What You Wish For By Katherine Center

Rate 3.9 ⭐

"We didn’t fix everything for each other—but we didn’t have to.
We just made a choice to be there."

This is heartbreaking , hopeful,full of grief and definitely heat your heart type of book. Everything about this book is slow ride going into town. This book was finding courage and hope when you have none. It will give you the strength to motivate yourself and go through tough times.

This novel starts very slowly as we get to know Sam, Samantha Casey, just at the time that the principal of her beloved elementary school passes away. He wasn’t just the principal, he was a hero in their rural hometown.So When Sam learns who the new principal is, she is frantic.unrequited crush, Duncan Carpenter, is back in her life and is now her boss, or that this new Duncan is nothing like the man she remembers. Gone is the sweet, goofy man with an infectious joy. New Duncan is an authoritarian killjoy who is obsessed with safety and intent on transforming Kempner into a glorified prison.
She has a long history with Duncan Carpenter as she worked with him for two years at a previous school. she had a major “crush” on him but never acted on it. But Now He is rigid,no smile in his face.

The story is common trope where a girl has a history with someone and then he shows up in her new life. Sam is changed from the mousy girl to a colourful bright happy girl and So is Duncan. He had to go through so many things that changed him completely. Now Sam intent on Duncan to help him remember who he used to be. If she happens to lose her heart to him all over again in the process—well, that’s a risk she’ll have to take.

But for me the novel is quite predictable and they are both hiding secrets. Turns out they both have a problem with telling the people they love how they really feel and opening up to them, including any physical or emotional trauma. If you want a light beach read this would be just the ticket. It was light read, motivational and hopeful at the time.

"Never miss a chance to celebrate."

What you wish for is compassionate story of grief and resilience. It is also a vital reminder that joy is not just something that happens to us but also something we have the power to choose.