This little novel is like a love-letter to the reading of your childhood and those that just love books. Thank you @ballantine and @prhaudio for my copy of @Meg_shaffer THE WISHING GAME.

The novel is the pen name first release from @tiffany_reisz and it follows Lucy as an adult with flashbacks to her difficult childhood and woven in with her current life, trying to adopt a little boy named Christopher.

Jack is the mastermind of Lucy and Christopher’s favorite children’s series; a series that captured them as children and helped them navigate the difficulties of life. Jack is also that author you’d love to have as a childhood penpal! He spends his time living on Clock Island, and uses his immense wealth from the book sales to help those who cannot help themselves.

Hugo is Jack’s book illustrator and has come to live at Clock Island looking after Jack for several years. Jack has decided to bring back 4 adults that he wrote with as children, to grant their largest wish ever by solving riddles that will lead to them possibly earning the only copy of his newest novel- the first one he’s written in years. Of course Lucy jumps at the chance to come and compete to win the book, because this book would mean she could adopt young Christopher.

It’s a beautiful story of growth and forgiveness, found family and strength. If you love reading books, enjoy redemptive stories and the pain of navigating life, you will enjoy this debut novel. I recommend the digital/print version over the audio- there were some odd ebbs and flows that distracted me, but when I went back to my kindle version all was good!

I do have a serious question though, how old is Hugo?!
I just cannot connect it all together and I need to know!

Interesting premise, but I couldn’t get into the book! It came off as a Willy Wonka style story but with books. It just didn’t capture or hold my attention very well.

Remember those books you read as a child? The ones that transported you to another world. The ones that made you wish you lived in the story. That's what The Clock Island books did for the characters in Meg Shaffer's The Wishing Game.

And now those children are adults with grown-up wishes. Like Lucy who wishes to become a mother to a foster care child whom she tutors, but she doesn't have the means to support them. If only she could win some money...

And then a letter from Jack Masterson, author of The Clock Island series of books, sends her and three others a letter. They've been invited to his island home to play a game, and the winner of the game wins the only copy of his next book. Selling the book would give Lucy the money she needs, but first she has to win.

Along with three other contestants, all of whom were such fans of the series that they ran away from home to the island as children, there's Hugo, the artist who illustrates the books' covers. He's been working with Jack for many years and has been living on the island with Jack, making sure that Jack is okay. Will this contest give him reason to leave? Or will something or someone make him stay?

Get ready, y'all, because at the end of this book I was sobbing! It's such a lovely story about redemption, love, and wishes!

The Wishing Game is published by Ballantine Books and will be available to purchase on May 30, 2023. I received a free e-ARC from the publisher.

Kindergarten teaching aide Lucy Hart had a lonely childhood that was only made bearable because of the Clock Island book series she adored. Now in her twenties, she shares her love of the series with one of her students, Christopher. Orphaned when his parents tragically died, Lucy wishes to adopt him. But without enough money to afford a car and an apartment, it seems that wish won’t be coming true. Lucy and Christopher are thrilled when Jack Masterson, the elusive author of the Clock Series books, announces he has written a new book after years of silence. But there’s a catch- only one copy of the book exists, and Jack is holding a contest to see who will win it. When Lucy is chosen as a contestant, it just might make her wishes come true.

The Wishing Game is a simple, quick, enjoyable read. At times simple and predictable, this read as more of a YA book than literary fiction. A bit slow to start, it picked up momentum towards the end and overall it was a pleasant read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advance copy of this book.

This was an interesting peek into the literary/book world. When Lucy is at the end of her rope and feeling hopeless for multiple reasons, she suddenly is offered a chance of a lifetime...to go to her favorite author's "contest" on Clock Island to win a one and only copy of his last book...but things of course don't go that easily or to plan. I loved the author connections in this book and the setting, and it had lots of fun twists along the way. A fun read!

I haven't read a magical book in a while. Now, I've read fantasy books recently, so I'm not talking about books WITH magic, I'm talking about MAGICAL books. Books that use the idea of magic to create wonder. Books that transport you into their pages. Books that make you feel like a kid again. And that's exactly how I'd describe this book: an adult children's book.

Willy Wonka, Lemony Snicket, Glass Onion (without the murder)--I felt comparisons to all of these.

