Love delayed by Anna Black : A Comprehensive Review and Summary 2025

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC of Love Delayed by Anna Black. This second-chance romance introduces us to Zamora, a talented culinary chef, and Marcus, a hotel manager working in his family’s business. The story follows their journey as they navigate their unresolved feelings and face the challenges of rekindling a love that never truly faded.

Summary of Love Delayed by Anna Black

A second-chance love connection for book romantics in which former college sweethearts reunite at an airport counter upon their flight cancellation, sparking a night of reflection and what could have been.

When Zamora Hill decided to follow her childhood dreams of being a chef, she didn’t know that losing the love of her life would be the price she’d have to pay. Excited about going to culinary school, things took a crazy turn with her boyfriend, Marcus, who doesn’t support her decision and calls things off, leaving Zamora not only bewildered but also heartbroken. Defeated, she moves out and moves on.

Hotel and business owner Marcus Coleman is a family man and is very close to the ones he loves. Hospitality was all he knew, being a fourth-generation hotel owner, and he did all he could to please his parents. Accustomed to making sacrifices, Marcus was blindsided by the news that his college love, Zamora, would go away for thirteen months to attend culinary school. Driven by ego, he ends their entire relationship before thinking it through.

Ten years later, as fate would have it, Zamora and Marcus are both in Las Vegas heading back to Chicago on the very same flight that gets delayed and eventually canceled. They have one night to catch up, and one night is all it takes for them to realize that they still harbor old feelings for each other.

Review of Love Delayed by Anna Black

I’m deeply disappointed, to say the least, with this book. I had high expectations based on its synopsis, but it failed to deliver. The storyline didn’t live up to its promise, leaving me feeling underwhelmed and empty-handed.

Plot Analysis of Love Delayed by Anna Black

Marcus Coleman and Zamora Hill were college sweethearts who shared a deep, passionate connection during their younger years. But as life often does, their dreams and ambitions pulled them in different directions, forcing them to part ways. Ten years later, fate intervenes with a serendipitous meet-cute at the bustling Las Vegas airport. The instant spark between them makes it clear that, despite the passage of time and the lives they’ve built apart, neither has truly forgotten the other.

Both Marcus and Zamora find themselves comparing their current relationships to the one they once shared. Zamora is married, while Marcus is in a steady two-year relationship. Yet, their chance reunion stirs up emotions and memories they thought were long buried, leading them to reflect on what could have been and what might still be possible. The story unfolds with heartfelt emotion, offering a nuanced exploration of love, timing, and second chances.

Characters of Love Delayed by Anna Black

Zamora Hill : I couldn’t connect with Zamora’s character at all. She didn’t come across as a supportive or relatable “girl’s girl,” which really put me off. Her actions felt contradictory, despite being cheated on by her husband, she seemed unbothered by crossing boundaries with Marcus, knowing full well he was engaged. Her jealousy of Marcus’s fiancée, to the point of wanting to flirt with him, was frustrating and difficult to sympathize with. On top of that, the fact she was envious of her own sister made her character feel unnecessarily petty and unlikable. It was hard to root for her or her journey in the story.

Marcus Coleman : Marcus was an absolute frustration as a character for me. Emotional cheating is still cheating, there’s no justification for calling your ex “baby” while being engaged to someone else. His actions, like flirting with Zamora and openly expressing lingering feelings for her, were a complete betrayal of trust. Being “still in love” with an ex is not an excuse for disloyalty or disrespect toward his fiancée. Marcus’s lack of boundaries and inability to handle his feelings responsibly made him one of the least likable characters for me in this story.

Zamora & Coleman : The relationship dynamic between them felt heavily reliant on infidelity, both from their past and their current actions. Being cheated on may have influenced their emotional states, but their own emotional cheating, especially Marcus’s inappropriate behavior while engaged, undermined the authenticity of their connection. The foundation of their relationship seemed built on betrayal rather than trust or genuine growth, which made it difficult to root for them as a couple or believe in the sincerity of their love. For me, their dynamic lacked the depth and realism needed to make their romance feel compelling or justified.

Pacing & writing style

The writing in Love Delayed by Anna Black felt disjointed, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters, unfortunately, came across as unlikable, and their actions—justified by their past experiences of being cheated on—felt unconvincing and unrelatable. It seemed as though their hardships were used as an excuse for their questionable behavior, which detracted from the story’s realism. Moreover, the second-chance romance trope was underwhelming and lacked the emotional depth typically expected from such narratives. The book fell short in delivering a compelling or believable love story. Additionally, the third-person point of view felt unnecessary and detracted from the intimacy of the narrative, making it harder to connect with the characters and their emotions. Overall, the execution left much to be desired.

The pacing in Love Delayed felt uneven and chaotic, with too many events and subplots crammed into the narrative. Some elements, like the storyline involving Zamora’s sister, seemed entirely unnecessary and added little to the main plot. It felt as though these subplots were included just to pad the story, rather than to contribute meaningfully to the character development or central romance. This detracted from the overall experience and made the story feel cluttered and unfocused.

Tropes and Trigger warnings of Love Delayed by Anna Black

Tropes of Love Delayed by Anna Black :

• Second Chance
• Multiple POV
• Cheating

Trigger warning of Love Delayed by Anna Black :

• Miscarriage
• Fertility issues
• Sexual assault
• Sex trafficking

Final Thought

Overall, I rarely give one-star reviews, but Love Delayed by Anna Black just didn’t work for me. Cheating, a central theme in this novel, is a dealbreaker for my enjoyment of any romance story. If you’re interested in a romance novel where cheating plays a significant role, this book might suit your tastes. However, for me, it was hard to connect with the story.

The synopsis and cover promised so much but delivered very little. The title and aesthetic gave the impression of a narrative thread that turned out to be minor and lacked meaningful impact on the overall story. While it had the potential to be an engaging second-chance romance, it ultimately missed the mark for me.

The storyline felt confusing, the characters lacked depth, and the unnecessary subplots bogged the pacing down rather than enriching the plot. As a result, I couldn’t fully invest in the story or its characters. While Love Delayed didn’t align with my preferences, I can see how some readers might enjoy its drama-filled narrative. It simply wasn’t for me.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC!About the author

About the author

Practical Information for Readers

Love Delayed by Anna Black Book Formats

Love delayed is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:

• Paperback :Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
• eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
• PDF Love Delayed by Anna Black : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.

Where to find Love Delayed by Anna Black PDF

1. Amazon Kindle: Offers a user-friendly interface with customizable reading settings.
2. Barnes & Noble Nook: Another popular platform with a wide selection of e-books.
3. Apple Books: Provides seamless integration with Apple devices and a smooth reading experience.

Love Delayed by Anna Black Age Rating

Love Delayed by Anna Black is generally recommended for mature audiences, usually those aged 17 and older. The novel contains themes and elements that include romance, emotional complexity, explicit content, and strong language. These aspects contribute to its appeal for adult readers but may make it unsuitable for younger audiences. Additionally, its exploration of intense relationships, heartbreak, and personal growth aligns with themes often geared toward mature readers.