Diana and Finn are just about to go on the trip of a lifetime to the Galapagos Islands when COVID hits. The pair umm and ahh about whether or not to go, but Finn insists that Diana should go ahead without him because he, as a surgeon, will not be allowed to take holiday at this time. But when she arrives in Isabela, Diana wonders if she has made a mistake as the island goes into lockdown and she has to rely on the assistance of the locals as she, along with them, is quarantined on the island for two months.

I enjoyed the first half of the book set in the Galapagos Islands. The second half, back in New York, was less enjoyable. I'm not sure I am quite ready to read books about COVID yet. It still feels very much like an ongoing thing that still feels quite raw to poke at and read about in fiction. However, Jodi Picoult of course can be relied upon to write about the subject in an intelligent and informed way, without sensationalising it, exploring the realities of COVID as experienced both by the many, and also by the few.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Being a huge fan of Jodi Picoult’s book’s, I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of Wish You Were Here. I must admit I was apprehensive when I realised it’s set during the COVID epidemic. I wasn’t sure I was ready to read about COVID. For most of us, it’s been a living nightmare that’s resulted in suffering and an overwhelming sense of fear. But I’m so glad I persevered as this book made for an incredible, poignant read.

Wish You Were Here tells the story of Diana and Finn, Finn is a surgeon in a busy New York hospital, and his girlfriend, Diana is stranded during lockdown on a Galapagos Island. The authors’ breathtaking descriptions of the scenery, people, and the wildlife transport you to the Galapagos. This offers some light relief from Finn’s story, which is hard-hitting and heartbreaking in equal measures.There are so many themes that will resonate with the reader, loss, grief, heartbreak, fear and loneliness. The two settings are worlds apart, and yet each is just as powerful.

Although COVID plays a large part in this novel, there are so many threads that make it such an exquisite read, there are heartbreaking moments, and moments that will make your heart sing. Personally I think Wish You Were Here is one of the best books Jodi Picoult has written, It’s difficult to read a book that you know is going to be emotionally turbulent, and though you will feel every emotion whilst reading this book, I think you won’t regret it. An incredible read about Human resilience in the most terrible times.

A great book. Really well written with the most unexpected twist! I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Galapagos Islands - it was a nice foil to the covid heartbreak her boyfriend was experiencing. Highly recommended.

This is an outstanding read that brilliantly reflects the realities of covid during the early stages of the pandemic when the virus was virulent and treatments were experimental, Diana and Finn were the ideal couple looking forward to their dream holiday in the Galápagos Islands when Finn backs out of the holiday at the last minute to support the covid battle at the hospital at which he is a doctor whilst he encourages Diana to go without him. She reaches the Galápagos Islands at the same time that everything shuts down and finds herself the only tourist on the island. Her experiences on there enchanted me however balanced with that were the absolutely heartbreaking emails from Finn describing the impossible battle he and his fellow doctors and nurses were facing and the overwhelming pressure of his job. Her time on the island caused Diana a lot of introspection about several of her relationships both back home and there and the reality of life back home after stunned me. This is so well researched and really gets to the core of people during the pandemic and how so many lives have been impacted and given so many pause for thought, the writing is incredibly empathetic and transports you so well to the minds and hearts of those affected.

I was riveted by this book and found it a wonderful read. The description of Diana's enforced stay on the Galapagos island absorbed me and I liked the juxtapositioning with the trauma her husband was enduring as a Covid doctor in New York. The twist was completely and utterly unexpected and created a very thought provoking reflection.

Jodi Picoult hits it out of the park again! I don’t want to give any spoilers away from this fantastic book, so my review will be brief.

It’s set during the COVID-19 pandemic and I usually steer clear of these kinds of books (we’re still sort of living it, right!), but this had me hooked. The characters are so believable and I was so invested in Dianna. It really made me stop and think about making ‘life plans’ and how those plans rarely ever work out!

I also would have loved to have known what happened after the very last line of the book too!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Having read and loved every Jodi Picoult book until the Book of Two Ways, I had somewhat mixed feelings about this one.
I didn't read the blurb or anything about it and read it over 2 days (since life made me have to do things)
So there I was yesterday absolutely absorbed in the story and loving it and then I got totally blindsided, My Sister's Keeper style and went to my bed in a huff wondering if I'd missed something.
Then picked it up again today and got hooked in again needing to know how it ended, and I loved it, even though it was nothing like I'd expected.
The imagery of Isabela was so striking and absorbing, particularly with the contrast against Covid hit New York and all that Finn and his fellow medics are dealing with.
The book also covered some things I had limited knowledge of and something I hadn't heard of (would be a spoiler) and educated me some more about Dementia.
I've read a few books recently related to Covid 19 and it's impact and although in places it broke my heart, I came away feeling ultimately positive and uplifted. I feel Picoult has done well at covering all aspects of documenting the pandemic from initially when people thought it wasn't much to worry about to capturing the fear, isolation and worry during lockdowns and to where do we go from here and what do we learn from it.
My thanks to Netgalley and the author for my eARC in return for my honest review.

