Fight or Flight had the perfect balance of engrossing banter and gut-punching romance to create an addictive read. Initially the connection between Caleb and Ava was born out of a mutual lustful detest, but it soon morphed into an all-consuming attraction that swooped in and knocked me to my knees. Their whip-smart banter was fun and hilarious, but Young expertly gave it roots that dug a little deeper with each encounter, ensuring they had to quickly feed it with more than just their words.

What I expected to be a lighthearted romance fast became a story that completely enfolded me into their lives and burrowed into my heart. Their magnetism was so instinctual and powerful that I couldn’t help but fall into this carnal need that floated between them. What was so brilliantly done, though, was the deep bond the reader could see them falling into and how wholly organic it felt—especially when both characters were so resistant and blind to what was building between them. There was an immense depth to each of them as characters and that greatly affected how strongly their connection came across; that fine line of Caleb’s cantankerous and jerkish ways was perfectly straddled to still show his ability to feel, and likewise with Ava’s armor remaining true to character without overshadowing her big heart.

Fight or Flight was deeply romantic and moving. I was brought to tears by its beauty and how wonderfully it depicted its heroine. I couldn’t have wished for a better man to be allowed into Ava’s heart and I could easily fall back into reading it again because of the feelings it gave me. Young hit it out of the park with this love story, and I look forward to seeing her reinvent herself with the next one.

I haven’t been this sad to write a review in quite some time. I fully expected to love this book for three reasons:

1. Samantha Young wrote it and I’ve rated all of her books at 4 or 5 stars.
2. It’s enemies-to-lovers! My favorite trope!
3. The hero is a grumpy Scot! What could go wrong with that?!

But at the end of the day: AVA DESERVED SO MUCH BETTER.

I have loved every Samantha Young hero I've read and there have been some utter assholes in the mix but Caleb is like Pure Asshole. The other guys would have a layer of kindness beneath their assholery, which helped you believe in their goodness. It took 40% of the book before we finally saw Caleb's nice side. Bastard Scot was super mean to Ava, arrogant, and entitled throughout the story. He was incredibly rude to service workers and his reasoning never made any sense. How you treat wait staff and service workers is a mark of your character and this was not a good sign. I could only hope he would be redeemed—and that it wouldn’t just be Ava rationalizing his poor behavior.

However, I made peace with Caleb's character flaws because it's a romance and while Ava should have bailed at least three times before this point, she didn’t so I tried to appreciate the Bastard Scot for who he was. He did help Ava process some difficult circumstances from her past, which was great, but he was also the King of Mixed Signals by giving her a tennis bracelet. Um, I need “friends” like that. I also didn’t like how he had these major expectations of her (i.e. not dating anyone else even once he went back to Scotland and hadn’t communicated with her at all) while not conceding that they were more than just two people who liked sleeping together.

I cannot tell you how deeply I came to despise Caleb. He’s the first hero I've ever hated. He was just awful to Ava, time and again. Of course, he screws up majorly and even though I knew they were going to get their HEA, I was hoping a much better man would come along to swoop Ava off her feet. At one point she said she couldn't be with someone who would inflict that kind of pain on her just to protect himself and I was cheering her on. But then she just took him back like no big deal. It was so disappointing.

There were a few other problematic aspects, including sexual ethics (Melanie did such a good job detailing this in her review) and a strange abortion subplot that was unnecessary and not handled with any nuance. (Content warning for partner violence, loss of a loved one, past parental neglect and child abuse, slut shaming, talk of miscarriage.)

For as much as I was side-eying Caleb and questioning Ava’s sanity, I could not stop turning the pages. I had to know how this would end and I kept hoping I would end up loving it after all. Young’s books are so readable and enjoyable, when when your reaction is along the lines of, "what now?!” I adored Ava’s best friend Harper and really hope she’ll get her HEA in the next book.

This may have been a miss for me but I’m still a devoted Samantha Young fan. Hopefully her next hero will be someone worth rooting for.

3.5 Stars

I'm a fan of Samantha Young's books, but I must say that Fight or Flight is the book I least liked about it. Not a bad book, but it also didn't meet my expectations.It is a book of love and hate between the protagonists and had some parts that I liked and others not so much.

