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booksandcoffeewithlexi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Medical content and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
readingwithmeredith's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
What a unique and emotional story! I laughed, I audibly gasped, I teared up, and just fell in love with this story. It was so much deeper of a story than I expected and I really enjoyed it. The only thing was that a few moments I really got mad at the characters and their choices and that kept it from being a 5 star read, but it definitely was a great book. Definitely some heavier themes in this that are spoilers.
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Major PTSDcassidya27's review against another edition
4.75
Moderate: Mass/school shootings
A small description of a school shooting.yesdnil's review against another edition
- 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
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."
Graphic: Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
pagesand_polish's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Mass/school shootings and Medical trauma
nadiamasood's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
While the romance is OTT, I loved the school setting and the eccentric and quirky characters!
This is the kind of book you read simply for the pure pleasure of reading. The narration by Thérèse Plummer made this audiobook such a pleasure to listen to!
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, and Mass/school shootings
xayide7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Mass/school shootings
christinao90's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Mass/school shootings
tiqualovett's review against another edition
- 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 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.
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.
Definitely a 4 star read. Medium pacing, good character development, good story progression.
Graphic: Death and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Grief
melc716's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Trigger warning: school shooting
Graphic: Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Mass/school shootings