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Wait for Me
Drowning in déjà vu . . .
Who is Casey Rhodes? Is she a no-nonsense realist or a hopeless romantic? A just-getting-by scholarship student or a sometimes-Cinderella dating the cool, cultured heir to a media empire and New York City’s most eligible? At seventeen years old and already in her sophomore year at NYU, Casey sheds disguises effortlessly. It’s how she navigates school and avoids the second-guessing that’s plagued her since she and her boyfriend Marcus got together.
But then Casey starts hearing voices that terrify her so badly she flees to the remote beach town of Avon where she can sort through her thoughts and reset. But the voices only get more intense and are now accompanied by visions of places she’s never been and people she’s never met, like Jake who’s lived in Avon his whole life. There’s no way Casey could know him, yet she feels an immediate connection. And, crazier still: he feels it too. Together they search for answers, finding only questions—about their connection, Avon, Casey’s memories . . . And whose voice is she hearing inside her head?
Who is Casey Rhodes? Is she a no-nonsense realist or a hopeless romantic? A just-getting-by scholarship student or a sometimes-Cinderella dating the cool, cultured heir to a media empire and New York City’s most eligible? At seventeen years old and already in her sophomore year at NYU, Casey sheds disguises effortlessly. It’s how she navigates school and avoids the second-guessing that’s plagued her since she and her boyfriend Marcus got together.
But then Casey starts hearing voices that terrify her so badly she flees to the remote beach town of Avon where she can sort through her thoughts and reset. But the voices only get more intense and are now accompanied by visions of places she’s never been and people she’s never met, like Jake who’s lived in Avon his whole life. There’s no way Casey could know him, yet she feels an immediate connection. And, crazier still: he feels it too. Together they search for answers, finding only questions—about their connection, Avon, Casey’s memories . . . And whose voice is she hearing inside her head?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2022
105 people are currently reading
5299 people want to read
About the author
Sara Shepard
127 books14.7k followersSara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She has lived in New York City, Brooklyn, Tucson, Arizona, Philadelphia, and now lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Sara's Pretty Little Liars novels were inspired by her upbringing in Philadelphia's Main Line.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
January 11, 2023
First review of the year!!! Let’s Go!
This felt worth it as a read since it was quite a ride! It starts off by piquing my interest, keeping me hooked, bringing me to a climax (maybe wrong choice of words), and then giving me a weird ass ending.
I was really hooked on the story, not that I could relate to what any of the characters were going through, but there was so much uncertainty. I and the characters thought we knew the answer at certain points in the story but then PSYCH! We were wrong many times. I love when my mysteries are actually mysterious.
I connected with Casey in that aside from being super smart, she’s actually a regular teenage character. The love story we get in this was cute and didn’t overpower the story.
I did say the ending was weird but it was alright. I would have preferred something slightly different. I would highly recommend this one!
This felt worth it as a read since it was quite a ride! It starts off by piquing my interest, keeping me hooked, bringing me to a climax (maybe wrong choice of words), and then giving me a weird ass ending.
I was really hooked on the story, not that I could relate to what any of the characters were going through, but there was so much uncertainty. I and the characters thought we knew the answer at certain points in the story but then PSYCH! We were wrong many times. I love when my mysteries are actually mysterious.
I connected with Casey in that aside from being super smart, she’s actually a regular teenage character. The love story we get in this was cute and didn’t overpower the story.
I did say the ending was weird but it was alright. I would have preferred something slightly different. I would highly recommend this one!
October 19, 2023
I have a confession to make: “Limbo” is the best word to describe my feelings towards this book. I neither loved it nor hated it, though I must admit, I harbored some serious distaste for the ending. But let’s delve into the details.
Sara Shepard, the brilliant mind behind “Pretty Little Liars,” ventures into the realm of paranormal and reincarnation romance in this latest tale.
The initial allure for me came from the blurb, which promised a gripping story about a 17-year-old girl named Casey Rhodes. She’s a scholarship student at NYU, navigating the challenges of dating Marcus, the campus heartthrob. Casey finds herself thrust into a new world, surrounded by wealthy and privileged peers, as she seeks her place in this unfamiliar crowd. However, her internal struggle with persistent voices in her head draws her to a remote beach town known as Avon, where she is destined to meet a mysterious boy she has never encountered before, yet shares memories with him. The premise had me hitting the “request” button without a second thought, as I was incredibly intrigued.
Casey’s journey takes us on a ride as she tries to unravel the mystery of her identity and understand why the voices in her head are weaving a different story.
