What You Wish For
Katherine Center
4 stars
I was so looking forward to Katherine Center’s newest novel, What You Wish For. I loved Things You Saved in a Fire, and having read every Katherine Center book, she has grown with each book published. What You Wish For is the story of Samantha Casey, the librarian at a private school in Galveston, TX, and Duncan Carpenter, the new principal. Samantha and Casey have a past-they worked together at a school in California where Samantha does something so outrageous that she quits and restarts her life in Galveston. In Galveston and at the Kempner school, Samantha finds the family that she desperately needs. But change is inevitable. Enter Duncan Carpenter again. At first Samantha is thrilled that her beloved school will be led by Duncan, who she remembers as a carefree, fun-loving, person. But the Duncan who takes over is a straight-laced, procedure loving, rule following tyrant who turns her beloved, colorful school into a gray, cold institution. The rest of the story is Samantha and her co-workers attempts to save their school and keep it from losing all it’s cheery uniqueness. And of course, Samantha begins, again, to fall for Duncan.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It’s ultimately a story of love, and hope, and joy. It’s about finding your family and loving them unconditionally. The characters in this story are very diverse. There are some that I loved right away, there are some that I had to warm up to, and there are some that I just did not like from start to finish. This isn’t a deep story at all. What you see is what you get. But sometimes you just need a good, happy, joyful story. If you’re looking for that-Katherine Center is the best and she delivers with What You Wish For.

Thank you to #StMartinsPress and #Netgalley for the advanced e-copy for a review. And thank you to Katherine Center for spreading a little joy!

The characters are teachers and the setting is a school, but you don't need to be involved in either to enjoy What You Wish For. The situation is contemporary, the desire for joy is universal, and the solution is endearing, if not a little surprising. I highly recommend What You Wish For. Thank you #NetGalley #WhatYouWishFor and #St.MartinPress for the advanced copy of this book.

I loved this book, the writing, Sam, Duncan. The setting of the book is Galveston, Texas and after living in that area for several years I could picture the Sea wall and the gulf and pier.
The school, the children, and the butterflies on the wall.
Hope,fears, challenges,grief, tragedy all telling a story.
A sweet story that kept me wanting to turn the pages faster, fun, with lovable characters that really touched my heart.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book.

*I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

Set in Galveston, TX, What You Wish For is the story of school librarian Samatha Casey. As Sam copes with the loss of her mentor and beloved school principal, she is shocked to discover his replacement is a man from her past - one for which she had deep feelings. The Duncan Carpenter that Sam used to know was charming, funny, and full of life, but the version that shows up in Galveston is cold, distant, and obsessed with safety - to the point that he’s ruining everything on which the school was founded. What happened to Duncan, and will Sam be able to help him remember who he was to save her beloved school?

I’ve only read one other book by this author, but it is apparent that she likes to select a theme and use it throughout her books, which I think is great. In the case of this book, it’s to choose joy, even when it’s hard. Center’s writing showcased this theme in so much more than just a lesson her characters learn. I could also feel joy radiating off the page from the descriptions of the setting, Sam’s outfits, the school’s staff, and much more. This was such a bright spot for me in a time when there’s a lot going on in the world.

The book was less successful for me in that I would’ve liked to see more development with some of the plot points like Sam’s relationship with her dad, and the entire dynamic between Kent and Tina. Also, the story had a few too many Hallmark channel moments that were a bit too contrived and didn’t feel natural.

Overall, I loved the theme of this story and the fact that one can also feel that theme through the writing. I think that’s a difficult thing to achieve in a book format vs something more visual like movies/TV. However, I had some issues with overall story construction. 3.5 stars

“What an incredibly spoiled idea—that anything should come easy? Love makes you better because it’s hard. Taking risks makes you better because it’s terrifying. That’s how it works. You’ll never get anything that matters without earning it.”
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Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a copy of the new book by @katherinecenter in exchange for an honest review! After reading Happiness for Beginners earlier this year, I knew this was an author I wanted to read more of. This novel didn’t shy away from heavy themes, but it’s light tone and comedic breaks make this a perfect summer read (and a perfect read for the times we are living in). Center’s characters shine in this book, becoming fully formed in just a few pages. We meet and love Sam, our protagonist, right away, as well as her circle of friends and her lovely school which is the perfect setting for the conflicts that ensue. Due out July 14, 2020, this is a great new story you will not want to miss.

This book was absolutely fantastic! It has some rough and sometimes very sad content, however, the joy and happiness in the book overcome any hard parts of the story line.

I absolutely recommend pre-ordering this book! I was a little slow getting into the story but once I did I finished it in one day. Katherine Center is just a fantastic story teller!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Samantha Casey is a school librarian who organizes the teachers against her former crush, new principal Duncan Carpenter in What You Wish For.

Sam Casey had a crush on fellow teacher Duncan Carpenter, but he started dating someone else. She eventually moved to Galveston Island, Texas, to a teacher’s paradise—the fictional Kemplar school where the cream of the crop teach. Now, four years on, the beloved founder and principal, Max Kemplar, has died and his replacement is the joyless, robot version of Sam’s zany colleague, Duncan.

