"What You Wish For" by Katherine Center is a heartwarming and uplifting contemporary novel that explores themes of love, loss, and the power of second chances. The story centers around Samantha Casey, a dedicated school librarian with a passion for her job and a secret crush on her charming and beloved former colleague, Duncan Carpenter. When Duncan unexpectedly returns to the school as the new principal, Samantha's life is turned upside down as she grapples with her past and the possibility of a future with him.

Center skillfully weaves together humor, romance, and poignant moments of reflection, creating a narrative that is both engaging and emotionally resonant. The chemistry between Samantha and Duncan is palpable, their banter and interactions brimming with tension and longing. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship and confront their own insecurities, they discover that sometimes the things we wish for are closer than we think.

The characters are richly drawn and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles and desires. Samantha's journey of self-discovery is particularly compelling, as she learns to let go of the past and embrace the possibilities of the present. Duncan's evolution from a charming but enigmatic figure to a fully realized character adds depth to the story, as his vulnerabilities are gradually revealed.

Beyond the romance, "What You Wish For" also explores themes of resilience, forgiveness, and the importance of embracing change. Center's writing is heartfelt and authentic, with moments of humor and insight that will resonate with readers long after they've finished the book.

Overall, "What You Wish For" is a touching and uplifting novel that reminds us to cherish the moments we have and to never give up on the possibility of finding happiness. With its endearing characters, charming romance, and powerful message, it's a book that will leave readers smiling and inspired. Katherine Center has crafted a gem of a novel that is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Katherine Center always does a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I love her books and would highly recommend this one!

Katherine center has a way of telling a story that keeps you captivated the entire way through. I loved this one and have recommended it to several people.

Not my favorite of Centers books but still finished it. The main character was a little whiny but the book covered some heavy topics so I found it a bit confusing.

This book provides both a blast from the past and a look into life currently in a very relevant tale that ties together hope and danger.

"What You Wish For" by Katherine Center is a delightful and heartwarming read that masterfully blends elements of romance, humor, and serious life lessons. Center's writing shines with vibrant characters and an engaging storyline that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. The novel explores themes of love, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness in ways that are both thought-provoking and deeply moving. While at times the plot feels predictable, the emotional depth and relatable characters more than make up for it, leaving readers with a lingering sense of hope and joy. Overall, this book is a testament to Katherine Center's ability to craft stories that resonate with the heart, making it a recommended read for anyone in search of inspiration and a good dose of feelings.

I have enjoyed a book by Katherine Center before, but unfortunately this one didn’t capture the same. I do love it’s about finding joy.

Just as I could expect from Katherine Center, this one is also very captivating and I couldn’t put it down.

A light romance between the school librarian and the new principal. Having worked together previously Sam the librarian, moved on when the object of her affections appeared to have found love elsewhere. Fast forward, that man, Duncan, is now the new Principal of where she works.
Duncan is a different man than she remembers and she is not as enamored of his new persona. The changes to the school and its securities for the staff and students is the backdrop of their conflict.
Heavy themes of school violence and personal disabilities cannot make up for the surface attraction between the two main characters with whom I found it impossible to engage. Sam comes across as quite immature all the way through to the end.

I read Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center and thought I would give What You Wish For a try. It ultimately wasn't for me but others might enjoy it.

"pay attention to the things that connect you with joy"
Another fabulous book by Katherine Center! The author always makes me smile and after meeting her in person, I understand why! She has such a bubbly personality and it always shows through inter writing - her characters are so likable in this one! Loved this story about love, loss, hope and finding the joy!

Due to St. Martins Press refusal to address the remarks made by their employee regarding Palestine, I will not be reviewing this book.

This in no way has anything to do with the author. But I refuse to support anything from SMP because of their refusal to address a major issue at hand.

A delightful read about a quaint small school and a change in leadership. Some predictability but quite endearing.

Let me preface by saying I loved "Things You Save in a Fire" so much that I went and purchased every single one of Katherine's backlisted books. Every. Single. One. And while this one was good, it didn't do for me emotionally what Fire did, so I'm glad I started with that one.

That being said, this is a good story. It's a good beach book, or like you're sitting down for your favorite TV show. The one problem I had with it was that Sam just seemed clueless about how Duncan feels. It was your typical "I don't want to hurt you so I'm running away, but come save me" type of feeling, at least for me. The older I get, the more I like the female characters that grab a situation by its balls and handles it.

However, I still think this one is worth picking up, especially if you're looking for a fluffy romance.

***Also, Clay is my HERO*** I LOVE THAT KID.

There are just some authors who have the gift of making you feel so much better after reading their work. Their stories feel like warm hugs, and their characters become your found family.

That's what I always feel like after reading books by @katherinecenter, and What You Wish For did not disappoint!

First of all, a school librarian and her high school crush as the principal? Consider me sold!

I've got more Katherine Center books waiting in the wings, and I can't wait!!!

There’s a reason it took me ages to finish this. And the more I think about it; the more annoyed I get haha. Usually, I really enjoy Katherine Center's books, but I could NOT empathize with Sam's neediness in this one; and thought Duncan's trauma was downplayed too much.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

This book was a delight, and the audio narration was so enjoyable.
I loved the humour and the quirkiness of the characters. I thought the whole book just gave off such a sweet vibe.
The epilepsy story line was not my favourite. I felt like it was pretty flimsy and unnecessary. I think the storyline about our MC’s dedication to saving the school was enough to create romantic tension and conflict.
This was my first KC and I’ll definitely be checking out her other books!

Another heartwarming romantic tale by Katherine Center. Her novels are deliciously light even when dealing with complicated emotional situations. I have read them all and will continue to read everything she writes!

A delightful novel by Katherine Center. I’ve really loved all of her slightly-interconnected stories, and I found the relationship especially interesting in this one. I also absolutely loved the seaside setting and the sea life that made its way into the story! It’s a tender, sensitive look at a difficult issue that’s all too prevalent in our society.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the publisher and the author.

I've always enjoyed her books and this one was no exception. The characters were fun, the story both sad and humorous in places and overall a good read.