While the plotline and characters showed potential, the execution felt somewhat slow, and the murder mystery element introduced into the romance equation appeared weak. The identity of the perpetrator seemed far too obvious, leaving little room for suspense or surprise.
In the end, my overall impression of the book is mixed. I liked the premise and the characters but found the slow-burning execution a bit unsatisfying. And then there’s the ending that left a rather bitter aftertaste. Hence, I’m settling for a solid three stars and ready to move on.
I’d like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Union Square&Co. for providing me with this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. While it might not have been a perfect fit for me, I appreciate the opportunity to explore this world of paranormal romance.
Sara Shepard, the brilliant mind behind “Pretty Little Liars,” ventures into the realm of paranormal and reincarnation romance in this latest tale.
The initial allure for me came from the blurb, which promised a gripping story about a 17-year-old girl named Casey Rhodes. She’s a scholarship student at NYU, navigating the challenges of dating Marcus, the campus heartthrob. Casey finds herself thrust into a new world, surrounded by wealthy and privileged peers, as she seeks her place in this unfamiliar crowd. However, her internal struggle with persistent voices in her head draws her to a remote beach town known as Avon, where she is destined to meet a mysterious boy she has never encountered before, yet shares memories with him. The premise had me hitting the “request” button without a second thought, as I was incredibly intrigued.
Casey’s journey takes us on a ride as she tries to unravel the mystery of her identity and understand why the voices in her head are weaving a different story.
While the plotline and characters showed potential, the execution felt somewhat slow, and the murder mystery element introduced into the romance equation appeared weak. The identity of the perpetrator seemed far too obvious, leaving little room for suspense or surprise.
In the end, my overall impression of the book is mixed. I liked the premise and the characters but found the slow-burning execution a bit unsatisfying. And then there’s the ending that left a rather bitter aftertaste. Hence, I’m settling for a solid three stars and ready to move on.
I’d like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Union Square&Co. for providing me with this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. While it might not have been a perfect fit for me, I appreciate the opportunity to explore this world of paranormal romance.
August 31, 2022
First off, I love this cover. It's so gorgeous and plays well in to the story. Now, when I first stared the story, I wasn't 100% sure this book and I were going to get along. I didn't feel pulled in or understand the story. But pretty quickly, the first twist happens and then I was interested.
There were a lot of questions I had a long the way and, thankfully, they were answered. I didn't love the love story in this one, didn't feel completely immersed in the story, but I did find the story entertaining and found myself wanting to know the answers. The end was satisfying and adorable.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
There were a lot of questions I had a long the way and, thankfully, they were answered. I didn't love the love story in this one, didn't feel completely immersed in the story, but I did find the story entertaining and found myself wanting to know the answers. The end was satisfying and adorable.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
November 12, 2022
Mysterious, thought-provoking, and romantic!
Wait For Me is a creative, dramatic tale that takes you on a journey into the life of seventeen-year-old Casey Rhodes as she struggles with her hesitancy towards her seemingly rich, handsome boyfriend Marcus, her haunting memories of the loss of her mother, the inexplicable attraction she seems to have for a boy who calls her Becky, and disturbing flashbacks that seem so real but from another life completely.
The writing is haunting and rich. The characters are confused, troubled, and determined. And the plot is a tortuous, emotional tale of life, loss, tragedy, desperation, familial drama, secrets, heartache, romance, tortured souls, and supernatural phenomena.
Overall, Wait For Me was a little different than I was expecting but was nevertheless a unique, compelling, twisty read by Shepard that kept me intrigued from start to finish.
Thank you to Union Square & Co. for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wait For Me is a creative, dramatic tale that takes you on a journey into the life of seventeen-year-old Casey Rhodes as she struggles with her hesitancy towards her seemingly rich, handsome boyfriend Marcus, her haunting memories of the loss of her mother, the inexplicable attraction she seems to have for a boy who calls her Becky, and disturbing flashbacks that seem so real but from another life completely.
The writing is haunting and rich. The characters are confused, troubled, and determined. And the plot is a tortuous, emotional tale of life, loss, tragedy, desperation, familial drama, secrets, heartache, romance, tortured souls, and supernatural phenomena.
Overall, Wait For Me was a little different than I was expecting but was nevertheless a unique, compelling, twisty read by Shepard that kept me intrigued from start to finish.
