The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer (Paperback)

Lucy Hart has spent most of her life wishing for a place to belong. As a child, she escaped loneliness through the beloved Clock Island books, written by the famously reclusive Jack Masterson. Now working as a teacher’s aide, she shares that same joy with her students, especially Christopher, a bright seven-year-old who has lost both parents. Lucy longs to adopt him, yet the practical hurdles feel insurmountable.

Everything changes when Jack Masterson unexpectedly returns to the public eye. After years of silence, he announces a new book and an unusual contest. Four readers will travel to his private home on Clock Island to compete for the only existing copy. The winner will hold a treasure that could secure a future Lucy once believed out of reach.

On the island, Lucy faces rivals determined to win at any cost, along with wealthy collectors eager to influence the outcome. She must also navigate her growing bond with Hugo Reese, the illustrator whose guarded nature hides more than he admits. Behind it all sits Jack, whose legendary storytelling extends far beyond the pages of his novels.

As the contest unfolds, Lucy begins to realise the game is about more than a book. It is a chance to reclaim hope, find courage and fight for the life she wants with Christopher. But Jack has planned a twist that no one sees coming, one that will force each contestant to face their own deepest wish.