Ashleigh Pence had been the all-American high school girl: cheerleader, prom queen…and in love with another girl. Gina Granbury hasn’t thought about Calloway High in twenty years, but the arrival of the invitation to the class reunion brings back memories of Ashleigh and the betrayal that drove them apart.
With no real choice, Ashleigh has to go the event, hoping that it’s not the one reunion that Gina decides to attend after all these years. Gina had expected to dismiss the possibility as easily as she has during all the years since, but the curiosity is suddenly strong. Her long-broken heart has never mended, but that’s no reason to go back in time…is it?
Twenty years seem like yesterday in this latest passionate story from Golden Crown award winner Gerri Hill.
Gerri began writing lesbian romance as a way to amuse herself while snowed in one winter in the mountains of Colorado, and hasn’t looked back. Her first published work came in 2000 with One Summer Night. Many more romances have followed, with the occasional murder mystery in the mix. Gerri’s love of nature and of being outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. When she isn’t writing, Gerri and her longtime partner, Diane, can be found at their home in East Texas, where their vegetable garden, orchard, and five acres of woods keep them busy. They share their lives with an ever-changing cast of furry friends. Her favorite pastimes include camping, hiking, birdwatching (though she insists she doesn’t wear funny hats yet!), photography, and cooking. She collects things nature offers, like an unusual pinecone, colorful rocks, or an abandoned bird feather. Dawn is her favorite time of day, the moment right before sunrise... "I love the morning... the beginning of a brand new day. Because even things that we know are unattainable flutter within our grasp. In the early morning—at that cusp of a new day—everything is possible."
You know when you finish a book with the biggest smile on your face? Well picture this, 10 minutes later and I still have the smile on my face :) This is one of those books that gives you hope! It puts you in the best mood ever :) Insane connection between the main characters leading to the hottest sex scenes I've read for a while.
Okay, I must start out by telling y'all to read this book!!! Don't let my douchey 3 stars deter you, for this lovely story could charm anyone.
With that in mind, I'll start with the pros because I wanted to love this book, honestly. The reviews had me excited. The cover is gorgeous and praise the universe/gods/Gerri Hill herself for main characters named Ashleigh and Gina. Those have to be two of the most attractive pairing names I've encountered in a while, if I want to reveal my pickiness. Even the descriptions of both women are A++++. They sound hot and they're really cute together.
The sex...oh, baby, the sex in Love Waits is superb. And plentiful! I'll be revisiting those scenes for years to come (pun intended). Furthermore, the flashbacks were beyond my favorite. At times, I wanted to stay in that timeline because the present day paled in its freshness.
Now, for my rating. In actuality, I'd lean more on a 3 and a half. That's not an option here, however. I feel like I should have loved this, as if I'm missing something. It has all the necessary components: longing, fluff, sensuality, gorgeous characters, a feel-good vibe. Yet, I'd started it a week or so ago and let it sit somewhere at 75% until I sucked it up and finished.
I need more than the 'spark' to fall head-first into Ashleigh and Gina's romance. It made me wonder if their spark is only manifested in lust. In romances like this, I usually develop a sort of "fiction crush" on a character. This didn't happen in Love Waits since I felt deprived of their quirks, their deeper personalities, their interests apart from each other. Learning some hobbies and occupation helped in a shallow way. But, I needed to know the special little details after their orgasms subsided. Any inside jokes? Dorky shows they watched? Did they share jewelry on special occasions? What do they pick on each other about? It seemed like every time we were approaching those developments, they'd bring up sex. I'm here for the romance, too. I believe in their love already. I wanted to fall in love with their love.
Also, their drama felt a bit contrived and dragged along for too long. From the silly fake girlfriend to...I don't know, being scared? Too many times while reading I thought, "wait, why aren't they dating yet?" Which is the point, I guess. None of their rationale justified waiting weeks at a time over small misunderstandings. I'd even accept Ashleigh being conflicted to move because her house was too awesome. Anything that'd provide that teensy bit of tension to offset how madly in love they were. In the end, she Nothing substantial held them apart, which frustrated me as they acted otherwise.
Lastly, this may be a Kindle problem. There were scenes that needed a divider in between. The persective of another character or something days later would happen in the next line and I had to backtrack.
