Thanks to Katherine Center and NetGalley for making this book available to readers far before its release date! Yes, Katherine, What You Wish For brought me immense joy and was just what the doctor ordered.

Our main character is a beloved school librarian, Sam. When her longtime principal passes, his replacement happens to be the one and only Duncan Carpenter: a ghost from Sam’s past. Upon his introductory meeting with the school, he seems to be set on bringing down everyone’s morale. Will Sam be able to fight against him and return the school to its happy state?

Was this book predictable? In some ways, yes. But it was also so cute and fun that I didn’t really care. This was my third Center read, and I need more in my life ASAP.

I had high hopes for this book because I loved Center's previous book, Things You Save in a Fire. Unfortunately, this one was not as good. In fact, I almost stopped reading it in the beginning because I just did not like the main character and what, in my opinion, was her ridiculous behavior. However, the second half of the book is better, so I am glad I stuck with it.

In this book, Sam is a school librarian who was once obsessed with a fellow teacher, Duncan. So much so that she moved halfway across the country to avoid her crush. She finds out very early on that Duncan is now coming to her new school. When he arrives, he is not the same person he once was, and Sam struggles to come to terms with that and to save her precious school from his proposed changes.

The thing that makes this book a mere three stars for me is the character of Sam. She is just too silly and childish for me. I mean, is it really necessary to move out of state just to avoid seeing the guy you have a crush on? And then to decide you have to move again because he is now at your new school? It just seems a bit ridiculous to me. Duncan is a little more realistic a character, but he too annoys me at times. He has experienced something traumatizing, but his drastic change in character seems over the top.

I also found myself frustrated by the portrayal of the school itself. As an educator, I know that many of the things that happen in this book just don't happen in real schools. I won't go into detail due to spoilers.

All that being said, there are things I like about this book. I like the message that people need to choose joy and that joy helps to overcome difficult situations. I also like the emphasis placed on reading and education. There are some good themes in this story.

I wish I had liked this more than I did. I will still read more by Katherine Center because I know I like some of her other writing.

Katherine Center has the ability to develop characters with strings attached to your heart and tugs on them when it's called for. What You Wish For did just that. The opening chapter will get you invested in the story and its progression. You root for the people that you think deserve the perfect outcome, you watch them attempt to overcome the obstacles and then...

I am strictly a thriller-reading, non-romance kind of reader... but Katherine Center is my kryptonite. I love her stories, they are always the equivalent of a warm hug that makes things better after a rough day. This is the story of a teacher who leaves one life behind to start over on a small island. A reminder of her past life appears, and she is torn between the person she was and the person she has become. It's a sweet, feel-good story (with conflict, of course, it's not all rainbows and unicorns!), and was just the kind of book I needed during quarantine. I'm a fan of Katherine's, I'll read whatever she decides to write!

This was a heart-warming story that I finished in a few days--perfect for taking your mind off the news (though it did deal with some surprisingly tough subjects, but in a humorous way). Samantha is a quirky elementary school librarian working at a private school in Texas. Right before the school year starts, their beloved principal dies suddenly. The replacement principal is less than ideal--Duncan is obsessed with school safety and seems to suck all the joy out of the kids' environment. Worst of all, Sam was secretly in love with Duncan when they previously worked together in California, and the school year is off to a very awkward start. You'll have to read this gem to find out if Sam can help Duncan find his joy! Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the librarian preview copy.

I had a harder time getting into this book than I normally do with Katherine Center's books. But once I got fully into the flow I couldn't put it down! It was funny yet hear warming and at times sad. I felt for the main character who didn't have a family of her own.

This is exactly the type of book that I needed to read right now in quarantine. It's fun, it's easy, it's happy, and it reminds you of what is most important in life, which I think we all need right now.

What you Wish For follows Samantha Casey, a librarian at a creative school in Galveston. Early in the book, the beloved head of the school passes away and the school board appoints this horrible guy, Duncan to come in a run the school and basically change everything that Sam loves about the school.

But wait....doesn't she know this Duncan? Didn't she used to work with him? and he was amazing back then? Maybe he can be reminded of how he used to be and the school can be saved!

