Reviews

What You Wish for by Katherine Center

alexandriatp's review against another edition

emotional reflective

3.5

ljoy3's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.25

bmorewild's review

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5

ivesreads's review

3.0

A have quite a bit of thoughts on this. Probably my least favorite of her books which is disappointing especially because this follows the world of education. Some parts of this book felt completely wild. It was hard to really love the FMC and MMC throughout the first chunk of this book. This definitely focused on heavy topics that as educators we already deal with on the daily. In some ways it seemed ridiculous that when the MMC is the new principal proposing stuff about safety(even if some of it is warranted) the teachers were freaking out as if it shouldn't be talked about. There is some talk about trauma from the MMC. Of course it's fiction so parts of it I loved especially the little boy Clay(sweetest little bean) and Babette! But this one just didn't completely hit like her other books do. Still had its fun moments though. And the romance was still cute.

kle105's review

4.0

This book certainly brings you on a roller coaster of emotions. It starts off with the loss of the beloved principle of their school. Sam is devastated but even more so when she hears the replacement is her unrequited love that she escaped from just a few years ago.

However, he isn't the man she remembers. Gone is the fun loving happy man, replaced with a stickler for safety. Taking it so overboard as to almost ruin her school. From the butterfly garden, field trips to the ocean for cleanups and the fun murals and bright colors.

Many themes run through the book, including finding joy, happiness and finding balance.

I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

madyweyman's review against another edition

hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

dalidja's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-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

3.75

books_inthewild's review

5.0

Well, I adored this book!
I’ve loved everything by this author- and this may be a favourite!
I related to it mostly because, like the main character, I’m a librarian at an elementary school! I laughed out loud at so many of the school antics, I loved all the quirky teacher characters, and my heart warmed to all the moments with students.
I loved the love story- and I truly loved the character of Samantha. She was perfection!

I listened on audiobook through the Libby app, and enjoyed the reader.

TW- reference to a school shooting. This was very hard to read- and does come up throughout the book.

tyana_m_'s review

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Not my favorite from this author (not terrible but not as charming as the rest of her novels). We do get to revisit Helen and Jack from Happiness for Beginners and that made my heart happy.

megan92985's review

4.0

4.5 ⭐

This was another cute, feel good book that I listened to on audiobook. However, I did it immediately after The Bodyguard and that one just melted me so it was tough competition.