When you’re young, we are asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” For twenty-nine-year-old Diana O’Toole, she had everything planned out. She wanted to be on a secure path in her career, be married by thirty, and to be finished having children by thirty-five. She is an associate specialist at Sotheby’s. She has known and loved art since she was a child. Her father was a conservator that helped in restoring the zodiac ceiling on the main hall of the Grand Central Terminal and restored other works of art at museums in places such as Los Angeles, Florence, and Fontainebleau.

For Diana, everything seems to be perfectly on the right track. She has a possible promotion in her future as she is currently working with a very high-profile client. Diana and her boyfriend Finn Colson, who is a surgical resident at New York Presbyterian, are getting ready to leave on a romantic vacation to the Galapagos Islands and Diana knows that he is about to propose. The day before Diana and Finn are to leave on vacation, a deadly virus starts to overrun the city that is spreading through-out the world, and her “scheduled life plan” appears to start coming unraveled.

Diana’s high-profile client decides to wait on their project due to the virus. Finn must break the news to Diana that the hospital needs all hands-on deck and that he can’t go to the Galapagos Islands. He encourages her to still go as she will be in a place where he won’t worry about her and that he won’t possibly bring anything home to her from the hospital. Hesitatingly, she goes without him.

As with her scheduled life plan, everything with her trip to the Galapagos seems to be going wrong. Her luggage gets lost, the island is locked down and quarantined due to the virus that is now a world pandemic, the wi-fi is basically nonexistent leaving her feeling isolated, and the hotel she reserved for their trip is also shut down because of the pandemic. She is stranded on the island until the quarantine is lifted and they open the borders.

As Diana tries to cope with feeling isolated, she must ease out of her safe haven and comfort zone and adapt to what is going on around her. Diana is able to bond with a local family as she connects with a teenager named Beatriz that is hiding a secret and opens up to Diana. Beatriz’s father Gabriel, however, is skeptical and guarded when it comes to outsiders.

As we see Diana explore her inner self through out her time on the island, assesses her goals, plans, relationships, and choices, she will grow and discover a part of herself that is completely different than the person before she left, not knowing when she will go home.

The story of Diana gives us a view of how the pandemic affected others and a view of things we may have heard about, didn’t see, or realize. It’s a heartfelt story of discovering oneself and finding the strength within ourselves that we didn’t know we had. Jodi Picoult has a way of writing that touches the human heart, spirit, and soul.

As with all her books, this is so thoroughly researched, and everyone has been touched by COVID in some way in their lives. The story touches on losing loved ones, lockdowns, heartbreaks, isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, pain, and everything else we have experienced as a nation because of this atrocious virus. This is one of the most extraordinary and best works of Jodi’s that I have read as I found it captivating, and there is a twist thrown into the story that you don’t see coming. It is emotional, soul searching, and will resonate with everyone that reads it. We all find ourselves at some point in our lives second guessing our life choices and decisions, what we have planned for the future, and having to make some tough decisions that may hurt those we care about. We also may find that we have a strength and determination that we didn’t realize we had because of situations like this horrible virus.

This story shows how resilient we are and that we can love and live life. This is a must read for all. If you have never read a Jodi Picoult novel before, this is an excellent one to start with. Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books, and Jodi Picoult for this Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for this honest review. #WishYouWereHere #NetGalley #JodiPicoult #WomensFiction #AdultFiction

Thanks to Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of Wish You Were Here. I've been a big Jodi Piccoult fan since high school and her books always make you think. They always have more to them then and honestly if it wasn't a Jodi Piccoult book I wouldn't have read a book where COVID-19 is the such a huge part of the book. It definitely takes you back to March/April 2020 when reading.

I liked, but I didn't like this book at the same time. I couldn't put the book down, yet at the same time I found Diana so self-absorbed and selfish. This is going to be hard to talk about without giving away what happens in the book, but it almost felt like 2 different books. I loved the details on the art world (but the weird fake Yoko Ono storyline was just weird). I loved the descriptions of the Galapagos and how the theory of evolution was weaved into it. The emails and postcards between Diana and her boyfriend..

