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.

Center's latest novel has an interesting concept. Sam left her previous job because of a crush on a coworker only to discover he is now her boss at her current job. Except fun loving goofy Duncan has turned into a robotic dictator, issuing memos,and threatening to destroy the uniqueness of the school. Reasons for his actions are explained later, but I didn't care for his character, even after the reveal. The two best scenes are when Sam speaks out against Kenneth and Tina gives Kenneth what he deserves. I didmt enjoy this one as much as the author's book from last year, but it's still a worthwhile read.

I don't read very many romance novels, so when I do I want to make them count. This was a great pick for that reason. This was one of those experiences where I caught myself smiling because the characters were so great together.

To be a good read this genre for me is really dependent on how well I like the two leads and whether I buy into the fact they belong together. I couldn't help but root for Samantha and Duncan to find happiness. The author did a good job giving them interesting backstories so even if you aren't quite as enamored with them as I was, this still is a decent read.

I have to preface this by saying that I normally do not read romance novels. I tend to read non-fiction and historical fiction. When looking at this book, it was after several months of Sheltering in Place and wanting an escape. The author had what seemed to be a good track record with two previous books, which made me decide to read What You Wish For.

This is a very quick read. Sam is a quirky elementary school librarian who has a secret. Duncan, the new principal, has his own as well. The first half of the book had a strange pacing and the characters were not well developed. The story did pick up afterwards.

I loved the message of trying to find joy in everything given what we are experiencing. That being said, I found the story lacking any substance. Maybe it is because I do not read romance novels. There is a good basis for a much better book. My rating is 2.5 rounded to 3.

Thank you, NetGalley, Katherine Center and St Martin's Press for an advance copy of What You Wish For in exchange for honest feedback

Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgally for review purposes.


Wow I wasn't ready for this book but I needed it. I'm so used to thrillers and mysteries but every now and then I like a little break - though most of the time the books I choose never seem to satisfy. This one was a happy surprise!!

Sam has had a rough start to life but finally feels like she belongs somewhere. Before she knows it, everything changes and she has to learn how to work with someone her polar opposite...and also her past big crush.

This book was charming and the perfect balance of romance for me. It felt more realistic than most of these which end up being pretty cringey and cheesy. Still cheesy! Just a good cheese. Maybe a Gouda.

I'd recommend! Especially if you don't usually read this genre and want to break into it :)

Ian Ian Ian!! I loved the way his character was portrayed. We could all learn a thing or two from cassies mom, Diana. I loved the way this book came together. You start building an emotional wall up. You hate the world with Cassie. By the end you’re a soppy loving mess.

Thanks to Netgalley, , St. Martins Press and Katherine Center for this ARC. So I loved Things we lost in a fire, which was my first read by this author. Then I read even more of her books, and while I loved them all, this has to be my favorite by far. This author never disappoints. I love her characters, her stories, and she is definitely one of my favorite authors. Loved, loved, loved ! This book. 5 stars for sure, but wish I could give her 10 !

I discovered author Katherine Center years ago when her first book "The Bright Side of Disaster" was released. I was immediately taken, not only for her compelling characters and heart-tugging plot lines, but also for the way her books spoke to me. There is a calmness in her writing that I am drawn to.

Her books always have that special something to pull you in and no matter what the storyline is, you always know 'this will be ok'. It doesn't mean a predictable ending or everyone always sails off into the sunset...it just means that her books bring a level of satisfaction...when you finish the book, you just feel good. “What You Wish For" coming out ‪on July 14th‬ is all that and more.

When school librarian, Samantha Casey, learns that the new school principal, Duncan Carpenter, is actually a blast from her past she realizes that while her heart has not totally healed, he is the answer her school needs. But Duncan is not who she recalls and instead of the fun, loving man she remembered, his new demeanor could destroy the school for good. Sam and Duncan must find a way to work together, trust one another, and even risk heartache again before everything is lost.

I loved this book. I adored the characters, the community, the relationships, the struggles, the differences and the compassion. This book is about loss and how you forge ahead even when you feel as if your world is over. It's about accepting who you are and allowing others to do the same.

Katherine pours her heart into every character, every chapter, and every moment. Her books make you believe in the power of trust, triumph and the hope that binds us together even in the darkest times. “What You Wish For" completely captured my heart and I can not recommend it enough. AKA: Run (do not walk) to pre-order!!! A huge thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Katherine for this ARC. All (gushing) thoughts and opinions are my own.

Aww! She has done it again!! Every time I think this is her best book yet until I read Katherine Center’s latest and once again she surpassed herself. Love her books! Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

What You Wish For by Katherine Center:

Not quite sure how to rate this one…
I always really enjoy the characters and setting of these books but sometimes they are just too much. I know there must be some drama and/or conflict in a story but every single character in WYWF has a major trauma in their life. It is hard to focus on what the main story is when there is So Much happening with everyone around it.
Not to say this was a bad experience because it was not. I think the main story and its main moral of choosing to be happy no matter what, is important and it was well told there was just so much extraneous drama that it was draining.
Favorite quote:
“You’ll never fix all your problems.”
“Well, that’s encouraging.”
“The point is to be happy anyway. As often as you can.”