I wanted to like this book but it just wasn’t engaging to me. I think it may be a case of wrong time for the mood I was in
I think I’d recommend it, but I don’t think it’s for everyone

Whimsical. Clever. Funny. Heartbreaking. Joyous. Fun. Heartwarming.

If you were enraptured by a book series as a child, chances are good that you'll enjoy <i>The Wishing Game</i>, a debut novel by Meg Shaffer.

After six years of silence, Jack Masterson, reclusive & eccentric children's author of <i>The Clock Island Adventures</i> books has announced the release of a new book (#66) in his internationally popular series. Lucy Hart is among those personally invited to his private island (Clock Island) to participate for a chance to win the publishing rights.

The story unfolds from the alternating POV's of Lucy--a young kindergarten teacher's aide whose biggest wish is to obtain the financial stability that will allow her to adopt Christopher, a seven-year-old child in foster care--and Hugo Reese, illustrator of <i>The Clock Island Adventures</i> book series, who is wrestling with his own challenges.

The structure of the book mirrors the formula presented in Jack's books--1) make your wish; 2) journey to the island; 3) win/solve the games, mysteries, puzzles, and riddles of the island; 4) face your fears; and 5) answer a final question. The parallels and nods to <i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i> are abundant and are often cleverly woven in. One that I especially liked was that Jack referred to his library as his writing factory.

Jack, Lucy, and Hugo were my favorite characters, and I always looked forward to when they interacted--so many humorous, deadpan exchanges. Shaffer also integrated numerous clever details and references throughout the book.

I would have devoured <i>The Clock Island Adventures</i> books when I was a kid, and I can sense how the world that Jack created was so magical and captivating to children around the globe. I only wish that <i>The Wishing Game</i> included some of "Hugo's" illustrations.

It was truly a delight to read! I'll be purchasing my own copy and will also keep an eye out for Shaffer's future publications.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Books for the ARC e-book copy. Publication date is May 30, 2023.

This was a really sweet story filled with heartwarming moments and a lot of life sessions. It was filled with magic and mystery and was fun to read.

When four adults get invited to Clock Island for a contest in hopes to win a manuscript from their favorite childhood author who hasn’t written in years, they jump on it.

Lucy fleed her finally as a child to Clock Island and Jack had to send her home. He brings her back as an adult and puts her through a game very similar to her favorite childhood book. She’s dealing with real life problems of living paycheck to paycheck, hoping with everything to adopt a special little boy named Christopher, estranged from her entire family and a bad past relationship with her ex. She has to solve riddles and face her fears, along with the other contestants on this island.

Her favorite writer and illustrator welcome her with open arms and guide her through her journey and overcoming her fears. She does everything she can to try to adopt Christopher and he is the sweetest.

Jack is like an old wise grandfather and Hugo has such a warm heart. I really enjoyed this story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this. It was a fun, quirky read that had some good messages sprinkled throughout. Pretty light, very Willy Wonka-esque. A nice escape.

I flew through this in two sittings.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Wishing Game is a beautifully written story filled with magic, fantasy, romance and hope. The characters are well developed and the story moves at good pace. I was hooked from the first chapter. Lucy Hart was an unhappy child and now is working as a teacher's aide. She has very little money and has formed a bond with a very young child, Christopher who she would like to adopt. Jack Masterson is a renowned author of the children's Clock series book. He is a recluse who lives on a small island of the coast of Maine. The island is a fairyland. He summons 4 adults, who ran to his island when they were children, for a contest to win the one copy of his newest Clock series book. What ensues, is a heartwarming contest where the reader roots for Lucy as she discover love and hope in this magical place. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this enchanting novel!

Lucy is a struggling kindergarten teacher aid. She came from a broken home and loves surrounding herself with the joyous children. Christopher was one of her students a few years prior, and he lost both his parent to an accident. Now he’s struggling in foster care, and Lucy helps take care of him while working hard to adopt him.

