Samantha is a 28 year old elementary school librarian in a quirky private school on an island town near Galveston, Texas. She loves her school and her friends that are like family. She left California to start over after feeling that her crush on Duncan Carpenter would never amount to anything and she has not looked back. 4 years later, her beloved principal and friend suddenly dies and the school board appoints a new principal and its none other than...Duncan Carpenter. Except this Duncan is nothing like the Duncan she left behind and Sam is determined to find out what happened and to bring him back.

After reading a few of Katherine Center's books, I jumped at the chance to read an advance copy of her latest book. I have to admit I was very disappointed. The writing was very juvenile, in fact, I felt like I was reading a YA book at times. I had a hard time reading much of the first half of this book. The story picked up a bit in the second half but it was wildly predictable and schmaltzy. I managed to finish it quickly I was mostly skimming.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the advance copy. I wish this book the best of luck-maybe some more editing would help?

I love Katherine Center books, and her latest What You Wish For, did not disappoint. Sam is the librarian at a fun loving school. When the school loses its loved principal, his replacement is Sam's old crush, Duncan Carpenter. He hardly resembles the Duncan Sam once knew and quickly because her nemesis.

#netgalley

Another wonderful book by Katherine Center!

I guess you could call this a second-chance romance, but it is so, so much more than that. Yes, the characters knew each other from a former job, and yes, they now have the chance to reunite. In between those basic elements are embedded bits of hard, emotional, reality that impacts all the main characters in one way or another.

I don't give spoilers, so this is not a play-by-play. Some of the themes are "ripped from the headlines", others are emotion-packed, and still others are part of everyday life. When put all together by this terrific author, it becomes a book that causes you to laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of this book, but my opinions are my own.

I'm not generally a fan of rom-com/chick lit books but I love Katherine Center. I think she writes so well and her characters are flawed and human, and this one was no exception. It was a little sadder and more topical than some of her other books, but I was totally fine with that.

There were some parts I didn't love or I wish she had dived into a little deeper instead of glossing over but overall, I liked this book a lot. I mean, I read it in a few hours in one day.

I love Katherine Center’s books and characters, and this book is no exception. The set up for this book was particularly exciting to me: a quirky school librarian clashing and falling in love with a by the books new principal. Like any Center novel, the characters deal with both emotional and physical traumas along the way. I fell in love with the main characters but also with the minor characters: Alice, the math teacher who wears a different math joke shirt every day; Babette, the funky art teacher struggling with the death of her husband; Clay, the adult like 10 year old obsessed with marine archaeology; Chuck Norris, the goofy failed security dog. I also loved the setting of an untraditional school set on a small island in Texas. Also, the school library sounds amazing! I felt like the pacing dragged in a few parts, so I’m giving it 4 stars. Overall though, this was a fun relaxing read, and I would recommend to anyone wanting a novel about choosing to find joy despite the hardships in life.

Katherine Center does it again! What You Wish For is a book I closely relate to. Sam is an elementary school librarian in Galveston who's amazing school is radically changed when their beloved principal dies and is replaced by Duncan, a no nonsense man who believes the school is shoddy in its security. Sam used to know Duncan, back when he was a fun-loving teacher, but can't understand why he's so different. Katherine Center always knows how to reach the right tone- the story is at turns sweet, eye-opening, soulful, tragic, and hopeful. She also gets the school politics exactly right- teachers know that a principal can make or break staff and student morale. It is refreshing to read a book that gets this right!

One recommendation- read Happiness for Beginners by Center first (or reread it if it's been awhile). This novel is completely a standalone book. Trust me, however- read it, not only because it's a fantastic book, but because it will add greatly to your enjoyment of What You Wish For.

Every year, I wait with anticipation for Katherine Center's new book. What You Wish For is a fantastic read that will bring you joy and keep you up all night!

A sweet romance set in an idyllic school setting! I know a lot of people really loved Center's last book, Things You Save in a Fire, but I just couldn't quite connect to that one. It was a 3 star read for me. Maybe it's because I am a teacher, or because I just really needed a pick-me-up right now, but I connected to this book and its characters so much more! The school setting itself is pretty over-the-top wonderful, but, at the same time, I have seen schools like this. It was nice to read about people who want to do good in the world, but who have trouble overcoming their own problems. I also really enjoyed a romance centered around two people trying to help each other grow as people.

As a member of BOTM, i have received her 2 previous novels. i lucked out getting this as a read now during the COVID-19 quarantine. I flew through this book--it was such an easy read. I would love to have read more of this story. Highly recommend!

I thought it was good but moved a little slow at times. Sam a shy and self-conscious teacher is crushing hard on the crazy and zany teacher Duncan who dresses wild and doesn't care and is a fun loving teacher of their school. Sam finds that she is in love with Duncan, but he has a girlfriend and doesn't seem to know she exists so Sam leaves her job and moves away. Four years later, Duncan becomes the principal of the school she loves and the shy Sam of the past is the colorful and joyful person no longer the shy mousey librarian. Duncan on the other hand has changed as well to a 3 piece suit wearing guy, serious and all about school safety. What happened to him and why doesn't he recognize Sam. It was good, but still a couple of unanswered questions.

