*Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and to PRH Audio for a gifted ALC*

Sweet Home Alabama but the exes are trapped a house during in a hurricane? Yeah, sign me up.

Flirting with Disaster was a good time and the narration was fabulous. What I struggled with might just be a "me" problem, but I really wanted a dual PoV. It was one of my favorite things about Say You'll Be Mine - I really could get in both characters' heads. I wanted to understand Nikhil's motivations and the conflict between him and Meena. That being said, I still really enjoyed it! Canoeing through the Houston streets and spaceman Alan alone would've made this enjoyable, but I also just adore Naina Kumar's writing style. I'd recommend this to fans of forced proximity and 2000's romcoms.

This book was intriguing to me because of the Sweet Home Alabama inspiration and I felt it delivered on that with a twist, and it is always a delight to see authors take old ideas into new directions. I think this story would have benefited greatly with a dual POV, and it suffered for me because I was only in Meena's head. Nikhil felt like a wonderful character and slightly more compelling than Meena--I would have loved to experience this romance from both sides.

Naina Kumar outdoes herself with this book. I appreciate her heartfelt, whimsical writing style and I can count on one hand how many books have made me tear up (2 of them are her books). I loved Nikhil’s character so much, particularly because he is a working class south Asian person and that is so revolutionary to include in a story. Non-high value labor Indians exist and I’m so thankful to Naina for writing us into romances because we deserve romance too!

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I previously read Kumar's debut book and enjoyed it. Flirting with Disaster was my "I'm sick and in need of an easy book" break from something I needed more concentration to read. I liked the Sweet Home Alabama vibes, although Meena wasn't as sympathetic to me as a character. I think we see Meena and Nikhil getting married suddenly in Vegas. They roll with it, and everything seems wonderful, and then it's 6 years later, and they aren't together. I thought it would be a nice little mystery as to how they ended up apart, but we didn't get to see their relationship before it was over.

The second half was definitely stronger than the first half. Meena, not knowing there was a hurricane heading to Houston and getting trapped with Nikhil - she needs him to sign divorce papers for her future political career & some dude named *Shake*?? This couple would probably never resolve their past separation if they weren't trapped in a house together. They seemed so devoted in the 1st chapter - so what went wrong? Neither person was entirely at fault, but Meena keeping her relationship and marriage from Nikhil seems like a giant red flag. If it had been the other way around, I would have questioned his commitment to her. Families are important in Indian culture, as they are in many others.

While I enjoyed the HEA, I don't love that Meena sacrificed her political aspirations or settled for something less to stay with Nikhil. Did he ever intend to move with her? The last sentence threw me, too, because I knew what the author referenced, but I could have done without it. I also understand not wanting to disappoint parents and siblings. It shouldn't have kept Meena from being honest with her family - or Nikhil about his insecurities with his career or plans. 3.25/5☆ available 1/14/25

After absolutely adoring Naina Kumar’s debut SAY YOU’LL BE MINE, I was so eager to pick up FLIRTING WITH DISASTER. I’m fairly new to the romance genre and this was my first book with the accidental marriage trope. Flirting With Disaster is about a woman wanting a divorce from her estranged husband but they are forced to hunker down in the home they once shared because of a hurricane.

I have learned that the romance books that work best for me have some depth; not just witty banter, a meet cute, and a standard happily ever after. Because the couple was primarily by themselves in their home, I missed the dimension that a supporting cast of characters would have given them. Similarly, the story is heavy on the dialogue while the couple is stranded, and banter isn’t my favorite aspect of romance stories. I did enjoy the second chance romance trope and would have liked more with the Indian American identity.

Overall this is a decent rom-com that many readers will enjoy!

PUB DATE: January 14
RATING: 4/5

READ THIS IF YOU:
-You’ve ever had a harrowing canoe ride
-Are expecting one open door romantic scene
-Love a Gilmore Girls reference

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Naina Kumar's debut and was excited to hear that her sophomore novel, Flirting with Disaster, would be a loose retelling of Sweet Home Alabama.

Meena came back to Texas to have her "ex-husband Nikhil" sign their divorce papers so she can move on with her life. Without knowing it, she shows up to his house when there is about to be a tropical hurricane hitting Houston. She's forced to stay within close quarters of Nikhil in the only room that doesn't have windows, a small closet. She's there to get him to sign then get out when the weather permits. But what happens when she realizes that Nikhil has changed since the last time she last saw him? That he actually did try to make amends when she thought he had left everything in the past?