Damn, I typed my own novel. Gerri Hill's a great writer, so this may be a one-off. I'll give some of her other books a try.
First time ever reading a Gerri Hill book. I must admit, I liked the style and flow of the story. Love Waits is one of the few story on second chances that I like. The love between Ashleigh and Gina, which spanned over 2 decades, was endearing, angsty and filled with hot sexy scenes. Their chemistry was simply off the charts. And why they broke up was just beyond me and the reason is just too trivia. Could have saved them 2 decades of heartache if they just talk through their issues instead of running away. When they met again, sparks flew and things got more interesting....
My first read by Ms.Hill I'm a sucker for second chance romance and I couldn't ask for anything better.
The story of Gina and Ashleigh is beautiful, heartbreaking, angsty, full of love, deliciouly steamy and imperfectly perfect.
The main reason why Gina breaks up with Ashleigh 2O years ago gets an 'F' + I do have several other issues with the story but their young love relationship is so beautifully written, I just have to suck those issues up and give the book the perfect score. .
This book is unavailable on KU/Available on Scribd. Kindle price is USD9.99
If you have Scribd, then it's recommended for you to read it.
“I didn’t meet Gina until we were freshmen. I would find her watching me sometimes. We weren’t really friends, hardly spoke, but I knew she was there. There was just something about the way she looked at me. I was drawn to her.”
As Ashleigh says "i need there to be a spark"
The MCs didn't have spark, they had FIREWORKS. This book provides such an accurate description of a first crush. I was smiling throughout Gina and Ashleigh's little staring matches and awkward conversations and when they got together I WAS OVER THE MOON. This couple made me so happy. The grownup Ashleigh and Gina lived up to my expectations and then some. I wasn't bored for a single second. This is the perfect book for me. i am so in love with this book. Just the right amount of pain, flirting, angst EVERYTHING!!!
“I’ll always love you. You’re in my soul.” “And you’re in mine.”
When Gina Granbury receives an invitation for the 20th anniversary high-school reunion, memories of her first love relationship with her schoolmate Ashleigh Pence come back along with the betrayal that drove them apart. he has ignored any previous reunion’s invitations but, after so many years and her heart mended, she wants to see Ashleigh again. When they finally meet, they discover that their chemistry is still there but will they be able to give in to a second chance opportunity?
Like Hill’s ‘At seventeen’, this is another very good second-chances novel by Gerri Hill with the theme of a broken first love at high-school and a later meeting in life. In both novels, their past story is revealed in flashbacks intertwined with present time, so the book has also a young adult feel. Ms. Hill knows how to build the characters’ chemistry from their initial encounter and increase it until present time. My only criticism is that the reason for their initial break-up sounds a bit weak but it could be understood by the insecurities of their young age.
I’ve read this book years ago and now listened to the audiobook version by Abby Craden. As usual, the narrator did a great job at producing distinctive and recognisable voices, though I didn’t particularly like Gina’s tone. Ms. Hill’s story presents a range of different emotions from the innocent discovery of first love, coming-out and heartbreak to their reunion and sizzling chemistry. As usual, Ms. Craden’s performance of all those different feelings that the characters go through is spot-on. This audiobook is 6 hours long and available with a Scribd subscription.
Overall, a very good lesbian second-chances romance audiobook. 4.5 stars for both the story and the narration.
3,5 stars Let's start this review by saying I hate flashbacks and my rating was impacted by that. I also don't like stupid miscommunication as a plot device. Because of those reasons I rate this book as "underwhelming" on the "Gerri Hill's books" scale. In other words it's still above average, as far as books in general go, just not by much.
Seems I’ve been reading a bunch of stories with flashbacks. This one was well done and the back story was a sweet recollection of their love story as teenagers. The now part of it got a bit frustrating and prolonged.
Very sweet story. I love that this story shows that there is such a thing as "the one", and that love never dies. I absolutely love reading back and forth between their relationship as teens and their story as adults. Very well written. And like in all of Gerri Hill's books: great chemistry.
Second chance trope is always painful to read . Obviously the previous heartbreak always factors in and it’s always something like “miscommunication” or lack of communication which breaks them up etc etc. we know the trope. We’ve read hundreds of them and we’re familiar with it. And Love Waits by Gerri Hill was not an exception.
