GUYS AND GALS! PRE-ORDER THIS ONE FOR SURE! This novel will absolutely be one of my top ten of the year.

After being disappointed by the last release from one of my very favorite authors (see my post on The Book of Two Ways), I was so hoping I would love Wish You Were Here. And I SO do!

A perfect blend of romance, historical fiction, current events (the first novel I’ve read which incorporates Covid-19) – a classic Picoult book if there ever was one.

As usual, Jodi Picoult is a terrific writer. She wrote about a touchy subject with grace and the storyline was unique and engaging.

However with that being said I have two major things that didn't work for me personally.
(1) I think it's too soon to write about the Covid-19 pandemic. We are still living it, and it's something I've been personally affected by. Reading about this was a bit disturbing.
(2) As with her last few novels, sometimes I feel the author is giving too much background/history. This is a fiction novel. I don't want to skim over pages that make me feel like I'm getting a history lesson.

This is the first book I have read about the Covid 19 Pandemic. Jodi Picoult wrote it, so I was pretty sure it would be interesting. I was correct. The story begins in the early phase of the pandemic, right before the US went into lockdown. It was that period of time when we were all aware that there was a dangerous virus out in the world but none of us could have conceived of what was to come.
The story begins with Finn, who is a young surgical resident in a New York Hospital and his soon to be fiancé, Diana, who are planning a long awaited vacation to the Galápagos Islands. Like the rest of the world, plans were altered. Without giving away anymore of the story, I must say that I was totally engrossed in this book. Half way through the book, something happened that completely shocked me. I did not see it coming. You will have to read the book to understand what I am talking about.
I would totally recommend this book to all of the Jodi Picoult fans out there and to all others who will most likely become fans after reading this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for an early release copy of the book.

Jodi Picoult delivers some elaborate research and captures raw feelings in this global realization in this book. We have loved, lost, feared, and gained a real understanding of the important things in our lives, readjusted our focus and revamped the workforce and our definition of heroes. No one will ever be the same as generations before us warned, but we continue to persevere through a lockdown, isolation and resilience.

This book shares a fictional story of a young couple Finn & Diana planning their tropical vacation on the Galapagos Islands when the pandemic hits. Finn is a surgical resident needed at the hospital in New York and explains to her instead of them losing their money on the trip that Diana, an art broker, to continue without him. Heartbroken and discouraged, she continues her journey. With a few setbacks, her luggage lost and hotel closures, a kind family allows her to stay in their empty apartment.

While she is enjoying the scenery on this volcanic island, Finn is desperately trying to save lives. While she swims with the marine life, turtles, sea lions, and penguins, he swims in ventilators, gloves, masks and doom from every angle. Her guilt is catapulted into no internet connections, no phone service, no ATM's, no flights out and no grocery stores available. Any other time she would have welcomed the inconveniences, but not as the world turns in a different direction. She relies on the kindness of others to help her through and takes a step back to realize her life may be heading a different path than before.

Sadly, raw emotions of Finn are captured as emails seep through with clear visuals of his anguish and experiences trying to keep people alive. As a mother of three health care workers and a husband, who fights diligently once again to ward off this curse, this hit home. This book is not to be taken lightly as some of the experiences are real and the after effects are lingering, but she is genuine and sincere. She leaves us with a real glimpse in how it affected her and how the book came to fruition.

The twist at the end opened my eyes to a whole realm of emotions and from there I was definitely nose diving until the end. This is a real piece of work and while I have read many of her books and lost touch with the author, she awakened a whole new game of respect and desire to read more from this talented writer.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This is a great Jodi Picoult book. She is my favorite author, and I believe I have read every book she has ever written. This one involves a young couple (Diana and Finn), who have mapped out their entire lives together, which works for them until Covid intervenes. Diana works at Sotheby’s and Finn is a surgeon at a local hospital. They are supposed to go to the Galápagos Islands for a much-anticipated vacation, but Covid cases are rapidly accelerating, and Finn’s time off is cancelled. He tells Diana to go anyway, and the Islands close right after she arrives. She is stuck there, and she meets a lot of interesting people, some of whom have her rethinking the plans that she has made with Finn. Meanwhile, Finn is working long hours and is drowning in despair as most of his patients die from Covid. I’m going to stop here. There is a fascinating turn in the plot, which had me reading the rest of the book non-stop until the end. I just couldn’t put it down. Talking about anything else would involve spoilers. This is classic Jodi Picoult, but I think it’s one of her best books ever. You definitely don’t want to miss this one! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in return for my honest review.

