When bibliographies are compiled with titles of novels about the coronavirus pandemic, Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult will be on that list. While most Americans were “stranded” at home, Diana O’Toole embarked on a vacation alone to the Galápagos, and now she is stranded on an island as the world shuts down.

Worse, there is scanty means for correspondence, banking, accommodations, and supplies on the island. Because she is now no longer a tourist but “one of them,” a family takes her in to their home, where she slowly develops a relationship with a troubled teen, Beatriz. In this island paradise, Diana is soon swept off her feet by Gabriel, the teen’s father. Why is she suddenly becoming unfaithful to her boyfriend of four years, surgical resident Finn Colson, who is stuck in New York attempting to save lives? Will this tropical island become her home and her future? But then a near drowning changes everything.

As usual, Jodi Picoult’s latest tale is well researched and well written as readers have come to expect. This book is a mini lesson in the flora, fauna, and history of the setting. Known for her O. Henry-like twist at the end of her novels, she does not wait that long in this one to turn the story upside down. Her notes at the end of the book are illuminating as to her experience during the start of the pandemic, telling readers how she came out of her writing paralysis. Picoult lives with her husband in New Hampshire.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting October 8, 2021.

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

Heart wrenching and emotional. I was hesitant to read Wish You Were Here given the subject matter of grief, loss, and COVID19, but Jodi Piccoult pulled it off to create a poignant take on lessons learned from adversity. Beautifully written but not your typical JP read.

Jodi Picoult does it again! So well written, and she manages to get a great story idea from the pandemic.

Wow- Jodi Picoult has written many other books that have moved me and stuck with me through the years, but WISH YOU WERE HERE is a uniquely timely, beautiful read.

I found this novel to be incredibly moving- with vivid, accurate depictions of the bizarre and heart wrenching nature of the COVID pandemic - and the characters were believable and compelling. Picoult deftly navigates love, loss, adventure, identity, memory, and COVID-19, all in this beautiful novel. I highly recommend it - for fans of hers or those new to her writing- and I imagine it will be remembered as art that captures an incredibly difficult time in our world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for the ARC of this novel which I received in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. This was a very hard book to read, but written so well that I couldn't put it down. So many different subjects are touched on in this book. After getting over my thoughts of this is too soon to be reading about covid (with it still killing so many, daily), I learned a lot about art, a beautiful island and relationships.

Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and mostly the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

As an avid Jodi Picoult reader I immediately began reading her latest wish You Were Here. Picoult tackles our ongoing pandemic and puts an interesting spin on it— what had the pandemic taught us? What’s important? Had we been living to work or working to live? A thought provoking well told story.

Your life is all laid out just how you are comfortable, and then a pandemic hits. Sound familiar? Jodi Picoult does a fantastic job of allowing a reader to relive surreal and difficult aspects of the last two years of real life in her newest novel, Wish You Were Here. Main characters are Diana O'Toole and Finn Colson, who are eager to make their lives together perfect and spend eternity together. Part of what makes this book tug at your heart is there are no unlikeable characters. Throughout, it would almost be easier if there were someone to blame, but that would be the easy way out. No recap and no spoilers here: if you want to experience a read full of heart, thought, tough decisions, reflection and perspective, this is your book. You're going to want to pick this one up!

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
Pub Date: 11/30/21

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW. Jodi Picoult does it again. Reading a book about Covid, while Covid is still happening was hard. Starting in March 2020, we meet Diana. She has a life plan and she’s sticking to it. Working at Sotheby’s with a promotion on the horizon, dating a doctor with an engagement forthcoming, Diana is all set to head to the Galapagos with said boyfriend, Finn, for a romantic getaway. Then Covid arrives in the US and NYC. As a doctor, Finn can no longer take his vacation but encourages Diana to go without him. He’d have to quarantine away from her anyway and he thinks Diana would be safer in the remote paradise. Reluctantly Diana goes without Finn, but immediately her dream vacation falls apart. The island is evacuating as her ferry drops her off but for some reason she decides to stay. Diana’s luggage was lost, she learns the hotel is closed, she has no wifi or cell service and no where to stay. She’s stranded in paradise.

