The clock is ticking as time moves forward in this book.

Jack Masterson purchased an island with 90 acres off the southern coast of Maine twenty years ago. This is where he built an inviting home and ingeniously fortress that related to the numbers on a clock.

Jack said places were times and times were places. He called this: Clock Island. Number 12 was the lighthouse, 5 was the beach, 7 was the guesthouse, 8 was the wishing well and so forth.

This is where Jack wrote best-selling children’s books. The appeal was trying to get the kids to understand about time and to face their fears in life. Consequently, some of the kids miraculously ended up at his doorstep running away from their homes as Clock Island felt safe. They were immediately sent back.

When four of the runaways became adults, they were invited to return to Maine to participate in a highly advertised contest. They would now have the chance to win the only copy of his next book which could be sold for five or six figures.

There were rules to this competitive game that was set up to figure out riddles from Jack, the “Mastermind,” that they all remembered well from the stories. They all had a wish from the past and now it was about money. They were determined to win.

The concept of the clock on an island was presented by Jack as a mystical fascination with the focus on time. But his books weren’t just about time but how one faces deep-rooted anxieties. The games in the story were fun although they could have been more challenging. It definitely can be thought-provoking and make an interesting book discussion. It also may be an inspiring, pick-me-up story for readers.

My thanks to Meg Shaffer, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy of the book with an expected release date of May 30, 2023.

I loved this book! Such a charming and magical story. It was very quick and pleasant to read. The characters were engaging and well thought out. More of these, please!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer. I'm apparently a grouch because tons of people seemed to love this book, and I did enjoy The House on the Cerulean Sea which everyone compares it to, but this one came off as trying to be this weird mix of edgy and saccharine. Honestly, I found the characters lacked depth—everyone was black and white, good or bad. The MC was mostly a Mary Sue who could do no wrong with a creepy romance with an older guy who met her as a teenager. Even her relationship with her student felt so inappropriate to me—she wanted to adopt him, but at the moment he was her student she wasn't related to and acting like she was his mother felt wrong. The writing felt childlike and simplistic and I just never got pulled into the story. There were hints of this magical, inspiring story (which apparently everyone else enjoyed) but I never felt it and it took me a long time to get through this book as a result. It had flashes of good moments, but for the most part I found it disappointing.

A fabulous debut novel by Meg Shaffer. In one word- delightful.
Clock Island is a children’s book series, but also exists. Who wouldn’t want to visit this magical land? I want to go!
Refreshing and enjoyable. I didn’t want this story to end.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a cute story about a children's author that helps make wishes come true. Lucy is struggling to make ends meet and also wants to adopt Christopher, a young boy at the school she works at that lost both his parents. Lucy and Christopher have developed a deep bond rooted in the Clock Island books that were Lucy's favorite as a child. Although Lucy wants to adopt Christopher, she can't due to her unstable living situation. But when Jack Masterson, author of the Clock Island books, offers an opportunity to 4 people to win an unpublished Clock Island book, Lucy is excited to go for it.

This book will definitely remind you of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's a sweet read with feel-good characters.

Do you remember your favorite magical book from back in grade school? Meg Shaffer’s debut novel captures the wonder of those amazing childhood reads & how they help us deal with the harsh realities of the actual world.

Lucy’s neglectful parents didn’t provide her with the childhood that she deserved, but Jack Masterson’s Clock Island series of books gave her some comfort & she carried her passion for the author’s work into adulthood. She now works as a teacher’s assistant & has connected with a young boy named Christopher; after the death of his family, Lucy shares her love of the Clock Island books with Christopher. She hopes to adopt him, but doesn’t have any family support & is short on funds so her foster-to-adopt applications keep getting denied. Lucy has almost given up hope on the dream of being Christopher’s mother when she’s invited by Jack Masterson himself to participate in a set of challenges competing for the only copy of the newest installment of the Clock Island series.

