This was such a fun book to read! It was like a bookish, adult version of Willy Wonka. There were so many loveable characters, I was rooting for almost all of them. It also lets you soak in the magic of a favorite book or series, that you loved so much as a kid. You just fall in and feel as if you could live there forever. Lots of books still do that. You almost feel as if you are in the book. I strongly recommend all book lovers read this.

"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."

There are some books that feel like coming home. Just like when you were a kid and fell asleep dreaming in the back of the car, these stories wrap you up in a cozy blanket of familiarity, and make sure you're safe and sound as you escape into a dreamland—a reality that's all in your own head where you can escape and maybe find a little piece of yourself that only exists in those worlds.

Twenty-six year old Lucy Hart has always dreamed big; falling in love with the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson when she was a little girl suffering from a tragic childhood. The series and mysteries within were her escape, and her dream was to one day live on the island. Her dreams stay with her through adulthood, where she then shares the magic and adventure within them with a little boy named Christopher, who she wants to adopt. When Lucy receives an invitation to visit Clock Island (home of Jack Masterson) and compete for a grand prize, she jumps at the opportunity to make both her and Christopher's dreams come true.

She, along with four other childhood dreamers, goes to Clock Island to compete for the only copy in existence of Jack Masterson's newest novel written after his six-year hiatus. She and the other contestants must take part in a battle of wits and riddles, finding the answers within themselves and the books they all loved as children in order to make it to the end.

News of a new Jack Masterson book is makes headlines and there are lawyers, book collectors and publishers to scheming to get their hands on that rare manuscript. Between dodging shady offers from the likes of lawyers and even fellow contestants, her growing dynamic with Hugo (the lovable grump illustrator of the novels who also lives on the island) and the stress of winning and securing a bright future for Christopher and herself—there's a lot at stake and a lot that Lucy could lose.

There is a warm and comforting familiarity to this story. Dedicated to the children who dreamed of winning a golden ticket to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, Meg Shaffer paints an imaginative tale that pulls you right back into childhood, and gives you that same escape that you had reading as a little kid, putting yourself in the characters' shoes to climb mountains, meet unicorns and have adventures of your own.

The Wishing Game gives us all the chance to find that little kid living within all of us. To allow ourselves to remember what it's like to wish for something with all of your heart, and to have the hope that if you wish hard enough, someday it might come true. It's a story that connects you to your inner child, and lets you forget about the stress and worry of the adult world, and to have <i>fun</i> reading again. This novel and the magic within will touch your heart, and maybe, just maybe, make you start to wish for something again.

The Wishing Game was published May 30, 2023. Thank you to Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books, NetGalley and the author for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Stories write us you see. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it changes us."

Special thanks to Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my own opinion.

This was a really great idea for a book. Think of your favorite of a series who is writing a last book in that series and holds a contest for a deserving person. One deserving person out of four compete.

What a beautiful story although heartbreaking at times (specifically Lucy and Christopher in foster-adoption situation). I thought this book would be too YA for me, but surprisingly it wasnt.

This one made me cry but that was ok because it also fixed me right up by the end. This strange tale was one that I didn't know that I needed to read. Man this was heartwarming and well kind of weird but I fell for it hard!!

Game involving a recluse writer spinning a tale of a magical island made popular in a series of children’s books, where wishes can come true by solving a few clues (simplistically put). He brings together, by invitation only, a group of 4 loyal followers all needing the coveted prize for different reasons. Story line is reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I loved the write up of this book and couldn’t wait to dive in. For me, this book felt more geared toward a young adult crowd. Writing was more simplistic, I had hoped for more. Characters were developed with issues that could be relatable to adults. I believe this could be a fairly quick read for most, but I found myself putting the book down often, sometimes for days because it just didn’t hold my interest. This could be a good vacation read, easy to put down and pick up where you left off.

Thanks to Random House/Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

Finally! I've read a book that has completely consumed me! I've had some 5 star reviews for the year, and they were great, but this one? This one is truly wonderful. It's a wholesome, inspiring and also fun story. I loved all the characters, even the not so good ones, because they were necessary. I love that the ending was actually not what I thought it would be, even though thinking back there was a little foreshadowing. It may be more predictable to some, but I was expecting something else for the ending. Thankfully, it is better than I was expecting! It definitely had Charlie and the Chocolate Factory vibes, but it's way different enough to stand on its own. It's whimsical and heartwarming and just overall a wonderful read! As of right now, this is my top read for the year and I highly recommend it, just might want to have some tissues nearby!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This was a fun, delightful read. Lucy really wants to adopt a boy she works with who is orphaned, but she does not have the funds to do so. She and Christopher have a plan on how she can, but it will take quite a while. Her favorite author is holding a contest, and whoever wins gets his newest book. Lucy manages to be a contestant, and the book follows her journey with the tough competition to win the book!
4/5 stars

Lucy Hart is a teacher's aide and doing her best to be able to adopt seven-year-old Christopher. When she gets news from the social worker that it'll be all but impossible to adopt him, she's about to give up. Then she finds out she's been invited to take part in a competition where the prize is the only extant copy of children's author James Masterson's new unreleased book. As a child, Lucy found solace in Masterson's Clock Island series and now as an adult she's going back to Clock Island for the chance to make her wish come true, as she competes in a series of games and challenges, When Lucy meets her fellow contestants and the resident artist, she sees that they all have their own wishes and even though she still desperately wants to win, she finds camaraderie. Despite the serious topics that are discussed throughout the book, there's still a touch of whimsy and hope that if you wish for something, it will be granted. Overall, a delightful read with an intricate setting that has you rooting for Lucy to win it all.

