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booklovershangout's review against another edition
5.0
Oh geez. My emotions were all over the place. One moment I was laughing out loud, the next moment I was tearing up. The next I was wanting to throw my kindle or even swooning and smiling. I must have looked crazy reading this book (Don't ask my husband that question :) ). I loved this storyline and I loved these characters so much. I found myself so involved in this story, I could not put it down. I love Samantha's work and this is definitely one of my favorites so far of hers. I can't wait for more from her.
gwolf's review against another edition
1.0
Не. Това просто не е моята книга. Опитах се, дадох и шанс, но не.
thebookberrie's review against another edition
1.0
Nope nope nope. This book did not work for me and I've gotten more angry about it the longer I think about it. I wasn't going to write a review but nah, I have to let it out.
Fight or Flight begins with Ava having her flight back home to Boston delayed, if going to her hometown for the funeral of a childhood friend wasn't bad enough. In an attempt to make her flight better, her first-class seat gets taken by an arrogant Scotsman named Caleb. Over the course of their journey back to Boston, they end up hooking up and calling it a one time thing until they end up meeting again. They decide to become friends with benefits and promise that it's just casual. Unfortunately things can't stay casual forever.
The book starts off well-enough with the classic hate to love to something more. Unfortunately it quickly turns boring, over-dramatic, and I honestly hate the characters so much. I was looking for something more, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (read that instead!) and instead I got more nonsense similar to Colleen Hoover. This guy only seemed to understand half the time when he was gross. His tragic past was still an excuse for him to be awful and get away with it. Ava had an equally tragic backstory and was she ever as awful as he was? No. Not even close. I don't know why we should let men get away with being awful just because they are sad but I'm not into it. Plus he was straight up gross how he called her babe so early and kept mentioning how much he wanted her.
I'll put this under spoilers but:
Tragic past - check
Inability to move on so he can't fall in love and pushes people away - check
Woman falls for man who falls for her but even teenagers are more emotionally mature than them so it's just back and forth drama and crying - check
Happily ever after??? why??? - check
For some reason this author really wants to slam home that Caleb is Scottish. I dinnae know half of what he was saying, aye, because tae tell how he were a wee Scottish lad, he and every other Scottish person, talks like that. I'm not sure how I got through the book because I wanted to toss it 30 pages in. I don't have words to explain how highly annoying it was, aye. You can just tell me he has a Scottish accent, I will believe you, I promise! The rest of the writing wasn't any better, with characters just rambling on and on.
Avoid this book like the plague as I sit here pissed off because I spent money on this.
Fight or Flight begins with Ava having her flight back home to Boston delayed, if going to her hometown for the funeral of a childhood friend wasn't bad enough. In an attempt to make her flight better, her first-class seat gets taken by an arrogant Scotsman named Caleb. Over the course of their journey back to Boston, they end up hooking up and calling it a one time thing until they end up meeting again. They decide to become friends with benefits and promise that it's just casual. Unfortunately things can't stay casual forever.
The book starts off well-enough with the classic hate to love to something more. Unfortunately it quickly turns boring, over-dramatic, and I honestly hate the characters so much. I was looking for something more, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (read that instead!) and instead I got more nonsense similar to Colleen Hoover. This guy only seemed to understand half the time when he was gross. His tragic past was still an excuse for him to be awful and get away with it. Ava had an equally tragic backstory and was she ever as awful as he was? No. Not even close. I don't know why we should let men get away with being awful just because they are sad but I'm not into it. Plus he was straight up gross how he called her babe so early and kept mentioning how much he wanted her.
I'll put this under spoilers but:
Spoiler
I didn't need the prolife session shoved onto me. His ex was 110% shitty for going behind his back and lying but all that "SHE KILLED MY BABY" nonsense and Ava even more feeling sorry for him while he goes on and on about how his ex was a selfish bitch. Miss me with all this.Tragic past - check
Inability to move on so he can't fall in love and pushes people away - check
Woman falls for man who falls for her but even teenagers are more emotionally mature than them so it's just back and forth drama and crying - check
Happily ever after??? why??? - check
For some reason this author really wants to slam home that Caleb is Scottish. I dinnae know half of what he was saying, aye, because tae tell how he were a wee Scottish lad, he and every other Scottish person, talks like that. I'm not sure how I got through the book because I wanted to toss it 30 pages in. I don't have words to explain how highly annoying it was, aye. You can just tell me he has a Scottish accent, I will believe you, I promise! The rest of the writing wasn't any better, with characters just rambling on and on.