Thank you to Union Square & Co. for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2023
the pacing was a little weird at times, but the twists were crazy and the concept was really interesting. 3 stars because of the pacing and i felt like it was a little ridiculous at times, but i had fun reading it.
November 14, 2022
I was so ready for a new novel from Sara Shepard, especially with the promise of a part-romance, part-supernatural mystery. Like her previous novels, I expected a character-driven, twisty story from Shepard, but unfortunately Wait for Me let me down. We follow Casey as she escapes to the shore, led by a feeling about her boyfriend and a desire to get away from the "acting roles" she forces herself to fill with every setting she places herself into. She's incredibly self-aware, cognizant of her unique position at NYU as a 17 year old dating the most well-known boy at school. Ultimately though, her youthful naivety outshines her genius brain and we dive into the deep end as the voices in her head take over.
We're given some of the story's twists too early, the reveal of voices in ones' head given away much too soon. I love stories about alters, but this one is a miss. The plot is quickly lost, the characters given the bare minimum of attention, and the book is just far too fast to get into. Truly, it's a blink and you'll miss it sort of read. I think some readers might enjoy this one, but I can't recommend it.
ARC provided.
We're given some of the story's twists too early, the reveal of voices in ones' head given away much too soon. I love stories about alters, but this one is a miss. The plot is quickly lost, the characters given the bare minimum of attention, and the book is just far too fast to get into. Truly, it's a blink and you'll miss it sort of read. I think some readers might enjoy this one, but I can't recommend it.
ARC provided.
October 25, 2022
Wait For Me is an extremely unique story that combines a few genres. It is a Young Adult book (the heroine is 17, however she is in college). It has romance. It is a mystery. It is a thriller. And it also looks at the possibility of past lives.
I sort of loved that this book was not one specific thing. The narrator is Casey (1st person POV). And she was such a fascinating heroine. She is only 17 years old. But she's a sophomore in university (NYU) and mostly on her own.
The book is divided into two parts. Casey starts hearing voices and having flashes of memories. I found this so interesting. I was just hoping that it would all make sense by the end.
I was mostly riveted by the first half. I was intrigued by the mystery. Although I was unsure about the romance aspect.
I like that the author included ideas about past lives. And the last parts of Part One were very strong.
Part Two really focuses on the mystery. And the story really went in places that I was not expecting. This was really such a unique story. And I actually found the ending to be really good and very original. Overall I really enjoyed this book!
Thanks to Union Square & Co and netgalley for allowing me to read this book!
September 21, 2022
*whispers* I’m so mad.
I found this to be really uncreative, unimaginative, unintelligent… it just- it just-
I would’ve stopped reading except I got to a big plot twist at about 50% and wanted to know if everything that had already happened was basically going to get thrown out because *unreliable narrator*. But then, no, we quickly circled back around to it being what we thought from the start. So thanks for wasting my time with that detour.
What really frustrated me was the way past lives were discussed - I felt like the author didn’t really know what she was talking about. There are so so many books on this topic, so many case studies and personal stories - I felt like the author hardly even looked into any of this. So much of what was said was just not… accurate. Or logical. It felt offensive. I take it personally. This is a personal grievance I feel in my soul!!!
And that ending???? Really??? FRUSTRATION.
I found this to be really uncreative, unimaginative, unintelligent… it just- it just-
I would’ve stopped reading except I got to a big plot twist at about 50% and wanted to know if everything that had already happened was basically going to get thrown out because *unreliable narrator*. But then, no, we quickly circled back around to it being what we thought from the start. So thanks for wasting my time with that detour.
What really frustrated me was the way past lives were discussed - I felt like the author didn’t really know what she was talking about. There are so so many books on this topic, so many case studies and personal stories - I felt like the author hardly even looked into any of this. So much of what was said was just not… accurate. Or logical. It felt offensive. I take it personally. This is a personal grievance I feel in my soul!!!
And that ending???? Really??? FRUSTRATION.
February 23, 2025
I was just confused this entire time wth was even happening
August 30, 2022
Thank you to Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
When I saw that the author of Pretty Little Liars had a new book out, I knew that I needed to read it right away! Wait for Me by Sara Shepard is a stunning blend of multiple genres: thriller, mystery, fantasy, and romance. Even though it's listed as YA, I think many adult readers would enjoy it also. The story revolves around Casey, who suddenly starts hearing voices and seeing visions of places she's never been. She decides to run away to a remote beach town where her visions lead her to a boy named Jake. She's never met him, but why does he feel so familiar? What could these visions be telling her?
Here is a chilling excerpt from the opening chapter:
"Time to grow up. TIme to let go. Time to forget your past and your winsome, blue-flame-hot first love.
...
But as you reach for the knob, you sense footsteps on the wooden walkway. You freeze just as a hand slithers around your waist. You're pulled backward, your feet lifting off the ground, your lungs suddenly crushed flat. You try to scream, but a hand presses over your mouth."
Overall, Wait for Me is a YA mystery that refuses to be categorized. First of all, I love this author and have literally read all of her books. This book just might be her most unique one, considering all of the genres that it includes. I was definitely surprised, but in a good way. One highlight of this book is how the book blends romance, thriller, mystery, and fantasy into a plot that makes total sense. Another highlight of this book is how all of the details came together at the end. Honestly, the book was masterfully planned. Sara Shepard was already one of my favorite authors, and I will definitely read any books that she publishes in the future. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of mysteries in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in November!
When I saw that the author of Pretty Little Liars had a new book out, I knew that I needed to read it right away! Wait for Me by Sara Shepard is a stunning blend of multiple genres: thriller, mystery, fantasy, and romance. Even though it's listed as YA, I think many adult readers would enjoy it also. The story revolves around Casey, who suddenly starts hearing voices and seeing visions of places she's never been. She decides to run away to a remote beach town where her visions lead her to a boy named Jake. She's never met him, but why does he feel so familiar? What could these visions be telling her?
Here is a chilling excerpt from the opening chapter:
"Time to grow up. TIme to let go. Time to forget your past and your winsome, blue-flame-hot first love.
...
But as you reach for the knob, you sense footsteps on the wooden walkway. You freeze just as a hand slithers around your waist. You're pulled backward, your feet lifting off the ground, your lungs suddenly crushed flat. You try to scream, but a hand presses over your mouth."
Overall, Wait for Me is a YA mystery that refuses to be categorized. First of all, I love this author and have literally read all of her books. This book just might be her most unique one, considering all of the genres that it includes. I was definitely surprised, but in a good way. One highlight of this book is how the book blends romance, thriller, mystery, and fantasy into a plot that makes total sense. Another highlight of this book is how all of the details came together at the end. Honestly, the book was masterfully planned. Sara Shepard was already one of my favorite authors, and I will definitely read any books that she publishes in the future. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of mysteries in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in November!
February 3, 2023
Early 2000s YA, anyone?
I’ve been a fan of this author for years and I picked up her newest book without knowing anything about it — which turned out to be a massive mistake.
I’m just NOT a fan of the reincarnated soul mates trope. It was done to death in the early 2000s with books like the Fallen series. To me, the reincarnation plotline is nothing more than instalove, with the characters “destined to be together” or whatever.
I didn’t like the main character, who, even though she has a rich, hot, smart, all around good guy boyfriend decides to sleep at the other guy’s house. Her whole demeanor with the soulmate guy was complete cringe.
Marcus deserved better.
I’ve been a fan of this author for years and I picked up her newest book without knowing anything about it — which turned out to be a massive mistake.
I’m just NOT a fan of the reincarnated soul mates trope. It was done to death in the early 2000s with books like the Fallen series. To me, the reincarnation plotline is nothing more than instalove, with the characters “destined to be together” or whatever.
I didn’t like the main character, who, even though she has a rich, hot, smart, all around good guy boyfriend decides to sleep at the other guy’s house. Her whole demeanor with the soulmate guy was complete cringe.
Marcus deserved better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2023
Wow, I was so hooked to this story. I was shocked and surprised with the ending.
April 24, 2024
3.5* this was definitely different but not in a bad way. I enjoyed this, was a tad confused for a bit but once it sorted out the mystery unfolded very well!
November 5, 2022
Wait for Me is a book whose genre is hard to define, part-romance, part-supernatural, part-mystery. These elements all work really well together and delivery something that I haven’t seen a lot. The elements of past-lives add something fresh and exciting to what might have otherwise been just another mystery. I found this story heartwarming, sweet and a whole lot of fun to read. I didn’t know what to expect going and only picked this up as I’m a fan of the Pretty Little Liars tv show and wanted to read something by the author. I’m really glad I did as the author has a lovely writing style and weaves a clever, tender and yet still thrilling story. Thank you to Sara Shepard, Union Square & Co and Netgalley for an advanced e-book.
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December 25, 2022If you are yearning for some old school paranormal YA, grab Wait for Me immediately.
Read my full review of Wait For Me on my newly re-launched YA site YA All Day!
