What You Wish For is, for me, a frustrating book. I actually almost DNFed, because I liked nothing about the first 30%. I decided to keep going because of other reviewers who persisted and were glad they did, and also because I wanted to see the cameo of the Happiness for Beginners couple. I am glad I made that decision, but I wish the start of this book had been different.

To go on to some positives, I pretty much loved the last 50-70% of the book. I got ALL the feels. I sad cried and happy cried, and the ship is excellent, if you can just ignore the stuff from the beginning. The banter is adorable, and I got so invested in the whole cast, even a child! Also, I really love the mental health aspects that Center incorporates into her novels. Sam's arc, which centers on her self-worth which relates heavily to her epilepsy, is really well done and impactful, as is Duncan's, which deals with his own struggles with mental health after an incident.

Fun fact: I was rewatching one of the Brené Brown TED Talks, and she mentioned her friend, Katherine Center, and I was like OH MY GOD, because I'd just read Happiness for Beginners, and it really hit me in my emotion spaces the way Brown's work does. So if you love Brown's work, Center's novels really use her research at the heart of character building and arcs.

Unfortunately, as wonderful as all of that was, the opening of the book was rather awful. Sam Casey, the heroine, is quirky beyond belief, as are initial descriptions of Duncan. They exceed MPDG, and it's a lot. Also, Sam reveals that she was obsessed with Duncan at their old school where they were colleagues to the degree that, when he asked her to catsit, she snooped through his journal, which is wow not okay and into stalking territory. When she heard a rumor that he was going to propose to his girlfriend, she quit her job and relocated because she could not handle the emotional pain. Then, when she learns he's going to be the new principal of her current school, her immediate thought that she truly plans to act on is to quit. Without confirming anything. She just assumes she'll still "love" him and that he's married and that she has no other option. This is so massively unreasonable that I really had no fucking clue what to do with her character.

Meanwhile, Duncan's introduction honestly feels entirely OOC for the way he's later presented. The explanations for his decisions make perfect sense once the reader has the obvious, [he was teaching during a fatal school shooting (hide spoiler)] confirmed, it's completely horrendous until you get that confirmed. And also doesn't make sense.

Here's what happens. Duncan's hired as the new principal of a hippy dippy elementary school, and he comes in on his first day and makes a speech about safety, during which he draws a (water)gun that has been painted black to look real. Even setting aside the racist components of this (if he were a black man, he absolutely could not have gotten away with this), I do not believe this is something that Duncan would do. There are lots of ways that people react to PTSD, but he could have made that point with a neon water gun. I do not believe he would have intentionally tried to traumatize other teachers.

And then, the reactions of the teachers don't make sense. Obviously they're upset about what happened, and they all go to plot about how to react. BUT NOBODY GOOGLES THE NEW PRINCIPAL. When they finally learn what happened to him a month-ish later, they're more sympathetic, but lbr someone would have googled that after the announcement, and most of them would already have known before he even made his speech. It's completely unrealistic the way all of this plays out, so it feels like it was done for drama. The book does go on to really unpack trying to find a balance between safety in joy in the modern school system, but wow this was not the way to start things off.

While I was able to mostly set aside the way this novel began and really enjoy the rest of it by basically calling the opening OOC, I really can't rate this more highly than three stars, because I don't think the novel as a whole gels. I did read an ARC, but imo it would have needed a full reworking of the first 25-30% to fix, so I highly doubt major changes have been made. I wish, though, because this was so close to being a book I loved with my whole heart.

I definitely ended up being very glad I read this, but I would only recommend this to existing fans of Katherine Center. It's not a good place to start with her work (go for Happiness for Beginners instead), and if you didn't like her prior books, I doubt this will be the one that sells anybody. If you do like/love her other books, I do think it's worth pushing through the beginning to get to the good stuff that feels like her other works.

I really enjoyed this book. Katherine's writing draws you in and keeps you entertained. The characters are adorable and I enjoyed their difference in personality it made them more relatable. The plot was unique for me I tend to stay away from super sweet school romances but it really was a pick me up in these crazy times.

I really enjoy Katherine Center's books. This one did not disappoint! It was a sweet story with depth. I could not put this one down. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the gifted copy of this! I loved it!

If you're looking for a very joyful book with a great message then pick this up! The cheese factor is real, but how can you not love that. This is such a great rom-com style book.

Sometimes... a book leaves you with a quote that you can’t help but reread over and over.
“Life doesn’t ever give you what you want just the way you want it. Life doesn’t ever make things easy. How dare you demand that happiness should be yours without any sacrifice - without any courage? 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. And even what you get, you won’t get to keep. Joy is fleeting. Nothing lasts. That’s exactly what courage is. Knowing all that going in - and going in anyway.”

Laugh out loud funny , pulls at the heartstrings , true to Katherine Center. Loved this book so much . The timing of the release was perfect with everything going on in the world. It stresses the importance to find joy and happiness and to go after what you wish . Be brave , be bold, try new things and seek joy in everyday .

Such a touching book. Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors and she has done it again. 5 stars!!!!

When I finally was able to get around to this novel, I read it in one sitting. I love that Katherine Center's novels teach me something about life, while I have a blast reading the story. Interestingly, her work always seems to be grounded in the work of Brene Brown (which has improved my life greatly) and "What You Wish For" was no different. "What You Wish For" discusses themes of forgiveness, giving up control (that we don't really have to begin with) and enjoying life to the fullest. Enjoyable read.

Katherine Center writes sweet stories that tug at your heart. Will definitely keep reading her books.

You will root for Samantha & want her to find her happily ever after. This book was a bit cheesy at times with a predictable ending, which normally would turn me off a tad but right now, when the world is a giant dumpster fire, this actually was ok with me. It felt nice & comforting to read about this lovely community in Texas. Picking this up was the perfect weighted blanket for the soul.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC.

I requested this book after coming across more than a few raving reviews for one of the author's other books , Things You Save in a Fire. I knew what I expected: a heart-warming, light read to get through the sorry excuse of a year that is 2020. What I was looking for, however, was something with more substance.

I'm not one for pure romances. Romances are extremely predictable. But I don't mind when it blooms or springs through characters and conflicts. Nothing in particular rubbed me the wrong way in this story, but also nothing in particular peeked my interest. There is a sense of humour, emotionally wrapped sentences, but all in all, it was not memorable. Not the kind of story you can't shut up about.

Samantha, a cool librarian with colourful clown socks, is head over heel in love with her old flame whose life and character took a grim turn after witnessing a horrible event. From the onset, I wondered how old Sam was, because she strikes me a bit more as a teenager rather than an adult. And it has nothing to do with clown socks. The romance was the star of the show and, as I mentioned earlier, when everything revolves around a love story, it gets really predictable.

I'm still checking out Things You Save in a Fire, to build a better picture of the author.

Thank you NetGlley and St. Martin's Press for the e-copy of this book.

3.5 stars.

I was good but not great. My last Katherine Center book was the first I had ever read by her and was a 5 star read. Maybe my bar was set too high. Duncan was an ass. When you find out why, you kinda get it. But through out the book, I really hated certain aspects of him. Sam was all over the place. The secondary characters, especially the daughter and son in law were completely over the top. Their secondary story line was also frustrating to me.

Will still keep reading her books though. Can’t make a call on only reading two of them.

I received this arc in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

After reading How to Walk Away & Things You Save in a Fire I expected this book to be amazing & I was not disappointed. I loved this book. I loved the characters, I loved the plot, I loved Katherine Centre’s ideas about joy and that we have to choose joy. I also thought the concepts presented about grief were excellent. I’ve been on a reading slump lately and I feel like this book just pulled me out of it. Best book of the year so far!

I was not feeling this book at all. From the start, I thought the characters were dreadful and annoyingly flat. The whole premise of a woman who picks up and leaves her life because of a man with whom she wasn't even in a relationship... And then considers leaving her life AGAIN because of the same man? Yuck. This story failed the Bechdel test on so many levels. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

After LOVING How To Walk Away and Things You Save In A Fire, when I saw this as a read now on Netgalley- I had to get it.

I read this over a weekend- utterly engrossed in the characters, the school, the setting. A little known fact about me: I used to teach. And if I had the pleasure of teaching at a school like the one in this book- I might still be teaching.

I don’t think I actively thought about one of the big reveals of the book- but when it was revealed- it was no shock- it was just another layer that added more depth to this story.

What I liked:

THE COVER. Honestly, I would love to have all of Katherine’s books as art on my wall.

Samantha. Maybe it’s because I think librarians should rock (and maybe it’s because all the ones I have come into contact with in my life are NOT poster children for why we should love libraries) but Samantha was perfection. She would be who I would want around children as they learned about the wonderful ways of the library.

The feel good feeling I had when I finished this book. It just gave me allllllll the hearts.



Bottom line: If you enjoyed her 2 previous books, I suggest you grab a copy and meet Samantha- the latest heroine we can cheer for from the mind of Katherine Center.



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

I’ve only read a few of Katherine Center’s novels, but so far this was definitely my favorite. It's a perfect summer read, and was particularly meaningful during the times we're facing right now. The main theme of this book - choosing joy - is a reminder I think everyone needs. I was looking for something light and fun, which this book is, but it also carries that important message, which made it ever better than I was anticipating. This book was fantastic and I will be recommending it highly.

I have loved Katherine Center's books since I read her debut, The Bright Side of Disaster, over 15 years ago. What You Wish For was not as good as her other books, but I still enjoyed it. Katherine writes wonderful and impactful stories, and always manages to add the right amount of feel good content.

What You Wish For
By Katherine Center

Joyful
Magical
Special

I really had fun with this book. It brought me that fuzzy warm feeling of being hugged and loved. Yes, this book hugged me and it felt good. When I was reading this book, my husband said to me, "That must be good - you are smiling while reading". I didn't even realize how engrossed I was with the story and the characters while I had a full smile plastered on my face while reading this magical story that Katherine Center gifted her readers.

I highly recommend this uplifting read that is fun, heartwarming and completely uplifting. Everybody needs to read this book.

I love Katherine Center, and the character development in her books. It feels profound without being preachy and the subtle changes the characters undergo are so powerful. I can’t wait to read what she writes next!

3.5-3.75 STARS.
1st person POV, heroine Samantha (Sam), the town's school librarian.
The setting is Galveston Island, Texas.
Sam is likable but is kind of quirky and has low confidence issue. A little awkward.
She's very devoted to her friends Max and Babette. She rents a little house on their property.
Max and Babette are like mother and father figures to her.
Early in the book, Max dies suddenly. He'd been such a positive, joyful person. He was the school's
principal-and Samantha's friend.
A new principal, Duncan Carpenter, is selected to take over running the school.
Sam knew him from a previous school. She's mortified to work with him again. She realizes that he doesn't remember her. She'd had a big crush on him . It was unrequited. It's even more embarrassing.
Now- several years later, new school- Duncan seems different now, all business and not who Sam remembers.
Sam loves her town and the school, her friends and neighbors.
She's determined to keep the school and the kids on the right track . She hopes that Duncan feels the same way.
I love the scene near the end. Clay is an extraordinary young kid. The town really comes together.