This book is a charming escape. Think of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with books. Jack Masterson is a popular children’s book author who writes about Clock Island. And he lives on Clock Island off the coast of Maine in real life. His stories are about children who escape to his island with a wish. In real life, four children did precisely that.

Jack hasn’t written a book in several years. His cover illustrator, Hugo, and he lives on the island, both dealing with some form of depression. Suddenly, the world learns that he has written a book and called those four children back to the island as contestants in a game where the winner gets sole rights to the book. Sounds fascinating, and it is. Jack is a weird guy who speaks in riddles but has a heart of gold and looks for the best in everyone.

The main character in a book of characters is Lucy Hart. She comes from a family who didn’t want her, and she escaped to the island as a child to find love. She is a great, sympathetic character. Fleeing her life, she moved to California, where she is an assistant kindergarten teacher, and wants to adopt a student named Christopher, who lost his parents. She loves him with all her heart but earns a poor wage and can’t save enough to get a decent apartment that would pass muster in the adoption process. So she enters the competition hoping to win so she can be Christopher’s mom.

The author does a fantastic job creating a scene, characters, and a story that draws you in. Lucy and Hugo are so believable, and the entire contest is clever and fun. I didn’t know what to expect, but I couldn’t put this book down. It is such a wholesome piece of fun literature. Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This enchanting story grabbed me from the beginning. It's both a dreamy, magical fairy tale and a heartfelt story of children, small and grown, searching for belonging, acceptance, and love. The power of stories to heal and even save lives is a constant theme throughout. Kindergarten assistant Lucy, reclusive writer Jack, foster child Christopher, and bitter artist Hugo are all compelling characters, and the setting, the real Clock Island off the coast of Maine, is mysterious, magical, and at times sinister. As winners of a contest, four adults whose childhoods were impacted by the Clock Island children's book series are involved in a sort of scavenger hunt with convoluted riddles as clues. The object is the discovery of a hidden masterpiece--the long-awaited final novel in the series--and if one of them solves the clues to find it, their dearest wish will come true--though not in the way they envision. As the old adage says, be careful what you wish for! I loved everything about the story and will definitely seek out more from this author!

Lucy Hart is struggling. She had an unhappy childhood and now she just wants to provide for a little boy she tutors, but she can barely help herself. Their only respite from the real world together is in reading the popular children’s series, The Clock Island Books, which above all else teaches being brave, wishing for what you want, and working hard towards that wish. The thing is, these books stopped being written mysteriously and abruptly. The author Jack Masterson stopped writing 6 years ago, but now has written a final masterpiece which will only be shared with the winner of a mysterious contest that takes place on his island off the coast of Maine. Shockingly, Lucy is one of only four contestants selected for the contest and she can barely stand to jinx herself by wishing to be the winner.

This book was just amazing. So heartwarming and moving, I haven’t had a book make me feel similar to this since I read The House in the Cerulean Sea. There’s the feeling of magic created by imagination, wonderful characters who encourage being childlike, and the sense of escapism on the bizzare Clock Island. I will absolutely be putting this on my must read 2023 list.

Thank you so much to @netgalley, @randomhouse, and @meg_shaffer for giving me this eARC in exchange for an honest review. My review is posted on my Instagram @hilaryisbooking it

I really wanted to like this one, but it fell a little flat for me. I could really relate to Lucy's core struggle, and I remember how hard life seemed at age 26 in light of those fundamental needs not having been met in childhood, but at the same time, I could totally agree with the social worker that Lucy wasn't able to provide her would-be adopted son everything he needed. Sometimes love just isn't enough, even though it is important.

The story had a nice nostalgia feel to it, though. I think I'd like to see another effort from this author in the future.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a temporary digital ARC and provide my honest opinions.

Great premise, but execution didn't really work for me.

Jack Masterson is a famous children's series book writer about the Clock Island books. He lives on Clock Island and Lucy Hart as a 13 year old girl runs away from home to Clock Island to try to become the Mastermind's sidekick. Fast forward 20 years later, and Jack hasn't written a new book and starts a challenge for the winner to win the only copy of his latest installment in the Clock Island series. He invites four adults that had previously escaped to Clock Island that are all in desperate need of something.

The challenges and riddles started out cool and interesting and quickly lost their luster. There were a few threads that I found extremely hard to believe, and I didn't really love the idea that the illustrator, Hugo Reese was interested in a 13 year old girl that comes back in her early 20s and that's the love story that we really didn't need, gave me minor ick vibes. I also really couldn't get behind Lucy being completely obsessed with this foster child, Christopher. The other thread that really bothered me was Lucy's family- her parents essentially throwing her out because they were obsessed with the health of her sister, Angie? This was a cutesy read that didn't really have any depth, even though the author tried to throw a spaghetti pot of "hard topics" at the wall, none of them stuck.

10 stars!

I absolutely ADORED this book. It was like a reimagined Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, about a reclusive children's book author who invites his former fans to come back to his personal island for the chance to win the only copy of his first book in a decade. Each of the five contestants have their reasons for wanting to compete, but the book focuses mostly on Lucy, a teacher's aide who wishes to adopt young Christopher whose birth parents died but isn't financially equipped. The author/mastermind Jack is like the grandpa every child would dream of, there is a cute romance, and while there is a lot of sadness, the book is just magical, and I loved every page.

I don't have words to express how much I loved this book adequately.

This is an earnest, heartfelt, clever, funny book for anyone who has loved (and maybe obsessed) with a book series. This book manages to make you feel like you're a kid finding their very favorite book for the first time and captures all those moments of wonder and enchantment. Though tackling some darker backstories the reader is always in capable hands and this book is bursting with love too. This is a well plotted and fast book that I raced though but hoping it would never end.

I loved the sprinkling through of chapters from the Clock Island books, and I don't think I can pick which character is my favorite.

I can't wait for more books from Meg Shaffer if this is the debut, I can't even image what is conjuring up next.

What a fantastic debut! My only critique was that it didn't keep going! A fun, twisty game that reminds me of a whimsical children's novel that I read growing up - only age appropriate for now. I absolutely adored this book and can't wait for everyone to read once it is out on shelves!

A delightful book set on a magical island! I absolutely loved the characters in this book and the setting of Clock Island. The story weaves together people who were super fans of the "Clock Island" book series. Through their love of the author, the series, and Clock Island itself, we learn about each character and the struggles they go through.

As they come together to compete in a final prize for the last book in the magical series, the reader is immersed in the lives of the characters and the wishes they desperately want to come true. It's like a Willy Wonka story that takes place off the coast of Maine with Jack Masterson, the Clock Island series book author, at the helm as the Mastermind of the games. A fast-paced enjoyable read! 3.5 stars

Thanks to Meg Shaffer, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.

"The only wishes ever granted are the wishes of brave children who keep on wishing even when it seems no one’s listening because someone somewhere always is.”

What I loved about this book: Everything!
1. It's a book about books!
2. It taps into our early reading years (who am I kidding - taps into old reading years too!) and talks to us about hopes, dreams and wishes!
3. This is Meg Shaffer's debut book and I hope that she writes many, many more!

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for giving me the opportunity to read and review a digital ARC of this fantastic book. Publication date: May 30, 2023.

A beautiful story and an enjoyable read. I didn't expect this one to be as good as it was for me since I haven't read anything like it before. Enjoyed it and will read more by this author.

Do you want to read a book that will make you feel like a kid again? There's something about this sweet novel that makes the reader believe in magic...even though there is no real magic to speak of. It's full of Willy Wonka vibes, without the creepy Oompa Loompas...just a kindly, eccentric, elderly children's author and a slightly grumpy artist in residence in a private island.

I LOVED the feeling of reading this book. Was it predictable? Sure. But again, that didn't take away from the overall beauty of this read. This books reads like YA, but I happen to like YA literature, so that wasn't a problem for me as it might be for some.

4.5 stars, happily rounded up to 5. Thanks to NetGalley for early access to this fun book.

When the mysterious "MasterMind" himself, Jack Masterson, resurfaces with a brand new Clock Island novel and a competition to win it on the island itself, Lucy Hart knows she has to win. Not just for herself, but also for the seven-year-old orphan she hopes to adopt. This book is the chance to make all their wishes come true.

It has been a while since I read a typical fiction novel, but this one had me hooked! The story of the mysterious children's author and his mysterious island feels very Willy Wonka-esque at times. This is far from a bad thing; you won't find any real danger to the contestants here. Instead, the imagination practically leaps off the pages - a good thing, when you consider the darker backstories sprinkled throughout. These moments were no less impactful despite the primary mood being one of childlike wonder. If anything, that wonder is what made those revelations more striking.

The characters, too, were often relatable and engaging, even if sometimes I felt frustrated by their emotions or inaction. As I've noted in reviews before, however, that just means I'm invested in the story.

The plot itself moves quickly. This is not a long read; I devoured this one in just a couple days. Still, there were a couple plot points I felt were left largely unresolved, which is why this only gets four stars for me (coupled with the at-times frustrating characters).

Despite those minor flaws, this one is a can't miss for me! It's honestly one of the more creative stories I've read in a while and doesn't overcomplicate itself to the point of droning on and on. Definitely a nice break from reality - and perhaps, a nostalgic visit back to those feelings of childhood.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for providing me with an arc of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars

Thank you to Meg Shaffer, Ballantine Books, and NetGallery for the opportunity to read this book!

OMG! This is just a LOVELY, LOVELY. LOVELY book. It was the second book that I read after having Covid and it was just what I needed. Initially, I started this book and put it aside as I wasn't sure that I was going to finish it. This is a book that you need to allow to allow a moment to get into and then you won't be able to stop reading it!

I totally hit my stride with this book and couldn't stop reading it until late this evening. It is such an amazing book. I would love to see this book made into a sweet children's movie or series! I also cannot wait to read more books by this author.

Read this book - highly recommend it!!

An adult fairy tale. If you like a cute book with a bit of magic, where fantastic games and romance are destined to make all dreams come true, then this is a book for you. It gushes with sweetness.

It’s also rather trite and predictable, lacking depth. Character development is minor. Think Willy Wonka. A fun and light read.

This was such a sweet, charming, fun book. I love books about books or authors or people who love books. Sometimes they can be cheesy and predictable, but this kept me guessing and smiling. If you need something sweet, good and a fast read you'll enjoy this.

4.5 stars. What an original — and uplifting — story! Jack Masterson, an eccentric author of a worldwide famous children’s series, who lives on a secluded island off the coast of Maine, holds a contest that will truly provide the winner with a change of life. Four contestants compete, each of whom had run away to the island as a child, including Lucy, a teacher’s aide who is struggling to make ends meet and whose goal is to be able to adopt one of the students to whom she has become very attached. Beautifully written and filled with a multitude of themes, including facing one’s fears and the healing power of love and forgiveness, this debut novel is truly a treasure. I enjoyed it immensely, and I look forward to many more from Meg Shaffer.

I really enjoyed The Wishing Game!

First things first, I do feel like it’s a little mislabeled.. My initial thought, when I picked it up, was that it was more of a Young Adult novel and not women’s fiction. There are a few adult themes but not enough to classify it as that, in my opinion. Either way, I found it to be a very enjoyable read, YA or not.

It was also not really sci-fi or fantasy. It was definitely a whimsical, heartwarming story…but there is no real magic or sci-fi in the story. If you’re looking for that, you’ll be disappointed…but I still think you should give it a chance.

I think maybe if you go into it knowing that it has that YA feel and there’s no real magic to speak of, you’ll enjoy it more just knowing what to expect.

Every character was a pleasure to get to know. Especially Hugo with his sarcastic wit, and his deep love for his brother Davey (Davey and my oldest son have something in common, but I won’t spoil it here, so learning this about Davey was a pleasant surprise and made me love Hugo that much more.)

I found myself rooting so much for Lucy and Christopher and wanted nothing more than for them to have a happy ending. I actually wanted them all to have happy endings…(except for all the parents…boo to them.)

Jack was the perfect combination of Willy Wonka, a little bit of The Mad Hatter, and a caring grandfather.

If you loved reading as a kid, this book will bring back the memories of those books you absolutely loved and escaped into.

The story centers around Lucy and Christopher, a teacher’s aide and her student in foster care, whom both wish to be mother and son more than anything.

Jack Masterson and Hugo Reese, a famous, reclusive author and his sarcastic illustrator who live on Clock Island, the namesake of his book series.

Taking cues from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Jack invites 4 people that ran away from home to his island as kids back to his home to compete in a contest to win a newly released book after years of not writing.

This story is one of healing and courage after being deeply hurt, finding family, childhood trauma, forgiveness, and facing your fears.

I really enjoyed Meg’s writing style and the way she described the settings and the character’s voices. I hope to read more of her books in the future!

I laughed. I cried. I loved it. I didn’t want it to end. One of my favorites this year so far.

“Be silent, when hearts are breaking.”,
“When you gotta scream, you gotta scream.”

Thank you so much to author Meg Shaffer, Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine, and NetGalley for the eARC.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on May 30, 2023.

I really liked the premise for this one. A beloved children’s author has not written a new book in his Clock Island series for years. When a contest is announced surrounding a new book, the public is more than excited. Only 4 people receive “tickets” to clock island for the chance to win a copy of the not yet released book. The story focuses on Lucy and her journey to attempt to adopt a previous student of hers. Unfortunately her situation is less than ideal to foster - she makes a meager salary as a teacher’s aid and lives with college students to save money. But her heart is definitely in the right place. She herself had a sad and lonely childhood and it spurs her to want more for Christopher, the boy she yearns to adopt. This contest holds the key for her if she can win.

“There is but one copy in existence and I plan to give it away to someone very brave, very clever, and who knows how to make wishes.”

This story was sweet, but felt very YA. The writing was simple and the plot felt pretty predictable. Some situations had me scratching my head and felt off. In saying that though, the story kept my attention throughout. There was a romance element thrown in- but I was glad that it remained only a minor focus of story. I enjoyed the riddles and trying to figure them out during the contest. If you enjoy books that have a positive message and are neatly wrapped up with a happy ending- you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for the ARC to read and review.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is the epitome of childhood nostalgia meets the difficulties of adulthood & spins it into the most heartwarming, feel-good book of the year.

This is an incredibly special book for which I feel like I don’t have enough words to do it justice. The bond between the main character, Lucy & her seven year student, Christopher is heart-melting.

It immediately begins with a map, which already gives it bonus points in my book. The adventure that unfolds was magnetic. I could easily see this gorgeous story being turned into a movie. The journey visiting the eclectic, exclusive & reclusive bestselling children’s books author on his enchanting island was captivating. Then, once you throw in the fact that there’s a huge contest full of riddles, games & life-changing prizes & this a story you can’t look away from. There’s humor, hardships, happenings, hazards & so much heart. I can easily see this going on many need to read lists

This was a joy to read & I highly recommend this book!


Massive thanks to NetGalley & Random House Ballantine Group for the free arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.