Jodi Picoult has a way with words and her books always fill me with wonder. This book was no different than the others. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I would definitely read this again!

Jodi Picoult's last few books have been disappointing. I used to DEVOUR her books in a matter of hours. It took me so long to slog through this one. The last 1/3 was a bit better. Maybe I'm just so burnt out on pandemic talk?

What an amazing book! Run out and get your copy now, you will not be disappointed. Jodi Picoult has a magical way of bringing her characters to life and making you feel like you are a part of their world and this book is no different.

My first thought after reading the synopsis was, "Is it too soon for someone to do a Covid-19 storyline". I was nervous that the trauma of this past year would hinder my opinion on the story. Jodi being Jodi does this story justice and makes you feel like you escape Covid-19 without escaping Covid-19. Readers can tell Jodi does her research and doesn't take the situation lightly. She talks of loneliness, grief, and swings of this new "normal".

Diana is almost 30, and has yet to accomplish all the goals she has set for herself. She feels this year will change all that, when her boyfriend, Finn, proposes on their Galapagos trip. Trouble starts when Finn is unable to make the trip due to Covid-19 restrictions at his job. Diana continues on with the trip, but must quarantine. Like many this past year, Diana found herself questioning the world around her and the life she has made for herself.

I understand everyone might not be ready for this story, but I think the correct research was put into the story. Everyone should take the precautious they need, and read what is safe for them. The characters are relatable and intriguing, The storyline keeps with a good pace; the plot carries itself well with Picoult's other cult classics.

Tho predictable, Jodi Picoult writes great books - lots of action, believable characters and scenarios that pull the reader in. Will definitely read more of her books.

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

It's always interesting to read a book that deals with COVID in some way. Especially when you are still battling COVID and the lovely variants in real life. So, I'll admit that Jodi Picoult did a wonderful job with Wish You Were Here. Even though I'm not a doctor, and I didn't go to an Island during the pandemic, I still really liked getting to know Diana and Finn.

Now Diana is 29 years old. Which, yes, that's how old I am (for now). She's the completely opposite of me because she lives a very organized life. That used to be me. Now I'm lucky if I even put laundry away after washing and drying it. Don't even get me started on folding.

With this trip, she was hoping for Finn to propose to her. Well, that idea kind of jumps out of the window when COVID slides in. Mostly because Finn is a doctor and will be working like a dog, day and night, to save people.

This entire adventure felt so realistic. Since I didn't go anywhere before the pandemic, and haven't still, I always wondered what happened to the people who did. Especially when it came to lockdowns and such. So, it was really interesting to see what happened with Diana and Finn throughout this.

As for the twists and turns, well if you've ever read a Jodi Picoult book - you know there's one coming. Just know that it did come, and I was not prepared in any way, shape, or form to handle it. In the end, I definitely enjoyed the heck out of this book and can't wait for Jodi's next book!

Really enjoyed this one - Jodi Picoult is by far my favorite author and the reason why I read so I was very happy to have the opportunity to read this early. Thanks for the opportunity to read and I cannot wait for the next one!

I don't read Jodi Picoult all the time but when i do it makes wonder why. In Wish you were here she writes a story about whats in the news right now which is covid -19. Takes place in New York City in the early stages of the pandemic. What I Iike about it she doesn't sugarcoat it. The good, bad, and ugly. The loneliness, fear, compassion, and the humanity. This book might be difficult for some who have been affected but I would still recommend reading it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy for a honest review.

Diana is right on track. She has a fabulous job, a wonderful boyfriend and her plan for life is right on schedule. She has a big trip to the Galápagos Islands planned with her boyfriend. But the pandemic has hit and he must stay at the hospital. He tells her to go anyway. Diana goes to the Galápagos. But, as soon as she gets there the island shuts down and she can’t get home and has little access to phone service or internet. So, she is trapped.

At first, I was not a true fan of Diana. She is a bit focused on her plan for life and there will be no detours! But, her time in the Galápagos changes her and her out look on life. She finally realizes what is important.

Ok! I don’t want to give anything away…this is such a unique read. I absolutely loved the Galápagos Islands. I enjoyed all of Diana’s adventures touring the caves and the volcanoes. I truly could picture all the wildlife. This is now on my bucket list! Then…the story turns on a dime.

Jody Picoult has done it again! This is a book you will not soon forget…and that twist in the middle! Just know…not all is as it seems!

Need a fabulous book which takes you in a very usual adventure…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really went back and forth with how I felt about this one. Going into reading it, I wasn't sure I was ready for a Covid novel. I wasn't sure I would *ever* be ready for a Covid novel, but I figured I would give it a try. As some other reviewers mentioned, I really struggled with the first half of the book. As I had feared, it felt like a replaying of all the events and collective feelings that we lived through in the early months of the pandemic, and it all felt a little too soon and too real for me. Beyond that, I couldn't get into Diana's story of trying to survive on the Galapagos.

