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Wait for Me
Destinies collide when two strangers find love in a moment of chaosHolly is navigating a crowded Los Angeles International Airport terminal when the earthquake hits. Dazed, she fails to notice the ceiling crumbling above her. But in one swift motion, a stranger tackles her, saving her from certain death as tons of debris crash only feet from where they fall, locked in an embrace. Drawn together in a split second, Holly and Oliver find a bond they never could have expected. Can the love built in a single, dramatic moment really be the result of a passion that has spanned many lifetimes? This ebook features an extended biography of Mary Kay McComas.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
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67 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kay McComas
46 books33 followersMary Kay McComas is an acclaimed romance novelist and the author of twenty-one short contemporary romances, five novellas, and two novels. McComas has received numerous honors and prizes for her work, including the Washington Romance Writers’ Outstanding Achievement Award and two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times (one for Best New Novel and another for Most Innovative Romance Series). She has recently contributed to Nora Roberts’s J. D. Robb fantasy anthologies, with highly praised paranormal romance stories. McComas and her family live in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 17, 2014
Wait for Me by Mary Kay McComas is a 2012 Open Road Integrated Media publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a novel originally published by Loveswept back in 1994. Open Road Integrated Media has re-issued the book in digital format. So, keep in mind when you are reading the book the time period in which it is written.
I enjoyed this one. It was really kind of a quirky romance. Holly is a friendly women if just a tad eccentric and Oliver is knocked out of his element when he meets and begins to fall in love with her.
A chance meeting on a plane headed to San Francisco, then an earthquake ,has put Oliver in the position of being Holly's hero. Oliver will discover that Holly is a bit of a do gooder type, which is putting it mildly. Oliver's family comes from wealth which puts them different classes. Oliver has a really hard time understanding Holly's drive to help the homeless, and why she would put herself in danger by going down on the streets to hand out condoms and clean needles. All he can think about is her safety. But, Holly holds a deep disdain for the wealthy who may do a great many charitable deeds, but do not ever roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. So, could these two manage to come to a understanding and make a relationship work?
There is a little touch of paranormal in the story which gives us the idea that Holly and Oliver were destined to be together. Holly leans toward an explanation of reincarnation, but Oliver is to practical for that, but a situation arises which could have him convinced of such a theory.
Holly's character goes beyond just an expression of individuality. She really does what she does because she is a good person and because her life has been good because of the family that took her in and because she has also had much sadness and hard blows. She knows all about orphaned children, drug addiction, and mental illness. She is not greedy and money really just does not appeal to her. She had found contentment with what she has materialistically. Oliver has never had a social conscience that way and Holly has him looking at his wealth and his family in a whole new light.
This book is a fairly typical Loveswept type contemporary novel that fits right into the mid-nineties time frame. I have said this countless times about contemporary romances not standing the test of time all that well. But, this one is not plagued with a lot of dated attitudes about women, or over the top aggressive alpha males or references to out dated ideals. No, there are no cell phones or computers involved but there was a funny referral to “Roseanne” the sitcom. So, you get the idea. I have no idea how to explain this one, just that it's a short , sweet, offbeat kind of love story with slight paranormal element involved leading us to ponder the role fate and destiny plays in our lives. Holly may have been on to something with her reincarnation theory , but one can interpret that anyway they wish. She and Oliver lived through a traumatic event and each had a residual effect from it, so you could just chalk it all up to coincidence. Either way, we know the couple will have a happy ever after. 3.5 rounded to 4.
This is a novel originally published by Loveswept back in 1994. Open Road Integrated Media has re-issued the book in digital format. So, keep in mind when you are reading the book the time period in which it is written.
I enjoyed this one. It was really kind of a quirky romance. Holly is a friendly women if just a tad eccentric and Oliver is knocked out of his element when he meets and begins to fall in love with her.
A chance meeting on a plane headed to San Francisco, then an earthquake ,has put Oliver in the position of being Holly's hero. Oliver will discover that Holly is a bit of a do gooder type, which is putting it mildly. Oliver's family comes from wealth which puts them different classes. Oliver has a really hard time understanding Holly's drive to help the homeless, and why she would put herself in danger by going down on the streets to hand out condoms and clean needles. All he can think about is her safety. But, Holly holds a deep disdain for the wealthy who may do a great many charitable deeds, but do not ever roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. So, could these two manage to come to a understanding and make a relationship work?
