DNF at 42%

I wanted to like this book. I really, really did...and I just didn't. I skipped around a bit, and I did find areas in the book that I enjoyed, but overall I just wasn't engaged in the story and it never really grabbed me.

This is my first title by this author, and I did like her writing style (for the most part) although I didn't really like any of the characters or really want to get to know them.

I am not able to recommend this title.

Just like Katherine Center’s previous novels, What You Wish For is a heartwarming story filled with challenges and also with hope. Like many, my reading during this pandemic has been all over the map. I have bounced around from escape reading engrossing thrillers to curling up with some engaging and lighter fiction. Center is definitely a feel-good author and reading her books feels like a warm hug and we all need a little of that right now.

What You Wish For introduces us to Samantha and Duncan, who’s lives intertwine once again, after a tumultuous ending years earlier. While Center’s books often include a love story, they also include the most important relationships we can have, the ones we have with ourselves. While all of her books have similar themes of personal growth and self-compassion, they are all stand-alone reads and don’t need to be read in any specific order.

“We made a choice to do joy on purpose. Not in spite of life’s sorrows. But because of them.”

Center has the unique ability to build multifaceted characters that we can connect with and also root for as they encounter relatable obstacles and challenges along the way. Her characters are quirky and unique and always have more depth than you initially assume and…and also leave you reflecting not only on the themes of the book but also about how they relate to your own life.

“I wasn’t a stranger to grieving, to the way it drowned you but didn’t kill you – only kept you submerged for so long you forgot what air and sunshine even felt like. I knew that grief set its own timeline and that the only way out was through.”

This was the perfect book to curl up with on the couch and I already looking forward to what Center writes next! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and author Katherine Center for a gifted copy. As always, all opinions are my own.

"What You Wish For" was not what I expected from the description I read. Samantha Casey works as a librarian at the Kempner School on Galveston Island, Texas. She reconnects with a guy on whom she had a major crush, when he becomes the new principal at the school. However, her crush is not at all as he used to be.

This story is told in the first person, and Sam tells us everything about herself and her life in great detail. This was a major problem for me, as some scenes went on for way too long. Sam left her previous job, and might even leave her current one, because she has a crush on a guy and it is not reciprocated, which is just plain silly and childish. The author touched on some serious issues, but I was annoyed by Sam's self-centeredness. Readers who like a lot of detail and focus on a main character might like this novel, but it was not a good choice for me.

I received this novel from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This book was great - I really enjoyed the nature themes alongside all of the typical Katherine Center writing that I love.

Katherine Center did it again; she delivers a whimsical love story in WHAT YOU WISH FOR. This book is fun, emotional, and rated G sexy. The story is about Samantha Casey (a.k.a. Sam). Sam is a librarian at her beloved Kempner School. She loves her job, she loves her boss, she loves her new town of Galveston, Texas. Max and Babette Kempner are like second parents to Sam. They have welcomed her in their home, and she feels so grateful to have them in her life. But nothing is forever. When Max Kempner, her boss, suddenly passes away, her happy world is changed. To add to the matter, her old crush, Duncan Carpenter, has been hired to replace Max as the school principal. At first, Sam is happy that the school is getting someone as remarkable as Max, but she is concerned that this will be a game-changer for her and that she will have to run away again. It turns out that Duncan has a life make-over since she last saw him and is now the opposite of what he used to be. From the goofy-life-loving man she knew, he has become a grey-strict-stick man. Duncan is making changes to the school that will negatively change its flavour. Sam must stop him and help him rediscover the joyful side of life. Can Duncan change? Can Sam conquer her fear and let love be love? You will have to read this quirky book to find out. It is a fun and light read with many ups and downs. You will enjoy it.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press for granting me an ARC of this wonderful book.

This book was average for me. I felt very lukewarm about it during and after I finished reading. I wasn't dying to know what happened next because it was pretty predictable. Katherine Center books get a lot of buzz and this one just fell flat for me. Maybe my expectations were too high. I feel like she tried to make her lead character diverse by giving her epilepsy but throughout the story she was ashamed by it and I didn't like that, it just further fed into the notion that people with disabilities should hide them and be ashamed. The book just felt juvenile to me.

Samantha Casey is a quirky librarian at a private school in Gavelston, Texas. When the school founder, and her landlord/father figure, dies, a new head of school is appointed, Duncan. Duncan happens to be her former crush from another job that she left to get away from him. But when he comes to Gavelston, he's all business, no fun and threatens the very essence of the school. This is a feel good, light romantic comedy for those who are looking for a beach read. Truthfully, I wasn't invested in Sam or the story. There was nothing wrong with the book or the writing, it just wasn't for me.