However! The main characters’ connection was what made this read extra from the generic. The teenage factor, the naïveté but fierceness of their emotions and hormones felt genuine and relatable. I think this is one of my top 5 favourite “discovery” sexual encounter I’ve read. It was so… innocent? Just leading with hormones, basically. And the fact that it was consensual, mutual and enthusiastic, it just made it more endearing for me.
The third act was a bit choppy brought on by the indecisiveness of the characters and I get that it is part of the journey etc etc. because without it the resolution would have been too easy and lacking in conflict. And I love how I am contradicting myself while trying to convey a point. What I’m trying to say is, the indecisive part had to happen. Even if it wasn’t my favourite part. It’s part and parcel of romance novel.
In summary, yet again, Gerri Hill delivers. No tears from me thus far (small mercies). Love Waits is worth the read.
Yea, a totally worth-while book - loved it & totally brought the break-up & the subsequent reconsilation. Re-read with delight. Loved the other characters as well. OK you get the picture - loved it!
Ashleigh and Gina fall in love while in high school. Gina knew she was gay but Ashleigh never realized she was until Gina came into her life. Gina breaks up with Ashleigh while they are in college due to a misunderstanding and breaks Ashleigh's heart. They don't see or speak to each other until their 20th high school reunion and the sparks fly again. This is a really beautiful love story.
Lovely second chance romance. I’ve read this just after it was published and enjoyed it then and now again. Well written and lovable main characters. Recommend 4.4 stars.
I have to say, I was instantly drawn into this story. I mean, a cheerleader and an outcast, what more can I wish for? Even though the outcast in this story wasn't really outcast, it was still a story I was looking forward to.
And it did not disappoint. There was a big chemistry between the couple, in the flashbacks and when they were older as well. I was quite happy there was no real drama. Sometimes drama is overrated. I mean, of course we had some, but it was nothing major. Just the usual - 'I'm scared of my feelings, so now I have to run away, but secretly hope you'll come and find me and eventually you will, because we are hopelessly in love with each other'. That's not really a spoiler, we see that in almost every F/F romance, don't we?
Anyway, the sex scenes were hot, both when they were younger and when they were older, which is always a plus.
I'm not giving it full 5 stars because the ending was unnecessarily cheesy and the dialogues at the end..... let's just say, it was too sweet. Sweet as a sugar. Too much for me.
I couldn’t stop listening to this! It was so good. It’s a typical Gerri Hill listen. If you’re a Hill/Craden fan you know exactly what I mean. I love that I can listen on Hooplah for free! It’s a true win.
2.5 Stars - Audible version - that kind of old school lesfic where they don't communicate and it's frustrating AF - narrator, Abby Craden, is wonderful as always
This review is straight-up spoilers, people, cuz I am annoyed.
I generally love Gerry Hill but this book worked my last good nerve. Only the MC's amazing chemistry and Abby Craden kept me listening to the end.
Second time through this, but this time in audio format. Recently released by Tantor Audio. The voice actress is well known, Abby Craden. She differentiates voices pretty well. It was the audio production aspect I had some issue with. I just can't help it, as I'm somewhat versed in this area. It just seemed lazy to me, as if the QC hadn't been done. There were a lot of pauses and voice intakes while Craden paused between sentences. Call it nit picking but an audio engineer would should have taken the time to clean it up.
As for the book itself, shrug. It was ok. Second chances with lots of miscommunication and some contrived plot issues. Not my favorite Hill book, but that's ok. The MC's did have some pretty intense chemistry, I'll give them that.
Anyway this review was mostly for the audio aspect, but GR didn't seem to have the audio book as an option loaded under the different editions.
I absolutely loved this book! I started it before bed and went all night till I finished it...... Love the characters, loved the past and present stories and the love story between these ladies was melting my heart with every chapter!!!
I'd love a sequel! These characters deserve a sequel....
I'm a total sucker for second chance romances and this one was no exception. I loved it though I was rather impatient for them to figure their shit out. :-)
"Love Waits" is my FAVOURITE Gerri Hill book. My sentimental favourite of hers, if you must know. Hill's writing style in this one was quite different than her other books.
FLASHBACKS.
