This is a story about a teacher named Sam, who works at a very artistic and progressive thinking school on an island in Texas. Upon the unexpected death of the school's beloved principal, the board of directors brings in a new principal, Duncan, a fun, wild and engaging former colleague of Sam's, who she had a huge crush on. Upon Duncan's arrival, Sam believes there is no one better for the job, and is concerned about a re-ignition of her feelings. However, upon Duncan's arrival, Sam realizes that any trace of fun is gone from her former colleague. Duncan is strict, reserved and obsessed with safety. He plans to make multiple changes to the lively school, none of which the staff agree to. Sam decides that changes will not be made to the beloved school without a fight, despite her re-ignited feelings continuing to grow.

I have mixed feelings about this story. At first I was drawn to it as a fellow teacher. I appreciate the very accurate details that the author gave regarding the multiple aspects of education that were mentioned throughout the story. I did enjoy the storyline. I had figured out why Duncan was obsessed with safety early on, but there were still twists and surprises. The love story between Sam and Duncan was sweet and endearing. However, I did find Sam slightly immature. She had a crush on Duncan for a long time and never said anything or did anything about it. However, him being with someone else upset her so much she left the school and moved to the Kempner school. Further, she undergoes a transformation. I thought the transformation within herself was great, but with the weird hair and clothes it was unnecessary. It is unlikely that a teacher will dress like that in my experience. I understood it a bit better when her history with epilepsy was revealed, however I still thought the immaturity around her crush was confusing. How can she have such strong and significant feelings while it was a crush from far away? Then, her crush re-ignites while she hates everything that Duncan is doing and standing for, all of the changes he is making at the school. I do understand that feelings can be confusing for a person, but Sam had so many mixed feelings for Duncan for so long, until it was revealed that he liked her back and they became closed. I thought the beginning of the book dragged a bit, but it did become more engaging the longer it went on. The whole aesthetic of the book, including the school and the characters, the setting was all great. It was interesting to read and imagine. I was happy with the ending, and with the trials and tribulations that occurred during the story. In reviewing, I would rate it a 3.5, but will give it 4 stars here.

Another beautiful, touching story from Katherine Center! We all have our flaws and live with them. Some of us hide behind them and it doesn’t allow us to live a full, happy life. Why do we push people away and run away from things that are good for us? Sam, a school librarian, the main character underestimated herself in every way. She felt small and unworthy since childhood. She ran away from her fear (a coworker she cared about but never thought she had a chance with-Duncan) , to work at a small school in a different city and seems to be doing better, until the past (Duncan) comes back to haunt her. How we deal with what life throws us can make or break us. This small community, along with Sam and Duncan help each other heal and to love life and each other.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with the eARC of this book.

I am sad to say that I did NOT like this book. I was so excited to read it because I loved Things You Save in a Fire and How to Walk Away and because I am a teacher myself. However, this book just fell flat. I didn't feel like I really got to know Sam as a character, beyond that she wore a lot of polka dots. While finding out Duncan's backstory helped make his personality make more sense, I didn't get why Sam was still attracted to him before she knew the backstory, while he was still being such a huge jerk at school. I felt like Center was trying too hard to make "quotable" passages about finding joy; it all just felt a bit forced and fake. The one good thing I can say about the book is that it did keep me flipping pages, but overall I feel it was poorly executed. I think part of the problem too was that the story felt really rushed- a lot of time passed in the book very quickly.

"Listen close: pay attention to the things that connect you with joy.” -What You Wish For by Katherine Center is a story about overcoming trauma and fear. I started it two or three days ago and breezed through it. It was a fast read and it was actually quite light hearted, regardless of involving various heavy topics. I felt it was therapeutic to read during this time of chaos and uncertainty. Katherine Center is an author that I just have to read every book she writes. They are relatable stories with realistic situations.

2.5 stars*

Unfortunately, this was not my favorite Katherine Center book and I loved “How to Walk Away” and “Things you Save in a Fire.” From the premise, I thought it would be a book I could connect to since I’m a teacher and it seemed like it would be a good plot. But I couldn’t connect to the main character and she was really annoying. Her character development confused me. The character completely quits her job and moves across the country because she’s obsessed with a coworker that she never even dated because he went on a date with another coworker. How is that realistic at all! For being an adult, Samantha was whiny and acted more like a teenager when it came to Duncan. The plot just seemed underdeveloped and I kept asking myself why do I care? as I continued reading.

I still love Katherine Center’s books but this one fell really flat for me.

This book was a 5 star read for me! I adored Katherine Center's How To Walk Away, and, honestly, I loved this book even more. The characters were very well written, and pulled me in from the beginning. The theme of fear and how we have to create joy to overcome it was beautiful, and poignant! This book is going to be such at success, and it comes at a time when the message of choosing joy has never been more needed!

Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors and this book was wonderful for the times we're living in. The message of choosing to celebrate and finding joy is very uplifting. The book is about two wounded souls and those who surround them on Galveston Island, a lovely location with the beach and marine life. The school setting was also appreciated, as were those who love and work with children. Thank you to Net Galley for this advanced copy!

