The Wishing Game is a novel about a young woman who enters a contest to win a famous children’s author’s new manuscript. It has elements of romance and mystery.

When Lucy was thirteen she ran away from home to visit her favorite author (Jack Masterson) on his island off the coast of Maine. Lucy was going through a tough time and was ignored by her parents while they cared for her sister who was sick for her entire childhood. Finally, after forgetting about her in the hospital waiting room Lucy was shuffled off to live with her grandparents. Although Jack was kind during Lucy’s unexpected visit he had no choice but to call the police so she could be escorted home. Now, thirteen years later Lucy and three other fans are invited back to the island to compete for the only existing copy of Jack’s next book. The value of the book would be enough to put Lucy on a path to adopt one of the children at her school (Christopher) who is in currently in foster care and needing a permanent home. Lucy will have to solve several puzzles over the next few days if she wants to win.

The Wishing Game is a sweet novel about still having big dreams even as an adult and not being afraid to go for it. The contest is fairly low stress and the island is charming and fun. There is also a possibility of romance with Jack’s caretaker slash illustrator Hugo. As a former foster parent who adopted a child Christopher’s age I appreciate the author’s inclusion of the dilemma of having the heart to provide a home for a child but not being financially set up to be considered.

I prefer a little more grit and tension in my reads but audiences that want a slightly mysterious book without any violence or intimate scenes will enjoy this one.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Megan Whalen at Random House-Ballantine, and Meg Shaffer for an ARC of this book!**

Hold your breath. Make a wish. Count to three...

Charming, whimsical, and heartfelt, this magical journey will take you out of the real world and deep into a land of Pure Imagination...and I'm not sure I've returned home just yet!

All teachers feel a certain amount of love for their students, but 26 year old Kindergarten teacher Lucy Hart is on another level with one special child, Christopher Lamb. Christopher lost his parents tragically, and Lucy briefly got the chance to step in as his mom...and her heart never left. Living with two roommates and a strained financial situation, however, is holding her back from being able to adopt Christopher officially and wear the title of Mom for good. Despite this, the two share a magical bond, brought together by their love of wishes and magic, and also one special set of books: The Clock Island series, written by Jack Masterson.

One day, Lucy shares a secret with Christopher; many years ago, she wrote a letter to Masterson, begging to be his sidekick (after her own parents left her unseen and unheard for too long) and Lucy actually VISITED Clock Island and knows that it is indeed real. More surprising still, Masterson has chosen THIS time to come out of reclusive retirement and hold a contest: the winner will receive the one and ONLY copy of the newest installment of the Clock Island series...worth SIX FIGURES, easily.

Lucy knows that this book is her one and only shot at having the money to make her dream of motherhood come true, and she is determined to win. But when she arrives at Clock Island, her competitors possess equal resolve. Another familiar face also greets Lucy: that of Jack Masterson's Clock Island illustrator, Hugo, a slightly gruff but shockingly handsome Brit who has Lucy swooning (to herself, of course). With the stakes ever higher and Masterson's riddles becoming maddening, will Lucy's wish FINALLY come true? Or will all her future plans vanish like the rabbit in the magician's hat?

With homages, things can go one of two ways: the result can feel like a rip off of the source material....OR, in the case of The Wishing Game, they can serve as a springboard for an equally iconic, memorable, and magical experience in storytelling. Shaffer lovingly dedicates this book to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (and the world Dahl created, by extension) and at first glance, this might seem like a series of repeated plot points. Eccentric genius of his craft disappears, and after a long hiatus runs a contest to let others into his personal sanctum, winner receives glory and of course, the BEST prize imaginable. And sure, this framework is present here, and Shaffer doesn't necessarily shy from it.

What she does is even better. Shaffer leans into the parallel, but at the same time, forges her own unique path, rife with gentle nods to some of fiction's most beloved and timeless childhood tales. There is a certain indescribable magic in childhood: the world is big and endless, and ANYTHING can happen. As we grow, our worldview tends to get smaller, and we lose so much of this focus to the forced structure of society and the pressure to 'get things done.' But in this story, all of our adult characters (and ALL of them are adults, save for Christopher!) are the ones examining and overcoming the same fears first born in childhood.

