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Rendez-vous sur l'île de l'horloge
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Fiction (2023)Mes chers lecteurs, j’ai écrit un nouveau roman. Il n’en existe qu’un exemplaire et je vais l’offrir à quelqu’un qui sait exaucer les vœux. Mes lecteurs les plus courageux recevront une invitation très particulière aujourd’hui. Amitiés de l’Île de l’horloge.
Lorsque Jack Masterson, l’auteur de la célèbre série jeunesse L’Île de l’horloge annonce qu’il organise un concours pour faire gagner le manuscrit de l’ultime tome de sa série, Lucy Hart ne peut y croire. Si le vieil homme fantasque n’a rien écrit depuis des années et vit en ermite sur son île, réplique exacte de celle de ses histoires, ses romans constituaient la seule échappatoire de Lucy, enfant. Une passion qu’elle partage aujourd’hui avec Christopher, un orphelin qu’elle a pris sous son aile dans l’école où elle travaille. Alors, quand elle reçoit la fameuse invitation, Lucy y voit une lueur d’espoir : peut-être n’est-il pas trop tard pour recommencer à rêver ?
Lorsque Jack Masterson, l’auteur de la célèbre série jeunesse L’Île de l’horloge annonce qu’il organise un concours pour faire gagner le manuscrit de l’ultime tome de sa série, Lucy Hart ne peut y croire. Si le vieil homme fantasque n’a rien écrit depuis des années et vit en ermite sur son île, réplique exacte de celle de ses histoires, ses romans constituaient la seule échappatoire de Lucy, enfant. Une passion qu’elle partage aujourd’hui avec Christopher, un orphelin qu’elle a pris sous son aile dans l’école où elle travaille. Alors, quand elle reçoit la fameuse invitation, Lucy y voit une lueur d’espoir : peut-être n’est-il pas trop tard pour recommencer à rêver ?
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2023
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About the author
Meg Shaffer
7 books4,117 followersMeg Shaffer is the USA Today bestselling author of The Lost Story and The Wishing Game, which was a Book of the Month finalist for Book of the Year, a Reader’s Digest and Washington Post Best Book of the Year, and has been translated into 21 languages. Meg holds an MFA in TV and Screenwriting from Stephens College. She lives in Kentucky.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 28,424 reviews
October 18, 2023
I'm really perplexed by the rave reviews this novel is receiving...
I picked it as my Book of the Month primarily because it mentioned Maine (where I'm from), but also because the premise was promising: a beloved children's book author comes out of semi-retirement to write one last book and invites his four most ardent fans to compete for a chance to win the only copy of it. One of these fans, Lucy, is now a 26-year-old kindergarten teacher's aide living in poverty: she has 3 college-aged roommates who frequently smoke and drink, no car, loads of debt, and an unhealthy obsession with adopting one of her former students, a 7-year-old orphan named Christopher. Despite being told by social services that she is not in any position to foster or adopt any child (and it's true - she's really not; she laments at length about how she doesn't have the money for a $15 gift for Christopher, let alone money to feed, clothe, transport, or take care of him), she continues to call herself his mother and insist that his current foster family where he is fed and clothed and looked after is not as good as living with her would be. And in a big ole cringefest to teachers everywhere, she frequently hugs, kisses, and touches Christopher when they are alone together at school; nothing sexual happens, but still, no teacher in their right mind would put themselves in a situation like that today. Anyway, she is determined to win this contest and sell the book to the highest bidder so that she can finally put all of her haters to shame and adopt Christopher.
This book was just so... boring. I didn't really care about any of the characters. Lucy was whiny and immature and incredibly traumatized by her childhood. I don't want to minimize the pain of parental neglect, but her parents neglected her as they focused their attention on their sick older child. Lucy went to stay with her grandparents, and it somehow ballooned into this whole "nobody loves me and my childhood was the worst ever and it was totally my sick older sister's fault" thing that didn't seem believable to me. When Lucy and her sister finally interacted, there was no tension, no heat, no real conflict; it felt like they were both reading a script. I just didn't care. Lucy needs therapy.
The children's author Jack was supposed to be endearing, I think, but he came across as creepy to me. He was a gay man who wanted to be a father at a time when that wasn't a possibility, so I have a lot of sympathy for him, but the fact that so many children wrote letters to him about how miserable their lives were and he wrote them all back saying how he would be a better father to them than their own parents and how he wished they'd all come live with him? Ick.
The romance was meh but was made worse by the fact that the two characters met once before, when she was only 13 and he was in his mid-20s. Nothing happened then, other than her having a bit of a crush on this cute guy, but still. We also learn that this female character had a lengthy and abusive relationship with a man in his late 30s when she was in her late teens-early 20s. Both of these "romances," put in the context of all of the inappropriate interactions between children and adults in this book, feel icky at best.
Then there's the game itself, which didn't come in until at least halfway through the book. It was boring. The few games that were actually described were riddles easily solved by one of the characters. The rest of the games were just named in passing without any scenes. I thought this book was going to be all about the game, but it was really all about emotional trauma and believing in the power of your dreams and facing your fears and blah blah blah.
The writing overall is juvenile and simplistic. While this is not a problem in and of itself, this is also apparently NOT a YA novel, which makes the writing a problem for me. The whole thing needs more revision, more eyes on it, and more development before it will be ready for adult audiences, or it needs to be revised and rebranded for young adults. It just didn't work for me. 1.5 stars.
I picked it as my Book of the Month primarily because it mentioned Maine (where I'm from), but also because the premise was promising: a beloved children's book author comes out of semi-retirement to write one last book and invites his four most ardent fans to compete for a chance to win the only copy of it. One of these fans, Lucy, is now a 26-year-old kindergarten teacher's aide living in poverty: she has 3 college-aged roommates who frequently smoke and drink, no car, loads of debt, and an unhealthy obsession with adopting one of her former students, a 7-year-old orphan named Christopher. Despite being told by social services that she is not in any position to foster or adopt any child (and it's true - she's really not; she laments at length about how she doesn't have the money for a $15 gift for Christopher, let alone money to feed, clothe, transport, or take care of him), she continues to call herself his mother and insist that his current foster family where he is fed and clothed and looked after is not as good as living with her would be. And in a big ole cringefest to teachers everywhere, she frequently hugs, kisses, and touches Christopher when they are alone together at school; nothing sexual happens, but still, no teacher in their right mind would put themselves in a situation like that today. Anyway, she is determined to win this contest and sell the book to the highest bidder so that she can finally put all of her haters to shame and adopt Christopher.
This book was just so... boring. I didn't really care about any of the characters. Lucy was whiny and immature and incredibly traumatized by her childhood. I don't want to minimize the pain of parental neglect, but her parents neglected her as they focused their attention on their sick older child. Lucy went to stay with her grandparents, and it somehow ballooned into this whole "nobody loves me and my childhood was the worst ever and it was totally my sick older sister's fault" thing that didn't seem believable to me. When Lucy and her sister finally interacted, there was no tension, no heat, no real conflict; it felt like they were both reading a script. I just didn't care. Lucy needs therapy.
The children's author Jack was supposed to be endearing, I think, but he came across as creepy to me. He was a gay man who wanted to be a father at a time when that wasn't a possibility, so I have a lot of sympathy for him, but the fact that so many children wrote letters to him about how miserable their lives were and he wrote them all back saying how he would be a better father to them than their own parents and how he wished they'd all come live with him? Ick.
The romance was meh but was made worse by the fact that the two characters met once before, when she was only 13 and he was in his mid-20s. Nothing happened then, other than her having a bit of a crush on this cute guy, but still. We also learn that this female character had a lengthy and abusive relationship with a man in his late 30s when she was in her late teens-early 20s. Both of these "romances," put in the context of all of the inappropriate interactions between children and adults in this book, feel icky at best.
Then there's the game itself, which didn't come in until at least halfway through the book. It was boring. The few games that were actually described were riddles easily solved by one of the characters. The rest of the games were just named in passing without any scenes. I thought this book was going to be all about the game, but it was really all about emotional trauma and believing in the power of your dreams and facing your fears and blah blah blah.
The writing overall is juvenile and simplistic. While this is not a problem in and of itself, this is also apparently NOT a YA novel, which makes the writing a problem for me. The whole thing needs more revision, more eyes on it, and more development before it will be ready for adult audiences, or it needs to be revised and rebranded for young adults. It just didn't work for me. 1.5 stars.
July 11, 2023
Lucy, a 26 yr old teachers aide, has a wildly inappropriate relationship with a 7 yr old foster kid, calling herself his “mother”, and promising him she will adopt him once she saves up enough money from babysitting and knitting (huh?!?!)
Oh and she hugs and kisses him, buys him gifts and plans on spending the weekend with him.
This is the kind of behavior that would get someone fired or arrested. Never mind the emotional damage of making promises she can’t possibly keep to an already traumatized kid.
She has no money, no car, credit card debt and shares an apt with roommates who are just as irresponsible as her. One scene, which was supposed to be funny (but was not) involves her pothead roommate who doesn’t take care of basic hygiene needs.
She resents her sister for getting more attention than her when they were kids. Never mind that her sister was severely ill. Grow up, or see a therapist.
I know it’s fiction, but this is too much for me and except for the creepy themes, it reads very YA.
Does the world really need an adult Willie Wonka? No it does not. I’m not even sure we need a children’s Willie Wonka, a story I find creepy. I don’t find it or this charming in the least.
Oh and she hugs and kisses him, buys him gifts and plans on spending the weekend with him.
This is the kind of behavior that would get someone fired or arrested. Never mind the emotional damage of making promises she can’t possibly keep to an already traumatized kid.
She has no money, no car, credit card debt and shares an apt with roommates who are just as irresponsible as her. One scene, which was supposed to be funny (but was not) involves her pothead roommate who doesn’t take care of basic hygiene needs.
She resents her sister for getting more attention than her when they were kids. Never mind that her sister was severely ill. Grow up, or see a therapist.
I know it’s fiction, but this is too much for me and except for the creepy themes, it reads very YA.
