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Out in Portland #3
Worth the Wait
A second chance at first love . . .
For fifteen years, Avery Crown tried to forget her best friend Merritt Lessing. The late nights studying, the whispered confidences, and the little touches that never turned into something more. Unfortunately, her efforts have not been as successful as her TV career as the queen of home renovation. So when she runs into Merritt at their high school reunion, Avery asks for one night with the woman she's always wanted . . .
Merritt spent high school pining after Avery, but never made a move-their friendship meant too much. The one time it seemed things might change, Avery chose her budding career. So Merritt did the same, throwing herself into her remodeling business. Now Avery's back, and while Merritt still hasn't forgiven her for walking away the first time, they can't keep their hands off each other. But when their professional paths cross, and it seems like Avery is choosing her career once again, Merritt will have to decide if she's willing to let go of the past and give herself a second chance with her first love.
For fifteen years, Avery Crown tried to forget her best friend Merritt Lessing. The late nights studying, the whispered confidences, and the little touches that never turned into something more. Unfortunately, her efforts have not been as successful as her TV career as the queen of home renovation. So when she runs into Merritt at their high school reunion, Avery asks for one night with the woman she's always wanted . . .
Merritt spent high school pining after Avery, but never made a move-their friendship meant too much. The one time it seemed things might change, Avery chose her budding career. So Merritt did the same, throwing herself into her remodeling business. Now Avery's back, and while Merritt still hasn't forgiven her for walking away the first time, they can't keep their hands off each other. But when their professional paths cross, and it seems like Avery is choosing her career once again, Merritt will have to decide if she's willing to let go of the past and give herself a second chance with her first love.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2018
51 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Karelia Stetz-Waters
11 books767 followersKarelia Stetz-Waters remembers a time when happy endings romantic love was a holy grail she thought she would never find. Stories about lesbians all ended tragically. At seventeen, she was certain the best she could hope for was to die nobly for the woman she loved (who would never love her back, of course). Four years later, she saw her true love across a crowded room, and they have been together for twenty-plus years.
Knowing that happily-ever-after is possible for everyone, Stetz-Waters has made it her life’s mission to craft happy endings about women finding true love with other women. She is also on a quest to spread “cliteracy” across the country, using her work as a romance writer to teach readers about female sexual anatomy, desire, and pleasure.
When she’s not shopping for model clitorises or writing love stories, she’s teaching writing at a community college in rural Oregon where her students inspire her every day with their bravery, creativity, and perseverance. She also teaches for the Golden Crown Literary Society Writing Academy, a creative writing program for queer women. It’s been her honor to mentor writers who are now her peers and colleagues. Karelia also loves to garden, draw, and play with her pug-mix, Willa Cather.
Karelia has a BA in Comparative Literature from Smith College and an MA in English from the University of Oregon. She is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.
Knowing that happily-ever-after is possible for everyone, Stetz-Waters has made it her life’s mission to craft happy endings about women finding true love with other women. She is also on a quest to spread “cliteracy” across the country, using her work as a romance writer to teach readers about female sexual anatomy, desire, and pleasure.
When she’s not shopping for model clitorises or writing love stories, she’s teaching writing at a community college in rural Oregon where her students inspire her every day with their bravery, creativity, and perseverance. She also teaches for the Golden Crown Literary Society Writing Academy, a creative writing program for queer women. It’s been her honor to mentor writers who are now her peers and colleagues. Karelia also loves to garden, draw, and play with her pug-mix, Willa Cather.
Karelia has a BA in Comparative Literature from Smith College and an MA in English from the University of Oregon. She is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 3, 2018
This is the second book I have read by Waters. I read the first book in this Out in Portland series. This book Worth the Wait is the third. I have to be honest I don’t remember a lot of the first book Something True, but I do remember liking it. This book I had more trouble with. The early reviews seem to be all over the map. I’m finding myself coming down right in the middle with just an okay rating. I do want to mention, while this is a series these stories do standalone. In fact I don’t even think characters from the previous books were in this book. It seems the only commonality is Portland. Therefore, if you decide to try one of these books, you do not have to read them in order.
I have to be honest I did not like the beginning of this book. I found myself almost getting angry and wanting to yell at one of the characters to find her lady balls. I was very close to just saying forget it and putting a DNF on this book. I did keep reading and it did get better, but I found myself being disappointed again by the ending.
This is one of those high school crushes ends badly and then the characters meet up in the future stories. Of course they are in their 30’s now, but there was still plenty of angsty high school drama to go around. Of course that didn’t really sit right with me, feeling the immaturity of the characters. Not sure what is going on lately but I keep finding books where characters don’t act their age.
I think what really stopped me from thinking this book was better than okay was the believability. I found too much of the conflict to be unbelievable. Maybe if this book took place in the 90’s it would make more sense. But I found the idea of an actress on the home and garden channel being gay equals the end of the world to be a little ridiculous.
I just complained plenty, but I do like Waters writing style. Sometimes it can be a little choppy, but it works for me. It worked enough to draw me into the story even with all these issues I was having. I found myself reading to figure out how everything would play out. But again I felt a bit burned by the ending. Too many issues where left unresolved. If you are going to go into all this conflict, at least take the time to wrap it all up. For instance what even happened with Avery’s mother?
This is not a book I can recommend, but I would not say stay away either. Parts of it I did enjoy and I do like how Waters writes. I just wish it didn’t have so many issues for me. Because I like Waters writing style I will read more from her, this just wasn’t my cup of tea.
An ARC from Netgalley, for a honest review.
I have to be honest I did not like the beginning of this book. I found myself almost getting angry and wanting to yell at one of the characters to find her lady balls. I was very close to just saying forget it and putting a DNF on this book. I did keep reading and it did get better, but I found myself being disappointed again by the ending.
This is one of those high school crushes ends badly and then the characters meet up in the future stories. Of course they are in their 30’s now, but there was still plenty of angsty high school drama to go around. Of course that didn’t really sit right with me, feeling the immaturity of the characters. Not sure what is going on lately but I keep finding books where characters don’t act their age.
I think what really stopped me from thinking this book was better than okay was the believability. I found too much of the conflict to be unbelievable. Maybe if this book took place in the 90’s it would make more sense. But I found the idea of an actress on the home and garden channel being gay equals the end of the world to be a little ridiculous.
I just complained plenty, but I do like Waters writing style. Sometimes it can be a little choppy, but it works for me. It worked enough to draw me into the story even with all these issues I was having. I found myself reading to figure out how everything would play out. But again I felt a bit burned by the ending. Too many issues where left unresolved. If you are going to go into all this conflict, at least take the time to wrap it all up. For instance what even happened with Avery’s mother?
This is not a book I can recommend, but I would not say stay away either. Parts of it I did enjoy and I do like how Waters writes. I just wish it didn’t have so many issues for me. Because I like Waters writing style I will read more from her, this just wasn’t my cup of tea.
An ARC from Netgalley, for a honest review.
April 6, 2020
Avery comes back to Portland after fifteen years and gets a second chance at love since she botched the first one by ditching her best friend on prom and never confessing her feelings. Now Merritt is afraid to take a risk because Avery is leaving soon. The angst was so good. I loved the MCs together. Referencing over and over how cool Merritt is and how plain Avery is were a bit much. It was a long slowburn but definitely Worth the Wait.
