4.5 stars

I have loved every Katherine Center book I have had the pleasure of reading. The characters are so endearing and often wonderfully adorkable. They encounter relatable issues and obstacles that will have readers rooting for them from the start. What You Wish For is no exception. After reading Happiness for Beginners, I was so excited to learn that loveably goofy Duncan would be getting his own book. I dropped all my other reading commitments and dove right into What You Wish For. Though it's not necessary to read Happiness for Beginners prior to this book, I do recommend it because it's wonderful and I think it will really enrich the experience.

I loved the overall message of choosing joy, even in the face of fear and adversity. The book deals with some very serious, but timely topics (TW: school and gun violence), that may be extremely difficult for readers. It sometimes felt too in your face, but at the same time I can understand why the author chose to show these two extreme sides to the issue. I enjoyed the contrast between bright and sunny Sam and doom and gloom Duncan, especially after seeing him so dramatically different in Happiness for Beginners. Yes, they both make some poor over the top choices, but I could understand that for the most part, their hearts were in the right place. It was fairly clear from the start what Duncan's history would entail, but it didn't take away the impact of his past when all was revealed. Sam and Duncan have a lot of emotional scars to process and deal with, but I loved how they ended up helping each other (and the entire school community) heal. It's a slow burn, second chance-ish romance between them and I have to say that one of my favorite parts of the book is when Duncan is high on pain killers ("The opiates never lie." LOL).

I really enjoyed Sam's inner monologue/voice. The story is told completely in her POV, but her little jokes and quirks were so endearing. Her friendship with Alice was the best and I loved all the math jokes and connections. One of my favorite parts of the book however, was when a few familiar characters popped up during a beach scene. I couldn't wipe the HUGE smile off my face and I may have let out a contented sigh. It really was the tiny bit of epilogue my heart needed for those characters. Another highlight was Chuck Norris and the few easter eggs/nods to Happiness for Beginners. Overall, this was another fantastic read by Katherine Center and is sure to be one of my top reads of 2020!

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

I received an ARC ebook of "What You Wish For" courtesy of Netgalley. This is the 3rd Katherine Center novel I've read and it is written in her signature snarky, witty style.

The story begins with the sudden death of the beloved founder and principal of the Kempner School, a private primary school known for its unconventional approach to teaching and spirit of positivity and fun.

When a new principal (Duncan) is chosen, he arrives intending to change the culture of the school which puts the faculty into a spin, especially the young librarian, Sam (Samantha). How Sam and Duncan learn where each other is coming from and fall in love while finding common ground makes for an easy, satisfying, romantic read that's perfect for an airplane ride or a day at the beach.

One note: In one part of the story, there is a reference to "Beefeaters" guarding Kensington Palace. In reality, there are no guards outside Kensington Palace. (In fact, if you've never seen it, it really isn't all that impressive...just like a plain, brick mansion at the edge of a huge, lovely park.) The "Beefeaters", more accurately referred to as 'yeoman warders', are actually stationed at the Tower of London. I hope the author is able to correct this before "What You Wish For" goes to print. Wouldn't want the Brits thinking we Americans don't know what's what! Cheers!

I can always count on Katherine Center to write a book in which I can lose myself. This story has great characters, an amazing school, and a colorfully dressed librarian named Sam who purposefully chooses joy.

California Duncan is almost too much and comes off as a caricature (like, we get it, he was cool, goofy, and fun). When he comes to Sam's school as the new, security-conscious, and stern principal, she tries to remind him of his old self.

The library sounds like a slice of utopia!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

It took me almost three fourths of the way through before I started to enjoy this book. I'm glad I didn't give up, but it was a disappointing effort by one of my favorite authors. She definitely came through at the end though, with wise and endearing life lessons about conquering fear and finding joy in one's life.

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

Cute story with likable characters that you could cheer for. Easy, "feel good" story. I would read this author again.

