I’m going to split this book up into three parts:
Part 1: 2 stars
Part 2: 3 stars
Authors Note: FIVE STARS!!!

Honestly I didn’t give this book much respect until I read the authors note in the back. I thought it got way too political, and I absolutely despised the main character. It was a 2 star until the last two pages

3.5 rounded up.

This is definitely a triggery novel if you're sensitive to Covid/death but it was a good story. My only real complaint is that it lacks a Picoult twist at the end like so many of her novels have. There is a twist, one that was really good, at the midway point of the book though. I have to say I was not expecting it at all. Overall a good read.

💭 Book Thoughts 💭

When I saw that Jodi Picoult had a new book out, I knew I needed to read it. I have always enjoyed her books. I knew Wish You Were Here was about COVID and I knew it would be hard to read, but I was determined!

The book was good. The writing drew you in and was fact based about life at the beginning of the pandemic. It created a story of finding your true self. This book supported science which was important to me.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and Jodi Picoult for allowing me to read this pre-released book for an honest review.

Rights sold to Netflix for adaptation as a feature film!

Beautifully rendered, master storyteller Jodi Picoult tackles and reflects with sensitivity the emotions, fear, and despair of the early days of the COVID pandemic that swept our world —WISH YOU WERE HERE.

The author transports readers from the trauma of the hospitals and front-line workers of New York City to the beautiful Galápagos Islands with a poignant story of self-discovery, hope, and renewal.

Diana O'Toole is living in NYC and works as an associate at Sotheby's. She is dating Finn, a surgical resident, living together and happily planning their future. She finds a ring and thinks their upcoming romantic getaway trip to the Galápagos, he will propose.

However, fate steps in during March 2020 when COVID hits New York and spreads throughout the world. Finn, being a doctor, is all hands on deck and, of course, cannot leave the hospital.

Finn tells Diana she should go on the trip alone versus staying in New York. A series of events occur with a significant change in the travel plans due to the pandemic. The island is quarantined, and she is stranded on the other side of the world— away from her life and the comforts of home.

All the borders are closed, and they can only write letters with slow internet and bad phone service. During all the problems, she meets a local family with secrets. This place and these people forever change her life. She gets letters from Finn outlining the horrors from New York.

She knows at some point she must return, but she cannot keep thinking about this island and these people. Does she want to go back, and does she really want to do what she is doing now?

A big plot twist comes, and your jaw may drop when you least expect, exploring how NDE can initiate some serious soul searching into the planning of our lives, relationships, and career aspirations.

The author offers readers a moving Author's note of her own experience during the pandemic. Meticulously researched, I am grateful authors such as Jodi Picoult, and others documenting this critical time in history for future generations.

How to survive the surviving?

When your life changes after a profound personal near-death experience. After being given a second chance, what would you do differently with the gift? Would you do good or evil?

"If anyone could tell this evocative & moving story, it would be Jodi Picoult! Thought-provoking."

I enjoyed reading about the journeys of many experiences. The dreams, hallucinations, the memories. After being hit with COVID and coming out on the other side, we hear stories of the patients and their greater appreciation for life, higher self-esteem, greater compassion for others, less concern for acquiring material wealth, a heightened sense of purpose and self-understanding, desire to learn, elevated spirituality, greater sensitivity, and purpose.

Lives may never be the same, and we all have been changed and may have to continue to be cautious and take this virus seriously with new strands occurring daily.

A special thank you to #RandomHouse and #Netgalley for an early reading copy.

#JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Pub Date: 11/30/2021
Top Books of 2021

The publisher sent me this book as an early copy, and honestly, I didn’t even look at its synopsis. It’s by Jodi Picoult… there was absolutely no hesitation before I downloaded it to my kindle.

I went into this completely cold, and I have to say, that was the best decision. I cracked this open at bedtime, and for the first time in forever, I stayed up way into the wee hours of the night reading. I didn’t fall asleep until I was 40% in. And I really didn’t even get to the GOOD parts, yet!

There is a twist that I simultaneously loved and hated. It was both agonizing and fulfilling at the same time.

I think this book will be considered an instant classic due to the timeliness and the historical nature of the subject matter. It is factual and emotional. Picoult really nailed the fear and isolation we all went through in the pandemic and uses it as a moral we all should have learned.

