This was quite the pleasant surprise! The romance trope here is the second-chance at love, and it comes after a change encounter--and rescue--aboard a plane. With that exciting set up, what follows could be a bit of a boring two steps forward/one step back simmering romance, and while the story does drag towards the middle, the characters of Avery and Elise are written so well and actually have chemistry together that they keep pushing these pages forward easily. This was a bit hard to full categorize as so much of it is "cozy" romance, but the inciting factor throwing these two together is an obsessive and dangerous fan, so there is an element of violence that doesn't jive with the rest of the vibe of the book. I wish there was a little more intrigue and implied danger with this creepy fan to ratchet up the excitement, because otherwise most of the book is a back and forth examination of why Avery and Elise broke up and the healing and forgiveness that has to take place in order to move forward. All in all, this was much better than I had expected and it's all due to the author creating two genuinely likable and charismatic characters.

Avery and Elise have a history, but it shattered into pieces and Avery has understandably struggled to recover. Elise on the flipside has gone onwards and upwards - or so it seems.

A chance incident brings them back together, but with nothing really changed, will it make a difference?

Well let's say Avery is more forgiving than me and their journey continues albeit without a clear label. Are they friends or more?

Noyes is a great writer, one of my favourites and this is no exception. I loved the story almost entirely. A few moments were a little flat and the ending was wrapped up quite briefly, but overall a top book.

ARC received for an honest review.

I love Abby Craden, and EJ Noyes and Abby Craden are my favorite author narrator combo. So, naturally I waited for this one on audio. I finished it on the first leg of a road trip, and it made the drive much more interesting.

Avery is an Air Marshall just going about her daily business when her ex, the famous actress Elise Hayes sits down next to her. Things escalate when a violent stalker starts an incident and Avery has to save Elise in the air. Old feelings come to the surface when Elise turns up on Avery’s doorstep because she doesn’t feel safe at home. Romance was never their problem. Elise just felt she couldn’t be out when her career took off. Can they just be friends, though? Their bond may be too strong for that.

I always enjoy Noyes’ books and this was no exception. They are plenty steamy, and she’s one of the few writers whose hot and heavy scenes don’t make me laugh at the absurdity. Sometimes mainting tension and a good balance of back and forth can be tough with the old flame storyline, but as usual, Noyes has no problem keeping the story interesting and the reader invested in the characters. I can’t wait to see what she’ll do next.

It’s out now wherever you get your books.

Avery Weston is a Federal Air Marshal whose ex, Elise- a now famous actress, who walked out on their relationship over a year ago, is now seating next to her on a flight back home. After a frightful flight Elise is looking for refuge in Avery's home, and Avery agrees not expecting sparks to reignite between them.

This book, as expected from E.J. Noyes, was incredibly well written. The chemistry between Avery and Elise was incredible and I loved their relationship. This story was definitely one of her best. I love how immersive the story was and I am definitely getting a game room after reading this book.

Although, I prefer third-person books, I do not miss a book by this author because even though it is first-person, it gives you a full perspective and description of everything and everyone. And it is engaging and entertaining and intense.

I will be recommending this to my friends and I will be getting the paperback.

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

E. J. Noyes never disappoints. Period. She is an amazing storyteller and her stories are always top shelf. Why? Because she understands the power of a story. She knows how to creatively and effectively use her words to evoke joy, surprise and fear on the page, and she does it with such finesse, readers can not turn away. The emotions drive her storytelling, leaving her readers engaged every step of the way.

Go Around is another fine example of this. She sets the stage for drama in the first exchange between her two female leads and readers are hooked. They feel the heat between the two ex-lovers and they want more. When things turn dicey and Avery has to do her job and protect Elise, readers know they are in for another “go around” and they happily buckle up for it.

Second chance romances can sometimes come off as a bit contrived, but Go Around is solidly constructed and far from contrived. The idea that Avery and Elise meet again on a plane in neighboring seats after 15 months of no contact is plot perfect, symbolic even. After all, they met originally on a plane while Avery was working as a Federal Air Marshal. It all works to give the narrative weight and significance. Furthermore, it sets the narrative up for what’s to come.

Noyes sells the reconnect and rebuild of Avery and Elise’s romance with scenes that are emotionally honest and raw, scenes that allow each character to voice the frustration, disappoint and pain of their first relationship. These scenes are poignant and filled with a truth that fits their story. Noyes pulls the curtain back on the ugly; nothing is glossed over and it’s refreshing to see. This ultimately gives credence to the possibility of healing and reconnecting. Furthermore, it levels things so love has a chance.

Avery and Elise are great characters; they lend a real personality to the story that readers find very appealing. They are strong, competent and capable women with substance and charm. Both of them come across as sympathetic and readers easily connect with them. They are flawed and wounded women, but still so obviously in love, and there’s something powerful about that. What’s more, their sexual tension is off the charts and perfectly penned. Readers can not get enough of that.

