chelseadennreads's review against another edition
5.0
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Samantha (AKA Sam) is a school librarian who loves everything about her job and school. When her boss unexpectedly dies over the summer, the whole faculty is still in shock when his replacement is announced. Sam gets an even bigger shock when his replacement turns out to be Duncan Carpenter, a former coworker and crush. But this Duncan is not the fun-loving whimsical guy she used to work with. He’s no-nonsense and is determined to make the school safer, even if it means destroying what makes it wonderful. As Sam and Duncan navigate the school year, the both must learn what it means to be brave and find joy in life.
This was my first Katherine Center book and I will definitely be reading more. I chose to read this one first because as a teacher I love reading stories where teachers are the main characters. This book totally took me by surprise. I had no intentions of staying up late to finish it but the storyline sucked me in and her I am at 11:30 writing this review.
This book deals with some deep issues and tricky topics, so I would definitely check the trigger warnings. A lot of the romances I read are definitely more rom-coms, and this is probably more of a straight romance/women’s fiction book in my opinion. But I really loved the overarching theme of this book. Both Sam and Duncan had some things from their past they had to overcome and be brave about. I also loved the lesson of choosing joy. I think a lot of times it is very easy to get caught up in the negative of life, and it can be hard to see the joy. Purposeful joy is what Sam described it as at one point in the book and I loved that term.
This is honestly just a feel good book for me, even with the touchy subject matter. Reading and finishing it just made me feel happy. I can’t wait to read more of Center’s books (I have two more on my bookcase and honestly now I’m about to add The Bodyguard to my October Book of the Month box).
4.5⭐️
This was my first Katherine Center book and I will definitely be reading more. I chose to read this one first because as a teacher I love reading stories where teachers are the main characters. This book totally took me by surprise. I had no intentions of staying up late to finish it but the storyline sucked me in and her I am at 11:30 writing this review.
This book deals with some deep issues and tricky topics, so I would definitely check the trigger warnings. A lot of the romances I read are definitely more rom-coms, and this is probably more of a straight romance/women’s fiction book in my opinion. But I really loved the overarching theme of this book. Both Sam and Duncan had some things from their past they had to overcome and be brave about. I also loved the lesson of choosing joy. I think a lot of times it is very easy to get caught up in the negative of life, and it can be hard to see the joy. Purposeful joy is what Sam described it as at one point in the book and I loved that term.
This is honestly just a feel good book for me, even with the touchy subject matter. Reading and finishing it just made me feel happy. I can’t wait to read more of Center’s books (I have two more on my bookcase and honestly now I’m about to add The Bodyguard to my October Book of the Month box).
4.5⭐️
marryallthepeople's review against another edition
3.0
Cute romance. Good characters, would like it to be made into a cute Netflix movie.
nikki_mcclaran's review against another edition
2.0
Compared to the other books I've read by Katherine Center, this one was by far the most disappointing. The characters felt more like caricatures vs. real people. The scenarios were ridiculous (similar to [b:Things You Save in a Fire|41150382|Things You Save in a Fire|Katherine Center|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539876418l/41150382._SY75_.jpg|64320815]), but felt less satisfying. I read this for a book club so I'm looking forward to what others thought.
jnicely's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.0
courtthebookgirl's review against another edition
3.0
What I loved about this book: A mainstream representation of a woman with epilepsy, the layers of the story of grief and how it impacts people differently, Babette, and the insanely beautiful and colorful descriptions of the library, the campus, and the rollercoaster scene.
What I struggled with: Believing the reason Sam left her last school (really?! really?!), the repeated use of whole names (Kent Buckley, Duncan Carpenter), the broad caricatures that the characters were painted in.
I did like this book a lot. But it’s not my favorite of hers (for that, see: Things You Save in a Fire; I adored that book!). This one (What You Wish For) was big on cheese, but it is also big on heart. 3.5 stars.
What I struggled with: Believing the reason Sam left her last school (really?! really?!), the repeated use of whole names (Kent Buckley, Duncan Carpenter), the broad caricatures that the characters were painted in.
I did like this book a lot. But it’s not my favorite of hers (for that, see: Things You Save in a Fire; I adored that book!). This one (What You Wish For) was big on cheese, but it is also big on heart. 3.5 stars.
windpointlovers's review against another edition
5.0
This is the 2nd book I’ve read by Katherine Center and from now on I know I will read anything she writes! Samantha is a school librarian who moved away from her old life because of a man she thought she’d never be able to have. When he shows up years later at her new school her whole life is turned upside down. But not for the reasons you would think. This book is about love and loss, friendship, forgiveness, and moving on. I loved the characters, I loved the story, and I really just loved everything about this book. Give it a try because you won’t be disappointed!
Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of #whatyouwishfor
Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of #whatyouwishfor
juliescalzo's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️- Katherine Center writes easy to read, feel good stories, which is what I was looking for when I picked this up. This is my third book of hers- I loved Happiness for Beginners & How to Walk Away. This one, I liked but didn’t love.
What I liked: The overall story- it’s about a librarian named Sam who had like the DREAM library in an awesome elementary school in Galveston, Texas. When the principal and founder of the school dies, a guy she used to work with (and be in love with) Duncan is hired as his replacement. But, he’s totally different than he used to be because of trauma he’s recently experienced. I don’t want to give anything else away, but one of the main themes of this book is to choose joy. Finding joy in life despite its hardships is something I think is a good reminder.
What I didn’t like- The two main characters were both too much. I compare it to music just needing to be turned down a notch or two. Sam is just SO over the top quirky with crazy outfits that are constantly described. Duncan is totally different and shut off and out of touch. I felt like they could’ve been dialed back a tad, and it would’ve helped the story to be more realistic. Some of the supporting cast was the same way. Just hard for me as a reader to totally buy in to.
If you’ve previously read Katherine Center & liked her, this is worth checking out. If you haven’t, I definitely recommend starting with How to Walk Away or Happiness for Beginners.
What I liked: The overall story- it’s about a librarian named Sam who had like the DREAM library in an awesome elementary school in Galveston, Texas. When the principal and founder of the school dies, a guy she used to work with (and be in love with) Duncan is hired as his replacement. But, he’s totally different than he used to be because of trauma he’s recently experienced. I don’t want to give anything else away, but one of the main themes of this book is to choose joy. Finding joy in life despite its hardships is something I think is a good reminder.
What I didn’t like- The two main characters were both too much. I compare it to music just needing to be turned down a notch or two. Sam is just SO over the top quirky with crazy outfits that are constantly described. Duncan is totally different and shut off and out of touch. I felt like they could’ve been dialed back a tad, and it would’ve helped the story to be more realistic. Some of the supporting cast was the same way. Just hard for me as a reader to totally buy in to.
If you’ve previously read Katherine Center & liked her, this is worth checking out. If you haven’t, I definitely recommend starting with How to Walk Away or Happiness for Beginners.
itscori15's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars. Only because the morale of the story was good! The story itself though? Cheesy. Cheesy. Too cheesy for my liking. Sam, the MC was 27 but acted more like she was 15…. Anyways, I was disappointed with this one!
klm50331's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic book showing how much life events can change a person. The relationship between Duncan and Sam shows that even when life changes and obstacles occur everyone needs someone to help them get thru. It was so fun to see how Sam brought Duncan out of his shell. A definite must read.
fieberali's review against another edition
4.0
Another gem by Katherine Center that is loosely related to Happiness for Beginners. Like all of her books, the underlying tone is about celebrating life, even in the face of challenges. Makes for an easy listen, for fans of audiobooks (I did a combo).