This is a delightful romantic comedy that strikes the perfect balance between humor and heartfelt emotion. Daisy, a woman grappling with the weight of a long-held secret that threatens to shatter her sense of self as both a daughter and a romantic partner. As she journeys to her mother’s wedding, you can envision the dread she feels about confronting her past, but the story takes an unexpected turn when fate, in the form of a charming, albeit irritating stranger, forces her to face her fears. When Daisy boards the plane to travel to her mother's wedding, she finds herself seated next to the very man who had earlier cut her off in traffic. What begins as an uncomfortable encounter soon evolves into a captivating back-and-forth between the two, as they move from irritation to playful sparring, and eventually to something deeper. The banter between Charlie and Daisy is sharp and witty, and it’s clear how strong their chemistry is.
The story is not only just a romance, but it's also about Daisy’s emotional journey, as she comes to terms with her family’s dysfunction and her own internal struggles. Charlie undoubtedly becomes a key figure in her self-discovery. His ability to help Daisy confront her personal issues while offering an outsider’s perspective is refreshing. There are moments of vulnerability mixed in with laugh-out-loud humor, creating a well-rounded and charming tale.
Overall, this is a feel-good, heartwarming story about overcoming personal insecurities, finding love in unexpected places, and learning to embrace the imperfect nature of both family and relationships. With its relatable characters, witty dialogue, and emotional depth, this book is captivating as it both entertains and tugs at the heartstrings.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Loved this debut book. It had the perfect blend of fantastic writing and storytelling.

The banter is great and the chemistry between the mains there from the start. A very ‘smirky’ and teasing MMC and an FMC who is currently a bit of a mess at first. The MMC is a lawyer and the FMC is in conservation.

The premise is that they meet on a plane as strangers after a terrible initial meet (he cuts her off, she’s almost late for her flight). She calls him out on it, and there’s some banter back and forth.

They end up at the same hotel, him on business, her for her mother’s wedding where her ex-finance will be present. MMC ends up seeing her at her worst, and of course offers to pretend to be her boyfriend. A tale as old as time, but absolutely loved this spin on it.

I had my expectations low for this book. Maybe it's because I've been burned by debut authors before? Maybe it's because I read a bunch of similar books right before this that were not-so-good. Maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace. But, I had a plane to catch and this book felt like it was calling me. So I boarded my flight and opened the book, bracing myself for turbulence. Turns out... I LOVE THIS BOOK. This was so good. While not groundbreaking, it was exactly the kind of book I was looking for. Anna Harbom has the skills of an author with a dozen books under her belt. The characters were fun to spend time with and the plot raced along. There is a bit you just have to go with (including the cliche third-act break-up), but this book was good with both vibes, humor, romance, and even some issues worth ruminating over. It made my flight zip by and I was a bit sad to see this couple ride off into the sunset. Hopefully Anna Harbom has another book in her. I would travel with her again. Any time.

I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this one--while it is a "standard" romance, the characters are nuanced, the story well-written realistic, and, of course, it has a travel element, so this book will be one I recommend to many.

Daisy Thomas is traveling to her mother's wedding in Washington, D.C. when she makes an enemy on the way to the airport...that ends up sitting next to her on the plane. He becomes more than a seat mate, though, when he's in the same hotel and helps Daisy navigate the extremely complicated relationships there at her mothers wedding.

There are some serious issues in the book, but they're handled well and lead to the great banter and care between the main characters.

Book: Seat Mates
Author: Anna Harbom
Format: Digital
Genre: Romance
Places Featured: Washington, D.C., United States
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 (rounded up)

This is such a great, quick read! I love the meet cute and fake dating aspects the most. It is a lighthearted story that can easily be read over a few days. The characters are great and make the story easy to follow and immerse yourself in. I will recommend to others and look forward to future books from Anna Harbom.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Sucker for a cute meet cute, this is a light wholesome read. I sped through this book this definitely gave me rom com like the movie vibes.

This was such a pleasant read! I enjoyed the unique meet cute but appreciated that it wasn't too overly grumpy or enemies-to-lovers. Daisy was a likeable and relatable character (minus her cushy don't-need-to-worry-about-money lifestyle) who was practical but still had enough adventure and openness to her, despite her relationship with her mother. Charlie was adorable and was the right combination of manly but emotionally available without falling so quickly. They had good banter and I felt the build up of their interest in each other was natural despite the accelerated timeline. I like that Daisy worked through some personal things and dealt with her mental state as well. Very refreshing.
I read this so fast and enjoyed it all!

