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Review of Waitin’ on Paige: First Line Friday

Friday, July 4th, 2025 by Heather Greer Start the Conversation

Review of Waitin’ on Paige: First Line Friday

Welcome to another First Line Friday review. This week I’m featuring Waitin’ on Paige by Mary Pat Johns. This is the fourth and I believe final installment in her Romance in Valiant series published by Scrivenings Press. This book releases on Tuesday, July 8th, but you can pre-order it now.

Today (July 4th) only you can also purchase the first three eBooks in the series for only 99¢ and catch up on the series before you start on this one. While you’re book shopping, please note that today is the final day in the Scrivenings Press 5th Birthday Celebration 99$ eBook sale. Snag Mary Pat’s books and a few more. Here is a link to all the titles that are on sale today.

Scrivenings Press Birthday Sale

Now, on to the first line.

Waitin’ on Paige First Line

“Jesse won’t miss his wedding day, Brenna.” – Waitin’ on Paige

A missing groom? That immediately ups the ante when you’re reading a contemporary romance!

My Review of Waitin’ on Paige

Before reading Waitin’ on Paige, I’d read the first book in the series. My lack of reading the two in the middle didn’t hamper my ability to understand what was happening in this book. While it can be enjoyed without the other books, I do suggest going back and reading them first, especially if you already know you’re going to anyway. Not only will this bring greater depth to the characters in this new story, details from the other books are shared in this one. So, if you want to avoid spoilers, just get all of them and read them in order. Though I didn’t do the same, I plan on going back to catch up with the ones I missed.

Waitin’ on Paige is a quick, enjoyable read. It took me two days to finish, but only because I had other work I had to do the day I began reading. It’s a feel-good story with just enough roadblocks on the way to romance to keep it interesting.

Early likable character fill the pages. Main characters from the previous books join the main characters of this one.Their friendships are relatable, and they’re a group you wouldn’t mind hanging out with in real life on a Friday night. They care about each other and know how to have a good time together.

And, like the character, Valiant seems like a great place to visit. It’s not perfect and the people who live there aren’t either, but it feels like a throwback to small town life where everyone spends Friday night at the football game and lazy afternoons in the backyard after church on Sunday. Kind of idyllic in the best way.

One theme presented is the idea of doing the wrong thing for the right reason (and a little bit the wrong reason, to be honest). It’s so relatable. Who hasn’t talked themselves into a decision, justifying it each step of the way? And if the object of our choice is the Hollywood star we’ve admired from afar, who wouldn’t be starry eyed enough to fall for charm? Between current choices and past regrets, there’s a lot in this book that could bring the mood down. However, the author does a great job of keeping the tone on the lighter side.

I really loved this story. For my review of Waitin’ on Paige, I give it a solid four stars. It’s an easy, enjoyable read for a relaxing afternoon of reading. I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. All opinions and reviews are my own and freely. given.