So it was around the first chapter that I realized that I actually didn’t know what this book was about. I saw a beautiful cover (with a Ferris wheel) and Katherine Center (a well-known author) and just decided I wanted to read it.

This book (without spoilers) is about a bubbly teacher who after their principal leaves, is confronted by a new teacher from her past who she has some unresolved feelings for. This book is a romance, and the author did an excellent job in disguising this whole book to make it seem cute and fun, when there were a few heftier topics involved. One not as hefty topic was a discussion on cleaning our oceans and saving the animals, but also, there was school shootings, epilepsy, children dealing with parents who don’t want them, and emotional/physical scarring. The main character and her supporting characters were just bubbly enough that even though so many tough topics were present, I never felt like the book got bogged down or too heavy at any point. It was just a fun book with some heart.

I feel like I really need to take a minute to discuss the supporting characters. Honestly, from young to old, the side characters were all loads of fun to read and they were all important and multi-dimensional characters. I seriously LOVED them and some of their little quirks.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and gobbled it up in two days. I’m really excited to see what the author throws at us in the future, because this was exactly the romance for me.

I enjoyed Things You Save in a Fire, so I thought I’d try Center’s newest novel, and I loved it! Like most books I’ve read lately, I started out skeptical that I would enjoy it but ended up devouring it in a little over 24 hours. I may have even shed a tear or two at the end. I was really drawn to the book because the main character, Samantha, is a librarian like me. I love when she describes what other people think being a librarian is: “I’m always astonished at the number of people who think I just “hang out” in the library all day. Not to mention the number who think all I do is read.” And then she goes on to describe that being a librarian is more work than people think! Anyway, Samantha is a school librarian and when the principal unexpectedly passes away, his replacement turns out to be a man that Samantha knew from her last school, and had a crush on. But Duncan’s not the same guy she knew four years ago. Some of the book was a bit predictable and unrealistic (she is going to quit a job she loves because her old crush is now working there?) but overall I found it really uplifting and heartwarming. I thought this line summed the theme of the book up nicely: “We made a choice to do joy on purpose. Not in spite of life’s sorrows. But because of them.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this audiobook in exchange for my review.

I enjoyed both of Katherine Center's previous books and this one was no exception. It definitely had more romance the her others but still managed to give you the comedy and drama that we have come to expect. The character development was flawless and really made you invested in them.

I definitely recommend this book.

This novel ended up being a lot more emotional than I expected it to be. It deals with trauma in a way that was really impactful. I was pleasantly surprised by the way that the story developed.

Archived, Not Downloaded. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

I love so much about Katherine Center's ability to create stories that encompass so many emotions. She truly draws you in with characters. I loved that this story's setting involved a school and some of the typical school drama. I would definitely recommend this novel as a book club read, I think there could be great potential for lots of unique discussions.

Sam Casey was devastated when her principal and father-figure passed away unexpectantly. She knew that his loss would impact the whole school, but when she found out that his replacement was somebody from her past she was hopeful. The Duncan Carpenter that she knew was fun, dynamic, and connected with the students in a way that would be perfect for their little school. But in place of the fun, engaging Duncan was a man who was closed off, and overly cautious about school security. Taking a bright, joyful place and turning it into a place comparable to a prison. Will Sam be able to convince Duncan that he is wrong before he destroys the school she loves so much?

It is clear that What You Wish For was written BC (Before Covid). Because while the book hits a lot of hard-hitting topics that educators usually face, not once is there discussion about masks. social distancing, or virtual learning. But I felt so connected to Sam, Alice, and Babette, that I wondered how they would handle the challenge facing all educators this back-to-school season. I loved all of the characters in this book. I laughed and I cried. I felt very deeply for Sam as she struggled with revealing her epilepsy to Duncan. And I felt very deeply for Duncan as he told Sam his story. I also hated the evil Mr. Buckley and was thrilled with the way that storyline played out. - CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS

Bottom Line - I have read every book by Katherine Center, but What You Wish For is by far, her best. You will quickly find yourself transported to their little island in South Texas and find yourself never wanting to leave.

