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.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have to be honest and say that this book felt so fast paced, yet slow with how little was going on. I chose this on netgalley cause I love second chance romance and this just didn’t do it for me. It felt so fast paced and poorly written, I was bored a majority of the way with the writing style. Also the characters in their older age felt so weird.

There was also some cheating (at least how I saw it which was pretty clear cheating) and a bunch of tw of airplane crash, ptsd, military, and parental neglect and alcohol abuse.

Piper has not seen Wyatt since he broke up with her at the end of the summer after their senior year. While on the way to her best friend Allie’s wedding, she bumps into Wyatt at the airport and finds out that he is also going to the wedding, since he is Allie’s cousin. When their plane is delayed and the flight is eventually canceled, Wyatt gives Piper an opportunity to get to the wedding on a private plane that he borrows from his friend. Severe weather causes them to crash and they end up on a deserted tropical Island. (Hello forced proximity!)

These two must work together to survive while waiting for rescue but can Piper survive with Wyatt, especially since she's not sure she's ever gotten over him?

Piper was devastated by their break up in high school and I wanted more animosity from her towards Wyatt. He literally broke her heart and while she still is trying to set boundaries he is breaking them all with his charm and easy going attitude. Almost as he doesn't realize the pain he caused her all those years ago.

Wyatt was very confident he was going to win her back over, which I liked but I wanted more fight and grit between them. I wanted more emotions. I wanted more redemption. I just wanted MORE! Overall, I felt like all the pieces were there and the story was a really good one. You felt their connection and the story flowed well.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Annie McQuaid for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.

I did not finish this one. I found it to be too far fetched and I wasn't enjoying the story. I almost wish they would have just been at the wedding,

This was a second chance romance with forced proximity. Ex high school sweethearts get stranded on a desert island after a plane crash. Sounds crazy, but the story was well done and the characters fleshed out. I do think that some of plot moved a little fast with Piper so quickly forgiving Wyatt, but overall I enjoyed the story and was engaged the whole time. I would recommend if you enjoy contemporary romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for allowing me an advanced copy of this book in exchange my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for granting me an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It is due to be published April 1, 2025.

4 stars! I enjoyed this so much and had such a great time with it!

Crash Landing is a debut novel about two exes who are forced to reunite when the plane they are on crashes. The two main characters, Piper and Wyatt, haven't spoken in eight years. Not since Wyatt broke up with Piper after high school and disappeared. But one of their mutual friends is getting married in the Bahamas and they are both going and when their flight is delayed, Wyatt says he can fly them down to the wedding. Disaster strikes and they are stuck on an island together, trying to survive long enough to be rescued. It is also told in dual timeline, back when they were in high school and present day.

This was such a wild ride! I loved a second chance romance and this was such an interesting way to bring these two characters together after not seeing each other for so long. I did find myself frustrated with the lack of communication and with the personalities of the side characters. Piper's mother was pretty crappy to both of them and I didn't feel like the friendship between the core group of friends was well fleshed out. But I really enjoyed the plot and the writing! It really kept my attention and I read the whole thing in one sitting. Plus the way the author wrote the plane crash scenes and some of the more tense island scenes were really good!

I definitely recommend everyone to check it out when it comes out! The author is also local which makes me even more excited to support!

What a debut!!! Piper and Wyatt felt so real despite the premise being slightly unrealistic. This felt like a hallmark movie in all the good ways! I loved the Lonely Onlys and their support of one another. I personally would have loved if the spicy moments were a bit more open door but everyone has their preference and I still enjoyed the intimate moments. I was pleasantly surprised by Tag at the end and really appreciated that he wasn’t a stereotypical know it all, trust fund douche but rather just simply not a match for Piper. I also really liked that there was an engagement in the epilogue but it wasn’t Piper and Wyatt’s (you can still have a HEA without an engagement/wedding)

3.5 stars rounding up for this sweet romance that’s a fun blend of second chance and survival a la (the best tv show ever) Lost!

Exes Piper and Wyatt both need to get to the Bahamas for their friend’s wedding- when flights are cancelled and Wyatt gets access to a small private plane, the two unlikely allies jet off. An unfortunately timed storm disrupts, and they end up crashing and barely surviving on a small island. Across the week spent trying to stay alive, they get a chance to rehash the last 8 years- what went wrong and how they have grown!

This was a (slightly) stressful book for an anxious flier to read, but all of the other elements of the book were so enjoyable and relaxing to read. Piper is a super relatable character, for me specifically- not good with blood, wanting to sit and read my lil romance novels, memory like a steel trap, and still learning how to stand up for herself. The dual timeline of her and Wyatt’s relationship helped show how they both have grown into more mature, emotionally available adults, and how sometimes you just find your perfect match and you have to find the right time!! Wyatt’s portrayal of life post-service in the military, while we could have seen more, was a great insight for folks who may now know much about the veteran experience! Overall, this was a great quick and cozy read!

Thanks so much to Annie McQuaid, Avon, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

This was an adventure! Piper and Wyatt have a past. From friends to lovers to estranged and everything in between. When Piper and Wyatt's flight to her best friend's (his cousin's) wedding is cancelled, Wyatt steps in and calls in a favor from an army buddy. He borrows a plane and a storm comes out of no where and leaves them stranded on a deserted island. Left with nothing but what they came with, and even barely that, Piper and Wyatt have to come to terms with who they were and what they are now.
Piper hasn't forgiven Wyatt for what he did to her all those years ago and Wyatt will never forgive himself for what he did to her. Wyatt never stopped loving her and now he has her all alone and wants to prove that he isn't going to leave again.
This was a slow burn, way slower than I expected considering they were on an island together.. alone... but I liked that they didn't just jump back into things. They had to communicate, they had to grow up and do the work instead of just running away.
The ending was tense for me and it made me feel bad for them because I was rooting for them the whole time. There were a lot of things I had to suspend my reality for, but it was a cute second chance. There was only one thing that really irked me, but I got over it because I just wanted them to be ok. 3.5 stars.
Thanks to Avon, Netgalley and Annie McQuaid for an early copy.

This book is one that is going to stay with me. It grabbed me right from the beginning and held on until the very end. I couldn’t put it down! Wyatt and Piper were best friends and then gradually fell in love in high school before he broke up with her leaving her devastated. What she doesn’t know is that he was left devastated as well. After seeing each other 8 years later and then surviving their plane crash together we see them both struggling with their feelings. It was an emotional journey for sure. I loved every minute of it and will definitely be following for more from Annie McQuaid.