Lucy has all but given up on her dreams of calling Christopher hers, when her favorite author, Jack, announces he is holding a contest on his private island. As luck would have it, Lucy gets an invitation and winning would mean the world to her and Christopher. But to win, she faces some tough competition, a grumpy illustrator, and ruthless book collectors. Will Lucy be able to pull it off? Or will she walk away empty handed.

I’m still in disbelief that this book is a debut, and still crying from how moved I was. This book is just amazing. Words cannot describe how touched I am by this story. This book will pull on your heartstrings from the very beginning and they won’t let go until it’s over. This book is so pure, and sweet. I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved how this book wrapped up – it was more perfect than what I imagined in my head. I had been feeling down as I had read a couple book in a row that I just didn’t like, but then came upon this one and that cloud was lifted. I will be checking out more from this author as she releases more – and I can’t wait!
I absolutely loved this one and hope you check it out May 30th.

Thank you to the publisher Random House Group – Ballantine, @randomhouse, and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

The Wishing Game was a whimsical, grown up take on Willy Wonka (and I believe the author references that in her acknowledgments!) full of island adventures, riddles and complicated situations.

Lucy is a book lover and she shares her love for the Clock Island series with one of her students, Christopher. The books teach kids how to be brave, which is a common theme throughout this book. The Wishing Game deals with topics like fostering/adoption, family fallouts and so much more. However, Clock Island is a magical place that makes you fall in love with the author, Jack, and makes you feel like he cares deeply about each and every one of his readers.

I wish my review could do justice to how great this book was, but my words aren't as eloquent as the author's! I adored each aspect of this book, from Lucy's relationships with Christopher, Jack, Hugo and even the other contestants. Some reviews say her interactions with Christopher and Hugo were "creepy" but I didn't think that at all. It was sweet and whimsical and I sure as heck tried to solve some of the riddles myself while reading!

This was a sweet book about never being too old to make wishes and that sometimes happy endings are found in mysterious places. An author who has always tried to create a place for children to escape to through his books, decides to write one more book and allow the 4 children who ran away to his island off of Maine (and were promptly returned to their parents) to compete for the manuscript - and the potential windfall of cash they could get for selling it.
I loved the sense of magic and dreaming this invoked in me, it is so easy to lose sight of big dreams as we get older. This was a really nice, light hearted read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book.

If you are looking for something with magic, romance and a difficult foster-to-adopt situation then this is the book for you. Parts of this book broke my heart but it also built it back up. I really connected with this book due to these topics. Especially being a teacher and having students in the foster system.

This was a truly delightful book. I loved the characters, it sucked me in right away!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

A book about a book lover written for book lovers - this book was such a treat! i

Huge shoutout to random house publishing for the net galley advanced copy of this book! it was so much fun, thank you. (:

Okay, now on to the actual review:

This book follows the story of Lucy Hart, a 26 year old kindergarten teacher's aide, who desperately wants to adopt one of her former students, Christopher, who was orphaned a few years prior.

The story truly couldn't have hit home more as someone who turns 26 this year, works in the children's department of a public library, and sees so many children every day.

Lucy Hart grew up reading The Clock Island book series (and reads them to her student Christopher). When the recluse author, Jack Masterson, comes out of hiding to announce he's written a surprise final book in the series and is holding a contest to giveaway the only copy. Lucy Hart, in all her broke, car-less, and three roommate glory, enters the Wonka-esque contest in an attempt to finally be able to adopt Christopher and give him a home.

This debut novel by Meg Shaffer was a sweet story about family (found, chosen, and blood), as well as the stories we escape into and why. I will absolutely be getting myself a physical copy. And I would say I want to be best friends with Lucy Hart, but I already feel like I am her most of the time, so I'll just settle with reading and re-reading this lovely little story.

(Because I read it as an e-book, I probably would rate the reading experience as 4 or 4.5 straps, but especially considering this is Meg's first book, I have to give it 5 stars.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an ARC of this delightful book.

