Absolute perfection. This book is such a heartwarming story. I read this in one seating it was so captivating. Lucy has a heart of gold and I was rooting for her from the start.

I do feel this book is being classified wrong. I don’t feel it’s sci-fi. It’s more along the lines of the house on the cerulean sea vibes book.

Either way it’s good escapism that made my mind go into imagination mode. I shed few tears throughout the book as well.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 if I could but I rounded up.

The premise of this story is interesting but the synopsis is misleading. The story you think you're getting is one full of twisty games in this weird competition. It makes it sound like there are times when the story might get a little sinister.

It gives off the wrong vibes.

Yes, there's a competition and there are riddles. But it's hardly the focus of the story, especially since the competition doesn't start until almost halfway through. And a lot of it is breezed over.

I don't love Lucy's relationship with Christopher. We don't get much of a backstory so it seems like it came from nowhere, which is a rather concerning premise to run with. While it's admirable that she wants to give Christopher a loving home, she's hardly the voice of reason when it comes to his best interests. As his social worker points out, children need love and stability. Lucy naively believes it will all be okay because she loves him that much and it all just sounds like her own trauma talking.

Hugo and Lucy meeting when she was 13 was weird, too. It was hard to track what age he was supposed to be at the time but he was definitely 18+. Nothing untoward happened but it was still a bit squicky.

From a technical viewpoint, the writing was better than most other books I want to give less than 3 stars to. It was a little repetitive at times -- using the same way to describe something over and over -- but it was readable. It flowed, which I appreciated.

You might be wondering why I rounded up to 3 stars. The answer is simple: just because there are a number of elements that I don't like doesn't mean others will have the same issue with them. My dislike of these elements wasn't strong enough for me to want to round down. Do with that what you will.

When I read the premise of this book, I thought it would be a perfect pick for me. I loved the idea of a Mr. Lemoncello’s Library type plot for adults. Unfortunately, there were some other aspects that kept me from loving this book. I found it hard to tolerate Lucy—an underemployed, in-debt twenty-six year old who wants to adopt one of her students. It felt very naive and irresponsible to continue to tell this student of her hopes to adopt him when she didn’t have the means or the go ahead from the state.

If that aspect wouldn’t bother you, it might be a book you’d enjoy.

Jack Masterson is the Mastermind behind the brilliant children’s short story collection about a magical place called Clock Island. After bringing joy to children for years, worth 65 books, Jack’s magic has dissipated and so has his writing.

Jack is the sole owner of the real Clock Island and children near and far, who’ve grown up with his books, have always dreamed of being brave and hopping on a ferry to knock on Jack’s door. When Lucy was younger, she did just that. She wanted to feel love, she wished that Jack could be her father since her parents hadn’t given her an ounce of love that she desperately deserved.

Now, Lucy is a Kindergarten Aide who tutors a young boy that she wishes to adopt someday. Without funds, a proper place to live, or her own car Lucy is continuously denied adoption of Christopher. She reads Christopher the Clock Island books every chance she has and together they wish for the life they want more than anything in the world.

When Jack Masterson emerges from the shadows that he’s been cocooned in for several years, he offers the world a riddle. If someone were to solve his riddle, they’ll be invited to Clock Island to compete for his latest book. Only one copy exists and only one person will win. Christopher and Lucy are ecstatic, more so because Lucy knows the answer and her life depends on winning that book.

I feel like this book was targeted towards adults that grew up with Charlie and the Chocolate factory to bring back the magic that we gravitated towards when we were younger but the writing felt very juvenile to me. I admit, I was feeling bored around the middle, not knowing if I would be able to finish. In the end, I would say that this book was a cute fantasy story that promotes the thought that if you wish for something hard enough, it might come true.

This book is a delight. I was drawn in by the description (I'm a sucker for a found family story), but I didn't expect to be completely drawn into the story.

Lucy was an unhappy child who longed to escape into the Clock Island books. As an adult, she shares the series with the troubled little boy she desperately wants to adopt. When she gets the chance to change their lives by returning to Clock Island to compete for the only copy of the final book in the series, Lucy feels she must try. However, returning to Clock Island forces her to confront the realities of her past and to act like an adult.

Although the novel is written for grown-ups, it has the charm of the books we all read as children - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Wizard of Oz, Hunger Games - where the main character wishes to be saved from their difficult lives and eventually discovers they’ve had the power to change things all along. In the end, it is a story of a found family and healing old wounds through the magic of books.

Lucy Hart is a 26 year old teaching assistant who wants to adopt 7 year old Christopher after the tragic death of his parents. But on her salary, this seems impossible. Until she becomes one of 4 contestants in the Wishing Game- at the home of with the reclusive children’s author, Jack Masterson, on Clock Island.