Reading Kumar's latest novel made me thankful that Ohio doesn't have hurricanes or huge snakes in flooded waters. While Flirting with Disaster is a single POV novel, I found more of a connection with Nikhil and felt his feelings/ why he truly did what he did. I did enjoy Meena's overall character arc, especially how she does stand up for what she believes in however; I thought her to be very predictable with how she got where she did by the end of the book. The side characters, while cute, were a random, maybe unnecessary touch and I'd rather them not to be as focused if this is truly a standalone. I do recommend those who enjoyed Kumar's first novel or lovers of 2000's romantic comedies pick up this book as it is fast paced and I found myself reading within a few short days.

Flirting With Disaster- Review
⭐⭐⭐
.
FEATURES:
-Contemporary Romance
-Second Chance
-Estranged Spouses
-Trapped in a Storm
.
WHAT I LIKED:
-Career Journeys: Both MCs rediscovered their true passions and jobs that better aligned with those
-Nikhil's Pining: All the little confessions and momentos that revealed he had been pining for Meena the whole time they were apart were precious
-Character Growth: By the end, both characters had realized new things about themselves, grown, and even made apologies or repaired relationships
.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
-Meena's Behavior: I get that Meena was really confused and trying to find her way during this book. I actually loved her journey in general. But while she was still unsure, especially about Nikhil, it seemed so unfair for her to sleep with him and then leave again. It sent him major mixed messages - giving him hope, and then shattering it again when she left. My heart broke for him and that wound felt too deep to heal so quickly.

Reimagining of Sweet Home Alabama 00s Rom-Com

Second Chance Romance
Single POV

Meena and Nikhil were dating and got married after a drunken night in Vegas! Meena moves to another state after a year into the marriage, they have not seen or spoken to each other in years. She thinks her trip back be quick. Divorce paper signed and fly back home but there is a hurricane coming and she has to stay with Nikhil in the home they shared!

Loved their love story. Nikhil was so in love with Meena.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

It's the movie Sweet Home Alabama, but better! They woke up married in Vegas a few years ago, but have since fallen out of contact. She returns to her hometown to get divorce papers signed... But then they get trapped together due to a hurricane.

*Second chance romance/marriage in crisis
*Forced proximity
*Miscommunication
*It's always been you ❤️

If Sweet Home Alabama is your favorite movie like myself, you will love the comfort that this book brings in this reimagining of that classic film.

In Flirting with Disaster, the reconnection of Meena and her husband Nikhil takes place during a hurricane back in her home state of Texas. She doesn't understand why he never signed the divorce papers, something she needs to move on with her life back in New York. While they bunker down to survive natural disaster, emotions stir up between them that she sees only as a disaster for her personal life.

I loved the hurricane setting in this story, and how it brought that force proximity between these two. I loved how Nikhil absolutely adored Meena and never wanted to give up on them. Like I mentioned, Sweet Home Alabaman is one of my all time favorite movies, and reading this one just brought so much comfort that the movie brought me, in this new setting and think anyone who loved the movie, or second chance marriage and forced proximity would very much enjoy this book as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for an eARC of this book in exchange for my opinion.

I had read Kumar's first book earlier this year and LOVED IT, so I jumped at the chance to read this one. And wow am I glad I read it. I don't typically like reading second chance romances but this was worth it. The chemistry between Meena and Nikhil was incredible. I enjoyed how we slowly learned what happened with these two to make them separate.

Kumar really knows how to write chemistry, but also flawed characters. These two got married and were flawed humans, they needed guidance and maturity and those elements were written really well. I enjoyed seeing how these two had grown up and changed since they were first married. That growth really made you want these characters to work out.

I will say that after probably the 70% ish mark the chemistry between Meena and Nikhil wasn't as strong as the build up was in the beginning of the book. But overall, I really enjoyed this book and will be adding this one to my collection to read again.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC, all opinions are my own.

Okay, okay, okay. We all know I love a good second chance romance but Miss NAINA?!! She definitely put some work into this one!

I didn’t know why these two split in the first place, but when Meena stepped up to Nikhil’s driveway, I just knew they had some unfinished business to tend to and it was not going to be an easy process.

From the beginning of the storm, Nikhil was so attentive to Meena’s needs that it seemed like he was overcompensating for something he was lacking in their marriage in previous years. I don’t see this as a fault to Nikhil, I see it as him learning from past mistakes and wanting to show that he is willing to put in effort to the marriage in the future.

I love that Nikhil was able to communicate to Meena that he felt as if she was hiding their marriage to the people that mattered to her (outside of him). While Meena seemed to not understand where he was coming from at first, she slowly realized that her not bringing up Nikhil and their marriage to her family, made him feel some type of way.