May 27, 2018
Long lost loves is a trope I am always drawn to. I think because you always have that angstiness. I love angst. Totes adore it! I love that emotion of I miss you, I want you, what the hell did I do to F it up so badly. Roll that into some heartache and throw in past high school drama and you have me interested. Add that to it that one of our leading ladies is an actress, okay twist my arm, give it to me. Give me this book! So when Karelia Stetz-Waters reached out to me, I could not resist in giving this book a go. I am so glad I did. This was a fabulous read that kept me interested the whole time.
Avery Crown has been a reality television star for the past fifteen years. She has a good thing going with her home makeover show. She works with a great crew, her co-star is her best friend and she is adored by her fans. Avery loves what she does. Everything is perfect career-wise, but what eats her up is that one fateful day her senior year in high school that she turned her back on her best friend and her mega-crush. She chose a chance a stardom over her heart, and her heart has never forgiven her for it. When her tv show, King & Crown delivers her back to Portland to do a remodel and it coincides with her high school reunion, Avery crosses her fingers and toes that this will be her chance to reconnect with the girl that she let get away.
Merritt Lessing has zero intention of returning to Vale Academy for her fifteenth-year high school reunion. She doesn't want to go back but at the insistence of her friend, Merritt agrees under duress. She wants to help her friend Lei-Ling get a cameo on King & Crown to jumpstart her food truck business. She knows that this opportunity could help her friend break out into this competitive industry. She agrees to aks Avery Crown, the girl that shattered her heart for help, but it takes all of her willpower to go back. Avery walked out on her and never looked back, those scars have stayed with Merritt for years and have defined every relationship she has attempted.
I totally loved Avery and Merritt. I thought they had a great chemistry together that just jumped off the page. This is a book where you know these two are meant to be together but like most star-crossed loves the universe is going to throw everything including the kitchen sink in their path. They are going to go through obstacle after obstacle including a lot of miscommunication to come to happily ever after. If you have patience I promise you will love this book. A lot of fun, some angstiness and a good romance. 3.5 stars
Avery Crown has been a reality television star for the past fifteen years. She has a good thing going with her home makeover show. She works with a great crew, her co-star is her best friend and she is adored by her fans. Avery loves what she does. Everything is perfect career-wise, but what eats her up is that one fateful day her senior year in high school that she turned her back on her best friend and her mega-crush. She chose a chance a stardom over her heart, and her heart has never forgiven her for it. When her tv show, King & Crown delivers her back to Portland to do a remodel and it coincides with her high school reunion, Avery crosses her fingers and toes that this will be her chance to reconnect with the girl that she let get away.
Merritt Lessing has zero intention of returning to Vale Academy for her fifteenth-year high school reunion. She doesn't want to go back but at the insistence of her friend, Merritt agrees under duress. She wants to help her friend Lei-Ling get a cameo on King & Crown to jumpstart her food truck business. She knows that this opportunity could help her friend break out into this competitive industry. She agrees to aks Avery Crown, the girl that shattered her heart for help, but it takes all of her willpower to go back. Avery walked out on her and never looked back, those scars have stayed with Merritt for years and have defined every relationship she has attempted.
I totally loved Avery and Merritt. I thought they had a great chemistry together that just jumped off the page. This is a book where you know these two are meant to be together but like most star-crossed loves the universe is going to throw everything including the kitchen sink in their path. They are going to go through obstacle after obstacle including a lot of miscommunication to come to happily ever after. If you have patience I promise you will love this book. A lot of fun, some angstiness and a good romance. 3.5 stars
June 7, 2018
This is book 3 of the 'Out in Portland' series by this author that can be read as a standalone novel. In a high school reunion, television presenter Avery Crown meets Merritt Lessing, her former best friend and teenage crush. After fifteen years, their mutual attraction is still alive but past and present get in the way as Merritt cannot forget an old betrayal and Avery is a closeted lesbian who cannot build a relationship without putting her career in jeopardy. Do they have any hope of having their happily ever after?
I have to admit that I'm not into high school reunion romances or stories about decades-long grudges held from teenage years. Normally my theme preferences don't influence a book rating or critique. But beyond the subject I'm afraid that I have a few issues with this book, starting with the plot which seems a bit unrealistic and over the top dramatic. Additionally, I couldn't warm up to the main characters, Avery with her low self-esteem, stuck in her mother issues and self-pity while Merritt... well, much the same. Some of their behaviour or conversations felt childish and immature for a thirty something. On the other hand, the secondary characters were much more interesting, specially DX and the couple of Iliana and Lei-Ling. I would read a book about them as they are quirky and multi faceted.
Overall, an ok read if you are into school reunions and drama. 3 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
I have to admit that I'm not into high school reunion romances or stories about decades-long grudges held from teenage years. Normally my theme preferences don't influence a book rating or critique. But beyond the subject I'm afraid that I have a few issues with this book, starting with the plot which seems a bit unrealistic and over the top dramatic. Additionally, I couldn't warm up to the main characters, Avery with her low self-esteem, stuck in her mother issues and self-pity while Merritt... well, much the same. Some of their behaviour or conversations felt childish and immature for a thirty something. On the other hand, the secondary characters were much more interesting, specially DX and the couple of Iliana and Lei-Ling. I would read a book about them as they are quirky and multi faceted.
Overall, an ok read if you are into school reunions and drama. 3 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
July 10, 2023
4.5 rounded up
Apparently, I needed a second chance for this second chance romance. I received it as an ARC back in 2018 but couldn't connect to the characters and DNFd it. I picked it up again a couple days ago and got sucked in and ended up loving it. It's all about the mood, people!
I was coming off of the emotional ride of Satisfaction Guaranteed - which I loved - and must have been in the right place mentally to fall in love with two more Stetz-Waters characters. Reading those books back-to-back showed me a lot of similarities in theme but it certainly didn't take away from the experience. These were two different women in a different situation. And then there's Portland which is a character all on its own. I've only been there once but now I want to go back and check out all the cool places mentioned.
Karelia Stetz-Waters might just be my favorite author at the moment. (I'm about to jump into Behind the Scenes next. Yes, I'm binging this author. Also working on my old ARCs...) She has a wonderful writing voice and style. She's made me laugh and cry and hope right along with her characters. I will work on her back catalogue that I didn't get as ARCs too. And wait for new books.
A hearty thank you to Mrs. Stetz-Waters for reaching out waaaay back when to see if I'd be interested in reading an advanced copy through NetGalley.
Apparently, I needed a second chance for this second chance romance. I received it as an ARC back in 2018 but couldn't connect to the characters and DNFd it. I picked it up again a couple days ago and got sucked in and ended up loving it. It's all about the mood, people!
I was coming off of the emotional ride of Satisfaction Guaranteed - which I loved - and must have been in the right place mentally to fall in love with two more Stetz-Waters characters. Reading those books back-to-back showed me a lot of similarities in theme but it certainly didn't take away from the experience. These were two different women in a different situation. And then there's Portland which is a character all on its own. I've only been there once but now I want to go back and check out all the cool places mentioned.
Karelia Stetz-Waters might just be my favorite author at the moment. (I'm about to jump into Behind the Scenes next. Yes, I'm binging this author. Also working on my old ARCs...) She has a wonderful writing voice and style. She's made me laugh and cry and hope right along with her characters. I will work on her back catalogue that I didn't get as ARCs too. And wait for new books.
A hearty thank you to Mrs. Stetz-Waters for reaching out waaaay back when to see if I'd be interested in reading an advanced copy through NetGalley.
June 1, 2018
I don't always finish a book in one sitting, but when I do they're awesome.
