I seem to be one of the few that absolutely head over heels loves this book. I adored the characters, the scene was set wonderfully, the narration was 10/10 for me. I cried, I laughed out loud, I rode the roller coaster of emotions. This book hit me to hard in the feels, I’m sad I’ve already read it and can no longer experience it for the first time. It is book 2, but these are interconnected stand alones, and therefore don’t need to be read in order to thoroughly enjoy. I honestly can’t say much without giving away the plot or key moments, but I can promise that getting to know these men is absolutely worth it ♥️

This is your PSA that Alexis Hall has another book out that is beautifully narrated by the über talented Will M. Watt. Seriously I could listen to him read me his grocery list. Audiobook lovers, this one is for you! There are books that are made to be listened to and Alexis Hall’s lush writing, emotions, and imagery come to life so beautifully when spoken from Will Watt’s voice.

There are a combination of stories that seamlessly flow from Edwin and Adam’s meeting to Marius and Leo’s. Waiting for the Flood is a novella where we meet fragile Edwin living in the home he purchased with his ex Marius expecting a storm to wash it away. He never expects to meet affable Adam who is kind, and smiley, and a beam of sunshine on Edwin’s life.

How lucky are we to have the dynamic combination of Will Watt’s voice with Alexis Hall’s dynamic writing? This is truly a match made in heaven and my favorite narration of the year.

Waiting for the Flood was another beautiful Alexis Hall romance novel, this time consisting of two separate love stories - both following characters from a couple that had a very heart-breaking break up a couple of year ago. In these two stories we find out how both of them found love again - maybe not in the most conventional ways, but epic and unforgettable exactly because of that.
I loved the slow blossoming of our two main characters, from being hurt and feeling more than a little bit broken, to accepting that they are deserving of love from someone else while also learning to love themselves. Just another Alexis Hall hit!

I had a really fantastic time with these stories! I've really fallen in love with Alexis Hall's writing, and this series of contemporary romances are really enjoyable to read! Edwin and Adam were so cute, and I'm glad that we then got to spend some time with Edwin!

I did have these books as audio ARC's from NetGalley, and I didn't realize going in that Chasing the Light was at the end of Waiting for the Flood. So I was pretty surprised when Waiting for the Flood ended, and there was still quite a chunk of audiobook left to hear. I'm really glad though!

Waiting for the Flood, Edwin is a bit damaged, he thought his love was going to last forever with Marius. But since it didn't, he's kind of drifting through life, never really experiencing it. And then the flood warming happens, and he meets Adam, and oh, I adored the pair of them together!

Marius was really interesting to read about. We saw Edwin's part of the story, and I'm glad that we got Marius's, because sometimes, things just don't work out in a relaitonship, that doesn't mean that they're bad people. So I really enjoyed getting his story, too!

Loved reading these stories and I can't wait to continue on with the series!

I really loved this novella. It was beautifully written. The audiobook was fantastic. The narrator had such a rich voice and really brought this book to life.

This is one of a series re-released of Alexis Hall's earlier work, I wasn't a fan of the first in the series but quite liked this installment

I loved reading this book, so when I saw that an audiobook was available as well, I snatched it up! I loved the two intertwining stories and I found that the narrator was suburb in this audiobook!

Not gonna lie….this took me awhile to get through. Was taking my time soaking it up.
This works a lot better physically reading than listening. You’ll get more out of Alexis Hall’s prose.

What to expect…
- soft romance
- forced proximity
- melancholic tone but uplifting story!
- strange & beautiful prose

Thank you to the author, the publisher, & to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alexis Hall is a fav author of mine! I loved Glitterland and Boyfriend Material! I was really excited for Waiting for The Flood. This is book two of The Spires Universe.

“Life is so full of rough edges - small tasks and expectations that scratch you bloody and remind you that you're naked and alone.”

Twelve years ago, Edwin Tully moved to Oxford and fell in love with Marius, a brilliant artist. Two years ago, their relationship ended. Now, Edwin lives alone, tending to damaged books and memories in their former home. When a flood brings Adam Dacre from the Environment Agency into Edwin's life, this unexpected arrival offers him a chance at something he thought was lost forever. As they bond over battling the rising waters, Edwin learns that he doesn't have to shield himself from everything and sometimes, it's okay to let someone in.