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Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Read my full review of Wait For Me on my newly re-launched YA site YA All Day!
Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
December 2, 2022
I found the main character Casey extremely dislikeable. Very 'im not like other girls' and unassuming which had me audibly cringing. I listened to a few chapters and almost dnf but heard that there was a major plot twist to look out for but i pushed through. Sure enough the plot twist came about half way but was almost completely undone a few chapters later. I think the overall concept of the book could have been really good but it was executed very poorly and the character development was severely lacking.
December 12, 2022
I'm going to round down to 3.5 stars because of the supernatural/reincarnation plot of the book. Sorry, but I just can't wrap my head around the concept.
Thank you, Goodreads for the opportunity to review the paperback.
Thank you, Goodreads for the opportunity to review the paperback.
October 27, 2022
Thank you to Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
CW:
⚫ Drowning
⚫ Car accidents
⚫ Discussions of personality disorders
⚫ Familial loss
⚫ Cancer
“Wait for Me” follows Casey, a gifted college student, as she struggles with a mystery she must solve that comes from her own mind. She doesn’t know what or who is pulling her in that direction, but what she finds out will change the course of her life forever and help her understand her past.
This is a significantly more nuanced book than what I know Shepard for. As someone that read “Pretty Little Liars” and “The Lying Game” in high school, I was excited to see a new book from her and was intrigued by the synopsis.
It was unpredictable and a wild ride from start to finish. I could never pinpoint where it was going, and if I even had a clue, the plot immediately went in a different direction. This all worked well, surprisingly. Usually, when this happens, a story feels cluttered, but every bit felt important. Everything had its place, even if it didn’t make sense until the final pages. While the ending completely makes sense, I didn’t see it coming, which was a welcome change.
Casey was a complex and dynamic character that I couldn’t help but root for. Her experience navigating the unknown is relatable, even though most haven't faced what she is facing. Her journey shows how much your past can affect your personality and state of being, even if it's entangled with something else.
“Wait for Me” is a great read for teens and adults. Despite being in the young adult category, I do think individuals in their twenties can relate to Casey’s journey and her struggles. Everybody can connect with her in some way, whether they are overachievers, under immense pressure, or just trying to understand what's going on in their heads.
CW:
⚫ Drowning
⚫ Car accidents
⚫ Discussions of personality disorders
⚫ Familial loss
⚫ Cancer
“Wait for Me” follows Casey, a gifted college student, as she struggles with a mystery she must solve that comes from her own mind. She doesn’t know what or who is pulling her in that direction, but what she finds out will change the course of her life forever and help her understand her past.
This is a significantly more nuanced book than what I know Shepard for. As someone that read “Pretty Little Liars” and “The Lying Game” in high school, I was excited to see a new book from her and was intrigued by the synopsis.
It was unpredictable and a wild ride from start to finish. I could never pinpoint where it was going, and if I even had a clue, the plot immediately went in a different direction. This all worked well, surprisingly. Usually, when this happens, a story feels cluttered, but every bit felt important. Everything had its place, even if it didn’t make sense until the final pages. While the ending completely makes sense, I didn’t see it coming, which was a welcome change.
Casey was a complex and dynamic character that I couldn’t help but root for. Her experience navigating the unknown is relatable, even though most haven't faced what she is facing. Her journey shows how much your past can affect your personality and state of being, even if it's entangled with something else.
“Wait for Me” is a great read for teens and adults. Despite being in the young adult category, I do think individuals in their twenties can relate to Casey’s journey and her struggles. Everybody can connect with her in some way, whether they are overachievers, under immense pressure, or just trying to understand what's going on in their heads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2022
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Union Square & Co- A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Somewhat of a departure from Sara Shepherd’s other novels, Wait for Me is unique. The main characters experience multiple timelines, mostly from memory. I found this one a bit of a slow burn. Once it got going I did enjoy it. The murderer was predictable yet it played nicely. I did enjoy the ending. I feel it was done perfectly for the characters.
Somewhat of a departure from Sara Shepherd’s other novels, Wait for Me is unique. The main characters experience multiple timelines, mostly from memory. I found this one a bit of a slow burn. Once it got going I did enjoy it. The murderer was predictable yet it played nicely. I did enjoy the ending. I feel it was done perfectly for the characters.
October 29, 2022
Wow, for my first book by this author, it was a twisty read! I was definitely grabbed from the start, wondering about this past life and how it was affecting Casey. Because of the things she was remembering from that life, I wondered who those around her were, if they were people from those memories. Lots of little details throughout the story made one person seem like a different person. And then little things made some of the people seem to be either friend or foe, going back and forth on a few of them!
