Book: The Wishing Game
Author: Meg Schaffer
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with an ARC.

Whenever I first picked this one up, I didn’t know what to expect. Was this a fantasy? Was it literacy fiction? All I knew was that the premise had me very interested. Think about it. We have a group of people who are on the adventure of a lifetime. The Clock Island books met so much to them when they were children and now, as adults, they have the chance to get to go to the place of their childhoods. Who would not jump at the chance for that?

Lucy is in her late twenties and is rather down on her luck. She is a teacher’s aide and feels trapped. She cannot afford her place, car, or anything else. Most importantly, she cannot afford Christopher, the little boy whom she longs to adopt and give the home that he deserves. She knows in her heart that she will be a great mother and that he needs her. However, her current circumstance is preventing this from becoming a reality. She has never had it easy in life. Her sister was always sick and she was sent to live with her grandparents as a young child. Throughout her whole life and now Christopher’s, the Clock Island books have been a source of escape. Now, she finds herself given the chance to meet the author. Not only that, but he has written another book and is going to give it away to one lucky winner. Once Lucy arrives on the island, the games begin and she soon finds herself torn between returning home and staying there.

I loved Lucy’s character. She is very retable and feels real. I know there are a lot of other books out there with storylines similar to hers, but the way that Lucy was presented made me latch right onto her. She is someone who has not had it easy. Every time she wants something or is close to getting what she deserves, something happens and prevents her from getting it. She is the type of character whom you want to reach their goals. She is sweet, caring, and kind. She has also been hurt by her past and carries that with her. She feels unwanted and unloved. This trip changes her and allows her to see her blessings even though she doesn’t have what she wants. It makes her realize and gain people who going to support her and who do want her to get what she wants and deserves. This is her second chance.

Meg does an amazing job at putting this story onto the page. She manages to give it this childlike feeling but keeping it adult. Think of it as being Willa Wonka for grown-ups. While reading, you will find yourself being transported back into your childhood, but still feel the edges of adulthood annoying you. It reminds you of the good and innocence in an otherwise dark and unforgiving world. You can still feel the magic and use that to sort out whatever difficult situation you find yourself in. This is a pretty short book and to have all of this packed into it is the mark of a great writer.
Overall, I did have a great time with this one and I am looking forward to more from this author.

This book comes out on May 23, 2023.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/_1Sz7IFu4uQ

A book lovers story. Filled with mystery, whimsy and life lessons.
A wonderful debut novel.
Felt like a hug in book form.

Thanks to NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a delightful book-sweet, heartfelt, and whimsical. Who doesn’t love an enigmatic, reclusive author with a heart of gold?

I felt as though I was reading a classic that had already been around for ages instead of previewing a new release.

The Wishing Game is a sweet simple story about making wishes and promises with hints of a Willy Wonka flavor.

Jack Masterson, beloved child book author has lived in reclusion for years off the coast of Maine on a little island called Clock Island. Many years ago, he mysteriously stopped writing his beloved Clock Island Books. Jack suddenly resurfaces with a brand new Clock Island book and with a unprecedent and extraordinary game – the prize is to be the one and only owner of this new book to do with as you please. But not anyone can participate .. only those children that once ran away to Clock Island.

Lucy Hart did not have a great childhood; she grew up with a sick sister and parent she believed did not love. As a child that felt abandoned and isolated, she found comfort and joy in reading the Clock Island book series. Some twenty six years later we find Lucy working in California as a kindergarten TA where she fell in love with this little orphaned seven year old named Christopher Lamb. Her wish is to foster to adopt little Christopher but without a decent paying job, transportation, and safe housing this wish seems to be impossible to achieve.

Lucy along with three other runaways; Melanie, Andre and Dustin, are the only four participants in the competition; only one can be the owner of this new Clock Island book. Who will win and how will they use it to make their wish come true.

The Wishing Game is Meg Shaffer debut novel I found it to be charming and heartwarming with lessons on learning to forgive and face your fears; with hard work and determinations wishes can be attainable. I did find the beginning to be a little slow and the theme more geared for young adults.

Thank you, Meg Shaffer, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on May 30, 2023

Willy Wonka but make it books?! YES PLEASE!

I was drawn to this book because of the amazing cover! The story literally sucked me right in from the very beginning. I couldn't get enough. It is hands down my favorite book so far this year! I can't wait to read more by this author! Very well done!

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer publishes may 2023. This will be a classic. This book is Willie Wonka meets Mister Lemoncello’s . Library. .,When an eccentric writer promises trouble children that someday he will make their wishes to come true. Now as adults they are trying to win the contest to win a solitary copy of his new book. This is a fantastic book

OH MY GOD this might be my favorite book of all time. I felt all the feels of reading a childhood favorite wrapped up in a novel. I loved the Magic Tree House series as a kid (and adored them) and the fantastical children’s series in this book reminded me of that a bit. This book was SO nostalgic while remaining engaging for an adult. I absolutely cannot say enough good things about it. I wish I could start over from the beginning and experience it all over again. Pre-ordering this right now. There were some things that could’ve been a little better (Lucy’s personality was lackluster - the only things we really know about her are that she’s poor, her childhood was traumatizing due to parental neglect, and she wants to adopt Christopher), the contest could’ve made a little more sense (the final game was just a phone a friend challenge which seemed really lame and it didn’t follow the trajectory of the other challenges at all). But I didn’t care because the overall plot was just soooo good. The nostalgia factor was OFF THE CHARTS for me.

5/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest opinion,

Publication: May 30, 2023

I think this book has fallen into the category of "it not you it's me". As a reader, this synopsis called to me because of my love for books. I believe anyone that reads would be pulled into the idea that this a re-telling of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but with books rather than candy.

The beginning of this book was a bit like whiplash because we switch from Lucy/Christopher, Hugo/Jack, plus pieces of the previous 66 books in the Clock Island series mentioned in the books.

I personally am very picky with my scifi and fantasy mostly because I don't read this genre often. I initially hit it off with Lucy because she is a teacher's aid (I'm also a teacher) and she wants to adopt (I too have a heart for foster care/adoption). However, as the story progressed I found that Lucy (who is 26) acted like a 16 year old instead. She seemed very immature.

Overall, I wanted to enjoy this story more but ended up confused plus wondering about all the high ratings. I think you should try this book if you enjoy:
Whimsical stories
Younger portrayed characters
A book about books
Big wishes and dreams

I love books about books and The Wishing Game is maybe my new favorite book in this genre. I wish the Clock Island books were real! This book felt very whimsical and nostalgic and it made for the most enjoyable read!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of “The Wishing Game,” by Meg Shaffer. This is the story of a young woman who was obsessed with the Clock Island books as a child and reads them now to the boy she wants to adopt. The author of the Clock Island series is a recluse who has not published a book in six years to much consternation by anyone who had loved them. There is a a new book. There is a contest. There is romance.

This was a good book that was diverting. It had its strengths, and I felt the most well developed character was the author, Jack. Unfortunately I could not really feel much for the other characters. I am not sure if it was too much telling and not enough showing or if the characters hadn’t been fleshed out enough to feel I really knew them. The plot is good and the island scenes are well described. I am
not sure why I didn’t love this book. I wanted to.

This book was whimsical and fun and everything I wanted it to be as a lifelong book lover. Throughout the book, with all of the twists and turns, you just keep coming back to the feeling of how important books are to the author and - I relate! This book brought me back to hiding books under my desk in 1st grade and I loved the ending.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

As a foster parent myself, I loved the element of foster care included in the plot of the book. I thought that it did a good job of representing foster children and the complicated foster care system.
I also loved the literary element. As many before have stated, it definitely had positive Charlie and the Chocolate Factory vibes. Books can be healing and help us through things. This novel represented that idea well and helped me process the ache I currently carry of a sweet little girl waiting in the system that my family and I would love to give a forever home.
Write on Meg Shaffer.

"Always be quiet when a heart is breaking."

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its publication date in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this book in three giant bites and loved it. The Clock Island Books were so well realized in the story that I wanted to be able to read them, too—and to see Hugo's covers. The author did a very good job writing characters that I cared about, and rooted for. I want to be more organized about expressing how much I enjoyed this book, but in my head I'm still kind of living in that world, and I can't quite be articulate about it yet. But maybe that's the best kind of review?

Read this book if you love: puzzles, Willy Wonka, books about books, revisiting childhood as an adult, windswept islands, reclusive authors, and mothers who will do anything for their children.

This book was pure magic from start to finish. It was able to bring us the reader back in time to our childhood and our wish to visit a fictional land. The love between Lucy and Christopher is a joy to watch unfold. I laughed, I cried, and most importantly, I wished that it would never end. Can’t wait to purchase this book when it is released!

This was just a wonderful book about the comfort and escape books can provide. The story focuses on a contest around a book series. Four fans of Jack Masterson's Clock Island series are summoned to his real-life Clock Island. The winner of this contest will win the sole copy of the long-anticipated next book in the Clock Island series. There are then a variety of challenges for the four. Along the way, what this series means to each participant is revealed with most of the focus on Lucy. This is where the true beauty of the story kicks in as those relationships and reading journeys are explored. This is one that I literally couldn't put down. I was so drawn into the people in the contest, and I had to know how it was going to end up as I was captivated by its beauty. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this May 2023 release!

A sweet book about healing our hearts and finding what is right for us, what risks we have to take to make our true wishes come to life.

The Wishing Game is the story of an author, Jack Masterson, who has written many children’s books about Clock Island. Clock Island is the island in Maine that Jack Masterson has bought and where he lives. In the past, children have run away to his island, and although he has always made sure they went home, he has invited 4 of them ( now grown up) to return to the island for a game to win the last book he has written. All 4 of them have a monetary need to win the book. Lucy Hart, the main character, wants to adopt a little boy from the school where she is a teacher’s aide.
The story centers around the game and its’ riddles and the fears that each person needs to face in life.
This is a heart warming story and an easy read. One feels like they really get to know the characters of Lucy, Christopher, Hugo and Jack.

When Lucy Hart was younger, she had a rough childhood and ran away from home. She ended up on Clock Island, home of the famous children's author Jack Masterson. Lucy is not the only child who ran away to Jack's island and when he is ready to give away the special edition of his last book, he invites the adult children, who came into his life years ago, to play a game to win the book.

Everyone needs the book to pay for something they find necessary and Lucy wants it most of all, so she can adopt a special boy. Hugo the illustrator also lives on the island and he and Lucy find a connection. Jack reminds me of a today Mary Pope Osborne (author of the Magic Treehouse Books) and all the characters are all intriguing.

This story was very cute and a fun, quick read. I enjoyed the storybook aspect with some riddles and games. The flow of the story was a little hard to connect with for me but glad I read it.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Are you looking for a heartwarming read that combines magical realism with a touch of Willy Wonka-style adventure? Look no further than Meg Shaffer's The Wishing Game, a novel described as "a love letter to reading and the power childhood stories have over us long after we've grown up," by V.E. Schwab.

Follow the story of Lucy Hart, a 26-year-old teacher's aide who has always found solace in the pages of the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Lucy's financial life is problematic, but mostly because it has become a hurdle to adoption.

You see, a student in her class, Christopher, has tragically lost his parents, and Lucy is the only one who understands his journey. So the two collaborate to save money for his adoption through alternative means, including knitting one or two scarves a week on Etsy and packaging these wares together after school, where Christopher sits as Co-President of her knitting company.

It's not just the current years of Lucy's life that have been difficult. Lucy's younger years were just as challenging with her parents and estranged sister. When she was young, she even ran away from home to head to Clock Island, where her favorite author lived to escape the realities of her life. The prolific children's author, Jack Masterson, made Lucy return home, but he has never forgotten her.

Admittedly, Jack Masterson’s life and writing also have taken a turn. In one sarcastic statement, his illustrator describes him as Dumbledore, Wonka, and Christ all rolled into one...with a side of depression and if they drank too much. He has not written a story in years, or that is what the world has thought. In truth, he's been scheming a brand new contest and book that will shock the world.

A public letter begins to go viral, sharing that a new book- A Wish for Clock Island- has been written and only one copy exists. Jack has plans to give it away to someone courageous, clever, and who knows how to make wishes. This invitation also says that you should check your mailbox if you know the answer to the riddle "Why is a raven like a writing desk?".

And Lucy just so happens to know that answer, as do a few other longtime readers that have had beautiful interceptions throughout their lives with Jack.

But the competition is fierce for these loyal readers, and Lucy must battle ruthless book collectors and wily opponents to claim her prize through clever riddles that only the most seasoned readers can solve. And with Jack Masterson himself pulling the strings and plotting a twist to the ending that could change everything, Lucy will be served up a few life plot twists that she could never expect.

Peppered throughout the story are chapters from the Clock Island series. The author even invented a title for 66 books in the series (added to the end) and some nonfiction and poetry selections for his writing history. If a fiction writer could be real, Meg Schaffer has put in the work.

Inspired by the real-life story of Andy, who ran away and showed up on the doorstep of his favorite fantasy author in Episode 470 of This American Life- "Just South of the Unicorns," the author shares that this book is dedicated to kids who, in dark times, find a light shining from the pages of books. This will, likely, transport you back to secretly reading books with a flashlight to escape those hard times when you were a kid too.

Full of heart, adventure, and just a touch of magic, The Wishing Game is a novel that will captivate and delight readers of all ages. I anticipate that this will be a big book this summer and has BIG contender energy for our 2024 book club year.

Just finished and I have tears. I wasn’t so sure if I liked it at the beginning. It seemed a little choppy and jumped around. But I quickly got caught up in this whimsical story. I loved the characters and everything about Clock Island! Im very stingy about my ratings but have to give this 5 stars!