What do you think?
Rate this book
The Waiting Room
The Waiting Room is a delightful romp with three women who meet in the waiting room of a doctor’s office and grow to become life-long friends. After Allison’s roommate goes missing and later is found dead, the man they identify as a suspect stirs up trouble for them.
Fortunately, life has its way of making things right, and so it was left to the three women to see things through to the end and correct a wrong.
Years later, when the friends gather, they realize the waiting room they’re now in is actually the space between here and there – a timeless space where you choose how to live your remaining years.
Humorous, honest, and tender, The Waiting Room will steal your heart and hold it captive long after you finish turning the last page. It’s a book worth sharing with others, especially with those you love.
Fortunately, life has its way of making things right, and so it was left to the three women to see things through to the end and correct a wrong.
Years later, when the friends gather, they realize the waiting room they’re now in is actually the space between here and there – a timeless space where you choose how to live your remaining years.
Humorous, honest, and tender, The Waiting Room will steal your heart and hold it captive long after you finish turning the last page. It’s a book worth sharing with others, especially with those you love.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2022
7 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Peck
15 books217 followers" I write mystery books that you can't put down."
Sign up for her newsletter to see what's going on with her books and new releases, and to win prizes, discounts, ARC opportunities, and more at www.deathcardseries.com
Joan grew up in Elmira, a small town in New York State, and now makes her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her silky terrier pup, Sweet Pea, a character in her Death Card Series.
She grew up in a family who always read books and were happy to discuss the storyline and its plots, encouraging the idea of becoming a writer. In her twenties, she began to test the waters by writing short stories, which was short-lived when marriage and children took over. It wasn’t until 2008 that she began to write her books in earnest.
Joan writes about what she’s been drawn to with her spiritual and supernatural beliefs, and her interest in addiction and human trafficking. Her writing is realistic yet optimistic, and it shows her softer, humorous side.
Joan S. Peck is an editor and author of short stories, spiritual books, and has a mystery book series called The Death Card Series. She is also a contributing writer for Choices magazine and is the Editor in Chief for the Chic Compass magazine, produced in Las Vegas and available worldwide.
Her latest authoring is the Death Card Mystery Series. “To me, the fun of reading mystery books is to become so intrigued with the story it becomes impossible to put the book down. The fun of writing them is to put you in that same situation.”
Her 9th book, a stand-alone novel, “Angels Out of the Dark” is about Lucy and Lester, a couple who picks four women off the streets to become their “angels” to help other girls off the streets. It is a story you will think about long after you’ve read the book and put it down.
She can be reached at:
Email: joanpeck39@gmail.com
Website:https://www.joanspeck.com
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-s-peck
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/joan.peck1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2riAhXH
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/death_card_...
Sign up for her newsletter to see what's going on with her books and new releases, and to win prizes, discounts, ARC opportunities, and more at www.deathcardseries.com
Joan grew up in Elmira, a small town in New York State, and now makes her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her silky terrier pup, Sweet Pea, a character in her Death Card Series.
She grew up in a family who always read books and were happy to discuss the storyline and its plots, encouraging the idea of becoming a writer. In her twenties, she began to test the waters by writing short stories, which was short-lived when marriage and children took over. It wasn’t until 2008 that she began to write her books in earnest.
Joan writes about what she’s been drawn to with her spiritual and supernatural beliefs, and her interest in addiction and human trafficking. Her writing is realistic yet optimistic, and it shows her softer, humorous side.
Joan S. Peck is an editor and author of short stories, spiritual books, and has a mystery book series called The Death Card Series. She is also a contributing writer for Choices magazine and is the Editor in Chief for the Chic Compass magazine, produced in Las Vegas and available worldwide.
Her latest authoring is the Death Card Mystery Series. “To me, the fun of reading mystery books is to become so intrigued with the story it becomes impossible to put the book down. The fun of writing them is to put you in that same situation.”
Her 9th book, a stand-alone novel, “Angels Out of the Dark” is about Lucy and Lester, a couple who picks four women off the streets to become their “angels” to help other girls off the streets. It is a story you will think about long after you’ve read the book and put it down.
She can be reached at:
Email: joanpeck39@gmail.com
Website:https://www.joanspeck.com
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-s-peck
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/joan.peck1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2riAhXH
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/death_card_...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 6, 2024
I was gifted this book by the author through Voracious Readers Only, thank you.
This book follows three very different woman who formed a lifelong friendship when they met in ‘The Waiting Room’
Wow I just loved this book, what a great story of friendship. I loved the characters, each so different but strong in their own sense.
What a beautiful story, amazing characters. I enjoyed how it spanned over many years.
I laughed and I literally cried.
Thank you for such a great book.
This book follows three very different woman who formed a lifelong friendship when they met in ‘The Waiting Room’
Wow I just loved this book, what a great story of friendship. I loved the characters, each so different but strong in their own sense.
What a beautiful story, amazing characters. I enjoyed how it spanned over many years.
I laughed and I literally cried.
Thank you for such a great book.
May 12, 2022
3.5 stars.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I enjoy women's fiction and this was the ultimate. Three women, Allison, who just moved to Boston, Bella, a children's oncologist, and Marianne, a paralegal, who met in the waiting room after their mammograms.
