Isn't It Romantic?: Fight or Flight & One Day in December

Fight or Flight
Samantha Young
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

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....

I am always up for a good hate-to-love romance, and Young gave me just that.

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.

One Day in December
Josie Silver
Age/Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Broadway Books
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

A love story about what happens after you meet, or rather, don't meet the one.

Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away.

Certain they're fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn't find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they "reunite" at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It's Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.

What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.

When I first heard about this book, it was being compared to When Harry Met Sally, and I guess I see some of that in there, but when I started reading it, the emotions it evoked were more closely tied with my experience reading Love, Rosie. Rosie was a solid 5-star read for me, but it was an emotional roller coaster, and like Love, Rosie, One Day in December was a ride I was so glad I had taken.

Could you imagine a missed opportunity, that turned into a year long search, just to end with that one special someone being your best friend's one special someone? Well, that's what happened to Laurie, and her pain and emotional struggle with the discovery made me gasp and get a little teary eyed, and it did not end there.

With each beginning and ending that Laurie, Sarah, and Jack endured, I shed tears - both of joy and sadness. I cheered for them, and I ached for them, and that is quite a testament to how well Silver crafted this story and these characters, because I cared so much about what happened to them.

She gave them many beautiful things, and though I was was sad that Jack and Laurie kept missing their opportunity, I was happy for the things that did come their way.

Listen, a decade is a long time to be involved in a character's life. There were many ups and downs, and Silver kept breaking my heart and filling it up. I read this book on a Saturday, and therefore was able to do ample updates. At one point, one of my blogger friends reached out to me. That's how emotional I was about this book.

Exhibit A: My Goodreads Updates

Don't worry, though. As I write this, I am thinking about the ending, and how amazing it was. I have a few happy tears in my eyes, and a huge smile on my face. So, all I have to say about this book is that it was an emotional trip worth taking.

**ARCs received in exchange for honest reviews.

Which do you prefer: 
Books taking place over a short period 
or a long period of time?

Let us know in the comments!