Waiting To Live

Waiting #1

by Clare Bentley

Chris Harper was her brothers' best friend, so it was only natural that Isobel Matheson would fall in love with him. When he went away to college, she stayed in touch with him in the hopes that one day he would look at her as more than Oliver's little sister.
But when Chris returned home after qualifying as a firefighter with a wife, Isobel knew she had missed her chance to tell him the extent of her feelings. She did her best to hide her disappointment, however Charlotte Harper recognised the look in her eyes the minute they were introduced and was instantly intimidated by the woman who knew him so well.
Over the years of marriage, her insecurities convince her that she's her husband's second choice and she goes to drastic lengths to prove it.

388 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2020

About the author

LINKS:
Website – https://cbentleyauthor.wixsite.com/home
Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/clarebentley...
Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/clare...
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Clare Bentley is a married mother of a son and a daughter. She discovered a love for creative writing in secondary school English, which was the only lesson she cared to attend. But the only thing she ever wanted to be was a mother, being just 19 when she had her son in 1995 and a daughter 17 months later.
She started writing fan fiction when her children were small and she needed an outlet from the privileged role she played in their lives - in a bid to have a hobby. That developed over the yeats and in 2007 she wrote a fan fiction based on the TV show, Supernatural. It got people's attention. Once her kids were grown - 5 years ago - she decided to take the advice of friends and try her hand at writing; something that was hers, with a world and characters she created from scratch. It took 4 years for her to write her debut novel - wanting to do it the justice it deserved... and that led here.

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one book where I wanted to jump into the pages and slap, shout and hug the main characters, which proves this is a story that made me feel various emotions. While I didn’t agree with Charlotte’s actions I do under the feeling of being very insecure so I identified in that way to her. I loved Izzy and Chris and it was also nice to get to know the other characters, which made this book a bit more unusual in that we also got the secondary character’s perspectives also. Already pre-ordered the 2nd book. I need to find out what happens next!

[Angel Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received and ARC copy of this book and considering it's only the 2nd book published by this new author I was not disappointed.

It was another one that I couldn't put down as I just needed to find out what happened next. Although I don't agree with the way Chris' wife Charlie tried to teach him a lesson I can't say I blame her to be honest because he really was clueless about why she felt the way she did and he didn't really do much to put her mind at ease. Izzy was a rock for so many people and stepped up when Chris needed her but he put too much on her and expected her to just fall in with what he needed regardless of what she wanted or how she felt.

This book ended on a cliff hanger which I do not like but it just means that I will be ready to go when the second installment drops. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long for it to be released.

[Jennifer Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody brilliant

Honestly I think I have been in the shoes of both isobel and Charlotte but the has been brilliant.
Clare has this way of transporting you to the room the time the place i can't wait to read the next book and anything you write in the future.

[T.S. Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious ending!

Bentley has a way of telling a story which gives you an insight into what everyone is thinking, and I love her for it. A totally immersive reading experience, a few twists and turns and a brilliant ending - I'm glad I don't need to wait to read part two!

[M.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this first instalment in this duet. The characters are so well rounded and I lived their flaws.
The suspense kept me turning the pages until I got to the end.
I need the second, now!!!

[Karrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the ending was not what I was expecting the plot is really good. Chris thought he was happily married, but his wife has major issues with his best friend being a single female. Isobel has always loved Chris, she never expected him to come back from college married to another woman. Even Chris’s parents love Isobel like their own. Isobel tried to move on and get over her feelings for Chris.

[Gem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely Loved It.

What can I say?
I absolutely loved this book, the storyline was amazing and the characters were awesome. Can't wait for more. I definitely recommend everyone to read it. 5 stars xx

[Sarah Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book by Claire. Can't wait for the next book to see what happens