Published: St Martin’s Press
Date: 14th July 2020
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
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.
Set within school life, What You Wish For did hook me and keep me reading. possibly because of my teaching career. It has two main characters who had known each other a few years back and now meet up again at a different school.
Sam has just lost her beloved Principal and the whole staff are still grieving his loss. Duncan appears and he comes in with a bang. He is completely different to what Sam knew of him before. And so for awhile there I was totally horrified by his actions. However when we get to know Duncan more we come to understand.
There are minor characters who are rather sweet, especially the nine year old boy with the very remote and rather unlikeable Dad who also happens to be chairman of the board at the school.
I liked the emphasis on however life is going, take the moments you can, to celebrate and to choose joy – even be a little wacky at times. I also loved Sam’s library set up.
It’s a pleasant story, and if you are looking for a light summer read and you like Katherine Center’s work you can pass a few happy hours with it.
Sounds like an interesting read especially since it’s in a school setting.
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This sounds like a fun one, Kathryn – thanks for the review!
Sue
2020 Big Book Summer Challenge
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I really need a light summer read
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I love the sound of this and I’m glad that Duncan was a redeemed character. This is an author I’ve been really wanting to pick up.
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She is good, I’d go for one of her others first. Last years one was very good.
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This is just what i need right now Kathryn 🙂
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I like the sound of the school setting, different than the usual. Too bad this wasn’t as satisfying for you as her other books.
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I believe I will request this one from my library. It sounds like just the book for me!
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I am almost finished with it, and I’m loving every moment I spend with these characters. I am inspired by the idea of celebrating and choosing joy. Thanks for sharing your great review.
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I’m glad to hear you liked this, Kathryn. I might give it another go at some point.
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Mary it wasn’t my favourite by Katherine Center. I gave it. three stars. If this was the first book of hers I read, I’d be slow to pick up another, so just as well it wasn’t. I think because I’d been a teacher it kept me reading.
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