I'm quite divided by this one. When I read the description and premise, I knew I was in for something a bit strange. Linda is sexually attracted to planes, hoping to one day marry one, which is to say, dies in a terrible crash. She spends her meager earnnings on a flight each month, chasing her "happily ever after." All of this comes at the detriment of her social life, convinced that she is an outcast and she would be mocked and discarded if anyone knew her true feelings. That is, until she finally starts to open herself up.

Once you get past the novelty of Linda's attraction to planes, the story is really about a person chasing what they love, but also looking for acceptance, validation, and connection in a world that ostracizes what's different. There are lots of ways to interpret Linda and her journey. Without spoilers, however, when it was all said and done, Sky Daddy went in a direction that wasn't entirely unpredictable, but was upsetting, and left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I do recognize that this is a very personal reaction though.

If youre looking for something a bit different, give this a go. And I would be super interested to hear peoples takes on it!

I genuinely have no idea how to feel about this book. It was... quite a ride. The positives would be that it was unique and bizarre and somehow very well-written despite the content. I am... confused. But the ending was somehow oddly satisfying. Like it all wrapped up nicely and then -it- happened. The main character was expectedly unlikeable and reminded me a lot of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine but with a bizarre twist. Someone else's review mentioned she'd fit in well on My Strange Addiction and it put the whole thing in a new light because it was definitely interesting seeing the POV of one of them, but like... I need a minute to process this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Linda wants to marry a plane. Rather, Linda wants a plane to choose her as a marriage partner, which will ultimately result in a planet crash and her death. Listen, I was hooked on the premise of this book, as I had a phase in high school when I was merely fascinated by the lady who married the Eiffel Tower. I also love shows like Peep Show that make you squirm with cringe. This book scratched both itches. I tried not to think too hard about how one might describe Linda’s…quirks…in 2024 terms (is she Eleanor Oliphant with kink? A person whose C-PTSD got the better of them?) but the story isn’t about that, really. It’s about friendship, acceptance, and the importance of extending a hand to someone who is otherwise isolated. I really enjoyed this one, and it made me laugh out loud many, many times.

4.5.
This is so weird and fun. If you’ve enjoyed “all out” by the author, I think you will enjoy this a lot. It’s very out there but you can guess that from the synapsis. Linda is not inherently likeable but I don’t think she’s supposed to be. She doesn’t get people because she’s so attracted to planes. It’s downright bizarre the lengths she goes to for the planes and to try and marry one. The whole thing read like a my strange addiction episode. I’m not sure who to recommend this to or if I should admit how much fun this

This was simultaneously one of the best and most bizarre things I have ever read. I felt like a creep for looking up plane reference photos.

You’re thrown into the mind of Linda, who fits right in with the stars of “My Strange Addiction”. She has an obsession with planes that takes on both a sexual and romantic nature. She is absolutely bonkers. But she is also incredibly endearing and likable to read about. For a woman who’s sole mission in life it is to “Marry” a plane she still manages to come across as relatable. There’s a naivety and a hopefulness to her that you can’t help but root for.

One of my favorite aspects about this book were the stories of friendship. Especially the female friendships. I liked that this book wasn’t just the typical weird girl dealing with mean girls story. Linda had many multifaceted relationships but I love the support she had from the women she was friends with.

My only wish was that there was a bit more of an emotional payoff by the end. I liked the ending but I think I was hoping for more of a concrete resolution in terms of Linda’s obsession.

“Sky Daddy” is perfect for you if you like books with; hilarious inner monologues, WTF moments, tender moments, female friendships, character growth, and PLANES.

4.5 stars ✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️

I received an ARC through NetGalley and this is my honest review.
Thank you to the author and publisher :)

You know what you're getting into from the title of this book; an absurd and unhinged story of one woman's sexual attraction to planes. The unexpected part is that despite the nature of the story, the main character is quite relatable. You walk away from the book with lessons on self-acceptance and the power that comes with it.

Weird, heartbreaking, and somehow relatable(?), I couldn’t put this book down! I keep returning to certain plot points, and doubt that I’ll be forgetting Linda anytime soon.