Review of ‘What You Wish For’, by Katherine Center
Choosing joy, especially in difficult times, seems to be the message that we all need to hear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Katherine Center does a great job sharing this message through the characters in her latest novel, What You Wish For. The dual, parallel, and opposite transformations of the two main characters—Samantha from quiet and worried to joyful and lighthearted, and vice-versa for Duncan—unfolds quite naturally throughout the book. The reasons for Duncan’s transformation are quite dramatic, as you will find out, and while I could smell this one from the first moments we are introduced to the character, the reveal is well developed, seamless, and still quite satisfying. The themes of loss, joy, self-respect, and love, be it platonic, familial, or romantic, are weaved throughout each character’s development, both main and secondary, as well as through the various sub-plots. Basically, Katherine Center has delivered another summer read that can be as light-hearted or heavy as you want it to be.

Samantha Casey is not the only person who is devastated by the sudden death of the beloved principal of the elementary school where she is a librarian. Samantha was very close to the principal and remains close to his wife Babette. As a matter of fact, Babette is well respected at the school as well, and pretty much everyone thought the job would be passed on to her. Samantha is more than shocked when she hears the announcement that a teacher she knows quite well - Duncan Carpenter - is taking the job.

Well, this is problematic for Samantha. The two have a bit of a past. Samantha once had a huge crush on the fun-loving guy. Who she sees now is a different man altogether. He is far too serious, intent on change as to the way the school is run, and is especially intent on safety precautions. To the dismay of the rest of the staff, other changes are in order. These changes will be sure to upset the staff as well as the students.

Samantha is still crushing on Duncan, even though he is not the man she remembers. She really wants to know why he is such a different man and is determined to get to the bottom of things. For some reason this book read kind of young to me. Actually, I had to check the genre because with Samantha's behavior this felt like it was written for a younger audience. I get that with Samantha's job as a librarian for younger children, she has a gentle soul, but again, seemed rather young throughout the story. In some ways, however, I was able to relate to her and the story did end up on a very sweet note.

However, the narration really helped to make this book more enjoyable as it was narrated by Therese Plummer, someone whom I have had the pleasure of listening to in Kelley Armstrong's Casey Duncan series and Brenda Novak's Evelyn Talbot series. Since I tend to binge listen to series I have grown quite comfortable with Therese Plummer's excellent narration. For me, this always ratchets up the enjoyment value of the books I listen to.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, McMillan Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I started this book with very few expectations. Starting a new book is usually a little rough for me. Am I going to be able to get into quickly or will it take forever? Will I connect with the characters? Will it be a snooze fest? Well, this book pulled me into a beautiful story right away.

I adored the beauty of this story. The friendships, the life lessons, the romantic relationships, the family dynamics, everything. When I was reading it, I felt completely engulfed in the world of these characters. My heart was so full at so many points throughout.

Katherine Center has a true talent for writing very personal, captivating stories of love and loss. I highly recommend this book! 5 stars from me!

received a complimentary digital copy of this book from NetGalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an unbiased review.

Samantha Casey is the librarian for the Kempner School on Galveston Island living with Babette and Max Kempner, the school’s founders. Her mother died when she was 10 years old and didn’t really know her father. She worked hard to break free from her mundane past to allow her colorful, quirky side to shine. The school thrived with its unique teachers who loved their jobs. Everyone’s life is dramatically altered when Max collapses at his 60th birthday party. No one expected the lively, beloved principal to leave them that night especially not Babette.

While Babette was struggling through the grief of losing Max, Sam tries her best to help and support her. This upsets Babette’s daughter, Tina who seems to resent Sam for living in the Kempner’s carriage house. Trouble begins when Tina’s husband, Kent Buckley decides to replace Max with Duncan Carpenter as new principal. Everyone wanted Babette to take over but her loss was too great to take on such a responsibility. Everyone pitches in to resume school while grieving for Max.

No one knows what to expect when Duncan Carpenter takes over. Samantha realizes that she knows him from a prior job where his care free nature enamored her. She felt her infatuation with him to be unhealthy that she moved to Galveston Island. She tries to allay everyone’s fears by explaining the Duncan she worked with was fit to run the school. The Duncan she knew was light hearted and fun.

Samantha is horrified when Duncan Carpenter introduces himself and begins to change everything that made the school special. His main focus was safety at all cost. What happened to the Duncan she knew? Will she be able to remind him how to enjoy life like he once did for her?

With the release of How to Walk Away, Katherine Center made me a fan. It was one of my favorite books that year.

What You Wish For I feel could be divided into two parts. The first half of the book, the characters felt over-the-top to me. So many of the characters had extreme personalities, dressed crazy/wacky, or behaved in the extremes. This over-the-top made the characters feel contrived and fake. I struggled with the first half of the book for this reason and would give it 2 stars.

The second half of the book felt like it flowed much smoother and the characters settled in to their own. The story felt more believable. I wish the entire book would have been more like the second half of the book. I really got in to this book and enjoyed it at this point. There were some great words of wisdom sprinkled throughout the second half that could be applied to anyone's life. I would give the second half 4 stars.

