A former high school couple has an unfriendly reunion on their way to a wedding and end up stranded on an island in the middle of the ocean. 🏝️

3.5 ⭐️ Took a chance on this one in spite of its awful cover because it gave me Six Days, Seven Nights vibes and I like that movie. I didn’t have high expectations but ended up thinking it was really cute! The book had a couple of things that don’t usually work for me (high school flashbacks and a bit of angst with both MCs), but I found myself not minding either - the angst was minimal and the flashbacks were well done and a nice way to get to know the characters and their history. This is a debut contemporary romance and an author I’ll be reading again as she writes more in the future.

My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for a complimentary advance copy of this eBook, out 4/1/2025.

⭐️ 4 | 🌶️ 2

Piper’s flight to the Bahamas for her bestfriend, Allie’s, wedding gets cancelled. She runs into her ex & Allie’s cousin, Wyatt, at the airport and he offers her a ride in a private jet. They crash land on an island and awaiting rescue, they sort out their heartbreaking past.

This was a heartwarming, second chance romance. I enjoyed the flashbacks and seeing Wyatt and Piper’s relationship grow throughout the years. Even though Wyatt broke Piper’s heart, they never forgot each other. I thought the characters were totally relatable and Wyatt’s reason for breaking up with her was understandable. I unfortunately understand those circumstances. If you’re looking for a cute feel good read, Crash Landing is totally for you!

Second chance
Friends to lovers to “enemies” back to lovers

Annie McQuaid tugged on my heartstrings with this one.

When a flights get cancelled, Pipers only option is to fly with the ex who broke her heart, Wyatt. Little do they know that their flight is about to leave them stranded on an island, where they are forced to face the past and figure out how to move forward along with trying to survive.

Piper character growth is perfect, she’s a shell of self doubt and just people pleasing and their time on the island forces her to grow and stand up for herself like she needs too. The best part about the book is the ending when you find out about Badger’s toy, it truly shows how Piper is truly it for Wyatt.

Thanks to Annie McQuaid, Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to give my review on this book.

3.25/5

if my ex boyfriend crashed the plane i was in, i would suffocate him

this book kinda felt like if the ex vows but instead of a wedding bringing the exes together it was a plane crash, oh and it wasn't as good. for some reason i requested this arc even though i am terrified of planes. this didn't help at all but the romance was kinda cutesy. we're following two exes who are trying to get to a friends wedding but a canceled flight causes them to go together instead and disaster strikes. at first i really liked the timeline switches and getting to know wyatt and piper but it kinda got annoying because i didn't vibe with the dialogue.

these two were wayyyyy to calm for having been in a plane crash. maybe its because i read swept away by beth o'leary recently but they were not stressing enough for the situation they were in. if i was trapped on an island and couldn't get home and SURVIVED A PLANE CRASH... i would be dead probably or in a constant panic attack. both of these characters felt pretty bland and i wasn't in love with wyatt. this is cute and fun, great if you're looking for a unique romance, but it wasn't my overall fave.

*thank you netgalley and avon for the arc!*

I thought the premise of Crash Landing was interesting, but unfortunately the story didn’t live up to my expectations. I couldn’t connect with either of the MCs. Both Piper, who capitulated to her overbearing mother over everything, and Wyatt, who turned from hot to cold at the drop of a hat, seemed to have never matured past high school graduation. There was also quite a bit of unnecessary brand name dropping that does nothing for the story and will only serve to date the book.

I know that there’s an audience out there for Crash Landing. It just isn’t me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

A quick and cute read with a satisfying conclusion. A little different than your typical romcom which made it a fun read.

It was cute but just wasn't for me.

I've been a huge reading lull so maybe that has something to do with it too.

This book was definitely be a lot of people's cup of tea, and will probably be mine at a later date.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Annie McQuaid for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️
This dual timeline covers when Piper and Wyatt first meet, become friends and fall in love to current day - when they are trying to get to their best friends destination wedding and end up stranded on a deserted island together. In order to survive they need to clear the air after 8 years of no contact.

Forced proximity, caretaking, second chance romance. I did wish this was told in first person.

You’re immediately drawn into the story with their friendship and the obvious pain Piper is still experiencing. It’s clear that Wyatt is a good guy despite not knowing why he broke Pipers heart and disappeared for years.

Overall, enjoyed and look forward to seeing what else she writes!

This was a second chance romance that really made you work for the happy ending. There was a lot of miscommunication throughout the book. I liked the use of flashbacks to show Wyatt and Piper’s childhood friendship. I didn't like that you learned what led to them not talking for years through the present first and then saw the flashback of how the situation played out. Personally, it would take a lot of work for me to forgive Wyatt. That plane crash really did a number on Piper's life perspective, though. So it was believable that they ended up together in the end. Overall, it was a quick read that would be a good vacation book. Maybe not to somewhere you're taking a plane, though.

This is unfortunately a DNF for me. I was super excited to read this because the premise of two ex's surviving a plane crash and ending up stuck on an island sounded so good. My younger self that was obsessed with the show Flight 29 Down couldn't wait to read this.

However, right off the bat I was really struggling with the 3rd person writing. I don't usually have anything against 3rd person but I feel like having it in romance books just really pulls me out of the story. I couldn't connect to the characters the way I needed to. I also started to really notice the non stop use of similes and metaphors that just didn't flow for me in the story.

I did enjoy the flashbacks but ultimately I was not able to feel a connection to the characters and decided it was best to dnf.

Crash Landing by Annie McQuaid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
304 pages
Publishing April 1st, 2025

Piper is 100% over her ex-boyfriend, Wyatt, after he broke her heart. Piper has now changed from taking risks to living a very safe and perfect life. Bumping into Wyatt at the airport as she was headed to their mutual friend’s wedding was not apart of the plan. When their flight was cancelled, Wyatt offers to fly a friend’s plane to help them make it to their friend’s wedding on time. Their worst nightmare comes true-the plane goes down on a desert island. As time ticks by with no sign of help, the chemistry and tensions grow between the two.

I loved this book! It was such a unique concept- stranded on a desert island when their plane goes down on the way to a mutual friend’s wedding. I loved the banter, the forced proximity, and the dual timelines. Annie did an amazing job of building the chemistry between Piper and Wyatt! So many swoony moments between them that had me blushing.

Thank you @avonbooks @netgalley for the eARC of this amazing book! I also had the opportunity to be apart of the traveling ARC team for this book! I am so proud of you @annie_m_writes 💕

Read if you like:
🌺Forced Proximity
🌺Dual Timeline
🌺Second Chance Romance
🌺It’s Always Been You

#anniemcquaid #secondchanceromance #dualtimeline #forcedproximity #itsalwaysbeenyou #romance

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I am a sucker for a second chance romance. This has all the parts I love most about that trope. The angst. The forgiveness. The longing. This was a quick and sweet read.

Crash Landing by Annie McQuaid is a delightful romance filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of turbulence! From the very first chapter, you are hooked by the engaging writing style.

The story follows Piper & Wyatt, who find themselves in an unexpected situation that leads to plenty of heart touching moments and swoon-worthy tension. The emotions feel real, and build to a second chance is incredibly satisfying.

While I absolutely loved the dynamic between the characters and the unique premise, there were moments where the pacing felt a bit slow.

If you're looking for a feel-good read with plenty of heart and some unexpected twists, Crash Landing is definitely worth picking up.

This was sooo cute!! I am a sucker for a second chance romance and I really enjoyed this. It is a great palate cleanser between series. While reading, the only thing I really missed was Wyatt's POV. I think with the way he pined over her for many years, I would've loved to hear his deepest thoughts.

I very much loved this second chance adventure romance! The author has crafted a story that is equal parts action-packed and introspective. Piper and Wyatt, ex-high school sweethearts, become stranded on a tropical island on their way to a friend's wedding. As they try to stay alive in this sandy, deserted setting, flashbacks explore how they came together--and were torn apart--so many years ago. I'm not always the biggest fan of second chance romances that date back to when they were teenagers, but in this case, Piper and Wyatt's past relationship is so touching that it's impossible not to root for them, and the forces that separated them are believable and compelling. In the present day, the connection between Piper and Wyatt is obviously still strong, and as they battle the elements and try to survive, their love emerges stronger than ever. An impressive debut, and I can't wait to read more from this author!

I absolutely loved "Crash Landing" by Annie McQuaid! This novel masterfully weaves dual timelines, taking readers on an emotional journey. The transitions between past and present are seamless, adding depth to the characters' stories and keeping me engaged throughout.

One of the most captivating aspects of this book is the second chance at love theme. Watching the characters navigate their past mistakes and rediscover their feelings for each other was truly heartwarming. Annie McQuaid brilliantly captures the complexity and beauty of rekindled romance.

The novel's happily ever after was perfectly executed. It left me with a sense of satisfaction and joy, knowing that the characters had grown and found their way back to each other. "Crash Landing" is a must-read for fans of romance and compelling storytelling.

5 stars, without a doubt!

CRASH LANDING – Annie McQuaid
A Perfect 10
Avon
ISBN: 978-0063374867
April 1, 2025
Contemporary Romance

A Deserted Island off the coast of the Bahamas – Present Day

Piper Adams is trying to get to the destination wedding of her best friend Allie in the Bahamas, but her flight out of Atlanta has been cancelled. The wedding is in two days and there are no flights available. Just as she’s wondering what to do, she turns around to find her former childhood friend Wyatt Brooks. She hadn’t seen him since he broke her heart the summer after they graduated from high school. Piper should’ve known Wyatt would attend his cousin’s wedding, but she’d hoped she wouldn’t run into him. Now she is facing him—and he’s offering her a ride on a private plane he’s borrowing from a friend.

The plane trip was supposed to be short, but they ran into turbulence and the plane crashed. Piper wakes up to discover they are on a deserted island with no food or water, and no way off. How will they survive? The wedding is in two days, and she can’t miss Allie’s wedding. Plus, how can she stand to be around Wyatt since she hates him for what he did to her all those years ago. Yet, Piper realizes that she likely wouldn’t be alive without him by her side. In the meantime, they have to find food and potable water. Will they manage to survive and be rescued? Will their old attraction return?

CRASH LANDING was fun to read right from the beginning and a reason why I gave it a Perfect 10. Piper was looking forward to the wedding and now her trip has fallen apart. She has been training to be a doctor and follow in her father’s footsteps, but now she is not sure that it’s the path she wants to take. She has also been dating Tag but it’s clear to her that while he’s a nice guy, he isn’t “the one.” Piper didn’t really want to fly with Wyatt but had no choice if she wanted to make the wedding rehearsal dinner. She’s the bridesmaid! She barely speaks to Wyatt during the flight and then the crash happens. While she’s surly toward Wyatt at first, she realizes that if it wasn’t for him, she’d likely be dead.

Of course, being alone on a desert island means they have to talk to each other or go stir crazy. Slowly and surely, we learn why they broke up. CRASH LANDING goes back and forth from the present day to the past from where Piper and Wyatt first met, all the way through the night they broke up. Will they mend their friendship…and more? This tale is funny at times, even though they face life and death decisions. Things don’t always go smoothly for them, including facing injuries. Yet, despite Piper’s hostility toward Wyatt, she is soon melting like an ice cream cone in a hot sun. It’s clear they still care for each other, but can she forgive him? They are alone on the island, so will it lead to more than just making up? Can it be sustained once they leave the island?

CRASH LANDING is a breezy and entertaining tale that is perfect for a day spent reading. Piper and Wyatt are intriguing and fun characters. It’s obvious that they belong together. If you’re looking for a read that’s enjoyable with a bit of an adventure, then don’t miss CRASH LANDING.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Crash Landing is Annie Mcquaid's debut novel, and it's a great debut. There's adventure. There's a heartwarming romance. There's great banter between the characters. There's everything a reader could want in a contemporary romance. This is such a fun read.

Reading this book is really like getting two romance novels in one. You get to read the romance between Piper and Wyatt when their kids. Then you also have the romance between Piper and Wyatt as adults. Their romance as kids is sweet and innocent. It takes them years to admit that they are interested in each other. They're best friends that eventually fall in love. Their romance as adults is much quicker and hotter. The basis of their friendship and first love creates a deep connection. While the main romance seems a little fast, the back story makes the relationship seem believable.

The juxtaposition of Piper and Wyatt's families was done very well. Piper grew up with a very loving family that was deeply invested in her future. Wyatt grew up without a father and a mother that was an alcoholic. The only stable family he had was his cousin and his aunt. Despite Piper seeming like she has an ideal family, her parents are kind of the worst. They've controlled her entire life. They've never let her decide what she wanted. Wyatt had no involved parents so he got to do exactly what he wanted. The difference in the way that they were raised creates the main conflict in the book. Piper and Wyatt see the world in very different ways, and their perception of their high school relationship is different. Throughout the book they have to learn to actually listen to each other.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. It's a fast read that you won't be able to put down. It’s the perfect book for a rainy weekend. It’ll take you right to a tropical beach filled with sunshine.

I was given this ARC from Avon and Harper Voyager. All opinions are my own.

So this one was a superbly written, emotional, surprisingly wonderful debut contemporary romance from a debut author!

A second chance, adventurous, survival romp on a deserted island after an unplanned plane crash with the man who tore your heart to pieces almost a decade ago? Yep, Piper is having a MOMENT. I really adored Wyatt but I felt like the entire leaving thing was a bit much.

But I enjoyed it and looking forward to more from Annie McQuaid!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for this one!

I can't express how excited I was to add this book to my TBR! I love a deserted island romance—it’s a trope I don’t think is used nearly enough. Crash Landing delivered a swoon-worthy, slow-burn second-chance romance that I devoured.

The emotional tidal wave I experienced alongside Piper and Wyatt was bittersweet in the best way. This story stood out uniquely from other stranded island books I’ve read, making it special in its own right. Even though it was low spice, the romance and tension between the two characters was still strong and made a compelling story. That said, you all know how much I love a smoldering, spicy read, so I wouldn’t have minded even more!

My other wish would have been for their time on the island to be longer, with more survival-based challenges to showcase how compatible as a team they could have been. The dual timeline, made it clear this couple had already faced plenty of obstacles in their past and their biggest hurdle was being a team. I think more time showcasing that they could, would have been more satisfying in the conclusion.

If you love a sweet second-chance romance with a good amount of tension, I think Crash Landing is a perfect read that delivers a story of survival and rekindling a love once thought lost.