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Book Synopsis
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.
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 new 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 possibly 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.
Review Quotes
Praise for What You Wish For:
One of:People's Book of the week
Refinery29's 17 Brand New 'Beach' Reads For Summer 2020
Parade's Best Beach Reads of 2020
Real Simple's Best Books of 2020
PopSugar's 30 Best New Books to Dive Into This Summer
She Reads' Best Beach Reads of Summer 2020 "This charming, often lighthearted novel touches on serious issues and celebrates the power of joy to trump fear and despair." --People [A] fast-paced tale steeped with whimsical plot points. This is one for the beach bag. -- Publishers Weekly 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) Katherine Center excels at writing gentle, beautifully crafted romances.-- PopSugar "What You Wish For is a bona fide explosion of happiness packaged in book form. A compassionate story of grief and resilience, What You Wish For is also a vital reminder that joy is not just something that happens to us but also something we have the power to choose... Center has created for her readers a quirky confection that celebrates life in all its imperfect glory and delivers a much-needed dose of optimism." -- Bookpage What You Wish For has Center's signature sprightly style and is a bubbly tonic to chase away the blues. --Augusta Chronicle
About the Author
KATHERINE CENTER is the New York Times bestselling author of over a half dozen novels, including What You Wish For, Things You Save in a Fire, and How to Walk Away. Katherine has been compared to Nora Ephron and Jane Austen. The Dallas Morning News calls her stories, "satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way." Katherine recently gave a TEDx talk on how stories teach empathy. Her work has appeared in USA Today, InStyle, Redbook, People, The Atlantic, Real Simple, and more. She lives in Houston with her husband and two kids.Dimensions (Overall): 9 Inches (H) x 1 Inches (W) x 6 Inches (D)
Weight: 1 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 368
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Women
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Format: Paperback
Author: Katherine Center
Language: English
Street Date: July 13, 2021
TCIN: 81217133
UPC: 9781250219374
Item Number (DPCI): 059-04-0565
Origin: Made in the USA
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1 inches length x 5.38 inches width x 8.25 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1 pounds
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4.8 out of 5 stars with 8 reviews
100% would recommend
2 recommendations
Choose joy!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Miriam - 2 years ago
My friends and I have a book club called “ read for joy book club”. This book was the perfect fit for our book club. We laughed and cry in between. As fellow educators we were so surprised about a topic Katherine Center writes about. It gave us all the feels and enjoyed how relatable the characters were in the educational setting. I giggled like a middles school girl most of the time. I can’t wait for the body guard book to be released
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Jace - 4 years ago
Katherine Center writes soul food, and that’s exactly what this is. She somehow writes books that are the perfect escape from reality and have you cheesing the whole time, while also providing profound life advice. She takes intense situations and brings a lightness to them that helps readers relate a bit to the situation while honoring them completely. I’m not sure how she creates characters that feel like the parts of me that I can’t even put into words, but she nails it! For fans of Happiness for Beginners, this is the perfect spin off!! Will leave you completely happy and satisfied. Katherine Center please never stop writing, you are my favorite!
Find. Joy.
4 out of 5 stars
Perriknows - 4 years ago
Embrace. Joy. Life will give you a crap hand sometimes, but there is always SOMETHING that will bring you joy. This was my takeaway from What You Wish For.
Sure, people die, and some people don’t like you. People will back stab you and try to make you miserable. People in your past will change and might even paint over your mural. Your job is to find a way to make your life joyful no matter what you must face.
Sometimes, a perceived tragedy just might make all your issues so small that when you look back on them, you realize they were nothing at all. A child’s words can make you understand how to move forward and accept what you must do.
Although this book began very slowly for me, I quickly got caught up in the story. Four stars because I thought the end was a bit rushed, but I found joy when reading this book, and that is what matters.
living life in full color
5 out of 5 stars
momof3boysj - 4 years ago
A wonderful book which follows a woman after a health crisis. She chooses to live her life to the fullest, in a world of color instead of neutrals, enjoying all it has to offer. When a man from her past comes to her school, she's shocked to find how he has changed. Little by little, it's revealed why he is different, and with her ebullient influence, he finds his way back to living life. Their journey shows you can get what you wish for.
**Received an ARC from netgalley**
A great summer read!
4 out of 5 stars
Akbaird - 4 years ago
A well written story, that was entertaining. Brought out different emotions as you read it. This would make a great beach read!