Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors and this book was wonderful for the times we're living in. The message of choosing to celebrate and finding joy is very uplifting. The book is about two wounded souls and those who surround them on Galveston Island, a lovely location with the beach and marine life. The school setting was also appreciated, as were those who love and work with children. Thank you to Net Galley for this advanced copy!

I feel in love with Katherine Center’s books over her past two books. I was thrilled when I was offered an ARC of her latest book. It is a great book to escape into. I loved the setting in a small island town in Texas. I had one big frustration with the book in that the main character, Sam, could have had a much better understanding of Duncan if she had looked into his career history. Despite that I loved the way Sam and Duncan developed and felt the book ended perfectly!

Two days ago, I had the opportunity to read this book and I put everything aside. Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors. Samantha is a librarian at a small school on Galveston Island, her beloved principal dies unexpectedly and his replacement is an old colleague that Samantha had a crush on many years ago. Duncan wants to change things as the new principal and the staff including Samantha is not having it. The chemistry between these two along with the bantering. What happened to the crazy mismatched socks and shirts Duncan?

I love Katherine Centers books, this one with the theme "Finding Joy" was spot on! I loved the t-shirt sayings, I loved the whimsical way of creating joy. Wonderful book!

What you wish for is a light story of school Librarian Samantha Casey who adores her job in a wonderful private school on Galveston Island in Texas. The school is run by max and Babette,
Very progressive educators who make their school bright and fun.
The problems begin when they get a new principal who Samantha happens to have worked with in a previous school.
It took awhile to get into the story, but once I did, I couldn’t wait to see whAt happened next!

I loved the relationship between Sam and Duncan - it was not perfect because they both had physical/emotional issues, but was so glad they were able to break through and be there for each other. Hoping for part 2 (or at least a short story) to find our where there relationship goes from there). The details of the school and the people who worked there were beautiful - the school staff care so much for each other and the children who attend. Another great read by Katherine Center!

Katherine Center did it again! I loved all the details and getting to know these characters. The story, the heartbreak, everything about it.

Once again, Katherine Center delivers an incredible story with an amazing lead. She has such a way of creating characters you love and ones you absolutely can’t stand. There were moments I was on the edge of my seat and other times laughing out loud, This is exactly what we need in 2020!!

I disliked <b>How to Walk Away</b> but loved <b>Things You Save in a Fire</b> so who knew where this was going to land? Honestly, throughout the first half of this book, it was probably a middling book for me. I would have given it three stars. But, what can I say, as I started the second half of the read my cold, Grinch heart grew three sizes that day and I ended up getting very attached to it.

Is it a little saccharine? Yes. Is the main character a bit over-the-top and was her inner-dialogue a bit repetitive? Yes. Is is absolutely predictable? Yes.

That said... Did I end up enjoying getting lost in this story and its characters? Yes. Did it end up being a heartwarming read for me? Yes.

If you have not enjoyed Katherine Center's books before then this read will probably not change your mind, but if you loved her books in the past I do not think this one will disappoint. I was smiling as I turned the last couple of pages so... there's that.

Katherine Center creates beautiful books that are about finding levity and joy and love in a world of trauma and pain, and she's done it yet again with What You Wish For.

There's a breeziness to Center's novels, even when they deal with such heavy topics, that's so hard to find in this genre, and she does it so well. Her message: Everybody has baggage. Life's about learning to live with it instead of in spite of it and knowing that good moments can coexist alongside bad ones.

The first third was a little slow and I wish some parts of this book had gone further, but that didn't change how much I like Katherine Center's work. My stanning continues now and forever. 3.5 stars.

(And again, Goodreads, get us some damn half stars.)

Blergh. I read this in like, maybe five hours. It had great moments. But all in all it needed to be about 200 pages longer with FAR MORE plot and character development. It left me really sadly wanting. I really loved “How to Walk Away” and I really liked “Things You Save in a Fire.” This needed more punch. It felt floppy and weak. And I LOVED the premise. But it was rushed and skated over the issues it attempted to face which were HUGE (death, loss, gun violence, abusive parents, etc.). Instead of really exploring those topics, it just kind of shushed them under the rug. Also, I didn’t buy the love story because they never really got time to develop as a couple. I loved that it was about a school, I loved the general setting, I loved that it was sweet and silly. But I REALLY wanted more.

Best Katherine Center book I've read yet!