And then came the second half of the book. Without giving anything away, this was much different than the first, and to me, much more interesting. I found myself finally invested in Diana's story, and I learned a lot about a topic I didn't know about. In the end, I didn't love this but I didn't hate it. Picoult's writing is as beautiful as ever, but the Covid narrative was too much for me.

A big Thank You to Penguin Random House and to Netgalley for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Life happens when you least expect it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a blueprint in your back pocket.”

Jodi Picoult is now one of my favorite authors to turn to for provocative reading! This book was very timely amidst the COVID Pandemic.

Diana O'Toole has her life all mapped out: married by 30 to her doctor boyfriend, having a couple kids by 35, and having a successful career in the art auction world. She doesn't have the ring yet, but she's certain that she's going to get one on their upcoming trip to the Galápagos Islands that they booked months before.

But then the COVID-19 Pandemic begins and New York begins going into lockdown. Finn has to stay behind and help with the imcoming COVID cases, but assures her to go on to the Galápagos without him.

But once she arrives in Ecuador, she's met with nothing but problems, her baggage is lost, and the island she visits goes into quarantine, leaving her stranded with no room and board, and no knowledge of speaking Spanish. A local family take pity on her and allow her to stay with them until the borders reopen. There she confides in a young teenage girl, and her suspicious father of her fears.

I won't tell you what happens next, but I can assure you. It left my head spinning!

Highly recommended!!

Wish You Were Here is the first story I’ve read that deals with COVID in it’s plot. Personally, I didn’t mind reading about lock down and quarantine because it has been long enough for me that it doesn’t bring me to a bad mental space. I would NOT recommend this book if anything COVID or quarantine is triggering to you. What I liked about this book is the though provoking ideas it brought up like realism, regrets, unexplained medical theories and an insight into being a medical professional fighting COVID first hand. What I didn’t love about this book is that the first half of the book and the second half of the book were completely different. I also am not a fan of incredibly long chapters, which this book had. Overall, I didn’t love the book but I also didn’t hate the book. My first impression rating would be a 3/5 stars since I kept wanting to finish the book but went through periods of not enjoying what I was reading. I think this book, however, will stick with me due to the content which is always a plus for books.

2/5 stars. I've tried for months to get through this full book, but I'm finally calling it quits. I've read everything that Jodi Picoult has ever published, good, bad, and ugly, but this one just didn't do it for me. Part of the trouble for me was the subject matter- since we're still in the pandemic, still in the middle of COVID, still losing people every single day, it's hard to dive into fiction about the pandemic when it's still our reality. I will definitely try this one again in a few months.


EDIT 12/14- sure enough, I went back and read this in ONE. SINGLE. DAY. I think this is the type of book you really need to be in the right headspace to read- COVID is still so real and still so much a part of our lives that it' still hard to revisit the trauma we're still experiencing. That said, I think this is probably my favourite Picoult book yet.

I really enjoyed this book, I could resonate so much with Jodi's writing about covid - I could relate to the feelings and thoughts of Diana.

I've read many good reviews of this and I have to say that the book did not disappoint and it completely lived up to its reputation. The plot was incredibly unique and original. There was suspense and some twists. It was heartfelt and so relatable as we live in the midst of a terrible pandemic. This was the first book I've read that really delved into some of the side effects of covid and I actually learned a lot that I didn't know about it. I was deeply touched by the protagonist and the many quandaries she faced and her confusion about her time as a patient. This was above an beyond excellence in fiction and I will be recommending it to library patrons.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Ballantine Books and Jodi Picoult for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I fell in love with Jodi's writing after my mom introduced me to her books in high school. Being my mom's favorite author, there was a lot of hype! But reading her books lived up to the hype. This book grabbed my attention from the beginning. I was in a bit of a reading slump, and this one pulled me right out of it! I finished it in a day! The twist took me completely by surprise, and I am in NEED of discussing it with other readers! Thank you Jodi for another great read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Publishing for an advanced copy of this book! I'll admit it: I was incredibly hesitant to read this book knowing it takes place during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially considering that we're still very much living through the pandemic. I love Jodi Picoult as much as the next white lady, but it gave me pause. However! This was a good book. It seemed very well-researched, it had good character development, I loved learning more about the Galapagos and the art world. Reading Finn's emails about the first responder POV during the early days of the pandemic was gut-wrenching and resurfaced a lot of my early Covid anxieties, but I do feel like Picoult handled it deftly and thoughtfully. Her author's note also shared some helpful insights into her research and writing process. I will likely preface any convo I have about this book with friends with a big fat "BUT!", but I did enjoy reading it and I devoured it pretty quickly.

