Stranded by an outbreak of a deadly virus while on vacation--it's happened to many of us since the pandemic that began in 2020. Jodi Picoult's novel, Wish You Were Here, follows Diana O'Toole as she leaves for a trip to the Galapagos Islands just as her boyfriend, a surgical resident, is about to propose. I enjoyed the book but it felt one-sided when it came to the pros and cons of vaccinations, government mandates and so forth. Great ending, as you can always expect from this author. The topic is too serious to make this book light reading, but it's very, very good reading and Picoult fans won't be disappointed.

I would give this book all of the stars I could because I loved it so much. It's so odd to hear about Covid and to read about how it all started, because it seems so long ago, but as we know, it's not and it's still something we're dealing with.

This storyline she created was incredible! I loved reading the book (and also purchased the audiobook because I loved it so much and needed to know what happened) I literally read or listened to this book as often as possible. I was hooked. I fell in love with the Galapagos Islands and I lost it with the twist in the book presented itself. OMG!!! I haven't been that shocked by a book in a long time. Amazing characters, fantastic storyline, tremendous ending.

Perfection!

I started this book on the first day we went shopping without having to wear a mask. Jodi Picoult's description of a New York hospital in the midst of the Covid crisis brought it all back home with descriptions so vivid I felt like I was in the hospital myself. Diana is 29, living in New York city and working for Southeby's auction house. She is about to be promoted for securing a unique painting by Toulouse-Latrec from a woman very similar to Yoko Ono. Her life is on track, her boyfriend, soon to be fiancé, Finn, is a respected Resident at the hospital. They are planning a trip to the Galapagos when effects of the virus begin to show. It is paid for so Finn urges Diana to take the vacation even though the hospital is requiring all hands on deck. Diana takes the last water taxi to Isabella before realizing that the island is completely shut down. A local family takes her in and as the quarantine lingers, Diana becomes more of a local herself. Unfortunately the cell coverage is very poor so she is only able to receive emails sporadically, learning belatedly how entrenched Finn is at the hospital and how deadly the virus has become. Of course she feels guilty for quarantining in paradise, on the other hind she grows to resent Finn for sending her off without him. As time passes and Diana grows closer to her friends on the island, Finn's emails become increasingly desperate and hopeless. All Diana can do is pass the time until she is permitted to leave, but when that time comes will she want to go? Picoult has written another deep, reflection on our time. The was told through Diana's point of view, with emails from Finn depicting the horrors in the hospital. That is balanced by lush, vibrant descriptions of Isabella and the unique flora and fauna of the islands. I started reading this early in the morning and had to stay awake to finish it. I felt at once transported to the tropical island, and found myself startled to be going out shopping instead of staying home in isolation - that is how real the author writes. There is a lot more going on in Wish You Were Here than I can write in this review. I am so thankful for the chance to read an ARC. I recommend this book to everyone. There is so much for book clubs to discuss I'm thinking of starting one myself.

This is the first Jodi Picoult book I’ve picked up in a long time. While I knew that the plot was COVID-heavy, I was surprised just how much it felt like the main character. I enjoyed the first half of the book for the most part, and DID NOT see the plot twist coming, I was frustrated by the plot twist, but the ending was decent. Although something about her writing style doesn’t quite do it for me anymore, Picoult continues to be a fantastic storyteller in my book, and I’d recommend this book to fans of her work, or any reader looking for a easy contemporary fiction read.

I think I’m in the minority as I liked the first part of this story better than the second when Diana was in the Galapagos. I loved the setting and the family she meets. I also loved learning about her job in the art world. However, the story takes a huge turn which I didn’t see coming, and it turns out I wasn’t quite ready to read about Covid as I thought I was. You can tell Picolt did an excellent job with her research (as always), and the story is very well-written, but it does center around the early days of the pandemic in New York hospitals, so the reader must be mentally prepared.

Literally couldn't put it down. Although we're all sick of the pandemic, this book is worth picking up and reading. See Goodreads post for full review.

This was only my second book from Jodi Picoult but it was another amazing read. The level of detail in this book was outstanding. Honestly, I wasn't sure I was ready to read something Covid related but I told myself to give it a chapter and DNF if I need. Not at all, the way that it was written was so tasteful to the real world but had an elegant side story that truly was beautiful but did not overwhelm the memory of the pandemic.

I'm having a really hard time reviewing this one. While on surface it seems to check so many of my boxes-meticulous writing of a controversial topic check, timely subject check, interesting characters check but for some reason this one didn't knock my socks off the way Jodi Picoult books typically do. While I appreciate she tried a completly different approach in her twist it may have been that twist that gave me such a "blah' feeling reading this. Or maybe it was the tough subject matter that we were still going through when I read this. Annoyingly I can't put my finger on what exactly made this one just okay for me.

