I loved this book, so much so that I finished it in the middle of the night as I just couldn't put it down, especially in the second half. I surprised myself as when I started it I realised that the timeline was in the first few weeks of the the covid pandemic eclipsing the world in March 2020 and there were a lot of graphic details. I skim read these parts as the medical details was upsetting to me,.

Diane and Finn, a young couple, are due to go on a holiday of a lifetime to the Galapagos Islands but, as a hospital doctor, Finn decides he cannot go as he is desperately needed at work.. Diane, who is at a loose end as her job as an associate specialist at Sotheby's is under threat, travels alone to the Galapagos Islands only to find that the worldwide pandemic had hit there too. Fortunately she starts to meet locals who help her as she has arrived with no luggage, little money and now no way to get home.

The book started badly for me as Diane is crossing Central Park in New York City to get to the apartment block home of a Japanese lady, Kotomi, who is selling a Toulouse-Lautrec that been in the ownership of her and her late husband for decades and never available on the open market. The Japanese lady's husband, Sam, had been in a British band of four members who dominated the charts for a decade. The band broke up shortly after Sam married Kotomi. Sam was then murdered on the front steps of the apartment block where his wife still lives. I think most readers will recognise who these characters are mirroring. This whole storyline irritated me greatly. First, it felt like the author was lacking in original thinking but also it felt disrespectful to the the family this narrative mimics who are still alive.

I was also quite disturbed by the level of medical details of the horrors and gruesome medical procedures which were (and are) being done to try and save covid patients. For these reasons, despite being gripped by the plot, I am only giving this 4 stars. I really cannot recommend this book if you have lost someone to covid, or are squeamish about explicit medical dialogue.

With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thankyou for giving me the chance to read. Was very appropriate and set in the pandemic 2020. I’ve read quite a few of jodis novels and this was as good as the rest.

The pandemic is still at the forefront of our minds - not least because we're still living through it - and reading fiction set during the Covid crisis feels a little surreal, to put it mildly. However, this is storytelling at its best, and Jodi Picoult is well-known for tackling monumentally tricky topics like this in her books.

At first glance, main character Diana seems pretty cut-and-dry. She's ambitious, highly motivated, and has every last detail of her life planned out in advance. So when everything changes and she finds herself effectively marooned on one of the Galapagos islands, it's surprising to see how a change of scenery and a different pace of living manage to bring the true Diana out of her shell.

It's difficult to put a lot of detail into this review for fear of spoiling the story. But what I will say, is that this book is about so much more than just the pandemic. It's about loss and isolation, also healing and finding yourself again. In a time when the world has turned on its head, Wish You Were Here reminds us to look inside and remember what's really worth fighting for.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's taught us to value the most important things in life. Hugging a loved one, having a laugh with friends, or even just heading out and about; these are all things we no longer take for granted. Wish You Were Here highlights the emotional trauma of the last few years and recognises our incredible frontline healthcare workers, all through the eyes of a character who could have been any one of us. It's an effective and heartfelt tribute.

I've read a lot of Jodi Picoult books, so I was expecting a twist or bombshell when reading this - I can honestly say, I did not see it coming.
Set during the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Diana and doctor boyfriend Finn are about to go on holiday to the Galapagos when Covid hits Manhattan and Finn is needed. He persuades Diana to go on holiday anyway, but she becomes trapped on a small island as the world goes into lockdown.
This was an uncomfortable read at times, remembering the uncertainty of the early days of the pandemic and the horrifying news that thousands of people were dying.
I don't want to say too much about the second half of the book, but it was completely different to the first and yet both were compelling. This is a good choice for book groups.

Its been years since I read a Jodi Picoult and when I saw this one was about being somewhere else when the pandemic hit I was immediately interested.
Diana and her boyfriend want the same things in life, marriage, kids and a big house in the suburbs. So when they decide to take a trip to the Galapagos for Diana's 30th birthday, she is sure this is when Finn will propose.
When the pandemic gets out of hand in New York City, Finn, being a doctor has no choice but to cancel his annual leave and suggests that Diana take the trip by herself. So she does.
Just as Diana arrives the island is put into a two week lockdown and Diana is stuck with nowhere to stay, no money and no suitcase.
Stranded for months she is taken in by the friendly locals who will become more important to her than she will ever know.
You can tell when reading this the level of research Picoult must have done while working on this novel and she really does health care staff justice with her words. She captures the fear and uncertainty we all felt at the beginning of this pandemic so well and I found it an interesting, but at times, difficult read.
I would highly recommend this book.

