This book is a sizzling, heartfelt romance that captures the complexity of love and second chances with vibrant energy. The writing immerses you in Meena’s whirlwind journey, blending sharp observations on ambition and identity with a passionate, emotional core. As a hurricane forces Meena and her estranged husband to confront their stormy past, their rekindled chemistry crackles with intensity. The storm itself becomes a powerful metaphor for the tumultuous feelings and choices Meena faces, making the story not just a romance, but a profound exploration of love’s true nature. This book delivers a thrilling mix of passion, introspection, and irresistible chemistry, leaving you eagerly turning pages and reflecting on the power of second chances. I absolutely loved reading it.

If you're looking for a romance that hits all the right notes between sweet and real, Flirting with Disaster is definitely worth a read. This book explores the whirlwind of emotions that accompany second chances and the storms—both literal and metaphorical—that can either tear us apart or bring us closer together.

The story follows Meena, a high-powered lawyer who heads back to her hometown to finalize her divorce from her ex, Nikhil. The twist? A hurricane is about to hit, forcing them to weather the storm together in the house they once shared. It's like their own little emotional storm, complete with thunder and lightning of the heart. Nikhil’s character is incredibly relatable. His insecurities and small-town charm are so vividly portrayed that you can’t help but feel for him. He comes across as genuine and well-rounded, which made me really root for him, even though he’s not perfect.

Meena’s journey is equally compelling. Her background and the choices she’s made over the years add layers to her character, making her decisions understandable. You get why she’s torn between the old flame and the safe option. Speaking of the safe option—Shake. He’s fine, but honestly, I didn’t have strong feelings about him one way or the other. I get why Meena is drawn to him; he represents stability and shared goals. But I felt like he was a bit of a letdown compared to the other characters.

Moreover, the six-year gap in communication between Meena and Nikhil left me questioning why their separation had lasted so long without any contact. It made their reunion feel somewhat rushed, though the emotional undercurrents were powerful.

Despite these minor reservations, Flirting with Disaster shines through its portrayal of real, flawed characters navigating love and life’s uncertainties. It’s got that perfect mix of romance and real-life struggles, making you think about love and second chances in a way that feels both hopeful and genuine. After reading this, I’m definitely planning to check out Sweet Home Alabama—if it’s even half as charming as this book, I’m in for a treat!

In the end, Flirting with Disaster is a heartwarming tale about the complexities of love, the impact of past decisions, and the enduring hope for second chances. It’s a reminder that sometimes, even amidst the storms, love finds a way to reshape our lives.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for providing a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I was so excited for this book knowing it has a sweet home alabama vibe (which is my fav!). it was cute and had sweet moments but didn't end up being my favorite. I think I don't love stories that take place over a short period of time. I was not invested in the storm and I wanted his job reveal/surprise to be more exciting and further along (a la the movie). so maybe its unfair of me to compare the two too much!!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Trapped together trying to get a divorce while a hurricane moves in from the gulf, that what they get for waking up in Vegas seven years earlier…Meena flew back to Texas to finally get a divorce from Nikhil after their mishap wedding in Las Vegas but the incoming storm brings in more than just strong winds as the two are finally forced to face their past. After living through the horror of Katrina, I am never one to root for destruction, but let’s just say that I was absolutely rooting for a slow path for this storm so these two could properly hash out their feelings! Flirting With Disaster definitely rated a Category 5 for me!

I really liked Say You’ll Be Mine, so I was very excited to get approved for an ARC of Flirting with Disaster, and it did not let me down!

I’m usually more interested in books with lots of dialogue, which this book didn’t necessarily have, but something about Naina Kumar’s writing style still always draws me in. This was a really nice second chance romance, with a good balance of fun and heavy topics. I really appreciated that it was fairly low conflict, too. The characters were all mature and didn’t keep secrets from each other that would come back to bite them later, which was refreshing!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Dell for the ARC of this book! I’m excited to see what else Naina writes in the future!

Awww this is was really cute!! I loved the characters and how the author played with the timelines in this book. The opening chapter had me hooked, and the voice was very fun and relatable. I did feel like the author did more telling than showing at times, but I enjoyed it overall.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for allowing me access to this ebook! You made my day, this was one of my most anticipated releases for 2025! Marriage in crisis is my favorite trope ever and very few authors write it so I was delighted that we would get one in 2025!

"Flirting with Disaster" by Nanina Kumar is a captivating and emotionally charged romance that reimagines the classic "Sweet Home Alabama" storyline with a fresh twist and cultural depth. The novel follows Meena, a high-powered lawyer returning to her Texas roots to finalize a divorce from her estranged husband, Nikhil. Years have passed since their impulsive Las Vegas wedding, and now, with a new man in her life, Meena is ready to move on—or so she thinks.

As fate would have it, a looming hurricane forces Meena and Nikhil to seek refuge together in the home they once shared. The forced proximity and intense situation bring back memories of their passionate past, making Meena question her current path. Nikhil’s small-town charm and the undeniable chemistry between them reignite old feelings, leaving Meena torn between the steady life she’s built with her new partner, Shake, and the raw, unpredictable love she once shared with Nikhil.

As the storm outside mirrors the emotional turbulence within, I was taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, rooting for Meena as she navigates the difficult decisions that will shape her future. I honestly had a blast reading this book and I recommend it everyone! Add it to your TBR now!

This is my first book of Naina Kumar and this book made me want to look at the rest of her work to read. Flirting with Disaster is a beautiful love story between Meena and Nikhil as they explore their strained relationship and fight for a second chance with each other. Stuck together due to a hurricane, Meena and Nikhil were forced to communicate and face their issues with each other head on. That close proximity allowed for some old and lingering feelings to come back up and we are treated to a slow yet sweet reunion between the two. Both main characters are so relatable. We all go through times of questioning our dreams, self identity, worth and value. Although we only got Meena's POV, their feelings for each other were very clear especially how Nikhil is still very much in love with Meena after all their time part. His little gestures of remembering her and their relationship was truly top notch.

Yes, it was painful (for me as a reader) and it took awhile but they eventually did get to talk about what happened before Meena left. I am not a big fan of miscommunication so some of the scenes were rough for me because I so wanted them to just talk to each other instead of assumming what one needs or wants from another. Once they did, I felt like the story picked up and I'm left to deal with their emotional back and forth. Because there were some glimpses of the past when Meena is reminiscing, it was a tad bit confusing sometimes whether a scene is happening in the past or present. Even with all this critique, I still feel Flirting with Disaster is a great book and would highly recommend it. I enjoyed it a lot and the story kept me going!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Naina Kumar for the opportunity to read this early in exchange for a review.

Wow! I have not read this authors previous book so I didn’t know what to expect. But I loved this! Meeka and Nikhal were perfection. The love between them… the history… I’m a sucker for a second chance romance. And as a Florida girl I appreciated the backdrop of a hurricane. lol it was definitely a different plot device and it worked.

i am going to be so tired tomorrow but this was so worth it. this was so raw and beautiful and heartbreaking. i loved it. it’s books like these that remind me why i love the second chance trope so much. meena and nikhil are everything. thank you to netgalley and dell for this book! i will definitely check out naina’s debut novel now. her writing is gorgeous.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House, and Naina Kumar for the ARC in exchange for a honest review!


I've never been a fan of second chance romances. Never. Yes, I've tried dipping my feet into the genre, but it's never clicked with me. I try, I try, I try. But this? This was as perfect of a second chance romance as you could ever get in my opinion. Raw and real. Great writing that only heightens the stakes. To contrast against my not-great-relationship with second chance romances, this book has two of my favorites: martial strife and being stuck in one location with the one person you should not be stuck with. I am a sucker for martial strife, sue me. I love angst. I love the tension. Over the course of the story, I feel like Meena and Nikhil scrounge and dig their way through their problems, both personal and martial; two puzzle pieces that fit but are a bit worn down enough that they have a hard time fixing together. All in all, this is highly recommend!

Flirting With Disaster is a Sweet Home Alabama inspired second chance romance between Meena and Nikhil, now separated spouses whose marriage began with a drunk night in Vegas that ended in an accidental nuptials. Though their relationship was still new, they decided to stick it out because they’re meant to be. Fast forward seven years later, Meena has moved from her hometown of Houston to DC’s Capitol Hill, where she’s a high powered attorney looking to jointly progress her career with her long time friend and sometime boyfriend, Shake. The only thing standing in the way? Nikhil and the unsigned divorce papers.

Being the force she is, Meena flys back to Houston to get Nikhil to sign the divorce papers herself. What she doesn’t realize is that a major hurricane is projected to hit the Gulf, thus affecting travel and safety in Houston. With nowhere else to go, Meena is forced to ride out the storm with Nikhil in the home they once built together. Will Meena get the divorce she’s convinced herself she desperately wants, or will she and Nikhil realize they have a love that can weather any storm?

Meena and Nikhil were two characters I genuinely enjoyed getting to know. Their past involved a lot of miscommunication; they were married very early on into their relationship, and both were heavily in the midst of growing pains from the pressure to be successful. They both felt the need to internalize their struggles to be the stronger person for the other, which ultimately led to them parting ways. Six or so years later, we can tell that they both fearfully hold onto hope for what they could be, and despite the fact that they’ve grown as individuals, they still internalize that fear of rejection from past hurts. Throughout it all, I loved that we could always see how much they cared for one another. Meena and Nikhil were both complex characters with a strong desire to care for everyone around them, and I loved that they were able to reconnect as they weathered the storm 💙

Rating - 4.25 stars

Thank you to Dell Romance for the early copy!

