A review by vangoghssunflowers
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I disliked this book strongly. 
One bonus star for a strong, interesting concept that would’ve been fun if not for all the other issues within. 
I don’t mind age gap relationships when the two characters get together as adults, so I found it really weird that Lucy and Hugo met when Lucy was 13. Like, why was that included at all? Then, why was it continually referenced? Also, the author added in the fact that Lucy had been in A DIFFERENT age gap relationship when she was 19. Thus, making this a pattern. On top of that, Lucy has major parental issues which feels very derivative. Wow, the girl with daddy issues dates older men? Shocker. 

I didn’t find the characters lovable or engaging enough to make me root for them.
I really hated that every single character had the Most Trauma Ever. You’re telling me that every single character has had enough major life events to be spread over ten people? I shouldn’t have to feel sorry for characters to sympathize with them. Also, I felt like Hugo did a total 180 immediately. Everyone called him an asshole and acquired taste but the literal second he meets a new, attractive woman he’s won over? Guess he would’ve fallen for anyone that stepped foot on that island. 
Finally, I thought the way Lucy acted was much younger than she was supposed to be. The way she speaks about her disabled sister was very surface level. I also thought making Angie sick again was wholly unnecessary.

I probably won’t reread this one, lol. 
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