Waiting for You

Sparks in Texas #1

by Mari Carr

How do you protect the woman you love…when the greatest danger is sleeping in her bed?

Sydney Sparks can’t remember a time when Chas wasn’t part of her life—from childhood playmates, to high-school sweethearts, to long-distance friends. Now, after twelve long years, Chas is leaving the Marines and coming home. Sydney’s thrilled to have him back on American soil, safe and sound, even if his return is doing funny things to her heart.

The second he stepped off the plane and locked gazes with Sydney, Chas refused to waste a minute more on their “just friends” status quo. Together again, it feels as if they were never apart, the love they’d shared as innocent teens now vastly more intense as adults—with a sexual hunger to match.

However, despite his newfound happiness, Chas can’t seem to shake the memories of his tours in the Middle East, of the firefights, the killing…the deaths of his friends. When the flashbacks grow stronger, Chas struggles to hide his increasing lack of control, terrified of losing everything he’d just regained—including Sydney.

Genres: Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Friends To Lovers, BDSM

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2015

About the author

Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list. A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller, Mari’s computer is now jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends.
Mari writes contemporary sexy romance novels. To learn more about her spicy stories, click here.
Join her newsletter so you don't miss new releases and for exclusive subscriber-only content.
Find Mari on the web at
maricarr.com
Email: mari@maricarr.com

Reviews

[Raine · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read the blurb to this book I thought it was going to be great. I love those friends to lovers books and also second chance at love and this felt like it was going to be both. But when I got to the end of the book I felt that it was missing something. I think it was because Sydney did all the waiting and Chaz left and really never looked back. It felt like he just fell into wanting to be with her when he got out of the military like he wanted to settle down and who better than his best friend. I didn't really feel like he he couldn't be without her. It felt a little lukewarm on his part. Yeah, the sex was great and yeah they were each other's first time, but he seemed really at ease with leaving her to join the marines and then again every time he re-signed up. And what was all that about being just friends after they had their short romance after high school. I was a bit disappointed because the series is Sparks in Texas and I didn't really feel too much spark between them at the beginning.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (12/1/2019)! 🎁

[Talltree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friends to lovers romance with a promising start but soon it was clear the h was more into H than vice versa so I couldn't really root for the HEA.

2.75 stars

Safety: h/H were BFs from childhood and dated for a month- they were each others firsts- before H left to be a marine. H told her not to wait and slipped back to being platonic easily.
h was heartbroken, but subconsciously she still waited. She subconsciously always dated assholes so nothing became serious. Her sex life was pathetic, she ended up having to fake orgasms. The H was still her best. H couldn't say the same.
Around 30-40% we get the H's POV and its clear h doesn't know H at all. He doesn't share with h his life in army, the loss of his friends, his PTSD, or how he slept with any willing woman - he had lots of lovers vanilla, and later submissive as he was Dominant.
I could have handled that if h had a healthy sexual life or H at least opened up to her but no. In the end he talks a bit about the loss of his friends , that too only bcos his PTSD was so bad he punched h and he was advised to share.
The h turned also out to be submissive which seemed too convenient, but I never felt she really knew H. From his POV it was clear h gave him comfort, she wrote to him, she was there for him, but she clearly wasn't too high on his list of priorities.
H only came back bcos he was disturbed by the death in the war, his plan always was to be a career Marine. At no point did he put the h first.
So tbh I wished the h had found someone else and was married with kids. 12 yrs is too long to wait for a guy who would have been perfectly happy being friends for life.
.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.5 stars

I always love when a couple gets a second chance at love and if any couple deserved a second chance is was Sydney Sparks and Charles (Chas) Parsons. Best friends since kindergarten Sydney and Chas spent their entire lives sharing their hopes, dreams, secrets and as young adults their bodies. When Chas left for the Marines he insisted that Sydney not wait for him and while their friendship was strained for a time they moved past it. When Chas returns home to take over his uncle's construction business he wastes no time letting Sydney know he is ready to reclaim her and the love they always shared.

I do so love a man with a plan and that describes Chas perfectly. From the moment he steps off the plane he makes it known that he wants Sydney and she is all for the plan despite some lingering doubts that Chas is hiding something. They are happy together, their chemistry is off the charts and they seem to fit seamlessly into each other's lives. That's not to say they don't have some issues, they have a big one when Chas' past rears its ugly head but with the help of good friends and family they both are able to see their way to a future they both want.