I have read books set during the pandemic already, but I this is the first that is fully about the pandemic. I wasn’t sure I was ready to read it but who can say no to a Jodi Picoult novel?

I am so glad I read it. Picoult has an amazing ability to write about such difficult subject matters with clarity and doesn’t hide away from difficult concepts.

I will admit that part way through I wasn’t quite sure about the turn the book had taken - talk about a curveball! But stick with it as it all makes sense in the end.

The book is a triumph as it captures the chaos, fear and different perspectives of those suddenly caught up in the pandemic. It looks at isolation and loneliness, as well as the importance of taking stock and having difficult conversations.

This book will stay with me for a long time and will stand as a testament to the pandemic.

I was delighted to be able to review this book before the publication date thanks to Hodder and Stoughton. I had high expectations for this read, as I have been an avid Jodi Picoult fan for over ten years. Her ability to take a topic of relevance and turn it into an absorbing page-turner never ceases to amaze me. The copy I was gifted was pre-amended, so there were a few formatting issues. Nevertheless, this did not take anything from the enjoyment of this story.

Wish You Were Here is the most recent book, that is not only thought-provoking but also very relatable, as Jodi has used the recent pandemic and global lockdown as the setting for this read. The book is in two parts, and the ending of part one was both jaw-dropping and astonishing as it was very much unforeseen. Highlighting the effects that COVID-19 had on both her main characters, Diana and Finn, was written and executed brilliantly. Plot subjects such as isolation, the pressure on the health services, and the deeper, personal reflections were flawless.

The dramatic atmosphere had me gripped, in the way I have always loved from this author, and I just love a book that has an epilogue that ties up all the loose ends for the reader.

I highly recommend this to all Jodi Picoult fans, this is definitely one to add to the collection! If you haven't read anything by this author before, this would make an ideal first read.

A really well-written account of Covid 19 and everything that occurred around that time.

I really enjoyed the time in the Galapagos and to be honest, was disappointed when it ended and the story was back in New York.

A really good read with everything a good book needs!

This book struck a chord with me and I think that would be the case for anyone across the globe who reads it due to the extremely poignant topics uncovered within it. I’ve read a few books recently that have had an emphasis on the Covid-19 pandemic, some of which I’ve found tacky and unrealistic, but in this book the trials and tribulations that we have all experienced in the face of the pandemic are explored tastefully and delicately.

Wish You Were Here is my first foray into Jodi Picoult and it did not disappoint - with a multi-layered plot, beautifully written characters, thought-provoking topics and an ingenious twist, it’s a truly authentic and original story that captivated me from the first page and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It goes without saying - a novel set during a pandemic might not be everyone’s cup of tea whilst we’re still very much in the midst of said pandemic. So if it’s not right for you - stay well away. There’s also some other content that readers might want to be aware, so check out at the end of my review for more information.

I went into this knowing it’s set during the Covid-19 pandemic (and Covid-19 does play a big part in it), and that there’s a huge twist in it. The first 60% of the book was beautiful, gripping and I was really there, with Diana, in the moment. The Galapagos was definitely a character in its own right. The evidence of Picoult’s amazing research is played out into full effect. I honestly couldn’t see what else she could throw at you as reader, other than Diana’s journey of self discovery.

But then the twist is revealed (I’m not going to say anymore on that!) and it was a sucker punch. Picoult raised this book to a whole new level.

I have to say that the remainder of the book didn’t have the same level of impact, but it still had me hooked as Picoult covers the impact of Covid.

This is another belter of a book. Thanks to NetGalley, the team at Hodder & Stoughton and the author for the opportunity to read this advance copy!

Jodi Picoult is one of my automatic-purchase authors, which means I've had the pleasure of reading all of her books and have never been disappointed. That's not to say they are perfect, by I always feel compelled to get to the end (usually because I'm suspicious of her plot twists - My Sister's Keeper scarred me, for sure!). Wish You Were Here falls into the category of her books that I won't read again, but that I felt compelled to keep reading because it was certainly enjoyable. It doesn't though fall in to her most accomplished novels. Having said that, let's take our hat off to any author (particularly one with staggering asthma, as Picoult does) who managed to write anything remotely engaging during a pandemic. It's staggering.

