Much of this didn’t hold together for me. There were so many lapses in logic, absurd occurrences, and nonsensical details that I was distracted from what I love most about Center’s writing, her great dialogue and characters who are full of heart.

There are not many surprises here, but Center offers great escapism into a close-knit Galveston, TX, community of beloved teachers, students, and friends with an ending you can see coming but are glad to see take shape all the same.

I received a prepublication copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I've enjoyed a few of Katherine Center's books and looked forward to reading this one. As a teacher, I enjoyed the teachers vs administration plot line and I understood the issue of school security without losing school identity, but I'm not sure how the general public would read those. This was a cute story but a bit far-fetched. Recommended as a fun summer read.

What You Wish For is a book to add to your summer reading list. The book will have you feeling a range of emotions and is a very timely book to read. This is my first book to read by Katherine Center. I am always excited to find a new author!

A well written story of the importance of joy, despite illness, sadness and horrible events. Samantha is a teacher at a progressive school, with a staff dedicated to the students’ growth socially as well as academically. When Duncan becomes Principal, Samantha’s efforts to recover the fun loving Duncan she once knew becomes a mission for Sam, her friend Alice and Babette, one of the school’s founders. With appealing characters, romance and the serious topics of epilepsy, as well as school shootings, this story is told with an honest but appealing approach. Recommended, and thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I hate to admit that this was the first novel I've read by Katherine Center, but it won't be my last. I give this a 4.5.

Sam (short for Samantha) is the librarian at a private elementary school known for top teachers and a lot of heart. Unfortunately, the founder, principal, and essence of the school, Max, dies suddenly and is replaced by uber-safety focused Duncan Carpenter. But Sam knows Duncan from her last teaching job -- a job she had to leave to get away from her feelings for him -- and she remembers him as a fun-loving, willing-to-try anything person, which he most definitely is not anymore, as he keeps taking away everything that makes the school what it is.

The main message in this book is that no matter how hard or scary life is, you should keep trying to find joy since that's what's really important in life. You shouldn't close yourself off from the potential to be happy just because bad things have happened to you. And I think -- especially right now -- it's a really important message.

There's a requisite love story (which is much more real and complicated than most love stories in this genre,) but there are also really strong, positive female friendships, which is missing in so many books like this. This isn't a fairy tale romance novel, which was so refreshing after reading a lot of books with a lot of damsel-in-distress cliches.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the arc of this book. It has not influenced my opinion.

This book is so much more than tragedy, loss, grieving, violence, and wounds. It's about love, faith, taking a leaf off of a pier, a security dog who just wants to play, family, friends, and finding out that you are stronger then you appear. This is also about the power of adding color to your life, about supporting children and their love of the ocean. It's all this and so much more. I loved, loved, loved this book.

Sam Casey is the librarian at a quaint, eclectic elementary school on the island of Galveston. She has pink bangs, wears colorful clothing and delights in the children and everything that is books. When the head principal passes away the whole community is deeply saddened and Sam is shocked to discover that her old crush Duncan Carpenter has been hired to fill his shoes. Unfortunately Duncan has completely changed, and the fun loving kid hero aims to turn their school upside down.This cute, completely light hearted story had the Katherine Center flair of humor but for me lacked any substance. Unlike her other novels, which I adored, the characters and plot in this one did not grab me at all :(

With the magical and flowery prose that is the signature of Center, this book explores relationships, love, loss, honesty, grief and self-discovery. Samantha Casey fled California from a love interest that didn’t reciprocate and ended up in Galveston, Texas. She is the librarian at a small private school there and is loving it. Max Kempner, the co-founder and principal of the Kempner School, encouraged curiosity, investigation and artistic freedom there, and Sam is in her element. When Max suddenly dies, everyone is grieving but determined to find a good principal to carry on his legacy. When Duncan Carpenter arrives, Sam remembers him from California and expects him to be fun and charismatic, much like Max. But Duncan seems to be the antithesis of Max, demanding changes in the entire atmosphere and physical appearance of the school, all in the name of safety and security. Although Sam knew Duncan in California, she was not at all ready for this new form of him who has lost his hope and love of life. The scene is thus set for conflict, lots of emotions and plenty of cheering for one side or the other. Should Duncan be fired or should he be allowed to continue his reign at Kempner? As a former teacher and a rules person, I was kind of on Duncan’s side, but I did think he went too far in some of his demands and was expecting an explosive reaction from the faculty who were all more used to laid-back Max. Duncan seemed determined to get rid of freedom of expression at the school, and Sam was equally determined to save it. I really liked both characters, because Center is a master at strong characterization, creating a siren’s call for me to an emotional connection with her characters. I think that this book had a slower start for me that her other books, but about a third of the way into the book, I was captured and the magnetic pull of the charm and intrigue in the book just wouldn’t let go until I had finished it. Fans of Center will really love this book and I encourage fans of romance with multiple themes interwoven to try it. I love to feel happy after I read a book, and that is always how I feel after a Center book. This one also made me think about what I really want in life and what I am willing to do to grab it.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

What You Wish For was such a heartwarming, touching story of love for community and friends becoming family.

If you are looking for a guy meets girl love story, this isn’t it. When a community comes together after the passing of their local school principal you find hope and love, friends become family, and it’s a sweet story.

This was my first book by the author and it didn’t disappoint. I would recommend this if you enjoy light hearted, warm stories. If you’re looking for another romance, this might not be for you.

Wow oh wow. As a Texas native, I loved that this book was set in Galveston, an overlooked gem by those outside the state. The book started off a little slow - I wasn't sure I was going to be sucked in and then WHOOSH - like a tube slide at Schlitterbahn, the story kept me floating and whizzing along. I loved the humor and the heart and the joy in this book. And yes, I cried a little. This book is a fantastic antidote for the summer of 2020.