"I don't know where love ends and habit begins."

What you’ll find in Waiting for The Flood:
LGBTQIA+ Romance
Loveliest Bean X Loveliest Bean
Tea Making & Caretaking
There’s Only One Boat (& One Bed)
Finding Things (Particularly Love) Where You Least Expect To

"Waiting for the Flood" is the second book in the Spires Universe series by Alexis Hall, offering a touching and introspective look at love, loss, and new beginnings. The story follows Edwin Tully, who moved to Oxford twelve years ago and fell deeply in love with an artist named Marius. For ten years, they shared a life and a home, but two years ago, their relationship ended, leaving Edwin to live alone with his memories and a collection of damaged books.

As Edwin navigates his solitary existence, a severe weather event changes everything. The rising river threatens to flood his home, bringing with it Adam Dacre from the Environment Agency. Adam, with his rugged hands and practical demeanor, is an unlikely savior, but he provides Edwin with something invaluable: hope.

As they work together to save Edwin’s home from the floodwaters, an unexpected bond forms. Edwin, who has been guarding his heart carefully, finds himself opening up to Adam, learning that not all losses are devastating and that sometimes, letting go is the key to moving forward.

**Review:**
"Waiting for the Flood" is a beautifully written novella that captures the essence of healing and the courage it takes to start anew. Alexis Hall’s prose is lyrical and evocative, immersing readers in Edwin’s quiet, introspective world. The novella explores deep emotional themes with sensitivity and grace, making it a poignant addition to the Spires Universe series.

Edwin Tully is a wonderfully complex character. His journey from heartbreak to hope is depicted with a realism that is both painful and uplifting. Hall’s portrayal of Edwin’s grief and his slow, tentative steps towards opening his heart again is profoundly moving. The character of Adam Dacre is equally well-crafted, serving as a grounding force in Edwin’s tumultuous emotional landscape. Adam’s patience and kindness provide a stark contrast to Edwin’s fragility, making their developing relationship both believable and heartwarming.

The setting of a flood-prone Oxford adds a layer of urgency and tension to the narrative, symbolizing the uncontrollable forces that often shape our lives. The rising waters mirror Edwin’s internal struggle, creating a powerful metaphor for the potential of renewal and change.

Tropes
- Second Chances
- Healing and Growth
- Unexpected Love
- Rescue Romance:
- Metaphorical Setting

Overall, "Waiting for the Flood" is a tender and reflective romance that highlights the resilience of the human spirit. Alexis Hall’s masterful storytelling and deep understanding of emotional complexities make this novella a standout in contemporary LGBTQ+ fiction. Fans of heartfelt, character-driven stories will find much to love in Edwin and Adam’s journey towards each other.

This book is not what I expected and the synopsis doesn't do it justice.  This is actually two novella's in one story.  One about Edwin who is struggling to move on after his boyfriend, Marius, of 10 years left him.  And one about Marius. The ending ties the two stories together and gives them both closure.  We discover why Marius left and we see Edwin close that chapter as he is growing in his next relationship. Beautiful stories both of them of heartbreak, anger, feelings of worthlessness and redemption. 

I was very confused when we switched to Marius's story since it didn't seem like that was a major plot of the story, which is why I feel the synopsis needs some adjusting. However, both stories complimented each other and how often do we get to hear both sides of the story? The narration was great and kept me engage. Not what I was expecting but really happy with what I got.

I recently had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook version, and I was absolutely captivated. The narration by Will Watt truly brought the story to life, with his impeccable range of voices perfectly capturing the essence of each character. His ability to convey the emotional depth and subtleties of the story added a whole new layer of engagement. The story, a touching tale of love, loss, and healing, was beautifully written, but Watt's performance elevated it to an extraordinary experience. The additional chapters and epilogue, not found in the ebook, were a delightful bonus. This audiobook is a testament to how a skilled narrator can enhance the beauty of a story.

This book contained both waiting for the flood and chasing the light as well as some fun bonus material. I enjoyed both stories but I enjoyed chasing the light a bit more, even though I loved the characters of waiting for the flood more. They were both novellas and I wish they had been longer because I wanted more.

waiting for the flood
Edwin and Adam are so sweet together! I loved them. Adam calling Edwin Petal?! I swooned so hard. That is probably one of my favorite nicknames now. I liked seeing the representation of a character with a stutter. I did struggle a bit with this one though because of the game theory talk between Edwin and Adam. All of that talk went straight over my head, so I was confused at times.

chasing the light
I liked seeing the difference between Marius and Edwin and how their stories differed as well as how they viewed their relationship ending. I loved that the two of them got some closure in this one. I thought that the way this one ended was great for Marius's character.

bonus material
I loved all the bonus material but I just have to say that the pierogis recipe from Marius's mom, was hilarious. Who knew a recipe could be funny?

audiobook specific: Will is a freaking master! The way he said Petal. God damn!! He also made the pierogis recipe extra funny. Amazing job on that section and the entire book. He knows how to give each character their own unique personality. In waiting for the flood there are little memories for each of the rooms in Edwin's house and Will made Edwin sound so wistful and longing. It was perfect.

content warning: grief, abandonment, eating disorder, sexual content, ableism

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ALC! This had some great dry humor, and I always appreciate a queer romance. The narration was fine, but this wasn't dazzling for me. Perfectly fine romance novel!

Alexis Hall can do no wrong. I have loved every single book I have read by Alexis Hall and I still have plenty to catch up on. Every romance lover should go and read these books as they are so well done and the characters are great.

Alexis Hall is absolute master of MM. Waiting for the flood is an interesting take on second chance romance. Although Edwin and Marius had a long relationship, this is a story of acceptance, morning on, and the idea that love endures even if looks different.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I have liked many of this author's previous books, but I did not care for this story or its characters.

I love Alexis Hall's books and this was no exception.
Edwin and Adam were adorable and I was so invested in their story.
I was not a fan of Marius but I loved the way his edges began to soften around Leo and that Leo didn't really entertain his bullshit.
One of my favourite things about Hall's books is the way they write parents for their characters. Odile was one of my favourite characters in the Boyfriend Material books and I completely fell in love with Marius' parents in this story.
This book fully cements Alexis Hall as an auto buy author for me!

Touching, tender & kind, WAITING FOR THE FLOOD is a gentle romance of second chances in the time of a winter flood. Bittersweet, even melancholic, WAITING FOR THE FLOOD still delivers Alexis Hall’s signature wit, warmth, and characters well worth rooting for.

First I would like to thank Dreamscape Media for providing me a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Note, the audiobook includes both Waiting for the Flood and Chasing the Light (companion novella)

Waiting for the Flood: This is the story of Edwin and Marius who met at Oxford fell in love and 10 years later Marius ended it. Waiting for the Flood is a story of Edwin and Marius after the breakup. While Oxford is getting record breaking flooding Edwin has to figure out how to deal with not only how he feels about the house he shared with Marius but also how he is feeling about Adam the Environment Agency worker who has been helping Edwin throughout the flood. Will Edwin be able to get over his past heartbreak and let someone as sweet and kind as Adam into his life/heart.

Second half of the book is about Marius, after running out of his parent’s house at Christmas (after seeing Edwin and Adam together) he slips on ice and is rescued by Leo, local boat owner and recluse. Marius has spent his life using people and pushing them away but being stuck in a boat he isn’t able to use his old tricks which forces him to let Leo get to know him. As they spend more time together Marius start to see that someone might actually want him as he is if he just lets them in.

What I Loved:
Audiobook quality, Dreamscape has the highest quality of audiobooks and this one did not disappoint. It was so easy to listen to at a higher speed but still got the nuisances of the different stories
Edwin, he is such a sweet human who just can’t understand what he did wrong with Marius but just wants to love someone and be loved the same way. I also love that he has a relationship with his old neighbor even when she tries to push him away
Adam, he is such the opposite of Edwin in looks and background but ends up being that puzzle pieces that fit perfectly with Edwin, he is so patient and kind with the best nicknames for Edwin
Two parter, I liked that this version of the audiobook has both the book and the novella I would have been a bit frustrated if I didn’t get to hear Marius’ side of the story and it was worth it
Leo, he lives on a boat and has decided to remove himself from general society even though he is meant to be around people. I love how he refuses to take any crap from Marius and doesn’t let him wiggle out of hard conversations

This book was such a great story that I didn’t really know I needed. If you are looking for a more emotional romance with past hurts and bright futures on the horizon I would recommend reading this book.