Ava meets Caleb at an airport where both are in a flight to Boston and of course an animosity between them. Caleb is rude and definitely an asshole.But that does not stop Ava from being attracted to this handsome asshole, which makes her go to bed with him. Nothing wrong with that since she does not plan to see him ever again as soon as the plane lands.Only it seems that fate has other plans for them and they meet again, and they seem to be unable to maintain their attraction for long.

I think the biggest reason I didn't like this book as much as I would have a name: Caleb.Certain attitudes of this character deeply irritated me and I delayed to sympathize with him and even so when I stopped hating he still wasn't enough to make me love this story like the author's previous books.However I must say that I loved Ava's relationship and her best friend and I hope that in the future she will win her own story.

Good lord! I’m never disappointed when this author comes out with a new masterpiece, and let me tell you Fight or Flight was no exception. This book was loaded with Scottish humor (love the slang, especially at the end), down right fan worthy hot and steamy love scenes, definite emotional at times, moments where you wanted to smack Caleb and Ava up alongside the head, and incredible writing that made you want to keep turning page after page even though you needed to get up early to go to work. Caleb and Ava had an instant love hate relationship, but I absolutely loved the interaction and chemistry between the two, especially on the plane rides. Loved Harper and Jamie and cant wait to see their next book, Stella and Patrice were hysterical. Even though it was a bit long in parts, this author knows how to mesh together even the most complicated characters into something pretty special. Adore her and everything she writes, this book is definitely a winner!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

This was a difficult book to like in a lot of ways. The beginning paints both characters as both irresponsible, judgmental, and unlikable. They get together for a one night stand, and honestly, it's believable as a "hate fuck" where the sexual tension is high, but as they develop a relationship, it's harder and harder for me to believe they'll experience an HEA. Caleb's behavior in the book is...well, MEAN. She keeps calling it honest, but it just feel that he's defensive and his anger makes him lash out. The "low moment" at the end is devastating and I really wasn't interested in seeing them back together. These folks need therapy and the idea that a conversation or two could miraculously "fix" these deep-seated problems seemed laughable.

I personally found the issues around safe-sex and condom usage to be very uncomfortable. He unilaterally decides to stop using condoms telling her "I'm clean" and that he's seen her taking her pill. Several times the book implies that Ava likes sex better, or that it feels better without condoms, which is just bizarre messaging. Especially since the first time it happens is during what she thinks will be a one night stand. Wouldn't she care more about PROTECTING HERSELF than thinking it feels good? There's abortion-shaming, which I'm not down for at all--and honestly as an excuse for Caleb's behavior, it was lacking.

Lots of content warnings needed. Lots of serious stuff goes down in this book, and the blurb and cover make it seem like a light and fluffy read. It's not. That's fine---but this book was super all over the place, and it's one of the few books I could remember reading where I genuinely had trouble with the HEA. I think maybe these 2 really would be happier apart than together.

Samantha Young is a fantastic storyteller. She is a superstar! I love reading her books. They always have some uniqueness to them and aren't plain cookie cutter. It is what keeps me coming back for more.

Fight or Flight does start off quite aggressive. This is a enemies to lovers romance. Some people will love it and some will hate it. Please push through and give it a chance.

This story is told from Ava's point of view. I liked Ava. She is a strong woman and can hold her own. It definitely took me a minute to warm up to Caleb. I'm a sucker for a hot, tattooed, Scottish hunk. It was fun seeing them try so hard not to fall for each other. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Caleb's brother and Ava's best friend starring in a book of their own in the future. I'm requesting it be written now. You never know where life is going to take you and who you are going to meet. So read Fight or Flight and enjoy the ride.






I voluntarily read an early copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

I find myself oscillating between "I like this" and "meh". I do enjoy an enemies to lovers story so long as the characters don't get carried away in their hatred for each other. This skirted close to that line in some of Caleb's judgmental comments about Ava early on and if I were Ava, I would have had a much harder time getting past them. I did enjoy the chance encounters that forced them to spend time with each other and pursue their relationship.

I didn't enjoy how Young added in 'aye' into Caleb's dialogue but very little other Scottish phrasing that would have added some believability to the dialogue. It seemed as though she went through the book with a Find and Replace feature and inserted 'aye' whenever it made sense to insert it. My point is, it seemed a little forced.