The Wishing Game's blurb gives strong Charlie and the Chocolate factory vibes. While I can definitely draw some comparisons between the two, The Wishing Game is so much more than a reimagined retelling.

We meet twenty six year old Lucy. A dreamer and a doer, Lucy is working as a teaching assistant in California. With no family of her own, to speak of, and a huge heart for her students, Lucy is dead set on adopting an orphaned former student, Christopher. Money, or lack thereof, and legal obstacles are standing in her way, but Lucy keeps the faith and bides her time while she and Christopher bond over her favorite author's magical books. When her favorite author comes out of retirement and holds a contest to win his unpublished newest book, Lucy's name is at the top of the list of contestants to vie for the prize...and she is one step closer to making her wish of adoption a reality.

Quite a bit of fantasy, a little sci-fi, a dash of romance, and tons of heart. This book is perfect for readers of all ages and has the potential to be wonderfully adapted to the big screen.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for, ironically enough, granting my wish. 4 magical stars.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer was almost like a children’s book for adults. There was Clock Island. Lucy had been there. Those books had saved her life when she was a child and she had run away to live there, thinking it would solve all her problems. It hadn’t. Now she was far away from Maine and Clock Island, living life as a teacher’s aide in a small elementary school in California. Every afternoon Christopher joined her to help clean up, to do his homework, or just to be together. Christopher was in second grade and she wanted to adopt him. He wanted that, too. But, she didn’t have a home or a car and the social services folks thought she was not a good bet. Maybe she wasn’t. Then the contest was announced: Jack Masterson was inviting a few people to Clock Island to solve puzzles and answer riddles. She got an invitation, but she wan’t sure she could leave Christopher; he convinced her to go. And compete. And come home the winner.

Lucy had a rough childhood in some ways. Her sister was sick, really sick, and so her parents had no time for her. Her grandparents had come to her rescue. She had had a relationship with a famous author for a few years, but he had let her down, too. She had run after she had announced her pregnancy and he wanted to get rid if it. She had miscarried. She never bothered to tell him. Now she was going back to Maine to face her fears, just like the children in the books that had meant so much to her and to Christopher. There were three other people. She was the last to arrive. She was beyond nervous until a nice man named Mikey drove her to the dock, and she was met by Hugo Reese, the illustrator, who had matured since she’d seen him. Then when she saw Jack, the Mastermind, she knew she’d come to the right place. What happened next was beyond astounding. What a terrific book!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Wishing Game by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #MegShaffer #TheWishingGame

Oh how I absolutely adored The Wishing Game! I wish I could read it again for the first time. It was perfectly nostalgic of those old classic books that I loved as a kid, but with a fresh modern take. It was like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but instead of chocolate, BOOKS!!!! My favorite. The world that this author created was so lifelike and full of whimsy. I would LOVE to see this book turned into a movie. One of my favorite books I have read this year!

The Wishing Game is a book with a heart. As a child I was a huge fan of Willy Wonka and The Wishing Game has a strong Willy Wonka vibe that my adult self thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the whimsy, mystery, riddles, found family, and romance intermixed with serious underlying themes. This makes for a much more interesting book. The characters are superb - multilayered and flawed. A major theme is the power and magic of books for everyone, but particularly for children. The Wishing Game simply made my heart feel happy and hopeful.

Thanks to Random House Publishing - Ballantine, NetGalley and author Meg Shaffer for this ARC.

Lucy’s a kindergarten teacher’s aide and her one wish in the world is to be foster mom and eventually a real mom to one of her students. Christopher, who has grown attached to Lucy after his parents tragically died, shares a love for a series of children’s books that take place on Clock Island. When the author of the Clock Island series (who just so happens to live on “Clock Island” himself) sets up a contest surrounding his new book, Lucy’s greatest wish has a chance to come true.

The Wishing Game is a quick read with ups, downs, heart, soul, and leaves a person wanting to give everyone they care about a hug. This novel will charm anyone who loved a middle grade book series a kid and wished to be part of the worlds they read about. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a feel good adventure. 4 stars.

Review based on an Uncorrected Digital Proof provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley. Thank you!

More Like 4 and ½ Stars ✨!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my advanced copy of The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer.

I LOVED this book.
I was invested in the story.
Found myself attached to the characters.
I felt so many emotions. Mostly happy ones =)
I will be searching out a signed copy for my collection.

Overall- Highly recommend. I can't wait for this author's next release.