If you are typically a Jodi Picoult fan you'll probably enjoy this one as well, I seem to be in the minority on not loving it. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Speechless.
What a fantastic Covid tale, that is not just a Covid tale.
There were parts that were difficult to get through and I felt so much for Finn the first responder.
However, the medical mystery part shines a light on all we really do not know about comas, ventilated patients and what they experience that was so very interesting.
The ending was perfect.
Well done and thankful for the ARC

I enjoyed this book but definitely still find books related to Covid to be “too soon” for me. I had to put this one down for a bit before getting back to it. Overall, if you’re okay with reading a book about the pandemic I’d definitely recommend this one!

This is my first cov!d book in the sense that it’s specifically about the virus. I honestly can’t say I’m a fan, and not just because of the subject matter and how triggering that can be. It feels like there are two books here. I get that it’s sort of the plot, and the disconnect makes sense, but it just didn’t sit right. I’d consider it one to skip, unless you’re hunting for some pandemic anxiety.

To say Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult has a huge twist at about halfway through the story would be an understatement. What happens is so unexpected and crazy, I would have never in a million years have guessed it. Obviously I won't say what happens, but highly recommend you go into this book without reading much about it for worry the twist may be revealed. What I can say is this is the story of Diana and Finn, a couple that knows what they want and has mapped out their futures together. The story is of them about to leave on a long-awaited and saved for vacation to the Galapagos, where Finn will be proposing to Diana. As fate would have it, they are to leave the day after New York City goes into "lockdown" due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Finn, being a surgical resident at a busy NYC hospital, is not able to go because he is very much needed on the front lines. He encourages Diana to take the vacation on her own and he will see her back in NYC in two weeks time. As anyone that knows how the pandemic has played out knows that she would not be able to return to the United States and therefore becomes stuck in the Galapagos living amongst the locals. To top it all off, Diana's long-estranged mother that she is now responsible for is living in a long-term memory facility just outside of NYC. The story takes the reader on Diana's adventures in the Galapagos and how she assimilates herself with the locals. There is not much more I can say without giving away the rest of the storyline, but will say that if Covid was particularly difficult on you or your family, this book may bring up unpleasant memories. Three and one half stars rounded up to four.

Diana has a high pressure job, and so does her boyfriend, Finn. Thank goodness they’ve made reservations in the Caribbean for a two week vacation. Sun, sand, cold drinks, turtles. But when the pandemic hits, Finn can’t get away. He tells Diana to go on ahead.

My thanks go to Net Galley and Random House Ballantine for the invitation to read and review. This book is for sale now.

Nothing goes as planned for Diana. As her boat conveys her to her destination, everyone else is leaving, rather than arriving. The island is closing, an emergency measure against the pandemic. But Diana is a typical American tourist, and she knows that she has already paid for her stay, so once she is there, of course they’ll accept her…right?

The first few chapters depict our protagonist as such an entitled, smug tourist that I nearly give up out of distaste. But between the promotional blurb and my familiarity with Picoult’s work, I continue, knowing there’s a good chance that Diana will develop into a more likable character. She does.

Soon after she arrives, she runs into a handsome but irate local tour guide turned farmer, and as soon as they collide and conflict erupts, I figure, Ho hum. She’ll end up in bed with him. What else is new? And since this is near the beginning, I will tell you this much: sure she does, and plenty is new! As Diana is forced to live differently, with her luggage lost, very little wifi, no cell coverage, and nobody at her beck and call, she learns some things about herself.

Picoult is early to emerge within the growing body of pandemic fiction—hmm, will this become a genre, sub-genre maybe? And this makes Wish You Were Here all the more appealing.

Again, just before the halfway point, I think I can see how this is going to end, but I couldn’t be more wrong. At about the two-thirds mark, everything changes, and I marvel at the author’s audacity. But she makes it work, and I cannot tell you anything else without ruining it.

Because I was running late with my review, I checked out the audio version from Seattle Bibliocommons and listened alternately with reading the digital review copy I was given. Marin Ireland does a solid job as reader; as to which version I recommend, it’s a complete toss up, so go with your usual preference.

Recommended to Picoult’s fans, and to those that enjoy fiction.

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

I love Jodi. Unfortunately. I am not ready for a book based in real life right now. IYKYK.

I have put it down for the time being. I will possibly pick it up again.

I really enjoyed this book, but I don't think I would have liked it as much if I had read it last year. The story is taking place at the very beginning of the covid pandemic. This read made me realize I can look back on that time with something like nostalgia. Much like Diana, the abrupt change in schedule was a time for self reflection and evaluation. Part way through I was wondering, where could this book go if there are still 100 pages left, and then the twist hit and I was SHOOK. I loved the change up. I did feel bad for Finn in the end but it all seemed to work out. I would definitely recommend this book to others to read, would be a great book club read. I might not recommend to anyone who lost a loved one recently, especially if it was from covid.

I’ll admit, the first part of this book dragged a bit. I wasn’t ready for a book about Covid, let alone one focused on someone stuck on a tropical island during it. But then the major plot twist happened and I couldn’t put it down. A truly compelling story about how this pandemic has impacted all of us!