In true Jodi fashion, she takes everything we learn through the first half of the book and flips it inside out and upside down. This book is beautifully written, emotional and complicated. It made me think. It took me back to the beginning of Covid; remembering all the emotions, fears and unknowns. I know people who live in NYC and heard stories about what it was like in early Covid. The book definitely faces Covid head-on, so keep that in mind when deciding if you are ready to read. It wasn’t easy, but I’m glad I read it. I loved the ending, which I can see being controversial.

Whenever you are read to read a book that covers Covid in a real way, this is definitely one to read.

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I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. We're still in the midst of the COVID pandemic, and honestly, reading fiction is an escape from reality.
But this book is good. Really good. I liked the characters, and Picoult handled the topic of COVID with research and care as she does every difficult topic she writes about. While the pandemic was the setting, the book was about much more than two people's experiences. It was about the plans we make and how life/heartache interrupt those plans and about relationships.

It had a typical Picoult twist that added depth to the story and made the last half of the book a page-turner. Fans of Picoult will enjoy her latest book that gives readers something to think about while being entertained.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

I grabbed this title from NetGalley solely based on the author - I have read many of Jodi Picoult's books in the past and thoroughly enjoyed most of them! So, I didn't read any description of the book and was surprised on page 1 to find that it takes place during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. But of course, it makes total sense - Picoult, just like the rest of the world, was stuck inside for the last 18 months trying to make sense of this new world order, so naturally why wouldn't she center her writing around the topic? Writing about it, and researching it, must have been a wonderful antidote to the anxiety we've all been feeling.

But, for that reason, it took me a while to get into the right headspace to read this one - it was no fault of the writing that it took me three tries before I got into it. But once I did, it was hard to put down! I always love the big twists that Picoult works into the storyline and this one was fantastic as it took me by total surprise!

My only complaint was SPOILER WARNING <spoiler>that the Kitomi Ito plotline was unnecessary. I was ok with it up until the point that there was a subtle Beatles reference and then I was taken aback that this universe had to have John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Sam Pride, and Kitomi Ito coexisting and that just doesn't quite make sense...it seems that while Diana was working at Sotheby's it really could have been any fake famous person with any fake famous painting and didn't need to be written so close to a real-life person as to be as recognizable as it was.</spoiler> But that is a tiny complaint in a sea of fantastic writing and does not detract from the story in any meaningful way, really.

Great premise, excellent research, and the COVID perspective was terrifyingly realistic. Well done. The story, however, was just okay. I’ve enjoyed other books by her more than this one.

First off, I absolutely love Jodi Picoult's books. She had this brilliant and magical way of pulling her readers into the books to make you feel like you are part of the story.

Diana is getting ready to turn 3. She has her entire life planned out for her future. She has an amazing boyfriend, Finn, who she knows will propose to her and she has her dream job and is sure she will be promoted sometime soon. She already has it planned out at what age she plans on having children and even where they will live while raising them. Everything is going as planned and life is good.

Diana and her boyfriend Finn are preparing for their trip to the Galápagos Islands, but on the eve of their vacation things take a drastic change for the worse. The first wave of Covid 19 hits and Finn is needed at the hospital. Diana goes ahead to the Galapagos, only for the island to go into quarantine. Now she is completely isolated and has very few resources. The island has very little, if any cell service to be able to speak with Finn. She is scared and alone until she befriends a local family while her boyfriend is back home fighting Covid on the frontlines.

A very detailed and tragic accounting of what Finn is seeing on the front lines was told. The stores, although tragic, were told with such great detail, emotion and pain.

Jodi Picoult is my all time favorite author. That being said this was not my favorite of hers. The first half I was just absolutely loving it but then to find out it was all just a dream, I could t stay in to that

There are a million reasons why Jodi Picoult is my favorite author, and this incredible book that she wrote during and about the pandemic exemplifies them all. Wish You Were Here takes us directly to the epicenter of 2020-New York City-in this gripping story that delves deep into that time; the isolation, the dread, the loss, and how everything about this time changed our lives in a million different ways. As only she can, she took me to places and ideas that were unexpected and profound, feeling a myriad of emotions deep inside my soul. I found myself rereading passages that took my breath away, unable to move on until I absorbed the passion and sentiments expressed by her beautiful prose. This might be a difficult book for some to read, because we have all been affected by the pandemic somehow. But be assured that this book was written with compassion and wisdom, warmth and humanity, honesty and vulnerability. I was sad to come to the end of this book, I felt such an integral part of the characters’ lives as they grappled with the tragedy in which they were living, but I finished feeling whole, and healed, and hopeful, not just for Diana, but for all of us.

