Wow! What a debut! This book managed to do what all good writing is supposed to do, hook the reader in the first sentence. And it kept me hooked in the second...and the third...throughout the book. The first thing that pulled me in was the voice. Ava is a sassy little thing...measuring up at a scant five feet tall. Her observations are witty, funny, and sometimes unexpected, all in a delightful way.
I appreciated how the author was able to weave in memories from Ava's childhood in an unobtrusive manner that didn't detract from the story. As situations happened, it caused Ava to recall certain moments from her past, just like what happens to all of us.
I absolutely loved the insight into the life of flight attendants. The banter between Ava and Jack was fresh and funny and I enjoyed it all the way through.
And let's not forget the remarkable cast of characters. The author includes just the right details to make them each spring to life. Small details that paint them as real people, not flat characters in a book. Fellow flight attendant, Gen, is kind of a scene stealer in the best ways possible.
This was easy to read. I read it in two sittings. (Could have easily finished in one if I'd started reading earlier in the day.)
A lot of things happened in this book that I wasn't expecting and the book was all the more enjoyable for each of them.
This book was a real treat

I really enjoyed this book. Part of it might be influenced by the fact I love airports and miss traveling, but I really enjoyed the world created by the author. While parts of it were very predictable I still really liked all the characters and even was invested in the romance of the secondary characters Gen and Paul. It was a fun read.

This was a fun read! The two lead characters had good chemistry, and the secondary characters moved along the story without being too one dimensional. Definitely a fun one for summer!!

Oh wow, how The Layover appealed to my wanderlust!!! I'm ready to pack up and start a career as a flight attendant now! I loved the wild ride of Ava discovering herself and deciding what she really wants out of life.

Overall, this book was adorable. Jack was adorable. Jack and Ava's banter was adorable. Pilot Paul... absolutely adorable. Gen's outlook on life and sense of humor are adorable.

It took a while for the romance to really start, and for the first half of the book you're left in the dark on why Ava doesn't like Jack. About halfway through, some questions are answered and the romance begins amidst the amazing backdrop of a resort in Belize. The wait is definitely worth it... Jack and Ava are soulmates for sure!

I'm torn about this one. I was thrown from the very beginning when you discover that Ava is engaged, I'm also not sure why that isn't included in the synopsis. That part irritated me for sure, even though Alexander wasn't likeable.

Ava was a mess. I wanted to like her, and in some ways I related because I almost married somebody who I never felt like I could truly be myself around. But she really annoyed me a good chunk of the time. I felt her attitude towards Jack was very childish. I feel like calling him her nemesis was a bit over the top, when she really had no legit reason to be so terrible to him. Her work nemesis she has never actually worked with, just made all these assumptions about based on rumors.

I did really enjoy the setting of Belize, as well as the flights. I really enjoyed Gen, as well as the cute couple that took them out on the boat. It was a quick easy read, and I'm sure many folks will love it. Parts of it just rubbed me the wrong way.

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a cute book and I really liked it. It was a slow start for me, but then I got really into it. The characters were so great! I felt just like I was in Belize with them and flying around with them to different cities. It was a fun, fast read and it filled my travel dreams ♥

The Layover is Lacie Waldon’s debut novel, and it did not disappoint. I needed this vacation.

The Layover had everything I love in a rom-com, witty banter, off the pages chemistry, and a lead who we get to know and watch discover herself over the pages. I loved that this novel focused a lot on Ava finding herself and realizing what she wants in life.


If you want a cozy enemies to lovers read, do not miss The Layover.

Just want to start with I absolutely loved Gen, she was a riot. I was a little nervous once I found out she was engaged how the book was going to go but I thought it was executed really well. I couldn't stop reading once I started!

Belize has always been on my travel bucket list and reading about the bioluminescence was so cool and easy to picture.

The Layover by Lacie Waldon is one of my favorite 2021 romance books this year. Of course, it’s only February, but I think I’m going to like this one a long time. Ava and Jack are two flight attendants who work a four-week trip to Belize, and during this journey, we discover bioluminescent fish, skinny-dipping, drunken revelries, romance, ex fiancé‘s, new friends, and so much more. Most importantly, we find love, trust, and true commitment. It’s a fun adventure, and I did not put this book down from start to finish. Author Lacie Waldon has a winner with this book! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and my comments and reviews on my own without bias. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ romance stars. #romance #laciewaldon #thelayover @allaboutthat_lace @netgalley #netgalley
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Ava is a very interesting character. This is a particularly bad way to start a review probably. But she is indeed a character. She is so invested in being a perfect benign facade that no one knows the real her; even she doesn’t know who she is anymore.

It’s easy to recognize right away that Ava is not living her best life. Her fiancé is overbearing and controlling, but “safe” in a way that Ava is giving too much consideration to.

She spends her last work trip with Jack, a man she hates and perhaps the only person she treats meanly. She feels wholly justified in her feelings and she relishes treating him meanly; it’s the only time we see her with a little spirit.

But Ava and Jack grow to know each other and more importantly, Ava grows to know herself. They have a great connection, but NO CHEATING. Whew.