A perfect beach read! Galveston is our family's summer destination as often as possible. I loved that the setting was on our beloved little island. When a novel gives me all the big feelings, I become invested. This one did not disappoint. The characters were charming, their situations were real, and I couldn't stop reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this one in advance.

I have loved Katherine Center books for a while now and I was so happy to be able to read this one before it was published. Mrs. Center once again write a fantastic book that you don't want to put down. The characters were easy to like and the story was an emotional but joyful read.

I wish I had positive things to say about this book, but it was, unfortunately, a major disappointment. Especially after loving Things You Save in a Fire last year.

I could not connect with any of the main characters (Sam, ugh). I thought the storyline was flimsy and I wish some of the minor plotlines had taken a bigger role.

Hopefully I'll enjoy Center's next novel better.

The first book I read by this author was Things You Save in a Fire and I loved it. So, when I was offered an ARC of this one I jumped on it. Unfortunately, I didn't love this one quite as much, but it was still really good.

This story starts with Sam Casey working as a school librarian at a brilliant elementary school on Galveston Island off the coast of Texas. Sam loves her job. She got the job after running away from her last job because a man she was falling for was reportedly getting engaged. Fast forward a few years and that same man is now coming to her beloved school to become the new principal. You know right from the start this isn't going to go well.

The first half of this book was a little too repetitive for my taste. Sam consistently tells us about her crush, Duncan Carpenter, and how much she can't be around him because she just adores him so much and he'll ruin her life. She also keeps telling us about what he used to be like. Again and again. Plus, she seem to (repeatedly) think that he would have a whole gaggle of kids by now... approximately 4 years after getting engaged. (Apparently, she thinks his 'boring' fiancé-to-be has out-of-this-world baby-making abilities because that timeline didn't work for me. She also thought they would be school-aged...)

Once the book really got going in the second half it was so much better! I enjoyed getting to know the other characters, particularly Sam's best friend, Alice, and little 9 year old Clay. They were great characters. I did not care for Duncan. I thought even if she redeems this guy, he still has a thread of jerk running through him. However, he did grow on me as the book progressed, as did Sam.

There were still a few moments in the second half that didn't seem the most realistic to me, but honestly I think I expected that going in so I was ok with it. The characters grew on me. The story was fun. The writing was engaging. Overall, I thought this was a good story. I just wish the beginning was a little less repetitive with Sam's thoughts.

My final thoughts on this book - It wasn't as great as Things You Save in a Fire in my opinion, but it was still really good. I will be looking forward to reading whatever Ms. Center comes out with next.

3.5★

I'm not going to lie, I hated this book at first. And it's ironic because what I couldn't stand was how conversational Sam's tone was, something that I'm told I do in my writing, time and time again. It just gave me the feeling that this wasn't going to be a serious book. But I was wrong. Dead wrong.

And I can honestly say that I loved this book, now that I've finished it. I loved Sam and Duncan and Babette. I loved them all but I also loved the pain that Sam and Duncan had, that made them hide their true selves, because it's so true for all of us. We all become who we are based off of our experiences, and we judge others and get judged because of it. But very few take the time to see past the exterior and find the why.

Everyone in this book had a why and each why made me love them even more. This was another hit and easily my favorite of her work so far!

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Ms. Center's new book is a joy to read. Again, she has written very human, deeply flawed and well meaning characters. Dialog that actually sounds like humans speaking to each other and a well planned, thoughtful story arc.

As a volunteer librarian at an elementary school, Ms. Center's description of how Sam looks at being a librarian was so deeply touching. She gets what reading means to those who love books and reading.

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed “What You Wish For” by Katherine Center. Center’s romances are some of the best I’ve read and I enjoy the character development and plot throughout the novel. I look forward to reading more from her and can’t wait to see what comes next!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you at St. Martin's Press for the gifted copy of What You Wish For by Katherine Center.

This book is amazing, and I'm so excited for its release. Center has a way of bringing very serious topics to the reader's attention while still talking about the importance of joy in the midst of tragedy.

I feel like Katherine Center does more research for her romances than most authors. It is as if she does not write about someone's feelings on a serious subject without consulting someone who has been through something similar. I appreciate that.

There is some content that might be difficult for some readers, but all triggers and content has been added at DoestheDogDie.com.

Idk. #WhatYouWishFor was not what I thought it was gonna be.

I had soooo many problems with it. I feel like it kind of put me in junior high with how Sam acted. I did NOT like her character or her attitude. Or the way she thought about things.

Nothing about Sam had me connecting to her.

And I think the love story in it also fell a little flat to be honest. It was basically her just complaining about Duncan. I didn’t feel a lot of depth between the characters or even the plot.

And don’t get me started on what she does to Duncan 3/4 of the way into the book 🙄

I was really hoping to love this one, but it fell a little flat for me.

Trigger Warnings: Epilepsy, School Shootings

This was my first Katherine Center book and I think I picked a great place to start. I have been hearing about her books for awhile and this one lived up to the hype.

Samantha (Sam) Casey is a school librarian who has escaped her old life and found her dream job at the Kempner School on Galveston Island, Texas. Her whole life revolves around the school, her students, and the family she has created with her colleagues. She is fun and funny, expressing joy with her colorful clothing and hair, and makes sure her library is an oasis for the students. But when a new principal is hired, her old life collides with the new, bringing Duncan Carpenter to the island and Kempner school.

I thought this book would be predictable but it turned out to have many surprises that I didn't see coming. I loved it. The characters were wonderful. I wish I had a Babette and Alice in my life and I also wish there were more schools like the Kempner school.