Wasted Words by Staci Hart

Wasted Words (The Austens, #1)

by Staci Hart

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 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*

Reviewed by whisperingchapters on

3 of 5 stars

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This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.


Cam is all about matchmaking. She studies a person and can immediately tell their drink preference and also, who to set them up with. She believes opposites don't attract due to a nightmare she experienced in high school. Tyler is her best friend and there's a girl that seems interested in him so Cam sets out to help but she starts to realize that maybe she wants Tyler for herself. Will she finally believe opposites attract?

I was in love with love. There's something terribly satisfying about imagining two people falling in love and then witnessing it. To know that you had a hand in them finding someone to love, especially when you hadn't found love yourself.

Cam was a very interesting character. She is whimsical, nerdy, beautiful inside and out. She wants people to have their happy ending without going through heart ache so she gives them the push they need to go in the right direction of finding that special someone. Something I didn't like about Cam was that she despised to be wrong. So when Tyler suggests a girl shouldn't be paired with who Cam set her up, Cam doesn't believe it for a second and does everything in her power to push the couple she chose together. This ended up in a mess and I was so furious with Cam because of it. Still, she saw the error of her ways and I was able to forgive her. One thing I did love about her is that she's a reader! She talks about re-reading her favorite book and I was able to relate to her!

I'd lived a thousand lives through the books I'd read, which meant I was certain I could conquer just about anything.

Tyler... *fans face* This guy is freakishly hot, okay? I felt like I would melt! He's a very respectable character, with a good career even after his football injury. He always looked for the positive in every situation. When he realized he should make his feelings for Cam known, he was so determined! I was rooting for him to get down to business ;) But once again, Cam was a tough pill to swallow. I understand where her insecurities come from, I do because I've been there but she takes it to an extreme. She has Tyler showing her he adores her so much that their shouldn't be room for doubts, yet she manages to second-guess their relationship because she truly believes opposites don't attract.

I'd never even entertained the idea of him and me as anything more than what we were. He belonged on his shelf and I belonged on mine.

The rest of the characters were a fantastic addition. We even have Rose and Patrick from Last Call making an appearance! Despite Cam's behavior, I was able to enjoy the book because of Tyler and the secondary characters. Plus, I love the friends-to-lovers trope way too much, and even more if they are roommates!

Overall, it was a fun story with all the quirks. If you like the friends-to-lovers stories with a bit of drama thrown in it, then this one is for you.

I received an eARC for free in exchange for an honest review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.


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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 13 May, 2016: Finished reading
  • 13 May, 2016: Reviewed