• Waiting on the Sidelines

  • By: Ginger Scott
  • Narrated by: Laura Darrell
  • Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (825 ratings)

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Waiting on the Sidelines  By  cover art

Waiting on the Sidelines

By: Ginger Scott
Narrated by: Laura Darrell
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Publisher's summary

Nolan Lennox had things figured out. Named after a baseball legend, she enjoyed being the tomboy. Her closet was filled with her brother's hand-me-downs, cut-off jeans, and soccer shorts. But when her first trip to high school results in a broken heart from the first boy ever to make her heart flutter and cruel words from an older girl she once thought a family friend, Nolan starts to question the very person she thought she was.

Throughout the next four years, Nolan struggles to maintain herself throughout her path of discovery, learning just how cruel teenagers can be through the pressures of underage drinking, sexuality, and class. And despite how life seems to continue to work against her, she still manages to listen to her heart, falling deeper and deeper for the guy the entire town adores, even if he only sees her as a friend. Can Nolan strike a compromise between her own integrity and the boy she loves? And can she make him notice her before it's too late?

Reed Johnson came to Coolidge High School with a lot of fanfare. The son of a hometown football legend and the brother of a local football hero, Reed wore all the pressures of carrying a town without hope into the spotlight. Thankfully he had the talent to back it up. But when he meets a girl who makes him think twice about exactly what being a hero means, he starts to wonder if following in his brother's footsteps might be all wrong.

Nolan Lennox was everything that was opposite of expected. She didn't flirt, she didn't drink, and she didn't sleep around. Nothing about her was easy, but something about her made Reed want to try harder. Though she didn't look the part, she seemed to be spending a lot of time in Reed's thoughts, and he wondered if she could be the one who made it all worthwhile. But could Reed handle letting her down? And would breaking her heart break him beyond repair?

©2013 Ginger Scott (Ginger Eiden) (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Waiting on the Sidelines

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Waiting on the Sidelines

I found this book to be a little predictable but I overall enjoyed these characters. I am not for the dramalama and I did roll my eyes a few times but the bones of the story sucked me in.

New guy, becomes popular. Kind of under the radar girl falls for the new guy. Can’t forget the mean girl, who gets the new guy. ;)

But what kept me going was Reed and his friendship with Nolan even when Reeds Meanie GF was around he was still friends with Nolan.

Can we please talk about Reed's dad, I think he is one of the best supporting characters in this book. He is awesome and I loved that he knew Nolan was special and needed the encouragement.

Love that Nolan had a great relationship with her dad that made my heart happy.

The will they won’t they were getting a little old, but I hung in there and I am happy I finished.

Very much loved the narration I think Laura Darrell does a perfect job.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a young adult read

I rarely am moved to write a review but felt compelled to write this one - while I am far from a young adult (even my children are beyond young adult ) I could relate to the trials of Reed and Nolan. I come from a time when people were kinder to each other or at least that is how I remember my high school years. That said I am familiar with the likes of Tatum and later Dylan, those beautiful, smart "in crowd" girls who feed on hurting others. It is a sad commentary on our society that their actions are rewarded and accepted rather than shunned, that was not the case when I was a teenager.

Recently an article appeared on the net looking at what markers were indications for success. No surprise to me, and I am sure to those of my generation, the markers were kindness and ability to share at a young age. I am more than lucky to have raised four successful and wonderful children who are truly good people. To those out there who have suffered at the hands of cruel and callous peers, take heart you shall overcome as my children have and as Nolan and Reed ultimately do.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely awful story

This was just a horrible YA novel. The heroine is a complete doormat. She pines over him for 2 years while he dates her bully. They break up and he starts to see the heroine and they are ready to get together. Old gf tells him she is pregnant (she’s not) he blows of the heroine while still acting like he has a reason to hold onto her. He starts screwing around with other girls in front of her. He later confessed that during this month that he was supposed to be pining over her he slept with THREE other girls. One of whom was her best friends sister. He immediately starts defending himself and the sisters best friend because they were “so drunk” and “it didn’t mean anything”. He also confessed that he screwed the last girl on a night when he was calling her telling her how he wanted her. He demanded that she come and get him from the party. She does and takes care of him, tucking him in at home. He tells her he loves her. She stays to watch him and his dad ends up having heart attack. She literally saved his life. And he had just screwed this other girl. I do not understand how anyone would enjoy this book. Even after she saves his dads life he doesn’t stop making out with other girls in front of her. Year he got drunk one night and called her a whore accused HER of sleeping with other guys. He’s just a horrible hero. Of course she remains a virgin and waits for him. He barely grovels and she forgives everything. A waste of time!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Unlikeble MC's

I had a hard time liking either of the MC’s. Reed is a self absorbed, unapologetic, prick and Nolan is childish and pathetic. I couldn’t see any redeeming qualities in Reed what so ever. Sure he has looks and athleticism, but he thinks only of himself, and regularly associates with his Ex who proves over and over again to be a disgusting human being. Through out the book Reed has little to no regard for the girl he supposedly loves (Nolan) and in the end he is intentionally cruel to her. If you are looking for a story of a girl's unhealthy obsession with a spoiled selfish popular guy, this is your book.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Extremely good

Great primary and secondary characters. Well written. Captivating. entertaining.One of the best books I've read in a while.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

It was okay

Maybe, I'm just in a bad mood but Reed is a jerk & Nolan deserves way better. But when you fall in love, it's hard to be rational. Oh well, I'm willing to read the 2nd but no promises.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not for me, or really any Teen

I’m going to have to go with the naysayers on this one, I did not like this book. I thought the relationship was toxic and Reed was a selfish jerk. I could go on and on about the other reasons I disapproved of this book but I will stick to my main three.
1. I was really drawn to Nolan in the first few chapters for her strength and courage. Sure she had some self esteem issues after hearing some hurtful gossip, but what teenage girl doesn’t. I got it. What really got me to keep going ( I had my doubts from the beginning) was when Nolan told off Reed for being a complete tool during the time they were supposed to be working on their project together. That scene was awesome and I immediately loved where Nolan’s character was going. Unfortunately her moments of courage were few and far between after that. She mostly cowered with each new obstacle and didn’t stick up for herself again. She let herself get used, bullied and walked all over, over and over again. Especially by tool bag Reed.
2. The treatment of the supporting characters was terrible. As time went on Nolan became just as toxic to those around her as Reed was. She didn’t care about her friends unless she needed them to help her. Instead using all of her free time to literally eye stalk Reed. I had a lot of beef with that too, be your own person stop worrying about what he’s doing 24/7, ugh. Anyways, she had the sweetest boyfriend
in Shawn and she treated him like crap. And he took it, over and over again. She kept taking her anger over Reed’s selfishness and hormone driven decisions out on Shawn, feeling bad after and really wanting to love him but not being able to. That’s not how love works. You don’t just see someone and then bam you are done for until that person loves you back. Love is nurtured, it’s grown, it’s a two way street with two people giving their best efforts. Shawn deserved a chance. Next is Tyler. I get it, no means an absolute no. I’m not making excuses for him, I’m just saying it was a little out of character... Tyler was the nice guy that was patient and kind, helping her nurse her heart after Reed took one whole day to crush it. Shocker. He took extra shifts to help her get over her inability to face Reed alone and actually talk through their toxic issues. He was there driving two hours out of his way to drop her off. He was patient, kind, and stood up for her when Reed slut shamed her in front of the whole school. (Weird how when Tatum threatened to do the same it was so evil, yet Reed does it with no problem)
Anyways, he ends up pushing her farther than she’s comfortable with and it just felt totally out of character with how patients and kind he had been. It seemed more like Ginger Scott just needed a villain. And a literal punching bag for douche bag McGee (Reed).

3. And lastly I didn’t like the profanity and vulgarness. It’s a YA book keep it somewhat clean. It started out clean and I enjoyed the ability to feel the characters emotion without the needed to bring in profanity. That’s true talent right there. Then somewhere in the middle I swear it was an author change because bam f-bombs, profanity and sex every page. It was pretty misleading that way.

Anyways I could go on about how toxic Reed is, how pathetic Nolan is for constantly pining after him, how their relationship is built on nothing but jealousy and lies and much more but I will leave it at that. Not my style.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

**Spoilers**

Never in my life have I EVER read a book that has ticked me off more than this piece of garbage! It takes quite a bit of talent to write such an complete and utter dysfunctional hot mess. (and that's putting it mildly) This book gives females everywhere a terrible name. 1- When someone calls you a whore, to your face and in front of everyone you know, YOU FREAKING CALL IT A DAY AND WALK AWAY! You don't give them a second chance. 2- When that same person uses said 2nd chance to crush you over and over and over again...you are the dummy. 3- The best part of the book was when it was over.

I can't believe this is a series. What a waste of my time and yours as well, if you read this.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

"PULLED AN ALL-NIGHTER! WOW!"

If you're reading this, be prepared to go on emotional rollercoaster with unending twists and turns. Wheeeewww!!! OMG! I was SO angry, happy, sad; every emotion you can think of is what I felt. Nolan, and Reed had a beautiful love story. However, it didn't exclude angst, resentment, heartbreak (typical teenage/high school stuff). (((SPOILER!!!!))) My only drawback, was how desperate Nolan was for Reed (Just my POV). She gave him her WHOLE heart only to have it stopped on over-and-over again. I felt like Reed knew deep down he wanted Nolan, like from the start. But, typical boy he was with raging hormones, he decided to sow his 'royal oats' knowing that Nolan would always be there. I hated that not only was Nolan bullied, by her arch enemy (someone Reed continually slept with, knowing somewhat that she was bullying his friend/love interest) He continued to lead Nolan on, uncertain of what he really wants (trusting that no matter how many girls he slept with, how vulgar his words were, Nolan would be right there. And she was to an extent). I appreciated the author allowing Nolan, to raise up and defend herself (she wasn't the proverbial 'stupid-girl' but I just felt like what she did wasn't enough. SHE HURT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, AND ALL SHE EVER DID WAS LOVE REED!!!!) This behavior (though Reed was apologetic and tried to mend fences) continued all the way to graduation. And I know this is typical for youth's who are 'coming of age,' but it was rather annoying having Nolan constantly pine over a boy who wasn't sure whether or not he was ready to treat her like she deserved. Over all, it was a great read! I could not put it down.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Can a female mc be anymore of a doormat?

I can not stand female authors who write romance books about their own gender and make them the worst kind of doormat. The female is always poor, low self esteem, cheated on, abused, bullied... queue the pity party and still pine and grovel , drool over the guy (who has no flaws . Just perfect!) The majority of your audience is female and we read romance to look for romance! Not for abusive relationships, bullying, or low to no self esteem. What kind of an author writes this stuff.? At least make her strong enough at the end to stand up to herself and make him realize that he's lost out. Instead its pile on the pity party..... UGH>

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