He makes many changes, each one terrible, and sucks the soul out of the school in order to concentrate on solving what he perceives to be a major problem at the school—lax security.

The teachers unite against him. You can almost picture “We’re not going to take it” blasting out of a boom box at their group meetings. These teachers are PISSED. Soon enough, Sam considers Duncan her mortal enemy and a “mural murderer.” This is a romance novel so perhaps we’ve activated the enemies-to-lovers trope.

In the end, the book has a “love is bravery” message that is the weirdest one I’ve encountered in one of Katherine Center’s novels. Alas, it doesn’t take away from a story involving some of my favorite things: libraries, books, teachers, nerds and dogs.

This was an enjoyable first read for me of a Katherine Center book! I loved that the main character, Samantha, was a school librarian in a very unique and special elementary school. This was a clean romance that had great character interaction, current issues as well as real life drama. It pulled me in from the beginning and kept me coming back to see what would happen between Samantha and Duncan. I would definitely read another book written by Katherine Center. Put this one on your TBR for this July! Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for my review copy of What You Wish For - my opinion and review is strictly my own.

Katherine Center has a genius for creating compulsively readable, well-written books with characters who make their way into your heart and brain. What You Wish For, her latest, is no exception. As a teacher, I loved the school setting. It drew me in immediately. Before I knew it, I was THERE with Sam, Duncan, Babette, Alice, Clay, among many others, rooting for them all the way. The thoughtful exploration of grief and PTSD is handled so well. The romance is sweet without being cloying, and hard-won. I highly recommend What You Wish For for anyone looking for a book that will absorb you fully, even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. While you're at it, explore the rest of Katherine Center's collection. I have read the past four books that she has published. She never disappoints. Thank you to NetGalley for the egalley, St. Martin's Press and Katherine Center, the author. Reading this book brought me great joy during such a challenging time. As a result, the theme of looking for joy in life certainly resonated with me. Look for it when it is published in July!

Samantha, Sam Casey has the perfect job in the perfect town. She is a librarian for an elementary school, full of history and charm. But when the school suddenly has to replace their principal, they choose Sam’s former colleague and past crush, the fun-loving Duncan. Duncan was always the goofy teacher who everyone loved, but now he is the complete opposite. And does he even remember Sam? ⁣
I loved Sam’s character. She was a fighter, even when life was unkind to her. With her colorful outfits and quirky personality, she continued to search for happiness even in her darkest times. I admired the passion she had for her school and her courage to stand up for what she believed. Overall, a very enjoyable and heartwarming read.⁣ Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second Katherine Center book and I have fallen in love with her! This book had all the feels. The story was built well and I really came to know the characters and to love them. It’s one of those delightful reads where I want to know the rest of the story, but of course, the author lets each reader write that in their own head.

The two main characters, Sam and Duncan, each have wounds that need healed from traumatic pasts, but neither of them talk about them. The book takes place on Galveston Island, which ironically, I was supposed to be visiting today! Instead I am Safer At Home due to the Corona Virus. The story is fabulous, I laughed so hard that people, in the room, stopped and stared! I also gasped, sighed, and felt such satisfaction. There are tender sweet moments in the most unexpected places with a number of the characters in the book.

What I love most about Katherine Center’s books is the way she weaves incredible teaching into the story, but in the most seamless natural way. We get to learn and grow along with the characters. This book deals with facing fears and choosing joy. Both are so timely right now! I want to press this book into so many hands!

This is a book I could recommend to pretty much anybody.

I have so many favorite quotes and favorite passages, but I’ll just share this one:
“Never miss a chance to celebrate.”

Another great novel by Katherine Center! Loved the story, loved the characters. Really a feel good novel that came at such a good time. Sam Casey is a quirky, feisty school librarian who is trying to save her school from the new principal, who also happens to be someone she knows from the past. In comes Duncan Carpenter, who Sam recalls to be just about the greatest teacher that ever lived. However, when he arrives at her school, he is nothing like she remembered and she needs to set him straight on the ways of her school. I love how Center writes her characters. There are always funny moments, and sad moments, and uplifting moments in her novels. (She could use a little help writing the medical aspects of her novels, but otherwise I always enjoy reading Katherine Center's novels!!)

The themes of this book really stuck out to me especially during this difficult time we are all going through. The reminders to find joy and always find something to celebrate are what need when the negativities of life really get us down.

I was really looking forward to this book as I enjoyed When to Walk Away and Things you Save in Fire. This one did not disappoint and I think it’s my favorite of the three. I enjoyed the quirky characters, especially Clay, who was this sweet little nerdy kid that got his shining moment in the end.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

This book was exactly what I needed right now. Engaging and hopeful, and the ultimate message of choosing joy is something I currently need to remind myself of daily. Might have to go find my most colorful socks and stick some flowers in my hair.

