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jsjarvis71's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book. It is a story of 2 women who are brought together through fate. Lindsay Hall had a vision in high school of someone that she used to be in a previous life and the girl that she loved. It was a vision that had haunted her for years. After painting her lost love for the first time, Ren Christofer comes to town. At first sight, Lindsay knows this was her lost love. The two connect instantly and their passion for each other is on point, this being Lindsay's first relationship with a woman. As their relationship is taking off, they grow closer to one of Lindsay's old teachers who had been a closeted lesbian for years since it was not accepted in her age. As things develop, a surprise is revealed and Lindsay's past with it.
This story is just an amazing work of fiction that takes the reader through 3 generations of lesbians in this small town and how society treated each of them. It touches on so many ways that people have hurt others through bigotry of someone else's sexual preference. The story is sweet, funny, and at times, heart-wrenching. This one will go on my favorites list to be read again. It is highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
This story is just an amazing work of fiction that takes the reader through 3 generations of lesbians in this small town and how society treated each of them. It touches on so many ways that people have hurt others through bigotry of someone else's sexual preference. The story is sweet, funny, and at times, heart-wrenching. This one will go on my favorites list to be read again. It is highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
3.0
I'm conflicted on Waiting for You. I'm not sure how to rate it or discuss it. I don't know if it's just me at this moment or if the things that bothered me were legit. These are strange times we're living in and my emotions and anxiety have me all over the place...
I thought the premise sounded interesting and there were definitely aspects of it that I enjoyed reading about. The chemistry and sex scenes between Ren and Lindsay were good, too. I was put off by Patty. A lot. Deb was easier to take. I think the funny best friends were a bit too much for me. I felt like the tone of the book was sort of all over the place. Again, it might just be me. I also don't feel great about the quick wrap up in the epilogue. It was just too... well, quick and perfect.
Like I said, I'm very conflicted. Hopefully, you won't be and you'll love it.
I thought the premise sounded interesting and there were definitely aspects of it that I enjoyed reading about. The chemistry and sex scenes between Ren and Lindsay were good, too. I was put off by Patty. A lot. Deb was easier to take. I think the funny best friends were a bit too much for me. I felt like the tone of the book was sort of all over the place. Again, it might just be me. I also don't feel great about the quick wrap up in the epilogue. It was just too... well, quick and perfect.
Like I said, I'm very conflicted. Hopefully, you won't be and you'll love it.
mischievous_monkey's review
3.0
The premise and storyline of this book were very good. I really enjoyed the small town setting, close friendships and the inclusion of an elderly character (her storyline was especially moving). I almost turned the audiobook off because the narrator's choice of voice for Patty was really grating and the beginning of the book was very dialogue driven and the dialogue was nonstop banter. I am glad I stuck it out.
aliu6's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Lindsay Hall has memories of a past life and a past love. It has helped her become a successful painter, known for her portraits of a boy who doesn't exist anywhere except in her mind. However, her visions of the past haven't done her any favors in her personal life, and now Lindsay is a divorced mother, still chasing the ghost of a beautiful woman named Roo who her past self was in love with. Then Ren Christopher speeds into town, and Lindsay is sure Ren is Roo reborn. The two women are drawn to each other immediately, but Ren is leaving for Paris in two weeks and she doesn't really buy into Lindsay's reincarnation stuff either. Will Lindsay and Ren be forced apart like they were back in their past lives, or was their love really meant to be?
cw: homophobia (in the past)
First, I want to say that when I was deciding whether to request this book on Netgalley, I was a bit hesitant because the blurb sounded a little kooky. But then I was like, it's Elle Spencer and, let me tell you, she did not disappoint.
The Characters: I loved almost all of them. Spencer uses a large and varied cast of side characters to add to the plot, so the book really captures the small-town feel, where everyone is in each others' business. It also made for a more intricate plot. That being said, I would also have been totally satisfied if Lindsay and Roo were the sole focus of the story. They are so cute together, and hot! They both have fully fleshed out personalities, and it was easy to fall in love with both of them.
The Plot: This is not your average romance, as you can probably tell by the blurb. It was really interesting to watch the story unfold, since Lindsay ends up remember more and more details of her past life. The side plots with the other townspeople were also really interesting and did not detract from the main romance plot.
The Writing: I always love Elle Spencer's dialogue. She makes it flow so well, and I can always expect flirting, teasing, and witty comebacks. This book was no exception and in fact raised the bar in my opinion.
Cons: Not a big con, but the character of Patty rubbed me the wrong way a bit. Perhaps partially because I felt awkward about her being interested in both Lindsay and Ren at different points in the story. Some of her lines also didn't quite land for me, and she comes off as rash and immature. Still, she has her moments, and she's a good friend to Lindsay for the most part.
All in all: Would recommend this book! It's definitely something new and a really enjoyable read.