Set in the 1980s it wasn't just about friendship but also about a mystery that needed to be solved that happened to Allison's roommate. What sort of concerns me is that it was the 1980s but Bella was always worried about being black. I could understand if it was the 1950s, 60s, or even 70s, but the 80s? I guess there's always racial worries no matter what year it was.
It followed them through their lives and then all of a sudden it's 34 years later when the women are in their mid- 60s and are widowed and Marianne divorced.
I'm not going to give away the ending but I hate sad endings and I knew what was coming!
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I enjoy women's fiction and this was the ultimate. Three women, Allison, who just moved to Boston, Bella, a children's oncologist, and Marianne, a paralegal, who met in the waiting room after their mammograms.
Set in the 1980s it wasn't just about friendship but also about a mystery that needed to be solved that happened to Allison's roommate. What sort of concerns me is that it was the 1980s but Bella was always worried about being black. I could understand if it was the 1950s, 60s, or even 70s, but the 80s? I guess there's always racial worries no matter what year it was.
It followed them through their lives and then all of a sudden it's 34 years later when the women are in their mid- 60s and are widowed and Marianne divorced.
I'm not going to give away the ending but I hate sad endings and I knew what was coming!
June 8, 2024
This is a book about three ladies who meet in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. They become the best of friends with an unbreakable bond and share everything. This is a wonderful book about friendship. I really enjoyed this book and think it would make a good book to share with friends and book clubs 😊
Thank you Voracious Readers Only and J.S. Peck for the opportunity to read this book ❤️
Thank you Voracious Readers Only and J.S. Peck for the opportunity to read this book ❤️
June 23, 2022
The Waiting Room by J. S. Peck is a book I think all women should read. This is a wonderful story about friendship, friendships that have unbreakable bonds no matter what and will last through everything and anything. Three women, different women meet and become friends for life. They share everything, secrets, their marriages, children and even a murder. They stick together no matter what. Joan Peck does a great job with this one, she adds mystery and murder and such twist and turns you will not be able to put it down. This will make a great book club read and should be put in all your friends Christmas stockings! It is a very enjoyable read!
Thank you so much J. S. Peck and Bejeweled Publishing for an advanced copy of this amazing book. This is my unbiased review.
#thewaitingroom #joanspeck #bejeweledpublishing
#arc
Thank you so much J. S. Peck and Bejeweled Publishing for an advanced copy of this amazing book. This is my unbiased review.
#thewaitingroom #joanspeck #bejeweledpublishing
#arc
May 26, 2022
I was lucky as was chosen to be an ARC reader and loved the book didn't want to put it down till had to most of the time because of my dogs. Three girls meet at a doctors waiting room and become instant best friends and when Allison roommate is murdered they try to find out what happened and who could do it. The three of them go through the life trials together and become more like sisters I would fully recommend this book for everyone to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2022
I was very lucky to be chosen as one of J.S. Peck’s ARC readers. The Waiting Room was such a great read. The book introduces us to 3 wonderful characters, Allison, Bella and Marianne. They come from different backgrounds and if it wasn’t for this chance meeting in the waiting room would probably never have met. As the reader we go on a journey of their lives with all the ups, downs and the lasting friendships. I would definitely recommend this book!
May 25, 2022
The book starts in 1983. Allison, Bella, and Marianne are all in a waiting room for their mammogram results. After being sent home and they step outside together, Allison suggests they go grab a drink on her. After that doctor visit, and all walking out with good news, Bella and Marianne decide, why not.
After learning a bit about each other and having such a good and fun night, they agree to do it again next week. Same place, same time. At that meet up they meet Allison's roommate, Susan, and she doesn't leave a good impression on either of them and a couple others. Sadly Susan is found deceased a few days later and the three of them are about to take a massive turn in their lives.
They remain great friends throughout the years, and though the book is mainly focused on the years 1983 and 1984, you jump 34-37 years later as they've managed to remain close friends that stay in touch, meet when they can, and support each other through everything, good and bad.
It was fun, even through the sad times, to spend times with these ladies and watch how their lives blossom and change. I want to thank the author for allowing me to read an arc for an honest review.
After learning a bit about each other and having such a good and fun night, they agree to do it again next week. Same place, same time. At that meet up they meet Allison's roommate, Susan, and she doesn't leave a good impression on either of them and a couple others. Sadly Susan is found deceased a few days later and the three of them are about to take a massive turn in their lives.
They remain great friends throughout the years, and though the book is mainly focused on the years 1983 and 1984, you jump 34-37 years later as they've managed to remain close friends that stay in touch, meet when they can, and support each other through everything, good and bad.
It was fun, even through the sad times, to spend times with these ladies and watch how their lives blossom and change. I want to thank the author for allowing me to read an arc for an honest review.
May 27, 2023
The Waiting Room By JS Peck
Genre: Mystery Murder/Period/Contemporary Fiction
#voraciousreadersonly
Alison 🧑🦱sat in her doctor's waiting room, 👨⚕️ thumbing through a magazine whilst she awaited the results of her mammogram. Alongside her, sit two other women, 👩👱♀️ doing the same &, she assumes awaiting the same. Every now & then they give each other a cursory glance & a small smile.👄 After a while, Allison feels the silence becoming awkward, rests her magazine on the table in front of her & introduces herself to the two women. By the time ⏲ the physician comes out of his office to relieve them of their anxious wait, they feel like firm friends who have known each other longer than 30 minutes. Allison, Belle & Marianne 👩🦱👩👱♀️ decide to go for a drink 🍸🍸🍸 just a few doors away, where they continue the discovery of their new friendship. In the weeks that follow, the women continue to meet several times in the same bar, sitting at the same table & become familiar customers. They even go to a music concert together. 🎶 🎤
Then, one evening as they are sitting at their usual corner table, drinking their Cosmos 🍸 & putting their worlds 🌎 to rights, Allison's room mate Susan 👩🦳enters the pub & invites herself to join them, making all three ladies feel unsettled. Being a model, Susan had always been used to attracting male attention & this occasion is no different. A man 👨from the bar decides to join them with his sights clearly set on Susan. Knowing that she can afford to be picky when it comes to the opposite sex, Susan says she has to be elsewhere & saunters out of the establishment, leaving her male admirer red faced & very disgruntled indeed at this blunt rejection, & he promptly follows her. The ladies carry on their evening, but when Susan hasn't come home the next day - not that that was unusual - Allison starts to worry.....especially when she responds to a knock at her front door🚪 to be confronted with two police officers. 👮♂️👮♀️
This e-book was sent to me as a courtesy copy directly from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
I'd had this e-book in my in-box for about a month & had been looking forward to reading it. As ever, I hadn't read the synopsis so as not to influence my review, but had been drawn to the front cover: three women, a blonde brunette & a redhead sitting on clouds. The book had a fairly promising start & I actually quite enjoyed the first 20 chapters (in all there were 49. I believe the reason for this is because it is extremely wordy & could have been condensed into less). The narrative, originally set in 1983, gives an insight into how racial equality was a major issue in America at this time. Bella, being black seems to be consumed with worry about this & how being friends with white women will be seen. A colleague had once told her in regards to consorting with white people to ''Steer clear!' Indeed the attention to racial issues felt like a running them for the entirety of the novel. I knew nothing of the racial divides in America at this time, so as eye opening & shocking as it was, I felt it dominated. Likewise with Marianne coming from the South & her suitors Aunt warding her off her association with a coloured woman was unfathomable to me. The moralistic, political overtones were a theme throught from the racial situation to Trump to the '#metoo' movement. The story is set across 1983, 1986 & then jumps to 2017. Personally I felt that the author used her novel as a vehicle to highlight particular political issues of the time & whilst they absolutely have their place, I felt it detracted from the story it was actually meant to be, a heartwarming story of three friends who support each other through some very challenging times over a period of 40 years.
I liked the characters but failed to get invested in them with so much going on. I felt it would have been a lot more enjoyable & relaxing a read, had it been simpler & not quite so heavy/dense. Having said that though if you read the write about S.J Peck, at the end, her reason for choice of content becomes more evident. Sadly though, this wasn't for me.
Genre: Mystery Murder/Period/Contemporary Fiction
#voraciousreadersonly
Alison 🧑🦱sat in her doctor's waiting room, 👨⚕️ thumbing through a magazine whilst she awaited the results of her mammogram. Alongside her, sit two other women, 👩👱♀️ doing the same &, she assumes awaiting the same. Every now & then they give each other a cursory glance & a small smile.👄 After a while, Allison feels the silence becoming awkward, rests her magazine on the table in front of her & introduces herself to the two women. By the time ⏲ the physician comes out of his office to relieve them of their anxious wait, they feel like firm friends who have known each other longer than 30 minutes. Allison, Belle & Marianne 👩🦱👩👱♀️ decide to go for a drink 🍸🍸🍸 just a few doors away, where they continue the discovery of their new friendship. In the weeks that follow, the women continue to meet several times in the same bar, sitting at the same table & become familiar customers. They even go to a music concert together. 🎶 🎤
Then, one evening as they are sitting at their usual corner table, drinking their Cosmos 🍸 & putting their worlds 🌎 to rights, Allison's room mate Susan 👩🦳enters the pub & invites herself to join them, making all three ladies feel unsettled. Being a model, Susan had always been used to attracting male attention & this occasion is no different. A man 👨from the bar decides to join them with his sights clearly set on Susan. Knowing that she can afford to be picky when it comes to the opposite sex, Susan says she has to be elsewhere & saunters out of the establishment, leaving her male admirer red faced & very disgruntled indeed at this blunt rejection, & he promptly follows her. The ladies carry on their evening, but when Susan hasn't come home the next day - not that that was unusual - Allison starts to worry.....especially when she responds to a knock at her front door🚪 to be confronted with two police officers. 👮♂️👮♀️
This e-book was sent to me as a courtesy copy directly from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
I'd had this e-book in my in-box for about a month & had been looking forward to reading it. As ever, I hadn't read the synopsis so as not to influence my review, but had been drawn to the front cover: three women, a blonde brunette & a redhead sitting on clouds. The book had a fairly promising start & I actually quite enjoyed the first 20 chapters (in all there were 49. I believe the reason for this is because it is extremely wordy & could have been condensed into less). The narrative, originally set in 1983, gives an insight into how racial equality was a major issue in America at this time. Bella, being black seems to be consumed with worry about this & how being friends with white women will be seen. A colleague had once told her in regards to consorting with white people to ''Steer clear!' Indeed the attention to racial issues felt like a running them for the entirety of the novel. I knew nothing of the racial divides in America at this time, so as eye opening & shocking as it was, I felt it dominated. Likewise with Marianne coming from the South & her suitors Aunt warding her off her association with a coloured woman was unfathomable to me. The moralistic, political overtones were a theme throught from the racial situation to Trump to the '#metoo' movement. The story is set across 1983, 1986 & then jumps to 2017. Personally I felt that the author used her novel as a vehicle to highlight particular political issues of the time & whilst they absolutely have their place, I felt it detracted from the story it was actually meant to be, a heartwarming story of three friends who support each other through some very challenging times over a period of 40 years.