This is an excellent debut and a must-read for the summer. If you dreamed of being an adventurer or hero in your favorite childhood book series, then this is the book for you. The atmosphere that Shaffer creates is whimsical but believable, and I felt incredibly nostalgic while reading this book. I felt like Shaffer had transported me back to my childhood, sitting at the breakfast table on summer break devouring my Magic Treehouse or Boxcar Kids book series. The magic was real, and Shaffer makes this tangible for an adult reader. Ultimately, while this book isn't necessarily groundbreaking for the genre, I really loved and needed this story.

My main thoughts: What was most compelling about this book is the premise and the characters' co-development. I LOVED how much dimension the characters had all throughout the book and how the characters kept developing throughout the book. Were they a little stereotypical? Yes, but I didn't feel like I'd met these exact characters before. I was glad that Jack wasn't cartoonish throughout, and even though Lucy and Hugo's relationship didn't seem necessary to the plot and their character development, it felt organic and not forced. Parts of the competition could have been elaborated upon more for my own personal interest, but it didn't really bother me. The integration of the Clock Island books alongside the storyline and character development was beautiful and lent itself to the atmosphere. Finally, the ending is so heart-warming, but not necessarily in the way that I expected. I loved Christopher and Lucy's relationship, and I cried and cried happy tears. Definitely a 5/5 for me!

If Willy Wonka was a children's author... this is exactly how I would picture it. An eclectic author of a beloved children's series has not published a book in quite some time. When he is inspired to release a new book, he invites five fans (now young adults) to help with the unveiling. The participants are all former children that, having fallen in love with the books, all tried to run away to the setting of the novels - a place called Clock Island - to escape their troubles. Now, as adults, they must solve puzzles to win a life-changing surprise: the manuscript to the much-awaited new novel that they can sell or use as they wish.

Most of the story follows one of the five contest participants, Lucy, as she tries her best to win. She wants to use the money to have a stable living situation, which would enable her to adopt a child desperately in need of a home. It's a feel-good, whimsical novel that is unlike anything I have ever read. Knowing that the author is a student (who happens to be living in the same city where I went to college), makes it even more impressive. Five stars!

Lovely story! It was a purely whimsical tale that really brightened my day!

Lucy has some grand plans but not a lot of money. However, her favorite childhood author creates a competition that only 4 lucky people can participate in on his magical Clock Island. The winner will receive the one and only copy of a new book by this author, giving them a chance to make millions.

This story almost reads like a contemporary fairytale at parts. I really enjoyed this but did think certain aspects were a bit underdeveloped and therefore just too farfetched, particularly the very real world aspects.

Recommend this as a fun and enjoyable read!

Out May 30, 2023!

Wow. I had to take a few days to think about The Wishing Game before I wrote a review. It's almost the perfect fantasy of a self-professed book lover. I still remember the books that shaped my childhood, and it is my actual job as a librarian to find books for kids to connect with. But I digress.

Imagine Willy Wonka, but with books and your favorite author. Lucy Hart is a twenty-six year old kindergarten teachers aide who dreams of being able to adopt foster kid, Christopher. Unfortunately, there is just no way with her low paying job. Circumstances change when she wins the chance to compete to win the one and only copy of author Jake Masterson's newest book which is enough money to solve all her problems.

Turns out, Jake Masterson wrote her favorite childhood series of all time: Clock Island, and Lucy had tried to run away to Clock Island when she was younger. Now she gets to go there to compete with the other contestants.

I couldn't wait to race through the pages, but I also didn't want it to end. Be prepared to feel ALL the feels.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the electronic arc.

