Sebastian“Race me for it.”Four simple words. Five desolate years.Sebastian Kelly believes he isn’t worthy of redemption, of a chance to right his wrongs. But an unexpected trip home, the place he dreads most, calls in question everything he’s come to believe. And who knows, he may find exactly what he’s been waiting for.AutumnOne broken promise. Two pink lines.Autumn Norris knew in an instant her … promise. Two pink lines.
Autumn Norris knew in an instant her life would never be the same. Years have flown by in a flurry of sparkles and dress up, and Autumn has refused to let the anchor of regret pull her under.
Until she lays eyes on Sebastian, and the wave of “why,” “where,” and “how could you” flood her every thought.
Old hurt and new betrayal twist first love into a reluctant partnership, and theirs may be a bond even pigtails and butterfly kisses can’t mend. But the past five years have felt like a lifetime, and Seb is willing to wait as long as it takes.
Because the truth is, he’s always been waiting for Autumn.
Waiting for Autumn is stand-alone, second chance, small town romance.
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This book is everything. Second chance stories are some of my favorite stories, but I am also most critical of them, because I am a total grudge holder. However, it would be impossible to hold a grudge against Sebastian or Autumn. They are so real, so raw and so many of their obstacles seemed so out of their control. Their transformation and development throughout the story had me on their side the whole way.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. From the very beginning, my heart broke for these two. Actually, it broke for Brady as well. He was as essential to this story as Sebastian and Autumn in my opinion. (And I can’t wait for his story!!) However, the way it was told with the past mixed in along the way took me from heartbroken to swooning to sitting on the edge of my seat over and over again. This is the kind of book you can’t put down. You will steal away every second you have to read it, because you want to make it to the HEA, but you also aren’t sure how you are going to get there.
I couldn’t love Sebastian and Autumn more. They had so many obstacles along the way, but I never questioned their feelings. They are the kind of characters you want to be friends with in real life. They are flawed and perfectly imperfect. You can relate to them and stay solidly in their corner. The supporting characters were also amazing. They not only highlighted who Sebastian and Autumn were, they were interesting in their own right. I’m dying to see more of them! This is definitely a book you don’t want to miss!
Waiting for Autumn was one of my favorite contributions to the Begin Again anthology and I hoped that there would be more to the story. I could barely contain my excitement for more WFA.
This book has so much emotion and so many surprises that I was glued to my kindle for the entire day so I could finish in one sitting. This book made me feel everything. I was heartbroken, devastated, elated, and put back together by the time I got to the end. I loved every single second of this book and I never wanted it to end. Seb and Autumn and all of the people in their lives were so amazing and I was immediately connected to all of them. I hope this isn’t the last time we get to visit with these characters!!
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
3.5 Stars
“Love is a lot like snow. A wonderful idea in theory, but reality brings about something altogether different.”
Waiting for Autumn is a beautiful second chance story of love and friendship, proof that true love can overcome just about everything that life throws at it.
Growing up Sebastian, Brady & Autumn were inseparable, until tragedy ruined everything. In an instant their lives are all turned upside down, and Sebastian is forced to leave behind his best friend and the love of his life.Five years later another tragedy brings Sebastian back to the town he never thought he’d step foot in again, and gives him the courage to seek the redemption he never believed he deserved.
Autumn’s life was turned upside down the day Sebastian left. Heartbroken & betrayed, she had to grow up quick and give up the future she had planned. When Sebastian walks back into her life all that hurt comes rushing back, along with all the love. But 5 years is a long time, and she has a secret that can ruin any chance of them having a future.
I loved how Autumn & Sebastian’s story was an emotional journey through past & present, glimpses of the good and bad that brought them to where they are now. They pulled me in, and I couldn’t help rooting for them from the very beginning. I loved the characters, and the friendships that turned into family. I really enjoyed this book, but I have to admit I was left wanting more. But I’m greedy, and just didn’t want it to end!
This was my first book from this author, and I’m looking forward to reading more.
I have always said that JA DeRouen’s writing is the kind I crave, the kind that I turn to when I’m really in a funk and boy was I in a funk before reading Waiting for Autumn. I have been waiting 2 years for a new book from JA DeRouen.. and HOLY SHIT did she deliver.
10% in.. I was completely hooked- like don’t want to sleep hooked.
30% in.. I was preparing to scream from the rooftops about this book.
80% in.. I was doing everything in my power to prolong the book, to take in as much as possible before the end
And by 100%, I was done for. I was head over heels in love with these characters, every single one of them- side characters included! The story did me in. I have the biggest book hang over- I messaged the author begging for a bonus epilogue.. followed by another bonus epilogue.. followed by an entire other book about these characters.
It was so good, and I cannot wait to see what JA DeRouen has under her sleeve!
I LOVE IT!
4.5 Stars
It’s been a while since we’ve had a new book from Ms DeRouen, but Waiting for Autumn was well…. worth the wait.
This book also reinforces Ms DeRouen’s status as one of my favorite authors – and her place as the queen of second chances.
Waiting for Autumn is a true second chance story as Sebastian and Autumn were high school sweethearts. Tragedy tore them apart and they reconnect five years later with oodles of baggage in the way.
I think one of my favorite parts of this story is that there was no malicious intent in why these two were apart or in the actions taken during the time they were separated. Foolishness, anger, and misunderstandings created the situation they find themselves in after they reunite and they both display immense amounts of forgiveness.
Brady, (Sebastian’s friend and Autumn’s brother) plays a huge roll in getting these two back together and he’s the type of secondary character that you want to know better (hint hint). There is another key secondary character that I just loved, but you have to read the book to meet her.
My one complaint, if you can call it that, is the set up Seb has in his adopted home town. It seems a bit unusual that someone who is 23/24 and starred with nothing would own a home and a business all within the span of 5 years. I think this falls under a personal curiosity and as something that I had to let go. This is a second chance book, not a guide for young entrepreneurs. Seb also routinely seems more mature than most 23/24 year old guys, but I think a lot of that comes from his life experiences.
Waiting for Autumn is a fun, sweet read that pulls at your heart strings and reminds us that true love really does exist. This has to join Stephanie Rose’s Rewrite as one of my favorite second chance/high school sweetheart books.
Autumn and Sebastian will make you fall head over heels in love with them. Young love that is torn apart due to an accident, but as they say soulmates always find a way back to each other. This is the case with Autumn and Seb. And a surprise is in for fans as well. I thought the Over Duet was my favorite, Waiting for Autumn has taking the icing on the cake. Well done JA!
Not gonna lie, I was karate chopped right in the feels from the start of Waiting for Autumn. Mistakes. Fear. Family. Friendship. Forgiveness. Those are just a few things that J.A. DeRouen touched on with this book. And I couldn’t put it down.
My heart just ached while reading Autumn and Brady and Sebastian’s tragedy. Because that is exactly what happened to them was. Tragic. Unnecessary. While part of what happened couldn’t be avoided, and chalked up to youthful recklessness, so much of the pain from the aftermath could’ve.
But redemption is a dish best served with love. And that is the one thing that Seb and Autumn never let go of. Time and life and distance couldn’t stop it. Guilt and fear on the other hand, tried their hardest. All it took was the sheepish grin and wild mop of hair from a shy little girl to set things in motion for Seb. I loved how he wouldn’t back down. How bit by bit, piece by piece he showed Autumn that he was still the boy from her past and the man for her future.
Waiting for Autumn was an achingly sweet slow burn. Sebastian and Autum’s journey was full of struggle and misinformation and pain. But it was also full of hope and joy and love. So much love that there was no way they weren’t going to end up together. While J.A. DeRouen took my heart on a ride to get them there, it was all worth it because that ending was absolutely perfect.
Oh my gosh! This was one of the most stunningly beautiful books I’ve read! I am so totally in love with both Sebastian and Autumn. I’ll be riding this high for a long while.
Second chance romances can be a bit tricky for me but holy heck, this one was absolute perfection! I loved the little flashbacks of Seb and Autumn as well as Brady, Autumn’s brother. It gave just enough background to their relationship, how it developed and where it led them.
The pain and angst of their conflict was just so painful to read and I felt like I was actually experiencing it with each of them. My heart felt battered and sore, achy and so very lonely.
Ms. DeRouen writes some of the most poetic lines as she leads us through the past as well as the present. I could have highlight the whole book to show examples of her exquisite writing. With a look, a pause in speaking, a simple thought, she showed me every emotion Autumn and Sebastian felt and I was helpless to fall completely into this story and so disappointed when it ended.
I’m refraining from outlining the story itself because experiencing it as it uncurls throughout the book is part of its beauty. It does deal with one other trope that some readers may or may not love but I suspect you may pick up on that from the blurb. If so, I will say that I felt the way Autumn and Seb initially reacted and then later resolved the issue was completely natural to the circumstances. I couldn’t imagine myself handling it any other way.
The pacing is just right, secondary characters adding additional depth to the hero and heroine as well as to the overall story as well as tantalizing the reader with the hope of more from two of them. I really want a story for Brady and Lexi! The steam level is not predominant but there is never a doubt as to how this couple feel about each other and when they are together, it’s explosive.
If you haven’t realized it yet, I absolutely loved, Loved, LOVED this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.