So this book came up on netgalley, and I was drawn to the plot. Second chances... that's a loaded phrase. I love such stories as there is a lot of potential for character development. The author was new for me, and I wasn't expecting much. But damn, I'm in love with this book.
Let me give you a brief spoiler free idea about the plot. Our protagonists, Avery and Merritt were college best friends, and probably had feelings deeper than that but couldn't act on it, mostly coz Avery was supposedly straight and she took a job as a hostess of a Reality TV show. Merritt was obviously disappointed...Now flash forward fifteen years, when Avery is back to Portland for a month in order to shoot a new season of her show.
Avery and Merritt reconnect during a school reunion and sparks fly. But things are not that easy. Avery is a closeted lesbian and Merritt wants nothing less of a happy ending (Can't blame her though). She cant come out due to a bunch of legal reasons. So there's an entire will they won't they situation.
Now what I loved was the subtle humour in the book. The characters are not dumb, and there are a lot of sarcastic quips and witty jokes. I loved it!
There is also the fact that Avery was an insecure person. She kept looking down upon herself, but then Merritt always be like 'Nah you're too good, you just don't see it'. How cute!
The supporting characters are Amazing!! There's Avery's costar who is supportive and then there's Merritt's lesbian couple friends who are disgustingly cute (In Merritt's words). Everything blended in so freaking well. I loved the setting in Oregon. I'm kinda obsessed with that place, mostly after reading about it in Jae's books. An extra point to the author!
Its pretty obvious as to what the conflict will be right from the beginning. I felt pretty hopeless towards the end, but thank god the author didn't make this a tragedy. It would have been too much for my fragile heart. *Sigh*
So that's all my feelings about this book. This is a new favourite of mine and I will be reading it again in the future. I also realized that this story is the third in a series so I'm off to hunt for those books.
So this book came up on netgalley, and I was drawn to the plot. Second chances... that's a loaded phrase. I love such stories as there is a lot of potential for character development. The author was new for me, and I wasn't expecting much. But damn, I'm in love with this book.
Let me give you a brief spoiler free idea about the plot. Our protagonists, Avery and Merritt were college best friends, and probably had feelings deeper than that but couldn't act on it, mostly coz Avery was supposedly straight and she took a job as a hostess of a Reality TV show. Merritt was obviously disappointed...Now flash forward fifteen years, when Avery is back to Portland for a month in order to shoot a new season of her show.
Avery and Merritt reconnect during a school reunion and sparks fly. But things are not that easy. Avery is a closeted lesbian and Merritt wants nothing less of a happy ending (Can't blame her though). She cant come out due to a bunch of legal reasons. So there's an entire will they won't they situation.
Now what I loved was the subtle humour in the book. The characters are not dumb, and there are a lot of sarcastic quips and witty jokes. I loved it!
There is also the fact that Avery was an insecure person. She kept looking down upon herself, but then Merritt always be like 'Nah you're too good, you just don't see it'. How cute!
The supporting characters are Amazing!! There's Avery's costar who is supportive and then there's Merritt's lesbian couple friends who are disgustingly cute (In Merritt's words). Everything blended in so freaking well. I loved the setting in Oregon. I'm kinda obsessed with that place, mostly after reading about it in Jae's books. An extra point to the author!
Its pretty obvious as to what the conflict will be right from the beginning. I felt pretty hopeless towards the end, but thank god the author didn't make this a tragedy. It would have been too much for my fragile heart. *Sigh*
So that's all my feelings about this book. This is a new favourite of mine and I will be reading it again in the future. I also realized that this story is the third in a series so I'm off to hunt for those books.
October 25, 2018
Ok - hands up - loved this book - really rang true, unlike Out of Portland 2 (What was that?) or even 1. Not quite sure why I downloaded it after the other two - but did, & really glad.
May 19, 2018
This book leverages the whole "second chance" subgenre in lesrom, the well worn trope of being separated for X number of years before reuniting and attempting to rekindle. In this we have Avery and Merritt who had been friends all of 2 years is high school, until Avery stood Merritt up at the prom to run off and start some Fixer Upper-type reality show with a male co-star she is also "dating" on the show and in real life. Fifteen years later they meet again at a high school reunion and, well, it's not a huge surprise what will happen. However, the things keeping them apart just seem so contrived and silly, not to mention unrealistic. There is so much yo-yoing of feelings, actions, and emotions with no real cause and it got to the point where I was confused and ultimately didn't even care about whether they got together or not. The characters were just so juvenile for being in their 30s and the entire conflict of being "owned" by some home renovation show was ridiculous. MAYBE I could have bought it if the story took place in the 50s or 60s and it was a movie studio versus what sounded like a low-rent HGTV station. Even so, I just plain ol didn't like these characters, together OR separately. Their interactions didn't read cute or sexy--not even in their love scenes--despite all claims to love each other, it felt closer to hate-sex. The other nail in the coffin for me is the fact that moving the story along and moving the characters together relied almost complete upon the friends of the mains. I cannot stand it when these friend characters are the ones that have to convince main character A to pursue character B or provide them with their life altering realization that they're in love. It's heavily handed and lazy writing. And that's really all I see in this book--an unoriginal hook with a contrived conflict, heavy handed attempts at telling the reader how a character feels instead of showing, crummy dialogue, stereotypical character types, and a laughable climax, all products of lazy writing.
ARC provided by NetGalley
ARC provided by NetGalley
February 3, 2020
I had a lot of fun reading Worth the Wait and I’d happily read more from this author in the future. This is probably one of those “your mileage may vary” kind of books (especially since it’s a second chance romance, and people tend to love or hate those), but I really enjoyed it and would love to catch up with these characters again later.
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/wort...
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/wort...
May 13, 2018
I like reads about second chances especially when there are likeable deserving characters. After 15 years, the fire still burns between Avery Crown and Merritt Lessing. The second chance appears simple, but Avery has carved out a career for herself on television where she has to project a certain personality and lifestyle. Unfortunately, I had difficulty connecting with the story. The story was choppy and did not flow well due to sentence structure and word choice. Maybe that will be taken care of during editing. I was confused about Avery's mother Marlene? Huh? Alistair. Huh? DX. Huh? Although DX was "out of the box" different, which made her unpredictable and interesting.
ARC provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley
ARC provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley
August 23, 2018
This book was a new experience for me; my very first lesbian romance. I dove in with no expectations, other than hope it would be a good read.
The upshot is this. Avery is a successful TV presenter with a long-running show, working with her on-screen-only romance interest, Alistair, who is asexual. They are friends, and both have a lot to lose if Avery come out as lesbian. She’s harbouring a fifteen-year secret longing for the girl she was very friendly with at high school, so of course she does the sensible thing and goes to a reunion in the hope of seeing her again.
Merritt has also been nursing a broken heart for fifteen years, trying valiantly to forget Avery, and failing. She has a hardware shop in Portland, where the story is based, and her life is fine thank you until Avery turns up and basically throws her for a loop.
Cue clandestine meetings and a lot of angst. I’m not telling you how it turns out. That would spoil it.
This chunky book is so close to being a perfect love story for me, and yet I did struggle in places. It could have been more tightly edited to stop the slight meandering of dialogue and navel-gazing. It took a lot of words to keep the story, which was actually quite straightforward, on the right track. I’m sure it could have been a third shorter, and been an easier read for it.