Lucy is an exceptional person who has overcome a difficult childhood. Her heartfelt desire to adopt Christopher, a child in the child welfare system, is hindered by her shared living arrangements, two jobs, lack of stability, and a modest income. However, a contest held by their favorite author, Jack Masterson, offers them a glimmer of hope. Lucy's extensive knowledge of Masterson's books makes her an ideal candidate for the contest taking place on the island where his stories are set. Winning would provide the financial stability needed for Lucy to adopt Christopher, as well as granting them first access to Masterson's new book. Filled with hope, dreams, and the struggles of accepting one's limitations, this heartwarming tale will resonate with book lovers everywhere. Special thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The book will be published on August 30, 2023.

There are a lot of great reviews for this book so I may just not be the right reader. I wasn’t a fan of the writing and Lucy’s naivety in wanting to adopt a child as an underemployed, debt ridden twenty six year old living with three college age roommates was so incredibly frustrating that I set the book down. It wasn’t just that she unrealistically wanted to adopt the child but she also talked openly with the child about the fact. As a plot line, it was enough to turn me off from the entire book. Since I did not finish it entirely, I will not be reviewing it in other places.

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through NetGalley.
If you loved going to the Chocolate Factory with Charlie, you'll love traveling to Clock Island to meet the Mastermind. Readers meet characters who are all connected by a series of children's books - the author, the illustrator, several readers who are now adults, and a traumatised child.
Lucy is a kindergarten aid who desperately wants to adopt Christopher (a child who is in foster care after his parents' deaths). She can't afford to even foster him but the two of them have hope. Then the story shifts to an island in Maine and readers meet the author, Jack, and the illustrator, Hugo, who have created the amazing Clock House book series. Jack decides to hold a contest to win the only copy of his new book and Lucy is one of the four invited to compete.
From here, the magical world of the island unfolds for readers who will cheer for Lucy and the others through the dramatic contest conclusion.
I appreciate the emphasis on facing fears and being brave in order to get your wishes. The emphasis on working for them along with hoping and dreaming of them works for all ages. This adult version of a magical place lets readers return to their childhood and appreciate how much they have grown as adults.

This was a very sweet book about wishes, family, and love.

I enjoyed watching Lucy go on the journey to Clock Island and participate in the contest run buy a famous author. I liked seeing her watch her face her fears and come to terms with her childhood.

I liked watching her fight for her ability to foster a young boy. There were some moments that I couldn’t quite understand why she would want to do it at her age, but I also could understand her desire to create a better family.

This was very entertaining, heartwarming and a little heartbreaking. Definitely recommend.

This is definitely a must read book of 2023! I enjoyed this book so much and I highly recommend it! Be prepared to start and not want to stop!

I received a complimentary copy of this excellent debut novel from Netgalley via publisher Randomhouse - Ballantine Books, and the author Meg Shaffer. I have read The Wishing Game of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Meg Shaffer is an author I will follow - this book takes my breath away in places, and I can't wait for more from her. I am pleased to recommend this novel to friends and family - it will break your heart, and then bind it up with love.

Lucy was a child raised without traditional family love and support, and she desperately needs to be able to adopt Christopher, a child in the school classroom where she is a teacher's assistant in lower California. Chris is an orphan who discovered both of his parents overdosed in their bed and has not had a good foster-home experience. Lucy hasn't the resources to foster Chris, much less qualify to adopt him, but a letter from the blue from a children's author she once met in her home state of Maine offers her an opportunity to win a competition on Clock Island, the private island owned by that author. He is offering this opportunity to the adults who ran away to Clock Island in their youth - kids who had always been first among the appreciative audience for his many children's books and have corresponded with him over the years. The offer is an all-expense-paid trip back to Clock Island, and the winner of the competition will become the owner of the author's latest manuscript, a book the world has been waiting on for over five years. Lucy can't wait - these books have been the support she had counted on in her own youth, and they are an important part of the base of her relationship with Christopher. Reading and re-reading the books, discussing Clock Island, and enjoying the book covers and illustrations are important to both of them.

But returning to Maine will be painful for her - her family is still estranged - and if she doesn't win Chris will be terribly disappointed. But of course, you can't win if you don't compete. Chris would be even more disappointed if she weren't brave enough to try.