I have never read anything by this author before, so I was stepping into the unknown. I like to expand my horizons in what I read, and this book seemed to fit the bill. It was a quick read, and it was overall satisfying to me. I will say that it wasn’t at all what I was expecting or what I would normally read. Nonetheless, I thought that the book was enjoyable. This was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I don’t have a whole lot to say about the book in general.

The Writing
I liked the writing in this book. Center’s writing was easy to read and it flowed. I finished this book in about two hours, maybe a little less. This is because I felt that the book’s writing was working well with everything else. It wasn’t overly descriptive, and the dialogue was good as well. I think the writing was a solid foundation that the rest of the book is set on.

The Pacing
I didn’t particularly have a huge problem with the pacing, but I will say at some points the pacing left me a little annoyed. This is mostly because it felt like we were going somewhere then suddenly it slowed down again. This was a problem for me as it was slightly jarring at times. Otherwise, I think it all worked.

The Plot
The plot was far more character driven than it was action driven. The teachers and staff essentially band together to prevent their school from being changed. This was mostly the action plot with a small subplot involving our characters trying to make someone happy again. It was a simple plot, but it worked. It wasn’t convoluted because there was no need for it to be. In fact, I loved it for that reason.

The Characters
The characters are the real stars of this book. I enjoyed the characters immensely and I think that Center did a good job with them. I didn’t dislike any of the characters (okay, I did hate two of them, but because we were supposed to!) and felt that all of their development was nicely done. Much of the development we get for them has occurred off screen, except for a few moments. There is nothing wrong with that.
Underlying the characters and plot is the romance. The romance doesn’t take up a large portion of the book, and in fact, how it is incorporated is lovely. It just becomes another aspect to the characters and plot.

Overall
I enjoyed the book; I can say that much. It was a soothing read, and it was lighthearted for the most part. I laughed at a couple points and overall I enjoyed myself while reading it. There were some fun moments as well as some serious ones.

What can I say? Katherine Center just has a way of making me forget the world around me when I'm reading her books! I can always connect with the characters and their every day life situations. I have yet to meet a book by Center that I didn't like! What You Wish For is no exception. Sam Casey loves her job as a school librarian until someone from her past comes in and tries to change everything that she loves. If you are looking for a heartwarming lovely story, with characters that you can't help put cheer on this one is for you!

Katherine Center's latest novel What You Wish For is one of those must read books. It really is. I have come to love her writing and when I was able to get an advance copy of this one I loaded it up on my Kindle and sat down and read it in one sitting only taking time out for dinner.

Samantha Casey is a elementary school librarian and quite a lovable character. She and the staff at her school get along great and she loves her job and the whole atmosphere of her school. She feels like she has a home there until the beloved principal dies unexpectedly. Enter Duncan Carpenter . In an odd twist of fate Principal Carpenter is the same Duncan Carpenter that stole Samantha's heart years before even though he was unaware.

So what happens when an unrequited love who used to be the fun guy appears on the scene and is a straight laced and uptight administrator with ideas to place the beloved school on a high security alert? Samantha' rails against the changes and through a series of events finds that the old Duncan is still there but buried underneath a lot of personal trauma of his own.

The author does not disappoint with this latest novel. I laughed out loud several times and her characters were so fun and vivid that I felt like they were in the room with me. Great writing and a story that was just what I needed to read to escape this afternoon. Thanks, Katherine Center, for providing yet another great book to read. Keep them coming.

Thank you to NetGalley , the author and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

I do not consider myself a fan of romance novels, but I'm a sucker for Katherine Centers' after discovering How to Walk Away and then Things You Save in a Fire last year. She has a way with flawed but lovable characters, making them endearing and putting them together, after fighting it tooth and nail, in a not too sappy way. I started this novel last night and finally put it down around 1am, 65% of the way through, only because I had to get up and be functional for work at 7am, and then picked it up again as soon as I finished for the afternoon and didn't stop until the last page a few minutes ago. Not many books would jump straight to the top of my must read pile that way, but this one did.
I would recommend this to friends, coworkers, my book club, all the way to my mom and grandmother (even though it did have a couple of curse words in it that she might not approve of) :) but the story and the characters were just appealing and enjoyable. It's nothing groundbreaking or earth shattering, but if you're looking for a story with characters that feel like people you could know in real life, with real relationships that go through the good, the bad and the ugly, then give this book a try.

I have enjoyed all the Katerine Center novels I have read before but this one was exceptional! I honestly could not put the book down. The characters were wonderfu and the storyline ADORABLE . It made me sad it had to end. Always a sign of a good book. The fact that the main character was a librarian (like me) was dear to my heart but the book itself is just an all-around winner! Am I gushing over this one???? you bet! It's that good.

What You Wish For by Katherine Center is a great, breezy, feel-good romance. It was so addictive, I was able to read it in one day.

I have enjoyed several of Ms. Center’s books (especially Things You Save in a Fire) in the past, so I was so excited to enter her world again. Getting to meet Samantha and Duncan and finding out their shared past, their separate trials, how they ended up near one another again, and their new path forward was so exciting and heartwarming. I felt as if I was right here with them. I enjoyed their paths and the happy ending. One finishes the book wishing that everything in life can end on a positive note.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

3.5 Stars

Not the quickest to get going and there are parts that have you going “ugh, really...” but in the end, it finishes up nicely and is an enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book. Katherine centre has once again created a super likeable main character full of quirks and a spunky personality. The setting of the book, Galveston TX made me wish I was laying on the beach reading the book. Trigger warning for gun violence.

“ I’m telling you . I know all about darkness. That’s why I am so hell-bent, every damn day, on looking for the light.”
Summer has made a nice life for herself, a librarian in small, private, unique school.
Duncan was the life of the party, until something dark changed him. Now he’s headed to a small town school.
Summer and Duncan have a complicated past, can they help each other to live in the day not the past.
This book has such a great message and you can bet I’ll be sprucing up my wardrobe!
Another great Katherine Center read !!

I feel like I always start my reviews for Katherine's books by saying "Katherine Center has done it again" but I mean it every single time. I adore everything she writes and What You Wish For was no different. I simultaneously wanted to finish it and also never ever, ever wanted to be done with it. The story of Sam and Duncan, with all of their people and their trauma, is a beautiful reminder that joy is a choice that we can choose. Needless to say, it was the perfect read for all of this "social distancing". I'm going to go re-read it right now (no, I am not joking. I read How To Walk Away three extra times before checking it back into the library).

Most importantly, a warm thanks to Katherine, Netgalley, and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC. God bless all of you.

Happy and joyful, that is what I’m feeling after finishing “What You Wish For.” Whenever I finishing reading a Katherine Center book I just lay in bed and instantly feel fulfilled. She has a magically way of writing stories where the characters and plot are so well developed, full of life and charisma it’s impossible to put down.

In “What You Wish For” we follow school librarian Samantha who hopelessly loves her job, her students and friends she works with. When the school principle and founder suddenly dies, everyone is faced with the devastating loss. While still grieving, the staff is thrown a curve ball with the announcement of a new out of state principle. Enter Deacon a straight laced, strict rule follower who is focused on making sure every school has the best and most secure safety measures for its students and staff.

New is not how Sam would describe Deacon. They have a past. Years ago they used to work at the same school together. Sam, a shy up and coming librarian and Deacon, a fun outgoing teacher that students loved and a teacher everyone wanted to be. Sam fell head over heels in love with Deacon but was crushed when it turned out to be one sided and fled for Texas.

When Deacon arrives gone is the fun energetic teacher Sam used to know, replaced by a man who is so set on following rules and safety and so in his head that he doesn’t even remember Sam. Deacon wants to change the fundamentals that has made the school great and a magical place for the students and teachers.

With the teachers fully set on not letting Deacon destroy their school, Sam makes it her mission to help Deacon open his eyes to notice the joys around him while trying to figure out what happened to make him change from the man she used to know, to the man he is today. But will it be worth it or will it all be to late?

I LOVED this one! That’s all I can say. I LOVED it!

Special thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for this ARC.

I am not a huge fan of romance book so this was not one of my all time favorites but was good. It hit relevant issues-grief, security control, life choices.

Sam is a librarian with epilepsy who wears crazy clothes and hats to search for joy.. She moved from sunny California to Galveston, TX due to issues with her personal life. Then those issues end up there but she is taught that to have a life you must seek joy and let those choices rule you, or the fear.

Duncan, the new principal for the award winning elementary school has had some fearful experiences that has changed his life and his actions. Duncan use to be a crazy funny person but has become a three-piece suit killjoy. He has to learn to not let the fear rule and Sam helps sow him his old joy.
#WhatYouWishFor #netgalley #katherinecenter

4.5 STARS

This book kept my interest in a time when not many did. It’s a little deep. It’s not overly happy or overly sad. It contained real life issues that many people face. The lessons are to experience joy and celebrate every chance you get.


I voluntarily read an early copy.

I went into this with HIGH expectations. I'm a teacher, like the protagonist, and I loved Things You Save in a Fire. I opened this novel up, expecting the best, and was not disappointed. I loved the self-discovery, evolution, and friendship at the core. All of the characters were complex and easy to root for. I found myself flipping page after page, and finished it in one sitting (a rarity for me, nowadays!). The story, though heavy at times, was sweet without ever becoming too saccharine. I recommend this book to EVERYONE -- these are crazy times, but this book is soul-soothing.

Because this book was geared to a younger age group- 30's- this book was just o.k. for me.
A story of love, death, and friendship- it's a good book if you enjoy this type of novel and in this age group.
Thanks to NetGalley and Katherine Center's for the ARC for my Kindle!

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a digital arc of What You Wish For by Katherine Center. As per usual, Ms. Center has created a beautifully written novel. I especially loved her character development of Clay, Sam and Duncan. By the end of the novel I felt personally invested in Sam and Duncan’s relationship. This book tackled serious issues of loss and grief while incorporating some light laughs and silly moments. Although the ending was a tad predictable, I was still glad I took the time to devour this novel. I am a big fan of Katherine Center and will continue to read whatever she creates!

I’m so sad I didn’t like this book! Katherine Center has been a favorite of mine since The Bright Side of Disaster! I’ve loved all of her books! This one felt like a sloppy YA novel that wasn’t finished! The main character- although a librarian- wasn’t likable- she was annoying and I wanted to tell her to grow up! Duncan was annoying too! I had no patience for either of these two. The plot was missing and it just felt like an entire book about nothing! I will definitely read the next book out by Center because I like her.

Thanks to Netgalley for my advanced ebook copy.

I will say that this is my first Katherine Center book that I have read. I haven't gotten the chance to read the well praised How to Walk Away and Things you Save in a Fire so going in I had high expectations based on the praise the other books received but no personal experience with reading books by this particular author, which already puts me in the minority.

I did feel that this was a quick and easy read however at times felt myself skimming parts that I found irrelevant. I however I had a really hard time liking the narrator of the story, I felt at times she made big deals out of nothing and often ran away from her problems instead of facing them head on like I feel a strong female lead should. My thoughts about Duncan were all over the place, hated him, understood him, loved him, hated him again and ended up loving him in the end more so than the narrator.

The ending to me seemed like an attempt for everything to come together and it just didn't do it for me. I was overall disappointed and just felt a need to rush to finish it instead of truly enjoying it.

The author does do a good job of descriptive writing and I was able to visualize all the parts of a novel which is something I enjoy most about reading.

Overall I give it 3 stars, it was just a meh book for me, however it wasn't too awful and I still want to give her other books a shot to really understand what all the hype is about! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is exactly the book we all need right now to remind us to find the little joys in life, not to live in fear, and “Never Miss a Chance to Celebrate.”

I stayed up until four in the morning reading this story. I couldn’t put it down, and yet I woke feeling refreshed, happy, and lighter than I had in days. That’s what a good book can do, it can erase your stress and restore your faith and hope.

The characters were wonderful with complex, and complicated backgrounds, but you instantly are attracted to them. Sam is so much fun, yet there’s a strength to her that she didn’t know she had that pops out at times and makes you cheer her on. And at other times, she’ll break your heart with her fears and doubts and insecurities. Duncan sounds like the most amazing—and fun—guy you’d ever meet and then you meet him and he’s anything but. It makes you crave to know his history and you’ll find yourself rooting for him to find his joy in life again.

The story is classified as women’s or family life fiction, but it’s so much more. It’s a romance in the truest since of the word, a love story, a tale of friendship, and yes, family drama. While it tugged at my heart, it wasn’t depressing, although it had its sad moments. Katherine Center has a way of writing about some of life’s toughest moments in way that lifts the character and the reader up, and reminds us that we are stronger than we know, that there is good even in the bad, and leaves you (or at least this reader) craving more from her.

I don’t know if the world will still be as despondent when the book releases in July, but one thing I’ve learned is we always need hope, laughter and love, and you’ll find it here. Do yourself a favor and pre-order this book now!

I am a big fan of Katherine Center, and love all of her books. This one did not disappoint! The characters in this book were all endearing, and the overall positive, upbeat message was just what I needed to read. The story line was a bit predictable, but I would've been disappointed if it ended any other way.