I think my main problem is I have very little time for reality TV shows (which are anything but) and manipulating TV audiences for ratings, so there were times when I was thinking, “for God’s sake, why is this so difficult for them?” I think making it clearer how much Avery stood to lose would have helped nearer the start. Her work colleagues, including Alistair, weren’t very sympathetic, and she came across as a bit of a flake, so I didn’t empathise with her problem for a while. I was just wondering why she was still working with these arseholes.
Once I cottoned on though, I could see her dilemma, if not totally identify with it. People in the public eye don’t just have their own reputation to think about, but the careers of all the people around them. One false move can spell disaster, especially when the whole programme is built around the chemistry and romance between Avery and Alistair, and people are expecting them to conform to hetero norms. Fall in love, fall out of love, bond over soft furnishings, get engaged, get married, have a baby….
I have to ask this. Would people in real life be more resentful of the fact they had been sold a lie, rather than the fact that Avery is gay and Alistair is asexual? It’s a sticky subject. I would rather people lived their truth and I suppose that’s why I had a problem with the premise in the beginning. I know others wouldn’t.
However, the chemistry between Avery and Merritt was unmistakable, the sex lush and gorgeous, not gratuitous at all. There were some wonderfully-drawn side characters, especially Lei-Ling and Iliana, and love surrounding the two main characters. Portland sounds like a place I’d like to visit, and I’d definitely read more by this author.
Will they, won’t they? Do they, don’t they? Don’t ask me. Read it yourself. Believe me it’s Worth the Wait (sorry, couldn’t resist it!)
The upshot is this. Avery is a successful TV presenter with a long-running show, working with her on-screen-only romance interest, Alistair, who is asexual. They are friends, and both have a lot to lose if Avery come out as lesbian. She’s harbouring a fifteen-year secret longing for the girl she was very friendly with at high school, so of course she does the sensible thing and goes to a reunion in the hope of seeing her again.
Merritt has also been nursing a broken heart for fifteen years, trying valiantly to forget Avery, and failing. She has a hardware shop in Portland, where the story is based, and her life is fine thank you until Avery turns up and basically throws her for a loop.
Cue clandestine meetings and a lot of angst. I’m not telling you how it turns out. That would spoil it.
This chunky book is so close to being a perfect love story for me, and yet I did struggle in places. It could have been more tightly edited to stop the slight meandering of dialogue and navel-gazing. It took a lot of words to keep the story, which was actually quite straightforward, on the right track. I’m sure it could have been a third shorter, and been an easier read for it.
I think my main problem is I have very little time for reality TV shows (which are anything but) and manipulating TV audiences for ratings, so there were times when I was thinking, “for God’s sake, why is this so difficult for them?” I think making it clearer how much Avery stood to lose would have helped nearer the start. Her work colleagues, including Alistair, weren’t very sympathetic, and she came across as a bit of a flake, so I didn’t empathise with her problem for a while. I was just wondering why she was still working with these arseholes.
Once I cottoned on though, I could see her dilemma, if not totally identify with it. People in the public eye don’t just have their own reputation to think about, but the careers of all the people around them. One false move can spell disaster, especially when the whole programme is built around the chemistry and romance between Avery and Alistair, and people are expecting them to conform to hetero norms. Fall in love, fall out of love, bond over soft furnishings, get engaged, get married, have a baby….
I have to ask this. Would people in real life be more resentful of the fact they had been sold a lie, rather than the fact that Avery is gay and Alistair is asexual? It’s a sticky subject. I would rather people lived their truth and I suppose that’s why I had a problem with the premise in the beginning. I know others wouldn’t.
However, the chemistry between Avery and Merritt was unmistakable, the sex lush and gorgeous, not gratuitous at all. There were some wonderfully-drawn side characters, especially Lei-Ling and Iliana, and love surrounding the two main characters. Portland sounds like a place I’d like to visit, and I’d definitely read more by this author.
Will they, won’t they? Do they, don’t they? Don’t ask me. Read it yourself. Believe me it’s Worth the Wait (sorry, couldn’t resist it!)
August 10, 2018
more 3.5-3.75 stars
received in exchange for a honest review.
I liked it. I wasn’t a fan of the beginning with Avery and Merritt but enjoyed the book. I loved Lei LIng and King-these two were a hoot. King because he was clueless. He tried so hard to understand but was clueless.
Avery begins the book by creating her own angst as does Merritt. Years ago Avery let others influence her more than they should and let her dreams come in the way of her heart and now she is back and looking to reignite either a friendship or more. Only Merritt is angry and closed off. Merritt doesn’t really trust things. She and Avery see each other at the reunion and Merritt tries to act like a cool cucumber but doesn’t pull it off . They reconnect in intimate ways and the next day the shoe drops.
AVery finds out something and tries to talk to Merritt but Merritt in her I knew I was right to not trust you and see you haven’t changed and are like everyone else jumped to the wrong conclusion. She goes all commando and is now wanted on the show King and Crown. ONly she doesn’t want to be there she wants the home she was supposed to have to fix. Avery convinces her to come on and buy the house afterwards and this way she gets the house and what she wants. This allows Avery more time with Merritt.
We see a reporter dogging Avery and her co-worker trying to get dirt on them and we see Avery need to make tough decisions. Most of the angst was self created by Merritt and Avery.
Avery overall is a good character but at the beginning she just is too disconnected from herself. She doesn’t see really what her decisions did and almost repeats that history. Avery is kind and sweet but loses herself at times in herself and doesn’t always see the big picture.
Merritt is stubborn and scared. She is sweet and sassy as well. I love watching her speak her mind. Didn’t like how distrusting of everyone and everything she seemed but it was understandable with her mom the way she was.
The romance was sweet and cute. The side characters were awesome. The story of choosing love over career when you find what you want is good. The story is one that you just sit down and enjoy once you get by the beginning.
received in exchange for a honest review.
I liked it. I wasn’t a fan of the beginning with Avery and Merritt but enjoyed the book. I loved Lei LIng and King-these two were a hoot. King because he was clueless. He tried so hard to understand but was clueless.
Avery begins the book by creating her own angst as does Merritt. Years ago Avery let others influence her more than they should and let her dreams come in the way of her heart and now she is back and looking to reignite either a friendship or more. Only Merritt is angry and closed off. Merritt doesn’t really trust things. She and Avery see each other at the reunion and Merritt tries to act like a cool cucumber but doesn’t pull it off . They reconnect in intimate ways and the next day the shoe drops.
AVery finds out something and tries to talk to Merritt but Merritt in her I knew I was right to not trust you and see you haven’t changed and are like everyone else jumped to the wrong conclusion. She goes all commando and is now wanted on the show King and Crown. ONly she doesn’t want to be there she wants the home she was supposed to have to fix. Avery convinces her to come on and buy the house afterwards and this way she gets the house and what she wants. This allows Avery more time with Merritt.
We see a reporter dogging Avery and her co-worker trying to get dirt on them and we see Avery need to make tough decisions. Most of the angst was self created by Merritt and Avery.
Avery overall is a good character but at the beginning she just is too disconnected from herself. She doesn’t see really what her decisions did and almost repeats that history. Avery is kind and sweet but loses herself at times in herself and doesn’t always see the big picture.
Merritt is stubborn and scared. She is sweet and sassy as well. I love watching her speak her mind. Didn’t like how distrusting of everyone and everything she seemed but it was understandable with her mom the way she was.
The romance was sweet and cute. The side characters were awesome. The story of choosing love over career when you find what you want is good. The story is one that you just sit down and enjoy once you get by the beginning.