This book is a must read!

📖Book Review📖
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
PubDate: Nov.30,2021
My Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

Diana O’Toole is art expert and art sales extraordinaire. She is every bit a picture of a successful career woman. She lives with her Surgical Surgeon Resident boyfriend, Dr.Finn Colson. They have their life mapped and planned. To the type of house they will buy, the number of children they will have and even the breed of dog they will raise. Diana knows that all of these will come into fruition when Finn will drop on one knee and pop the question in their upcoming and most awaited Galapagos Islands Vacation. But, covid-19 was declared a global pandemic and all travels were banned while all medical professionals were called on deck. Diana is now stranded in Galapagos all by her self, sans the engagement proposal obviously while Finn, on the other hand is fighting the battle and uncertainty of this killer virus.

This is a very relatable story. When we read about WWII novel, it serves as a remembrance tribute to let us experience the situation we did not know. In Wish You Were Here, Jodi Picoult has crafted a novel that readers of today and in the future will genuinely and personally connect because in one way or another Covid-19 has inflicted it’s effects. It is a good situational presentation of how human beings adapt when hell breaks loose. It is written beautifully and I enjoyed the surprise twist, all the while satisfied of how things turned around. A highly recommended read.

Special thanks to @randomhouse , Ballantine Books via netgalley for the e-ARC. To @prhaudio for the complimentary audio file. Marin Ireland on narration was phenomenal.

I got to admit that this is only my second JP book- I know, I know, how could I. So, help a girl out and tell me what book you love from this author!?
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#wishyouwerehere #jodipicoult #jodipicoultbooks #netgalley #netgalleyreads #bookreview #advancereaderscopy #advancelisteningcopy #bookworms #bookhoarder #bookishphoto #booklover #bookreviewer #bookishfeatures #booknerd #covid19

Wish You Were Here follows the life of Diana O’ Toole beginning right before the pandemic. She has her life planned out and is on track to meet her goals- and then Covid hits. Diana ends up going to the Galapagos and gets to know a young girl Beatriz and her father. Through her experiences in the Galapagos and as Covid begins to affect her life, she begins to question the life she had planned.

It’s a story we can all relate to, and brings up memories from the pandemic at it’s worst. With a twist that you won’t see coming, prepare to be shocked and ready to ask yourself big life questions like what happens when we die? What is our purpose in life? Picoult does a great job of addressing these.

My only criticism was that the first half was a little slow, but it all came together so well once I completed the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House - Ballentine Book for the opportunity to read this ARC. Publication date: 11/30/2021

Diane O’Toole and her boyfriend Finn have their lives planned out. She’s up for a promotion at Sotheby’s, he’s a surgical resident, and they have their dream vacation to Galapagos coming up, where he’ll probably propose. Then March 12 2020 gets here, and the whole world changes.

This book is set in a COVID world and it brought me straight back to the beginning stages of the pandemic and all of the emotions that came with it. But, there are also plenty of joy detailing Diane’s time on Isabella Island in the Galapagos. That plot twist, WOW! This book is about taking chances, offering forgiveness, and realizing that complication is part of being alive. This may be one of my favorite books this year!

Our main character thinks she has her life figured out. She has a plan and knows what she wants, who she is, and what her future will hold. Yet a virus (COVID-19) hits New York City, and everything is at a standstill. Her boyfriend tells her to take the vacation they had previously planned without him, so she goes and gets stranded on the island for two months.

Her life in New York is so drastically different from the one she lives in the Galagapos Islands. It’s worlds apart, and the vacation has ultimately changed our main character. Nothing will ever be the same for her now that she knows what she does.

This book is full of twists that had my jaw dropping at certain parts I won’t spoil. The pure, raw human experience we all felt during the beginning of the pandemic is entirely on display throughout the novel. Lives changed drastically for so many of us, and it’s easy to identify with the characters in this story.

I loved Jodi’s writing, world-building, and character development. I felt like I was inside the main character’s head the entire story, making it enjoyable to read. Also, the MC is not much older than me, which made it even more exciting and had me identify with her many aspects. That was one of the best parts of this story, honestly. I can get hooked to a story as long as I feel like it could have been me living it.

