Thank you Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

I absolutely adored this book! It is one of my favorites of the year. I love the feeling of hope and love that this book portrays. This story is a heartfelt and powerful. I love how it shows that your never too old to wish for something. It is really nice to see a story about adults that is child-like but not immature. If you cannot tell this one was spot on for me

This story is about Lucy Hart a twenty something year old teacher's aide for elementary school. She knows a lot about growing up without parents, even though her parents were in her life they were not present. Lucy often felt forgotten and neglected. She found her escape in a children's series as a kid (The Clock Island series by Jack Masterson). At the school she works at she meets Christopher who's parents died. Lucy has dreams of adopting or fostering Christopher. However, she lacks the funds to do so and the place to live with Christopher. As luck would have it Jack Masterson decides to do a contest and invites children who are now adults to come to his island and compete in a contest filled with riddles and fun. Please read this book!!


Read if you enjoy:
Heartfelt stories
Foster representation
Willy Wonka Vibes but
Realistic Fiction

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer had me at the books on the cover, the title about wishes and games, and the description of a dream and the possibility of making that dream come true. This is a book that makes me want to suspend my disbelief and my logic and completely embody the world of Clock Island where wishes can come true if we keep wishing and keep working to make those wishes come true.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/12/the-wishing-game.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

“The Wishing Game” got rave reviews so I couldn’t wait to read it. However, I don’t fully understand the hype. There were some realistic, human elements that I related to and was deeply interested. Then, there were some child-like aspects to the book, tied to the game elements that did little for me, As a result, the last half of the book really dragged to me and I lost that investment I had at the start. 2 stars ⭐️ for this one. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review.

This is a creative warm read. The events are unique and the characters are lovable. I was not surprised it was a nomination 0n Goodreads 2023 list.

As a child, Lucy was left alone and neglected by her parents, finding solace in books, especially the Clock Island series. Now twenty-six years old, Lucy works as a teacher aide, with hopes of one day having enough financially stability to adopt Christopher, an orphaned seven-year-old boy at her school. When the author of the Clock Island books, who hasn’t written in years, decides to write a new book and host a contest to win the book, Lucy is thrilled to enter. Traveling to the real-life Clock Island, Lucy hopes to have the chance to win this life-changing contest.

Wow, just wow—I absolutely loved this feel-good, whimsical, beautiful story! The book focused on some heavy content, but with a touch of fantasy/magical realism elements, it seamlessly balances the light with the serious. The author noted she pulled inspiration from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Goosebumps series, and other books she loved as a child, so it feels incredibly nostalgic and comforting to read. The characters are so well-developed and dynamic; they all feel so real and you will fall in love with them. This is a definite 2023 favorite, and I’d highly recommend this outstanding, inspiring novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my gifted e-book!

Lucy knows what it is like to be without parents and grow up lonely. But know as a teacher she is given the opprotunity to teach others and make them feel welcome. One day Lucy is told she is one of the four finalist to win one of her most loved authors last books. Lucy feels like this could be the beginning for her and her life and could possibly turn it around. Before she can get the prize she has to face ruthless collectors and other people trying to get the prize.

I liked this book and it was pretty good. I thought it had an interesting premise but I did have moments of boredom. This book definitely is a good read but I probably wouldnt read it again. I think the story at its core was good but it missed at times and felt choppy.

This book definitely had a Charlie and The Chocolate Factory feel and it was was deeper than I expected it to be, but I really liked this story. It definitely pulled on my heartstrings and now I need to read everything from the author.

This was just an okay read for me. I received an advanced copy of this book prior to its release months ago and I watched people fall in love with it when it did become available. However, since I was seeing it as been an emotional read, I wanted to be in the right headspace and mood once I did pick it up. It wasn't as emotional as I was expecting it to be. In fact, I saw someone say it was emotionally manipulative and I know where they are coming from with that statement. It felt like we were trying to make it sad for the sake of being sad. The sad situations with each of the characters didn't feel genuine to me. Don't get me wrong! It was a hug in book and gave me House In the Cerulean Sea vibes, but it didn't quite captivate me like that book did.