Center's latest novel follows Sam, a librarian at an enchanting school in Texas. When the principal Max dies, he is replaced by Sam's former crush Duncan, a man who has gone from inspiring and entertaining to seriously militant. While I have to admit, I did quickly guess Duncan's backstory, it did not lessen my enjoyment of this book. Sam is a strong female who has overcome-and is currently overcoming- struggles of her own. She's not afraid to take charge or voice her own opinions. I want to teach at her school and live in her island community.

The romance in this book strikes just the right note, too. Too often, romances seem to build tension on the two main characters not being able to just be adults and have a conversation, but that's not the case here. The obstacles are real and based on the characters' experiences in the past. The tension and chemistry were palpable, and I loved reading every moment of it.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

“Life is full of danger. Terrible things happens all the time. That doesn’t mean you live your life in fear.”

Sam loves her job as an elementary school librarian. When the school loses his beloved principal, his replacement turns out to be Duncan, a former crush of Sam years before. When he shows up he is nothing like she remembers him. He’s become stiff and humorless and obsessed with school security, determined to destroy everything she loves in the name of security.

I was so excited when I found out this book on NetGalley, I’ve read two others books from this author and loved them. I got to admit that the story was really slow for me at first and I had to make a pause and started reading another one.
I’m glad I did that, the second half got better and that end, wow, it really got me, it was beautiful and inspiring.
So if you read this don’t get impatient when you think the story is getting nowhere, the end it’s worth it.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Love makes you better because it’s hard. Taking risks makes you better because it’s terrifying.”

O.K. So here is what you get from Katherine Center. Keep in mind at the time of me writing this review, humanity as we know it is neck deep in self isloation. COVID-19 has waged war on anyone who dares to get close to it. There is a global feeling of uncertainty and vulnerability that no one is embarrassed to admit to.

With this in mind a Katherine Center novel is exactly what was needed! A protagonist who makes it her mission to make it all better. Easily supported by characters who need fixing. A perfect recipe when the real life word is preparing for an apocalypse of sorts. The story of Samantha Casey, school librarian. Sam battles life with this vivacious positivity and patience.

There is a sweet cherry on top with swirl of whipped cream to discover characters from previous books are reintroduced in this read, namely Duncan (remember him). Of course if you don't this is absolutely a stand alone.

The book exposes some heavy themes. Yet it doesn't sway from the affirming, lighthearted, cleansing, warm read this author is known for. A must read!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

This is my new favorite novel by Center so far. I love the voice in her novels. Each character is so distinct and wonderfully written. Samantha is an awesome character. I loved her style, her job, her passion for her school, and her determination to do what's right - even if that means making an enemy along the way. Duncan's character and backstory were also so realistic and grabbing. He has a lot going on and Center showed his complexities so well. 

I also enjoyed the message of this book of choosing joy in all the moments. You can find joy anywhere as long as you are looking for it.

Sam, a school librarian, loves her job and her life. It wasn't always that way, but after leaving her last job because of unrequited love, she has come to terms with her lot in life, and has surrounded herself with a wonderful group of friends who she considers family. All is going well, until the man she secretly loved comes to town to take over as principal... and he's not the guy she remembers at all.

The romantic tension between Sam and Duncan was amazing. I loved how they both had their personal issues and had to work on opening up to each other. I loved how they both secretly harbored feelings for each other--love when that happens!

Overall, this was a feel good read, and a heartwarming romance. I'm so happy I didn't have to wait until the release date, as all Katherine Center's books are winners, and this was no different.

3.5 stars. I agree with another reviewer who said the characters are generally too much and there is a LOT of cheese factor. But it was a light, easy read that is sorely needed these days, and I enjoyed it well enough.

5 stars / This review will be posted at BookwormishMe.com on 1 July 2020 .


Sam is a librarian at a creative and fabulous school on Galveston Island. She lives in the carriage house of the school founders’ home. Sam is happy and bright and full of life. Though she does have a bit of a secret. Babette and Max started the school. They created a safe space where everyone can learn and be themselves. The hallways are full of beautiful murals, and the teachers are a tight knit group of friends.

Until tragedy strikes and a new principal is hired. Sam knows him. They taught together at a school in California. But the picture she sees isn’t of the man she knew. This man appears straight laced and uptight. That’s not the Duncan of old. Still, she has hopes that he will still be the goofy, lovable man that he was four years ago in California. The man that she fell in love with and fled the state to avoid. Only problem, Duncan never knew how she felt.

Katherine Center has nailed it again. A story that pulls at the heartstrings just enough without being too sappy. A story that makes you laugh and makes you cry. Each character has a unique and realistic life perspective. Center has built a school that any child would love to attend. With the kind of teachers that every parent wishes her own kids had.

The beauty of Katherine Center’s stories is that they do feature realistic tales with the right balance of romance, drama and laughter. She has the ability to pull you in and keep your attention from page one until the end. There isn’t a book she writes that doesn’t give you all the bits and pieces you want, and leaves you wanting more. What You Wish For delivers 100% of what you want. If you can savor it, do. Don’t try to finish it all in one night and then wish you had more!