Usually I read thrillers and mysteries but I picked this one up because, honestly, I thought the cover was fun. Yes, I judged the book by its cover!

Samantha is a librarian at a small private school in Galveston, TX. This school is what every parent hopes to send their kid to and every teacher would love to work at—and Katherine Center got the inner life of the school world on point. A cast of interesting and fun characters, some of whom I would have liked to know more, made this book so much fun. And the message that comes through this book is perfect for our current situation: find joy!

When a series of events occur (in the first couple of chapters), the school hires a new principal who needs to follow in the footsteps of the great, warm, joyful man who started the school with his wife. A man who’s credo was “make time to celebrate.” The man the Board hires is someone Sam used to work with—and had feelings for. But he’s not the way he used to be, and along with her friends, Sam works to help him rediscover joy. And she finds more joy along the way.

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down—seriously, I read it last night! It comes out in July, and I encourage everyone to pick it up. It’s light, but there are some dark bits in it. Overall, the message is incredible and offers hope—which we all need right now.

When I saw this on NetGalley, I immediately downloaded it. I had to read the new Katherine Center book! But I couldn't wrap my head around this one at all. It just was not for me. It read very bland and beyond unrealistic at times. I'm thankful for the free download and will probably gamble and read her next book as well.

This book was exactly what I needed during this time of social distancing and quarantine. It follows the romance of Duncan Carpenter, who recently moved to be a principle at main character Samantha Casey's school. I will definitely say this novel is on the side of cheesy romantic comedy, but I found it to still have substance and depth as the characters in the novel come together following the death of their beloved leader, Max. Duncan arrives to take over following his death and brings his own cynical perspective due to what he has experienced in his past. Samantha knows Duncan from her past, and the novel follows them as she learns more about why Duncan has changed so much from what she remembers.

I'm a bit torn with this latest Katherine Center book. I've enjoyed her books in the past, but this one fell flat for me. While the premise of the book - finding/choosing joy - was an uplifting theme, the characters fell very flat for me. Sam, the main character, was a bit too naive, a bit too annoying. Duncan, a central character, a bit too rigid and guarded. The relationship between the two - a bit too vanilla for my taste.

Overall, it's a quick read, but at the end, I was left thinking "that's it?"

Thank you to the author, St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This review was also published on Goodreads.

Oh, Katherine Center has done it again. This book.... What an absolute delight. This one might be my favorite yet.

With connections to Happiness for Beginners, this book brings back a beloved character who has been dealt a difficult few years prior to entering the scene in Galveston, at a school in need of a new principal after its beloved predecessor passed away unexpectedly. He had big shoes to fill, and while most didn't believe he was capable of filling them, he had the faith of the leading lady which encouraged him to reach down and bring back some of the joy that he had before his life was derailed.

This book encouraged me especially because it was a beautiful and timely reminder that in the midst of sorrow and difficulty, joy is attainable. It doesn't mean that everything is automatically easier in life, but a perspective shift can allow one to search for the parts of life that do bring joy.

Katherine has excellently crafted such a sweet romance in this novel, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to have read this advanced copy given freely in exhange for a review from St. Martins Press and Netgalley!

What You Wish For follows Samantha, an elementary school librarian, and the - sometimes frustrating - rebuilding of the school following a devastating loss. As an elementary teacher myself, I was enchanted by her school, fellow teachers, and, eventually, by Duncan Carpenter. Duncan, the new principal, just happens to be a previous crush of Samantha's. Both characters have secrets which could bring them closer together, but instead, keep them hidden and, seemingly, themselves protected.

Katherine Center's writing style is laugh-out-loud funny. Her books always leave me feeling positive and help me get through any reading slump I may be in. I'm always so excited to read her books and anxiously wait for her next book every time!

Katherine Center does it again! I finished this book in under 12 hours. I could not put it down. Another romance that shows you that true love is possible.

