Waiting for Tom Hanks

We all know the genre- romantic comedy with a boy meets girl (or vice-versa), hijinks and hilarity ensue, and everyone BUT the couple (at first) knows that they are meant to be together. We’ve seen it in the movies, and with Tom Hanks in every rom-com he ever did, you know there’s that prototype – kind, sweet, you name it. And Annie names it. Not only is she utterly (and I mean utterly) addicted to the genre in film – there is no shortage of those archetypal dreams and scenarios in her own life. It’s how she keeps such a positive attitude about her life, and connects back to her mother who died when she was younger. The two would watch endless hours of rom coms, her mother always being sure to explain that Annie should never settle for less. Unfortunately, all of the losses she had suffered have served to stifle her somewhat – still in her childhood home with her Uncle Don and his motley crew of D & D friends and com-obsessed gamers, never really had a relationship of any true length or meaning, and always searching for “Tom Hanks-Like” moments and signs to tell her that “this guy” is the one. And this story was ADORABLE – you don’t have to be a hopeless romantic (I kind of am) but it helps – and if you’re a fan of rom com movies and books – all the better. Because you will see frequent references to many classics in the genre from Pillow Talk through Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail…. All great movies for a quiet retreat when you just want to smile. Sure, some of the older ones are monochromatic and are ‘of their day’ but it’s entertainment and escape: unlike Annie’s use of them to guide her relationship choices. And what choices she does have with a renowned director arriving in her Cincinnati neighborhood to film, of all things, a romantic comedy. And, it just so happens that this director and her uncle were college roommates, and he’s made one phone call and she’s the assistant to said director, sight unseen, Of course, Annie has her moments from spilling a cup of coffee on the leading actor, being caught out googling him, and utterly convinced he’s up to no good. And that she’s got no reason to think otherwise. Except for Drew – who is adorable and loves to tease, from a big family, loyal and utterly enchanted by Annie’s life, her outlook and even her prickles. Living with and clutching on to her memories of time with her mother, her rose-tinted view of the time, and the struggles since have Annie a bit difficult, and she does wear on patience, but when her world crashes around her with a stupid mistake and a discovery – things really start to turn around. It’s her best friend Chloe, Nick – the owner of the coffee shop, and her Uncle that encourage that climax – when Annie has to let go of the childish things and took a chance at her own future as a screenwriter and in love. It’s cute, with funny characters, entertaining and engaging, and clever for the messages, hidden and blatant. And it never hurts to have a bit of amusement and happiness in your reading life. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Let me begin by saying that I typically have a hard time reading (and especially, finishing) books because I have dyslexia. So when I find a book that sucks me in so much that I can't get enough of it, then you know it's a REALLY good book. "Waiting for Tom Hanks" is one of those books! IT'S SO GOOD!!! I love it so much!!! It's sarcastic, it's funny, it's romantic, it's sweet and it's uplifting - everything a rom-com should be. If you're a fan of rom-com movies, particularly the good ones from 90s, then you'll have so much fun picking out all of the cute cliches that keep popping up unbeknownst to the main character, Annie, who wants so desperately to be in her own rom-com. Annie is so relatable that from the very first paragraph, you become her (which is probably why the book is written in first person). If you want a really good book to curl up with then this is your book. I highly recommend it and I really hope they'll make a good rom com out of it someday!

This cleverly paced little tale was slyly comical and perceptively humorous and laced together with a cast of authentic characters who were endearingly odd and more than a bit eccentric. I enjoy Ms. Winfrey’s amusing wit and deft word skills. Her storylines were as entertaining as her unusual yet curiously appealing characters. I’ll never look at internet content written for hemorrhoid cream the same again.