The only other book I have read by Katherine Center was Things you Save in a Fire. I enjoyed this one a lot more!

This is a cute G rated, lighthearted romance. TW for gun violence and a graphic description of a school shooting so it isn't all "fluff".

I loved her friend Alice the math teacher who was constantly throwing out math jokes and the whole secret operation to make Duncan more human again (juggling, eating certain foods etc). The super smart 10 year old (Clay) really adds a lot to this story. Add in an adorable dog (Chuck Norris the failed guard dog) and this book oozes cute..

A tough (but soft inside) guy and a happy (but sad inside) girl finally figure things out in the end. This will make a perfect summer beach read! I totally grinned at the end of this book. It really was a feel good story.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced digital copy of this book.

I was so excited to be given a chance to read an arc of this book. Katherine center is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint! Ms. Center has the unique ability to tell a story and the reader can't figure out exactly what will happen. It leaves me wanting to keep turning the pages. This was a book that I definitely wished for!

I really enjoyed this book! Katherine Center definitely writes a compelling romance with appealing characters. I loved the message of always finding the joy in life, and the ending was perfectly satisfying. My only issue with the book was the totally unrealistic depiction of the behind-the-scenes school culture. I get that it was a private school, but still not believable to anyone who's worked in education. Other than that, super charming story; I flew through it in a day.

This is my first Katherine Center book and not my usual genre.. It is a very entertaining and well written book about loss, love and how you adjust. I thought the first half of the first chapter was less smooth than the rest of the book, but overall it was a delightful read.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors. I recommend How to Walk a Way and Things You Save in a Fire constantly. I was so grateful to receive an advanced copy of What You Wish For, my most anticipated book of 2020. There were many things to like about this book. One--it takes on the subject of education, a rare topic in books. Two--it explores the ideas of people living with trauma and how they deal with it (a hallmark of Center's books). I loved how readable this book was (another selling point for me of Center's work). It flowed, it was easy, and it seems like it could have wide appeal. There were a couple things I struggled with when reading this book. There were a few elements that felt unbelievable. Some of the premise around the school that the main character, Sam, works in, just didn't do it for me. Her relationship with former fling, Duncan, seemed overwritten and somewhat trite. I had a hard time with how the main character was constantly wishy washy about all things. I had a hard time building empathy with her because the character development just wasn't there. Overall, this was not my favorite from Katherine Center, but with that said, I'm still a huge fan of her work.

This was such a lovely book to read to distract me during this crazy time. I enjoyed it so much that I read it all in one sitting. It was funny, sweet, very cheesy at times but I loved every second of it! My favorite part of Katherine Center’s writing is how she combines a bit of romance while still covering heavy topics such as grief, loss, fear but it also taught us to find joy in the little things, to ALWAYS choose to dance and to stop living your life in fear.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a digital ARC of this because I am SO happy I got to pick this up! All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I appreciated the opportunity to read an ARC of this beautiful book. Thank you Net Galley! This is my first Katherine Center book and now I want to go back and read all of her books. Two things I learned from reading What You Wish For: 1. You can’t let fear control your every move. You have to be courageous and 2. Joy is the cure for everything. Pay attention to the things that make you feel better!
If you are looking for an uplifting book this is a perfect read for you.

What a delightful book! The characters drew me into the story and kept me there turning the pages to see what would happen next. This is a light easy read that provides a nice distraction to world events. Ms. Center has a great balance of personal strife and romance, without being sickenly sweet and sappy. I give it 4.5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc copy of What You Wish For by Katherine Center. Wow - what a wonderful story! The characters come alive on the page, making you want to know them and to live where they live. Sam, the main character is a librarian at a private school in Texas. The teachers and students are her family. The atmosphere at the school is the main theme that runs through this entire story - how to find joy no matter what life throws at you, to know you aren’t alone and to learn to work through fear and rely on those around you. The complex story of Duncan, the new school principle, was emotional but how he unveils himself to Sam and they both work through what has happened to them and what scars they gave is worth every word you read. Katherine Center has written her best book yet! I was sad to finish the book and leave these engaging; loving; complex characters behind. Thank for a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Katherine Center is one of my favorite authors because I know that I'll always get fabulous characters that my heart connects with, great quotes that I want to remember, and a theme that reminds me to always have hope. What You Wish For was no exception.

Much of the book takes place in a school setting and that was fun since I'm a teacher. The two main characters, Duncan and Samantha, meet years ago as teaching colleagues but Sam moved away and took her secret love for Duncan with her.

Years later, Duncan and Sam cross paths again but Duncan's not the same fun loving person that he used to be. Sam (and some loveable secondary characters) want to help him choose joy and find happiness again.

This book showcases many different relationships and reminds us that your true family isn't always the one you're born into and that choosing joy and happiness can be a choice.

If you've loved Katherine Center's books in the past, I think you'll also really enjoy What You Wish For. Besides, if you've read Happiness for Beginners you also get a glimpse into Jake and Helen's life. What could be better?

