4.5! Oh how this book has a special place in heart. I didn't even realize that this story was over 300+ long I was so into it, the tension of it all can be sliced with a knife! The pull between Olive and Stella is so strong the way Stella was being so girlfriend-ly with Olive even though they're just fake dating and had made it clear, was so so freaking sweet (The Vicks, super relatable). I've laughed a whole lot, the humor is top notch and the smut is *Chef kiss*. Not only that but the representation that Olive and Stella bring are amazing, I really do think they work together so well and they compliment each other. Reading each character grow throughout with career, family, and dealing with past exes and themselves made this even more wholesome. Amazing Debut book and will buy whatever this author puts out! Can't wait for more to come!

3.5 stars. Enjoyed overall. That being said, I didn’t fully understand the Stella character. She presented as very type A but something else seemed to be missing in her character development. It was also hard to understand Olive’s family dynamics. I did enjoy the love arc, though I found myself skimming a bit to move more quickly through the plot.

Fly With Me by Andie Burke
Narrator: Chelsea Stephens
Rating: 4 stars
Steam: 2 chilis
Pub date: 9/5

I was so excited when I received an early ARC and ALC of this debut sapphic romance! I can’t believe this is Burke’s first novel! It’s a steamy, witty, and heartwarming story that tugged at my heartstrings.

Olive Murphy, an ER nurse terrified of flying, finds herself mid-flight when an emergency strikes. Olive springs into action, saving the day and meeting the incomparable Stella Soriano in the process. Stella’s a determined copilot with charisma to spare, and she sweeps Olive into her orbit, offering friendship and a fake dating proposal that Olive can’t refuse. The arrangement is mutually beneficial for both of them, but what happens if only one of them develops real feelings?

I really enjoyed this slow-burn opposites-attract love story! While Olive and Stella are getting to know each other and embarking on their fake dating scheme, they’re also dealing with some complex issues. Olive's grief for her brother and her family dynamics take center stage, alongside her burgeoning affection for Stella. Stella’s father has Parkinson's, and she is not only having a hard time accepting all the difficulties that come with that, but she’s also trying to become a Captain at her misogynistic airline. The explorations of loss and healing make these characters likable and relatable.

The villains in Olive's life add just the right amount of drama, garnering equal amounts of frustration. Burke's decision not to resolve her family conflicts neatly lends authenticity to Olive's journey.

The audiobook version, narrated by Chelsea Stephens, truly captures the essence of both protagonists. Stephens' skillful voice acting allows listeners to distinguish between Olive and Stella, enhancing the storytelling.

Overall, this beautiful debut effortlessly balances humor, heartache, and hope.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced copy and Macmillan Audio for my ALC.

Read if you like:
*flying
*sapphic romance
*complicated family dynamics
*opposites attract
*Celiac/anxiety rep
*fake dating

This was the kind of story that grabs you from the very beginning and keeps you interested the whole way through. I’m used to saying that about mysteries and thrillers but this book packed a punch; it had lovable main characters, a fantastic supporting cast of friends and the usual family angst. I loved how they met and how they got together. I wasn’t a fan of the toxic environment both of the women found themselves in but those were also very believable. This was a touching, heartwarming story and I enjoyed getting to know Stella and Olive.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

Loved the banter in this story! It was such a cute concept and I really enjoyed it. Andie Burke made me smile throughout.

"𝘖𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯." - 𝘋𝘢 𝘝𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪

I would say I loved about 95% of this book... the other 5% was the Lindsay character 🙄 but I mean, I guess that means the author did a good job because that character SUCKED.

I will also give a TW/CW for both traumatic brain injury and Parkinsons. The author handles both topics with grace and gives a lot of insight to the "behind the scenes" family dynamics, which just had me gaping at certain points.

Thank you so much to @stmartinspress, @smpromance and @netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this review!
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#bookstagram #booksta #books #booksbooksbooks #avidreader #ilovereading #thetwistedlibrarian #professionalbookworm #flywithme #andieburke #whatsnikkireading #book63of2023 #stmartinpress #smpromance #netgalley #lgbtqiap #chanceencounter #fakedating #facingyourfears #familymedical #arc #advancedreadercopy

Touching novel that deals with a multitude of issues: trauma, heartaches, loss, and love.
A nurse and pilot commence a fake dating relationship but quickly it turns into something more.
I thought the author tried to pack too many issues into one story, but it was still a fast read.

