The first time I saw a Tom Hanks romance movie, I was sitting in an MRI while they played “Sleepless In Seattle” in front of my eyes. Bet you never expected to hear that, did you? As silly as that may be, I quickly watched all the Tom Hanks movies that I could. Reading this story was like fate to me. This book was adorable. The characters weren’t as strong as I wanted them to be, but the story was fitting for all rom-com fans alike!

Looking for your next summer read? You should put ‘Waiting for Tom Hanks’ in your list, especially if you’re a fan of rom-coms!

✨Book Review✨
‘Waiting for Tom Hanks’ is about Annie, and her obsession with rom-coms. In fact, she’s so obsessed that she wants her own life story to be a rom-com, right from the meet-cute to happily-ever-after. When she gets an opportunity to work in a movie, she realises that she can fulfil her lifelong dream, but she’s forced to reckon all the walls she’s built around herself over the years.

The part that I really liked about the book was about how we all need a break from reality sometimes. I personally watch romcoms when I’m PMSing, preferably with a lot of popcorn and ice cream. Yes, relationships are tough, but we all watch romcoms, not because we believe that everything will become perfect after we meet our soulmate, but about how they make everything better. Also, there’s another book in the works about Chloe and Nick which I am so excited about!

4.5ish stars, rounded. This was so completely charming, and I was ready for a classic rom-com binge watch session after reading this. Annie believes passionately in romantic comedies- she's writing one, and she's holding out for her own Tom Hanks-esque hero to help her live her own. This story was sweet and heartwarming, and should be on everyone's radar as a perfect feel-good story. The more love you have for the Nora Ephron canon (and for Tom Hanks, of course), the more you'll enjoy this story.

Thank you @netgalley for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was the perfect feel-good, downright cute story that I was hoping it would be. Was it predictable at times? Of course, but that’s the appeal of rom-coms!! They are light, entertaining and always leave you smiling like a fool. I’m a huge fan of that genre of movies and absolutely loved all of the references about my favs throughout this book.

“This is your romantic comedy. You have the sad backstory and the montage of ridiculous dating experiences and big career aspirations and the loveable family and, most importantly, the charming and super cute BFF.”

Annie is obsessed with rom-coms and set on finding her own Tom Hanks. No, not the actual actor, but the infamous character that he plays so well in all of those adorable movies. Who knew that her fantasies could come true when a production company roles into town and she lands a job on set!!

There wasn’t a single character that I didn’t like in this story - even dumpster bagel Barry made me laugh out loud numerous times! Annie was the perfect rom-com heroine who was slightly oblivious, yet had wonderfully witty dialogue and was beyond charming. I loved the side characters - especially Chloe and Dungeon and Dragons obsessed Uncle Don. I’m excited to see the storyline will continue with Chloe and Nick in a sequel called Not Like The Movies. I wouldn’t mind seeing Sexy Gaffer get his own book too eventually. That houseboat would make a great setting!!!

Overall, this was a quick, light romance that will leave you with all of the sappy feels and a need to binge watch every wonderful rom-com ever made!!!

I read an arc provided by NetGalley and then bought an audiobook and listened, as well.

I won't copy & paste the blurb, but in a nutshell, the h is an aspiring screenplay writer who gets a job on the set of a rom-com that's filming in her Ohio hometown.
She accidentally spills coffee over the main actor, the H and makes all the wrong assumptions about him.

It's a very cute story. I enjoyed reading it, but I think I liked listening to it even better.
I LOVED Drew, Nick, Chloe, and Carter.
Annie was a little frustrating but quirky which I love.
She was a little too obsessed with romantic comedies and didn't have realistic expectations, but it allowed the story to be more of a slow burn vs. an insta-love, so again, that was fine.

Drew was swoony sweet and put way more effort into their friendship than Annie by watching her favorite movies and hanging out at Nick's place to see her.
I guess we all would feel like Annie and think there's no chance that a famous sexy actor would truly be interested in her.

The story flowed well and I was impressed that it's Kerry's debut novel.
She has a great sense of humor and I look forward to reading Nick and Chloe's story.
Chloe's a trip, and I can't wait to get inside her head. She also is the sole care provider for her father.
Nick is a little broody and grumpy, which again, I love.

