Love Waits by Gerri Hill: A Heartwarming and Emotional Story of High School Sweethearts Reunited After 20 Years
Love Waits by Gerri Hill: A Heartfelt Lesbian Romance Novel
If you are looking for a lesbian romance novel that will tug at your heartstrings, make you laugh, cry, and swoon, then you might want to check out Love Waits by Gerri Hill. This book tells the story of Ashleigh Pence and Gina Granbury, two women who were high school sweethearts but were torn apart by betrayal and circumstances. Twenty years later, they meet again at their class reunion and discover that their love for each other never died. But can they overcome the pain of the past and start anew?
Love Waits By Gerri Hill
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Introduction
Love Waits is a contemporary lesbian romance novel written by Gerri Hill, a popular author of many books in this genre. The book was first published in 2010 by Bella Books, an independent publisher of lesbian fiction. The book has received positive reviews from readers and critics alike, who praised its realistic and relatable characters, its engaging and emotional plot, and its exploration of themes such as love, forgiveness, identity, and acceptance.
The book follows the lives of Ashleigh Pence and Gina Granbury, two women who fell in love with each other when they were teenagers in Calloway, Texas. Ashleigh was the all-American girl: cheerleader, prom queen, and popular. Gina was the new girl in town: smart, rebellious, and out. They kept their relationship a secret from everyone, fearing the backlash from their conservative community. But their love was strong and passionate, until a tragic event shattered their dreams and separated them for good.
Twenty years later, Ashleigh and Gina are both successful and accomplished in their respective fields. Ashleigh is a lawyer and a single mother of a teenage son. Gina is a journalist and a globetrotter. They have not seen or spoken to each other since high school, and have tried to move on with their lives. But when they receive an invitation to their class reunion, they are both curious and nervous about the possibility of seeing each other again. Will they be able to rekindle their romance, or will they be haunted by the ghosts of their past?
Plot Summary
The book alternates between the present and the past, showing the readers how Ashleigh and Gina met, fell in love, and broke up in high school, and how they reunite, reconnect, and reconcile in the present.
In the past, Ashleigh and Gina were both seniors at Calloway High School. Ashleigh was the captain of the cheerleading squad, the girlfriend of the football star, and the daughter of the town's mayor. She had everything she wanted, except for one thing: she was secretly attracted to girls. She had never acted on her feelings, until she met Gina.
Gina was the new girl in school, who had moved from California with her mother after her parents' divorce. She was smart, outspoken, and openly gay. She had no friends, except for her cousin Jake, who was also gay. She had no interest in fitting in, until she met Ashleigh.
The two girls were assigned to work together on a school project, and soon developed a friendship that turned into something more. They spent every free moment together, sneaking around to avoid being caught by their families or classmates. They shared their hopes, fears, dreams, and secrets. They fell madly in love with each other, and planned to run away together after graduation.
However, their happiness was short-lived. On prom night, Ashleigh's boyfriend Brad found out about her affair with Gina, and confronted them in a fit of rage. He attacked Gina with a knife, leaving her wounded and bleeding. Ashleigh tried to stop him, but he overpowered her and raped her. He then threatened to kill them both if they ever told anyone what happened.
Ashleigh and Gina were traumatized by the assault, and felt ashamed and guilty for what they had done. They decided to end their relationship and never see each other again. Ashleigh stayed in Calloway, married Brad out of fear and obligation, and gave birth to his son. Gina left Calloway as soon as she could, pursued her career as a journalist, and traveled the world.
In the present, Ashleigh and Gina are both invited to their class reunion at Calloway High School. Ashleigh is reluctant to go, but her son Tyler encourages her to face her past and have some fun. Gina is curious to go, but her boss Alex persuades her to take a break from her hectic schedule and relax.
When they arrive at the reunion, they are shocked and nervous to see each other after so long. They try to avoid each other at first, but they can't deny the attraction and chemistry that still exist between them. They decide to talk and catch up on their lives, hoping to find some closure and peace.
However, as they spend more time together, they realize that they still love each other deeply, and that they never stopped thinking about each other. They also realize that they have a lot of unresolved issues and misunderstandings that need to be addressed. They decide to give their relationship another chance, but they face many obstacles and challenges along the way.