June 5, 2024
TL;DR: 2.5 stars, writing was decent, plot was poor, the characters were annoying and not well-developed, and the spice was sparse.
This is the second book that I’ve read by Waters, and I liked it a lot less than her other book. This book felt much less developed, and pretty poorly written in terms of plot and characters
The plot was there, but I didn’t fully understand the concept of the TV show and why it was so desperately important. Water’s hammered home the concept that the whole crew and cast was family, but all I saw were them mistreating and taking advantage of Avery.
I did not enjoy the characters in this book. They really felt all over the place and severely underdeveloped. I don’t understand why anyone would ignore their best friend and ditch them at prom for a chance to star in a TV show. That does not compute in my head. It also made me immediately hate her because she was a rich-spoiled kid who befriended someone who wasn’t that and then abandoned her. Then she proceeded to do that again. Merritt wasn’t much better, she was often confusing and not a very nice person.
After finishing the book, I could not tell you what Merritt or Avery actually looked like because I did not understand their descriptions.
The spice in this book could’ve been great, but her descriptions were lacking, and the depth was just not there. It might as well have been a fade to black kissing scene.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who wants a good plot and characters. I wouldn’t discount all of Waters’s books yet. She has had a few I liked, this just wasn’t one of them.
This is the second book that I’ve read by Waters, and I liked it a lot less than her other book. This book felt much less developed, and pretty poorly written in terms of plot and characters
The plot was there, but I didn’t fully understand the concept of the TV show and why it was so desperately important. Water’s hammered home the concept that the whole crew and cast was family, but all I saw were them mistreating and taking advantage of Avery.
I did not enjoy the characters in this book. They really felt all over the place and severely underdeveloped. I don’t understand why anyone would ignore their best friend and ditch them at prom for a chance to star in a TV show. That does not compute in my head. It also made me immediately hate her because she was a rich-spoiled kid who befriended someone who wasn’t that and then abandoned her. Then she proceeded to do that again. Merritt wasn’t much better, she was often confusing and not a very nice person.
After finishing the book, I could not tell you what Merritt or Avery actually looked like because I did not understand their descriptions.
The spice in this book could’ve been great, but her descriptions were lacking, and the depth was just not there. It might as well have been a fade to black kissing scene.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who wants a good plot and characters. I wouldn’t discount all of Waters’s books yet. She has had a few I liked, this just wasn’t one of them.
July 16, 2018
This wasn't the standard of writing that I am used to from this writer and I found the storyline to be a bit too flimsy.
I am usually a big fan of this authors work but this time I couldn't connect with the characters or the story and I found myself finishing it just because I can't leave a book half read.
*2.6 stars
I am usually a big fan of this authors work but this time I couldn't connect with the characters or the story and I found myself finishing it just because I can't leave a book half read.
*2.6 stars
May 17, 2018
I wasn't wild about this book. It was by no means awful, but I just couldn't connect with the story. Avery and Merritt were supposedly 33, but they felt more like high schoolers with the way they acted. They've been friends since high school so maybe that was why? I have no idea.
Everything was very much back and forth with these two. I was getting a whole lot of whiplash and lots of "wait..what happened? Who is at fault here?" I'm still honestly confused. There seemed to be a lot of meaningless angst. One minute they would be all over each other and then the next Merritt would be pushing Avery away...but then Avery would look at her and Merritt would come back. Like I said, very high school.
There was really no resolution with anything. Avery's mom, the show, repercussions Avery may have suffered. It just ends with a HEA in the epilogue and a brief mentioning of what everyone is doing. I'm still left with a lot questions.
It held my attention enough to finish it, hence the two stars, but overall I don't recommend it. I liked the author's writing style, but I think it needed a lot more structuring and a lot more thought.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Everything was very much back and forth with these two. I was getting a whole lot of whiplash and lots of "wait..what happened? Who is at fault here?" I'm still honestly confused. There seemed to be a lot of meaningless angst. One minute they would be all over each other and then the next Merritt would be pushing Avery away...but then Avery would look at her and Merritt would come back. Like I said, very high school.
There was really no resolution with anything. Avery's mom, the show, repercussions Avery may have suffered. It just ends with a HEA in the epilogue and a brief mentioning of what everyone is doing. I'm still left with a lot questions.
It held my attention enough to finish it, hence the two stars, but overall I don't recommend it. I liked the author's writing style, but I think it needed a lot more structuring and a lot more thought.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 26, 2018
Very much enjoyed this book. The premise initially made me hesitate, as I am not a huge fan of second chance romances or reality TV, but I dove into it with guilty pleasure and ended up loving the characters. Both women are stuck in the past, which makes the high school reunion fitting, and their interactions reflect this. I enjoyed the "behind the scenes" view of reality television, which pokes fun not only at how scripted reality TV is, but how scripted so much of our own lives is (looking at you, social media), and the layers of narrative in this deceptively simple love story made the story stick with me long after I finished. This is a perfect summer read--smart, sexy, and definitely worth the wait.
June 18, 2018
This is book 3 of the 'Out in Portland' series by this author but can be read as a standalone novel. If i choose this book it's because the plot. I like that. I like the reunion, 15 or 20 years later. There, I am a little perplexed, the characters are not too kind, and everything happens immediately, so lengths ... Despite all the writing is good. I recommend this book.
ARC NetGalley
ARC NetGalley
June 25, 2018
Avery and Merritt were best friends in high school. They both wanted more, but before they could declare their love for each other, Avery got a once in a lifetime opportunity to host a television show. She left and broke Merritt's heart. Fifteen years later Avery is still part of a successful home renovation reality program, together with her best friend and fake boyfriend Alistair. To be a star Avery has to pretend she's in love with a man she sees as a brother. For years this charade went well, but now Avery is back in Portland for their next renovation project, just in time to attend her high school reunion. Avery desperately wants Merritt to forgive her, will she have a chance to make things right?
Merritt is the owner of a thriving business. She has quite a reputation, breaking the heart of every woman she goes out with. For Merritt there was only one true love, but Avery hurt her badly. Now that she's back in town Avery wants to rekindle their spark. Merritt might seem tough, but she knows Avery can shatter her once more. Avery isn't in Portland to stay, is it a good plan for Merritt to let the woman who has so much power over her back into her life? Avery wants to make amends, is she serious this time?
Worth the Wait is a moving romantic story. Avery and Merritt have quite a history. Avery was pressured into choosing a career in television over true love. She dreamed of becoming a star, but she paid a big price for her choice. Avery has very little room to make her own decisions. She has to meet certain standards for the show and almost every part of her life is fake. Spending time with Merritt shows her that she's missing out and she slowly grows as a person. Avery doesn't want others to take the lead any longer and this was a fabulous process to witness. Merritt has to have quite a bit of patience and she carefully guards her heart. It isn't easy for Avery to break down her walls. They have a lot of issues to work on and I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out if they'd be able to overcome every obstacle in their way.
Karelia Stetz-Waters has written an amazing complex love story. Avery and Merritt have a deep emotional connection. When they are together everything is exactly as it should be, but Avery isn't a free woman. She's signed plenty of contracts, Alistair heavily depends on her and her success provides an income for many people. Karelia Stetz-Waters explores each repercussion of her actions and every consequence of Avery's battle with having such little freedom. I loved that aspect of the story. She combines this with a strong relationship, Merritt and Avery are soul mates and that's beautiful. Worth the Wait is a complicated and bittersweet story filled with surprising twists and turns. It's a terrific book about personal growth, giving love a chance and choosing happiness.
