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!

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is a Book About Books!

When Lucy Hart was a child, she found the love she lacked at home in books and her favorites were from the Clock Island series by children's author Jack Masterson.

Lucy was so taken by these books that at age thirteen she ran away to Clock Island with the dream of living with her favorite author.

Thirteen years later...

Jack Masterson reappears to announce he's written a new book in the Clock Island series and will hold a contest on his private island where four hand-picked readers will compete to win the only copy, the manuscript.

At age twenty-six, Lucy has a different dream now. When she's about to give up hope, she receives a blue envelope with news she'll be traveling to Clock Island as one of the four readers chosen to compete in the competition.

This could be Lucy's chance of making her dream of a better future come true...

My initial thought about The Wishing Game? It was slow and written for a younger reader and audience. My hope was the pace would pick-up and the writing would age-up as the story progressed.

That's exactly what happens beginning with Part Three. The pace picks up, the story gets meatier, and becomes verifiably Women's Fiction through the remainder of the story.

The Magical Realism was a bit sparse but the magic of the story and the island was definitely thick and mysterious. It has a great mix of characters but the story primarily focuses on Lucy, Jack, and Hugo who is Jack's illustrator and his right-hand for just about everything.

The island and the Clock Island books feel like characters, too. This story stirs fond memories of those fun childhood experiences with books that lead your imagination into delightful free-fall.

I recommend The Wishing Game to readers who enjoy a little magic, a little romance, and a little bit of YA in a Women's Fiction Book about Books!

3.75 stars rounded up!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Meg Shaffer for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.

This was an ARC I was able to review thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. This is a debut novel by Meg Shaffer and it is a beautiful one! This story encompasses childhood trauma, overcoming it and how it can impact individuals within their lifetimes. The themes throughout this novel were so good, and this novel kept me reading. I enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to see what else Meg writes!

This is a fabulous gem of a story and I was absolutely mesmerized by all of it. Lucy Hart, a teacher’s aide, wants nothing more than to adopt 7 year old Christopher, but she lacks the resources to do so. Jack Masterson, a world renowned author known for his numerous Clock Island children’s books, who hasn’t published anything in years, is now holding a contest for his newest volume. The winning contestant will be eligible to win that highly coveted single copy. Hugo Reese, the illustrator for all of Jack’s books, has no idea what Jack has up his sleeve with this competition, but figures that like all things about Jack, it doesn’t have to make sense. As for Christopher, Lucy introduced him to the Clock Island books during a dark time and it’s these stories that inspire him.

The characters were each endearing and lovable in their own vulnerable way. Lucy is praying for a miracle and this opportunity might be her last chance to become Christopher’s mother. The setup of Clock Island, which is really an island, is like a children’s fantasy come to life with where all the adventures take place since Jack Masterson lives here. There’s something special and magical in how kids perceive Jack Masterson, who encourages them to be braver and to keep wishing until someone listens. Jack may be an older guy, but he’s young at heart, and the best listener of all. Yet he loves his puzzles and riddles so Lucy and the others spend most of their time decoding his clues and cryptic conversation.

As much as I loved the storyline and characters, I also adored the lessons and messages. This reads like an escape into a more youthful time full of endless possibilities even in the most dire or hopeless of circumstances. It’s a bit of a found family dynamic, but also a collection of lost souls who all needed to be reminded that they are loved. There were several scenes that squeezed my heart or had me choke up with emotion. Not to mention all of the unexpected little twists that kept me anxiously reading and racking my brain, eager to see if everyone gets their wish or some other hopeful version of happiness. It’s impossible not to be invested in Lucy’s quest and not to want to see her dream come to fruition. What a stellar debut novel.

I enjoyed reading The Wishing Game. It definitely has vibes from Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. People can relate to the themes of the book - hope, family, love, loneliness, and struggling. I also instantly liked the characters and how the author resolved them all in the ending. I would love to read more books from this author!

Loved it! As a former social worker I fell in love with Christopher immediately and Lucy too. The novel was perfectly paced, with lots of humor, riddles, and heartwarming scenes. Definitely a feel-good kind of book!

The premise of The Wishing Game immediately sparked my interest and I was so excited to get the chance to read this book early!

This book was WONDERFUL! It reminded me of Willy Wonka, but with books. Jack Masterson is a famous author of children’s books. Lucy Hart fell in love with Masterson’s Clock Island books when she was younger and still treasures them as an adult. Jack decides to host a game to win his newest book on the real Clock Island where he resides and Lucy gets to be one of the players. The book is so much more than just that. I laughed, I cried (multiple times)- I really didn’t want this book to end. I absolutely loved it. I’ve been thinking about this book since it ended and I think I could easily be one of my favorites of the year!

Thanks to Random House Publishing - Ballantine & NetGalley for a chance to read this outstanding book!