I listened to the audio version and was very impressed with the narrator. She was so enthusiastic (probably much more than I would’ve read it in my head!) and expressive. She read so easily and her charm gave the story an added piece.

Overall the story was cute- just wasn’t for me. I just didn’t connect with the main character the way I wanted too. She was quirky & joyful. But I was impatient & wanting her to progress quicker. The book was well written & I loved that the characters weren’t flawless. It addressed one issue we rarely read about & another I unfortunately think will be a big character trauma in our future.

I really do love Katherine Center's work, and I will continue to read her books. I really loved the zany lead character, and I think it's important to have more leading protagonists that have disabilities and invisible illnesses. I really appreciated this aspect of the story (but would love some own-voices feedback!). I couldn't help but feel a little annoyed that the hero had very obvious trauma, the trauma itself was incredibly obvious, and I was just waiting the entire book for the "reveal" to happen. This one felt a little less subtle than her other books.

I still really enjoyed it though, and I will continue to read anything that Center writes. Her books are just easy and light and so much fun!

An amazing story about friendship and family, About facing your fears and be brave to face life and enjoy everything to it fullest. Sam runs all across the country to start a new life as a librarian in a school where she feels at home. She was in love with Duncan, but she was invisible. Now she is full of life and colours but when Duncan starts working in her school she doesn’t know him anymore. He was cheerful, funny and now he is grey, serious and dull. But there reasons for his change. Will Sam and Duncan find their way to love and happiness fighting their demons together? The audiobook is great, Therese Plummer does a wonderful work with the words and the feelings pouring from the story.

Not only was this a fantastic book, but it was also a really great audiobook! Therese Plummer is the perfect narrator for these kind of stories, and she did a wonderful job giving distinct enough voices for all of the characters. Her narration also helped me feel like I was in Sam’s mind and feeling the emotions she was felt. Highly recommend!

**Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!**

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. You can get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/What-You-Wish-Katherine-Center-ebook/dp/B07ZMS36CC/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=What+You+Wish+For+by+Katherine+Center&qid=1595457772&sr=8-1
This is my very first ARC audiobook with Netgalley. I normally listen to audiobooks on Overdrive, there was a little learning curve with this, but I liked the ability to listen to the book while I drive or am preoccupied. It makes multi-tasking much more fun!
Samantha is a fun Elementary librarian. She is living in what she calls the Carriage House of Max and Babette Kemper. Max, unfortunately passes away due to a thrombosis from not moving around on the plane while celebrating his anniversary with Babette. Max was the principal to her school. There is an assembly to announce the new principal. Samantha starts to FREAK OUT when she sees who it is: Duncan Carpenter. Duncan is the fun-loving guy that everyone LOVES! Parents, kids, everyone! Even Samantha loved him, but Duncan never returned the feelings. Duncan was the major reason that she had moved, moved away from him. Duncan seems to be EVERYWHERE! He turns up in her grocery store and Samantha again FREAKS out! He does not seem to recognize her at all. His introduction to this school is quite alarming! His tactic is along the lines of scare-tactic. Samantha was so stunned by his introduction. This man looked like the Duncan she knew, but certainly was not the dance-party loving, silly hat wearing guy that she had worked with in the past.
We learn that our past definitely defines us and shows in our actions. We learn so much about the past and how things shape people and how we should not judge. This was a great book with so much! It covered so much from school safety, bullying, how important it is to dance and so much more! This was the first book that I have read by this author, but I will certainly be looking for more books to read. I loved how Samantha tried to reinvent herself, even on her Walmart budget. She introduces some new and fun clothes into her wardrobe! There are a few comical parts involving Chuck Norris. This book really made me think about what is going on now and how people’s previous experiences have shaped them and made them react in a certain way. We chose how we react and we have to remember that people do not make us feel one way or another. They can trigger a response in us, but how we react is on us!

Samantha Casey is a school librarian, who absolutely loves her job and the kids at the school. She had a troubled past, but has since reinvented herself in Galveston. Due to an unexpected tragedy, the school is hiring a new principal. The new principal ends up being Duncan Carpenter. She knew Duncan from school and had the biggest crush on him. But, Duncan is no longer the free spirit she used to know. He is very uptight and sticks to playing by the rules. Can Sam help him remember the joyful person he used to be?

I am a huge fan of Katherine Center’s books, so I was so excited to read this one! I really enjoyed this book a lot. I liked the characters in the book, especially some of the side characters. I felt connected to Sam’s joy and passion for doing what she loved. The only thing that bothered me with this book is, it was very repetitive. Overall though, I thought it was a great book with a good message in it, to choose joy over fear, sorrow, and anger. It’s a quick read, and good timing for everything that is going on in this world right now.

I really enjoyed the audio version of this book. I thought the narrator was really great, and it helped me connect with the story more.

