Love in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly

Beth and George find potential death has a tendency to put things in perspective in this erotic contemporary romance.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I loved how this story was about a woman wanting to get a pilot’s license. The story caught my attention from the very beginning and the tension and banter between Beth and George was great. The fact that they had both liked each other early on and didn’t know it made this a fun read. The setting at the flight school was also a fun part of the story. I enjoyed all the side characters and hope that Shawn and Darla get their own book.

Beth wants to be a pilot. But with her mom’s medical debt to pay off, the funds aren’t available. Until her half-brother’s best friend George offers to give her free lessons and airtime and opens the door if possibility

Cute read. Great narrators. .

Thank you NetGalley & Berkley for the ARC approval!!

The Only Exception… yeah, that sums it up! Seeing this song in the playlist was 😘

Beth & George carry more than their share for others to their own hurt. Together, especially in the sky, they learn how to share the weight with each other.

I may need to start a new book club- War, anyone?

⭐️ 5/5 | 🌶️ 3/5
First person POV, single narrative
Linear timeline
FMC: Beth Lundberg MMC: George Bunsen
MF Romance
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Adventure

I absolutely adored Love in Plane Sight. I thought this was such a fun idea for a plot and unique trope.
Beth Lundberg is stuck juggling mounting medical debt and a rocky relationship with her brother, but she’s finally doing something for herself—learning how to fly! She just didn’t expect her instructor to be her brother’s best friend and longtime nemesis, George Bunsen.

From their first crash-meets-cute moment, the tension is immediate and electric. The flying scenes are some of my favorites! Equal parts thrilling, emotional, and loaded with chemistry. You can feel their connection building with every lesson, every challenge, every look.

Beth is such a relatable and determined lead. She’s trying so hard to take control of her life and pursue her dream, and I was rooting for her the entire time. George might be a grump on the outside, but underneath all that, he’s layered, sweet, and totally swoony once the walls start coming down. I enjoyed the deep character development she had, especially with her relationships with her mom, friends, and coworkers.

The spice level is just right. Definitely hot, but always emotionally grounded. I really appreciated that the romance didn’t overpower the story, but instead, added depth to both of their personal growth arcs.

This book gave me everything I love in a romance: slow burn tension, character-driven conflict, swoony moments, and an ending that felt earned. Love in Plane Sight hit every emotional beat for me, and I’ll absolutely be reading more from Lauren Connolly.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own!

This was a fun quick read and am glad I was given the opportunity to read this ARC.

Initially I was hesitant when I first started reading as I was not sure where the story was going initially, but am glad I stuck with it. I had originally thought the cover of this book was cute and have been doing some traveling for work, so I thought this would be a quick, easy read and it definitely was!
The banter between George and Beth was such fun and while I do not believe it was quite "enemies to lovers," it was definitely grumpy brother's friend to lovers.
Beth wants to be a pilot and her brother's friend, George, assists her. While the story starts with George and Beth flying and having engine problems, it turns into a quick read about a cute rom-com.
The side characters of Darla, Beth's best friend, and Shawn, her brother definitely helped add to the story! Beth and Shawn have such a cute brother-sister relationship and you can tell that he is very much protective of his sister in just the relationship that they have together.

I really enjoy Cara’s writing it’s fresh and funny with a lot of emotions and hard subjects. The struggling about the finance was the main plot and was done very well, with the consequences that can happen to your family when you are lying to them to protect them. The relationship was sweet but a bit fast to my liking, I’m trying to not compare it to Lenny and miles. It was still a good book and it’s the second these year of Cara that I’m getting and enjoying, she might turn into an auto buy author for me !!