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.

In Wish You Were Here Jodi Picoult works her magic to capture the feeling of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The story opens with a young woman, Diane, and her boyfriend about the embark on a trip to the Galapagos. When COVID-19 hits NYC, where they live, there plans are seemingly halted. Finn, Diane’s boyfriend, is a health care worker now on the front lines fighting the virus and cannot take time to go on this once in a lifetime trip. It is decided that Diane will go on the trip, without Finn, so at least one of them can experience the island of Isabel and make memories for them both. It is quickly realized that upon arriving on the island that Diane has not escaped the pandemic completely and the island is shut down for two weeks in precaution. Diane is left stranded with no where to stay, the hotel being closed, and with only what she had in her carry-on bag. A fateful trip to a closed tortoise breeding ground puts Diane in the path of a local man who will ultimately change her time spent on the island and her life.

In true Jodi Picoult fashion, Wish You Were Here, is a delicately and wonderfully crafted story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Picoult isn’t afraid to hit on the hard issues and emotions that can leave you feeling uncomfortable or left questioning. She weaves a tale so elaborate and detailed you feel as if you are there and then twisting the story in a completely different way. I am often left a little breathless by the twist her stories take and this one was no exception. Her novels make you think about what matters, about who matter and what our lives are ultimately made up of. Reading this story of the pandemic, while still within it, was a little surreal but it made me already question about what we take for granted even with the pandemic so close in our rear view. Be prepared to be taken on a journey of faith, loss, hope and ultimately life.

I have been a fan of Jodi Picoult for a long time, and this felt like she was getting back to her roots as a writer. I am fascinated by the way our pandemic experience will be woven into pop culture, and loved this novel right in the thick of it. It's a COVID novel, but as is Picoult's way, it's a COVID novel with a twist. I love how quickly this book was produced, because I think reading it in 2021 will feel different than reading it in 2023.

If I had one wish, it would have been for MORE. I needed more of the resolution, more Gabriel.

And finally, I loved reading the Afterword where the author discusses that romance novels were her path back to reading in the early pandemic days. Many readers, myself included, found it hard to concentrate on books and romance novels were also my path back to reading.

Was lucky enough to read this newest one from Jodi Picoult. Thanks NetGalley for the early release! An excellent detailed story of Covid 19. I wasn’t sure I was ready to start reading about Covid stories already but this is one you won’t want to miss. It’s released 11.30.21. Jodi hit this one out of the park.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this novel! I’m not sure how to truly review it without revealing too much. I will say that at first I didn’t want to read it because covid 19 is at the center of the plot. It is a main character. Diana and Finn are about to go to the Galapagos when the work shuts down in 2020. She heads there solo and the rest is just pure magic. At about 60%, there is a huge turn of events. It made me sad, but it was an interesting twist. Just read it! As much as I hate watching Covid plots on tv shows and now novels, this one was worth the trigger for me.

It’s amazing to think at how quickly this book was written. The book setting is during the Coronavirus pandemic that is still here with us, not yet under control worldwide. The book takes place at the beginning of the pandemic for the United States, March 2020. Admittedly it is a little strange reading about pandemic times when not quite done with it.

The main character, Diana and her boyfriend Finn are about to take a two-week trip to the Galapagos Islands, where Diana suspects a proposal will take place. But the pandemic strikes New York City hard. Finn is a doctor, well nearly, a resident surgeon, but all focus is shifted to the battleground as they live in New York city. Finn suggests Diana go on the vacation without him, as he can’t leave the country, the hospital needs him.

The book is about more than the virus, or about having your life upended and vacation plans changed. It’s also about learning something about oneself when having to take the moment to pause, at least if you’re not a hospital worker.

I enjoyed the book, despite our not being completely through this yet. It is more about the beginning stage, hopefully we are now at the ending stage.

If you can read about the pandemic, this is a good one to get.