Waiting for Nick
3 Stars

Freddie Kimball has been in love with Nick LaBreque for as long as she can remember. As a talented lyricist, Freddie seizes the opportunity to work with Nick on his new musical project. She is determined to convince him that she is something more than the younger step-cousin he has always seen her as.

While Freddie's strength and determination to fulfill her dreams whether they be personal or professional are charming, she can also be quite manipulative, and this only serves to undermine her appeal.

Nick is also a problematic hero. His selfish and immature tendencies were apparent in Rachel and Zack's book, and they have only become more annoying in his own story.

Despite these issues, they do have great chemistry and their bickering and banter is entertaining.

As always, the cameo appearances by the other Stanislaski's are wonderful and characters from one of Nora's earlier series, The O'Hurley's, also play a role in the story. I have not yet read any of these, but am intrigued by the pairings and will get to them during my ongoing read of Nora's backlist.

Overall, not the strongest installment in the series, but it has its moments. ( )

i loved it!
( )

This is my favorite of the series. I do love a bad boy and Nick has a special place in my heart. ( )

This is the 5th book in the Stanislaski series, and my favorite of that series.

Freddie Kimball is the daughter of Spence Kimball from Taming Natasha. Nick LeBeck is the brother of Zack Muldoon from Falling for Rachel. They met back in Falling for Rachel, when Freddie was 13 and Nick was 19.

Back then, Nick was trouble, but becoming part of the Stanislaski family straightened him out, and he's now a respected composer. In fact, he's been asked to write the songs for a new musical for Maddie O'Hurley (Dance to the Piper). Unfortunately, his usual lyricist can't work with him.

Which is fortunate for Freddie, who offers her services, and after quite a bit of arguing, she convinces him to work with her.

What Nick doesn't know is that writing lyrics is just the tip of the iceberg of Freddie's plans. She's been in love with him for years, and has decided that it's time to do something about it.

Nick has trouble initially thinking of Freddie as someone other than a young girl, a sort-of-cousin. He's also troubled by his past, feeling that a former gang member is definitely not good enough for Freddie. And then there's the whole family looking over their shoulders. But Freddie's nothing if not determined.

There were the expected appearances of other family members from the series, as well as the O'Hurleys from another of Nora's series, but in this case, it didn't seem remotely forced. Freddie and Nick were members of the same extended family, so it would have seemed odd if the family hadn't shown up. And the O'Hurleys were a nice bonus, but also logical.

I always like the books where the h/h have known each other a long time. Something about them knowing each other so well & falling in love with the whole person. Odd, because I was married within 6 months of meeting Carl, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Maybe it's the contrast with real life that appeals to me.

Surprise, surprise, I don't have any complaints with this one. It's just a sweet, feel-good book that leaves me smiling:

* I smiled when Freddie came to New York with her 3-fold plan.
* I smiled through all their bickering about the songs.
* I smiled at Nick's reaction to meeting Chantal O'Hurley (Skin Deep).
* I smiled when Nick wanted to get her some brandy or a glass of water "for the shock" after the first time they made love (well, okay, I laughed).
* I smiled when the family discussed Freddie & Nick's budding romance after the anniversary party.
* I smiled when Spence gave Nick a hard time & said it was his duty as a father.

etc., etc. ( )

This is the story of grown-up little girl, Freddie Kimball, from Taming Natasha and Nick Muldoon, the punk step-brother, from Falling for Rachel. Freddie fell in love with Nick the first time she saw him in her grandparent’s house. At the time, her aunt Rachel was Nick’s attorney and Freddie was only 13-years-old. Now 24, Freddie decides to finally go after her man. Not only does the whole crazy Stanislaski crew make an appearance in this book, but the O’Hurleys, another of Nora Roberts’ families (from a different series) also made a brief appearance. That was fun little surprise. Unfortunately, I haven’t located all of the O’Hurley books, so I haven’t read that series yet. Full review: http://passionforthepage.blogspot.com/2008/06/stanislaski-series-by-nora-roberts... ( )