A perfect beach read! Galveston is our family's summer destination as often as possible. I loved that the setting was on our beloved little island. When a novel gives me all the big feelings, I become invested. This one did not disappoint. The characters were charming, their situations were real, and I couldn't stop reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this one in advance.

I have loved Katherine Center books for a while now and I was so happy to be able to read this one before it was published. Mrs. Center once again write a fantastic book that you don't want to put down. The characters were easy to like and the story was an emotional but joyful read.

I wish I had positive things to say about this book, but it was, unfortunately, a major disappointment. Especially after loving Things You Save in a Fire last year.

I could not connect with any of the main characters (Sam, ugh). I thought the storyline was flimsy and I wish some of the minor plotlines had taken a bigger role.

Hopefully I'll enjoy Center's next novel better.

The first book I read by this author was Things You Save in a Fire and I loved it. So, when I was offered an ARC of this one I jumped on it. Unfortunately, I didn't love this one quite as much, but it was still really good.

This story starts with Sam Casey working as a school librarian at a brilliant elementary school on Galveston Island off the coast of Texas. Sam loves her job. She got the job after running away from her last job because a man she was falling for was reportedly getting engaged. Fast forward a few years and that same man is now coming to her beloved school to become the new principal. You know right from the start this isn't going to go well.

The first half of this book was a little too repetitive for my taste. Sam consistently tells us about her crush, Duncan Carpenter, and how much she can't be around him because she just adores him so much and he'll ruin her life. She also keeps telling us about what he used to be like. Again and again. Plus, she seem to (repeatedly) think that he would have a whole gaggle of kids by now... approximately 4 years after getting engaged. (Apparently, she thinks his 'boring' fiancé-to-be has out-of-this-world baby-making abilities because that timeline didn't work for me. She also thought they would be school-aged...)

Once the book really got going in the second half it was so much better! I enjoyed getting to know the other characters, particularly Sam's best friend, Alice, and little 9 year old Clay. They were great characters. I did not care for Duncan. I thought even if she redeems this guy, he still has a thread of jerk running through him. However, he did grow on me as the book progressed, as did Sam.

There were still a few moments in the second half that didn't seem the most realistic to me, but honestly I think I expected that going in so I was ok with it. The characters grew on me. The story was fun. The writing was engaging. Overall, I thought this was a good story. I just wish the beginning was a little less repetitive with Sam's thoughts.

My final thoughts on this book - It wasn't as great as Things You Save in a Fire in my opinion, but it was still really good. I will be looking forward to reading whatever Ms. Center comes out with next.

3.5★

I'm not going to lie, I hated this book at first. And it's ironic because what I couldn't stand was how conversational Sam's tone was, something that I'm told I do in my writing, time and time again. It just gave me the feeling that this wasn't going to be a serious book. But I was wrong. Dead wrong.

And I can honestly say that I loved this book, now that I've finished it. I loved Sam and Duncan and Babette. I loved them all but I also loved the pain that Sam and Duncan had, that made them hide their true selves, because it's so true for all of us. We all become who we are based off of our experiences, and we judge others and get judged because of it. But very few take the time to see past the exterior and find the why.

Everyone in this book had a why and each why made me love them even more. This was another hit and easily my favorite of her work so far!

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Ms. Center's new book is a joy to read. Again, she has written very human, deeply flawed and well meaning characters. Dialog that actually sounds like humans speaking to each other and a well planned, thoughtful story arc.

As a volunteer librarian at an elementary school, Ms. Center's description of how Sam looks at being a librarian was so deeply touching. She gets what reading means to those who love books and reading.

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed “What You Wish For” by Katherine Center. Center’s romances are some of the best I’ve read and I enjoy the character development and plot throughout the novel. I look forward to reading more from her and can’t wait to see what comes next!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you at St. Martin's Press for the gifted copy of What You Wish For by Katherine Center.

This book is amazing, and I'm so excited for its release. Center has a way of bringing very serious topics to the reader's attention while still talking about the importance of joy in the midst of tragedy.

I feel like Katherine Center does more research for her romances than most authors. It is as if she does not write about someone's feelings on a serious subject without consulting someone who has been through something similar. I appreciate that.

