Release Blitz + Review: "Waiting for You" by Lea Coll

I'm thrilled to participate in today's release blitz celebrating "Waiting for You" by Lea Coll, book #6 of the Annapolis Harbor series. Characters from previous stories make appearances in this one, but it reads as a complete standalone.

Dr. Alex St. James has returned to his hometown of Annapolis to complete part of his medical residency at the nearby University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. He's also an accomplished cellist, so when he learns that the musician hired to play at a family friend's wedding has dropped out at the last minute, he volunteers to fill in. In gratitude, the bride, Juliana Breslin, offers him a complimentary room at her bed and breakfast. Alex had planned to find a short-term rental for the duration of his stay in Annapolis, but he soon comes to appreciate the amenities of the B&B as well as the chance to catch up with Juliana's sister Ava, the live-in manager. Ava has been best friends with Alex's younger sister Savannah for years and secretly had a crush on him when they were teenagers. She's surprised to find that her feelings for Alex are as strong as ever, but as her best friend's brother, he's off limits. Besides, she's focused on her job at the B&B and dreams of running her own bakery, which she's close to making a reality. The more time Ava spends with Alex, the more difficult it becomes for her to resist him, but what happens when it's time for him to head back to his real life in New York?

I really liked Alex and Ava as a couple. They were both incredibly likeable and relatable, as were the challenges they faced. Alex was pretty flirty with Ava from the beginning, which was kind of surprising since he seemed set on avoiding serious relationships while he was still a resident. His reasons for not wanting to date were completely understandable, however, as were his concerns about his family's reaction to him dating Ava in particular given her close relationship with them. Ava had fears of her own after her mother walked out on her family when she was a teenager, and her father and sister's refusal to talk about it ever since left her with the impression that it was somehow her fault. She'd been thinking about her mother a lot lately, and Alex encouraged her to track her down and get answers if it was what she needed to move forward. Even though the answers she found weren't what Ava had hoped they'd be, I'm glad she (as well as Juliana and their father) were able to get closure on that chapter in their lives by the end of this book.

Overall, I really enjoyed "Waiting for You" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary/small town romance. I look forward to reading Alex's sister Savannah's story next year, which will launch the new Second Chance Harbor series.

 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Grey's Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

About "Waiting for You"

How can Ava resist her best friend's brother when she's crushed on him since childhood?

I didn't think Alex could get any hotter, but his time at med school was good to him.
Dirty blond hair. A bit of scruff across his chiseled jawline. And a body beneath those scrubs that makes me think all sorts of naughty things.

Alex seems to be utter perfection... and he barely notices I exist.

Or so I thought. Lately, everywhere I look he's there. Renting a room in my bed and breakfast. Devouring my pastries. Wanting to talk every morning over coffee. Is it possible my lifelong crush finally sees me as more than his little sister's best friend?