As much as I enjoy most of the other books I am currently reading, sometimes a 'fluff' read is really what I need! I highly recommend it for anyone else looking for a fast-read romance.

"What You Wish For" had the perfect hook- single, sad woman throws a party for a friend's 60th birthday party and he dies. Actually, when I say it like that, it sounds pretty terrible. But I was hooked from the start. I read "Things You Save In A Fire" by Katherine Center, and her writing style is wonderful. It is engaging, friendly (can writing be described as 'friendly'?) and fun. Kind of like getting together for a cup of coffee with a friend.

When I really think about it, the premise is pretty far-fetched. The ONE person that the female lead liked from the past becomes the principal at her school in a relatively remote school in Texas. Once I put the improbability of that aside, I was able to really enjoy the book.

Katherine Center focuses on the theme of finding joy in life, but also showing kindness. I think a lot of people can relate to the message, especially as this is being published in a time either in quarantine or post-quarantine for most people. The romance is focused on the build-up, but not in an overly dramatic way. There aren't super steamy sex scenes, which may be a pro or a con for some (I thought it was refreshing).

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this book. Katherine Center is quickly becoming a favorite romance author- this book was such a nice, fun way to relax at home.

Katherine Center is a goddess and I would read her grocery list if she published it!

She has been a must read other of mine for a while now, and What You Wish For is no exception. I loved these characters so much and would love for this to be a movie so I can see them the way they're intended to be. I devoured this book in less than 2 days and could have gone for more. The story was so heartbreaking, but also uplifting and hit all the feels.

I can't wait to see what Katherine does next.

I loved it! The colorful description of the school and it’s connection with the local beach makes this a perfect summer beach book. The story is very current. When the new principal comes to town looking to lockdown the school for safety, I found myself torn. It’s a beautiful open and welcoming school, but the reality of the world requires schools to be much more secure than they used to be. The key is finding a balance between the two.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a story of fear and courage, love and loss, community, and secrets revealed. It was an easy read that really drew me in to the characters. I’m so happy to have found this author and look forward to he next release. Thanks Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. Sam was such an awesome heroine. It did deal with some heavy things, and trigger warning for some of it. But the characters, the detail... it was just lovely. Thank you so much to netgalley for the ARC.

Not my favorite Katherine Center book, but it was still cute. The character's "secrets" were way too obvious and I found it frustrating that it took Sam 3 million pages to figure out what I figured out in 20. I gave it 3 stars on goodreads.

clearly have stayed up WAY too late (after midnight) reading this one, but in usual Katherine Center style, I just had to keep going!

Like her past books, this one has romance, family, friendships, and the main setting just happens to be a school, which right now as a teacher, I am missing so much!

The sounds of the lunchroom, the noise in the halls, the bustling of the library, are all so perfectly described in this book and I pictured nearly every wall and classroom in Kempner!

This book makes you laugh a lot and worry a bit and the characters are so real— they have their traumas and scars, but are relatable and loveable! Definitely some cheesy moments where I wanted to kind of skim past, but overall the perfect escape book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Publishing date: July 2020!


#netgalley #whatyouwishfor
#goodreads #bookstagram

What’s a girl to do when the new principal at the school where she is the librarian turns out to be a crush from her past? But, is this guy really Duncan, the beloved always up for fun teacher she remembers, or his evil alternate reality twin? How did Duncan turn into such a cold, straight laced safety and efficiency expert? And how does Duncan not remember her, Samantha, after they had been colleagues? And why does she still feel a spark for this new fun thief version of Duncan?

The premise of this book is cute, and Samantha and Duncan have significant situations that come to light that they must work through. I especially liked the cast of supporting characters, including a charming “guard dog” and a third grade boy. There is humor along with heartfelt situations, and the author weaves everything together in an entertaining story.

It took me a few chapters before I could settle in and really lose myself in this book. I think the setting of an eclectic private school located in Galveston, Texas was unique, but a bit distracting for me. I had to fight for awhile with thinking that schools do not operate the way this school did. I settled upon deciding that either some schools are run this way or this is fiction, so enjoy it. I am glad to say that I was able to enjoy this story.

I truly enjoyed the sense of community and the descriptions of the area. This was well-written and had a positive and uplifting message of choosing joy. There is a fairly long epilogue that wraps things up, but might be too much for some readers.

Definitely consider this book if you are looking for women’s fiction with a romantic element and a happy ending.

After being cooped up for the last 8 weeks, it was refreshing to read this light-hearted romance. Even when dealing with such serious issues as school safety in the age of mass shootings, Katherine Center manages to make things fun and engaged without preaching. There is such joie de vivre in the main character that it was easy to smile while reading. If you get a chance, read this book - it will make you happy.

I loved this author’s previous book and this one did not disappoint! I could relate to the story and the characters because I am a teacher. This is a beautiful story about a lovely school near the water where students are loved and cherished. I felt like the characters and the story were well developed and kept me wishing for the happy ending.