We follow our main character Lucy who is down in life. She doesn't have a high-paying job, she lives with messy roommates, and all she wants is to be able to adopt a young boy she has gotten to know through her work. She longs to have a family (which she has sorely lacked all her life).

Enter Jack Masterson, elderly millionaire and author of Lucy's favorite book series. He invites Lucy to participate in a competition, and, if she wins, all of her wishes could come true.

This book had an amazing plot but also an amazing message. I cried multiple times about how these characters' lives were changing for the better. I think my favorite thing about this book was that it wasn't sinister when it easily could have turned that way. It kept the magic and it kept me reading.

5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Lucy knows what it is like to be unwanted. As a child, her parents were not the best. She even ran away to meet one of her favorite authors, Jack Masterson. Jack’s books were her saving grace when she was growing up. Now she has a chance to help a child, Christopher. She wants to adopt him but she has no money and very little resources to get anymore. But, once again, Jack Masterson comes through. He has written his final novel. But, the only way to access this one copy is to win the contest. Can Lucy win?

Lucy is such a great character. My heart broke for her and Christopher. But, Lucy is determined to do what needs to be done. She steps out of her comfort zone to take part in this contest. She knows it is her best chance to adopt Christopher.

I fluctuated between four and five stars on this one. I settled on four, basically because it is a bit simple and predictable. However, it is magical in places. This is story about strength, love, overcoming obstacles and forgiveness. And the book references! Makes this old reader nostalgic!

Need a magical tale with a wonderful twist…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer is, for me, reminiscent of some childhood mysteries like Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game or E. L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or Zilpha Keatley Snyder's The Velvet Room. They allowed for young readers to put themselves into a character's shoes and try to puzzle out a situation. In THE WISHING GAME, Shaffer brings four adults, former runaway children, to Clock Island, the home of Jack Masterson, a best-selling children's author. He has devised a new game where one of them could win what is essentially a fortune: the only copy of his new book. A main character, Lucy who workers as a teacher's aide, is desperate to win so that she could afford to foster and eventually adopt seven year-old Christopher. The clues are often word games and/or require knowledge of the best-selling series. The story is entertaining, but a bit slow moving in parts with a budding romance (between Lucy and the books' illustrator, Hugo Reese) for further distraction. Described as whimsical and charming by other reviewers, THE WISHING GAME is a LibraryReads selection for May and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. 3.5 stars

Such an absolute delight of a book! The concept was intriguing — a Willy Wonka-esque competition for the only copy of the last book in a beloved childhood series — and while that central plotline was definitely enjoyable, it was the stories of the men and women involved in the challenge that took The Wishing Game up an extra level for me.

This book did a great job of capturing the pains and doubts of childhood, treating them with respect, and showing how they persist into adulthood and shape our lives, dreams, and actions. I loved following the character arcs of all those involved, and seeing how books were an escape and a lifeline in different ways for each of them.

I loved the combination of whimsy and imagination alongside some very real struggles and difficult circumstances, for both children and adults. It was a very solid 4 star for me throughout, and the ending was so so feel-good that I immediately kicked it up 😂 A great reminder of why we read, and what books can inspire!

Thanks to Meg Shaffer, Ballantine Books / Random House, and NetGalley for my gifted copy. The Wishing Game is out now, and is a BOTM pick for this month!

Make a wish. . . .
But be careful what you wish for. . . .
. . . You might just get it.
This awesome tagline says it all.
This has got to be my favorite book so far this year! About a semi reclusive Author with a Willy Wonka-esque type personality. It has all the feels for me, family problems, friendships, whimsy, dreams and wishes.
Wonderful lovable characters and a storyline that you just wish wouldn't end. I read this book in one sitting with tears in my eyes throughout. Total bonus stars for the Wizard of Oz, and a turtle mention.
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Ballantine books and the Author Meg Schaffer for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jack Masterson is a beloved children’s author of hugely popular/best selling Clock Island books for kids. The books have made an impact on many children around the world and a few even went as far as to seek out Jack on Clock Island in their youth to get away from the disappointments they were facing and make a wish.

In their adulthood Lucy (A 26 year old woman who desperately wants to foster to adopt a little boy she has grown very close to) and a few other childhood fans of Jack’s work are invited back to compete for a sole copy of his new Clock Island novel (which has the potential to sell for quite a sum of money).

