“The story’s message, that people should choose joy even (and especially) in difficult and painful times, seems tailor-made for this moment. A timely, uplifting read about finding joy in the midst of tragedy, filled with quirky characters and comforting warmth.”–Kirkus (starred review) From the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel full of heart and … a stunning new novel full of heart and hope.
Samantha Casey is a school librarian who loves her job, the kids, and her school family with passion and joy for living.
But she wasn’t always that way.
Duncan Carpenter is the new school principal who lives by rules and regulations, guided by the knowledge that bad things can happen.
But he wasn’t always that way.
And Sam knows it. Because she knew him before–at another school, in a different life. Back then, she loved him–but she was invisible. To him. To everyone. Even to herself. She escaped to a new school, a new job, a new chance at living. But when Duncan, of all people, gets hired as the new principal there, it feels like the best thing that could possibly happen to the school–and the worst thing that could possibly happen to Sam. Until the opposite turns out to be true. The lovable Duncan she’d known is now a suit-and-tie wearing, rule-enforcing tough guy so hell-bent on protecting the school that he’s willing to destroy it.
As the school community spirals into chaos, and danger from all corners looms large, Sam and Duncan must find their way to who they really are, what it means to be brave, and how to take a chance on love–which is the riskiest move of all.
With Katherine Center’s sparkling dialogue, unforgettable characters, heart, hope, and humanity, What You Wish For is the author at her most compelling best.
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Samantha Casey is the librarian at the Kempner School on Galveston Island. She rents a carriage house apartment from Babette and Max Kempner, who founded the school where she works. Kempner School is a magical place where kids are encouraged to be creative and to enjoy learning, and the decor and art on the walls reflects this. Unfortunately, Max dies unexpectedly, leaving Babette bereft, and leaving her very serious son-in-law in charge. He hires Duncan Carpenter as the new principal, which thrills and bothers Sam. She knew him back in CA, had a crush on him, and was drawn to his positive energy and enthusiasm for teaching. When he started dating someone seriously, Sam decided that it was time for her to make a change, and took the job at Kempner. Four years later, Sam is about to see him again, but his photo looks a bit different from how she remembers him.
It turns out that Duncan is different. After a few fits and starts, Babette and Sam decide to shake him up a little, to try to bring some joy back into his life. Duncan, Samantha, and Babette all end up growing a lot as the story unfolds. They each find new life and joy through the things that they experience over the course of the school year that this book portrays.
This story is beautifully written. Ms. Center captures the spirit of the school, the enthusiasm of its teachers, and the feeling of living on Galveston Island perfectly. She doesn’t shirk away from shining a reflective light on a couple of important issues the world is presently facing, without being preachy. She allows the reader to make his or her own choice. The tension and pacing are even; however, it’s not a high-tension book, but the story does flow nicely and the reader stays engaged. The main characters are lovable, yet quirky. Babette’s grandson steals the show at one point in a beautiful and poignant way!
It was a joy to read this book! Katherine Center knows how to write a book that keeps your interest and makes you have all the emotions you look for in a good book. I loved the quirky characters! 5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher and author for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
There are things I like about this book and others I don’t. I didn’t really like Sam the main character of this book because I felt she comes off most of the time acting like an 18 year old instead of her age 28. The first part was hard to get through and cringe worthy. Once Duncan finally comes to the school it milds down the cringe worthy aspect of Sam. Duncan sure needs to find his fun side and also needs to go to therapy but I felt big time that Sam needs therapy too as she is not over the trauma she endured as a child and still has fears because of it. None of Sam’s trauma is really helped in this book. I do like how Sam and Duncan come together and Sam helps Duncan heal. The school sounds like an awesome place to have been a part of either by working there or going to that school. I think the best part of the book was the near the end of the book with Clay, that’s all I will say as I don’t want to give spoilers. The book was still enjoyable.
*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
I was so eager to read What You Wish For, as soon as I saw the cover I wanted to dig myself in this book and I was so glad that I had the chance to read this amazing story
it is a light read that will make you laugh, and giggle at all times The characters will definitely captivate you and make you want to know more about of each of them.. there is angst, there are tears, joy and so many laughs that make this wonderful book very enjoyable..
What you wish for is the story of Samantha a young woman who was lost, she had a few things that made her feel somehow a shame but people who really love her, embrace every single aspect of her even if that makes her look and show a side that is not that beautiful and peaceful as she would want..