I will always read anything that Center writes not to mention the covers of her books are always so beautiful.

Samantha gives life everything she has and rides the waves accruing bumps and bruises along the way. This was a fun story.

A wonderful, uplifting story that leaves you with a smile on your face. Samantha has finally found her place in the world and is surrounded by friends in the wonderful community of Galveston. But after a tragedy occurs in the community everything changes. She believes things will get better when she finds out her former colleague (and secret crush) is coming to work with her in at the school she holds so close to her heart. But, unfortunately, Duncan is not the man she remembers and is actually making things worse than they were before. The joy is fading from her wonderful world and she must decide whether to move on or fight for what she has always wished for in life.
The characters of Samantha and Duncan are relatable and well-conceived. The supporting characters add just the right amount to the complexity of the story.
I highly recommend this book. It fills your heart with joy and reminds you that even through dark times if you wait long enough the sun will begin to shine again. I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an ARC of this beautifully written book in exchange for a honest review.

I really struggled to get through this book because I expected so much after Things You Save in a Fire. This story deals with heavier topics (lots of past trauma), but thankfully Katherine Center is always able to add levity to the situation. It wasn't my favorite, but I'm still excited to read whatever Center writes in the future.

I really enjoyed this one! Angst, romance, tears, joy...it had it all. I loved the character development and will continue to follow this author. Well written with characters you can relate to as well.

What a sweet story about love and loss and love again! Sam is the librarian at the Kempner school when Duncan steps in as the new principal. She knows him from way back and had a crush on him from the beginning, but now, as the principal of her school, he's a completely different guy. He's serious, and has lost his love of life and everything fun and celebratory. As the semester moves along, Sam learns about Duncan's past and the "demons" that haunt him. Sam has a history, too, but hers is a battle with infrequent seizures. Together they learn about feeling joy and sorrow, and about hope and fear.

What You Wish For is light reading. The characters are well crafted and relatable. The story is fairly predictable, but the book is fun and enjoyable to read. Highly recommend for beach reading!

Thank you NetGalley, for allowing me to read this book.

This is my third Katherine Center novel and she is definitely an auto buy / request author for me. Her writing is always very good for me, and I’m always able to connect to her characters instantly.

However, this one wasn’t a home run for me as much as her other books. I struggled to read this story as well as connecting with the characters. I didn’t necessarily mind Sam but I had a hard time with Duncan which isn’t good since he was a main character.

I read How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center. In these two books, the characters correlate, but are not listed in a series. As I’ve read from other reviews, apparently Duncan is the brother of Sam from Happiness For Beginners. I didn’t have any issues in her previous novels with reading them “out of order” but I’m not entirely sure if the circumstances are different with this one.

I will say that this story is truly about seeking happiness and joy in life. There is a lot going on in the world right now and this message about finding joy in the small things in life was actually very needed. I could appreciate that message coming from this book.

Overall, I love Katherine Center and I love her writing. I go to her when I need a good, heart-felt story with laughs and smiles. I did like the message behind this book, but it wasn’t my favorite book in the world with the characters and story. I will give Happiness for Beginners a try as well hopefully to learn more about who these characters are.

What You Wish For by Katherine Center is a truly poignant book, oddly full of death and misery, but oddly uplifting. It is Max's 60th birthday and Sam(antha) has been tasked with throwing the party with a budget of $67 while Max, and his wife, Babette are on a second honeymoon in Greece. (It was a really good price!) When the town found out, everyone offered to help so there was a huge party in a wonderful venue, all for free because they all loved Max. Max was the principal of a private school, which served the area and he was the most well-loved man in town. Then tragedy struck and Max died, right on the dance floor of a pulmonary embolism. He hadn't gotten up and walked around on the plane ride home from Greece, apparently.

Sam is an interesting character, someone who had been an introvert but forced herself out of her shell and into joy, partly because of Max. She was heart-broken but had to be strong for Babette, and for the school. So she forged ahead. A new principal had been hired, Duncan Carpenter, coincidentally a man she had known at another school. The most fun guy ever, the best educator around. She was excited except that she had had a huge crush on him and she was not looking forward to seeing him and his wife and family. It was going to hurt. This was such a sad book but so upbeat at the same time. There are so many part of the story that the only way to get the full picture is to read it. You will love it. You will laugh. You will cry. I recommend it. Read it now.

I was invited to read a free ARC of What You Wish For by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #whatyouwishfor

Writing about librarians must be so interesting. Like it’s about a bookworm.

Samantha has definitely changed when she moved into a new town. But it’s a good thing, sometimes you need change in your life. And it’s something that Samantha needed. It may have changed her in a good way but it will also challenge her when she discovers she has a new boss, and they have some buried history together. Duncan may not want to talk about their history but the past never stays unbury.

I really try to like What You Wish For but it really dragged throughout the book. I wish they had placed the storyline much better. It would have improved the storyline much better.