There are HEAVY topics explored in this one: everything from child abandonment, allegations of kidnapping, and the foster care system...and yet, as deep as this one goes, it has a certain buoyancy and whimsy that keeps even the darkest moments from feeling like a shadow. Part of this is due to the complex and LOVABLE characters Shaffer has created. Everyone from our MC Lucy to the mysterious Jack Masterson to the sensitive and multilayered illustrator Hugo shines, and as a reader, you can't help but be drawn to them. Though Masterson strays from the over-the-top silliness of Wonka, he has just enough of a grin in his words and a twinkle in his eyes to keep everyone guessing, and his 'writing factory' is the stuff of every bibliophile's dream (complete with Bird In Residence, Thurl Ravenscroft!)

Though I am emotional to the core, I rarely find a read that makes me laugh OR cry...and this one handily did both. Multiple times. This is the sort of book that once you MANAGE to put it down, you will not be able to stop thinking about it. I actually told myself to slow down MULTIPLE times while reading because I was just aching to savor it. Much like childhood, once you realize how magical it can actually be, it's just about gone. There's just something about the books you read at a young age that stirs something inside you, no matter how many years it's been, and I feel the same way about books like Charlotte's Web: I enjoyed it at 8 and would still enjoy it at 80. The Wishing Game has this same sort of transcendent, ethereal quality: it shines in 2023 and will STILL shine in 2123...and beyond.

One of my favorite reads of this year, and perhaps even the past few, The Wishing Game reminded me of the dedication at the beginning of the film adaptation of the Wizard of Oz: "For nearly forty years this story has given faithful service to the Young in Heart; and Time has been powerless to put its kindly philosophy out of fashion. To those of you who have been faithful to it in return ...and to the Young in Heart ...we dedicate this picture."

And if this is any indication of the future Shaffer has in store, she could just be the next effortlessly timeless writer we have ALL been waiting to find, somewhere at the end of the rainbow.

5 stars

I thought this was just okay. The premise is fun and sweet. Lucy and Christopher did have my whole heart. The writing was simple. The plot felt very YA, quite predictable.

What a great read! I went in blind and at first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be in the mood for this type of book (not that I even knew what it was about yet). Thankfully, it all clicked soon enough and I was fully invested. This isn’t a YA book, but if you enjoyed The Inheritance Games you’ll enjoy this one too!

Welcome to Clock Island where wishes MAY come true. Meg Shaffer has created a whimsical environment and some devilish puzzles for her characters to solve if they want to win a contest that would make life so much easier. Jack Masterson, the island’s owner is the author of a highly successful children’s series. He has become reclusive and has not written anything for the last five years. His only contact is Hugo, the artist who has illustrated the covers of his books and lives in his guest house. Masterson surprises Hugo when he writes one more book. There is only one copy and he has devised a contest that would give the book to the winner. Entry is by invitation only for four adults that Masterson had met as children. Scoring points by solving riddles and completing tasks would help one of them achieve their greatest wish.

Lucy Hart knows what it is like to not have the love of a family. Now she is a teacher’s aide, in debt and sharing her apartment with several roommates. Her greatest wish is to adopt Christopher, a seven year old who is living in foster care. Lucy tutors him after school and he would love to be adopted, but her finances and living situation would never be approved for an adoption. When she receives an invitation to the competition it raises hope for their future. There are three other people, however, who also have their eyes on the prize. While the competitors are supportive of each other, temptations are presented that not everyone can ignore. Lucy is always mindful of what a victory would mean for Christopher. Hugo, who remembers her as the thirteen year old girl who showed up on the island one day, offers her support. Masterson often connected with the children who read his books and she had a dream of finding a home on the island. Hugo and Masterson have both experienced a tragedy that allows them to sympathize with the competitors. As I read The Wishing Game there was the warm relationship between Lucy and Christopher that had me smiling. There were also passage that brought me to tears, but Shaffer offers an ending that shows that wishes can come true. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for providing this book for my review.

Willa Wonka meets The Guncle with this sweet and heartwarming story. Loved the writing, the messages within and the ending. Recommend if you’re looking for a huggable book ♥️

Meg Shaffer's charming, endearing debut, THE WISHING GAME —an uplifting book within a book— explores the magic of books and reading. A reclusive children's author, a unique competition, a teacher's aide, and an orphan boy—lives are about to CHANGE.

Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children's author, Jack Masterson, stopped writing under mysterious circumstances. Now he has resurfaced with a new book in the Clock Island Series with a prize-worthy competition and a sought-after prize.

Lucy Hart, a kindergarten teacher's assistant, supplements her income with her knitted scarves on Esty. At age 26, she is desperate to adopt an orphaned (former student), Christopher Lamb (foster care). Unfortunately, she does not have the income or wherewithal to do so.

By chance, there is a competition. A chance to compete in a game created by reclusive Jack Masterson (the Mastermind), a children's book author. Jack lives on a private island off the coast of Maine with his pet raven and his friend, Hugo Reese, his book illustrator.

Jack believed in wishing —or he had once upon a time—but Hugo didn't. Hugo came to Clock Island to stay with Jack until he was back on his feet. Five years later, he is still there. Time is up.

After years of silence —the highly anticipated Clock Island Series. One lucky winner will receive a book copy. If she wins, she can adopt Christopher!

The four hand-picked contestants are all adults, but when they were children, they ran away from home and appeared on Jack’s doorstep, wanting to live in the fictional world he created for them.

The heroine Lucy was one of those runaways, fleeing neglect in hopes of a new life with her favorite writer. Now she’ll get to live that childhood dream for a week.

If she wins the new Clock Island book, it’ll change her life, and Christopher’s forever.

You will be rooting for Lucy! There are four competitors. There are obstacles. There are riddles and clues. Jack also makes them confront their fears. This contest could change lives. Jack, Hugo, Lucy, and Christopher have all suffered love and loss.

Whimsical, absorbing, mysterious, mystical, and thought-provoking! An enchanting mix of literary, fairy tales, romance, and magical realism.

Reminiscent of Willy Wonka, a fictional character in British author Roald Dahl's 1964 children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its 1972 sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. In THE WISHING GAME, a "book factory."

I LOVED this delightful, uplifting book —both heartfelt and heartwarming at the same time. The Clock Island illustration at the front of the book was adorable! An ode to the magic of books and storytelling!

A winner out of the gate, an author to watch. THE WISHING GAME is highly recommended for CS Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia fans and authors: Patti Callahan Henry, Sarah Addison Allen, and Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Thanks to #RandomHouse for a gifted ARC via #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: May 30, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
May 2023 Must-Read Books
The Best of May

Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author quit writing under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life in this absorbing and whimsical novel.

This book centers around Lucy Hart. She is a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, who desperately wants to foster to adopt one of her former students that she had grown really attached to - seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy knows first hand what it is like to grow up without parents who loved her. Her childhood was a childhood of neglect and abandonment, until her grandparents stepped in and she went to live with them. Her one solace was the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now she has passed on the love of that series to Christopher, and it is helping him just like it helped her.

Just when Lucy is about to give up on her dream of adopting Christopher, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy. For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever.

This book was magical. Jack Masterson gave off distinct Willy Wonka vibes. The island was as magical as Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, as well. Jack loves poems and riddles, and I had a lot of fun trying to guess the answer to the riddles myself. I was even wishing Clock Island was real, and I could go there. This is perfect for anyone I think. After all, doesn't the inner child in all of us still wish for a little fun and adventure in our lives?

