Reviews with content warning for Grief - What You Wish for

What You Wish For surprised me. Despite initially appearing to be a formulaic love story, the book had a surprising amount of heart, hope, inspiration, and a plot twist or two.

Sam's reflections on joy and her desire to help Duncan move past his trauma/PTSD was life-affirming (despite bordering on Instagram-quote-vibes):

"...joy was the cure for everything. And the more I learned about how it worked, the more I felt like joy was cumulative. That it wasn't about finding one big thing--but about collecting as many tiny pieces as you could."

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tiqualovett's review against another edition

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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.

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.

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.

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cathyo_113's review against another edition

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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

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marciclark's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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kjbreads's review against another edition

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3.0

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jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition

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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.

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gondorgirl's review against another edition

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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

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