A fantastic read, thoroughly researched with an incredible level of detail relating to the covid pandemic. I loved the characters of Diana, Finn, Rodney and Hannah. I also found the glimpse into the world of selling art fascinating.

Some may baulk at the thought of a novel mainly situated in NYC right at the start of the pandemic, and that’s totally understandable. I however loved it, and I think in years to come it’ll be a great reminder of the little things we got used to doing like sanitizing groceries, and how the city was deserted for weeks.

Aside from all of that, this is at heart a brilliant read that reminded me of how fragile life is. A book that came full circle.

Wish You Were Here follows Sotheby's associate art specialist DianaO'Toole to the Galapagos Islands at the beginning of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Diana leaves behind her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident in a New York City hospital, who is required to stay behind to treat patients, but insists she continue with the trip. Her trip goes awry from the start as her hotel is closed & the island is shuttered. She is taken in by an elderly hotel maid & begins to forge a strong relationship with her young granddaughter & son, Although she tries to connect with Finn, Diana finds herself pulled further into the lives of her new found friends. Wish You Were is a well-crafted, dynamic novel with relatable characters & a plot you won't soon forget.

What a timely and engrossing novel! It's hard to talk much about it without spoiling it, but it definitely gave me some things to think about and will stick with me for a while, as most of the author's books do. Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to review. Very certain it will be a big hit!

I wish to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a fictional book that really keeps you guessing. It begins when a young woman, Diana, goes on vacation alone just as the CV-19 virus has begun. At the last minute her boyfriend, Flint, a surgical resident in New York has to be at the hospital and cannot go. She goes to the Galapagos Islands and upon arrival finds that her destination town is locked down, stores are closed, she has only spotty internet and no way to replenish her money once her cash is gone. She bonds with the local people and forms a relationship with a man who used to be a tour guide. Just when you settle in to love this story and all the main characters, you are switched back to her home in New York.

The story deals with difficult issues with family, illness, loss, struggles and more. It is the first story that I have read that offers an in-depth look at how the virus affects all of us. It is told in a very real manner. I was totally hooked even though midway through it I felt that I no longer knew where the story was going. This is a great thing about this book. I have long been a fan of Jodi Picoult but now am a serious fan. I highly recommend this one to everyone.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Jodi Picoult’s latest, “Wish You Were Here,” is a piece of modern history. The novel is the first I’ve read that actually takes place during this pandemic we are living through. Picoult gives us a story that shows the way Covid has changed our perceptions, values and lives. I’ve felt over saturated with Covid news over the past (almost) two years and usually use reading as an excuse to escape everyday life so I was skeptical of a pandemic timeline. However, the more I read the more I fell in love with the story. Picoult gives voice to things many of us felt frustrated with, heartbroken over and related to during quarantine.

Diana’s life is going to plan as she approaches 30. Living with her surgeon boyfriend, Finn, and working her way towards promotion at Sotheby’s art auction house, she feels on track and happy with her life in NYC. She feels certain Finn will propose on their upcoming trip to the Galapagos. Then, Covid. Finn’s hospital warns him not to leave for the trip, but he encourages Diana to go. Upon arrival the world shuts down. Diana finds herself stranded, with no luggage, no hotel, no cell phone service and doesn’t speak the language. What’s the saying, “if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans?” Poor Diana.

Her time on the island is transformative depending on your perspective.

The book reflects on life and death, priorities and values, and most importantly human connection.

While we now consider books like Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale” (WWII), JoJo Moyes’ “The Giver of Stars,” (1930s), and Chanel Cleeton’s “Next Year in Havana,” masterpieces of historical fiction, Picoult’s “Wish You Were Here,” is a masterpiece of its own and will stand the test of time. Picoult is a leader amongst all contemporary writers, giving readers thought provoking storylines and characters they can’t help but to fall in love with.

I will always and forever love Jodi Picoult. This felt like a return to her "original" form, and it was a masterpiece. I just love her books every year they are a balm to my soul.

Once again Jodi Picoult has written a great story. This was so relevant to today and the writing was just superb. I couldnt put this one down!

I DO NOT WANT TO READ ABOUT COVID!!!!!!!

A note to any and all authors and publishers, up front: I ABSOLUTELY, 10000%, DO NOT WANT TO READ ABOUT COVID!!!!! I READ FICTION TO *ESCAPE* THE "REAL" WORLD!!!!! Write the stories if you feel you must. Maybe for your own mental health, you *need* to write COVID stories. For the rest of us, PLEASE do NOT publish them for a while. It is still *TOO* real, no matter what one thinks about the virus or any of the politics around it. (And remember, no matter your own thoughts on it, there are large segments of your potential customers who will disagree with you.)

