Jack Masterson is the author of the beloved Clock Island books, a series of books for children. It’s been years since one was published, but a contest has just been announced and four invited guests get to go to Jack’s home on the real Clock Island. Lucy is a kindergarten teaching assistant who is down on her luck and desperate to adopt a little boy who has recently lost his parents. But her luck may have changed when an invitation arrives in the mail.

‘Ah, but that’s how life is,” Jack said. “Hindsight is twenty-twenty, they say, and they aren’t wrong. We only know the right thing to do after we’ve done the wrong one.’

Was this a smidge predictable? Maybe. But that didn’t keep me from adoring this book. The writing was beautiful, it was imaginative and magical. A genuinely lovely debut.

“The stories write us, you see. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it ... it changes us.”
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Such an unbelievable journey. As we root for Lucy and little Christopher in hopes of them finally becoming a family, we fall down the proverbial rabbit hole that is Clock Island. This review will not do this story justice, given that my inner child was healed a bit after reading this book. Thanks Netgalley.

There is so much I loved about this book - The Wishing Game will be in my top 10 reads of the year. The story itself is intriguing, but it is the characters that really shined in this book. A recluse children's author, a lonely boy, a hard-working teacher's aide - all with some big wishes. The way each character story was told and how they were seamlessly interwoven with each other was magical. I was transported to Clock Island, I enjoyed the riddles, and I truly appreciated the humanity on every page. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Thank You to NetGalley for this ARC book, and for my honest review!!

"The only wishes ever granted are the wishes of brave children who keep on wishing even when it seems no one’s listening because someone somewhere always is.”

This Story was unique, even though it has remnants of Willy Wonka, but with the kids coming back as adults, this book is amazing, I loved the characters in this book. I would definitely recommend reading it.

If you are looking for a feel-good book, The Wishing Game is for you. The characters are so real I felt that I could reach out and touch them. Meet Lucy, a teacher's assistant wanting to adopt Christopher, a seven-year-old orphan. Lucy's favorite author is sponsoring a competition for the chance to win enough money to be able to afford the adoption. There are so many delightful, quirky characters that live in this story. I found myself smiling throughout the pages. I loved this book so much that I gave it as presents.

This was a quick weekend read that made me feel nostalgic for the days when I would hide under the covers reading by flashlight past my bedtime. If you ever wanted to be the characters in your childhood novels, having adventures and solving riddles to earn some magic in your life, this is the book for you. With a cast of characters you'll become attached to and a competition filled with twists, turns, and riddles this will easily become a novel you think of often.

I wish this novel was longer so I could get a better picture of what Clock Island the book series meant to these characters as children. I would have also loved to see the characters in this novel develop over a larger period of time or hear about their motivations to return to Clock Island a bit more. Overall, this was a nice 3.5-star read rounded up to 4 stars that I would recommend and hand-sell to my customers.

I'm so confused while everyone is racing about this book?! I found it boring. I also felt that the relationship between Hugo and Lucy was very cringe and uncomfortable.

Five stars is not enough for this book. Without a doubt, this is one of the best books I have read all year. It is a beautiful, highly entertaining story filled with puzzles, a fabulous island, characters we care about and a compelling plot. But, the best thing about this book os that it touches on very difficult subjects like grief, child abuse and loss, with care and respect. I loved every single second.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
#NetGalley published 5/30/23

The publisher calls this book fantasy or woman's fiction. I don't see it as either. It seems more like a YA to me even though the MC is 26. I don't remember reading anything not realistic to call it a fantasy or scifi. Maybe even romance. Hmm what are you thinking #randomhousepublishinggroup
#ballantinebooks ?

Light and endearing story. Lucy needs money in order to afford to foster to adopt one of her former kindergarten students. Her favorite children's book author is holding a contest for "his" kids. Can she win it?

Loved the story. Will definitely be reading more by this author!

#thewishinggame
#romance
#bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation #booknerdsbookreview #recommend #gottareadthisbook #lovedthisbook

Thank you to @ballantinebooks @netgalley and @prhaudio for the #gifted copy.

This book had a lot of hype and high praise. The story had a lot of potential, but fell flat for me. I really liked the premise- a recluse children’s author who hadn’t written a book for many years decided to write again, but only 1 copy of the book will be available. In order to get that copy, he invites 4 people, who are all in need of something, to his house on Clock Island for a challenge. There will only be one winner.

It was a sweet story, but it was a bit predictable and on the boring side for me.

The Wishing Game is a magical story of books and the power of a fantastical world that brings comfort in the darkest times. It feels like Willy Wonka for book lovers. It has the whimsy of a children's book, but the seriousness of an adult novel. It's heartfelt, funny, and endearing and is an excellent comfort read. I enjoyed every bit of this.

Twenty-six-year-old Lucy is a kindergarten teacher who is trying to adopt her former student who was orphaned. However, it doesn't seem possible until Jack Masterson, Lucy's favorite author from childhood, announces a contest for the only copy of his latest book. There is impeccable character development, a hint of romance, and a well-executed plot.

I highly recommend this one.

4 1/2 stars

If wishes could come true - - they would look like this book. What a sweet book of positivity, encouragement and goodness. When a world famous author of children's books announces a contest for the single copy of a new book he's written in his beloved series, people are clamoring for an invite.

Our main character, Lucy has met Jack Masterson (the author) before when she was a child/teenager. She's living a life that doesn't feel like it will ever be quite enough. She's struggling financially, hasn't met a good man, and is desperate to adopt a young boy that she's become attached to. Her hopes and dreams are simple ones - - to make a home for Christopher and be able to adopt him. But everything seems stacked against her until she hears about the contest and then hope springs to life....and her wishes take flight.