I had an open mind when I asked to read and review #WisYouWereHere prior to publication. I always like (and sometimes love) Jodi Picoult's novels. She is prolific, as this novel which refers to the Covid-19 pandemic shows. This is about so much more than the pandemic however, It is about family, relationships, destiny and love. I am a fan!
There was a slight feeling of predictability in the first half of the book. This did not last. It really isn't what you think it is going to be (no spoilers) and the book was all the more interesting and meaningful for it.
I would love to know more about how Picoult decided on the plot - as it is so well researched and full of beautiful descriptions of the Galapagos islands. I am pretty sure she couldn't have visited during 2020. It has been added to my bucket list though, it sounds so fascinating.
As well as confidence in describing the place (New York city during the also came to life) the characters were relatable, had depth and made me care about them.
I recommend this lovely novel and hope all readers enjoy it as much as I did. I think they will!

Thanks to Netgalley et all for the chance to read this book. Covid was obviously life changing for millions of people around the world in the most heartbreaking way possible. This book however makes you smile and brings you face. There are twists and turns and this once again is a book not to be missed from the very talented Jodi.

Diana has her dream job working at Sotheby’s and her boyfriend is a resident in one of New York City’s hospitals. They’ve saved up and are counting down to their dream holiday to the Galapagos Islands. Diana accidentally found an engagement ring and guesses that Finn will propose on their dream holiday - thus making it even more special. Whilst they’re counting down for their trip, the world is counting the rising cases of the new mysterious Coronavirus as they pop across the world.

The night before they are due to fly out, Finn tells Diana that he is unable to travel as cases are increasing in New York and he has to stay and work, but he would like to know that she is safe and away from the virus in the Galapagos Islands. He assures her that by the time she comes home, the worst of the Coronavirus will be over. Diana travels to the Galapagos Islands only to find that everything has closed, she’s the only lone traveller on the island, she doesn’t speak Spanish and is forced to rely on the genorosity of the locals.

The story chronicles Diana’s lockdown experiences on the locked island. Her solitude, the difficulties in communicating with Finn back in New York, finding food, exploring the island, slowly forming relationships with locals.

The story shifts to the emergency care of hospitalised Coronavirus patients in New York. Doctors trying different drugs, moving patients to the prone position - trying anything to improve the chances of patients with a virus that people were only learning more about on a daily basis. The exhaustion and frustration healthcare workers felt.

It’s really hard to write a review for this book without any spoilers……. You just have to read it!

This is a book that should resonate with everyone. The last couple of years have been particularly hard and strange with the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, the impact of the lockdowns on relationships and work, and for many the deaths of family and friends.

I didn’t know whether it would be too soon to read a book about Covid-19 whilst we’re still living in a socially distanced world with booster jabs and Covid passports. However, I really enjoyed the book and found it incredibly uplifting and a celebration of what it is to be human. Even though the book is not yet published, after reading the book I’ve pre-ordered books from booksellers to give as gifts for family and friends.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for making this book available to me for a fair and honest review.

One of Jodi Picoult's best stories. She has an amazing ability to come up with stories exploring moral dilemmas; a different one every time. Covid has to be the obvious topic to explore various moral dilemmas, but Picoult's unique spin will surprise even the most sceptical of readers. Her gripping journey into the New York covid world when the pandemic was in its infancy, is clearly well-researched (as are all Picoult's books) and frightening. For a reader who has ben fortunate enough not to have been living in a country where covid was rampant, it was an eye-opener indeed.

And then there is Galapagos; protagonist Diana locked away far from Covid and her exhausted doctor husband in New York; an island escape where she is stripped of her old life and free to find a new one. Would have been idyllic in normal circumstances, but when control over when you can return home is taken away, when off-again, on-again internet doesn't allow any sensible contact with or support of the people you love, or should love, that is a whole new emotional world to negotiate.

Jodi Picoult's author notes/letter to her readers is also very moving and gave me, cocooned far away from covid, some insight about what it must really be like to be afraid to leave your house because of a pandemic.

I absolutely adored this book. I haven't read any book from Picoult before but after this one I will definitely go back for others. Beautiful descriptions, a relatable story and well constructed characters with very interesting relationships (Diana and her mother in particular). It is a must read. Although Covid might be an uncomfortable subject for many, it is included gracefully and with great sensitivity. This was a very happy surprise (for me), don't give it a miss!

