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chrisjentine's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book so much. It made me feel warm and cozy inside - which is what I personally want in romance novels. I was left wondering how the two main characters would end up together throughout the novel and enjoyed seeing it all unfold. Having read Katherine Center before, this might end up being at the top of my list of her novels. Overall fun time, would most definitely recommend.
elainegl's review against another edition
4.0
Really 3.5 stars. I liked this story, but had to listen to it on 1.5 speed because it felt like the descriptions went on and on and on. The writing was a little too wordy to me. The story was great though. I liked the characters and the theme of seizing joy whenever and wherever you can. The narrator for the audiobook was great.
courtneyreads86's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
rouselle's review against another edition
2.0
Sam Carpenter loves her job as a librarian at a well-known experimental school in Galveston, Texas. The school is all about holding activities that students love. Every wall is colorful, and every room is so warm and cozy that students hate to leave.
But when Max, one of the school's founders and Sam's close friend, unexpectedly and tragically dies, the school board is left with no choice but to bring in a new principal.
The new principal is none other than Duncan Carpenter, the principal at her former school that Sam had a huge crush on. So huge was this crush that she had to leave her job and move to a different city to save herself the pain of unrequited love.
It's good for the school that someone like Duncan will be taking over because he has the same fun and youthful spirit like Max. But working with him again means that all the feelings that she's been trying to bury will just come back to the surface.
So to say that Duncan Carpenter is her weakness is a major understatement.
But on Duncan's first day at Kempner School, Sam is shocked at what she sees. His transformation is unbelievable, and not in a good way.
Gone is the Duncan Carpenter who loves to play and joke around and wear colorful outfits and goofy grins. The Duncan Carpenter now is unsmiling, cold, condescending, and too corporate for comfort.
It looks like re-falling in love with Duncan is the least of Sam's worries since this guy is hellbent on making drastic changes at Kempner School.
Changes that will take away everything that their school is known for and will destroy Max Kempner's legacy forever.
I'm a huge Katherine Center fan, and I loved her two earlier novels. But I guess I just have to put this out there. What You Wish For is my least favorite of her books.
Why? Because there’s so much tell and not a lot of show. There’s so much repetition about what Duncan was like in Sam’s old school. I get it — he’s super cool and so amazing, so please let’s not hate him! I didn’t hate him, but I was just so annoyed that so many chapters were devoted to this unbelievable crush.
What I wished for was a lighthearted and romantic book that will take me away and make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Unfortunately, all I got was an overly positive and cheesy story with two characters that are a bit too much.
I appreciate the sweet message that the author is trying to convey. Joy is a wonderful thing, but this book is too saccharine for me to take this message seriously. I thought it was weak, rushed, and predictable. The story just lost steam for me early on and failed to pull me in or make me connect with the characters.
I know the author is going for a sweet , cute, and quirky female lead, but why did I think she was just a scatterbrained and reckless girl?
In her next book, I wish Katherine Center can bring back the inspiring, fun, relatable characters and irresistible charm that her books are so known for.
But when Max, one of the school's founders and Sam's close friend, unexpectedly and tragically dies, the school board is left with no choice but to bring in a new principal.
The new principal is none other than Duncan Carpenter, the principal at her former school that Sam had a huge crush on. So huge was this crush that she had to leave her job and move to a different city to save herself the pain of unrequited love.
It's good for the school that someone like Duncan will be taking over because he has the same fun and youthful spirit like Max. But working with him again means that all the feelings that she's been trying to bury will just come back to the surface.
So to say that Duncan Carpenter is her weakness is a major understatement.
But on Duncan's first day at Kempner School, Sam is shocked at what she sees. His transformation is unbelievable, and not in a good way.
Gone is the Duncan Carpenter who loves to play and joke around and wear colorful outfits and goofy grins. The Duncan Carpenter now is unsmiling, cold, condescending, and too corporate for comfort.
It looks like re-falling in love with Duncan is the least of Sam's worries since this guy is hellbent on making drastic changes at Kempner School.
Changes that will take away everything that their school is known for and will destroy Max Kempner's legacy forever.
I'm a huge Katherine Center fan, and I loved her two earlier novels. But I guess I just have to put this out there. What You Wish For is my least favorite of her books.
Why? Because there’s so much tell and not a lot of show. There’s so much repetition about what Duncan was like in Sam’s old school. I get it — he’s super cool and so amazing, so please let’s not hate him! I didn’t hate him, but I was just so annoyed that so many chapters were devoted to this unbelievable crush.
What I wished for was a lighthearted and romantic book that will take me away and make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Unfortunately, all I got was an overly positive and cheesy story with two characters that are a bit too much.
I appreciate the sweet message that the author is trying to convey. Joy is a wonderful thing, but this book is too saccharine for me to take this message seriously. I thought it was weak, rushed, and predictable. The story just lost steam for me early on and failed to pull me in or make me connect with the characters.
I know the author is going for a sweet , cute, and quirky female lead, but why did I think she was just a scatterbrained and reckless girl?
