I will not lie you guys, I totally picked Wait For You by J. Lynn aka Jennifer Armentrout to read because of that cover. With a cover of people making out comes a reasonable expectation of sexytimes. I know people like to shit all over New Adult because IDK, they don’t like books with people in college who have sex, whatever, I don’t know, but I love New Adult. So anyways, I went into this book expecting a contemporary, college romance and an interesting story. For the most part, I got that. I had a few issues with the book, but it gave me what I craved, a light, easy read.
A small West Virginia school is just the ticket for Avery who is trying to out run an unhappy history in Texas. Unlike the other freshman, Avery lives off campus in her own two bedroom apartment, paid for with what she calls blood money. On her first day at school, she’s running late for astronomy. She ends up running into, literally, a brick wall of a guy, named Cam. He’s apparently incredibly good looking. Anyways, the attraction is undeniable, but Avery is closed off. Unfortunately for her, Cam is living right across the hall. What happens of course, is a blossoming romance, some sexytimes, and the gradual building of trust between Cameron and Avery in Wait For You. And of course, Avery has a dark secret, one that involves her receiving constant emails and nasty texts from an anonymous person. All is eventually revealed, but if you have a brain in your head you can kind of figure it out.
Avery is an okay main character. She’s got a lot of trauma, though so she comes across as a bit of a head case. Yet, I liked that she was persistent in what she wanted. I liked that she was developing independence and actively trying to heal after her victimization. I also thought it was interesting how she used avoidance and distancing as a coping method. She has like the worst parents ever, so it is a wonder that she was able to turn out as a functioning, nice human being.
As for Cam, he stole the show in Wait For You. Like, you guys, I am all about the nice guy love interests, and Cam is totally a nice guy. He is cool with taking it slow with Avery. He also has a sexual history, but is upfront about it and it’s not really made into a big thing. I was a fan of how he treated Avery – but was also realistic in that he did not put up with her bullshit. Then again, he communicated his needs with her and sometimes college dudes are not always the best at that. Anyways, I just really thought he was a great love interest.
Unfortunately, Wait For You by J. Lynn was not entirely a winner for me. I did not think it was particularly well written. I mean, the pacing was there as was the plot, but I never felt any breathless anticipation or any deep down feelings for this book. I also found myself suspending disbelief a lot, like when Avery is able to get an apartment on her own during her freshman year. When I was in college, I was on the executive board for Resident Student Organization as nation communications coordinator, what upppppp, so I can say with confidence that it’s pretty standard that freshman are required to live in residence halls on most campuses that are not commuter focused. As Avery is not what is considered a commuter – someone who lives at home – it just surprised me that she lived on her own during her freshman year. I think this book misses out on key, realistic elements of college life.
I wonder how much more relatable this would have been if we got to read about Avery befriending her roommate, doing floor meetings and actually taking advantage of the opportunity college provides. Instead, I don’t know this book just felt like college was the backdrop to what was a front and center romance. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I just felt the story could have been more but in all, it was lacking. Take that as you will, not everyone is a joiner, but I can say with confidence, that college can be so much more fun when you leave your room and meet people and participate in things.
I guess I would recommend Wait For You by J. Lynn to people who want to read a romance and a story of two people letting their guards down. I would not recommend it to people who want to read an accurate fiction about the college experience.
Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher
Other reviews of Wait For You by J. Lynn:
Dear Author – “It didn’t do much for me but it didn’t bother me either”
Confessions Of A Bookaholic – “Oh dear book Gods, I’m in love”
Smexy Books – “a well written addictive new adult novel”
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a lot of colleges nowadays make it mandatory that freshmen live on campus–or live with their parents. plus, how many 18 year olds have the money for an apartment? 😉
I haven’t really read any new adult, but I’m looking for something to try. It sounds like this one might not be the best choice as a first book since you had some problems with it though. Any recommendations?
I would recommend Easy by Tammara Webber, it’s SOOOOOO good and not at all stupid.
Like you, April, this book was not a total win for me either. You made a good point about how more interesting the story could have been if college took a more realistic place in this story. Her living in her own apartment, next door to Cam, was a little too convenient. But then again, I guess that was the point of the story — to focus on their relationship, and the setting was just meant to be a backdrop.
My little brother started college (in WV) last year and had an apartment. It was in a college area and they offered 1-2-or-4 bedrooms. You just have to be able to afford the one bedroom. 😉 I do agree that it sould have been fun to see her with a roommate though.
Love me some Cam.
It sounds as though you and I had relatively similar feelings about this novel. As I mentioned in my own review, while it was hardly what I would consider particularly well written or elegant, there was something about it that held my attention until the end. In retrospect, given how much I absolutely abhorred J. Lynn’s other New Adult title, Frigid, I’ve become even more forgiving of Wait For You‘s flaws in comparison.
I really enjoyed Cam, which was a surprise as I never thought I would like him. I will say that his sexual history felt arbitrary – Why did he have to be a former womanizer? It had no bearing on the plot moving forward, and I couldn’t help but feel it was simply a ploy to capitalize on other popular novels like Beautiful Disaster with a love interest drawn in a similar fashion.
I do find that Lynn has a bad habit of adding in a secondary storyline that is superficially drawn and that I could have easily done without. For example, I disliked the ‘stalking’ storyline in Wait For You regarding the mysterious and abusive messages Avery receives, particularly as it eventually puts one in the uncomfortable position of vilifying a rape victim. That should never be the case and I wish Lynn had left out that portion of the story entirely.
Your feelings for Wait for You sort of remind me of how I felt about her other NA, Frigid. It had a fun romance to read about, but I had to suspend my disbelief quite a bit when it came to the story! Even so, I think her books are fun and would definitely read Wait for You if I were in the right mood.
I actually really liked this one as far as NA novels go. I liked that she managed to write a male romantic lead who was protective without being a controlling, jealous freak.