Diana is a 29 year old New Yorker with a strong list of life goals. She has her life all planned out and is currently on track checking all the boxes as she goes. She and her resident doctor boyfriend, Finn, have similar life goals, and she is certain he will propose soon. Both have a visit to the Galapagos Islands on their lists and are planning to head out there for vacation at the start of the book. Then covid starts to hit her city, and Finn is unable to leave his job at the hospital. He insists it will be safer for her to go to get away from the city and not lose out on their non refundable vacation.

Diana goes to the Galapagos Islands and shortly after arriving, the island she visits goes on lockdown. This moment is where she goes from being a character with a checklist to a person I think many will connect with. Her feelings of helplessness, loss and fear of the unknown during quarantine paralleled ones I know many felt during this time of the pandemic, including me. I found myself nodding my head and re-reading passages from here to the end of the book. On the other side of these feelings, Diana has an eye for beauty and art. It is something she is trained to look for in her current job, but the experience and creation of art is something she re-learns while in the Galapagos. I loved seeing the island through her eyes. During this time of pause, she asks questions about her current life and happiness. I found all characters in this book to be well developed, hopeful, fearful, and flawed in the most believable ways.

I requested this book because I am a big Jodi Picoult fan. I actually started it not knowing what the topic was- I was reading it because I love her books. Her books consume me in the best ways. Her extensive research weaves into her narratives in such a natural way that I finish the books with a better understanding of the world and my feelings about the big topics she writes about. This book was the same. For me, reading about covid and the pandemic made me better understand my feelings about that time; it made me feel connections to these characters in ways I normally wouldn’t, and made me feel understood about my experiences and feelings. I also gained new insight. Finn’s emails to Diana were raw and so realistic and gave me a glimpse into what was happening at the hospitals.. Please read the author’s note when you finish; it gives insight into her choices and experiences during the pandemic and made me love the book even more. Whenever you are ready to read a book about this topic, I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books/Random house for this ARC!

This book was absolutely amazing! I was hooked from the beginning, and sad when it ended. That Covid-19 is still happening made the hook that much more realistic. Among my top 5 Jodi Picoult books, and that is saying something!

In this novel, a couple is on their way to the Galapagos when Covid strikes. The man is a doctor in NYC and stays behind to take care of patients. His girlfriend goes and is essentially trapped on the island while Covid lockdown occurs. Or is she?

I like this author but haven't enjoyed her recent books as much. I like her old style of tackling a social problem and presenting various characters' viewpoints.

Before the last book of hers I received on NetGalley, I had never read a Jodi Picoult book. I had heard of her of course., who hadn't? I'm not sure why I had never picked up any of her books, but I am so grateful I did and found out how much I love her writing

This is so much more than a book about COVID, but COVID is very much a reason this story was told. Jodi was in quarantine, like the rest of us, and if you read the authors note at the end, you will find out where she got the idea for the book.

Diana finds herself on a solo trip to the Galapagos Islands because her boyfriend, a resident in an NYC hospital, must stay behind to deal with the very new virus. Her trip gets extended because the virus shuts the island down and Diana discovers a lot about herself during and after this vacation.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, but this book was something I needed to read at this moment. I am a planner, much like Diana. I had a plan for my life, and as we all know, life rarely goes as planned, and mine sure hasn't. This is a story that reminds you, life will throw us curve balls, and it sure is short, but everything happens for a reason. Even if sometimes, it takes us a while to understand the reasons for it.

I loved this book very much and HIGHLY recommend it!!

This is the first book I’ve read about Covid and the pandemic. I couldn’t think of a better author then Jodi Picoult to tell this story.
It was so original in the way that all of the different people and their experiences came together. I felt like I was right in the middle of the pandemic all over again. This novel showed the resilience and the bravery of the human spirit. I’m a better human after reading this and I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

*Thank you to the Publisher, Jodi Picoult and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Jodi Picoult is back!!

Diana and Finn are taking the trip of a lifetime to the Galapagos Islands. Then Covid hits and Finn, a surgeon, must stay and help with the influx of patients. He insists she go without him and she reluctantly does. Unfortunately, as soon as Diana arrives, everything shuts down. She has little cash on her and the hotel she had reservations at has just closed their doors. There are no ferries off the island, and they ground all flights. She meets a local Abuela who lets her stay at the apartment under her house. As Diana stays and weeks turn into months, she becomes more involved with Abuela's family, including her handsome son and his daughter, Beatriz.

While some may think "too soon" to read a fictional book regarding the very real tragedy of Covid, Picoult has done a great job with just enough angst to keep you reading and enjoying this wonderful book. Known for her extensive research into the subjects she writes about, Wish You Were Here is done tastefully and written with creativity. This book is a true gem.

Please make sure to read her prologue about why she wrote this book. It is truly awe-inspiring.

I’ve long admired the way Jody Piccoult can take a controversial current event topic and make it engaging, readable and interesting. I go into her books thinking I understand an issue, only to be presented with other perspectives. Piccoult gives me an opportunity to think about issues and I always feel smarter when I finish her books.

Wish You Were Here begins as a romance veering off course. The beauty of the Galápagos, the varied creatures, and an isolation few have experienced set the stage for Diana to explore everything she knows about art, relationships, and grief. As an art broker for Sotheby’s, she already knows a lot about art, but not how it can expand personal relationships. As a daughter of a doting father who died, and an absentee mother afflicted with Alzheimer’s, she must learn a new kind of grief. And as the almost fiancée of a doctor in the first wave of the COVID-19 wave in NYC, she has much to learn about relationships.

I won’t reveal the shift of the second half of the book, but I will say that this book continues the exploration of life and death begun in Piccoult’s last book, The Book of Two Ways, though Wish You Were here is an easier read with a totally different story. (Many of my reading friends didn't like the intense Egyptian explanations of that one, though I found them fascinating. My review of The book of two waysHer research is, as always, stellar, and fascinating. I did not think I was ready for a “Covid” book, written during the actual worst times of the virus in the USA, but I found much peace and healing here. I guess we really couldn’t be shocked any more than we were, and it’s nice to see our feelings given credence and respect. This is a don’t miss book for 2021 and beyond.

Wish You Were Here will be released November 30, 2021, just in time to be a wonderful gift for reader friends. I appreciate being allowed to read an Advanced Readers Copy by the publisher, Penguin Random House and NetGalley. five plus stars!

Another fantastic novel from Jodi Picoult. Heartbreaking, yet uplifting story about a young couple dealing with the devastating effects of COVID-19. Dianna and Finn are a happy couple planning a two week vacation to the Galapagos when COVID is just starting out. Finn is a physician and is unable to go on the trip because his hospital is suddenly overrun with patients. Should Dianna go without him, is it even safe to travel? As they face these questions they have no idea how the answers will change their lives forever. This book gives an honest, sad account of how this virus changed so many lives forever. Even though it is fictional I am sure this story mirrors many true stories of people around the globe. Fantastic story, perhaps her best yet.

Full review to come on Instagram closer to Pub Day. Thank you to the publisher Ballantine Books, author Jodi Picoult, and NetGalley for a review copy.

I'm a tried and true Picoult fan. I've read ever single one of her books and originally found her through an old-coworker. I was hesitant at the time because I was devoted to my thrillers and typical authors and read nothing else. Fortunately, I was almost immediately hooked. Her last novel, "The Book of Two Ways", was a very tough read for me and overall discouraging. Not to say it wasn't a good book, controversially, I'd say it was TOO good of a book. The dedication it took to research Egyptology, Archeology, Dig Sites, etc. was amazing - but too complicated for an enjoyable read. As soon as I saw "Wish You Were Here" on Net Galley, I crossed my fingers both hoping that I would be approved and also hoping it would restore my love of Picoult books. Well, it exceeded any and all expectations. Diane starts out with the picture perfect life - wonderful boyfriend, good job, and overall heading towards success in life. Interject Covid - which not only takes her to a crazy place but flips her entire life upside down. I have to say - I did NOT see the shocker coming in the middle of the book. I also loved how it incorporated Covid-19. What a weird thing to say - Covid-19 is such an awful disease and a time period in history. But, it was the first book in a long time that made me feel like I could relate to all this confusion, sadness, and overall life adjustment. I am a mom of 3 kids and to say it turned our entire lives upside is an understatement. But by reading this book - I could relate. I could feel her pain. I could feel the issues that I've encountered in the last year and half. And it was a relief - a relief that I wasn't going crazy either. This was really happening in America today. Congrats to Picoult for a wonderful new heartbreaking but life changing novel. Life everyday to the fullest! Go to the island - don't look back!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest review.

This felt lighter somehow than Picoult’s other books, but the COVID-centric storyline was a bit of a bummer all the same. I enjoyed it and it was well-written, but the “twist” felt a little trope-y and convenient. However, I zoomed through it and would recommend it to anyone who’s enjoyed her past work.

She again touch my heart. This might be a little to close to today's world right now. But what a story. At times I wondered if it was a little to soon to read about 2020 and it scared me at times. But I couldn't put it down.

Only Jodi Picoult could write such a thoughtful and timely book with COVID as essentially a character in and of itself. Her descriptions of the toll and impact on medical staff in particular were heart-wrenching but accurate portrayals. Meanwhile, the surprises and struggles of the main character kept me turning pages. Well-developed and a reflection of our time. A must-read now and for future generations.

Thank you NetGalley for a digital advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was two thirds of the way through when the book took an unexpected turn. At first I was upset but the more I read the more I understood and it all made sense. Diana's realization that it's okay to deviate from career and life goals was a good reminder for all of us.

Diana is making a name for herself in the art world. She has her life planned and is on track to be married by thirty, have kids, move to the burbs and she isn’t even engaged! Her boyfriend, Finn, is busy being a surgical resident in New York City.

Days before her birthday they will leave for a vacation to the Galapagos. Everything is moving along fine.

But the night before they leave, Finn tells her he can’t go. There is some type of highly contagious virus sweeping through the country and he can’t leave. He wants her to go. She wants to stay but in the end, she goes.

On arrival, the island is shut down. Quarantine. With no internet, phone service, or mail service, she is completely alone. Her only link to Finn is an occasional email and she writes on postcards she found in her apartment on the island.

She makes friends with a local teenage girl and ends up making friends with the entire family and she is awfully attracted to the girls' father, Gabriel. Alone, she is looking at every choice she has made and wondering if when she returns she will still be the same.

There isn’t a lot I can say about the rest without spoiling all of your fun. I can say this is a beautiful, timely, and heartbreaking story of love, resilience, and adapting to overcome your circumstances.

I cried throughout the book and I think I needed that.

Well Done!

NetGalley/November 30th, 2021 Ballentine

Jodi Picoult's new book deserves more than 5 stars! This book is FANTASTIC!! Once again, she writes about a timely event - COVID - and she makes the reader truly appreciate family, friends and most importantly - life. She captures the agony of our front-line workers and the patients who have recovered and passed away from this devastating virus. I couldn't put this book down.

From the synopsis, “Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time.”

And then Covid-19 hits. Finn is unable to go on the trip but encourages Diana to still go. She does take the trip to the Galapagos and immediately, everything goes awry. The airline has lost her luggage and now, the island is under quarantine. Diana is stuck on an island in a country where she doesn’t speak the language, has limit supplies, and barely can get a signal on her phone. She ends up meeting and staying with a native family whom she starts to grow close to. When she does return to New York she will have changed considerably.

I don’t want to say much more than that due to spoilers. This is a book you will want to read on your own, without knowing what will or may happen. I read this in pretty much one sitting. I had to know how the story ended! I admit, I wasn’t too thrilled hearing that this book does revolve around Covid a great deal and I almost passed. But it’s so much more than that and I am glad that I didn’t pass this one up. It gives a voice to those who have been on the frontlines and to those who have battled Covid. As always, Jodi Picoult paints such a beautiful story that will stick with you for quite some time. Now can we please have a movie based on Wish You Were Here?!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Deeply Moving and Smart

The first part of this emotional novel is a setup. Diana O’Toole, daughter of a famous photographer and artist father, is initially involved in a big sale at Sotheby’s. She is an art historian, an artist and a bright woman. Instead of rising through the ranks as expected at Sotheby’s she is “furloughed,” when she loses a big deal of a masterful work from a Yoko Ono type character.

