A review by jashanac
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This was such a sweet, sad, uplifting, heart-warming book! 

I loved Lucy as a character and that first chapter with her and Christopher hanging out and talking got me teary-eyed right outta the gates. 

The only reason this isn't a solid total 5 star book for me is that there were a couple of things that I wish hadn't been as surface level as they were. I kind of understand why they were more surface level, but I still wish it had been different. 

The main focus of the book, however, was very well explored in my opinion. And that was the theme/message of childhood trauma and children simply needing to feel and be LOVED. To be provided with safety, consistency, healthy discipline, and loving attention. All of that was heart-breaking at times and then heart-warming all the other times. 

The things that I wish had been touched on a BIT more were just
the relationship with Sean that Lucy had. I didn't want to see the relationship, necessarily, but there were little hints at emotional manipulation and abuse there, that weren't really delved into much at all. I know thematic content wasn't the focus of the book so it's not that I wanted us to suddenly shift gears and have that be the focus, but just to get a slightly clearer picture of what went on there. I've been in an abusive relationship and as I said, I saw the hints... but there was nothing that really jumped out and spoke to me emotionally in all of that. And I just wish there had been. A line or two, ya know? And then Lucy and Angie's reunion... that was SO lovely, but it felt a bit quick that we got that one reunion, and then next thing we know, Angie is sick & about to die right about the same time that Lucy officially adopts Christopher. I just wish Angie had been around a bit longer... a year or something, to get some good memories between them.
 

All-in-all, a truly lovely story! 
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