I have to admit, I was scared when Meena decided to leave Texas and go back with Shake (with the signed divorce papers in tow). But, Naina had my back and made our FMC come back to her senses and fly back to the one and only love of her life.

All in all, this was an easy 5 star read for me AND AS ALWAYS, I’m looking forward to more from miss Naina in the future!

Thank you Net Galley, Naina Kumar and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review!

Flirting with Disaster
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was a little nervous going into this one. Sweet Home Alabama retelling could honestly have gone either way, but I really liked it!

Meena is headed back to Texas to get her husband Nikhil to finally sign divorce papers after years of being separated. As she arrives, a hurricane hits and the two are forced to work together.

This book had a lot of character growth, which I loved. I wanted a little more of some of the side characters, but it was so focused on them as individuals. Definitely won’t be my last book by Naina Kumar!

Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of Flirting With Disaster by Naina Kumar.

I was extremely excited to be granted an ARC of this book after having read Naina Kumar’s debut book Say You’ll Be Mine which was absolutely delightful. Flirting With Disaster did not disappoint. The one piece I did feel it was lacking was the supporting characters felt a bit less developed than in her first book. This book really centered around Meena and Nikhil and the story of their relationship. You briefly hear about some of the neighbors, along with Shake (Meena’s colleague and ex). Meena’s family is discussed a good but not brought into the story until the end and you don’t learn a lot about them other than Meena’s perspective.

Overall, the story of Meena and Nikhil is a good romance story though. Their whirlwind love story, a trip to Vegas and being trapped in a house during a hurricane. How can any of this go wrong?!? And don’t forget about the divorce papers that still need signed…will they or won’t they. If you’ve not read anything by Kumar, give this a try as well as her other book. They won’t disappoint!

Oh my god I need everyone to preorder this book right now and add another copy for your friends to read because this should be read by EVERYONE.

When Meena flies to Houston to get her estranged husbands signature on divorce papers after 7 years apart, she gets stranded when news of a hurricane hitting soon keeps her there.

The forced proximity was so funny!!!!! I loved them being stuck together in a house because of a hurricane and everything that occurred while they couldn’t leave the house due to flooding/rain/roads. It was so much pain!!!! So much pain, but I adored it.

The flashbacks to their early marriage days and even before that were so sad and bittersweet. You’re rooting for them the entire time, but then remember that nothing comes easy in books, or love.

Second chance romances are quickly becoming my favorite thing ever and this book is easily, hands down, one of my favorites with that trope, and also maybe just one of my favorite romances ever.

I enjoyed the Texas location so much!! The references were top notch. I will not spoil any of them so you can see them for yourself but I loved that the author incorporated them in here and had the characters talk about one in particular. That whole conversation was so funny!!! (Meena was right, Nikhil was wrong y’all)

Books are so political, and if you’re thinking “what? No they’re not. This is just a silly little romance.” No, I think you need to reread this!!!!

The lawyer aspect of this was just everything. You can really tell how passionate Meena was regarding everything she wanted to achieve and the Texas seat/running for Senate/Congress and everything else. I like when authors do a lot of research or just have background knowledge about stuff and incorporate that in their books. You can really tell Naina knows stuff about law. It made the book so much better, and it was never confusing or boring. Everything was written very concisely and I enjoyed that.

The familial relationships made me really happy, by the end. It really just goes to show that communication is key to any sort of relationship, whether romantic or platonic.

THATS WHAT I LOVED ABOUT MEENA AND NIKHIL!!!!!! Their communication and growth. Yes, deep down they are the same people they were when they got married all those years ago, but also, growth!!! They’ve grown!!!

The epilogue made me cry and happy at the same time!!!! This book just felt too short, I need MORE. I may just reread it again because I feel so empty without it in my life anymore. 10/10. Possibly an infinity read!!!!! Just so amazing I can’t.

I loved this book! Second chance romance is not a trope that I normally enjoy, but it’s perfectly done here. Meena & Nikhil were an awesome couple to root for, & the forced proximity due to the hurricane, well, forced them to work out their issues. It was a great comfort read, & I could definitely see myself picking it up again for a reread! Very swoony & heartfelt.

I enjoyed this book. The prologue of the book captures your attention. It was Sweet Home Alabama like. I enjoyed the forced proximity. I just wish we’re able to have Nikhil‘s POV.