Diana lives with Finn, a resident surgeon, nice guy. They are planning a getaway vacation. The pandemic is in its infant weeks in New York and Finn cannot leave. Diana takes the journey by herself to the Galapagos Islands and the setup to the author’s brilliant novel begins. She is capable of being on her own and develops relationships on the island and there seems to be a change in Diana’s desires. At this point in the novel, I thought, is this all there is? A bright woman is in a different environment and she has an epiphany?

And then slam, Pocult, shocks me with realism, critical Covid illness and all that it takes to awaken the reader and Diana. Pocult is hands-on with medical realities and her brilliant writing and meticulous research erupts into a vivid novel about resilience, medicine, and the essence of many relationships. The writer’s talent stretched into her philosophy of living. Some of the scenes were sappy and marred the depth of this story. Other than those scenes and a predictable ending, the book entered a different world.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Random House -Ballantine for this pre-published book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Jodi Picoult is my favorite author. I have read all of her books and I was so excited for this book. I was not disappointed at all. Although each of her books tackle a different subject matter they all have their twists and she was able to shock me in this book once again. The worlds she builds are vivid enough to be movies. The emotions of this book are strong as it takes place during the Pandemic. One might be worried that it is too much too soon but the way the story is woven, just when you think you are a the brink of overload you get a reprieve. I could not put this book down. The only reason I didn't finish it in two days is I had an evening commitment last night I couldn't read at! This book has so much beauty in it and power, I have the chills after finishing it. The main characters are so relatable and the subject matter is so fresh in everyone's mind that this book is hauntingly real. It is a little tricky to write a detailed review without giving to much away if this book isn't at the top of the the Best Seller list when it comes out I will we very surprised! In fact, stop reading this and go put the book on your "To Be Read" List!! I'm preordering a copy for my bookshelf because I will read it again.

Wish You Were Here
Jodi Picoult
11/30/2021

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s no surprise that Jodi Picoult’s latest book Wish You Were Here was a 5 star read with so many deep messages woven throughout the story. At first I wasn’t sure about reading a book with COVID 19, reading is my escape from reality but as the story unfolded I quickly realized that I was going to fall deeply in love with the storyline and the characters.

Diane has it all- she’s loving her job as a art broker, she has a wonderful boyfriend Finn, who is on the brink of a wedding proposal. She has her life planned out and it’s all falling into place until NYC is hit with COVID 19.

Diane and Finn save for many years and plan a once in a lifetime trip to the romantic getaway to the Galápagos. The timing couldn’t be worse, they are set to leave and NY is bracing for the worst. Finn, is on the front lines as a surgical resident and is told he cannot travel he’s needed on deck. Finn doesn’t want the trip to go to waste so he convinces Diane to take the trip without him thinking COVID will be under control by the time she comes home. Nothing can be further from the truth.

Diane travels to the Galápagos and the world shuts down. What seems like a once in a lifetime vacation becomes a complete nightmare as Diane is now stuck in another country alone, with barely any money, cell service, bare necessities and clothes- her luggage is missing….

Without giving too much away with spoilers this is a beautiful written story of resilience, love, adversity and strength. The only communication Diane and Finn can have is through heartbreaking emails. Reading the emails though Finns point of view was so realistic and gave such a grave and dire portrayal of the devastation all the frontline workers faced daily. Diane may have been stuck in a beautiful place but adapting to a new life wasn’t easy and was extremely scary. She learns some life lessons and once she leaves the island her life will never be the same!!

This story will stay with me for a long time…. This is a must read 🖤

Sending a sincere thank
you to NetGalley, Random House/Ballentine books for an early edition of Wish You Were Here for my honest opinion.

This review will be posted on my Instagram, Goodreads and Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12409011-donna-beiderman


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