Picoult’s latest novel addresses the world we are currently living in. The author tackles the covid pandemic and the realities of people surviving or dying, hospitals overwhelmed, and the toll on everyone because of the pervasive spread of the virus. This is the story of Diana O’Toole, a 29-year-old woman who is on track to meet all her personal goals. She has the perfect boyfriend, a job with hopes of advancement and a planned trip to the Galapagos with Finn, who happens to be a surgical resident.

Just as they are preparing to leave, Finn gets called in to the hospital and told he cannot leave for any reason. New York City is just starting to become a hotspot for the covid outbreak. Because the tickets are non-refundable, Finn tells Diana that she should go by herself and have a good time. But with the swift progression of the pandemic, she gets stranded in the Galapagos, just as everything shuts down. This leads her to reevaluate her goals, her life and her priorities. Though communication with home is sporadic, Finn manages to email her with detailed accounts of a hospital in crisis and staff struggling to do their best.

Picoult has clearly researched what happens in ICU rooms: how patients are treated, how a life can become suspended. At the end of the novel she shares how deeply the pandemic affected her personally and how she communicated with survivors who had long-term effects. She strove to come to an understanding of the changes in their lives and attitudes.

This book faces the impact on patients in a personal way. All of us have been living this nightmare that is still ongoing. Books like this may help us better understand the deep emotional consequences that so many continue to struggle with.

This book was amazing and 30% in I wasn't too happy with where it was going cause you know pandemic and I get claustrophobic. So being stuck in a vacation spot no matter how gorgeous if you have no amenities and everything is closed you are still stuck.

But there was this interesting wake up call to it, that this pandemic also has brought to our attention. To think about what is important. To reevaluate and to slow down. We have all been moving so fast through our lives or being pushed that we haven't been allowed to live.

I don't want to say too much about the major symptom that she brought up in the book cause it gave me chills, but read it.

And I have been googling and seeing nothing on this. I want to hear more about this! How have we not heard anything about this if it is happening to people?

I felt chapters 15, 16 and 17 in my soul. I have def felt all of that.

OMG after reading this book I looked up at the tv and my husband was watching the news and it said 800,000 dead. I'm like 😭 my heart breaks for all of these families and there are still people that don't think that it's a big deal. My husband's second cousin was sick with early onset dementia in a nursing home in NJ and contracted covid in March of 2020 and passed so quickly I don't think his wife got a chance to see him. She also lost her father in that same month.

The author's note was perfection too! I can't even cut and paste it, it's too long but it made me teary. If we don't make historical records of these events, are we doomed to repeat them again or to not take them seriously when they do.

Thank you penguinrandomhouse and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

I never intended to read a novel set during the pandemic or with plot points related to the pandemic, but something about Wish You Were Here called to me. I just had to read it. The cover is gorgeous, the blurb captures the story's main plot perfectly, and well, it's Jodi Picoult, we all know she knows how to write. What really grabbed my attention though, was the idea of examining where life is at and how Picoult just felt she had to write this. Diana felt like someone I needed to know, her journey felt like something I needed to go on, so off I went and boy am I grateful I picked this up.

The pandemic marks a shift in everyone's life, whether it's an emotional shift, a career shift, or one of just general life examination. Diana thought she'd been through the worst, but the pandemic and her adventure to the Galapagos Islands makes her realize that the worst is yet to come and that only she owns her fate. I related to Diana so much; it's so easy to think that life is mapped out and that we're on the path to whatever we deem is the best thing for us, but it's not always really right. What we planned at twenty or felt pre-destined for may be due to outside influence or just are no longer right for you as you and your world change. Her examinations into her relationships, her family, her past, and her future felt just like the times I have gone through those same self examinations and I loved the reality of this novel. It may be a fiction, but Diana felt real and her journey to discover her true life path is just beautiful and epic.

Wish You Were Here is a gorgeous tale, one filled with sparkling water, a handsome tour guide, and a young girl that allows Diana to see just what really matters in her life. Of course, it isn't all beautiful and fun, the pandemic is jarring; Picoult captured those first few weeks of uncertainty so perfectly that I felt that same anxiety again as I realized doors really were closing around us. The pain of loss and of the unknown are explored so well in this novel, I could feel the isolation that Diana felt and my eyes dripped with tears when hers did. Even with the most difficult topics being covered, Wish You Were Here is the book that I'm so thankful I read to revisit the turmoil of 2020.