You could see the entire plot coming from the beginning, but the characters were so lovable that it was still worth reading their story!

Words can't explain how much I loved this book. Samantha moved to Galveston, TX and is a librarian there. Max, the beloved principal suddenly passes away, in comes Duncan, Samantha's co-worker from the past.

I absolutely loved the chemistry this book had. Everything about it flowed wonderful. Who doesn't love a happy ending. Katherine has done it again.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Samantha first met Duncan at a previous job, but she was too shy to do anything but admire from afar. When he met someone who was not shy, Sam moved on to a new job far away and created a new personality for herself, not shy any longer.
When he is announced as the new principal at her school, she is thrilled until he arrives, no longer fun loving, but with rather a harsh attitude about safety first and never fun. At least now she can get over him ...or not?
A cute story, easy writing style, perfect to take your mind off every day life right now. Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Wow....Katherine Center has some magical way of writing a simple book that just packs such a gut punch. Her writing reminds me so much of Elizabeth Berg....the first 60% of this book is for the most part light hearted and fun, and a blossoming romance novel, and then some reveals happen and it's just very emotional and poignant for today's society. I adored these characters. The best part about Center's writing is how realistic it is, and how you honestly feel connected to her story because everything that she writes can happen in your own life.

Book should come with some trigger warning that it does slightly deal with in-school violence......

I read her novel Things You Save in a Fire last year, adored it, and was even more impressed with this one- I started it at 3 this afternoon and couldn't put it down until 11 tonight when I finished.

This is the second book I have read by Katherine Center. I fell in love with her feel-good stories when I read Things You Save in a Fire.

The main character in this story is a librarian, so as a librarian myself, how could I not read this book? Samantha Casey works as the librarian in an amazing elementary school in Galveston, Texas. Her experience is enhanced by the beloved principal Max and his art teacher wife, Babette. Max and Babette welcomed Samantha and made her feel like a part of the family. Needless to say, everything is going great until tragedy strikes. The sudden death of Max leaves everyone in turmoil, including the school. In comes Duncan Carpenter as the new principal. Samantha once worked alongside Duncan with an unrequited crush. She remembers him fondly as a goofy, sweet teacher that always found the fun in every situation. Unfortunately, the Duncan that showed up is the complete opposite of the funny guy he was. This Duncan is harsh and completely obsessed with school safety.

This story draws you in and unfolds several surprises along the way. I found this book completely delightful and I am looking forward to Katherine Center’s next book.

Another Katherine Center novel, another absolute gem. Katherine's characters are brought to life so vividly you feel as if you're an in-person spectator in her novels. You become so engrossed in the story that when the main character loses their breath, you do too. It's an incredible feat of writing and this did not disappoint.

Sam has had a life and the last thing she needs is the man she abandoned a life she loved for to walk straight back in like he owns the place. Alas, that's what Duncan Carpenter does. Sam knows all about Duncan, but now that he's trying to turn her school into basically a prison, she's realising she may not really know him after all.

This is rammed with emotion and your heart is going to ache every which way for every character. They're all flawed but together they make the world a better place.

I absolutely loved this. I was ecstatic when I saw this coming up hoping it would live up to the captivation I felt when reading How to Walk Away, and it really just did not disappoint. I wouldn't change a thing.

This author is what I needed during Coronavirus lock down....

Do I think that school shootings, epilepsy, and saving whales from ocean pollution seem like a bit much, Yes, but I still loved it. Mindless fiction is there for a reason and today this was near perfection for me today. Her characters always seem real despite the crazy scenarios they end up in and I usually end up weeping at he end.

Thank you to Net Galley for sharing this ARC in the middle of a pandemic for my honest review. We need this medicine right now more than ever.

Let’s all dance and live a little bit more during these dark times.

I wished for a memorable read and it was granted. While reiterating Max's mantra, 'never miss a chance to celebrate', the characters are on a journey to find themselves. The book gives homage to living life to the fullest and making the most of every day.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to the novel in exchange for an honest review. Katherine Center tackles difficult topics such as violence in schools, chronic illness, PTSD and death in a thoughtful way.

I fell in love with the characters, community and school. I couldn't put the book down and finished the book within an afternoon. I longed for the characters to realize their dreams and for lives to continue beyond the final chapter.

This was a sweet story. I immediately fell in love with the characters. Katherine Centers characters are so easy to love. I found myself laughing and smiling while reading.. i instantly got sucked into to Sam and Duncan’s story.

I absolutely loved this book! Katherine Center is the queen of lighthearted banter and handling really serious subjects without being heavy handed. Sam was a likable and absolutely adorable character with a really tough past to overcome. And after Duncan showed up at that first teacher meeting pulling the antics he did, I thought there was no way I was going to grow to love him as much as I did. A sigh-worthy page turner.
My favorite book of 2020 so far.

I thank NetGalley and St Martin's Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book. It is the third book I read by Katherine Center, she has become one of my favorite authors. The story is about Samantha Casey, she is an elementary school librarian that is trying to live a balanced life. She loves to spend time with Max and Babette Kempner, they have always been a support for her. One day, the school loses its beloved school headmaster, this can only mean one thing, they need to find a replacement. The new principal is Duncan Carpenter, a former crush of Sam is changing the rules on procedures of the school. Sam will have to learn how to deal with Duncan, it won't be easy, it all depends on her. I loved the book so much that I couldn't stop reading! I read it in one sitting, that's how good it is! I thank the author Katherine, for her amazing stories!

A huge Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Katherine Center for the opportunity to provide an honest review in exchange for an ARC copy of this ebook.

This book was a Texas sized Winner! Ms Center has a true talent for writing her characters to life. Of course, being a Texan myself, I loved the setting of Galveston so that was the icing on the cake for me. This story was just so engaging, emotional and inspiring. Our main character Samantha is a librarian at the local elementary school. She loves her job, until her principal suddenly dies and the school is thrown into turmoil with a new principal that was a former crush. It gets complicated quickly and we are thrown into the new curriculum !
I loved this story right from the start! I was completely pulled into the Island life with Sam and her friends. The story was well written and didn't feel like a fake fairytale but a real life and possible love story. I was just balling like a baby by the end, tears of joy! This was a fast light hearted read that I also applaud because it didn't need a hot sex scene to make it fantastic.
I recommend this book to all fans of Romance, Contemporary Fiction and Chick lit. I could also share this with my mature teens. A true five star read!

Katherine Center did it again. I love her books because the characters are so well-drawn, they always make me feel something. What You Wish For is a story about Sam, a school librarian at a small private school. She rents a house on the property of the school founders, and her good friends, Babette and Max. When Max dies unexpectedly, a new principal is brought on board, Duncan Carpenter. .Sam already knows Duncan from her last school. She had a huge crush on him and he was the main reason that she left that school. She also has a medical condition, epilepsy, that had been in remission but recently came back.

When Duncan comes on board he initiates vast changes that will change the complexion of the sweet, magical school. Sam finds herself at odds with the new principal at every turn.
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I really enjoyed this book. It has Kathleen Center's optimistic view of the world, in spite of challenges. I always hope for a sequel when I finish one of her books because I am so deeply invested in the characters.

Highly recommended.

“What You Wish For” is filled with so much love and of course sadness but within that there was JOY. The characters are believable both to be hated and loved or just frustrated with. You can see how we all live through difficult and different times and we will recover eventually. As the book states in many different ways....pay attention to things that give you joy. We all live in a world that is changing daily but there is JOY everywhere as the author Katherine Center gives us in this book. I too was part of a whale rescue last summer and it gives you a totally different view of life. So enjoy this book as much as I did and Remember JOY.

I received this book today on March 19, 2020 and finished it on March 19, 2020. I couldn't put the book down. I fell in love with the main character, Sam, as she navigated her world taking so many turns in just a few short weeks. We got to watch her magnetic energy confront a man about the reality of who he really is and who he is meant to be. Katherine Center has truly done it again.

I love the way this author writes, and this is my third book of hers now that I highly recommend. The story is interesting and flows nicely, and I always love the way her romance is slow and feels right for the characters. This was a great read!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Katherine Center has done it again. Ever since I read How to Walk Away, she's been one of my favorite authors. In this story, she did an amazing job taking a serious matter and turning it into a life lesson filled with hope, love and joy. And during these tough times in the world, it's a good reminder to still find joy in the every day life even if we don't have the luxury to go on vacation, see friends, go out and eat, etc. However, I did think the first third of the book was a little slow - too much of Sam describing the Duncan she knew. I was waiting and waiting for when he would finally arrive. Once that happened, the story really took off for me. I kept telling myself "one more chapter" until it was 1am and I really couldn't stay awake any longer. If you are looking for a great women's fiction novel with a little bit of romance, this is perfect!

TW - school shooting, PTSD

I loved this book! I kept wishing this book was published sooner because it's a perfect, light-hearted read for this time of social distancing. This book reminded me of Center's earlier books (The Lost Husband, Happiness for Beginners). I related to the concept of fighting for joy and thought it was a great message to read right now.

Especially in the climate of society right now, you need to read this book. It is engaging, lovely, light, and will help escape from these current times. I couldn't recommend What You Wish For more!

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel.

4 🌟

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced readers copy for review. All opinions are my own.

I read my first Katherine Center book just a couple weeks ago, Things You Save in a Fire, and loved it. I still have to read How To Walk Away which is on my shelf and will be my next read soon! What You Wish For was well written and tears at your heart strings. I loved the relationship that we got to see grow between Duncan and Sam as well as how they each turned into the other. By that I mean, Sam went from gray and meek to colorful and vibrant while Duncan did the exact opposite, fun and carefree to gray and rigid! Each of their own demons effecting them in completely opposite ways. The characters were lovely, Max, Babette, and Alice. I couldn't stand Tina but it was obvious that her issues stemmed from her obviously terrible marriage with Kent.

There were many struggles they each of these characters had to overcome and personal demons to face. There was one specific paragraph that spoke volumes to me:

- - Life doesn’t ever make things easy. How dare you demand that happiness should be yours without any sacrifice—without any courage? What an incredibly spoiled idea—that anything should come easy? Love makes you better because it’s hard. Taking risks makes you better because it’s terrifying. That’s how it works. You’ll never get anything that matters without earning it. And even what you get”—she lifted her chin in defiance—“you won’t get to keep. Joy is fleeting. Nothing lasts. That’s exactly what courage is. Knowing all that going in—and going in anyway.”

I did find it a touch annoying how after everything, Sam still was trying to push Duncan away. I'm glad she came to her senses, thanks to Babette. Even in the darkness can you find the light, the joy within you enough to live your life and live it with gusto. To find the beauty in the butterflies, to know it's all worth it. I think Katherine brought everything together beautifully at the end, bringing everyone together, coming to terms with the reality of what matters, although not without some bumps. But what kind of HEA would it be without some bumps in the road. I enjoyed my time reading this novel, I think you will too!