Does the world really need an adult Willie Wonka? No it does not. I’m not even sure we need a children’s Willie Wonka, a story I find creepy. I don’t find it or this charming in the least.
December 19, 2023
4.5 stars ⭐️ I REALLY loved this book. I went in with zero expectations and was so pleasantly blown away. This book does an incredible job of balancing a whimsical and magical tone while still having depth and going into the hardships of the main characters. This book felt like a love letter to reading, especially to children's books as one of the characters is a famous children's author. Part of the book also takes place on Clock island which was such a magical setting. If you're a fan of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate factory, this is a must read.
April 4, 2025
And the award for Most Interesting Premise But Lackluster Execution goes to... drumroll please... The Wishing Game.
Like what the heck? Obviously, I have a lot to say, so please hear me out.
First, the premise. With its promise of a famous children's author hosting a game to win it all on a remote island shaped for the face of a clock, this book sounds like the most magical, whimsical journey. It's distinctly Willy Wonka-esque, and I don't know anybody who doesn't love that. Add in that eye-catching title which totally tugs at the imagination, and I was all ready to be impressed. But no, this fell so short on pretty much every level, I can only gape at the distance between my expectations and reality.
At the heart of it, this just doesn't read like adult fiction. It reads distinctly like a children's book, and honestly, not a very good one. There's a simplicity to the writing and the story that doesn't grab my attention. It's hard to stay engaged when every scene is so formulaic and bland. In fact, there are excerpts in here from the children's books themselves, and there were no discernible differences between the writing in there and the actual story.
The characters never became anything more than cardboard cutouts of real people. Each has one or two characteristics that define them, and they stay within those narrowly defined bounds. Lucy is poor and hates her family and wants to adopt Christopher. Christopher is a sad foster kid who loves sharks. Hugo is a temperamental artist who scowls a lot. And Jack is an eccentric author who lives in an eccentric house on an eccentric island, and every thing he says is eccentric. There, I've summed up the entirety of the cast.
The way they interact with each other is so odd and forced. Like if you've only known someone for 24 cumulative hours, would you go around hugging them and asking them to be your parent? What about calling your coworker "baby girl"? Or promising a child without parents that you can just adopt them, even when you yourself don't have safe housing or reliable transportation? I don't know, maybe you can, and it's just me that's weird.
But it wasn't just a scene here or there. There were so many moments that came off as vaguely creepy or inappropriate or uncomfortable or just plain weird, but they were all written as if they're actually heartwarming. It was so bizarre and puzzling, I felt like I was in a twilight zone.
And that's just it. Throughout this entire book, it's as if I was being sold a story and I couldn't shake the feeling that it was wrong. I can suspend disbelief for plot, but it's very hard to suspend disbelief for characters and the way they act. If what they say and do feel a little bit off, then it's like I'm constantly being reminded that what I'm reading isn't real. It's hard to become immersed in a story like that.
There's this phrase—"death by a thousand cuts"— that I think is totally appropriate here. There isn't any one thing I can point to that is egregiously wrong with this story, but there are so many little things. The simple writing, the dull dialogue and plot, and the way all the characters interact that feel just a little bit off—all put together, make this an extremely underwhelming read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
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✧ This was a pick for my BOTM box. Get your first book for $5 here.
Like what the heck? Obviously, I have a lot to say, so please hear me out.
First, the premise. With its promise of a famous children's author hosting a game to win it all on a remote island shaped for the face of a clock, this book sounds like the most magical, whimsical journey. It's distinctly Willy Wonka-esque, and I don't know anybody who doesn't love that. Add in that eye-catching title which totally tugs at the imagination, and I was all ready to be impressed. But no, this fell so short on pretty much every level, I can only gape at the distance between my expectations and reality.
At the heart of it, this just doesn't read like adult fiction. It reads distinctly like a children's book, and honestly, not a very good one. There's a simplicity to the writing and the story that doesn't grab my attention. It's hard to stay engaged when every scene is so formulaic and bland. In fact, there are excerpts in here from the children's books themselves, and there were no discernible differences between the writing in there and the actual story.
The characters never became anything more than cardboard cutouts of real people. Each has one or two characteristics that define them, and they stay within those narrowly defined bounds. Lucy is poor and hates her family and wants to adopt Christopher. Christopher is a sad foster kid who loves sharks. Hugo is a temperamental artist who scowls a lot. And Jack is an eccentric author who lives in an eccentric house on an eccentric island, and every thing he says is eccentric. There, I've summed up the entirety of the cast.
The way they interact with each other is so odd and forced. Like if you've only known someone for 24 cumulative hours, would you go around hugging them and asking them to be your parent? What about calling your coworker "baby girl"? Or promising a child without parents that you can just adopt them, even when you yourself don't have safe housing or reliable transportation? I don't know, maybe you can, and it's just me that's weird.
But it wasn't just a scene here or there. There were so many moments that came off as vaguely creepy or inappropriate or uncomfortable or just plain weird, but they were all written as if they're actually heartwarming. It was so bizarre and puzzling, I felt like I was in a twilight zone.
And that's just it. Throughout this entire book, it's as if I was being sold a story and I couldn't shake the feeling that it was wrong. I can suspend disbelief for plot, but it's very hard to suspend disbelief for characters and the way they act. If what they say and do feel a little bit off, then it's like I'm constantly being reminded that what I'm reading isn't real. It's hard to become immersed in a story like that.
There's this phrase—"death by a thousand cuts"— that I think is totally appropriate here. There isn't any one thing I can point to that is egregiously wrong with this story, but there are so many little things. The simple writing, the dull dialogue and plot, and the way all the characters interact that feel just a little bit off—all put together, make this an extremely underwhelming read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
✧ This was a pick for my BOTM box. Get your first book for $5 here.
June 8, 2023
4.5⭐ ( rounded up..can't stop thinking about this one!)
“I want to live on a magical island with my favorite author and be his sidekick……”
Who wouldn’t want that? Twenty-six-year-old Lucy Hart, remembers the time she ran away from home at the age of thirteen to meet Jack Masterson, a famous children’s book author whose Clock Island series captured the hearts and imagination of generations of readers. She did meet the author, though her plans to stay with him didn’t quite pan out. The series remains her favorite and she shares that love with seven-year-old Christopher a student of hers, recently orphaned and now in foster care. Lucy carries the pain of an unhappy childhood and cares deeply for Christopher. She dreams of becoming his foster parent and eventually adopting him. However, her meager income as a teacher’s aide and less than suitable living arrangements make her an unsuitable candidate for the same. When her favorite author invites her to participate in a contest to win the only copy of his new manuscript, written after an almost six-year hiatus, Lucy jumps at the opportunity to visit Clock Island, Masterson's private island in Maine that is modeled after the setting for his books. Not only is she excited to meet her favorite author once again but winning the contest would greatly improve Lucy’s financial situation and thus, her chances of being approved as a guardian for Christopher.
“What did the kids in the books have to do to get their wishes? First, they had to make a wish. Then they had to get to Clock Island. After that, they answered riddles or played strange games. Then they had to face their fears.”
On Clock Island, Lucy meets her co-contestants – three others like herself who had once run away from unhappy situations at home when they were children to meet “The Mastermind” who they believed had the power to make their wishes come true. Now as adults, they are back at Clock Island and they all have their reasons for wanting to with the contest. Lucy also meets Hugo Reese again, the illustrator for the series. Jack’s contest consists of a series of games and riddles and ultimately just like the characters in his books, a special challenge wherein they would have to face their fears. But news of Jack Masterson’s new book is making waves and there are scheming lawyers, book collectors and publishers to get their hands on that coveted manuscript. Lucy has a lot on her plate –dodging shady people with their shadier offers, her dynamic with Hugo, the stress of winning the contest and securing a future for Christopher and herself- and it’s not going to be an easy ride.
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is a beautiful story. Remember Willy Wonka? Instead of a chocolate factory, here get to have a look at Masterson's “writing factory” fully equipped with a huge collection of typewriters and his raven, Thurl Ravenscroft,also his “co-writer”. The narrative is shared for the most part from Lucy’s perspective and a few chapters from that of Hugo with excepts from one of the Clock Island books interspersed throughout the narrative. Jack Masterson is a quirky character with a heart of gold. Lucy Hart is endearing and I was invested in her story from the very beginning. Her journey is one of catharsis and growth. The dynamics between the Jack and Hugo and Lucy and Christopher - the friendship, concern and empathy and sense of family will touch your heart. Christopher did seem a bit mature for his age but his reservations can be explained by the trauma he has endured. I also liked that the author also looks at the potential perils involved when impressionable minds are influenced to embark on risky ventures. Some moments will break your heart and others will have your heart singing with joy. Overall this a lovely story that touches on themes of family, childhood, loss, kindness, love and sacrifice.
As an introvert who grew up with her nose always in a book (Enid Blyton books, The Trixie Belden series, and The Chronicles of Narnia were among my favorite childhood series) and an adult who struggles to keep from squealing with excitement every time she visits The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Disney World (I read the Harry Potter books when I was well into my twenties), I was captivated by this story and the idea of Clock Island as the reclusive author’s not—so—humble abode. Meg Shaffer does a brilliant job of highlighting the role that books play in the lives of children (and adults) and the refuge they provide and in doing so reinforces the fact that books remain your constant companion through the darkest of times. Though not fantasy per se, this story is magical in its own way. Read this book with your heart and you won’t be disappointed!
Many thanks to author Meg Shaffer, Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for the much-appreciated digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“The stories write us, you see. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it … it changes us.”
June 13, 2023
I wish, I wish, I wish the game of life could be this simple, this beautiful, and this rewarding. A feel-good book that has an abundance of adorable and generous hearted people, endless good deeds, and expressions of kindness that would just melt your heart. What more could you wish for?
Yes you have that too – a game of riddles at the heart of the story which Lucy must solve to win the chance to adopt Christopher, a young orphaned boy who loves her so much in return.