A heartwarming amalgamation of Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory and the Magic Tree House series that keeps childlike optimism and grants everyone’s wish even if they’re not necessarily the winner.

5/5 Starts

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a generation raised on Willy Wonka, I'm automatically suspect of any book that starts with a contest.

As a child, Lucy Hart used the Clock Island series to hide from the fact that she was being raised without love. The Clock Island series from Jack Masterton was everything to her. Now at twenty-six she acts as a teacher's aide and teaches students how to love reading. In this classroom she becomes close with seven-year-old Christopher. The child tragically lost both of his parents. Lucy longs to adopt him, but without money and a stable life there's no way for her to do so.

As Lucy starts to give up on the dream, author Jack Masterson announces that he has a new book coming out. The author of Clock Island is mysterious, and becomes even more of a mystery as he announces that four contestants will have the chance to visit Clock Island and fight to win the one and only copy of the new book.

Okay, okay, Mysterious contest? One and only copy? What is it with wealthy secretive people holding contests on their private islands? This book didn't grab my attention like some others, but I seem to be in the minority when it comes to this book.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This book was absolutely pure magic! Sometimes a book just speaks to your heart, and this one did just that. This has a little bit of a Willy Wonka feel to it, but it is adults who get to win a pass. Adults who were once the kids who made a wish...There is a special ticket given by a recluse to a chosen few. But that is where the similarity ended for me. Oh, how I cried (sobbed actually), I laughed, I happily sighed...I was so invested in the story and all the characters. And I did not want the book to end!

This book captured me heart! I will definitely listen to the audiobook. This would make an awesome movie...the storyline is so vivid.

5 stars

This one just was not it for me. There were parts that I liked, and then parts I just couldn’t get over. Like, why is this 26 year old obsessed with adopting a child so badly? It’s a no from me, but has super good reviews on Goodreads so, clearly it’s just me.

Thank you to Net Galley for my complimentary eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Full disclosure. I did not request this book, NetGalley sent it to me in DECEMBER 2022, as they thought I would like it. Well played NetGalley. I loved it . I’m just mad at myself for waiting so long to finally read it.

The Wishing Game is the perfect mix of Willy Wonky and Nancy Drew. I was pulled in from the very beginning. Any book that leaves me in tears is an automatic 5 star.

Wishes do come true. You just need to face your fears. This one will break your heart and then stitch it back together.

“It comes after Q” ❤️

Found family
Mystery
Facing your fears

I loved this one so much I have purchased a copy for my personal library.

A Willy Wanka type adventure- The Wishing Game had so much nostalgia without even mentioning a golden ticket or any kind of crazy candy. This book felt so familiar yet so unique and definitely had me holding back tears towards the end.

Lucy Hart ran away to Clock Island when she was 13 wishing to become side-kick to the famous Jack Masterson, author of a beloved children’s book series. Now, a kindergarten TA and desperate to adopt one of her sweet students, Christopher who’s in foster care- Lucy finds herself invited this time to Clock Island. She’ll have the chance to win the one and only copy of Jack Masterson’s final novel. Can she beat the other contestants at the mastermind’s riddles? Her future, and Christopher’s, are riding on it all.

I cannot write a caption describing all the lovely juicy juice that this book has but its riddles and redemption and romance all mixed into one. A delightful concoction of goodness. Thanks #NetGalley for the free arc! It was a gift.

This one is a true nod to the book lovers of the world. It’s unique in the approach to the story, but it gives the reader what every reader wants - escape and hope in what is to come. A story of a children’s author that gives hope to children through their wishes. It harkens a bit to a JK Rowling feel - where the author creates this wonderful world in which children can escape and where they can find hope. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read.

This book was so much fun to read and made me want to re live my childhood. It gave me all the feels throughout and the plot was very well written.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to honestly review.

Heartwarming and compulsively readable. - I adored this book. I especially loved the characters and the way this story is just brimming with book-lovers-magic. Getting lost in the world of Clock Island was a delight. While I wish there had been a little bit more time on the island and a little bit less exposition, I also can see how necessary it was to set up Lucy and Christopher’s backstory. A delight!

The Wishing Game was such a unique, whimsical story. I really enjoyed these characters As a reader, i love seeing books based on other readers and writers, it gives me so much to relate to. The flow of this story led me to a satisfying conclusion and i can't wait to read more books by Meg Shaffer.