A little too heavy with Covid. Lots of eye opening details about what medical providers are dealing with throughout the pandemic. Readers will appreciate their sacrifice. Art history readers will enjoy the information about the world of art. Maybe a few years down the road this novel will be easier to read.

I was hesitant about reading about the pandemic as today our hospitals are full, more people are dying and we're nervous about going out AGAIN. However, the author has a fresh approach, if that is the right word, and examines our personal decisions and its consequences. She also found the right tone in honoring the first responders and front-line health care workers. I did find that going to the Galapagos alone a bit contrived, but understand her reason for doing so.

Jodi Picoult is a prolific writer. Her latest novel, Wish You Were Here, strikes all the notes that have made her a best seller. While not the story I thought I was reading, Picoult weaves a lush tale of a woman trapped on an exotic island while the world is paused for a pandemic. Well-paced and written with an eye for detail, this story will quickly captivate the reader. Definitely a recommendation.

I received an e-ARC of this book in AUG 2021, but this book will not be released until NOV 2021.

Diana O’Toole has a great job, a great boyfriend (who she thinks is going to propose), and a great holiday set up in the Galapagos. Everything is looking perfect and wonderful … and then COVID hits. Diana’s boyfriend, Finn, works at a hospital, where all hands are requested to be on deck. Finn suggests that Diana go on holiday by herself, so a bit reluctantly she does. Upon arriving at Isabel Island, she learns that the island will be closed for two weeks. Over time, Diana discovers that while things aren’t easy on the island (there’s a curfew, she doesn’t speak Spanish, and she is relying upon the kindness of strangers), life on Isabel isn’t all that bad - she’s dealing well, having made some friends and being able to be and breathe. As she’s mostly cut off from the outside world, while Isabel isn’t quite a paradise, there are worse places to be spending time away from home. There’s an unexpected twist that I cannot get into (spoiler!), but suffice to say that it was one I didn’t see coming.

One thing I’ve learned from reading Jodi Picoult books - there’s something in them that is hard hitting and makes you think. This book deals with COVID, so if reading about that is a trigger warning, this is not the book for you. She delves into deep details about what the front-line workers faced - the sorrow of losing patients, the mental pain, the long hours, the fear of getting infected or infecting their loved ones (and I still say, bless you every single front-line worker!). She deals with people losing their jobs and trying to survive the uncertainty. One of the side stories deals with elder care, dementia, and mother-daughter issues - I found this part to be difficult to go through, as I had a parent with dementia.

Once again, Ms Picoult has done research (her Author’s Note was a great read - I recommend reading it for how she got the book’s idea and how she did her research) and it shows in this book. I learned a bit more about paintings (though now I wish the painting she talked about was a real one - it sounds incredible), Grand Central Station, art therapy, and being a tourist guide.

I know this review is jumping all over the place, but my one tiny little bit of criticism is that Diana is either amazingly oblivious or isn’t thinking at times. All over the Galapagos Islands and in most of the literature, there are reminders to keep away from the wildlife (or this was true back in the late 1990s). You don’t just “go up” to an animal and pet it - these are wild animals (penguins peck, seals bite, etc.). Also, yes, those apple trees are plentiful but in the tourist areas, there were warning signs. When visiting her mother, after living with someone working in a hospital setting, Diana doesn’t take two seconds to think “X is happening, maybe I should do Y and Z to protect myself and Finn.” Maybe this was done to show that Diana is passionate and impulsive, but I found it unappealing at times. A really strong 4.5 stars overall.

This was my first Covid novel and Jodi Picoult did not disappoint. Though I will be careful about who I recommend this title to as it may hit some readers differently based on their pandemic experience. As always, the book is meticulously researched and executed. From the Galapagos to the hospital hallways, I was completely transported.

No doubt about it.

Jodi Picoult is a polished writer, and her research is always meticulous. This author can write.,

So, this rating is not a reflection of her talent…but rather one reflecting my enjoyment level of reading this story.
Or lack of.