The Plot
Yep, Christopher loves Lucy, the teaching assistant at his school, and Lucy the teaching assistant at Christopher’s school wants to adopt him.
Lucy enters a book competition for the chance to win a life changing sum of money that will enable her to convince the authorities that she is a sensible guardian and has the means to take care of this adorable little boy.
The author of the book also wants a family, and his assistant, Hugo, wants a woman in his life – not just any woman – but Lucy.
You can see where this is all going?
Review and Comments
Very predictable, gorgeous though and emotionally satisfying because everyone ends up happy in this wishing game.
I love these stories once in a while where the obvious outcome doesn’t take away from the story and people are actually really nice. Some of the storyline was too far-fetched if you ask me though and the people were toooooo nice!!!!
“The only wishes ever granted are the wishes of brave children who keep on wishing even when it seems no one is listening because someone always is…”
Cute, adorable but predictable.
Yes you have that too – a game of riddles at the heart of the story which Lucy must solve to win the chance to adopt Christopher, a young orphaned boy who loves her so much in return.
The Plot
Yep, Christopher loves Lucy, the teaching assistant at his school, and Lucy the teaching assistant at Christopher’s school wants to adopt him.
Lucy enters a book competition for the chance to win a life changing sum of money that will enable her to convince the authorities that she is a sensible guardian and has the means to take care of this adorable little boy.
The author of the book also wants a family, and his assistant, Hugo, wants a woman in his life – not just any woman – but Lucy.
You can see where this is all going?
Review and Comments
Very predictable, gorgeous though and emotionally satisfying because everyone ends up happy in this wishing game.
I love these stories once in a while where the obvious outcome doesn’t take away from the story and people are actually really nice. Some of the storyline was too far-fetched if you ask me though and the people were toooooo nice!!!!
“The only wishes ever granted are the wishes of brave children who keep on wishing even when it seems no one is listening because someone always is…”
Cute, adorable but predictable.
May 29, 2023
Just when I was starting to doubt I’d get a second 5-star read this year, Meg Shaffer delivered the answer to my wish - the book version of a big, warm hug aptly titled The Wishing Game!
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.
Across the country, on a whimsical clock-shaped island off the coast of Maine, renowned children’s book author Jack Masterson, whose Clock Island series has been loved by millions has come out of a mysterious five-year silence to announce a contest that four lucky invitees will participate in for the rights to a brand new, singular copy of his newest Clock Island book. Those invitations were sent out in … you guessed it … little blue envelopes.
Does that premise sound familiar? It should. It takes inspiration from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where five children competed for Mr. Wonka’s chocolate factory. The similarities end there, though. Contestants Lucy, Andre, Melanie and Dustin had all written to Jack as children hoping that, like The Mastermind character in his books, he could fix their painful home or school situations. As adults now, they’ve overcome their childhoods, but each needs the money that selling the rights to Jack’s book would bring.
As all four gather at Clock Island, in Jack’s impressively large home, they also meet his assistant and illustrator of his books - a 34-year-old world-weary, sarcastic, but completely lovable Brit, Hugo, who’s been watching over Jack during his hard drinking writing exile. Hugo remembers Lucy as the thirteen-year-old girl who tried to run away to Clock Island once. She remembers how cute he was. I loved their fun, sweet interactions now that they’re both adults!
After days of Jack’s games and maddening riddles, whose wish will come true? That’s for you to read and find out! I did enjoy the (mostly) supportive nature between the contestants, and I love how things came together in the end. It was a little piece of perfection! There were some heavy themes like childhood trauma, parental neglect, alcoholism, bullying, running away and all forms of abuse, but it was never heavy-handed or depressing. Rather this story is a love letter to the power of books to change a reader’s life and is so kind-hearted in its approach.
The books that stand out to me and end up as my year-end favorite always have this in common: They make my heart happy. Plain and simple. Jack, Hugo, Lucy and Christopher all stole my heart and made this a new one for my favorites shelf. If you like whimsical books about books, found family, a bit of magical realism, romance (and great pet names like Vince Purraldi, Billie Pawliday, Darles Chickens, and Thurl Ravenscroft), I highly recommend this wonderful, well-written debut! Oh, and may I add ... best cover ever. 😍
★★★★★ ❤
Thanks to Random House Publishing - Ballantine, NetGalley and author Meg Shaffer for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published May 30, 2023.
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.
Across the country, on a whimsical clock-shaped island off the coast of Maine, renowned children’s book author Jack Masterson, whose Clock Island series has been loved by millions has come out of a mysterious five-year silence to announce a contest that four lucky invitees will participate in for the rights to a brand new, singular copy of his newest Clock Island book. Those invitations were sent out in … you guessed it … little blue envelopes.
Does that premise sound familiar? It should. It takes inspiration from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where five children competed for Mr. Wonka’s chocolate factory. The similarities end there, though. Contestants Lucy, Andre, Melanie and Dustin had all written to Jack as children hoping that, like The Mastermind character in his books, he could fix their painful home or school situations. As adults now, they’ve overcome their childhoods, but each needs the money that selling the rights to Jack’s book would bring.
As all four gather at Clock Island, in Jack’s impressively large home, they also meet his assistant and illustrator of his books - a 34-year-old world-weary, sarcastic, but completely lovable Brit, Hugo, who’s been watching over Jack during his hard drinking writing exile. Hugo remembers Lucy as the thirteen-year-old girl who tried to run away to Clock Island once. She remembers how cute he was. I loved their fun, sweet interactions now that they’re both adults!
After days of Jack’s games and maddening riddles, whose wish will come true? That’s for you to read and find out! I did enjoy the (mostly) supportive nature between the contestants, and I love how things came together in the end. It was a little piece of perfection! There were some heavy themes like childhood trauma, parental neglect, alcoholism, bullying, running away and all forms of abuse, but it was never heavy-handed or depressing. Rather this story is a love letter to the power of books to change a reader’s life and is so kind-hearted in its approach.
The books that stand out to me and end up as my year-end favorite always have this in common: They make my heart happy. Plain and simple. Jack, Hugo, Lucy and Christopher all stole my heart and made this a new one for my favorites shelf. If you like whimsical books about books, found family, a bit of magical realism, romance (and great pet names like Vince Purraldi, Billie Pawliday, Darles Chickens, and Thurl Ravenscroft), I highly recommend this wonderful, well-written debut! Oh, and may I add ... best cover ever. 😍
★★★★★ ❤
Thanks to Random House Publishing - Ballantine, NetGalley and author Meg Shaffer for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published May 30, 2023.
October 26, 2024
Jack “the mastermind” Masterson is the reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author who wrote a series of books about the Magical, Mysterious “Clock Island”.
It’s been years since he has published anything new, but he suddenly resurfaces with a brand-new book AND a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change one winner’s life.
But, there is a catch-only four people will be invited to compete to win the “one and only” copy of the book, worth enough money to change a life forever.
Lucy Hart, once a child who found solace in his books, and dreamed of being the author’s “sidekick”, knows that as a teacher’s assistant, she doesn’t have enough money to adopt the orphaned boy that she tutors-but winning the competition would allow her to do so.
Can she find a way to be invited?
That seven year old boy, Christopher, has also found comfort from the “Clock Island series” which Lucy reads to him.
The two play what they call, “The Wishing Game” often.
He WISHES to be her son.
And, she WISHES to be his new mother.
So when her invitation arrives, he screamed. And, she screamed.
“When you gotta scream, you gotta scream”!
Lucy heads to Clock Island, and Jack’s “writing factory” to play his games, and solve his RIDDLES with her eyes on the prize-you have to be brave for wishes to come true!
From the opening dedication to “Charlie, and all of us still looking for our golden tickets” to the author’s acknowledgement page, thanking Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka for taking over her brain in third grade-the book is VERY reminiscent of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and Jack Masterson is VERY reminiscent of Willy Wonka himself.
You could call this a “reimagining” or a “homage” to the Classic but with books in place of chocolate, but BE AWARE, I felt it read like YA even though the characters are adults, and it hasn’t been tagged as such.
If you are young, or young at heart, you can pick up this charming book NOW!
I think a hardcover with this GORGEOUS COVER ART, would look wonderful on my shelf.
A buddy read with DeAnn and MarilynW-be sure to watch for their “always amazing” reviews!
Thank You to Ballantine Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
March 10, 2024
This was delightful in every way! It's one of those books that leaves you feeling good. It's definitely going to be a book that I think about often. Albeit, I didn't think it was perfect, but I was able to overlook a lot of it's imperfections, because the positives outweighed the negatives for me. I wish the challenges were expanded a bit and this book also DID NOT need a romance. Other than that.. LOVE.
June 10, 2023
Lucy is one of the most annoying characters I have ever read.
April 6, 2024
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Megan Whalen at Random House-Ballantine, and Meg Shaffer for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 5.30!**
Hold your breath. Make a wish. Count to three...
Charming, whimsical, and heartfelt, this magical journey will take you out of the real world and deep into a land of Pure Imagination...and I'm not sure I've returned home just yet!
All teachers feel a certain amount of love for their students, but 26 year old Kindergarten teacher Lucy Hart is on another level with one special child, Christopher Lamb. Christopher lost his parents tragically, and Lucy briefly got the chance to step in as his mom...and her heart never left. Living with two roommates and a strained financial situation, however, is holding her back from being able to adopt Christopher officially and wear the title of Mom for good. Despite this, the two share a magical bond, brought together by their love of wishes and magic, and also one special set of books: The Clock Island series, written by Jack Masterson.
One day, Lucy shares a secret with Christopher; many years ago, she wrote a letter to Masterson, begging to be his sidekick (after her own parents left her unseen and unheard for too long) and Lucy actually VISITED Clock Island and knows that it is indeed real. More surprising still, Masterson has chosen THIS time to come out of reclusive retirement and hold a contest: the winner will receive the one and ONLY copy of the newest installment of the Clock Island series...worth SIX FIGURES, easily.
