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tasha_moraa's review against another edition
5.0
The impossibility of this book took my breath away. That your love could be so strong that you would defy physics and the order of the world. That I could see the paintings on the walls, smell the baked good that mocha-me-crazy. Feel heart broken for those who had to hide behind lives t o live their truth. It was a profound experience to read and Elle Spencer is quickly become a favorite. 10/10 would recommend.
m0thermayi's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars | Elle Spencer’s books keep getting better and better. While I found Casting Lacey to be just okay, I enjoyed Spencer’s rom-com 30 Dates in 30 Days a lot. There was none of that ~cheap angst I hate in her two latest releases, and I enjoyed Waiting For You even more.
I’m not too sure how to categorize this novel. Is it a paranormal romance? Magical realism? Anyway, when I first read the synopsis, I was a little hesitant, but the cover is gorgeous and it convinced me to give it a shot. Waiting For You has a little bit of everything: humour, drama, a good romance and a bunch of strong women.
The characters in this one are fantastic. The MCs have this intense chemistry between them. The supporting cast is the best I’ve read about in a long while. Most side characters are well-fleshed out, and I loved Mrs. Stockely’s backstory and her forbidden love. It had me teared up quite a few times, especially on Millie’s birthday.
My only real complaint is that I found the end to be a little rushed. Everything was wrapped up quickly, and I didn’t find the ending quite satisfying.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
I’m not too sure how to categorize this novel. Is it a paranormal romance? Magical realism? Anyway, when I first read the synopsis, I was a little hesitant, but the cover is gorgeous and it convinced me to give it a shot. Waiting For You has a little bit of everything: humour, drama, a good romance and a bunch of strong women.
The characters in this one are fantastic. The MCs have this intense chemistry between them. The supporting cast is the best I’ve read about in a long while. Most side characters are well-fleshed out, and I loved Mrs. Stockely’s backstory and her forbidden love. It had me teared up quite a few times, especially on Millie’s birthday.
My only real complaint is that I found the end to be a little rushed. Everything was wrapped up quickly, and I didn’t find the ending quite satisfying.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
patricia71's review against another edition
5.0
Damn what a great book. I usually don’t like books with such a funny banter. Because for me it takes away from the chemistry between the mc’s. Not in this book. The banter was funny(I laughed out loud a couple of times and had a smile on my face almost the entire book)and chemistry was lit. Elle doesn’t write much sex scenes in her books, but the ones she does are always hot
judeinthestars's review against another edition
4.0
I love stories of attraction so strong it rips everything in its wake.
A teenage experiment completely turned Lindsay’s life upside down: she re-lived a past life moment, in which she was desperately in love with another girl, Roo, an experience that left her unsettled enough that that same day, she went all the way with her boyfriend for the first time and got pregnant. Years later, she’s the recently divorced mother of a seventeen-year-old daughter and a respected portrait painter. In between paying clients, she keeps painting the same boy no one knows but with whom she feels a powerful connection. Then, suddenly, one night she paints the woman who hasn’t left her thoughts for so many years. The next day, Ren arrives in town for a two-week visit with her best friend Deb before moving to Paris for her new job. When her eyes fall on her, Lindsay knows Ren is a new incarnation of Roo.
Past lives and reincarnation are not really my thing, and I don’t think I’ve read many lesfic stories on this theme. I really liked that, to those who don’t know about that part of her life, Lindsay mostly appears as a kind and interesting person, a woman who overcame the difficulties of a teenage pregnancy to become a cool and supportive mom, a talented artist without a hint of arrogance. There’s a lot more going on inside her than meets the eye and Ren would probably have fallen for her even without fate playing tricks.
