Lucy Hart, a kindergarten aide, befriends a small child, Christopher, who was orphaned in a most tragic fashion. Lucy became his foster mom for a very short time and she resolves that she will adopt Christopher and raise him as her own. Unfortunately, she has very little income, no car and lives in a house shared with two roommates. Nothing will work out even for her to foster this child. Lucy shares with Christopher her love of The Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. She shares that once she even ran away to Clock Island and begged to live with Masterson.
A rumor circulates that there might be a new Clock Island book coming out, this after a long absence since the previous book. Lucy receives one of four invitations to come and spend a week on Clock Island, take part in a contest to determine the winner of the one and only copy of the newest work. Lucy knows this is her chance. If she wins, she can sell the manuscript and make a lot of money - problems solved for her and for Christopher.
While on the island she meets Hugo, who she met on her first trip to the island. He is the long-time illustrator of the books. The contest commences and Masterson's riddles have everyone wracking their brains to figure them out - and, oh yes, there are points for the winners. Will Lucy be able to win the contest? If she doesn't where does she go from there? What will happen to Christopher?
If you read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or the Wizard of Oz, you will probably enjoy this book. All children have fears; all children handle their fears differently. The author, Sheffer, has done a wonderful job of creating a fantasy world and contest, but firmly grounded in the reality of being a child in an uncertain world.

This was a fun book to read. The reclusive, eccentric author of a best-selling series of 65 children's books, Jack Masterson, has not published a book in 6 years. When he offers to give the one and only copy of his new book to the winner of a competition, social media lights up with the news and he selects 4 people to participate in the all expense paid trip to Clock Island - the setting for the series, where he lives.
The main character/competitor in this story is Lucy Hart, who grew up on these books and ran away to the island when she was 13. Now she is selected to be one of the 4 competitors. She is a teaching assistant at an elementary school in California, where she tutors a 7 yr old boy Christopher, who is in the foster care system. Both Lucy and Christopher read the Clock Island books, and dream of becoming a family. This is not possible for Lucy though because of her living situation and lack of a stable financial base.
I thought that this story was beautiful and heartwarming. The main characters - Lucy, Jack, and Hugo were realistic and played off each other to advance the plot. The other competitors were not as well developed but lent an interesting element to the story.
The author brought into play magic, a little romance, and the hurdles of the foster care system. She described the child hoping and wishing for love and a forever home in a heartbreaking way without dwelling on it.
I think that the plot twist was unnecessary, and a little forced, but it did stress facing what one is most afraid of.
The core message of hope and the fact that wishes can come true were ultimately the heart of the story.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I recommend books often but it's rare for me to beg people to read a book. The Wishing Game is a must read for any book lover. It perfectly captures how reading is instrumental in our lives and if you place the right book in a child's hands, a story and characters they connect with, it can be a game changer. Please read this book. It's a beautiful story.

Jack Masterson is the author of a best selling children's series but hasn't come out with a new book in a long time. That is until now. He offering a unique competition in which the prize is something that could change the winner's life.

Twenty-six year old, Lucy Hart, is a teacher's aide and a big fan of Masterson's Clock Island series. Her dream is to adopt her former student and now orphan, 7 year old Christopher but her money situation is extremely tight at the moment. Being a contestant in her favorite author's competition might help her financial situation in a big way.

This was one of those hand to the heart type reads in which I'm alternating between smiling and crying throughout this lovely story. Reading is a positive outlet for so many of us, whether you are a child or an adult. You can pick up a book and just escape into a different world and forget about your troubles for awhile. The story really struck a chord in me and brought back fond memories of all those books and authors and the value they have brought to my life.

This one was so cute! I really loved every second of this book! It’s a cute and quick read and very fun :) totally recommend!

I enjoyed The Wishing Game. It reminded me of a childhood story brought alive in adulthood. Definitely felt a sense of nostalgia throughout the entire book.

I loved Lucy, Christopher, Jack, and Hugo. They were all great characters!

The book was full of a lot of lessons that still hold true in life as an adult…and probably more so when I was a kid.