However, this book is more than a romance. It contains well-crafted dramatic elements that give readers more than enough thrills and chills to keep them on the edge of their seats. The climax is intense, but the ride back into HEA is well-worth the nail biting. It all comes together neatly, leaving readers satisfied and a little sad the ride is over.

Final remarks…

This is a solid romantic thriller. The character development is well done and believable. The plot is intense and well planned. On top of that, the romance is nicely woven into the plot, making the storytelling very engaging start to finish. The combination of these literary elements make Go Around a fantastic read. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to lesfic fans, especially those that like heavy doses of heart pumping action, because this one is all of that.

Strengths…

Well-written
Original
Nicely paced and plotted
Thrilling and dramatic
Likable, believable characters
Nicely developed sexual tension

Wow... did this book reel me in from the 1st chapter and I was hooked. Avery Weston is an air Marshall,. Who sits next to her on this flight but her ex, TV star Elise Hayes . Elise is terrorized by a crazy fan on the plane and Avery comes to her rescue. After the plane sets down Avery and Elise talk a bit and Elise wants to stay at Avery’s house because she doesn’t feel safe going home.
There is so much chemistry between Avery and Elise you can’t help but root for them to get back together. There is romance, mystery, face paced action and steamy scenes. There is also a very large dog who often steals the scene This is a second chance romance along with a thriller/suspense plot line. I have never met an EJ Noyes book I didn’t love an this is no exception.

Another winner from E.J. Noyes! Yes, I had to get over the convenience of Elise being on the same flight as Avery and then being right next to each other (I also didn't realize Air Marshals sat in first class...) but after they were basically forced together, the book stayed interesting and fun to read.

I think one of the big strengths of Noyes is the chemistry between the characters, and these two had it in spades. Even when they were acting "friendly" with each other, there is this underlying sizzle where you just know they will always be drawn to each other. And both Avery and Elise were very likable. Even Elise, who put her career ahead of Avery, was still very likable and I was rooting for her to find a way to be with Avery.

The crazy fan/stalker part of the story was realistic and interesting enough. I didn't find it particularly "thrilling" but I didn't really need to. And the way it wrapped up was well done, so I stayed with the story the whole time.

Overall, great read and can't wait for the next one!

ARC received via Bella Books in exchange for an honest review.

Noyes is always a go to for me, so much so that I requested this without even reading the blurb. Once I got it I realised it was a second chance story, which are hit and miss for me depending on how they plan out, and this also involved a crime element.

The MCs are Avery, an Air Marshall, and her ex Elise, who is a rising Hollywood actress. They were together for 5 years before Elise unceremoniously dumped Avery to further her career and they are reunited on a flight.

As is usual for a Noyes book, this is told in first person, from Avery's POV. This was a limitation here, because Elise was actually the one who drove all of the drama, and we never get her perspective, her story is told only through what Avery reveals about her, but this book would have been far more interesting if we could have been privy to what Elise was also feeling, as Noyes did in Ask Me Again.

Both characters are fairly interesting, and I believed they loved each other and should be together, which was actually also a limitation, because I just didn't buy that Elise would have just broken up with Avery after 5 great years with little to no explanation and then stayed away. There aren't many supporting characters in this that get much to do, the character with the next biggest role is Avery's co-worker Nicole, who added some levity in her scenes. There's also an adorable dog, Bennett, who was the highlight for me. The crime aspect left me a bit cold, mostly because I found the first part of it on the plane pretty unbelievable, and the end section involving that character was the same, how someone who was being stalked and her cop girlfriend wouldn't take more precautions to keep a stalker out was beyond me.

I did like that both characters communicated well with the other and that they talked through their issues once back in each other's realm. The way Noyes worked another of her stories into this one was also quite clever. I also believed that the MCs made a good couple and wanted to see them resolve their issues and get back together, so I enjoyed that aspect, but there were too many other issues for me with this one to add it to my list of Noyes 'must reads'. 3 stars

Avery is an air marshall, which requires her to work back to back days. She loves her job, even though she must remain secretive about her job. She only told one person, her girlfriend. That same girlfriend is the one who broke up with her a year and a half ago claiming that she was not ready to be out of closet.

Elise is an up and coming actress on a hit tv series. She used to be with Avery but under the advice of her agent, she was told to stop seeing Avery because it would damage her career. She leaves her and realizes quickly that she has make a huge mistake. She believes her agent and doesn't contact Avery again.