I can't believe how much I enjoyed this book. And honestly I’ve been struggling with this review because I really don’t know how to do it justice.

I loved Lucy. I loved how much books meant to her as a kid while she was growing up. How they were always such a big part of her life. Thinking of all the stories that changed me as a kid truly brings back so many fond memories. And I can tell you I’ve definitely written to authors before. So just in the principle alone, I knew I would love this story.

And Lucy’s struggles—how much she truly loves Christopher, how much she wants to be his mom but financially she legally can’t afford to do it. Her childhood, her family, being neglected and unwanted. It’s hard not to fall for Lucy and want her to win almost as badly she she does.

And Jack Masterson! Literally amazing. Kooky. Quirky. Absolutely wild. And of course the most fascinating imagination. I got mad scientist vibes mixed with a famous children’s author. But he was so precious and good hearted. And I loved having parts of his books woven into the story, tying it all together. So well done.

And let’s not forget Hugo (how many paragraphs can I start with and?). I don’t want to say too much because I didn’t really know what to think about him going in but I didn’t expect the bond he has with Jack.

Anyway. The Wishing Game is a reimagined Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but with sparks of romance, whimsical riddles and of course BOOKS (which we all love or you wouldn't be here right now, would you?).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer is a sweet feel-good tale full of whimsy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A definite nod to Willy Wonka, this story brings an eccentric author, his illustrator/friend, and a group of adults (not kids) to Clock Island, Maine to compete for the latest book! While all the contestants have backstories with Jack, the author, we are brought into Lucy's and her story with a boy named Christopher.

I did benefit from hearing from others about this book. It is a sweet story with heartwarming moments and a little bit of whimsical eccentricities. It is not a deep dive into magic or a heavy tome detailing the difficulties of found family amidst past family trauma, but it does seem to have a light touch into these things. I was ready for it and I really enjoyed it. In fact, I did get a little verklempt in a couple of places where Lucy and Christopher interacted.

The light touch also swirled around the importance of books and stories, not just for children, but adults as well. We can be inspired to be brave by fictional characters just as much as real people!

I did enjoy this book, and look forward to chatting with @bookfriendsbookclub about the deeper layers of it this month!

Thank you to @netgalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC of this lovely story! It is out now!

The Wishing Game is a joy for those of us who look back fondly on particular children’s books. What would we do if we could actually go to those places? The characters of the novel get to do just that, crossing the water to Clock Island for a high stakes competition. If they win, their wishes come true. Can they bear it if they lose? I think this will be a highlight of my summer reading. Highly recommend.

So is May too early to declare my favorite book of the year? Because, y'all. I think this is it.

I want to *live* in this book. The world created here is one that I enjoyed SO MUCH and was just so sad to leave. It was really and truly magical. I zipped right through this book and I was so sad when it was over. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this ride.

This felt like a homage to so many wonderful things. It's almost a Clue-like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory experience and make me all kinds of nostalgic for a world that I never lived in (and doesn't actually exist). Who among us hasn't had a favorite book or a favorite author that has deeply shaped us, especially in our childhood. I love how this story played on that.

So. This is LOVELY and I don't know how many other ways to say that. The characters are PHENOMENAL (especially Hugo), the setting is, well, EVERYTHING. The setting is a character itself and I could read an entire series just exploring the island. Why, oh why, doesn't the Clock Island series actually exist?!

*ahem* Anyway. LOVED THIS. Highly recommend!! If you, too, love whimsical stories with puzzles and mysteries and books inside of books, please pick this up. Please love it as much as I do!!! And I'll definitely be picking up a physical copy at some point so I can devour this over and over and over so it's worn and loved and stare at it on my shelf forever.

And thank you to NetGalley & Ballantine for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review! What a joy!! What a treat!

After getting through a slow start, I became truly attached to these characters. It took a while to understand why Lucy wanted to adopt Christopher, but that’s explained more fully. As the book goes on, you understand their bond more.

Jack was an interesting character. He was a complete mystery for the majority of the book, but by the end, his motivations are revealed, and it all makes more sense. Hugo was grumpy but seemed to have good reason for. The relationship between him and Lucy seemed rather sudden, and it took me a bit to buy into it, but eventually it develops into something that could be real.

Clock Island felt like a character of its own. I had a hard time imagining the size of the island (maybe I just missed it…but it seemed like it must’ve been very small), but the rest of it was easily pictured, where a place was also the time. Everything in this book was a riddle and it felt frustrating at times, but also comes to make sense.

I don’t think this review makes any sense. I don’t know how to explain my feelings without spoiling everything. This is a book most appreciated when it’s over, even though the reading experience is pleasant. I did fly through it after the first 40% or so and I loved the ending.

Overall, this was a really good book with characters you can root for, even when you don’t think you can. There were parts that seemed to come out of nowhere or not make a ton of sense, but when you give in to the slightly whimsical nature of the novel, it doesn’t really matter in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent, excellent, excellent novel!! From the very first page I knew this was going to be a book I love. The writing was fantastic and I felt as if the storyline truly flowed throughout the whole book.