I liked the characters but failed to get invested in them with so much going on. I felt it would have been a lot more enjoyable & relaxing a read, had it been simpler & not quite so heavy/dense. Having said that though if you read the write about S.J Peck, at the end, her reason for choice of content becomes more evident. Sadly though, this wasn't for me.
August 30, 2023
Summertime is a great time to catch up on reading material that has been stacking up and this past week I found myself in need of an easy read while waiting for x-rays to be done in the hospital waiting room.
As luck would have it I happened to download a book called The Waiting Room by Joan S. Peck, that I was waiting to read. I did not quite expect to be reading it while I was doing my own waiting in the Waiting Room, but that is exactly what happened.
As I am writing this review for you, I am nursing a broken shoulder! That is making my life a little more difficult than Allison's, Bella's and Marianne's.
These three women met while undergoing their yearly Mammograms. Every woman knows how wonderful these tests are (not) and how they can bring you to your lowest common denominator! But it's a great way for three very diffferent women to meet. Allison the most outgoing of the three asks the other two if they would like to go out for a coffee after their mammograms are done.
Bella and Marianne had not made any other plans for that day, so going out for a nice brew after a stressful test seemed like a great idea.
For the first little while these three are testing the waters of friendship. They are learning a little bit about each other and after a few awkward moments, laughter is sounding around the table.
Each of these women knew that they had found something that they needed from each other. Nothing was more important than having someone to share life's moments (good ones and bad) with. Someone who understood what life was like from a woman's perspective. Who knows, this could be the start of a great friendship.
After that first girl's coffee date, they all decide that they will do this again in a weeks time. After all, they would be meeting back at the Waiting Room to get the results of their mammograms.
The Waiting Room is a lovely book that I'm sure many women could immediately relate to. There are crazy things happening in each of their lives and a good observation from an outside party is sometimes what is needed so badly. These three become sounding boards for each other and yes, they become the best of friends.
I really enjoyed this book as a summertime read, it's not heavy in details that you need to remember to make sense of the story line, but there are details in there that I'm sure most women could understand and have an opinion about.
Sit back, grab a good cup of coffee or lemonade and open this book. You will find yourself transported to another time in your life when you wish you had a really great friend to share your problems with, while finding solutions that work for everyone.
I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
As luck would have it I happened to download a book called The Waiting Room by Joan S. Peck, that I was waiting to read. I did not quite expect to be reading it while I was doing my own waiting in the Waiting Room, but that is exactly what happened.
As I am writing this review for you, I am nursing a broken shoulder! That is making my life a little more difficult than Allison's, Bella's and Marianne's.
These three women met while undergoing their yearly Mammograms. Every woman knows how wonderful these tests are (not) and how they can bring you to your lowest common denominator! But it's a great way for three very diffferent women to meet. Allison the most outgoing of the three asks the other two if they would like to go out for a coffee after their mammograms are done.
Bella and Marianne had not made any other plans for that day, so going out for a nice brew after a stressful test seemed like a great idea.
For the first little while these three are testing the waters of friendship. They are learning a little bit about each other and after a few awkward moments, laughter is sounding around the table.
Each of these women knew that they had found something that they needed from each other. Nothing was more important than having someone to share life's moments (good ones and bad) with. Someone who understood what life was like from a woman's perspective. Who knows, this could be the start of a great friendship.
After that first girl's coffee date, they all decide that they will do this again in a weeks time. After all, they would be meeting back at the Waiting Room to get the results of their mammograms.
The Waiting Room is a lovely book that I'm sure many women could immediately relate to. There are crazy things happening in each of their lives and a good observation from an outside party is sometimes what is needed so badly. These three become sounding boards for each other and yes, they become the best of friends.
I really enjoyed this book as a summertime read, it's not heavy in details that you need to remember to make sense of the story line, but there are details in there that I'm sure most women could understand and have an opinion about.
Sit back, grab a good cup of coffee or lemonade and open this book. You will find yourself transported to another time in your life when you wish you had a really great friend to share your problems with, while finding solutions that work for everyone.