** I received an ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Lindsay Hall has memories of a past life and a past love. It has helped her become a successful painter, known for her portraits of a boy who doesn't exist anywhere except in her mind. However, her visions of the past haven't done her any favors in her personal life, and now Lindsay is a divorced mother, still chasing the ghost of a beautiful woman named Roo who her past self was in love with. Then Ren Christopher speeds into town, and Lindsay is sure Ren is Roo reborn. The two women are drawn to each other immediately, but Ren is leaving for Paris in two weeks and she doesn't really buy into Lindsay's reincarnation stuff either. Will Lindsay and Ren be forced apart like they were back in their past lives, or was their love really meant to be?
cw: homophobia (in the past)
First, I want to say that when I was deciding whether to request this book on Netgalley, I was a bit hesitant because the blurb sounded a little kooky. But then I was like, it's Elle Spencer and, let me tell you, she did not disappoint.
The Characters: I loved almost all of them. Spencer uses a large and varied cast of side characters to add to the plot, so the book really captures the small-town feel, where everyone is in each others' business. It also made for a more intricate plot. That being said, I would also have been totally satisfied if Lindsay and Roo were the sole focus of the story. They are so cute together, and hot! They both have fully fleshed out personalities, and it was easy to fall in love with both of them.
The Plot: This is not your average romance, as you can probably tell by the blurb. It was really interesting to watch the story unfold, since Lindsay ends up remember more and more details of her past life. The side plots with the other townspeople were also really interesting and did not detract from the main romance plot.
The Writing: I always love Elle Spencer's dialogue. She makes it flow so well, and I can always expect flirting, teasing, and witty comebacks. This book was no exception and in fact raised the bar in my opinion.
Cons: Not a big con, but the character of Patty rubbed me the wrong way a bit. Perhaps partially because I felt awkward about her being interested in both Lindsay and Ren at different points in the story. Some of her lines also didn't quite land for me, and she comes off as rash and immature. Still, she has her moments, and she's a good friend to Lindsay for the most part.
All in all: Would recommend this book! It's definitely something new and a really enjoyable read.
** I received an ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
banrions's review
4.0
Overall I enjoyed a solid bit of this book. I think this is closer to a 3.75 for me, but I rounded up to a 4 because I enjoyed a lot more than I disliked.
I loved the characters. Lindsay and Ren were both really fleshed out, interesting, and their dynamic made you (or me, at least) want to root for them. I adored both voices that narrator Lori Prince used for each of them, and that only further added to my liking them as characters. The teenagers, Brooke and Corey were well rounded and realistic and while there was a lot to like in theory about both MC’s best friends Patty and Deb, respectably, those two fell a little short, for me personally. I found both of their “antics” and quirks a little irritating after a while. Both of the constant nicknames, and jokes and bits that went on just a little too long, and were often a little too much “I am being a quirky and lovable character right now, see!?” And it became a little grating. But that’s a ymmv humor is subjective type of thing. I did absolutely love the character of Mrs Stokely, and I loved all of the scenes of the women hanging out and interacting as a group.
While overall I really enjoyed this, and I found the past life stuff to be really fun and a trope I enjoy, the ending felt a bit too rushed. I really wish it had been given at the very least one more chapter, but I think it might have benefited from even two or three more. The epilogue just tried a bit to hard to cram in a HFN (which is fine!) but it absolutely had a feeling of rushing to the end.
I’ve enjoyed the other book by Elle Spencer that I’ve read (well, listened actually) 30 Dates in 30 Days, and I absolutely adore the way Lori Prince brought both of them to life. I’ll def check out others by this author in the future.
I loved the characters. Lindsay and Ren were both really fleshed out, interesting, and their dynamic made you (or me, at least) want to root for them. I adored both voices that narrator Lori Prince used for each of them, and that only further added to my liking them as characters. The teenagers, Brooke and Corey were well rounded and realistic and while there was a lot to like in theory about both MC’s best friends Patty and Deb, respectably, those two fell a little short, for me personally. I found both of their “antics” and quirks a little irritating after a while. Both of the constant nicknames, and jokes and bits that went on just a little too long, and were often a little too much “I am being a quirky and lovable character right now, see!?” And it became a little grating. But that’s a ymmv humor is subjective type of thing. I did absolutely love the character of Mrs Stokely, and I loved all of the scenes of the women hanging out and interacting as a group.
While overall I really enjoyed this, and I found the past life stuff to be really fun and a trope I enjoy, the ending felt a bit too rushed. I really wish it had been given at the very least one more chapter, but I think it might have benefited from even two or three more. The epilogue just tried a bit to hard to cram in a HFN (which is fine!) but it absolutely had a feeling of rushing to the end.
I’ve enjoyed the other book by Elle Spencer that I’ve read (well, listened actually) 30 Dates in 30 Days, and I absolutely adore the way Lori Prince brought both of them to life. I’ll def check out others by this author in the future.
hsinjulit's review against another edition
5.0
Ever since Lindsay learned about her past-life lover Roo while hypnotized with her BFF Patty in high school, she couldn't forget her. Now, in her late thirties, Lindsay was divorced with a teenage daughter Brooke, painting a little boy no one knew and Roo. When Ren dropped by the small town of Salt Creek visiting her BFF Deb before moving to work in Paris, Lindsay promptly fainted at the sight of her.
