This was absolutely adorable. I adored Glitterland, and I'm really happy to say that this was just as good (if a little bit too short for me)! Alexis Hall's writing style is just so comfortable; I love reading their books. I did think that the main story would be longer than it was, and the ending was slightly too abrupt for me, but I still really enjoyed it. The extra novella with Marius was great too, and I was really happy that we got to read from his perspective as well as Edwin's. Overall, this was really great and I can't wait to read the next book in this series! :)

I haven’t read the first edition of this book, so I have nothing to compare. This new version contains two novellas: Waiting for the Flood and Chasing the Light. The first is told from Edwin’s POV and the second, Marius’s POV, and is a new story.

Edwin and Marius were a couple until a few years ago, but neither of them have ever really moved on since their split. In fact, Edwin still lives in the house they shared, along with his memories.

These are the stories where they possibly meet their forever person, but they also get a chance to finally say goodbye and make amends.

Waiting for the Flood is Edwin and Adam’s story. It’s a sweet, gentle romance, but I was left wanting more.

I enjoyed Chasing the Light. We gain a glimpse into Marius’s life and rather selfish character, his reaction to his break up with Edwin, and his beginnings with Leo on a canal boat.

Both characters seem to have met a partner who is perfect for them. So all is good.

The two stories offer a heartfelt romance; the chance of falling in love again, moving on, and making peace with the past. There’s some subtle humour and parts that made me smile. The characters are real and thus imperfect.

I’m glad we received Marius’s POV - it seemed to balance out Edwin’s POV of what happened.

I like the almost lyrical writing style and the feelings the story created. It is beautifully written and wonderfully British.

Enjoyed these stories. I appreciated the journey for both sides and thought the crossover moments were excellent.

I enjoyed Waiting for the Flood and its joyful moments following grief associated with a failed long-term relationship. Witnessing Edwin's growth was very rewarding, and I think there was a good balance between plot & romance for a novella. The relationship development with Adam was very sweet and I enjoyed both of their characterizations and quirks. Petal was the cutest thing I've heard in a long time, and it's always lovely to witness someone realizing that they deserve love after being left.

I struggled to connect with the voice within both novellas, but especially in Chasing the Light. I really don't like Marius as a character, even at the end of the novella. He has very few redeeming qualities and tears down anyone who tries to extend a helping hand. We don't get to see much growth from his character (at all) throughout the novella, and I struggled to get through the second half of this arc. Due to this, I wasn't invested in his relationship with Leo. Also, the presence of disordered eating without any discussion of it seemed very unnecessary and could be triggering for many, especially since it doesn't seem to offer anything substantial to the plot/characterization.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to access this ARC through the "Read Now" section on NetGalley.

First book:
The way the story is written, gosh, you get into the corners of Edwin Tully’s brain, which makes us as readers part of his being, thoroughly!

Edwin is a darling, a good human, organic, intelligent, his mind works overtime, his mouth not so because of his stutter. He keeps his heart behind walls.
He had dreams, they weren’t big ones, just simple satisfying ones, they almost came true, until he’d been left behind by his partner Marius, after ten years being a couple, he was in pieces, with low self-esteem, and without dreams, only memories.

“To gather up the dust of my heart and scatter it again on the winds of hope.”

Meeting Adam Dacre from the Environment Agency who came to help with the flood, was something else. This tall man called him ‘petal’ and saw him, they had a connection, Edwin guessed it was probably his imagination. (No! Edwin it’s real!)
The man is humorous and has a bright smile, he makes Edwin feel and hope again.
At some point, Edwin’s walls are slowly coming down, it’s safe.

-“Speak to me,” was what he said.-

The circumstances and scenery of the rising waters and the struggle against it were so so well pictured. Edwin and Adam their personalities were breathtaking, so beautifully layered.

————

The second part of this book Chasing the Light is the story about Marius. It needs the same attention as Edwin’s part because dang Marius’ part was so impressive!

After abruptly leaving the Christmas family diner, because his ex Edwin and his boyfriend were there, Marius injured his ankle and got saved by a guy who lives on a boat.

Now, this could be just another story, NOT! ABSOLUTELY NOT!

“Don’t like me, Leo. I hurt people when they like me.”

I love how the author wrote about an, at first sight, unlovable character. There’s always a story and I loved what they did with it, all the layers, the self-criticism, self-loathing, the sarcasm, the humor, the vulnerability, their lives, it was amazingly done.

“Your worldview seems to be making you fairly miserable.”

