*** Thank you Netgalley for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review**


The novel is a simple, heartwarming story, one filled with lovable characters, fun riddles and games. There’s some light romance to it, too, and it has some of good moments involving friendship and family. It also has some serious subjects as well.

I was intrigued by the premise of an updated Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with emphasis on the plight of kids stuck in the fosterage system. As much as I was predisposed to like this book, especially in light of it earning “Best Book of the Year,” I found in it one disappointment after another.

First, the protagonist: Lucy Hart, rejected by her family in favor of her chronically ill older sister, ought to have been a sympathetic viewpoint character. She has gone from one miserable life situation to another. As a child, though, she had the gumption to run away to the island fortress (Clock Island, site of the eponymous, wildly popular children’s book series penned by the mysterious recluse, Jack Masterson) and demand to become his apprentice. Of course, this did not go well, although she, Jack, and gifted cover artist Hugo have never forgotten one another. At the opening of the book, Lucy is working at a dead-end job as a teacher’s aide. She’s barely able to make rent, let alone provide a suitable home for Christopher, the foster kid she’s determined to adopt. Herein lies my initial and enduring inability to connect with Lucy. She seems to be no more emotionally mature than an average adolescent, even more so when she decides that the only solution to her life problems is to enter and win a fabulous prize offered by Jack, the only copy of his unpublished next Clock Island novel. Her wish appears to be coming true when she is selected as a finalist and travels to Clock Island.

Aside from one writer to another: One copy?? Give me a break! No agent, editor, publisher, publicist, beta reader, copy editor, proofreader, online writers group, professional association, or trusted friend (looking at you, Hugo) would ever allow such irresponsibility as printing out one copy and then destroying all the files of the previous versions (or the equivalent typewritten manuscripts). (At the beginning of my writing career, I typed out drafts (at least three) with carbon paper and kept them all, using them as show and tell for school presentations.)
Second aside: many aspects of this novel read as if written by someone ignorant of the publishing business, yet Jack is a many-times-over best seller, supposedly with an agent and editor with whom he’s had a long relationship. It didn’t take long for me to suspect that the naïveté was on the part of this book’s author. I confess to a prejudice against “Creative Writing” folks who all too often have no clue about how genre storytelling works. I can’t think of another explanation for the prevailing ignorance.

These issues paled beside the huge red flags. Here are but a few: Lucy decides that the key to happiness is to adopt a kid. Other than the limited, structured interactions with students her job, she has no experience with parenting. Her interactions with Christopher come across as sugar-coated wish fulfillment (except for a few small afterthought details in the last chapter). There’s no chemistry between the two of them; their stereotyped interactions could have come straight out of 1950s family sitcoms. As Lucy’s history is revealed, it’s clear that because she felt unloved as a child, her solution is to shower another child with the love she never received. Not to resolve her own issues, not to learn to love (and forgive) herself, not to let go of her resentment of her sister and parents.

Second huge red flag: Lucy goes from one inappropriate romantic relationship to another. Her longtime, emotionally abusive, and much older boyfriend kept her dependent, off-balance, and doubting her self-worth. Never does she address the lingering trauma other than to “do a geographic” and leave town. She’s had a crush on Hugo since meeting him as a child, he being quite a few years older then, and neither of them sees anything untoward about being attracted to each other. Her relationship with elderly Jack is bizarre. In the age of #MeToo and better understanding of how women are manipulated, exploited, and gaslit, I’m appalled at how much of Lucy’s victimhood is rationalized, unexamined, and lacking in feminist context. Neither Hugo nor Jack is outwardly abusive, but the inherent imbalance in power in each of these relationships means there can be no true consent. Lucy has not become empowered by escaping her previous domineering romance, she has only run away. She is just as vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation as ever.

These issues are far less significant than the crucial problem: Lucy has no agency as a character. She never rises to the occasion to solve her own problems. Someone else, whether Hugo, Jack, or her co-worker, always steps in to fix things for her. In the end, after she fails to win the contest, Jack gives her the island (so she and Christopher have a place to live), Hugo gives her a painting worth a small fortune, and Jack’s attorney takes over the legalities of Christopher’s adoption.

The contest to win the unpublished manuscript includes a series of riddles, which were fun, but not amusing enough to cancel the serious issues I’ve raised above. Anyone looking for a story in which a character wrestles with their inner demons and rises above them, learns to act like an adult, and takes control over their destiny through their own efforts will likely be as disappointed as I was.

