This is a quick, fun read that takes the classic elements of a rom-com and gives readers the happy endorphins that only a good story can.
Annabelle is a woman who knows what she wants and doesn't let any of the men in her life get away with making her feel less for it. It was great to read about a woman that's on top of her career goals and is open to exploring and growing with new relationships. Nick is a bit of a flat character at the beginning but gets built up over the course of the story to become a likable and engaging character. And this is probably the reason why I liked the book so much. McKinlay introduces the characters and then slowly builds them as the story progresses. The reader gets to know the characters in bits and pieces, almost as you would if you were slowly getting to know someone IRL. Combine that with great pacing and quirky humor, and you end up with a highly enjoyable read.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the early read!

Annabelle is ready to get away. It's cold in New England, and Annabelle's love life is even colder. After being proposed to by her ex-husband, Annabelle leaps at the chance to rejuvenate her life and career in Phoenix, Arizona. Even though a change of pace is nice, being a creative director is going to be challenging with all new rules in her work life and home life. Her stodgy landlord keeps leaving notes for her about this and that and the other. Are all landlords this grouchy? It turns out that her landlord is far younger than she imagined, and part of why it took so long to meet him is he is wheelchair-bound. What's intriguing is that even though a stroke put him in the wheelchair, it seems like there's nothing about his body that would keep him there. The phantoms in Nick's past draw Annabelle in, and together, they may find a way to take fresh steps toward a happier life.

This was a fun read and my first book by this author, though I did have some reservations. The romance between Annabelle and Nick drifted quickly toward insta-love, and I almost got more out of the side plot with Carson than I did with their story. Annabelle is borderline unprofessional, and while I understand that swinging from freelance work to office life is something of an adjustment, even freelancers have alarm clocks. Nick eventually warms up and isn't so stodgy, but I certainly didn't appreciate his pretend misogyny or Annabelle's pet name of "Goddess."

What I did like was the honesty about mental health, and Annabelle's willingness to be there for Nick as he confronted his personal phantoms. There's nothing shameful about needing help dealing with personal trauma and hardship, and it's always nice to read about a couple that sticks together when things get tough. There's also some great discussion about how Annabelle's own past with two previous marriages informs her behavior in the present, so each person is able to learn and grow together. Wait For It is the story of two imperfect people marred by their past who are seeking a path forward in the present, and while putting in the work for self-improvement can be tough, having a support system is very much worth it, and sometimes a life-changing relationship is right around the bend, if you're willing to wait for it.

3.5 ⭐

What a sweet summer read! Graphic artist Annabelle decides to take a leap of faith and move cross county from Boston to Phoenix to work at her friend’s company. Adjusting to her new lifestyle, she grows more curious about her mysterious landlord, Nick. The two finally meet and neither is what the other anticipated. I really loved the dual perspectives in this story- told from both Annabelle and Nick’s sides-as well as the slow burn romance. It also really made me want to travel to Arizona.

Thank you so much to Berkley pub + Netgalley for my copy!

✨ escaping to Arizona to sip margaritas by the pool and fall in love with my grump neighbor sounds like a great idea right about now ✨

This book, though at first I felt had a basic plot, was so entertaining and unique. If you are looking for the perfect beach read, palette cleanser, or reassurance that you aren’t a total hot mess, this book is perfect for you.

Tropes:
🙌🏼 grump-sunshine
🏠 neighbor/landlord romance
💰 rich hero
🤦🏽‍♀️ hot mess heroine
🔥 slow burn
🗣 banter

When I had gone into this book, I thought I was going into a women’s fiction wrapped up in a rouse of a rom-com. However, I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong 😊

This book was a mature yet sweet rom-com that excellently death with deeper, serious issues. Someone looking for a beach read that isn’t necessarily light and fluffy would love this book. I really enjoyed the multiple topics the book dealt with. Annabelle’s toxic co-worker plot really struck a chord with me, and Nick’s dealing with stroke made for a great read.

Though I will say, I felt he conflicts got dragged on a little too long. It did take away the from enjoyment of the story after one point. I felt that the story almost focused on the conflicts more than it did the development of Nick and Annabelle’s relationship. Their happy ending felt a little fake since I didn’t get to see the progression of their romantic relationship as much as I wanted to.

Normally sunshine heroines get on my nerves a bit, and I will admit that the heroine did for a while. But as the story progressed, she grew on me. I really enjoyed reading her and the hurdles she had to overcome.

