It took me a looong time to get past the first few chapters of this book but I soon fell in love with Lucy, Hugo, Christopher and Jack. Loved the setting of the clockwork island, the theme and the characters. Even shed a few tears at the end. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a heartwarming feel good story.

Very well done. Nostalgic in a way to the books I loved as a child and the magic they had. Would be interested to see what comes nest from this author

This book has to be an instant bestseller. It's exactly what society needs right now... a little hope to hold onto our wishes. When Lucy Hart is a teenager, she runs away from home to "Clock Island", an "imaginary" place from books that she started reading while she was stuck at the hospital for her sister's medical treatments. On Clock Island is where she meets Jack, the author of the books, but unfortunately he has to call the police on her so her parents can collect her and take her back home. Fast forward 15? years or so, and Lucy is an adult, struggling to make ends meet, and desperate to foster-to-adopt one of the kids at her school, Christopher. But Lucy doesn't even have a car, let alone an apartment all for herself, so she has a lot of obstacles before she's even clearer for fostering. Then there's a contest for one special person to win the only copy of Jack's recently-written final Clock Island book. Lucy and three other adults who also ran away to Clock Island when they were teens, all return again and participate in Jack's game to try to win... and see if their wishes will finally come true.

Love, love, love this book! Read it NOW!!

Great book with a touching ending. A gorgeously written feel goodbook. A magical storytelling journey filled with imagination. Face paced and fun! Loved it!!

The Wishing Game is a charming and heartwarming book that details the life of Lucy, a kindergarten teacher’s aide, Hugo, an illustrator, Jack a reclusive children’s book author, and Christopher a child in foster care. Lucy competes for a chance to win the only copy of the latest book in the series, which allow her the financial security to adopt Christopher.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Wow!!! What a magical, heartwarming, feel good book!!!

Years ago, famous author Jack Masterson stopped writing his popular children's books to the shock of the world. Suddenly, he resurfaces with a brand new book and a lchanging competition set on the remote island that he lives on. Lucy is a huge fan of Jack’s work and read his stories to get her through a not so great childhood. Now she is 26 and has dreams of adopting a little boy, Christopher, an orphan who she spends a lot of her time with. Due to financial issues, adoption seems impossible. Lucy is ready to give up hope until she learns she's one of the 4 contestants chosen to participate in Jack's contest.

This was an incredibly beautiful story. I absolutely loved getting lost in this story and couldn’t put it down. This book gives you all the feels! I will forever recommend this book!


📘: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
🗓️: May 30, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley, Meg Shaffer, and, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads.

Lucy can't believe her luck when she's selected to compete in a contest hosted by her very favorite childhood author. Will she win? Because, as a teacher's aide, she could really use the money... and not just to feed and clothe herself. Oh no. Lucy has an even grander dream to adopt 7 year old Christopher, who was orphaned and living in a foster home.

From the very first page featuring a map of Clock Island, home of author Jack Masterson, I was enchanted by this story of a woman's love for a child that is not her own but whom she desperately loves and wants to make her own! I am always a sucker for anything about an adopted or foster child, and this was no exception. The blurb promised it would absorbing and whimsical, and it sure did deliver!

Was the ending a little too cheesy and saccharine sweet? Probably… but, in this case, the overall story and the feel good ending warmed my heart and soothed my soul.

Location: California and Maine

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Book of the Month - June 2023

Books can take the reader to far away places, let our imagination roam and be our family and best friend. The Wishing Game did that for readers by allowing us to be children again while we uncovered why our love for reading began. This book brought back loving memories of days spent reading , trips to the library and daydreams. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Penguin Random House

I really liked this book. It was a really good read and well written. Thank you for the ARC! I really appreciate it!

This book took me by surprise! I knew it was about a young woman trying to win a contest by her favorite children's book author but it is oh so much more! Deeper storylines abound, including the foster care system and problems children face in society. I loved this book!

This was wonderful! A book about books and wishes. Lucy is a teacher. One of her students is Christopher. Her biggest wish is to adopt him one day. She hopes she can if she wins the mysterious contest involving the author of a series they love. The characters were great. And the adventures were even better.

LOVED it!! Such a sweet and easygoing story I loved the premise of a beloved children's author and the children all grown up. I loved the book in the book I mean seriously can someone please write the clock island books now for real?! I loved the simplicity and that so much of this.book was just about the joy of books and the joy of reading. I loved that message that it's okay to ask for help, I loved that Lucy got to realize she had what she needed all along. I just loved it

Lucy Hart wants so badly to adopt Christopher Lamb but her life as a teacher’s aide will not allow it. When she was young she read all of the Clock Island Books by Jack Masterson. Jack decides to have a contest and Lucy gets a chance to go to his home and compete in the games. Everyone is rooting for Lucy but she does not win but Jack gives her so much and she is finally able o adopt Christopher. This book restores the faith in that good people do still exist and want to help others. A great page turner.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for my Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Dedication ~ "This book is dedicated to Charlie and to all of us who are still looking for our golden tickets."

