What You Wish For

This is my second book that I've read by Katherine Center and I really enjoyed this book. I feel that the message for this story is to choose joy, even during difficult times. I'm going to attempt to write my review without giving away too much. I don't enjoy reading reviews that give the twists away so hopefully that won't happen here!Samantha (Sam) works as a school librarian and has chosen to live with color and fun in her life. She has a medical issue that she deals with and it definitely causes her to be apprehensive at times. Sam's 'crush', Duncan, from a previous school ends up coming to her current school as the new principal. The Duncan that comes to the school is not what Sam remembers and as you read the story you will find out why. I'm a teacher and reading this book was definitely difficult at times because some of the events that happened are an unfortunate possibility for me to experience, however, I am so glad I read this story and the events didn't overshadow the joy that was clearly in this book.I originally received this book as an ARC and ended up not being able to read it immediately (again... teacher here and I was adjusting to teaching my elementary students online due to Covid so life was a little crazy!). The day that this book was published (July 14, 2020) I decided to purchase the Audible version, and I must tell you, I am SO GLAD that I did!! The narrator pulled me into the story & I listened to it within a day and half. I couldn't put it down!! At the end of the audible story, Katherine Center had a portion that she shared with the listeners, Reading for Joy. The words she said were not written in the Kindle version that I have, however, I am beyond glad I listened to the book!! I have no idea if what she said is available written somewhere, however, I want to share some of the points she made. The following things she said struck me in such a way that I wrote them down on the closest thing I had... a napkin... and I'm keeping them with my reading materials. Statements from her that I'd like to share: "Reading for Joy is Reading from your Heart", A good story makes you feel what is happening to the character & makes you feel empathy. As a reader you feel the characters feelings as if you're the character and experiencing it yourself. When reading/watching t.v. or a movie you know it's not real or true but you believe it anyways as if it is really happening & a true story. I loved when Katherine Center said "... twinkling unfathomable milky way of possibilities..." Readers should Read for Joy & that stories can save you.All of the things I just said in the previous paragraphs are directly from Katherine Center. I tried to write it exactly like she said, however, some of it may not be quite exact. All of the things she stated are exactly how I felt when reading this story. She had me feeling empathy for the characters, laughing, crying, afraid, worried, and I felt like I was reading (actually listening to since I was listening to the Audible version) the right story at the right moment in my life. Kudos to Katherine Center for writing an amazing book filled with LOTS of feels. I've only read 2 books of hers now, however, time permitting I plan to look into more books of hers so I can 'Read for Joy' and experience things I never thought possible. Thank you so very much to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press & Katherine Center for ARC. Although I ended up listening to the Audible, I think this book is amazing!!

Just what I needed during this time. A heartwarming and hopeful story! What You Wish For, It’s about conquering our fears and being accepted for we are.Samantha Casey is the librarian of an elementary school in Galveston, TX. A few years ago, she moved to Galveston to escape an unrequited love. The man she fell for was funny, engaging, lovable but he had chosen another woman. Not that he knew how Samantha felt, so it wasn't really his fault.Samantha is renting a garage apartment owned by Max and Babette Kempner. Max is the principal of the school she works for. During an anniversary celebration, Max unfortunately dies. The whole school and the community are distraught with grief. Then, they learn a new replacement has been hired.The new principal is none other than Duncan Carpenter. The man Samantha left California for. Samantha is thinking of leaving because there is no way she can see him and not show her feelings but when they finally meet, Duncan is nothing like the man she remembers. Long gone is the happy personality, the vibrant ties, the carefree attitude. He is darkness when he used to be light.--I liked Samantha. She was hiding a painful personal problem but she was trying to make her life as positive as she could. She went from wearing grey to wearing all colors but grey. It was a way to remind herself of joy. Feeling joy. Experiencing joy. Sharing joy.Then there was Duncan, I wished I had met the Duncan of years ago. The current Duncan was solemn and unemotional. Of course, as the story progresses and I learned more about Duncan, the more I started loving him. My favorite Duncan scene was when he had to be medicated. He was awesome!I enjoyed the secondary characters, From Max who gave her so much insight to Chuck Norris who gave the book so many funny scenes. Also, Babette, Clay and Alice were all great characters.After finishing reading What You Wish For, I want to try to find joy especially during our current situation.Cliffhanger: No4/5 Fangs

I found this to be slow going at the beginning but by the second half I couldn’t put it down. The theme of slogging through substantial life challenges and making your own joy resonated with me. And now I’m curious to see Galveston! I love Katherine Center’s writing - she pulls you into the characters emotions, you feel the romance and laughter, but she never puts you completely and graphically into the steamy bedroom scenes which is a little harder to find than I thought in this genre. I will read everything she writes!

Katherine captures your attention on the first sentence, and carries you away on another journey of anticipation and heartwarming joy.

After Happiness for Beginners, I just wanted more of Katherine's writing! I didn't realise is was a sequel to HFB until halfway through. Glad I read them in the right order!

I love Katherine’s books so much. I only read her first book this year, but her stories have a way to connect with us that doesn’t go away. Also, I learn so much about myself with her characters. It was so nice seeing Helen and Jake (from Happiness for Beginners) in this book and I love Duncan. Sam is awesome and the whole cast of characters in this is incredible - I read this in one sitting and it was awesome.

Really enjoyed it. My only regret is downloading it on Kindle at huge expense, when for the same price I could have had it on my book shelf!Highly recommend. Katherine Center is a great writer.