College sophomore Emily Dilbert has been best friends with Dylan Chamberlain since the second grade. When she finds an engagement ring in Dylan’s backpack, she panics and vows to do whatever it takes to stop him from marrying a girl he barely knows.
Dylan Chamberlain has been in love with his brother’s girlfriend, Emily, since they were kids. When his brother asks for help planning a surprise proposal, Dylan knows it’s time to bury his feelings and finally let Emily go. If only his heart would cooperate.
After her roommates fail to lure Dylan away from his girlfriend, Emily is forced to confront him directly. When she accidentally puts them in a compromising position, will Dylan reveal his long-buried feelings, or will Emily realize she’s dating the wrong brother?
My Thoughts:
Stalling for Time by Christy Hayes brims with romantic tension. This novel held my attention from beginning to end, largely due to the romance. Emily and Dylan suit each other, but her long-term relationship with Zach, Dylan’s older brother, creates a sensitive love triangle. From the start, I wanted her to end up with Dylan and rooted for that throughout the novel.
The plot moves quickly as a response to all the romance. Between the attraction, secret feelings, and tension, I wanted to finish this book in one sitting. Limited character development occurs in the second half of the novel as the characters struggle with what they truly want, how to be honest, and who to commit to.
Overall, I enjoyed Stalling for Time, but I was surprised by some of the content. One make-out scene had excessive detail that pushed the boundaries of clean romance. The novel also depicts college life realities: casual sex, drinking, fake ids, etc.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of
this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