Merritt is the owner of a thriving business. She has quite a reputation, breaking the heart of every woman she goes out with. For Merritt there was only one true love, but Avery hurt her badly. Now that she's back in town Avery wants to rekindle their spark. Merritt might seem tough, but she knows Avery can shatter her once more. Avery isn't in Portland to stay, is it a good plan for Merritt to let the woman who has so much power over her back into her life? Avery wants to make amends, is she serious this time?
Worth the Wait is a moving romantic story. Avery and Merritt have quite a history. Avery was pressured into choosing a career in television over true love. She dreamed of becoming a star, but she paid a big price for her choice. Avery has very little room to make her own decisions. She has to meet certain standards for the show and almost every part of her life is fake. Spending time with Merritt shows her that she's missing out and she slowly grows as a person. Avery doesn't want others to take the lead any longer and this was a fabulous process to witness. Merritt has to have quite a bit of patience and she carefully guards her heart. It isn't easy for Avery to break down her walls. They have a lot of issues to work on and I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out if they'd be able to overcome every obstacle in their way.
Karelia Stetz-Waters has written an amazing complex love story. Avery and Merritt have a deep emotional connection. When they are together everything is exactly as it should be, but Avery isn't a free woman. She's signed plenty of contracts, Alistair heavily depends on her and her success provides an income for many people. Karelia Stetz-Waters explores each repercussion of her actions and every consequence of Avery's battle with having such little freedom. I loved that aspect of the story. She combines this with a strong relationship, Merritt and Avery are soul mates and that's beautiful. Worth the Wait is a complicated and bittersweet story filled with surprising twists and turns. It's a terrific book about personal growth, giving love a chance and choosing happiness.
July 22, 2018
I normally hate leaving a book unfinished, so I seldom do so. But this book was one of the few that was absolutely impossible for me to get through. I had a lot of problems with it, to say the least. *Worth the Wait* follows Avery Crown and Merritt Lessing, two former high school best friends and secret loves who reconnect after fifteen years. Avery works for a home renovation show and is in a fake relationship with her co-star, making it impossible to be with Merritt, despite how much she likes her.
My first gripe about this book is the writing style. While reading, I felt like there just wasn't a good flow to it, everything felt choppy and all over the place, especially during dialogue. The dialogue between the characters was long and drawn out, to the point where I would lose focus and have to reread it to remember what they were even talking about. The writing style alone was enough of a reason for me to not finish reading it, but I still have other issues.
The characters, themselves, were insufferable. Both came off as immature, despite the fact that were adults. Their approach to feelings was particularly immature and confusing as a reader. There was too much of a love/hate relationship going on. They went back and forth between loving and hating one another, which made it an ongoing conflict. I felt like I was watching a tennis match of their feelings. Additionally, I thought they got together too fast. I know the stereotype for lesbians is that they move fast, but they hooked up within the first few chapters of the novel. I would've appreciated more time being taken to develop the characters themselves and the relationship.
As an LGBT+ reader, I find it hard to find solid, good representation of wlw and unfortunately, this book was just another let down for me. The poor writing style, drawn out dialogue, and confusing characters made it impossible for me to tolerate. I wish I could've liked it, or found some kind of enjoyment while reading it, but sadly, I did not.
My first gripe about this book is the writing style. While reading, I felt like there just wasn't a good flow to it, everything felt choppy and all over the place, especially during dialogue. The dialogue between the characters was long and drawn out, to the point where I would lose focus and have to reread it to remember what they were even talking about. The writing style alone was enough of a reason for me to not finish reading it, but I still have other issues.
The characters, themselves, were insufferable. Both came off as immature, despite the fact that were adults. Their approach to feelings was particularly immature and confusing as a reader. There was too much of a love/hate relationship going on. They went back and forth between loving and hating one another, which made it an ongoing conflict. I felt like I was watching a tennis match of their feelings. Additionally, I thought they got together too fast. I know the stereotype for lesbians is that they move fast, but they hooked up within the first few chapters of the novel. I would've appreciated more time being taken to develop the characters themselves and the relationship.
As an LGBT+ reader, I find it hard to find solid, good representation of wlw and unfortunately, this book was just another let down for me. The poor writing style, drawn out dialogue, and confusing characters made it impossible for me to tolerate. I wish I could've liked it, or found some kind of enjoyment while reading it, but sadly, I did not.
July 25, 2018
Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, and The Unread:
Portland is a popular setting for LGBT+ romance stories, and I really must visit the city some day; in the meantime, though, there are series like this one to remind me of all the fun I seem to be missing. Or not, in the case of how our story opens. I quite like school and college reunions, but I know that’s not true for everyone. It certainly isn’t for Merritt Lessing: fully aware that attending her high school event means coming face to face with her planned date for the prom, who unceremoniously dumped her on the night in favour of a man. To make matters worse, said failed prom date is the guest of honour at the reunion. Avery Crown is now the star of a reality house restoration show, partnered by the man she took to the prom all those years before. He’s attending the reunion with her, but she’s not looking exactly forward to seeing Merritt again, no matter how much she regrets the loss of their friendship after the prom disaster.
When the two finally meet at the reunion, they put old misunderstandings behind them and try to catch up on the missing years. Avery longs to stop living the lie that she and her co-star are an item and come out as a lesbian, but she fears the wrath of her mother (and agent), as well as worrying what work either star will get if the show is cancelled. Merritt, meanwhile, has become a success in her own way, rebuilding the hardware business bequeathed to her by her favourite uncle, not long after Avery left, into a successful buildings reclamation and vintage materials centre. Having worked construction to make ends meet in the early years, Merritt now saves her skills for special projects and is in the process of buying the now dilapidated building her uncle once lived in to create her perfect forever home.
Avery and Merritt explore Portland together; Merritt shows off the house and details her plans for when she owns it, while Avery talks about her rekindled excitement at filming the show’s next series in her old hometown. They spend the night together, but then Avery discovers the next day that the show runners have lost their deal on the house the crew were supposed to be renovating, and their proposed replacement is going to devastate Merritt when she finds out.
At this point, I feared the whole book was going to revolve around one big misunderstanding between our heroines, but actually that issue was dealt with quite neatly. Instead, the major dilemma has far more to do with how the pair could be together without destroying the careers of the many people working on Avery’s show. Avery’s mother has filled her mind with insecurities of what will happen if she comes out, coupled with the idea that Avery is a good enough actor for reality TV, but not for ‘real’ screen or theatre work. Nevertheless, our heroines work at making the most of the time they have together, although they can’t dodge the press forever. When they’re spotted in a gay club, even though Avery’s co-star is with them and tries to protect her, it looks like all Avery’s fears are going to come true.
Although I loved Avery’s last-minute escape from the cover-up attempt that’s forced on her, I did feel that the overall ending to the story felt a little rushed with just a few pages and an epilogue to give our heroines a happy ending and catch us up to where all their friends had ended up. On the other hand, I did love those friends and hope to see more glimpses of them as the series progresses.
Portland is a popular setting for LGBT+ romance stories, and I really must visit the city some day; in the meantime, though, there are series like this one to remind me of all the fun I seem to be missing. Or not, in the case of how our story opens. I quite like school and college reunions, but I know that’s not true for everyone. It certainly isn’t for Merritt Lessing: fully aware that attending her high school event means coming face to face with her planned date for the prom, who unceremoniously dumped her on the night in favour of a man. To make matters worse, said failed prom date is the guest of honour at the reunion. Avery Crown is now the star of a reality house restoration show, partnered by the man she took to the prom all those years before. He’s attending the reunion with her, but she’s not looking exactly forward to seeing Merritt again, no matter how much she regrets the loss of their friendship after the prom disaster.