Lucy knows that this book is her one and only shot at having the money to make her dream of motherhood come true, and she is determined to win. But when she arrives at Clock Island, her competitors possess equal resolve. Another familiar face also greets Lucy: that of Jack Masterson's Clock Island illustrator, Hugo, a slightly gruff but shockingly handsome Brit who has Lucy swooning (to herself, of course). With the stakes ever higher and Masterson's riddles becoming maddening, will Lucy's wish FINALLY come true? Or will all her future plans vanish like the rabbit in the magician's hat?
With homages, things can go one of two ways: the result can feel like a rip off of the source material....OR, in the case of The Wishing Game, they can serve as a springboard for an equally iconic, memorable, and magical experience in storytelling. Shaffer lovingly dedicates this book to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (and the world Dahl created, by extension) and at first glance, this might seem like a series of repeated plot points. Eccentric genius of his craft disappears, and after a long hiatus runs a contest to let others into his personal sanctum, winner receives glory and of course, the BEST prize imaginable. And sure, this framework is present here, and Shaffer doesn't necessarily shy from it.
What she does is even better. Shaffer leans into the parallel, but at the same time, forges her own unique path, rife with gentle nods to some of fiction's most beloved and timeless childhood tales. There is a certain indescribable magic in childhood: the world is big and endless, and ANYTHING can happen. As we grow, our worldview tends to get smaller, and we lose so much of this focus to the forced structure of society and the pressure to 'get things done.' But in this story, all of our adult characters (and ALL of them are adults, save for Christopher!) are the ones examining and overcoming the same fears first born in childhood.
There are HEAVY topics explored in this one: everything from child abandonment, allegations of kidnapping, and the foster care system...and yet, as deep as this one goes, it has a certain buoyancy and whimsy that keeps even the darkest moments from feeling like a shadow. Part of this is due to the complex and LOVABLE characters Shaffer has created. Everyone from our MC Lucy to the mysterious Jack Masterson to the sensitive and multilayered illustrator Hugo shines, and as a reader, you can't help but be drawn to them. Though Masterson strays from the over-the-top silliness of Wonka, he has just enough of a grin in his words and a twinkle in his eyes to keep everyone guessing, and his 'writing factory' is the stuff of every bibliophile's dream (complete with Bird In Residence, Thurl Ravenscroft!)
Though I am emotional to the core, I rarely find a read that makes me laugh OR cry...and this one handily did both. Multiple times. This is the sort of book that once you MANAGE to put it down, you will not be able to stop thinking about it. I actually told myself to slow down MULTIPLE times while reading because I was just aching to savor it. Much like childhood, once you realize how magical it can actually be, it's just about gone. There's just something about the books you read at a young age that stirs something inside you, no matter how many years it's been, and I feel the same way about books like Charlotte's Web: I enjoyed it at 8 and would still enjoy it at 80. The Wishing Game has this same sort of transcendent, ethereal quality: it shines in 2023 and will STILL shine in 2123...and beyond.
One of my favorite reads of this year, and perhaps even the past few, The Wishing Game reminded me of the dedication at the beginning of the film adaptation of the Wizard of Oz: "For nearly forty years this story has given faithful service to the Young in Heart; and Time has been powerless to put its kindly philosophy out of fashion. To those of you who have been faithful to it in return ...and to the Young in Heart ...we dedicate this picture."
And if this book is any indication of the future Shaffer has in store, she could just be the next effortlessly timeless writer we have ALL been waiting to find...somewhere at the end of the rainbow. 🌈
5 stars
Nominated for Best Debut and Best Fiction in the Goodreads Choice Awards! Now in paperback!!
Hold your breath. Make a wish. Count to three...
Charming, whimsical, and heartfelt, this magical journey will take you out of the real world and deep into a land of Pure Imagination...and I'm not sure I've returned home just yet!
All teachers feel a certain amount of love for their students, but 26 year old Kindergarten teacher Lucy Hart is on another level with one special child, Christopher Lamb. Christopher lost his parents tragically, and Lucy briefly got the chance to step in as his mom...and her heart never left. Living with two roommates and a strained financial situation, however, is holding her back from being able to adopt Christopher officially and wear the title of Mom for good. Despite this, the two share a magical bond, brought together by their love of wishes and magic, and also one special set of books: The Clock Island series, written by Jack Masterson.
One day, Lucy shares a secret with Christopher; many years ago, she wrote a letter to Masterson, begging to be his sidekick (after her own parents left her unseen and unheard for too long) and Lucy actually VISITED Clock Island and knows that it is indeed real. More surprising still, Masterson has chosen THIS time to come out of reclusive retirement and hold a contest: the winner will receive the one and ONLY copy of the newest installment of the Clock Island series...worth SIX FIGURES, easily.
Lucy knows that this book is her one and only shot at having the money to make her dream of motherhood come true, and she is determined to win. But when she arrives at Clock Island, her competitors possess equal resolve. Another familiar face also greets Lucy: that of Jack Masterson's Clock Island illustrator, Hugo, a slightly gruff but shockingly handsome Brit who has Lucy swooning (to herself, of course). With the stakes ever higher and Masterson's riddles becoming maddening, will Lucy's wish FINALLY come true? Or will all her future plans vanish like the rabbit in the magician's hat?
With homages, things can go one of two ways: the result can feel like a rip off of the source material....OR, in the case of The Wishing Game, they can serve as a springboard for an equally iconic, memorable, and magical experience in storytelling. Shaffer lovingly dedicates this book to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (and the world Dahl created, by extension) and at first glance, this might seem like a series of repeated plot points. Eccentric genius of his craft disappears, and after a long hiatus runs a contest to let others into his personal sanctum, winner receives glory and of course, the BEST prize imaginable. And sure, this framework is present here, and Shaffer doesn't necessarily shy from it.
What she does is even better. Shaffer leans into the parallel, but at the same time, forges her own unique path, rife with gentle nods to some of fiction's most beloved and timeless childhood tales. There is a certain indescribable magic in childhood: the world is big and endless, and ANYTHING can happen. As we grow, our worldview tends to get smaller, and we lose so much of this focus to the forced structure of society and the pressure to 'get things done.' But in this story, all of our adult characters (and ALL of them are adults, save for Christopher!) are the ones examining and overcoming the same fears first born in childhood.
There are HEAVY topics explored in this one: everything from child abandonment, allegations of kidnapping, and the foster care system...and yet, as deep as this one goes, it has a certain buoyancy and whimsy that keeps even the darkest moments from feeling like a shadow. Part of this is due to the complex and LOVABLE characters Shaffer has created. Everyone from our MC Lucy to the mysterious Jack Masterson to the sensitive and multilayered illustrator Hugo shines, and as a reader, you can't help but be drawn to them. Though Masterson strays from the over-the-top silliness of Wonka, he has just enough of a grin in his words and a twinkle in his eyes to keep everyone guessing, and his 'writing factory' is the stuff of every bibliophile's dream (complete with Bird In Residence, Thurl Ravenscroft!)
Though I am emotional to the core, I rarely find a read that makes me laugh OR cry...and this one handily did both. Multiple times. This is the sort of book that once you MANAGE to put it down, you will not be able to stop thinking about it. I actually told myself to slow down MULTIPLE times while reading because I was just aching to savor it. Much like childhood, once you realize how magical it can actually be, it's just about gone. There's just something about the books you read at a young age that stirs something inside you, no matter how many years it's been, and I feel the same way about books like Charlotte's Web: I enjoyed it at 8 and would still enjoy it at 80. The Wishing Game has this same sort of transcendent, ethereal quality: it shines in 2023 and will STILL shine in 2123...and beyond.
One of my favorite reads of this year, and perhaps even the past few, The Wishing Game reminded me of the dedication at the beginning of the film adaptation of the Wizard of Oz: "For nearly forty years this story has given faithful service to the Young in Heart; and Time has been powerless to put its kindly philosophy out of fashion. To those of you who have been faithful to it in return ...and to the Young in Heart ...we dedicate this picture."
And if this book is any indication of the future Shaffer has in store, she could just be the next effortlessly timeless writer we have ALL been waiting to find...somewhere at the end of the rainbow. 🌈
5 stars
Nominated for Best Debut and Best Fiction in the Goodreads Choice Awards! Now in paperback!!
June 30, 2023
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is a Book About Books!
When Lucy Hart was a child, she found the love she lacked at home in books and her favorites were from the Clock Island series by children's author Jack Masterson.
Lucy was so taken by these books that at age thirteen she ran away to Clock Island with the dream of living with her favorite author.
Thirteen years later...
Jack Masterson reappears to announce he's written a new book in the Clock Island series and will hold a contest on his private island where four hand-picked readers will compete to win the only copy, the manuscript.
At age twenty-six, Lucy has a different dream now. When she's about to give up hope, she receives a blue envelope with news she'll be traveling to Clock Island as one of the four readers chosen to compete in the competition.
This could be Lucy's chance of making her dream of a better future come true...
My initial thought about The Wishing Game? It was slow and written for a younger reader and audience. My hope was the pace would pick-up and the writing would age-up as the story progressed.
That's exactly what happens beginning with Part Three. The pace picks up, the story gets meatier, and becomes verifiably Women's Fiction through the remainder of the story.
The Magical Realism was a bit sparse but the magic of the story and the island was definitely thick and mysterious. It has a great mix of characters but the story primarily focuses on Lucy, Jack, and Hugo who is Jack's illustrator and his right-hand for just about everything.
The island and the Clock Island books feel like characters, too. This story stirs fond memories of those fun childhood experiences with books that lead your imagination into delightful free-fall.
I recommend The Wishing Game to readers who enjoy a little magic, a little romance, and a little bit of YA in a Women's Fiction Book about Books!
3.75 stars rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Meg Shaffer for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
When Lucy Hart was a child, she found the love she lacked at home in books and her favorites were from the Clock Island series by children's author Jack Masterson.
Lucy was so taken by these books that at age thirteen she ran away to Clock Island with the dream of living with her favorite author.
Thirteen years later...
Jack Masterson reappears to announce he's written a new book in the Clock Island series and will hold a contest on his private island where four hand-picked readers will compete to win the only copy, the manuscript.
