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.

Katherine Center created another interesting, quirky romance in What You Wish For. The protagonist, Samantha, an elementary school librarian, tells the story using the stream-of- consciousness technique. Through Sam’s feelings and experiences, the reader becomes a part of her life on Galveston Island, TX. She describes the unique school building in such vivid colors and designs that one would want to attend that school. The strong bond within her school family is so positive that this reader found it hard to believe its existence. Sam deals with her problems, becoming a stronger person afterwards.
I thoroughly enjoyed this great read!

This was an easy read. I would have like more fleshed out characters and an ending that didn’t feel quite as rushed. I wanted more time with the main characters together. I liked them and would have liked to explore them more. Overall a good book.

I love Katherine Center’s ability to tell a story you want to read. Her character development is second to none. You find yourself rooting for these people as if they are truly real people. This book challenges us to think about how we approach life and the choices that we make. I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come and I am so grateful for it in this COVID mad world.

For me, What You Wish For had too much buttercream frosting on this layer cake.

Samantha Casey is a school librarian in Galveston, Texas. Over the summer she and the local community planned a special birthday celebration for the school's principal, Max. But tragedy struck on the night of the party and lives were changed completely.

We find Samantha preparing for the upcoming school year that Fall. But there's news that leaves her very unsettled. The newly named principal is someone that she knows from her past. Duncan Carpenter taught at the same school as Samantha out in California. Duncan was known for his outlandish costumes and comical ties to get the attention of the students. But he got Samantha's attention in a far different way. She fell hard for him.......but the feeling wasn't mutual.

Samantha hides behind potted plants and the like in order not to call attention to herself. Not working. Nothing's working. This new Duncan is nowhere near the old Duncan. School safety is now what he lives and breathes. This will set the stage for conflict between them.

I've read Katherine Center's previous novel, How to Walk Away, and enjoyed it. What You Wish For didn't make my wishes come true. The characters seemed stereotypical and the tensions were predictable. Maybe for me the "light and airy" content of this one seemed a bit much. Reviews have been mixed. I always advise you to take it out for a spin and see what you think. Perhaps you may see it in a different light.

I received a copy of What You think through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Katherine Center for the opportunity.

This novel starts out with such a random, quirky convergence of characters and complex issues that I wasn’t sure what to think. Or if I should keep reading. However, I loved one of the author’s previous novels Things You Save in a Fire so I decided to hang in there.
I’m so glad I did. Sure, it’s quirky and the plot is unconventional, yet the theme of the novel is so uplifting. Choosing joy, even when we have to work hard to find it, is a message that the world needs to hear. Probably now more than ever.
I really enjoyed reading What You Wish For. While the inciting incident and the story that follows are a bit unexpected, I finished this charming book feeling both satisfied and encouraged.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

Well I needed a light, feel good book after Home Before Dark and that is exactly what I got w/this one!!! I loved this story!!!! I wasn't sure about Sam at first. She seems kinda immature to begin with but you grow to love & understand her. Somehow I stayed open minded about Duncan from the get go. Even when it was hard to like him. I just knew he would come around and do right. Just like Katherine Center's previous books this one has her feel good signature style and her strong women characters we all love. Thank

NetGalley ARC | Confession: I had never read Katherine Center before, even knowing that people love her novels.

I won't lie, either: What You Wish For started a little slow for me, and I found Sam's self-doubt repetitive and annoying (maybe I am a heartless monster?!)

However, 1/4 of the way in, I fell for this July 2020 book release and loved the Montessori-like school, LIBRARIAN edge, love story, and relevant themes that teachers and students face today.

Touching and sincere, What You Wish For definitely sparked joy within me, Marie Kondo-style. This one is a quick read, too.

You can see my complete review on The Uncorked Librarian: https://theuncorkedlibrarian.com/july-2020-book-releases/

Thank you to the author and publisher for a free advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Oh, boy. I am not a "kissing book" fan by nature, but I have enjoyed 2 other Center books prior. However this one took the "cheese factor" and ramped it up to 11. I just couldn't get past how hokey it was, but I think that is on me, not on Center.

This is my first book by Katherine Center, but it will not be my last! What a fun, quick, easy beach read. I enjoyed the plot and even cried in a few places.

One of my favorite books is Katherine Center's How to Walk Away so I had high expectations for this book. The story was a heart-warming story and had a good message about focusing on the joy in life. As an educator, I found some of the storyline to be unrealistic. If I wasn't reading this through the lens of someone who works in the a school setting, I probably would have enjoyed it more.

Such a good story! I really enjoyed this book! The character development was great and I enjoyed getting to know them. The story was heartwarming and a little emotional. This was only the second book by Katherine Center that I have read, but now I want to read more of her books! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital arc of this title.

Katherine Center has officially become one of my new favorite authors. Her books never disappoint. I love that they are positive and uplifting without being preachy. I can recommend them to pretty much anyone. The librarian story line is just icing on the cake:)

“The world keeps hanging onto this idea that love is for the gullible. But nothing could be more wrong. Love is only for the brave.”

This was my first Katherine Center book and I definitely plan on reading more by her! I really loved the message of always choosing joy and never giving up on what you believe in. I should note that there are some heavy topics discussed in this book like gun violence and school shootings. Overall, this was a sweet story, but it was just a little slow for me.

This book will be out on July 14th, 2020!

Thank you @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I've never read a Katherine Center book that I didn't love, and this book is no exception. Beautiful and so different! Her books are always so engaging and heartwarming. You feel every emotion imaginable reading her books. Loss, love, grief, happiness, fear.......... I could go on. But in the end you feel so much lighter after reading one of her books. In a world that has literally gone mad, the best escape is a book. And I cannot say enough about this one or recommend strongly enough that you read it ! Amazing from cover to cover. No one tells a story like this author, no one.