I did enjoy the relationship between Harper and Ava. I wish we could have had more of Harper, but I suppose that we might see her again in another book.

In all, this was okay. I didn't hate it, nor am I telling everyone I know about it.

I couldn't put this book down. I read it in about 24 hours. Caleb and Ava might be my new favorite Samantha Young couple!

If you like hate to love romances, this is the book for you. Caleb, a handsome Scotsman, literally bumps into Ava at the airport, which is only the beginning of a long line of run ins that they continue to have as they try to make their way from Phoenix to Boston. They fight with each other from the time he almost knocks her over until, well they fight just about the whole book, but as they get to know each other it turns from mean to playful banter. Both of them have judged each other by their appearances and they both start their journeys out in a bad mood. As they find themselves stuck at the airport hotel for the night, they end up finding that while they don't like each other, they are attracted to one another and things take off from there.

Ava returns to her life as a beautiful, put together, successful interior designer in Boston. She never expects to see Caleb again after their tryst at the airport. Caleb happens to be friends with one of Ava's design clients and friends, who also wants to set them up. They agree to be friends with benefits, as Caleb will be staying in Boston longer than planned to work through the financials at his company's US office. As you can imagine they get to know each other and eventually fall for one another. They both have some baggage to deal with along the way, and I love the way they handle their issues. There were a couple of scenes where Caleb was being all possessive neanderthal man, but he stopped when he realized Ava wasn't really enjoying that and they talked it out. I really appreciate when characters talk through their issues.

Samantha does great banter, it is something I look forward to when reading one of her books. The banter between Caleb and Ava is excellent as is the banter between Ava and her best friend Harper. I also really loved the dialogue regarding the issues all of the characters had to face in their backstories. I felt like each of them was well developed, and while they had flaws they owned them and knew who they were. Also there is plenty of steam, the chemistry between Ava and Caleb is perfect.

I love Ava's best friend. I hope to see Harper get her own story or atleast a novella at some point. I need to know how her story ends. She is such a great character. I loved their friendship.

I absolutely adored this cute airplane romance. Samantha Young does not disappoint! Fans of her On Dublin Street series will love this book. It is fitting with The Wedding Date and The Kiss Quotient. Who can resist a tall Scot? I can't!

4.5 stars!
OH MY GOD! What do you get when you cross a broody, Scottish, alpha-Neanderthal CEO with a sassy, unapologetically honest, powerful woman? You get Samantha Young romance PERFECTION.
I LOVED Fight or Flight from Ava and Caleb's very first hateful encounter—when he basically hits her out of the way and steals her First-Class seat on a flight to Boston.
Hateful glares, banter that had me laughing out loud and smiling, and oh the angsty "I want to hate you but I think I love you" gives way to HOLY HOT sexy galore!
Each character has a back story (including the secondary characters who I adored and want and NEED to know more about) and the hard topics will touch your heart and soul emotionally. I literally devoured page after page because I couldn't get enough of these characters... I was completely and utterly obsessed with them!
Truth be told, I have not read a Samantha Young book in some time. Maybe it's because of timing and having such a busy blog schedule or because the books didn't grab my attention but this one reminded me of why I love her writing so much.
Readers who love completely fun, sexy, relatable characters and a love story built on fate and what's meant to be will absolutely LOVE this book. Fight or Flight is my new fave from this author and dare I say that Caleb gives Braden a run for his money. *gasps!*

There are just some authors that when you have an opportunity to read an ARC copy of a much anticipated and Amazon named "Best Book of the Month" book, you run, don't walk, to your reading device and DEVOUR that book in one sitting. Or at least, that is exactly what I did.





Samantha writes in a way that it's like my friend reading retelling me a story that happened to her; I just get sucked in and don't ever want the story to end.

The story opens up in a very high stressed location for everyone; the airport. Ava Breevort is attempting to fly home to Boston after a VERY emotional trip to her childhood home in Pheonix. In attempts to make that flight a bit more tolerable by upgrading to first class, she is cut off by the very handsome Scottish Viking God, Caleb Scott. Their electric, hostile encounter leads to a hilarious turn of events where they are unable to run from each other. This encounter leads to a layover that we all have dreamed of having.

After the steamy layover, the two decide to keep their physical relationship going, I mean, what could possibly go wrong, right?

I won't go into really any more detail because really, this book is worth the read.

While I am unable to really connect with the main character, Ava, I can connect with the pain that she experiences. Her pain is real and is felt through the book. But so is her love and her loyalty. I personally would want someone like Ava as a friend, she may seem perfect, but like us all, she isn't, and that is how we all can connect.

Now, my favorite character would be the antagonist in this story. Caleb Scott. How is it possible for Samantha Young to have created a fictional character that I would like to sit next to on my next flight?! I mean, this guy is a tall glass of water with a shot of yummy on the side (I personally have a soft spot for gingers...even blonde gingers).

This book has everything you would want in an entertaining romance read. It has laughable situations, heartache, drama, sexy love scenes (is it hot in here or is it just me?), and characters that you love.

If you are a fan of Samantha's On Dublin Street series, you will enjoy Fight or Flight.

So, click the link below and pre-order this book today, it releases on Tuesday, October 9th!



Amazon: http://bit.ly/FightorFlightSY

ALL OF THE STARS!

OH MY GOD YOU GUYS!

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an ARC!

So much love! So addicting! This was my first Samantha Young book, and now I’m dying to read all of her other ones! This is super fun enemies-to friends with benefits-to lovers trope and I had such a great time devouring it.

It’s about this career driven woman named Ava, who meets this ridiculously hot Scottish man at the airport and then they’re forced to sit next to each other, bickering the entire way through. I loved the banter and the witty dialogue. These two hate each other but their is still a strong sexual chemistry. They’re both attracted to the other but since they hate one another’s personality, it just makes sense to bang it out with no plan of feelings ever getting involved right? When Caleb ends up in Boston for a short business meeting, they decide once wasn’t enough and they take up a sexual relationship, but then they start to actually like each other and then decide to becoming friends. Slowly they begin to open up to one another and fall for each other, fighting it the whole way through. Both have broken pasts and they are terrified of history repeating itself.

Such a fun plot! The enemies to lovers trope is my favorite and I can’t stress enough how WEL it is done here. These two truly fall in love and it’s beautiful to watch. Caleb is beyond hot, especially if you love alpha males. He was Sam Hueghan in my brain and I had a great time with him. (They even compare him to Outlander!) I will say though I wish the groveling at the end was a bit more. I would loved to see more of them as an actual couple, but the location of where he showed up was great and the epilogue was very sweet.

I really loved Ava! I thought she was a strong protagonist and had a lot of depth to her. Her backstory was so sad and I felt so bad for her! I loved her friendship with Harper and the subplot of what was going on with Harper was crazy. So much angst! But a great message of strength.

The ANGST! made my heart hurt! I didn’t see some things coming and was on the edge of my seat a good portion of the second half.

I really hope we get another one because like Caleb said, Jamie needs to find his Ava! And I want to see more of these two! Really great story and I can’t wait to read more of Samantha Young’s book!
*races to pick up On Dublin Street*

Be sure to grab this one as soon as it goes on sale! You don’t want to miss out on Caleb and Ava’s love story!

FIGHT OR FLIGHT is the kind of book that reels you in with an initial feel of light, fun and hateful banter. However, it is not long before this becomes a pretty intense read and whilst I wasn’t expecting that, I was so into the characters and the story, that I welcomed it. This is a book that builds and builds and I am here for all the story development, for ever. In fact, I didn’t want it to end.

Caleb Scot is a vision to behold but an utter, rude jerk of Glaswegian persuasion and being seated next to him on two flights and a number of queues, tests Ava beyond her capabilities. His arrogance seems unparalleled and his inability to emote drives Ava to distraction. Yet, there’s definitely a bubbling of something underneath.

“Seriously. Some omnipresent being is playing with us. No two people can keep bumping into each other like this without the help of some twisted Fate.”

As the story moves to Boston, the characters pan out to include some meddling work friends, family and most importantly one of the side characters I adored, Harper. There’s a depth to this story telling that makes it possible to tell part of Harper’s story without feeling like a distraction from the main event. These elements are what made it a great book.

