Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

 

Diana O'Toole and her partner Finn are up and coming professionals.  Finn is a resident in surgery and Diana is working at Sotheby's in the art auction business.  Diana is the daughter of a groundbreaking photographer whose work has been featured at MOMA but who spent more time on her career than being a mother.  Still, Diana at almost thirty is right on track on her life plan.  She and Finn are about to take the trip of a lifetime to the Galapagos islands and she's pretty sure that Finn plans to propose there.

Then it hits.  Covid comes to the United States and New York City is especially hard hit.  Finn works with an overwhelming number of patients, most of whom do not survive their hospitalization.  Although he takes every precaution, he is worried about bringing the virus home to their apartment.  Diana and the rest of her peers are furloughed with no income.  Finn suggests that Diana go without him on their trip, as she should be safe there.  Diana reluctantly agrees.

When she arrives, it is to find the island closed.  Her hotel isn't open and neither are restaurants.  She has no Internet service.  She manages to find a place to stay when she meets a grandmotherly woman who takes her in under her wing.  She becomes friends with the woman's granddaughter who is hiding several secrets about her life.  She also meets the son who is an attractive tour guide and farmer who she can't help but grow close to.  Will her relationship with Finn survive this isolation and separation?

Jodi Picoult is known for her women's fiction books, most of which center around an ethical decision.  Diana learns much about herself during this time period, lessons which the reader may feel can be applied to their own life.  The characters are finely drawn and the reader is engaged in Diana's life and situation.  This book is recommended for readers of women's and literary fiction.