This was an odd duck. Still not sure if I loved it or hated it. There was a lot of good but also quite a bit that I didn't like. You'll have to read it and see what you think.

Daisy and Charlie had me literally kicking my feet and wanting to toss my kindle across the room. They are so cute and I was not prepared for how much i was going to fall in love with them and their story!

Seat Mates by Anna Harbom is a delightful and engaging romantic comedy that takes readers on an unexpected journey of love and connection. From the moment the story begins, Harbom captivates with her sharp wit and relatable characters, making this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

The plot revolves around two strangers who find themselves seated next to each other on a flight, and what starts as an awkward encounter quickly blossoms into something more. Harbom skillfully develops the chemistry between the protagonists, allowing their banter to unfold naturally as they navigate their individual challenges and fears. The dialogue is witty and refreshing, creating a light-hearted atmosphere that keeps the reader entertained throughout.

One of the strengths of Seat Mates is its exploration of the themes of fate and connection. Harbom deftly illustrates how seemingly random encounters can lead to meaningful relationships, reminding us that love can often be found in the most unexpected places. The supporting characters add depth and humor to the story, making the overall experience even more enjoyable.

Overall, Seat Mates is a charming and uplifting romance that will resonate with anyone who believes in the magic of chance encounters. Anna Harbom has crafted a sweet and entertaining story that is perfect for a cozy reading session.

A heartfelt thank you to Anna Harbom and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a super fast read! Really fun, flowed well, Great romance in every way! Super adorable love story. Will look for more by Anna Harbom.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

After picking Seat Mates up and then putting it back down for the last month or so, I decided that we are just not compatible.

I found the story too slow for my taste and just not my cup of tea. I did not get past chapter 9

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a really fun book!

I was really drawn to this book because of the cover and Denver ties. In practice though I struggled to connect with the plot and ended up not finishing it. Thank you for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book sooo much!
It was a fun adventure and the characters were fantastic.
This book was well-written, great descriptive writing and great character development.
These 2 (Daisy and Charlie) were perfect for each other in my opinion.
This book had romance, laugh-out-loud moments, drama, a wedding and a great journey.
It was great from the start and the ending was just as great.
Just went to check what other books this author wrote and I found that this is her first one. Excited to see what she writes next. :)
This is a must-read book!

This was such a cute book!
I love that it was a rom com but it also had some depth to it.
I liked both main characters!
This was a very enjoyable, quick read!

Daisy Thomas isn’t just dreading her mother’s wedding—she’s overwhelmed by it. She’s holding onto a secret that makes her question who she is, both as a daughter and a partner. The last thing she needs is more stress. But, of course, fate has other plans. On her trip to the wedding, Daisy ends up sitting next to none other than Charlie Bond, the same guy who rudely cut her off on the way to the airport. What starts as an awkward, sarcastic back-and-forth slowly shifts into something she never saw coming. Charlie, of all people, turns out to be just what she needs to help her deal with family chaos and the inner battles she’s been avoiding.

*Seat Mates* by Anna Harbom is a sweet rom-com packed with moments of humor, love, and a lot of self-reflection. Before I even started this book, I was intrigued by the idea, and the chemistry between Daisy and Charlie felt so real and natural. The way their relationship unfolds is genuine, and you really find yourself rooting for them to make it work.

That said, the book touches on some heavier themes that feel a bit weighty for its shorter length. At times, it delves into side topics that could feel a little distracting. Daisy’s complex relationship with her mother is very relatable, though I did feel frustrated by how little remorse her mother showed throughout. Even so, Harbom’s writing shines with potential, and the story is full of clever moments and heartfelt connections.

Despite some small bumps along the way, *Seat Mates* is an emotional, enjoyable read, and I’m excited to see what Anna Harbom brings to her next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Anna Harbom!

this book was such a sweet read, i fell in love with daisy and charlie as soon as i met them.

girl is going to an uncomfortable wedding, when in the way to the airport she meets a bmw driver who almost crashes into her. she flips him off, he responds and they end up being seated side by side on an airplane. and door to door at the hotel. they help each other through their feelings and hardships.

charlie is a dreamboat. this is a book about learning of your boundaries, about yourself, speaking your mind, enjoying yourself and moving forward with the right people along. delightful summer read, couldnt put it down. def waiting for more from this author!

Gah!! This was such a fun read!!

My cheeks ended up hurting at how much I was smiling throughout this book, I do believe there was a time or two where I giggled and caught the attention of my family.

I completely love a fake dating story and this did not fail to deliver!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving m the opportunity to review this book!!