This is low on angst and the steam scale, but it’s a terrific story of being loved for yourself and not letting anyone else put you in a box for their enjoyment. Great debut novel!!

Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and Lacie Waldon for the advance copy of the book.

Wow! What a fun read this was.

The layover was the perfect read for a traveler like me. It was fun to read about flight attendants and Belize! The first half of the book was rather slow, but I loved every second of the second half. The twists that came had me gasping and flipping through the pages!

The MC, Ava, was fun and relatable. She was a great reminder to NEVER settle for second best! I respected and appreciated that. The other MC, Jack, was just perfect. I mean... how is he only a fictional character?! I loved him.

All in all, the Layover was a great easy beach read that everyone should get their hands on ASAP or on June 15! Thank you Lacie Waldon, Net Galley, and Penguin Group Putnam (G. P. Putnam’s Sons) for sharing this in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 / 5 stars

Ok, this book is so cute!!

Fair warning, a few spoilers up ahead...

Ava has been traveling her whole life, it's practically in her blood. She's engaged to Alexander, a hot lawyer who has his life together and will give her the stability she craves. On her final trip as a flight attendant, she's stuck with the one man she doesn't want to see: Jack Stone. As their one-day layover in Belize turns into a weekend due to plane malfunctions, Ava realizes there's more to Jack than meets the eye. Will her engagement stay intact or will she fall for the so-called player with an easy smile?

Let me just say I absolutely DIED when Ava referenced Jack as Jackson Pebble. I don't even know why but that killed me.

Jack. My man Jack. Sweet Jakie. Why must you be fictional? 😩
I truly love this man. He's funny, sarcastic, has got a great sense of humor, and ridiculously handsome. I loved his backstory and how drama-free he was. I was expecting some big fight or a player past and I'm SO glad I didn't get that. I loved that he was capable of being impulsive and playful without being a jerk like the men in other novels. He also stood up for himself and didn't allow his good named to be dragged through the dirt when Ava had the wrong impression of him.

FINALLY, A STORY WHERE THE GIRL DOESN"T SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST!!!
I hate it when female characters choose the wrong guy simply because he feels like the safer choice. It was obvious she wasn't happy in her relationship with Alexander but I loved that she didn't explore anything with Jack until things were over. Her breaking up with Alex also wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision and I admire that. She really thought it through and realized how unhappy she was. I loved that it didn't end simply because Jack was there and she needed a reason to cheat. Ava's relationship with Jack also wasn't forced or rushed. It was obvious she found him attractive even in the beginning but it developed very naturally and I found myself getting so excited as they slowly got more comfortable around each other.

I didn't really like the ending. I felt like it was a bit rushed and I didn't understand why Jack changed his mind so quickly. He was visibly upset and struggling with accepting the fact that she kept things from him so it didn't make sense for him to all of the sudden want to be with her simply because she didn't have a ride home. I also didn't really like that Jack wasn't with her in the epilogue. Why did he have to leave the wedding early? I feel like though that might've just been me not really understanding the significance of that scene so whatever 🤷‍♀️

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's a light, fluffy read and great for finishing in one sitting. I will definitely be reading more by this author!!

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟💫 3.5/5 stars
Publication Date: 6/15/21

The Layover is a cute, fun rom-com set in Belize. It tells the story of Ava, a flight attendant who plans to quit her job after one more flight to please her new fiancé. However, her last flight does not go as planned when she is paired with her nemesis, Jack, and then gets stranded with him at a luxury resort. The horror.

While this is a fun, steamy read and a perfect book to enjoy by the pool this summer, I had one quibble. I love an enemies-to-lovers love story, especially when the reasoning behind the dislike is understandable. I felt like this reason was a slight stretch. Ava is very harsh with Jack in the first half of this story, which I didn’t think he completely deserved.

My quibble aside, I loved the setting of this rom-com. I read this in the winter and I was so jealous of the characters. Waldon brought Belize to life and I loved reading all of Jack and Ava’s misadventures around the resort.

Overall, The Layover is a sweet, fun escape and an excellent beach read!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this ARC copy.

I absolutely LOVED this book! More than a romance, it’s a journey to self discovery and a beautiful story of finding out how worthy we are of being loved for who we truly are and not for what others expect.

A fictional trip to a tropical place while being surrounded by snow? I’m in!

First, I loved all the glimpses of the flight attendant job. It was interesting and very educational to see everything they have to do and be ready for in each flight and how exhausting it is for them to keep up their professional and personal lives in balance..

I want Ava to be my best friend, I sure would have so much fun with her. She’s such a strong and passionate woman who couldn’t see her own worth because of a relationship that was shutting her light. I’m so glad she was able to find enough strength to say what she wanted and not settle for less than what she deserved. I felt inspired by her with each step she took towards her liberation and to live her life unapologetically. I loved how she allowed herself to get to know Jack and give him a chance despite the terrible image she had about him. Despite her many mistakes along the way, there wasn’t a single moment during this read where I didn’t understand her motives or feelings. She was just a human trying to make sense of her situation.