I loved this book. It had several sub stories that all came together as a perfect read.
You ca'n't go wrong with Katherine Center

This book will literally take you off into this dreamy island and into the lives of some amazing people. Sam is this fun-loving, quirky librarian who is trying to save the school from her new boss, Duncan‘s plans and to make it more interesting, Duncan is also her former crush. But he is no longer the same person who she fell madly in love with years ago. Now she is on a quest to find out what caused this complete personality change in him. There are some really cute moments between them and Duncan is an absolutely gorgeous and an amazing hero. Sam is absolutely a real hoot!

This book is just amazing. It deals with some very important issues and also has the fun elements sprinkled all over. Pretty much all the characters are likable and are absolutely adorable. I most definitely breezed through this book due to the amazing characters and a heartwarming plot.

Overall it is an emotional love story with some key lessons that serve as a reminder especially in the current situation - to enjoy and celebrate every moment in life. Especially the last chapter has so many precious pearls of wisdom that remind you to constantly seek joy and stay happy. This is a must-read book in this pandemic time.

Thank you Netgalley and St.Martin's Press for the advanced copy!

Quirky cute book. Not my usual genre, but I enjoyed it. Thank you Katherine Center and McMillian publishers for this ARC. The story centers around Samantha a quirky librarian who works at a school she loves. Samantha lives in the guest house of Max and Babette who own the school Samantha works at. Everything seems perfect until Max suddenly dies. Samantha is sure Babette will take over the school and everything will remain the same, that is until Kent Buckley (Babette and Max’s hated son-in-law) takes over as Chairman of the school, and hires a new Principal Duncan Carpenter. At first Samantha is excited for Duncan to come to her school, as they worked together at a previous school and Samantha had a huge crush on him. Samantha believed Duncan is the perfect replacement for Max as he has the same fun loving personality as Max did. However when Duncan shows up he is not the same man Samantha remembers. Duncan has changed immensely, and starts making changes at the school that are detrimental not only to the students, but the teachers as well. Everyone hates Duncan, but Samantha feels she can break down his exterior and get the old Duncan back. Just how hard will it be...

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

This was my first Katherine Center book so I was curious to see what all the hype was. I really enjoyed this title and will be digging into her backlist titles asap!

Never judge a book by its’ cover - or in this case - the clothing the man wears.

Katherine Center’s latest novel takes place in Galveston, Texas where we meet Librarian Sam and her cast of friends who are more like her framily (friends that are family). The story starts with the head of school unexpectedly passing away and the president of the school board bringing in the polar opposite, in Duncan, to run the school.

We find Sam knows Duncan from her previous teaching position on the West Coast, but will Duncan remember her? We aren’t quite sure! The new principal Duncan might look a lot like the old Duncan, but his clothing couldn’t be more different, his attitude couldn’t be more different.... What happened to Duncan to cause all these crazy changes? What follows is the story of Duncan’s past and why he is who he is now. Can Sam bring back the fun Duncan? Is he still in there?

Katherine writes with such conviction, you can literally feel the butterflies Sam feels when she encounters Duncan on the beach one winter evening... and every time thereafter.

Enjoy the ride Katherine Center takes you on in her newest novel. I can’t wait for my friends to pick this up so we can talk about Duncan!!!!!

What You Wish For was such an enjoyable read. The author captured my attention right away and while a few things were kinda predicted for me, I also found fun in the little twists and turns that got us to the end. As a former elementary school librarian, I could relate to some of the main character's feelings and opinions. I found the book very entertaining.and current on topic. Great read!

WHAT YOU WISH FOR is the ideal quarantine read: peopled by richly imagined characters and propelled by a zest for joy. Not as strong a novel as the author's previous, but captivating and a perfect read for the times.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Choose joy".
I love Katherine Center's books. This was a sweet, endearing, charming story with enough twists to keep me interested at a time when it's hard to stay focused on books. Great characters, great messages.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of Katherine Center's new book, What You Wish For, from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley! First of all, the cover is absolutely gorgeous: bright, cheery, and floral, so I was extra excited to read this book!

What You Wish For centers around Sam, a librarian at an eccentric and friendly school in a small Texas town. After the cherished school principal and Sam's hero unexpectedly passes away, the replacement principal, Duncan, is trying to take away everything that makes Sam's school special. And Duncan also happens to be Sam's long-time crush from her previous school. But this version of Duncan is not the Duncan Sam remembers. Sam is adamant about finding out what happened to Duncan and saving her beloved school.

I enjoyed the story and loved that the book centers around finding happiness and fighting to maintain that joy. It is an important message during these tough times. I found Sam less likable than Center's other protagonists in previous books, but it was a quick read. The plot meandered at times, but I loved the ending, which ties everything up beautifully.

Such a great quarantine read! The plot was beautifully light and frothy, but with enough substance to keep you hooked. It made a perfect escapist read during these crazy times, I can't wait to share it.

I received an ARC of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Quirky teachers in a school in Galveston, TX, marine animals, a longing crush, and a sense of wanting to save someone. Recipe for a great contemporary novel. I would certainly recommend this book for a rainy day quarantine read, a beach read, a plane read... it is the type of book you can completely devour in one sitting (I read it in two). I enjoy Katherine Center’s style for this reason!

I wouldn’t rank this release as high on my list as Center’s Things You Save in a Fire (the twists in that one were amazing!). This novel felt predictable to me; as soon as Duncan began his role as a principal, I knew what his story line would be. However, I don’t think that makes a book NOT worth reading. In a sad, dark, and uncertain time, What You Wish For has provided a joyful escape and a happy ending. There definitely appeared to be some Gretchen Rubin influence throughout (conversations and lines about joy, different tricks to make a person feel happy, color theory...) which I enjoyed. I found Samantha and Alice to be delightful, it made me long to see my own students, it made me miss colorful, eccentric outfits.

WHAT YOU WISH FOR
BY KATHERINE CENTER

I was excited to get this ARC via Net Galley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for a fair and honest review. I loved Katherine Center's previous book "Things you save in a Fire," so I thought that this one would be every much as good.

Samantha Casey plans a surprise 60th party for her landlord's and friend's Max and Babette. Max dies suddenly of an embolism to his lungs during the party. A new principal for the elementary school where Samantha is a librarian is picked. The new Principal happens to be an old crush that Samantha had unrequited love for named Duncan.

Duncan is the reason Samantha left California to come and live over Max and Babette's garage apartment called the carriage house in Galveston, Texas. Duncan does not appear to be the same person he was in California. On the first day of school he brings a painted squirt gun to school and fires it up in the air complaining the school has poor security. Will Duncan ruin Samantha's new school?

I believe the book's message to choose joy. Honestly some of these character's felt more like cut out cardboard caricature's than real people. I chose this for something light during these times and I am sorry to say that I wanted to love this more but I didn't.

Publication Date: July 14, 2020

Thank you to Net Galley, Katherine Center and St. Martin's Press for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#WhatYouWishFor #KatherineCenter #StMartin'sPress #NetGalley

WHAT YOU WISH FOR
BY KATHERINE CENTER

I was excited to get this ARC via Net Galley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for a fair and honest review. I loved Katherine Center's previous book "Things you save in a Fire," so I thought that this one would be every much as good.

Samantha Casey plans a surprise 60th party for her landlord's and friend's Max and Babette. Max dies suddenly of an embolism to his lungs during the party. A new principal for the elementary school where Samantha is a librarian is picked. The new Principal happens to be an old crush that Samantha had unrequited love for named Duncan.

Duncan is the reason Samantha left California to come and live over Max and Babette's garage apartment called the carriage house in Galveston, Texas. Duncan does not appear to be the same person he was in California. On the first day of school he brings a painted squirt gun to school and fires it up in the air complaining the school has poor security. Will Duncan ruin Samantha's new school?

I believe the book's message to choose joy. Honestly some of these character's felt more like cut out cardboard caricature's than real people. I chose this for something light during these times and I am sorry to say that I wanted to love this more but I didn't.

Publication Date: July 14, 2020

Thank you to Net Galley, Katherine Center and St. Martin's Press for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#WhatYouWishFor #KatherineCenter #StMartin'sPress #NetGalley