Now, flashbacks are tricky. If not written and structured well, they have a tendency to become a distraction. But this one, the flashbacks were pretty much at the forefront of the story. Each revealing flashback carried & drove the present story forward with aplomb. The back-and-forth between the flashbacks and the present was weaved effortlessly throughout the book, provoking realistic emotions that truly resonated with me. I was hooked, good and proper! Addictive!
"Love Waits" is an unforgettable journey of two people trying to find their way back to each other through the passage of time. From best mates to lovers to their unceremonious break-up which led to their estrangement. For 20 years.
But what happened to Ashleigh and Gina so many years ago clearly still cast long shadows in their personal lives as they couldn't seem to forget about each other, as evidenced when they finally came face-to-face with each other again at their school reunion (of all places!). Cue the memories! Good AND bad! Awkward! As Ashleigh & Gina struggled with their unresolved feelings for each other, they drew from their memories of their past. I got to find out what actually transpired between them as Hill astutely peeled off the layers as the story progressed.
However, the longer they spent time together during the reunion, the harder it was to stay away from each other. Oh, the predicament! Slowly but surely their undeniable chemistry was just too strong to ignore any longer.
The slow-burning, second-chance romance between the two kindred souls was an intensely emotional, at times frustrating but always humorous, captivating ride. Their ultimate surrender to their true, enduring love for each other left me emotionally sated, thoroughly gratified.
TRUE LOVE never dies.
Honestly, my heart melts every time I re-visit Ashleigh & Gina's journey!
"Love Waits" is a romantic gem and if you love an unbridled lesbian romance with some compelling angst and dry humour, I HIGHLY recommend this book! It's been a multiple re-read experience for me already.
1) I still love the story; and 2) if the the reason for the initial break-up were more realistic I would definitely give this book five stars.
The chemistry in this book is absolutely amazing and the flashbacks are perfectly written so as not to distract or confuse but to add to the story.
I just really wish that Gina and Ashleigh had shown a little bit more growth when it comes to communication once they were older because that really detracted from the believability of the story.
After listening to a few bad audiobooks, it was so nice to listen to a good narrator! It was like a breath of fresh air ahah. To be honest, I didn't know what this book was going to be before diving in. When I saw it was going to be a lesbian romance, it was a really nice surprise. I've been listening to many M/F quick romances the past few days so it was good to change things up.
Anyway, Love waits is a second chance romance where the main character goes back home as adults 20 years after high school. Gina was the athlete and Ashleigh the cheerleader. We had many flashbacks and that was nice to see how they became lovers and went off to college. Unfortunately, Gina breaks up with her when she thinks Ashleigh is cheating on her and then the whole miscommunication happened and that was so frustrating... it went on and on and I just wanted them to have the conversation, ok? They lost so much time and it's so freaking sad. Other than that the chemistry was great and I wanted to give a fourth star because of it :)
♥️ Best friends to lovers ♥️ Second chance romance ♥️ Dual timeline - Past/present ♥️ Reunion
This book was sweet, hot, and emotional all at once. Gina and Ashleigh became best friends in high school and secret lovers, a relationship that continued into college. Eventually, Gina breaks up with Ash leaving both heartbroken. The breakup made sense for how young they were, even if it was a little childish.
Twenty years later, they run into each other at their high school reunion with unresolved feelings from the past. I loved the dual POV and alternating past/present chapters. I loved how the 2010 setting added a nostalgic vibe! especially little touches like payphones.
The chemistry between Gina and Ashleigh is undeniable and Ashleigh’s meddling mom and sister add funny banter. The spice is hot and the romance is soft and swoony. Overall, a sweet, satisfying read. 🥰
This is an incredibly sweet story and had me smiling after completion. The love between the MCs is off the charts and can melt hearts but I took away a star because of the major conflict of the whole story.
I have a hard time with storylines/conflicts are a result of a simple lack of communication.
Probably a 3.5 read. I really enjoyed the actual story. Some readers had an issue with the past / present style of writing, but not me, because the flashback to the past usually explained an aspect of the story that was raised with the 'present' scene, so not too taxing.
My issue, hence the rating, is believability. Off the scale sexual compatibility from the word go for two people with no previous sexual experience. A really flimsy break up reason that led to 20 years of unfulfilling relationships for both women. Really bad communication for two women nearing 40. They were just not believable to me as two mature women. I just wanted to shake them and shout, "get your shit together and talk to each other".