[Thank you @stmartinspress for the gifted book]
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would definitely be JOY.
“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)
In What You Wish For @katherinecenter expertly weaves sadness and pain, with all the fuzzy feels, some laugh out loud personalities, and a heartfelt story I devoured in one day!
Sam is a school librarian who is living her best colorful, joyous life despite things the that could easily hold her back. She loves her job, her friends, and her school – but then tragedy strikes – and someone from her past threatens to upend everything she’s worked so hard to overcome.
I loved how color is almost a character as well – in art throughout the school, and the main characters fashion! Because if you’ve ever seen Katherine Center’s art and style – as well as her stunning covers – you know color is BIG part of her life!
I adored all the quirky characters, her fun Math teacher friend, Alice and her silly T-shirts, and of course, the animals – including a whale (!) and a funny dog named Chuck Norris!
“This charming, often lighthearted novel touches on serious issues and celebrates the power of joy to trump fear and despair.” ― People
It’s an adorable story, that I was happy to read – about being brave, taking chances, and finding joy within yourself and all around you.
What brings you joy?
You can grab this fun one here!
- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (July 14, 2020)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1250219361
- ISBN-13: 978-1250219367
About the book:
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 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.
About the Author:
Katherine Center’s new novel is WHAT YOU WISH FOR. She’s the author of How to Walk Away and Things You Save in a Fire—both instant New York Times bestsellers—as well as The Lost Husband (now a movie starring Josh Duhamel), and five other bittersweet comic novels. She writes laugh-and-cry books about how life knocks us down—and how we get back up. Katherine has been compared to both Nora Ephron and Jane Austen, and the Dallas Morning News calls her stories, “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” Her books have made countless Best-Of lists, including Amazon’s Top 100 Books of 2019, Goodreads’ Best Books of the Year 2019, BookBub’s Best-Loved Books of 2019, the Indie Next Great Reads List, SheReads’ Best Women’s Fiction 2019, BookList’s Top Ten Women’s Fiction, and many, many more. Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two kids, and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.
BOOKAPOTAMUS 
I agree, especially the heroine was so joyful. I actually missed the author’s more emotional plots, since this book didn’t deliver quite the punch I was used to. 😀
~ Corina | The Brown Eyed Bookworm
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It was definitely a different vibe but I enjoyed it! Can’t wait for the next one!
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