This is a story of a quirky school librarian who has settled in Galveston TX. Here Sam finds a family and community she has longed for. Tragedy hits her family. Changes begin at her beloved school when Duncan becomes the principal. Changes that threaten all she holds dear. If you are looking for a love story, a bit cheesy, page turner and a book you can just lose yourself in this is for you!

My daughter is a teacher and there was parts of this book that wouldn’t happen in real life. I’m a fan of the author though.

I first want to thank St Martins Press and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!


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

One thing I love about Katherine Centers writing is that no matter what heavy topic she may be writing about, she ALWAYS finds a way to bring you hope, joy, and love. She is a writer of emotion and I truly believe it is something that sets her apart from other authors. I have loved EVERY single book I have read by her and What You Wish For was no different.

Fantastic book showing how much life events can change a person. The relationship between Duncan and Sam shows that even when life changes and obstacles occur everyone needs someone to help them get thru. It was so fun to see how Sam brought Duncan out of his shell. A definite must read.

When I first began this novel, I was utterly intrigued by the protagonist, Samantha, a young librarian, and the setting, a fun and interesting school on an island in Texas. It began with an unfortunate event, the death of the principal, so beloved by everyone and continued on as the community began to heal from the blow.

As an educator, I was annoyed by many, many details in this story, so that kind of took away from my enjoyment of it. I won't bother to mention them here because most people will just suspend their disbelief or not notice. But, honestly, in a 'real' school, changes such as those that took place in this book are not so easily accomplished.

It is hard to argue with the main theme of the story, which is to overcome your fears and choose joy in life. Yet, so many times I was jolted out of the story by incongruity and inconsistency. There were also many typos or words used wrongly that I sincerely hope will be fixed by the time it is published in July. I won't quote from the eArc for that reason.

I was annoyed at how the love interest, Gorden, with whom Samantha was already acquainted from her past, turns out to be the new principal at the school has inconsistent personality changes. For example, he had decided to implement strict changes, such as a dress code for students and employees that is colorless and drab. Then he suddenly changes (before the big reveal change in his
character later on) and compliments Sam on her 'cool' clown socks. Huh?

Then there is the whole unreal, escapist plot, complete with the reason behind Gordon's big personality change from fun-loving prankster to staid, uptight emotionless new principal being a total non-surprising cliche. Same with the problem X has been hiding. It was all just too pat and formulaic for me.

That said, I am sure that many people will enjoy this as a 'light' and fun read, complete with the rescue of a whale towards the end. Facing one's fears and saying yes to joy and love are great themes and while I liked certain aspects of the story, in some ways it seemed just kind of dialed in and rushed, as if the author was hurrying up to finish yet another predictable 'feel-good' book in order to move on to the next.

Not my cup of tea, but it was okay. I've read far worse! Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with the eArc of this title.

This is an enjoyable read. I think the author does a great job of describing some of the issues we deal with in schools and in life. We want our kids safe, but at what cost to their innocence? And she describes grief well.

This is a good book. At first I was not sure if I was going to like it. It was a strange storyline. But it ended up that I really liked it. I don’t like to tell a lot about the story, but briefly it’s about an eclectic mix of people that teach at a private school. The couple that own the school and built it wanted all of a child’s senses to be explored and hired accordingly. In its own way it is a love story. It’s about human frailties and acceptance. It’s cute, easy to read and I would love to be friends with Babette or Sam or even math lover Alice. I would read another book from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest opinion.

While this book isn't my favorite of this author's books, I still enjoyed reading it. It was a feel good kind of read with the main character looking for joy in life in spite of some setbacks in her life. Heartfelt, hopeful, a chance at love, and forgiveness. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was thoroughly entertained while reading this book. I felt like the author used a combination of writing skills from some of my favorite authors (Kristin Hannah and Jojo Moyes)...you will feel like you’re right there with the characters. Do yourself a favor and read it...you’ll be glad that you did!