Having experienced two hurricanes myself, I was initially somewhat skeptical of a romance story about rescuing a failed marriage while trapped in a hurricane. Is it even possible to have sane conversations about marriage and divorce amidst imploding windows, broken tree limbs, fire ants and cottonmouth and a city that has turned into a giant lake?

In this well written novel, Naina Kumar shows that, under the wreckage of a natural disaster, it is still possible to find that lost love. Flirting with Disaster is about two people finding the courage to be vulnerable in love, overcoming fear of failure and parental disapproval and, learning to make open and honest conversation with each other. The hurricane is the third main character and effectively provides most of the drama in this emotionally satisfying story.

When the story begins Meena is on her way to her hometown Houston to get her long estranged husband Nikhil to sign the divorce papers so that she could marry her boyfriend and kick off her political career. She plans to be back home the same day without realizing that there is a hurricane on the way. But with the city in a mad scramble to escape the hurricane, airlines are booked, highways are jammed and Meena has no choice but to stay with Nikhil.

Seven years ago, she met Nikhil while she was preparing for her bar exams. Nikhil who is in construction business, is a college dropout and suffers from a sense of inferiority, both about his profession and his lack of college education. Meena has her own hangups. She is terrified of failing and disappointing her parents. She desperately wants her parents to be proud of her who were deeply hurt and ashamed when her sister got pregnant and dropped out of college.

When she and Nikhil get married impulsively while on a trip to Las Vegas, she keeps it a secret from her parents and never introduces Nikhil to her family. When she fails her bar exam the first time she keeps that also a secret from her family. Nikhil is a rock during this difficult time for her and it is his love and support that helps her prepare for a second try. However, after she passes her bar exam, she leaves Nikhil and Houston behind to take up a job with a legal firm that lobbies for progressive causes in Washington, D.C.

The story is told from Meena’s point of view and it goes back and forth between present and past. In the present, during the days she spends with Nikhil, she realizes that she is still attracted to him and in love with him too. There are touching moments of togetherness when they rescue (using a paddle boat) a neighbor (a NASA astronaut, no less) whose house is flooded. When Nikhil is paralyzed with fear seeing a cottonmouth, it is Meena who steers the boat out of its way. Nikhil takes care of her when she develops a severe allergic reaction to fire ant bites and cooks her favorite pasta. She discovers that he watches reruns of Gilmore Girls and wants to build a similar beating heart kind of bed and breakfast hostelry.

Nikhil is a beta hero, a romantic ideal in a minor key, supportive, kind and caring,—qualities that she, obsessed with passing the law exams, never noticed when she was married and living with him. She had no clue about his emotional struggles and insecurities. Her beef with him then was that he never shared any of his work life with her and kept everything bottled up and gave her no chance to help him in the same way he was helping her. Yet, now she finds him readily opening up about his b&b project and the volunteer work he does repairing homes damaged in natural disasters. He shows no hesitation in letting her know he still loves her and is full of admiration for the work she does on the Hill. She too confesses that underneath her badass veneer, her actions were driven by fear of becoming a disappointment to her parents.

Whether intentional or not, hurricane serves as an allegory for the marriage—take flight when a storm is approaching and deal with the wreckage later or stay put, batten down the hatches and clean up the debris as it lands. The author draws a realistic portrayal of what it is to be in the middle of a hurricane—frantic preparations, incessant rains, howling winds, floods, power outages, isolation, using short frequency radio as a way of staying in touch with the neighbors and the long wait before it is over. The novel is particularly strong in showing personal development, especially for Meena who finally comes to realize that her marriage is worth fighting for.

If I have one quibble it is that I would have liked Nikhil’s point of view too. Secondary characters make brief but memorable appearances—particularly amusing is the NASA astronaut who is surprised that his is the only house on the street that has been flooded, a house which is situated right on the center of a cul-de-sac (even the mandatory flood insurance does not clue
him in!).

If you like forced proximity/ second chance romance, this one's for you. I greatly enjoyed this novel and give it a solid B+.

by Indira Govindan

This was truly a good read. Inspired by Sweet Home Alabama, with South Asian American leads, it's just a perfect romance read. But also, being set in Texas with climate change being an important plot point was a good addition. The main character Meena is a bit frustrating at times but she's a personality I can fully recognize (especially here in DC). Nikhil's a gem.

This was a fun one! It was set during a hurricane following a married couple who hasn't seen each other in years, but she wants a divorce--very Sweet Home Alabama. That was a creative take on forced proximity, and I liked seeing the couple work through the reasons they called it quits earlier in their marriage. Our main character was also into politics and considering running for office, which I enjoyed reading about. This wasn't a new favorite, but it was a quick and fun read:)