This was my first read from Naina Kumar but it definitely won't be my last.

This book was so raw and heartbreakingly beautiful. Both Meena and Nikhil were such incredibly written characters and I feel like even through a single pov book, it was so evident of their feelings for each other and for their relationship both past and present.

I desperately loved this book and am so grateful for the opportunity to read this book. Thank you Dell and Netgalley for this arc.

Naina Kumar can do no wrong and this was another great romance! I love a second chance romance, and pair that with a natural disaster and I'm hooked!

First of all, this cover is ADORABLE. I think I might have benefited from seeing Sweet Home Alabama before attempting to read this book. I found myself a bit bored and not loving the writing style. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to be an early reader.

3.5⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Naina Kumar for the ARC!

As a huge fan of the movie Sweet Home Alabama, I was suuuuper excited about this book. I love second chance romance, I love forced proximity, I loved that this had Indian-American main characters… everything about this had it set up to be perfect. And I think Kumar did a great job, truly. It was a fun read overall, just not everything I had hoped for when I picked it up.

**spoilers below**

My biggest issue was the reason for the two main characters breaking up - I just felt like that rationale needed to be much stronger. Like, you’re telling me after an entire year of marriage that you didn’t learn how to communicate at ALL, and then spend six years apart, and all it takes is one weekend stuck in the house to air everything out? Obviously I’m simplifying it, and I understand that both characters were dealing with their own mental health, self confidence, and careers during their first year, but I just found the rationale for their original breakup to be weak and the reconciliation to be rushed because the original problem didn’t have a lot of depth.

With that said, I really enjoyed Kumar’s writing. I felt like it was clear the characters were FRIENDS, which I absolutely loved. And there was so much tenderness in their relationship and so much support (AFTER they decided to start talking to each other for the first time) that it was really cool to see. The pacing made sense, the setting made me nostalgic for my Houston hurricane days, and there was plenty of comedic relief that made the whole thing really heartwarming. So overall a good book and one that I would recommend to people who enjoy contemporary romance💕

This was such a breath of fresh air! If you're looking for a charming, funny, and heartwarming romance, this one's a must-read. Beyond the sweet romance, the book beautifully explores family dynamics and cultural expectations, adding depth to Priya's relatable struggles. While the "fake relationship" trope is familiar, Kumar injects it with fresh energy through her vibrant characters and authentic voice, delivering an engaging story with just the right amount of sizzle.

I had high hopes for this book but less than 40% in I just had to DNF.
I wasn’t able to fully get into the storyline even though I loved the description. It wasn’t captivating for me

Took awhile to get into it, but it was a nice read. Fun and flirty, but not amazing. Would still recommend to friends and my book club!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Ultimately, this book was not for me. I had trouble connecting with the characters. The plot kept me going because I was intrigued, but it did feel predictable. Forced proximity trope is one of my favorites, so that was the stand out to me from this story.

I knew I would love ‘Flirting with Disaster’ from the moment I read the opening chapter at the end of Kumar’s debut novel ‘Say You’ll Be Mine.’ It’s a retelling of ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ (need I say more?) set amidst a hurricane in Houston. I loved Meena and Nikhil almost immediately, and getting to follow them as they navigate this current challenge while also learning about their past kept me glued to the page. Their chemistry is undeniable, their banter is a delight, and watching them navigate their pasts while learning who they are now was a joy. Naina Kumar is becoming an instant read for me, and I look forward to her next book. Perfect for fans of ‘Sweet Home Alabama’(obviously) but also Emily Henry, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Mhairi McFarlane, Nisha Sharma, Sara Desai, and Annabelle Morgan.

My favorite romance trope is a second chance so I was never not going to love this book. I really enjoyed the pacing of this book, and it was so beautiful! I cried a lot and it made me really want to rewatch "Sweet Home Alabama," which I know this book is a retelling of. The emotional beats of this story were everything to me. I only wish that it was dual POV because I loved Nikhil and actually wanted to read more from his perspective and his longing for Meena. I love this book and it was one of my staff picks!

This book reminds me a lot of Sweet Home Alabama. Meena and Nikhil impulsively marry at a young age. They begin to grow apart and Meena moves to DC to go into politics. Flash forward 6 years and she has a new boyfriend and is looking into running for a Congressional seat for Maryland. But first she needs a divorce.
Meena flies down to Houston to ask Nikhil for a divorce when a hurricane makes it impossible to think of anything else but survival, together. We follow Meena and Nikhil as they battle the hurricane and cope with the destruction of the storm and their marriage. Can any of it be repaired or is it too far gone?
Cute book. Loved the characters that were so well developed in this romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for the ARC!

I knew I was going to be hooked because ITS A SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE! Stuck together in a house during a storm? ahhhh the close proximity of it all!
It was emotional and heartwarming, a rollercoaster really. My heart would break for Meena and Nikhil struggling with their marriage and the miscommunication, avoiding each other or talking about what’s wrong. But being stuck together in the storm changed them for the better, I thought it was heartwarming that they were able to evolve and understand each other deeply, reconnect and look back at those moments where their love was true and realizing that love for each other was still there they just had to try a little harder you know.
It was nice to see them grow, I miss them now lol

A second chance romance with forced proximity that gives 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗺𝗮?! Yes please! This was my first book by Naina Kumar- and I really enjoyed it! I loved how the story is told through a series of flashbacks and present day narratives. It was so fun to catch glimpses of what it was that brought the couple together in the first place. The development of our main characters, especially the FMC Meena, was just instrumental to the plot as the romance. Meena transformed from someone who was bound by the expectations of those around her to someone who learned to prioritize her own needs and wants, and that was really special.

At times, there were some issues with the pacing, which caused some gaps in the plot. I also think the story could have been strengthened if we got Nikhil’s point of view as well. That being said, I was entertained by these characters and their story, and I look forward to reading more from Kumar in the future!

Thank you NetGalley and Dell Romance for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

The banter and the tension betwee the characters in this book are so good. I liked that the author showed differences between the couple, and the wnding wasn't rushed. If you like "Love and Other Words" I think you will also liked this book

This was a really light hearted feel good read. It gave me a nostalgic feeling while reading it. It was also a funny book- I caught myself laughing out loud a few times.

This was a like not love for me. I loved the forced proximity and second chance at love but over all I thought some of the details could have been worked out a little better to make it more clear. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for an advance copy of this book!

I found myself pleasantly surprised by this book - I don't know what I expected going in, but I loved watching the two main characters figure out where they went wrong in their marriage. I don't normally like a miscommunication trope, but this one felt natural and I was hooked from the start. Also, it's set in Texas, so it felt like I was at home in a realistic way (not in a cliche characture of Texas.)

Highly recommend!

Easily one of the best books ive gotten the opportunity to get my hands on. It captivated me from the very beginning until the last sentence. It made my heart so happy to learn that this book has gotten the praise it absolutely deserves.

So this forced proximity bothered me. What also bothered me was the FMC. Especially the fact that the FMC lived in this state and had no idea why they were doing half of what they were doing for this storm?????? That really bothered me 😂

The blame put on the MMC for the failed marriage at first also bothered me, it takes two…? And how can you grow together again?

Thanks NetGalley

thank you to netgalley for the e-arc. while this was supposed to give true romcom vibes, specifically sweet home alabama, i was just not getting it. however i did like the different perspective of the woman having an important, high stakes job and the man is not the breadwinner. their personalities complimented each other but maybe better off as friends.