They have to deal with their own fears, insecurities, regrets, and doubts. They have to deal with the reactions of their families, friends, colleagues, and exes. They have to deal with the secrets that they have kept from each other for so long. They have to deal with the consequences of their actions in the past.
Will they be able to overcome all these difficulties and make their love work? Will they be able to heal from their wounds and forgive themselves and each other? Will they be able to find happiness and fulfillment together?
Character Analysis
Ashleigh Pence
Ashleigh Pence is one of the main protagonists of the book. She is a 38-year-old lawyer who lives in Dallas with her son Tyler. She is divorced from Brad Johnson, who abused her physically and emotionally for years.
Gina Granbury
Gina Granbury is the other main protagonist of the book. She is a 38-year-old journalist who works for a prestigious magazine and travels around the world. She is single and has no children.
Gina is a smart, confident, adventurous, and independent person who loves her job and enjoys exploring new places and cultures. She is also honest, loyal, and courageous, and does not shy away from speaking her mind or standing up for what she believes in. She has a good sense of humor and a playful side that makes her fun to be around.
Gina was always aware of her sexual orientation and never tried to hide it. She came out to her parents when she was 15, and they accepted her without any judgment or criticism. She also came out to her classmates at Calloway High School, but they were not so tolerant or supportive. She faced a lot of bullying, harassment, and discrimination from them, especially from Brad Johnson and his friends. She did not let them get to her, though, and she fought back whenever she could.
Gina was happy when she met Ashleigh, who was the first person to make her feel loved and understood. She was willing to risk everything for their relationship, even if it meant defying their families and society. She was devastated when they broke up, and she blamed herself for what happened on prom night. She felt guilty for hurting Ashleigh and for not being able to protect her from Brad. She also felt angry at Ashleigh for choosing Brad over her and for cutting off all contact with her.
Gina decided to leave Calloway as soon as possible and pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. She worked hard to achieve her goals and to make a name for herself in the industry. She traveled to many countries and covered many stories, some of them dangerous and challenging. She also dated other women, but none of them could compare to Ashleigh or make her forget about her.
Gina was curious when she received the invitation to the class reunion, and wondered if Ashleigh would be there. She decided to go, hoping to see her again and maybe get some answers and closure. She was surprised and nervous when she saw Ashleigh after so long, and felt a rush of emotions that she had buried deep inside. She wanted to talk to her and find out what had happened to her in the past 20 years. She also wanted to tell her how she still felt about her and how much she had missed her.
Theme Analysis
Love and Forgiveness
One of the main themes of the book is love and forgiveness. The book shows how Ashleigh and Gina's love for each other survived the test of time, distance, and adversity. It also shows how they learned to forgive each other and themselves for their mistakes and misunderstandings.
Ashleigh and Gina's love for each other was strong and pure, but it was also forbidden and dangerous. They had to hide their relationship from everyone, fearing the consequences of being exposed as lesbians in a homophobic town. They had to face a lot of challenges and obstacles that threatened to tear them apart, such as their families' disapproval, their classmates' hostility, their own insecurities, and Brad's violence.
Despite all these difficulties, they never stopped loving each other or thinking about each other. They always remembered their happy moments together, their deep connection, their passionate kisses, their tender words. They always hoped that they would see each other again someday, that they would have another chance at happiness.
When they reunited at the class reunion, they realized that their love for each other had not faded or changed over the years. They still felt the same attraction and chemistry that they had felt when they were teenagers. They still cared about each other's well-being and happiness. They still wanted to be together.
However, they also realized that they had a lot of issues that needed to be resolved before they could move forward with their relationship. They had to forgive each other for breaking up with each other without explanation or apology. They had to forgive themselves for hurting each other or letting each other down. They had to forgive Brad for what he had done to them.
They also had to learn to trust each other and communicate with each other better. They had to be honest and open about their feelings, their fears, their hopes, and their dreams. They had to listen to each other and understand each other's perspectives and experiences. They had to support each other and respect each other's choices and opinions.
By doing these things, they were able to heal from their wounds and rebuild their bond. They were able to overcome the pain of the past and embrace the joy of the present. They were able to make their love work and last.
Identity and Acceptance
Another main theme of the book is identity and acceptance. The book shows how Ashleigh and Gina struggled with their sexual identity and orientation in a society that discriminated against them. It also shows how they found acceptance and support from their friends, colleagues, and some family members. It also shows how they embraced their true selves and lived authentically.
