Wow! What an amazing storyline! I was hooked on the story from the first page. I loved these characters and didn’t not want it to end! Highly highly recommend.

I need to start off with a disclaimer that I thought this book was going to be more “game” than it actually was. There were times when I was getting Charlie and the Chocolate Factory vibes (there was even mention of it in the acknowledgments) but it never full got there.

However, I did the love story. Lucy is such a relatable character and I really felt for her struggles and everything she was going through. I think this was such a beautiful story.

Also, I am not waiting on the Clock Island series books because I feel like I’d absolutely adore them.

This play on the Willy Wonka story takes that idea a step further by delving into what might make a man like that tick. The book follows Lucy, a lifelong fan of a children’s author who hasn’t published a book in years. Her journey to discover the mysteries of Clock Island are also a journey to discover herself. The story is very sweet, and will be enjoyed by readers looking for something heartfelt and sentimental.

This was a beautiful book. It had tones from Willy Wonka, but it was some how even more beautiful. The writing was great and I really loved the excerpts from the fictional books from the story. Lucy achieved a dream as a child, she made it to Clock Island, the setting for her favorite series of books. Her dream was short lived and despite her favorite author telling her she would be ok, her life has limped along. She desperately wants to adopt a little boy who lost both of his parents, but she doesn’t have the resources to be considered (this was a bit exaggerated, I work in child welfare and we would work hard to make a kinship placement with a safe and appropriate adult work). When she receives a letter from that author inviting her to come to play a game and to have a chance to win a copy of a new Clock Island book, the only copy to do with as the winner wants. Knowing this is her only chance she goes determined to win.

Just when I was starting to doubt I’d get a second 5-star read this year, Meg Shaffer delivered the answer to my wish - the book version of a big, warm hug aptly titled The Wishing Game!

Lucy is a 26-year-old kindergarten teacher’s aide with little savings, no car, and three roommates, who - more than anything in the world - wants to adopt Christopher, a young student living with a foster family after losing his parents. Their bond is strong, but Lucy has just been told it’s unlikely she’ll ever qualify to adopt him. She’s preparing to tell him this when hope arrives in the form of a little blue envelope. She recognizes who it’s from since she received one just like it thirteen years ago.

Across the country, on a whimsical clock-shaped island off the coast of Maine, renowned children’s book author Jack Masterson, whose Clock Island series has been loved by millions has come out of a mysterious five-year silence to announce a contest that four lucky invitees will participate in for the rights to a brand new, singular copy of his newest Clock Island book. Those invitations were sent out in … you guessed it … little blue envelopes.

Does that premise sound familiar? It should. It takes inspiration from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where five children competed for Mr. Wonka’s chocolate factory. The similarities end there, though. Contestants Lucy, Andre, Melanie and Dustin had all written to Jack as children hoping that, like The Mastermind character in his books, he could fix their painful home or school situations. As adults now, they’ve overcome their childhoods, but each needs the money that selling the rights to Jack’s book would bring.

As all four gather at Clock Island, in Jack’s impressively large home, they also meet his assistant and illustrator of his books - a 34-year-old world-weary, sarcastic, but completely lovable Brit, Hugo, who’s been watching over Jack during his hard drinking writing exile. Hugo remembers Lucy as the thirteen-year-old girl who tried to run away to Clock Island once. She remembers how cute he was. I loved their fun, sweet interactions now that they’re both adults!

After days of Jack’s games and maddening riddles, whose wish will come true? That’s for you to read and find out! I did enjoy the (mostly) supportive nature between the contestants, and I love how things came together in the end. It was a little piece of perfection! There were some heavy themes like childhood trauma, parental neglect, alcoholism, bullying, running away and all forms of abuse, but it was never heavy-handed or depressing. Rather this story is a love letter to the power of books to change a reader’s life and is so kind-hearted in its approach.

The books that stand out to me and end up as my year-end favorite always have this in common: They make my heart happy. Plain and simple. Jack, Hugo, Lucy and Christopher all stole my heart and made this a new one for my favorites shelf. If you like whimsical books about books, found family, a bit of magical realism, romance (and great pet names like Vince Purraldi, Billie Pawliday, Darles Chickens, and Thurl Ravenscroft), I highly recommend this wonderful, well-written debut! Oh, and may I add … best cover ever. 😍

★★★★★ ❤

What a heartwarming, feel-good book! I loved it!

It begins with the reader getting to know kindergarten teacher’s aide, Lucy Hart, and the little boy, Christopher, to whom she has become attached. He has recently lost his parents, is in foster care, and Lucy wants so badly to adopt him -- Christopher wants this too. However, Lucy is not in a good place financially, and the social worker tells Lucy she might as well give up since she does not have a car or a home in which to raise Christopher.

