Title: “Waiting for Tom Hanks”
Published by: Berkley (Penguin Random House LLC)
Length: 260 pages
This is the first novel that I have read by Kerry Winfrey and I have no preconceived notions of previous works or writing style. This book is definitely fitting of the genre Romantic Comedy. It’s a fun loving and hilarious plot with intriguing characters. It was a pleasure to read but there are some things that stopped me from giving it a five star review.
Annie Cassidy is our heroine in this lovely romantic comedy. She is a struggling writer who lives with her uncle Don in Columbus, Ohio. Annie is obsessed with romantic comedies and has been fixated on the genre so much so that she is “waiting for her Tom Hanks” to come along before she commits to a relationship. Throughout the course of the book, we see that Annie’s obsession with romantic comedies has less to do with the genre itself and more to do with her memories of her parents. Annie’s father died when she was a toddler and her mother had a heart attack when she was in high school. Annie is an only child and thus has limited family supports to help her process the grief she experienced. Annie has fond memories of her mother’s picture perfect description of her marriage with Annie’s father. Setting the bar high for any future relationships Annie may cross in her life.
Annie has a funky and hilarious friend in Chloe, who is a barista at a local coffee shop that is owned by another member of the funky bunch, Nick. Nick and Chloe has an adorable banter with each other in most of their scenes together and of course, its filled with sexual tension. I mean, who wants banter without sexual tension?? It looks like Nick and Chloe’s story will be told in Kerry’s next book in the series “Not Like The Movies” (stay tuned people). Chloe and Nick are also not aware that Annie is writing her screen play about the two of them and their unbelievable sexual chemistry.
Everything really starts to be pushed into high gear when Annie finds out that a big time movie is making its way to Columbus for filming. Considering Annie’s desire to work behind the scenes of the movies, Chloe tries to persuade her to apply for a job there. Writing hemorrhoids self help tips can only pay the bills for so long. And I’m sure she would run out of material. Unless there is a new strain of hemorrhoids out there.. anyway..
It comes out that Uncle Don went to school with the director and Annie lands a role as his assistant. Giving her a great opening to slip in her own work. She is less thrilled about the lead role of the romantic comedy being played by Drew Danford. Her initial thoughts aren’t sexy or nice. And her thoughts are more embarrassing the following day when she runs into him spilling scalding hot coffee. He ends up bumping into her frequently throughout the time of her employment. Its intense and Annie has already come to the conclusion that Drew only talks to her so he can mock her. Eventually she finds out there is more under the pretty outside shell.
“[pg. 191] He’s funny and he’s sweet and he’s a good kisser with a body that makes me want to rub my hands all over it the same way I compulsively need to touch those sequinned mermaid pillows when I see them at Target.”
Annie does try her hand at dating throughout this weird situation with Drew. She ends up dating “sexy guffer” (real name is Carter, but who cares). There is no chemistry there and Carter actually points out that she likes Drew and Drew wants her. On a side note.. Annie’s date with Barry (set up by Chloe, of course) is fucking hilarious. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong.
In the end, Drew and Annie end up tangled in the sheets together and this is where I felt something was missing. Primarily, details. Big. Dirty. Details. This is the one part where I felt there could have been some intense loving moments. But instead, I felt as frustrated as Chloe.. watching the build up until it happens and then.. nothing. Very PG 13. Moving on. Annie then decides that she is going to take a photo of half naked sleeping Drew in her bed to send to Chloe as proof. WHY? I’m sure she didn’t need proof. This level of stupidity combined with technology is reason for a high divorce rate.. I’m sure of it.
Unfortunately, she sends the photo to a Gossip Column and Drew is pissed. He flies to New York the next day after trying to get to talk to Annie, but she ignores him! AGAIN… WHY??? In fairness, she also discovers that her mother was having an affair with a married man close to the end of her life and the perfect ideal she has idolized her parents marriage, comes shattering down. Uncle Don also turns out not to be a complete geek and has a girlfriend.. which everyone is a bit surprised about.
Unfortunately, she sends the photo to a Gossip Column and Drew is pissed. He flies to New York the next day after trying to get to talk to Annie, but she ignores him! AGAIN… WHY??? In fairness, she also discovers that her mother was having an affair with a married man close to the end of her life and the perfect ideal she has idolized her parents marriage, comes shattering down. Uncle Don also turns out not to be a complete geek and has a girlfriend.. which everyone is a bit surprised about.
She eventually realizes that after 2 weeks she is in love with Drew and tracks him down in NYC. Where she looks like a complete stalker but is able to grab his attention and spill her glitter infested heart to him in front of a live audience. They kiss, birds chirp, people cheer and all across NYC hearts are melting.
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