I devoured this book in a few hours and it exceeded my very high expectations, based on her other books. This title does have a slow start, so you might feel like you are slogging through the first chapters. But, do NOT give up on this title. Please keep reading through it and you will be richly rewarded by a beautiful ending and all the feels. This might now be my favorite Center book, which is really saying something. It might even be one of my new all time favorite romance books. It is definitely in the top 5, without a doubt. Just read it and thank me later :)

I love Katherine Center books, so when I saw the email from her publisher that the ARC of her newest book was available I jumped at the chance to read it. This book didn't disappoint. I will say it started out a little slow for me, I did love the characters or where the story was headed for the first part of the book. It didn't stop me from wanting to know what happened, and soon enough I was unable to put this book down! I was up until midnight finishing it. It has a lot of background themes, but what I got out of this book, was that life is worth living. This is a story with a lot of hope, in a crazy world, you can still have hope and love. I would definitely recommend this book!
Trigger warning: sudden death, school shootings, childhood trauma.

I'm a big fan of Katherine Center's writing. Her books are enjoyable and there are usually parts in them that resonate with me.

This was true again with Center's latest book, What You Wish For. Choosing joy, refusing fear, being willing to let go are all themes in this book. There is a romance on slow burn as well.

Four stars and a hooray! Now hopefully Ms Center won't wait too long before publishing another book!

Wow! Katherine Center has done it again! I swear I do not like romance stories, but I love Center's books! She has a way of writing that sucks you in and makes you love the characters and the story so much that you don't want the book to end! I loved Samantha and Duncan's back stories--they were so real and had such depth to them. Center's books always have a lesson to them; this one taught the reader to find the joy in life and hold on to it. What a great reminder! Highly recommend this book! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I have been a fan of Katherine Center's work since I read my first book, How to Walk Away. What You Wish for does not disappoint. Sam is a loveable, quirky, relatable character and the rest of the town is populated by just as complex characters. Galveston is a town that I would love to experience.

The novel easily blends the heavy subjects, like the secrets that Duncan holds, with the quirkiness of small-town life. The novel's main theme of choosing joy absolutely encapsulates how I felt while reading.

Katherine Center has a way with words. More than the actual story, what I loved most about this book was the message: “Choose joy on purpose”. “Not in spite of life’s sorrows. But because of them”. This message resonated with me, long after finishing the book. The story follows an elementary school librarian named Samantha Casey. As she and her friends grapple with a huge loss to their community, more upheaval is on the way. The journey to happiness is not smooth, but it certainly is worth the ride.

A light, funny, perfect book for vacation!

I'm a big fan of Center's books. I've read every one! Her books are so engrossing and catch your attention from the very first page.

Samantha enjoys her job as an elementary school teacher. She loves teaching and everything that comes with it. Everything is business as usual. . . until it isn't. What do you do when your former crush waltzes back into your life. Not only comes back into your life.. but AS YOUR BOSS?! As if that wouldn't make things difficult enough. . . imagine that your crush is acting like they are a completely different person.

I flew through this one! It was entertaining and the perfect book to take with you on a vacation. I really enjoyed the main protagonist, Samantha. Sometimes you need a palate cleanser book like this one. I realized that I had been reading heavy books lately and this was just what I needed! Highly recommended!

Katherine Center is known for writing sweet romances between likable characters with interesting lives. What You Wish For is no exception. School librarian Sam is reconnected with a former workplace crush when he takes on the role of principal at her close-knit school. However, his fun-loving, goofy personality that she fell for is gone. The reader will discover the reason for his transformation and honestly, they will probably be able to guess that reason a few paragraphs in to the story. While that part of the story was a bit predictable, it is still an enjoyable, sweet story. If you’ve enjoyed her earlier work, you’ll enjoy this.

Do you ever have one of those spells where you’ve been reading heavier, darker thrillers or somewhat depressing historical fiction? If so, I highly recommend this book as an antidote! With a message of choosing to live life with joy, this book was the perfect one for me to read right now. Yes, there’s romance, but not sappy or steamy. There are some heavier themes that give the book substance, and overall this one punched the ticket for me!