About halfway through there was a HUGE twist that I did not see coming. And as I was dealing with that twist, and Casey was as well, her friend Jake came back into the story and now things seemed to be reversing again. But I didn’t trust Jake, or Casey, or anything that was happening, because that first twist had really made me doubt it all and if any of it could have been real.
The ending was full of more twists and turns even when I thought maybe we finally knew the answers. I’m still a little maybe confused about her stepmom, I just really felt like there might have been more to the story than what we ended up with. The ending was very interesting, and not at all what I was expecting. But I liked it, and I can definitely see if the author has written all her other books like this, there is a reason the Pretty Little Liars books were so popular that they made the tv show out of it.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
About halfway through there was a HUGE twist that I did not see coming. And as I was dealing with that twist, and Casey was as well, her friend Jake came back into the story and now things seemed to be reversing again. But I didn’t trust Jake, or Casey, or anything that was happening, because that first twist had really made me doubt it all and if any of it could have been real.
The ending was full of more twists and turns even when I thought maybe we finally knew the answers. I’m still a little maybe confused about her stepmom, I just really felt like there might have been more to the story than what we ended up with. The ending was very interesting, and not at all what I was expecting. But I liked it, and I can definitely see if the author has written all her other books like this, there is a reason the Pretty Little Liars books were so popular that they made the tv show out of it.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
December 18, 2022
Wait for Me is an unusual story, a mystery/thriller that relies heavily on the reader buying into the idea of reincarnation.
Casey is a gifted student, yet she is prone to moments of absence. She has recollections of events that she has never experienced and those around her seem to suggest this is her way of coping with the trauma of her mother’s death. When she starts dating media heir Marcus Coleman the memories come thick and fast. She has to get away, though she doesn’t know why.
Casey finds herself in a run-down seaside resort. She remembers people and places but has no idea why. A chance meeting with local Jake seems fortuitous, though Casey can’t explain why.
A rather slow start which pitches into an exploration of a phenomenon I know little about. The characters around Casey could have helped more, and the ending hinted that things would work out but felt very contrived.
Casey is a gifted student, yet she is prone to moments of absence. She has recollections of events that she has never experienced and those around her seem to suggest this is her way of coping with the trauma of her mother’s death. When she starts dating media heir Marcus Coleman the memories come thick and fast. She has to get away, though she doesn’t know why.
Casey finds herself in a run-down seaside resort. She remembers people and places but has no idea why. A chance meeting with local Jake seems fortuitous, though Casey can’t explain why.
A rather slow start which pitches into an exploration of a phenomenon I know little about. The characters around Casey could have helped more, and the ending hinted that things would work out but felt very contrived.
January 15, 2024
This book was AMAZING!!! The plot was so interesting it make you want to keep reading, so much so that I read it in a day! 100% recommend!
April 12, 2025
Book Review: Wait for Me by Sara Shepard
Wait for Me is a twisty, atmospheric YA thriller that blends suspense, romance, and a touch of the supernatural in a way that keeps readers turning pages late into the night. Sara Shepard delivers yet another gripping mystery, but what makes this novel stand out isn’t just the shocking revelations—it’s the emotional depth and the layered exploration of identity, memory, and fate.
At its heart, this novel dives deep into the theme of self-discovery and personal transformation, especially through the lens of the main character, Casey. From the very first pages, Casey is a girl cloaked in emotional armor—she wears masks, shifts personalities to suit whoever she’s around, and hides behind layers of self-preservation. But what’s brilliant is how the novel slowly chips away at that façade. Through unsettling events, eerie visions, and the unraveling of secrets that challenge her entire sense of reality, Casey is forced to confront who she truly is—not just who she pretends to be.
The reincarnation angle adds a haunting, almost tragic dimension to the story. The idea that the characters have lived past lives, repeating old patterns, making the same mistakes or trying to escape the same fates, is both fascinating and unsettling. It adds a feeling of inevitability and raises the question: Can we ever really break free of who we used to be, or are we doomed to repeat ourselves? This theme is particularly powerful as it overlaps with Casey’s journey. Her emotional reincarnation—her rebirth into a more authentic version of herself—parallels the metaphysical one, reinforcing the idea that identity is fluid, but growth is possible.
The supporting characters—each mysterious and complicated in their own right—mirror different parts of Casey. Some of them feel familiar, as if we’ve seen them in another life before (and in a way, we have), which is part of what makes the story so eerie and compelling. The blurred lines between past and present relationships make the twists hit harder, especially as truths are revealed that make you question everything you thought you knew about these people.
And let’s talk about those twists—because wow. Sara Shepard doesn’t hold back. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, another layer is peeled back, forcing you to rethink everything. The plot is built like a puzzle box, and every chapter is a key. The suspense never lets up, and yet there’s a haunting quiet to the story too, a sense of something deeper under the surface that lingers long after the last page.
Overall, Wait for Me is about the ghosts we carry—both literal and figurative. It asks what it means to know someone, and more importantly, what it means to know yourself. Casey’s journey from hiding behind facades to finally facing the truth of who she is (and was) is not only satisfying but genuinely moving. Her character growth gives the novel its emotional core, anchoring all the thrills in something deeply human.
If you’re a fan of psychological twists, complex characters, and stories that make you question time, memory, and fate, this book is definitely worth the read.
Wait for Me is a twisty, atmospheric YA thriller that blends suspense, romance, and a touch of the supernatural in a way that keeps readers turning pages late into the night. Sara Shepard delivers yet another gripping mystery, but what makes this novel stand out isn’t just the shocking revelations—it’s the emotional depth and the layered exploration of identity, memory, and fate.
At its heart, this novel dives deep into the theme of self-discovery and personal transformation, especially through the lens of the main character, Casey. From the very first pages, Casey is a girl cloaked in emotional armor—she wears masks, shifts personalities to suit whoever she’s around, and hides behind layers of self-preservation. But what’s brilliant is how the novel slowly chips away at that façade. Through unsettling events, eerie visions, and the unraveling of secrets that challenge her entire sense of reality, Casey is forced to confront who she truly is—not just who she pretends to be.
The reincarnation angle adds a haunting, almost tragic dimension to the story. The idea that the characters have lived past lives, repeating old patterns, making the same mistakes or trying to escape the same fates, is both fascinating and unsettling. It adds a feeling of inevitability and raises the question: Can we ever really break free of who we used to be, or are we doomed to repeat ourselves? This theme is particularly powerful as it overlaps with Casey’s journey. Her emotional reincarnation—her rebirth into a more authentic version of herself—parallels the metaphysical one, reinforcing the idea that identity is fluid, but growth is possible.
The supporting characters—each mysterious and complicated in their own right—mirror different parts of Casey. Some of them feel familiar, as if we’ve seen them in another life before (and in a way, we have), which is part of what makes the story so eerie and compelling. The blurred lines between past and present relationships make the twists hit harder, especially as truths are revealed that make you question everything you thought you knew about these people.
And let’s talk about those twists—because wow. Sara Shepard doesn’t hold back. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, another layer is peeled back, forcing you to rethink everything. The plot is built like a puzzle box, and every chapter is a key. The suspense never lets up, and yet there’s a haunting quiet to the story too, a sense of something deeper under the surface that lingers long after the last page.
Overall, Wait for Me is about the ghosts we carry—both literal and figurative. It asks what it means to know someone, and more importantly, what it means to know yourself. Casey’s journey from hiding behind facades to finally facing the truth of who she is (and was) is not only satisfying but genuinely moving. Her character growth gives the novel its emotional core, anchoring all the thrills in something deeply human.
If you’re a fan of psychological twists, complex characters, and stories that make you question time, memory, and fate, this book is definitely worth the read.
January 22, 2023
3.5
The mystery was pretty good, although it was a little too predictable sometimes.
The mystery was pretty good, although it was a little too predictable sometimes.
August 14, 2024
What I Did Like:
+The end of Part 1 was a shock in the best way. This was the twist I didn’t know I needed to change up this book. I wish it had explored that more.
+The concept of past lives and people who can read them is intriguing. To see it utilized is good.
+Marcus. He’s a solid character who proves himself to be a good guy time and again in this book. He deserved so much better.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fated love fans. That’s a requirement for enjoying this book. If you don’t like that trope, it’s not for you.
My Rating: 2 Stars
For me, the use of mental health as a red herring plot point was problematic.
For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/...
+The end of Part 1 was a shock in the best way. This was the twist I didn’t know I needed to change up this book. I wish it had explored that more.
+The concept of past lives and people who can read them is intriguing. To see it utilized is good.