I’m rating this 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the overall plot of the story and how our main character grew throughout it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves heavy character development and seeing the outcomes of their struggles.

This was my first Jodi Picoult novel, so I’m unsure if she has current events in many of her other stories. My personal preference for books is that they’re mostly fiction, or so far in the past, I don’t feel like I’m actively living it. I prefer my books be used for escapism from reality.

This was my first Jodi Picoult book and I can honestly say that it will not be my last. I enjoyed her writing style, and appreciate the research that she devoted to this book.
This is the story of Diana and Finn. They are about to go away to their dream vacation to the Galapagos when the Covid pandemic begins. Finn is a doctor and must stay to help out at the hospital. He encourages Diana to go without him explaining how busy he will be. The trip is also non-refundable so that is another reason she should just go and make the most of it. Diana leaves and is immediately stuck on the island as the world goes on lockdown. Diana's dream vacation turns into a nightmare as she becomes cut off from the outside world and Finn. She must quickly learn to rely on herself and make connections with the locals on this small island. During this time she befriends a young girl on the island. that is guarding a secret. She also takes time to reflect on her life, past and future as she waits out the pandemic.

This is a difficult book for me to review. I enjoyed it and was very invested in Diana's story. Picoult did an amazing job researching but I just had a tough time with the twist halfway through. The story takes you in a different direction that changes the entire atmosphere. Part of me wasn't ready to relive the pandemic again either so that may have something to do with it. I liked the book but I didn't love it.
3 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #WishYouWereHere

I was very nervous to read a book about COVID so soon but I was still excited because I am a big fan of Jodi Picoult. I am so glad I decided to listen to my gut and read this book because it was AMAZING. This story was incredible and had some very surprising parts that had me finishing this book a 4 am because I could not put it down. I will make sure recommend this book to recommend this book to everyone! It has been 2 days since I finished it and I cannot stop thinking about it.

I have been a longtime fan of Jodi Picoult’s books, but I wasn’t sure what to expect when Wish You Were Here came out, a novel that takes place during the onset of covid. Some say it was too soon to write this and that their feelings are too raw about covid to appreciate this book, but I really enjoyed this one. It also had the most unexpected turn, ever!

Without giving too much away, I will say that this book has love, loss, isolation, loneliness, connection, surprise, character development, grief, and character growth all amidst covid, a pandemic that has rocked our world. Highly recommend! One of my fav reads from this year!

Heartbreaking look at our new COVID world

I always forget just how much I enjoy Jodi Picoult's writing until I get in the middle of another of her books. And this one is a winner all around.

Diana O'Toole works at Sotheby's in New York City as an associate specialist for their art auctions. Her long-time boyfriend Finn is a surgical resident and they are set to go on a vacation to the Galapagos Islands when the COVID epidemic hits and Finn urges Diana to go by herself since he will be working long hours because of the virus. Well, the best laid plans...

This is an extremely well written book about the early days of the COVID epidemic in New York and the tireless efforts of the health care workers there and the devastation not only to those people that got COVID but those that treated it.

There's a great twist in the book that I was not expecting and, like all Picoult's books, this one really makes you think about all manner of subjects, from endangered species to COVID to more.

I received this book from Random House through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

I found Wish You Were Here to be a well-written novel. Ms. Picoult definitely researched Covid-19 and the Galapagos a great deal. Honestly, I have been steering away from any books that deal with Covid as I primarily read to escape. However, I'm glad I gave this one a chance. It was a well-done, though-provoking storyline based in the reality that we've all been dealing with over a year and a half now. With that as the backdrop, we follow the main character as she undergoes serious soul searching.

This novel deals follows main character, Diana O'Toole as she is coasting through life with her boyfriend, surgical resident, Finn. They are scheduled to leave for the Galapagos Islands right as Covid hits New York City hard. Needless to say, Finn can't leave the hospital, but tells Diana she should still go. He assures her it will make him feel better to know she is safe and away from the virus in that remote area. What seems to be an ideal getaway turns into chaos when Diana finds herself on the Island under lockdown and spotty internet service. She is literally cut off from home and only receives sporadic communications.

