Customer Reviews

Wasted Heart

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was a treat in that not only were the characters unique to most lesbian romances, but it's really funny. I found myself laughing out loud in many spots. Austy, the main character, is like that one friend you want to be near in any public place just to hear the sometimes twisted, sometimes snide, mostly hilarious observations she makes.

Her predicament is that she's hung up on her best friend who is already partnered. So, she's relocated to Seattle and trying to start over, which is a slow process because of all that unrequited longing. Enter Elise, who is smart and gorgeous (of course) but even that doesn't instantly turn Austy's head. They build a working relationship, a friendship, and finally move into something more. (It is a romance after all, so I don't think I'm spoiling the ending.) The relationship is developed at just the right pace, making this book different from all those mushy, unrealistic romances out there. If you're looking for something original in a lesbian romance, this story won't let you down.

Lynn Galli has writen a smart, funny story with believable characters. We are treated to Austy's trials (literally, as she's an Assistant US Attorney) and tribulations as she settles into her new life in Seattle three thousand miles from her best friend and the woman she loves, or does she? FBI agent Elise Bridie makes an impression on Austy as her key witness on a case. While working on another case they forge a friendship that leads Austy to rethink her life in Seattle and love. Will she stay in Seattle or return to the love, friends and safety of life she had in Virginia? Are either Love or Safety real or just imagined for Austy? These are two of the feelings Austy must sort through as her old life insinuates it's self on the new life she is creating.

Austy is a character for sure. (pun intended) She had me laughing out loud with the inner musings of her mind. I couldn't put the book down and read it straight through. I agree with another reviewer, in that Austy is someone you want to be friends with and hang out with just for her comedic comentary on people and situations. I live south of Seattle, for now, so the landmarks were familiar to me and made me feel like I was right there with Austy, Elise and the others. I imagine hanging out with Austy and the Virginians say at Pike Place Market people watching would be a hoot.

Every great comedic team has a straight man that sets up the funny man. Austy is both, she is her own straight woman while her commentary and thoughts provide the comic relief in the midst of her life and interactions as she opens to new possibilities for herself.

Austy confides in us, the reader, as she takes us along on her journey in and out of the courtroom as if we are a new best friend. I imagine that the story it's self could be water cooler conversation for Austy if it wasn't about her. This book is sure to make you laugh and feel good each time you read it. I've read it twice so far and have told friends about it so they can get their own copy. This ones a keeper!

To Lynn Galli if you read these reviews, First off, Thank You for writing and sharing this delightful book. Secondly, I'd like to see a spin off book about Jessie, one of the Virginians.

First-time author Lynn Galli brings us the story of Austy Nunziata, an attorney who has suffered with unrequited love for her best friend for years. In fact, Austy's desire keeps her from forming a meaningful relationship with anyone. In an attempt to move on, she moves to the opposite coast and begins weaning herself off the relationship.

While working on a computer-related case, Austy meets Elise Bridie and the two strike up a fledgling relationship. When things get intense for Elise, Austy gets nervous and begins to pull away. Noticing Austy's withdrawal, Elise realizes Austy is still in love with someone else and decides to move on herself. This is where the real story begins.

Austy has been wasting her heart and her youth pining for a woman she'll never have. The question is - will she ever be able to appreciate the special woman in front of her face.

Watching these characters dance around their feelings is almost zany, but is definitely a great roller-coaster ride for the reader. Galli shows real promise in this genre and this reader hopes she'll deliver more quality fiction in the near future.

One of the funniest, warmest, most heartfelt books I have read in a long long time. It is smart, insightful and romantic, the characters are vivid and the story is believable and very well written. Highly recommend.

I love this book.

The story is told from Austy's point of view and she's obsessed with her best friend in a sadly funny way. She wallows in the unrequited love and you just want to smack her on the head. She also has a crew of fabulous but unbelievably meddling friends. They're so interesting they deserve their own book (I was glad to find out that at least two of them turn up in another book due out soon). When Austy finally meets someone who distracts her from her obsession, I was pulling for her to finally be happy. Of course things never do run smoothly and there are many obstacles in her path.

This book reminded me a lot of "And Playing the Role of Herself" which also is told from the point of view of a funny and frustrated narrator. If you loved one of them you're probably going to love the other.

I think I fell in love with the author before I loved the books. Ok, maybe the word "love" is a bit much to describe how I felt about Galli and her writing...it was more of a need to Google her then work my way up to stalking. The way she writes is just so entertaining.

A friend suggested I expand my reading horizons from depressing crime novels to romance. Er, nothing like a good unrequited love story to make you feel awesome. I'm not one for trashy lovey-dovey stuff where some knight rides up on a white horse and plants a seed in some girl's soil and certainly not one for lesbian fiction but here enters the book I was urged to buy. I eventually got around to reading the teaser for Wasted Heart on Amazon, which caught my attention enough to want to know about the author. Her website and my amusement from her Q&A compelled me to read her book. Was I let down? Of course not, hence this way too long rant. It may sound generic, but I have to say it - this first book was charming, funny, addictive and just a plain good read. That's pretty much why I bought the others.

Lynn Galli is one of those writers that can make you smile even though your heart is aching. I could write a summary of this book but I think everyone else has beat me to it a long time ago. All I have left to say is I LOL'd quite a bit that I stopped reading her books in public closed spaces like the study hall at uni or in church. So if this is anyone's first purchase of a Galli novel then you will not be disappointed...and if you are then what's with you?

Ok, so I am a few years behind in those that already purchased and reviewed this...I just stumbled upon this author (yeah I'm slow...smile)..but you know the saying, good things come to those who wait. This is definitely one of those good things - I had started with a later book from this author but quickly catching up. This author has a series that just brings a group of friends and stories together just made me want to read more! The depth this author gives each character in each book is great! she dedicates each book to 2 primary characters, and gives them such depth you want to just keep reading, but along with those 2 characters she gives you a 'peek' at other characters that make the current book well rounded but wants you to learn more about the others. I have enjoyed all of these authors' books and so look forward to others! again, good things do come to those who wait-I should have found this earlier.

I recently purchased this book to try out a new author and am so glad I did. I will be purchasing the author's additional books. This book, Wasted Heart, was a fabulous read! I read these reviews that say "couldn't put it down", well I couldn't!. I would be reading, reading, reading, "Mom!" ugh child issues, fixed, read, read read...The author had just the right amount of humor in just the right spots. Go read this book.

This story is wonderful. Full of everything that makes for a enjoying afternoon read. Not to mention the humor, I laughed till I cried. What a wonderful personality this author must have to provide that little dry humor throughout the book. If you want an enjoyable read, purchase this book. You'll have fun and get a great story to remember and treasure

Galli writes a wonderful story of Austy, an attorney, and Elise, an FBI agent. Austy carries a torch for her oh-so-married best friend, and Elise has to wait for Austy to come to her senses and what's in front of her.

It's a fun book. Austy is a wonderully complicated character--very three-dimensional. She gets into trouble with local criminals, and her Virginia (VA) friends come to help her out. And maybe do a li'l matchmaking at the same time.

Make sure you check out Galli's second book, too, "Imagining Reality." It's not a sequel to this book; rather, it is a parallel story about the VA crew and their loves and losses.