When the two finally meet at the reunion, they put old misunderstandings behind them and try to catch up on the missing years. Avery longs to stop living the lie that she and her co-star are an item and come out as a lesbian, but she fears the wrath of her mother (and agent), as well as worrying what work either star will get if the show is cancelled. Merritt, meanwhile, has become a success in her own way, rebuilding the hardware business bequeathed to her by her favourite uncle, not long after Avery left, into a successful buildings reclamation and vintage materials centre. Having worked construction to make ends meet in the early years, Merritt now saves her skills for special projects and is in the process of buying the now dilapidated building her uncle once lived in to create her perfect forever home.
Avery and Merritt explore Portland together; Merritt shows off the house and details her plans for when she owns it, while Avery talks about her rekindled excitement at filming the show’s next series in her old hometown. They spend the night together, but then Avery discovers the next day that the show runners have lost their deal on the house the crew were supposed to be renovating, and their proposed replacement is going to devastate Merritt when she finds out.
At this point, I feared the whole book was going to revolve around one big misunderstanding between our heroines, but actually that issue was dealt with quite neatly. Instead, the major dilemma has far more to do with how the pair could be together without destroying the careers of the many people working on Avery’s show. Avery’s mother has filled her mind with insecurities of what will happen if she comes out, coupled with the idea that Avery is a good enough actor for reality TV, but not for ‘real’ screen or theatre work. Nevertheless, our heroines work at making the most of the time they have together, although they can’t dodge the press forever. When they’re spotted in a gay club, even though Avery’s co-star is with them and tries to protect her, it looks like all Avery’s fears are going to come true.
Although I loved Avery’s last-minute escape from the cover-up attempt that’s forced on her, I did feel that the overall ending to the story felt a little rushed with just a few pages and an epilogue to give our heroines a happy ending and catch us up to where all their friends had ended up. On the other hand, I did love those friends and hope to see more glimpses of them as the series progresses.
August 20, 2020
Once upon a time Avery Crown and Merritt Lessing were the best of friends – but only friends. Then, neither was willing to admit that they loved the other, but now 15 years later they might have a chance together. But Avery’s career would be ruined by coming out as a lesbian, and will Merritt be willing to wait for her to work things out?
Avery, get your head in the game! Merritt, I love you the mostest but please get over yourself and get started loving Avery properly. Even if it’s just sex, enjoy the time you have, grab it! In line with this, there are sex scenes, and I can’t decide whether they helped with the storyline or hindered. As the author is a lesbian, you’d be able to assume that the sex scenes are not unrealistic and pornographic.
I liked how Avery was guilted into continuing with her career by the threat of her co-star being bankrupted by the show ending. However, Avery, grow a spine and admit that you’ll need to look after your co-star a bit better, and keep your mother in line. How old are you now?
I’m really sorry, but I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as the others by Karelia. I much preferred The Admirer and Something True. It just felt sort of ‘meh’ in comparison. Neither of the women really had jobs or personalities that I connected or empathised with.
I’m giving this 4 stars in the knowledge that this book may be someone else’s cup of tea, particularly people who enjoy ‘reality’ or ‘makeover’ TV shows. Identifying as a lesbian isn’t enough for me to love this novel.
Did you enjoy this goodreads review? If so you may find it useful to visit my blog The Cosy Dragon . I regularly post new reviews on a variety of genres.
Avery, get your head in the game! Merritt, I love you the mostest but please get over yourself and get started loving Avery properly. Even if it’s just sex, enjoy the time you have, grab it! In line with this, there are sex scenes, and I can’t decide whether they helped with the storyline or hindered. As the author is a lesbian, you’d be able to assume that the sex scenes are not unrealistic and pornographic.
I liked how Avery was guilted into continuing with her career by the threat of her co-star being bankrupted by the show ending. However, Avery, grow a spine and admit that you’ll need to look after your co-star a bit better, and keep your mother in line. How old are you now?
I’m really sorry, but I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as the others by Karelia. I much preferred The Admirer and Something True. It just felt sort of ‘meh’ in comparison. Neither of the women really had jobs or personalities that I connected or empathised with.
I’m giving this 4 stars in the knowledge that this book may be someone else’s cup of tea, particularly people who enjoy ‘reality’ or ‘makeover’ TV shows. Identifying as a lesbian isn’t enough for me to love this novel.
Did you enjoy this goodreads review? If so you may find it useful to visit my blog The Cosy Dragon . I regularly post new reviews on a variety of genres.
June 13, 2018
I am not generally a reader of romance themed books, so this was an interesting diversion from my normal reading patterns and plans. Thanks to the folks at NetGalley who gave me the opportunity to read this in exchange for my thoughts and opinions.
One of the negative stereotypes of romance novels is the lack of story. That was not the case with Worth the Wait. While I didn't find the story to be gripping, or edge-of-the-seat exciting, there was a good storyline. It is a story of redemption, of change, and of course finding love, even if it may be a previous love lost. I was committed to seeing the book through, although it isn't one that would find me returning for future reads.
I struggled to connect with the characters. I thought they had potential. I just never found myself drawn to them or ultimately caring about them or the outcome of their relationship drama. I thought the drama levels were high, and that while 15 years post high school, they both still acted much like my high school aged kids and their friends. The element of believability fell away due to that.
As I mentioned, I am not a frequent reader of romance type novels. I will say that I was a little surprised that there wasn't as much sex as I expected. That isn't necessarily a complaint on my part. If you are looking for a book with lots of sex, then this isn't where you want to stop. The sex that was in the book was well written and carried an intensity with it that was believable.
All in all, the book wasn't too bad. I wasn't overly excited by it, but I was interested enough to see it through and see what the ending held in store for the various characters.
One of the negative stereotypes of romance novels is the lack of story. That was not the case with Worth the Wait. While I didn't find the story to be gripping, or edge-of-the-seat exciting, there was a good storyline. It is a story of redemption, of change, and of course finding love, even if it may be a previous love lost. I was committed to seeing the book through, although it isn't one that would find me returning for future reads.
I struggled to connect with the characters. I thought they had potential. I just never found myself drawn to them or ultimately caring about them or the outcome of their relationship drama. I thought the drama levels were high, and that while 15 years post high school, they both still acted much like my high school aged kids and their friends. The element of believability fell away due to that.
As I mentioned, I am not a frequent reader of romance type novels. I will say that I was a little surprised that there wasn't as much sex as I expected. That isn't necessarily a complaint on my part. If you are looking for a book with lots of sex, then this isn't where you want to stop. The sex that was in the book was well written and carried an intensity with it that was believable.
All in all, the book wasn't too bad. I wasn't overly excited by it, but I was interested enough to see it through and see what the ending held in store for the various characters.
May 29, 2018
This book is a nice second-chance romance but somehow I could not connect with the story or the characters though the story has a lot of elements and potential I really like. One of the maincharacters is a famous star of a show which reminds me of Fixxer Upper - a show I like a lot - and is deep in the closet. So this story is about love and kind of coming out in order to live the life that's wanted. For Avery, the famous one, it is a future with her highschool best friend Merritt who she did not see in 15 years. They loved each other secretively back then and the chemistry is strong again this time.
