Series: Love Along the Way

Synopsis:

What if the very last thing you’re looking for turns out to be exactly what you need?

Joss Morgan is perfectly happy with her life in Sydney, thank-you-very-much. She may be single, have only one true friend, and live alone… but she doesn’t need a man… or more friends… or anything at all.

Wes Anderson boards a flight to Sydney intent on escaping the cinders of his life—the dreams that have all gone up in smoke. One year. One year of freedom to be anyone he wants; that is, anyone but the man he always thought he'd be.

When Joss and Wes’s worlds collide, he steals her breath—in more ways than one—and she seems to steal all the space in his already full head. Now, life is determined to throw them together and what starts as an awkward dance of unlikely friendship—each trying to contain their own emotional landmines—turns into something they never saw coming.

But can two people with enough baggage to bring down a plane help each other heal? With their pasts lurking around every corner like airport security, Joss and Wes must decide:

Is it safer to fly solo or would a life together be worth all the risk?

On a Flight to Sydney is the first book in the Love Along the Way series. It’s a swoony, laugh out loud, tug on your heartstrings, romance filled with friendship, surfing, and two people doing their best to navigate this thing called life.

Review:

On a Flight to Sydney was smile and swoon worthy, and so effortless to love.  With a slow-burn romance that was electric, emotionally beautiful moments that were touching, and a storyline that refused to be put down, this book was an instant favorite!  If you love adult romance that feels like a movie playing out in your head and will have you thinking about the characters long after you put down your book, you definitely need this one in your life!

“It just feels like fate or something.”
I laugh again, lower this time. Fate? Do I even believe in fate? I must be more tired than I thought.

Joss and Wes’ meet cute was beyond memorable and so much fun!  So from the moment Wes gave Joss a brush of his thumb, I was melting.  Even while she came across as calm, collected, and not interested.  And I felt an instant connection to Joss with her good-heartedness and playful nature.  Yet while she kept the majority of those around her at arm’s length, her thoughts seeped into my heart.  I desperately wanted her to find happiness in her life, and I thought Wes could be the one to do that.

Tangled up in him doesn’t even begin to cover the way I’m feeling right now.

I instantly fell in love with Wes, he was someone you’ll want to steal from the pages.  He was a fighter pilot for 12 years in the Navy and was moving to Sydney for the next year to get a fresh start.  While Wes seemed sure of himself outwardly to Joss, I loved that we got to hear his thoughts too.  He was thoughtful, charming, and had this sexiness to him that was swoon worthy.  Yet the past haunted him too.  So as fate continued to push them together, I was cheering them on every step of the way!

Being around Joss though, talking to her… It’s as effortless as breathing. There’s a familiarity as if we’ve been friends for years, not weeks. 

Every single moment Wes and Joss were together was laced with emotions.  Whether they simmered with peace and hope.  Or they were making me laugh, smile, and cry.  It was impossible to stop the swell of emotions.  Especially the excitement or scenes that felt like fireworks were going off.  This slow burn romance had the most fabulous tension, that was beautifully done!

“Did you see something you liked, sweetheart?”
She goes entirely still as her breath catches.

With surf sessions, coffee, work, and friends swirling around, I loved watching them turn a meeting into more.  A friendship.  And watching that proceed was so natural.  Yet both of them had their struggles.  And those past traumas cut deep.  It was impossible not to cry with both of them.  Yet there was a lightness to this story too, where their moments together were so much fun.   The after-shower scene was one of my favorites.  

That look is pure fire, and a part of me wants to burn with him. Damn the consequences.

You know those types of books that just keep you smiling from that first page to the last, while also tugging at your heart?  That was this book.  The characters and storyline were so well thought out.  I loved how Joss flustered Wes and kept him on his toes.  I loved how Wes pushed Joss to open herself up.  And while their moments together were a fade to black, I didn’t need more with this story.  The intensity of their emotions, and the sexiness of their kisses, was done so perfectly.  This debut novel is a must read.  J.A. Forde has made a fan for life, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

PS I loved how he called her Grey!

PPS I loved her outfits and desperately wanted to buy some of them!

Some other favorite quotes….

He doesn’t do relationships, and I don’t do casual. I don’t really do anything these days, honestly.

She deserves so much more than the broken shell of a man that I’ve become.

She’s flustered by my touch, and as much as I love it, I know I need to tread carefully. I take a step back, putting some distance between us before I do something stupid like kiss her.

My only real thought was “mine.”

“Thank you,” I whisper into his ear. I let his scent wrap around me like a blanket. “For being you and for being here.”
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be, Grey.”
I sink further into the embrace and let myself believe him.

Maybe it’s time for fresh cards, or a new game entirely.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*