There is a little touch of paranormal in the story which gives us the idea that Holly and Oliver were destined to be together. Holly leans toward an explanation of reincarnation, but Oliver is to practical for that, but a situation arises which could have him convinced of such a theory.
Holly's character goes beyond just an expression of individuality. She really does what she does because she is a good person and because her life has been good because of the family that took her in and because she has also had much sadness and hard blows. She knows all about orphaned children, drug addiction, and mental illness. She is not greedy and money really just does not appeal to her. She had found contentment with what she has materialistically. Oliver has never had a social conscience that way and Holly has him looking at his wealth and his family in a whole new light.
This book is a fairly typical Loveswept type contemporary novel that fits right into the mid-nineties time frame. I have said this countless times about contemporary romances not standing the test of time all that well. But, this one is not plagued with a lot of dated attitudes about women, or over the top aggressive alpha males or references to out dated ideals. No, there are no cell phones or computers involved but there was a funny referral to “Roseanne” the sitcom. So, you get the idea. I have no idea how to explain this one, just that it's a short , sweet, offbeat kind of love story with slight paranormal element involved leading us to ponder the role fate and destiny plays in our lives. Holly may have been on to something with her reincarnation theory , but one can interpret that anyway they wish. She and Oliver lived through a traumatic event and each had a residual effect from it, so you could just chalk it all up to coincidence. Either way, we know the couple will have a happy ever after. 3.5 rounded to 4.
September 1, 2014
"Wait For Me" by Mary Kay McComas was originally published in 1994. It was re-issued in digital format by Open Road Integrated Media.
A fun and unusual romance where both main characters are total opposites.
Holly is a very giving, yet tad eccentric, woman who struggles to make ends meet. She spends all of her spare time volunteering at various organizations helping the needy. Oliver comes from a very wealthy, materialistic family and has a difficult time understanding Holly's drive to help the poverty-stricken and how she can put herself in constant danger. Can they grow to understand each other enough to make a relationship work?
There is an enchanting touch of the paranormal in the story leading us to wonder the role fate and destiny play in our lives.
A fun and unusual romance where both main characters are total opposites.
Holly is a very giving, yet tad eccentric, woman who struggles to make ends meet. She spends all of her spare time volunteering at various organizations helping the needy. Oliver comes from a very wealthy, materialistic family and has a difficult time understanding Holly's drive to help the poverty-stricken and how she can put herself in constant danger. Can they grow to understand each other enough to make a relationship work?
There is an enchanting touch of the paranormal in the story leading us to wonder the role fate and destiny play in our lives.
August 5, 2020
Rozjede se s ním, aby jeho teta prostřednictvím jeho nadace z jeho peněz dál podporovala ústav se sociálními službami?
To je fakt zápletka.
s. 9 mohli [mohly]
s. 20 Rozhodne [Rozhodně]
s. 22 neho
nemel [neměl]
mela [měla]
Hrde
s. 23 Nemel [Neměl]
s. 36 změs
přestalo být srdce
s. 38 hrebíček
s. 45 Do punču
s. 46 nezajímaly [nezajímali]
s. 47 neznam-nalo
s. 50 Nevěděli jsem
jsem nedostali
s. 51 nenejvýš
s. 59 Finančníky, podnikatelé, ředitelé
s. 64 motýlika
s. 67 velhlasných
s. 76 študenstkých
s. 90 obradně
s. 92 šaty sklouzli
s. 93 něchytila
s. 98 pomáhá. věděl
s. 102 ním [jím]
s. 104 se pomalu otáček vrtule
s. 122 Ty lidé získáš
s. 125 byly [byli]
s. 127 nejsymapatičtější
s. 128 DNK [DNA]
s. 129 ke zemi
s. 131 spozoroval
s. 132 jsem [jsme]
s. 133 z kotla
s. 155 nikdi
s. 161 Oliver [Olivere]
s. 173 jsem [jsme]
s. 175 nespozná
ji/jí - s. 31, 35, 46, 69, 77, 78, 81, 92, 94, 108, 113
uvozovky - s. 28
To je fakt zápletka.
