Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time.

But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes.

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. The whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders.

Diana finds herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself—and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different.

Christina’s 5 Blush Review

Here’s a book I didn’t know I needed. I’m a huge fan of JP, but don’t let that discredit this review. This book is a fascinating viewpoint of the pandemic that was vastly different from my
own experience. It’s rich in description and scenery, it’s lush in the art world and it’s deep in the depravity of NYC hospitals during the worst of the pandemic. Not only does the storytelling feel like vintage Jodi Picoult in the best way, but the character development is captivating and beautiful. There were times I couldn’t put the book down because I was enjoying the actual story so much. I didn’t honestly want to read a book about the pandemic while we’re still living it but I’m so glad I did.

Diana and Finn have distinct voices that are so compulsively readable it’s mesmerizing. I loved these characters and felt equally captivated by both of their experiences. At times heartbreaking and cruel, Wish You Were Here is exactly what the doctor ordered: a reminder to live in the moment, and appreciate the smallest of details knowing the next isn’t guaranteed. And when the world forces you to press pause, try to look around and appreciate the view.