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 … 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 standalone romantic comedy inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma
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“If this is to end in fire, then we should all burn together.”
Wasted Words is more than just a spin off of Last Call. This story has it all! Angst, laughs, romance, and a lot of feels.
Throughout this book we’re introduced to new characters with cameos from our beloved characters of the Bad Habits series. In this story we have Cam and Tyler who are roommates and best friends. They soon realize that they want more, but it’s a battlefield for them from the very start.
Cameron Emerson is a petite, fiery, nerdish, and overall an awesome woman. She wants Tyler but her past demons won’t allow her to believe that she could be loved by him, that she is enough and worthy, that opposites do attract and are meant to be; so she lets her insecurities and self-doubts win over what she truly feels for Tyler-love. She’s a fairy princess who doesn’t think she deserves her own prince or in this case, her own giant hehe.
Tyler Knight is the definition of perfection. He’s tall and handsome, he used to play football and is now a sports agent. He’s intelligent and the best part of all is he loves to read. See, he’s freaking perfect! #Sigh (Miranda: I don’t care that you called dibs first) lol. Tyler has been in previous relationships that were shallow and empty, so he’s not going back there. He’s ready to go 100% with Cam. He knows deep in his heart that she’s it for him. She’s the one he’s been looking for and he doesn’t care that they’re different, but he comes to the realization that loving Cam isn’t enough if she doesn’t love and believe in them or herself.
Staci Hart never seizes to amaze me with her characters, her stories, and her flawlessly imaginative writing. I just love it. I just love her! Perfect heroes and badass heroines is her forte. Though she has set the expectations of finding a guy like the ones she creates in real life-real low, she’s given us readers an extraordinary alternative-a vividly written world where we too can fall in love.
Go read this book! I recommend it 100%.
It is no secret that I adore Staci Hart’s writing so how it came to pass that I’ve never read Wasted Words before now, I have no idea (especially since I’ve read the other titles in the Austens collection). But thank goodness I remedied that because holy heart song did I devour it. This bar/bookstore truly needs to exist in the real world. I mean I live in NYC, on the UWS (where this takes place) and it would totally be a hit. Heck, I’d work there!
I adored Cam. Her kindness and charm. Her quirks and wit. Her intelligence. She was so dang smart. But it was her need for control in all things that was often her downfall. Especially in relationships. That need came from a place of pain and vulnerability that she didn’t let anyone see, not even her best friend, Tyler.
Oh sweet bourbon…Tyler. He is book boyfriend perfection. Generous and patient. Smart and understanding. And willing to put up with Cam’s crazy. In fact, it was her crazy that endeared her to him. She was different in the best way and he wanted more of it, more of her.
I loved the progression from friendship to wonder to love. Their chemistry was off the charts. Sizzling and tender at the same time. But when all of Cam’s old insecurities come up to smack her in the face, it more than throws her off her axis and puts Tyler on the defensive.
Wasted Words is the type of book I love to get lost in. A fictional world that is so vibrant and vivid that I can see it with my eyes open. Cam and Tyler’s friends-to-lovers romance was a total swoon (and laugh) fest from start to finish. And that ending!! The grand gesture had me smiling like a fool from ear to ear. I could see it, I could hear it, I could feel it. It was so perfectly Cam and Tyler and just what they both needed to move forward.
Staci Hart didn’t waste and words in this friends to lovers story. Wasted Words is probably the coolest place in the world and I am heartbroken that I don’t work there. (Staci can I submit my resume to you?) I wish that the rating system took into account the fact that 5 stars isn’t enough. The feels of love, hope, and despair all crush you in their own time. Sigh….
Cam is the nerdy bookworm.
Tyler is the smoking hot ex football player.
(Yeah, even you are starting to pant)
Cam is a matchmaking “guru” in her spare time.
Tyler spends all of his spare time with Cam.
(Are you getting it?)
Cam has had Tyler on his shelf for a long time and her shelf is far below.
Tyler has been attracted to Cam for a long time, but he can’t figure out if Cam is attracted to him.
(The brother comment can be confusing to all.)
When Cam decides to match Tyler with the “perfect girl”, she is forced to swallow all her jealousy.
When Tyler goes on his date, he learns that he can’t pretend anymore.
(The light bulb goes on!)
What happens next is fun, trying, and justifiable! In case you doubt me, read it! You will know I am right.
This is for those times I almost peed myself:
Staci Hart,
I have several requests. You must comply. Resistance is futile.
1. I will need to go cocktail dress shopping with the ladies. I will need a leg bag. -Make it happen.
2. I accept a position at Wasted Words.- I already sent the resume.
3. You will, I repeat WILL write more.- Not up for a discussion.
Now I will continue to bask in the glee I have been experiencing since Bust A Move!
Enjoy it and if you happen to see anyone you already know, well that’s just the icing on the cake isn’t it! (cough* Rose and Patrick*)
I loved, loved, LOVED this book. It was sweet, sexy and witty. Cam is an amazing character, seriously…. I want to be like her when I grow up! Definitely 1-click material
Staci Hart
I read the premise and I was looking forward to reading this book since I love ‘Emma’ but I totally lost interest after reading the first chapters. The main characters are already lusting for each other from the beginning, they’re thinking about each other in a sexual way from the first chapters and that totally put me off the story. That’s not like ‘Emma’ characters at all.
I didn’t finished it.
4 Stars! Wasted Words by Staci Hart is my first read by this author. While it was cute and originally quirky, I found it was slow to start. Cam and Tyler were one of the cutest couples ever. Cam thought they didn’t have enough in common to be a couple, while Tyler didn’t see the differences, only what they shared. The scenes were hilarious, and the imagery was spot on. I loved Staci’s descriptions and use of words. This will not be my last read.
Beautifully written, wonderful characters you will fall in love with. A heart warming story.
I liked the story. Was so sweet. Loved Tyler. He was a mans man but had a gentle soul. And just wanted to have someone that was a partner that wanted him for him, not what they could get out of him. And he learned that the hard way. Cam, oh cam. She was adorably dorky but in a hot way and didn’t know her own worth. And after being hurt delegated herself to only the reject like never striving for more. I liked her but also hated her. But really just found her annoying. I understood her hurt but she seriously self sabotaged like no other. I understand having baggage but she could have easily made herself feel better just by opening up and explaining everything that she went though and why she was the way she was. Loved Tyler and thank god for him.
5 star potential – The idea for the story was great, and the characters were wonderful. I really enjoyed the first half of the book. The second half dragged on for what felt like forever. I found myself skipping whole chapters and not really missing anything at all.
I absolutely loved this whole series !! If you are an Austen fan ,you will too !
Cam and I could be friends – geeky girls need to hang together! I see so much of myself in Cam, from the less-than-designer clothing to the bibliophile tendency to the need to control everything. I just need a Tyler of my own. Can anyone tell me where to find him? Seriously, why would a woman choose an abusive ‘playah’ over a gentleman like Tyler?
Wasted Words – Life has taught Cam to stay in her dating lane. When her Emmaesque matchmaking skills are thrown for a loop by one of her coworkers and her room mate’s friend, she starts to panic that the rules she lives by aren’t working. When Tyler, her room mate, wants to date her instead of the lady Cam sets him up with, the panic really starts to set in. If you like big gestures and modern Jane Austen vibes, this is a rollicking good time. Happy Reading!
Loved this book. I loved the characters Cam and Tyler. I read the whole book in one day. I can’t wait to read the next book.
I enjoyed Staci Hart’s “Wasted Words,” a sweet, amusing novel featuring (mostly) likeable characters and an engaging story inspired by Jane Austen’s “Emma.” I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen’s work, but I have to admit that “Emma” is probably my least favorite of her novels because I have never found Emma herself to be particularly likeable. I thought Ms. Hart did a good job of making her female lead character, Cam, relatively likeable despite her Emma-like traits, although Cam’s neuroses did get to be a bit too much for me at times. She seemed really cool and funny right up until she started dating her best friend and roommate, Tyler. After that, it was like a switch flipped and turned on all of Cam’s crazy. Based on her past history, I understood why Cam felt and behaved the way she did, but IMO it got to be a lot by the end of the book.
Tyler was pretty much the perfect book boyfriend: handsome, thoughtful, kind, and incredibly patient with Cam’s relationship anxiety. Their romance progressed very quickly (the entire story unfolded over only a week or so), but their feelings for each other felt believable to me because they were such good friends before the story began. However, I found myself frustrated by the fact that Cam constantly compared Tyler with her high school boyfriend, Will, and expected him to behave the same way Will had even though they were nothing alike. Most importantly, Will kept his relationship with Cam a secret from everyone, whereas Tyler was very open about being with Cam and didn’t hesitate to tell others how much he cared about her.
My favorite part of this story may actually have been the fictional Wasted Words bookstore and bar, which I wish existed in real life. I could absolutely imagine myself hanging out there and reading while enjoying a glass of wine!
I enjoyed the start of the book and imagined how great it would be to work in such an amazing environment. As the story went on though I struggled to connect with both Cam and Tyler.
Be still my nerdy, nerd-loving heart! This story is ADORKABLE! Cam and Tyler are the definition of so wrong yet so right and I loved seeing the journey both their characters took throughout the story to finally reach a happy ending. The entire concept of the Wasted Words bookstore is also so awesome and I wish I could visit. Seriously, Staci should think about bringing it to life for us all. I know there would be fans lining up out the door. In the meantime, check this novel out for story that’s both sexy and sweet and will leave you with all the warm fuzzies you could ever need.
I loved this book. It’s the first I’ve read of Staci Hart and I will continue reading more of them. Tyler sounds amazing and I wish I could have him in real life! Haha Cam is adorable. I love she’s a geeky comic book nerd and I omg how Tyler excepts that is awesome! And Wasted Words! So book bar exist? If so where?!?!
Friends to lovers. I would have preferred a stronger heroine, but I get the low self esteem.
This was a cute book. Quick read. It was the perfect, safe choice to read on a plane, knowing I didn’t want to be crying or hot-n-bothered while traveling alone. It had a bit of repetition in the beginning that made me skip pages. I almost moved on to another book, in fact, because it was trying too hard to be Jane Austin’s Emma, but through nerd-speak. But, I stuck it out. I liked Tyler and Cam. Tyler is worthy of the “too-good-to-be-true” hero that knows what he wants ahead of the heroine. I found Cam’s self-doubt, low opinion, and wishy-washy attitude a drag on the story, not to mention her bratty attitude. It got very tiresome, reminding me why Emma is my least favorite of all Austin’s novels.
Staci Hart, however, has created a wonderful environment, (from her Bad Habits series) called Wasted Words that is a community you want to join. You want to live there with the beautiful nerdy people and drink them up. I think her quirky take on this classic was done with a fun twist that fans of the genre shouldn’t miss.
I don’t know why I waited so long to read WASTED WORDS. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me smile so big, my face hurt. Once again, Staci Hart does not disappoint.