Ducan was a very funny and charismatic man until something took that away from him, changing him into a whole new person, closed off and definitely less fun. Samantha is in shock to find how different Ducan is, she doesn’t remember him this way, what happened to Duncan why is he so angry and afraid all the time? why is he changing everything on the peaceful grounds of Max school and legacy?
What you wish for was an amazing ride, I really enjoy getting to know every character, finding out why they were the way they were, what circumstances made them become so closed off or even afraid to speak their emotions out loud and at the same time, it was beautiful to watch all those walls surrounding them coming down and embracing the moment.
The secondary characters were super awesome giving and adding so much more depth to the book and the main characters. I really enjoy Tina, Clay, Babette. Alice, Marco all of them were wonderful.
A story of survival, second chances, hope, and faith, light, and joy everything that makes this story so beautiful was present.
I really recommend this book, it is a book that will leave you with a big big smile.
This was just the book I needed to read right now. An engrossing story focused on engaging characters with unique personalities, a variety of realistic issues, plus a plot both believable and fresh. If you’re looking for a memorable feel-good story, I encourage you to read this ultimately joyful book!
Thanks to author Katherine Center and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
I absolutely adored this book, it was fantastic and so well written. It has a great balance of heart, humor, and tragedy. At its core, I think this book is about choosing joy despite your circumstances (which is so incredibly fitting for this moment in time) and not letting fear or trauma overtake you. I loved watching Sam and Duncan’s relationship evolve as each one let the other in a little bit at a time. The secondary characters were so perfect, thinking back about them, there are a lot, but in the story, it wasn’t overwhelming, they all fit so perfectly and flowed. Despite some of the serious topics, overall this is a feel-good book (there were a few tears too, but mostly it’s happy). Highly recommend
Life isn’t full of joy and light. No there’s pain and darkness and Katherine Center has an amazing talent of writing about both, weaving a story together to give you food for thought with a side of love.
Samantha is happy in her island hometown. She has friends that are family and a library that she loves and while her love life is less than awesome, she is at peace with life. Keep things simple and easy. Avoid stress. Dress brightly. Find joy.
Duncan brought to town to shake things up but what he didn’t plan on was Sam. Sam and her fellow teachers want nothing more than to keep things the same, as a tribute to a lost loved one, but Duncan has other plans, to keep things safe and secure because life hasn’t always given him such luxuries.
Throughout “What You Wish For” I found myself smiling and laughing with Sam and the girls, cheering them on in their plan to make Duncan fun again. When Duncan starts to come out of his shell a bit, I fully hoped it would end in love!
What unfolds is a story of love, friendship, and growth. There is nothing more wonderful to read about than when brilliant characters come into their own.
I loved this book, the writing, Sam, Duncan. The setting of the book is Galveston, Texas and after living in that area for several years I could picture the Sea wall and the gulf and pier.
The school, the children, and butterflies on the wall.
Hope, fears, challenges, grief, tragedy all telling a story.
A sweet story that kept me wanting to turn the pages faster, fun with lovable characters that really touched my heart.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book.
This book was absolutely fantastic! It has some rough and sometimes very sad content, however, the joy and happiness in the book overcome any hard parts of the story line.
I absolutely recommend pre-ordering this book! I was a little slow getting into the story but once I did I finished it in one day. Katherine Center is just a fantastic story teller!
This easy to read story follows Sam Casey, a librarian at a historic elementary school on Galveston Island in Texas. Though she doesn’t have a boyfriend, her life is satisfying and full. She lives with her beloved mentor, Babette, she has a dedicated best friend, Alice, and she adores her job and her colleagues. But when she learns that her new principal is Duncan Carpenter, a man she had an unreciprocated crush on years ago in California, her well tended life threatens to implode. When the Duncan Carpenter who arrives is nothing like the man she used to know, Sam vows to learn his secret. With the help of the school community, Sam and Dylan get to know each other again and friendship soon leads to more. Everything about this book is warm, comforting and completely predictable. Not my usual type of read, I was glad to have the book equivalent of macaroni and cheese at this moment in history.
What You Wish For by Katherine Center
“Joy is an antidote to fear. To anger. To boredom. To sorrow.”
In What You Wish For by Katherine Center, elementary school librarian Sam Casey carries emotional scars from childhood. Sam carries a secret, afraid anyone she grows close to her will abandon her – as her father did when she was 8.