This book is HEAVY.

Diane O’Toole is climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world, and is about to depart for the Galápagos, with her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident in Manhattan, when the first cases of Covid-19 appear in the city. The hospital needs all hands on deck.

Their vacation is non-refundable and he encourages her to take it, not realizing how bad things would get. Diana finds herself stranded there, the borders closed, the Island under quarantine.

We learn A LOT about Art History, the Art Auction world and the beautiful Galápagos Islands-and if you are interested in these topics, you may find the book fascinating……

We also learn everything about what the ICU Doctors, Nurses and other medical staff endured….and are still enduring, as they learned to fight Covid, by trial and error, and it’s detailed. This is a prevalent theme in the entire book, and Ms. Picoult does not hold back.

If you read this-be prepared!
If you have lost someone to Covid-19-it may be too soon to pick this up.

I do LOVE what a wonderful tribute it is to the medical community…the men and women who continue to be the heroes of this Pandemic.

BUT-if you read to escape and be entertained-it’s not going to happen here.

I found Diana to be a selfish woman, who easily justified the decisions she makes-so that didn’t help either.

But the point was to have us, as a reader, reflect upon how an EXPERIENCE, can change our perceptions of what is and is not important, and perhaps change our lives forever.


Be sure to read the author’s notes after the epilogue.

Available November 30, 2021.

Thank You to Ballantine Books for my gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

Jodi Picoult is a master of words. She writes the most beautiful phrases - if you are one for quotes, this book has many. She's also a master of characters, and the characters in this story are beautifully flawed on a level of depth that not many writers can reach. You FEEL their reality. I have always thought Jodi Picoult manages to take a somewhat controversial topic and breathe humanity into it, and she's done that for sure with this one. This is a must-read that truly makes you think about the story long after you've finished reading.

Diana O’Toole is on a perfect track in New York City. She has a great job, an amazing boyfriend, and shes pretty sure her boyfriend is going to propose on their vacation to the Galapagos. What could possibly get in her way?

Well, covid can. Diana’s boyfriend, Finn, is a resident at a hospital in NYC. The hospital is all hands on deck for covid; it’s still very early and they’re not sure what to expect yet. That trip to the Galapagos? Not happening. Except Finn insists Diana go without him because the trip is non-refundable and he’d be working long(er) shifts at the hospital anyway.

The day Diana arrives, she learns that pretty much the entire world has just shut down. There are no ferries back to the mainland and no flights to get her back to New York. Her only option is to ride out the two week shutdown on the island.

It takes some time, but Diana finds her people on the island. She becomes close with the family she is renting an apartment from. Diana’s cell service on the island is incredibly spotty, but she receives emails from Finn with reports from the center of covid.

Diana is having the experience of a lifetime in the Galapagos. She’s evaluating her choices and really finding herself.

I simply cannot reveal any more of this story because it will spoil it for you. It was such a weird experience to read a story set in my current life phase. We literally just lived this. It was fascinating having a sort of inside look into life for the front line workers at the very beginning of the pandemic. No one knew what to expect or what to think. I very much enjoyed this book. It certainly will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was mine and I drank the whole pot.

Back in the day, I was a die-hard Stephen King reader--still am for the most part, but I've expanded my horizons drastically since then. And the one author who helped me break out of my tiny horror universe was Jodi Picoult. I picked up one. Then another. Then a third. And before I knew it, I'd read her entire back catalogue and couldn't wait for her next. So when I was approved for an early read of Wish You Were Here, I was thrilled and quickly dove in.

Diana O'Toole has goals. She has a promising career in art acquisitions. She loves her boyfriend--soon to be (hopefully) fiance--and can't wait for their trip to the Galapagos. Four years saving, but as they prepare to leave, Covid hits, and her plans are waylaid. Finn has to work and suggests she go solo. Which she does, a choice that inevitably changes the course of her life, forcing her to examine her relationships and desires in ways she'd never allowed herself to question before.

I loved this book.

