Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and Annie McQuaid for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Piper and Wyatt start off as friends, eventually date their senior year, but then Wyatt breaks up with her right before he leaves for the army. Piper is so heartbroken she says she never wants to see him again.

Fast forward to Allie having her wedding in the Bahamas, Piper and Wyatt see each other for the first time since their breakup in the airport when they find out their plane gets cancelled. One of Wyatt’s friends is letting him fly his plane and Wyatt offers Piper a ride and she agrees to fly with him. But an unexpected storm happens and their plane crashes on a deserted island. This is where some of the book just didn’t seem realistic to me. The book says that Wyatt was in the army but it never mentioned him being a pilot so why would his friend let him fly his plane??

I did enjoy the dual timelines switching between past and present. It added depth to the characters and helped me understand them better. I liked Wyatt and his protective nature toward Piper, always wanting the best for her. But seeing how he grew up and him knowing Piper’s parents didn’t like him and that Piper’s parents wouldn’t pay for her tuition if he stayed with her, made the reason he broke up with her understandable.

I thought the book was a bit too descriptive at times. Almost a whole page was dedicated to when Piper used a radio in Girl Scouts. I understand her knowing how to use a radio was important, but that much detail felt unnecessary. And how come she knows how to use a radio but Wyatt who served in the army doesn’t?

I didn’t rate it as high because I felt like Piper and Wyatt lacked chemistry in the present timeline. I enjoyed their younger relationship more.

Read this if you like best friends to lovers, second chance romance, forced proximity, dual timelines!

I loved the concept of this unique contemporary romance in which exes are en route to a mutual friend's wedding when they are forced to take a private aircraft to the event after a flight cancellation. After the plane crashes & they are stranded together on a remote island, Piper & Wyatt are forced to confront their pasts & wonder if they may be each others' missing piece after all these years.

I was really impressed by the uniqueness of this story! The remote island content gave the story an environment I haven't found in any other contemporary romance & being stranded was an interesting plot twist that gave our characters no other choice but to get along in order to survive. Annie McQuaid's writing was engaging, easy to understand, & was full of witty banter. This book features a "then & now" chapter structure that I enjoyed as the reader gets to see not only what is currently happening, but also the background story that got Piper & Wyatt to where their relationship currently stands.

If I had any criticism it would be that the book felt a bit longer than necessary. There were parts of the story that slightly dragged, but given that this is a debut novel, it was a wonderful surprise! Well done!

This was perfect
*Crash Landing* is a charming and heartwarming debut romance that combines humor, adventure, and second-chance love in the most unexpected of places. Piper Adams has moved on from her past with Wyatt, her ex, or so she tells herself. After he broke her heart, she embraced a life of safety and routine, far from the emotional risks of love. But when she unexpectedly bumps into Wyatt at the airport on her way to a wedding, she never imagined that the reunion would be the beginning of an unforgettable adventure.

When a flight she takes with Wyatt crashes on a deserted island, Piper is forced to confront her past and her feelings for the last person she ever thought she’d be stranded with. Initially, the two clash as their personalities are at odds—Piper, the rule-follower, and Wyatt, the free-spirited adventurer. But as the days pass, Piper starts to see Wyatt in a new light: the boy she once loved has become a man she can’t help but admire, even as she struggles with her resurfacing feelings for him.

The chemistry between Piper and Wyatt is palpable, and their banter and the awkward yet tender moments that arise in their survival situation will have you laughing and swooning. As they work together to survive on the island, Piper realizes that maybe the life she’s built is too safe, and that love—real love—requires trust, risk, and vulnerability. But with the stakes high and the island’s rescue uncertain, Piper must decide whether she’s ready to let go of her carefully controlled life and give her heart a second chance.

*Stranded with the Ex* is a delightful mix of humor, heart, and heat, with a well-paced romance that grows in the most unlikely of circumstances. For fans of second-chance romances, adventure, and self-discovery, this book is an absolute must-read. The humor will keep you laughing, while the emotional journey will have you rooting for Piper and Wyatt to find love again, not just with each other, but with themselves.

Hmm, no, this gets a big NO from me.

I chose it because the stranded on the island was not a setting I have read before and I was curious how/if the author can pull of some kind of survival romance. Well, the book was a fail for me but not because of the setting. I actually like the survival aspect, the MCs working together to survive, helping and caring for each other, the suspense element was OK was well.
The book has way bigger issues - clichéd writing, poor characterization of the MCs and side characters, brand name dropping from the start (I hate this with a fiery passion)
There is a now/then second chance romance and I really didn't care about the then - a high school romance, friends to lovers, goody two shoes girl falls for the boy from the wrong side of town. Basically, it was just one cliché after another after another.
I was OK with the present romance but the reason for the break-up and not speaking to each other was just another cliché.
Just when I thought something new, exciting might happen and story would take a turn for the better, it only got worse.
Overall, I was left frustrated at the end, despite everything working out (of course) and I felt it was just a big waste of time.

