me ANY time. I adore you and thank you. #bookstagram #randomhouse #readersofinstagram #randomhousepublishinggroup #ballantinebooks #netgalleyreads #bookrecommendati

This was a really beautiful novel starting on March 13th, 2020, the day Covid really got serious in America. Diana arrives in the Galápagos Islands right as the world shuts down. While she’s stranded, she begins to create a new life there and create relationships with those she meets. I really enjoyed this book and its ability to capture the realities of living in a Covid world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for sending me an ARC of this book to read and review.

Diana and her boyfriend, Finn, are preparing to take a much needed vacation to the Galápagos Islands. As the COVID-19 pandemic is beginning to spread like wildfire in New York City, Finn is needed desperately at the hospital where he works as a surgical resident. Diana decides to take the trip alone, but soon finds herself trapped on the island, as the world shuts down to quarantine and prevent spread of the virus. Stranded with little money and no place to stay, Diana befriends a local family and settles into life on the island.

I LOVED this book! I felt so many emotions while reading it, and shed quite a few tears in some parts. Picoult’s writing is powerful and her descriptions of the Galapagos and of COVID-19 patients and hospital staff were all so incredibly realistic that you can’t help but feel like you are right there with the characters.

I was reading along, loving the story and was very invested in the characters and what was going to happen when BOOM—that plot twist hit me! I did NOT see that coming AT ALL! I felt just as bewildered as Diana. And it was so GOOD! The conclusion was perfect in my opinion.

Did I mention that I loved this book?!! If you love Jodi Picoult’s books, this one will not disappoint. I still feel emotional about it…I am pretty sure I will have a book hangover. Do yourself a favor, and read it!

I love J Picoult and her books - I have read just about every single book she has written. This one - because it was on the topic of CoVid, - I was drained reading about it and at the same time hearing the media talking daily about CoVid. It was just too overwhelming for me. One of the main characters works for an art dealer so I did learn about the world of art and what sellers/buyers and employers go thru . My review is also on Goodreads. with a 3 star rating. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

What a wonderful book! I think this captured 2020 so well. Everyone is different now, in so many ways. I loved this story and found it relatable in many ways. I felt I was there with her every step of the way, a silent observer to everything that transpired.

This book is an individual masterpiece. Your heart and soul will be affected by this deeply moving, heart wrenching story. There are triggers regarding Covid-19 and many people may not yet be able to read it but I hope you can someday. It also requires an open mind to other realms in regard to many medical mysteries. I loved this book and think it is appropriate for the time/situation we are currently living in and hopefully we can all learn to appreciate one another and not make judgements without knowing what each and every one of is experiencing daily and has experienced since this pandemic has started. No matter your feelings on the subject it will shed light on so many things ie physically, psychologically, financially etc. Beautifully written by a wonderful author. Everyone should consider reading this book then when finished…Take a deep breath and reflect on life as it is and as we once knew it. Thank you Jodi Picoult. As always, you remain one of my top favorite authors and why everyone book you have written is in my personal home library.

We have all heard the saying that life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.

Diana has her whole life planned out, she is where she wants to be career wise, she’s sure her surgeon boyfriend, Finn, will propose to her on their trip to the Galapagos, where they will return home, marry, buy a house and raise their kids and buy a dog.

However, Covid hits , changing all their plans.

This book has a lot going on … the Pandemic, a front line worker, the art world, the celebrity icon, dementia, a beautiful island. But it was woven together and researched so brilliantly that it flowed and kept you turning the pages!

Wish You Were Here was my first Jodi Picoult book and honestly it was hard to rate. Right away, you can see all the details that Jodi includes show off all the research she has done to write a book. For this one, it felt like there were two topics researched: the pandemic and art history. The way the first half of the book went felt like it was just dropping back and forth between the two topics and they seemed slightly disjointed.

Without spoilers, the twist felt like it happened too early in the story. It made the ending seem to drag a little too much.

TW: if anyone has had a family or friend pass away from covid, I wouldn't try this book. It heavily dives into the early time period of the pandemic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jodi Picoult’s new book is of life experiences most folks today can relate to, from this past year or so, during the pandemic. “Wish You Were Here” is a story full of raw emotions and experiences that the main character, Diana, experiences as a COVID survivor, who nearly died, and supposedly went through a Near Death Experience, where she lives a different life, in Galapagos, with different significant others, those not in her present life in NYC. She has a hard dealing with what is real and what is not! She has conflicting feelings towards her “other” life and her present one with her boyfriend Finn, a surgeon, her mother, suffering from dementia, and her close friend, Rodney! She reevaluates her priorities and considers making life altering changes because of her alternate reality experiences! The author’s writing is real, heartfelt and unforgettable! A must read!