Jack was so sweet and understanding, despite how dismissive Ava was with him at the beginning, he never gave up trying to show her who he really was and how wrong people had made him look like. I loved how he encouraged Ava and loved everything she thought was a problem. His backstory was so sad and it made me so happy that he found in Ava what he really deserved for being such a sweetheart.

This book was funny, sweet and very empowering!

I needed a vacation from life and this book gave it to me. From the whip-smart banter to the bubbling sexual tension, this was an adorable romantic comedy. It's definitely light on the steam, but I enjoyed that it focused more on Ava finding herself. This is the perfect vacation read, especially if you're heading to a Belizean beach!

Such a cute book! Excuse me while I book myself a beach vacation (or just move indefinitely)
So the first half I’m giving a three star, because it just didn’t get there for I could’ve used more beach adventure time, but the entire second half I was swooning and I loved it. So overall I’m giving this a 4 stars. I loved each characters (would’ve loved have even more of Jack time)
I’m not sure the engagement was entirely necessary, and made it a tad unbelievable that someone could fall so fast. The banter between them both was adorable and I kept latching into their dialogue. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and I enjoyed the bits of steam thrown in. I hate waiting until the very end for a kiss. The scene on the island pre rescue was adorable and I loved feeling like I was back at the beach! Thanks for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review - I appreciate it

This was a truly adorable story about finding who you are and who you want to be. I loved getting to know Ava from the beginning and could tell she truly loved her job. I hated Alexa set and I’m so happy Jack was there to make her see what she really wants. Alexander felt so controlling but in a very meaningful way. He wanted the best for Ava but his idea of what is best for her is very different than her idea. I’m glad Ava stood her ground. This book was adorable and not steamy at all. If you like close door romances, you’ll really like this. There is veryyyyyy little steam. But it’s still such a cute romcom that had me smiling the whole time and wishing we could be back on flights to tropical destinations soon!

Ava, after ten years of being a flight attendant is ready to leave her much loved position to put down roots with her fiancé, Alexander (where was that in the synopsis?). She's got one trip left before she bids her old life farewell but then she discovers that former pilot Jack Stone—a man she's held a secret grudge against for years is on her flight. Just when she thinks she never has to see him again after they land, their plane encounters mechanical problems, what should have been a quick stop at the Belize airport suddenly becomes a weekend layover. Getting stuck on a three-hour flight with her nemesis was bad enough. Being stranded with him at a luxury resort in paradise? Even with the sultry breeze and white sand to distract her, it will take all the rum punch in the country to drown out his larger-than-life presence. Yet the more time Ava spends with him under the hot Caribbean sun, the more she begins to second-guess everything she thought she knew about him and everything she thought she wanted from her life. And all too soon, she might have to choose between keeping her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds.

After reading a synopsis like that, I was more than ready for an enemies turn lovers romance filled with a brooding heroine (for once), funny banters, steamy moments and more, but once again I am met with another upsetting read.

First things first, readers are completely left in the dark when we are introduced to Alexander, Ava's lawyer fiancé who remains in a relationship with her for the first… what? 60% of the book. Picking this ‘romantic comedy’ up, I had no idea that the heroine was already in an established relationship prior to meeting the hero and not only that, the only person that knows of her engagement is her mother. It was misleading and was emotional cheating at it’s finest when she remains engaged and well into her romantic development with the real love interest. So readers, beware. This is one of the many many drawbacks of this novel.

In regards to the characters—Ava was a major hypocrite. I won’t indulge too much on it but those scenes where she showed face were very prominent and changed my view on the heroine. There wasn’t much to like about her and as the story progressed, my dislike for her only grew especially when she mistreated Jack. The hero was a little more bearable and more so present as comedic relief. Did I laugh? No, but he was the only character that didn’t annoy me. He was the complete opposite of Ava, so that was a major plus.

Plot/Storyline wise—it was an extremely uneventful read until the 70% mark and by then, I was no longer invested in this release. It was terribly boring, long, drawn out and the fact that Ava was already in a relationship while growing feelings for the former pilot left a bad taste in my mouth. Jack deserved so much better. I didn’t buy their relationship and in the long term, I know it would have never worked out. There wasn’t anything that stood out besides the behind the scenes of what flight attendants experience that interested me though some of the unprofessional behavior displayed multiple times by the characters didn't sit well with me. More so, this is no way shape or form a romantic comedy. There were 2-3 moments that were funny and everything else fell flat.

Would I recommend this? No. Would I read from this author again? Double no. Did I regret picking this up? Yes, one thousand times. Yes!

Loved this one! I really appreciated how the author used her experience as a flight attendant to give the book a very real feel.

Work place/close proximity romances are a thing and I love it.

As I started reading this I was immediately drawn to Ava. She grew up as a free spirit with parents who had very little sense of staying in place. She began her job as a flight attendant and loved it. Her sense of loyalty to her job is admirable.

She has found herself in a situation that gives her one last trip. She gets one last "layover" and this one may be the trip of her life.

I won't say anything about the male characters because I don't want to spoil anything. However, there may have been some pretty swoon worthy stuff!

Thank you Putnam and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion.