A simple, easy, and quick read that felt a lot like the current Christmas movies on Netflix. The characters were okay but would mainly recommend this book for someone looking for a fun breezey read. Makes for a good plane of beach read.

I enjoyed the different timelines in this book. These two were meant to be together, but it showed all of the different struggles that took place along the way.

1 .5 🌟

This book really wasn’t enjoyable to me. Sadly, I’m quite disappointed because the cover and blurb looked promising. I was really looking forward to the cozy romance that the blurb promised.

The premise itself is good, end the general storyline has potential, but it lacks cohesion. There are a few too many storylines happening at once, and overall, too much drama. I struggled to connect with the characters and the emotional connection between them felt a bit wishy-washy.

I liked the addition of the second female POV and it provided context. While it could have been done from the MMC’s perspective, it did bring a little freshness. That said, I don’t think this side storyline was necessary (no spoilers), but since it was included, I enjoyed how it was done.

The writing style just wasn’t for me. It felt overly proper, and at times strange. The author used some unusual ways of describing things, which didn’t feel natural - it didn’t feel like the way someone would speak.

The narrators were good overall, except when they tried to voice other characters, which I found very annoying to listen to. Aside from that, the narrators suited the characters well and matched how I imagined the MCs.

Without spoilers, I found chapter 29 unexpectedly detailed, unnecessary, and ultimately unexpected. It didn’t add anything to the story, and in my opinion, it took away from the book. I understand it might have been included to support a side storyline or humanize the character in that chapter, but I still don’t think it was needed.

One positive thing I want to highlight is the emphasis on the importance of safe sex. Unlike most books I’ve read recently, where it’s brushed off with a casual “I’m on contraception, so it’s fine,” I liked the more serious and realistic approach taken here.

I almost DNF’d this book at 12% and again at around 40%, but there were still some redeeming parts that kept me curious enough to finish and see how it ended.
Overall, while there were moments of promise, this book ultimately really fell short for me.


Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

1.5 ⭐️

Do you like books where everyone cheats on each other? Then boy do I have the book rec for you!

Zamora: physically cheated on by her husband, but still stays with him off and on for awhile afterwards. Emotionally cheats on her husband because she’s still in love with her ex, Marcus, 10 years later. Gets engaged before her divorce is finalized.

Marcus: emotionally cheats on his fiancé because he’s still in love with his ex, Zamora. Breaks off engagement with Eliana and gets engaged to Zamora in the same night.

Eliana: physically and emotionally cheats on her fiancée, Marcus. Also a scam artist trying to get Marcus’s family money. Was maybe a human trafficking victim? Hard to tell because it wasn’t explained well. She’s safe at the end at least.

The blurb of the book about the missed flight bringing Zamora and Marcus back together was practically longer than the scene itself. It was like 3 sentences in the book: the flight is delayed; Marcus and Zamora see each other in the airport; Marcus and Zamora leave the airport together to catch up and neither of them tells the other that they have significant others.

There was nothing romantic about this book - it was messy af and everyone pretty much sucked. I felt no joy for a single character through the whole thing, even during the HEA. I listened to the book at 3x speed for most of it just to be done faster. The extra .5 ⭐️ is just for the effort of writing a book I guess? That was the only redeeming quality I can think of.

The audiobook narrators were fine, but nothing particularly special.

Also trigger warning for miscarriage and rape on the page, on top of all the cheating.

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media: Recorded Books for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun, second chance.

It had a lot going on, but it had all the right pieces for success. And I think that's my biggest gripe, is that it had a lot of life going on for this girl, and I wanted her to suffer less. Maybe I enjoy a fluffier read, but there was a lot going on, and there were no trigger warnings to let me know what was coming.

Otherwise, it had all the things I needed for a successful romance. The narrators did an amazing job making the characters come to life.

Thank you to Black Odyssey, RB Media, and Netgalley for an e-copy.

I received an audiobook copy of this book on NetGalley to given honesty review.

It started out so well, but somewhere along the way it took such a weird turn that the storyline didn’t make sense that weird time jump at the beginning was so confusing. I had no idea what happened when that happened.
The narrators were great. I enjoyed them the story not so much and then the cheating that was too much for me. I could not get past that.

First of all I loved this audiobook very much. The two voices were always perfect, I was very immersed in the story, so much so that I really cried when something bad happened to one of the main characters (no spoilers). I loved Marcus in particular, I love men that can say out loud that they were wrong without it being a big deal. I liked the twist of the story towards the end, I didn’t expect it really. So after all I loved this book and I give the audiobook a 5/5

This book felt very choppy. Like there were multiple storylines happening. I thought I was getting a cute second chance romance book, but instead, I was getting a toxic filled book that I just did not enjoy. I hate leaving reviews like this because I understand how hard it is to write a book however, the description maybe should reflect what is in the book so that readers know what to expect.

WOW, what an experience! This was my first time reading a book by Anna Black, and it absolutely blew me away. The storytelling was phenomenal, especially how each chapter was told from a different POV of the main characters. It gave such depth to the story and really allowed me to get a better understanding of each character. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, and the ending was so beautiful. The audiobook was masterfully narrated. Each character’s voice brought them to life in such a unique way. I found myself hanging on every word, eagerly wanting to hear more. Love Delayed is a true gem, and I can’t wait to dive into more audiobooks by Anna Black. This author has definitely earned a spot on my must-read (and must-listen) list! If you’re looking for a captivating story with emotional depth and incredible narration, this is definitely the book for you.