While I loved each and every character (except Lindsay’s ex-husband, Ben, whose name is creepily close to Ren’s, is that fate also?), the MCs and everyone around them, I never completely felt pulled all in. For some reason, I stayed on the surface. I very much Elle Spencer’s writing, however, she’s great with dialogues and banter, which is up there with Melissa Brayden's, and she writes an excellent sex scene. All in all, I had a really good time reading and recommend this novel without hesitation to anyone who wants a smart and very sexy read.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
A teenage experiment completely turned Lindsay’s life upside down: she re-lived a past life moment, in which she was desperately in love with another girl, Roo, an experience that left her unsettled enough that that same day, she went all the way with her boyfriend for the first time and got pregnant. Years later, she’s the recently divorced mother of a seventeen-year-old daughter and a respected portrait painter. In between paying clients, she keeps painting the same boy no one knows but with whom she feels a powerful connection. Then, suddenly, one night she paints the woman who hasn’t left her thoughts for so many years. The next day, Ren arrives in town for a two-week visit with her best friend Deb before moving to Paris for her new job. When her eyes fall on her, Lindsay knows Ren is a new incarnation of Roo.
Past lives and reincarnation are not really my thing, and I don’t think I’ve read many lesfic stories on this theme. I really liked that, to those who don’t know about that part of her life, Lindsay mostly appears as a kind and interesting person, a woman who overcame the difficulties of a teenage pregnancy to become a cool and supportive mom, a talented artist without a hint of arrogance. There’s a lot more going on inside her than meets the eye and Ren would probably have fallen for her even without fate playing tricks.
While I loved each and every character (except Lindsay’s ex-husband, Ben, whose name is creepily close to Ren’s, is that fate also?), the MCs and everyone around them, I never completely felt pulled all in. For some reason, I stayed on the surface. I very much Elle Spencer’s writing, however, she’s great with dialogues and banter, which is up there with Melissa Brayden's, and she writes an excellent sex scene. All in all, I had a really good time reading and recommend this novel without hesitation to anyone who wants a smart and very sexy read.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
elvang's review against another edition
3.0
I had mixed feelings about this book.
Waiting for you features Lindsay, a portrait artist, once teenaged mother of a now teenaged daughter and a woman who believes she has had a past life and love with a woman named Roo.
Ren is a lawyer visiting her best friend Deb for a couple of weeks before she takes a job in Paris. Both women are single, beautiful and attracted to each other even though Lindsay faints at the sight of Ren.
I read a short story by Spencer in the Hot Ice anthology and really enjoyed it. Loved the witty banter which reminded me of a Brayden read. Waiting for you is filled to the brim with witty banter. I was beginning to think the old curmudgeon in me couldn’t deal with all the cutesy conversations and nicknames until Lindsay and Ren shared some hot scenes together and I had hopes for a terrific romance with a sweet secondary storyline.
I wasn’t crazy about the way the two mains handled the inevitable conflict. Say one thing, doing the opposite didn’t help. The two seemed oceans apart. The rushed ending was unfortunate.
3.5 Stars
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
Waiting for you features Lindsay, a portrait artist, once teenaged mother of a now teenaged daughter and a woman who believes she has had a past life and love with a woman named Roo.
Ren is a lawyer visiting her best friend Deb for a couple of weeks before she takes a job in Paris. Both women are single, beautiful and attracted to each other even though Lindsay faints at the sight of Ren.
I read a short story by Spencer in the Hot Ice anthology and really enjoyed it. Loved the witty banter which reminded me of a Brayden read. Waiting for you is filled to the brim with witty banter. I was beginning to think the old curmudgeon in me couldn’t deal with all the cutesy conversations and nicknames until Lindsay and Ren shared some hot scenes together and I had hopes for a terrific romance with a sweet secondary storyline.
I wasn’t crazy about the way the two mains handled the inevitable conflict. Say one thing, doing the opposite didn’t help. The two seemed oceans apart. The rushed ending was unfortunate.
3.5 Stars
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
The only reason I did not read this book in one sitting was because life intervened, but I devoured this one! I absolutely loved Lindsay and Ren's story, but it was Miss Stokely who stole my heart. Or so I thought until the Epilogue. I need two more books, please!
banrions's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
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 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 them 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, I found the ending 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.