They are pulled together by Elise on a plane and Avery doing her job. Elise sits with Avery trying to make amends .Avery does not want to go through that hurt again. A fan starts talking to Elise and she realizes too late this is no ordinary fan, when he grabs her and threatens to cut her throat. Avery jumps into action and tries to calm the man down. She is able to disarm him with Elise coming away with only a scratch.

They don't see each other after the incident until Elise shows up at Avery's house looking for a place to hide out . She wants to get back with Avery regardless of what damage it might do to her career.

A gripping read filled with mystery and romance. If you enjoy these aspects in a book, you will enjoy this book!

I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Avery Weston, Federal Air Marshal dealing with a broken heart after her girlfriend left her. What hurts the most is she chose career over their relationship. Convinced at the time that being closeted was the best move, Elise Hayes, award winning actress, wonders if she made the wrong choice, leaving Avery. I enjoy second chance romances. The author did a wonderful job sharing the feelings of both Elise and Avery. The love is there for both and as the story unfolds, the reader is pulled in watching as they work to figure out if working it out is what they want to do.

A romance/thriller beautifully written starring a second chance for Avery and Ellie. It was difficult at times to like either character for different reasons. This author has an uncanny ability to peel away the layers of her characters to reveal what both of them really want, a chance at true love that will last this time. They both have to forgive for different reasons, and that is the journey that have to decide is worth the effort.

Go Around is a second-chance romance between Elise and Avery. When we meet them, they've been apart for over a year and there's residual feelings from Avery's part, who is our narrator. During a chance meeting which leads to their re-connecting, the two then have to navigate their feelings for each other and the residual hurt from the break up.

Although I thought this was a compelling read, it was because we are literally given a fly-on-the-wall, front seat view into this messy relationship and their journey to repair it. At times this was riveting, but at other times it became a bit tiresome. There is so. much. talking. I totally get that this is a novel about lesbians who've broken up but want to get back together but I think all of the excessive talking slowed down the pace in the novel, which hindered my engagement with it.

This book heavily focuses on the two main characters, and although we meet a few side characters, they are barely developed. I think this book is a realistic account of a break up and a relationship between two people who love each other, but have difficulty making a relationship work. I've had a relationship like this before I met my wife and perhaps that's why I found this such a heavy read.

I'm on the fence between 3 and 4 stars, so will round it up to 3.5 rating.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Another great story where the chemistry is strong, and the characters are intriguing. A second chance romance where exes reconnect on a flight... and are forced to chat and reconnect. Sizzle, fun, and emotional depth between the characters and in the story line. A great read, thanks to Bella Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was yet another awesome story by E.J. Noyes. The story was well written. I thought the characters were well developed and also relatable. This second chance romance will have you hooked form beginning to the end. I strongly recommend grabbing a copy. 4.5 stars


I received an ARC copy from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4.25 Stars. Yet another excellent story by E.J. Noyes. She manages to put a lot of steam in her romances when needed, but also gives the characters strong motivations and puts them in plots that gives them stuff to do. Also, this is an excellent second-chance romance that allows the characters to be flawed, broody, but not necessarily cruel. The cruel action already happened - one character panicked and just left the relationship, but that character is not a cruel person. It also is a forced proximity element to the story, which actually helps our leads actually talk through their thought processes, regain the friendship, and let themselves love each other again. That it is because one of them is a famous actress hiding from a stalker is just an extra layer to the story.

The story is told through Avery Weston's eyes. She's an air marshal who recently went through a devastating breakup with an actress who's face is now plastered all over the place. Avery thought she was doing okay with the loss of the love of her life until that love - Elise Hayes - ends up on the same flight she's working and in the seat next to hers. Elise is deathly afraid of flying, but they have bigger problems when Elise is attacked onboard, and she reveals that she is being stalked by a group of pretty frightening people. Avery, being the good person she is, reluctantly lets Elise stay with her while Elise is on hiatus. As Elise returns to doing many of the things Avery thought made her life complete, she has to confront Elise as to why she left so abruptly.

I think one of the best things that this story does is to give both Elise and Avery the time to actually work through their feelings. So Avery has to trust that Elise isn't going to leave her again, while Elise has to work through her own feelings on coming out in an industry that is still sort of reluctant to have out actors. It also didn't help that Elise's former management team put a lot of toxic thoughts into her head. Noyes treats Avery's rightful hurt and discomfort with Elise's confidence issues and her worry about her job with an excellent balance. Both characters' concerned are treated with care, and Noyes gives them both time to sort out their feelings without making them overtly cruel for the drama. They just fit together, and they both see that, but they do know they have to actually work to keep their relationship healthy - something they couldn't do before the start of the book.

