“The world keeps hanging on to this idea that love is for the gullible. But nothing could be more wrong. Love is only for the brave.” 
This being one of my most anticipated novels of the year, I was overjoyed to receive an early copy.  This did not disappoint. 
Sam loves her job as an elementary school librarian. Her school is about creativity and joy, but when Duncan Carpenter comes in as the new principal, he threats to change everything she loves. Sam is no stranger to Duncan, but he has drastically changed since she has seen him last- he is no longer the fun carefree teacher she used to know. 
oh how I loved this story! I loved Sam and her courage to speak her mind. She had such passion for the school and the people she considered family. She could see the potential in Duncan and she was ready to fight for him to find joy again. They had such a cute friendship, I was smiling through most of this book. Nothing beat the scene where she picked him up after surgery. So sweet and funny.
Katherine Center remains one of my favorite authors..now its time to get to those backlist books of hers.

"What You Wish For" is the third book I've read by Katherine Center and, like the first two, it did not disappoint. Samantha is working her dream job as librarian for a small private elementary school in Galveston. However, her dream turns into a nightmare when the principal dies suddenly and the school board replaces him with a blast from her past, Duncan. Duncan is determined to change everything she loves about the school, turning it into a place more like a prison than a nurturing place for children.

Of course, you know this book is going to have a happy ending and that Sam and Duncan are going to end up together after having to overcome events that make them both grow as people and open their eyes to what is right in front of them. It is Katherine Center, after all. However, knowing it will all work out in the end does not make this book any less pleasurable to read. The writing is good and creates characters that the reader will relate to and bond with,. The story will make you cringe, smile, laugh, and, yes, even shed a tear or two. I was originally going to give this book three stars, but the ending is so brilliant that I had to elevate it to four.

This is exactly the kind of book we need during the trying times we are all living through. It will make the reader feel all warm-hearted and squishy inside. And most of all, this book reminds us all to "never miss a chance to celebrate."

Many thanks to NetGalley, to St. Martin's Press, and to the author for the privilege of reading an advanced digital copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest review.

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, spoilers below. ⁣
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Katherine Center’s new book is delightful and romantic and absolutely unrealistic. It was everything I needed during a weekend of chaos. Sam, a teacher in Texas finds herself working with her old crush- except he’s a completely different person. Watch Duncan evolve to be a better person within the pages. ⁣
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I’m not going to say I didn’t enjoy it. I really did. Some parts had me seriously rolling my eyes though, and it could have been steamier as a romance.

Sam is a school librarian at a hippie-dippy school. Duncan is the new principal hired to make some serious changes. Sam and Duncan have a past connection at a previous school but Sam realizes right away that this is not the same carefree, happy-go-lucky Duncan she knew before. Right away you can tell Duncan had to go through something very tragic to change so much. This book came across as nonsensical and frivolous. Big disappointment for me since I have been a big fan of previous books written by Katherine Center. I was not taken in by Sam's personality at all. She was a big driving point of why I really didn't like this book.

JOY. This book is about choosing joy on purpose. I nearly jumped up with excitement when I received a copy of What You Wish For from #netgalley. I love Katherine Center and although this book was a little bit cheesy at times, it was the good kind of cheesy.
Samantha is a quirky (there have been a lot of quirky characters recently), lovable and sometimes frustrating school librarian (did someone say dream job?) Duncan is hired as the new principal who was once Samantha’s crush and is totally different than she remembers. Samantha and Duncan both have healing to do and fears to conquer.

What You Wish For is a feel good book that tackles some serious situations but also provides lots of smiles and laughs. Samantha and Duncan both have to choose joy on purpose. Katherine Center does great characters and the secondary characters are wonderful and I wanted to work at their school and have them as coworkers. I felt this book was different from her others though. Katherine Center is a go to author for me and all the things that make her great are present in this book, it just took me a little longer to really get into the story.

As usual, I will be recommending this book to lots of people.