This story would make an adorable movie.

I absolutely loved this premise and was beyond excited to get a copy of it.

I liked Annie well enough. She's beyond obsessed with rom-coms and I feel like that was her entire personality. She is a good person and she has drive, but literally everything in her life is set around finding a Tom Hanks. Drew had a lot of potential. For me, it seemed like we didn't get to know too much about him as Annie had made an early decision that he wasn't Her Tom. I loved her BFF Chloe and Uncle Don so much and their scenes are the best.

Plot wise, it was okay. I did enjoy the airport scene and the grand gesture was sweet. I especially loved the little epilogue type snippet we got at the end. The rest of the story felt slightly repetitive. The constant comparison of Annie's life to movies got really old really fast and instead of being amused by the idea of her basically self-narrating her life, I was annoyed. I would have liked to seen more of a connection between Annie and Drew as she realized that life is not a actually a movie...even some normal conversation would have been helpful. They seemed to jump to love quite quickly.

Overall, it was a quick read with secondary characters who kept me reading. I'm 1000000% here for a Chloe and Nick book.

**Huge thanks to Berkley for providing a finished copy free of charge**

I love a good romcom, be it on screen or on paper. When I picked up Kerry Winfrey's Waiting For Tom Hanks, all I really had to go on was the fact that the heroine loved romcoms so much, she was waiting for her own to happen.. I picked it up with the hopes that the main character would be as relatable as I thought she would be, and I have to say: I was not disappointed. Not only was Annie super relatable, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed everything else in this story: the writing, the romance, and specially the side character, who all really shined in this story. 

This book follows Annie, a romcom obsessed aspiring writer who spends her days daydreaming about a love like the one in Sleepless in Seattle. Because of the expectations she has built due to these movies, her love life is pretty much nonexistent. She is so wrapped up in waiting for her Tom Hanks that she does not notice when she meets her perfect match. 

Like I mentioned previously, the main character Annie was super relatable to me. Not in the sense that I am myself waiting for my Tom Hanks (lol!), but more because I understand her when she talks about how romcoms are her escape when life sucks. I also enjoyed watching her go after what she wants in life and realize that if she wants to follow her dreams, she has got to stop being frozen in place: she needs to do something, because that is the only way her dream will be realized. 

There is one thing though, that I did not like about Annie, and that is how quick she was to blame our hero for everything. As soon as they meet, she already makes up this idea of who she is in her mind, and initially does not even give him a chance, believing more on celebrity gossip than on who's right in front of her. I didn't appreciate how she assumed things constantly about him without getting facts from Drew himself first. It got me on my nerves a few times, specially because a lot of the misunderstandings could've been avoided if she had not done so much assuming.

I loved Drew! I wish this was dual POV, because I would've loved to get inside his brain. I would've loved to know what he was thinking most of the time, specially in the first few chapters when he started to like Annie. But even without his POV, I smiled so big whenever he showed up in the page! 

I had the same little problem with him that I had with Annie at the end. Annie accidentally does something pretty bad by the end of the book (every romcom needs that final drama at the very end of the book, apparently haha), and he immediately gets annoyed and leaves, without even properly listening to what Annie has to say first! C'mom guys, communication is key!

Aside from all of those problems I had with the two main character, I LOVED their romance. Their scenes together were absolutely adorable (there's specific scene in Annie's room that involves tugging on hair that might be my favorite), and I could not help but root for these two! I wanted them to be together so badly. I boo'ed whenever Annie went on another one of her flop dates, and I smiled whenever they shared a scene. They had so much chemistry from the very beginning, and I got so excited whenever Drew showed up during one of her dates, or went to her house to play D&D with Annie's uncle (to hide the fact that he wanted to see her, obviously).