At age twenty-six, Lucy has a different dream now. When she's about to give up hope, she receives a blue envelope with news she'll be traveling to Clock Island as one of the four readers chosen to compete in the competition.
This could be Lucy's chance of making her dream of a better future come true...
My initial thought about The Wishing Game? It was slow and written for a younger reader and audience. My hope was the pace would pick-up and the writing would age-up as the story progressed.
That's exactly what happens beginning with Part Three. The pace picks up, the story gets meatier, and becomes verifiably Women's Fiction through the remainder of the story.
The Magical Realism was a bit sparse but the magic of the story and the island was definitely thick and mysterious. It has a great mix of characters but the story primarily focuses on Lucy, Jack, and Hugo who is Jack's illustrator and his right-hand for just about everything.
The island and the Clock Island books feel like characters, too. This story stirs fond memories of those fun childhood experiences with books that lead your imagination into delightful free-fall.
I recommend The Wishing Game to readers who enjoy a little magic, a little romance, and a little bit of YA in a Women's Fiction Book about Books!
3.75 stars rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Meg Shaffer for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
May 6, 2023
2.5 Stars, rounding up
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.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
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.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
June 13, 2023
It’s shocking to me that this has such raving reviews despite the wildly inappropriate relationship depicted between a 26yo teacher’s aide and a 7 yo orphaned boy. They have no connection outside of the fact that he was her student, yet she’s obsessed with adopting him because she loves him the most. She puts him in her lap and cuddles and kisses him at school. It’s creepy, gross, and I was uncomfortable reading it.
She’s completely unqualified to adopt any kid. No car, very little money, and living in an apartment with several college kids who drink and smoke. And yet she believes herself to be the best “mother” (her words, constantly) simply because she loves him the most (again, no connection outside the fact that he’s her student). Not only that, but the other teacher agrees with her and thinks the kid’s social worker is dumb by not allowing her to adopt? Absolutely not.
The foster home she’s trying to save him from is keeping him fed, clothed, safe in his own room, with no abuse whatsoever, but she thinks he shouldn’t be there because the foster mother gives more attention to the two sick newborns she has. Which… yes… obviously…
It’s similar to her trauma I guess, which is that she wasn’t prioritised by her parents because they were always in the hospital with her chronically ill sister. Lord spare me.
I think it tries to make a point about being a poor parent in the US, but it’s so far off the mark I can’t even laugh.
DNF, absolutely would not recommend, and I’m shocked that this has been glossed over by so many other reviewers.
She’s completely unqualified to adopt any kid. No car, very little money, and living in an apartment with several college kids who drink and smoke. And yet she believes herself to be the best “mother” (her words, constantly) simply because she loves him the most (again, no connection outside the fact that he’s her student). Not only that, but the other teacher agrees with her and thinks the kid’s social worker is dumb by not allowing her to adopt? Absolutely not.
The foster home she’s trying to save him from is keeping him fed, clothed, safe in his own room, with no abuse whatsoever, but she thinks he shouldn’t be there because the foster mother gives more attention to the two sick newborns she has. Which… yes… obviously…
It’s similar to her trauma I guess, which is that she wasn’t prioritised by her parents because they were always in the hospital with her chronically ill sister. Lord spare me.
I think it tries to make a point about being a poor parent in the US, but it’s so far off the mark I can’t even laugh.
DNF, absolutely would not recommend, and I’m shocked that this has been glossed over by so many other reviewers.
May 30, 2023
♥️🙌🏼♥️ 4.5* For those of you who grew up loving Willy Wonka's Charlie & The Chocolate Factory with hope you could win the "Golden Ticket" to help change a winner's life than this one is for you! Who hasn't wanted to meet their favorite author and live out their childhood dream through a book? Everything spilled out as mythical but yet it was strangely real-life fantasy...if you can tie it all together. Jack Masterson is the author of The Clock Island series. A few incidences have occurred in his life which have put him in hiding and not writing anymore. His illustrator Hugo, a very handsome man, is tired of the isolation and being a companion watching over Jack for reasons that will appear near the end of the book.
When Jack decides to write another book for the series, he also decides to have a contest so a winner will be able to make his/her life better. This is when 26 year old Lucy Hart comes into focus. Her life has been one of neglect and she spends her days as a teacher's aide to help other children. One particular 7 year old boy, Christopher, has lost his parents and was placed into foster care. Lucy wants to adopt him, but was not approved due to lack of funds and a home for him. She enters the contest because The Clock Series helped her through life and she has read them to Christopher to help him. She had run away from home to Clock Island when she was 13 years old hoping she could live there with the author and knows everything about the books.
There are so many awakenings in the book! Each character has suffered a loss and lack of stability. With four potential winners chosen to come to the island for the contest, you will have so many moments of anticipation and hope for Lucy.
This was a fun heartfelt book and sometimes tearful due to the plight each character has suffered, but the competition is about to begin. Do not miss out on your "Wish"!!!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange for my review!
When Jack decides to write another book for the series, he also decides to have a contest so a winner will be able to make his/her life better. This is when 26 year old Lucy Hart comes into focus. Her life has been one of neglect and she spends her days as a teacher's aide to help other children. One particular 7 year old boy, Christopher, has lost his parents and was placed into foster care. Lucy wants to adopt him, but was not approved due to lack of funds and a home for him. She enters the contest because The Clock Series helped her through life and she has read them to Christopher to help him. She had run away from home to Clock Island when she was 13 years old hoping she could live there with the author and knows everything about the books.
There are so many awakenings in the book! Each character has suffered a loss and lack of stability. With four potential winners chosen to come to the island for the contest, you will have so many moments of anticipation and hope for Lucy.
This was a fun heartfelt book and sometimes tearful due to the plight each character has suffered, but the competition is about to begin. Do not miss out on your "Wish"!!!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange for my review!
April 26, 2023
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"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.”
I loved this book so much, it was such a beautiful story about how books can change the reader and I am a firm believer that books help people young and old. This book will resonate with Harry Potter fans (which I am not) who enjoyed that series as a kid (my kid did)...They'll have lots in common with Lucy and her love of The Clock Island books.
Many reviews have said this is more young adult fare but I didn't find it so. There is magic, romance and a difficult foster-to-adopt situation. Lucy also deals with having a limited income, so she does her job as a teaching assistant and supplements her income with her knitted scarves on Esty. I found those subjects a little too adult for this to be kids' fiction but I think kids could enjoy it too. Parts of this book broke my heart but it is ultimately a joyful story.
This was a truly unique book, even though it has remnants of Willy Wonka, but with the kids coming back as adults! I loved the characters, it sucked me in right away and I read it in a couple of sittings making this book perfect for readers young and old.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
"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.”
I loved this book so much, it was such a beautiful story about how books can change the reader and I am a firm believer that books help people young and old. This book will resonate with Harry Potter fans (which I am not) who enjoyed that series as a kid (my kid did)...They'll have lots in common with Lucy and her love of The Clock Island books.
Many reviews have said this is more young adult fare but I didn't find it so. There is magic, romance and a difficult foster-to-adopt situation. Lucy also deals with having a limited income, so she does her job as a teaching assistant and supplements her income with her knitted scarves on Esty. I found those subjects a little too adult for this to be kids' fiction but I think kids could enjoy it too. Parts of this book broke my heart but it is ultimately a joyful story.
This was a truly unique book, even though it has remnants of Willy Wonka, but with the kids coming back as adults! I loved the characters, it sucked me in right away and I read it in a couple of sittings making this book perfect for readers young and old.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
May 26, 2023
In a Nutshell: ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ without the “wonkiness”. [Pun intended.] I loved this book almost till the end. A sweet and beautiful read that will warm the cockles of your heart despite some sappy elements.
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
😍 Though the story was quite straightforward and almost predictable, it was very tough to keep aside. The plot is a nice combination of emotional and heartwarming.
😍 As readers, what do we most love? Books! And when there are books about books, hallelujah! I simply loved the role books played in this plot, right from alleviating fears to providing imaginary escapes from tough situations to simply spreading joy and laughter. There were even some chapters that were written as “excerpts” from Jack’s Clock Island books. These were the perfect addition to the story. All the bookish elements were a bibliophile’s delight.
😍 While I love the premise of Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate factory’, Willy Wonka wasn’t really my favourite character. So imagine a similar premise, where you get a ‘golden ticket’ to Clock Island, and weirdo Wonka is replaced by the masterful maverick Masterson. I simply loved Jack’s character – he was the lynchpin of the plot in so many ways. Because we don’t hear from his character directly, he gets maximum attention from us and just as the children in the book, we hang on to his every word.
😍 The remaining characters too were as goody-goody as expected in this plot. Lucy, though a tad too impulsive and impractical, had a heart of gold. Christopher is one of the cutest child characters I have ever read. I wish I could just hop into the book and hug him tight! And what can I say about Hugo Reese! The typical romantic coconut – hard exterior, soft interior. First time ever I saw a lead character with arm tattoos! The secondary characters are mostly cookie-cutter, but a few of them still make their presence felt.
😍 The titular ‘wishing game’ refers to multiple things in the plot, one of which is the game that Lucy and the other three contestants have to play to win Jack’s prize. I enjoyed this game as well, with the riddles adding to the fun element.
😍 Through Christopher’s story, we also get a look at the foster care system. Though the author has deliberately focussed only on hopeful elements, the book still offers a touching, albeit somewhat saddening glimpse of a system overloaded with needy children looking for care and love.
😍 There are several other dark and depressing themes, but most of these are mentioned in passing, thereby keeping the impact on the lighter side. This works well for the plot because the positive vibes would otherwise have been killed by the sombre elements.
😍 Clock Island is not just the name of the book series but also a location. And man, what a location it is! Right from the rooms in the main house to its various clock spots, the whole island seems like the perfect spot to live in. To top it all, the book has a map of the island at the start!
😍 While there are hints of attraction in the story, romance never takes centre stage, which remains firmly focussed on the personal development of the characters. This always works to my benefit as I hate insta-attraction stories.
Bookish Nays:
😔 One particular writing choice towards the end disappointed me. That development simply wasn’t needed, and it felt like a satisfactory track had been purposely manipulated to heighten the emotional shock. Cutting off that part from the book wouldn’t have made any difference, or rather, would have improved the book.
😔 Certain elements in Lucy’s backstory also felt farfetched. Her reason for staying away from certain people wasn’t convincing. The big reveal in her arc reminded me of a Jodi Picoult book—not revealing the name here as it is akin to a spoiler—but it didn’t come across realistically in this story.
😔 Just as in the Roald Dahl book, you know who will be the winner. So the proceedings are somewhat guessable. Then again, this genre thrives on a guaranteed HEA, and the HEA is delivered to our satisfaction. But a small part of me wishes it had explored the boundaries of predictability and even gone beyond.
All in all, this was one of those books where you know how things will go but you still can't stop reading. The fast pacing also helped. Especially considering that this was a debut work, the author has handled it quite well.
For most of the book, I was accompanied by my Shoulder Angel and my Shoulder Devil. Angel was going all gooey-eyed, laughing and crying along with the candy-sweet plot developments while Devil was rolling his (her?) eyes at the improbability of the mushiness and the predictability. Angel and I decided to ignore Devil and relish the read with all our heart. But the final couple of chapters proved Devil correct as the emotional manipulation went a step too far with the introduction of the unnecessary plot point. Thereafter, Devil convinced me to lower my rating to 4 stars even though Angel was comfortably perched on the 4.5 stars mark. 4.25 is a way of keeping them both happy.
Recommended to those who would love to read a touching found-family style story with plenty of fun and emotional moments.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Wishing Game”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
This was a buddy read with Srivalli, and our good streak continues, thankfully. Both of us had similar feelings about the book. Do check out her review as well.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Six years ago came the last book in the long-running Clock Island series. Since then, children’s book author Jack Masterson has stayed reclusive. Until now, when he has announced a brand-new Clock Island book and a special competition, offering the winner a mind-blowing prize.
Lucy Hart has always been a huge fan of the Clock Island series and of its author. As a teacher’s aide, the twenty-six year old shares her love of reading with her little charges, especially with seven year old Christopher, an orphaned child who loves his teacher more than anyone else. Lucy dreams of adopting Christopher, but her financial situation doesn’t allow her to fulfil her dream.
Masterson’s competition seems like a dream come true, and all Lucy has to do is to win his competition. But as we all know, dreams go hand in hand with perils.
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of mostly of Lucy and Hugo, Jack’s illustrator.
Bookish Yays:
😍 Though the story was quite straightforward and almost predictable, it was very tough to keep aside. The plot is a nice combination of emotional and heartwarming.
😍 As readers, what do we most love? Books! And when there are books about books, hallelujah! I simply loved the role books played in this plot, right from alleviating fears to providing imaginary escapes from tough situations to simply spreading joy and laughter. There were even some chapters that were written as “excerpts” from Jack’s Clock Island books. These were the perfect addition to the story. All the bookish elements were a bibliophile’s delight.
😍 While I love the premise of Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate factory’, Willy Wonka wasn’t really my favourite character. So imagine a similar premise, where you get a ‘golden ticket’ to Clock Island, and weirdo Wonka is replaced by the masterful maverick Masterson. I simply loved Jack’s character – he was the lynchpin of the plot in so many ways. Because we don’t hear from his character directly, he gets maximum attention from us and just as the children in the book, we hang on to his every word.
😍 The remaining characters too were as goody-goody as expected in this plot. Lucy, though a tad too impulsive and impractical, had a heart of gold. Christopher is one of the cutest child characters I have ever read. I wish I could just hop into the book and hug him tight! And what can I say about Hugo Reese! The typical romantic coconut – hard exterior, soft interior. First time ever I saw a lead character with arm tattoos! The secondary characters are mostly cookie-cutter, but a few of them still make their presence felt.
😍 The titular ‘wishing game’ refers to multiple things in the plot, one of which is the game that Lucy and the other three contestants have to play to win Jack’s prize. I enjoyed this game as well, with the riddles adding to the fun element.
😍 Through Christopher’s story, we also get a look at the foster care system. Though the author has deliberately focussed only on hopeful elements, the book still offers a touching, albeit somewhat saddening glimpse of a system overloaded with needy children looking for care and love.
😍 There are several other dark and depressing themes, but most of these are mentioned in passing, thereby keeping the impact on the lighter side. This works well for the plot because the positive vibes would otherwise have been killed by the sombre elements.
😍 Clock Island is not just the name of the book series but also a location. And man, what a location it is! Right from the rooms in the main house to its various clock spots, the whole island seems like the perfect spot to live in. To top it all, the book has a map of the island at the start!
😍 While there are hints of attraction in the story, romance never takes centre stage, which remains firmly focussed on the personal development of the characters. This always works to my benefit as I hate insta-attraction stories.
Bookish Nays:
😔 One particular writing choice towards the end disappointed me. That development simply wasn’t needed, and it felt like a satisfactory track had been purposely manipulated to heighten the emotional shock. Cutting off that part from the book wouldn’t have made any difference, or rather, would have improved the book.
😔 Certain elements in Lucy’s backstory also felt farfetched. Her reason for staying away from certain people wasn’t convincing. The big reveal in her arc reminded me of a Jodi Picoult book—not revealing the name here as it is akin to a spoiler—but it didn’t come across realistically in this story.
😔 Just as in the Roald Dahl book, you know who will be the winner. So the proceedings are somewhat guessable. Then again, this genre thrives on a guaranteed HEA, and the HEA is delivered to our satisfaction. But a small part of me wishes it had explored the boundaries of predictability and even gone beyond.
All in all, this was one of those books where you know how things will go but you still can't stop reading. The fast pacing also helped. Especially considering that this was a debut work, the author has handled it quite well.
For most of the book, I was accompanied by my Shoulder Angel and my Shoulder Devil. Angel was going all gooey-eyed, laughing and crying along with the candy-sweet plot developments while Devil was rolling his (her?) eyes at the improbability of the mushiness and the predictability. Angel and I decided to ignore Devil and relish the read with all our heart. But the final couple of chapters proved Devil correct as the emotional manipulation went a step too far with the introduction of the unnecessary plot point. Thereafter, Devil convinced me to lower my rating to 4 stars even though Angel was comfortably perched on the 4.5 stars mark. 4.25 is a way of keeping them both happy.
Recommended to those who would love to read a touching found-family style story with plenty of fun and emotional moments.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Wishing Game”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
This was a buddy read with Srivalli, and our good streak continues, thankfully. Both of us had similar feelings about the book. Do check out her review as well.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
October 17, 2024
i find myself as part of the minority once again 😕
the dynamic between children and adults felt strangely inappropriate and made me uncomfortable. not to mention the main character was insufferable.
(there are a lot of 1 and 2 star reviews that touch on the relationships between kids + adults and go more in depth if you’re curious.)
the dynamic between children and adults felt strangely inappropriate and made me uncomfortable. not to mention the main character was insufferable.
(there are a lot of 1 and 2 star reviews that touch on the relationships between kids + adults and go more in depth if you’re curious.)
May 30, 2023
“However small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance was there.” - Ronald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Jack Masterson, the author of the beloved Clock Island series, quit writing years ago without explanation. He had a huge fan base and children would write to him telling him their wishes. His beloved books were missed by all, but now he has a new book coming out! Imagine the excitement felt by fans worldwide when they learned about the new book. But there is a catch, isn't there always a catch? He is holding a contest at his home on the real clock island, and he is inviting a select few to participate. The winner will receive the one and only copy of the book!!!! woohoo.
Lucy has loved the Clock Island series since she was eight years old. She even ran away once to Masterson's house on Clock Island hoping to be his sidekick. She has never lost her love of reading and works as a teacher's aide and wants nothing more than to adopt seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who became an orphan after tragedy.
Back on Clock Island, Lucy meets Jack Masterson and his assistant, Hugo. She also meets the other contestants, and the competition begins. Not only are they competition against each other, they must contend with a lurking attorney who wants to bribe contestants to sell the book to his client if they win.
This was such a delightful book full of beautiful passages. I hung on to the words and as I was drawn into the story. I have been a bookworm since childhood and loved how the author showed the characters’ love of books and how books take readers on journeys and have impacts on their lives. I also loved the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory feel. I watch Gene Wilder version every year.
Reading this book was like a big warm hug. The book touches on family and what makes a family, love, wishes, generosity, kindness, books, facing your fears, dreams and finding your home. It was lovely, moving and thought provoking. I loved the characters and their backstories. There was so much heart in this book.
Well written, moving, and hard to put down.
4.5 stars
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
#TheWishingGame #NetGalley #MegShaffer
Jack Masterson, the author of the beloved Clock Island series, quit writing years ago without explanation. He had a huge fan base and children would write to him telling him their wishes. His beloved books were missed by all, but now he has a new book coming out! Imagine the excitement felt by fans worldwide when they learned about the new book. But there is a catch, isn't there always a catch? He is holding a contest at his home on the real clock island, and he is inviting a select few to participate. The winner will receive the one and only copy of the book!!!! woohoo.
Lucy has loved the Clock Island series since she was eight years old. She even ran away once to Masterson's house on Clock Island hoping to be his sidekick. She has never lost her love of reading and works as a teacher's aide and wants nothing more than to adopt seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who became an orphan after tragedy.
Back on Clock Island, Lucy meets Jack Masterson and his assistant, Hugo. She also meets the other contestants, and the competition begins. Not only are they competition against each other, they must contend with a lurking attorney who wants to bribe contestants to sell the book to his client if they win.
This was such a delightful book full of beautiful passages. I hung on to the words and as I was drawn into the story. I have been a bookworm since childhood and loved how the author showed the characters’ love of books and how books take readers on journeys and have impacts on their lives. I also loved the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory feel. I watch Gene Wilder version every year.