<b>"Joy is fleeting. Nothing lasts . That’s exactly what courage is. Knowing all that going in— and going in anyway.” </b>

In the midst of this anxious scary COVID-19 pandemic, this book is <b>JUST</b> what I needed. The perfect antidote. It's all about finding joy and facing fears, and then just keeping on. Of course, Katherine Center is a marvelous storyteller with characters who jump off the page and into your heart.

Samantha Casey relocated to Galveston and found the perfect job as an elementary school librarian and a home. When her mentor, friend and school principal suddenly passed away. The new principal threatens to destroy everything that made the school special. Except she once knew him and the way he is now is opposite to the man she once knew.

Read this if you need to find some joy or just to escape for a few hours. Highly recommended!

In Katherine Center's book What You Wish For, Samantha and Duncan knew each other in another life. Samantha left that life first and through the help of her new school family has changed her life from dull gray to one that is joyful and colorful despite having to deal with a chronic health condition. Duncan went from being a joyful, fun loving teacher to being controlled by fear that resulted from living through a traumatic experience. They have reconnected at a private school on Galveston Island, Texas and they have a lot to learn from each other.

The writing in this book was good. I was able to picture the characters and the setting in my mind as I read. I love it when I am able to do this. I liked the theme of joy that was woven through the book especially through Sam's character. She admits that joyful living does not always come easily, but must be an ongoing effort. There were some things that I felt weren't very realistic in the way things were done in the school setting. I also thought some aspects of Sam and Duncan's characters were a little too over the top for me even though they were well written.

All in all, I liked What You Wish For. It is not my favorite from this author, but still a good book that I don't mind recommending. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and offer my unbiased opinion.

This was my first Katherine Center novel, and I really enjoyed this one! It was not the romance I was expecting when I picked this book up – but I mean that in the most refreshing way. This is a story full of heart and hope.

We meet Samantha Casey, a librarian in Galveston, Texas (my home state!) and Duncan Carpenter, the new school principal who also happens to be a former, unrequited crush of Sam’s. When they meet again for the first time in years, gone is the carefree teacher that Sam knew before, and in his place is a stiff, humorless man obsessed with safety and precautions. Follow them on their journey as they learn to find, and choose, joy again. Of note, a potential trigger warning exists with the discussion of a school shooting.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #WhatYouWishFor

Katherine Center's books have a special power for transporting me from reality - allowing me to ignore the horrors of the current pandemic and truly immerse myself in great writing and a fabulous story. What You Wish For follows How to Walk Away & Things You Save in a Fire for me in Center's books that have been knockouts!

WYWF centers on school librarian Sam and the crazy turn her life takes when her former crush, Duncan Carpenter, becomes her new principal, but he is nothing like the fun loving Duncan that Sam remembers from her past. Sam and Duncan are both characters I wanted to root for and I had such a good time following their story and learning what made them who they are.

Thank you to Katherine Center for always giving me exactly what I need in the best way when I open her books. I think it's time for me to make my way through her backlist now.

I really enjoyed this book. Katherine Center does a great contemporary romance, and I feel like this was lighter than her other books. I thought the main character could have been more developed, but overall I liked this book. Thank you for the opportunity to review!

Katherine Center has this lovely, completely effective way of endearing her female protagonist to readers through her continuous, almost manic but quirky manic, totally engrossing way of story telling in What You Wish For. As the above quote suggests, this book effuses joy and compassion. While the story progresses and reveals terrible circumstances the message of hope and making a choice everyday to see light rather than dark shines through and true.

All characters are charming in their own rights. Both male and female lead characters are perfect in who they are now and who they were before these present times. While I will admit, some of the situations were downright silly and slightly hard to believe. However, the uplifting message and the true camaraderie just bleed through that silliness so effortlessly that it really doesn't matter. As with the previous Katherine Center book I've read, this story is more than a romance. It's a woman's journey through change and growth by way of understanding, choice, and courage.

It's a great piece of women's fiction with romance, friendship, and family blended throughout that will leave you pleasantly satisfied for having read it. The storyteller here writes with a finesse that emotes all the feelings being presented through her gift of words. I highly recommend What You Wish For to fans of this author or the genre itself. I look forward to reading the previously published work about a character I met in this book

4 stars!