CW: airplane crash, serious injuries, war trauma leading to PTSD episode, parental neglect due to alcohol abuse

Annie McQuaid’s debut will live in my mind rent free for a long, LONG time. This second chance romance hits all the right marks and evokes all the emotions. I rooted for Piper and Wyatt from page one, and the payoff is so, so sweet and well deserved. This is for sure an author to watch!

The writing style unfortunately didn't work for me but I appreciated the story of second chance romance amidst the backdrop of a rather unrealistic situation. I'm excited to see more of Annie McQuaid's works in the future.

McQuaid's debut romance is a cute, quick read. Crash Landing alternates between "then" and "now" with Wyatt and Piper. Unfortunately, the "then" chapters were not in chronological order and jumped all over the place. Let go of your disbelief as this novel crashes you on a remote island as two former lovers fall back in love.

A promising debut for summer '25!

Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon

For anyone who always wondered what "might have been" with an old high school crush, this story is full of second-chance angst, discovery, and healing.

When Piper is unexpectedly thrown together with her high school ex on a private plane to her best friend's island wedding, the last thing she needed was for the plane to go down, stranding her with the one person she swore she'd never forgive. But fighting for their lives together may just soften her heart--if they don't kill each other before help arrives... If help ever arrives.

The story is told in two timelines: one reads like a sweet YA story and the other a spicy adventure romance.

I adore second-chance romances and really wanted to enjoy this because I was intrigued with the “stranded island” concept. I really liked the overall story itself and this had a lot of potential for a debut. But the book wasn’t what I expected because the writing style didn’t work for me. I could not connect with Piper or Wyatt long enough to stay hooked. Even though they were adults, they didn’t quite grow out of the teenage phase especially when the miscommunication trope came in.

I also didn’t feel the chemistry or angst (which is essential to the second-chance trope for me). But the dual timeline helped me understand their relationship and there were alot of tender moments. I would still be willing to give this author another try because her writing has a lot of potential. I’m also usually not picky with POVs but this is the one instance where I felt the book would’ve been more enjoyable in first-person rather than third-person.

I adored this book! I loved the premise, description. It was so well written and unique. I loved Piper and related to her so much. This is a beautiful romance but also a love letter to all the strong women in the world like Piper to follow what they want, not what was planned for them!

This was such a great debut for Annie McQuaid!
The characters a fresh and relatable and there’s nothing like a good plane crash to get the drama going! It was an enjoyable read and I’d highly recommend it!

Thank you to Avon/Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing this ARC!

Read in one sitting! What an enjoyable beach adventure. Piper and Wyatt have years of silence between them and find themselves in a very scary, yet somehow stable situation as they crash land on a deserted island in the Caribbean. Am I a sucker for deserted island romance? Oh 100%! I loved how they had various connections from their past, loose threads between them that are very carefully woven together as they attempt to work through their current crisis. It's a second chance romance, which usually requires so much excavation and unpleasantness, but this island atmosphere and Wyatt's sincere dedication to keeping her safe really set the story apart. I loved how Piper had some career and life complications that she had to work through during this adventure and how Wyatt helped her to come to important realizations about what she really wanted.

There is tension and emotional moments, a hint of spice, and Survivor-esque ingenuity throughout this romance. I adored it. Excited to read more from this debut author.

Special thanks to Avon/Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

I don't mind suspending belief for the sake of a good story, but this was too big of an ask. Two stars because I did finish it (although I skimmed a bit towards the end), and I really did enjoy the teenage timeline.

A light adventure that with just enough drama to keep me reading. I liked the before and now portions and the characters were great.

What a wonderful debut from author Annie McQuaid! I was instantly drawn to this cover because it gives major LOST vibes and I loved that show.

Wyatt and Piper are estranged high school sweethearts headed to a mutual friend's wedding. In a series of unfortunate events they end up together on a private plane that crashes on a secluded island. The two are not only forced to work together to stay alive, but they are forced to confront their pasts.

I absolutely loved both Wyatt and Piper. Both are facing their own sets of struggles but their imperfections made them feel more real despite an otherwise unrealistic scenario. The story is told in two timelines. One follows their past as high school sweethearts and the other is present day. I am a sucker for revisiting high school romances and theirs was so sweet! The prom scene is was one of my favorite scenes in the book.