It’s all pure poetry, I can’t find any other words, maybe wordsmith-ish?
Funny thing: there were typical British parts in Edwin’s part, that I didn’t understand a thing about and I just lightly flew over them, I had no problem with it. I adored the part where Edwin and Marius had an enlightening conversation!
Overall a deeply moving, well-crafted piece of work! I enjoyed it immensely!

I couldn't decide how to rate this book for the longest time. I loved the first part, Waiting for the Flood and I'd rate it 5 stars. The second part, Chasing the Light, wasn't as good in my opinion and I'd rate it 2-2.5 stars the most. So I decided to rate the book as a whole 3.5 stars.
But I have to say, the atmosphere, romance and heart in the writing is something special. Waiting for the Flood is practically perfect in every way. It has a melancholy feel to it as we slowly become familiar with Edwin and the way the loss of his ten year relationship has flooded and over shadowed his life. I loved the way in which we get to see Edwin living such a quiet life and his love of books and documents. I also liked the way we get to see his thoughts and the way he struggles to voice his feelings, and the way his lack of self esteem is expressed as internal dialogue. It hit close to home, too close. The writing was fantastic, brilliant, and the characters were incredible, but it was blow after blow.. I don't mean it as a bad thing, on the contrary, it was good. It was difficult to read because Edwin reminded me so much of myself in so many ways. On top of it all it was just so gently emotional and beautifully written. It is a lovely story. I guess it has an air of sadness and melancholy to it, but I don't think it's one of those "I'm gonna kill myself because I can't with this" kind of story. There is hope. Even in the middle of all of Edwin's dark thoughts there is hope. All the time. And Adam is definitely a ray of sunshine.
I’d like to give Chasing the Light the excuse of being paired with WftF so you theoretically read it right after. Which is a hard act to follow for any book. The thing is, I can’t say that Chasing the Light is a bad book. But it’s missing all the heart that makes Waiting for the Flood so stunning. I haven't finished WftF thinking of Marius as the bad guy. After reading Chasing the Light, I don’t think I like Marius at all. He’s given baggage but it feels like an afterthought. Oh, oops, this guy is kind of a dick, better give a reason for that. It’s presented as more of a character quirk or as justification for how abrasively he behaves. And be clear, characters do not always have to be “likeable” to be compelling. Something about Marius, though, kept me at arms length. And why the fuck does Leo find Marius appealing, when all he’s done is try to act like the biggest asshole he can the entire time? Overall though, this was an enjoyable story of healing and acceptance, with a nice balance of angst and sweetness.

I loved the first edition of this book, and the new expanded edition has taken it places that I really didn’t expect, (but should have considering how Hall writes).

When I first read Waiting for the flood, I loved Edwin, I loved Adam for him, and I was very much angry at Marius for the leaving and hurting Edwin and making Edwin feel so small. But with the addition of Chasing the Light it provides the opportunity to see a relationship change from the perspective of both parties.
Romance tends to place a very high value on Happily Ever After, and that is fine and there is a time and place for that. But it can imply that “forever” is the only measure of success in a relationship. Marius and Edwin both clearly were hurting, and they had reached a point where being together was no longer Happy for them. In Chasing the Flood, we get to see an Edwin and a Marius who still hold each other in deep regard but also have found (are working on finding?) satisfying lives outside of being together.

I don’t mind an Epilogue with a proposal or a baby, but I also find Hall’s willingness to demonstrate different examples of what Happily Ever After can look like really refreshing. He goes some brave places in a genre that has some pretty strong formulas for what HEA or HFN look like.

It was a long time ago that I finished a book within a day. Chasing the light made it easy.
I wished for a story about Marius after reading Waiting for the flood and my wish came true.
Marius is a complicated character with flaws and a hard outside but he is so afraid of being loved for who he is. Alexis Hall captured him so well.
Leo is the most tender hearted man. After a rough youth and twenties he now lives on a boat and ‘rescues’ Marius when Marius is at one of the lowest points in his life. Alexis Hall writes them honestly and without any pretentiousness. I couldn’t not love them.
I will definitely reread this novella and I’m excited for discovering new things in the story.

**Thank to NetGalley and SouceBooks for the ARC **

Waiting for the flood
By: Alexis Hall

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Easy to love

In book 3 in the Spires series we get Edwin and Adam. Two kind soles who could be great together If Edwin can open his heart to love once again.

Authors Blurb: Twelve years ago, Edwin Tully came to Oxford and fell in love with a boy named Marius. He was brilliant. An artist. It was going to be forever.

Two years ago, it ended.

Now Edwin lives alone in the house they used to share. He tends to damaged books and faded memories, trying to build a future from the fragments of the past.

Then the weather turns, and the river spills into Edwin’s quiet world, bringing with it Adam Dacre from the Environment Agency. An unlikely knight, this stranger with roughened hands and worn wellingtons, but he offers Edwin the hope of something he thought he would never have again.

As the two men grow closer in their struggle against the rising waters, Edwin learns he can’t protect himself from everything and sometimes he doesn't need to try.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in single POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

These novellas (Waiting For the Flood and Chasing the Light) fit together so well and make one overarching story, so it makes a lot of sense that they were bundled in the new tie-in.

I absolutely ADORED Waiting For the Flood. Edwin has to be one of my favourite characters that Alexis Hall has written, I loved him SO much. This was such a lovely, touching story.

Unfortunately, I enjoyed Chasing the Light a lot less. I just absolutely couldn't stand Marius as a main character. He was so shitty to everyone for seemingly no reason, and he never really redeemed himself. This was still an okay story but I liked the romance and characters a lot less.

I would give Waiting For the Flood 5 stars and Chasing the Light 3 stars, so I'm rating the tie-in an average of 4 stars.

In Oxford, Edwin isn't quite drowning—but he's been treating water for so long that it's hard to remember what it felt like to be on dry land. And not so far away, his ex-husband Marius is floundering too, knowing just what he has lost but powerless to change some of the things most important to him.

This volume contains two novellas—"Waiting for the Flood", Edwin's story, and then "Chasing the Light", Marius's story. Two love stories, not one; by the time "Waiting for the Floor" opens their love story together is, well, too deep underwater for rescue. For Edwin, it's about figuring out that that's okay and finding a way to move on, while for Marius, the goal is in part to backtrack and learn to say the things that he never could.

Hall's books have been a bit hit-or-miss for me, which is fine—not every book by an author needs to be a hit. This one's somewhere in between: I like that Edwin has a stammer, and that it's just an accepted part of who he is rather than something any of the characters try to change, I like the recurring theme of water-water-everywhere, I like the way Marius's parents barge in as needed, and so on and so forth. I'm not as sold on the writing of "Waiting for the Flood" in particular; I believe it was one of the earlier books Hall published, and it feels quite overwritten in places. Maybe it's just the way Edwin thinks, but (I'm doomed to say this in half my reviews of Hall's books, I swear) it gives me the impression of a (good) writer who read a lot of angsty fanfiction once upon a time. "Chasing the Light" still has a fair amount of angst, but—perhaps because it's more recent—the writing feels more streamlined too. I'd say perhaps 3 stars for "Waiting" and 3.5 for "Chasing".

Not sure I'll pick up any of the other books in this world, but I'm still eagerly awaiting book three in Hall's "Winner Bakes All" series.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley.

I really wanted to love this book. Alexis Hall has always been an author I’ve really enjoyed but I couldn’t get into this book. I really tried pushing through it but 3 chapters in I still didn’t connect or care for the main character, Edwin. I think the narrative voice is just not for me and unfortunately I’m not someone who can wait out chapters to get to the good parts - I DNF books and I DNFed this one.

That’s not to say that someone else will not enjoy it - I think every book has an audience and you won’t know how you feel about until you give it a shot. You might really a book that I’m not into and that’s okay.

It’s no secret that I adore Alexis Hall books, and the novella Waiting for the Flood is one of my favorites. In this rerelease, Edwin’s poignant story continues to resonate with me. This edition also includes Chasing the Light, Marius’s new story which I ended up loving just as much.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Edwin Tully is waiting for the floodwaters to arrive. He’s uncomfortable in the home he once shared with his partner of 10 years, and is still mourning their breakup. The impending flood puts him in the path of outgoing civil engineer Adam Dacre. Adam immediately befriends Edwin, and it’s clear he’s interested in more than just being helpful. Can Edwin see past his own grief and disappointment to take a chance on someone new?

Adam is a low-key delight. I love the way he draws Edwin out of his self-imposed shell and never holds any of Edwin’s stumbles against him. Usually I steer clear of stories with such a wistful tone, but in Waiting for the Flood it feels just right.

Also included in this edition is Marius’s story, Chasing the Light. This novella is vibes too, about what happens when Marius sprains his ankle and is stranded with the lovely Leo on his canal boat for a few days.

Marius is a lesson in how to take a seemingly unlikable character and make the reader root for him. Once his motivation is clear, it helps to see just why he reacts in self destructive ways. And Leo is his perfect foil, as a sweet character who’s stepped back from the world at large. And as much as Marius tries to push them away, Marius’s parents are hilarious and truly great parents.

