Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Waiting For You

SERIES: Neighborhood Shindig #3

AUTHOR: A.M. Arthur

PUBLISHER: Briggs-Kings Books

LENGTH: 153 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 9, 2019

BLURB:

Clancy Jons never expected to fall in love while attending Reynolds College, never mind falling in love with a man, but he did. Clancy fell hard and fast, but his strict, Catholic upbringing and personal insecurities pushed Samir away—and out of the state. Four years later, Clancy accepts a job as the general manager of Neighborhood Shindig—a trendy local place full of food trucks and small businesses—and it brings him face to face with Samir again. 

Samir Ford left Reynolds for Philadelphia to start over after Clancy refused to come out and broke his heart, but now Samir is back to help his beloved aunt after a serious stroke. His food truck in Neighborhood Shindig is thriving, and he’s creating new friendships there, but he’s never truly gotten over his first love. A first love who strolls back into his life as Samir’s brand-new boss. A super-hot boss Samir still has feelings for. 

After an unexpected, sizzling-hot encounter, both men know they still love each other, but there’s been too much hurt. Too many broken promises. Clancy is a changed man, though, and he vows to prove himself to Samir and earn back his lover’s trust—even if it means coming out to and losing his family’s love. But Samir’s heart is still bruised and wary, and he isn’t sure he can risk it being shattered a second time. 

Welcome to Neighborhood Shindig, a friendly place where you can snack on a lamb kebab while getting your hair done, pick up your favorite herbal tea blend, and then go listen to live music under the pavilion. We’re happy to have you. 

REVIEW:

This was a tough read and there are some triggers. Homophobia, bigotry, hatred, suicide attempts, and such. It wasn’t just the coming out part of this story that was hard, but all the stuff that happened in the years they were apart. It was one thing after another. And then Joel. But you’ve got to read about all that. And a new character, Declan, that is having one hell of a hard life. 

Clancy and Samir have a history. At one time, they were so in love and happy. And may still be after 5 years, but times have changed. Clancy refused to come out to his over religious, bigoted family and Samir couldn’t handle being shoved back in the closet. But now it’s years later and Samir is terrified. Because he realizes the feelings haven’t gone away. And Clancy is now his new boss. But they talk one night, and Samir finds out a horrid story he thought he’d never hear about Clancy. And all the old feelings burst forth and they’re back to more or less being together. But Samir doesn’t know if he can trust Clancy again. And he doesn’t want to lose his heart again. He won’t make it back this time, if it happens. Clancy is working on telling people and leading his life his way, but still hasn’t told his family. Yet. But fears are creeping up and both are scared but want each other. And they have to decide what’s it going to be. Back in the closet or finally free, even if it means losing his family.

I feel for Clancy so bad. I grew up in church and around bigots and racists. I love in the Bible belt and hear it non stop and it ticks me off so bad. Everyone deserves love and is loved. And I hate when people throw their hatred at others because they’re different. Clancy is such a sweetheart, too, to be raised in such an environment. I hated that he felt he couldn’t be free to be with the man he loved and be happy. 

But fate gave them a second chance and it was time to make things right. If they could just get past the past and move forward, remembering what they had together and how it could be again. I understand Samir’s fears though. When someone shatters your heart, it’s hard to trust again. But they had to relearn each other and start over. And learn that sometimes it’s ok to trust again and let go.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

amazon