s. 9 mohli [mohly]
s. 20 Rozhodne [Rozhodně]
s. 22 neho
nemel [neměl]
mela [měla]
Hrde
s. 23 Nemel [Neměl]
s. 36 změs
přestalo být srdce
s. 38 hrebíček
s. 45 Do punču
s. 46 nezajímaly [nezajímali]
s. 47 neznam-nalo
s. 50 Nevěděli jsem
jsem nedostali
s. 51 nenejvýš
s. 59 Finančníky, podnikatelé, ředitelé
s. 64 motýlika
s. 67 velhlasných
s. 76 študenstkých
s. 90 obradně
s. 92 šaty sklouzli
s. 93 něchytila
s. 98 pomáhá. věděl
s. 102 ním [jím]
s. 104 se pomalu otáček vrtule
s. 122 Ty lidé získáš
s. 125 byly [byli]
s. 127 nejsymapatičtější
s. 128 DNK [DNA]
s. 129 ke zemi
s. 131 spozoroval
s. 132 jsem [jsme]
s. 133 z kotla
s. 155 nikdi
s. 161 Oliver [Olivere]
s. 173 jsem [jsme]
s. 175 nespozná
ji/jí - s. 31, 35, 46, 69, 77, 78, 81, 92, 94, 108, 113
uvozovky - s. 28
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2018
First time EVER blindsided by an ending !
I've always disliked hearing friends tell me the plots and endings to movies and really dislike when they try to tell me the ending of a story they've already read . I cover my ears and leave the room. So the opening sentence above is all I'll say . Except for this .... I love this book !
I've always disliked hearing friends tell me the plots and endings to movies and really dislike when they try to tell me the ending of a story they've already read . I cover my ears and leave the room. So the opening sentence above is all I'll say . Except for this .... I love this book !
November 3, 2018
Absolutely loved this book!
This book grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go! I read the entire book in one sitting!
This book grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go! I read the entire book in one sitting!
October 26, 2019
On the horns of a dilemma
With a nice twist at the end although the meany of the title is only hinted at. Perhaps there will be a sequel.
With a nice twist at the end although the meany of the title is only hinted at. Perhaps there will be a sequel.
April 21, 2020
Truly original
A special love story. The people are almost too good to be believed. The unselfishness they show is truly amazing.
A special love story. The people are almost too good to be believed. The unselfishness they show is truly amazing.
May 17, 2025
Excellent romance. I loved this story very much.
August 29, 2014
Characters who aren’t really flawed bug me. I once wrote a review saying so about such a character -- that the fact that the heroine was perfect was a problem -- and the author commented, “That’s not true! She can’t sing.” Right; that’s not a flaw. That’s a quirk. Everyone has flaws, so characters have to have them to be believable.
Although the character did remind me of a friend I had growing up who was incredibly earnest and good and naïve. In fact, her naivety was her flaw because she had been coasting on its cuteness for so long, she had a hard time letting go of it. We’d make a rude joke, she’d profess adorably that she had no idea what we were talking about, we’d roll our eyes and say, “Babe, the world is going to eat you alive.”
Holly, the heroine in Wait for Me, isn’t naïve; quite the opposite, actually. Before she found the foster parents who became her family, she had a tough childhood. In her adulthood, she works and volunteers for not-for-profits, helping the most vulnerable people and making little scratch of her own in the process. She’s selfless and giving and caring. She’s pretty much perfect. Although she does kind of act like a child instead of facing a problem head on.
So the premise is that Holly and Oliver are lovers who reconnect again and again over the ages, through reincarnation. This is really only mentioned in the prologue, although there are the barest allusions elsewhere. I guess I expected a bit more on this theme. But was also kind of relieved that it didn’t really come up much. In which case, I ask, why bother? The device hardly seemed necessary. Taken apart from that, it’s a nice enough romance about people from completely different sides of the track, although I guess the presence of destiny helps us make sense of the fact that they’re inexplicably drawn to each other despite all the odds against them. Holly’s too good to be true, as I mentioned. Oliver’s pretty standoffish, except when it comes to Holly, which made his character more authentic. The one thing that bugged me was the language in the love scenes -- really off-the-charts florid and metaphorical in that way I’ve come to associate with 80s and 90s romances. “Pagan blood boiled. Hearts tattooed a rhythm of celebration, and the world retreated, leaving one man and one woman, alone, on a common quest.” Sexy.
Stuff bugged me, but I liked the story at the heart of this book, the romance between Holly and Oliver and how it progresses and how they overcome obstacles. Tension builds quite nicely, and there is a twist I didn’t see coming. And Holly’s background and lifestyle were interesting to read about, despite my apparent prejudice to genuinely good people. Yep, I suck, but overall I enjoyed Wait for Me.
Lila
Although the character did remind me of a friend I had growing up who was incredibly earnest and good and naïve. In fact, her naivety was her flaw because she had been coasting on its cuteness for so long, she had a hard time letting go of it. We’d make a rude joke, she’d profess adorably that she had no idea what we were talking about, we’d roll our eyes and say, “Babe, the world is going to eat you alive.”
