Found this title a little hard to get into. Duncan and Sam felt a little bit unbelievable at the beginning, but as I got to know them I liked them better and better. Of course, as a romance, you know they end up together, but it was interesting to see how it came about. I would love to teach in a school like the Kempner School and enjoyed all the school details in this book. I loved the mother figure of Babette and the best friend Alice. I will definitely read more Katherine Center.

Despite a very hard life, school librarian Sam lives and works in a joy filled life. New principal Duncan is the exact opposite - except Sam knows he wasn’t always so strict and stern.

After reading Happiness for Beginners, I was super excited to read this one and catch up on fun loving Duncan - well let’s just say he’s changed A LOT! You definitely don’t have to read Happiness first, but I do think it adds to the experience and I loved catching up with Helen and Jake!
This book, like all of Center’s books, was uplifting, hopeful and wonderfully written. It is extremely quotable with themes of a joy filled life throughout. There are timely and tough to read topics that pulled at my heart strings and really made me think about my opinions on the characters.

While I really liked it, it wasn’t my absolute fave of hers. Sam was a bit all over the place for most of the book and some of the things that happened at school seemed a bit unrealistic. But overall, I highly recommend - it will leave you with a smile on your face and hope for the future!

TW: school shooting, seizure disorder, death of a loved one

Another winner from Katherine Center! She is just able to tap into emotions, heartache and she creates these memorable characters. Really enjoyed this one!

I just loved What You Wish For - it’s one of those books that stuck with me for quite some time. The storyline kept me engaged and I loved the characters. Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a hard start book for me. I picked it up and put it down a few times. It was a bit of a shock for me as I have loved Katherine Center's books from the first page, but this was a hard to start.
It didn't stay that way once I got fully into the story and I actually appreciated the beginning more so once I was immersed into the story.
I loved the quirkiness of the characters and the way the views of the main character evolved throughout the story. It was still a fairly quick read once I actually kept reading ;)

Sam Casey was devastated when her principal and father-figure passed away unexpectantly. She knew that his loss would impact the whole school, but when she found out that his replacement was somebody from her past she was hopeful. The Duncan Carpenter that she knew was fun, dynamic, and connected with the students in a way that would be perfect for their little school. But in place of the fun, engaging Duncan was a man who was closed off, and overly cautious about school security. Taking a bright, joyful place and turning it into a place comparable to a prison. Will Sam be able to convince Duncan that he is wrong before he destroys the school she loves so much?

It is clear that What You Wish For was written BC (Before Covid). Because while the book hits a lot of hard-hitting topics that educators usually face, not once is there discussion about masks. social distancing, or virtual learning. But I felt so connected to Sam, Alice, and Babette, that I wondered how they would handle the challenge facing all educators this back-to-school season. I loved all of the characters in this book. I laughed and I cried. I felt very deeply for Sam as she struggled with revealing her epilepsy to Duncan. And I felt very deeply for Duncan as he told Sam his story. I also hated the evil Mr. Buckley and was thrilled with the way that storyline played out. - CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS

Bottom Line - I have read every book by Katherine Center, but What You Wish For is by far, her best. You will quickly find yourself transported to their little island in South Texas and find yourself never wanting to leave.

Details:
What You Wish For by Katherine Center
On Twitter
Pages: 320
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 7/14/2020
Buy it Here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Another solid Katherine Center book - adorable, endearing, a warm, easy read. The perfect chick flick equivalent and a nice read in these times of quarantine. .

This one was a slow starter for me, but I tell you what, not let down once I hunkered in and got after it. As always, this author is so well written and her stories, they go after your heart full throttle and not in a cozy sort of “make-believe” manner, but in a “real-life” way. And I appreciate a good book that does this, now and again. It’s medicine for your soul. Yes, you will laugh, cry and shake your head but seriously, it is therapeutic in many ways and I suggest it 100 PERCENT. Have a tissue ready and a cozy blanket and just be still with the story. You won’t be let down......

I have enjoyed all of Katherine Center's books and this one was no exception. The characters were sympathetic and the story interesting and relevant. A few pacing problems and predictable plot meant that this story was not my most favorite.

Samantha Casey is the librarian of an elementary school in Galveston, TX. A few years ago, she moved to Galveston to escape an unrequited love. The man she fell for was funny, engaging, lovable but he had chosen another woman. Not that he knew how Samantha felt, so it wasn't really his fault.

Samantha is renting a garage apartment owned by Max and Babette Kempner. Max is the principal of the school she works for. During an anniversary celebration, Max unfortunately dies. The whole school and the community are distraught with grief. Then, they learn a new replacement has been hired.

The new principal is none other than Duncan Carpenter. The man Samantha left California for. Samantha is thinking of leaving because there is no way she can see him and not show her feelings but when they finally meet, Duncan is nothing like the man she remembers. Long gone is the happy personality, the vibrant ties, the carefree attitude. He is darkness when he used to be light.

When the principal of Samantha's elementary school dies, the school is horrified. Max and his wife Babette had created the school and spent their lives making sure that it was the most creative and enriching environment possible for the children it served. Sam is the school librarian and Max and Babette her best friends. She loves everything about her school and like her other faculty friends she worries what will happen next.
When the new principal is announced, she can't believe her ears. It is Duncan Carpenter and she knows him. He had worked at her first school and was the star of the faculty. He was goofy and filled with a sense of fun that included every child and encouraged them to dream big and follow their dreams. The children loved him and unfortunately so did Sam. But Duncan was dating someone else and it finally became so painful for her to have him unavailable that she moved to Texas and the school that Duncan is now coming to.

