A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

An absolute delight of a book--CRASH LANDING follows estranged high school sweethearts as they are stranded on an island while traveling to a mutual friend's wedding. Annie McQuaid's writing is as sweet as iced tea, and the relationship between Piper and Wyatt is both simple and complex--simple in that they are soulmates, and complex in that the world has told them not to be together. Readers will love falling for this couple in both timelines, and I can't wait for what's next!

This was good enough. I was expecting it to be a bit more high stakes since they were trapped on a deserted island and all but it seems like all that simmered down after the plane crash.

What a novel to debut with! This was so good! It just tugged at the heart strings. I really enjoyed this book. For me it was a palette cleanse from reading all high fantasy and thrillers. The main characters really grow on you. I related so much to our MFC, Piper. The story really grips you straight from the surprise reacquaintance of the main characters. I loved reading their journey and romance!

The format is chapters that are set some in the present and some in the past to give the backstory. Annie McQuaid really mastered how to give the reader the information without it having to be repeated, in a way.

I did, however, had a very small beef with a part of it. *Spoiler* [ For someone who was EXTREMELY hurt my the romantic heartbreak and the break in friendship, that had stuck with her for 8 years: she sure forgave him so easily! It was a very teenage-esque problem (understandable...) but the petty adult woman I am would have not folded as fast. (IMO) Also, the parents: UCK!

Would definitely recommend!!!

✨️Book Review-Crash Landing (ARC REVIEW)✨️
By: Annie McQuiad

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Format: Kindle

“I don't know where I'd be if you hadn't come into my life when we were kids and if you weren't here with me now. I'm thankful for you every day. And I've missed you every day we've been apart.”

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Tropes:
✨Friends to Lovers
✨Second Chance Romance
✨Only One Island
✨Forced Proximity
✨Dual Timeline

Okay, y'all. This was such a heartwarming, emotional, well-rounded read. Some of you might say, "There's a plane crash. How is that heartwarming?" Well, that part wasn't necessarily, but everything else? Yes. I absolutely loved the dual timeline in this one. It was excecuted so perfectly where I felt we were truly getting to know these characters in the past while they were getting reaquainted with each other in the present. I felt we were experiencing their romance with them both past and present, not just sitting "above" watching.

Wyatt was the emodiment of book boyfriend. He truly was so down bad for Piper. Man would literally do anything for her. That first date... had me melting 🫠😍. I do wish that Wyatt was a little less self-sacrificing and felt that he could better communicate some of his feelings surrounding certain circumstances to Piper.

Piper, I felt went on a journey. She underwent a good bit of character development in this story, and by the end, I was rather proud of her character. However, it did take a lot to get there. In the beginning, she was rather naive and immature. I blame this heavily on her parents, though not entirely. I did believe she had a lovely personality, and I could see why Wyatt loved her. By the end, though, I think she really grew up. She really took control of her life and started living it for herself.

Overall, this was a great debut novel for Annie McQuaid! I can't wait to read her future novels.

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“Definitely. I'm taken. You're my girl.”

⚠️Warning⚠️
language, little to no spice, plane crash accident, ptsd, death of a parent (offpage)

This is my first book by this author and will not be the last! I am SO impressed!!! What a fun, unique and emotionally immersive story. The authors writing is wonderful and even reminds me of Emily Henry’s a bit. Plus I loveeee second chance/forced proximity romances! Definitely pick this up! Audio was great too.

Some quotes I loved: (may contain spoilers!)

“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.”

His voice was raspy, raw with emotion. “We won’t have curfews or rules, and I’ll be able to take you to the best restaurant in town. I’ll take you to Paris or Rome—anywhere you want to go.” She loved the idea of building a life with Wyatt, the picture he painted of their future inked in her soul like a tattoo. “You know I don’t need any of that stuff, right?” She stroked his cheek. “Being here with you is all I want.”

The final look would have been considered obscene in a public setting, but there was no one here to see her except Wyatt. He was the only one she wanted looking.

“You’ll figure it out. As long as you do what makes you happy, not anyone else, it will all work out.”

Wyatt laughed, the sound echoing up from deep within his chest. “Only the best for my girl.”

“Hey,” he said, his voice husky. “I was just missing you.”

They danced from topic to topic like a well-rehearsed waltz, sharing their hopes, dreams, and fears about the future and pausing only to exchange kisses. At some point in the evening, as more stars clicked on like stadium lights overhead, the air shifted imperceptibly.

He squeezed her hand and continued staring at her in awe. Like she was gravity, and he was an astronaut in space who couldn’t live without her—like he could see her soul.

As amazing as making love with Wyatt was, falling asleep in his arms was even sweeter.

Final star rating: 3.5 rounded up!

Thank you again to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for the e-arc! I can’t wait to have my Litjoy Special Edition copy in my hands!!!!!! ❤️

2.5 stars

I live for forced proximity romance- especially at the hands of a disaster. Stranded on an island after a plane crash? Yes please! Though in this case if my ex who I didn’t even want to see then crashed the plane i wouldn’t suddenly want to talk to him. The fact he piloted them to near death isn’t even discussed. Especially the type of (unlikeable) person we saw who cared really only about name brands and her parents money doesn’t forgive and forget easily. It was unfortunately pretty meh the rest of the time, relying on clichés. Also, it is 2025 repeat after me: we are DONE with HP references, especially multiple ones. If you particularly like second chance and forced proximity romances maybe give this one a try.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.