I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
February 25, 2023
I received an ARC via Reedsy of this book.
The Waiting Room is a story of three women who meet by chance in the waiting room of a doctor's office. These women did not know each other prior to that day, yet for some reason, perhaps fate, they decided to have a drink together at the bar after their long days. This leads to years of friendship, hardships, and love. The trio become caught up in a murder of one of the women's roommates, which leads them to meet their future husbands. At the end of the story, the three women are back together in old age to comfort each other and help each other figure out their path in the later years of life.
This book had potential to be really cute and sweet, however, I could not fully get into this one. It jumped around between women and the friendship between them that was so strong after barely knowing each other, strong enough for them to be having each other stay at one another's house and helping one cope with the murder of her roommate seemed far-fetched to me. Also, I wish the author had developed each character more. I felt I knew more about the physical description of the women than I knew who they were as people. I could see that the story itself had a sweet and positive note, but the events in the story that were important seemed brushed aside for romance. When the women met their love interests, they quickly moved on with life and brushed it aside for thirty plus years. Later in life, they felt they must get together solve this murder, but why did they not push harder earlier if it were so important to them?
I could see others loving this book, but it just was not for me as I was continuously trying to figure out what was the main story...the friendships, the romance, or the murder.
The Waiting Room is a story of three women who meet by chance in the waiting room of a doctor's office. These women did not know each other prior to that day, yet for some reason, perhaps fate, they decided to have a drink together at the bar after their long days. This leads to years of friendship, hardships, and love. The trio become caught up in a murder of one of the women's roommates, which leads them to meet their future husbands. At the end of the story, the three women are back together in old age to comfort each other and help each other figure out their path in the later years of life.
This book had potential to be really cute and sweet, however, I could not fully get into this one. It jumped around between women and the friendship between them that was so strong after barely knowing each other, strong enough for them to be having each other stay at one another's house and helping one cope with the murder of her roommate seemed far-fetched to me. Also, I wish the author had developed each character more. I felt I knew more about the physical description of the women than I knew who they were as people. I could see that the story itself had a sweet and positive note, but the events in the story that were important seemed brushed aside for romance. When the women met their love interests, they quickly moved on with life and brushed it aside for thirty plus years. Later in life, they felt they must get together solve this murder, but why did they not push harder earlier if it were so important to them?
I could see others loving this book, but it just was not for me as I was continuously trying to figure out what was the main story...the friendships, the romance, or the murder.
June 19, 2022
www.thebookdragon.co.uk
A straight-forward and reader-friendly book that explores the inner core of a 3-way friendship between 30-something ladies living in 80’s Boston, USA.
The main protagonists are likeable, with plausible back stories, and each demonstrates their own strengths, weaknesses, foibles and hang ups. I would, however, have welcomed more in this respect. I never really got to know any of them deeply.
A little distracting was the author’s use of incorrect names several times, from confusing Allison and Susan, to getting Jeremy and James (two of the ladies’ husbands) mixed up, to calling Marianne ‘Melissa’. This did pull me out of the story more than once.
The premise in this novel was more about the relationships of the main characters than the commendable plot centring firstly on women’s rights, and later the “Me Too” cause. This being the case, I felt occasionally that the author moved on to the next topic or chapter a tad too soon rather than lingering to allow the reader to get to know the characters better.
The author’s subtle inclusion of energetic and spiritual aspects – delicately achieved – and the sensitive approach to 1980’s racism and outdated opinions, were both handled deftly although, again, more depth would have been appreciated – especially in respect of Bella, a doctor dealing with race related challenges both personally and professionally.
A great deckchair read for those who enjoy character-led novels.
Deborah Barwick
Official Reviewer for The Book Dragon
A straight-forward and reader-friendly book that explores the inner core of a 3-way friendship between 30-something ladies living in 80’s Boston, USA.
The main protagonists are likeable, with plausible back stories, and each demonstrates their own strengths, weaknesses, foibles and hang ups. I would, however, have welcomed more in this respect. I never really got to know any of them deeply.
A little distracting was the author’s use of incorrect names several times, from confusing Allison and Susan, to getting Jeremy and James (two of the ladies’ husbands) mixed up, to calling Marianne ‘Melissa’. This did pull me out of the story more than once.
The premise in this novel was more about the relationships of the main characters than the commendable plot centring firstly on women’s rights, and later the “Me Too” cause. This being the case, I felt occasionally that the author moved on to the next topic or chapter a tad too soon rather than lingering to allow the reader to get to know the characters better.
The author’s subtle inclusion of energetic and spiritual aspects – delicately achieved – and the sensitive approach to 1980’s racism and outdated opinions, were both handled deftly although, again, more depth would have been appreciated – especially in respect of Bella, a doctor dealing with race related challenges both personally and professionally.
A great deckchair read for those who enjoy character-led novels.