While overall I really enjoyed this, and I found the past life stuff to be really fun and a trope I enjoy, I found the ending 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.
genej101's review against another edition
5.0
I did not care for the first book I read by Elle, but I loved this one. A complex cast of characters, all interesting, open minded, funny and smart. The story is a bit unique in that two people who were lovers in a past life actually reunite in the present, though only one of them knows it until very near the end of the book.
I just loved how the story developed, though I thought there some unnecessary drama around the past lives story, as it unfolded it was quite perfect. I just don't have anything negative to say about this other than that, for younger readers, it is a bit steamy and explicit, which I did not find offputting, but some might, so age appropriate and an open mind will help with that. It's a fun, fast read. I went immediately from it to another of hers, Casting Lacey which I am enjoying every bit as much though early on with it. She is an imaginative and creative writer. I like what I've seen so far a lot.
I just loved how the story developed, though I thought there some unnecessary drama around the past lives story, as it unfolded it was quite perfect. I just don't have anything negative to say about this other than that, for younger readers, it is a bit steamy and explicit, which I did not find offputting, but some might, so age appropriate and an open mind will help with that. It's a fun, fast read. I went immediately from it to another of hers, Casting Lacey which I am enjoying every bit as much though early on with it. She is an imaginative and creative writer. I like what I've seen so far a lot.
mjsam's review against another edition
3.0
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I go back and forth on Spencer books, I enjoyed her short story set and [b:30 Dates in 30 Days|51872065|30 Dates in 30 Days|Elle Spencer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560928304l/51872065._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71387058] but wasn’t impressed by [b:The Road to Madison|44162675|The Road to Madison|Elle Spencer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551397049l/44162675._SY75_.jpg|68687793]. This was sort of between both, I was intrigued by the past life premise, but the execution fell flat.
This features Lindsay, a recently divorced artist who believes she had a past life with a woman named Roo and lives in a small town with her daughter, her BFF from way back also features. The other MC is Ren, who is visiting said small town to see her BFF before taking a job in Paris. The first time Lindsay sees Ren she faints, because she thinks Ren is Roo. This could have set up an interesting book about past life connections, but it never quite gets there.
Instead it’s kind of Robin Alexander meets Melissa Brayden with hijinks and zany characters of an Alexander book and Braydenesque banter. The nicknames for the BFFs and the over the top situations were too cutesy for me.
In all honesty I’d have preferred more relationship building between the leads and less of the zaniness. The whole relationship felt underdone and the reveal came too late. The ending was very rushed (actually takes place in the epilogue) so the pacing felt off.
Others have enjoyed this more than I did and if you’re a Spencer fan I’m sure you’d enjoy it. It’s an ok read, I was just hoping for something a bit deeper. This is mostly fluff. 3 stars.
I go back and forth on Spencer books, I enjoyed her short story set and [b:30 Dates in 30 Days|51872065|30 Dates in 30 Days|Elle Spencer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560928304l/51872065._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71387058] but wasn’t impressed by [b:The Road to Madison|44162675|The Road to Madison|Elle Spencer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551397049l/44162675._SY75_.jpg|68687793]. This was sort of between both, I was intrigued by the past life premise, but the execution fell flat.
This features Lindsay, a recently divorced artist who believes she had a past life with a woman named Roo and lives in a small town with her daughter, her BFF from way back also features. The other MC is Ren, who is visiting said small town to see her BFF before taking a job in Paris. The first time Lindsay sees Ren she faints, because she thinks Ren is Roo. This could have set up an interesting book about past life connections, but it never quite gets there.
Instead it’s kind of Robin Alexander meets Melissa Brayden with hijinks and zany characters of an Alexander book and Braydenesque banter. The nicknames for the BFFs and the over the top situations were too cutesy for me.
In all honesty I’d have preferred more relationship building between the leads and less of the zaniness. The whole relationship felt underdone and the reveal came too late. The ending was very rushed (actually takes place in the epilogue) so the pacing felt off.
Others have enjoyed this more than I did and if you’re a Spencer fan I’m sure you’d enjoy it. It’s an ok read, I was just hoping for something a bit deeper. This is mostly fluff. 3 stars.