I love Katherine's books and her writing!

Sam is our MC, who loses her beloved by all boss, elementary school principal at their Galveston school. His replacement is none other than Duncan who Sam worked with at another school. But the Duncan that appears take the guy she remembers.... This Duncan is too serious! Though as we find out why he seemed to have changed from the fun loving guy Sam knew, it's very understandable!

I loved all (save one) characters! I love that the theme of this book is to choose joy, even in hard circumstances. I empathized with Sam and her struggle as I have seen a little bit of what she goes through with my daughter. Clay is such a special little kid and what he does near the end of the book is such an inspiring moment!

I am a huge fan of Katherine's, definitely an auto buy author for me!

“𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘑𝘰𝘺 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨” - 𝘔𝘢𝘹 ⁣
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This quote is so true, especially during these uncertain times. I snagged What You Wish For on Netgallery when it was “Read Now”. What You Wish for, pulled me out of my reading slump. I read it in three short days. I would of finished it sooner, but adulting responsibilities got in the way. This is the third books I’ve read from Katherine Centers, she knows how to take a serious issue and turn it into a life lesson of joy. Yes, a luxury vacation can bring you joy, but also eating ice cream for breakfast can bring you joy too. The story is told from the main character prospective, I really adored the main character Samantha. She is witty, creative and filled with passion for both her job and her friends. If you are looking for a summer beach read, make sure you pick up What You Wish For on 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎.⁣
Tw: school shooting, PTSD⁣

I received a advanced copy of this book from net galley Wow what a great book I couldn’t put it down. Another best seller for sure for this author. Characters are like able and plot was enjoyable. You have the quirky librarian named Samantha that you can’t help but root for. A new principal arrives in town who has some issues. You instantly start rooting for them. Predictable but enoyable story that kept me invested in the outcome

This was my first book by Katherine Center and it was a pleasant, positive happy read. The characters were likeable (mostly - 1 deliberately dislikable) and the story, although at times quite predictable, was nonetheless enjoyable and entertaining. It does cover a couple of challenging topics although not at enough depth to be upsetting - more as a ‘these things have changed who I am’. I enjoyed the read.

I love Katherine Center's books. Her characters, descriptions and dialogue pull you in and don't let go. It feels some times like you are right there watching the story unfold as if happens - as if you might find yourself part of the conversations. What You Wish For is a compelling story about being brave, about loss, about second chances and about the power of love. Most importantly, it is a reminder to always fight for happiness and to never let go of the things that bring you joy.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of What You Wish For by Katherine Centre in exchange for this review. Centre's new novel, like all of her novels, is a delight to read. Sam Casey lives with intention after a lifetime of pain and rejection. After her beloved school Principal and mentor dies, Sam is forced to face her fears when someone from her past arrives at her school to fill the Principal role. Is Sam able to be courageous, "choose joy" and embrace the future or will she run away from the one person who holds the key to her heart? What You Wish For is a warm, funny and thoughtful novel that draws you in from the first page and invites you to decide if you too are choosing joy in your life!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.


Samantha Casey has found the job of her dreams as a school librarians at a prestigious school but this all shattered when someone from her past comes to change the school and not necessarily for the better. Grief has struck the small school with the death of their beloved principal leading to the hiring of Duncan Carpenter. At first Samantha is excited because she knew Duncan from a previous school as fun, carefree teacher who all the students and teachers adored. When the school is introduced to Duncan; however, this new Duncan is nothing like Samantha has ever seen. Duncan is now cold, standoffish and wants to change everything about the school that makes it unique. Samantha, and the teachers, are not about to let Duncan change everything they've worked so hard to make the school what it is.

My reading has definitely changed during quarantine times. Lately I've been reaching for lighter reads, particularly romances, and What You Wish For definitely fit the bill. My reading experience started off a little bit rocky. Honestly it took me about halfway into this book to become invested. At times I thought I would mark it a DNF. Samantha was a little too juvenile for my tastes and honestly that didn't change throughout the novel. Once the readers are able to see why Duncan's demeanor changed it made me more invested in the story. What You Wish For is predictable but with charming secondary characters. This will make for a great beach read when it comes out on July 14th.

