This is so not the kind of book I normally read, but it was perfect for the current situation. Light, mindless, fluffy, predictable...it was a breeze. Near the end, I was ready for it to be done. And it was, in a satisfying way. Why can't life always have a happy ending?

Found this charming at first but just too predictable for me. The lead character was not very realistic and the story had too many things going on at once to be the relaxing read I needed. Bit over the top for me.
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A novel that really embraces Katherine Center as an author. The story line is indescribably absorbing. Center’s writing alone has a quality that quickly has you drawn in and half way through the book. The plot itself is about life. Center touches on all the small, brief, sometimes intense moments that change people and the paths they are on and lead them where they are supposed to be. In between all this, she throws a love story in. Very cute and heart felt.

Thank you to a#NetGalley for the ARC of #WhatYouWishFor which was read and reviewed voluntarily.

Wow. What a beautiful story. First let me say, I normally would not read what I consider a romantic novel. Katherine Center’s writing is so absorbing. This story has it all, life, death, heart ache, love, mental health, physical health and everything in between. Plus, the story is so relevant on some many different levels. Thank you NetGalley and Katherine Center for the ARC.

This book, like Centers other books, sucked me right in and had me not wanting to put it down. The characters were fun and quirky, and at times over the top, but with realistic issues. The story line kept me wanting to know more. This book is about finding joy and felt like the perfect theme for what we’re all going through right now.

I loved the story of Samantha and Duncan. Samantha knew Duncan from a previous job. When Duncan becomes the new Principal at her new school, Duncan he is no longer the carefree man she used to know. You can feel Samantha's disappointment and heartache. I really enjoyed the way Katherine Center wrote this book.
This book is a 5 out of 5 stars for me. It was a really enjoyable read with some interesting character you get to meet along the way. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for an opportunity to read this book for my honest review. I always like finding a new author to read. I will be reading more books by Katherine Center.

“What you Wish for” is about a librarian who has found her dream town and dream school, will she give it all up for “that guy”? A heartfelt story of how time and events change us, this is a great read for a lazy weekend.

I always end up really enjoying all of the books by Katherine Center and this one did not disappoint. Started a little slower than some of her other books but then had me hooked. Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC of this book by one of my favorite authors.

I enjoyed this book so much. What a heart-warming story! I cared about the characters and wondered what on earth had happened to Duncan. (I guessed wrong.) It was one of those books where you read faster and faster the closer you get to the end. I'd like to see a sequel or a book about Samantha's best friend, Alice. And I'll definitely look for Katherine Center's other books.

If you've ever felt as if you are interfering with your own happiness, this is the book for you. If you've ever found out-- way too late-- that things weren't at all the way you thought they were, this is the book for you.

I'll miss reading this book.

This may be my favorite book of Katherine center's yet! I loved the storyline and the characters in the book. Parts may have been far fetched but who does not love that in a romance read.
Sam is a librarian in a small school in Texas and everything is going well for her until the principal of the school, who she is very close to, has a sudden accident and passes away. The person who takes the open principal job is someone who she moved to Texas to get away from, Duncan. He was a teacher at the school she used to work at and she had a major crush on him the entire time she was there. When he shows up in Texas he is a completely different person, he changes the school and is a grump most of the time. Sam sets out to figure out what changed him and how she can begin to get him back to the funny and loving person he used to be.

Trigger warnings: domestic emotional abuse and school shooting

I loved how realistic the characters are and that they face real life challenges like sickness, trauma, death and divorce and yet still live joyful and fulfilling lives. Thanks Katherine for another wonderful book

I have worked in education for many years so the blurb immediately caught my attention. Add to the fact that the setting is my adopted home state of Texas, and I knew I really wanted to check this book out. I will start with the things that I liked about this book. I really liked the bright, vivid descriptions, I liked the characters, for the most part, and I genuinely enjoyed the whole positive and upbeat vibe of the book. The premise of the book is great, but in my opinion, poorly executed. The entire first half of the book seemed to drag so slow for me. It was very very repetitive and spoke of the past so much. I would have loved to see more development in Sam's life and personal relationships than hearing one more time about Duncan's neckties and antics from four years ago. By about halfway through the book picked up and I was really enjoying it, but by the next chapter the same repetitive tone had returned. Overall this book was positive and joyful but I found several parts super cheesy and unbelievable. This was my first Katherine Center experience and although I did not love this book I would like to check some of her other works out. I am grateful to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