Leave it to Jodi Picoult to write about a politically charged time in history. Our current history, where each of us has been affected in some way. Maybe you lost a loved one to Covid, maybe you were in the hospital, maybe you had children in school. Maybe a life event was cancelled or put on hold. Whatever the case, we all have been changed. For the better, the worst or we are still hanging on. I think depression has set in for many of us. Isolation, pitting one side against the other. Truth against lies. Only time will reveal the whole truth.

To me Jodie always makes her protagonist a martyr of sorts. Diana lives with her resident doctor boyfriend Finn in New York City. Finn comes home and the whole world turns upside down. Hospitals are being filled up quickly with Covid patients. They had planned a trip which Finn encourages Diana to take. She does and finds herself stranded in paradise. It is surreal and self reflective until it takes a turn that comes unexpected. A reality comes in that Diana and Finn must face.

I think we will all will reflect on this one. The experience of both Diana and Finn. I liked the spin on this and the ending was left for you to relish.

I don't think Covid will ever be behind us but hopefully we look at ourselves and our fellow human beings differently. Everyone one has different fears and Covid brought this fears out 10 fold. It also brought out a mistrust for me. Mostly in our media. My saving grace was and continues to be my husband and children. Hang on to those that you love the most, given them grace, listen to their fears, validate their fears and encourage hope. We all need it. We conquer all in love not fear!

A special thank you to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

It was March 13, 2020 where Diana was working her dream job at Sotheby’s in NY. Her life plan with Finn seemed to be falling into place as expected. That is, until the unexpected happened. Diana had been working hard to appease her boss Eva by commissioning a sought after piece of art. It was part of a painted series by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1890 called Le Lit which features prostitutes in bed quiet intimacy. The seller Kotomi Ito remarks that “what you see is not what you’re really seeing”. She is conflicted about selling this controversial piece of art once valued by her husband Sam Pride who was murdered.

Meanwhile, Diana is readying herself for a long deserved vacation to the Galapagos with her long time boyfriend, Finn who worked as a resident physician. Their world is turned upside down when Finn informs her that there is a virus which is highly contagious and the hospital needs “all hands on deck”. Although she is disappointed that their expense paid vacation had to canceled she understood how important it was for Finn to focus on work.

Diana feels comforted when Finn suggests she go alone so their money wouldn’t be a total loss and she would be somewhere safe from the virus. Conflicted, Diana goes on a journey that takes her to places she could never have imagined. She meets and befriends native occupants as the island is in the process of “shutting down” like the rest of the world. In attempts to contain and find a cure for this pandemic of Covid-19 coronavirus, countries were limiting travel and instructing people to remain where they are.

While away Diana makes desperate attempts to maintain contact with Finn who is describing the trauma of watching people die daily from this virus. She felt like she was living in a bubble where her real life seemed so far away with no plan for when it would normalize. Eventually, there does seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s just not the light Diana had been expecting.

When Diana and Finn are reunited it seems that their time apart had altered their well planned future. The dreams of getting engaged and married and working her dream job all seemed less important. Surviving life amidst this pandemic was monumental for everyone, not just Diana and Finn. As such, many lives were changed forever, many dreams and expectations took unplanned turns so for the better and some not so fortunate.

At present, this is a “living” novel making it extremely difficult to review as I’m sure it was for the author to write. Many years from now people will read this book with same sense of bewilderment that we currently feel while reading about the Pandemic of 1918 or the 1883 epidemic of small pox. As unreal as it may seem while reading about it, living through it is an entirely different experience. Unfortunately, the political and social issues present all those years ago seem to provide a “plague” of its own that has yet to be “cured”.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it! (George Santayana-1905). In a 1948 speech to the House of Commons, Winston Churchill changed the quote slightly when he said (paraphrased), “those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”

My review of this ARC copy is voluntary and my unbiased opinion.

Who doesn't love a Jodi Picoult book?
She captures the details of the early days of covid in way that's relatable to everyone and she's created an important historical text of this time period.
This book is insightful and though provoking with a jaw dropping moment!
It's filled with emotion and anguish. I think it would make a fantastic book club choice.

I was so hesitant about this book, borrowing it once from the library then returning it unread, then deciding to give the audiobook a try instead. The reviews were promising and I generally like Picoult, and yet I was pretty sure I wasn't ready for a book that was heavy on pandemic story-lines. I will say, I probably should have gone with my gut and waited a bit longer to read this, because, despite being vaccinated and boosted and living in a city which always took Covid precautions seriously, it was not an easy read. In large part this was because one of the characters is a NYC resident, which my own sister was as well during the height of the pandemic, and which felt a little too close to home. That being said, Picoult handled the issues she tackled with care, compassion and thoughtfulness and I cannot really think how she could have done it better. It was bold of her to choose this plot, and I cannot but commend her efforts. There was something a little predictable about parts of the story, yes, but all in all, it held my attention from start to finish and I liked how Picoult makes it pretty obvious where she stands in a time where taking a stance is more important than ever. If you feel ready to read something with a Pandemic plot, I can certainly recommend this, but if you are on the fence, I say wait a while longer.