What You Wish For by Katherine Center
From Katherine Center, the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel full of heart and hope.
Samantha Casey loves everything about her job as an elementary school librarian on the sunny, historic island of Galveston, Texas—the goofy kids, the stately Victorian building, the butterfly garden. But when the school suddenly loses its beloved principal, it turns out his replacement will be none other than Duncan Carpenter—a former, unrequited crush of Sam’s from many years before.
When Duncan shows up as her new boss, though, he’s nothing like the sweet teacher she once swooned over. He’s become stiff, and humorless, and obsessed with school safety. Now, with Duncan determined to destroy everything Sam loves about her school in the name of security—and turn it into nothing short of a prison—Sam has to stand up for everyone she cares about before the school that’s become her home is gone for good.
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I had wished to read this book and what I wished for did come true! ;)
I have loved Katherine Center's writing ever since I read Happiness for Beginners a few years back, and I've loved reading her books everytime a new one comes out.
What You Wish For follows Samantha Casey, an elementary school librarian and Duncan Carpenter, the school's new principal. Sam remembers Duncan from the last school that she worked at a few years back, and she's a little embarrassed and scared by his arrival as she used to have a huge unrequited crush on him that never went anywhere.
Though she wasn't expecting things to be the same as before, she would have never thought that the arrival of Duncan would bring in so many changes to her beloved school. And what is even more surprising to her is the man that Duncan has changed into. Gone is the fun-loving, joyful teacher that she knew and he has been replaced by a serious man who is set on imposing new rules and measures in their school.
With a flurry of events, Sam is left with two choices - either to run away like before or to stay and fight for what she loves.
Katherine Center is exceptional at writing realistic and human characters and this book has them too. I loved Sam and her friend Alice along with the late principal's wife Babette! I was also really excited that Duncan, Helen's brother(Helen is the protagonist in Happiness for Beginners) was the main character in this one! I was quite sad to see the changes that time and the events had brought him in, but it was equally fun to see Sam and the others help him get back to his old self.
On the other hand, what I did find a little disappointing was the way the plot moved in this book. It felt more like an inspirational rom-com at times, rather than a usual Katherine Center book. Some things weren't subtle at all and I felt like the author was pushing in one too many things on the characters.
The way the author showcased epilepsy and the after effects that shootings have on one's psyche was really beautiful and deserves appreciation! With all the news that we see and the school shootings that keep happening, it's really important to remember that the victims suffer from long-lasting pain! The theme of 'choosing joy' was also a significant part of the story and I loved that!
Additionally, I also loved Helen and Jake's cameo in this book!
Though, I wouldn't say I loved this one as much as I loved Happiness for Beginners or Things You Save in a Fire, it was still a beautiful read that left me feeling happy and content. And if you haven't picked a Katherine Center book yet, what are you waiting for?
*I was provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Katherine Center is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire, as well as five others, including Happiness for Beginners. Her fourth novel, The Lost Husband, is soon to be a movie starring Leslie Bibb and Josh Duhamel. Katherine has been compared to both Nora Ephron and Jane Austen, and the Dallas Morning Newscalls her stories, “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” Katherine recently gave a TEDx talk on how stories teach us empathy, and her work has appeared in O Magazine, USA Today, InStyle, Redbook, People, The Atlantic, Real Simple, and others. Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband and two sweet kids.
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I am a big fan of katherine center. I love her Happiness for Beginners, things you save in fire and how to walk away. This book seems like an usual KC magic. Thanks for the review. Cant wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteThank You! <3 I hope you love it!
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