Details:
What You Wish For by Katherine Center
On Twitter
Pages: 320
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 7/14/2020
Buy it Here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

What You Wish For by Katherine Center is a romance novel at its heart and overall a disappointment. The characters were not relatable and the outcome was predictable. I love romance and a lot of predictability, but the story just did not grab me and keep me wanting more. In the end, it is not a story that I would highly recommend.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing house for allowing me an advanced copy of this book. ****

Katherine Center does it again, in this page turner. This book has in depth characters, heart, humanity and hope. I loved it.

When the principal of Samantha's elementary school dies, the school is horrified. Max and his wife Babette had created the school and spent their lives making sure that it was the most creative and enriching environment possible for the children it served. Sam is the school librarian and Max and Babette her best friends. She loves everything about her school and like her other faculty friends she worries what will happen next.
When the new principal is announced, she can't believe her ears. It is Duncan Carpenter and she knows him. He had worked at her first school and was the star of the faculty. He was goofy and filled with a sense of fun that included every child and encouraged them to dream big and follow their dreams. The children loved him and unfortunately so did Sam. But Duncan was dating someone else and it finally became so painful for her to have him unavailable that she moved to Texas and the school that Duncan is now coming to.

Her trepidation aside, she informs the faculty what a wonderful person they are getting, someone who will carry out Max's vision of the school. But four years can change a person and it has changed Duncan. Instead of an offbeat man who loves children and fun, he has become an authoritarian who is determined to change everything about the school and turn it into a fortress. He wants to take away everything that Sam loves about the place. Can this be the Duncan she knew?

This lighthearted romance serves as the vehicle to encourage readers to follow their dreams and take the bitter with the sweet, to be strong and unafraid to live life as it should be lived. Sam has changed herself from meek to outrageous and she boldly fights to save her vision. The novel received lots of awards such as People's 'Book Of The Week' and Parade's 'Best Beach Read of 2020'. If I had one quibble it was that Sam didn't seem as emotionally mature as her age. Her attitude towards Duncan and love often seemed more like that of a teenager with her first crush that a woman in her thirties. The novel was paced well and the characters were enjoyable. This book is recommended for readers of women's fiction.

This was the first audiobook I had listened to since I was a child. It was a wonderful first. This book takes on reflection, loss, love, self discovery, personal growth and figuring out how to navigate the seasons of life. It was a wonderful book that made me happy.

I adore Katherine Center. What You Wish For is a story about a school. It is a story about the people and things that make an elementary school beautiful. But more importantly, What You Wish For is about fear. It is a story about being afraid and doing the scary things anyway. Taking chances when taking a chance is the last thing you want to do. I absolutely loved this book. I will read anything she writes.

Love , love, love! This is a new favorite author of mine and this did not disappoint! Another one of hers to check off my list.

I really loved this story and the audio narrator. I will be reading more by this author and listening to more by this narrator in the future. One of my 5-star reads of this year.

This is a feel-good read with a positive message and not too many surprises. The first half dragged a little bit because there is a lot of being inside our main character's head rather than action, but it really picked up once the winter holidays hit. All in all, a good read if you don't want to think too much or feel depressed.

On the audiobook, I think the narrator did a great job expressing all the emotions of the main character, Sam. At times, I was actually laughing while I was out running because of how funny she was making the situation. I'm not sure I would have picked her soft Southern accent for Sam, but her reading really brought the book to life.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an audiobook ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I received this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I have read a few of Katherine Center’s books and have yet to be disappointed. They’re such feel-good stories! Duncan is like the dream guy, and I’m so in love with his character. I also love how Sam grows throughout the book, she’s also a great character. Loved loved loved!!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I love Katherine Center and will listen/read anything she writes. While this wasn’t my favorite of hers it most definitely is worth the time. Look forward to future books by Center!

This audiobook was something special. The narrator did a great job giving the character their own voices. It was one of those stories you cannot help but feel pulled to. There is friendship, love, a small town setting and drama galore. The characters begin to feel like family and you want to be there to share in the heartache, joys and everything in between! A fantastic listen!!!

A great book for Katherine Center fans! I loved the exploration on perseverance and overcoming personal tragedy. I don't normally read a lot of Women's Fiction but this book would be cherished by people who love that genre.

This is my second Katherine Center book and it did not disappoint. This was definitely a slow burn romance but it was just the sweet little love story that I needed in my life. I liked the depth of the characters and I loved Sam’s relationships with all of the people around her. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a sweet romance with little steam. ❤️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Thank you @stmartinspress for sending me this copy! This book is available now!