Deborah Barwick
Official Reviewer for The Book Dragon
June 9, 2022
Three women meet in a doctor’s waiting room and are all waiting for a an ok that they were good to go on with their lives. To celebrate they go to a local pub, that would become there go to place to celebrate or just meet up to talk about their lives. When the sudden death of Allison’s roommate and best friend since childhood, the three are put in a spotlight they did not want to be in. They needed to find out who killed her and put their reputations to rights. These women formed a bond that would take them through many trials and that “the waiting room” is those years you live and how you live them.
When I started this book, I was so hooked I could not put it down. These three women formed a wonderful bond of friendship and it made me apricate my own wonderful friends who I have been friends with for many years. They helped each other through all the good times and not so good times, and with a phone call the three women would be there for one another.
It is a book full of emotional moments, laughter and sadness and feel good and anger at those who would try to make these women feel bad about themselves, but they were strong and could overcome anything as long as they had each other. They saw each other through love, heartache and loss.
Thank you to JS Peck for giving me an ARC of this book for my honest review and looking forward to more wonderful books by her.
When I started this book, I was so hooked I could not put it down. These three women formed a wonderful bond of friendship and it made me apricate my own wonderful friends who I have been friends with for many years. They helped each other through all the good times and not so good times, and with a phone call the three women would be there for one another.
It is a book full of emotional moments, laughter and sadness and feel good and anger at those who would try to make these women feel bad about themselves, but they were strong and could overcome anything as long as they had each other. They saw each other through love, heartache and loss.
Thank you to JS Peck for giving me an ARC of this book for my honest review and looking forward to more wonderful books by her.
July 5, 2023
This book is about the undying and enduring lifelong friendship of three women who met initially in the waiting room of the doctor's office. The tale follows the journey of their flourishing and developing relationship from the time they first came together in 1983 through the circumstances that further strengthened their bond and the trails and tribulations as well as personal triumphs they experienced together through the years specifically in 2017 and 2020. The narrative gave a positive and powerful message about friendship giving meaning and credibility to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's statement that "friendship is a sheltering tree." By being united in their support for one another, Allison, Bella and Marianne showed us that true friendship can be a stress reliever and lifesaver. Their constant teamwork and collaboration also conveyed the idea that true friends will ultimately become your extended family members as they understand your past and believe in your future. Another takeaway I could get from the novel is that friendship can go beyond creed, religion and color. Allison and Marianne accepted Bella as a friend even though she was black and both of them were white. This is an easy to read wholesome and commendable story that celebrates sisterly companionship and female solidarity!
June 1, 2023
ARC via Voracious Reads.
It’s a disappointing turn-pager.
If you think the cover or the title reads like a cheesy sitcom, it is. To me it was like a movie with a dozen characters and half a dozen intertwining and unrealistic plots where
While there are some efforts to incorporate themes of misogyny, racism, and classism, these seem superficial mentions without much depth. I am confused about the theme of the book - None of these are properly nor adequately developed.
There are also some careless plot holes… pretty sure people couldn’t “put on Netflix” or “text their friends” in 1983. That bugged me a lot because I thought it might be indicative of an alternative history or just me assuming wrong “1983” in the section page means the year (it does).
The last section is quite boring. It did tie up the loose end but I didn’t care much for the rest.
It’s a disappointing turn-pager.
If you think the cover or the title reads like a cheesy sitcom, it is. To me it was like a movie with a dozen characters and half a dozen intertwining and unrealistic plots where
While there are some efforts to incorporate themes of misogyny, racism, and classism, these seem superficial mentions without much depth. I am confused about the theme of the book - None of these are properly nor adequately developed.
There are also some careless plot holes… pretty sure people couldn’t “put on Netflix” or “text their friends” in 1983. That bugged me a lot because I thought it might be indicative of an alternative history or just me assuming wrong “1983” in the section page means the year (it does).
The last section is quite boring. It did tie up the loose end but I didn’t care much for the rest.
November 21, 2022
Marianne, Alison and Bella met for the first time in the waiting room where they went for their mammograms. On a whim, Alison introduced herself and then all three went to have a drink together. Such a small thing formed a lifetime of friendship between them. Alison's roommate showed up at one such Friday evening and was approached by a male patron of the bar. Susan angered the man by her rude treatment of his wish to get to know her better. Susan became a murder victim as she was killed that same night. From that point on, the three met often and shared advice and problems in their lives as well as the input and protection of each other. The case went cold but they got it to the front again as they went on with their lives. The friendship deepened throughout as we share special moments between the women, but things take a twist when cancer awakes in Marianne. A story of such depth comes along once in a while and this one is definitely worth the read!
June 21, 2022
An interesting premise to this story - 3 women meet in the waiting room after having their mammograms, and form an unlikely friendship that continues to develop throughout their years. Allison is the youngest, and has just moved to Boston and is in that "starting over" stage. Bella is a pediatric oncologist, and as a woman of color, faces her own set of challenges. Marianne is a paralegal. A spontaneous suggestion to have a drink after they leave the doctor's office, leads them to form a friendship that grows as they each face different challenges in their lives. Set in the 1980's, the author gives vivid descriptions of the women, of Boston and of that time period. When someone close to Allison is murdered, the women band together to try and solve the case. The ending was a bit predictable, but I did enjoy seeing each woman in their matured years.