I loved this book!!! The cover is perfect, I enjoyed the influence that Charlie & the Chocolate Factory had on this story, the use of humor & a few choice curse words were just right, the map of Clock Island is so fun, & the excerpts from the Clock Island series scattered throughout the book are placed just right - the whole thing is catnip for book nerds. Jack Masterson is an eccentric & lovable character & his affinity for riddles is both infuriating & endearing. I found myself REALLY rooting for Lucy & Christopher, & Lucy’s flirtations with Jack’s illustrator, Hugo, made this story even better.

Thank you to NetGalley & Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dreams, wishes, riddles and games make for quite the adventure for four lucky people set to compete in a most unusual contest. This story will draw readers with a theme revolving around a set of children's books. Love the characters and the magical island. Highly recommended!

This was such a sweet book. I just loved all the characters, the story the setting...all of it! Well written and absorbing. Thank you

This story is like a modern day fairytale. Lucy Hart loved the Clock Island book series as a child. As an adult, she shares the books with Christopher, a foster child whom she wants to foster and adopt. Trouble is she can barely keep herself financially never mind a child. Enter a contest from the author of the Clock Island books. Can she win the contest and make all her dreams come true? The journey to find out was pure joy for me. This was a great feel good story.

4.25 🌟

Grow up with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and loved it? The Wishing Game reminded me so much of that but switch out a candy maker for an author. Didn't love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? I think you would still enjoy this!

I loved the riddles in this book, the magical nature with Clock Island and the ending was perfect.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

It's like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" for bookworms! I had a whimsical time reading this tale, I almost wish it was real...almost.

Jack is a mega famous children’s book author. He has not written anything new in some time but suddenly he has a new book. He is going to invite four participants to compete for a mega prize which in ludes the only edition of his new book and lots of money. Lucy adored his books as a child and was more than excited when she receives an invitation. This is truly a magical story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"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."

Willy Wonka for book lovers!

every reader has a book that changed their lives forever. This is a story about a reader meeting the author of their life changing book. Clock Island felt like another character itself. the characters were interesting and well developed! it wasn't predictable but so fascinating!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Wishing Game is a heartbreakingly sweet book for every adult who was once a child that found a refuge in books.

Teachers-aide Lucy Hart is struggling to save enough money to adopt Christopher, a boy in her class that lost both his parents. Christopher is now living with foster parents but he wants to live with Lucy. When she is invited to her favorite childhood author's island to compete for the rights to his new book, she sees that it could make her and Christopher's wishes come true.

Jack Masterson, the author of the Clock Island series, is whimsical riddle-speaking man, but he is kind and lonely. Six years ago something happened that made him stop writing and inspired grumpy Clock Island illustrator Hugo Reese to move to the island to care for him.

While this book does not shy away from suffering, as all the characters have past hurts that motivate them and cause them grief, it is ultimately a hopeful portrayal that there are people out there who care about hurt children and struggling adults and are willing to help.

If I could give this more stars, I would

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was a stunning story. It reminded me of the hunger games in a sense, which was completely unexpected. I also am a sucker for a book about a book. This one did not disappoint and I can see many enjoying this book. Pick this up if you like adventurous stories that have you rooting for the characters. Also pick it up if you like to try to solve escape rooms

I loved this book so much! I think we can all relate to being deeply affected as children by a book series and wanting to escape permanently to its world. The characters were beautifully written and the fictional world of the children’s books lovingly created. I loved how deeply each contestant was affected by the books but also by the author. Jack was like Dumbledore, Willy Wonka, and the grandfather from the Boxcar Children all rolled into one. The ending was also perfect to tie the story together. This was a seriously impressive debut and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me a complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a debut?!
Talk about innate talent, a magical world, a magical story and wonderful characters.

WOW! Bravo Meg Shaffer.

This book was a delight to read. The author created a captivating world and a heartwarming story. I felt like I was part of the wishing game. Highly recommend!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I am stunned that this is Meg Schaffer’s debut novel. This book is straight up magic.

From the opening dedication to the closing line I was enchanted. I was so invested with all the characters. Laughing and crying as I cheered them on, trying to solve the puzzles so I could help them along. Closing the book completely satisfied.

Wishing for more books from this talented writer.
All the stars. All of them!