First, I finished it in a single reading because I couldn't put it down. Picoult's writing is engrossing and effortless, and Diana's narrative voice flowed really well. I was a little wary of reading a Covid-forward book as the pandemic is still changing everything around us, but I was pleasantly surprised with the way the plot unraveled; and while this was on the emotional side at times, it was never without purpose. Picoult wants us to question our boundaries and preconceived notions of happiness. We are in this unique position to step back from our normal and really figure out what's important and what we want for ourselves--and, no spoilers of course--this results in a heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, and unspoken fears that everyone should read.

Overall, Wish You Were Here is a rom-com meets OA with big-picture themes and tons of heart. I'd recommend to anyone looking for an escape--or a deep dive into reality. Neither will be disappointed.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

During the initial lockdown in Spring of 2020, I kept imagining the many stories that would be told, books written, movies made, and history reflected upon as the pandemic played itself out. Never did I imagine, a year and a half later, we’d be in the ‘fourth wave’ of Covid 19, far too many deaths would be attributed to this disease, and something as simple as whether or not to wear a mask and get a vaccine would be a political statement that divides families, life-long friends, and colleagues.

Yet here we are.

As I forecasted, the books about this time in our collective experience are starting to appear on our bookshelves. One such early entry is I Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult telling the story of Finn and Diana in the early days of the Covid 19 Pandemic during the initial March 2020 wave in New York City. Finn, a surgical resident in a big hospital in NYC, is experiencing the initial pandemic from a caregiver’s point of view. The not knowing—either about the disease or how to tame it wears him out and all but breaks him. Diana is disappointed that Finn won’t be able to go on their long-awaited, bucket-list trip to the Galapagos. Despite this disappointment, Diana choses to go to Isabella Island in The Galapagos, promising Finn she’ll experience everything for both of them. But the trip doesn’t go as planned and Diana finds herself on a shutdown island with no money, no luggage, and no way to communicate with Finn in New York. At the locals’ mercy and under their care, she finds her way, makes friends, and questions her very being while finding kindnesses and thoughtfulness at every turn along with several island adventures all the while discovering some hidden truths about herself.

Admittedly, having traveled to Isabella Island a few years ago, I was slightly confused by some of Picoult’s descriptions of the island, along with placement of various adventures. However, being a long-time Jodi Picoult fan, I let it go, fell into her story telling and let the story play out.

And, I’m so glad I did.

Especially the simultaneously heart-stopping and heart-pounding transitions between chapters seven, eight, nine and ten.

And, my previously mentioned confusion regarding the descriptions about Isabella Island was intentional on Picoult’s part and added so much depth and insight into Diana’s story.

With any other author, this story would become trite, formulaic, and unimaginative. Yet, with shadows of Leaving Time and Keeping Faith, along with Picoult’s usual extensive research, this book tells a story that has not yet been told about the Covid 19 Pandemic, yet Every. Single. American. should read this book to give us each a glimpse into what our individual stories during this time might be.

Without giving away the story—which would make writing this review soooo much easier—know that the reader will come away better informed about making personal decisions regarding masks and vaccines and the untold story of what thousands upon thousands of our fellow Americans are experiencing every day.

Truth be told, I’ve struggled writing this review as each time I go back into the book, I end of up reading it again—I think I’ve now read the book five (5!) times to get a better sense of how to explain to potential readers THEY MUST READ THIS BOOK!!! Yet, without actually shouting those very words.

Perhaps, I’ve thought too hard about this, as Picoult writes ‘…the artist starts a dialogue, and you finish it.’

Dare I say Jodi Picoult is an artist?

With this book, she does start a conversation, ‘And here’s the incredible part—that dialogue is different every time you view the art. Not because anything changes on the canvas—but because of what changes in you.’

Now, I have to continue this conversation that is continually changing.

Let me be brief: Mask Up. Get your vaccine. Stay healthy and safe.

Also? Read Wish You Were Here.

Full Disclosure: I was given a free PDF Advanced Reader’s Copy of ‘Wish You Were Here’ via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review of this book.

As the pandemic-related novels begin to emerge, I think this one will be a standout. I really enjoyed the first two-thirds or so, but became a little frustrated by the turn the story takes, which actually mirrors the frustration felt by the main character (to say anything more specific would lead to spoilers). Overall, I think this book will be relatable to a wide audience, regardless of their personal COVID experience. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

***ARC provided by NetGalley for review***

I didn't know what to think going into this book- reading a book that takes place during the pandemic while we are still very much in it felt a little weird at first.
But, as usual, Jodi Picoult takes a hard subject and flips it upside down and makes you completely lose yourself inside of the story.