I'm having a hard time describing my thought on this book, but I feel it's one you either absolutely love or it missed the mark and for me it's more on the miss side.

Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an early copy of Wish You Were Here. This was a very different book that I’m used to from Jodi Picoult. People who read her books know she always takes the side of the underdog and explains their version of events ( 19 Minutes). Reading Finn’s first email brought back such hard memories of the early days of the pandemic. The writing was done beautifully regarding the Real Heroes of this time (The Essentials). There were parts that dragged a bit regarding the art but all in all, it was a Great read. The ending was bittersweet, I was hoping it didn’t end the way it did.

All I can say is Jodi Picoult has done it again! I absolutely loved the concept of this book and I feel like I can't write everything I want to write because it will have too many spoilers...but what if you fall in love with a way of life that is nothing like what you have ever lived, you grow to love the culture, the people, the food, EVERYTHING...only to find out it's truly an impossibility to have it. And then, you make the bold decision to try anyway? The only reason I didn't give this a full stars was because I was turned off by the slight political jabs that were included. But, with that being said, I will tell all my bookish people that reading this is a must. This is also the first book I've read that has tackled the pandemic head on and while I was hesitant to read it, I shouldn't have been. Picoult is amazing!

Talk about a 180 I didn't see coming, that is this book! The first time in a long time a book had a twist I did not see coming. Diane has her life planned out until the unthinkable happens, can she find her way in a world where her reality has been changed. Where boxes to check off might not be the most important thing. Can she forage a relationship with her absent mother? You will have to pickup this book to figure it all out.

In Jodi Picoult’s new novel, Wish You Were Here, Diana O’Toole goes alone on a bucket-list vacation to an island in the Galapagos. The date is March 15, 2020. Her boyfriend, Dr. Finn Colson, can’t go because he is a New York City hospital resident and all leave was canceled the day before due to the recent Covid-19 outbreak. Before the trip, Diana’s life goals were set in stone. She has a successful art business career at Sotheby’s. She is not yet engaged but knows Finn will pop the question soon. The only thing off-kilter in her life is her relationship with her mother, who was absent most of Diana’s childhood.

As soon as Diana reaches the island, it goes under shut-down. There is no transportation to and from the island. WiFi is practically nonexistent. Diana’s hotel closes just before she arrives, but fortunately, a kind grandmother lets her stay in a basement apartment. She befriends the woman’s troubled granddaughter, and eventually her son, Gabriel. While stuck on the island for much longer than expected, Diana has plenty of time to ponder her relationship with Finn, her relationship with her mother, her career, and all of her life goals. Occasionally she can receive some of Finn’s emails describing the difficulties of treating Covid patients when so little was known about the disease.

AND THEN THERE IS A TWIST that took me by surprise. I love it when a book does that! I don’t want to say any more about the plot because it is best to go into this without knowing what happens.

This is a Covid novel. It examines the horrible pandemic we have been faced with since March 2020. It looks at the long-term effects of Covid on the caregivers, the survivors, and those left behind. It is poignant, honest, and written with dignity.

4 stars. A few parts were too slow or just seemed to restate medical information, and that is what kept me from a 5-star rating. Jodi Picoult writes best-sellers, and this will certainly be another one.

Thank you to Kathleen Q. of Penguin Random House for my widget in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication for Wish You Were Here is November 30, 2021.

Diana has her life panned…she will marry Finn, excel in her art career, have children and a dog. Finn is a surgical resident in NYC. They are planning a romantic vacation to Galapagos, but when Covid shows up in the US Finn tells her he can’t leave the hospital for a vacation, but she should go ahead without him. She doesn’t want to, but she goes. When she gets stranded on an island with no option of returning home anytime soon, Diana’s starts to question her life plans.

This book is outside of what Jodi Picoult usually writes. Usually there is a moral dilemma involved and while there is a dilemma in this story, it is more about self discovery and rerouting your plans. There is a twist in the book I didn’t see coming and I won’t ruin it here, but wow! I enjoyed this book tremendously and will definitely recommend it to others! Thank you #netgalley and #jodipicoult for the chance to read and review this book!!