I love Katherine Center’s books so much. There is something about them that make me so happy. This book had a mantra of sorts- ‘choose joy’, which is appropriate since Center’s books always seem to bring me joy when I read them.

What You Wish For follows Samantha Casey, school librarian. Her school radiates joy and she loves her job so much. When she loses someone close to her who happens to be her school’s principal, she’s not sure how the school will go on. But then she hears his replacement is Duncan Carpenter, the Duncan she knew and loved who was so much fun at a past job and she just knows things will be okay.

The Duncan Carpenter who shows up to work is not the same Duncan she once knew. He is not carefree, fun, and full of laughter. He’s serious, focused on safety and safety only and is willing to take away her place of joy to make the school a ‘safe place’ which seems more and more like a prison.

There is more than Duncan that meets the eye, and though I guessed much of his back story fairly early on, it was still heartbreaking. The first half of this book was good for me, but the second half is where it really shined. Duncan and Sam balanced each other out so perfectly. I loved them together. Also, if you’ve read ‘Happiness for Beginners’, you’ll get a little glimpse into Helen and Jake’s future (Duncan is Helen’s younger brother and Jake’s best friend) which was great!

What You Wish For was narrated by Therese Plumber, like a few of Center’s other books and Plumber does an incredible job with her narration. The quality of the audiobook was top notch and it was smooth listening.

Overall, this book made me happy. It had emotional moments, but I had such a big smile on my face while reading. I love people that are unapologetically themselves and live life to the fullest. This was just the book I needed right now and I’m so glad I read it!

4.5/5 stars

I received an audiobook copy of What You Wish For through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What You Wish For is the story of Sam reconnecting with Duncan, the man she had a huge crush on at her old job. Sam left her old job as a school librarian to escape her life and her crush on Duncan, a fellow teacher. After reestablishing herself as this new confident person in a new town, Duncan ends up back in Sam’s life, but he’s not the guy she remembered. Both Sam and Duncan are faced with hardships that have changed them since they last saw each other. What You Wish For is their story of finding themselves again and each other.

I have to say that I really enjoyed this read and got swept up in the troubles surrounding the characters. I listened to the audiobook version of this book, so I don’t know what it’s like to read it, but I never wanted to turn it off or stop listening. I was drawn in by the characters and their stories and enjoyed seeing how everything played out and came together. This story covered a lot of hard issues, but in a way that didn’t make you depressed by reading about them, which is definitely what I needed right now.

I really enjoyed What You Wish For and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good romance that isn’t completely sappy but has it’s cheesy moments. The narration was great as well.

What You Wish For is a fun and charming story set around a beloved high school in Galveston, Texas, and its staff. Sam, the school’s librarian, has created a great life and family of friends for herself in spite of many challenges. While Sam and her fellow high school staff members are dealing with a recent and hard loss, she learns that an old crush, Duncan, is the new principal. Life as she has come to know it is threatened. Sam quickly realizes that the Duncan she knew has changed in a dramatic way. The journey she embarks on to help Duncan back to happiness keeps a good tension in the story and is nicely balanced with some fun scenes, a bit of romance, and a good lesson about choosing joy. It deals with some unpleasant issues but does so in a gentle and kind manner. Sam’s own life shows us that we choose happiness and can find joy in spite of life’s circumstances. The ending has a nice surprise that will leave you smiling and feeling all the best feels. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced listener’s audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Katherine Center is an auto-read author for me and her stories are just so happy and uplifting, with character growth and depth, and just make you feel so much. I LOVED this one and it was wonderful and exactly what I needed. I loved revisiting Duncan, Helen, and Jake from Happiness for Beginners and seeing where they ended up. But, you can absolutely read this as a standalone and do not need to read these together. I binged this in one sitting staying up way too late. I adored the characters, story line, and there were so many wonderful quotes. I loved how whimsical the school was and the library was so amazing to envision - a tunnel made of books! ⁣

I loved this novel! AND I really loved the author’s note at the end of the book. I got the audiobook version of What You Wish For from @netgalley. (Thanks!) And whole this is my first Katherine Center book, it definitely won’t be my last!
The main character is an elementary school librarian (like me!). When Sam’s principal tragically dies, a teacher from her old school (who she had a massive crush on) because the new principal. Sam thinks Duncan will be the a great principal for her school because of his enthusiasm for learning and teaching. However, Duncan is a shell of himself and is only worried about one thing: student safety. Sam’s crush is still there, but she hates Duncan more for “ruining” her school.
This is just a sweet story about grief (which sounds unlikely but it is), and if you’re in education, I think you’ll really this too.

I love how Katherine Center can make a love story out of a tragedy. You really get to know the characters and empathize with their stories. You can’t help but root for them!