I feel in love with Katherine Center’s books over her past two books. I was thrilled when I was offered an ARC of her latest book. It is a great book to escape into. I loved the setting in a small island town in Texas. I had one big frustration with the book in that the main character, Sam, could have had a much better understanding of Duncan if she had looked into his career history. Despite that I loved the way Sam and Duncan developed and felt the book ended perfectly!

What you wish for is a light story of school Librarian Samantha Casey who adores her job in a wonderful private school on Galveston Island in Texas. The school is run by max and Babette,
Very progressive educators who make their school bright and fun.
The problems begin when they get a new principal who Samantha happens to have worked with in a previous school.
It took awhile to get into the story, but once I did, I couldn’t wait to see whAt happened next!

I loved the relationship between Sam and Duncan - it was not perfect because they both had physical/emotional issues, but was so glad they were able to break through and be there for each other. Hoping for part 2 (or at least a short story) to find our where there relationship goes from there). The details of the school and the people who worked there were beautiful - the school staff care so much for each other and the children who attend. Another great read by Katherine Center!

Katherine Center did it again! I loved all the details and getting to know these characters. The story, the heartbreak, everything about it.

Once again, Katherine Center delivers an incredible story with an amazing lead. She has such a way of creating characters you love and ones you absolutely can’t stand. There were moments I was on the edge of my seat and other times laughing out loud, This is exactly what we need in 2020!!

I disliked <b>How to Walk Away</b> but loved <b>Things You Save in a Fire</b> so who knew where this was going to land? Honestly, throughout the first half of this book, it was probably a middling book for me. I would have given it three stars. But, what can I say, as I started the second half of the read my cold, Grinch heart grew three sizes that day and I ended up getting very attached to it.

Is it a little saccharine? Yes. Is the main character a bit over-the-top and was her inner-dialogue a bit repetitive? Yes. Is is absolutely predictable? Yes.

That said... Did I end up enjoying getting lost in this story and its characters? Yes. Did it end up being a heartwarming read for me? Yes.

If you have not enjoyed Katherine Center's books before then this read will probably not change your mind, but if you loved her books in the past I do not think this one will disappoint. I was smiling as I turned the last couple of pages so... there's that.

Katherine Center creates beautiful books that are about finding levity and joy and love in a world of trauma and pain, and she's done it yet again with What You Wish For.

There's a breeziness to Center's novels, even when they deal with such heavy topics, that's so hard to find in this genre, and she does it so well. Her message: Everybody has baggage. Life's about learning to live with it instead of in spite of it and knowing that good moments can coexist alongside bad ones.

The first third was a little slow and I wish some parts of this book had gone further, but that didn't change how much I like Katherine Center's work. My stanning continues now and forever. 3.5 stars.

(And again, Goodreads, get us some damn half stars.)

Best Katherine Center book I've read yet!

I fell in love with the characters right off the bat. Sam, the female lead, hooked me when she shared her story of a crush who didn't even know she existed - likely a common experience, but one Center was able to describe with fidelity. Duncan, the male lead, had me falling in love and wanting to help him all at once. In How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire, I loved the female leads and only somewhat found interest in the male leads; however, in What You Wish For, I found myself wanting my own Duncan.

With this novel, the pacing of the romance was just right. In terms of supporting characters, Alice the math teacher BFF was the perfect comic relief, and Clay, Sam's quasi nephew, was so well developed with his marine interests.

As an educator, I question whether the profession was illustrated in all its complexity, but as a reader, I was able to look past all of that for the sake of the story -- and I stayed up until 1:00am to finish it!

I finished Katherine Center’s What You Wish For in a day (thanks to it being a great book and thanks to social distancing!) The book follows the life of a librarian at a small school in Galveston, Texas learning to believe in herself and the people around her. This book is highly recommended for anyone who enjoyed Center’s books.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC.. This is my absolute favorite book by Katherine Center! I loved everything about it. I picked it up and didn't put it down until I finished the whole thing. Highly recommend!

What You Wish For is not traditionally the type of book I enjoy, and yet I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this one, Although it was predictable (as many books in its genre are), I wasn’t disappointed in knowing what was coming. Perhaps it is the craziness of the current time we are in, but I enjoyed this peaceful, easy, predictable read. The characters were fun and engaging. Their backstories were well thought out and interesting. The plot line was intriguing and well written. This would make a great summer beach/fun read. Well done Katherine Center!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of What You Wish For by Katherine Center. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was heart-warming and real. Sam and Duncan’s relationship was so fun to read. I loved their hostility at first and Sam’s unwillingness to let him off the hook for anything at school where she is the librarian and he is the newly hired principal. Their previous connection working together at a schools years prior was a nice addition to the storyline and helped solidify Duncan’s true character, before tragedy rocked his world. Overall, I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book and am rating it 4 stars!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a colorful librarian whose past, unrequited love shows up in her present. Samantha Casey is a relatable main character, and I loved the supporting cast of characters, including her best friend, Alice. This was just the book I needed!