I didn't mention the stalker aspect of the story, mostly because Noyes kind of sacrifices that sense of danger to work on Elise's and Avery's development. Which is fine to a degree. I kind of didn't like whole confrontation scene in the end, because the stalker wasn't for most of the story until that scene. Like he was on the flight at the beginning of the book, and Elise mentions some threats that mess with her while she's staying with Avery, then there's a short build up to the confrontation and finally the confrontation happens. I know that it is tough to tell when stalkers decide to escalate, but in this case, I didn't quite like how it got to that point. If anything, that is really my only complaint about the story.

Noyes is a very thoughtful writer and when she does stories like this, she normally knocks it out of the part. The rebuilding of Avery's and Elise's relationship was absolutely perfect. I love these kinds of second chance romances, and it is one of the best I've read about since reading more romance titles. I didn't quite like the ending with the stalking plot, but it wasn't done poorly, just aspects of it that were just off. The resolution needed to happen the way it did, and it was certainly handled better than most, but it is a tough balance to strike. That could be me nitpicking, but because Noyes is such a good writer, it is so tough to find much wrong with most of her books.

This was an enjoyable read - by no means was it a page-turner that I couldn't put down and there were no real surprises in the plot. Regardless, it was a good book. I really liked the way it started off - what do you do when your ex, who you're having a very hard time getting over - sits next to you on a plane and you have nowhere to go?

Cute premise.

Every time a future E. J. Noyes release is announced my day gets a little better. Noyes has grown to be one of my favorite authors. As she mentioned in the acknowledgements, she writes about topics that she has little knowledge or insight about, but that is one of the things that makes her stories so interesting. Noyes exposes the reader to a host of new topics.

Such is the case with Go Around which is a second-chance romance between Federal Air Marshall, Avery, and holiday Greed actress, Elise Hayes. They were together for five years when Elise could not come out and decided to leave Avery. They’ve been separated for fifteen months when they meet again on a flight where an incident occurs that drives them together.

The beginning and the ending of the book are very action packed and intense. A lull occurs more toward the middle of this book where Elise and Avery are trying to sort through the details of their relationship and determining if they can make a go of things.

Things to love about this book: The love scenes are erotic and quite emotional; Bennie the dog and his reunion with Elise; and the fact that Elise talks about playing the lead in the movie adaption of a book called Alone which will be her first lead lesbian role. 4.25 stars


I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another incredible story from EJ Noyes!

I am not normally too big on second chance romance, I really am not a fan of flashbacks, and a celebrity one to boot? I just pass over them. But this is EJ, so I jumped right in with no hesitations. This was more than just a second chance (without all the extra flashbacks), the suspense side of things was a perfect balance.

Federal Air Marshal, Avery has been head over heels for her ex Elise since the second she laid eyes on her, and the last 1.5 years after Elise left her due to her work and being deeply in the closet, hasn't changed that at all.

Seeing Elise seated next to her on her flight leaves her feeling more than overwhelmed, especially when she wants to talk about the past.

The action kicks off super fast with an obsessed fan delusionally thinks he can kidnap a famous actress . . . Avery's famous actress.

Elise Haye, a famous actress whose career is soring but her heart is still broken. She never stopped loving Avery, she thought she was doing what was right for her.
After the situation on the plane, Elise is left shaken up and afraid and heads to the one and only place she feels safe, Avery's.

The close proximity plus drama with the stalker/fan makes them both realize they are not over each other, their love was never the problem, it was Avery being a secret, feeling she was second to Elise's career.
Elise realizes she can't be without her, but things need to change. Avery has a lot to figure through, like can she forgive Elise, and more importantly, can she open herself to the chance of being hurt again?

Argh! Ok, I have had to cut so much because of spoilers, so I am ending this here.

Simply, Bennie, the gentle giant of a pupper, totally stole the show. Avery and Elise are insanely hot and addictive (It's EJ Noyes, did you expect really expect anything less?) and this book is beyond fantastic, and I recommend you get off Goodreads and go read it, like now.

Ohh, I almost forgot! The little easter egg! I love that Alone was mentioned within the story! I have to say, that is one movie I would love to see!

EJ Noyes is a 100% must buy, must read author for me, (in addition to receiving an arc I pre ordered this book from Bella Books), and I was not disappointed. Both Avery and Elise are delightfully imperfect, making them therefore perfectly human and relatable. Avery is heartbroken and as the blurb says, "doing fine", while I initially thought Elise was an utter asshole who did not deserve Avery at all, but she slowly, slowly won me over.

As well as top notch characterisation, Go Around features some truly epic action sequences (Avery is an Air Marshall after all) and is also very funny. Add to this a few seriously smoking sex scenes, and it's a recipe for success! Yes, I have bought the account as well, that's how good this is!

Elise left Avery because as a star she couldn’t come out or it could ruin her career. When Elise is stalked by a fan, she asks Avery to let her stay with her for a few days until she feels safe again. What happens when you still love your ex but she hasn’t changed?
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