This contest takes Lucy back to Clock Island where she is able to reunite with Jack but also with his assistant/illustrator, Hugo who she also met before briefly too. Hugo is striving to find a way to move away from Clock island and resume his own life. But he wants to know that Jack will be watched over if he leaves. But with Lucy back, he isn't in a hurry to go anywhere.

I love a book that leaves you feeling uplifted when you finish. This was definitely one of those.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

This was such a fun book. It had such a childlike quality to it that brought all my WilllyWonka fantasies to life, but at the same time had all the qualities of an adult novel that you look for. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC. 4.5 stars

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is a surprising read. This book was nothing like I expected and that was a very good thing. With a love for reading and the magic it can bring, this book will remind you of your childhood. I particularly loved the tone of this book and how quickly it absorbs you in its setting. Amazing book! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I was so charmed by The Wishing Game, easily my favorite read of the year so far. I can't remember the last time I was so immediately captured by a book. The premise is irresistible, with a clear nod to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but replace the candy with books and the children with adults who have significant yet simple wishes. Throw in some delicious riddles and a couple of characters to root for and you have an endearing, engaging story.

Lucy is a teacher's aide, with a desperate desire but no funds to foster and adopt a boy that she tutors, Christopher. They share a love of the Clock Island book series (think Magic Tree House but described with HP like fandom). Lucy is one of the lucky, chosen few to be in a unique contest held on the author's private island. The winner gets the manuscript of the next book, a prize worth more than enough to finally adopt Christopher.

It is so easy to love Lucy and Christopher and be swept away by the game on the island. A story involving a game or quest of some sort always sparks the thrill of adventure and the chance of a win. I had some critiques but I forgave them easily, as the joy of the story outshone the shadows of these minor imperfections. My issues were around the other contestants, who never felt quite real or fleshed out. I would have liked to know them more, through distinct behaviors and dialogue (versus backstory). It bothered me that they were all immediately annoyed with each game, frustrated before giving it a chance. I may have believed it more if just one of them reacted this way, but it felt unrealistic that they'd all be immediately irritated and seemingly ungrateful to be there. If they idolized this man and his books I'd think they'd be more eager and excited versus instantly defeated by a riddle. I at least expected a range of reactions but it was a lot of immediate "are you kidding?! This is crazy!" type of exasperated, extroverted comments. All of the non-Lucy contestants bled together. I convinced myself to forgive it by comparing Lucy to Charlie and the other contestants to the deplorable children in Willy Wonka's factory, but I don't think they were meant to be unlikable caricatures, so it felt wonky.

There are few things more comforting than a new book that feels nostalgic, and The Wishing Game sits cozily in this space. Read it in a blanketed nook then put it on your favorites shelf.

More than a decade ago, Lucy Hart ran away from home, to the private Maine island of her favorite author, Jack Masterson. He counseled her before sending her home. Now she is a 26-year-old teacher's aide, broke and eager to adopt Christopher, a boy with a tragic past. But she cannot foster or adopt until she can afford a place of her own--a dream that is beyond her reach.

Until Jack Masterson announces a contest with the prize being the rights to his latest book, sure to make a lot of money after his long draught. Lucy qualifies to be one of four contestants to travel to Maine. The competition is steep, and the other contestants also have legitimate reasons for needing money. Not only is Lucy reunited with Jack, she also becomes reacquainted with Hugo, the illustrator of Jack's books she crushed on as a young girl and who is no less appealing through the eyes of her adult self. Lucy is also forced to reunite with her sister, who she mistakenly blamed for her unhappy childhood.

There's a lot to unpack here, but this book is charming. Lucy and Hugo are adorable, as is Christopher, and Jack is delightfully cantankerous and annoying, but very very generous. It is a reminder of the power of books, particularly for friendless, misunderstood, or just sad children. #TheWishingGame #NetGalley

This book absolutely infuriated me. Not only was it poorly edited, as though it were written for a middle grade audience, but it also had a completely horrendous storyline glamourizing adoption and foster care. This is fully harmful to readers.

Big thanks to Ballantine Books for the widget to read The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer! I adored this story!

3.5 stars!

A Kindergarten teacher's aide, the boy she hopes to adopt, wishes, mysterious children's book author, a 'grumpy' illustrator.... it all came together for a super cute, at times heartbreaking, story. I cried and laughed in this one. The author did a great job of making me feel I was right there in that library, on Clock Island with the contestants.

The riddles were so fun! I was proud of myself for figuring a couple out, others I struggled with! :-D

The budding romance was a cute aspect (I'm a sucker for romances so maybe just me).

Overall, a feel-good, lovely story I enjoyed.

If you loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you will love this book! Great characters, a fun island, and a game! It was a tad predictable but was still a really fun read! I absolutely loved Christopher! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

The Wishing Game was a whimsical and charming journey that will deliver you to a magical world. It is the story of love and found family.
Jack Masterson is the author of the beloved "Clock Island " series. He hasn't written a book in years and his stories have been missed by all. One day Jack starts writing again and now has an eagerly anticipated new book. He is holding a contest at his home on the magical Clock Island. The winner will receive the one and only copy of the new book.
This story was heartwarming and magical, with a nod to Willy Wonka. It captures perfectly how reading is so impactful in our lives, especially when the right book comes along at just the right time.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this heartwarming book.