The Wishing Game
Pub date May 30th 2023
This was one of the sweetest books ever! I looooved it! It gave me Willy Wonka for grown ups kind of feel.
I don’t want to give too much away. It’s a sweet story about Lucy who’s down on her luck and Christopher, an orphan that Lucy would give anything to adopt. They share a love of books especially The Clock Island books written by “the mastermind”. A competition is held and the winner is given a grand prize. Will Lucy win? Will she get her wish? Will Christopher get his wish?
I loved this book and I might just re read it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

Thank you @netgalley and Ballantine books for the early opportunity to read this fun book!
#netgalley #bookrecommendations #bookreview #kindlebooks #kindle #ilovereading #bookworm #bookstagram #booklover #thewishinggame #debutbook #alwaysreading #bibliophile #biblio

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the ARC of The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer. This is an absolutely delightful read that is perfect for book lovers and puzzle lovers and a must for summer reading (pub date is this Tuesday, May 30th!). I gobbled up this story–there is so much to love: the cover (it’s beautiful), the puzzle (so fun), the characters (I wanted to hug so many of them), and the journey (I was right there with the characters, cheering them on). If found family stories give you heart eyes, then pick this one up right away. You won’t be disappointed. So lovely.

🤞🏼The Wishing Game - Meg Shaffer

5 ⭐️ - I loved this one more than I thought I would. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory meets Amazing Race meets The Wizard of Oz, but instead of chocolate or money as the prize, it’s a beloved children’s book. This book was heartbreaking, heartwarming, funny, adventurous and spontaneous. It made me feel like I was a kid again while also being a full grown adult.

Lucy Hart knows what it’s like to grow up in a difficult family situation, with parents that don’t love you. She found solace in books - specifically the Clock Island series. She is now a kindergarten teachers aide who has fallen in love with a child, Christopher, who needs a new foster home. When she finds the dream of becoming a family far away, her and Christopher play a game about wishes while reading Clock Island books. These books were about rebellious children going on adventures and being brave while making wishes and hoping they’d come true. Jack Masterson, the author, stopped writing years ago, but has suddenly resurfaced with a new book AND a new one of a kind competition. When Lucy finds out she’s one of the lucky four contestants, she must work her hardest to be brave and courageous to hope her biggest wish comes true.

This book was magical. I enjoyed it so much more than I expected. It was light with heavy topics. It was funny but serious. It was childlike and playful while still centering around adult main characters. It broke my heart and melted it all back together again. I think I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time. If you’re looking for a fun, playful, uplifting book, this one’s for you!

This lovable book hits shelves on 5/30! Keep your eyes open for it! Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the early ARC!

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is destined to be one of my favorite books of the year. It is such a fun, unputdownable story, inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and with the feel-good vibe of The House in the Cerulean Sea. I loved every minute of reading this book, even the teary-eyed parts!

The story of Lucy and Christopher had me rooting for them from the first page, and though the story itself is fairly predictable (though not completely cookie-cutter), it was a lovely journey. The book is a reminder that the love of parents and family is critically important, and found family is real family. I really liked the riddles and the structure of the game, and I was especially pleased to feel that Jack felt genuinely protective of each contestant, a pleasant difference from the Willy Wonka character.

This book is almost certain to be a popular read this summer, and for good reason. It is absolutely wonderful!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the digital ARC of The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer. The opinions in this review are my own.

I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book, but it didn't turn out to be as engaging as I thought it would be. There is an aspect of the story that is sweet and a nice message about holding onto hope, but it felt a little too simplistic to me. It read more like a middle grade book than a book for adults.

The Wishing Game was a storyline I have never read before. Several people are invited to Clock Island and one person will be declared the winner. Each person was changed by the Clock Island series and the writer himself Jack Masterson. The Wishing Game mainly centers around Lucy who is a teaching assistant who wants to adopt a little boy named Christopher. However, she can't afford her own place and doesn't have enough funds to afford keeping Christopher. Several things happen while at Clock Island that affects the different players. It's a heartwarming story with an interesting twist.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing!
This book does a fantastic job of bringing emotion and depth. It was so surprising when starting this book how well the author transports you into the story and it kept me so captivated in the story. The premise of the story was fantastically done, and felt extremely unique. Getting to see more about Lucy and her situation, as well as her dreams for the future felt real and tangible at parts. I was thoroughly invested and how the book was going to end, and honestly enjoyed the ending quite a bit.

