I love Katherine Center. That's all there is to say. But really, I sink into her stories so easily and feel such an immediate love for her characters. I already loved Duncan, but this gives him so much more than what he was in Happiness for Beginners. I really enjoyed both his and Sam's growth and connection through this book. I always learn and grow a little with each book Center writes and end up pressing them into everyone's hands. Thank you for another great read. I loved it.

I waited so patiently for the next novel from Katherine Center and it was totally worth the wait. I devoured this one in a day and loved everything about it. The characters were fantastic and the setting made me want to move to that quaint little town immediately. If you’ve read anything by Center, you know her writing sucks you in and the dialogue between characters always sweeps you up. I loved this one so much and would highly recommend picking it up. Thank you to Netgalley for sending a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book I have read by Katherine Center and I have absolutely loved both of them. She may be my new favorite author. The characters in this book were so well developed and so lovable. Sam is a librarian who adores her school and her students and her books (naturally). But she has an illness she tried to hide from and a childhood that makes it hard to trust others to not leave and she has decided to fight for joy every single day. I loved the whimsy of her library and her bright pink bangs and all the bright colored socks that she wore to school. I admired her and her determination to be joyful on every single page. Now I honestly wasn't sure how I felt about Duncan because he was so straight laced and the complete opposite of Sam in EVERY way. Not only that, but he seemed pretty obsessed with school safety (maybe a little too much, but also understandable in today's climate) and the changes that he wanted to make were just so outrageous. I became just as frustrated and upset as Sam, but when his history was explained, I felt so much empathy for him and I just wanted to hug him and give him back his joy. This book was both funny and sad at times and the romance and chemistry between Sam and Duncan were an incredible slow burn, which I LOVE. Even though Sam had a huge crush on Duncan in the past, I really liked that the author didn't try to make this an insta love kind of thing. I loved that these two characters actually got to know each other and that they learned to trust each other. This was such an emotional and delightful read.

I stumbled across Katherine Center’s work 2 years ago when I read and really enjoyed “How To Walk Away.” I thought her next novel,“Things You Save in a Fire”, was also a good, charming novel, so I was excited to get my hands on this advanced copy. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy her latest book, “What You Wish For” as much as I had hoped. The characters were likeable, but I did not feel the same connection that I had for the protagonists in her two earlier works. While this story touches on real life trauma and grief, it just felt too...manufactured for my liking. There were too many subplots going on that just didn’t leave me feeling as invested in this one. It’s entertaining and a story that has some good takeaway themes, but I did not love this one as much as her two previous novels. 3/5 stars ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️.

I loved Katherine Center's previous books and was very excited to read What You Wish For. And although I enjoyed it, it didn't captivate me as much as her other books. The writing style was quite different from Center's other books. It was more humorous, and the book read more like a rom-com than women's fiction, which didn't bother me at all. The main heroine, Sam, was funny, and her inner monologue was quite comical. She made me smile.

I loved the school setting, and I loved all other characters, except for the main hero, Duncan. He was very unlikable in the first part of the book. It was pretty clear from the beginning what made him so obsessed with school's safety and security, but it was difficult to watch him turn an elementary school into a prison and take away all the joy from kids and teachers. He was very rigid and uncompromising. He changed for the better in the second half of the book, which allowed me to enjoy the book more. Overall, I have mixed feelings about What You Wish For.

Delightful. I want to linger in Babette’s company and play in Samantha’s closet. A quick read with more mischief than romance, this sweet story will inspire readers to choose joy, dance even when everyone’s watching, and live fully in every messy moment.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

I'm starting to like Katherine Center's writing quite a lot. This is my second book of hers and I'm impressed with the characters she creates and the stories she creates for them. I was excited to return to reading this book not because the story was fast moving but rather that the characters were appealing.

The only thing I would have appreciated is a little more time with Duncan and Sam as a couple. More banter would have been nice. Otherwise, I thought it was a good summer read.

Katherine Center sure has a way of taking me away from reality for a while and immersing myself in her incredible writing. Her newest release, What You Wish For, will tug at your heartstrings and have all of your emotions running wild.

Samantha Casey is a quirky school librarian who is reeling in the grief of her boss and father figure. As the community grieves, the school board announces they have hired Duncan Carpenter, a man from Samantha’s past, as the new principal. She comes to learn that Duncan isn’t the same man he used to be. And he doesn’t seem to remember her.

As Duncan makes drastic, unwanted changes to their school, Samantha takes on the daunting task to find out what happened to the Duncan she knew previously. What she discovers along the way is not at all what she expected to learn.

If you liked Center’s Things You Save In a Fire and How To Walk Away, you’ll definitely want to add this heartwarming read to your list! Releases July 14. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

I think what I love most about Katherine Center's books is that she always manages to write the book that I didn't even realize I wanted. In What You Wish For we get to navigate the world of the staff in a private school and I was here for it all! I liked seeing how Center explored trauma and how one can slowly work through that. Then, about three-quarters through the book everything took a sudden, weird turn on a dock and for me at least, it all fell apart. The last quarter of the book felt rushed and really all over the place and that kind of put a damper on my overall experience. This one had some real potential, but it never quite got there.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

Katherine Center has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I read her books in one to two days and always learn something through the process. The mix of romance with a wonderful story makes the perfect escape for me which is what I love about this book.

This book can be triggering for those with trauma so I do think there should be a disclaimer .