And how fun of the book to give a nod to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ❤️.

If you always hope for your wishes to come true. And want to go on a magical adventure filled with books, games, and riddles then The Wishing Game should definitely be added to your TBR.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for a copy of The Wishing Game in exchange for an honest review.

For fans of harry potter and all things magic, this book is for you. I loved this story a lot, it sucked me right in from the beginning and had such an interesting premise and plot. I loved the characters as well.

I received an ARC of this title from netgalley in exchange for my honest review and all opinions are my own!

Years ago, four children separately ran away to Clock Island believing in the promises made by their favorite children’s author, Jack Masterson. Now they will return together as adults to compete against each other in a life changing challenge led by the very same man that sent them home years ago.

Lucy, Andre, Melanie, and Dustin all have a wish that will alter the course of their lives. When they receive a letter inviting them back to Clock Island as adults they jump at the chance. Over the course of several says Jack will have challenges, riddles, and games for them to play. The prize is the only existing copy of his latest children’s book and selling that will sent them up financially to make their wishes come true.

Shaffer’s debut novel is fantastic; with real life struggles, memorable and lovable characters, and the very happiest of endings.

Recommended for: grown-ups that still believe in the power of wishes

Content warning: mentions of alcohol & drug abuse; sexual abuse of a minor; death of children; illness

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Getting your hands on a most exclusive book and that too one written by a very popular author Jack Masterson known for his Clock island series kicks off this book with a theme of magical realism. It is partly women's fiction interlaced with magic. Add in these interesting characters in an island make it an intriguing premise for any booklover. It's an imaginative take on famous classic Willy Wonka and it transports you into another world. It does feel at times more like an YA.

Like a lot of people Lucy got through her abusive childhood with the help of the Clock Island books so when she was asked to taken one of her kindergarten students who had just lost both his parents she introduced him to the children’s books after he is placed in foster care the characters in the book will give him everything needed to get through it until Lucy can get the money to adopt him. It seems luck my be on their side because the author of the books created a contest where one winner will receive the latest Clock island book. And whoever wins it can do whatever they want with it sell it keep it or burn it. The contestants are going to be those who’s had some interaction with the author and that includes Lucy who as a child ran away when she heard the author needed a new sidekick and she showed up on Clock island hoping to be it. He made sure she safely made it home but it’s an experience he never forgot nor did he. Now is her chance to not only adopt a boy she loves as a son already but to reacquaint herself with Mr. Masterson the author of the clock Island books. Can Lucy win the contest and have all her dreams come true this is so much more than just a woman wanting to adopt a son but an author who really believes in his stories and an artist who may be moody but always has a kind word for Little Christopher and a big heart. I love this book it is one of the sweetest books I have ever read this is such a great book I’m shocked to see you didn’t win any awards because it certainly should with a great heartfelt uplifting happy ending I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it. I received this book from NetGalley and random house books but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Lucy is a 26-year-old kindergarten teacher’s aide with little savings, no car, and three roommates, who - more than anything in the world - wants to adopt Christopher, a young student living with a foster family after losing his parents. Their bond is strong, but Lucy has just been told it’s unlikely she’ll ever qualify to adopt him. She’s preparing to tell him this when hope arrives in the form of a little blue envelope. She recognizes who it’s from since she received one just like it thirteen years ago.

Jack Masterson is the Mastermind in a collection of children’s books, although he has not written one in decades. He lives on an island, the real Clock Island which his stories are based on. So popular were the books that children from all over would write to him with their wishes and some even tried to get to his Island. The books are loved by all, but Jack has been unable to continue them. He lives on the secluded island with the illustrator of the series, Hugo Reese who is very worried about Jack. Hugo feels it’s time to move on but can’t leave until he knows Jack will be ok. Hugo knows all of Jack’s secrets which makes him even more worried about leaving.