Not my favorite Katherine Center book. I didn't buy into the basic premise that she moved and changed her whole life because she liked this guy too much ... then didn't buy her not wanting to get close again because of epilepsy. Understood a little more after learning her origin story with her dad, but still, seemed a stretch. It was also hard to accept that Duncan could juggle and engage the kids and be his old self then immediately turn back into the prison guard type... it wasn't believable, it was just to serve the story and show steps toward the ultimate goal ... (I'm also a crazy continuity person and found some spots that didn't link up.) And if I read "fair enough" one more time ... way over used. (Douchey, all lost its funny from overuse.)
All of that said - I laughed out loud at times, I loved the Duncan Project/Operation Duncan, I loved the characters, I loved when Sam revealed her epilepsy to Duncan ... There were sweet spots but the entire thing took huge suspension of belief over and over. And over.
I don't post reviews lower than a 4 star on Goodreads - so I've just marked it as read without a rating which is why I'm not linking to my review here.

Another great book by Katherine Center.! I love that the characters in this story are flawed, imperfect people. That makes them believable. Being a teacher, I also love the elementary school setting of this book an d all the issues that the setting brings to the story. If you loved Katherine Center's other books, you will love this one as well!

What You Wish For by Katherine Center
3.5/5 Stars

Samantha Casey is a school librarian who loves her job, the kids, and her school family with passion. Duncan Carpenter is the new school principal who lives by rules and regulations. But he wasn’t always that way. The lovable Duncan Samantha knew and loved at her old school is now a suit-and-tie wearing, rule-enforcing tough guy so hell-bent on protecting the school that he’s willing to destroy it.
As the school community spirals into chaos, and danger from all corners looms large, Sam and Duncan must find their way to who they really are, what it means to be brave, and how to take a chance on love—which is the riskiest move of all.

I really enjoyed this book. All of Center’s books are just good for the soul. They’re books you can’t put down and leave you wish happy butterflies. I loved Samantha’s unique and silly style that radiated throughout the book and her relationships. I felt Duncan was a bit much but I like how his character developed. I definitely recommend this for a feel good summer read.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martins Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. What You Wish For is available July 14th.

Katherine Center is a truly amazing author. Her writing sucks me in from the very first pages and I can almost never put her books down. It has never taken me more than two sittings to finish one of her books and What You Wish For is no different. This is the perfect summer read and one that is not only relevant but also an escape from the world right now. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the egalley of this book!

I’m still reading and reviewing books through NetGalley, and one of my recent reads was “What You Wish For” by Catherine Center. I’m not normally a contemporary romance fan, but I requested this one on a whim, and tried to keep an open mind. Here are my thoughts:

It’s a story about a teacher, Samantha, striving to be her best quirky self, in a quality elementary school in Texas. When the aspirational principal dies, a new administrator, Duncan, is brought in, and he is more concerned about safety than enjoyment in the school. They butt heads repeatedly, and Samantha starts a staff campaign to change Duncan’s tactics or get him to leave.
Sadly, this book, while well written, was a direct example of why this is not my preferred genre. I found it predictable and basic, and while it wasn’t my speed I strongly feel that it will be thoroughly enjoyed by people who love this author or this genre.

2.5 Stars, Rounded up to 3 for Goodreads rating system.

Thanks to NetGalley, Catherine Center, and St. Martin’s Press for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I loved the premise and how taking a bad thing and infusing joy into it makes it better. I loved the characters and how they made it a right in the end.. I should of become a librarian or a teacher. Making a difference is important. My advice read this book!

“I’m telling you. I know all about darkness. That’s why I am so hell-bent, every day, on looking for the light.”

I truly enjoyed this latest book by Katherine Center. Her ability to write characters that are real, have gone through deep things in life, and her ability to make the reader relate to them on an emotional level continues to impress me.

I loved going with Sam on this journey of loss, friendship, connection, self worth and so much more. Theres so much packed into Sam and I loved peeling back all the layers and seeing who she is.

Sam is a school librarian who has some deep hurts from her childhood that involved others finding her less than enough due to health issues she could not control.

Sam has finally found her people in a little town in Texas where she has finally settled in and found home. A huge community loss shakes things up, and changes Sams world yet again. I loved watching this community and how they rallied together and tried to be there for each other. This is a book about facing the hard things in life. It’s a book of looking for the light in the toughest of times, and it’s a book about friendships and what it means to be family whether you were born family or not.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. I made it through the first two chapters and am putting this book down. To me, it is fluffy and cheesy and I couldn’t get into it

Very few authors continue to provide books that make you feel and think over and over again. Katherine Center has a talent of creating characters that place an imprint on your heart and it never fades. Beautiful cover...beautiful words.. beautiful book

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I never read any book from Katherine Center, and this book just made me positioning her as my auto-buy author. I love the message of this book “choose joy on purpose” This point is so important for everyone in this world, and the story of Sam and Duncan is one of them, who choose joy to connect with your life.