Wish You Were Here follows a woman who has seemingly a perfect life. Diana's waiting on a marriage proposal from her surgeon boyfriend, Finn, she's about to score a huge deal selling some highly desired art at work, and she's about to set off to the Galapagos (where she's pretty sure the proposal is going to take place!). So her plan to have it all figured out before she reaches 30 seems to be totally in the bag. Until the coronavirus pandemic hits and she becomes stuck in the Galapagos, without Finn who is stuck saving patients in the ITU/ICU, and has no means of accomplishing any of those dreams anytime soon.

Diana really goes on a journey of self-discovery in the Galapagos, but she also experiences the stark isolation that many of us did during the pandemic. I mean, it's not impossible to imagine getting stuck in a foreign country - it happened! So I think Picoult captures that feeling remarkably well, likely because she too felt stuck in her home during that time, but she also explores what it means to be alive. NOT what it means to be chasing dreams, ticking boxes and making money which we so often formulate our lives around. If you look at the bigger picture, it's a real work of art.

The trouble is, it's also quite predictable. I didn't expect the major twist, so perhaps that's not entirely fair, but the minor ones and the way in which Diana's discovery of herself evolved with the secondary characters in her life seemed fairly apparent to me from the offset; Picoult usually gets me good! So, perhaps a little formulaic for me, but still a thoughtful read - just not as thought-provoking as some of her more controversial topics.

ARC provided from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A really good read. Didn't know if I was going to enjoy the story as the covid virus is still very much with us but it gripped me from the beginning as most Jodie picoults novels do,it was a fantastically written story and the characters were interesting .There were lots of twists that I didn't see coming and some wonderful locations that drew you in and left you wanting more. Diana and Finn's lives are changed forever and they both see things differently as things start getting better but will they still be on the same path.

by the author. However I think it’s partly due to the fact it’s Covid related and I wasn’t ready to read a book all about Covid!

It’s very descriptive and detailed in some places which wasn’t really for me, particularly the chapters written by the boyfriend back at the hospital.

Diana is a woman with a plan, a five year plan which she has meticulously crafted with her boyfriend Finn. Next up on the list is a holiday to the Galápagos Islands where she knows Finn is going to propose.
Yet as they prepare for the trip, people are starting to talk about this strange virus which is sweeping the world called Covid 19. Finn is a doctor and has to be on hand at the hospital as the number of cases rise but he urges Diana to go anyway. It’s no big deal right? This Covid business will blow over in a fortnight won’t it? Yet Diana arrives on Isabela island to find herself trapped and isolated in paradise. How can she get her life back on track now?

Jodi Picoult has always been on my favourite authors but I was a little reticent about starting her next book after how much the ending of “The Book of Two Ways” infuriated me.
I needn’t have worried.

“Wish You Were Here” is a compulsive read with Picoult’s fabulous writing style illustrating what she does best - highlighting an issue of the times, examining it from all angles and then providing enough information for you to decide for yourself.

It’s a harrowing read at times with in-depth bare all details of what our heroic doctors and nurses face on the Covid wards on a daily basis. It’s not a book you want to read if you need to escape the world we are living in. It brought back a whole host of memories of when Covid first emerged in my life.

However if you can stomach the horror of the pandemic, it is a rewarding and satisfying read with jaw dropping “hang on let me just reread that bit” moments that mean you will struggle to put the book down.. Essentially it’s got the key element that all Jodi Picoult’s best books have - it will make you feel and make you think.

I am so glad I read it. It’s the perfect read for fans of the author, or plots with contemporary issues and moral dilemmas.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Brilliant story, not the best if you have lost a loved one through COVID as it is very tear jerking. Such a lovely read and Jodi Picoult never disappoints

This book was really enjoyable and I felt unique considering the subject matter of COVID.

As we all know covid is an awful disease and is not something that I would normally consider reading about in a fiction book while we are still living in the middle of the pandemic. However I love Jodi Picoult’s other books so I took the risk. I’m glad I did!

As always, Jodi Picoult writes beautifully rich characters and I went along on the emotional rollercoaster ride just like the main character. I felt transported to the Galapagos with her rich descriptions of the island and became invested in the stories outcome. Although the book does have some sad moments I felt that it struck a balance so that it didn’t become a depressing read. And the plot twist!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wish You Were Here was the first book that featured Covid that I've read and it perfectly captured the first few crazy months of the pandemic. The big twist half way through was very unexpected and I didn't see it coming at all. A lot of research was obviously done to make the story line seem real.