Everyone is being affected by Covid 19 pandemic at present so this latest fiction read by Jodi Picoult resonated with me and touched on reality. Diana and her partner Finn are all set on a holiday of a lifetime where Diana is sure Finn is going to propose. Then the world is hit by the devastating virus and Finn is needed at the hospital to care for the endless stream of sick people.
This story is written in a brilliant way that had me invested from page one to the very last. The characters are totally believable and brought to life with care and compassion. Relationships are scrutinised and what ifs are pondered. There are of course some sad events but it is also inspirational and full of hope as there will be a brighter future ahead when this awful time has passed.
My thanks to Net Galley and publishers for the ARC digital copy of Wish You Were Here.

Wish You Were Here was truly such a thoughtful and heartfelt story. Picoult sheds light on unheard stories of the Covid-19 pandemic, frontline workers, survivors and more. It brought out themes of grief, isolation, loss that were definitely accentuated during this difficult time, and this story allows it to resonate with readers worldwide. A poignant, passionate and compelling novel readers will resonate with!

**spoilers!!** I hate reviews that include spoilers and always err on the side of caution, but the very thing I loved most about this book is the biggest spoiler of all… I found this book fascinating. I’ve read before of the phenomenon of people who have undergone a trauma resurfacing with a completely different memory of how the time had been spent. I wasn’t expecting this book to go in that direction and I was enjoying it as a story very well until… well. That twist! I will re-read this story almost immediately as I’m still completely taken by the imagery of the Galapagos- I want to know if knowing how it ends know alters my enjoyment and if there were any hints I missed along the way.

I loved the characters. All of them. Each was relatable and warm in their own way. I also found the description of Covid very believable. It almost makes the story more real as you know it’s based on truth, on a shared experience that we’ve all endured these past few years.

I always enjoy Jodi Picoult’s writing and although I think this is a departure from her usual genre, it’s an exceptionally moving piece of work and I can’t really praise it enough. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

I have been a fan of Jodi Picoult for years and was very excited to receive an early copy of Wish You Were Here for review.

This is a very interesting story, and sets out to fulfill Picoult's own brief of trying to document the strangeness of the pandemic, recognise the extraordinary work of doctors and nurses the world over and to capture the sense of isolation felt by us all.

'Wish you were here' follows the experience of Diana who decided to embark on the holiday of a lifetime but without her boyfriend, a doctor, who is stuck in America facing the frontline of the pandemic. As she arrives she becomes stuck on a island in the Galapagos as the world goes into lockdown. Her isolation is heighten as the island has limited mobile reception or internet service and she does not speak the language however she is able to experience the Galapagos without tourists. she slowly makes friends with ex tour guide and his teenage daughter. As her time on the island continues she start to question the life she leads in America, but all is not quite as it seems and the story takes a new turn.

I think this book was missing Jodi Picoult's characteristic "dilemma". Almost all of her books have hinged on one specific question that keeps the reader up all night. This one, I'm afraid, didn't have such a question.

Further, the topics Jodi Picoult usually covered in her books were topics that ordinary readers had no much insight about. The topic of coronavirus seems a little done-to-death, and though she chose to bring out a strange symptom of coma dreams, I still feel that this book is going to end up becoming a reminder of a bad time to many people. I surely won't be picking up this book for a second read.

In terms of execution and character building, the effort was pretty decent. However, I felt cheated when the whole Galapagos sequence ended up being just a dream. No doubt, the author's goal was showcasing a lesser known symptom of Covid, I feel the dilemma of living in a place free from covid while the rest of the world is suffering would have made for a better plot.

This was my first time being disappointed by a Jodi Picoult book.

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

⭐⭐⭐⭐


Of all the books that we'll get this year, I can't think of one that will resonate with as many readers as Wish You Were Here. Jodi Picoult perfectly captures the emotions we all felt early on in the pandemic, before any of us realised how bad it would get. Diana's journey to Isabel Island might have been more exotic than that of most of us, but it's one we all went on with her. The shock, the isolation and the worry is all perfectly protrayed for us to relive. Like many of us, the pandemic also brought clarity to Diana, a fresh perspective on life and our priorities. The twist at the midway point was so utterly unexpected that, to be honest, I really didn't like it at first. But as I read on, it made so much sense and became the perfect way to continue Diana's story.

Picoult's writing is utterly on point as always. The descriptions of Isabel Island are so vivid and absorbing that I can't be the only one adding the Galapegoes to my bucket list after reading this book. The scenes following Finn as he battles Covid-19 as a doctor on the front line were harrowing and raw. Months down the line it's easy to forget quite how much of an unknown beast the healthcare professionals were fighting and quite how much of a toll it took.

With the engaging characters and realistic story, Wish You Were Here is a book you won't want to put down, but be warned, it isn't an easy or light read. For anyone who lost a loved one to Covid, I worry it might be too soon to pick up this book and relive it all again.