In her next book, I wish Katherine Center can bring back the inspiring, fun, relatable characters and irresistible charm that her books are so known for.
laceykarboski's review against another edition
3.0
School librarian Samantha is passionate about her job and her school. When the school's vibrant and joyful principal is replaced, everyone is worried that no one can fill his shoes. Enter Duncan, a teacher and (unrequitted crush) from Samantha's past. But he isn't the creative, funloving person that Samantha remembers. What happened to Duncan? Will he ruin the school? How can Samantha stop him? What follows is a story of trauma, grief, and choice. Can you choose joy?
Sam and Duncan were dealing with real issues in their lives. The readers saw them grappling with trauma and illness and everything that goes along with those. I love that Center's characters and their love stories have depth and that her books often tackle real issues instead of just being "fluffy." I especially loved Alice and little Clay.
I don't know if it's because I'm actually a teacher, but I found the first half of this book to be unrealistic. Samantha seemed immature in a way that wasn't logical (what adult moves states just to avoid someone who (she thinks) doesn't even know she exists?) The staff dynamic and conversations between staff members, along with Duncan's behavior upon his arrival just didn't resonate or feel like anything I've ever seen in a school in my career. I understand that the point was to emphasize the school culture and the insensity of Duncan's approach. But it often felt forced and I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters.
The second half of the book was much more enjoyable. I feel like Sam finally found her voice during her and Duncan's "arrangement". Although I predicted the twist, it was revealed well and resonated with the reader. And Clay. Sweet little Clay. That boy broke my heart and put it back together again on that beach. I hope to see a spinoff book in the future! The message of the story was clear: sometimes you have to choose joy. Although I had my qualms with the first half of the book, I felt that joy by the end. 3.5 stars, rounded down. It wasn't my favorite Katherine Center book, but it still delivered on the warm and fuzzies!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sam and Duncan were dealing with real issues in their lives. The readers saw them grappling with trauma and illness and everything that goes along with those. I love that Center's characters and their love stories have depth and that her books often tackle real issues instead of just being "fluffy." I especially loved Alice and little Clay.
I don't know if it's because I'm actually a teacher, but I found the first half of this book to be unrealistic. Samantha seemed immature in a way that wasn't logical (what adult moves states just to avoid someone who (she thinks) doesn't even know she exists?) The staff dynamic and conversations between staff members, along with Duncan's behavior upon his arrival just didn't resonate or feel like anything I've ever seen in a school in my career. I understand that the point was to emphasize the school culture and the insensity of Duncan's approach. But it often felt forced and I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters.
The second half of the book was much more enjoyable. I feel like Sam finally found her voice during her and Duncan's "arrangement". Although I predicted the twist, it was revealed well and resonated with the reader. And Clay. Sweet little Clay. That boy broke my heart and put it back together again on that beach. I hope to see a spinoff book in the future! The message of the story was clear: sometimes you have to choose joy. Although I had my qualms with the first half of the book, I felt that joy by the end. 3.5 stars, rounded down. It wasn't my favorite Katherine Center book, but it still delivered on the warm and fuzzies!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
emilyprinci's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
sherwoodreads's review against another edition
Sam (Samantha Casey) is living her dream life as a librarian at an innovative and creative elementary school, where her style of injecting fun and color into every day is accepted by all--the entire faculty feels more like family.
But at a birthday party for one of the school leaders, tragedy strikes. A new principal has to be found--and as happens in the World of RomCom, the replacement, Duncan Carpenter, is her former crush. Only this isn't the creative, amazing Duncan who never noticed her. This new iteration of Duncan is unsmiling, repaints the murals gray for obscure reasons having to do with school safety, which is his obsession. Duncan now notices her, but with the deadly fish-eye of RomCom Conflict. . . until she discovers that she's listed as his ride after a medical procedure.
We know what's going to happen, and it does with plenty of heart and appreciation for joy. For a romance novel, this book packs in a lot of dark stuff--school shootings, abusive marriages, epilepsy, bullying, a missing child being just a few. But Center deals with these issues with compassion and at times a very broad brush; the resolution of the missing child turns into one of the book's best scenes.
This was my first encounter with this author. Won't be my last.
Copy provided by NetGalley
But at a birthday party for one of the school leaders, tragedy strikes. A new principal has to be found--and as happens in the World of RomCom, the replacement, Duncan Carpenter, is her former crush. Only this isn't the creative, amazing Duncan who never noticed her. This new iteration of Duncan is unsmiling, repaints the murals gray for obscure reasons having to do with school safety, which is his obsession. Duncan now notices her, but with the deadly fish-eye of RomCom Conflict. . . until she discovers that she's listed as his ride after a medical procedure.
We know what's going to happen, and it does with plenty of heart and appreciation for joy. For a romance novel, this book packs in a lot of dark stuff--school shootings, abusive marriages, epilepsy, bullying, a missing child being just a few. But Center deals with these issues with compassion and at times a very broad brush; the resolution of the missing child turns into one of the book's best scenes.
This was my first encounter with this author. Won't be my last.
Copy provided by NetGalley
za_'s review against another edition
Didn’t like the narrator / main character’s personality