The synopsis really piqued my interest so I thought I'd give it a shot. Overall the story was good, the dual viewpoints of the main characters & their story of coming back together was flowed well. The viewpoint of the Marcus' fiance confused me, leaving me feeling that while it did give an understanding to what was going on in his world that it felt like an entirely different story mixed into another book. The fiance side plot seemed thrown in without warning when it came to listening to the audiobook that I'm sure would have flowed better in a physical or ebook format.
The audiobook truly felt like you were having a rehash conversation with your girlfriends or bros with each character change, aside from the fiance.
Overall I'd give the book a 3/5 stars.

I received the audiobook from Netgalley.

The narrators were great. Zamora was such a likable fmc. I felt for her so much throughout this book. I was ready to dump Marcus from the beginning, so was shocked when I heard his character start sharing his perspective. Luckily he had a major glow up. There were many plot twists I did not see coming, which is always a welcome surprise. It was a tad heavy on the religion for me, so I removed a star for that. I do think there should be some trigger warnings in the book as well. I was ok reading it, but I can see how others may have an issue with some parts. Overall, really enjoyed it- quick, feel good listen!

Love Delayed by Anna Black delivers a whirlwind of drama and emotion that keeps me hooked from start to finish. Zamora and Marcus’s story is one of heartbreak, missed opportunities, and rediscovered love. The characters feel so real—flawed, passionate, and driven by their own motivations—which makes their journey back to each other all the more compelling.
The tension between Zamora’s ambition and Marcus’s ego set the stage for their initial breakup, and the ten-year gap added layers of nostalgia and regret that made their reunion in Vegas deeply satisfying. The one-night setup brought a perfect balance of unresolved tension and second-chance magic.
The narration by Tamika Katon-Donegal, AhDream Smith, and Freedom added richness to the story. Each voice brought the characters to life in unique ways, capturing Zamora’s resilience, Marcus’s vulnerability, and the emotional depth of their connection. The narrators’ performances made the drama more engaging, drawing me deeper into the story.
If you love a romance filled with twists, turns, and second chances, Love Delayed will not disappoint. It’s a heartfelt reminder that love, no matter how delayed, can still find its way back.

This book just was not for me. Had there been trigger warnings for the topics in this book, or the description been more accurate, I wouldn’t have picked it up. It also read like a tv drama and not in a good way. I enjoyed the narration, just not the story.

This is the story of Zamora (aka Z) and Marcus’ relationship journey from their teenage years to adulthood. Told a decade after their upsetting breakup, Anna Black explores what happens when two hearts destined to be together find themselves with all the wrong people.

I have mixed feelings about Love Delayed. At the heart of the story, Anna Black, brings readers into the joys and sorrows of Z and Marcus; however, there are many parts of the book that were rushed or seemed unfinished. For me, the first 25% of the book needed to be flushed out more. I am a big believer that the beginning of any story should show the readers who the characters are and why we should root for them. This did not occur until well into the story and I felt cheated to not have known Z and Marcus better in the beginning. Despite this, the middle part of the book kept me captivated and made me wanting more from the unfinished/rushed parts.

Overall, great premise with some solid moments, but there are definitely missed opportunities that would have made this a five star read.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. 2.75 ⭐️

Loved Z! She says everything that I'm thinking and doesn't hold back (which I love).

THE DRAMA!

Fate always has a tricky way of bringing us back to the ones that are meant to be.


I'm SO curious about Josh and Zar and want to know more and maybe even get more of them ;)

Couldn't finish this one - found the story hard to get into and the characters difficult to connect to. Not my favourite narrators either.

Actual rating 2.5

I want to start out by saying this is NOT a bad book, I just don’t think this weighting style is my cup of tea.

I had the ALC version of this book, having 3 narrators was a weird choice, I believe that the pov of the third person could’ve been done through one of the narrators that were already in the story ? I don’t think she herself needed a whole mother narrator.
I had a really hard time connecting with any character of this book, it just didn’t go as smooth as I was expecting, no depth in the character & lots of side story lines that truly provided nothing to the story.

I think the idea of the story is great but the delivery was just a little off.

There is a LOT of drama in this book... After a huge misunderstanding and a bigger amount of ego, Zamora and Marcus break up. 10 years later they run into each other again, and we're taken on a roller coaster ride while they work out what went wrong, and what they really want now. And then add in a bit of a con, and you've got quite an intense ride.

The narrators did a good job of bringing Zamora and Marcus to life. I wasn't sure why a third narrator was needed for Elliana.

The story didn't have the greatest flow, and I didn't understand why the characters did what they did a lot of the time.

Still, not a waste of time, and it could be enjoyable for some.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Recorded Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This needed trigger warnings of infertility I couldn’t finish it after 75% the first few chapters I was crying so hard!

I DNF'd this book at 9%.

Honestly it was a struggle to make it even this far. From the prologue, I knew that I wasn't going to like this book. I wanted to like it so badly but it was so disjointed and chaotic. It felt like the book had no structure and the pacing was bizzare. We listen to this long prologue about how the mc wants to go to culinary school and she decides to sign up for a 13 month program in another state without consulting her partner. He is rightfully upset.

The two are clearly unable to communicate and should not be together but imagine my surprise when the male narrator comes in and it's his POV! This, to me, indicates that they are endgame in this story and I knew there was no way I could root for them to be together after that terrible start.

To make things even more chaotic, we jump ahead in time and she's MARRIED to another man and his pregnant mistress shows up at her door. I felt like I was getting whiplash with the story. Where was the setup? Where was act 1, the catalyst, anything? There was no semblance of story structure here and it felt like a first draft.