I cannot stress how much I enjoyed the whole story. It was way cuter than I had anticipated, filled with raw feelings, funny banters, and so much love between friends, family, and lovers. I always love an emotional read with a bit of pain and lots of love. Spencer did just that and more in Waiting for You. The tenderness of Lindsay and Ren's relationship was beautiful, and both of them and their friends were genuinely wonderful people. I love every single one of them.
The story is unique with main and secondary characters spanning across multiple generations. And I do not mean past lives. Mrs. Stokely was close to eighty while Lindsay, Patty, Ren, and Deb were in their late thirties. Then there were the seventeen-year-olds, Brooke and Deb's daughter Corey. They enriched the book with perspectives and life events that only people in very different stages of life could have had.
Maybe it was because of the paintings, or the short two-week time frame Ren had, Waiting for You reminded me of Portrait of a Lady on Fire. The ending of the movie was not exactly a happily-ever-after, but an open-ended longing. While romance novels aways have happy endings, this book would still be as good if it ended like that.
In addition to the wonderful characters and plot, I have to give a shoutout to the bi+ representation. Though Lindsay never dated women until Ren, her attraction to women was always valid. I am glad Lindsay clarified that.
Waiting for You was my first Elle Spencer read, and I fell in love. I will definitely be reading more of her works.
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I cannot stress how much I enjoyed the whole story. It was way cuter than I had anticipated, filled with raw feelings, funny banters, and so much love between friends, family, and lovers. I always love an emotional read with a bit of pain and lots of love. Spencer did just that and more in Waiting for You. The tenderness of Lindsay and Ren's relationship was beautiful, and both of them and their friends were genuinely wonderful people. I love every single one of them.
Could it be that the simple act most people took for granted—that of freely expressing love for another person—could change someone’s demeanor this much? Of course it could, Lindsay thought.
The story is unique with main and secondary characters spanning across multiple generations. And I do not mean past lives. Mrs. Stokely was close to eighty while Lindsay, Patty, Ren, and Deb were in their late thirties. Then there were the seventeen-year-olds, Brooke and Deb's daughter Corey. They enriched the book with perspectives and life events that only people in very different stages of life could have had.
Lindsay liked to imagine her studio as a place where, for the first time in a long time, they were forced to reflect on stillness. The moment they gave in to the stillness was the moment she sought to capture. It was something she’d never seen in a photograph.
Maybe it was because of the paintings, or the short two-week time frame Ren had, Waiting for You reminded me of Portrait of a Lady on Fire. The ending of the movie was not exactly a happily-ever-after, but an open-ended longing. While romance novels aways have happy endings, this book would still be as good if it ended like that.
In addition to the wonderful characters and plot, I have to give a shoutout to the bi+ representation. Though Lindsay never dated women until Ren, her attraction to women was always valid. I am glad Lindsay clarified that.
Waiting for You was my first Elle Spencer read, and I fell in love. I will definitely be reading more of her works.
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
jennabeebs79's review against another edition
5.0
Elle Spencer, once again, has created an original plot with relatable, well rounded characters. Lyndsay’s moment in time where she saw her past, effected her future so greatly that she spent her life fixated on Roo. When she saw Ren at You Moca Me Crazy and passed out, nothing for either of them would ever be the same. The dialogue between the characters was witty and I found the supporting characters added just as much, if not more to the story than our mains. Elle Spencer has written another amazing read. I highly recommend this book!
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
hhushaw's review against another edition
5.0
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. Wow. Elle Spence has written one of my favorite books but I was left disappointed with the few she has recently released. This book has proven me wrong and that she is an absolutely amazing writer. The dialogue between the characters had me literally laughing out loud and giggles continuing after, that's what immediately drew me into the story. Then when Ren and Lindsay meet the book went to explosive new levels. The underlying sub plot of a second life and the secondary character of Mrs. Stokely... wow. I would love a second book with Patty, she was hilarious!! This was an outstanding book and I am so excited for future books from Spencer.
audreykerr's review against another edition
1.0
I don't know what I was expecting...but this was not it.
I enjoyed the first 40% or so and was leaning towards a 3 star, enjoyable but not memorable fun.
Characters weren't developed enough, the plot and conflict was just....weirdly handled.
There were too many side plots and side characters who needed to have something happen to them, like a lot of it added nothing to the story. I did enjoy the teacher's side plot though....but again, not really a part of the story. Nothing was handled well, all the adult characters were acting far younger than they were. So many little things just added up to annoy me because they just seemed to be thrown in for a little bit of conflict but not really addressed again? And then we got to the first use of the word panties which was used over and over and over again and just
I enjoyed the first 40% or so and was leaning towards a 3 star, enjoyable but not memorable fun.
Characters weren't developed enough, the plot and conflict was just....weirdly handled.
There were too many side plots and side characters who needed to have something happen to them, like a lot of it added nothing to the story. I did enjoy the teacher's side plot though....but again, not really a part of the story. Nothing was handled well, all the adult characters were acting far younger than they were. So many little things just added up to annoy me because they just seemed to be thrown in for a little bit of conflict but not really addressed again? And then we got to the first use of the word panties which was used over and over and over again and just