Wish You Were Here
By: Jodi Picoult
Pub. date: November 30, 2021
Review date: November 6, 2021

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine & NetGalley for allowing me access to this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

So, once Again, I am left feeling completely satisfied with a finished Picoult book in hand.. She’s done it again. Wow is all I can say.. Wish You Were Here was just an Excellent read & I am sad it’s over. Such intense feeling runs through these pages, how could anyone Not love that?? Ms. Picoult has done some Serious research here & it’s blatantly obvious in the thorough telling of this story. Every (t) is crossed, every (i) has its dot & that makes for such a comfortable-to-read, first-class book which just begs to be read by all. It’s another Quality story from this amazing author & I Love that it’s present-day, Covid & all.. A trip to the Galápagos Islands would be a dream come true for most of us, and Diana & Finn are no exception. They’re a hard-working couple, she sells high-end art, he’s a surgeon & they both are getting ready to take a beautiful, relaxing trip there when Covid strikes. And strikes Hard. So hard that he must cancel his plans to instead stay on in the front line & work the Covid Rush. But he tells Diana to Go, enjoy their Non-Refundable trip, it would be such a shame to let such a Beautiful trip to the Galápagos Islands go to waste. So she goes alone & Oh, Boy, does she have a life-changing trip! The Island is closing down as she’s arriving & that’s just the beginning.. Diana has the trip of a lifetime & she will question Every. Single. Thing, Every Detail, of her life & wonders if she will even be the same Diana upon returning home.
You don’t want to miss this one, I guarantee you, this book Will become a movie before long. A Gorgeous movie, at that & I can’t Wait to watch it. I give Wish You Were Here a solid 5 stars & I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
#WishYouWereHere #NetGalley

What can I say about this book other than wow. The descriptions of the island were so vivid I could picture what Diana was seeing and exploring. The details of early Covid in NYC were heartbreaking. The plot twist was shocking. The last part of the book had me crying. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book to review.

Diana has a plan for her life- married by 30, finished having kids by 35, and building a successful career. She's right on track, and convinced her surgical-resident boyfriend will propose during their vacation to the Galapagos.... until covid hits.
This book has twists and turns, but hits a little close to home as we are still amidst the covid pandemic. Be prepared to be reminded of the isolation, loss, and other thoughts we all felt when covid began and so much was unknown.
I enjoyed the characters, twists, and the well written and researched content. I liked the book, but for me the content was a bit too heavy at this time.
I appreciate the authors willingness to tackle touch subjects head on and the message about finding what is important in life.

Being a nurse I have tried to stay away from Covid related books and shows since it’s too much my reality. I was fortunate to get an advanced copy of Jodi Picoults new book and managed to finish it in a day. Finn and Diana was a couple in love, both have jobs they love and everything is right on track. Until the pandemic hit. The book does an amazing job of being very realistic to the experiences of those who get Covid and is very accurate. I loved the story of Diana finding herself and highly recommend this book.
Thank you #netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

I was a little unsure on if I was ready to read a book set during the pandemic. This wasn’t too heavy for me, but if my pandemic experience was different (such as hospitalized or losing a loved one), I don’t think I could have read this yet. That being said, I did enjoy this book. This follows woman, Diana, who is 29 during the onset of the pandemic. Her boyfriend is completing his residency as a surgeon.

Wow. WOW. I nearly gave up on this book at first - like many of you, I wasn't sure that a book about the pandemic was something I wanted to be reading right now. But Jodi Picoult is my favorite author, and I had glanced over reviews and seen something about an unexpected twist that I hadn't yet reached, so I pressed on. And I'm so glad I did. This book made me feel the entire spectrum of emotions - from joy to heartbreak to rage (and nearly flinging my phone across the room in the process). I will be purchasing a physical copy of this book once it's published, and I highly HIGHLY recommend that people read it.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and @netgalley for a copy of this book. I wasn’t sure I was ready to read a book about the pandemic and wow it just broke my heart re-living something that happened last year. I love the seeing the relationship between Finn and Diana and how COVID-19 impacted their lives. So many parts brought me to tears. Diana was very self centered and got me frustrated at times.