The hero was a great grump. I am definetly a sucker for a grump hero, especially when they are rich and broken boys. I loved watching him deal with his personal issues before her fully fell for Annabelle. It thought it was so interesting how the two characters didn’t meet until around halfway into the story. I thought I wasn’t going to like it. However, both characters had so much work they had to do individually before they could commit to a relationship that it worked really well.

Both had to work on themselves before they committed to love and I always love reading that 🙌🏼 Those are the stories that feel more real and emotional, when both characters have to be someone outside of their relationship and work on themselves just as much as they do their relationship. These are the kinds of stories that feel honest, and I really appreciated that.

Slow burns have to be written very well for me to enjoy them. The slow burn was balanced very well with the plot of the book and great chemistry.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I did enjoy the first chunk of the book more than I did the second; it is definitely worth a read. Do I recommend this book? Yes!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ 5 stars | 🌶🌶/ 5 steam
(there is steam and they talk about some of the steamy things they did that we didn’t get to see)

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Romance, and Jenn McKinlay for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion ❤️

This was such a cute, feel good read with depth and emotion! I don’t often come across a book set in my home state and that’s what initially drew me to this one and I adored being able to visualize the different settings and places Annabelle visited around Phoenix. Even if you’ve never been to AZ I think you would appreciate it being set here because it’s something new, not the same old California/NYC setting that’s so popular in many books. Besides a fun setting this has a little something for every reader in my opinion. Annabelle and Nick have a believable developing relationship, I also really like a sunshine and grump trope so that was fun too. Both of them have serious issues they need to work through and the author portrayed mental health struggles in a really authentic and compassionate way. There’s also a subplot with Annabelle’s job and I actually liked that angle more than I thought, it was both fun and interesting and really kept the story that much more engaging. Overall a well rounded romance, very flirty and a tiny bit a steam but great characterization and lots of humor.

"Nothing makes me doubt my own decisions more than other people telling me that I'm doing the right thing. It's as if their approval is a red flag warning me away from logic and reason. I think it's my freewheeling impulsive nature that rejects positive reinforcement, as if because people approve of what I'm doing, then surely I must be mistaken."

This was a fantastic comfort read. I had a blast buddy reading it with Amy @novelgossip, and we found the mixture of romance, workplace drama, and discussions surrounding mental health to be refreshing and balanced. A bit predictable, but in a good way.

If you're looking for:

✔️ Medium level steam
✔️ Low level angst
✔️ Lots of laughs
✔️ Grumpy/Sunshine trope

You should pick up Wait for It immediately!

28-year-old Annabelle Martin is ready for a do-over when her friend Sophie calls her with her dream job offer in Phoenix, Arizona. Annabelle has already been married - and divorced - twice... and ex-husband #1 just proposed again. Get her out of Boston now, please!

In Arizona, Annabelle is set up with the guest house of the retired, majorly grumpy Nick Daire. He has a huge list of "house rules" for her to follow, but won't even make an appearance to meet her in person... until Annabelle finally lets her impulsive side shine, breaking the rules to get an in-person meeting with Nick. Instead of a crotchety old man, she meets a stunning, ripped, 30-something man in a wheelchair. NOT what she expected. But is it a good idea to get involved with her landlord? Annabelle isn't sure if she can help it.

Wait for It is a fast-paced, steamy contemporary romance that is perfect for summer reading! Not only are Annabelle and Nick intriguing, but they have a lot of baggage to work through together. The plot lines in the book were great and really helped develop the friendships and relationships in the book. Nick's main bro, Jackson, was for sure my favorite character - he seemed like a giant teddy bear. I also really enjoyed the setting and environmental aspects, having lived in Phoenix while my husband got his Master's in Solar Energy at ASU!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC!

Wait For It is the newest book from @mckinlayjenn and @berkleyromance. Our leading lady Annabelle moves to Phoenix to escape her ex husband and start a new job working for her friend, Sophie’s graphic design business. Sophie helps set her up with housing and a mysterious landlord gives her many rules to live bu. Annabelle manages to break every one while trying to meet this man. The Landlord turns out to be a very handsome and well off real estate developer, Nick. He is in hiding because he’s recovering from a stroke he had 9 months ago and is building his strength back up.

They have a hilarious letter exchange regarding the breaking of the rules and that part was so fun. They hit it off well, but they both bring lots of baggage with them. Nick is upset with himself and his body and Annabelle is coping with being a twice divorcee before she’s 30 years old.

Annabelle is also dealing with an office jerk who desperately wants her job and is willing to sabotage her work and career to get it. This part was really interesting and I liked how Annabelle handled it. I was saddened that her team never reported his actions not just towards Annabelle, but everyone had had some bad interaction with this guy.