January 24, 2023
I received this book from voracious readers only in exchange for an unbiased review. Not my usual type of read so a tough review. This was a light read, girlfriend story with a murder mystery component. I appreciated the bond that developed between the women over the years but had a harder time embracing the “handsome, thoughtful” as men all 3 met and married within a short time. The message seemed to be that the women needed to have boyfriends/spouses in order to be complete in life. There was some effort to address racism. The author also acknowledged LGBTQ as a normal part of being human. Several story lines were not closed. Did Allison notify the police about the ex-boyfriend or about the break in at her apartment?
Although it read a bit like a romance story, I did enjoy it and easily finished it in an afternoon.
Although it read a bit like a romance story, I did enjoy it and easily finished it in an afternoon.
February 20, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of this book.
I love the idea of friends meeting from a random waiting room and building a close connection from there. I low key wish that this would happen to me (minus the murder part). I loved the story from the beginning, and I found it only got better and better as the characters different backgrounds and lives were introduced.
This book has the perfect mix of murder mystery and warm and fuzzy sister-like friendships whilst having a nice pace and staying interesting the whole way through. The cover though caught me a little off guard as it gave me more of a chick lit only feel rather than one with an included murder mystery however I am very glad I decided to read this book on my most recent road trip as I tore through it in well under 12 hours
I love the idea of friends meeting from a random waiting room and building a close connection from there. I low key wish that this would happen to me (minus the murder part). I loved the story from the beginning, and I found it only got better and better as the characters different backgrounds and lives were introduced.
This book has the perfect mix of murder mystery and warm and fuzzy sister-like friendships whilst having a nice pace and staying interesting the whole way through. The cover though caught me a little off guard as it gave me more of a chick lit only feel rather than one with an included murder mystery however I am very glad I decided to read this book on my most recent road trip as I tore through it in well under 12 hours
August 25, 2025
I got this for free via Voracious Reads. The reviews looked positive, however, I was left feeling extremely disappointed.
I am sorry, I don’t like leaving bad reviews, but it is really bloody awful!
Firstly ,It’s set 1983 and the ladies are texting and pulling out their phones to make calls??? Erm no, mobile phones were not about then! It took until the late 1990s for cell phones to become more common for the average person to own and carry in the US (thank you Google for the info).
The three main female characters lack depth and to be honest I lost all interest in them and the story before page 50! I only carried on reading so that I could hold up my end of receiving the book for free. Sadly the ending was as bad as the beginning.
I am sorry, maybe I did not get it because I am from the UK and not the US where the story is set?
I am sorry, I don’t like leaving bad reviews, but it is really bloody awful!
Firstly ,It’s set 1983 and the ladies are texting and pulling out their phones to make calls??? Erm no, mobile phones were not about then! It took until the late 1990s for cell phones to become more common for the average person to own and carry in the US (thank you Google for the info).
The three main female characters lack depth and to be honest I lost all interest in them and the story before page 50! I only carried on reading so that I could hold up my end of receiving the book for free. Sadly the ending was as bad as the beginning.
I am sorry, maybe I did not get it because I am from the UK and not the US where the story is set?
June 15, 2024
I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest review.
So initially, I wasn't sure how much I was actually going to enjoy this, as it's not the type of book been gravitating towards lately. I was very pleasantly surprised. This was such an enjoyable read. The deep bonds of friendship that the three main characters form throughout this book feel so genuine. Their meeting in the waiting room at the doctors sparks such a deep connection that lasts a life time and it's beautiful. It's wonderful to watch them all bring the best out in each other as they grow through all the ups and downs that life can bring. The additional sprinkling of mystery and touch of romance make this one a great choice and one I'd highly recommend.
So initially, I wasn't sure how much I was actually going to enjoy this, as it's not the type of book been gravitating towards lately. I was very pleasantly surprised. This was such an enjoyable read. The deep bonds of friendship that the three main characters form throughout this book feel so genuine. Their meeting in the waiting room at the doctors sparks such a deep connection that lasts a life time and it's beautiful. It's wonderful to watch them all bring the best out in each other as they grow through all the ups and downs that life can bring. The additional sprinkling of mystery and touch of romance make this one a great choice and one I'd highly recommend.
January 18, 2025
They met in the waiting room of the Imaging Center. Each one waiting on the result of a mammogram. Allison is the youngest of the three, disillusioned with her job and looking for something better. Bella is a nurse, working with critically ill children and Marianne is a wealthy widow, sorting through the new husband wannabes. The ladies are all adults but the challenges they face are new to each of them and they help each other to make sense of life. The author has given us identifiable characters while reminding the reader of how important friendship is to all of us. If I had a friend like either of these women, I would treasure them. I was given a complimentary copy of the Ebook by the author. I'm so glad I didn't miss it. There will be a re-read in the near future.
May 5, 2022
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author - and put my marathon binge watching of "Grace and Frankie" on hold. It's been a while since I've curled up in my chair and spent an entire day just reading - years probably - but I thoroughly enjoyed diving into this book of women and friendship and not climbing out to reality until the end. What an adventure of three women who meet by chance and have the chance to become great friends. Life needs more of this. As not-by-blood sisters, this book opens a portal that it is possible to support one another in this difficult world. I highly recommend adding this book to your ereader or book pile.
