Katherine Center’s What You Wish For is a heartfelt and uplifting novel about finding joy in the face of adversity. The story follows Samantha Casey, a quirky and compassionate librarian working at a small Texas school that feels like family. When a new principal arrives—Duncan Carpenter, her former crush and a man she remembers as carefree and fun-loving—she’s shocked to find he’s now a strict and humorless disciplinarian. As Samantha fights to preserve the school’s lighthearted spirit, she discovers that Duncan’s transformation hides deep personal wounds.

Center’s signature blend of warmth, humor, and emotional depth shines in this story. Samantha is a vibrant, relatable protagonist with a strong voice, and her journey to reclaim joy despite past heartbreak is deeply moving. Duncan’s character is layered and complex, making his redemption arc both satisfying and believable.

The novel beautifully explores themes of resilience, community, and choosing happiness even in the hardest times. The quirky school setting and lovable side characters add charm and levity, while the slow-burn romance between Samantha and Duncan brings heart-fluttering moments.

What You Wish For is a perfect reminder to embrace life’s beauty and fight for what matters most. It’s an inspiring, feel-good read that will leave you smiling and maybe even a little teary-eyed. Ideal for fans of hopeful, character-driven stories with a dash of romance.

What YouWish For by Katherine Center is an interesting story. The plot was good. I cannot imagine the pain of being shot in a school shooting.

Katherine Center is so talented! I loved this story and its magical feel. I felt like I was right there with the characters. I look forward to her next book!

Katherine Center has quickly become one of my favorite authors of all time and I will read all of her books forever. They often feel like a warm hug and What You Wish For was no exception!

After the beloved head of school dies, Samantha (Sam) and the school community is devastated and sad. The new principal, Duncan, is strict and no-nonsense. But, Sam is surprised, because she knows Duncan from her previous school and he was fun-loving and spontaneous. Which is exactly why she fell in love with him, but he didn't see her that way - so she left that school, and here he is again.
After he asks her to bring him home from a procedure, things heat up between them, and Sam gets an insight into why he is so different. Then, when a child goes missing, the school needs to work together to find him.
As always, a sweet romance, but with some heavy matters addressed, from Katherine Center.

I will read anything Katherine Center writes and this was no exception. I am so happy to have gotten to read this in advance. Her characters and pacing are always on point.

As a recent fan of Katherine Center's books, I somehow missed reading this one and doing a review for it. I'm glad I was able to go back and read this book.

"Joy is fleeting. Nothing lasts. That's exactly what courage is. Knowing all that going in - and going in anyway."

This line really stuck with me as I read the book What You Wish For by Katherine Center. I have a tendency to want to play life safely because I know this joy won't always last. This book started as a slow burn, true to most romance novels. About halfway through, I was happy that it also started to deal with real-life issues.

I loved the character of Sam, the librarian at an elementary school. Center made her character realistic with a tough childhood, a long-lost romance, along with having epilepsy. I also liked Duncan. I easily pictured him as both a teacher and later an administrator. Both were very likable characters.

I found myself highlighting so many of Center's phrases more towards the end of the book. Another one of my favorite lines is "...joy was cumulative. That it wasn't about finding one big thing - but about collecting as many tiny pieces as you could." It made me think. My sisters and I always say that joy is about the small things in life. Sam learned that she needed to focus on the small things that bring her joy. These included drinking tea or taking walks on the beach.

What You Wish For is a romance novel. However, there are some triggers that I wasn't expecting. These include school shootings and grief of a loved one. Center did a great job of dealing with both of these issues in her book.

I gave this book four out of five stars. I'm becoming a fan of Center's books, and I look forward to reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Katherine Center for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

I really liked two of Katherine Center's other books, so I was looking forward to reading this one. Overall, I just didn't really enjoy it as much as I was hoping to, though. It felt like it was trying too hard to be quirky and lovable, and I didn't really like the protagonist for the same reasons. Also, all of the characters felt like caricatures. I didn't really connect with any of them, and the love story felt forced. With that being said, I do appreciate the message of joy that Center was trying to convey. And I also appreciate that she tried to take on a timely subject matter (I won't mention it to avoid spoilers, although I think most people can probably see it coming a mile away). While this wasn't my favorite Center book, I still look forward to reading her next one.

