Title: The Waitress
Author: Melissa Nathan
First published January 1, 2004
369 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780060736651 (ISBN10: 0060736658)
Rating: 3.71
Overview
The Waitress: A Tale of Love and Career Struggles
Meet Katie, a dreamer with ever-changing career aspirations. She’s currently working as a waitress and waiting for her perfect match to sweep her off her feet.
But with a track record of failed relationships and a job history that’s less than impressive, her dream seems far from becoming a reality.
When Dan Crichton, a handsome and sensitive man, asks her out, Katie can’t believe her luck. But her fear of commitment soon ruins their first date, and she’s left wondering if she’ll ever find true love.
As if that wasn’t enough, Dan reappears in her life as her new boss – engaged to someone else. And just when she thought things couldn’t get any more complicated, her persistent ex-boyfriend Hugh shows up, determined to win her back.
Katie is torn between her desire for love and her ambition for a successful career. Will she be able to have it all, or will she have to choose between them?
Find out in this heartwarming tale of love and career struggles.
About the Author
Melissa Jane Nathan was a talented journalist and author from the UK who wrote popular “chick lit” novels in the early 2000s. During the writing of her book Persuading Annie in 2001, she received the devastating news that she had breast cancer.
However, she refused to let the illness take over her life and remained positive in public. She was not a fan of most journalism written by cancer sufferers, describing them as “self-indulgent dirges without a helpline in sight.” In her Jewish Chronicle column, she tried to make light of cancer’s unoriginality, but in reality, she daydreamed about being the oldest person at people’s funerals.
Ironically, Nathan’s first book, ‘Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field’, featured characters who were performing in a play version of Pride & Prejudice that raised funds for breast cancer research – this was before Nathan knew about her own future diagnosis of the disease. Sadly, she passed away at the age of 37 from breast cancer in April 2006, leaving behind her husband, Andrew Saffron, and their son, Sam.
Her final novel, The Learning Curve, was published posthumously in August 2006. To commemorate her and her work, a writing award has been established to recognize quality comedy romance writers.
Editoral Review
Melissa Nathan’s The Waitress is a delightful romance novel published on January 1, 2004. The author, Melissa Nathan, was a British journalist and writer who published ten books, all of which fell under the romantic comedy genre.
Sadly, Nathan lost her battle with cancer in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of witty and engaging novels. The Waitress is a heartwarming story about Amber Salpone, a waitress who falls in love with her boss’s brother, Greg, a wealthy businessman.
The story takes place in London and follows Amber’s personal and professional life as she navigates through her feelings for Greg while serving customers at her diner. Nathan’s writing style is witty, charming, and engaging, making the book a delightful read.
She ensures that the reader cares about her characters by developing them with care and detailing their hopes, dreams, and challenges. One of the book’s historical significance is its portrayal of women in the workplace, highlighting the common struggle with sexual harassment and lack of gender equality.
The story is a testament to the courage and strength of women who chase their dreams despite the obstacles. One of the novel’s strengths is the portrayal of the characters – all richly drawn and uniquely crafted to attract the reader’s empathy.
Though the plot is predictable, Nathan peppers it with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. Sadly, the book has some weaknesses, the most evident being its tendency to become overly sentimental at times.
The book also fails to delve deeper into some of the more complex and intriguing themes it introduces. The Waitress compares favorably to some of the other works in its genre.
Fans of authors like Sophie Kinsella or Marian Keyes will undoubtedly find something to enjoy in this charming novel. Ultimately, The Waitress is a heartwarming novel that will appeal to fans of light romance novels.
It is masterfully written and beautifully crafted, making it a delightful read. Though it lacks the depth and nuance of some more serious novels, it is perfect for anyone in need of a light read to pass the time.
In conclusion, The Waitress is a charming and entertaining book that will appeal to fans of the romantic comedy genre. It has some flaws but overall is an excellent read deserving of a rating of 3.8 out of 5.