This was the quarantine book I needed! It made me laugh out loud. It made me cry. It touched on difficult subjects (school shootings, epilepsy, depression, thoughts of suicide). What You Wish For was un-put-downable. I did not want to leave Sam and her world in Galveston, Texas. ⁣
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Sam left the school she was a librarian at because of a guy. She has managed to make a life for herself in Galveston, but when her boss and mentor suddenly passes away and the guy she left her previous job for is hired to replace him, will she run away again? Sam is faced with the decision of leaving Galveston or staying to save her beloved school. Will she be able to conquer her fears and find joy in everything or will she give into her self-doubts?⁣

Katherine Center has become one of my favorite authors. I really enjoyed What You Wish For and am glad I was given the opportunity to read it through Netgalley. What You Wish For did discuss some heavy topics which I wasn't expecting just by reading the description of the book but I thought it covered these topics very well. There is definitely a reminder throughout the book that you shouldn't assume stuff about someone and that there really could be a lot more going on for that person that you don't realize. Overall, I thought this book was great and one that I will be recommending to people.

In Katherine Center’s highly anticipated summer release, hope is found. Her novel gave my heart just the jolt of positivity it needed to hang on to love and joy in the world right now. If you are looking for an uplifting and lighthearted read, this is it. Sure, there parts of the story which were tough to swallow as an educator myself. However, from the darkness Center’s novel brings a light with its quirky and lovable character and scenes of pure hope. This novel brings out the message of bravery and joy in the aftermath of tragedy and fear. It highlights the true meaning of love and family and how to find peace within the world when everything makes you feel alone.
When a quaint and whimsical private school on a small island loses it’s beloved leader, Sam, the school librarian, finds it her duty to save the school from what happens next. In Max’s absence, with his widow grieving and unable to take on the responsibility of managing the school, a new principal is appointed. Sam and the new principal, Duncan, have known each other for years, or rather Sam has been obsessed with him since they taught together previously. However, the Duncan who appears at this school is nothing like the fun-loving, carefree, goofball from her past. As the school faculty prepares for the changes brought on by Sam’s former crush turned nemesis, we learn that people are filled with experiences and emotions they find hard to share. Through friendship and the power of joy the lives of these characters change through a heartwarming series of events.

After reading Things You Save in a Fire, I was excited to receive a copy of What You Wish For.

Sam Casey moves to Galveston, TX to escape Duncan Carpenter, a teacher from her past life who she was crushing on HARD. Duncan was everyone's favorite person - he was fun, charming, carefree. When Duncan seemed to find the love of his life and Sam realized she didn't have a chance, she made the decision to move on with her life.

Sam finds the perfect job as a librarian at a perfect school in TX. When the principal of the school suddenly passes away, the school is rocked to its core. Imagine Sam's surprise when the new principal is announced and it's none other than her Duncan. Except... it's not the Duncan from her past. Duncan has changed. A LOT. Gone is the fun and engaging Duncan. He has been replaced with a stone-faced and serious man. There is nothing fun about this Duncan. What's even worse is that he wants to implement changes to the school that basically turn it into a lifeless prison. What could have possibly happened to Duncan from the time Sam first knew him to now that caused this change in him? Can anything be done to save the school from disaster?

Katherine Center is now my go-to for a nice, feel good read, which was something I needed right now. I enjoyed this book and blew through it in two days. Was it a little predictable? Yes, but that's OK with me. I loved the characters and their flaws. I loved the quirkiness of Sam and she was someone I could relate to. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

I always enjoy reading Katherine Center’s books. She writes in a way that really draws the reader in. The story is about Sam, a librarian works at a small school where Duncan, her old colleague and crush, becomes her principal. Both have baggage that have shaped who they are now. There’s also this theme of choosing joy even when life is hard and it was really encouraging. I loved getting so sucked into their story and being able to feel for them emotionally. When that happens, I have to applaud the writer for her skills. Great job! I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Loved everything about this book! Such a cute story, I couldn’t put it down. When a small Texas town suffers the loss of one of their most adored principals, he is replaced by an old colleague of librarian, Samantha. She suspects he will be great for the school as his personality is bubbly, goofy, and quirky. But she soon realizes that the man who took the position, is not the man she once knew. Will she be able to change him and why did he change so much?

I loved this book because of the characters in the book. I thought the plot was great and the book kept me guessing as to how it would end. I have loved every book by this author and this one was just as great. I feel like as I was reading it and got to the end, I was disappointed that it had ended.

This book was enjoyable. I read it in two sittings and thought it was a well rounded story. The characters were a little bit too unbelievable and too much. The whole story was a little over the top. I’m surprised because I’ve really enjoyed Katherine Center’s other books but this one was only an okay read.