But what really shined for me in this book was the side characters. I laughed out loud so many times with the coffee shop crew, Annie and Uncle Don's scenes made me smile so much, his D&D group (shoutout to Dungeon Master Rick) was so funny, and the banter between Chloe and Nick (gimme their book!! NOW!!!) was so amusing and fun to read about. They really made this romcom what it is: a romantic comedy, and the book definitely would not have been the same without them

I laughed out loud so many times reading this delightful book, I think my roommates think I’m a crazy person now. All I did was laugh alone in my room reading for an entire afternoon, NO REGRETS. This a ray of witty, romcom, sunshine follows Annie, a Columbus, Ohio resident and romantic comedy aficionado, who gets a job on a real-life romcom movie set and immediately clashes with the star Drew Danforth.

Annie was a flawed main character who, in many ways, I couldn’t relate to. I think to truly understand some of her decisions and character growth you have to acknowledge that most of her actions are centered around the real grief she is still experiencing after losing her mom at such a pivotal time in her life. Yes, this book is light and funny, but Annie’s deep sadness over her mom is her primary motivation.

My favorite part about this book was Annie’s interactions with the secondary characters. There were parts during her blind date with Benny I actually had to put the book down I was laughing so hard. I am anxiously awaiting Nick and Chloe’s story, and Uncle Don was just so pure. And who can forget about Dungeon Master Rick??

I enjoyed Annie’s sweet and awkward romance with Drew, but in many ways, it wasn’t a highlight of this book. She was working so hard at rejecting him, and her feelings, many of her interactions with Drew were when she became the most unlikable and immature. I liked Drew, but he was in no way a main character. This was more about Annie getting out of her rut with Drew as a catalyst.

I have to say, you do have to have a solid base of pop culture and romantic comedy knowledge to really appreciate all the snappy dialogue in this thoroughly modern novel. There were times I was reading (and laughing) but also thinking that my mom or grandma might not understand this book.

Overall, I really enjoyed Ms. Winfrey’s first foray into adult romance. WAITING ON TOM HANKS is a hilarious, poignant, and nuanced romantic comedy for a modern generation. Can I get a release date on Nick and Chloe’s book PLEASE??

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

3.5 Stars

The perfect rom com, for the woman who’s been waiting for rom coms.

I’m talking about me. Over the last eight months I lamented about the absence of Rom Com movies. How there used to be a new one out every six months. Something to cure my need for laughs and a love story on the big screen. When this book appeared, I thought it the answer to my prayers. It was and wasn’t in equal parts, but it’s still a good book.

From hijinks to crazy characters, main and secondary, this book hit the high notes and reminded me of all the things I loved about Rom com movies (FYI I’ve seen a lot), almost as many as the author watched before writing this.

The great part is that the heroine, Annie loves these movies as much as I do, and she can quote multiple ones. Her flaws, and determination to find her own Tom Hanks are endearing. There’s a sad, but cute backstory family based and steeped in love. A plucky best friend who, thankfully, is getting her own book, and has a love hate relationship with the owner of a local coffee shop. To be honest, I kept picturing the coffee shop owner as Luke from Gilmore Girls, grumpy and taciturn. Best friend Chloe is such a Lorelei. But I digress…

Annie is our heroine and she is a bit obtuse when it comes to possible happily ever after’s smacking her right in the face. For a woman determined to write Rom Com’s into movies, she doesn’t catch on to the big picture that is our hero, Drew Danforth.

He is so Tom Hanks worthy. Honestly, when I read him I was reminded of Chris Pratt. That’s how I pictured it. The best stories can do that, get images churning in your head. Drew is definitely treated abysmally by our heroine, which is what made this book a little hard to enjoy. For a guy, Drew is just interested in Annie and she blocks him at every turn.

Add in a lackluster black moment and I the ending of this book just didn’t live up to my expectations from the front end. Others may find Annie’s motivations far more convincing than I did. There are plenty of laughs and some memorable moments and characters. Cue Uncle Don, Annie’s D&D loving uncle. But for me, this book started out fabulous with a little crazy stuck in there and headed on a train wreck straight to the end.

Perfect for those who love a good Nora Ephron rom com a la Sleepless in Seattle or When Harry Met Sally. Equal parts silly, humorous, and with that heady romance feel that’ll make you climb to the top of the Empire State Building to meet the man you’ve heard talk on the radio.