I know so many people who are Katherine Center fans. Unfortunately, my heart is too black to be one of them. While I’m sure most people would describe this as delightful, it wasn’t for me. Nothing against the book, I am just learning what kinds of books work for me and what kinds of books don’t.

This is a typical Katherine Center book. Nothing about it stands out as extraordinary, but it was a pleasant read.

I had high hopes for What You Wish For by Katherine Center, but unfortunately, I found the main character quite frustrating. While I appreciated that she was a librarian and passionately advocated for her school, those traits weren’t enough to outweigh my issues with her personality.

The first half of the book felt unrealistic, particularly in the interactions between Sam and Duncan. It was hard to believe they wouldn’t acknowledge their past working relationship. Additionally, the buildup to the story’s climax didn’t resonate with me, and I felt it fell flat.

Overall, this book had the potential to be great, but as it stands, it only scratched the surface of its themes.

Another great book by Katherine Center. I was delighted by this book that is about finding joy in unexpected places. A delight to read.

Another winner from author Katherine Center! I have loved all of the 5 books I've read by her. She has become a favorite and a comfort author for me. WHAT YOU WISH FOR is set in Galveston, TX and it's another thing I love about her novels -- she writes her books to take place in Texas which is where I am so I'm usually familiar with the setting!

This book touched my heart in so many ways. Of course I loved Babette & Max ❤️🥺 I loved the school and the way the teachers rallied for it and the hardships they had been through. The "quest for happiness" that Babette, Alice and Sam put together for Duncan was so fun to read. There were some unlikeable characters -- Kent and Tina 🤷🏼‍♀️

I loved Sam's inner dialogue with herself and getting more of her story. There was so many emotional moments and some that made me laugh of course.

"What You Wish For" by Katherine Center is a heartwarming and uplifting contemporary novel that explores themes of love, loss, and the power of second chances. The story centers around Samantha Casey, a dedicated school librarian with a passion for her job and a secret crush on her charming and beloved former colleague, Duncan Carpenter. When Duncan unexpectedly returns to the school as the new principal, Samantha's life is turned upside down as she grapples with her past and the possibility of a future with him.

Center skillfully weaves together humor, romance, and poignant moments of reflection, creating a narrative that is both engaging and emotionally resonant. The chemistry between Samantha and Duncan is palpable, their banter and interactions brimming with tension and longing. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship and confront their own insecurities, they discover that sometimes the things we wish for are closer than we think.

The characters are richly drawn and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles and desires. Samantha's journey of self-discovery is particularly compelling, as she learns to let go of the past and embrace the possibilities of the present. Duncan's evolution from a charming but enigmatic figure to a fully realized character adds depth to the story, as his vulnerabilities are gradually revealed.

Beyond the romance, "What You Wish For" also explores themes of resilience, forgiveness, and the importance of embracing change. Center's writing is heartfelt and authentic, with moments of humor and insight that will resonate with readers long after they've finished the book.

Overall, "What You Wish For" is a touching and uplifting novel that reminds us to cherish the moments we have and to never give up on the possibility of finding happiness. With its endearing characters, charming romance, and powerful message, it's a book that will leave readers smiling and inspired. Katherine Center has crafted a gem of a novel that is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Katherine Center always does a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I love her books and would highly recommend this one!

Katherine center has a way of telling a story that keeps you captivated the entire way through. I loved this one and have recommended it to several people.

Not my favorite of Centers books but still finished it. The main character was a little whiny but the book covered some heavy topics so I found it a bit confusing.

This book provides both a blast from the past and a look into life currently in a very relevant tale that ties together hope and danger.

"What You Wish For" by Katherine Center is a delightful and heartwarming read that masterfully blends elements of romance, humor, and serious life lessons. Center's writing shines with vibrant characters and an engaging storyline that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. The novel explores themes of love, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness in ways that are both thought-provoking and deeply moving. While at times the plot feels predictable, the emotional depth and relatable characters more than make up for it, leaving readers with a lingering sense of hope and joy. Overall, this book is a testament to Katherine Center's ability to craft stories that resonate with the heart, making it a recommended read for anyone in search of inspiration and a good dose of feelings.

I have enjoyed a book by Katherine Center before, but unfortunately this one didn’t capture the same. I do love it’s about finding joy.