Holly, the heroine in Wait for Me, isn’t naïve; quite the opposite, actually. Before she found the foster parents who became her family, she had a tough childhood. In her adulthood, she works and volunteers for not-for-profits, helping the most vulnerable people and making little scratch of her own in the process. She’s selfless and giving and caring. She’s pretty much perfect. Although she does kind of act like a child instead of facing a problem head on.
So the premise is that Holly and Oliver are lovers who reconnect again and again over the ages, through reincarnation. This is really only mentioned in the prologue, although there are the barest allusions elsewhere. I guess I expected a bit more on this theme. But was also kind of relieved that it didn’t really come up much. In which case, I ask, why bother? The device hardly seemed necessary. Taken apart from that, it’s a nice enough romance about people from completely different sides of the track, although I guess the presence of destiny helps us make sense of the fact that they’re inexplicably drawn to each other despite all the odds against them. Holly’s too good to be true, as I mentioned. Oliver’s pretty standoffish, except when it comes to Holly, which made his character more authentic. The one thing that bugged me was the language in the love scenes -- really off-the-charts florid and metaphorical in that way I’ve come to associate with 80s and 90s romances. “Pagan blood boiled. Hearts tattooed a rhythm of celebration, and the world retreated, leaving one man and one woman, alone, on a common quest.” Sexy.
Stuff bugged me, but I liked the story at the heart of this book, the romance between Holly and Oliver and how it progresses and how they overcome obstacles. Tension builds quite nicely, and there is a twist I didn’t see coming. And Holly’s background and lifestyle were interesting to read about, despite my apparent prejudice to genuinely good people. Yep, I suck, but overall I enjoyed Wait for Me.
Lila
October 14, 2013
Original review can be found here: http://www.yourentertainmentcorner.co....
The synopsis for Wait for Me is misleading. There’s really no touching on the reincarnation aspect of the story. The opening chapter is mysterious and begins in this theme, but the rest of the story doesn’t seem to remember the premise. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading Holly and Oliver’s story. It’s a true love story in the sense of two people from different worlds meeting under interesting circumstances and sparks fly.
What aggravated me the most was Holly’s reluctance to accept help. I understand independence and wanting to be your own woman, but this chick takes it to a whole other level. She’s dirt poor but won’t ask for a hand to get out of the hole she’s in. I’m not discounting her strength and resolve to do for herself; I celebrate independent women. It’s the thought that she’d rather be struggling from day-to-day than be able to breathe a sigh of relief that she won’t be homeless next month. And Oliver, he’s such a great hero but he’s not without his faults. I didn’t want him to push Holly to spill all her secrets and life story, but I felt he wasn’t as supportive as he could have been. The two were supposed to have been lovers from another time who were separated and have been reunited, but that doesn’t come across well. McComas tries to drop in lines they’ve both supposedly heard before or sound familiar to them though they can’t place the words or the person who said them. It all felt like a gimmick, and a poorly executed one at that. There’s no reason to label this as a reincarnation themed romance novel. Totally misleading.
With that said, I adored the romance in Wait for Me. (Notice how I keep saying the “r” word.) I rooted for Holly and Oliver throughout the entire book, wanting them to be together and for their love to win out over all obstacles. This is a delightful read full of passion with a bit of suspense and mystery thrown in. I recommend this for lovers of romance, star-crossed lovers, and women who can stand on their own two feet.
I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and Open Road for an honest review.
The synopsis for Wait for Me is misleading. There’s really no touching on the reincarnation aspect of the story. The opening chapter is mysterious and begins in this theme, but the rest of the story doesn’t seem to remember the premise. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading Holly and Oliver’s story. It’s a true love story in the sense of two people from different worlds meeting under interesting circumstances and sparks fly.
What aggravated me the most was Holly’s reluctance to accept help. I understand independence and wanting to be your own woman, but this chick takes it to a whole other level. She’s dirt poor but won’t ask for a hand to get out of the hole she’s in. I’m not discounting her strength and resolve to do for herself; I celebrate independent women. It’s the thought that she’d rather be struggling from day-to-day than be able to breathe a sigh of relief that she won’t be homeless next month. And Oliver, he’s such a great hero but he’s not without his faults. I didn’t want him to push Holly to spill all her secrets and life story, but I felt he wasn’t as supportive as he could have been. The two were supposed to have been lovers from another time who were separated and have been reunited, but that doesn’t come across well. McComas tries to drop in lines they’ve both supposedly heard before or sound familiar to them though they can’t place the words or the person who said them. It all felt like a gimmick, and a poorly executed one at that. There’s no reason to label this as a reincarnation themed romance novel. Totally misleading.