As I grew to know Caleb and Ava better, I fell in love with both of them for themselves and I cheered for them together. I wanted more than their arrangement and I wanted them both to see their potential as individuals and as a couple. These two had chemistry in buckets, exploding buckets of gunpowder. As Ava began to see the real Caleb, the revelations were pretty, damn good.

“...that sardonic smirk, his fierceness, his surprising gentleness, his honesty. He didn’t say a lot, but it made you pay attention when he did, and moreover, most everything he said made sense. There was a blunt kindness to Caleb that I appreciated and respected.”

FIGHT OR FLIGHT made me read at 2am to finish, it grew to such an intense package, I needed the end and yet didn’t want it. This book deserves every star it earned along the way and Samantha Young was on fire writing this one. It is a perfect stand alone contemporary romance.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

Fight or Flight.... That is a very good question and below all will be answered!

I'm not going to start this review with a synopsis of the book because hey! that's what the author spends hours writing the blurb for so instead i'm going to give you my thoughts and feelings about this book instead. I'm such a complete sucker for an arrogant alpha male hero, that's a little bit broken, and unknowingly to him, he needs a woman that is beautiful and independent, caring but also strong enough to handle all of his crap as well as her own. Caleb Scott and I quote is a "Blonde Scottish Viking" that fits into that category and is one very sexy but broken alpha male. At the start of this book I was totally on the fence about him as he is one arrogant and mean S O B to Ava but by the end of the book I so wanted to divorce my husband, declare my undying love for him and have his babies! Caleb just ticked all of my boxes on the kind of man I love to read about, he is tall, ruggedly handsome, scottish and down right bloody moody but also he's a god in the bedroom which all of us girls can only ever hope to find. Yes his character is flawed but I liked that part about him and it bought out a little sense of realism about him.
Ava Breevort on the other hand is a woman with many hidden layers. She is beautiful, smart and dresses like she is a privileged socialite. She seems kinda shallow at first until her background is revealed and explains why her self image is so very important to her. I liked her right from the start and there was just something about her that drew me to her character and made me think that there had got to be something more to her personality than just being what she wanted everyone else to see on the surface.
We are all at times guilty of judging others by their appearance and Caleb is just as guilty as Ava for doing that on first meeting each other. She thinks him rude and arrogant and he thinks she is stuck up and a pampered princess, but looks aren't always what they seem and can be all deceiving.
They are a brilliant mix of opposites attract or enemies to lovers, and they have that magnetic pull between them that neither of them can deny. The love/hate emotions they have going on between them turns into a fiery lust and passion that made for some very steamy reading indeed. Samantha Young has such a talent for writing such gripping romance with plenty of drama and torment thrown in to bring agony to both her characters and her readers alike. I was absolutely held captive by this book and it's wonderful characters as the writing was just so good, and the story was so beautifully plotted with a few twists and surprises added to the mix to shake things up a bit and bring more angst to this already heart pounding story. This has got to be my #1 favourite romance of 2018 as I really don't think anything else can come close to how much I loved this story. So now to answer the aforementioned question above which is definitely to FIGHT, for love and for all you hold dear.
I'd give this book a bazillion stars if I could but alas as only 5 are available here's to 5 Amazing stars! +++++

Oh, how I love Samantha Young’s writing! So full of heart, filled with passion, and touches you so deeply.

Fight or Flight is filled with emotion! It’s witty, fun, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. I smirked and laughed and cried. It’s wonderful! Caleb and Ava’s journey is heartfelt, it’s one of emotional turmoil, of slowly breaking down barriers, of allowing yourself to love and be loved, of acceptance and trust. My heart was racing from the moment I began reading it until the end. I couldn’t put it down. And the beautiful relationship and bond between Ava and Harper added so much to the story. These three beautiful characters will capture your heart and not let go.

4 1/2 stars. I really love Ms. Young's books and this was no exception. Caleb and Ava were adorable together. The pacing of the book was just right. I devoured this one. Kudos.

I really loved this book. The way these two characters interacted was fantastic. It was a beautiful love story. I definitely recommend this book and this author

This book had me grinning, laughing, angry and crying. Now that, makes a great book! You have done it again, Samantha!!! I really wasn’t sure what to expect with this one and was pleasantly surprised with it! An angry Scot and a well mannered woman with such chemistry was sure to be explosive! This book had me from the very first page. I just love reading the Scottish accent and slang. It makes the book even more interesting. Caleb and Ava are complete strangers who literally bump into one another. From that very first encounter had you on your toes. This was such an enjoyable read that you definitely don’t want to miss!