BUT….. Lucy is suddenly given a chance to change both of their lives by entering a contest.
At this point the reader learns about Lucy’s difficult childhood, how she became attached to the “Clock Island” series of children’s books, and at age 13 she ran away to “Clock Island” in Maine and was greeted by the author. They became acquainted but she still has to leave to go back home. Now, years later, Lucy and three other children (now adults) who had run away to “Clock Island” are invited to enter the contest to win the one and only copy of the author’s last book in the series. If they win, they can sell it to the publisher and keep the money -- a lot of money; just what Lucy needs to be able to adopt Christopher.

It may feel like I just told you the whole story -- but there is much, much more! It gets pretty involved, but it is so good I could hardly put it down. At times it is heart wrenching, and at others it can make you laugh out loud. It is a fast-paced, easy read, and though there is drama, it is not heavy. It is just a nice read with compelling characters that makes you feel good, and want to read more. This is Shaffer’s debut novel, but I can’t wait to hear more from her!

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Meg Shaffer, and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Make a wish: a mixture of Willy Wonka, Agatha Christie, and fantasy, where a teacher’s aide could get everything she’s ever wished for!

Beautiful and deceptively simple. This book is
uplifting and makes you believe in the magic
of hope.

3.5
This book felt like a mash-up of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory mixed in with And Then There Were None along with some self proclaimed Wizard of Oz visuals going on. It was a bit whimsical, poetic, and gave a sense of nostalgia because of some of these similarities. Then add the adventure aspect of a best-selling author who is awarding the winner his one and only copy of his next, highly anticipated book-it's a book lovers dream setting.

This is labeled Sci-fy/Fantasy/Womens Fiction and I agree it had all 3 of these aspects. It was a fun read with heart and love that made it entertaining. But. But, there were some aspects and plot points that really bothered me. Keeping this spoiler free, I'll attempt to explain a bit. The book is treated as a completely normal and real world, but there are some specific fears that are addressed as a big plot point that just didn't feel at all true or realistic to me. Other plot points that were expected to hold up to "make" the book, felt unreliable and unrealistic, and they bothered me.

Overall, it was entertaining and a different read. Consider suspending some disbelief at times or allow some silly plot points to help yourself enjoy this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advance e-copy of this book.

Fantastic book that had my imagination working full time as I pictured the island. Jack Masterson was the author of a series of children's books. The books became invaluable to children who just wanted to escape their own lives for a little while. He would receive letters from the readers in which they wrote him about their own lives, some of which were very sad. After a terrible incident with one of his young pen pals, Jack quit writing until he wrote one final book. Thus The Wishing Game was born. The book contains themes about foster care, run-aways, death, childhood illness,
and adoption. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the digital ARC. The review is my own opinion and words. While I am practically a senior citizen I really enjoyed this book. I think it would be well suited to Young Adult even with the adult themes.

Congrats to author Meg Shaffer on her debut novel, with upcoming pub date 5/30/23! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a somewhat whimsical, but still adult-oriented, fictional story of author Jack Masterson, who lives on an island off the coast of Maine. His "Clock Island" book series for children (so named because the island is in the shape of a round clock with various landmarks for each number on the face of a clock) is wildly popular, but he mysteriously stopped writing several years ago. Teacher's Aide Lucy Hart loved the books as a child, and even attempted to run away to Clock Island due to problems at home. Now 28, she introduces the series to one of her students, who she hopes to foster parent. Lucy is struggling in her foster journey due to financial-related issues.

Just when she is ready to give up on her parenting dream, she enters a new contest to win the rights to Jack Masterson's latest Clock Island book! She and three other finalists are brought to Clock Island to work through puzzles and games to determine a winner of the new book. Lucy wishes so badly to win the prize, but will it happen and what will she need to do to make it happen?

I liked that this book has mostly likable characters and mostly good people. It is always fun to read books about authors. I liked the cleverness of some of Jack's games and riddles. I would say the book has a slightly YA vibe because while you may not predict exactly how the game and book will go, you can get a decent idea. I liked the book quite a lot, especially for a debut novel. 5-stars.

Thank you, Meg Shaffer, Ballantine Books,  and Netgalley, for the gifted eARC.

Jack Masterson is a famous children's author who hasn't written a book in six years. Unexpectedly , he announced a new book and a competition to win that book. Lucy grew up reading Jack's books. They were her comfort. She especially loved the Clock Island series. Now, at twenty-six years old, Lucy reads the Clock Island books to Christopher, the orphaned boy she hopes to adopt. The only problem is that she doesn't have a good enough paying job or a proper home to qualify to adopt Christopher. When Lucy gets an invitation to be one of four contestants to compete to win the only copy of Masterson's book, it could completely change everything for her and Christopher. If Lucy can beat the other three contestants and not get distracted by the handsome, grumpy illustrator Hugo, all her wishes may come true.

The Wishing Game takes the magic of Willy Wonka and the mystery of the wizard in the Wizard of Oz and mixes it into one fun novel.  There's riddles and puzzles to solve, a mysterious island that is set up like a clock, wishes to be granted, and so much fun to be had. Yet, there are still some heartfelt topics that will have you in tears throughout the book. Jack, Lucy, and Hugo are all fabulous characters, and I loved each of them and their story arcs. After finishing this book, my heart feels so happy and full. I want so much more of these wonderful characters. I didn't want this story or the magic of Clock Island to end.

I really liked this book. It's a little different than what I usually read but it wove together a beautiful storyline about childhood trauma and loss and an escape into the magical lands of literature, in this case Clock Island. Lucy discovered the Clock Island books as a child, when she was left behind and lonely. They became an escape from reality when she needed it most, a chance to wish for more and to know she deserved it. Now as an adult, Lucy is offered the chance to return to Clock Island as an adult to compete in a competition that would allow her to fulfill her greatest wish - to adopt Christopher - a young foster child who she loves as a son.

This book is perfect for the adult who used to escape into the magical lands of books as a child - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Narnia, etc.

I liked the premise - a Mr. Lemoncello’s Library for grown ups - but it just did not come together for me - seemed to wander a bit. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

I loved this book so much! I don't even know what else to say. Preorder a copy now, or grab one on the 30th when it's published. It's so good. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a wonderful book! Laughed out loud while crying at the same time. I was an adult and a child again while reading this incredible story. There is so much more to be said but not without spoilers. Highly recommend to all !!!!

If you need to remember how magical books are, read this! I think this may be the best book I've read this year. It was just SO captivating and fun. It had all the BEST story lines, a book about books, found family, a touch of romance. I felt like a cross between the Midnight Library and Willy Wonka in the VERY best way! I found myself wishing the series from the book was real so I could read those, too! I am so blown away by the creativity that this book showed, I literally couldn't put it down-- sign me up for the next competition on clock island!

This has a little bit of something for everyone. Highly recommend! 5 Stars!!

Thanks to Netgalley, Meg Shaffer, and Ballentine Books for an advanced copy of this to review!

I knew I would like this book when I read the synopsis. Who doesn’t want to show up on their favorite author's doorstep announcing they are there to be their side kick, have a cup of coffee and not be taken to jail. This book surpassed every expectation I had. It was a reminder of the wonder of reading as a kid, the satisfaction of a caper solved, lessons learned, but with emotional situations and relationships for adults. It kind of felt like a literary hug. I wish I could re-read for the first time over and over again.

This had a very unique and it was a cute story. At first I didn't think I would like it but it turned out okay after I got into it.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is a beautiful, magical tale about Lucy and Christopher. Lucy is a teacher’s aide and Christopher is her student who’s in foster care. They both have traumatic pasts and are desperate to become a family.

A large part of their journey is a Willy Wonka-esque contest on a mysterious island from the reclusive writer of a beloved children’s book series. These books connect the characters in many ways, and the contest is a way for Lucy to make her dreams come true.

My favorite parts of this story were about the wishing game. Shaffer writes about these fictional books, their grandfatherly creator, and his wondrous island in a way that made me desperate to read them. I wanted them to be real. I wanted to go to the island. The writing captured the magic and nostalgia of being a child. It also didn’t shy away from the hard parts of being a kid too, and why, often, the kids who suffer the most, invest the most in fictional stories. I appreciated the thoughtful, nuanced look at the foster care and adoption system.

For me the book suffered a little bit from trying to do too many things, and though the peripheral love story was lovely, I wonder if it was necessary. I think the story may have been tighter and more focused without it.

On a personal note, I was really bothered by the voice of Lucy’s teacher friend, Teresa. I’m not sure if the writing was trying to portray Teresa’s ethnicity or region but it made me uncomfortable. It would be a very easy thing to clean up.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to readers who want feel the magic childhood but in a way that deals with very real, very big issues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC.

The Wishing Game releases May 30, 2023. (My review will be posted on @backlistblooms Instagram the week prior to release