You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
tiqualovett's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What You Wish For by Katherine Center was delightful read. As usual, Center has managed to bring this reader through a wide range of emotions. From annoyance to anger and from sad to joyful, this reader felt it all.
What You Wish For was a very heartwarming and uplifting novel that seamlessly blended humor, romance, and self-discovery into a sweet story. Center crafts a compelling narrative around Samantha Casey, a school librarian, whose life takes unexpected turns when the new school principal, Duncan Carpenter, arrives. The characters are beautifully developed, each with their quirks and vulnerabilities, making them relatable and endearing. The story explores themes of resilience, personal growth, and the power of embracing change. Center's writing style is engaging, with a perfect balance of wit and emotion that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.
What You Wish For was a very heartwarming and uplifting novel that seamlessly blended humor, romance, and self-discovery into a sweet story. Center crafts a compelling narrative around Samantha Casey, a school librarian, whose life takes unexpected turns when the new school principal, Duncan Carpenter, arrives. The characters are beautifully developed, each with their quirks and vulnerabilities, making them relatable and endearing. The story explores themes of resilience, personal growth, and the power of embracing change. Center's writing style is engaging, with a perfect balance of wit and emotion that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.
The setting of the novel, the small coastal town of Galveston, adds charm and a sense of community to the story. The pacing was well-executed, allowing for a smooth progression of the plot while building tension and anticipation. The author tackles serious issues with sensitivity, infusing the narrative with a positive and hopeful outlook. "What You Wish For" is a delightful read that will resonate with those who appreciate a mix of laughter, love, and the transformative power of second chances.
This reader really enjoyed watching the characters learn and grow, as individuals and as a team. It was fun to follow the characters through the rough times and the joyous moments.
This reader did not enjoy the fact that Sam was so hopelessly obsessed with Duncan. This was off-putting for the first 25% of the book. However, as the book progressed, this seemed to work itself out to be more bearable. Several of the characters, including Tina and Kent Buckley, were almost overwhelmingly too much at the very beginning of this book.
This reader did really enjoy the pacing of the story and how Center was able to draw her readers into every intended emotion.
This reader really enjoyed watching the characters learn and grow, as individuals and as a team. It was fun to follow the characters through the rough times and the joyous moments.
This reader did not enjoy the fact that Sam was so hopelessly obsessed with Duncan. This was off-putting for the first 25% of the book. However, as the book progressed, this seemed to work itself out to be more bearable. Several of the characters, including Tina and Kent Buckley, were almost overwhelmingly too much at the very beginning of this book.
This reader did really enjoy the pacing of the story and how Center was able to draw her readers into every intended emotion.
In summary, Katherine Center's "What You Wish For" is a delightful gem that earns a solid four-star rating. With its well-developed characters, engaging writing style, and uplifting themes, this novel is a perfect choice for readers seeking a feel-good story with depth and heart. Center has once again proven her ability to craft compelling tales that leave a lasting impression.
Definitely a 4 star read. Medium pacing, good character development, good story progression.
Definitely a 4 star read. Medium pacing, good character development, good story progression.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Grief
kitcat_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mass/school shootings, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, and Grief
marciclark's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Death and Grief
kjbreads's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
susanpevensie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Bullying and Vomit
jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A step above the romantic comedy and chick lit stories that have flooded bookstores and social media. Center explores family and friendship, trauma and healing, and how the stories we tell ourselves impact decisions in ways large and small.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, and Medical content
Minor: Bullying, Mass/school shootings, and Abandonment
gondorgirl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Bullying, Medical content, and Grief
snipinfool's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
CW: School shooting, death, grief
Potential spoiler in review
Samantha Casey felt like she had the best job in the world. She was the librarian at a small private school on Galveston Island. She lived in the garage apartment of the couple who started and ran the school. Max and Babette Kempner felt like second parents to her. Sam and many of the teachers met at the Kempner's on Friday evenings to make plans for both in and out of school. When Max suddenly died during the summer break, no one had any idea of what to do next. Max was the principal and handled the day to day running of the school. Babette was in mourning and unable to step into his place. The school's board quickly hired an outside person as the new principal as the summer was nearing its end. When Sam heard who the replacement would be, she was surprised but excited about the news. She had worked with Duncan Carpenter at her previous school. He was playful, charismatic, and the children adored him. He would be a good fit for the Kempner School. Sam's only concern was Duncan was the reason she left her last job and moved to Galveston. She had developed a crush on him and left to make a new start when he didn't seem to feel the same about her.
The Duncan Sam knew and the Duncan who was the new principal of the Kempner School were not the same. It was the same person, but he was not the fun, carefree teacher from the past. She didn't think Duncan remembered her from their previous school. Duncan started his first meeting with the faculty and staff pointing out how lax the school was relative to security measures. Security would be the number one focus for the year. New rules for school and classroom management were to be enforced immediately. Gone were the days of colorful classrooms and hallways. Gone were field trips and special enrichment projects around the school grounds. The staff were shocked by his dictates and extremely unhappy. Duncan wanted to take away much of what made their school special. Sam was baffled by his personality change. This was a man to used to wear ties covered in cartoon bananas, funny costumes, and juggle items from the student's lunch trays during lunch duty. Who was this new man? When she tried to talk to Duncan, he refused to discuss any changes to his new regulations. Sam and the rest of the staff tried to figure out a way to change Duncan's mind.
I enjoyed this book, although parts were difficult. I loved Sam's character. She loved being a librarian and spent all of her energy making sure her students were exposed to different mediums and points of view surrounded by a fun and comfortable place to read and learn. Duncan was a man forever changed by a horrible event. He wanted to continue what he loved to do, but he struggled to find a way that was not ruled by his fears. One of the strategies the staff tried in the book with Duncan was to remind him of joy and the feeling of being happy as he seemed to have lost that part of himself. Sam, Babette, and the rest of the staff worked to create joyful activities for the students and the staff. It went a long way in helping to heal the grief the students and staff felt over the loss of their beloved principal. It helped to remind Duncan that joy and happiness might help to keep fear at bay. Sam eventually talked Duncan into seeking professional help in addition to the other strategies. I felt Katherine Center did a good job with her character portrayals. The character's actions and reactions made sense within the story. Duncan was a character who was introduced in a previous book, Happiness for Beginners, which I have not read, but plan to soon.
Potential spoiler in review
Samantha Casey felt like she had the best job in the world. She was the librarian at a small private school on Galveston Island. She lived in the garage apartment of the couple who started and ran the school. Max and Babette Kempner felt like second parents to her. Sam and many of the teachers met at the Kempner's on Friday evenings to make plans for both in and out of school. When Max suddenly died during the summer break, no one had any idea of what to do next. Max was the principal and handled the day to day running of the school. Babette was in mourning and unable to step into his place. The school's board quickly hired an outside person as the new principal as the summer was nearing its end. When Sam heard who the replacement would be, she was surprised but excited about the news. She had worked with Duncan Carpenter at her previous school. He was playful, charismatic, and the children adored him. He would be a good fit for the Kempner School. Sam's only concern was Duncan was the reason she left her last job and moved to Galveston. She had developed a crush on him and left to make a new start when he didn't seem to feel the same about her.
The Duncan Sam knew and the Duncan who was the new principal of the Kempner School were not the same. It was the same person, but he was not the fun, carefree teacher from the past. She didn't think Duncan remembered her from their previous school. Duncan started his first meeting with the faculty and staff pointing out how lax the school was relative to security measures. Security would be the number one focus for the year. New rules for school and classroom management were to be enforced immediately. Gone were the days of colorful classrooms and hallways. Gone were field trips and special enrichment projects around the school grounds. The staff were shocked by his dictates and extremely unhappy. Duncan wanted to take away much of what made their school special. Sam was baffled by his personality change. This was a man to used to wear ties covered in cartoon bananas, funny costumes, and juggle items from the student's lunch trays during lunch duty. Who was this new man? When she tried to talk to Duncan, he refused to discuss any changes to his new regulations. Sam and the rest of the staff tried to figure out a way to change Duncan's mind.
I enjoyed this book, although parts were difficult. I loved Sam's character. She loved being a librarian and spent all of her energy making sure her students were exposed to different mediums and points of view surrounded by a fun and comfortable place to read and learn. Duncan was a man forever changed by a horrible event. He wanted to continue what he loved to do, but he struggled to find a way that was not ruled by his fears. One of the strategies the staff tried in the book with Duncan was to remind him of joy and the feeling of being happy as he seemed to have lost that part of himself. Sam, Babette, and the rest of the staff worked to create joyful activities for the students and the staff. It went a long way in helping to heal the grief the students and staff felt over the loss of their beloved principal. It helped to remind Duncan that joy and happiness might help to keep fear at bay. Sam eventually talked Duncan into seeking professional help in addition to the other strategies. I felt Katherine Center did a good job with her character portrayals. The character's actions and reactions made sense within the story. Duncan was a character who was introduced in a previous book, Happiness for Beginners, which I have not read, but plan to soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
missjeann's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship and Death of parent
troxelm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Grief, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Suicide attempt