Okay I still can not believe I finally got a Berkley arc. Knock me over with a feather!!! This book was one of my most anticipated books of the year because PS I hate you was one of my favorite reads last year!
This book did NOT disappoint. It had enemies to lovers, second chance and a bad*** pilot. And forces proximity to tie it up in a perfect little bow! I loved this book so much. Beth and George will live rent free in my head forever

3.5/5

I was so excited for this book because I loved PS I Hate You.
However, this book fell short for me. I didn’t connect with Beth, the main character. Her lack of communication skills annoyed me. I rooted for her but also wanted to yell at her to speak up. Shawn and Darla are great side characters and I found myself being more entertained by them. The flying parts and Beth learning to be a pilot were the best parts of this book. The male main character, George was fun to learn about especially that he’s not who you think he is.

Something about Connolly’s writing sucks me in every time, and Love in Plane Sight was no different. A determined FMC, “hot pilot” MMC, brother’s best friend trope, and so many lovable side characters made this so special. Even the quirky personality of Grumps and Jet stuck out. The chapters flow so well into each other. And the ladies are going to LOVE George Bunsen. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this, I already want to read it again.

I would bow down and praise the author with how well written this books is!!
I finished this book in 2 days...and I never wanted it to end! I was loving the back and forth pining and bickering. The love story between the two was so strong.
Lauren started off this story right with a strong hook, capturing readers by the first 2 chapters.
I do wish we got more background into Beth and George's history. Young Beth swooning over George!!!
The protectiveness that George portrays in the story filters off the page so well and gave me legitimate chills.

This book by Lauren Connolly is not what I expected and I feel like it could have been better if lust weren't the centerpiece of the whole book. There really isn't enough plot development to create an organic love story. There are a lot of points that could have been more fully developed. The money struggles Beth was having trying to pay off loans and her mortgage was the one thing that seemed complete in the book. Beth's relationship with her brother was one thing that could have more fully fleshed out. Beth's flying lessons could have been more detailed. It could have been a really good book but it missed the mark by a mile.

Two Stars.

Berkley Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I loved this one!! This was such a fun read and I also learned some stuff about piloting and planes which was really cool. The banter and chemistry between Beth and George was really well done. I thought that this book handled the woman in a male dominated field aspect of the story really well. I couldn’t put this book down! Beth is so relatable in so many ways and I really loved her character. All of Beth’s found family were so lovable. Definitely check this one out when it releases!

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

This was my first time reading a novel by Lauren Connolly, and I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect—especially after a rather unconventional opening where Beth is... let's say very affected by engine trouble—but I ended up enjoying the journey this story took me on.

From the moment I requested the ARC on NetGalley, the cover and synopsis intrigued me. I was immediately drawn in by the simmering tension between Beth and George, which only deepened as their relationship slowly transitioned from reluctant acquaintances to something much more meaningful. Their banter and emotional development kept me invested throughout.

Beth
Beth is a compelling and relatable protagonist. I admired her fierce loyalty to her family and her determination to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot—something refreshingly unique in the romance genre. Her emotional reserve and unwillingness to fully open up made her feel real, and I appreciated the moments when her strength came through, even in vulnerability.

George
While he initially appears to be the classic grumpy male lead, George soon reveals himself to be much more than that. Thoughtful, respectful, and emotionally self-aware, he was a fantastic counterpart to Beth’s guarded nature. I especially enjoyed how he gently pushed Beth to open up, while also letting his own insecurities show in a way that felt grounded and authentic.

The Romance
The slow-burn dynamic between Beth and George was well, ok. . Although the emphasis on Beth’s physical attraction to George became slightly repetitive early on, the emotional depth between them developed organically, striking a satisfying balance. I especially appreciated George’s quiet, restrained affection—a subtle, unspoken kind of love that added emotional richness to the story.

Final Thoughts
The pacing was smooth, the chapters flowed effortlessly, and the plot moved beyond just the romance to include themes of ambition, identity, and healing. Beth’s journey toward becoming a pilot added a unique layer to the narrative, and I thoroughly enjoyed her training scenes with George. While this may not be the type of book I typically reach for, I’m so glad I gave it a chance. If you enjoy grumpy/sunshine pairings, a touch of humor, and slow-burn romance with genuine emotional payoff, this one is well worth the read.

