The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer was such a wonderful book that definitely feels like an homage to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but just with books!

As a child, Lucy Hart's favorite books were the Cook Island series by Jack Masterson. While she wasn't receiving the support and love she needed at home, she found solace and love in the pages of these books.

Lucy is currently a kindergarten teacher who is looking to adopt a young boy who is in foster care after losing his parents. She's pretty much been told she will never qualify to adopt Christopher, but that is not going to stop her from trying.

While Masterson didn't write for many years, he announces he is going to be publishing another book in the Cook Island series and there is going to be a contest between f0ur readers, where one of them will win the only copy, the manuscript. Could this be the opportunity that Lucy has wanted? Will it help to set her up to be able to adopt Christopher and move forward with her life?

This book was a wonderful debut for Meg Shaffer! I believe that books can play such a big role in the life of a reader and the book shared this same message. I look forward to what Shaffer offers up for us next!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I loved this book! The premise is a book lover's dream. Meet your favorite author and participate in a competition put on by the reclusive author. It's like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory for adults and book lovers!

The Wishing Game is a clever take on Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. A struggling teacher's aide who is desperate to foster-to-adopt a young boy in her school enters a Wonka-like contest on Clock Island, home of an ultra-famous, reclusive children's book author. The creative world of Clock Island and the clever riddles had me totally immersed, and I was truly invested in Lucy's quest. Throw in the added elements of a possible romance and Lucy's own complicated and painful family history and I was hooked from start to finish. While some of the side characters felt flat and interchangeable, and the author takes some liberties with the intricacies of the foster system (which she admits in the acknowledgements), I still really enjoyed this whimsical and heartfelt story.

Jack Masterson created a world children loved in his books- so much so that some of them ran away from home to his on Clock Island. One of those was Lucy, a child whose parents more or less abandoned her to her grandparents. Now she's an adult struggling to keep her head above water and wanting so so much to adopt Christopher, one of her students who was orphaned when his parents OD'd. Masterson's "game," in which four of the kids now adult, compete to solve puzzles in order to win his new book and the rights to publish it, could not have come at a better time. Hugo, the man who does the cover art for the books, is also on the island but this isn't a romance. No spoilers but know these are tricky word puzzles and you'll root for Lucy, especially when the non-word puzzle challenge is facing her fears. Lucy's back story comes out slowly with her childhood more interesting than the reason she moved from Maine to California. And there's more to both Jack and Hugo. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a feel good novel - it's also a good read.

What an absolutely delightful treat for book lovers and those who are young at heart! You’ll definitely be rooting for Lucy and Christopher in making their wish come true. I really appreciate the opportunity to review an advanced reader’s copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

I am very thankful that the publisher reached out through NetGalley to offer me a copy of this book. They were absolutely right that it was a perfect book for me! I fell in love with reading as soon as I learned how to read in first grade. The best present I could ever get was a book, or two, or three. This book does a great job of encapsulating that love of reading and the escape it provides, especially for children who need it most. It was easy to get attached to all of the characters and the story of both the past and present was well told. I saw this book described as a love letter to reading and that sums it up perfectly. As a teacher and avid reader, I can’t imagine a world without books. 4.5 stars rounded up. I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the digital ARC of “The Wishing Game.”

Did I instantly add this book to my top reads of 2023? Yes, yes I did. I laughed, I cried, I cheered on the underdogs and I wanted to begin reading again as soon as I finished.


We follow the main character Lucy, a 26 year old Kindergarten Teachers Aide who is trying her best to survive. But every time she gets 5 steps ahead, life knocks her 5 steps back. But the one person who keeps her going is a boy named Christopher, who she’s trying her best to adopt out of foster care. Together, they both bonded over “The Clock Island Adventures” the bestselling children's series, and quickly became each others comfort people.

The author of The Clock Island Adventures, Jack Masterson was on a hiatus from publishing new stories. Until one day, he posted on his social media a riddle for his fans to figure out, with a catch (there’s always a catch), there is only one copy of his new book and one lucky person will become the owner of it.

Much like Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, Lucy gets a golden ticket - an invitation to Jack’s home to compete for the single copy of his new adventure. But remember, there’s a catch!

Meg Shaffer did a great job of incorporating bits and pieces of Willy Wonka into this story, while also making it relatable to real life situations. The story was a gentle reminder that you never know what someone may be going through.

In a Nutshell: ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ without the “wonkiness”. [Pun intended.] I loved this book almost till the end. A sweet and beautiful read that will warm the cockles of your heart despite some sappy elements.

