As always, Katherine Center gives us another book that is so easy to dive into. Center tackles current issues (violence, climate change) with this book, while also tackling real life mental and physical health problems that many people experience. With bright colors, a coastal town, and lovable characters, this is a book that's so easy to sink into. Our main character, Samantha, picked up her life and moved a few years before this story begins, and she settled in this small coastal town. While she has had some troubles, she's surrounded herself by color and is the happiest she's ever been. When tragedy strikes, and Duncan arrives in the wake of that, Samantha thinks the future is looking bright again, but all isn't how she thought it would be. We follow this turmoiled pairing through a school year, and the whole book keeps you engaged. I thought that this was brilliantly done in many ways, and I'll always look for her next book to pick up.

Thank you Netgalley, for the chance to read and review this book!

It was a joy to read this book! Katherine Center knows how to write a book that keeps your interest and makes you have all the emotions you look for in a good book. I loved the quirky characters! 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher and author for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Samantha Casey is a quirky librarian- who hasnt always been quirky. Duncan carpenter is a strict principal who didn’t used to be strict. They have changed personalities, but haven’t changed feelings for each other.

I found the characters really likable- and I found myself really rooting for them.

What You Wish For is a sweet romantic comedy with a second chance at love story. Samantha Casey is a pink banged, flamboyant dressing librarian who loves her school. Living in the principal and his teacher wife's apartment above the garage, her school family feels like her family. The unexpected death of her mentor and friend the principal sends a blast from the past into her neat little school. But the crush from her former job is not the fun loving and wonderful teacher she always wanted to be like and who she fell in love with. Duncan is an authoritarian principal bent on protecting the school to the point of turning it into a prison. Unresolved trauma stands in the way of Sam and Duncan's HEA until Sam's school family steps up to help heal what is broken. Sweet and funny, Sam and Duncan's story left me in a mix of smiles and sighs before a very satisfying ending that I absolutely adored. Katherine Center has won over a new fan for life here. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Katherine Center's latest novel is just what the world needs right now. Did she know we were going to need a novel about finding joy in the hardest of times? Is Katherine Center psychic?? I only wish the rest of the world didn't have to wait so long to read this thoughtful and sweet story. But, looking on the brighter side--you have something to look forward to this summer!

Once again, I was not disappointed in Center's characters. I love that she creates uniquely beautiful and flawed characters. Each one--even the smallest character--has a backstory. Samantha (Sam) is a breath of fresh air and Duncan is a compelling puzzle. While I had his story figured out from almost the beginning, it was still touching to watch it unfold. I was mostly excited about What You Wish For because it's set in my home state of Texas. I visit Galveston almost every other summer. I love that little beach town, and I was so excited that she chose it for her setting. I only wish I could have read it while I was there, listening to the waves, soaking up the sun.

While What You Wish For doesn't quite reach the five-star status I gave How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire, it was still delightful. And a great reminder that we can find joy in the most unlikely places.

“Babette knew better than to let a little pain hold her back. She knew that joy and sorrow walked side by side.”

Center has an ability to write books that don’t feel too heavy, yet contain real life issues. It was truly a fun read with lovable, fantastic characters. It kept me guessing to see where she was heading with it. This would make a great summer read without being too fluffy (not that there’s any shame in fluffy reads). Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

Thank you for the chance to read this book before the release date. This is a weird time for all of us. I have more time to read but I am enjoying it less because of anxiety. Katherine Center's books are always easy to read and have characters that you root for. I liked this book because the main character chose to change her life from drab to colorful. I liked reading about her journey . One of my favorite things about the book was the description of the school library. It was wonderful and I wish every kid had access to that library.
The only bad thing I can say about the book is even though I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it, it is forgettable. Nothing about it stuck with me.

A very interesting story about family both biological and the friends and people that touch your lofe and that become part of your family. Very colorful and diverse characters. Certainly relevant topics given recent events.

This was a very cute book! You never knew what was going to happen, the author always had you on your toes. I really liked the message of the book too, how it tackled hard subjects and fear. I think this was a book all people could relate to, every character had a mountain they were climbing, which made the book so realistic and relatable. The feelings and emotions of happiness and fear were ones that, I could personally, feel a presence in my life.
Though it took me a little bit to get into the book, I really loved the full circle moment the characters all came to at the end. It painted a picture of how love and acceptance, especially in today's (COVID-19) world is so important and can get us through anything. Highly recommend!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book! There were a lot of things about this book that I really liked, including: the setting of Galveston (TEXAS FOREVER), the fact that the characters were all elementary educators, and Clay. I related to the school plot lines a lot, and I would have loved to hear more from Clay's perspective because I thought he was so adorable. However, there were also some things I didn't like; namely, the two main characters. I really wanted to like Duncan and Sam but I just felt like both of the characters were *too much.*

Overall this was an enjoyable and entertaining quarantine read, but not my favorite of Center's books.

Review posted on Goodreads on April 15, 2020.

I have become a big Katherine Center fan and this book is my favorite one yet. I love a story of people finding themselves in the midst of hardship. And I love a book set in Texas. This story was so charming and full of hope. The characters are equal parts eccentric and relatable. It had me wanting to laugh and sometimes almost cry. Even if you aren’t normally a romance reader, if you like charming stories, I think you will enjoy this one.

I found Katherine Center's books in the last year and What You Wish For does not disappoint. It will be released in July 2020 and will make a perfect summer read. The book is light, fun and delightful while it takes on a few heavy topics. The book will resonate with people working in the school system and parents. Samantha is a fun librarian in quirky school in Galveston, Texas. When their beloved principal passes, Sam's unrequited love interest, Duncan, becomes the new school principal. Samantha has changed since she last saw Duncan and Duncan was not the same person that Samantha was infatuated with.

Look forward to the publishing of this book in July 2020. I would recommend this book for a good summer read. I would like to thank #NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There are things I like about this book and others I don't. I didn't really like Sam the main character of this book because I felt she comes off most of the time acting like an 18 year old instead of her age 28. The first part was hard to get through and cringe worthy. Once Duncan finally comes to the school it milds down the cringe worthy aspect of Sam. Duncan sure needs to find his fun side and also needs to go to therapy but I felt big time that Sam needs therapy too as she is not over the trauma she endured as a child and still has fears because of it. None of Sam's trauma is really helped in this book. I do like how Sam and Duncan come together and Sam helps Duncan heal. The school sounds like an awesome place to have been a part of either by working there or going to that school. I think the best part of the book was the near the end of the book with Clay, that's all I will say as I don't want to give spoilers. The book was still enjoyable.

*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

Oh my gosh! Where to start?! I absolutely LOVED this book! I loved the characters and the story and especially fell in love with this little community in Galveston. As a first grade teacher, my heart soared when I found out that this story was centered around a librarian and her love for her school. Sam's fierce love for her school and the people that fill it was heartwarming. This book brought much joy to me in a time when I cannot be with my students in our beloved school and helped me remember that you can find the joy in every day! I laughed and cried and smiled my way through this book! I cannot wait to recommend it to so many people.

Samantha Casey is a librarian at an elementary school in Texas. The principal of the school unexpectedly passes away and his replacement is Duncan Carpenter. Samantha used to teach with the goofy, fun teacher before moving to Texas, and might have had an unrequited crush on him. But now, he’s a very serious person and making changes to the school that Samantha and her colleagues are not on board with. She becomes the one to stand up to him in hopes of saving the school that everyone loves. This book is expected to be published in July. Two Katherine Center books read in one month! Like Things You Save in a Fire, I enjoyed this book a lot!

A huge thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review. This is my third Katherine Center book, and by far my favorite. Maybe because I’m a teacher- a math teacher named Alyce- but also because maybe I’m a teacher who happens to work in a school that made national headlines for all the wrong reasons. I love Center’s stories. The way she builds her characters and weaves them together. It leaves me excited to turn the page to see what happens next. I fell in love with Duncan and Sam in this book. These two polar opposites that just happen to work in the same school. Do new clothes and a new school year mean a fresh start? Maybe. But is it always a good thing? Hmmmmm. People change and we don’t always know the reason why. This book takes you on a journey that shows you the secrets people keep and the scars that they may carry are what helped shape them as an individual. And often, that is what we have in common. That is what brings people together. Sometimes what we think is best for others is not always best for ourselves. And sometimes we have to find and love ourselves before we can love someone else.

Such a great story filled with lovely characters! Any book about a librarian has my attention, but what kept me turning the pages were this likeable characters. This was definitely a book I needed to read!

Katherine Center has once again written a very enjoyable book! I will not share a synopsis since that is widely available.

I will tell you that the central theme of this book is JOY and how to find it, and that is important to read about right now. At first I was afraid the main character, Sam, was going to be too silly for my liking, but I quickly fell in love with her and the other characters in this book. The book has a little of everything- you will be sad for the character, angry at times, and you will laugh. A lot.

Do yourself a favor and read this book! I highly recommend it!

Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

Samantha has a dream job as the school librarian at a wonderful school. The school's principal and his wife are not only great to work for they are friends. When Max dies and a new principal is hired, Sam is blindsided to learn it is a former colleague. She left that school when her crush turned into unrequited love. Duncan is not who she left behind. He has changed drastically and she sets out to figure out why or get rid of him before he totally changes the school she loves. Both have pasts that they are keeping secret. Will they be able to reveal their true selves and have a second chance at love? Loved the secondary characters just as much as Sam and Duncan. A surprisingly great read.

Katherine Center has knocked it out of the park, again! Honestly, every single book she writes does not disappoint. “What You Wish For” is no exception. She has such a way with words that you will cry, be angry, laugh, and be cheering alongside these characters. While I admit the story seemed a little cheesy at first, I was quickly proven wrong and find that I am still thinking about the book long after I finished. I would strongly recommend adding this to your TBR.

Thank you Netgally for an advance copy.