What You Wish For A Novel by Katherine Center

Book Excerpt:

""The story's message, that people should choose joy even (and especially) in difficult and painful times seems tailor-made for this moment. A timely, uplifting read about finding joy in the midst of tragedy, filled with quirky characters and comforting warmth."—Kirkus (starred review)

From the New York Times, bestselling author of How to Walk Away, comes a stunning new novel full of heart and hope.

Samantha Casey is a school librarian who loves her job, the kids, and her school family with passion and joy for living.
But she wasn't always that way.
Duncan Carpenter is the new school principal who lives by rules and regulations, guided by the knowledge that bad things can happen.
But he wasn't always that way.

And Sam knows it. Because she knew him before—at another school, in a different life. Back then, she loved him—but she was invisible. To him. To everyone. Even to herself. She escaped to a new school, a new job, a unique chance at living. But when Duncan, of all people, gets hired as the new principal there, it feels like the best thing that could possibly happen to the school—and the worst thing that could potentially happen to Sam. Until the opposite turns out to be true. The lovable Duncan she'd known is now a suit-and-tie wearing, rule-enforcing tough guy so hell-bent on protecting the school that he's willing to destroy it.

As the school community spirals into chaos and danger from all corners looms large, Sam and Duncan must find their way to who they really are, what it means to be brave, and how to take a chance on love—which is the riskiest move of all.

With Katherine Center's sparkling dialogue, unforgettable characters, heart, hope, and humanity, What You Wish For is the author at her most compelling best."

Title:  What You Wish For

Author:  Katherine Center

Publisher:  St. Martin Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"What You Wish For" by Katherine Center

My Speculation:  

"What You Wish For" was quite some story leaving one with so many different emotions that changed after

some time.  There were several exciting topics from the read from 'gun violence, physical ailments, overbearing parenting, abandonment, and even more' that will keep you turning the pages to see what was coming next for Sam and Duncan's situation.  By the end, it was good seeing Sam and Duncan coming out and finally getting and finding the joy of just living and not hiding from there past. It was good seeing them learn how to 'embrace the joy even in difficult times and choosing happiness.'  

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's, for this e-ARC, which I genuinely enjoy reading it and giving my honest opinion of the read.