I love Katherine Center's books. They are sweet, engaging, realistic stories about everyday people living their lives, alongside their insecurities and self-doubts. You want to be friends with them and hang out where they live, scoop them up when they get sad and try to change their minds when they let old traumas shape their decisions about their future.
The book was set on Galveston Island but Center didn't let the beauty of the setting take over. She is so talented at giving the reader enough sense of place to enhance the scene without losing the dialogue and emotion of the characters. I liked how Duncan and Sam both pivoted in how they dressed and projected themselves. When Duncan was bright and bold, Sam was trying to be invisible. Then Sam came out of her shell and Duncan seemed to have shrunk into his. The horror that Duncan was part of was told simply and I felt sensitively. It is these kinds of events that elevate Center away from a cozy, light, romance writer. She is not afraid to write about hard hitting subjects.
I definitely recommend this book be added to your TBR list!
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC, this is my honest opinion.

This was another home run for Katherine Center. I have just recently discovered her work, and have devoured everything I can since. Her latest attempt absolutely did not disappoint. Her characters are vivid, likable, and interesting, and you are invested in their stories from the first moment. I can’t recommend this one enough.

I loved this. I couldn’t wait till Duncan’s scenes which shows how invested I got into these characters. As soon as he cane around I couldn’t put this down. If you’ve read any of Katherine’s other books, then you’ll love this one.

Katherine Center's new novel releasing July 14 is not one you want to miss!!
Sam moved to Galveston 4 years ago after a relationship (that wasn't really a relationship) went awry. She finds a new place to be at a local school as their librarian and after many heart to hearts with the beloved principal, Max, and his wife, Babette, finds new ways to be happy on a regular basis. Then Max dies.
Enter Duncan, the new principal and also the man Sam ran away from 4 years ago. Except, he's not the funny, crazy, costume wearing, orange juggling, living life to it's fullest kindergarten teacher she remembers. Instead, he's a suit wearing, frown bearing, sad person who starts attempting to turn the school into "dreary flobbertown" (Dr. Seuss/Jack Prelutsky reference).
Does Sam have the courage to stand up to Duncan? Does Duncan have to courage to let her?
With relatable, authentic, laugh out loud characters, anyone looking for a light, fun read about finding the joys in the mundane should definitely pick this up!
#netgalley #whatyouwishfor #katherinecenter

This was a lighthearted read that gave me all the good fuzzy feels. A good choice given all that’s going on in the world right now.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Life can change in a moment. Sam is the librarian at a quaint elementary school in Galveston, TX when her principal and mentor suddenly dies. When she finds out her crush from a school before is the new principal she has mixed emotions. As the story unfolds you are drawn in by engaging characters, twists and turns that leave you wanting for more and feeling your heart stings tugged.

Thank you NetGalley, Katherine Center and St. Martin’s Press for this edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

I’m a huge Katherine Center fan, and her latest did not let me down! She’s the undisputed queen of inspirational heroines who find joy in challenging circumstances, and Sam fits right in with Margaret and Cassie. It’s also impossible to put her books down—I read this one all in a single day.

The cheese factor is definitely high in this one, and it plays on some fairly familiar romance tropes that make it a bit predictable. But I really didn’t care, because it made me happy—and sometimes that’s exactly what a book needs to do. Would recommend when you’re in the mood for a quick and uplifting love story.

This is the third of Katherine Center’s books I’ve read. My absolute favorite being, Things You Save In A Fire. While this one was slow going, I ended up really liking this one as well. This book was full of happiness and joy which is so needed right now. I also found myself highlighted several quotes about life, love, and grief. I loved seeing the changes in Sam and Duncan throughout the book. The ending was great and I loved seeing everything come full circle. A bit silly and cheesy at times, but I enjoyed it! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was exactly the book I needed right now. I have read a few books lately that let me feeling eh.... BUT NOT THIS ONE. It was so good I couldn't put it down.

To start with the setting and story: It takes place in a super cute charter school where all the adults really care about the students. I am a teacher and I just loved it. I loved the various supporting characters. I was not predictable at all, I had no idea how each chapter was going to end which is one of the reasons I think I loved it so much. I also didn't feel like it trivialized professional help with trauma.

For characters I loved them all. They had depth and past experiences that shaped how they made decisions. There was character developments and quirks. Great chemistry between the main characters.

This book made me laugh, cry and really think about how we approach each day. I have read Katherine Center's 2 books prior to this one and I just can't pick a favorite out of the three. If you loved "How to Walk Away" or "Things You u Save In A Fire" you will love this book.

3.5 stars!
Sam works as a librarian for a private school that is owned by her landlord who is also her principal, Max. When he passes away suddenly, leaving behind his wife, daughter and grandson, the future of the Kempner school is unknown. When a new principal is hired, the school is thrown into turmoil as he seems intent on ruining the welcoming and warm school culture and environment that the staff has worked so hard to create. When Sam finds out his name, she realizes it is someone from her past that she ran away from when her feelings were unrequited. How will Sam face Duncan head on, especially when he seems determined to ruin everything she has worked so hard for?

Anyone who has been following me for a while knows that romance stories aren’t typically my jam. I requested to get this ARC from @netgalley and @stmartinspress because Katherine Center is very popular on bookstagram. As my first by her, I enjoyed it. I really liked reading about Sam and Duncan’s relationship, although I did find Sam a bit much for me at times. I liked her philosophy of living life to the fullest while you can. This novel takes on Sam and Duncan’s personal struggles as we learn that Duncan has survived a traumatic event and Sam has epilepsy. They navigate these waters together and try to help each other cope. I found it a tad slow in parts but I did enjoy it as an easy read. As a teacher myself, I did have some difficulties with how the logistics of a school were portrayed. For example, Duncan has a dog on the school campus as a security dog that roams everywhere. This would just never be allowed in a Canadian school. There were a couple of other little things like that but I only know about that because I am an educator myself!