The Wishing Game is the best reminder of the power that dreams and wishes held when you were little! This book will transport you back to when you believed in it all and were just waiting for it to happen. Lucy and Christopher have the best wish and they spend so much time and effort to make it come true. When given the chance at a miracle Lucy is willing to do her best to seize the opportunity. Luckily Clock Island and the Mastermind believe in making wishes come true, even if in unexpected ways. This book comes out on May 30th and I am so happy I was able to get an ARC from NetGalley, this was the perfect pick me up story I didn’t even know I was looking for!

🕰️🕰️🕰️🕰️🕰️ / 5

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I loved everything about this book. This story was so beautiful and stunning and fun, and it sucked me in. I never wanted it to end. If you appreciate exceptional writing and an escape from reality, this book is for you. I don’t think I could recommend this one more.

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting with all of the 5* reviews BUT I did enjoy the book. I really think this should be classified as YA as I was expecting a bit more excitement? Tension?

I never liked Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – I thought it had a creepy, frightening edge to it. I also didn’t let my kids watch the movie.

This book however would make a delightful movie!!

The setting of this book on “Clock Island” is a child’s dream come true. There are magical places to explore and of course the beauty of the island itself set in the ocean like a gem!!

Jack hasn’t written a book in many years, no one knows why, although it is revealed in this book. Hugo, his illustrator, has felt the need to stay on the island and keep an eye on Jack, they are more than friends - more like family!

In the present time, Jack sends a letter to a select few who visited the island when they were children. He has written a new book and will be having a contest on the island and whoever wins will get the book and all rights to publish it.

Lucy Hart is a single teacher’s aide who has come to love a little boy in her class. His parents were both killed and he is living from one foster home to another. Lucy’s dream is to foster and then adopt Christopher. Lucy had just about run out of hope of ever being able to adopt since she doesn’t have a safe home for Christopher or the funds to care for him. When she receives the invitation to Clock Island she is determined to win the contest for herself and Christopher.

I thought that the first half was a bit slow and predictable but it picked up pace and interest in the second half. It was an enjoyable adventure and a great escape read.

I didn’t really see the magical realism in this book, although it may just be in the reader’s interpretation of Clock Island!!

The ending wasn’t quite believable, but it’s fiction and it was lovely to think that Jack, Hugo and his island were real.

I would recommend this book as a quick read with likable characters and a fun setting!!

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.

Publication date is set for May 30, 2023!!

Come into a world where your deepest wishes as a child could come true. Clock Island is a place where children readers from around the world were swept up in adventures. A place where wishes could come true if you were only willing to face your biggest fear. For Lucy it was a place where she could escape the world around her. One in which her parents didn’t want her, and she was abandoned so that they could care for her little sister. As an adult she wants nothing more then to share all the love she has with young Christopher, a boy who has lost his parents. Yet she is deemed unable to care for him. Till one day she receives a letter. A chance at changing her life. But to do it she is going to have to go to Clock Island and maybe even face her biggest fear. Is she willing to do it to have her heart’s desire granted?
I loved this book. There is truly something to be said about a book that sweeps you away into a place that you dreamed of as a child. Having everything that you dreamed of come true. I also love the fact that the games Lucy and the other participants have to play are ones that mirror the books. Simple enough if you are willing to look at them through the eyes of a child. This book will speak to those who enjoy Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and obscure dreams becoming reality. Just such a lovely book and I am so excited to recommend it to patrons very soon.
Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Very sweet story with riddles, whimsy, and found family.

It's not really a children's book (though middle grade readers may still enjoy this), but it seems like the perfect book for adults who love children's fiction.

The adventure and the story was fun, though I wish the riddles had been a bit more novel or challenging. I also felt a bit emotionally detached from the characters, which wasn't ideal given the highly emotional aspects of the story, such as Lucy's desire to adopt Christopher. Their story was still very touching, and I think many people will love this book.

Very impressive debut!