How the author wrote every single words in here are so real, Sam as the main characters had gone through a lots of ups and downs since eight years old and as she grown up she tried to find her happy place, happy life and great friends. Every aspect of joy and happiness wrote down beautifully from every single character in here, with random situations of course but always strict to the main point, which is “joy.”

Special fact : After I finished reading this book, I wish I can be “Sam” to enjoy the entire life of my childhood. She’s a brave, honest woman, full commitment in order to moved on and change her future life and...she’s a joy!

Highly recommended to those who enjoy heartfelt, adorable story with some touches of romance.

•Book Review• { Thank you @stmartinspress for my gifted copy }

What's one benefit of something falling downstairs at 1am and scaring the bejeezus out of you? You get to finish your current read. ❤ The obvious downside is that I'm super tired today, but it was definitely worth it!

Review: Once I started this one, it was impossible to put down. It had the trauma and angst you typically see in Center's books, but this one was a bit more relatable.

What I loved about this book:

1. This book talks about a current issue that has parents all over the country anxious. Is the safety measures at their school enough? How far can you take school security before it starts affecting learning and the enjoyment of school? I have two school age children and I've thought of this particular issue more times than I can count. Center was able to tackle this heavy topic with ease and without getting political.

2. Both Sam and Duncan are very realistic, but broken characters that are trying to find joy in their lives following traumatic situations. They both see themselves as damaged and undeserving of being loved and their previous history gave just enough of a backstory for me to feel empathetic towards them both. I also loved how this story emphasizes finding joy each day and letting go of past hurt even when it's seem like an impossible task.

3. This book takes place in a small town and the community is a huge aspect of this book. Even in a time of immense grief, they find a way to give this book a feeling of hope and perseverance.

Even though there was one particular scene that I didn't like and felt was completely unrealistic and unnecessary, I still loved this book. As always Center's book left me filled with hope and happiness and who couldn't use a bit of that right now? Make sure to grab a copy of your own when it publishes on July 14th , I promise you won't regret it.

I've loved Katherine Center since I read "How to Walk Away." Her stories have a great mix of light romance/sweetness and substance.

Her newest novel, "What You Wish For" is a quick read with quirky characters. This one was not as emotionally packed as her previous novels. The novel's theme of choosing to pursue joy was very hopeful and necessary during this difficult time, but I wanted to feel more connected to the love story.

Overall, the story felt a bit rushed, and I found myself wanting more.

While the story was not my favorite - it was still enjoyable and worth a read.

What are the chances of running away from your problems, only to have them catch up with you in a most unexpected way? That's what happens to both romantic characters in this wonderful story. Very clever premise, well written. Truly enjoyed this story.

I enjoyed reading this book and finished it pretty quickly. I didn't know where this book was going to go in the beginning so it took on a bit of a surprise at first, but I could then see where this book was going to go. This was not my favorite book by this author, but I still enjoyed it and would recommend it.

*sigh* This is the perfect book to read if you're needing a quick literary pick-me-up. Let's be honest- these are unprecedented times right now, with many isolated at home and desperate for an escape. This, my friends, is the book that I recommend you sit down with and I don't think that you'll be disappointed!

Sam Casey is the librarian at a school determined to keep the joy in learning. She loves her library and her school and her little students and everyone is devastated when they lose their beloved principal. Enter Duncan, hired to take his place. Sam used to work with Duncan and is thrilled because he was one of the most fun teachers that she knew. Unfortunately, the Duncan that comes to her school is nothing like the Duncan that she knew. This one isn't fun and is determined to turn her beautiful school in to one resembling a prison more than a school.

As Sam attempts to uncover the Duncan of old, it's hard not to fall in love with Katherine Center's characters as well as the school that she has created. This book was such a joy to read- sweet and sentimental without becoming over-the-top, with a potential couple that I was rooting for the entire time. I devoured this book in a few days and I'm glad that I did. WHAT YOU WISH FOR is an absolute must-read and an asset to Katherine Center's brand.