One of the best narrations I have heard this year!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the narrator. I think I enjoyed this book a little more due to the narrator. What You Wish For by Katherine Center was an enjoyable story about finding joy even in the hard times.

Samantha (Sam) is a school librarian. I felt like she was an old friend that I meet up with to catch up on life. I found her relatable and down to earth, and we share several common interests. Duncan is the new school principal. There is an interesting past between the two. They both have secrets and as the story unfolds you find out more about their difficult lives and tragedies that have affected them. The story was well balanced with sad bits, happy times, and good laughs. This book reminds us not to judge people until we really know their pasts and what is going on in their lives.

Therese Plummer was an expressive and FANTASTIC narrator. (I do not say that lightly.) She conveys emotions perfectly! Her voices were spot on and so distinct. I didn’t have to pay attention to who she said was talking because the voices were that perfect and unique! If you could give a narrator 6 stars, I would award that to Plummer. I found she elevated my experience with this story and made it even more enjoyable.

I am new to Katherine Center, but I would easily listen to another book written by her. I have already searched out other books narrated by Therese Plummer. She was incredible and really raised the story. I have already recommended the audiobook to several friends and family members.

There are triggers of gun violence, death, and trauma.

I received an audiobook review copy from Macmillian Audio through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

I had just finished reading this one when I was able to get my hands on the audio version and WOW! I recommend both versions. Samantha Casey is the librarian for an elementary school who suffers the devastating loss of their principal. This left the staff floundering until they are notified their new principal will be someone from her past. Duncan Carpenter is nothing like he was before, now he all buttoned up and only worried about security. All his plans for the school will basically take away all the joy and make it like a prison. Sam cannot believe it but will she stand for it? What is behind all of this transformation? This was a very well written story that was not only emotional but also redeeming.

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher (both versions) via NetGalley**

This book was so cute and such a fun quick read! It wasn't my favorite of the author, but the book was still enjoyable. Throughout the book, I just wanted the two main characters to admit to their feelings sooner. Some of the seems were more dramatic and drawn out then they had to be, but overall this is such a fun romance!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

I was fortunate enough to get to read this book first and then go back for seconds with the audiobook. The narration is very well done, the voice acting fits the characters just right. As for the story itself, here is my review for the book:
After reading and loving The Things You Save in a Fire, I jumped at the opportunity to pick up another book by Katherine Center. This cements it for me: I am a fan. Sam is a librarian who is confronted with a past crush when he is assigned as the new principal at her school. He has changed drastically since she last saw him and it's not hard to figure out what might have happened to him, but this book is about the journey these characters go through. I loved Duncan, and felt his struggles profoundly. I felt more frustration toward Sam and her tendency to cut and run. Her situation hit close to home for me, and perhaps because of that I found myself judging her reactions more, but I still felt empathy for her and rooted for her. What You Wish For had it all: it felt relevant, it was emotional, but also funny at times, the pacing was spot.on, and the characters will stay with me.

I recommend any and all formats for this one!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the narrator for this one!! She did such a fantastic job! The audio for this gets 5 stars!

For me Katherine Center is an auto-buy author! I always enjoy her books! This one didn’t disappoint either! I will say it took me a little bit to get into this one, but I think that was mainly because of life getting in the way. I really enjoyed Sam’s character and connected with a lot of the themes throughout the book. Choosing joy even when it’s hard was one thing that stuck with me.

Wow! This book was amazing. It was happiness and sadness in the little and big parts of life. It had me laughing out loud but also thinking how parts of it were me. My first book by this author but won’t be the last. Find the joy is one of the main elements of this book and it sure was that for me.

What a great narrator! She made the book to be so entertained, fun and quirky. It’s a story of the cute librarian Sam and new principal Duncan. A lot of funny situations but also emotional moments and real-life problems. Katherine Center did it again and I can’t wait for her next book.

*I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair review.

What You Wish For was my first Katherine Center book and WOW! I’ve been missing out. I love how she brings her characters to life through her writing making them feel extremely relatable. Sam, the colorful and goofy librarian that this book follows, works at what sounds like the coolest school ever. One day, her ultimate crush comes to work at school, ruining her life, as she would say. The rest of the story follows her fight to “Do joy on purpose.”

Loneliness, empathy, love, struggle, fun... this book has it all. I felt a rollercoaster of emotions throughout this book, probably thanks to the Thérèse Plummer, the voice behind the audiobook. She was able to express the different emotions of all the different characters and still allowed the cool “movie version” that plays in my head while I read a book.

Overall, this book was incredible and its hard to put into words how I feel about it. However, I think the best way to describe it is “warm and cosy.” It gave me a break from reality and introduced me to this fun community held within this book. In the authors note of this book, Katherine center says that “stories you’ve read have direct access to you...” and this book really speaks to that.

Already looking for copies of Center’s other books!