Rowena
Written on Oct 4, 2018
A series of chance encounters leads to a sizzling new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series.
The universe is conspiring against Ava Breevort. As if flying back to Phoenix to bury a childhood friend wasn't hell enough, a cloud of volcanic ash traveling from overseas delayed her flight back home to Boston. Her last ditch attempt to salvage the trip was thwarted by an arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who steals a first class seat out from under her. Then over the course of their journey home, their antagonism somehow lands them in bed for the steamiest layover Ava's ever had. And that's all it was--until Caleb shows up on her doorstep.
When pure chance pulls Ava back into Caleb's orbit, he proposes they enjoy their physical connection while he's stranded in Boston. Ava agrees, knowing her heart's in no danger since a) she barely likes Caleb and b) his existence in her life is temporary. Not long thereafter Ava realizes she's made a terrible error because as it turns out Caleb Scott isn't quite so unlikeable after all. When his stay in Boston becomes permanent, Ava must decide whether to fight her feelings for him or give into them. But even if she does decide to risk her heart on Caleb, there is no guarantee her stubborn Scot will want to risk his heart on her....
- ISBN10 0451490193
- ISBN13 9780451490193
- Publish Date 9 October 2018
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc
- Imprint Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 384
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780451490193
Reviews
Sam@WLABB
Written on Sep 27, 2018
Who?
Ava - An control freak, type A Boston-based interior designer, who had stepped out of the dating pool after a long-term relationship ended in betrayal.
Caleb - A gruff Scottish CFO, who just says "no" to commitment after being badly burned in his last relationship.
What?
While traveling from Arizona to Boston, every encounter between Ava and Caleb ended in confrontation, until ire gave way to desire, and they enjoyed, what they thought, would be one night of passion. When the universe brought them together once again, they agreed to a no-strings-attached physical relationship, which quickly turned into something more, but would Caleb and Ava be able to put their past behind them, and embark on a future together? Would it be fight or flight?
Why?
There are so many things to love about this book!
Ava was a fabulous heroine. She was smart and sassy, and appeared to be a perfectionist, but under that glossy veneer was someone damaged by her past. Once the details of her upbringing and her broken engagement came to light, I understood Ava a lot better, and was really proud of the progress she made over the course of this book.
Caleb was the perfect grumpy hero. I have no idea why I love the grumpy one's so much. Maybe it's because when they are sweet and tender, it seems so much more meaningful. It's a side of themselves they only reveal to those who earn it, and that was the case with Caleb. Like Ava, he suffered some great losses. It was pretty heartbreaking, when he finally confessed about his past, and quite understandable why it was difficult for him to trust another woman. Though, I must admit, he made me nutty quite a few times during this book, however, right when my frustration peaked, it would ebb, because he would do something sweet to offset my irritation.
Ava and Caleb together were sparks and fireworks, like every time. Their interactions were marked by fun and witty banter, as well as lots of heat. But there were some really quite and beautiful moments too. Slowly, they each peeled aways the layers, and were able to see what was below the surface, and it terrified them as their hearts cracked open bit by bit. The way they reacted caused me some heartache, but this is a true romance book, so don't worry, Young made it up to me in some big ways.
I am sort of hoping this is the beginning of a series, because there were two characters, who I would love to see more of. Harper, Ava's bestie, was a stellar friend, and she had quite a storyline in this book. I would love to learn more about the past, which was eluded to, and see her get her HEA. I was also intrigued by Caleb's brother. He was an artist with a little darkness residing inside him from his own loss, and there is definitely a book there.
Overall: A fabulous hate-to-love romance, which was fun, sexy, and packed with feels.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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kimbacaffeinate
Written on Sep 6, 2018
- First Date: I was excited to begin Fight or Flight. I've enjoyed past series by Young and was ready for some fun. I was not disappointed as our first encounter led to snarky barbs that set the stage for a truly wonderful haters to lovers romance. Caleb steals the last first class seat and more at the Phoenix airport but a delay puts them both on a first-class flight to New York with a layover in Chicago....all of which leads to a very satisfying encounter. Ooo la la. Dang, Young can capture the emotions and chemistry of a scene. She added depth and heart while setting my Kindle on fire.
- Second Date: Despite Caleb's offer for a no-strings liaison, Ava declines and slides back into her blissful (controlled) routine. When a client asks her to help entertain a "friend" stuck in the city, Ava agrees and surprise, surprise it is our sexy Scot. I adored the back and forth banter, sizzling chemistry and snark but Young, as she is want to do, also gave us depth as she slowly revealed why these thirty-somethings were commitment shy. I laughed, cried and simply became caught up in their lives and end-date relationship.
- Third Date: Things take a turn when Caleb finds himself accepting a position within his company based in New York..oh yeah. Growth, secondary characters including Ava's bestie and Caleb's brother added interest and provided reveals into our heroes past. I love how vested I became in these characters and darn it, they NEED an HEA, but of course they need to f@ck it up first. They suffer and we all ate ice cream together before Young brought it all home and allowed me to close the book with a smile.
Cocktails and Books
Written on Aug 24, 2018
Romance Schmomance
Written on Jul 30, 2018
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OK ... I feel like I'm at war with myself because I absolutely wanted to love this book so much because I love the author soooo much, but it wasn't quite there for me. I'm fairly new to Samantha Young's books and I loved the two that I've read by her.
I truly love reading enemies to lovers romances, but the hate was more strong in the beginning than I expected it to be. And most of it was coming from the hero, Caleb. It's to be expected with this trope that the hero is usually the a-hole, but his hate was nearly on a level of its' own and that had me completely appalled by him. It'll keep you wondering how the heck he'll be able to redeem himself by the end, so that was a huge factor that made keep going as well because I wanted to know how Ava would completely capture his heart. There's hope for everyone, even this major [ insert whatever word seems fitting ].
Once you get past their many unexpected encounters and their spitfire towards one another, we dig deeper into each of their stories. And they're both extremely heartbreaking in different ways. Ava and Caleb are no strangers to heartbreak and that pulled at mine completely. With Ava being betrayed by the two people that she loved the most in her life and essentially building this huge barrier between everyone she has known in her life. And don't even get me started on her parents who were never there for her.
I think this was one of my turning points for Caleb's character was when we learn a bit more of his backstory, but it still wasn't enough for me to forgive his rudeness. But you can definitely sense the bitterness that he has taken on from his past. Sadly, it was enough for him to treat every woman that looked like his past like trash.
One of my favorite parts of the book was Ava and Harper's friendship! It's definitely something everyone should have in their life, a solid support that will always be on your side. And they would also be your voice of reason. I know I'm not alone on this, but I want Harper to have her own book. I loved her character a lot!
I have no idea how Ava was able to deal with Caleb antics and how she was a bit quick to forgive him, when he essentially hurt her in such a way that seems nearly impossible to forgive.
Despite certain things that I didn't like here and there, Samantha has a way with her words that keep you absolutely addicted to everything on the page. I still finished this in one sitting and found myself completely enamored the whole time. I just couldn't find any redeeming qualities in Caleb.
This may not have been my favorite of Samantha's, but you may love it, so I'd still give this a try!
Major thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the advanced reader's copy!