Trigger Warnings: cursing, anxiety, panic attacks, medications, medical content, allergic reaction, death of a sibling, homophobia, car accident, coma, end of life debate, tbi, long term care facility, alcohol, drinking/drunk, Parkinson’s, snake, depressive episodes, toxic relationship, transphobia, sex, vibrator

Representation: Gay, Lesbian, Latina, Mexican-American, Celiac, Bisexual, Transgender

Fly With Me is a one-way ticket to love or a bumpy ride ahead, we shall see. Flying-phobic ER nurse Olive Murphy is still gripping the armrest from her first-ever take-off when the pilot announces an in-flight medical emergency. Olive leaps into action and saves a life, but ends up getting stuck in the airport hours away from the marathon she's running in honor of her brother. Luckily for her, Stella Soriano, the stunning type A copilot, offers to give her a ride. After the two spend a magical day together, Stella makes a surprising request: Will Olive be her fake girlfriend?

A video of Olive saving a life has gone viral and started generating big sales for Stella's airline. Stella sees their union as the perfect opportunity to get to the boys' club executives at her company who keep overlooking her for a long-deserved promotion. Realizing this arrangement could help her too, Olive dives into memorizing Stella’s comically comprehensive three-ring-binder guide to fake dating. As the two grow closer, what’s supposed to be a ruse feels more and more real. Could this be the romantic ride of their lives, or an epic crash and burn?

This was so cute! I really enjoyed it! I love seeing messy queer adults trying to navigate life and family. The story is funny and serious, with a great balance of flirting and deep conversations. The writing is very witty and clever, and the dialogue is sincere and natural. The characters are very relatable and human. It also has an adorable romance and some nice spice!

Sapphic romance is honestly enough for me to read a book. This was so cute and swoony. I loved the couple as a couple but also both as individuals. Absolutely would recommend!

This debut novel was an unexpectedly sweet sapphic fake romance turned real by an author who lives in my hometown. The opening scene on the plane hooked me immediately, and I liked getting to know Olive and why she was doing all these things she was either afraid of doing or didn't want to do. I also liked getting to know Stella and what it was like to be a woman in a job that was typically "the men's club". I absolutely loved Olive's best friend which added a fair bit of humor to the book. Her mother was just awful, and was reminiscent of people I've known IRL. I think I almost disliked her sister more because her sister KNEW that what her mom was doing was not cool, but she allowed her mom to treat Olive the way she did.

This story definitely fit the fake girlfriend dating trope well, but I liked that it tackled topics like caring for loved ones with degenerative diseases, and end-of-life directives. Stella and Olive were both likable characters, and although there were some things at the end that were a bit over-the-top, I still loved how it ended. I ended up reading this in one sitting because I wanted to know how it would all work out! I will be keeping an eye out in the future for this debut author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An engaging read from the start! Olive's voice was so relatable, and I loved seeing Olive and Stella get to know each other, warm up to one another, and start falling for each other, all while navigating a fake relationship. I loved the peek into two professions I don't have much experience or knowledge about--nursing and being an airline pilot--and I thought Olive and Stella's family-related struggles were incorporated into the novel in a very thoughtful and realistic way.

My one snag was that the pacing didn't quite work for me in the last third of the book. I flew through the first two-thirds, but it did start to feel a bit repetitive toward the end.

Overall, this was a great read and I'll look forward to reading what this author writes next!

3.5 Stars, rounded up!

This was a cute story about an E.R. nurse and a pilot who meet after a chaotic flight and seem to find an instant connection. Olive is on her first ever flight, her anxiety spiraling, when they call for medical assistance. Olive steps into her less-anxious nurse persona and saves the life of the passenger who was having an allergic reaction. She's applauded by the plane and the pilot and captain, once they make their emergency landing. Olive needs to get to Orlando, but there's no more flights and she's too tired to fly, so she realizes that she won't be able to honor her brother's wish, to run the half marathon at Disney the next day, to cross off another thing on his bucket list.

Stella finds Olive crying and tries to comfort her, and ultimately says she'll drive her down to Orlando, as she was headed there for her days off anyway. From strangers to something resembling friends, they bond and spend the next day together. And then they separate, until Stella goes to Olive's work to seek her out and make a proposal. The video of Olive saving the man's life is going viral and summoning big press for the airline and for Olive herself. Stella, seeking out a captain title, asks Olive to be her fake girlfriend. Keeping the airline in good press is surely going to help her get that promotion, right? But Olive can already tell she could fall for Stella and doesn't want to lose her, so she gives in. And so ensues the fake relationship. Totally fake, right...?

I love the premise of fake dating and this is no exception! I also really loved seeing a Disney World date first and foremost (I mean, who can say no to a cute drinking around the world date?), without it overshadowing the rest of the novel. While this book could've easily been super cute and fluffy, it discussed harder topics, specifically within the medical field, including life support and Parkinson's, and what is means to be family and caregivers to those who are sick. It also touched a bit on the internet and how viral videos aren't always a great thing, for any of the parties. I also really enjoyed the anxiety and depression representation!