This book captures Katherine Center’s writing style very well, much like her other two books. The characters of Max, though gone, is felt throughout the book and captivates the reader at the beginning. It does a nice job of capturing grief and other heard emotions in a relatable way.

Let me just start by saying that I LOVE Katherine Center! She's absolutely one of my favorite authors. Her books are the ones I set aside for vacations and special occasions because I know that reading them will make me happy. So of course I was thrilled to be able to read her latest novel, What You Wish For. I was even more excited when I learned that one of the main characters, Duncan Carpenter, is a crossover character from my favorite novel of Center's, Happiness for Beginners. What You Wish For revolves around Sam, an elementary school librarian who loves her job but struggles when a new principle (Duncan) comes in and tries to change everything that she loves about the school. The story unfolds by sharing both character's pasts, and we learn why they are they way they are and how events from their past have affected their current lives. The characters were enjoyable and I was rooting for all of them to find their happiness by the end of their book. Overall, What You Wish For was a quick, lighthearted read, perfect for anyone who loves rom-com type books!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

The last two books I read by Katherine Center were on my 2018 and 2019 favorites list. I have a feeling What You Wish For will make its way onto my 2020 favorites list. She's just that incredible!

First of all, I love how she describes Sam and her school library. Sam is so vibrant and creative and her library reflects that. I wish I had a school librarian like her when I was a kid. (I just had this cranky old woman who made books sound so boring when she read them.) Duncan sounds like a total dreamboat (aside from when he's acting like a jerk). I love all the creative things he did as a teacher in the past. There are some surprising and heart-wrenching moments, as well as some that brought tears to my eyes.

Katherine also addressed something that not many books talk about and I appreciated that added this to Sam's life. Readers who also have experienced it (or still do) will be able to identify with what she was going through. (I am not saying anything more as to not spoil it.) The supporting cast of the story was great and enhanced it even more. I especially liked the first principal's grandson Clay, as well as Alice with her math-themed shirts.

This was a sweet and romantic story overall and it also addresses an important current issue going on in today's society. I had a hard time putting it down and still think about it often.

Movie casting suggestions:
Sam: Makenzie Leigh
Alice: Allison Scagliotti
Duncan: Dustin Milligan
Babette: Sharon Lawrence
Kent Buckley: Glen Powell
Tina: Lyndsy Fonseca

This book had everything that I needed from Katherine Center. I love that you can feel everything that the characters are feeling through her writing. Sam, the librarian at a small charter school, finds herself in a sticky situation with a one time crush who she had tried to get out of her head for years after a tragedy at her school. The book takes us through the whole school working through in the eyes of Sam. It is a great story that hits you right in the gut in a good way. It's one of those books you hold to your chest once you are finished because you are so happy.

This is the first Katherine Center book I have read so I honestly didnt know if it would be my kind of book... but I was proved wrong almost instantly.

The story follows Sam, who has gone through her fair share of difficulties forcing her to move away and start again. She is the happiest she has been in years when suddenly Duncan Carpenter in brought in as the new school Principal. Sam and Duncan have a history, but this new version of Duncan is certainly not the same person she knew all those years ago.

The message throughout this story is all about finding joy even in the most difficult of times, and it is truly heartwarming and, quite frankly perfection.

This is a story that I will remeber for a long time, and I will certainly be reading the rest of Katherine's books after devouring this story.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for my ARC of this wonderful book.

This was my first Katherine Center read even though I’ve heard really good things about How To Walk Away. I’m normally a thriller/mystery reader, but wanted something a little different after several thrillers in a row.

The story revolves around Sam, a librarian at a private elementary school in Texas. When the school she loves is threatened by a new administrator, Sam does everything she can to stop his plans. The only problem is that the new administrator just happens to be Sam’s
former crush. And even though his personality is completely different than when she knew him several years ago, it seems like her old feelings are still there.

What I liked: As a teacher, I liked that the story revolved around a school. I loved the relationships among the teachers and the community that were weaved throughout the story. It was definitely a fast read for me and kept my interest.

What I didn’t like: I don’t know that there was anything I didn’t like per se. Was the story a little cheesy and predictable? Yes. Did some of Sam’s actions frustrate me and make me roll my eyes? Yes. But I didn’t dislike it overall. I am a little surprised with the predictability that I finished it as quickly as I did. Maybe I did just need a break from intense thrillers and this one worked for that. There was some foul language, but it was sprinkled throughout.

Overall, I thought it was a good read. Again, it was a somewhat cheesy and predictable romantic comedy type story with some heavier themes mixed in at times. I definitely think it was worth the read! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book!