I fell in love with the characters right off the bat. Sam, the female lead, hooked me when she shared her story of a crush who didn't even know she existed - likely a common experience, but one Center was able to describe with fidelity. Duncan, the male lead, had me falling in love and wanting to help him all at once. In How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire, I loved the female leads and only somewhat found interest in the male leads; however, in What You Wish For, I found myself wanting my own Duncan.

With this novel, the pacing of the romance was just right. In terms of supporting characters, Alice the math teacher BFF was the perfect comic relief, and Clay, Sam's quasi nephew, was so well developed with his marine interests.

As an educator, I question whether the profession was illustrated in all its complexity, but as a reader, I was able to look past all of that for the sake of the story -- and I stayed up until 1:00am to finish it!

I finished Katherine Center’s What You Wish For in a day (thanks to it being a great book and thanks to social distancing!) The book follows the life of a librarian at a small school in Galveston, Texas learning to believe in herself and the people around her. This book is highly recommended for anyone who enjoyed Center’s books.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC.. This is my absolute favorite book by Katherine Center! I loved everything about it. I picked it up and didn't put it down until I finished the whole thing. Highly recommend!

What You Wish For is not traditionally the type of book I enjoy, and yet I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this one, Although it was predictable (as many books in its genre are), I wasn’t disappointed in knowing what was coming. Perhaps it is the craziness of the current time we are in, but I enjoyed this peaceful, easy, predictable read. The characters were fun and engaging. Their backstories were well thought out and interesting. The plot line was intriguing and well written. This would make a great summer beach/fun read. Well done Katherine Center!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of What You Wish For by Katherine Center. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was heart-warming and real. Sam and Duncan’s relationship was so fun to read. I loved their hostility at first and Sam’s unwillingness to let him off the hook for anything at school where she is the librarian and he is the newly hired principal. Their previous connection working together at a schools years prior was a nice addition to the storyline and helped solidify Duncan’s true character, before tragedy rocked his world. Overall, I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book and am rating it 4 stars!

This is my first book by Katherine Center that I have read. I love her style and look forward to reading more books by her.

This is a romantic love story that readers will be able to relate to. I love the underlying message to choose joy.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a colorful librarian whose past, unrequited love shows up in her present. Samantha Casey is a relatable main character, and I loved the supporting cast of characters, including her best friend, Alice. This was just the book I needed!

Katherine Center’s ‘What You Wish For’ is a nuanced, poignant examination of grief and trauma that leaves the reader feeling happy and hopeful.

Samantha Casey has always felt like an outsider. After an unrequited crush on a fellow teacher sends her on the lookout for a new job, she finds her place amongst the tight-knit community of Galveston, Texas as the librarian of the local elementary school. Duncan Carpenter used to be the goofy teacher who wore crazy socks and juggled for his class, but when he arrives in Galveston as the replacement for the town’s beloved principal, he’s stiff and serious. Sam is shocked that Duncan, who also happens to be her former crush, has changed so much, and is determined to get to the bottom of it. That, or send him packing before he ruins the school she loves so much.

Center has a knack for creating wonderfully flawed characters who you simultaneously want to hug and to shake. Sam’s insecurities and actions are difficult to read about sometimes, because she’s so blind to how others feel about her; however, because of that, they feel really authentic. Center’s examination of Duncan’s trauma and how it changes him is also done in a compelling and sensitive way. There are various supporting characters who enrich the story and help give it life, even down to those who are barely peripheral. Make no mistake, this is mostly a drama, with some romance mixed in there. More importantly, it’s an examination and a journey into the lives of two people who feel like they’re all alone and how finding their joy helps redeem them.

In all, I think this is another carefully crafted success from Katherine Center. Fans and new readers alike will not be disappointed.


I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review.

Amazing book! This book grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let up. The characters make you love them, and the story makes you want more. I read this book in less than 24 hours and wish it were longer. Katherine Center excels again! Her publishing company also deserves kudos for responding very promptly to a request for access to this book. Can’t wait for the next book by Ms. Center!

Katherine Center quickly became one of my favorite authors after I read "Things You Save in a Fire" and "How to Walk Away". I was THRILLED to get invited to read this from NetGalley when it was first posted and *whew* I flew through it.

This book was a SOLID 4-star read until the last 10%. That's what really pushed it into 5-star territory for me. This book is a love story, a story of hope and fear and bravery and resilience all mixed into one.

Another winner from Katherine Center.