I thought this was a fun and easy romcom. It’s low steam and I thought the Phoenix location was a fun change of pace. I also liked the social justice message of Nick’s childhood and Elijah’s family.

Thank you so much to @berkleypub and the author for my ARC copy of the book. Wait for It is on sale today!

Enemies to lovers is my rom-com addiction – I absolutely devour any book that falls in that category. When I heard about Wait For It, a book about a young divorcee looking to start over and a reclusive landlord, I was sold and ready to dive in.

One of my only issues with this book was the writing style. The writing was a little inconsistent for me - at times, it was very immersive, and then there would be a clunky piece of dialog that really threw me out of my immersion in the story. As the book went on, things got smoother, but it was jarring when these little oddities happened.

I am a sucker for dual POVs in enemies-to-lovers romance novels. I love the moment when one character realizes they’re in love with the other person. That magical moment when they realize they’re no longer enemies and can’t live without each other. I think dual POV really benefited this story in particular – Nick would have come off as a massive asshole without knowing his internal monologue. Reading about him struggling with his medical issues was heart breaking but having his POV made him more sympathetic and understandable as a character.

Subplot wise – I really appreciated the honesty of Annabelle’s struggles in the workplace. She dealt with harassment from a male coworker who believed he was entitled to her job – she also faced a lack of support from management when she tried to reach out for help. This plot felt really honest and close to home. Another thing I really loved was the found family vibes of Nick and his staff – they were tightknit and cleared cared deeply for each other.

Annabelle and Nick were adorable together – I enjoyed their back and forth via notes – even when Annabelle thought Nick was a crochety old man, they had great rapport. When she finally met him fact to face, the sparks flew. I really enjoyed that so much time was spent building up their tension before they even met and building up the enigma of who Nick was. When they got together, they helped each other grow and reckon with their own personal issues. I loved that their problems weren’t just magically resolved when they got together – they had to work for their happy endings.

Overall, this was a cute book with solid characters and romance. I loved the themes of found family and personal growth. I’ll definitely be going back to read the companion novel; Paris is Always a Good Idea. 4/5

I was getting Me Before You vibes from this one, and I wasn’t mad about it. Nick was a tough nut to crack for Annabelle. I really enjoyed the process of their back and forth letters before they met. Annabelle stretching the rules given to her made me laugh because I could see my optimistic self doing the same. She’s someone I’d want to be friends with.

This book may have also made me want to get a cat. And I’m allergic 😆 Sir was so dang cute though!

This was a cute, quick, and entertaining read! Thank you so much to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

If you've ever had the desire to drop everything and start somewhere new, this endearing book is for you! In 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐓 by Jenn McKinlay from Berkley Romance was exactly what I was hoping for in an enemies to lovers plot line with a slow burn romance that finds them when they aren't looking for it. I LOVE McKinlay's writing style, and have adored the books of hers I've had the chance to read (most recently her last book, Paris Is Always a Good Idea) the dual POV kept the story going for me in a fun way, my only complaint was not getting enough of the side characters -- Annabelle's friends especially!

Low steam, lots of laughs and this was the comfort read I needed to kick off August! Thanks to NetGalley + Berkley for the eARC! Having two characters who overcome their struggles, and manage to touch on some heavier topics that are so relevant to today's mental health issues made this read one I really enjoyed, I cannot wait to grab a copy for my shelves!

Annabelle Martin is an energetic extroverted artist with a chronic case of being late for everything. When the twice divorced 28 year old is facing the event of her most recent ex husband proposing to her again, she jumps at the opportunity to leave her life in Boston behind and move to Arizona where her best friend has offered her a job.

In Arizona, Annabelle is thrilled to see where she will be calling home. The property is beautiful, but she is warned to stay away from her hermit-like landlord and neighbor… yeah right. Like Annabelle is going to listen to that advice… And she is definitely going to have some issues with her landlord’s long list of rules and regulations. He clearly has too much time on his hands.

She has an unfortunate adversary at her new job and her landlord is a curmudgeon… What else could go wrong?

When Annabelle meets her landlord, Nick Daire, she is surprised to see that he is her age. But, the man is in a wheelchair, having suffered a stroke. And he isn’t healing well, though there is no real physical reason why. He is just blocking his own recovery.

As the two get to know one another, he comes out of his shell reluctantly and the two form a beautiful relationship. There are ups and downs and many obstacles, but it could all be worth it in the end.

This was a sweet and charming romance. Annabelle was quirky and fun. This was definitely a grump/sunshine trope that totally worked well for me!

