Reviews

Fly With Me by Andie Burke

crodway's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

2.5

We already know this book got an extra point for being gay. 

But! That being said it was a fun ride through an easy trope and I found the characters likeable. I wish that we had given any of the plot points more care, it read a bit like fan fiction at times jumping from scene to scene and both Olive and Stella’s only motivator being their dying relatives? I wanted a bit more depth all around.

Overall I had a good time escaping into the story, but that’s where it started and ended for me; being an easy and fun read. 

waitingforthesecondstar's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a very enjoyable romance. I liked that, unlike many contemporary romances, the "side story"/background of each character was fleshed out and as vibrant and significant as the actual relationship. I also felt the pacing was reasonable and that "third act breakup" wasn't too painful or awkward. I would definitely read more from this author in the future!

cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition

3.0

Well this was delightful queer romance! I had so much fun reading this book. Olive and Stella relationship is cute and the side characters were also given enough attention.If you are looking for a fun, cute and fast-paced sapphic adult romance recommend you read this book when it comes out! I can't wait to read Andie Burke's other books!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Merged review:

Well this was delightful queer romance! I had so much fun reading this book. Olive and Stella relationship is cute and the side characters were also given enough attention.If you are looking for a fun, cute and fast-paced sapphic adult romance recommend you read this book when it comes out! I can't wait to read Andie Burke's other books!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

ajpeyton's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

thepetitepunk's review against another edition

4.0

Thank you Libro.fm for the advanced listening copy!

3.5? 4?

I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting! The romance started a little too quickly and I definitely could have lived without the evil ex drama, but otherwise I liked learning about the characters’ pasts.

✧ ✧ ✧

≪reading 31 books for 31 days of august, 2023≫
╰┈➤ 1. we all want impossible things by catherine newman
╰┈➤ 2. i’d rather not: essays by robert skinner
╰┈➤ 3. fly with me by andie burke

recyclops229's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.5

amiackerman's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

judeinthestars's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Olive’s afraid of flying, but she needs to get to Disneyworld in order to check an item off her brother’s bucket list. As fate would have it, on her very first flight, a medical emergency requires her to intervene. An ER nurse with ten years of experience, she efficiently cares for the passenger in need of help, filmed by several phones. In the process, she catches the eye of Stella, one of the pilots. And of the world, as the video goes viral. A few days later, Olive and Stella being the adorable useless sapphics that they are, they agree to act as fake girlfriends to their mutual benefit.

Olive, who benefits from the author’s knowledge as a nurse herself, is passionate, driven, but her panic attacks and a nasty ex make her question her worth. Add to that an inextricably difficult family situation and it’s no wonder her heart isn’t into dating. She’s aware fake dating a woman she has a crush on is probably stupid but she’s also trying to get out of her comfort zone. Stella, on the other hand, seems to know exactly who she is and what she wants: an excellent pilot who keeps being overlooked for promotion because she’s a woman, and a Latina. On the personal front, said woman is bad at relationships and keeping to friendships or a bit of fun is safer. Yeah, right.

Yes, it’s another fake romance. Once again, it’s sweet and funny, with characters I couldn’t resist. Despite some very heavy themes, Burke keeps the tone mostly light, which allows her to explore topics such as grief or the weight of expectations, the one others impose upon us as well as those we hold ourselves to, while maintaining a sense of hope throughout. I enjoyed the banter and the tenderness, the badass scenes, Olive’s best friend, Stella’s dad…

I also loved the narration. Chelsea Stephens’ name rang a bell but not her voice(s). It turns out that I’ve listened to her narrate The Heart of the Banshee by Carolyn Elizabeth, but it’s such a different genre that I didn’t recognize her. I always find that kind of versatility amazing. I was unsure about Stella’s voice at the beginning but it really suits her personality. I don’t think it’s stated at any point, but I wondered several times whether she had ADHD. She has that unstoppable tornado energy. Olive seems to settle her, just as being with her makes Olive forget about her anxiety. My wife and I have the same kind of dynamics, so of course I enjoyed it!

My friend Carrie recommended this book to me a few months ago and it took me some time to finally listen to it, but I had a really good time with it.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

annas26's review against another edition

funny lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

eminireader's review against another edition

2.0

Fly With Me is a promising debut novel by Andie Burke. You can tell Burke is brimming with ideas and I appreciated her depicting a sapphic romantic relationship.

This book had potential but there were a few too many ideas that were never fully resolved. The protagonist, Olive, was better developed than Stella the love-interest, who fell a little flat and was lacking personality. The two characters had so much going on in their respective lives it felt like their fake dating was really unhealthy and it made it hard to root for them and their love.

There were a few standout scenes that left me feeling excited for whatever Burke may offer in the future, but this book needed more time and editing to review it anything higher than 2 stars.

Thank you to St Martin’s Publishing and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book.