Waiting on You

Colleen O'Rourke runs a tavern in the small town of Manningsport, New York, where she serves drinks and dispenses relationship advice to the locals. Despite her role as the town matchmaker, she keeps her own heart carefully guarded after a painful breakup in her past. Lucas Campbell returns to Manningsport to care for his uncle, bringing him face-to-face with Colleen - the woman he left behind a decade ago. Their shared history and unresolved feelings create tension as they navigate their new reality in the close-knit community. The story follows Colleen and Lucas as they deal with family obligations, small-town dynamics, and their complicated relationship. Professional and personal challenges force them to confront their past decisions and current circumstances. This contemporary romance explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the impact of family ties on personal choices. The small-town setting serves as a backdrop for examining how past experiences shape present relationships.

Most readers found this to be a light-hearted small-town romance, rating it 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads (18,000+ ratings) and 4.5/5 on Amazon (500+ ratings). Readers appreciated: - The realistic portrayal of family relationships - The chemistry between the main characters - The inclusion of a senior romance subplot - The balance of humor and emotional depth - The authentic depiction of small-town life Common criticisms: - Too much focus on past relationships - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some found the main character's indecision frustrating - Several readers felt the ending was rushed Many readers noted the book handles grief and second chances well. One reviewer on Amazon wrote: "The author doesn't shy away from showing how messy real relationships can be." Multiple Goodreads reviews mentioned the strong supporting characters, particularly the protagonist's family members. The book maintains an 84% positive rating across major review platforms.

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🌟 Author Kristan Higgins wrote this book as part of her popular Blue Heron series, which is set in the fictional Finger Lakes wine country town of Manningsport, New York. 🍷 The protagonist, Colleen O'Rourke, is a mixologist and tavern owner, and the book includes several cocktail recipes that readers can try at home. 💕 This is the third book in the Blue Heron series but can be read as a standalone novel, as each book focuses on different main characters within the same community. 📚 Kristan Higgins left her career as a copywriter to become a full-time novelist, writing her first book while her children were napping. 🏆 The novel was nominated for the 2015 RITA Award for Contemporary Romance, an award Higgins has won twice previously for other books.