Thank you Netgalley for thus opportunity. 3.5 stars

After reading Lauren's book PS I Hate You, I was so excited when this one became available on NetGalley and immediately requested it! PS I Hate You became one of my favorite books ever, which gave me high expectations for this one.

While I didn't love it as much as I'd hoped and was, imo, on a different level from PSIHY, I still enjoyed it!

All the airplane lingo and knowledge of what it takes to get your pilot license is preparing me for when my husband starts flight school in the spring ✈️ gonna impress him with my knowledge know lol

I really loved the characters, even the side ones! Which has me wishing Drew & Darla can have their own book, because I'd love that so much!

I loved George and Beth together, the secret mutual pining was so sweet! I really liked that Beth's brother was the sweetest man ever about everything! It was a super endearing relationship.

The book even starts off with a lot of excitement so it was hard to not be into it from the first chapter!

I absolutely loved Love in Plane Sight – it’s such a joyful, swoony read that had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. Beth Lundberg is a fiery, relatable heroine with big dreams, and George Bunsen is the ultimate grumpy pilot with a heart of gold. From the moment these two are thrown together in the cockpit, their chemistry is electric and absolutely hilarious. Lauren Connolly’s witty banter and the fun premise (flight lessons with her brother’s best friend!) set a playful tone that kept me grinning—laughing at their clever back-and-forth and swooning at their flirty moments.

Their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers journey is perfectly paced. George’s slow reveal of kindness and vulnerability beneath his gruff exterior made me giddy, while Beth’s determination and warmth made her impossible not to root for. The dialogue is snappy and full of humor—I laughed out loud more than once and just couldn’t stop smiling. The unique setting of flying lessons adds an extra twist to the romance, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in the air and sweet, tender scenes back on the ground. Even the supporting characters (like Beth’s brother’s goofball best friend Shawn and her loyal friend Darla) feel real and add so much charm to the story.

Without giving anything away, the emotional payoff at the end was absolutely delightful. Lauren Connolly balances heat with heart beautifully, and by the final pages my heart felt so full. I closed the book with the biggest grin on my face – I was literally giggling, swooning, and completely enchanted by this couple’s journey. Love in Plane Sight is the kind of feel-good, laugh-out-loud romance that stays with you long after the last page, and I already can’t wait to see what Lauren Connolly does next.

This review is based on an Advance Reader Copy provided by Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Five flying stars!

I loved it. Everyone feels real, all the characters are interesting, and their relationships are strong. I liked that Darla and Beth were such good friends, they had each other’s backs. Everyone was very supportive of each other (except the villains, of course). It made me laugh, it made me cry, and I enjoyed myself a lot. Beth is very funny, and though she has her flaws, she was able to work on herself and be better. George comes off as a little standoffish at first, but he becomes a steady presence in Beth’s life, someone she can rely on, and he kinda grew on me as the story progressed. Shawn is very funny, and has Golden retriever energy. Grumps is his own character as well, and kinda funny. Darla was very protective of the people she cared for, and I hope we eventually get her and Shawn’s story (or stories, who says they’ll end up together?). As always, all characters are relatable, likeable, complex people, and that makes the story much more interesting. I couldn’t stop reading.

What do you get when you mix a brother’s best friend with Jason Statham meets Austin Butler vibes (yes, think Masters of the Air intensity), a dash of enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, and one steamy dose of forced proximity? You get a romcom that flies straight into your heart—and yes, I’m talking about the kind of romance that makes you grin like a fool, fan your face, and fall in love a little more with every page.

The book starts mid-crisis: engine failure mid-flight. Our heroine Beth Lundberg—24, fiery, determined, broke, and hiding big emotional scars—is stuck in a tiny cockpit with George Bunsen, her brother’s best friend and the infuriatingly hot flight instructor who’s been giving her the cold shoulder for as long as she can remember. George: grumpy, serious, guarded, but with unexpected tenderness beneath the surface. When he calmly takes control of the failing aircraft and lands them safely on a highway, something shifts. Suddenly, Beth’s hatred starts to feel suspiciously like… desire.

