The Wishing Game

More about the book

A retired bestselling author hosts a high-stakes competition with life-changing rewards. Lucy Hart, a twenty-six-year-old teacher's aide, has overcome the neglect of her parents, who focused on her chronically ill sister. Now, she shares her love of books with her students, particularly a seven-year-old orphan named Christopher, who ignites her desire for a family. Lucy's childhood refuge was the Clock Island series, which she now shares with Christopher, who has become an avid fan. However, the dream of adopting him feels unattainable due to her financial instability. When a blue envelope invites Lucy to compete for the only copy of Jack Masterson's final novel in the beloved Clock Island series, her life takes a turn. Four devoted fans, including Lucy, are invited to Jack's private island to vie for the unpublished manuscript. For Lucy, the chance to read the last Clock Island book is enticing, but winning could secure a better future for her and Christopher. She faces challenges from opportunists and cheaters, as well as Jack's illustrator, Hugo Reese, whom she has long admired. Meanwhile, the enigmatic author has his own secrets and a grand plan that could alter everything for everyone involved.