Ashleigh and Gina had different experiences and reactions when it came to their sexual identity and orientation. Ashleigh was confused and scared when she realized that she was attracted to girls, especially to Gina. She did not know how to deal with her feelings, or how to come out to her family or friends. She feared that they would reject her or hate her if they found out the truth. She also feared that she would lose everything that she had worked hard for, such as her popularity, her reputation, her career, and her son.
Gina was aware and confident of her sexual orientation from an early age. She did not try to hide it or change it, even if it meant facing a lot of hostility and prejudice from others. She came out to her parents when she was 15, and they accepted her without any judgment or criticism. She also came out to her classmates at Calloway High School, but they were not so tolerant or supportive. She faced a lot of bullying, harassment, and discrimination from them, especially from Brad Johnson and his friends.
Ashleigh and Gina both faced a lot of challenges and difficulties because of their sexual identity and orientation. They had to deal with the ignorance, intolerance, and hatred of some people who did not understand or respect them. They had to deal with the pressure, expectations, and norms of a society that did not accept or celebrate them. They had to deal with the consequences of being different in a world that wanted them to be the same.
However, they also found acceptance and support from some people who did understand and respect them. They found acceptance and support from each other, who loved them unconditionally and made them feel happy and fulfilled. They found acceptance and support from their friends, such as Jake, Alex, Kelly, Rachel, who stood by them and helped them through their problems. They found acceptance and support from some of their family members, such as Gina's parents, Ashleigh's son Tyler, Ashleigh's sister Lisa, who cared about them and wanted them to be happy.
They also learned to accept themselves and embrace their true selves. They learned to be proud of who they were and what they felt. They learned to live authentically and freely. They learned to be happy with themselves and with each other.
Conclusion
and circumstances. It also tells the story of how they found acceptance and support from their friends, colleagues, and some family members. It also tells the story of how they embraced their true selves and lived authentically.
The book is a captivating and emotional read that will make you root for Ashleigh and Gina's happy ending. It is also a realistic and relatable read that will make you reflect on your own identity and relationships. It is a book that celebrates love in all its forms and colors, and reminds us that love waits for no one.
FAQs
Is Love Waits based on a true story?
No, Love Waits is not based on a true story. It is a fictional novel that was inspired by the author's own imagination and experiences. However, some of the situations and issues that the characters face in the book may resonate with some readers who have gone through similar things in their lives.
Is Love Waits part of a series or a standalone novel?
Love Waits is a standalone novel that can be read and enjoyed on its own. It is not part of a series or connected to any other books by Gerri Hill. However, if you like Love Waits, you may also like some of her other lesbian romance novels, such as Snow Falls, Behind the Pine Curtain, The Target, No Strings, Devil's Rock, and many more.
Where can I buy or read Love Waits online?
You can buy or read Love Waits online from various platforms and retailers, such as Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play Books, and more. You can also check out your local library or bookstore for a physical copy of the book.
What are some other books by Gerri Hill that I might enjoy?
Gerri Hill is a prolific and popular author of lesbian fiction, especially lesbian romance and lesbian mystery. She has written over 50 books in various genres and subgenres, such as contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, crime thriller, fantasy, sci-fi, and more. Some of her most popular and acclaimed books include Hunter's Way, The Midnight Moon, The Secret Pond, The Great Charade, Red Tide at Heron Bay, Moonlight Avenue, One Summer Night, and many more. You can find out more about her books on her website or on Goodreads.
What are some similar books to Love Waits by other authors that I might like?
If you are looking for some similar books to Love Waits by other authors that you might like, here are some suggestions:
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur: A fake relationship lesbian romance between an uptight actuary and a free-spirited astrologer who were set up on a blind date by their mutual friend.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: A historical fiction novel that follows the life and loves of a Hollywood icon who reveals her biggest secret to a young journalist: she was in love with another woman for decades.
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi: A young adult lesbian romance between two high school rivals who end up working together on a film project: one is an ambitious filmmaker and the other is a reluctant actress.
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite: A historical lesbian romance between a widowed countess who hires a female astronomer to translate a French text on celestial mechanics.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon: A fantasy epic that features a lesbian romance between a queen's lady-in-waiting and a dragon rider who must join forces to save the world from an ancient evil.
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