So so cute, so so positive, so so what we need right now. A quirky elementary school librarian in Texas meets her match in the new school principal.

Romance: ★★★★ 1/2
Setting: ★★★★★
Conflict: ★★★

What You Wish For comes out on July 14, 2020!

So, let's start off with the fact that I'm extremely biased to love Katherine Center. Her past few books have become all time favorites, and her blend of romance, heartfelt healing, and memorable settings made me oh-so-excited to get to this one.

It did not disappoint!

What You Wish For follows Sam Casey, a librarian with epilepsy who has found a haven for herself in Galveston, Texas. Adorning herself with quirky outfits and surrounded by conversation starters in her whimsical school library, Sam's got it good. Her life is filled with laughter and friends, and her found family includes the school principal and his wife, who have taken Sam in to their home.

Then, her school's beloved principal dies suddenly.

Reeling from the personal and professional loss, Sam can't believe what comes next: the new principal coming to town is none other than Duncan Carpenter, a former teacher from Sam's previous school district. The former teacher that Sam had a hopeless, unrequited obsession with. Yeah. That one.

But this Duncan isn't the same as the goofy teacher Sam used to know. This Duncan is hard, stern, and unwilling to see the charms of Sam's beloved school. He seems obsessed with his vision, and a dark event haunts his past.

If Duncan thinks he can just waltz right in and change things in Galveston, he's got another thing coming...

Ugh. Another winner. I laughed, I teared up a bit, I grinned like a loon. I made the mistake of starting this at 9 p.m. and then went to bed at 1 a.m. because that's how long it took me to finish it. If that's not high enough praise, I don't know what to tell you. It's cute, it's positive, and memorable in its adorable side-quests and flirtations between Duncan and Sam.

My only caveat to this story is that it was missing some of the dramatic tension that other novels by this author have had. There was emotional resonance—and an intense commentary on the state of school life in America today—but the romance itself smoothly transitioned throughout. I guess I was looking for more drama? That's most likely a "me" thing.

Regardless, if you're a fan of How to Walk Away or Things You Save in a Fire, definitely check this one out!

Thank you to St Martin's Press via NetGalley for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

My first Katherine Center book and it won't be my last. I enjoyed it. The beginning took a bit long in the build up and I found myself scan reading some of it. But halfway in I was fully invested. I'm not a fan of the tragic "no one will ever love me because of my...." storyline. I think Sam came out looking like a weak female in that. I loved her quirkiness, her love for her friends. But felt she fell flat in other areas. Duncan comes across as an A-hole at the start and we are supposed to see the redemption in him as he grows under Sam's instruction. Maybe... but he gets to remain the strong tough guy (not falling for the "ruse") while Sam is once again made to look dumb. But there were enough laugh out loud moments (Duncan on pain meds!) and sweet moments (ie, Clay) that kept me interested.
3.5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for my advanced copy.

Many things made this book fantastic, the development of the character Duncan, the overarching theme of seeking joy is a choice, how Center constantly creates complicated characters that are more than "good" or "bad." I enjoyed the descriptions of the school & the magic they were able to create. It made me want to attend this elementary school, even after graduating college. I wish that there was further development between the main character Samantha and Duncan as a couple. Ultimately I adored how Samantha faced her insecurities by trusting others. This book left me with a longing for whimsy, and even to look for a colorful, feathered hat! I would recommend this book to any Sarah Dessen fan (and Katherine Center fan, obviously!)

An endearing book on how to overcome personal struggles and loss, on how to find your family when your biological one is no longer an option, and most importantly, how to celebrate life and find joy even in the small things. Katherine Center knows how to tug on your heart strings while making you laugh. This is definitely a book I didn’t want to end.

I wish I could give more than 5 stars for this fabulous book that gave so much pleasure to me in reading it. I wanted to become Samantha and have a Duncan in my life. To be happy in life and to choose joy is the best we can hope for. The Author gave me much joy in reading this book. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.