While not always pretty, this was a complex romance between two people whose happily ever after was a long time in the making, but well worth the wait.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[Meka♥books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved book 2 even more than book 1, Sparks Fly: A Red Hot and BOOM! story. Sydney (Syd) and Chas's love is true, pure, and stands the test of time. Growing up in a military household I appreciated the realistic approach the author took when dealing with the military and PTSD issues. This was a great book with sexy themes and serious situations too. I'm loving Mari Carr's Sparks in Texas series which gets ***4.5 I'm waiting for you stars***.

My Sparks in Texas series reviews
Book 1- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book 3- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book 4- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Evita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mari Carr’s books have always been a great way for me to find a story with great characters, lots of emotion and panty-melting sexy scenes. Waiting for You is no exception.

I love reconnecting storylines, Sydney and Chas have known each other since they were children as they grew up, it changed to something deeper. Chas then joins the military and is away for quite a number of years. Will they be able to pick up where they left off?

Things aren’t the same for Chas, while in the military he encountered some pretty horrifying events and some of them come back to him in flashbacks.

As Sydney and Chas begin to build a relationship, will his behavior be their downfall. Can Sydney get him to see her love for him as she tries to be someone he can rely on? You will have to read the story to find out what happens and if they find their way to a happily ever after.

*Received ARC by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Morey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt he was too rough and used her to forget and take out some of his aggression . pTSD for sure but we never see if it gets better -the book just quit .

[Cyn Mistress Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice story that dealt with a hard storyline of PTSD. Will continue with this series.

[Fedora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half stars.

Waiting for You by Mari Carr is the first in the Sparks in Texas series. It's a friends to lovers story, and a second-chance story, about Sydney Sparks and Chas Parsons. They were best friends since elementary school, and that friendship deepened into romance in high school. But Chas feels called to serve in the military, and when he leaves, he tells Sydney not to wait, breaking her heart in the process.

Over the years, they've managed to find their way back to their steady friendship, but when Chas leaves the military and returns home for good, it's clear to just about everyone that they absolutely have been waiting, and now their adult selves are ready to make good on the relationship their teen selves anticipated.

Mari Carr's Waiting for You is steamy and heartfelt, and paints a heartbreakingly real story of some of the agonizing challenges that returning service members can face. Chas's tours have wrought permanent changes, not all of them good. And facing them can take just as much strength and determination as enduring the events that brought them about in the first place.

Waiting for You is ultimately a reminder of the power of love and family and hope. One for the keeper shelf.

[Schellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helping Fight The Unseen

Wow, what a strong, beautiful story about a Marine coming home with demons he doesn't know how to fight, but the girl of his dreams is there waiting to help. Chas has spent the last twelve yrs in the Marines and has seen far too much death and destruction for this lifetime. Suffering in silence is the only way he knows how to do things, until something horrible happens and he just cant forgive himself. Sidney has been in love with Chas her entire life, lost her virginity to him senior yr and then he left for twelve yrs. Only coming home for holidays and short leaves. Each time he returns, he is a little different, darker. Can she help him fight his unseen demons before they drag him under completely? This was a great story of resilience and a drive to fight for what you want. Check it out today!

[Erika Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wait is over!🥰

I really, really like this story. It was good, intriguing and interesting. I love reading about best friends turned into lovers. I love this small town. Sydney has just got some good news. She us us sassy, beautiful, kind and funny. She is waiting for him to come back home and the day has finally arrived. Then comes the shock!😊 I love her. Chas is back at home. He is troubled, sexy, sweet and tentative. He knows what he wants and he's going to get it too. It was good to have a few chapters of his to see inside of his mind which I hold on to. I love them together and it's like they complete each other. The best relationship is based on friendship and they have that. Plus with the extra element coming out, it's hot! The writing was done amazing! I wanted more! Amazing work again Mari Carr!🥰

[Deb Diem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waiting for you is a wonderful contemporary second chance romance by Mari Carr. This is a fairly quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time. Ms. Carr has provided readers with a well-written book populated with outstanding characters. Sydney loves her family and her town and Chas. Chas returns home after a dozen years in the Marines and at first things were fine. But signs of PTSD were right around the corner. Chas and Sydney's story is loaded with drama, humor and smokin' hot sex. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from Mari Carr in the future. Waiting For You is book 1 in the Sparks in Texas Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

[Inga · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well that came out of the blue………
I liked the beginning and I can even understand they end up in bed without even talking to each other but to start spanking without a talk is not right.
Can’t stand guys who expect honesty and an open mind from the woman but aren’t honest themselves.
The whole story feels off.
To me he is selfish and uses her to feel beter and she loves him.
He would sign up again and again and was gone for 12 years and only stopped because his ptss was getting worse.
Not because he loved her.
Like I said selfish.
If you take away the sex scenes then there isn’t much left.
If he were a good dominant he would know that he wasn’t in the right place to play.
Didn’t like him at all

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Sparks in Texas series, counting a novella about a married couple. It can be read as a standalone book.