All of the above noted, the actual story here is well crafted and well told. Picoult manages to bring in, from a more mysticism side, one of the aspects of Bill Myers' Eli that made that book one of the most influential of my own life - even as he approached the concept from a more science/ science fiction side. The scenes in the Galapagos in particular are truly viscerally stunning. You feel yourself being there as much as our lead character is, in all of the messy situations she finds herself trapped in on this paradise as the world falls apart. Indeed, had the entire book been based there, to me it would have been a much better book overall - even though I objectively rated this story as a 5*, I must admit the latter third of the book, while still strong and compelling storytelling objectively, was less interesting to me (other than the mysticism mentioned above, as this is where those aspects come into play).

At the end of the day, I write this review roughly six weeks before publication and this book has nearly 600 reviews on Goodreads - at the time I began writing this, it looked as though this one will be number 569. Which speaks to the marketing reach and prowess of its publisher, and Picoult's own status as, as I described her on Facebook earlier this morning "a grocery store book section level author that seems to occupy half of said grocery store book section". And the mystic hook being so rarely used is perhaps reason to rate this book as more compelling than others, but overall the tale here and the level of the writing... as I mentioned on my review of Taylor Jenkins Reid's Malibu Rising: there is absolutely *no* doubt that this is a strong tale strongly crafted. But I really have read oh so many authors from less powerful publishers that are at least as good, and thus I truly don't understand the hype.

For those that *do* want a "real" look at COVID in their fiction, whether that be in 2021 or later, this book is absolutely must read. For those that want island escapism and don't mind COVID being a central part of the tale, you're definetly going to want to read this one, even if you've never read Picoult (as I had never before this book). But for those who, for any reason at all, just can't deal with COVID "realism" in their escapism/ fiction... maybe hold off on this one until you're at a point where you can. And then read it, because it really is a great story overall. Recommended.

Jodi Picoult is hands down one of the best authors of our time and maybe even ever? She writes so beautifully and hits on topics that are sad, hard, difficult, etc. in ways that the reader can, usually, easily identify with.

For me - and this may be unpopular - I think this topic was too soon. Talking about Covid while living through Covid feels too soon and too unpredictable since things in this book and in real life are literally changing daily/weekly/monthly etc.

I could absolutely identify with the fear and the unknown feelings, but I really thought I was ready to read about this and having read it, I can confidently say that for me - it was too soon.

Now...was the book amazing and well written and another Picoult success? ABSOLUTELY! She really can do no wrong, but the subject matter for me was just a little too fresh and soon.

Jodi Picoult does it again! I thought I was not enjoying this story until - wham - hard smack in the side!! A fierce look at Covid from the folks in the trenches. Timely but also with a timeless message that life is but a moment.

An absolutely brilliant book. From the vivid descriptions of the Galápagos Islands to the relentless aspects of the COVID pandemic, this book had me hooked from the first to the last page. I also enjoyed a sneak peak into Sotheby’s Art world. I respect the author’s request for no spoilers, but this makes it so hard to review. If you only read one book this year “Wish You Were Here” should be that book. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for my advance reader copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an early read of Jodi's new book. Beautifully written, but painfully real. I wasn't sure if I was ready to read a book about Covid, but I was soon swept into this story that was much more than just Covid.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, Ballantine Books and #NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Finally a Covid themed book that isn’t boring, predictable or annoying. It’s a risky theme and could easily go badly but as usual Jodi Picoult strikes gold.

This book begins in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. The vacation plans of a young couple are interrupted by the demand for doctors to tend to the influx of sick people to NYC hospitals. Finn, a surgical resident, insists that Diana go alone to the Galápagos, thinking it would keep her safe from the Covid-19 crisis. The reader can almost feel the sunshine and sea air as Diana encounters the effects of the pandemic on the remote island and makes new friends. The difficult communication between Diana and Finn reveals medical facts about the COVID pandemic from the eyes of the medical community and sheds light on Diana and Finn's relationship. The conclusion is unexpected and satisfying. Another victory for Picoult!

We knew the Covid books would start circulating. Of course, Jodi is the one to do it right. This book was an unexpected tale of a woman caught in paradise when the world closed down. The book is full of interesting medical information we were learning as the weeks went by and puts you right back into that place of isolation/solitude/etc. I was worried this would be hard to read or hard to re-visit, but it is so beautifully done and kept me engaged to the very end. Thank you, Net Galley and Jodi Picoult for sharing it with me early.

I feel like Picoult really took a risk here, writing so deeply about the pandemic, COVID, lockdown, and isolation - but somehow she pulls it off beautifully. This story follow the ambitious Diana, an art specialist who works at Southby's, and is about to embark on a beauitful trip to the Galapogos islands with her surgeon boyfriend (who most likely will propose on this trip), Finn. However, COVID hits the city hard and Finn can't leave the hospital so Diana travels alone to the island.... and not only loses her luggage but also gets lock downed on the tiny, remote island with the locals. Unable to leave, and struggling with the language, etc. Diana takes a stark step back from the reality of her meticulously planned life and begins to live a little: explore, find joy in small things, and form relationships with locals that seem to have more meaning than what she has been surrounded with in busy NY. Then a MAJOR plot twist, which I will not spoil or explain, but the second half of the book as a reader, you will be absolutely floored and unable to peel your eyes away from the book. You struggle with Diana to understand what actually is happening and the Picoult dives into the deepest corner of this pandemic and COVID and how it has affected each and everyone one of us. The ending was PERFECTION for me. Bravo.

Jodi Picoult has once again delivered a book so rich In detail, research, and characters that it’s hard to put down. In the beginning days of covid in the US and the lightning speed chaos and devastation is highlighted so gracefully and sensitively that it’s hard to not be “in it” all over again. I loved the development of main character Diana and her story. The descriptions of the Galapagos island and it’s inhabitants was amazing. I could picture her there. Growing and becoming who she truly is. Read with friends, discuss, heal and practice self care.

3.5 stars, rounded up
This story tackles COVID straight on. It’s March, 2020. Diana and Finn are due to go on a vacation to the Galápagos Islands. But Finn, a surgical resident at a NYC hospital, is told all vacations are canceled. Diana goes alone. When she arrives, she doesn’t quite get what is happening, that everything is shutting down and she should turn around and leave. She gets trapped on an island with no open hotels or restaurants, hardly any WiFi access, little money and not speaking Spanish. She meets a family who speak English and, slowly, befriends them. Diana uses her time away to start to reflect on her life and what truly has meaning in it. As always, Picoult’s characters felt real. I especially appreciated her depictions of what the doctors and nurses were going through, as represented by Finn and his associates.
The book almost felt like it was too soon to read. It took me back to that dreadful time, when we were all trying to suss out what was happening, what to do. For some people, especially those that lost loved ones to COVID, I would advise caution.
I like that Picoult always teaches you something. I enjoyed learning about Toulouse Lautrec and different artistic movements. (I also wasted a lot of time trying to see if the painting in the story was real.) There are some very deep themes here about what is reality, trying to plan your life instead of live it and what is important. I really appreciated The Author’s Note and what led her to write this book.
This wasn’t my favorite Jodi Picoult novel by any stretch, but I appreciated the message she conveyed.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.

I've read a few of Jodi Picoult's books, and I think this is one of her best. Diana an art dealer turning 30 who has the rest of her life planned, or at least she thinks so until the COVID-19 pandemic strikes, and her boyfriend Finn, a resident at a New York City hospital, is unable to accompany her on their long anticipated trip to the Galapagos islands. Diana believes he was about to pop the question on their vacation, but she agrees to go by herself when he convinces her it would be safer. That decision turns out to be unwise because, once on the island which is locked down, she has no way to return and can't contact Finn because of weak and unstable WiFi. The hotel she booked is closed, and her bags were lost on her flight. Luckily, she's befriended by a woman who allows her to stay in part of her house. She later learns the apartment belongs to a man with a teenage daughter in need of help.

After Diana meets the man, Gabriel, a previous tour guide, and his daughter, and spends time with them and the island residents, she attempts to contact Finn and her mother, who suffers from Alzheimers and is in a nursing home. She reaches them, but the connection is short and erratic.

With detailed descriptions of the wildlife and habitats of the Galapagos including an inactive volcano, this absorbing story comes to life. As Diana becomes emotionally attached to Gabriel and the island, her perspective about life begins to change.

About midway in the book, there's a twist I didn't see coming. Picoult realistically portrayed several serious themes including mental illness, Alzheimer's Disease, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her author notes at the back of the book also gave insight into how she was inspired to write it and her own experience during the pandemic. I highly recommend this read that Picoult's fans will gobble up and new readers will find absorbing.