Wish You Were Here - by Jodi Picoult (Hardcover)

Short and sweet review: Picoult is an amazing author and really captured what it felt like during the first year of this pandemic. There was an amazing plot twist that I don’t think anyone would have ever expected. I have been talking about it to friends and family and felt the need to write this review. The only reasons I am not giving it 5 stars is because the first half does drag a little. I took a long time to read the first half but finished the second half In 2 nights!! Other than it being slow at first there are some Covid trigger warnings as well as a clear stance Ms. picoult has taken on this pandemic. I am taking into consideration it was earlier in the pandemic when we were all super terrified of the unknown.

TW: COVID I have so many feelings about this book. One thing I LOVE about Jodi Picoult is her ability to bring in current events into her books. I’m not shocked at all that she dove head first into Covid. This was honestly the first Covid book I’ve read and it brought me back to the early days of the Pandemic. This wasn’t the story that I expected it to be; the unseen twist had me shocked but in a great way. Wow. I loved being transported to the Galapagos, this book really reinforced my desire to travel there some day. There were definitely some slower portions of the book, but I was really glad that this was my first pandemic themed book since the world went upside down. While I’d wasn’t my favorite Jodi Picoult book, it was definitely worth the read. Make sure to check out the Author’s Notes at the end, I think it gave a great insight into the book and the inner workings of the author.

Loved the book. Gave me a wonderful perceptive on our current medical situation.

Love this book. Engaging from the start. Different perspective on current affairs makes you see the situation outside your own bias.

Gosh...what a perfect way to 'take on' the Covid-19 pandemic. Meticulous research by Ms. Picoult had me recalling the first days of the pandemic. As an aside, I was on a flight in January 2020 sitting next to a man who had just returned from Wuhan, China. He and I talked about the 'virus' what was in China and he let me know FIRST HAND how devastating the virus was in Wuhan. He felt he got out 'just in time', and looking back on that conversation I realize he had. Back to the review: Diane, an art expert and Finn, a medical resident in NYC, are planning their dream vacation. After seeing a ring in Finn's sock drawer, Diane just knows he will propose when they're on vacation in the Galápagos. With epidemiologists predicting an uptick in the number of cases, Finn's vacation is cancelled. He tells Diana to go ahead without him. Although she struggles with her decision, she goes ahead and leaves the country. Once she's in the Galápagos, everything begins to disintegrate. Her luggage is lost. All tourists are leaving the island when she's getting there. Her hotel is closed due to the pandemic. The island is closed to everyone and there is no transportation off island. Even if she could get transportation, international borders are closed. She does make contact with some locals and finds an apartment where she can live. Diane meets Gabriel, a local who is a former tour operator, and she begins to question her relationship with Finn. Other locals are featured and Diane begins to feel comfortable with herself and some of her decisions. Then...the world changes... Anymore and I'd be in spoiler territory, so I won't say anything else about the rest of the book. The twist is so well written, you don't see it coming. This book is a bit slow in the beginning, but stick with it! If I were in a book club, this would be my TOP PICK for a book club read. There are so many ways to look at this story and it begs to be discussed. I was hesitant to even begin this book. I am so glad I read it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jodi Picoult writes a heartfelt and meaningful book set at the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic. This book captures the lives from many different perspectives of what it was like living through the unknown, unexpected and unimaginable. But is it what it seems? Jodi Picoult does it again with writing another 5 star book that keeps you guessing until the end. A book that keeps you thinking about it long after it’s finished! Definitely one to add to your TBR list. A great book club pick!