There is some content that might be difficult for some readers, but all triggers and content has been added at DoestheDogDie.com.

Idk. #WhatYouWishFor was not what I thought it was gonna be.

I had soooo many problems with it. I feel like it kind of put me in junior high with how Sam acted. I did NOT like her character or her attitude. Or the way she thought about things.

Nothing about Sam had me connecting to her.

And I think the love story in it also fell a little flat to be honest. It was basically her just complaining about Duncan. I didn’t feel a lot of depth between the characters or even the plot.

And don’t get me started on what she does to Duncan 3/4 of the way into the book 🙄

I was really hoping to love this one, but it fell a little flat for me.

Trigger Warnings: Epilepsy, School Shootings

This was my first Katherine Center book and I think I picked a great place to start. I have been hearing about her books for awhile and this one lived up to the hype.

Samantha (Sam) Casey is a school librarian who has escaped her old life and found her dream job at the Kempner School on Galveston Island, Texas. Her whole life revolves around the school, her students, and the family she has created with her colleagues. She is fun and funny, expressing joy with her colorful clothing and hair, and makes sure her library is an oasis for the students. But when a new principal is hired, her old life collides with the new, bringing Duncan Carpenter to the island and Kempner school.

I thought this book would be predictable but it turned out to have many surprises that I didn't see coming. I loved it. The characters were wonderful. I wish I had a Babette and Alice in my life and I also wish there were more schools like the Kempner school.

Thank you @netgalley for this arc.
This was my second Katherine Center book and I have to say I just adore them so much!
She writes stories that pull at your heart strings and the characters will stay with you long after the book is done.
So if you haven’t picked up one of her books yet what are you waiting for?
This story is about finding the joy in the little things in life, so very convenient at time right now in the world when we definitely need joy in our lives or to spread some joy to others!
4.5⭐️ ραყ αƭƭεɳƭเσɳ ƭσ ƭɦε ƭɦเɳɠร ƭɦαƭ ૮σɳɳε૮ƭ ყσµ ωเƭɦ ʝσყ, ʝσყ ૮µ૨εร εѵε૨ყƭɦเɳɠ
What have you done lately to bring joy to yourself or others?

Fans of Katherine Center are in for a treat with her latest novel, “What You Wish For.”

Samantha doesn’t have much of her own family to speak of, but her landlords/employers, Max and Babette, have become the perfect replacements. By day, Samantha works as a librarian at the school Max and Babette founded, and by evening, she is either spending time with her surrogate parents or friend, math-whiz, Alice. For Max’s sixtieth birthday, Samantha conspires with Alice and other faculty (and many former students) to plan a party to remember; unfortunately, Max’s birthday is remembered for other reasons—it is the night he collapses and dies right on the dance floor.

Max’s position as principal needs to be filled and in comes, Duncan. Samantha, missing Max, is not happy to see Duncan whom she knew from the past (which she is trying to run away from). But Duncan is clearly not the man she had a big crush on—instead of the happy, go-lucky teacher she remembers has been replaced by this stodgy, all-business look-alike. Unfortunately, Duncan’s main goal is to take away all of the joy that made Max and Babette’s school so special. Samantha tasks herself with finding out what happened to Duncan and in the process, brings the heart and happiness back to Max’s legacy.

Though the story-line feels a bit predictable at times (parts of it reminded me a lot of her previous novel, “Things You Save in a Fire,”) Katherine Center is a skilled writer who keeps her readers engaged. The author manages to balance the more traumatic sections with plenty of humor. The ending might be a little expected, but the reader won’t feel any less disappointed because one of the reasons you read Katherine Center novels is for the satisfying feeling you get at the end.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Katherine Center and St. Martin’s Press for an opportunity to review this novel

I enjoyed it, but not my favorite by the author. I really wanted to love it because the previous two books ("How to Walk Away" and Things You Save in A Fire") were amazing. I liked parts of the story but could have skipped Samantha constantly describing the old Duncan. How many times can you read about all the colors of pants, ties, socks and funny t-shirts that he wore? Not to mention everything old Duncan started in the previous school. I didn't love Samantha. After she left the school in California and moved to Texas, she pretty much morphed into Duncan. Why didn't Samantha google Duncan and se what he was up to? She would have seen what he was up to. I guessed what must have happened to him when he showed up in Texas. If Samantha loved him so much, why didn't she ask him why he changed so drastically? That's what really bothered me about Samantha. She went on and on and on and on about how much she loved Duncan but she never even dated him. She really never even talked to him when they worked together. She worked with him for two years and made it seem like they were best friends. She hardly talked to him. She knew NOTHING about him, which was evident when he shows back up in her life.