Avoid this book like the plague as I sit here pissed off because I spent money on this.
jenndunfee's review against another edition
3.0
More like a 3.5. Pretty solid book especially considering friends with benefits is normally not my go to troupe.
Wasn't a huge fan of the whole abortion storyline or Caleb always aggressively grabbing Ava throughout the book. Overall I enjoyed Ava and Caleb their chemistry though. I would love to see Samantha do a story that follows Harper. I was really interested in her story.
Wasn't a huge fan of the whole abortion storyline or Caleb always aggressively grabbing Ava throughout the book. Overall I enjoyed Ava and Caleb their chemistry though. I would love to see Samantha do a story that follows Harper. I was really interested in her story.
lonelyfangirlirl's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
bdomino's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marygg3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Well, I really really liked it.
Honestly, anything would've been a masterpiece after the last book I read. But still, this story got me thinking about so much!
The friendship and pain that sometimes comes with it.
Loss and regret.
Love and fear of it.
Trust and betrayal.
I liked the characters so much, with their flaws and fears and strenghts. Even Jemma, who did the unforgivable, but who regretted it for the rest of her sadly short life.
Everyone was incredible.
Well, except Nick. Fuck Nick.
But really, the characters had so much depth and their individual stories were so interesting. Even the bullshit Nick pulled, it was very eye-opening to see how his very stupid brain worked.
And the emotional trauma that almost every one of these beautiful souls has endured. It literally brings me to tears. The strength they needed to get back up and continue to be amazing people, loyal friends, caring brothers, and loving partners.
Furthermore, the smut was hot af. But I liked how neither Caleb nor Ava were portrayed to be these deities of sex or anything, and rather it focusing on how good it was because they were great for each other. Like Ava said, "It was good, but we were phenomenal."
And, of course, Caleb correcting Ava when she was describing the sex as great and him instead preferring fantastic was top notch.
All in all, I had a great time and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Honestly, anything would've been a masterpiece after the last book I read. But still, this story got me thinking about so much!
The friendship and pain that sometimes comes with it.
Loss and regret.
Love and fear of it.
Trust and betrayal.
I liked the characters so much, with their flaws and fears and strenghts. Even Jemma, who did the unforgivable, but who regretted it for the rest of her sadly short life.
Everyone was incredible.
Well, except Nick. Fuck Nick.
But really, the characters had so much depth and their individual stories were so interesting. Even the bullshit Nick pulled, it was very eye-opening to see how his very stupid brain worked.
And the emotional trauma that almost every one of these beautiful souls has endured. It literally brings me to tears. The strength they needed to get back up and continue to be amazing people, loyal friends, caring brothers, and loving partners.
Furthermore, the smut was hot af. But I liked how neither Caleb nor Ava were portrayed to be these deities of sex or anything, and rather it focusing on how good it was because they were great for each other. Like Ava said, "It was good, but we were phenomenal."
And, of course, Caleb correcting Ava when she was describing the sex as great and him instead preferring fantastic was top notch.
All in all, I had a great time and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
tcookie1's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I am so disappointed in this book. Samantha Young is one of my favorite authors and when I saw this book on sale on Audible, I thought it would be a good book to listen to. The characters frustrated me to no end. I understand the whole "casual" part, but it went on way too long. We barely even get to see them as a couple. His whole reason for being jaded pissed me off. I'm pro choice but it's not that I'm upset for how he was feeling. I just hate the way he describes it. He also never truly redeemed himself for being an arse in the third act. If I didn't pay for this, I wouldn't have finished it.
kghill002's review against another edition
3.0
AH IT WAS SO CUTE! The reviews and first couple of pages had me worried, but boy was I glad I powered through it. The complexity of the storyline was decently written, could have been better in some parts but added very much to the story. At first, Ava annoyed me, but then as you learned more about her it was so easy to love her character. Caleb was so sweet and was truly a good man. so many heartbreaking, beautiful, snarky moments! Good book if you like the haters to lovers romance!