If you need a quick, easy, happy read, then this book is for you. I've read several of Katherine Center's book and they are all very well done. If you have loved any of her other books, definitely read this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the early copy to review. Book comes out in July!!

This is one of the three 2020 releases that I am most excited about. Needless to say, I went in with extremely high expectations... and I was not disappointed at all!!! I started this late at night, intending to read just a couple chapters before bed. Before I knew it, I finished the book and stayed up way too late with no regrets! It felt completely amazing to get so lost in a story with SUCH a great message - I highlighted so many amazing quotes! The characters were so real and going through some very tough problems, which were talked about and handled very well. I loved everything about this book! Definitely my favorite book of 2020 (so far)!!!!

Thanks to St, Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I became completely involved in this story line, and couldn't put the book down. I felt many emotions while reading this book, and it was the best cup of tea I needed at this time.

First I’ve read by this author. It was solid, enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the eARC.

I have several conflicting thoughts on What You Wish For. I flew through the book in just a couple of days and I did enjoy reading it. The book's "search for joy" tone is a welcome one during uncertain times, and it was a nice break from the heavier mysteries I have been reading. However, the light tone and light plot lines conflicted somewhat with the heavier themes the book covered-mass shooting, safety concerns, and personal trauma. It was an odd blend.

On the whole, I enjoy this author's writing and will certainly look for more from her in the future.

“We made a choice to do joy on purpose. Not in spite of life’s sorrows. But because of them.”

Samantha Casey is a quirky, colorful school librarian in Galveston, Texas (what more could I ask for??). She loves her island, her job, and her friends. But when their beloved principal dies, everything changes. The new principal is a tyrant and plans to rid the school of all colors. The worst part is, he’s Samantha’s old crush. What changed to turn him into this prison ward?

Ugh, this book. Katherine Center has a way of making me laugh and cry in every book she writes. This one was no different. No matter what tough situations occur, I’m guaranteed to turn the last page with a huge smile on my face. I wanted to give this book a hug when I finished and I’m still sitting here with a smile on my face as I think about it.

I almost feel like this book was written for me. A quirky school librarian working at the most awesome school and helping young kids fall in love with reading. A curmudgeonly (but young) attractive principal with a past to share. The wise, yet heartbroken, widow of the beloved principal. It’s all so good! You will absolutely fall in love with Duncan (the same Duncan for Happiness for Beginners!) and feel devastated for him as you begin to understand what changed him.

This book is all about joy. Living your life joyfully, looking for joy everywhere you go, and finding the joy again when you think you’ve lost it. And did I feel the joy radiating off of it? Clearly I did.

Okay, I’ve written another rambly Katherine Center review. What else is new. Just read this book!

I have a love for all Katherine Center’s books and this was no exception. Samantha and Duncan both have quirks about them that appeal to the reader and has me rooting for them both! As an educator, I loved the school setting!

In the end, this is a book about hope and love as well as about gun violence and PTSD. The author shows how incidents and decisions can change a person's outlook on life and how they react.The characters are well defined and the plot moves right along, but in many ways it did not ring true to me.

2.75 STARS ★★✬✩✩
This book is for you if… the sugary sweet stereotype of a perfect small town enhances rather than exaggerates the narrative in your eyes.

⤐ Overall.
Initially, I was very uncertain whether or not I should request this book. Somehow the synopsis didn't strike a chord with me. The praise from previous reviewers made me change my mind and so I clicked the button anyway.

By the end of the book, I faced a weird dilemma. Have you ever been in a situation where even the quotes you marked because you like them are not that epic now that you're looking over them again? It's not a pretty feeling, folks.

⤐ What I wished for.
- a sweet romance that manages to keep the balance between drama, suspense and cuteness.
- a nice but steady arch of suspense
- funny dialogues
- a likeable heroine.


⤐ What I got
- the perfect small town trope where everything revolves around and is driven by the absolutely unrealistic and extremely annoying harmony.
- a lack of suspense
- the few funny things I fought seemed bland in hindsight
- unremarkable characters in general
- a super cute primary school kid with a passion for marine biology

⤐ What’s happening.
‘I couldn’t think of a polite way to tell her that her brother was a mural murderer – and that I had just decided he was my mortal enemy forever.’

