What You Wish For - Opinion and Review

The following review will be considered a RAVE since What You Wish For by Katherine Center was one of the best books I've read this year, and I cannot stop gushing about it!

Samantha (Sam) Casey is a young librarian at one of the most creative, welcoming elementary schools in Texas. She's full of life, and loves her job. But everything comes crashing down when the beloved head of school, Max Kempner, suddenly dies at a school function from a PE. A new principal is hired to take over, Duncan Carpenter, who happens to be from Sam's past. She's both nervous and excited to see him again, having once been very mousy and unremarkable. But Duncan was full of life, happiness, and Sam just knows that he's going to be the best addition to the school. Until he arrives.

The Duncan that arrived is not the Duncan she remembers. His only priority is to keep the students and teachers at the Kempner school safe from harm. He takes away all the color that was previously in the halls, and the place starts to feel more like a prison. And worst of all, he doesn't seem to acknowledge that he knows Sam. She takes it upon herself to save the school and restore it to it's former glory, and in the process, befriends the new school principal, learning that he has never forgotten her, and feelings start to grow. She tries to help him see that the world isn't as scary as he's making it out to be, but learns more about his past and why he has the feelings he does. (I don't want to say any more on that, because it's crucial to the storyline and spoiling major plot points is not my style). Their friendship quickly turns into more, and Katherine Center knows how to show this through the pages. Sam and Duncan quickly become one of my favorite couples.

What You Wish For is easily one of my favorite books from 2021 thus far. It's the second book I've read by her, and I can say, with confidence, that she's joined the rankings to being one of my favorite authors! It's no surprise that I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Dates read: April 6, 2021 - April 7, 2021