A feel good book about books, where wishes can come true.

The Wishing Game centers around author, Jack Mastermind, best known for his hit selling Clock Island Series. A series beloved by children all over. When Jack suddenly stops writing, people anxiously await any news. Fast forward thirteen years and teachers aide, Lucy, introduces this series to one of her students, Christopher. Lucy loves Christopher and is trying to adopt him, but is getting stopped at every turn.

When Jack Mastermind announces a contest to win the only copy of his new book for the series, Lucy is at a race against time and people to find the answers and win the book.

*This was such an easy book to read and get lost in. While I never was a huge fan of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I did love the story it told. I loved Jack as weird Wonka's replacement lol. I loved his riddles and his love for the players.

*I enjoyed the fact that romance took a back seat in this one. And while it is hinted upon, the character development was a fresh change.

*Clock Island is actual place and oh man, what a place it is! The book opens with a map and I love love maps! Like Hogwarts and Velaris, it is a fictional place I will always remember.

*There wasn't much about this story that I didn't like. I think it is actually suited for children as well. Or at least a younger audience.

Well done for a debut novel. I would highly recommend this for anyone needing an uplifting story!

I am very thankful to have been able to read an ARC of The Wishing Game, and I'm looking forward to this being released.
This is a really cozy story that made me remember all the books I loved when I was young and the worlds I wanted to run off to.
Okay, to be fair, I still feel that way often, however it was more magical when I was younger and felt more real.
That's the magic of this book.
I would consider this a cozy read. One to read lying in bed or maybe snuggled up by your young kid while they're learning how to find the magic in books.

What a beautiful story of found family. This felt like Willy Wonka fan fiction and was just as magical.

The book focuses on an author, Jack, who really is the Willy Wonka of children's stories and a young woman, Lucy, that desperately wants to adopt a young orphaned boy, Christopher, from foster care. There is a hint of romance with the illustrator of Jack's books, Hugo, but it stays mostly a friendship throughout the book. I thought their relationship was really cute.

I really enjoyed getting to know these characters. The story was tied up a little tidy, but I didn't mind at all. It was such a feel-good story.

4.5 stars rounded up for a fabulous debut! I look forward to seeing what Shaffer comes out with next.

I loved this whimsical and sweet book! If you love books like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The Midnight Library, you’ll love this one, too!

This was a heartwarming story of Lucy Hart, a lover of the children’s book series, Clock Island. Her life has been one of challenges. She’s a teacher’s aide and wants to adopt a little boy in her class named Christopher, who has also had a challenging life.

She gets invited to a Willy Wonka-esque puzzle competition for a chance to win an exclusive signed copy of reclusive author Jack’s latest book.

What follows is an expertly written tale of the healing power of books, not giving up when odds are stacked against you, and found family. Beautiful book!!!

Thank you to Random House Group, Ballantine, and NetGalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review. 💕

Just couldn't get into the too-much-sugar treatment of the foster and adoption story. I realize the author didn't want to get into the warts of it, but this was just too far from reality to be believable at all.

Dear The Wishing Game,
I struggled to connect and buy into your world of whimsy at first. I don't know why, but your first 50 pages were hard for me. But once I got over the hump, and into the meat of your story, I was entranced. I loved your magical realism and your story overall. I knew that you would make me smile, and I did, time after time while reading you. The riddles were a fun addition to the whole story. You reminded me of a grown up version of one of my favorite childhood books, The Westing Game. While you didn't have me full on crying, your ending certainly had me sniffling just a bit. You are sweet and deep and I just enjoyed losing myself on Clock Island.

Jack Masterson is the author behind a best-selling children's series. After book number 65, he mysteriously stopped writing and became somewhat of a recluse. After six years, he sends a message to his fans that he will give his new book to the winner of a one-of-a-kind contest - Willie Wonka style. Each of the contestants are people who have intersected with Jack at some point in the past, are now grown, and are in desperate need of a wish to be granted. True to the style of the books, the contestants compete in solving riddles and eventually facing one of their greatest fears. This is a story of being brave enough to dream big. The characters are endearing. The story is engaging. It just made me happy!

I really enjoyed this book! Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced e-copy and of this book.