+Marcus. He’s a solid character who proves himself to be a good guy time and again in this book. He deserved so much better.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fated love fans. That’s a requirement for enjoying this book. If you don’t like that trope, it’s not for you.
My Rating: 2 Stars
For me, the use of mental health as a red herring plot point was problematic.
For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2024/08/...
June 17, 2025
Wait for Me is a suspenseful young adult thriller that explores the blurred lines between reality and perception. Known for her bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, Shepard continues her tradition of twisting narratives with layered secrets and unreliable narrators.
The novel follows Casey Rhodes, a teenager grappling with eerie voices and fragmented memories that suggest a life she doesn’t remember living. As the mystery deepens, Shepard skillfully builds psychological tension, inviting readers to question what is real and what is imagined. The setting, both atmospheric and unsettling which enhances the novel’s haunting tone.
The novel follows Casey Rhodes, a teenager grappling with eerie voices and fragmented memories that suggest a life she doesn’t remember living. As the mystery deepens, Shepard skillfully builds psychological tension, inviting readers to question what is real and what is imagined. The setting, both atmospheric and unsettling which enhances the novel’s haunting tone.
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April 9, 2024Eine junge Frau hört Stimmen. Vielleicht erinnert sie sich an ein früheres Leben? Hat für mich erst in der Hälfte einen Sog entwickelt, aber dann war mir zu viel "ah, der ist der Böse" – "Nein, doch der!" und die Erinnerungsverluste haben für mich auch keinen Sinn ergeben.
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January 9, 2023Such a good read, slow to start but once you get to part two you won't be able to put it down.
January 13, 2023
Bizarre initially, but got very interesting as I kept reading. I do think that we do have flashes/memories in our lives that we just don't recognize as possibly experiences of another life?
October 16, 2022
Thank you to Union Square and Co. for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CONTENT WARNING: death of a parent, mention of trauma, mention of cancer, depiction of drowning, mental illness
Okay, time for a confession. I have never read Pretty Little Liars. I’ve never even seen a single episode. So I went into this completely blindly.
I was pulled into the story really quickly. Casey’s character was intriguing right from the start, and I liked getting into the head of a character who is so brilliant, yet never really feels fully comfortable in her own skin. She’s always planning her next move, donning some type of disguise, relying on her intellect rather than emotions to run her life. But when she starts hearing a voice inside her head, she starts operating on emotions and things start to unravel quickly for her.
At the midpoint of the book, there’s a major plot twist, and while there’s a small break in the action, the pace picks up again very quickly. I was frustrated with the effort to force Casey into an unreliable narrator role, and with the way that mental illness was portrayed. While I understand that I received an uncorrected proof, so hopefully this will be corrected in the finished copy, the name of the mental illness that was used in the book wasn’t an actual disorder, but rather a mashup of the older name of the disorder and the current name, which frustrated me endlessly. I didn’t think it was portrayed especially well.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read, but it wasn’t one of my favorites. It was a quick read, and it was relatively fast-paced with a lot of buildup to a very tense ending. There’s a romantic subplot that plays a major part in the story, and I did enjoy seeing Casey learn how to balance her intellectual side with her emotional side, and come to terms with her traumatic past.
CONTENT WARNING: death of a parent, mention of trauma, mention of cancer, depiction of drowning, mental illness
Okay, time for a confession. I have never read Pretty Little Liars. I’ve never even seen a single episode. So I went into this completely blindly.
I was pulled into the story really quickly. Casey’s character was intriguing right from the start, and I liked getting into the head of a character who is so brilliant, yet never really feels fully comfortable in her own skin. She’s always planning her next move, donning some type of disguise, relying on her intellect rather than emotions to run her life. But when she starts hearing a voice inside her head, she starts operating on emotions and things start to unravel quickly for her.
At the midpoint of the book, there’s a major plot twist, and while there’s a small break in the action, the pace picks up again very quickly. I was frustrated with the effort to force Casey into an unreliable narrator role, and with the way that mental illness was portrayed. While I understand that I received an uncorrected proof, so hopefully this will be corrected in the finished copy, the name of the mental illness that was used in the book wasn’t an actual disorder, but rather a mashup of the older name of the disorder and the current name, which frustrated me endlessly. I didn’t think it was portrayed especially well.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read, but it wasn’t one of my favorites. It was a quick read, and it was relatively fast-paced with a lot of buildup to a very tense ending. There’s a romantic subplot that plays a major part in the story, and I did enjoy seeing Casey learn how to balance her intellectual side with her emotional side, and come to terms with her traumatic past.
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