In 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘 by Meg Shaffer, a famous and reclusive children's book author invites some of his biggest fans to take part in a competition that will change the winner's life. This delightfully bookish spin on 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 has the charm and whimsy of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘦𝘢, and brought back memories of the books I cherished as a kid. I listened to the audiobook which has wonderful narration, and found myself crying in my car at the end. If you're looking for a nostalgic and magical story that will touch your heart, this is the book for you.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and PRH Audio for the copies to review.

I so adored this book. This was an amazing debut novel. I can’t wait to read more books by Shaffer in the future. I want a whole Clock Island series. Thanks so much for the review copy. I also bought a physical copy for my personal library.

I don't know what I thought I was getting when I got this book (I just found it on one of those top books to get this month blogs) but I was pleasantly surprised at what I got! My typical go-to book is definitely of the mystery genre, so when this one started, I kind of gave that crooked eye brow glaze because it wasn't a mystery book. But, be still my heart, whichever blog mentioned it was the best book of the month, absolutely hit the nail on the head! This book was absolutely spectacular!

Everything about this book was so loveable...from the characters, to the setting, to the actual story itself! It was definitely a pick-me-up and I'm so glad I picked it up! It honestly made me feel better just reading it and brings a smile to my face just thinking back on it!

For her debut novel, Meg Shaffer knocked it out of the park! If this is the type of writing she does, it's safe to say she should have a long, successful writing career! I honestly can't wait to see what else she comes out with, because I loved The Wishing Game so much!

Overall, I loved that the premise of this story was thinking outside of the box and not a typical story that someone would write. I appreciate that the story and character's a flawed but unique, but still people you're rooting for! I am incredibly impressed by this book and Meg Shaffer's writing, and I cannot wait to read her next title!

I would like to offer a huge THANK YOU to Meg Shaffer, Ballantine Books, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of The Wishing Game which in turn allowed me to contribute this honest and unbiased review.

This one was such a joy to read! It was like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets Matilda. The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is that I think it was actually too short. I didn’t feel totally attached to the characters or compelled by their story to the extent I would have liked. And I think it’s mainly because we didn’t get to spend enough time getting to know them. But seriously, this was great and I can’t wait to see what Meg Shaffer writes next!

I wish in game by Meg Sheffer is such a well written, novel, filled with magic and suspense. Mysteries around every corner and surprises on every page. I absolutely love the characters and the character development. Even the characters I didn’t love- I like the way they were written! The games within a game are compelling to read so I would recommend this to anyone who likes puzzles, mysteries, romance, and just stories about good people.

This book was magical. As a reader for as long as I can remember, the prospect of an author creating this sort of competition- I can't imagine!

The book starts with Lucy Hart, an elementary school assistant, struggling to make ends meet for herself and the 7-year-old orphan she wants to adopt. Everything in the world seems to be against her. A hard life, no family ties, no formal education, and no money to adopt sweet Christopher. One thing she can share with him is her love of the Clock Island series, by young adult writer Jack Masterson. These books provided Lucy with a safe space when she was young, and she hopes they provide the same to Christopher.

When everything seems to really fall apart, Jack Masterson surprisingly comes out of his "retirement" with a new book. Instead of releasing it to his publishing house, Jack announces a contest- with Lucy as a contestant. Putting her reading skills, memory, and perseverance to the test- Lucy must face each challenge for a shot at the manuscript, and all the money she needs to be financially secure for the rest of her life. Lucy knows it won't come easy, but she gives her all to each of the challenges thrown her way.

I'll be honest, I didn't think I'd love this book as much as I did but as I sat in my reading chair with tears in my eyes at the end, I knew it was one I wouldn't forget.

The Wishing Game is a book about the magic of books, especially the magic of children’s books. I was one of those kids who devoured books in series like the Nancy Drew books and my brother’s Hardy Boys books, among others, so I could totally imagine how children would feel about the Clock Island books that are featured in The Wishing Game. I found myself entranced with the story and its characters and had a hard time putting down the book.

