Title: Waiting
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Release date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 352
Source: ALA
Growing up in Africa and Latin America as the children of missionaries, London and Zach were as close as could be. And then Zach dies, and the family is gutted. London’s father is distant. Her mother won’t speak. The days are filled with what-ifs and whispers: Did Zach take his own life? Was it London’s fault?
Alone and adrift, London finds herself torn between her brother’s best friend and the handsome new boy in town as she struggles to find herself—and ultimately redemption—in this authentic and affecting novel from award-winning novelist Carol Lynch Williams.
Waiting is a beautifully written novel about love, loss, and moving on. It is a touching story that sticks with you long after the last page has been turned.
London is lost, confused, and alone. She is not a happy character. She not only lost her brother but she also lost the rest of her family. She doesn’t know how to make things better at home and school is even worse. Things only begin to get better when two new kids, Lili and Jesse, start at her school and become her friends. Lili and Jesse are the opposite of London. They are fun and happy and carefree. They bring out a different side of her and they help her begin to move on with her life. Her brother’s best friend, Taylor, is also there to help her. He is sweet, patient, and so wonderful. Every character definitely had some flaws but they only made each one better.
The story is written in verse and it is a very quick read. It is also rather suspenseful at times which makes it an even quicker read because it is impossible to put down. I couldn’t help but wonder why Zach died, why London blamed herself, and why London’s family was really so broken apart. Everything is revealed throughout the book, both through flashbacks to past events and present day events. Everything leads up to a satisfying conclusion that will leave readers with tears in their eyes but smiles on their faces.
Overall, Waiting ended up being a lot more than I expected and more than I could have hoped for. Fans of verse and contemporary novels will love this book!
Looking for more reviews of Waiting?
Baileyiswriting’s review
Good Books & Good Wine’s review
It sounds like a really intriguing book! I’ve read one of Williams’ books before and really enjoyed it, your review just persuaded me to put this one on my TBR list as well 🙂
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I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! I love grief stories, especially when there’s a little mystery in there, so Waiting sounds perfect for me. Great review 🙂
I haven’t read anything in verse yet, maybe this will be my first? I really don’t wanna cry though.. :p
I love verse! This is on my to-read! Great review, Katie!
Eeep! I’m glad that you loved this one! I shall read it soon, especially since I haven’t read a verse novel before! And I love characters that are flawed–they just seem so much more realistic. Great review, Katie! =)
The amount of five-star reviews you give Katie is wrecking hell with my wallet! However I’ve had my eyes on this one for a while now…I haven’t read Miles of Ordinary yet but I heard this one’s even more amazing! Great review 🙂
I’m not sure how I feel about Verse either, I must try one, I’m not really comfortable with poems but….
I should read this, if not because the summary sounds good, but also because I’ve never read anything written in verse.
Never thought a novel in verse could be suspenseful – totally glad you told us about it!
I love the cover. It really shows this is set in an unusual place.
Lovely review 🙂