I also absolutely *loved* seeing celiac representation and some discussion over gluten free foods, including not wanting to inconvenience anyone, not ever expecting food at any event, and feeling safe in Disney!

To me, it felt like a lot of their chemistry was just Olive being horny. Here and there I could see more chemistry, but a lot of it came down to just sexual tension, which isn't something I loved. It was hard to root for the characters to be together romantically at times, but ultimately I really enjoyed the story and would recommend! I think this is a strong debut and I'd definitely read more of Andie's work!

It happened. I finally read a sapphic romance and didn't spend the entire time cringing ! I can't explain to you how happy this makes me.

Burke did a phenomenal job writing complex and real characters. It was almost like I was in Olive's head, feeling her same emotions of self doubt and unworthiness; especially since we weren't given the honour of seeing Stella's POV so we were just as in the dark about feelings as Olive was.

After a tragic accident leaves her brother in a coma he will never recover from, Olive was dumped by her girlfriend for being 'too needy' while dealing with her depression. She was also disowned from her family after a disagreement in the next steps for her brother's medical care, leaving Olive alone in her grief.

Now enter Stella, a *very* type A copilot who won't let anything get in the way of her dreams. Not ex girlfriends, not misogynistic coworkers, not missing out on time with her ailing father, and most certainly not another girlfriend who she would inevitably hurt in the end.

After Olive saves Mickey Mouse's life (lol) on one of Stella's flights, the two quickly bond and soon after Stella decides to use the media coverage to help boost her chances at a long overdue promotion. Olive, crushing hard on Stella, leaves herself no choice but to go along with it.

Watching Olive and Stella bring out the best in each other was a hug to my heart. It was incredibly easy to want the best for everyone (even Olive's mom who was the worst but gets a VERY minor redemption story). The only person I wished nothing but ill will towards was Linsday, Olive's emotionally abusive and overall horrible person of an ex.

I laughed, I cried, and I felt ~almost~ as sexually frustrated as Olive. Typically I don't like a miscommunication trope but holy did this one keep me on my toes. And the spice was A-OK in my books 🔥

This was a treat to read, thank you St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC.

4.5 ⭐️

Fly with Me by Andie Burke was an unexpected gem! Based on the synopsis, I expected the book to be good, but it was excellent! The character building, the relationships, the angst, the SPICE; it was all on point. Some of subject matter dealt with really difficult topics, but I think the author did a wonderful job writing the characters reactions and interactions with each other around the topics. The situations were dealt with in raw honesty but also grace and kindness for both sides. (Except Kevin - he got what he deserved...)

Overall, I'm impressed with this debut from Andie Burke and I hope she continues to put out great novels! Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Andie Burke for the ARC!

🦇 Fly With Me Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

❝ They were mirrors in a way. Both of them watching their loved ones suffer. Both unable to help in any meaningful way. Both coping--one with work and the other with a list. Both scared shitless of hurting the other one. ❞

❓ #QOTD What are you afraid of? ❓

⚠️ Content Warnings: Terminal illness, chronic illness, misogyny, toxic relationship, grief, traumatic brain injury

🦇 ER nurse Olive Murphy's fear of flying doesn't stop her from getting on a plane to honor her brother, but it seems her fear is misplaced. A medical emergency forces Olive to leap out of her seat and into action, only for the flight to get redirected. She would have missed the marathon she was meant to run at Disney if not for Allied Airlines pilot Stella Soriano; a gorgeous, type A woman who captivates Olive with a glance. They share a magical day at Disney together as the video of Olive saving a man's life goes viral (after all, she did TECHNICALLY save Mickey Mouse), prompting an uptick in positive press and sales for the airline. Stella sees it as an opportunity to earn her long-deserved promotion and asks Olive to play the role of her fake girlfriend as they generate more press. Can Olive stand playing a fake role when her heart is already on a one-way flight?

💜 Get ready for a sassy, steamy, sapphic love story bound to soar into your heart. Andie Burke's debut novel has a little of everything; an insta-crush, fake dating (complete with a binder full of rules and research!), sharp and witty banter, plus some real and raw mental health rep. Between their anxieties, family responsibilities, and messy emotions, both Olive and Stella are relatable main characters you can't help but fall in love with. Sparks fly from the moment Olive and Stella meet, and Olive's mega-crush is adorable without making her seem adolescent. We gain a lot of insight into both characters' lives despite the fact that the story sticks with Olive's POV, which isn't always an easy feat. The prose is descriptive but not overly flowery, but it's the character development that really flies off the page. I absolutely adored Olive's best friend, too (imagine Felix from Orphan Black and get ready for ALL the gay sass).

💜 Burke does a wonderful job of normalizing mental health conditions without banging mental health rep over our heads. Olive's symptoms are as much a part of her as the heart-eyes she wears when Stella is in the room. After her (toxic) ex broke up with Olive because her anxiety disorder and panic attacks were "too much," Olive is afraid her symptoms will eventually scare Stella away. Meanwhile, Stella's responsibilities as her father's caretaker (who has Parkinson's) create the cracks in her type-A facade and show us why she's so committed to earning her promotion. Both characters encounter misogyny as well. While some readers might feel that there's too much going on, Burke carefully stacks these issues atop of one another. That's life; we're all juggling multiple conflicts, both internal and external. Read the quote I selected again. These women are mirror images of one another. Their struggles, while different on the surface, make it all the easier for them to empathize with and support each other. There's also no perfect, easy solution to the problems these women are facing because, again: that's life.

🦇 A part of me does wish this story split the POV, allowing us to see Stella's perspective. Keeping the focus on Olive ensured Stella's feelings for her remained hidden, but...come on. We all know where a sapphic romance novel is bound to end: with a sapphic romance. The "fake dating girlfriends with benefits" situation is where the story really gets messy. It's difficult to believe that Stella doesn't have romantic feelings for Olive at that point. The miscommunication trope is still my least favorite, but it lingers much too long in this one, leading to a not-at-all surprising third-act breakup. Even so, this remains the best sapphic romance I've read so far this year.

🦇 Recommended to fans of the fake dating trope, serious character development, and a heart-eyed, healing MC.

✨ The Vibes ✨
✈️ Fake Dating
✈️ Bisexual MC
✈️ Sapphic Ship
✈️ Panic Attacks/Depression/Mental Health Rep
✈️ Debut Author

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

a cute novel, i really enjoyed it!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for this review copy.

Fly With Me is a sweet, emotional story that tells the tale of Olive Murphy and a bucket list of sorts. Olive has a fear of flying, but is on a plane to Florida when she has to put her nursing skills to use in the air to save a life. Stella is a co-pilot of the flight, and when they meet, sparks fly. Neither woman thinks they can handle being in a relationship, but they fake a relationship in order to each earn benefits for themselves and their jobs.
This was a deep story that deals with love and loss. The way it is written really pulls at the heartstrings while also rooting for all of the characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a super cute romance! I felt for Stella and Olive who were both very relatable in their insecurities/anxieties and their family issues. I love a fake dating trope, and this book did a fabulous job with all the real-feelings confusion that it caused, while the humor did a nice job of balancing out the heavier side plots (family mostly but also Stella's career).

This book was a lot heavier than expected, with themes of anxiety/panic attacks, end-of-life care for a loved one, progressive neurological illness in a parent, misogyny and sexual harassment, and a toxic past relationship. The mental illness representation was fantastic! It was so much more than just the fake dating plot I expected. These heavier topics served as a detriment to the budding relationship between Olive and Stella; there was just too much going on, and not everything was fully resolved by the end. And because there were so many sub-plots, not everything was as fleshed out as I would have liked. I felt the chemistry between Olive and Stella from the start (I loved them both together and apart), but I think the pacing was off. In my opinion, Stella is autistic coded, though it's never explicitly stated in the book. She's described as having a type A personality, but some of her misunderstandings read as autistic.

Although I'm not a huge fan of third person singular POV (we only get Olive's perspective), I liked Andie Burke's voice and writing style. I think this was a great debut, and I genuinely did enjoy it. I think her writing will only improve from here, and I will read whatever she writes next for sure.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest, voluntary review!

Fly With Me is a romance that hits on hard topics with grace.

Olive is a nurse who is terrified of flying. On her first flight, a passenger has a major allergic reaction, and Olive saves him, but the flight is diverted. The co-pilot, Stella, then offers to drive Olive to the original flight destination. They spend the day together and have a wonderful time. The video of Olive saving the passenger goes viral, and Stella gets the idea for her and Olive to fake date while they're featured in interviews and such. Olive wants more, but she's terrified her anxiety disorder will push Stella away, a fear fueled by Olive's jealous and toxic ex. Meanwhile, Olive's brother is in a coma and she's fighting with her family to honor his wishes. Stella's dad has Parkinson's and she's trying to achieve Captain before he gets worse.

Olive's anxiety and struggles were so well-portrayed. As someone who struggles with similar things, she was really relatable. I loved her support network but couldn't stand her family. I'm not usually a big fan of single-perspective romance, but this was done pretty well.