However, some parts were a bit slow paced and I did feel the ending was predictable. A good and enjoyable read though.

Jodi Picoult is that author that I don’t even read the blurb of a story for I already know I’m going to love it and preorder it as soon as possible. With Wish You Were Here, not only have I preordered it, I also got an advanced reading copy from the publishers which I was ridiculously excited about. However, as suggested I actually had no idea what it was about so let me tell you…

Diana O’Toole has her dream career working as an art specialist at Sotheby’s and she has just gotten an account which is bound to get her promoted. Everything is going so well, except for the fact it is Spring 2020 and the world is about to be hit with a pandemic that it was totally unprepared for and the account is paused. To make things worse, Diana and her boyfriend Finn are about to go on a holiday go a lifetime to the Galapagos where she is fairly certain he is going to propose, but, he’s a doctor and they’re in New York City and he isn’t allowed to leave work right now. Faced with the conundrum of losing the money for the holiday and staying in New York, or going on the trip alone, Finn encourages Diana to go alone and be safe outside of the city.

She lands in paradise to find that even paradise is impacted by the pandemic and the island is shutdown. Luckily, a local; abuela, takes pity on Diana and gives her an apartment to stay in. However, life on a remote desert island, alone, with no phone signal and nothing much to do isn’t the paradise she expected. But as the days go on Diana starts to build relationships and question whether her life back at home is really what she wants or if it is just what she thinks she wants.

As per usual, Picoult’s writing is intriguing and easy (although The Book of Two Ways is an exception to the easy bit), but I wasn’t prepared to dive into the world of COVID when actually we are still living in the aftermath.

WARNING SPOILERS COMING

I also just do not know how I feel about the whole ‘it was only a dream’ scenario. Although I have absolutely NO DOUBT at all that Picoult did ample research into the topic; I didn’t read the acknowledgments but I’m assuming the research stories that Diana read were actual real life accounts. I think it’s also because I loved the characters on the Galapagos so much I didn’t want them to not be real; I appreciate the ending leaves it open as a possibility they were real. I don’t know. It was maybe just too soon for me. I still love her though, fully appreciate her ability to write thought provoking stories and will definitely be just as eager to read her next book!

Jodie Picoult never fails to produce a touching and well written book. This was no exception. We follow our main character Diana on a journey, mentally and physically during the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in early 2020. Her life seems perfect and her plans on track, with a perfect job and a perfect boyfriend, but just like it happened for many of us in real life, the pandemic changes everything…

The majority of the books follows Diana in her isolated reality of the Galapagos, with all the beauty and array of wonderful characters that entailed.
The contrast of the bleakness of a locked down New York City with the natural beauty of the Galapogas islands was astounding. The descriptions of the wildlife and settings truly transported me.

I felt reluctant at first reading something related to the pandemic. The writing is heavy on the COVID realities, especially those in New York City and inside of a hospital. As someone who suffered from COVID last year I REALLY felt a lot of what Picoult was writing and I’m really glad I read this. I must say I really appreciated her information on her sources and research on some of the sensitive issues that’s included at the end of the book.

Overall, a really impactful and enjoyable read, with some hard hitting moments that I felt at my core. If you’re a Picoult fan you will not be disappointed by this new release.

"Some people burn too bright to last long"

Trigger warning: self harm

I've seen a lot of conflicted views on this book and it reminds me the beauty of reviewing, telling the story from how you perceived and understood it. I loved it. An overworked New Yorker who needed a break takes one and finds herself questioning the overworked lifestyle she's come to obsess over and normalise. Trapped by Covid, she takes an extended break with a local family from the Galapagos islands and begins to question her values and all she holds dear to her, including her long-term boyfriend.

It's a tale as old as time, but in true Picoult fashion, we see a perfect twist. My only gripe - I'd have loved the story to end maybe 10-15 pages post twist reveal. The end of the book started to feel just a little too much like a lecture of the effects of Covid - something that the reader doesn't need to be reminded of at this time. It's not even over yet!

The character was your average Westerner who went away, realised her life sucked, unfortuantely applied some sketchy tropes of "realising what you have when you see others with less' but actually making good of herself once out of the situation and not just sinking back into her bubble. I liked it a lot. Great prose, a loveable abuela, what's to hate.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.