I loved the build up in this story and that Nick’s past was a heartbreaking one, which made Nick a grumpy and a hold-everyone-at-arm’s-length man. This provided a layer of depth that made the story more profound. I thought Jenn developed and called upon Nick’s mental health issues in an impressive way and helped communicate that the symptoms from mental health issues can take on so many different forms.

Amongst all the flawed characters, adorable visiting cat and chaotic happenings, I recognized a common thread of love, friendship and realizing that one can be imperfectly perfect for someone else and this story is a great example of this theme.

Wait for It by Jenn McKinlay follows Annabelle Martin as she moves from Boston to Phoenix to escape the marriage proposal of her first ex-husband and prevent any other bad adulting decisions.   Annabelle's best friend gives her a job and finds her a place to live while she trials the move for six months.  Annabelle's housing is the guest house at the home of a wealthy and reclusive retired man. Nick Daire, the landlord, has a long list of "rules" for his tenant and leaves short and curt notes for Annabelle when she violates them. Annabelle uses desperate measures to meet her landlord and is shocked to find Mr. Daire is her age, smoking hot and uses a wheelchair while he recovers from a stroke.  

Once Annabelle and Nick meet, the characters' backstories are slowly revealed through dramatic irony which kept me engaged as I wasn't sure if the story would end with a relationship or self-growth.  Being a New Englander who has also spent significant time in Arizona, I loved the author's portrayal of both locations.  

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟💫 3.5/5 stars

Wait For It is a romcom about a woman who moves to Arizona and falls for her mysterious landlord. Annabelle Martin is a graphic designer and, at 28, has had two failed marriages. When she gets a dream job as a creative director at a graphic design studio in Phoenix, she jumps at the chance to start over. Her mysterious landlord, Nick Daire, is recluse following a stroke. Nick is struggling with the after effects of the stroke and is reluctant to let people in. The two begin to fall for each other, but they first must deal with their own personal issues.

This was a cute romance that was very easy to read. Both characters were likable and I was invested in their storylines both together and apart. It isn’t a perfect book and I had some quibbles about the ending, but overall, I had fun reading this story. Fans of Lacie Waldon and Lauren Layne will enjoy this sweet romance!

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

This had all of the plot points I love in a novel. Enemies to lovers, a feud with a co-worker, and a heroine who always comes out on top, so why didn’t I like this one more than I did? There was certainly a lot going on with the plot but in this case that probably helped move things along and kept me from getting bored. I just really didn’t feel the love between Annabelle and Nick. Yes, they were both attractive and attracted to each other, but there was just something missing for me and I can’t put my finger on it.

Let me tell you a bit about the characters. Annabelle is a graphic designer who has all the skills. Landing a job as Creative Director for her friends agency, she has to reign in her “always late” tendencies and start being a boss. When she finds that one co-worker who resents her getting the job she doesn’t fall apart or get mad, instead she quietly observes, which is good! That guy is truly rather dreadful and is an obvious villain in this novel. This plot point does allow us to see a different side of Annabelle. Not the sexy neighbor but the take charge boss who isn’t afraid of a little conflict. Annabelle shows that take charge attitude in going after her handsome neighbor as well, which is a smart move because he was never going to go there with his bad attitude. I actually thought her character was fun and bright. A great heroine in what should be a fun romance.

Nick is going through some health issues and has taken a hit to his self confidence. Having to rely on a wheelchair because he’s afraid his leg won’t hold him certainly doesn’t keep him from having sexy times with his new neighbor, but boy did he start out a grouch. As the author let’s us get to know Nick a bit we get a back story that has some rather unsavory things in it. Prior to his bad health he wasn’t a very nice guy. Without going into all of the details, I’ll just say that despite him showing remorse for his actions he doesn’t really do anything to contradict what we’ve learned. His long lost sister shows up and he doesn’t react well. The only good thing about this guy is how Annabelle makes him feel and his flashbacks to his love for his sister. OK, I think I just figured out why I didn’t connect with the book. I didn’t really buy into Annabelle’s feelings for Nick. He had his redeeming moment in the novel but it wasn’t enough for me to shelve all of his bad traits.

Jenn McKinlay is a wonderful writer and I’ve read many of her books that I have enjoyed before. This one just didn’t connect with me. It may be that it’s the perfect book for you though so please take my opinion with a grain of salt and if this sounds like your kind of novel, please pick it up and read it. I, however, can only give it a 3.0 rating.

❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalleyand the publisher for my honest review and it was honest.

1. This title makes me think of Barney on How I Met Your Mother.
2. I’ve got so many feelings about this book:

I was totally hooked on this book from the beginning. I loved Annabelle’s quirky personality and I’ve had a real hankering for grumpy heroes lately - “Mr. Daire” did not disappoint in this category!