The premise of this book was attractive to me initially, promising a heartwarming story of found family for a young orphan boy, Christopher. While I found that general theme to be true, the delivery wasn’t as expected. I found the relationship between Christopher and Lucy, his teacher (the other main character), to be somewhat uncomfortable. The intention is clearly that Lucy cares about Christopher and wants to provide the love and affection he is missing from a family structure, but the fixation she has on adopting a student and the physical affection she shows him while at school is a bit overdone. Additionally, the feasibility of her adopting him while living with multiple unreliable roommates is unrealistic.

The island setting of the story is gorgeous and I really enjoyed the idea of the writing workshop and exclusive contest; it’s very reminiscent of Wilky Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and adds a a whimsical edge to the plot that satisfied my inner child. There are some unique characters that are fun to get to know and it tugs at your heart that Christopher eventually gets the family he deserves.

Overall, there were aspects of the book that I loved but others that felt awkward. Despite the early portion of the book striking me as a bit odd, I think the book has a good theme and a lot of heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

I really was looking forward to this read as I found the premise intriguing, but unfortunately I didn't like it by the end. Many of the relationships between the characters made me quite uncomfortable, including 1. the age gap between the protagonist and her love interest, who met when she was a teen and he was in his 20s, 2. Lucy's relationship with Christopher, promising him adoption when it seems near impossible, and 3. the way Jack interacted with children, which made me feel more creeped out than endeared. I do think the story showed promise and could have been written in a more enjoyable way, but unfortunately the characterizations prevented me from fully immersing myself / enjoying the story.

The Wishing Game was written for book lovers. It truly encompasses how important books are in everyone's lives and how a book can change a child's life. This was such an emotional and impact full read for me and it's a book that just feels like a nice big warm hug. It makes you smile and see the good in the world again. It's about found family, love, grief, and how magical books can be.

Lucy Hart is a struggling teacher who adores one of her students, Christopher, who is 7 and now an orphan. She would love to adopt him, but can't until she can show the courts she is financially responsible. She has to watch Christopher struggle with the grief of his parents and be in a foster home, when she would do anything to be his adopted mom. (Yes I cried from the first couple of pages)

Lucy's favorite childhood author, is hosting a contest and the winner will receive a cash prize. It seems like a dream come true when she gets picked to go to his house on Clock Island and compete to win the money. All she wants is to win so she can have enough money to adopt Christopher.

This book is full of magic and as a book lover makes you remember just how much you loved reading as a child and escaping into worlds. There is a dash of romance in this book which was done perfectly.

I rotated between laughing and smiling to crying every few pages. This truly is one of the best books I've ever read and it's just going to be one of those books that I hold near and dear to me.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is a captivating read for anyone who has ever found solace in the power of stories, especially those who have experienced the transformative magic of found family, foster care, and the unwavering hope that comes with chasing one's dreams.

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One Thing Better Jessica Sherry
Only Love Can Hurt Like This Paige Toon
Overdue or Die Allison Brook
Ready or Not Cara Bastone
Recipe for a Charmed Life Rachel Linden
Sex Ed Kristen Bailey
Someone Else's Shoes Jojo Moyes
Sweeten the Deal Katie Shepard
The Best Life Book Club Sheila Roberts
The Break Up Vacation
The Broken Hearts Club Susan Bishop Crispell
The Day Tripper James Goodhand
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley Courtney Walsh
The Wedding Planner Danielle Steel
The Wishing Game Meg Shaffer




REVIEW: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The stories write us, you see. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it…it changes us.”
― Meg Shaffer, The Wishing Game

The Wishing Game was such a fun and whimsical fantasy that tugged at your heartstrings. The characters are not realistic but they are super loveable. This book is a warm fuzzy fairy tale for adults. At times the book was a bit simplistic, but if you look at it more as a child-like view into fantasy, it will really draw you in.

I really enjoyed the riddles and puzzles of the competition. I also loved the themes of found family, chasing your dreams, and hope throughout the book.

I enjoyed The Wishing Game for its fantastical and heartfelt story. I cannot wait to check out more from Meg Shaffer!

Thank you, Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine , for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

The Wishing Game is a feel-good story brimming with amazing and generous characters, heartwarming moments, and a level of kindness that leaves you wishing for more of the same in your own life. I loved how this book warmed my heart as I read it. It reminded me of the incredible people I've met in my own life who have shown me that same kind of heartfelt love and compassion.

I thought I had reviewed this when I finished it but it must not have submitted! I liked this book. It had a good storyline although a bit slow in some parts. I liked it overall and recommended it to my sister. I would love to read more by this author

I love a book with a good game show twist, and part of my really wants to visit clock island! The riddles and puzzles were great and reminded me of the Westing Game in a way. I liked the dual narrators- going from the narration of a teacherwho wants to win a prize book, and use it to create the found family she's always wanted, to the perspective of an artist almost disillusioned by the author and creator of the contest. It's a nice take on fans of a series and how they grow up.

Books about books always catch my eye and the premise of this particular book sounded intriguing and slightly nostalgic to some stories or themes that I loved as a kid.

Unfortunately I found the beginning of this book slow and hard to attach to. I also found a few relationship boundaries (or lack there of) bothersome.

Overall the story flowed as expected, and was a bit predictable, by it worked for what it was.

I loved this book. It started off as a great, general book and then the contest came along. Everything changed, I loved it. I loved all the characters and the storyline was excellent. I would definitely recommend this book.

Loooooved this book! Kept my interest from the very start the perfect remix of magical realism and real life. It was such a fun read and I highly recommend!! 5/5 stars!

I loved the riddles and puzzles of the competition, but it was difficult for me to move past how unethical I thought Lucy’s situation with Christopher was. It seems so wrong to me for her to promise she’ll get enough money to become his mother. It felt like she was leading him on and making his life more difficult. It would have made more sense for her to be his support system and then offer to take him in once she was able to.

The received this from NetGalley. I liked a lot about this book- the characters, the book within a book aspect, realistic stories mixed in with feel good moments. It was creative and refreshing to read.

I am so sorry. I read this long ago, before my divorce trauma, so I do not remember it. I do not have access to the book any longer and really do not remember anything about

This gives a little bit of Willy Wonka - Lucy is neglected by her family and becomes a teacher to be there for other kids. She has one shed love to adopt and she ends up winning a contest to Clock Island. Will she win? Will she get to bring Christopher home with her?

“When you gotta scream, you gotta scream.”
-Lucy

All the reviews and feedback I got from this book were very good. So I decided to dive in and I’m so happy I did because The Wishing Game did not disappoint. I laughed, I cried, and I smiled through out this book. I fell in love with all the characters in the book! The way Meg wrote about everyone and their lives was amazing. The world she created and the characters that live in this world will forever live in my mind and heart!

I adored The Wishing Game, a story about Lucy Hart, an adult who grew up without parents and who is now trying to become a parent to a child growing up like her, without parents. I loved the story of visiting Jack the Mastermind Masterson and the game where the winner gets the one copy of his newest book of the Clock Island series. The romance story in the book was also a bonus.

Since she was a little girl Lucy Hart has been playing The Wishing Game. Her childhood hasn't been the best as she always felt neglected by her parents. The one thing that always kept her company was The Clock Island series. Her dedication was so strong that when she was thirteen she ran away from home to the island where the author lived. It was her dream to get away from her rough life and instead be the sidekick of her favorite writer. Jack Masterson This is not exactly how things panned out but, she remained a fan of his writing even when he stopped writing all together.

These days she is twenty-six years old, a teachers aid, and enjoys spending time with an orphan named Christopher. She has even introduced him to the Clock Island series! She wishes to adopt him but that doesn't seem possible with her current living situation and finances. That is until one day she receives an invitation to return to the island where Jack Masterson, and potentially win the only copy of his newest book.

Lucy is one of four contestants each of whom once had run away to meet "The Mastermind". They are now all adults but the pull that this author has on them is stronger than ever. I swear that this entire story was a love letter to the power of children books or books in general. It pulled me right in and kept me intrigued with the various challenges that were put in place for them. Each character had some sort of fear, and ultimately the goal of this competition is not just to win the copy of the new book but to face their fears.

The other part of the story that kept me intrigued was the dynamic between Hugo Reese and Lucy. The two characters had a brief encounter when she was first on the island and Hugo recognizes her immediately. I really enjoyed the way they played off each other and the deep concern both of them had for Jack Masterson. Hugo is the illustrator for the Clock Island series and has stayed by Jack's house helping support him. There is something there between Lucy and Hugo but it is hard to put a label on especially with them being so focused on the competition.

The Wishing Game is just mystical and magical. It feels real even in a suspended sense of reality. I must applaud Meg Schaffer for creating a world I wanted to go to with characters I could root for. Every aspect - the characters, the relationships that are formed, the island - each pull you in even deeper. Like I said before, this truly feels like a love story for children's books who are always there for children in need. With the way that everything wrapped up, I feel like there is potential for a sequel and honestly hope that there will be. I'd love to go back into this world again!

**4.5 Stars**