She doesn't want to admit it, but she’s crushing hard on the man who never seems to stick around when they’re alone. And things get even more complicated when George starts showing up at the local diner where Beth works—sometimes with her brother Shawn, sometimes not. The diner staff even name a sandwich after him (because of course they do), dubbing him “The Hot Pilot.” Oh, and then he offers her free flying lessons.

Beth is convinced his offer is nothing but pity—charity extended from a sense of obligation as her brother’s friend. And yet, despite her pride, her frustration, and the weight of everything she's juggling (two jobs, sky-high debt, a crumbling house, and an estranged father who refuses to give her the trust fund he owes), she says yes.

And suddenly? She sees a whole new side of George. He’s not just the aloof, unreadable man she’s built up in her head. He’s thoughtful, gentle, warm… and totally, irreversibly into her. Their spark becomes a slow, steady flame—and Beth finds herself navigating more than just flight patterns. She’s wrestling with vulnerability, independence, and the fear of falling in love when everything around her already feels like it’s on the brink.

The emotional stakes in this book are beautifully layered. Beth’s sense of duty to her mother, her financial burdens, and her complicated family history make her fiercely independent—and deeply relatable. And George? He’s a cinnamon roll wrapped in a grumpy pilot exterior. Watching them come together, break down walls, and rewrite their connection is incredibly satisfying.

Overall: I was hooked from page one. This book had me giggling, swooning, and cheering for two messy, loveable characters finding their way back to each other—and toward a future that felt earned and heartfelt. I also loved the supporting characters, especially Shawn and Darla, who deserve their own spin-off (yes, I would devour a novella about them!). Lauren Connolly has made her way onto my auto-read list, and I’ll be watching for everything she writes next.

If you love emotional slow burns with fierce heroines, grumpy-hot heroes, and big-hearted storytelling that balances heat with heart, don’t miss this one!

A big thank-you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this beautiful romcom in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Beth dreams of becoming a pilot. The problem? It’s expensive and with her mom’s medical bill and their home mortgage money is not in abundance. George, Beth’s rich half-brother Shawn’s best friend, offers to give her flying lessons for free. Which is crazy because George obviously hates her… But as they spend more time together it seems like he might not hate her after all.

This one was a lot of fun to read. The flying made it pretty adventurous, and I love a sassy FMC. George was a little too aloof for me. I’m more of a golden retriever MMC fan than caveman vibes but he was still a keeper. I really just need the Darla and Shawn sequel asap because I love a black cat x golden retriever. Please tell me it’s in the works?!? The spicy scenes were spicy asf. Damn Lauren you popped off.

Enemies to lovers
Sassy FMC
Hot pilot
Plane crash?

Thanks NetGalley and Berkley romance for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun read! I've never read a Lauren Connolly book before, but I'm glad I did! I was a little skeptical at first since our main girl Beth here gets a little horny from engine failure, but I ended up really enjoying Beth and George's banter and progression from (slight) enemies to friends to lovers. Beth wanting to be a pilot is a really unique premise, and I enjoyed reading about her learning to fly with George.

One of my favorite tropes is grumpy x sunshine and while Beth maybe wasn't the most sunshiney character of them all, George sure was grumpy. I love my MMC's with a dose of grumpy but pining, and that is definitely what I got with this book (thank you Lauren!!!).

I also really enjoyed all the side characters. Darla, Beth's bestie, and Shawn, her brother, lowkey stole the show for me. I especially loved Beth and Shawn's book clubs! They annotate the book and then trade so they can review each other's annotations. I genuinely think that is the most wholesome thing ever.

I definitely feel like Lauren set up for a sequel for Beth's brother, and let's just say that I am very excited for the golden retriever x black cat book that we are about to get... Until then, I will be checking out Lauren's other romcoms!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!