Beautifully crafted story about resiliency, love, determination and has an unexpected twist that made my jaw hit the floor. The story is flawless and multilayered and sure to bring out many emotions as covid is still fresh on everyones mind. I enjoyed the strength and determination of these characters. They were well developed and relatable.

Diana and her boyfriend, Finn are about to head on a trip to the Galapagos and then covid hits. Finn is a surgeon and must stay behind. Right after Diana arrives, they shut down the island. No one can get in and out. While away she begins to question everything in her life and begins to wonder if she'll be a different person upon returning.

I appreciated the research that went into this book. Picoult went above and beyond when it comes to that. I loved her authors note (but don't start there because it's sure to ruin the book for you). This is definitely one that will sit with me awhile. Well done Picoult.

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult is a hit!
Diana is dating a wonderful man who is a surgeon at a nearby hospital named Finn. Dianna sells high end art and is happy in her job. Both are about to go on a romantic trip to the gallapocos Islands when covid 19 breaks out and Finn suddenly can't go as he is badly needed. He suggests she goes without him so she reluctantly does and her world turns upside down.
There is a lot of questions in this story that keeps you hooked till the end. The ending is great..perfect for this book.
I love this authors writing, however this book blew me away. I loved how she brought covid 19 into the story and the detail of how much work it took to recover. How much suffering some people go through and how a lost of people just don't make it.
Thanks to Rrandom House Publisher -Baltine Books and Netgalley for this wonderful advanced copy for my honest review.

Jodi Picoult captivated my attention with her meticulously researched fictional novel about the Covid pandemic. I never imagined that the brutal reality of what we have been experiencing since the first few cases became known, could be woven into such a breathtaking novel.

I think we all know or love someone who has been affected, or even taken by Covid. It has surrounded us immeasurably.

This book dives into everything we have endured through all of this. Fear, loss, grief, isolation, sickness, death. Some parts, yes, were difficult to read. It brought back that fear that I felt at the beginning, when so much was unknown. However, this book was also a tug on my sleeve to remind me to slow down. That tomorrow is never promised. That it is ok to isolate ourselves, (pandemic or not), to find clarity on something we are unsure of. Sometimes we need to stop and study how we have gotten to where we are, before we can move forward.

Overall, this book has resonated with me in a way I will never forget. The story was just so well told, and you simply will not be able to put it down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(5)

Have you read this? Are you a huge Jodi Picoult fan like me?

I am hit or miss with Jodi P’s books, but I do love how relevant and up-to-the-minute they are. Sometimes you just don’t want a book from a different time you have to imagine. Sometimes you want to read about what might be happening right now and next door.

This book is just that.

If you’re ok reading about a pandemic we are still living, Jodi handles it with compassion, controversy, and grace. She examines lockdown, isolation, death and loss all while propelling the story forward.

I really enjoyed her take on what’s happening in our world and how it changes who we are tomorrow.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This is my review and my opinion.

(Posted on Goodreads)

Wish You Were Here is centered around the covid pandemic. Diana and Finn were planning a trip the the Galopagos when the pandemic starts. Finn is a surgical resident and cannot leave, so he sends Diana on her own for the vacation. When Diana arrives she finds the island is closing for two weeks due to Covid and decides to stay anyway.
We learn a lot about art and a lot about covid throughout the story.
The twist at the middle of the book threw me for sure. Was not expecting that.
Although for many it may be too soon for a book surrounding Covid, I found it interesting and informative. It took me right back to those early days when we knew really nothing about it and how to treat and prevent it.
I could not put this one down, especially after the twist. I couldn't wait to see how this was going to play out in the end.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing group-Ballantine for the arc via netgalley.

This is my first "pandemic" novel. I knew it would be coming, but I didn't expect to both enjoy it, and learn something from it! Bravo Jodi!!