This book really delves into Diana's emotions, doubts and guilt as she has time in the Galapagos to really think about her relationships at home. Not only her relationship with Finn, but also her rocky relationship with her mother. It gives her time to understand better what things are most important and to live her life more by this model. The experience is life-changing for her in more ways than one.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I wasn't sure about another COVID book, but this one was very different. It started a little slow for me, but once I got to part 2, I couldn't put it down. I have friends that lived in NYC during the pandemic, so Finn's emails were very real by their account. It's hard to write about Diana without giving anything away and spoling this for anyone else, but I loved her adventures!

Picoult's books can be a hit or miss for me--but this one was definitely a hit! She is a fantastic writer, and this book is no exception. I was sucked in from the beginning and I could NOT put this book down--I had to know what happened. Last year I was wary of reading books related to the current pandemic, but this year I've appreciated how it is working its way into books--and Picoult delivered this one perfectly. EVERYONE should read this book. This will be a perfect book for future generations to read to understand life during this time. It is definitely on my top reads of 2021 list!

Jodi Picoult is one of my very favorite authors and I cannot put into words how excited I was to receive this book! I have read almost every single book of hers and even though her last couple books were just ok for me, I was really hopeful for this book!
Diana thinks she has her life all planned out. She is advancing in her job, she thinks her boyfriend (a surgical resident) is going to propose soon, and she’s about to leave on a dream vacation with him to the Galapagos. But then a virus appears and invades the city and whole world. Her boyfriend encourages her to still go on vacation while he stays home to help in the hospital. The story goes on from here, each person stuck where they are living in two completely different worlds.
Some people may wonder if it’s too soon to read a book about the covid pandemic. I’m a nurse and live this every day, but I was all in. I’ll be honest, the first half of the book was slow for me. I felt like it was repetitive and kind of boring and I didn’t really understand where the story was going and it was kind of a cliche story line. BUT THEN about half way through, it all changed for me. It now made complete sense and I was able to see why she did what she did in the first half. I love, love, loved this book and I loved the characters and the real ness of emotions during the pandemic. I encourage you that if you want to stop reading during the first half, KEEP GOING! This book was so good and I still think about it. I highly recommend it!

Thank you #netgalley and #penguinrandomhouse for an advanced copy of #wishyouwerehere in exchange for my honest review.

I was a bit anxious to read a book that took me back to the beginning of the pandemic. I went ahead & did it & am glad I did, I found the story to be interesting & rich in detail, I feel like the author did thorough research on the subject in order to give the topic its due. The characters were people I felt like I knew by the end of the story, I highly recommend reading this book if you are ok with reliving some of the darker aspects of Covid.

Yes! This is the Jodi Picoult I love! I've been a fan of hers since picking up The Pact over 15 years ago, but have admittedly found her books to be hit or miss. It seems that when they "hit", they really hit and are wonderful, but when they miss the mark for me, they really miss. I'm happy to say this was one I really enjoyed.

When I started this book and realized it was going to have a Covid focus, I was a little concerned. Living in a world with Covid day in and day out, I haven't quite felt ready for it in my books, television and movies. I use reading as an escape, and I'd be happy to never hear the "C" word again. That said, this book surprised me and kept me engaged throughout. It was one of those books that kept me up too late at night because I didn't want to put it down.

One thing I really love about Jodi Picoult is the level of research she puts into her books. That was no exception with this one, but don't take that to mean that this was boring. It really gave the reader an inside look of what it's been like to work in the medical field since March 2020. I knew it wasn't easy, and of course you hear on the news how bad things are, but this book really puts the reader in the shoes of a resident/doctor and what that experience has been like. It gave me an even further appreciation for medical workers than I already had.

Probably the only thing I didn't like was the decision to include a character in the book that was clearly based on Yoko Ono, but went by a completely different name. That character's story very closely mirrored the story of Yoko and John, and I felt that it was a really weird thing to include in the book. I wasn't sure why the author chose to base that character on Yoko and had hoped it would be explained in the author's note, but it was not.

I'd love to say more about the book but don't want to give away any spoilers. But please check it out, especially if you are a Jodi Picoult fan!

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the e-arc of this book.

This book turned me upside down because I really wasn’t expecting the shifts in the plot and the emotions it would evoke for me.

Jodi Picoult is brilliant at taking a current event (pandemic) and making you really think through it. How it affects you and the long lingering effects. While this one is different than her other ones, the storytelling is the same.