Both stories together highlight how wonderful novella-length stories can be, especially when they focus on moods more than action. Whether you are a reader who adores a wistful, emotional romance, or you prefer a snarky character who is forced to finally connect with someone else, this edition of Waiting for the Flood has the perfect story for you.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Alexis Hall always leaves me with an utter loss for words. Every word he pours onto a single page leaves me endlessly enchanted. I am drawn to his writing like a moth to a flame, and I would gladly burn for the chance to experience his narratives forever.

Waiting For the Flood is about Edwin, a man who was left behind and forced to begin again after his relationship of ten-years came to a devastating conclusion. Surrounded by the silence Marius’s absence leaves, Edwin is living his life with his head under water, isolated from the world and desperately afraid of being left again. After four years, Edwin has yet to move on. However, when his house floods (bringing a handsome stranger to his doorstep) he decides to take a leap of faith and let love into his life again once more.

Chasing the Light is a new novella that follows Marius post-breakup. After leaving behind his relationship of the last decade, he is lost in the whirlwind of his conscience. Marius’s choice to walk away was four years ago, yet he is still adrift without an anchorage to his own world. Not having picked up a paintbrush since the days Edwin was his, Marius is light years away from peace. When his life becomes echoes of the past and broken promises, his composure breaks, leaving a devastating wake of self-resentment seated firmly in remorse. When Marius suffers a debilitating injury, a stranger opens his home and his heart, providing Marius with a sense of solace he thought long gone. A relationship begins anew, but will Marius let himself stay?

What I love most about Hall’s writing with his Spires series is the realistic portal of life. With an artist’s toolbox in hand, Hall takes the ordinary to new heights, elevating a mere day-to-day to a tale imprinted into your memory. With his writing, I feel like I can grasp truth. What a strange sentiment, yet it could not be more fitting. I am in a constant state of awe, inspired by Hall’s depictions of life unfolding. Above all, Hall’s contemporary romance showcases the trials of life and how we can overcome our deepest insecurities, finding ourselves among the wreck of our perceived weaknesses.

When I think of the writing of Alexis Hall, I am left with one word—devotion. Devotion to his readers, to his characters, and to the freedoms of finding a life worthy of love. When I read Hall’s works, I feel as if I can believe in anything. Hall has a unique ability to draw out the desires of the heart and supply it with beautiful prose and storytelling. I am consumed by his words.

All in all, Waiting For the Flood is a story that found me. It may be fantastical, but I believe that Hall’s works find readers when they need it the most. Every novel of his that I’ve read has fused itself onto my soul.

The simple truth is, I feel human when I read his works. While life passes by, I am still surrounded by his words that make me believe in the endless possibilities of life.

I need to start this review off with an announcement: I loved Edwin. The idea of holding onto something that didn't work out/last, because you don't have the energy to replan an entire life without that thing/person is something I can understand. Marius was not good for Edwin, but Adam's emergence into Edwin's life was honestly the change up that Edwin needed to reclaim his life for himself, and not to just exist. I also really loved the idea of Edwin relaxing enough to be able to splash around in flood waters (I wish I was brave enough to do the same some days!), and how much enjoyment Adam got out of seeing Edwin finally let down his guard. I also appreciated how Adam was shown out in the community trying to help save as many houses from flooding as he could, and kind of wanted to know his plan to stop the (what seemed to me) frequent flooding of the area. I also hoped to see a bit more beyond the flood in this work, like how they existed as a couple past the flooding when they weren't in such close proximity.

I was surprised to find Chasing the Light also included, and I was eager to see Marius' point of view. I immediately realized that I do not enjoy Marius' point of view, and his constant complaining about a life that he was happy to throw away. He was so jaded and mean at times that I was constantly wondering why Leo would put up with him. I really enjoy Alexis Hall's writing/works, but Marius' story will remain my least favorite and one that I didn't make it to the end of.

Even though it this book seems to be Waiting for the flood and a novella, chasing the light seems to be even longer than Waiting for the Flood.
Waiting for the Flood is so whimsical and warm, with both MMC being lovely, just poor Edwin lacking a little bit of confidence but finding it and finding himself and love.
Waiting for the light was the complete opposite, I just don’t understand why Marius can’t stop being terrible, for no reason, even when he knows he is terrible, and even more unbelievable is that people keep trying with him, it got repetitive but it did pull some strings at the end for me as I do love Alexis writing.