~ Landra

Waiting for Tom Hanks is a light, fluffy read that’ll make you want to curl up and watch a ’90s rom-com after you finish it. Like our heroine, Annie Cassidy, I grew up watching rom-coms like Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail with my mother. These movies have always been joyful, brought hope, and made you want to find a Tom Hanks-like person of your own. Author Kerry Winfrey drew me in immediately with her buoyant tone and clear love of rom-com tropes.

Waiting for Tom Hanks is a bit of a difficult book for me to review. I wanted to love it; the nostalgia factor alone could easily sell me on this story. But I struggled a lot with Annie’s character and – try as I might to like her – she simply wasn’t the Meg Ryan/Sandra Bullock/Nora Ephron hybrid she envisioned herself as. Annie is a writer with dreams of becoming the next Nora Ephron and finding her very own Tom Hanks. Her obsession with rom-coms was endearing at first and Ms. Winfrey did show why these movies touched Annie so deeply. But Annie’s insistence on framing every event in her love life through the lens of a movie did start to grow tiresome as the story went on. She showed a distinct lack of growth and maturity, and nowhere was this more apparent than in her relationship with Drew. Drew Danforth is a Hollywood hottie filming a rom-com in Annie’s neighborhood. To Annie, Drew is no Tom Hanks and despite the fact that he’s never anything less than nice and patient, she’s pretty rude to him for a good portion of the book. Why Drew falls for her is beyond me and I really wanted to shake the man and tell him to run for it. He’s a funny, likeable hero who loves his family and is genuinely kind to the quirky characters of Annie’s hometown. So why he sticks around a person who runs hot-and-cold, believes every tabloid headline she reads, and alternates between trying to shove him in and push him out of her fantasy narrative is beyond me. The plot requires it, is all I can say.

Annie is the center of Waiting for Tom Hanks and I just couldn’t connect with her. But fortunately Drew and a strong supporting cast lifted the book back up. Annie’s sci-fi/fantasy-loving uncle charmed the heck out of me, her best friend, Chloe, was vibrant and endearing, grumpy coffee shop owner Nick made me smile, the even grumpier Dungeon Master Rick made me smile, and even the slightly odd duck Gary made me laugh (and want to get the details on his marriage because that guy has one crazy interesting story, I’m sure of it). So even though Waiting for Tom Hanks didn’t quite live up to the promise of its premise, I would still read more of Ms. Winfrey’s work.

Very fun and light romance. I loved it. It was just the type of book I needed to read in between reading more heavy suspense thriller type books. Lots of funny parts, and you just have to love all the characters! Looking forward to the next one from this author.

Waiting for Tom Hanks was a pleasant surprise for my RomCom-loving soul. While the main character was a bit much to take at times, this feel-good story will remind you of all the amazing reasons why you love films like "You've Got Mail", "Two Weeks Notice", etc. If you're looking for a great summer vacation read, I'd recommend packing this one in your suitcase!

I really, really enjoyed this book. I'm not one to read a lot of contemporary books, mainly because I find them boring and would rather read something fantastical, but this is a book I would definitely pick up again if I were given the option to redo my decision.

Annie wasn't my favorite main character ever, but given the meet-cute premise of this book, I think I can let my slight issues with her fall to the wayside. Why is that? The book is just pure, light fluff. It's not supposed to be anything life-changing, but it brings happiness and is entertaining.

Drew Danforth is the Hollywood goofball that doesn't seem to take anything seriously. The way Annie describes him sounds horrible, but I loved him upon first meeting. He's really the guy next door type, down to earth and close to his family. More shy and private to the public. I think I really enjoyed him because he reminds me of Chris Evans in a way.

I totally enjoyed Annie and Drew's interactions and they always made me want more.

For the supporting characters, Chloe and Nick are amazing. They nearly steal the entire story. I would totally be interested in reading more about them in the future!

Overall, I ended up giving 5 stars to this book.

As someone who is single, reads romance, and has an avid imagination, I can completely relate to the grand notion of meeting “the one.” For Annie Cassidy her story looks like something Nora Ephron would dream up. Think 90’s type rom-com which stars a slightly hapless heroine, her, and an unassuming Tom Hanks-like hero.