Chas is home from four tours in the Marines to the Middle East. He lost two close friends and he wants to put it all behind him. Sydney and Chas have been best friends all their lives, high school sweethearts, each others firsts and then back to friends when Chas enlisted and told Sydney not to wait for him.

She is more than a bit surprised when Chas lands back home at the airport and kisses Sydney hello. Can this couple get their second chance and can Chas overcome the PTSD that is getting progressively worse?

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chas and Sydney loved each other until he joined the Marines and told her not to wait. Now it's years later and he's back and acting like they can just pick up where they left off. She's ok with that but he's suffering from PTSD and not doing anything to get better. It's a sweet story but there were also some flaws. It seemed like she waited for him more than he waited for her and although he knew something was wrong he didn't want to do anything to fix it. It didn't stop me from rooting for them and hoping for their happy ending.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking yet poignant

This story is also a second chance trope with some smoking BDSM thrown in the mix. I loved Sydney and Chas, but it was a little sad that they had to wait 12 years to be together. That and I would have liked to have more of their story at the end. Otherwise the pacing is great and I didn’t put it down till the end.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chas comes back to town after serving twelve years in the Marines. Sydney is excited that Chas, her best friend, is coming back to town. When Chas sees Sydney he decides he wants to be more than friends with her and Sydney isn't sure what will happen. Chas has some demons he's trying to run from and Sydney won't let him do it alone.

[Tammy Kazmierczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb Hometown Feel Good Story

One of the best tropes ever - friends to lovers. Sydney and Chas has grown up as friends. Even dated some in high school. But his decision to join the Marines changed that. What happens after he returns home to Maris is somewhat of a surprise to Sydney. Hot, hot, hot!!

[Smadebysmee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was for free on Amazon and the reviews were good, so I gladly gave it a go.

I think the story had some potential, but every interaction felt quite flat to me. And when it started to get a little more depth and interesting, the book was done 😅

For me it’s a 2,5 ⭐️, but it feels cruel to leave 2.

[Angel Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read, for the most.

Chas has spent the last twelve years in the Marines. He's seen and done things he can never forget.

Sydney has been living life in their small town, but she pretends she hadn't been waiting for Chas,

He's got PTSD, she's just trying to love him. Something happens that brings it all to a head.

Consensual BDSM is involved.

Neutral recommendation.

[Maria Costantino · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the blurb to this book I thought it was going to be great. I love those friends to lovers books and also second chance at love and this felt like it was going to be both. But when I got to the end of the book I felt that it was missing something.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the beginning. Friends Sydney and Chas, since they were young. Then in high school, sweethearts. Then when Chas leaves, back to close friends. This book addresses very accurately dealing with someone who has P.T.S.D.. It really tugged at my heart. It was well written.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Enjoyable read about young love and second chances. Good storyline with the ptsd but didn’t get the dumping of the girl 12 years previously then coming home and expecting get to have waited.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful friends to lovers, second chance, romance! Chas and Sydney seemed to have to all, but there were hidden issues to deal with. Chas made me cry for him, right along with Sydney’s tears for him. It wrapped up rather nicely, not sugar-coated, but with promise for their future

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved The Book

Waiting for You is a wonderful easy and hot read. I love the characters Chas and Sydney. High school sweethearts and then Chas joins the Marines and 12 years later comes home for good.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds us all that the true secret about relationships is that you grow together, you work through problems as a team, but sometimes we forget this and cause each other a world of pain.

[Tami czenkus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I loved this story and it's intense story line, Loved how the characters all help each other out and how close the entire town is, truly shows how the world SHOULD be.

[Lynne Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. A couple so much and love and putting too much pressure on themselves. Relax and enjoy.

[Melenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good. Quick read. HEA.

[Lisa Rae Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chas and Sydney

I love how they started out as friends and it blossomed over the years and how she helps him through the toughest part of his life!!! Great story!!