When tragedy strikes and a new principal is assigned to her school, Sam’s world turns upside down. Excited at the prospect of her happy- go- lucky, fun loving former crush Duncan joining the staff, she is crushed when he arrives. Stiff and all business, Duncan immediately orders locks on the school gates, metal detectors on the doors, bars on the windows, and all the walls painted gray.
What happened to change him so drastically? Could she and the rest of the staff remind him of the fun, caring teacher he used to be – before he completely ruins their school?
I have enjoyed author Katherine Center’s other books and had high expectations for What You Wish For. I was not disappointed.
Much like her last novel, Things You Save In A Fire, Center has addressed sensitive real life issues and wrapped them in a lovely easy to read novel.
I particularly enjoy her story telling style.
Written in first person, reading her stories are very much like sitting down with a friend while she catches you up over coffee. With this story, maybe a couple glasses of wine!
The overwhelming message in this book is that joy is the answer. There may problems in the world, tragedy in our lives, but we have a choice. We can sink into it, or fight it by bringing joy into our lives. Joy rarely shows up on it’s own. It’s a choice we have to actively pursue, but so worth it when we do.
I think this is a very timely message for our current reality. (2020 COVID-19 pandemic)
I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a book addressing real life topics wrapped in a sweet story of flawed people coming together to support one another to find happiness, joy.
What You Wish For
Katherine Center
St. Martin’s Press
July 2020
Freedom.! I won’t let you down.
The story takes place in an elementary where the main characters Samantha and Duncan first meet. Samantha harbors a huge crush on the eccentric and fun-loving teacher, Duncan. However, she is afraid to tell him thinking she will be rejected. Samantha leaves the school when the crush turns deeper into a love she knows she can have. With Duncan. Four years later, Samantha and Duncan then meet again at a remote island town where Duncan is set to be the new principal in the town’s elementary school. This time the free fun-loving Duncan coming to the school is instead a stoic, very serious, all work no play, Duncan who wants to change the sweet, colorfully open, playful elementary school into a jail. Can Samantha bring out the joyful, playful Duncan she loved back before it is too late for all of them? I loved this book! I savored every page. Reading it slowly so I wouldn’t finish it too fast. Lol. It is a wonderful balance of being hopeful, tragic, and hilariously funny. I cried laughing and just cried from the horrific tragedy Duncan went through. The characters were three dimensional and so human. I related to all of them their heartbreak, sorrow, happiness. It wasn’t predictable. I didn’t see the real cause of Duncan’s crisis coming. I thought it was going to be something completely different. The message of the book is brilliant. It is both positive and hopeful and in these trying, frustrating times we need this message to be heard. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and will not be my last. I’m so glad I found Katerine Center and will be reading more of her books. I’d like to thank NETGALLEY.com as well as the publisher who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book started out upbeat and I was thinking this is going to be a really good book to read now with all that is going on today. As I read the tone changed, the beloved principal died, and we meet Duncan. Sam had fallen in love with Duncan when they worked at a different school and when she see him again, he wasn’t the Duncan she knew and fell in love with.
We learn how things change so drastically after the principal dies for this school. The author writes so it makes you feel you are part of the story. What I like most about this book is even when the author was showing us the disappointments and things I didn’t like going on, I could feel that hang in there and see what is going to happen. This school banded together and started making the changes needed to take back their school. There is always hope. This was a story that covers many issues but it is written to make the reader understand.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. This book had so much more than I expected and when I had finished reading the book, it felt like we had all come full circle and was back where we were supposed to be.
Katherine Center’s What You Wish For is a nuanced, poignant examination of grief and trauma that leaves the reader feeling happy and hopeful.
Samantha Casey has always felt like an outsider. After an unrequited crush on a fellow teacher sends her on the lookout for a new job, she finds her place amongst the tight-knit community of Galveston, Texas as the librarian of the local elementary school. Duncan Carpenter used to be the goofy teacher who wore crazy socks and juggled for his class, but when he arrives in Galveston as the replacement for the town’s beloved principal, he’s stiff and serious. Sam is shocked that Duncan, who also happens to be her former crush, has changed so much, and is determined to get to the bottom of it. That, or send him packing before he ruins the school she loves so much.
Center has a knack for creating wonderfully flawed characters who you simultaneously want to hug and to shake. Sam’s insecurities and actions are difficult to read about sometimes, because she’s so blind to how others feel about her; however, because of that, they feel really authentic. Center’s examination of Duncan’s trauma and how it changes him is also done in a compelling and sensitive way. There are various supporting characters who enrich the story and help give it life, even down to those who are barely peripheral. Make no mistake, this is mostly a drama, with some romance mixed in there. More importantly, it’s an examination and a journey into the lives of two people who feel like they’re all alone and how finding their joy helps redeem them.