I have enjoyed other books by Katherine Center so I was very excited to receive this ARC copy. I think sometimes that timing is everything. There have been many books that are probably very good I have not been able to read during quarantine, it just wasn't the right time. And on the flip, I do think I liked this book much more now than I would have if I had read it during "normal" times. Center tends to take quirky, likable characters and weaves some serious issues throughout their life. She does that again with Sam and Duncan. Ultimately it's about living life to its fullest and finding joy and it was a welcome message for me right now. Because I have so many friends impacted personally by school violence I do want to provide a content warning on this issue.

I absolutely adored this book. I’m a teacher and this one hit a little bit harder because of the sensitive nature of this book. I love how real and raw it felt. It’s more than just a book about changing a school. More than just a book with a little romance. This book has real emotions, life lessons, and plenty of relatable moments with friends, family, coworkers, yourself, and children. I cried and laughed and found so much joy within these pages. The characters were so endearing. I loved Sam and Babette and the relationships between them and the husband Max. I even loved Duncan the entire book. Alice was one of my favorites being that I’m a math teacher. For teachers, this one will hit a little harder, a little stronger, and a little bit more because of the topics. Highly recommend this one.

I tried to continue with this one but it just wasn’t for me. I have read many of her books but this one just didn’t catch my interest so it remains in my did not finish list. So sorry but since I was given the book for a honest review I felt I had to be honest and not sugar coat. Thank you bet galley for the opportunity to try to read this one.

Katherine Center just does something to me. Her books are like a balm for my weary soul. And my soul is especially weary right now.

Her words just make me JOYFUL. And What You Wish For has a strong undercurrent of joy. Of choosing to do the hard thing, even when you have to fight through it to get to the sweet part.
I adored the love story portion of this novel. Duncan and Sam just had the sweetest chemistry and you couldn't help but root for both of them.

I don't want to spoil anything, but there is definitely a heartbreaking, trigger-warning worthy subplot. It left me more emotional than I expected, but that's not a bad thing. The bitter was definitely worth the sweet.

Katherine Center wins "Most likely to make my heart happy" and that's just what I need right now.

4.5 stars

First I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

When I read Center's "Things You Save In a Fire' last summer, I fell in love. I read the book in 24 hours on vacation and have reccomended it to atleast 20 people since then. When I was scrolling through the books available to request and found her latest novel I was overfilled with joy.

I loved this book. The author has a way of introducing her characters and showing their growth that makes the reader connect. These characters are perfect examples of the scenarios where the characters feel like old friends by the end of the book, and you feel sad that it is over and you cannot see your friends anymore. I loved reading about Sam, and her story both leading up to the beginning of where the story begins, and how she continues to grow and learn throughout it. I wanted to reach inside of the book, grab her out, and sit down for a cup of coffee and discussions on our favorite books. This books takes place in a small community, and features an even smaller and close-knit community of an elementary school. And since Sam is a librarian, some of the book takes place in a library and I felt at home, if that makes sense.

Once the reader dives in, you realize that underneath the colorful library and the cozy community, there is a story of what makes some into the person they are, both positive and negative traits. The reader goes on a journey of how a traumatic experience has forced a character to completely change who he was, and how that can effect both him and his environment, and the village it takes for him to find himself again. This is truly a story of growth, community, and love, and how family is more than blood.

I think I do need to mention that a school shooting does play an important role in this book. While it is not the center event in this book, I do think it needs to be mentioned in case of triggering anxiety for someone.

I am a fan of a Katherine Center and she did not disappoint me with this book. It was wonderful and is such a feel good book. I loved the characters, the story, and the beautiful writing style.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was the big hug I really needed right now-funny, sweet, and filled with reminders to create moments of joy even during the hard times. It is a little over the top at times butI was smiling so hard I could feel it while reading. This is the third book of Katherine Center’s I have read and she has become a need to read author for me.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine is one of my favorite authors and she just nailed this one out of the park! Shes fast becoming a must read author, heck I would enjoy her grocery list she’s that good! Highly recommend!!

This is my third Katherine Center book, and I have yet to be disappointed. I was so excited to get an early copy of this book, and I devoured it. I loved the quirky librarian, and as a librarian, I was thrilled that she represented the library in a warm, welcoming way. So often the fictional librarian is seen as judgy and angry, always shushing people and staring them down. Not in this book! That was refreshing. I always laugh out loud - literally! - at Center's books, and this one was no exception.

Samantha Casey loves her job as a school librarian until your past unrequited crush arrives as the new principal and tries to change everything she loves about the school. As a big fan of the last two books by this author, I was Very excited to be able to read this one thanks to Netgalley. The story is one with a little bit of romance, a little heartbreak, and a whole lot of sentimental feels. The characters were so likable and I felt connected To the heartbreak that Sam experiences. I enjoyed the dynamics of friendships and romance that were portrayed in the book. However, I felt Like the book was a little predictable at times. It wasn’t difficult to guess where the storyline was going. However, as a book with a light romantic storyline and likable characters, it was definitely worth the read and I would Recommend it to my friends.