Wasted Words
(Austen, #1)
by Staci Hart
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Blurb
Some universal truths refuse to be ignored.Peanut butter and jelly are a match made in heaven. Spaghetti and meatballs are best friends forever. And guys like Tyler Knight don’t go for girls like Cam Emerson.
She knew from the second she met him that he didn’t belong on her bookshelf, the six-foot-six ex-tight end with a face so all-American, it could have sold apple pie. So she shelved him next to the supermodels and rock stars and took her place on her own shelf — the one with the flannel-clad, pasty-faced comic book nerds. Most of her boyfriends have existed between the pages of books, but rather than worrying over her own lacking love life, she puts all her energy into playing Cupid, using her job at the book bar, Wasted Words, as her stomping ground.
Tyler Knight always looks on the bright side. His career-ending injury turned into a job as a sports agent. A horrible breakup led him to Cam, his quirky, smart roommate who is far more beautiful than she realizes. She’s made it perfectly clear she’s not interested in him — not like that at least — but if she ever changes her mind, he won’t hesitate. Because he doesn’t see the lines she’s drawn between them, as much as she insists that they’re there. Deep down he knows that despite their differences, they’re a match well made.
*A romantic comedy inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma*
Review
4.5 “burn together” stars!
Wasted Words is the first book I have read by Staci Hart and it definitely won’t be the last. She has written a great book based on a Jane Austen classic, Emma, and it was entertaining from the very first page. This book was sweet and sexy, with moments that made me swoon, and loads of funny banter that left me laughing out loud. A bit of angst rounds out this book making Wasted Words a light, fun read that grabs your attention and doesn’t let it go.
Staci has created awesome characters that are totally relatable! Cam is quirky, cute, funny, and very likable! She works at Wasted Words – a bar, a comic store, and a coffee shop all in one. Cam loves what she does but also loves playing matchmaker. Ever since she matched her first couple, she has been great at it, never failing to put the perfect people together. She does it because she is “in love with love” and she really enjoys seeing people happily in love, even if she hasn’t found love herself. She was burned in the past and so she created a list of rules she lives by.
1) Know who you’re dealing with and put them on their shelf.
2) Don’t date anyone not on your shelf.
3) When something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Tyler is an ex-star athlete who is handsome, loyal, honorable, sweet, sexy, and totally swoon worthy. He recently got out of a bad breakup and so he isn’t really looking for love. Cam, being the matchmaker she is, would usually be all over finding Tyler a woman, but she knows he deserves the best and no one has come even close to being what she thinks he deserves.
Tyler and Cam are roommates and best friends. They friend-zoned each other from the start when Tyler moved in with her after his breakup. They both secretly recognize the attraction they have for the other even though they do not entertain the idea of being together. They seem to be complete opposites both on the outside as well as the inside. She is short, he is tall. She’s a book nerd, he’s a jock. She likes to stay out of the spotlight, he was destined to be a star athlete had he not been injured. Tyler does not fit on her shelf and she is not his type….or is she?
“It doesn’t make any sense that you’d want me.”
He stroked my cheek, his dark eyes soft. “Maybe not in your universe, but it makes perfect sense in mine.”
I loved this book! The buildup of chemistry between Cam and Tyler was great, and I felt like everything was believable. The banter between Cam and Tyler was fantastic and I loved their relationship from the start. They were so sweet together both as friends and as lovers. I loved that when Tyler realized his feelings for her he was willing to take that chance and did not drag it out.
“Why did you kiss me, Tyler?”
“Because I wanted to.”
“For how long?”
“Too long.”
Tyler is amazing! I love everything about him. Seriously! He is a great hero! He was so caring and sweet, and a wonderful friend. He was a good guy who had everyones best interest in mind. When Tyler fell for Cam, he fell hard. He was totally invested in their relationship even when Cam had her reservations. But Tyler stuck by Cam through her ups and downs and I fell a little harder for Tyler with every page I turned.
“I want you, Cam. I want your body, your heart, your soul. I’ll give you mine in exchange. But you have to choose me, right her, right now. Do you trust me?”
I loved Cam too. She had such a big heart and just wanted everyone to be happy. She was a realistic and relatable heroine, but was not without flaws. Her character bugged me a bit with the whole Bayleigh thing. However, I did like that she realized when she was in the wrong and took responsibility for her actions. I also wished she was able to overcome her insecurities sooner because I feel like most of the drama surrounding it could have been avoided. But it all seemed real and was understandable so I got over it quickly.
I loved that Cam’s workplace was a bar/comic store/coffee shop, and it made me want to visit someplace just like it and join in all the fun they have.
4.5 stars! Fantastic romantic comedy for 2016!
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
The Austen Series
Wasted Words (#1)
Review
Buy: Kindle Ebook | Paperback | Audiobook
A Thousand Letters (#2)
Review
Buy: Kindle Ebook | Paperback | Audiobook
Love, Hannah (#3) – Previously titled A Little Too Late
Review
Buy: Amazon | Paperback | Audiobook
Love Notes (#4) – Previously titled Living Out Loud
Review
Buy: Kindle Ebook | Paperback
Pride & Papercuts (#5)
Review
Buy: Amazon | Paperback
Author Bio
Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life: a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife, even though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey. Her favorite word starts with f and ends with k.
From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she’s not writing, she’s sleeping, cleaning, or designing graphics.
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