I love a good enemies to lovers story. There is something about that love/hate relationship that makes me giddy. When Ava Breevort meets Caleb Scott at an airport, there is no love lost between them. Of course, they end up on the same flight sitting right next to each other. Ava has never met anyone as rude and grouchy as Caleb. He may be a bit of a bastard, but he's gorgeous, rugged, and Scottish. With all the animosity floating around them, there is a ton of chemistry, too. This lands them in bed together during an unexpected and extended layover. 

Ava is sure she'll never see Caleb again and she is fine with that. Even though it was the best sex of her life, she can't stand the guy. Fate has other plans. These two are thrust into each others lives time and time again. Though they can't seem to get along, they also can't seem to stay away from each other. There really is a very thin line between love and hate....

Ava was a heroine I really did enjoy reading about. She had this really put together outside, but she had a lot going on underneath that. I loved seeing her growth and watching her come out of her shell a bit and realize everything didn't have to be perfect all the time. She could just be herself. Then there is Caleb... Like Ava, I had a bit of a love hate relationship with this man. There were parts that I truly did love his character and I think for the most part, he's a great guy. But, there were also parts where things he said and did made me really upset and I'm surprised Ava was as forgiving as she was. I'm not sure I would have been. Still, by the end, I was very happy with  how the story turned out! 

Samantha Young's writing was fantastic as always. I don't think this author knows how to write a bad book. I've enjoyed every book of hers I've read, and I've read about them all. Fight or Flight was completely addicting and fun, but it was also emotional and sexy. Overall, this was a great read. Recommend for anyone who loves contemporary romance and a good enemies to lovers story.

I am always up for a good hate-to-love romance, and Young gave me just that.

Who?

• Ava - An control freak, type A Boston-based interior designer, who had stepped out of the dating pool after a long-term relationship ended in betrayal.

• Caleb - A gruff Scottish CFO, who just says "no" to commitment after being badly burned in his last relationship.

What?

While traveling from Arizona to Boston, every encounter between Ava and Caleb ended in confrontation, until ire gave way to desire, and they enjoyed, what they thought, would be one night of passion. When the universe brought them together once again, they agreed to a no-strings-attached physical relationship, which quickly turned into something more, but would Caleb and Ava be able to put their past behind them, and embark on a future together? Would it be fight or flight?

Why?

There are so many things to love about this book!

Ava was a fabulous heroine. She was smart and sassy, and appeared to be a perfectionist, but under that glossy veneer was someone damaged by her past. Once the details of her upbringing and her broken engagement came to light, I understood Ava a lot better, and was really proud of the progress she made over the course of this book.

Caleb was the perfect grumpy hero. I have no idea why I love the grumpy one's so much. Maybe it's because when they are sweet and tender, it seems so much more meaningful. It's a side of themselves they only reveal to those who earn it, and that was the case with Caleb. Like Ava, he suffered some great losses. It was pretty heartbreaking, when he finally confessed about his past, and quite understandable why it was difficult for him to trust another woman. Though, I must admit, he made me nutty quite a few times during this book, however, right when my frustration peaked, it would ebb, because he would do something sweet to offset my irritation.

Ava and Caleb together were sparks and fireworks, like every time. Their interactions were marked by fun and witty banter, as well as lots of heat. But there were some really quite and beautiful moments too. Slowly, they each peeled aways the layers, and were able to see what was below the surface, and it terrified them as their hearts cracked open bit by bit. The way they reacted caused me some heartache, but this is a true romance book, so don't worry, Young made it up to me in some big ways.

I am sort of hoping this is the beginning of a series, because there were two characters, who I would love to see more of. Harper, Ava's bestie, was a stellar friend, and she had quite a storyline in this book. I would love to learn more about the past, which was eluded to, and see her get her HEA. I was also intrigued by Caleb's brother. He was an artist with a little darkness residing inside him from his own loss, and there is definitely a book there.

Overall: A fabulous hate-to-love romance, which was fun, sexy, and packed with feels.