Story Synopsis:
Six years ago came the last book in the long-running Clock Island series. Since then, children’s book author Jack Masterson has stayed reclusive. Until now, when he has announced a brand-new Clock Island book and a special competition, offering the winner a mind-blowing prize.
Lucy Hart has always been a huge fan of the Clock Island series and of its author. As a teacher’s aide, the twenty-six year old shares her love of reading with her little charges, especially with seven year old Christopher, an orphaned child who loves his teacher more than anyone else. Lucy dreams of adopting Christopher, but her financial situation doesn’t allow her to fulfil her dream.
Masterson’s competition seems like a dream come true, and all Lucy has to do is to win his competition. But as we all know, dreams go hand in hand with perils.
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of mostly of Lucy and Hugo, Jack’s illustrator.

Bookish Yays:
😍 Though the story was quite straightforward and almost predictable, it was very tough to keep aside. The plot is a nice combination of emotional and heartwarming.
😍 As readers, what do we most love? Books! And when there are books about books, hallelujah! I simply loved the role books played in this plot, right from alleviating fears to providing imaginary escapes from tough situations to simply spreading joy and laughter. There were even some chapters that were written as “excerpts” from Jack’s Clock Island books. These were the perfect addition to the story. All the bookish elements were a bibliophile’s delight.
😍 While I love the premise of Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate factory’, Willy Wonka wasn’t really my favourite character. So imagine a similar premise, where you get a ‘golden ticket’ to Clock Island, and weirdo Wonka is replaced by the masterful maverick Masterson. I simply loved Jack’s character – he was the lynchpin of the plot in so many ways. Because we don’t hear from his character directly, he gets maximum attention from us and just as the children in the book, we hang on to his every word.
😍 The remaining characters too were as goody-goody as expected in this plot. Lucy, though a tad too impulsive and impractical, had a heart of gold. Christopher is one of the cutest child characters I have ever read. I wish I could just hop into the book and hug him tight! And what can I say about Hugo Reese! The typical romantic coconut – hard exterior, soft interior. First time ever I saw a lead character with arm tattoos! The secondary characters are mostly cookie-cutter, but a few of them still make their presence felt.
😍 The titular ‘wishing game’ refers to multiple things in the plot, one of which is the game that Lucy and the other three contestants have to play to win Jack’s prize. I enjoyed this game as well, with the riddles adding to the fun element.
😍 Through Christopher’s story, we also get a look at the foster care system. Though the author has deliberately focussed only on hopeful elements, the book still offers a touching, albeit somewhat saddening glimpse of a system overloaded with needy children looking for care and love.
😍 There are several other dark and depressing themes, but most of these are mentioned in passing, thereby keeping the impact on the lighter side. This works well for the plot because the positive vibes would otherwise have been killed by the sombre elements.
😍 Clock Island is not just the name of the book series but also a location. And man, what a location it is! Right from the rooms in the main house to its various clock spots, the whole island seems like the perfect spot to live in. To top it all, the book has a map of the island at the start!
😍 While there are hints of attraction in the story, romance never takes centre stage, which remains firmly focussed on the personal development of the characters. This always works to my benefit as I hate insta-attraction stories.


Bookish Nays:
😔 One particular writing choice towards the end disappointed me. That development simply wasn’t needed, and it felt like a satisfactory track had been purposely manipulated to heighten the emotional shock. Cutting off that part from the book wouldn’t have made any difference, or rather, would have improved the book.
😔 Certain elements in Lucy’s backstory also felt farfetched. Her reason for staying away from certain people wasn’t convincing. The big reveal in her arc reminded me of a Jodi Picoult book—not revealing the name here as it is akin to a spoiler—but it didn’t come across realistically in this story.
😔 Just as in the Roald Dahl book, you know who will be the winner. So the proceedings are somewhat guessable. Then again, this genre thrives on a guaranteed HEA, and the HEA is delivered to our satisfaction. But a small part of me wishes it had explored the boundaries of predictability and even gone beyond.

All in all, this was one of those books where you know how things will go but you still can't stop reading. The fast pacing also helped. Especially considering that this was a debut work, the author has handled it quite well.
For most of the book, I was accompanied by my Shoulder Angel and my Shoulder Devil. Angel was going all gooey-eyed, laughing and crying along with the candy-sweet plot developments while Devil was rolling his (her?) eyes at the improbability of the mushiness and the predictability. Angel and I decided to ignore Devil and relish the read with all our heart. But the final couple of chapters proved Devil correct as the emotional manipulation went a step too far with the introduction of the unnecessary plot point. Thereafter, Devil convinced me to lower my rating to 4 stars even though Angel was comfortably perched on the 4.5 stars mark. 4.25 is a way of keeping them both happy.
Recommended to those who would love to read a touching found-family style story with plenty of fun and emotional moments.

4.25 stars.

My thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Wishing Game”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. An author I like reviewed it as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but with books." I think this is an apt description, except people don't nearly get killed or turned into blueberries in this story. The book centers around an eccentric author who writes the Clock Island series, similar to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys mixed with some Lewis Carroll and a dash of wishes. All these references are actually used in the book (cite your sources as Jack says!).

Lucy is a 26 year old young woman who desperately wants to foster to adopt a young boy from her school who was orphaned at 5 years old. Unfortunately, while she has all the emotional qualifications, she is financially strapped and therefore deemed unfit to take him in. Her saving grace comes in the form of a contest from the eccentric Clock Island author, by invitation only, to win the sole copy of his new book to do with that the winner wishes. Lucy wants to go and win so she can adopt Christopher and give him the life she didn't get as a child.

There are a lot of emotional issues in this book. This book is a bit similar to the Lemoncello books by Chris Grabenstein, but this book is definitely for adults given some colorful language, though it is not heavy in the book. I found myself trying to solve (and failing) the riddles in the book before the characters and that made it extra fun.

I would actually love a second book to see how everyone is doing. I am very grateful to have received this delightful ARC from Netgalley and Ballantine Books. I highly recommend if you embrace your inner child and love books.

Lovely book. A book lover's homage to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

This was just a feel good story for me from start to finish. This is not a deep contemplative tale, it's a simple story of love, found family, and forgiveness.

Jack Masterson is the beloved author of the Clock Island children's book series. He actually lives on Clock Island, right off the coast of Maine. Yet, for some reason, he has not written a book in six years. Lucy is a kindergarten aide with dreams to adopt seven-year-old Christopher. Unfortunately, a series of poor choices has left her deep in debt sharing an apartment with college students. When she was a child, due to her own family struggles, Lucy ran away to Clock Island and met Jack. News is released that he has written a new novel and has sent out invitations to four people to participate in a game in order to win rights to the book. Lucy receives one of these invitations and sets out on an adventure to claim what she wishes for most--the ability to have a family.

I enjoyed getting to know Jack, Hugo (his illustrator), Lucy, Christopher, and the rest of the characters. They each have their own struggles and heartache, and the ending is a lovely testament to power of love and friendship. Implausible, yes, but don't we all need a good fairy tale ending sometimes?

There are many nods to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and each one brought a smile of recognition to my face. There are games and riddles that the characters have to figure out and I totally enjoyed trying to figure them out myself. The book is whimsical, yes, but there is some depth here. Lucy had been through a lot, and I appreciated how she embraced growth and forgiveness when it was offered to her, even though she was fearful of being hurt again.

If you enjoy books about books, filled with fun and adventure, look no further than this delightful debut. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

What was the book or series that made you fall in love with reading? For me, as a child it was the Boxcar Children. For Lucy Hart, it was the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. As an adult, Lucy gets the opportunity of a lifetime to go and visit the real Clock Island as part of a competition. The winner will receive the only manuscript of Jack Masterson’s new novel. Lucy desperately wants to win so that she can sell the manuscript and get the money she needs to adopt a young orphan who was her past student.

I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. It felt so nostalgic and fun, but it was also moving. It brought tears to my eyes multiple times. I fell in love with all the characters. The writing felt simplistic, like a middle grade book, but also adult at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.

The only thing that rang a little false to me was the relationship between Lucy and Christopher. As a teacher and someone who has fostered, it feels very odd that she would have so much contact with him and his foster family. It just seems a little unrealistic and unprofessional. But since this is a work of fiction, I was able to look past that and still enjoy the story.

This is definitely one of my favorite books I’ve read this year! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for providing me with an ARC to read and review.

Meg Shaffer's "The Wishing Game" pays tribute to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and other children's fiction books in the fantasy fiction/puzzle-solving genre. While the setup is familiar (remote island, puzzles to solve, imaginary worlds to explore), the themes are adult (foster children, business and student loans to pay, dastardly ex-boyfriends.)

I was rooting for all the players in the game, and enjoyed the budding romance between Lucy and Hugo. This is a enjoyable, light summer read (despite some of the serious themes.)

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

Lucy had discovered The Clock Island series of books as a child when she was going through hard times. Now, she shares them with Christopher, a child she wants to foster and then adopt. The story focuses on Lucy when she gets the opportunity to change her situation in life with a well-timed contest at the real-life Clock Island.

The Wishing Game is a quick read with a children's flavor but definitely written for adults due to some of the hard issues that each character is going through. I was fully invested in all of the characters, including the author and illustrator of the book. I found myself rooting for a happy ending for everyone and reading quickly to find out what happens.