Read this one if you love:
•Grumpy/sunshine
•Forced proximity
•Healthy focus on mental health/panic/invisible disability for Nick
•Phoenix setting - I just don’t see this location very often!

Quite honestly this book had the set up for a five star romance, but I felt like there were a few too many distractions! There were SO many extra storylines floating around and many of them weren’t resolved or necessary - Annabelle’s lateness, her bosses situation, Nick’s sister, the mean work guy, Sophie and Miguel …. I wished the story would have been more focused on the couple and their personal growth because I truly loved that part of the story!

Despite it all, I did really love this book and sped through it so quickly.

I totally enjoyed Wait for It, by Jenn McKinlay, an emotional, hilarious, and amazing tale that tugs at the heart-strings. Annabelle Martin has had a tough time adulting, a few bad choices in relationship, is a bit spontaneous but is a very caring and nurturing person. For example, when her first ex-husband proposes to her, she panics and announces she is taking a job with her best friend in Arizona. Moving from Boston to Arizona gives Annabelle a fresh start and a new job; working in an office instead of freelancing. Renting a guest house on a beautiful estate, she and her landlord, Nick Daire, communicate only in handwritten notes. Nick suffered a stroke a few months prior and stayed inside his home, except for doctor appointments, hiding from the world who he had become; a broken man. Once Annabelle finally meets Nick she is surprised that he is young, not the grumpy old man she believed, and uses a wheelchair. From the moment Annabelle and Nick meet, you can sense the chemistry and fireworks these two created. Nick the grump met Annabelle a slice of sunshine. These two were so good for each other; a balance, yin to yang, or puzzle pieces fitting together. Nick had the knowledge and connections to help Annabelle in her new job while Annabelle was able to get Nick out of his self-imposed cell. These two are loveable characters, not perfect but their flaws made them more personable. Their ability to take chances and move past their life challenges added a depth to this story.

Ms. McKinlay wrote a wonderful, emotional, and h fun, sexy, quirky, heartful, and emotional story filled with sweet gestures, sizzling chemistry, supportive secondary characters and heartfelt discussions, that helped Annabelle and Nick find their inner-strength, love, and motivation to live a life that allowed them to be better people. I highly recommend Wait for It to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkleyBuddyReads #BerkleyWritesStrongWomen for a complimentary eARC of #WaitForIt upon my request. All opinions are my own. (Pub Date 8.10.2021)

Annabelle is looking for a fresh start after breaking up with her boyfriend and moves from Boston to Arizona to work as a creative director in a graphic design company that her best friend owns. She rents a guest house on a beautiful property from a quirky, rule-centered, and reclusive landlord, Nick. Annabelle has some surprises in store when she meets Nick and also faces challenges on the new job with a hostile, undermining, and jealous co-worker. Will this move to Arizona work out for her?

I always enjoy snappy and witty writing and this author doesn’t disappoint. Written in chronological order from two perspectives, Wait For It is entertaining and page-turning with likable main characters. I especially enjoyed the notes that Annabelle and Nick (the landlord) write back and forth at the beginning of the book. To me, the title isn’t particularly meaningful and is pulled from one conversation Annabelle and Nick have while watching fireworks.

I love when opposites attract and Annabelle and Nick are certainly opposites: while Annabelle is impulsive, positive, creative, artistic, sassy, and bold, Nick is controlling, dour, fearful, mysterious, and rule-centered. I enjoyed their banter and initial letter-writing communication attempts. One frustration is that half the book elapses before they meet face to face.

Even though this story can be categorized as romance and light, women’s fiction, the author includes several thoughtful themes including workplace harassment, second chances, starting over, panic attacks, inner growth, stroke recovery, traumatic childhood, mental health, estranged family, alcohol addiction, and helping women who need to escape from their homes.

Content Consideration: some steamy open-door romance, stroke recovery

I think fans of chick-lit and light women’s fiction (with some steam) might enjoy this story. It is a quick weekend or vacation read. Wait For It contains quite a few discussable topics for book club.

For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.

Thank you Berkley for the gifted copy.

What a cute book! I really enjoyed this one, as it had a little bit of everything. Enemies to lovers, forced proximity (sort of), a grumpy man and a sweet kinda quirky girl, the sketchy guy at the office trying to cause problems, family drama (but not too much), the perfect amount of steam...

I loved the banter and the chemistry between Nick and Annabelle. Their story line was pretty predictable, but that's expected in a romcom, I think.

I need a Lexi/Jackson book now - like IMMEDIATELY.