I could see teachers or people who work with children falling in love with this book. The author loved Willa Wonka, so it is an ode to that story and gives you the same feeling with the eccentric children's book author. I really was intrigued more with the love interest in this story and wished we could have delved deeper into that storyline. I probably would have enjoyed it more if she had.

All in all, it was a quick, whimsical read, but didn't imprint on my heart enough to love or remember the story.


**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

I loved The Wishing Game so much! It has such a unique premise, and takes the reader on a magical ride. I was very invested in the characters and their connections, and could not wait to see where the story went next. I highly recommend this to friends, because it is such a great read!

Very interesting read! The book pulled me in from the start and I wanted to see how it ended. Try it and see if this book is for you!

The Wishing Game is a sweet, heartfelt, and surprisingly deep read for the book lover and child at heart. Not only is this a book about books, but one that really taps into the nostalgia of reading as a child and how strongly we can feel connected to the stories of our youth. While I wanted to feel more connected to the characters than I did at times and there were some moments that fell a bit flat for me, overall it’s a read I would recommend to others!

i loved loved loved this book. it might be my favorite of 2023. this is so clever and different from anything i have read. it has a charlie and the chocolate factory feel. the story is about jack masterson, the childrens book author who is finally releasing a new novel after years of silence. (think jk rowling finally coming out with a new harry potter). people all over the world have been awaiting this book. he decides to create a game- the winner gets the only copy of the book to sell or do what they wish with it. there comes Lucy who desperate needs money in order to foster and adopt a boy that she has an emotional connection with. this money would mean anything to her. this is lucys journey to win the book. The ending was pretty predictable and although i didnt love how it came together, i still found it so heartwarming and enjoyable to read. the riddles and games were clever and entertaining. it was a wonderful holiday read. cant wait to see what this author comes out with next.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher and author for an advanced copy in turn for an honest review.

Anyone who ever read and loved a childhood serial book (Nancy Drew, Boxcar Children, etc.), will really appreciate this book. Especially if you ever dreamed about being in a that serial. That is what happens to Lucy in The Wishing Game. She is chosen to be in a contest to win the galley of the first book Jack Masterson has written in many years. But, this book is so much more-it is a love story not only between a man and a woman, but also about a "mother" and the child she hopes to adopt (which is why she is playing the game on Clock Island. The clues are great, the characters are interesting, but best of all it is a best ever ending (I'm not going to spoil it)!

I think part of my frustration is from disappointment - i’ve seen basically nothing but raves for this book all year, and it’s about a competition based on riddles/games which is a trope I always LOVE. I was purposely saving this for an end-of-year read because I was so sure it would be a 5-star read. but oh boy did I have issues with this one….

for starters, this book tries way too hard to be the <i>House in the Cerulean Sea</i> type of heartwarming, but ends up coming off as emotionally manipulative. it comes across juvenile, and i think it would’ve worked better if the author just made the characters a little younger and made it into a YA. and the “game” doesn’t even start until almost halfway through the book. and why has no one mentioned that the 4 contestants vying for the prize include: a white woman, an Asian woman, a Black man, and a gay man—I’ll give you one guess which one the protagonist we’re supposed to be rooting for is.

but that leads me to my biggest issue. it takes a LOT for me to be offended by a book, hell, I read a lot of intentionally offensive books as a horror fan. but as someone who grew up being part of a foster family, I could not believe how the author handled the topic of adoption. Lucy is a 26-year-old teacher’s aide with a soft spot for a particular 7-year-old orphan in her class (they do have a background connection to be fair). I don’t think the author meant this maliciously and it comes across innocent, but Lucy treats him in very inappropriate ways which gave me the ick. and the whole premise of the story is that Lucy wants to win the prize so she can ADOPT this kid, after she has been promising him she will adopt him for years. WHAT???? how irresponsible do you have to be to manipulate a young child into believing you’re going to adopt him??? absolutely gross and horrendous and this is our protagonist that we’re supposed to be rooting for????? absolutely not

Lucy is in a tough position. She is barely making ends meet but wants nothing more than to adopt a boy at school she has formed an attachment to and who needs a stable, permanent home. A contest unexpectedly presents itself as an opportunity for Lucy to get the funds she needs.