This book was so absurd and unhinged that I couldn't help but read the whole thing because it was just so hilarious. The underlying theme of self acceptable really shone through so it was also a feel-good read to a point.

Sky Daddy by Kate Folk is a delightfully bizarre yet surprisingly heartfelt novel. Linda’s unconventional obsession with planes becomes a poignant exploration of self-acceptance and desire. Amidst the absurdity, Folk crafts a narrative that’s both hilarious and deeply moving. The balance of humor and emotional depth makes this an unforgettable read, even if the pacing falters slightly in the middle.

The minute I heard about the premise of this story I thought to myself, "That is so bizarre...I need to read it immediately!" It didn't disappoint. It was bizarre, heartfelt, funny, and sometimes aggravating and sad. I found myself often wondering what condition the main character had since it seemed her issue went way further than just a fetish. Also, if you have an issue with second-hand embarrassment, this is not the book for you. There were parts that, while fascinating, were deeply uncomfortable to read. I finished the book last night and I'm still thinking about it. In fact, I reread the last page immediately after finishing the book. Twice.

If the synopsis of this book appeals to you, it's worth a read. I'll be interested in picking up other things from this author.


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

From the first sentence I knew this was going to be a clever book.

On face value it might seem like a slightly (OK, very) unhinged book but ultimately it's really a story about finding self-acceptance and the power of the law of attraction.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I already know the “weird girl book” section of booktok is going to eat this up. As they should. This was such an absurd, hilarious read. I found myself reading passages out loud to my husband just because I was loving what I was reading and I needed him to experience it. There was a lot more emotional depth in this than I was expecting, and Kate Folk managed to balance the emotions with the humor so well. The only thing keeping this from being a 5-star was I did feel the pacing slowed down a bit in the middle, but even with the slower pacing I found myself reading this one sitting because I was loving it so much.

ARC provided by NetGalley

This was one of my favorite reads of the year. I really admire Kate Folk’s writing style, because with such an out-there premise and a naive, peculiar main character, it would be easy for this book to go off the rails and become near-parody, but it’s sweet and tender, amidst all the weirdness. Linda, the main character, is written in such a loving, non-judgmental way, that her obsession and love for aircraft carriers seems almost ordinary. It’s a testament to Kate’s writing that what could be too bizarre a plot is instead a moving story of a different kind of character finding her own place in the world. Also was laughing out loud at the descriptions Linda gives of the planes she is attracted too - referencing their “undercarriage” and calling them “fellows” was such a fun choice. I loved this. Will absolutely be buying copies for the readers in my life.

I’ve just finished Sky Daddy. It was such a humorous read. Pick this one up on publication day. You’ll be laughing out loud.

I've been sitting here for 6min now trying to think of how to even start this review.... This book.... Man, I just... It's so good, and I don't know why? I tried to explain the premise to my husband and he asked if I was okay. I'm embarrassed to suggest this to friends IRL because of what they might think of me and my tastes. I'll never be able to mindlessly board a plane again, this has changed everything.

But seriously, Kate Folk has a knack for immersing you in a story so weird your "this would never happen" radar doesn't go off (or maybe I just don't care if it does? either way, I like it). I wasn't sure Out There could be topped, but I Sky Daddy takes the cake that it's clear as.

I really don't know how else to explain this book other than suggesting you try to imagine if Hard Copy by Fien Veldman and The New Me by Halle Butler<i>annnnd</i> Exalted by Anna Dorn had a baby.

{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Kate Folk and Random House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!}

(Submitted to NetGalley and Storygraph 9/7/24)

I rushed to request this book on NetGalley, being a big fan of Kate Folk’s short story collection, and this did not disappoint. Underneath the truly insane plot (tried to explain it to my husband and he didn’t believe it was a real book) is a story about a strange woman trying to make sense of the world in her own terms. If I was in college, I’d write a whole essay analysis on the subtext of this weird novel, because there is so much within it about love, friendship, and the power of our own minds. I enjoyed this book a whole lot, and I can’t wait for Kate Folk’s next offering.