Reading this book was like a big warm hug. The book touches on family and what makes a family, love, wishes, generosity, kindness, books, facing your fears, dreams and finding your home. It was lovely, moving and thought provoking. I loved the characters and their backstories. There was so much heart in this book.
Well written, moving, and hard to put down.
4.5 stars
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
#TheWishingGame #NetGalley #MegShaffer
February 2, 2024
Gdybym była książką to byłabym właśnie tą książką.
September 3, 2024
“The stories write us, you see. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it…it changes us.”
And this book did just that! Starting my reading month of September off strong. After reading "The Lost Story" by this author and rating it five stars, this was a must read for me. I can't believe it sat on my tbr as long as it did because Meg Shaffer is a mastermind at creating magic. Her writing focuses on deeper issues but has a way of making it both whimsical and magical. She has easily become a must read author for me. This book gave me all the cozy and heartwarming feels I wanted. A book I just want to wrap my arms around and hold on to forever.
*:･ﾟ✧Plot*:･ﾟ✧
Lucy Hart is a teacher's aide, who grew up knowing what it was like to not have or feel the love of her parents. As a child she found solace in books, especially her favorite the Clock Island books by Jack Masterson. When one of her students tragically looses both of his parents she reads to him from the same books. Lucy wants nothing more than to give Christopher the love he deserves. The issue: she is a single woman who doesn't make enough money, who doesn't have her own car, and who lives with roommates. She doesn't have the money or the stability to give him the life he deserves.
When Lucy almost gives up hope, she gets a mysterious letter inviting her to Clock Island for a contest. The winner of the contest will win the one and only copy of a new edition to the Clock Island series. Lucy sees this as a way to help her and Christopher's wish come true.
*:･ﾟ✧Characters*:･ﾟ✧
✨Lucy-Lucy is such a loveable character. Everything about her makes you just want to root for her to win. She grew up in a household where even her own parents and sister didn't want her so she found solace in books to get through her days alone. Regardless of her childhood she became a woman who loves openly and wants to give children the one thing she didn't receive....Love.
✨Christopher-This boy grabbed my heartstrings from the moment he was introduced into the story. I just wanted to wrap him up in my arms and love him forever. He is a seven year old little boy who has experienced so much trauma already but he is so smart and funny and brave.
✨Jack Masterson-The author of the Clock Island series and the mastermind behind the contest. A man who is mysterious and always talks in riddles. A true child at heart he only wants to grant the wishes of children...imagine "Willy Wonka from the The Chocolate Factory" vibes.
✨Hugo-the illustrator of the Clock Island books and lives on the island with Jack. Trying to find his way after living on the island for so many years, he is struggling to decide whether or not to finally make a life for himself off the island.
Every single one of the characters will make you fall in love with them. They are all heartwarming and loveable. I want to carry every single one of them with me forever. This story focuses on love, friendship, forgiveness, family, dreams, and facing your fears. Magical realism with riddles and games and found family...how can you not love this. I would highly recommend this one to everyone.
*:･ﾟ✧Favorite Quotes*:･ﾟ✧
“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”
“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.”
“Because only brave children know that wishing is never enough. You have to try to make your own wishes come true.”
"You can't win until you face your fears. Until you face your fears, your fears are winning.”
✨Thank you to my besties Noi and Bella for reading this one with me!✨
July 16, 2023
“Tick-tock. Welcome to the Clock.”
How I wish Clock Island existed in the real world, outside the pages of Meg Shaffer’s debut novel, The Wishing Game. I’d be on my way to Maine right about now, just so I could see it with my own eyes. My boys would be in tow; my husband, too … his complaints and all.
I grew up loving Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, the original movie starring Gene Wilder, and later also loved Roald Dahl’s classic book upon which the movie is based. Which is why it doesn’t surprise me in the least that I adored Shaffer’s whimsical tale of a magical contest on a fairy tale island and the woman, Lucy, who wants to win the prize more than anything.
At its core, the novel is a simple, heartwarming story, one filled with lovable characters and fun riddles and games. There’s some light romance to it, too, and it has loads of feel-good moments involving friendship and found family.
But I wanted a touch more from it. Greater depth, richer characterization, and smoother dialogue, especially coming from the secondary characters. Some of the conversations in the story are rather stilted.
And is it just me, or does Lucy’s relationship with the child, Christopher, feel a bit odd? Their closeness and how they talked about Lucy being his mom seemed borderline inappropriate, especially in a school setting. I don’t know – perhaps I need to adjust the way I see it.
Still, a magical book, The Wishing Game. The nostalgia of it, the coziness of it. It’s like a big bookish hug from your best friend.
How I wish Clock Island existed in the real world, outside the pages of Meg Shaffer’s debut novel, The Wishing Game. I’d be on my way to Maine right about now, just so I could see it with my own eyes. My boys would be in tow; my husband, too … his complaints and all.
I grew up loving Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, the original movie starring Gene Wilder, and later also loved Roald Dahl’s classic book upon which the movie is based. Which is why it doesn’t surprise me in the least that I adored Shaffer’s whimsical tale of a magical contest on a fairy tale island and the woman, Lucy, who wants to win the prize more than anything.
At its core, the novel is a simple, heartwarming story, one filled with lovable characters and fun riddles and games. There’s some light romance to it, too, and it has loads of feel-good moments involving friendship and found family.
But I wanted a touch more from it. Greater depth, richer characterization, and smoother dialogue, especially coming from the secondary characters. Some of the conversations in the story are rather stilted.
And is it just me, or does Lucy’s relationship with the child, Christopher, feel a bit odd? Their closeness and how they talked about Lucy being his mom seemed borderline inappropriate, especially in a school setting. I don’t know – perhaps I need to adjust the way I see it.
Still, a magical book, The Wishing Game. The nostalgia of it, the coziness of it. It’s like a big bookish hug from your best friend.
May 26, 2023
Lovely book. A book lover's homage to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
This was just a feel good story for me from start to finish. This is not a deep contemplative tale, it's a simple story of love, found family, and forgiveness.
Jack Masterson is the beloved author of the Clock Island children's book series. He actually lives on Clock Island, right off the coast of Maine. Yet, for some reason, he has not written a book in six years. Lucy is a kindergarten aide with dreams to adopt seven-year-old Christopher. Unfortunately, a series of poor choices has left her deep in debt sharing an apartment with college students. When she was a child, due to her own family struggles, Lucy ran away to Clock Island and met Jack. News is released that he has written a new novel and has sent out invitations to four people to participate in a game in order to win rights to the book. Lucy receives one of these invitations and sets out on an adventure to claim what she wishes for most--the ability to have a family.
I enjoyed getting to know Jack, Hugo (his illustrator), Lucy, Christopher, and the rest of the characters. They each have their own struggles and heartache, and the ending is a lovely testament to power of love and friendship. Implausible, yes, but don't we all need a good fairy tale ending sometimes?
There are many nods to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and each one brought a smile of recognition to my face. There are games and riddles that the characters have to figure out and I totally enjoyed trying to figure them out myself. The book is whimsical, yes, but there is some depth here. Lucy had been through a lot, and I appreciated how she embraced growth and forgiveness when it was offered to her, even though she was fearful of being hurt again.
If you enjoy books about books, filled with fun and adventure, look no further than this delightful debut. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This was just a feel good story for me from start to finish. This is not a deep contemplative tale, it's a simple story of love, found family, and forgiveness.
Jack Masterson is the beloved author of the Clock Island children's book series. He actually lives on Clock Island, right off the coast of Maine. Yet, for some reason, he has not written a book in six years. Lucy is a kindergarten aide with dreams to adopt seven-year-old Christopher. Unfortunately, a series of poor choices has left her deep in debt sharing an apartment with college students. When she was a child, due to her own family struggles, Lucy ran away to Clock Island and met Jack. News is released that he has written a new novel and has sent out invitations to four people to participate in a game in order to win rights to the book. Lucy receives one of these invitations and sets out on an adventure to claim what she wishes for most--the ability to have a family.
I enjoyed getting to know Jack, Hugo (his illustrator), Lucy, Christopher, and the rest of the characters. They each have their own struggles and heartache, and the ending is a lovely testament to power of love and friendship. Implausible, yes, but don't we all need a good fairy tale ending sometimes?
There are many nods to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and each one brought a smile of recognition to my face. There are games and riddles that the characters have to figure out and I totally enjoyed trying to figure them out myself. The book is whimsical, yes, but there is some depth here. Lucy had been through a lot, and I appreciated how she embraced growth and forgiveness when it was offered to her, even though she was fearful of being hurt again.
If you enjoy books about books, filled with fun and adventure, look no further than this delightful debut. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
December 23, 2024
I absolutely loved this wonderful book of wishes 🤗🤓 It’s whimsical and heartwarming, all while having a generous message of love. ❤️
June 21, 2023
I saw nothing but rave reviews of this which has me wondering if we're all reading the same book.
The Wishing Game opens on Lucy, a 26 year old teaching assistant who lives with multiple roommates in a rundown apartment, telling a former student in her class who found his parents dead two years before that she's saving up to be his mom (he's in foster care currently). She's saddled with credit card debt and has no car but she's already told this kid she'll adopt him with her "babysitting and knitting" money. I mean, imagine thinking it's a good idea to promise something entirely out of your control to a child who has experienced trauma so early in their life. Lucy proceeds to have an entirely inappropriate relationship with this student, calling him at home, cuddling with him. There's even a scene where, unless I totally misunderstood, Lucy let's Christopher into her BED after his parents die. WHAT?
Lucy feels so strongly about wanting to give a home to her student Christopher because she herself experienced loneliness and neglect as a child. She tells us this is because her parents didn't like her as much as her sister but pretty quickly we realize that maybe Lucy's parents didn't care more for her sister but rather that her sister had complex medical issues as a child that required the parents attention. No doubt Lucy could have suffered as a result of that situation and it's not surprising that child Lucy felt neglected and unloved but I find it pretty embarrassing that adult Lucy looks at that experience through the same lens. It's the height of self-centeredness to imagine that parents faced with a tough hand won't make any mistakes. Lucy similarly has no relationship with her sister because of this--her sister who was a sick child during these events but don't ask Lucy to consider that through an adult perspective. Lucy's determination to hold onto her parents caring for her sister as her martyr origin story is just too much. Perhaps Lucy should take her saved up 2k and invest in a therapist.
I know every MC needs a "why" but every "why" in this book felt so contrived. About a quarter of the way through, I was fully dreading going along for the ride with Lucy as the voice in my head but I pushed forward. If you're on the fence at the point, you're probably better off DNFing this one--it does not improve once we find ourselves on Clock Island.
The premise of this was intriguing but none of it landed. Lucy was insufferable. The story had so many silly or icky angles. This just missed all the marks for me.
The Wishing Game opens on Lucy, a 26 year old teaching assistant who lives with multiple roommates in a rundown apartment, telling a former student in her class who found his parents dead two years before that she's saving up to be his mom (he's in foster care currently). She's saddled with credit card debt and has no car but she's already told this kid she'll adopt him with her "babysitting and knitting" money. I mean, imagine thinking it's a good idea to promise something entirely out of your control to a child who has experienced trauma so early in their life. Lucy proceeds to have an entirely inappropriate relationship with this student, calling him at home, cuddling with him. There's even a scene where, unless I totally misunderstood, Lucy let's Christopher into her BED after his parents die. WHAT?
Lucy feels so strongly about wanting to give a home to her student Christopher because she herself experienced loneliness and neglect as a child. She tells us this is because her parents didn't like her as much as her sister but pretty quickly we realize that maybe Lucy's parents didn't care more for her sister but rather that her sister had complex medical issues as a child that required the parents attention. No doubt Lucy could have suffered as a result of that situation and it's not surprising that child Lucy felt neglected and unloved but I find it pretty embarrassing that adult Lucy looks at that experience through the same lens. It's the height of self-centeredness to imagine that parents faced with a tough hand won't make any mistakes. Lucy similarly has no relationship with her sister because of this--her sister who was a sick child during these events but don't ask Lucy to consider that through an adult perspective. Lucy's determination to hold onto her parents caring for her sister as her martyr origin story is just too much. Perhaps Lucy should take her saved up 2k and invest in a therapist.
I know every MC needs a "why" but every "why" in this book felt so contrived. About a quarter of the way through, I was fully dreading going along for the ride with Lucy as the voice in my head but I pushed forward. If you're on the fence at the point, you're probably better off DNFing this one--it does not improve once we find ourselves on Clock Island.
The premise of this was intriguing but none of it landed. Lucy was insufferable. The story had so many silly or icky angles. This just missed all the marks for me.
June 14, 2023
So heartwarming and magical. It’s a nod to Charlie and the chocolate factory and it shows. Amazing characters and the romance didn’t few forced and gah Clock Island, please take me there Immediately.
June 2, 2025
PHENOMENAL!!! What an exquisitely crafted, magical, delightful, heartfelt, and whimsical story that beautifully intertwines themes of found family, love, wishes, dreams and the courage to confront one's fears, creating a truly memorable and emotionally captivating adventure!!! It's brimming with endearing characters, deeply moving plots that tug at the heartstrings, and wrapped up in a generous sprinkle of magic. The Wishing Game is an absolute gem 💎!!! It brought back memories of the beloved classic stories that I adored as a child, such as The Wizard of Oz, Charlotte's Web, and of course, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Clearly, "The Wishing Game" has joined their ranks as one of my all-time favorites, filling my heart with pure joy! These are the kind of stories that will linger in my memories forever!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children's author vanished from the literary scene under mysterious circumstances. Now, Jack Masterson resurfaces with a brand-new book and a captivating competition, promising a life-changing prize to the winner. Enter Lucy Hart, whose turbulent past, marked by neglect and loneliness, finds solace in books, particularly the Clock Island series penned by Masterson. As a devoted teacher's aide, Lucy shares her passion for reading with bright young students, including seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who seeks refuge in stories after losing his parents tragically.
Yearning to adopt Christopher, Lucy's dream seems out of reach due to financial constraints and instability. However, hope flickers when Masterson announces a contest at his home on the fabled Clock Island, where Lucy is selected as one of four contenders vying for the elusive prize: the sole copy of Masterson's new masterpiece. For Lucy, winning means everything, offering a chance at a better life for herself and Christopher. But amid ruthless collectors, cunning adversaries, and the enigmatic yet charming illustrator Hugo Reese, Lucy faces daunting challenges. As the competition unfolds, Lucy realizes that obtaining her deepest desires comes with unexpected consequences, proving the old adage: be careful what you wish for, for you might just get it!!
In conclusion, I was totally mesmerized from start to finish! If you grew up loving Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (like me🥰) with hopes of winning the "Golden Ticket" then this book is for you!! I wholeheartedly recommend this charming book and don't forget to make your wish!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children's author vanished from the literary scene under mysterious circumstances. Now, Jack Masterson resurfaces with a brand-new book and a captivating competition, promising a life-changing prize to the winner. Enter Lucy Hart, whose turbulent past, marked by neglect and loneliness, finds solace in books, particularly the Clock Island series penned by Masterson. As a devoted teacher's aide, Lucy shares her passion for reading with bright young students, including seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who seeks refuge in stories after losing his parents tragically.
Yearning to adopt Christopher, Lucy's dream seems out of reach due to financial constraints and instability. However, hope flickers when Masterson announces a contest at his home on the fabled Clock Island, where Lucy is selected as one of four contenders vying for the elusive prize: the sole copy of Masterson's new masterpiece. For Lucy, winning means everything, offering a chance at a better life for herself and Christopher. But amid ruthless collectors, cunning adversaries, and the enigmatic yet charming illustrator Hugo Reese, Lucy faces daunting challenges. As the competition unfolds, Lucy realizes that obtaining her deepest desires comes with unexpected consequences, proving the old adage: be careful what you wish for, for you might just get it!!
In conclusion, I was totally mesmerized from start to finish! If you grew up loving Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (like me🥰) with hopes of winning the "Golden Ticket" then this book is for you!! I wholeheartedly recommend this charming book and don't forget to make your wish!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 13, 2023
What if you could live in the world of your favorite childhood series? Which one would it be? For Lucy this dream is coming true just in time to give her a chance to adopt a boy and rescue him from foster care. This multi-layered new release is set on Clock Island. The author of the series holds a contest for four adults who have been super fans of his books. One thing I enjoyed was trying to solve the riddles in the challenges. That being said, I though author Jack Masterson was too manipulative. While I really loved Hugo Reese, the illustrator, and was rooting for Lucy to win the contest and adopt Christopher. Does she win? You will have to read the book and find out. 😉
June 8, 2023
In The Wishing Game, Lucy is living with three roommates on the meager salary of a teachers aide. She's estranged from her family but cares deeply about Christopher, a boy who's parents passed away when he was a student in her class. Together they share a love for a 60 volume kids book Lucy read as a kid.
When the author announces he's written one more book, he invites four people to his island to compete for the book. Lucy gets to compete in hopes of making enough money off the book to adopt Christopher.
I was rooting for Lucy and Christopher right away in chapter one, but quickly lost it. Lucy doesn't foster Christopher, so their time together is limited to seeing each other a little bit after school. Despite this, Lucy seems to have this strong desire to adopt Christopher and constantly calls herself his mother. Which I found really odd.
Despite making very little money, not owning a car or a house, being only 26 years old, and living with three other roommates, Lucy thinks she's fit to adopt Christopher. Which...I just couldn't get behind. The social worker has to remind Lucy that he needs more than love, but someone who can drive him to the hospital if he gets sick, and a room of his own as opposed to sleeping on her floor with her roommates.
Which are some solid points. Lucy still doesn't believe that she wouldn't be a good mom.
Then we get to the competition, (more than halfway through the book) marketed as a Willy Wonka like adventure and contest on a mysterious island. Sounds promising? Well, they solve some riddles and play a game of monopoly. And that's pretty much it. It's not even a really detailed intense game of Monopoly, it's described and overwith in about a paragraph. (And no, it's not a game similar to Monopoly, it is literally the hasbro branded Monopoly board game).
To say the least, a wonderful pitch with an execution that left me really disappointed.
There were a few other things that didn't sit right with me, like our love line characters first meeting when he was 25 and she was 13. Or all of the small pointless subplots that cloud the story but don't have anything to add to it.
Thank you Random house for sending me an ARC copy for an honest review
When the author announces he's written one more book, he invites four people to his island to compete for the book. Lucy gets to compete in hopes of making enough money off the book to adopt Christopher.
I was rooting for Lucy and Christopher right away in chapter one, but quickly lost it. Lucy doesn't foster Christopher, so their time together is limited to seeing each other a little bit after school. Despite this, Lucy seems to have this strong desire to adopt Christopher and constantly calls herself his mother. Which I found really odd.
Despite making very little money, not owning a car or a house, being only 26 years old, and living with three other roommates, Lucy thinks she's fit to adopt Christopher. Which...I just couldn't get behind. The social worker has to remind Lucy that he needs more than love, but someone who can drive him to the hospital if he gets sick, and a room of his own as opposed to sleeping on her floor with her roommates.
Which are some solid points. Lucy still doesn't believe that she wouldn't be a good mom.
Then we get to the competition, (more than halfway through the book) marketed as a Willy Wonka like adventure and contest on a mysterious island. Sounds promising? Well, they solve some riddles and play a game of monopoly. And that's pretty much it. It's not even a really detailed intense game of Monopoly, it's described and overwith in about a paragraph. (And no, it's not a game similar to Monopoly, it is literally the hasbro branded Monopoly board game).
To say the least, a wonderful pitch with an execution that left me really disappointed.
There were a few other things that didn't sit right with me, like our love line characters first meeting when he was 25 and she was 13. Or all of the small pointless subplots that cloud the story but don't have anything to add to it.
Thank you Random house for sending me an ARC copy for an honest review
July 25, 2023
my wish is for a time machine to get back the hours i spent reading this book
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