Overpainting a beautiful mural in the school cantine is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the improvements Duncan wants to make to the school whose principal he just became. Nobody is happy with that, least of all Sam, who has remembered Duncan as a goofy, colourful ray of sunshine that brighten's everybody's day that she once had a massive crush on. It is her mission to get behind the mystery of the man, not knowing how he might get under her skin (again) in return.
_____________________
writing quality + easy of reading = 4*

pace = 2*

plot/story in general = 4*

plot development = 2*

characters = 3*

enjoyability = 2*

insightfulness = 2*

🌷.”What you Wish For ” by Katherine Center was about two people who have by chance crossed paths again. Now they have additional baggage and are both handle things differently. Together they help each other and ask the needed questions. Do you choose happy or not ? Do you face your fears or not? Great questions we all need to answer and much needed. A colorful and beautiful story during a dark moment in life that given you make the right choices you can come out into a bright and sunny future. 💐 Who can’t relate? Book out 7/14 pick it up! 🌸🌺


#julesbookshelf 📚 #whatyouwishfor #katherinecenter #7/14 #arc #netgalley

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What You Wish For by Katherine Center is a feel good drama about overcoming challenges. Sam is a librarian at an exceptional elementary school on the island of Galveston, TX. She lives in a carriage house at the residence of the founder/principal of the school. Unfortunately, the beloved principal suddenly dies and the school must find a new one. Sam is excited to find out Duncan Carpenter has been named for the job, a fun, creative educator she crushed on at her previous job in a different school and state. When Duncan arrives, he has changed significantly and has plans to ruin the atmosphere of the school for reasons unbeknownst to Sam. As Sam and Duncan reconnect, their pasts begin to be understood by the other. There was lots of loss and grieving in this story followed by hope and happiness.

Look for this book on 7.14.2020.

It absolutely breaks my heart that my first two star read of the year is going to a Katherine Center book!

Alas here we are. Unfortunately, this story just did not do it for me. I found the MC Sam annoying for the majority of the story. The pace of the story was just all over the place. And the romance between Sam and Duncan gave me slight creepy vibes in the beginning and just didn't live up to its potential in the end.

I appreciate that Katherine Center addresses important topics like gun violence, school shootings, and living with PTSD and chronic disease. In fact, it was the very reason I actively chose not to DNF this book. And is part of the reason I'm giving it two stars.

The other reason is that although this book wasn't for me, I still enjoyed Center's writing style. But overall it just wasn't the experience I was hoping to have.

Special thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced e-arc of What You Wish For. Receiving this e-ARC did not affect my review or rating.

Thank you #Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. This was a love story of 2 people who try to hide their feelings. Sam leaves her job because she is in love with a coworker who she doesn’t believe loves her back. Did she ask him? No. She just assumed and uprooted her entire life for “the guy”. Fast forward a few years and who is the new principal at her current job but “the guy!” Otherwise known as Duncan. But he’s not the Duncan she fell in love with. This is a strict disciplinarian, more concerned with security than education. Sam wants to figure out what changed him so drastically. I enjoyed this story! Especially because I also work in a school library and related to Sam’s love of organization, fostering a love of reading and a safe place for the students. This was a story of transformation, learning to love life again, and taking a risk when your heart is on the line. I look forward to reading other books by Katherine Center.

I am officially a HUGE fan of Katherine Center!

"What You Wish For" is about a elementary school librarian Samantha, who loves her job and loves the people she works with. When she suddenly loses her friend and beloved school principle, his replacement turns out to be an old crush that seems determined to destroy everything she loves about her school.

This was the perfect book for me during this crazy season. It was fun and full of quirkiness. While it wasn't as fast paced as Things You Save in a Fire, it was kept me picking it up to see what was happening with the characters. So many of the characters were unique and kept reminding me of people in my own life.

I loved that the small town/small school was a character in the book and I felt invested in what would happen to it.

This is a fun, easy, quick read and would be perfect for the summer.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this free ARC for my honest and unbiased review.

I will share a review on my blog/social media site closer to day of publication