THE COVER: relevant and absolutely stunning!❤
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Sexual Assault

✒Waiting For Paint To Dry was a fantastic read! The protagonist Matilda Bell is recovering from an assault that took place years before by attending therapy. This book was all about healing, love and family, those themes were properly expressed throughout the novel.

✒Now I know this doesn't relate to the review, but I need to get this off my chest. One reviewer, who I shall not name, stated on goodreads after giving this title a 1 star rating that, and I quote, " Her boyfriend raped her when she was 16, and the next page she was 30, and still going on about it..." In a nutshell, I find that statement to be insensitive, inconsiderate, almost inhumane, and I feel sorry for you.

✒ Anyhoo, back to the review. Surprisingly, I thought I would've been shedding tears on this one, instead after about 40% in, all I could do was smile.
Smiling when Matilda began pulling herself out of her hole.
Smiling for the rekindling of an old friendship when she began opening up.
Overjoyed for the well-deserved hunk of a man that was Ty. Mhmmm.... he was perfect for her.

✒ I cared for all the characters and thought they balanced each other out in the plot. The arcs were beleivable and satisfying.
My only dissatisfaction, was that I didn't get to see a confrontation and closure with Matty's parents.

✒Lia Mack has beautifully written a heartfelt, compelling story, that both resonated and helped me personally.

✒My "take-away" from this novel was that, the physical, mental and emotional scars that remain after such traumatic experiences, sometimes remain for years. If we don't take the initiative to deal with them head on, to get on that road to healing, then that hurt spills onto other areas of our lives.

✒Upon finishing this book I felt, understood. Hopeful, for I was reminded that there is life after trauma. To not let one incident ( or multiple ) rule your life, but propell you forward to a better one. One you deserve.

✒ A HUGE thank you to Lia Mack, Blissfully Beguiling Books and NetGalley, for gifting me this eArc in exchange for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
HAPPY READING!❤

I received a complimentary electronic ARC of this moving novel on June 24, 2022 from Netgalley, author Lia Mack, and publisher Blissfully Beguiling Books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Waiting for Paint to Dry of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Lia Mack is an author I will follow and can happily recommend to friends and family.. She writes a heartfelt tale of the practical and tactical recovery from trauma possible when tackled with a strong will and proper frame of mind.

This is a lesson that should be taken to heart by victims of and those who love victims of rape. The road to healing body and soul is not an easy one but is one that rewards the victim with self-confidence and self-respect. Finding that road is key to leaving behind not only the act of abuse but also the repercussions of the same.

That said, this is an excellent tale, told with warmth and soul. It is a novel to help us grow a healthy understanding of the pain of others. And to assist victims of abuse in finding that road.
pub date April 29, 2022
received June 24, 2022

Reviewed on July 22, 2022, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile,

For everyone who want to read this book, please check the Trigger Warnings first. Some people may be found this book isn't their comfort book. But, I think this book is a just read book, Especially because the main Topic. We need more books with taboo topics like this, because That's what happened around US.

I tried to like this book more, considering the author's intent. However, all secondary characters were two dimensional and it began to feel like they were there just to move the story along and help the main character on her journey.

This book hit the spot! So pleased with every detail. Every character in the book was hit in detail and explained by the end! Very pleased with this read! I absolutely loved the way it was written and all the detail and the way the lives of all the characters in the book are told! I got a glimpse at the second book told in the sisters view. Absolutely love it just by the first chapter!!!! Can't wait to read it!!!!!! This book...... WOW!!! It's definitely a must read! Such a freeing read!

It's hard to rate a book that deals with such a heavy topic. Unfortunately it's also a topic that's more common than most people think. While this read has to do with heavy topics, triggers, trauma and everything that comes along with it... it's also a book about healing and I think changing the narrative and giving people hope that they can heal from something like this is incredibly important.

This is a book that deals with a challenging subject matter, and so it's important to check trigger warnings before reading.

The author navigated this book's tough subject matter well, and she crafted a beautiful story taking the readers through Matty's decade-long journey of healing. Despite the long time period this novel covered, I stayed engaged and rooting for Matty for the majority of the novel. The first part was the hardest to get through (both because of pace and content), and I am curious what further details we get on Matty and her story in the sequel.

8/10! Amazing book I loved it. Once I really got into it I couldn’t put it down. I was disappointed there wasn’t much of a reunion with Matty and her parents. I felt that was a bit disappointing. I want to know more about how Matty moves on and her future. I am so excited for book two! And the view it’s going to be.

This is a tough subject. A woman who was raped as a teenager and never told anyone. She disassociates and tries to forget but deals with frequent triggers so with her therapist she is trying to heal. The second half of the book deals with her healing journey

I really, really enjoyed this book! It was captivating and it hooked me from the very first chapter! It had its slow moments, but for the most part I really enjoyed!

this is a book about overcoming trama and having hope for the future. hard to read at times but enjoyed it.