As a reader who does not venture into YA or children's literature, I was afraid this book would seem childish, but somehow, this book managed to recreate the magical atmosphere of childhood fantasy lands, a delightful place filled with riddles and enchantment, while maintaining a very mature voice.

This reminds me of The Westing Game, which I read decades ago but which I still remember fondly as a thrilling reading experience. Wait a minute...is the title of this book a play on The Westing Game?? Mind-blown....

Even though this story was fun and light-hearted, it touched upon serious issues, and it's overall tone was so optimistic.

Thanks to Random House & NetGalley for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This book checks all the boxes – heartwarming story, loveable and realistic characters, clever premise, magical realism/fantasy, a book about books, a bit of romance, and a buddy-read with Val. I was surprised this was a debut, as the writing and plotting were smoothly professional.

The story juxtaposes the fantasy of a world-famous reclusive children’s author who lives on mysterious Clock Island - five miles outside of Portland and reachable only by ferry - with the world of foster care. Author Meg Shaffer explains how she “chose to focus on the hopes and dreams and wishes of a child in foster care more than the intricacies of a very complicated system.”

There are themes of family, both birth and chosen, and how books can bring comfort to those “who, in dark times, find a light shining from the pages of books.” Also themes of bravery (and courage), integrity, and creativity.

Clock Island is the setting of the fictional children’s book series and is also where this story takes place. This mysterious spot is reminiscent of those other fantasy locations Hogwarts and Narnia. The author credits Gene Wilder’s Willie Wonka for influencing her as well and I found myself making comparisons as I was reading.

This was a feel-good novel I encourage you to read. I’ve had this brilliant book for almost a year and am glad I finally read it.

Wow. This book was so beautiful I don’t know what to say. I devoured it in one day, crying for the last like 20 percent. It’s definitely one that will stay with me for a while. These characters, heartbreaking and beautiful. This world she crafted, I adored every magical word. Now we just need the 66 Clock Island Books written please.

Read this book! It’s a favorite for sure.

Meg Shaffer transforms a story about a woman committed to adopting a child to a love letter to reading and books. Beautiful story and lush narrative about loving books and reading! The story of a woman who loved her childhood favorite books and wrote to the author Jack when she had a crisis. She even showed up on his remote island in Maine. Then as an adult, she decides to become a teacher and meets a child in foster care. Her determination to be his mom prompted her to participate in a contest to win an original manuscript. The prize would help her win enough money for the adoption process. I loved the idea of a lovely book inspiring people to compete for a prize related to reading. The characters were real and inviting. The plot was suspenseful and compelling. I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter. I loved the story and the way the author describes loving reading.

A fantastic read about books and how they have the power to change our lives. Lucy is a wonderful character who needs a few subtle pushes to help her figure out her life, and Jack may just be the person to help her out! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

The first few chapters took me a bit to get into - but once I did, I was hooked! This book was such a wonderful mix of adventure and something that just makes your heart feel good and whole. It truly is an ode to found family, the power of literature and imagination, and hope.

First, you get a heartfelt story about a woman just trying to do better for herself and for a young boy she's fallen in love with and desperately wishes to adopt. It's such a powerful statement on adoption and how families come in all shapes and sizes.

Then, you get a witty adventure full of riddles, puns and things that aren't what they seem. It's fun to play along with the characters and try to figure out the puzzles and riddles presented to them.

This book is for the adult who, as a child, escaped reality through books and reading. It is wholesome and so heartwarming.