Going into a book that centered around the start of the pandemic, I knew that it would evoke a number of emotions. Even after two years, we all still remember those early days of uncertainty and all the measures taken to try and feel just an ounce of safety in our homes.

WISH YOU WERE HERE went far beyond what I initially expected when I cracked open this book. Picoult wove a fictional story that was tied to a very real and shared experience that many people will never forget. I appreciated the character development, especially with Diana, and how her life and outlook changed as she progressed throughout the book. I also thought the writing really captured the depth of emotions felt by many people at this time.

As always, Picoult’s extensive research can be seen throughout the book and I appreciated the author’s note at the end that highlighted her own personal experience during this time. I really enjoyed WISH YOU WERE HERE and thought it was a bit different from Picoult’s prior work, which I found fitting after reflecting on the last two years.

Here’s a book I didn’t know I needed. I’m a huge fan of JP, but don’t let that discredit this review. This book is a fascinating viewpoint of the pandemic that was vastly different from my
own experience. It’s rich in description and scenery, it’s lush in the art world and it’s deep in the depravity of NYC hospitals during the worst of the pandemic. Not only does the storytelling feel like vintage Jodi Picoult in the best way, but the character development is captivating and beautiful. There were times I couldn’t put the book down because I was enjoying the actual story so much. I didn’t honestly want to read a book about the pandemic while we’re still living it but I’m so glad I did.

Diana and Finn have distinct voices that are so compulsively readable it’s mesmerizing. I loved these characters and felt equally captivated by both of their experiences. At times heartbreaking and cruel, Wish You Were Here is exactly what the doctor ordered: a reminder to live in the moment, and appreciate the smallest of details knowing the next isn’t guaranteed. And when the world forces you to press pause, try to look around and appreciate the view.

I have such mixed emotions about this book. I was so intrigued by the first half. I mean what if you were trapped on a foreign island when the pandemic hit? It would be just as terrifying and fascinating and isolating as Picoult made it sound.

Then the classic twist that happens in her books occurs half way through and - it just felt like it was too soon to be digging into this. I know that this book will hold up as a reflection of the hidden parts of the suffering of COVID like the toll on health workers and the physical therapy for those who had to be intubated it was just still too raw and close to reality. for me to enjoy this as fiction.

Diana seems to be on the verge of having it all - the dream boyfriend who's about to propose, a major project at work that should land her a promotion - when COVID hits, and she ends up going alone on a vacation to the Galapagos and getting stranded as the world shuts down. However, things are not as they seem - get ready for some major twists and turns! I found the first half of the book pretty slow, and Diana to be incredibly entitled and unlikeable, but the plot twist got me really interested again. I read with avid interest the emails from Diana's boyfriend Finn, describing his experience as an exhausted surgeon as COVID ravaged the city - I wished the whole book had been about this! But with the plot twist halfway through, I kind of got my wish. Meanwhile, while the book seemed at face value to be a bit woo-woo and imaginary, the author's note at the end suggested that perhaps we don't know as much as we think about comas, dying, and what the people who go through those truly experience. I would recommend it, but it wasn't my favorite of Picoult's books.

This was my first from the wildly popular Jodi Picoult in a long, long while. Perhaps it was too soon for me to read a pandemic book. It was good, yes, and I did not see the big twist coming. I think that perhaps this will be better a few years down the road, possibly as a good piece of period fiction? It was a good read, but I can't say that I was a fan of the main character or her choices. Very well written; fair read; will be popular with patrons.

I received a copy of this novel as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Jodi Picoult knows how to write with suspense and keep the reader interested and engaged. Love the Galapagos island setting.

I have read most of Jodi Picoult's work - she is definitely a favorite author of mine - I enjoyed this novel - at first I wasn't so sure but once Diana O’Toole got to the Galápagos Islands I was all in - I was wishing that I could of spent my Covid quarantine there as well. One does have to suspend disbelief a bit regarding Diana's decision to go on the long planned trip at the first outbreak of the pandemic - when her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, decides he needs to stay at the hospital. But, hey, without the knowledge of what was to come with the pandemic, I might of made the decision to go as well. Picoult's descriptive prose reads beautifully and puts you right on the island. I love that she weaves the mystical and magical into many of her later novels. This would be a good book club novel as would most of her novels. I enjoyed the read - thanks Mrs. Picoult!

I really loved this. It took me back to the beginning of the pandemic, when everything was upside down. This recent history was woven into such a wonderful story that it made reliving this part of 2020 bearable, in an achingly beautiful sort of way. I could also really relate to the main character, and felt so much like her during many moments in the story. Even now, a few days later, these characters are still running circles in my head, and I can't seem to quite let them go yet.

Additionally, the plot was extremely intriguing and kept me absolutely glued to the book, so much so that I basically read this book in one sitting. Although some of the heroine's actions made me question things, the twist still caught me completely by surprise, which always makes for a better reading experience! I also adored the writing, and it felt so heartfelt throughout. I loved absolutely every second, and was so sad to see the final page go by.

Overall, while I've been a Jodi Picoult fan for a while, this book only seemed to strengthen my appreciation for her writing further, and I'm excited to see what she comes up with next!

just finished this book and I am still processing how I feel about this one. This is my first book by author Jodi Picoult and I loved her writing. The description of Isabella island in the Galapagos is so vivid. I could picture and see it so clearly in my mind. After reading the author’s note I got to know how much research she did for writing this book and it is so amazing. The first half of the book was very slow and I got to understand in the second half why it was so slow-paced.