Lucy wrote to Jack as a child because she was miserable her family basically disowned her and showed all their love for her sister instead. When the envelope arrives, Lucy jumps at the chance to go back to the island to win the prize and the possibility with the prize that she will be able to take care of Christopher. When she arrives, there is all kinds of riddle challenges and real life emotional facing your fears challenges as well. Do wishes come true? This book pulls at your heart you feel so much for Lucy and her deep love for Christopher she is willing to do whatever it takes to be the one who provides safety and security for him.

This book was so emotional for me I wanted Lucy to win the challenge to be able to have the means to provide a home for Christopher. From start to finish this book pulled at your heart strings until they snapped apart. As the reader I was emotional invested in the success of Lucy and Christopher.

This book gives you all the vibes that you felt watching Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory if you loved that story as a kid then this one will give you all the feels that one did and that is why I recommend this book it reminds you of the hope and belief as a young child that things can change for the better in the face of adversity. This was a five-star read for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for a free copy of The Wishing Game for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Gahhhh, this book has my whole heart. Just stop what you are doing now and read this one. My husband walked in right after I finished reading and wanted to know why I was crying and I said "this book has destroyed me!" but in a good way! Obviously there are similarities to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Jack definitely has Willy Wonka vibes) but it didn't take away from the plot. I loved the b-plot with Lucy and Hugo and adored their banter. This will be a top book of the year for me!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC of The Wishing Game!

I LOVED this book. It is such a sweet story for book lovers. The book centers around Lucy, a twenty something woman working in an elementary school setting who fiercely wants to adopt one of her former students whose parents passed away and is now in foster care. Unfortunately Lucy does not have the right home setting (multiple roommates, no car, no funds) to be accepted as a foster mom for him, much less to be able to adopt Christopher. Lucy grew up feeling unloved but discovered the Clock Island series of books by Jack Masterson and found solace. As a teenager she wrote to Jack and he wrote back telling her he needed an assistant. She ran away from home to Clock Island where he made her feel welcome but sent her back home.

After a break from writing that was unexplained to the public Jack Masterson announces that he has a new book and will be hosting an invite only competition. Invites go out to Lucy and three other adults who once ran away to Clock Island when their lives were too difficult to bear. They travel to Clock Island once again to compete for the chance to win the book.

I loved so much about this novel but especially Clock Island. It is so imaginative and makes you long for it to be a real book series so that you can read it. The cast of main characters is great - Lucy with her past pain and hope for Christopher, Jack with his kindly, mischievous grandfather type character, and Hugo the cover illustrator of the books who lives on the island with Jack and is the grumpy artist who has past struggles as well. The supporting cast of characters could have been more developed but i cared so much about the main cast that it did not bother me.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine for the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Prior to starting, I was a bit apprehensive of The Wishing Game, as it's a step outside my preferred reading genres. But that was just silly on my part. If you grew up reading and escaping into books, you should read this book. It reads like a children's book written for adults - not that the writing or subject matter are immature, but the book seems to, in addition to telling a lovely story, give the reader a sense of assurance that everything will be ok, much like a children's book. There are bits of mystery, fantasy, strategy, adventure, romance, self-discovery, and family drama, all told in lyrical prose.
I really enjoyed reading this. Even though some of the material is serious, I felt like I was safe from harm while reading it. One of my favorite parts was how easily I could visualize the setting of Clock Island, as well as the beautiful book covers described. I also love the cover of this book!
I look forward to recommending it all summer long - it will be available 5/30!

Willy Wonka but in book form? I couldn’t imagine anything better!! This book is for the young at heart! I loved every minute of it!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher!

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer was a wonderful read! This book was magical, whimsical, full of heart and hope and so much love! Fantastic story-telling and writing style. The premise of this book drew me in and did not disappoint. The ultimate "be careful what you wish for" story.

Sometimes you need to get lost in a whimsical and charming book. Meg Shaffer’s debut novel The Wishing Game has the most beautiful cover, and is the perfect feel-good story I needed to start off my summer reading! As many reviewers note, this book pays homage to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but in a unique way centered around books. This is a book that makes you feel wrapped up in a story about love and forgiveness. I recommend this as a fun read full of childhood whimsy and a little bit of quirky delight!