I love the idea that we as people can continue evolving, that we can change direction and become who we want to be and were meant to be, even if we think we previously had things figured out. I think that message resonates even more now, after living through 2020... and 2021.
There's an underlying grief in this story, not only from the pandemic, but also the character going through personal losses. One of my favorite quotes of the book is "... I never thought I'd run out of time to respond. The story of our life was a run-on sentence, not a parenthetical." You always think you will have time with the people you love, you'll get back to them when you can, you'll see them tomorrow.

This book has a lot of details about the pandemic from both a front line workers perspective, and the perspective of those that survived being put on ventilators. It wasn't easy to read, but I appreciate her attention to detail, as always, because it helps further immerse you into the story. And this story contains some elements of "we don't really know what happens, or why, and maybe there IS more to all of this than we know"... but to say more would spoil what I think is an excellent story.

Ok, I really thought I was a Picoult goner after The Book of Two Ways. I am so very glad that I gave this book a chance. It is real and relevant to our time, like many of her books. This was a breath of fresh air and exactly the plot twist I never saw coming. I will certainly be telling everyone about this book.
Also, I am left wondering if the Kitomi Ito character was intentionally so similar to Yoko Ono and if so, is Yoko really like that in 2021?

Diana O’Toole is a young woman who is very ambitious. She has a plan for her life that she has outlined carefully.

She is happy with the track that she’s on and she has a boyfriend whom she loves and sees a future with. Finn is handsome, loving and a surgical resident!!

Diana and Finn have planned a romantic getaway to the Galapagos, where they will celebrate her 30th birthday.

They have been listening to the news, reports of a virus in China that is deadly, but it seems worlds away.

The night before their planned departure, Finn tells her that his vacation has been cancelled and all hospital personnel must be ready for the wave of patients that the hospital is expecting.

To quote John Lennon - “LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU WHILE YOU’RE BUSY MAKING OTHER PLANS”

Finn convinces Diana to go on the trip without him. They have invested so much time and money and she has dreamed of seeing the islands.

We travel with Diana as she reaches Isabel island. But there are challenges. Her luggage is lost, her hotel is closed and she doesn’t speak Spanish!!

It isn’t long before the island is quarantined. Diana has no choice but to stay. As she relaxes into the inevitable, she meets people that she likes and who are kind and helpful.

With the help of Gabriel, a former tour guide, Diana discovers the incredible animals of the island. There are land tortoises, flamingos, penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas. So much to see and experience!!

Meanwhile internet connections are difficult but she does get news from Finn, there are so many deaths in NYC, the virus is affecting more than old people. They are running out of ventilators, he works for days without a break. Every time she gets an email from Finn, things keep getting worse, more people are dying!!!!!

Ms. Picoult’s writing shines in this novel!! Her descriptions are so vivid I could picture the landscape, the volcano and the sea. The characters are well described and I got lost in the story.

There are shifts in the novel, we are able to enter the world of NYC hospitals in crisis mode!! The nurses and doctors are all doing their best, but they are fighting an unknown enemy!!

BE PREPARED TO REVISIT THE ISOLATION WE ALL FELT, THE INABILITY TO SEE OUR LOVED ONES AND TO HEAR WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE A FRONTLINE WARRIOR!!

I felt truly engaged with the characters, I found the story believable and I learned so much. This novel was worth reliving the worst of 2020, the year when the world was stuck on PAUSE!!

The author’s notes are not to be missed and add depth to the novel. You will learn why Ms. Picolt was compelled to write this novel and all the research she did.

I can highly recommend this book to everyone!!!

“Wish You Were Here” is set to publish on November 30, 2022

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher, Ballantine Books, through NetGalley.

Will post to Amazon upon publication. Also posted to Barnes and Noble and Edelweiss!

4.75 stars rounded up. Up until the end, I was hovering around 4 stars. Not my favorite Picoult book, but a solid, good one nonetheless. However: that last sentence. Those three words. I audibly let out a sigh… an “ohh” escaped my lips, making me realize I loved it. That plus the author’s note got me feeling all sorts of things. Bravo.