With a school setting, this one features quirky elementary school librarian Samantha, who has escaped her previous school (and a crush) to start over in Galveston, Texas. She’s getting ready for the school year ahead when a tragedy befalls the beloved school principal. Guess who is coming as the new principal? That same crush from her old job! However, he’s not the same person at all and the school may never be the same.

There are some school politics, but mostly this one is about relationships and with two realistic and damaged main characters – Samantha and Duncan – I really enjoyed this one. There are a couple of great beach scenes that really change the trajectory of the book. The guard dog Chuck Norris is a great character as well. I didn’t love this one as much as “Things You Save in a Fire” – but it has the same style I’ve come to expect from Katherine Center.

I was super excited when I received an advanced copy of this and was able to just dive right in. The books jumped right in from the start and I found myself so immersed in the small community on the island. I did struggle a little with the tense in the beginning - was she recalling this story or was it happening right now? - but not in a way that detracted from the book at all. This book played with a lot of emotions that just felt so incredibly real to me, and the writing was able to convey so much in just a few simple passages. Center hits another homerun with this one. Probably my favorite so far!

What You Wish For is a story full of heart. The characters are so real you will feel as though you know them. Katherine Center never fails to take her readers away on an emotional journey and then bring us back home with tears of joy. In fact, finding joy in life is an integral part of this engaging story. If you’re already a Katherine Center fan, you’re bound to love What You Wish For.

If I begin and end my review with a 5 star rating, it wouldn’t be enough.
If I preface my review by saying, it’s a must read, it wouldn’t begin to touch my feelings for this story. Rarely, you read a book and you connect with the story and it’s characters at a deeper level. This one is it. I read this book in one sitting.
Katherine Centers latest novel is a beautifully written drama based in Galveston, TX. This small coastal town is family-like. Prepare yourself to face love, death and rebirth. The changes that the town and its inhabitants will face will make you laugh, cry and believe in love again.

Thank you to the publisher for the copy in exchange for a review.

I love all of Katherine Center’s books and this one is no exception. As a teacher, I may have been a bit skeptical of the extreme measures that were taken in the name of school security in the first half of the book. The second half is where the author really shines. It left me with something to think about while still leaving me feeling happy with the ending.

I loved the main theme of: “Pay attention to the things that connect you with joy”. Center’s latest novel is about a quirky librarian, Sam, who finds herself in Galveston, Texas at an equally quirky private school. While the story is a slow-build, you find yourself rooting for all of the characters.

This story details Sam’s love-hate relationship with the newest principal and beautifully describes the protagonist’s struggle to stay joyful. What I love about this story is how it encapsulates the need to find joy in our lives. Katherine Center does an excellent job of showing how happiness is a choice. I enjoyed her characterizations of Sam - who was positive, yet honest. Her raw emotions lent to the power of the plot.

Overall, a good read once you push through the initial slow 30% and get to the good stuff.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Oh, how my heart needed this book. Like the rest of Katherine Center's books (and yes, I've read them all!), this story was a journey through self-discovery and finding the joy in life.
The main characters in this book were each their own brand of quirkiness, but in an opposite way. Sam, having dealt with plenty of blows in life (the death of one parent, the abandonment of another, on top of a life-long illness) moves in with an older couple and works as a librarian in a school that they founded. She's fun-loving, quirky, and tries to find the joy in every day. When tragedy strikes the school community and a new principal is brought in, she's delighted to find out that it's someone from her past with whom she shared her fun-loving spirit and "joie de vivre." Unfortunately, when we arrives at the school, Duncan is no longer the fun, free-sprited man she remembers, and she struggles to understand what could have caused such change.
Both characters in this book were dealing with struggles and learning to live despite them. And like before, the author really shines in making the characters relatable.
Definitely a must-read!