This book comes out in April and it is going to be the perfect light hearted spring and/or summer read. The characters are super lovable, the second chance romance is sweet, and the chemistry will make your heart flutter without getting overly spicy. Congratulations on your debut, Annie!

I loved every second of this book and am quite sad that it is over. It was such a unique approach to the forced proximity trope, delivering the irritation and awkwardness of the genre but with the grounding and severity of a survival story. I loved the dynamic between the Piper and Wyatt and watching them work through such an unfathomable situation. That being said, I appreciated that the author kept it quite light-- all things considered. There is tension and high stakes, but I did not feel unnecessarily bogged down or fearful. The story was truly able to focus on their story together as both former friends and childhood sweethearts, and now grown adults who still know every idiosyncrasy of the other. The characters' voices also helped keep the tone lively and the plot fast-paced. Piper was super quick-witted and a wonderful protagonist, and Wyatt was just a lovely fictional man from the first moment he strode on page. Their chemistry was palpable, and their story so captivating.

Crash Landing reminded me exactly why friends to lovers is my favorite trope. It encapsulated that sweetness, vulnerability, and intimacy that comes from falling for someone day by day without even knowing it until you are so fully and completely wrapped up in them you don't even know who you were before them. The dynamic between Wyatt and Piper in the current timeline was full of those moments where you see just how strong their connection was and how deeply they still know and love one another. There was such a sweetness and a tenderness in their connection, and it was so beautifully done. The other half of their story ("then") was equally as lovely, and it was so full of heart and care in all the ways a first love should be. It was tender and sweet and wholly precious, and when woven together with the current day moments, it created such a rich love story.

Each character went through a nice emotional arc, Piper especially, and they were relatable and compelling. I found myself rooting so hard for them both as a couple and as individuals.

This book was such a standout for me, and I loved every moment. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this amazing ARC!

*Crash Landing* by Anna McQuaid is a heartwarming and adventurous second-chance romance that takes readers on a journey of love, survival, and rediscovery. Told through dual timelines—past and present—the story captures the tension, heartbreak, and chemistry between Piper and Wyatt, two former lovers who find themselves stranded together on a deserted island after their plane crashes during a storm.

Piper, a people-pleaser still reeling from her breakup with Wyatt eight years ago, is thrust into an intense situation where she must rely on the man who broke her heart. Wyatt, now a kind and resourceful ex-military man, is the perfect mix of capable and swoon-worthy, making their survival story not only believable but also incredibly engaging. The dynamic between the two is electric, and their unresolved feelings simmer just beneath the surface as they navigate the challenges of their isolation.

The dual timeline is executed beautifully, weaving their current predicament with glimpses of their shared history. It allows readers to slowly uncover the deep, raw connection they once shared and the reasons behind their breakup. The tension is palpable, and the stranded island setting only heightens their emotions, forcing them to confront the past and reevaluate their feelings.

The book thrives on beloved romance tropes—second chances, friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, and forced proximity—and balances them expertly. The combination of these tropes makes the story feel fresh and exciting, while also delivering the emotional depth that romance fans crave. The island scenes, with their intensity and moments of vulnerability, are particularly gripping and make you wonder if being stranded on a deserted island might not be so bad—at least if you have someone like Wyatt by your side!

That said, some conflicts in the story feel resolved a little too quickly, which slightly lessens the impact of the tension built up earlier. However, the chemistry between Piper and Wyatt, the unique setting, and the engaging writing more than make up for it. Their journey is satisfying, and the sweet, heartwarming ending leaves you smiling.

*Crash Landing* is perfect for fans of emotional, trope-packed romances with a touch of adventure. Anna McQuaid has delivered a delightful, fast-paced love story with great characters, a vivid setting, and all the feels. It’s a quick, enjoyable read that will leave you eager to see what McQuaid writes next.

Crash Landing is a quick, easy second chance romance told in past and present timelines. We meet Piper, a people pleasing woman who hasn't quite been the same since her breakup 8 years ago with Wyatt. The two get stranded after their plane to the Bahamas goes down during a storm. Luckily, Wyatt is handsome, kind, and ex military. This book had me jealous of people who get stranded on deserted islands. I enjoyed their chemistry, the setting, and use of dual timelines.

However I didn't like that the conflicts seemed to be resolved just a little too quickly. All in all, I am very pleasantly surprised I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I look forward to the books Annie McQuaid will release in the future.

Spice level: 1 out of 5 chili peppers

Your cute typical rom-com. It's exactly what you want in a rom-com and there were some really great one-liners! I swear romance books have ruined me for dating in the real world.

I loved this book. The characters were so sweet, and them being stranded on an island was a fresh and entertaining plot line. I loved the writing style and enjoyed the romance between Wyatt and Piper in both timelines.