The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

The Wishing Game

Author: Meg Shaffer

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Format: Digital ARC

Publish Date: May 2023

Read: January 2023

Favorite Quote: Wasting talent like yours is like burning a pile of money in front of a poorhouse. It’s cruel and it stinks.

Story Synopsis: Lucy works as a kindergarten teacher’s assistant in California. When one of her students, Christopher, tragically ends up in foster care, Lucy becomes determined to adopt him. Just when Lucy thinks her dreams are shattered, her favorite childhood author invites Lucy and three others to his private island on the coast of Maine for a game. The objective: compete against one another and the winner will receive the only copy of the last book of his famous children’s series. The winner can sell the rights, auction it, burn it - whatever he or she wants. But to do win, all the participants must answer riddles, deal with the whims of a writer, and face their fears.

Why does this book beguile? The Wishing Game is a lovely work of contemporary fiction. It’s warm, lighthearted, and whimsical. The characters are complex, but the plot isn’t slowed down by their arcs. I took a chance on requesting The Wishing Game as an ARC and I’m glad I did. Shaffer did a great job with this debut novel!

Rating: 5/5

Link*: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer