Release Reviews: Fight or Flight: Samantha Young

by - Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Fight or Flight
Samantha Young
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Release Date October 9, 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....
 
It has been a while since I read a Samantha Young book, but something about this synopsis intrigued me. And I was pleasantly surprised at both the banter and emotional undertones she managed to pack into this enemies-to-lovers story.

Ava Breevort is not having a good day. She is already upset, anxious, overwhelmed, and emotionally tapped.

Then at the airport, a mysterious, obnoxious stranger seems to keep getting in her way and making it worse.  Caleb Scott is a big, burly, tatted, rude Scot with no manners, patience, or sympathy. But he is nice to look at in a Norse God, Scottish Bastard kind of way.

These two rub each other the wrong way from the first interaction and push each other's buttons. They taunt, tease, criticize, and spark. But fate seems to have plans for these two that keep finding themselves in each other's orbit. The spark eventually starts a blaze that is only supposed to be one night thing, but eventually has a chance to become a serial casual fling.

Both of these two are guarded and are afraid of real relationships or commitment. Past betrayals have marked them so much that they swear it won't change. But it does not stop them from transitioning to more friends with benefits. I was glad to see behind their barbed exteriors and see them beginning to relate to each other as real people. He runs hot and cold, and is closed off. She usually thrives on control, but he makes her lose control and also takes it away from her. He is so brutally honest which can sometimes be good and sometimes bad. They begin to see past each other's flaws, but sometimes getting a bit too close increases anxiety and fear.

But eventually someone is going to start to feel more. Which one is going to be the biggest flight risk? And which one is going to stand up and fight for something more?

This is a story about fate or perhaps coincidence providing opportunities, but actions and choices also affect the outcome. In battles of the heart one person cannot win alone. It shows the importance of being vulnerable, overcoming fears, fighting for love and a future...but the key is being willing to take a risk. But with two people who have been burned and have serious trust issues, it is a challenge.

This is a feisty, fun, angsty, sexy enemies-to-lovers-to-friends story that packed more of an emotional punch than I expected. It was a bit hard to warm up to Caleb at first. He really was a jerky alpha-hole and appeared to have no remorse. And Ava could definitely be prickly and rigid, but she could give it right back to him making their antagonistic banter entertaining. And then their relationship dynamics built slowly and changed while there was more depth with their backstories that was gradually revealed. They had great chemistry and a burning attraction. I enjoyed their progression even if it was full of tension, angst,  drama, and stops-and-starts as they both had issues to deal with and had to come to terms with their own  feelings and insecurities. They definitely both had opportunities for growth and it was not an easy or smooth process.

There were also some side stories that added to the drama of the book. I really liked her edgy best friend, Harper and his artsy brother, Jamie. I hope she writes more with them.

I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Ava has not had a pleasant trip home. Burying her childhood best friend was only part of what made her quick trip home unpleasant. But the promise of a first class flight home helps her relax, until she learns her connection in Boston has been canceled. Through a series of unexpected inconveniences, Ava finds herself continually running into an irritating Scotsman on the same flights.

This series of run-ins fuels some powerful dislike and equally powerful chemistry. They may not like what they think they know, but Caleb and Ava hit it off in the physicality department right away.

Ava thinks everything will settle down once she finally makes it home, only to find one of her top clients is trying to set her up with the very man who infuriated her (and fueled one very fantastic night) through her recent layover.

They each have walls up in defense of their pasts. Though they don’t have a shared past, they were both hurt immensely and carry the baggage with them. They will need to figure out how to deal with the past if there is any possibility of a future.

I loved the banter between these two. They are both quick witted and don’t mince words when they are riled. There were times I wished one or the other would slow down and listen, or actually share what was on their minds, but their actions fit with who they were and the situations in which they found themselves.

I was further entertained by this book as I read it while taking my own air journey. It was so much fun to imagine those early scenes in the air while sitting in an airplane seat myself. I have to say, I’ve never had a seatmate as irritating or entertaining as Caleb ended up being! This was sweet, fun, surprise filled drama that turned adversaries into lovers into something so much more!
 

I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Samantha Young  

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Author and Best Romance 2012 for her international bestselling novel ON DUBLIN STREET, Best Romance 2014 for BEFORE JAMAICA LANE, and Best Romance 2015 for HERO. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha's first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in thirty countries.

For more information visit http://authorsamanthayoung.com

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