Diana O'Toole and her partner Finn live happily together with their lives mapped out for a golden future. They have booked a fantastic holiday in the Galapagos and everything is all set for them to go to the airport and fly away to paradise. It can’t come too quickly for them both. They have poured through information about the islands and this has made them extra excited and ready for it all to begin.
It is 2020, right at the beginning of Covid19 pandemic. Diana is twenty-nine, and she has the notion that on this holiday Finn will propose to her, she will obviously accept, and hey presto, their lives together and their plans for the future will be put into action. Finn is well appointed in his work as a hospital surgeon and Diane is at the pinnacle of her working life at Sotheby’s in New York City. She has just snaffled up a rich, new female client with a famous piece of art that she wants to put up for auction, This sale will almost certainly earn Diana a huge promotion which will give her the honour of being an Art Specialist, not just an assistant. She is so excited and ready to take steps that will make her secure and living her best life.
Finn arrives home with unwelcome news. He has been asked to cancel his leave and step up to help at the hospital. Covid19 has struck the city hard and the death statistics are growing as fast as lightening. He will be on the frontline trying to save dangerously ill patients who need intubation or oxygen to help them breathe. He will be fighting a battle against the deadly pandemic, unknowing what will happen next. He must honour the promise all doctors take, the Hippocratic Oath, and help his colleagues fight the war against the virus. It is his duty and he cannot ignore what is happening. He certainly cannot go off on holiday at this time. He persuades Diana to travel on her own or else they will lose all the money they saved so hard for. Reluctantly she agrees to travel alone, knowing he wants to keep her safe.
After a long tiring flight she arrives on the Galapagos and travels onwards to the island they have chosen together, Santa Cruz, by ferry. When she arrives at her final destination she finds that their hotel is closed down. Worse still, everything is frozen in time and there are also curfews. She is trapped on this beautiful island and there are no other tourists. The pandemic has caused a total lockdown. She cannot travel home or to anywhere else, she has next to no Wi-Fi and cannot get a message back to New York City to let Finn know that she is safe. She settles down to make the most of her ‘holiday’. She gradually makes friends with the locals who are keen to help her and she loves the island, its wildlife and beauty. Her story continues in Part One and is also directly linked to Part Two. You just have to read this story to see the brilliance of Jodi Picoult and have a great time reading about Diana.
Jodi Picoult is a force to be reckoned with. Not only is she a superb storyteller, but the content of her storyboards is intelligent, charismatic and irresistible. Her research is far reaching, meticulous and totally fascinating, adding huge authenticity to her writing. I always learn something new when I read her latest novel and I am always hooked from her first few chapters and right up to the ending of her book. The development of her characters is spellbinding. She puts them into situations that concern modern issues that matter to everyone, so you are easily able to relate to what is happening. I love her stories unconditionally. There are enormous shocks to come within this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Hodder & Stoughton through my membership of NetGalley. It was sent in return for an honest and unbiased review and I would like to thank them for my copy of this excellent novel. Although it is hard to read at times, because of the content, it still pulls you in and it is so rewarding and full of hope for the future. It’s a well-deserved 4.5* review from me.

Life is good for Diana, an art specialist at Sotheby's, and Finn, a surgical resident at a New York hospital - they're about to fly to the Galápagos Islands where Diana will celebrate her 30th birthday - and where she's pretty sure Finn intends to propose.

But it's March 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic is about to hit. Finn, as a hospital doctor, is needed on the frontline but urges Diana to travel without him. She arrives on Isabela, though, to find an island that is basically closed, with no hotel room, imminent way of getting home - or, with internet that's at best intermittent, of easily contacting Finn.

However there are worse places to wait out a pandemic, as Diana explores the incredibly beautiful island and becomes drawn into the lives of the people she meets, particularly troubled teenager Beatriz and her father Gabriel, and reflects on her own life up to this point.

Interspersed and contrasting starkly with Diana's narrative are emails from Finn, horrifying in their unrelenting depiction of life and death on the frontline. This book is steeped in the world of Covid, and prospective readers should be aware of that - it will not be for everyone. Nevertheless both the harsh realities of the hospital and the outside lockdown world of furlough, flour shortages and two-metre distancing are brilliantly rendered.

The story takes an unexpected turn around the halfway point, upending what we thought we knew.

Few of the reviews I've read have touched much on Diana's relationship with her mother Hannah, an acclaimed photographer now living with dementia, but I found this a very thought-provoking and ultimately curiously satisfying part of the story. Art is another theme, including the work of Toulouse-Lautrec (on this note, I'm not quite sure of the point of having a character who so closely resembled Yoko Ono that she was basically the same person with a different name).

Overall, a captivating if, at times, distressing read which has left me hankering after a trip to the Galápagos Islands.