“I have it all: the sympathetic backstory, the montage of humiliations minor and major, unrealized career aspirations, the untamed pre-makeover hair. But still, I wait. Single, lonely, Hanksless.”

Amid all the daydreams and real life missed potential is some self-sabotage. Actively looking for the one doesn’t fit within the serendipitous scenarios she’s dreamt up, and in some ways it causes her to let life pass her by. An example of this being when Annie gets a job as an assistant to a director shooting a major picture in her town. Her meet cute with the films lead isn’t the moment we the readers were hoping for and her preconceived notions about the actor mean the moment was lost on her too.

In Annie’s opinion Drew Danforth is everything a leading rom-com hero is not. He’s known being snobbish and playing up to the paparazzi, but had she measured him on his own merits she would have noted how adorable and down to earth he really was. But of course her distain for him is a vehicle for an enemies to lovers type dynamic to their relationship.

Although not quite a box office sensation Waiting for Tom Hanks was an enjoyable extravaganza of cheesy movements with nods to many personal rom-com favourites.

It has to be said the thunder was stolen by secondary character and best friend to Nora, Chloe. She was a great character to read and I really can’t wait to read her book.

How can you not love a good Rom-Com? Especially of the 1990's variety? And who doesn't adore Tom Hanks? I mean, if it's you - we can't be friends, because I don't care if he's looking like a starving Yeti on a deserted tropical island talking to a volleyball, getting a wish granted by ZOLTAR, or a greedy, but dashing bookstore owner - the man is THE MAN. Ask my husband who is man crush is - he will always answer: Tom Hanks.

This book is a love story - a love story to all those movies that take your expectations of finding a man to the Tom hanks level of requirements. And Annie is doing just that. Not only does she wish to become a screenwriter and work in the movies - following in Nora Ephron's footsteps (her idol, of course) - but she has made it a necessity to star in her own personal rom-com relationship story, and will settle for nothing less than finding her own personal Tom Hanks. Houseboat optional (but a definite bonus!)

When a movie starts filming in her town and she lands a coveted job on set - all the signs of a great Rom-Com just seem to start raining down around her. The only problem is the guy they happen with - is a total jerk. And definitely NOT up to the Tom Hanks equivalent of standards.

This book is sweet, and fun. It's just like any of your favorite romantic comedies - a bit of romance, not too steamy, adorable cast of quirky characters - it's literally an ode to the Rom-Com. It's chock full of TV and movie references and I found myself smiling the entire way through, reminiscing watching them all and falling in love, with falling in love.

If you loved Sleepless in Seattle, or You've Got Mail you'll adore this cute story. If you laughed or cried watching 27 Dresses or Love, Actually - this book is for you. It's cute, it's entertaining, and a whole lot of charming - just like Tom Hanks.

Waiting for Tom Hanks is a really cute romantic comedy mixing moments of hilarity while also mining the depths of our characters hearts. There are tons of comparisons to our favorite romantic comedies and every man Annie meets is compared to her favorite leading characters played by actor Tom Hanks. Hence the title of the book. The author walked a fine line between overplaying those two comparisons but somehow I accepted every mention.

The romance between Annie and Drew was antagonistic at first due to Annie’s misconception about Drew’s lack of Tom Hanks-like attributes. I enjoyed their clever dialog and found myself rooting for Drew early on but sat patiently reading until Annie got past her misconceptions.

Part of what made this novel so enjoyable was the cast of characters. Annie’s kooky best friend, her Dungeons & Dragons playing uncle, and the nutty director of the movie all added depth and fun to their scenes, as well as helped round out Annie’s character. Through her interactions with them the reader is able to see her as more of a sympathetic character because at first she is rather mean to Drew and that could’ve been hard to overlook.

This novel was one of my most anticipated reads for June. Did it live up to my expectations? It had a great meet cute, subtle humor, solid friendships, kooky best friend, and hot love interest. YEP! I wasn’t disappointed at all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalleyfor my honest review and it was honest.

This book was less a romance novel, and more a love letter to Romantic Commedies. I will admit I found the MC incredibly annoying, because I wanted to shake her and tell her to get over her weird obsession with thinking life is like a movie. If you are interested in a book about romcoms, I reccomend “I’ll have what she’s having”, the book about Nora Ephron and her movies. I am looking forward to the second book though, because Chloe was an amazing side character who deserves her own story

I'm all in my feelings about this book! It is love letter to romantic comedies and falling in love, no matter how it happens.
I loved all the characters, especially Drew and Annie. As an Ohioan, I loved that it was set in Columbus.
It was fun, it was charming, it was great! So, so, great!

Waiting for Tom Hanks is cheesy, but it’s unabashedly so.  It wraps its arms around you and charms you with its tropes and tries to make you love it, almost in spite of any grumpy misgivings you might have about it when you part its covers.  It does have some nagging problems that means it doesn’t get a fully enthusiastic recommendation, but it’s readable and fun.  Consider it more of a Money Pit than a Splash or Sleepless in Seattle.

Aspiring screenplay writer Annie Cassidy is yearning for her own Tom Hanks and a Nora Ephron-style meet-cute to decorate her life.  After years of obsessing over the romcoms she and her mom used to watch together as comfort food – and comparing her own relationship to the seemingly incomparable one between her father and her mother - she can’t imagine living a life without meet-cutes, big sweeping love confessions and races to or from the airport.  But sadly, she’s no closer to meeting her mister right – or having a fully independent life -  than she was in her teens. Currently twenty-seven and sharing a Victorian house with her nerdy Uncle Don, she works at a local café while trying to force her own romcom to life.  Just when it seems as if nothing exciting will ever happen to shake up her dull grey world, news arrives that director Tommy Crisante is going to shoot his next movie in her hometown of German Village, Ohio.

Annie, with some friendly nudging from her best friend Chloe and a personal connection via Don, applies for – and gets the job - of Tommy’s assistant.  Annie hopes to both get some professional traction on her screenplay and meet her Tom Hanks on the set, and when she makes a pre-first-day visit to take a peek at the set she runs face-first into actor Drew Danforth’s chest, and it looks like fate has intervened at last.

Drew turns out to be a surprisingly kind and shy guy, but years of expectations and tabloid rumors about Drew means that Annie’s not receptive to the notion of his being her Tom Hanks.  Another crew member, Nick, provides more of a Hanks-ian vibe – and then there’s Barry, whom Chloe sets Annie up with and who turns out to be a total mess.  Will any of them turn out to be Annie’s Tom Hanks – or has he been right in front of her the whole time?

The only reason I can’t wholeheartedly recommend Waiting for Tom Hanks is the heroine.  Annie is frustratingly immature and painfully credulous for a twenty-seven- year-old.  The reasons for this are understandable; she’s put the breaks on her life to live in a fantasy world, and it takes a dose of reality to make her realize that not everything’s a silver-screen-ready moment – but that doesn’t give her a pass to be childlishly rude to Drew for large chunks of the book, often completely without reason.  For someone so trope-savvy she’s completely unable to realize she’s living through her own romcom.

Drew is amusingly sarcastic and is warm and caring by turns. Honestly, by the end of the book I ended up wishing he had a better heroine to play off of.  His half of the romance is cute but ugh, it takes Annie so long to grow up!

The book has a lot of great supporting characters.  I loves sassy Chloe and caring Uncle Don (I couldn’t fathom why in the world Annie was embarrassed about his nerdiness – I found him super charming!), and I was surprised by sloppy rough-around-the-edges Tommy, who could fill up a book on his lonesome.

Another big boon is Winfrey’s total mastery of the art of the romcom.  She obviously gets the genre, and knows it well enough to fondly tweak its clichés.  A lot of the fun of the book is to recognize all of the little references and jokes as you read.

With everything but the heroine providing a worthwhile performance, Waiting for Tom Hanks is readable and enjoyable, but imperfect.

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I thought this was a fun summer read, even though I found it to be a bit trite I the obsessive romantic comedy admiration. It won't stop me from recommending it as a poolside brain candy read.