Katherine Center's What You Wish For is a hopeful love story, but it's also so much more than that. When we meet Sam, the school librarian, we are introduced to her world full of color and complexity, but the introduction of a colleague from the past complicates the joyful world she's created for herself. I tore through this book. I was enthralled with the characters, their intentional optimism, and their community's commitment to living a life filled with whimsy. I'll admit-- I did suspect one of the foils early on, but I didn't mind because it added a new layer considering why another main character wasn't identifying something that seemed somewhat obvious. This book was heartwarming and optimistic and exactly what I needed right now. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Always happy to read and review a Katherine Center story, thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity. This story is about two teachers, each with their own disabilities who finally find their way in life. Working together years prior and through some misconceptions losing touch , they reunite at a private school in Galveston, Texas. Older, changed and both with personal tragedies they navigate a new relationship. Engaging and adult characters that you really care about( although sometimes I felt you had to suspend disbelief), always hoping for their happy ending.

This has to be my favorite book by Katherine Center! What You Wish For follows the journey of Samantha Casey and her friends and their plight to save their school. This plucky school librarian has found her chosen family and home, but it is all threatened when a man from her past comes in as a rigid .force of change.

Having worked in education, certain elements are fanciful, but it only adds.to the enjoyment.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The author brings to life many things in this book. I could smell the sea air of Galveston,TX, with all the old buildings that are so full of character. The Kempner School that sound like so much fun, which allows the kids to be so creative. The quirky teachers who would do anything for the school and the founders Max and Babette Kempner. Samantha Casey is the school librarian. She is in charge of creating a space where the kids love to come and read. She also went through a change personally when she came there. Gone are the days of drab colors. She wears colors, hats, scarves and has even dyed her hair. Duncan Carpenter has been brought in to be the new principal. Gone is the fun, crazy teacher that Sam knew. This man wears suits and takes everything so serious. The two of them clash every day about all the changes. Be careful for What You Wish For, it might come true. Never miss a chance to celebrate!

Katherine Center does it again. A book full of emotion and feeling that sucks you right in. A story of finding joy, manifesting happiness and second chances. This book is proof that family isn’t always blood. I loved this story! Thank you netgalley for the arc!

What You Wish For is a very sweet, uplifting story about Samantha, a High School librarian and Duncan, a person from her past and now to be her new principal. They both have very unique and complex issues they need to overcome so they can find peace within themselves.
Perfect book to read at the beach and relax with.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest review.

What You Wish For
Katherine Center
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication 7/14/20

When I stumbled upon the synopsis of this book I knew I needed to read it. This is a beautifully written story with some very colorful witty characters. My attachment to this book happened on the first page. Getting to know Babette, Max and Sam was a complete joy. Adding in Duncan to the mix was intriguing... I felt Duncan was built up so much I needed to know what his true story was and when I learned of his obstacles I started rooting for him. There are so many deep complex characters and the story unfolded in a heartwarming way. This is a book that will stay with you and can easily be read in one sitting.

Many thanks to Katherine Center, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an Advanced Readers’ Copy of her latest book in exchange of an honest review.

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I have been a fan of Katherine Center's previous work and her newest book, "What You Wish For" (publish date 7/14/2020) was everything I hoped it would be. This story takes place in a small school in Texas. The school's beloved founder and leader unexpectantly passes away and is replaced by a hard-nosed, security and safety driven, new principal. The main character and school librarian Samantha is surprised to find out that the new principal is the same man she had previously (and secretly) had a crush on at her former school. Even more surprising to her is how much his personality has changed since she last saw him.
"What You Wish For" is a delightful read with wonderfully written characters. Some of the story is predicable but I was pleased to find myself surprised several different times while reading. The author does a great job of keeping the reader engaged, entertained, and at times also deeply moved. I couldn't put this one down and was sad when it ended.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

3.5 stars

I was in need of an uplifting story and this fit the bill. Interesting characters and easy to get into. Enough surprises to keep you engaged and not become formulaic. Would recommend to fans of Katherine Reay.

This was my first read of Katherine Center and I look forward to checking out her other titles.

I was provided an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley.

Parts of this book were hard to read at the moment, but there were a lot of very timely relevant motivational quotes that put a little hope and courage in my heart.

"Terrible things happen all the time. That doesn't mean you live your life in fear." (Chapter 22)
"Because I refuse to let fear make me small." (Chapter 27)

This book felt a little different from the other two Katherine Center books I've read (Things you Save In a Fire and How to Walk Away). It took a little while to warm up to this book and mainly the POV character. She was quirky, which I typically like, and I did end up connecting with her and understanding and relating to her the further I got into the story. There were parts in the first part of the book that seemed to drag a little bit that I felt got a little too wordy and in the character's head, but I knew... just knew in my gut it was going to turn around, and boy did it turn around.

About halfway in, I was good and hooked and finished the book in one lazy Sunday afternoon.

Katherine Center has written a heartwarming story in What You Wish For.
Where in a small private school on an island in Galveston, Texas we learn of love, hope, sadness and to never stop looking for joy.
A perfect cosy book.