The plot was good but really slow paced and some topics just scrached in the surface - for example there is a conflict with one of the main characters mother (she's Avery's manager and forced her into this career which leaded to a sudden breakup with Merritt before something could even have started in the past. If not for her mother Avery's future might have lead to a lucky life with Merritt. This conflict was never really shown, just told.
It is sad that I was not really caught by this book because it is not bad written and it is entertaining. It's fun and slow and light. It is a good read but that's it. At least for me.
The plot was good but really slow paced and some topics just scrached in the surface - for example there is a conflict with one of the main characters mother (she's Avery's manager and forced her into this career which leaded to a sudden breakup with Merritt before something could even have started in the past. If not for her mother Avery's future might have lead to a lucky life with Merritt. This conflict was never really shown, just told.
It is sad that I was not really caught by this book because it is not bad written and it is entertaining. It's fun and slow and light. It is a good read but that's it. At least for me.
July 14, 2018
OMG. I need six stars. No, ten stars!
OMG. I need six stars. No, ten stars.
How can I express how much I love this book? I love Avery. I love Merritt. No, I want to *be* Merritt. The look. The hardware store. The attitude. The ability to do everything well. OMG. I want to scream.
Merritt and Avery take me away from my own world, and into their own amazing place. A world glittering with joy, and pain, and goofyness, and love. I want to be there, I want to be with them, I want to be them.
The author's mastery of her craft is exquisite; she has a magnificent way with words. I can see, I can hear, I can touch what the characters are seeing and hearing and touching. I'm in quirky, lovable Portland with them. I'm lost with them in their love and desire and hurt and fear and anger, their misguided attempts to take care of themselves and fulfill their own dreams. I want for them - and for myself - the happiness and connection and passion fulfilled that they want so much for themselves.
This is a romance that touches the heart and stirs the soul of this reader.
Thank you, Karelia!
OMG. I need six stars. No, ten stars.
How can I express how much I love this book? I love Avery. I love Merritt. No, I want to *be* Merritt. The look. The hardware store. The attitude. The ability to do everything well. OMG. I want to scream.
Merritt and Avery take me away from my own world, and into their own amazing place. A world glittering with joy, and pain, and goofyness, and love. I want to be there, I want to be with them, I want to be them.
The author's mastery of her craft is exquisite; she has a magnificent way with words. I can see, I can hear, I can touch what the characters are seeing and hearing and touching. I'm in quirky, lovable Portland with them. I'm lost with them in their love and desire and hurt and fear and anger, their misguided attempts to take care of themselves and fulfill their own dreams. I want for them - and for myself - the happiness and connection and passion fulfilled that they want so much for themselves.
This is a romance that touches the heart and stirs the soul of this reader.
Thank you, Karelia!
August 20, 2021
After reading 'Satisfaction Guaranteed' and LOVING every second of it, I knew I had to read more Karelia Stetz-Waters. So this is me trying to read everything she's written up until now. Although I didn't love this book as much as 'Satisfaction Guaranteed' (which is one of my favorite books EVER), I still enjoyed 'Worth the Wait' and I would definitely recommend it to any lesfic fans.
I know this book is the third installment in a trilogy but I didn't read them in order and I don't think it's necessary. The main characters are adorable, both of them, and the secondary characters are also quite enjoyable. The plot is simple but does the job. You could say that this is a typical lesfic novel. While 'Satisfaction Guaranteed' hooked me from the very first page and I thought it was an incredibly original read, 'Worth the Wait' is the kind of book that lesfic fans have read over and over (I'm not saying this like it's a bad thing, we can't get enough of it!). Still, you can identify Stetz-Waters' witty writing and great humor, which distinguishes it from most books in this genre.
I'll be reading more books by Karelia Stetz-Waters, for sure.
I know this book is the third installment in a trilogy but I didn't read them in order and I don't think it's necessary. The main characters are adorable, both of them, and the secondary characters are also quite enjoyable. The plot is simple but does the job. You could say that this is a typical lesfic novel. While 'Satisfaction Guaranteed' hooked me from the very first page and I thought it was an incredibly original read, 'Worth the Wait' is the kind of book that lesfic fans have read over and over (I'm not saying this like it's a bad thing, we can't get enough of it!). Still, you can identify Stetz-Waters' witty writing and great humor, which distinguishes it from most books in this genre.
I'll be reading more books by Karelia Stetz-Waters, for sure.
July 17, 2018
Avery Crown is half of a home & garden show host duo; her partner is a hunky guy whom everyone assumes is her romantic partner. But Alistair's asexual, while Avery far prefers the ladies. The book opens with the two attending Avery's high school reunion in funky Portland Oregon, and once again encountering the girl she left abruptly behind, Merritt, who runs a funky hardware store. There is a lot of "I don't trust you/I don't want you/Let's have sex" back-and-forthing here (a trope I find annoying in both het and queer romance), as well as a lot of ridiculous reasons and justifications for said distrust, which makes for a less than satisfying read. There's good ideological stuff about poor body image, parent-shaming, and public vs. private images, but it wasn't strong enough to outweigh the lack of character development that would have made Avery's low self-esteem feel believable rather than just told about, pasted on in the service of plot.
June 27, 2018
Worth the Wait was a great romance. The story between Avery and Merrit meeting and falling in love after 15 years was awesome. Avery went to her High School reunion hoping to see Merrit and apologize for standing her up for their senior prom. Merrit is still angry and hurt from the event, put also wanted to see Avery if for nothing more than to show her how indifferent she was about it, instead of how hurt she really was.
It turns out that Avery is in Portland to film her newest season of her Reality Show King and Crown. Merrit gets upset when the show buys out from under her the building she’s wanted to buy and remodel. It’s a great story and there are lots of back and forth between them getting together or not. It is a great story and I highly recommend it.
I think this book can stand alone from the “Out in Portland” series.
It turns out that Avery is in Portland to film her newest season of her Reality Show King and Crown. Merrit gets upset when the show buys out from under her the building she’s wanted to buy and remodel. It’s a great story and there are lots of back and forth between them getting together or not. It is a great story and I highly recommend it.
I think this book can stand alone from the “Out in Portland” series.
December 19, 2019
Even though I’ve read all three in the series, each one is definitely a standalone. Portland is the main commonality, which is what drew me into reading this series in the first place. And it’s always a bit of a thrill when my hometown of Astoria gets a mention.
It took me a while to get into this one. And the third person narration took some getting used to for me. I think it made me feel like more of an outsider watching the story unfold from afar. But eventually, I found myself really rooting for these characters. And the end was so perfectly poetic that it just warmed my heart and put a big grin on my face.
It took me a while to get into this one. And the third person narration took some getting used to for me. I think it made me feel like more of an outsider watching the story unfold from afar. But eventually, I found myself really rooting for these characters. And the end was so perfectly poetic that it just warmed my heart and put a big grin on my face.
January 13, 2019
Really enjoyed the conflict in this one; it set up just the right amount of silly melodrama while still being mostly about the characters' inner lives. I wouldn't normally think high school crushes and coming out dramas would be my thing, but this author handled both well and made them feel convincing and down to earth. It didn't blow me away, but I liked the way she took on those tropes. And the excerpt from Something True at the end makes me even more excited to read that when I can get a copy.
October 3, 2018
A good fun second chance romance this is the first book I have read by Karelia and I enjoyed it and would check out more from her in the future. I liked both Merritt and Avery their relationship starts out quite rocky and I found myself not wanting to put it down wanting to know how they were getting on they are both really great likable characters and I really enjoyed their book a really good friends to lovers romance
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