The book loving kid in me and the voracious reader I am now as a middle aged adult, loved this book. If I had to pick books to relate this to, I’d say it’s part Willy Wonka, part Mr. Lemoncello’s library, although it is most definitely a book for adults, not middle grade.

The writing is engaging and the characters are well-developed, relatable, and flawed. I found myself very easily invested in the outcome of the game and their lives. I think there’s something for everyone here- themes of friendship, love, the power of wishes, and the love of books and storytelling. This story is at once thought-provoking, funny, emotional, and heartwarming. I could not put it down!

Overall, The Wishing Game is a whimsical, charming and entertaining read that I absolutely loved. I wish there was a real Clock Island- I’d take my family and stay a while!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so great I didn't want to put it down. It's the book love of Mr. Lemoncello's Library meets Willy Wonka. It was beautifully told and written. I want the magic found here.

#arc
#netgalley
#thewishinggame

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for providing this book for my honest review. If you love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and whimsical heartwarming stories then I think you will love this book. It really brought me back to my childhood and was such a fun premise. I really love the idea of a contest similar to the contest in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There were a few parts, however, that were a bit off putting regarding adoption and the age gap between the main characters. I think this will be a fun read for quite a few people who aren’t as sensitive to those topics. Thank you again to Net Galley, the publisher, and author for providing this book for my review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the e-arc of this book for my honest review.

I loved this book! It is magical, and heartwarming. I was in a bit of a reading slump and this book definitely brought me out of that. Run to get your copy if you are looking for some magic. The characters were well developed, and I felt connected to them throughout the book. The integration of the books brought me back to my childhood and the places that books can take you. This book will give you all of the feels, whimsy, magic and family, I did not want it to end! 5 stars

As a child, Lucy Hart was a huge fan of the Clock Island book series and its prolific author, Jack Masterson. So much so that she once ran away from her neglectful parents, hoping to be Jack’s sidekick. Now Lucy is 26 years old, a kindergarten teacher’s aide whose greatest wish is to adopt a little boy at her school who tragically lost his parents. Unfortunately, this seems like a pipe dream, as Lucy is unable to afford to live without a roommate or even buy a car on her meager salary.

Just as things start to look their bleakest, Jack announces that he’s written a new book after a long hiatus. There’s only one copy and four contestants (one of whom is Lucy) are summoned to his home on the real Clock Island to compete for a chance to win the book. There are riddles to be solved and challenges to be overcome, but Lucy knows if she can manage to win, all her wishes will come true.

What a charming and whimsical book! Meg Shaffer’s debut novel is an homage to every child who ever loved books. The writing style is approachable and straightforward, which sometimes made this book feel like it was meant for younger readers despite containing adult themes. The characters are enchanting and the Clock Island setting feels downright magical. Jack is a Willy Wonka-esque figure and it was fun to solve the riddles along with the contestants. I couldn’t help but root for Lucy to win the contest and all of her heart’s desires.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.

The Wishing Game is a delightful novel by Meg Shaffer that tells the story of people to play a game. The game involves making wishes and trying to make them come true, but as they play the game, they begin to realize that their wishes have consequences they never anticipated.

Shaffer's writing is engaging and the characters are well-developed, making it easy to become invested in their lives and the outcome of their wishes. The themes of friendship, love, and the power of wishes are explored in a way that is both thought-provoking and heartwarming.

One of the strengths of this book is the way it balances humor and lightheartedness with moments of deeper emotion and reflection. The characters are flawed and relatable, and the challenges they face as a result of their wishes feel authentic and meaningful.

Overall, The Wishing Game is a charming and enjoyable read that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. Whether you're a fan of contemporary fiction or just looking for a heartwarming story, this book is definitely worth checking out

A very easy, cheesy and sweet book about a Willy Wonka-esque children's book author and the contestants in his own competition. Cute, very almost too cute at times, but all the more charming for it, and never fully tips over into unforgivably nauseating or cloying. Got choked up at one point, to my surprise and extremely against my will.

The premise of this book intrigued me. I loved the Willy Wonka golden ticket aspect. However, I did not care for the way talk of adoption was mentioned. I felt it gets people's hopes up unnecessarily. It was a little slow for me to get into which caused me not to finish.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Ballentine for an ARC. As I am my own person, the review is my honest opinon.

The Wishing Game touches on fantasy and dreams versus reality with a side order of wishing and hoping. The story revolves around Lucy: her goal of adopting Christopher merging with her love of the author Jack Masterson’s books and Clock Island. Lucy is an endearing character and I found myself cheering her on in the hopes that all her dreams come true. When you wish upon a star . . . (or Jack Masterson!)

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