Were the teachers really shocked when Duncan held up a gun in the assembly? We are talking about Texas. I do agree with Duncan about the security at the school, or more the lack of security. With everything that has happened with school shootings, you would have thought there would be some degree of safety. Anyone could walk into the school, the doors had no locks and the teachers hated that they had to actually take attendance during each class.

i recommend giving the book a try. I did enjoy it, at least parts. Chuck Norris was very entertaining and probably my favorite. I definitely look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really like Katherine Center's writing and I spent a lot of extra time in the garden so I could keep listening. This was a good one, although I saw the plot twist coming a mile away, and it wasn't AS good as Things You Save in a Fire.

What You Wish For by Katherine Center takes you to Galveston, Texas. It’s a great location for this summer beach read. Duncan and Sam both have secrets that they aren’t comfortable to share with each other. They both learn that life is a choice that you work towards to get to what matters most. There’s lots more to this story that will keep you smiling in these troubled times.

Not my favorite Katherine Center book, but all in all, it fulfilled my expectations. This was an uplifting tale of two characters with what they consider to be major flaws. How they help each other in this area makes for a really good read. The characters, both major and minor are very likable all except for the villain. Every good story needs a villain. I will certainly keep my eyes open for Katherine's next book. She hasn't let me down yet!
Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

I absolutely loved Katherine Center's previous novels "How To Walk Away" and ""Things You Save in a F"ire. I was a little disappointed with "What You Wish for." I felt it was a too predictable. Having said this, it did have some funny lines and scenes which is really needed at a time like this. If you want a book to lift you up and forget what is happening around us then this is the book.

This was actually my first experience with one of Katherine Center’s books and it did not disappoint! I laughed. I cried. I fell in love with the school and characters.

As a teacher, What You Wish For hit very close to home and the message to always choose joy was exactly what I needed right now. It does have some pretty heavy themes, including trauma and school safety issues, but is presented in a way that brings the focus to moving past difficulties and choosing to live life the best way possible. The feeling of community was also strong throughout the story as the teachers and staff came together to fight to save their school and its culture.

Overall, What You Wish For is a captivating, uplifting read that hooks you from the start. Highly Recommend!

4.5 Stars

I received a copy of What You Wish For through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and to Katherine Center for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I loved this book. It deals with death and PTSD and the idea that you create your joy. In spite of everything. More so because of everything.

Sam is a librarian in a South Texas private school. A school that sounds like a dream. A creative hive that fosters celebration. Until the principal and one of the founders dies. I won't lie, the section on the initial grief was written so realistically, I had to put the book down for a bit. But I was engaged enough in the story (and trusted the author) to come back. The characters face real life situations. And they battle through them, sometimes awkwardly. But the friendships/family they develop throughout the book are better because of their shared experiences and support of each other.

There is a romantic love story here but calling it a romance underplays all the other relationships that are explored and developed. They are all critical to where Sam ends up at the end of the book.

I am thankful to NetGalley for the free electronic copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Samantha Casey is the librarian at a creative, nurturing elementary school in Galveston, Texas. When the beloved principal dies, his replacement is Duncan Carpenter, Sam's crush from her previous school. However, Duncan is nothing like the man Sam remembers, and his reforms to focus on school safety threaten to end everything that makes the school special in the community. Sam and her friends must help Duncan rediscover the fun in his job in order to save the school.

I was so excited to read this novel because I've loved all the other Katherine Center novels I've read, and this book did not disappoint. I was engrossed from page 1. At first I was really rooting for Sam and her friends to fight against Duncan. Once we learned more about Duncan's side of the story, I was thoroughly rooting for Sam and Duncan to come together. It was a sweet story with likable characters. It hit all the right notes for me in terms of a romance story. I loved the side characters as well.

I can't wait to recommend this book to other people, and I will definitely be reading more of Ms. Center's novels.