Diana is an interesting character but I couldn't connect with her. There are some decisions she makes that I could not understand. One should always take some risks in his or her life but to rely so much on an uncertain future was beyond me.

I loved Finn’s character so much. He is fighting for saving the lives of the covid patients and his emails to Diana are filled with so much emotion. I could understand a little what the frontline workers were going through during this pandemic.

I have so much more to say but if I write one more word I will spoil it for you. So it will not do it. Just that at around the 60 percent mark this book took a turn that I was not expecting. 😊

The main setting of this book is about the Covid 19 outbreak and the life of the people during that time. If you are ready to read this I will definitely recommend this. This book is a gem for a reader who prefers slow-paced reads.

This book was exactly what I needed. It was incredible. I was so soothing and almost therapeutic. I was hesitant to start because I was worried it was too soon to be reading a pandemic book. However, it made me feel incredibly validated and understood. The story follows a couple in March 2020 in NYC who have to decide to separate when a trip to the Galapagos is out of the question for the doctor in the couple. The entire thing felt like a beautiful daydream, and also felt very in touch with reality with the mentions of Tiger King, toilet paper, sourdough -- things anyone alive in March 2020 will remember forever. The "twist" was poignant and well done and this book left me feeling all of the emotions possible. This was my first true 5 star read of the year and I'll cherish this story forever.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It has an interesting premise, and the focus on the pandemic is timely and relevant. At first, I was intrigued and engaged. But when the plot shifted to its second arc, I started to skim the pages. The topic was compelling, but the writing was was little long-winded and the outcome a bit predictable.

My first Jodi Picoult! I think maybe this was a little too soon for me, reading a book that was about the current pandemic and how it has affected everyone. This was a 3.5 star, rounded up to 4 for me, and I'm not totally sure why, so I think it was just too soon for me. In saying that though, it was still very well written, heartbreaking and beautiful all at once.

This book covers so much - love, loss, heartbreak, hope, and so much more. You feel every single thing the characters feel because it's so well written. This book will easily make you take a look at your life and how fragile it is. There was a small plot point towards the end that I felt really ruined parts of it for me, I wish that outcome had been different. The overall ending though was beautiful.

Jodi Picoult always delivers. This was an awesome read during the pandemic and really cut deep. I always know she is a sure bet. Thanks for the ARC

I have only good things to say about this book. Even though I have read similar “waking-up-from-another-reality” narratives before, the twist totally gutted me. I can tell every part of the book was very well researched, even before the author’s note (which I appreciated!). I feel that Piccoult handled the topic of the virus, it’s effects, and the impacts on healthcare with care and sensitivity. There is always room to make someone else the villain because of COVID, but this book treated every character and caution with the utmost care and research.

I will tell all of my friends and family to read this book! Thank you for the advanced copy.

What can I say about this that hasn't already been written? Jodi Picoult is the master of research and her writing is top-notch here! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was perfect!

Part One was hands-down a 5 star. It "wowed" me!!

Part Two was good and fascinated me but I feel it was a little bit too long.

If you're ready for a Covid story 😷 then this one is for you. Be prepared to go on a gutsy journey about survival, courage, love and loss.

I usually enjoy Jodi Picoult novels, but I found this one to be disappointing. The plot was thin.and the issues raised were forgettable. However the author did a very good job describing the first few months of. the pandemic and our common cognitive dissonance surrounding it. The hospital scenes were especially heart wrenching.

I adore Jodi Picoult and I enjoyed this book. The pace was good, the plot was interesting and I always love a good plot twist! The timing was a bit off for me though. I wasn't quite ready to read a book about the pandemic when we're still basically in it. I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I read it 5-10 years from now when it all wasn't still so fresh. Don't let that deter you though! I have lots of friends that loved it because of that.

Wish You Were Here is classic Jodi Picoult, taking the current hot topic (the COVID pandemic) and weaving it into an engaging story with a jaw-dropping twist that you definitely do not see coming. My only complaint was that the twist came way too soon in the book, leaving the rest of the story uneventful and lacking.

I love Jodi Picoult so I was super excited to read her latest. I was not disappointed. I loved the twist; I definitely didn't see it coming. The writing was superb, as always. I enjoyed this one much, much more than The Book of Two Ways. That one read more like a history lesson. It's clear from this book how Picoult feels about the pandemic; I'm afraid she's getting just the tiniest bit preachy. I will still read all of her new books though. Keep 'em coming, Jodi!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a new Jodi Picoult fan as this is only my second book by her. It is amazing to find an author who presents two totally different books.

This book had me feeling very conflicted and I struggled to rate it. I gave it 5 stars but it comes with some conditions.

Picoult is a very atmospheric writer and her character development is seriously top tier. For that alone she earned 5 stars. The plot was very clever and so well done. With that said however, the covid parts were not it for me. And not because she didn't write them well- she did- I am just not interested in reading about something still so raw.

So I find myself wondering how I can give a book 5 starts that I hated parts of and it is simple. Her writing is amazing and touched parts of me (especially with her mom)

So trigger if you don't want to read about covid!