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Katherine Center for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars

Katherine Center has become a favorite after listening to How to Walk Away and reading Things You Save in a Fire I am a fan. Her books make you feel connected and What You Wish For is no different. I have been anticipating this release and when I saw it I immediately downloaded with excitement! I read this book slowly for many reasons and I’m glad I did. While there is a love story within this book I don’t feel it’s the primary focus or theme to the book. I’m also okay with that. These characters are very relatable and not necessarily them but their feelings and emotions. I could feel and empathize with/for them. How can you not...it’s issues we are facing in today’s world. What I love the most about this book is the focus of joy...to choose joy over anything/everything. It’s tough to choose that when we’re constantly trying to battle so much more but choosing to find joy through the sheer madness of life is so much better than swimming in misery. Each of these characters whether they’re the main or side characters has to dig deep and find their own joy. It’s not always when life can be cruel but instead of letting you get ruined by it taking time to find something that can make happy is so much better for your soul. I truly enjoyed these characters and hope they ignite some joy for you, the readers.

What You Wish For was everything I expected it to be, as Katherine Center never lets me down. Filled with multi-layered dynamics of insecurities, pain, professional environment and how to balance how you communicate your needs to others. So many special relationships between teacher and student, mentor and student as well as stories of love, loss, self-made family and forgiveness. The wonderful weave of characters is so true to life as we learn to navigate others who are often cut from a different cloth both personally and professionally. When we are able to share vulnerability and find comfort in our imperfections we are able to connect with others on a much deeper level. What You Wish For was the perfect story acting as a balm for the outside world.

So good! Wonderfully written. The characters came to life and will stick with me for a long time. I actually had tears in my eyes near the end because it was so beautiful. Very moving and a lovely read.

Thanks St. Martin’s Press & Netgalley for my gifted copy of What You Wish For by Katherine Center!

This is my 3rd Katherine Center book and I enjoyed it so much!! This is exactly in her style and what I expected from her. So good!

There were so many beautiful quotes from the book, relationships between characters that were unique, emotions were powerful, and a quest for joy was authentic. Rarely do authors give an audience authenticity, joy, and true feelings. But this, was different. Prepare yourself to face death, life, joy, laughter and everything in between!

Quick, easy, and much needed to escape our crazy world.

Don’t miss this one out on July 14th! I am SO excited about this one!!

Round up to 4.5

This is my second Katherine Center read - I love her writing style, her very deft human studies, the way she presents joy and sorrow. In this case, the setting on Galveston Island is lovely and intriguing, and the school, teachers, and students outlined in a way that the reader even appreciates the unlikable among them.
Fun, enjoyable, uplifting read.

I am really looking forward to reading this! I enjoyed Katherine Centers last book and will update this review after I have read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for access to the free review copy.

This is my fourth Katherine Center book, and I've thoroughly enjoyed them all. She writes stories that not only make you stop and ponder the "what would I do" scenario, but also urge you toward the end to find out the actual outcome. What You Wish For, is the story of working through fear, of overcoming setbacks/challenges, but ultimately, of choosing joy above all else.

Samantha is a school librarian in Galveston, TX. Duncan is the new school Principal. Their individual pasts, along with their intertwined history play out during one school year. Family, friendship, romance, misunderstandings, and books, all weave through this story. While I guessed most of the 'twists', this book kept me engaged from start to finish.

Now to wait for her next release.

This novel filled my love Chakra with happiness!! I am lovestruck with Center’s writing style! Its so superb and the characters leap right off the page and into your heart creating that exuberant feeling you would get when you were a kid, playing on a hot Summer’s day and hear the Ice cream truck rounding the corner hoping for a sweet cool refreshing treat. What You Wish For gives you all the feels. Its the camaraderie that characters build with you that makes you feel apart of the novel. Throughout this read ,I felt such a welcoming space full of laughter, support, love, and courage,from the characters. What a fun journey to take!!

Katherine Center’s latest novel has a strong theme of choosing joy even when times are tough, and I’m not sure I could have picked this up at a more appropriate time. This book was exactly what I needed in these dark days! Center has become a must-read author for me as I’ve really enjoyed her previous books, and this new release is no exception. There are also some fun connections to previous novels that you can try to spot (but you certainly don’t need to have read those to fully enjoy this one). Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Katherine Center for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. I have read many of Katherine Center's novels and for me when I see she has a new story out it is a must read! She always has unique plots and such fabulous characters, that I know the story will be terrific and What You Wish For went above and beyond my expectations!

Samantha Casey is an elementary librarian in Galveston, Texas. Samantha not only lives on the property of her boss, but has adopted him and his wife as family. When her "dad" passes away, not only is she devastated personally, but her career is upended when the school board hires Duncan Carpenter. Samantha used to work in the same building as Duncan and had a massive crush on him. However, when she reintroduces herself to Duncan, it is as if he has never met her before. Samantha can handle that, but it is as if Duncan has been totally replaced by someone unrecognizable to Samantha. What happened to him, and more importantly what if the changes he wants to make at the school drives Samantha away from everything that is important to her?

This book has it all! Love, love, loved it! 5 stars!