This is book #2!! Yikes, now I must read book 1. (OK, I just downloaded it from Hoopla, know what I am doing the rest of the day!!)
I was just recently introduced to Alex Hall through Boyfriend material, and Husband material, terrific audiobooks.
So this book was published in 2015, and now I will have to read the whole series!! Plus, Hall has written 52 and I have only read 3!!
I am not the age or demographic for this book (75 year old straight white woman) but boy, did I love it. I laughed. I cried.
Edwin had been in love with Marius for 10 years, from Oxford on. One day, Marius just left. The first half of the book was from Edwin's point of view, and I just wanted to hug him. I so identified with his neighbor, an old white woman who just cared for him, and he for her. Then came torrential rain, and yes, a flood.
Oh, did I mention that he was an archivist and saved old books, so dear to my librarian heart.
Anyway, flood, yes and in walks tall,intelligent ginger Adam, who also stole my heart. Would Edwin learn to open his heart again??
Then we meet Marius, who is another type completely. Marius is a mess and has not dealt with the breakup well. We do basically learn why he left, and even by the end of the book he does not tell Edwin. You will have to discover for yourself when you read the book.
Anyway, Marius goes to his parents house for Christmas, and Edwin is there with Adam, holding hands.
Marius, who is not the most stable guy, yells at his parents and runs out and runs down a dark tow path, where he falls and injures his ankle so that he can't walk.
He screams! A mountain of a man finds him, picks him up, and takes him to his boat. This is Leo. Their relationship, which slowly unfolds, reveals their backstories, each of which had me sobbing.
Much angst ensues.
I received an EARC from Netgalley and the publisher. I am so happy I did, now on to the whole series!!

This was not my favourite book by this author. I’ve read other things before and absolutely loved them. They were witty, hilarious, engaging, fun, interesting characters…but for this one I felt bored and underwhelmed, unfortunately. I will be giving this author a third chance, though.

See, the thing I love about Alexis Hall is how beautifully flawed his characters are. How moody, and silly, and sometimes even downright rude.

Waiting for the Flood is a bit short, and compared to some of Halls work, it's lite on spice. That said, it's SUPER interesting in terms of civil engineering and conservation. Overall, I enjoyed this quick read.

This book is in the process of being re-released, and it now includes a novella about Edwin's ex boyfriend.
I gave that a shot, but frankly found Marcus to be insufferable and DNF'd after four chapters. Fuck that dude, Leo deserves better.

I have listened to the original Waiting for the Floor once before, in 2022. I apparently gave it 3 stars then, though I thought I had given it 4.

This new addition has a bonus story Chasing the Light, about Edwin's ex Marius. I was surprised when I finished the Waiting for the Flood story and realised I was only 35% into the book - it's very odd for a "bonus story" to be two-thirds of the book, and felt like maybe Chasing the Light should be in it's own book - but then I got to the end of Chasing the Light and realised exactly why these two stories were in the same volume together - these stories need to be read together, because they're so tightly interwoven.

On Alexis Hall's Instagram he said there was also a bonus epilogue called Aftermath included in this new edition, but my ARC copy did not include it - which is a pity, as I feel like I'm reviewing a book I only read 95% of. I guess I'll have to update my review once the book comes out and I buy myself a copy.

<b>Review for Waiting for the Flood: 4 stars</b>
I really like Waiting for the Flood. It's a pretty melancholic story, and one I would absolutely love to listen to in audio format on a rainy day. Edwin spends a lot of his time in the story grieving over the relationship he had with his ex Marius. Adam, Edwin's love interest, is a ray of sunshine though, and every conversation they have is lovely. My only reason to not give this 5 stars is because the ending just doesn't feel like an ending, it needed a little extra something. Again, if the Aftermath epilogue had been included in my copy of the ARC this review might have changed to 5 stars, but as its missing from my review copy I can't really review it.

<b>Review for Chasing the Light: 5 stars</b>
I LOVED this. I liked the idea for seeing things from Marius's POV after seeing the aftermath of their relationship from Edwin's POV. In WftF Marius's mother invites Edwin to come to Christmas, and when Marius arrives at his parents house and sees his ex-boyfriend with his new boyfriend, he's so angry that he immediately leaves the party. He ends up walking to the river, and slips in a puddle and sprains his ankle. A man living on a narrowboat, Leo, comes to his rescue.

I really loved Leo and Marius's romance. It's a great second-chances kind of a story - not in that it's a second-chance romance for them (they're complete strangers), but in the fact that Leo is starting his life over, and Marius has been dwelling in his own misery for so long that meeting Leo helps him realise he doesn't HAVE to be miserable if he doesn't want to be.

The last part of this story sees Edwin and Marius interacting with each other and clearing the air a bit of the resentment they both hold after their breakup, and GOD this segment gave me a good cry. I really loved this and it ties both stories together beautifully.