Her trepidation aside, she informs the faculty what a wonderful person they are getting, someone who will carry out Max's vision of the school. But four years can change a person and it has changed Duncan. Instead of an offbeat man who loves children and fun, he has become an authoritarian who is determined to change everything about the school and turn it into a fortress. He wants to take away everything that Sam loves about the place. Can this be the Duncan she knew?

This lighthearted romance serves as the vehicle to encourage readers to follow their dreams and take the bitter with the sweet, to be strong and unafraid to live life as it should be lived. Sam has changed herself from meek to outrageous and she boldly fights to save her vision. The novel received lots of awards such as People's 'Book Of The Week' and Parade's 'Best Beach Read of 2020'. If I had one quibble it was that Sam didn't seem as emotionally mature as her age. Her attitude towards Duncan and love often seemed more like that of a teenager with her first crush that a woman in her thirties. The novel was paced well and the characters were enjoyable. This book is recommended for readers of women's fiction.

This was a very enjoyable read for me, and while it’s not something I would have grabbed off the shelf, I thank NetGalley for receiving an advanced copy of What You Wish For and allowing me to expand my reading horizons. While the backstories of the characters are revealed slowly, the characters have depth and are believable, likable and empathetic. I will look forward to seeking out more from this author.

I absolutely loved What You Wish For. From beginning to end, Center had me hooked. I don’t know how she does it, but she got me so attached to a character right from the start. Prominent in the story, but non existent, so to speak. This person had my heart.

Sam ran to this town. She needed a new start and has loved the life she’s built herself over the last few years. When Duncan is hired as the new principal, she is baffled. A teacher from her old life, he is not the man she remembered. And loved. Not that he even knew who she was.

This new Duncan wants to turn this beautifully founded school into a fortress. Who is this man? What happened to the guy who juggled literally anything? Who had dance parties with his students? This new guy wants everything locked down and colorless.

As the one person who knew him before, Sam is tasked with figuring this out and hopefully, saving the school they all loved.

The school isn’t the only thing needing saving. Both Sam and Duncan have demons to face and What You Wish for will give you their stories. From beginning to end, you will laugh, cry, and become irrationally attached to these characters. Which is EXACTLY what I expect from Katherin Center.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was a nice book, but I preferred the other books I have read by Katherine Center. This one didn't grab me the way the others did. Still a good book though. 4/5 stars

This was not what I was expecting...the description talks about danger looming over the school and other things that lead me to believe it was going to be a much darker story.

This may be something that readers may enjoy if they like a nice, light semi-love story. That's not typically something that I read and enjoy.

The one character I liked most isn't around much, so that was disappointing, but it did have to be that way to move the story along. The other characters, most were hard to like, very unrealistic really so it was hard to root for them, or be concerned with how things turned out for them.

All in all, not my cup of tea, though the writing was nice and easy to read.

I'm not usually a fan of this type of story, but I must say this one reeled me in.

Sam is a librarian at a school in Galveston, TX. She loves her job and all her students. She rents a small space from the Principal of the school and his wife. I don't want to give too much away, but a situation arises and the school hires a new Principal. The only problem is, Sam knows him from the school she previously worked at. And she was in love with him, and he was also the reason she left. However, this Sam is not the same mam she knew. She sets out on a mission to find out what caused him to be so different. What follows is a heart warming story that you will fall in love with!

Even if you don't usually like this type of story, you should give this one a try!

What You Wish For by Katherine Center

Brief Summary: Sam is a school librarian who loves her job. When tragedy strikes the school leadership, someone from her past Duncan comes in as the new principal. Only now he has a strict set of rules and his policies threaten the school community that Sam knows and loves. This is my third book by Katherine Center and I’m a huge fan of hers.

Highlights: This starts slow but did get more interesting once we learn about Duncan’s background. Despite my love of Katherine Center, I have mixed feelings about this one. You should never coerce or manipulate someone into mental health treatment even with the best of intentions. Although their plan to help Duncan involved many tasks that would be helpful to many people having emotional issues; treatment with a professional is important. By far my favorite thing about this novel was that the main character has an invisible disability and Center does a great job drawing attention to issues people with epilepsy grapple with such as disclosure of disability and worry about others reactions; especially intimate partners.

Explanation of Rating: 3/5; unfortunately, this didn’t have the same charm I’ve come to love about Center’s work.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars. but I'm round up to 4 simply because I really enjoy Ms. Center's writing style. It feels like sitting down an having a conversation with a friend. The storyline itself didn't necessarily wow me. I mean, it was good enough, but it just seemed a little too convenient and eye-rolling at times. But let's get back to the writing style. I can't wait to read more to see if it carries throughout. It just made me feel warm and cuddly. Funny, sarcastic, insightful - basically just a slice of real life.

Sometimes characters get on my nerves because I’m like just love them already!!!!! Stop beating around the bush!! but I loved this book. I loved the characters. I loved how much they loved. You could see and feel how much they loved other people. I loved Center’s book “How To Walk Away.” This one is great, but not quit as good as it. Great book!

I love how the author writes as it pulls me in. I kind of went into reading this blindly as I haven't read her other books and didn't know what to expect of her writing style.
I was pleasantly surprised to find a great mix of comedy and romance without being so full of language and sex.
This was a heartwarming and lovely read. I'll definitely be checking out her other titles.