I enjoyed The Wishing Game and think it will appeal to many different readers.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouse #Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Part children’s book but aimed at adults, it celebrates the best and worst aspects of being a child with no ability to control the direction of your life, and the challenges of adulthood where you constantly face your fears and strive to improve your life. It is the most heartwarming book I’ve read in years. Chockablock full of riddles, rhymes, and games, yet filled with hopes and dreams in need of fulfillment. It is the warmth of strangers who become family and people who learn to forgive the seemingly unforgivable. It brings back the joy of reading as a child and a love for those in the world who step forward to help others just because they can when there is no obligation to do so. It is a book to be reread with joy. It is a book about love and the family you choose.

Oh, man. There is so much here to like. I love the mystery of the book series that suddenly gets another chance. But…
I cannot get past the entirely inappropriateness of the relationship. There is a definite feel of someone who doesn’t understand education. Instead, teachers are supposed to want to raise their students? No. It is so wrong to have the relationshio they have. This kid knows how much money she has and there is way too much contact. Let’s stop pretending that is what education is. We all care. We are not all obsessed and stay at jobs to see kids that aren’t ours. I would go 5 stars for the author part and 1 for the TA part. Split the difference?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Wishing Game
Author: Meg Shaffer
Source: NetGalley & Ballantine Books
Pub. Date: May 30, 2023

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is one of those rare books that makes you believe anything you work for and wish for is possible. The story highlighted the magic of books, the belief in making wishes, the bravery to make wishes come true, and the hope for a better future. Lucy Hart is a hard-working but poor teacher’s aide who loves a little orphan boy, Christopher, in foster care after the death of his parents. The love of Lucy for Christopher is paramount to the story, which involves a contest that could change the trajectory of their lives.  The bonds of love in this story are strong, but it takes perseverance and bravery to get to the end. For people who are often finding themselves unloved and unlucky, life can be heartbreaking. Ms. Shaffer writes: “Always be quiet when a heart is breaking,” I could feel the break in this superbly written story. It broke my heart just a little. The Wishing Game was unexpected and a joy to read. #TheWishingGame @meg_shaffer @NetGalley @BallantineBooks #dreams #hopes #books #wishes #future #family #love #magic #fostercare #kindness #hope #sharks #tragedy #triumph #mother #magicalrealism #debutnovel
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I received a complimentary copy of this ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Ballantine Books and the author for the opportunity to read this novel. Pub. Date: May 30, 2023.
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#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #reader

Spectacular read. If you could visit a magic island and wish for anything, what would it be? For Lucy and Christoper the wish is to be a family. When Lucy gets chosen to be a contestant on Clock Island with their favorite author it looks like that wish has a chance to come true. This book is going to be in my top 10 for 2023. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I got so much more than I could have imagined. Vividly written with an amazing cast of characters that draw you in and make the pages fly by.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley, Meg Shaffer and Ballantine Books for hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

The plot of this book is genius! The fantasy will totally draw you into the story. With wonderful characters in Lucy, Sam, Hugo and Jack. Everyone needs a miracle and to have their wishes come true. Jack creates a game that gives them the opportunity to do just that. The story is multifaceted with a focus on forgiveness, unconditional love, friendship and family being what you make it. It is story to savor as you read.

Oh my goodness, this book is WONDERFUL! Full of magic and mystery - the way every truly good book is! Four lucky contestants, including Lucy Hart, get to go behind the scenes of their beloved children's book series. They are invited to Clock Island to participate in a challenge much the same way the children in the Clock Island series faced challenges. You will laugh AND cry, and fall absolutely in love with this novel, and the characters. I don't want to say too much, because I want everyone who reads this book to experience the magic without too many preconceived notions of what to expect. It's a novel about the joy of reading, escaping into a good book, family, love, and learning to overcome your fears.

"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.

Make a wish. . . .

Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability.

But be careful what you wish for. . . .

Just when Lucy is about to give up, 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.

. . . You might just get it."

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

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

I picked up this book not because I was intrigued about a Willy Wonka type novel about children’s books, but because of the setting. I live on a peninsula in Northern Maine, and felt uniquely qualified to review a novel set on an island off the Portland coast. Little did I know that this book would leave me pining for a life of childhood reading I never experienced, but am catching up with as an avid adult reader.

Jack Masterson, beloved author of a hugely popular children’s book series, hasn’t been heard from in 6 years and leads a reclusive life alongside the illustrator of his books. He shocks the literary world and all his adoring fans by announcing a new book. A few hand selected fans are invited to his home to participate in a contest, where the stakes are high and might be life changing. Lucy Hart, a teacher’s aid barely getting by in California, is one of these fans and unknowingly shares a common history with the other contestants. She has noble reasons for entering the contest and will be tested in so many ways. Ms. Shaffer expertly keeps Clock Island front and center; a character in and of itself, which provides the backdrop for a fanciful tale of riddles, reflection and redemption.

A book about books, especially through the eyes of children, is one I will always gravitate to. My wish is that this debut novel will find its perfect audience….I know you’re out there.