In all, I think this is another carefully crafted success from Katherine Center. Fans and new readers alike will not be disappointed.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review.
4.5 Joyful Stars
I really do enjoy Katherine Center’s storytelling. Her stories are more than just romance with a message or a message with romance. Her words paint a beautiful picture whether it’s a character or setting – a person you want to know or a place you’d like to be. She infuses them with funny thought and banter. And even though it’s generally only in one perspective, I never miss out or desire the other one.
Set in Galveston, Texas, What You Wish For centers around Sam Casey who is the quirky librarian for The Kempner School. Enter Duncan Carpenter as the new principal and the one that got away. Both with baggage and secrets. They are not who they used to be and their journey of discovery was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. And while the romance was swoon-worthy, it’s not the only thing going for the story. The secondary characters never fail to add more oomph. They aren’t just background fodder. They are placed perfectly.
My only complaint with Ms. Center’s stories is that I wish they didn’t end.
What You Wish For by Katherine Center is a great, breezy, feel-good romance. It was so addictive, I was able to read it in one day.
I have enjoyed several of Ms. Center’s books (especially Things You Save in a Fire) in the past, so I was so excited to enter her world again. Getting to meet Samantha and Duncan and finding out their shared past, their separate trials, how they ended up near one another again, and their new path forward was so exciting and heartwarming. I felt as if I was right here with them. I enjoyed their paths and the happy ending. One finishes the book wishing that everything in life can end on a positive note.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
This is exactly the book we all need right now to remind us to find the little joys in life, not to live in fear, and “Never Miss a Chance to Celebrate.”
I stayed up until four in the morning reading this story. I couldn’t put it down, and yet I woke feeling refreshed, happy, and lighter than I had in days. That’s what a good book can do, it can erase your stress and restore your faith and hope.
The characters were wonderful with complex, and complicated backgrounds, but you instantly are attracted to them. Sam is so much fun, yet there’s a strength to her that she didn’t know she had that pops out at times and makes you cheer her on. And at other times, she’ll break your heart with her fears and doubts and insecurities. Duncan sounds like the most amazing—and fun—guy you’d ever meet and then you meet him and he’s anything but. It makes you crave to know his history and you’ll find yourself rooting for him to find his joy in life again.
The story is classified as women’s or family life fiction, but it’s so much more. It’s a romance in the truest since of the word, a love story, a tale of friendship, and yes, family drama. While it tugged at my heart, it wasn’t depressing, although it had its sad moments. Katherine Center has a way of writing about some of life’s toughest moments in way that lifts the character and the reader up, and reminds us that we are stronger than we know, that there is good even in the bad, and leaves you (or at least this reader) craving more from her.
I don’t know if the world will still be as despondent when the book releases in July, but one thing I’ve learned is we always need hope, laughter and love, and you’ll find it here. Do yourself a favor and pre-order this book now!
I am a huge fan of Katherine Center. She writes fantastic stories that touch me deeply. What You Wish For is another gem to add to her collection. I love her titles and book covers!
This story is about overcoming fears. It is realistic, emotional, heartbreaking and uplifting. The two main characters are the result of past situations (as we all are). Choosing to find hope and continue to live your best life is not easy, but finding joy each day is a great plan to move forward.
I love the message of this book. At the time I read this book, the world is crazy and finding joy might be the only way to keep sanity, March 2020.
I recommend this What You Wish For very highly! I want to thank NetGalley.com and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the pleasure of reading this book. My review is my own opinion not influenced by receiving the ARC.
This is yet another great novel by Katherine Center. There are complex characters and a terrific plot to capture and hold your interest.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Edited 7/21/20
Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars
I absolutely loved revisiting Duncan and Sam via audiobook. Therese Plummer continues to amaze me with her incredible narration and ability to bring characters to life. Her performance is emotional and heartfelt and I laughed (and cried) all over again while listening to this. She gives each character their own distinct voice (young, old, male, female) and I had no problem distinguishing between characters. I also really loved the author’s note at the end read by Katherine Center. It drove home the importance of choosing and cultivating joy in our lives. Such a wonderful way to experience this book!
*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley*
*****
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 (you can find my review here), 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*