Take a photo of a barcode or cover
pagesplotsandpints 's review for:
Flying Solo
by Linda Holmes
Read Completed 3/12/23 | 3.75 stars
I really, really like Linda Holmes' writing! I absolutely adored EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER and immediately headed over to FLYING SOLO when I didn't know what to pick up next. I still enjoyed FLYING SOLO all the way through, but it was a little more life story wrapped up in a romance where I wanted more romantic development. What was there was absolutely wonderful, but I just wanted more of it.
I'm also really appreciating reading romances with women in their 30s and in this case, Laurie was about to turn 40 (and did so in the book). I like seeing the different stories and in this case, how Laurie broke off a wedding because she realized she was just doing it because it felt right and how she was happy being a solo entity and didn't want children. I loved seeing how she didn't want to sacrifice everything she built in her life and for her happiness/personality in order to be in a relationship with someone else.
And there was a wonderful second-chance romance! I thought this was done so well, setting up each of the characters to be at a point where they could reconnect and everything made sense. No cheating involved (not even close), still good chemistry, and re-hashing the reason why they broke up (and kind of going through it again). It was a lovely thing for them to revisit and see why they broke it off in the first place and if they could rekindle those feelings while still figuring out how to get what makes them happy individually as well. Again, I would have loved more of the romantic development because I thought they had amazing chemistry! I felt like it really took a backseat to the great-aunt plot line, which I also enjoyed but that's not why I was reading the book.
Linda Holmes also continues to make an amazing friend group / support system / family/ found family. The supporting cast is always well-developed, full of personality, and are great additions to the book, adding to the life of the main characters.
Another thing I loved was how this took place in the same universe as EVVIE DRAKE without actually crossing over into it. I wouldn't have been opposed to some appearances, but there were references to TV shows, the baseball team, and of course, the locations themselves. It was really fun to tie that in but still be able to read either book independently. It just adds to the enjoyment if you already have read them.
I did like the great-aunt story and it included a few twists and turns of its own! I didn't love how much space it took up in this book since we just get a little answer from it but all takes place after her death so we don't really get to know her. I thought there would be a love triangle which thankfully, didn't happen, and things went a different way there. All around, still very enjoyable, but just wanted more focus on the romance!
I really, really like Linda Holmes' writing! I absolutely adored EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER and immediately headed over to FLYING SOLO when I didn't know what to pick up next. I still enjoyed FLYING SOLO all the way through, but it was a little more life story wrapped up in a romance where I wanted more romantic development. What was there was absolutely wonderful, but I just wanted more of it.
I'm also really appreciating reading romances with women in their 30s and in this case, Laurie was about to turn 40 (and did so in the book). I like seeing the different stories and in this case, how Laurie broke off a wedding because she realized she was just doing it because it felt right and how she was happy being a solo entity and didn't want children. I loved seeing how she didn't want to sacrifice everything she built in her life and for her happiness/personality in order to be in a relationship with someone else.
And there was a wonderful second-chance romance! I thought this was done so well, setting up each of the characters to be at a point where they could reconnect and everything made sense. No cheating involved (not even close), still good chemistry, and re-hashing the reason why they broke up (and kind of going through it again). It was a lovely thing for them to revisit and see why they broke it off in the first place and if they could rekindle those feelings while still figuring out how to get what makes them happy individually as well. Again, I would have loved more of the romantic development because I thought they had amazing chemistry! I felt like it really took a backseat to the great-aunt plot line, which I also enjoyed but that's not why I was reading the book.
Linda Holmes also continues to make an amazing friend group / support system / family/ found family. The supporting cast is always well-developed, full of personality, and are great additions to the book, adding to the life of the main characters.
Another thing I loved was how this took place in the same universe as EVVIE DRAKE without actually crossing over into it. I wouldn't have been opposed to some appearances, but there were references to TV shows, the baseball team, and of course, the locations themselves. It was really fun to tie that in but still be able to read either book independently. It just adds to the enjoyment if you already have read them.
I did like the great-aunt story and it included a few twists and turns of its own! I didn't love how much space it took up in this book since we just get a little answer from it but all takes place after her death so we don't really get to know her. I thought there would be a love triangle which thankfully, didn't happen, and things went a different way there. All around, still very enjoyable, but just wanted more focus on the romance!