This is a story of a quirky school librarian who has settled in Galveston TX. Here Sam finds a family and community she has longed for. Tragedy hits her family. Changes begin at her beloved school when Duncan becomes the principal. Changes that threaten all she holds dear. If you are looking for a love story, a bit cheesy, page turner and a book you can just lose yourself in this is for you!

My daughter is a teacher and there was parts of this book that wouldn’t happen in real life. I’m a fan of the author though.

Fantastic book showing how much life events can change a person. The relationship between Duncan and Sam shows that even when life changes and obstacles occur everyone needs someone to help them get thru. It was so fun to see how Sam brought Duncan out of his shell. A definite must read.

When I first began this novel, I was utterly intrigued by the protagonist, Samantha, a young librarian, and the setting, a fun and interesting school on an island in Texas. It began with an unfortunate event, the death of the principal, so beloved by everyone and continued on as the community began to heal from the blow.

As an educator, I was annoyed by many, many details in this story, so that kind of took away from my enjoyment of it. I won't bother to mention them here because most people will just suspend their disbelief or not notice. But, honestly, in a 'real' school, changes such as those that took place in this book are not so easily accomplished.

It is hard to argue with the main theme of the story, which is to overcome your fears and choose joy in life. Yet, so many times I was jolted out of the story by incongruity and inconsistency. There were also many typos or words used wrongly that I sincerely hope will be fixed by the time it is published in July. I won't quote from the eArc for that reason.

I was annoyed at how the love interest, Gorden, with whom Samantha was already acquainted from her past, turns out to be the new principal at the school has inconsistent personality changes. For example, he had decided to implement strict changes, such as a dress code for students and employees that is colorless and drab. Then he suddenly changes (before the big reveal change in his
character later on) and compliments Sam on her 'cool' clown socks. Huh?

Then there is the whole unreal, escapist plot, complete with the reason behind Gordon's big personality change from fun-loving prankster to staid, uptight emotionless new principal being a total non-surprising cliche. Same with the problem X has been hiding. It was all just too pat and formulaic for me.

That said, I am sure that many people will enjoy this as a 'light' and fun read, complete with the rescue of a whale towards the end. Facing one's fears and saying yes to joy and love are great themes and while I liked certain aspects of the story, in some ways it seemed just kind of dialed in and rushed, as if the author was hurrying up to finish yet another predictable 'feel-good' book in order to move on to the next.

Not my cup of tea, but it was okay. I've read far worse! Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with the eArc of this title.

This is an enjoyable read. I think the author does a great job of describing some of the issues we deal with in schools and in life. We want our kids safe, but at what cost to their innocence? And she describes grief well.

This is a good book. At first I was not sure if I was going to like it. It was a strange storyline. But it ended up that I really liked it. I don’t like to tell a lot about the story, but briefly it’s about an eclectic mix of people that teach at a private school. The couple that own the school and built it wanted all of a child’s senses to be explored and hired accordingly. In its own way it is a love story. It’s about human frailties and acceptance. It’s cute, easy to read and I would love to be friends with Babette or Sam or even math lover Alice. I would read another book from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest opinion.

While this book isn't my favorite of this author's books, I still enjoyed reading it. It was a feel good kind of read with the main character looking for joy in life in spite of some setbacks in her life. Heartfelt, hopeful, a chance at love, and forgiveness. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was thoroughly entertained while reading this book. I felt like the author used a combination of writing skills from some of my favorite authors (Kristin Hannah and Jojo Moyes)...you will feel like you’re right there with the characters. Do yourself a favor and read it...you’ll be glad that you did!