Interesting book for sure. Some grammers issues but they can be look over if you don't nitpick them. Characters are likable and the concept of the book is interesting too.

Thanks Netgalley & author/publisher for the ARC!

This was a cute, fast-paced contemporary romance with elements of second-chance romance, enemies-to-lovers, and forced proximity.

After a disastrous high school break up, Piper and Wyatt find themselves in the most unlikely of situations…stranded on a deserted island. They have to learn to re-trust each other while keeping one another alive and rehashing old (but not forgotten) pain. This book takes place in the present and incorporates flashbacks as we learn how their relationship grew and developed until ultimately imploding.

I could have used a bit more character development and the flashbacks, at times, felt a bit disjointed, but the premise of this book is top notch. If you are looking for an easy, quick read, definitely check this out.

Thank you to Net Galley, Avon, and Harper Publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a sweet second chance romance. Wyatt and Piper were childhood best friends in love with each other, but Wyatt broke things off and they haven’t spoken in 8 years. They are flying to their friend’s wedding together, but the plane crashes and they are forced to actually talk to each other about the past. There is a dual timeline between the present and their high school romance. It was very sweet and wholesome which made it feel very YA. Not much spice at all if you love romance without that. It started off really strong, but I felt like they didn’t really have that yearning and tension you want in a second chance romance. The high school story was so cliche that I wish there had been less of that. It’s a really sweet story for a quick, light read! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Contemporary Romance

This is a fun contemporary romance that follows Piper. Fate will reunite Piper with her ex-boyfriend, Wyatt, in the most absurd way. Just when she thought that she had gotten over the man, their best friend's destination wedding was what made the two exes meet again and rekindle.

When the flight gets cancelled, Piper doesn’t find any other way to attend her best friend’s wedding but to accept Wyatt’s offer to fly there in a small plane. Of course, as the title and cover both reveal, there is a crash, and we get to know the characters’ past and present through an alternating narration style.

If you enjoy reading about second-chance romances with forced proximity, this is definitely the book for you. Although I was initially more interested in the present and survival aspects of the story, the past narrative effectively provided background on the characters, their relationship, and what went wrong.

This is an excellent debut novel with heart and humor. The characters are lovable and grounded, and I feel many readers can relate to them, comparing their own experiences with those of the characters. I recommend this book to all those looking to read something exciting and fun.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for the copy. Crash Landing follows childhood friends Wyatt and Piper as they try to reach their friend’s wedding in the Bahamas. The relationship between them is strained and they have not spoken since high school. Their original flight was cancelled, which resulted in Wyatt offering Piper a spot on the plane he borrowed from a friend. Piper reluctantly agrees but unfortunately their flight does not go to planned. Wyatt and Piper end up stranded on an island. They must put their differences aside in order to survive. Annie McQuaid put together an entertaining second chance survival romance. I loved how the story switched between the past and present. This allowed us to see how their relationship developed and how they have evolved since high school. I liked the survival aspect to the story. I feel like it kept me entertained. The only complaint I have is the use of the miscommunication trope, but that is personal preference.

Such a good story! Enjoyed the feel good vibes, the characters and the way the story flowed. Worth the read and recommendation for sure!

Crash Landing was a quick and enjoyable read that kept me entertained from start to finish. As a romance reader at heart, I always look for stories that include my favorite tropes, and this one delivered beautifully. It had two of my absolute favorites—forced proximity and second-chance romance—which made the story even more engaging for me. The dynamic between the main characters was well-developed, and I found myself enjoying their interactions more and more as the story progressed. Their chemistry felt natural, and their journey was both heartfelt and charming.

While I wouldn’t say this book was life-changing, especially as someone who reads a lot of romance, it was still a fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable read. It had all the elements of a feel-good romance—sweet moments, a touch of tension, and just the right amount of emotional depth. If you're looking for something fun, lighthearted, and filled with romance, this is definitely worth picking up.

✈️Action Rom-Com
🏝️Second Chance
✈️Forced proximity (stranded on an island)
🏝️Friends to lovers
✈️Dual timeline
🏝️3rd Person, Single POV

“Cozy Action Rom-Com” may sound like conflicting mismatch descriptors but that’s what this book was for me. I enjoyed the wholesome and innocent journey of friends to lovers Piper and Wyatt go through as teenagers. The friendship was so sweet and seeing it transform into something deeper made me think of the youthful daydream of finding your soulmate and had me feeling giddy. The present timeline of coming face to face with her ex, her biggest heartbreak at the hands of her “person”, layered on a plane crash and being stranded on a deserted island reliant on each other for survival was the action. I loved the different tones of the dual timelines with the cozy elements of the past vs the action and high stakes action of the present. As if I was watching a movie, the past felt like I was seeing it through a hazy glow whereas I could picture the island vividly.

I loved seeing Piper’s growth during
this drastic and perilous event. The circumstances forced her to evaluate her life and career choices and to seize the chance to live her life for herself on her terms regardless of what others wanted for her. Being stuck with Wyatt also forced an opportunity to clear the air without distractions and learn answers that had always plagued her. It gave them an opportunity for a level of honesty and forgiveness that might not have happened if they were not forced together.

Despite the book being from Piper’s POV, I enjoyed learning about Wyatt through her perspective and seeing little bread crumbs of his feelings for her. It was also comforting to see his growth over their separation in him opening up and being honest about his vulnerabilities, especially after seeing the differences in their upbrings. Learning, alongside Piper, new details from side characters both broke my heart and had cheering for him.

I was rooting for Piper and Wyatt from the beginning, both in the past and present, but as more of their history was revealed and seeing them together in the present made me want their HEA so bad, that I finished this book with a big cheesy smile. I was also waiting with bated breath for Piper to stand up for herself to her mom and she did it in a way that felt so in line with her character, I wanted to clap for her.

Perfect if you enjoy forced proximity and second chance romance. Piper and Wyatt are estranged exes/former best friends who become stranded on an island together after a plane crash on the way to their mutual friends wedding. I thought they had really good chemistry and could definitely feel their connection. Piper and Wyatt learn to survive by trusting one another and themselves, and bit by bit fall in love all over again. It's like Emily Henry meets The Notebook but with a happy ending. Make it your summer beach read for 2025!

Crash Landing (e-arc)

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an authentic review!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

“But messing up what we had and losing you was the stupidest thing I ever did. If it takes a plane crash to see you, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Kissing Wyatt felt like coming home.

“I miss you, Piper. I can’t sleep without you. I wake up in the middle of the night not knowing where I am and reach for you, but you aren’t there. You’re the first thing I think of each morning, and I dream about you every night. I’m going crazy over here not talking to you.

—

Review:

This was a great romance debut novel! I loved the dual time line and am obsessed with second chance romances! Also, the plot really intrigued me and I loved the idea of them falling back in love and surviving together. I think it was a fun read but it’s not one that will have me thinking about it for forever. I liked the characters but felt like I needed more! Also, with second chance romances, there’s usually a lot of tension and angst and that’s what makes them so good but I feel like this one didn’t meet the mark for me. With that being said, I will be looking forward to Annie Mcquaid’s future releases as well! Once again, thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc!

Disappointed. I thought authors knew better than to insert Harry Potter references into their books in the year 2025? I read a book recently that was published in 2021(?) that was republished traditionally and apologized for the fact that the book has references to HP that she was unable to revise as per her contract. If that's what books these days look like, then why would an author think it to be okay to include that in a brand new book in a time where trans people are under attack? This is the author's debut, and I loved it up until the Harry Potter references. After that I did not care. I make it a point to finish books if they're ARCs as I don't tend to like to DNF them, but boy did I want to DNF this. Please do better. There is no room in my life for people who wrote Harry Potter references in their books, because to me, that tells me you are willing to platform a terf and bigot.

I really enjoyed this second chance, forced proximity, debut romance that sees Piper and Wyatt, two former high school lovers trapped on an island together when their plane crashes. Thwarted in the past by her parent's interference in the past, Piper didn't realize why Wyatt gave up on them before but with nothing to do but talk and grow closer while on the island fighting to survive, things get heated quickly. While there was a big miscommunication plot and lots of insecurities, this was still an enjoyable read that was good on audio and perfect for fans of survival romance stories like Beth O'Leary's Swept away. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Plane crash adventure meets cheese rom-com.
I am rating this book an average score - but a lower average score. The storyline had more potential than played out. I like a good rom-com, but I am not a fan of super cheesy stories with flat characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

This was a cute & quick read. I wanted to read it because of the survival element, and while it seemed pretty low risk, I still liked it. I mean they had communication, food, water, clothes, etc. and while obviously they still went through something awful, it still seemed a lot more tame than I expected.

Both characters frustrated me at times. I just wanted Piper to stand up for herself, and Wyatt needed to stop keeping things to himself and just talk about his feelings. But I did like the way things wrapped up, and the way both of them developed.

I usually struggle with second chance romances, but the way their story was told worked quite well for me. The throwback chapters weren’t excessive, but added in at good times to tell their story. It’s still not my favourite trope, but I’m glad I read this!

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so excited to read this book. Another great romance author is making their way onto the scene. The banter was top-notch and the sweet tender moments were great as well. So, when it the next book by Annie McQuaid coming out? Haha

Crash Landing is a debut novel by this author and it was surprisingly enjoyable. I liked the premise of these two characters having to face their past while stranded on a island after a plane crash. The book is written in a present/past format which is something I don’t mind at all as it gives the reader some insight into where the characters have been and where they’re going and how much they’ve grown. I enjoyed getting to know Piper and Wyatt in this sweet second-chance love story. This was a solid 4-star read for me and one that I would definitely recommend. I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

Piper Adams is completely, totally, one hundred percent over Wyatt, the former love of her life. At least, that’s what she tells herself. After he broke her heart, she stopped taking risks and focused instead on building a perfect—and perfectly safe—life. But bumping into Wyatt at the airport on the way to her best friend’s destination wedding wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was a canceled flight nor Wyatt’s offer of a ride on the tiny plane he’s flying to attend the same event. Desperate to make it on time, she accepts his offer, but things go from awkward to full-blown nightmare when their plane crashes in the Caribbean, stranding Piper on a deserted island with the last person she ever wanted to see again.

At first, rule-following Piper clashes with adventure-driven Wyatt, but as the days tick by, she can see the boy she once loved has grown into a man. A man who makes her laugh, knows his way around a fire, and is annoyingly hot shirtless. A man she could love again. As the chemistry still simmering between them boils over, Piper begins wishing Wyatt was more than just a survival partner. But for their love to survive a second chance, she’ll have to not only trust Wyatt again, but also learn to trust herself and find the courage to let go of her carefully curated life for the chance at something far greater—if they can survive the island long enough for rescue.

I really enjoyed this one. I love a lot of angst in my romances, and this was full of angst and grit. I'm not a super fan of the lack of communication thing, but that seems par for the course with romance books most of the time. Overall, I really enjoyed getting to know Piper and Wyatt, the way they worked through everything to survive their crash landing and isolation on the island, and the way they finally worked out their differences. Solid story for me! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Crash Landing follows Piper as she is forced to accept a plane ride from her ex, Wyatt, in order to get to her best friend’s wedding on time. However, when their plane crashes, Wyatt and Piper find themselves stranded on an island and must help each other survive. In close quarters, old feelings begin to resurface and Piper and Wyatt are forced to reckon with their past. I enjoyed Crash Landing, however it wasn’t a favorite. I liked the premise but I felt like I didn’t emotionally connect with the characters as much as I would have liked. This would a good novel to pick up for second chance romance lovers or anyone looking for a quick romance read! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I enjoyed the dual timeline aspect of this story and especially felt captured by the story of their younger years. The current timeline was a little odd at times. I love second chance romance, but the romance didn't really fit with the stranded on an island vibe. Sometimes it felt like the characters were acting like they were on vacation. I think if you can just let go of reality and have fun with the romance, you'll like this book.

Annie McQuaid's debut romance novel features Piper and Wyatt as our love interests. The couple meets as children and are estranged following a brief relationship in high-school. Their friend group, The Lonely Onlys continues on a decade later without Wyatt. The couple are reunited for another member's wedding, Allie. The couple suffer a horrific plane accident on the way to the destination wedding. Our couple spend time together waiting for rescue. They connect and uncover secrets from the past. The language and setting are well done. I enjoyed the writing here.

What I didn't love: Piper. She was very unrelatable to me. In the synopsis it says that she lives "perfectly safe" and I'd argue that she lives on autopilot. She is studying to be a doctor because her dad. She isn't with Wyatt because of Wyatt. She is dating Tag because of Tag and Parental expectations. She didn't have enough character development to be her own person. Not to mention, after the plane crash she was so concerned about the wedding festivities. She marked time on the island by which event she was missing. Then on the third or fourth day she finally told the comms search and rescue person, "Tell my parents I love them!" It was unreasonable for her to be in a life-and-death situation and not show true regard for anyone else.

Wyatt was a more interesting character, his backstory was 10/10. However, he and Piper lacked chemistry.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon publisher for this ARC!