Lucy is now in her 20s but when she was 13, she ran away from home, where she was miserable, and found her way to where the author of the Clock Island books lived - on a private island also called Clock Island. She was, of course, returned home, but Jack Masterson (the author) never forgot her or the few other children who managed to find their way to his home over the years. For an unknown reason, Jack stopped writing the Clock Island books several years ago. But now he has written a new one and is running a contest. The winner will get the one and only copy of the new manuscript! But Jack is a major fan of riddles - so the game is not an easy one.

Lucy can barely support herself as a teacher’s aide but she is determined to find a way to first foster and then adopt an orphaned boy named Christopher. Her life circumstances are standing in the way - unless she can win this contest!

Jack is an interesting guy with secrets of his own. Hugo is an artist who has illustrated Jack’s books for several years (after winning a contest himself!) and lives on Clock Island. I loved all their interactions - with each other and with Lucy and the other three contestants as well.

The author took her inspiration from Charle and The Chocolate Factory, but this is a very different book. I absolutely loved it - there was just one thing near the end that almost pulled my rating down from a 5, but as it’s one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, I kept it at a rare (for me) 5-stars.

Warning: there are some heavy, serious topics covered along the way. Among them are child abandonment, child death, death of parents, and descriptions of the difficulties in the foster care system.

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was a bit late to it. All opinions are my own.

The Wishing Game
By Meg Shaffer
Pub Date: 30 May 2023
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books
Sci-Fi & Fantasy | Women's Fiction
Rating: 5/5

If you are a child at heart, you will love The Wishing Game. Its imaginative characters, captivating story, and vivid illustrations make it a must-read. It's a timeless classic that will stay with you long after the last page. It invites you to revisit its magical world inspiring you to believe in the power of wishes.

Lucy grew up in a household where her parents ignored her and only cared about her sister. She found comfort and solace in the fantasy realm of the Clock Island series of books. She ultimately used this escape to guide and empower her journey to her dreams.

Lucy is now an adult, working as a teaching assistant, and disconnected from the family that hurt her. She is struggling financially and desperately wants to adopt one of her former students, Christopher. She believes that with her experience and understanding of the situation, she can provide a better life for the child. Despite being broke, a lack of transportation, and a difficult living situation, Lucy is determined to persist, but for Christopher, who is in foster care, time is running out. Is Lucy willing to risk everything to save him?

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sharing this incredible book with me. I highly recommend this story to others, as I literally could not put it down and devoured it in one sitting.

Only Love Can Hurt Like This

Wren and Anders are both alone-and heartbroken. Wren found out her fiance was betraying her. Wren meets Anders while visiting family in Indiana and sparks fly. But everyone capable of mature love has baggage of some sort. Being alone does not always mean your heart is free But Anders has a secret he is not quite ready to share. When he does tell it, does it break Wren’s heart all over again, or will it mend it?

I like this novel-a realistic feeling romance with adults acting like grown people with ethics.

This was a wonderful book. The “game” aspect and other competitors in it could’ve been fleshed out a little bit more, but overall it was great.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Wow! This book was incredible! I wasn't expecting to love this so much, but I did! This was such an interesting and unique book. I really don't know what to say about this, but if you love children's books, found family, and riddles, then go read this book! I loved the found family so much in this one. I loved Hugo, Jack, and Lucy! I really loved all the riddles in it too. I could not figure out a single one of them, but it was still so interesting to read this story. I definitely recommend this book if you love a contemporary found family novel with an author/being inside of a children's book.

This book is for any former child who once dreamt (or maybe still does) of entering the worlds of their favorite books.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

I absolutely adored this.
Utterly gorgeous.
I still find myself thinking about this book even now, probably a couple of months later.
The plot is a wonderful idea- the premise of the childrens books author surrounded in mystery, but with the emotion and drama of Lucy's life too. Lucy was a warm, kind character and her relationship with Christopher was just adorable.
Fantastic and highly recommended.

THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer is a captivating novel that follows the reemergence of a vanished children's author. Inspired by Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," this heartwarming tale features Jack Masterson, the beloved writer of the Clock Island series. After a six-year hiatus, Jack invites Lucy, a determined kindergarten aide hoping to adopt Christopher, a seven-year-old boy, to compete for the rights to his new book. Lucy embarks on an adventure filled with charming characters and meaningful challenges, leading to a testament of love and friendship. This whimsical book weaves enjoyable games, riddles, and depth, providing a much-needed fairy tale ending and showcasing Lucy's compelling journey of growth and forgiveness. I eagerly anticipate the author's next book!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I had heard nothing but praise for The Wishing Game, so I had really high hopes about this book. The story is sweet and reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at times, but I found it way too predictable. If you're looking for a bit of escape, though, this book is a good choice.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me access to the ebook version of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

<i>"Sometimes the thing we want most in the world is the thing we're most afraid of. And the thing we're most afraid of is often the thing we most want."</i>

This book is an absolute delight. Lucy is a struggling preschool aide who more than anything wishes to have the financial stability to be able to adopt Christopher, a precocious second grader dealing with the trauma of his parents' deaths. Their relationship is sweet and hopeful. You can't help but root for them.

There are lots of layers that are slowly revealed in this magical compelling story. The mystery reminded me of The Westing Game but there's also the whimsical, quirky benefactor of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Mostly though it's Lucy and Christopher who bring the determination, resilience, and hope that makes this story so heartwarming.

I loved this book and hope there are more to come from Meg Shaffer in the future.

*Thank you for the advance reader copy from Ballantine Books and Netgalley. I am required to disclose this in my review in compliance with federal law.

Such a feel-good read with a unique premise. Our protagonist, Lucy, survives a rough childhood by immersing herself in the children's book series Clock Island. Here she found brave children on adventure to a the island of the Mastermind to seek answers and pursue their closest held wishes and dreams. Fast forward, and Lucy is all grown-up with adult level concerns. She is a teacher's aid and one of her young students is facing all to real challenges of his own. After the overdose death of both of his parents, Christopher is being shuffled around the foster care system. Lucy introduces him to the escape she found in the Clock Island series to help him find hope in a world that feels hopeless. She would love to foster-to adopt him, but even though she frugally saves and takes on side-work, she doesn't have the financial stability required to become Christopher's mother. But then she gets a chance to go to Clock Island for a challenge the reclusive author (who hasn't written in many years) has created. A challenge that could allow her to win the rights to his newest book, which would leave her with the money she needs to adopt Christopher. This is a great read that will take you back to the fantasy of living in the worlds of the books that meant the most to you as a child. You will fall in love with these characters and the adventures they have as they run toward their biggest wishes and dreams. This one will warm your heart. Highly recommended!

This creative hopeful book is one for the charts for this year. It has all the feel goods and a great story line. It lingers long after reading and brings back all the feelings of loving a good story from my younger years.
I didn’t know much about this going in and was a bit lost for the first chapter or two but once the characters were developed it had me hooked.
Many thanks to author Meg Shaffer, Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Wishing Game is just about my perfect book: it has romance, happy endings for all, a clever mystery/game, and a sweet story that gently touches the heartstrings (without being melodramatic or overdoing it). It is a book that pays tribute to books and the worlds readers escape in, and it sparked my own imagination, making me feel the desire to write or do something else creative. Ahhhh. It makes me happy just thinking about it.

The story goes like this: an older man, Jack Masterson, lives in a big house on a large island by himself. Well, and one other person: his longtime illustrator. Jack wrote 60-plus books in a children’s book series called Clock Island. But he stopped writing six years ago, leading the much-younger illustrator, Hugo Reese, to move to the island to keep an eye on him.

Now, Jack has finally written another Clock Island book: but he’s not going to publish it. He’s inviting four people to the island to compete for the chance to win the one and only copy. They’ll have a week to gain points playing a series of games.

One of the lucky chosen competitors is Lucy Hart. She’s not had a lot of luck previously; she grew up with parents who largely neglected her. She had a bad relationship with a narcissistic boyfriend. And now, she’s a kindergarten teacher’s aide who loves a little boy at her school. She wants to adopt Christopher, who was orphaned a couple of years earlier, but she needs money to do that. This contest is finally a big chance to make this wish come true — just like in the books she lost herself in as a child.

The story reminds me a bit of the middle-grade Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, with its whimsy and book-based game set in a library that’s every reader’s dream. And the book itself has some characters reference Willy Wonka (of course). But this book has layers of poignancy that those do not have.

The Wishing Game is an absolute delight start to finish, and I wished it wasn’t only 300 pages long. It transported me and left me feeling happy and full of my own creative juices. I could read this kind of book every day.