With that said, I adored the romance in Wait for Me. (Notice how I keep saying the “r” word.) I rooted for Holly and Oliver throughout the entire book, wanting them to be together and for their love to win out over all obstacles. This is a delightful read full of passion with a bit of suspense and mystery thrown in. I recommend this for lovers of romance, star-crossed lovers, and women who can stand on their own two feet.
I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and Open Road for an honest review.
September 8, 2014
I really wanted a lot more from this book, especially when it felt like something out of M.J. Rose's mind. If Holly and Oliver were lovers in the past, I wanted something to show that, other than the prologue.
The book read much like a Harlequin Romance with a touch of sex, somewhere in between the regular line or novels and the Presents line. This book was originally published by Loveswept, so the extra bits of lovemaking make sense.
Holly is so darn perfect. I mean she's just so darn nice. You almost don't like her because of it. I mean really, who is that freaking nice! It isn't normal!!!
The same can almost be said for Oliver, but he's a recovered bad boy. (A rich one at that) But again, you have to like him. He's kind. He would do anything for Holly. That's the kind of man, most of us want to find. Oh and he's unbelievably rich.
I found it hard to believe that this book was written in the 90s. I read romance in the 90s, and if it weren't for references to Roseanne Conner (from the tv show Roseanne) and trickle down economics....I'd think that this book were written in a much earlier time period.
I wish more, or really anything would have been done with the reincarnation theme that was hinted at in this book. It would have made it fantastic.
I did love Holly and Oliver's romance, even though some of it was really cliched, especially with the friend that was not a friend thing at the end.
A pleasant read to pass the time on a rainy afternoon.
The book read much like a Harlequin Romance with a touch of sex, somewhere in between the regular line or novels and the Presents line. This book was originally published by Loveswept, so the extra bits of lovemaking make sense.
Holly is so darn perfect. I mean she's just so darn nice. You almost don't like her because of it. I mean really, who is that freaking nice! It isn't normal!!!
The same can almost be said for Oliver, but he's a recovered bad boy. (A rich one at that) But again, you have to like him. He's kind. He would do anything for Holly. That's the kind of man, most of us want to find. Oh and he's unbelievably rich.
I found it hard to believe that this book was written in the 90s. I read romance in the 90s, and if it weren't for references to Roseanne Conner (from the tv show Roseanne) and trickle down economics....I'd think that this book were written in a much earlier time period.
I wish more, or really anything would have been done with the reincarnation theme that was hinted at in this book. It would have made it fantastic.
I did love Holly and Oliver's romance, even though some of it was really cliched, especially with the friend that was not a friend thing at the end.
A pleasant read to pass the time on a rainy afternoon.
October 8, 2024
Wait for Me is a reissue of a mid-nineties book by Mary Kay McComas. It is a story of a young woman, Holly, who has many causes she is passionate about. She dedicates her life to serving underprivileged people, and is so generous that she barely makes ends meet herself. While at the airport, an earthquake strikes, and if not for Oliver's intervention, Holly would have been crushed. Oliver is very wealthy, and his family's philanthropy funds some of Holly's dearest projects. The two start to develop a relationship, but must decide if they can overcome the social and material gulf between them.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were likable and the storyline kept my interest. There is a bit of a paranormal element in the story. While I could see the 1990's influence, the book does not seem outdated. I enjoyed reading the story of Holly and Oliver.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were likable and the storyline kept my interest. There is a bit of a paranormal element in the story. While I could see the 1990's influence, the book does not seem outdated. I enjoyed reading the story of Holly and Oliver.
April 18, 2014
I wanted to like this book and there were parts there were enjoyable, but it was a bit disjointed. It starts off feeling like it's going to be paranormal like two souls that have met before and will meet again, but then becomes a love story and then has numerous other twists and turns. I think it was just trying to go in too many different directions for the book length.
December 26, 2012
This was a good story, but not great. And I have to ask myself-- why do I keep (unknowingly) choosing books that have a theme of reincarnation?
October 26, 2015
It was good but not amazing. It was not like the normal books I read.
It was interesting enough to keep me reading to find out where things went.
It was interesting enough to keep me reading to find out where things went.
May 19, 2016
One of my favorite books of all time!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews