Thank you @netgalley for this arc.
This was my second Katherine Center book and I have to say I just adore them so much!
She writes stories that pull at your heart strings and the characters will stay with you long after the book is done.
So if you haven’t picked up one of her books yet what are you waiting for?
This story is about finding the joy in the little things in life, so very convenient at time right now in the world when we definitely need joy in our lives or to spread some joy to others!
4.5⭐️ ραყ αƭƭεɳƭเσɳ ƭσ ƭɦε ƭɦเɳɠร ƭɦαƭ ૮σɳɳε૮ƭ ყσµ ωเƭɦ ʝσყ, ʝσყ ૮µ૨εร εѵε૨ყƭɦเɳɠ
What have you done lately to bring joy to yourself or others?

Fans of Katherine Center are in for a treat with her latest novel, “What You Wish For.”

Samantha doesn’t have much of her own family to speak of, but her landlords/employers, Max and Babette, have become the perfect replacements. By day, Samantha works as a librarian at the school Max and Babette founded, and by evening, she is either spending time with her surrogate parents or friend, math-whiz, Alice. For Max’s sixtieth birthday, Samantha conspires with Alice and other faculty (and many former students) to plan a party to remember; unfortunately, Max’s birthday is remembered for other reasons—it is the night he collapses and dies right on the dance floor.

Max’s position as principal needs to be filled and in comes, Duncan. Samantha, missing Max, is not happy to see Duncan whom she knew from the past (which she is trying to run away from). But Duncan is clearly not the man she had a big crush on—instead of the happy, go-lucky teacher she remembers has been replaced by this stodgy, all-business look-alike. Unfortunately, Duncan’s main goal is to take away all of the joy that made Max and Babette’s school so special. Samantha tasks herself with finding out what happened to Duncan and in the process, brings the heart and happiness back to Max’s legacy.

Though the story-line feels a bit predictable at times (parts of it reminded me a lot of her previous novel, “Things You Save in a Fire,”) Katherine Center is a skilled writer who keeps her readers engaged. The author manages to balance the more traumatic sections with plenty of humor. The ending might be a little expected, but the reader won’t feel any less disappointed because one of the reasons you read Katherine Center novels is for the satisfying feeling you get at the end.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Katherine Center and St. Martin’s Press for an opportunity to review this novel

I enjoyed it, but not my favorite by the author. I really wanted to love it because the previous two books ("How to Walk Away" and Things You Save in A Fire") were amazing. I liked parts of the story but could have skipped Samantha constantly describing the old Duncan. How many times can you read about all the colors of pants, ties, socks and funny t-shirts that he wore? Not to mention everything old Duncan started in the previous school. I didn't love Samantha. After she left the school in California and moved to Texas, she pretty much morphed into Duncan. Why didn't Samantha google Duncan and se what he was up to? She would have seen what he was up to. I guessed what must have happened to him when he showed up in Texas. If Samantha loved him so much, why didn't she ask him why he changed so drastically? That's what really bothered me about Samantha. She went on and on and on and on about how much she loved Duncan but she never even dated him. She really never even talked to him when they worked together. She worked with him for two years and made it seem like they were best friends. She hardly talked to him. She knew NOTHING about him, which was evident when he shows back up in her life.

Were the teachers really shocked when Duncan held up a gun in the assembly? We are talking about Texas. I do agree with Duncan about the security at the school, or more the lack of security. With everything that has happened with school shootings, you would have thought there would be some degree of safety. Anyone could walk into the school, the doors had no locks and the teachers hated that they had to actually take attendance during each class.

i recommend giving the book a try. I did enjoy it, at least parts. Chuck Norris was very entertaining and probably my favorite. I definitely look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really like Katherine Center's writing and I spent a lot of extra time in the garden so I could keep listening. This was a good one, although I saw the plot twist coming a mile away, and it wasn't AS good as Things You Save in a Fire.

What You Wish For by Katherine Center takes you to Galveston, Texas. It’s a great location for this summer beach read. Duncan and Sam both have secrets that they aren’t comfortable to share with each other. They both learn that life is a choice that you work towards to get to what matters most. There’s lots more to this story that will keep you smiling in these troubled times.

Not my favorite Katherine Center book, but all in all, it fulfilled my expectations. This was an uplifting tale of two characters with what they consider to be major flaws. How they help each other in this area makes for a really good read. The characters, both major and minor are very likable all except for the villain. Every good story needs a villain. I will certainly keep my eyes open for Katherine's next book. She hasn't let me down yet!
Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

I absolutely loved Katherine Center's previous novels "How To Walk Away" and ""Things You Save in a F"ire. I was a little disappointed with "What You Wish for." I felt it was a too predictable. Having said this, it did have some funny lines and scenes which is really needed at a time like this. If you want a book to lift you up and forget what is happening around us then this is the book.

This was actually my first experience with one of Katherine Center’s books and it did not disappoint! I laughed. I cried. I fell in love with the school and characters.

As a teacher, What You Wish For hit very close to home and the message to always choose joy was exactly what I needed right now. It does have some pretty heavy themes, including trauma and school safety issues, but is presented in a way that brings the focus to moving past difficulties and choosing to live life the best way possible. The feeling of community was also strong throughout the story as the teachers and staff came together to fight to save their school and its culture.

Overall, What You Wish For is a captivating, uplifting read that hooks you from the start. Highly Recommend!

4.5 Stars

I received a copy of What You Wish For through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and to Katherine Center for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I loved this book. It deals with death and PTSD and the idea that you create your joy. In spite of everything. More so because of everything.

Sam is a librarian in a South Texas private school. A school that sounds like a dream. A creative hive that fosters celebration. Until the principal and one of the founders dies. I won't lie, the section on the initial grief was written so realistically, I had to put the book down for a bit. But I was engaged enough in the story (and trusted the author) to come back. The characters face real life situations. And they battle through them, sometimes awkwardly. But the friendships/family they develop throughout the book are better because of their shared experiences and support of each other.

There is a romantic love story here but calling it a romance underplays all the other relationships that are explored and developed. They are all critical to where Sam ends up at the end of the book.

I am thankful to NetGalley for the free electronic copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Samantha Casey is the librarian at a creative, nurturing elementary school in Galveston, Texas. When the beloved principal dies, his replacement is Duncan Carpenter, Sam's crush from her previous school. However, Duncan is nothing like the man Sam remembers, and his reforms to focus on school safety threaten to end everything that makes the school special in the community. Sam and her friends must help Duncan rediscover the fun in his job in order to save the school.

I was so excited to read this novel because I've loved all the other Katherine Center novels I've read, and this book did not disappoint. I was engrossed from page 1. At first I was really rooting for Sam and her friends to fight against Duncan. Once we learned more about Duncan's side of the story, I was thoroughly rooting for Sam and Duncan to come together. It was a sweet story with likable characters. It hit all the right notes for me in terms of a romance story. I loved the side characters as well.

I can't wait to recommend this book to other people, and I will definitely be reading more of Ms. Center's novels.

As a librarian in Texas, I really enjoyed that this book is set in Galveston. While the story may have been predictable, this was a fun "summer read."

Every time I think I can't love the simplicity of Center's writing more than I did in her last book, she surprises me again. I loved her first two books, even if this type of genre is so far from my preferred genre. But it's not your typical romance the way Center writes. It's wholesome, but not in a way that's preachy. Her writing is tender, and soft, and done in a way that truly is perfect.

What You Wish For is no exception. I've been looking forward to this book for months and was #blessed that NetGalley let me get a copy. I read it in two days. I wanted to cry. I cheered. I loved. The characters are sweet, but not sappy. And the story is lovely. Center will always have a fan in me, and I can't wait until her next one.

What You Wish For publishes 7.14.2020.

5/5 Stars

This is an outstanding book! I read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down. I loved the characters, they were interesting and quirky at the same time. Katharine Center is a great writer who has the ability to put the reader down in the places she's writing about. I wanted my kids to go to a school that had that much fun!

This book is a gem, 5 stars.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect novel if you want to escape the state of the world! I have heard of Katherine Center, but this is the first novel of hers that I've read and it won't be the last. Beautifully written love story!

Center describes an adorable elementary school on Galveston Island in Texas that I wish my own children could attend. I loved the school librarian protagonist Samantha and her rapport and friendship with other teachers in the building. The author did a fantastic job realistically capturing the spirit of an elementary school.

When Samantha ends up with her old crush as a principal she grows as an educator and romantic heroine learning to speak up for what matters,

Highly recommend as an uplifting and engaging story!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy.

After reading Center's last two books (Things You Save in a Fire and How to Walk Away) I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. I loved the last two and they had the perfect mix of a bit of substance mixed in with the Chick Lit/Romance story that allowed me to not only stomach but really enjoy the books. Sadly, this one didn't do it for me. It felt a bit too over the top and too sugary that left me with a stomache instead.

The story was cute and ultimately it was a nice quick read in a day. Through out the story the underlying theme is life it too short to be sad and to live it joyfully which is a much needed message in today's climate. If you want a nice, sweet, fluffy summer romance you may enjoy this one.

Kinda cheesy but sweet. Unrealistic town and characters but works on a fluff beach read level. Made me laugh at times but was kind of heavy handed.

What You Wish For by Katherine Center is a fantastic and emotional story that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you cheer for each and every character.

Katherine Center ceases to amaze me. Her gift for pulling you into a story with layers of characters that are breathtaking and diverse. I throughly enjoyed her new book and am excited to recommend it to my book club!

I enjoyed this book very much. It was filled with unique characters and although the storyline seemed somewhat predictable there were enough surprises within the story. Katherine Center is one of my new favorite authors. I love the way she develops her characters and she really did that in this book. Even the background characters were likeable and the character(s) you were meant to dislike were easy to dislike.

This is a story about choosing joy despite heartbreaking circumstances. She has no idea of how this lesson of choosing joy will greatly impact what is about to upend her world. Her past is about to enter her present in the form of Duncan Carpenter. I love the internal dialogue of Samantha Casey. She has lived through so much and has a view of life that is definitely distorted but in a good way. Samantha and Duncan are dealing with how the past have shaped and changed them. Both of the characters have to learn to face their fears and not let it stops them from living. Ms Center mixed her stories with powerful messages and humor to make an impact on her readers. One of the most life-changing statements made is "Never Miss a Chance to Celebrate" by Max.

I received this book from Netgalley and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.