Happy Publication Day, 5/30/2023. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing access to a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn’t sure about this book in the beginning, but by the end I was glad I read it. This was an adult fairy tale with hope, heartbreak and love leading the way. I found myself rooting for Lucy to get her wish, but not knowing how it would happen.
Lucy is a teacher’s assistant who wants nothing more than to adopt Christopher. Christopher is a little boy who has had a horribly traumatic experience but loves Lucy as if she is his mother. As a way to help him she started reading a series of books to him and he finally started to come back to himself. Just when she thinks all hope is gone, she gets invited to Clock Island.
On Clock Island we meet Hugo, the illustrator of the books, and Jack, the author. Jack is flamboyant and charismatic, but he is also sad (another heartbreaking part of the story). Hugo has given his life to take care of Jack but wants to move. While on Clock Island, Lucy and a few other guests have to compete to see who will get their biggest wish.
There were many layers in this book. Some were heartbreaking and others were heartwarming. I fell in love with Christopher and couldn’t help but root for Jack and Hugo getting a happy ending. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely read more by this author.
I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

SYNOPSIS:
Jack Masterson, the world famous author of the Clock Island novels hasn’t written a new book in years. Finally finding inspiration again he writes a new book. Here’s the catch, there is only one copy in the world. He decides to hold a competition, and one lucky person will win the only copy. Lucy, a single 26 year old school teacher is trying to adopt a little boy who lost his parents a few years ago. Down on her luck and a HUGE fan of the Clock Island novels she enters the contest and is one of 4 people who has a shot to win. A charming debut, this book is filled with hope, and can’t help but have you feeling like a kid again.
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THOUGHTS:
Happy Pub Day to this delightful and charming little story. This book felt like being wrapped up in a warm hug. Playing homage to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, this book was playful and full of hope. The characters captured my heart. I adored it. This story does read a bit like a YA novel, although it’s not pegged in that category. Just keep that in mind. Lovers of books and the power that childhood stories hold will love this book. I also believe fans of TJ Klune will really like this one.

Thanks to Ballantine for the free book.
I absolutely adored this book. It's a beautiful story that highlights how childhood reading can leave such an impact and create such deep bonds with others. It also reminded me of the books I loved to read as a kid. Along with that, it had a grown up sort of Willy Wonka type of competition, which left me feeling nostalgic and so invested. I fell for Lucy right away. Her heart for Christopher left me feeling so many different emotions. I liked how Hugo and Jack showed their emotions a bit differently, which kept a nice balance between everything going on in this story. I thought Clock Island was highly original and the book series is something I would've read if they existed. The game was well plotted and the ending left me in tears. This is a book I won't soon forget and will definitely be in my top books of the year.

This is a book that held my attention sometimes and other times I was trying to figure out what in the world was going on and who the actual main I characters were supposed to be. Jack Masterson is a children’s book author who is reclusively living on Clock Island with the illustrator of his books, Hugo. Jack has not written a new book for years and now he promises to release a new book to an audience of one, inviting contenders to come to the island to compete for the right to the book. Lucy is my favorite character because she is the most realistic and easy to relate to. She is a teacher’s aid in a kindergarten classroom, has few funds and no bright future but she does want to win the book so she can make her dream come true, that of adopting young Christopher Lamb and becoming a real family. The plot weaves and sometimes seems to go off the beaten path but always with a reason revealed later. I did not particularly like the meandering style, but the story was engaging and the characters were likable if not totally relatable. This is like a puzzle within the story that you have to figure out in order to understand the true nature of the reclusive author and the dreams of Lucy. All is slowly and methodically revealed, and the pace of the plot was off-putting for me. I thought that there were parts of the book that were superfluous and that at times, the plot took a turn that was unexpected and unnecessary. I got lost in some of the details but I did manage to finish the book and was glad that I stuck with it because it did all come together in the end. I would give the book a 3.5 rounded up to 4 for the satisfying conclusion, but I will say that the ending seemed to be a long time coming.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”