May 6, 2022
Allison, Bella, and Marianne meet in the waiting room of a clinic. Even though they all come from very different backgrounds, they become fast friends. Allison's roommate goes missing and is later found dead. The man accused of her death is making life miserable. This is just one of the many difficult things that the three went through. They are there for each other through all of life's ups and downs, the good and the bad. This book shows that strangers can become friends and friends can be family. It was a good read, right up until the end, but for me it did get long and drawn out in some places.
I received an ARC copy of The Waiting room.
I received an ARC copy of The Waiting room.
May 18, 2022
I was lucky enough to be chosen to be an ARC reader. This book shows the power of female friendships. Spanning over 40 years, we see Allison, Marianne and Bella through many changes in their lives. We also see the changing times. At times, I had to remind myself that the majority of the book takes place in the 80’s and that people thought and acted differently then! I had a difficult time in the beginning because they became such fast friends in a short amount of time (especially in the midst of tragedy), but as time went in I could see how much they all leaned on each other. This would be an interesting book club pick!
March 15, 2024
I gave this book 5 stars.
Most of you know, I don’t give many books 5 stars, but this one deserves it.
This is a beautifully written book about friendship and the love you give and receive from your closest friends. This book kept my attention the whole way through and I did not want to put it down. But be warned, you will need tissues.
If you love books with a mystery, some romance and great friendships and one that will make your emotional, this is your book. I highly encourage you to find it as soon as possible and read it!
Thank you to J.S. Peck and Voracious Readers Only for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my honest opinion.
Most of you know, I don’t give many books 5 stars, but this one deserves it.
This is a beautifully written book about friendship and the love you give and receive from your closest friends. This book kept my attention the whole way through and I did not want to put it down. But be warned, you will need tissues.
If you love books with a mystery, some romance and great friendships and one that will make your emotional, this is your book. I highly encourage you to find it as soon as possible and read it!
Thank you to J.S. Peck and Voracious Readers Only for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my honest opinion.
October 5, 2025
The story follows 3 women who meet in a waiting area after a mammo and decide to grab a drink. And we ladies know we could all use a drink after a mammo! Anyway, they become fast friends through a tragedy one experiences and we see how each one navigates their feelings about being involved in the murder. Loved the relationship they developed throughout the book.
Unfortunately, I felt the story was rushed in some parts and slow in others. The characters weren’t really developed enough where I felt connected to any of them but I did appreciate the relationship between them.
A copy was generously provided by the author via Voracious Readers Only for an honest review.😊
Unfortunately, I felt the story was rushed in some parts and slow in others. The characters weren’t really developed enough where I felt connected to any of them but I did appreciate the relationship between them.
A copy was generously provided by the author via Voracious Readers Only for an honest review.😊
April 24, 2022
I received an ARC "The Waiting Room" from the author. While I have loved reading every book that I have ever read from J. S. Peck, I loved this one the most out of all of her books. I think it is one of her best books and it made me laugh, love and cry. I enjoyed reading about these 3 ladies and how one fateful meeting helped them become the best of friends. Allison, Bella and Marianne are all strong ladies on their own and become even stronger when they are together. This book shows the true meaning of friendship. I can't wait to read more by J. S. Peck.
June 6, 2023
This book travels from early in three women’s lives, where they meet waiting for breast cancer results until the latter part of each of their lifes’ journeys. They are different from each other, and come from varied worlds and groups but manage to forge a lasting friendship that transcends the usual boundaries.
They are not perfect. None of their lives are perfect.
It’s the sharing of ups and downs of love and loss, achievements and disaster that makes this novel so appealing. These women are not perfect but they are there for each other.
They are not perfect. None of their lives are perfect.
It’s the sharing of ups and downs of love and loss, achievements and disaster that makes this novel so appealing. These women are not perfect but they are there for each other.
October 10, 2023
Such a well written story of three women from three different life styles. Going through trials and tribulations.
No matter what life throws at them, they drop everything and pull together, when they are needed the most. One minute you are laughing and the next you are crying. I yelled Yes when the murderer of Susan was found.
Without giving anything away the ending had me in tears. While writing this I'm still wiping my eyes and blowing my nose.
I received this complimentary copy from Voracious Readers for an honest review.
No matter what life throws at them, they drop everything and pull together, when they are needed the most. One minute you are laughing and the next you are crying. I yelled Yes when the murderer of Susan was found.
Without giving anything away the ending had me in tears. While writing this I'm still wiping my eyes and blowing my nose.
I received this complimentary copy from Voracious Readers for an honest review.
March 14, 2024
I really enjoyed The Waiting Room by J.S. Peck. Most women would probably enjoy reading this book. It caught my attention on the first chapter. The three women do mature through this book. It was quite suspenseful at times. I would say the genre is romance suspense. At times l was in tears. It definitely is a page turner. The three women are most memorable. I was thinking of how wonderful it would be to have friends like these women were for.each other in good times and bad times. I definitely would recall this book to my friends. I loved the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews