About the Book
Dillon Hayes is twenty-eight and single, an unfortunate status her overbearing family is determined to fix. So when she’s stuck on a cruise ship for a seven-day reunion with the lot of them, she’s desperate for any escape she can find, even if it means partnering with a sketchy stranger for an off-the-beaten-path snorkeling excursion. After her mother’s last matchmaking attempt, Dillon is more than willing to trade all her good sense for a few hours of solace.
Liam Gamble is stuck in the middle of family vacation hell. The worst part: it’s not even his family. This will be the last time he ever accepts a free-vacation invitation from his best friend. At this point, he’d be willing to hand over his life savings to get off this crazy ship. So when he catches one of his friend’s cousins sneaking off board, he decides to join her, hijacking her private excursion and nearly blowing her cover. If she gets to leave, so does he.
But what starts off as a secret escape turns into a very real nightmare when their shady tour guide leaves them stranded on an uninhabited island with nothing but the clothes on their backs and no idea how to keep themselves alive.
As hours turn into days, and the weather proves as threatening as their need for food and water, Dillon and Liam must join forces and rely on each other if they have any hope of seeing their families again. Funny thing: sometimes in life, the end of the rope is when you discover everything you value has been in front of you all along.
Excerpt
“Hey Dillon, want me to hold your suitcase?” How did he reach me so fast? Even my father had to bump and shove to make his way up here, but Chad approached like a cat burglar, all tiptoes and vapor shields. A little warning might have been nice.
“It’s on rollers.” I eye my bag and shrug. “I think I can manage, but thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Let me know if I can do anything to help. Hold your bags, lift them on board, help you to your room…”
Over my capsized body. I swallow a sigh and say nothing. Teddy however, doesn’t let the comment go.
“Dude, back off. I’m pretty sure Dillon can find the room on her own.”
“I’m just trying to help,” Chad mutters.
Teddy throws him a look. “Ask my aunt Christine if she needs help. Or better yet, help me. Here, hold my suitcase.” Teddy passes his oversized bag off and lets go without giving Chad a chance to protest. I look away quickly to keep myself from laughing, but catch the look on Liam’s face before turning all the way around. He rolls his eyes, then gives me a wink. Laughter bubbles up before I can stop it at the same time my face heats.
Liam.
As annoying as I find Chad’s over-attentiveness, I’d take the attention of Liam any day. When I first spotted him at a Fourth of July party a year ago, I went all mushy and nervous. Ten thousand fireflies lit up inside my stomach and they’ve never quite dimmed. In fact, every time I see him they tend to multiply. It’s hard to remain nonchalant when fire burns inside your lungs and limbs. I take a deep breath, working real hard not to look back at him. I fail miserably. I’ve looked twice and it’s only been five seconds.
Too bad he hates me. A girl makes one tiny crack about his questionable choice in profession and she’s vilified forever. He did just wink, though. Maybe that’s progress?
“I, for one, think you can manage your own bag,” a voice whispers from behind me. Of course it’s Liam because every cell on my skin stands at attention. I smile to myself and force my voice to work.
“That’s not very chivalrous of you,” I whisper back, proud of myself that my words sound steady.
“Nah, I’m just pro-feminism. Plus, there’s the fact that my own bag practically weighs three hundred pounds, and I can barely carry it. Never knew I was a weakling until now.”
Hardly, I think to myself. I’ve seen your arms and they are anything but weak.
I turn my head only slightly and follow my dad three steps forward. Finally, progress. Liam follows me, and I have the same thought.
“What on earth did you pack?” I ask him.
“Nothing but swim trunks and a couple kegs. A guy can’t be too prepared.”
My head whips around before I think better of it. Is he serious?
He winks at me again. He’s not serious.
I give him a look. “Nice to know I’m traveling with a teenage boy. Try not to get too drunk and fall overboard. I won’t be jumping in to save you. I just got my hair higlighted and I’m not about to ruin it for a man who makes bad choices.”
Review
No matter the story she’s telling, Amy Matayo is a writer I find hard to resist picking up, (A) because I adore her voice—that blend of sass, sarcasm, and self-deprecation—and (B) because I could read her characters’ dialogue ALL DAY. I love the banter, I love the way her characters interact, and I love their complexity, often appearing to be one thing on the surface but revealing a different side of themselves as the story unfolds.
The Waves is lighter in mood than some of this author’s other books that have featured deeply wounded or flawed characters, making this one an entertaining read as well as an engaging one. And the whole Robinson Crusoe-esque plot gave the story a really unique twist for a contemporary romance. In fact, it took me completely by surprise, since I hadn’t read the book description before picking it up! Lol. What can I say? Amy Matayo’s an auto-read for me, and if that means I get an extra plot twist, all the better!
And the romantic tension… it crackles in this book. The physical attraction is more overt than in most of the books I read, but it felt natural for the characters and their situation. It’s also underpinned by a growing emotional connection, and that’s where I found the most satisfaction, particularly as Dillon and Liam began to recognise what it meant to be “found” on more than one level.
In short, this was a highly enjoyable, highly engaging read, and I can’t wait to see what the next book in the series will bring.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
About the Author
Author Amy Matayo is an excellent speaker, mathematician, seamstress, chef…and liar. She’s decent at writing books but not much else. Then again, the book thing makes her marginally cool and a whole lot intimidating.
Not really. Not even her kids are afraid of her.
She graduated with barely passing grades from John Brown University with a degree in Journalism. But she’s proud of that degree and all the ways she hasn’t put it to good use.
She laughs often, cries easily, feels deeply, and loves hard. She lives in Arkansas with her husband and four kids and is working on her next novel.
Fantastic review, Katie – really value how you share your thoughts.
Thank you! xo