The Wishing Game
Fiction
Ballantine Books
May 30, 2023
Hardcover
305
Purchased
Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author quit writing under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life in this absorbing and whimsical novel.
Make a wish. . . .
Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability.
But be careful what you wish for. . . .
Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy.
For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever.
. . . You might just get it.
My review:
This is one of those books that could be described as a warm hug (in book form). This story is loosely based on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but with books instead of chocolate. Such an absorbing tale, starting with the reclusive author and his illustrator down to the little boy looking for a forever home. The story starts with a bit of background on author Jack and protagonist Lucy. Interwoven with their stories we also get those of Hugo and Christopher. Once the game started on Clock Island, I wasn't sure if my interest would wane a bit, but instead I was fascinated with how the author came up with the game tasks. As the game progresses we finally learn why the author stopped writing, and the ending was so worth the read. I could have done without the semi romance between two of the characters, but luckily it was not a huge focus so I could overlook it.
If you need a feel good book that will probably bring you back to all those book series you read as a child (here's looking at you Nancy Drew!), with some gamesmanship and lovable characters thrown into the mix, you need to get your hands on a copy of this. And with a book cover like this, how could you not want to pick it up?