After multiple attempts, I have decided to soft DNF this for the moment. I am unable to really get into the book and relate to the characters. I’m sorry!

This captivating second-chance romance unravels the complicated history between Piper and Wyatt, two high school best friends turned lovers who fell apart suddenly and hadn’t spoken for eight long years. Reunited on the way to their best friend's wedding, their awkward reunion takes an unexpected twist when their plane crashes on a remote desert island. As they confront survival on the island, they’re forced to face unresolved feelings and rediscover their connection.
The story dives into Piper's struggle with her parents' lofty expectations and her journey toward self-discovery, while Wyatt battles self-doubt and learns to trust again after a turbulent childhood. Through teamwork and introspection, the experience pushes them to navigate their shared past and find hope for the future. For added immersion, pair this emotional adventure with an ocean-themed ASMR video to enhance the experience!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

Fun, different take on a rom com! The couple crashes on a desert island after not speaking to each other for over 7 years. They are faced with the need to survive and face their feelings about each other.

It was okay for me! I think other readers will really love this one. I really connected with their relationship though and being together so young and knowing you are with the ONE. I would have never survived on that island. I did find myself a little bored? It might have been partly because of the miscommunication issues they had. I think just because there wasn’t much happening, which again makes sense since they had a plane crash on a deserted island.

I liked Wyatt. He was a fun MMC. With a really big protective streak and “I have to solve all the problems” I didn’t love how quickly he fell back into the whole turning away from Piper even though the night before he said he wouldn’t?

Piper wasn’t my favorite FMC. She fell flat for me. I wanted her to stand up so much more to her mom. But again, I’m preaching to the choir on that one.

I am screaming about this book, I loved it so much. I love the premise and the characters were fantastic. I loved the story and enjoyed it all the way through.

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!*

This was a fun, one sitting read that I, quite literally, enjoyed beach side! 😎

When Piper and Wyatt are stranded en route to the wedding of one of their best friends, their back ride to the Bahamas ends up being a tiny plane, just the two of them, with him piloting the aircraft. Even though its been 8 years since they've talked after he broke her heart, she reluctantly agrees.

But when they hit a storm and crash land on an isle in the Caribbean....its just the two of them, fighting for survival, fighting each other, and fighting pent up feelings. But with no one but each other this could be the best (or worst) thing that happened to them.

While a little (lot) far fetched, I loved the dual timeline, I loved all the feelings, I loved Wyatt and Piper, the glimpses of their teen selves and the heartfelt moments where they were able to clear the air while stranded. The ending was perfect for the storyline and I would absolutely read another from this author!




Thank you Netgalley, and Avon, and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my review!

This was a fairly quick easy read, which I like to read in-between my heaver reads. The story was told in a duel timeline based on present and highschool, and it was easy to keep track of. A bit predictable at times, while I found the plot predictable at times, the writting wasn't bad. The story is written in plain prose,sometimes seeming YA it held my intrest. I did find the characters to be somewhat wishy-washy and at times a bit irritating, but i still wanted everything to work out in their favor.. If your looking for a sweet simple read I feel comfortable reccomending this book.
Better than 3 stsrs but not quite 4 stars, I would rate 3 1/2 stars.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! I loved this book! I am now a fan of Annie McQuaid! Piper and Wyatt were meant to be, I loved these two characters. I can't imagine running into an ex at the airport, then being in a plane crash and then to be stranded on an island trying to survive. I loved how they survived together and was able to reconnect.

Crash Landing, by Annie McQuaid, was a fun read with a unique premise. Two exes are stranded together after a plane crash, which immediately intrigued me and made me want to read more. I enjoyed reading about the characters and how this second chance romance developed, and found that the past present switches were done well. I was hoping for a bit more in the relationship development but that may have just been my high hopes given the premise!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for review!

I didn't expect to enjoy a plane-crash plot as much as I did! I liked the second chance romance angle, and the chemistry between the two stranded characters was spicy!

This was such an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it was hampered by the lack of chemistry between the two main characters. I also really didn't care for the flashback portions.

DNF REVIEW | I couldn’t resist downloading CRASH LANDING when I spotted it as a Read Now option on NetGalley. A rom com with a plane crash that leaves exes stranded on a deserted island? I was intrigued! Unfortunately, the book just didn’t live up the premise for me. Second-chance romances are very hit or miss for me, and this was a case where it just didn’t work. Their past didn’t translate into present-day chemistry. The Then/Now storyline was probably meant to flesh out their backstory but ended up just slowing down the pace of the book and interrupting the more pressing issue, their survival. I knew the premise would require some suspension of disbelief, but my bigger issue ended up being that I just felt bored by the characters. The heroine being in med school but unable to perform simple first aid because of the sight of blood was the the final straw for me. I wasn’t the right reader for this book, so I did not finish this book.

"Crash Landing" by Annie McQuaid is a fun take on the second-chance romance trope.

This book is the definition of needing suspension of disbelief as the story itself is chaotic. Two former childhood friends/high school sweethearts finally reuniting because their plane crashes on a deserted island while traveling to their mutual friend's wedding? Chaos. While I think that sets up for a fairly unique premise, it felt juvenile at the same time.

I enjoyed the book nonetheless but unfortunately, I just didn't really love it.

Thank you to Avon for selecting me for this ARC.