Flirting with Disaster is Naina Kumar's second book, which follows the story of a separated couple stranded together during a hurricane. Meena and Nikhil had married seven years ago, but their marriage quickly came under strain within a year, leading to their separation. Now a DC lawyer, Meena is ready to finally file the divorce papers before starting her political career and a romantic relationship with someone. Little does she anticipate to get stranded with her husband during a hurricane. Will they resolve their complicated feelings, or will things become more difficult? This was such an exciting premise, and I was hooked right away. I could feel the tension between Meena and Nikhil, and I was constantly rooting for them. We see glimpses of their life before and how they fell in love. This book is heavy on the miscommunication trope, which I usually wouldn't say I like to read, but it was done well in this one. I loved seeing how they both realized the mess they made and that communication is key. You were right about that, Alan! I deeply related to Meena's struggle to be the perfect daughter to make up for the 'mistakes' your sibling made. The constant pressure to do better and be someone your parents are proud of and feeling that love is conditional on that is very straining. The only aspect I wished was explored more was their past and their relationships with their respective families. But otherwise, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to readers who love a second-chance romance with a great deal of tension where you wish the characters would kiss already!

i am going to be so tired tomorrow but this was so worth it. this was so raw and beautiful and heartbreaking. i loved it. it’s books like these that remind me why i love the second chance trope so much. meena and nikhil are everything. thank you to netgalley and dell for this book! i will definitely check out naina’s debut novel now. her writing is gorgeous. (less)

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In Flirting With Disaster, Naina Kumar delivers a captivating modern romance with a Sweet Home Alabama twist. The story centers on Meena, a high-powered lawyer returning to Texas to finalize her longoverdue divorce from her estranged husband, Nikhil. Her plans are upended when a hurricane forces them to take shelter together in the home they once shared. As the storm rages outside, old flames and unresolved issues resurface, leading Meena to reconsider her decision and the future she has planned with her current partner.

The novel excels in its portrayal of rekindled romance and the complexities of second chances. Meena's struggle between the stability of her new relationship and the undeniable chemistry with Nikhil is compelling and emotionally charged. Kumar's sharp, witty writing and her exploration of themes like ambition, identity, and love's endurance add depth to the narrative, making it a heartfelt and engaging read.

Fans of romance and Sweet Home Alabama will find much to love in this reimagining. Kumar's skillful character development and the intense, storm-driven reunion between Meena and Nikhil offer a satisfying and poignant exploration of love and personal growth.

Did I get this ARC less than 24 hours ago? Yes.
Did I ignore everything else and read it in one sitting? Also Yes.
Is this an absolute winner? HELL FREAKING YES.

This book is EVERYTHING.

If you loved Sweet Home Alabama then definitely pick this one up!

Once upon a time Meena and Nikhil had a spur of the moment wedding in a random Vegas chapel and things were truly great…until they weren’t.
Now after years of separation, Meena is headed to Houston to make things official and get a divorce. Except, there’s a literal hurricane brewing and now she’s stuck bunkering down with the one person she’s sure wants nothing to do with her…the husband she hasn’t seen in years.

I can’t even begin to tell you all the feels I felt reading this story. Meena and Nikhil had their own hangups and issues but you could feel the remnants of their love in every interaction. I loved getting glimpses of their past from Meena, but I also enjoyed watching them reconnect with each other and the individuals they have become in each other's absence. Meena is a public interest lawyer and Nikhil works in construction but they both have such a passion for helping and building up their community; especially in times of great need like natural disasters. Meena's struggle with pressure and expectation is something that will resonate with a lot of first generation South Asian readers. Naina Kumar did not suffer from the sophomoric slump, her writing was sharper and wittier than the last. I think this was a fantastic follow-up to Say You'll Be Mine!

4.75 stars rounded to 5
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

Meena returns to Texas to finalize her divorce from Nikhil, but a hurricane forces them to stay together in their old home, rekindling her memories of their past. As she grapples with her feelings and the stability of her current relationship with Shake, Meena must decide if her heart aligns with her practical plans or the renewed passion with her ex.

After reading and adoring Naina’s debut “Say You’ll Be Mine,” I knew I needed to read her latest book. I have already preordered cause OBVIOUSLY I was sure I’d love it and I was right!!

Naina’s writing in this second book is sharper, full of wit, humor, and love, and her writing has continued to improve and show beautiful promise.

There are so many achingly gorgeous turns of phrase in this book that I was melting internally. I want to pick up Nikhil and Meena and put them in my pocket to keep them safe.

I loved their growth in communication. I loved the caretaking, their lovemaking, their learning to trust each other again. Nikhil is another ultimate book boyfriend I am afraid to say. You can’t have him… he’s mine.

The forced proximity worked so well. The stakes were just high enough. The grand gesture at the end!! I absolutely loved this book. It is so so special and I can’t wait for everyone to read it.

Thank you Dell for approving my request on NetGalley, I truly feel blessed and these opinions are my own!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine/Dell for this advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review. Flirting with Disaster is Naina Kumar’s reimagining of Sweet Home Alabama and this right off the bat, piqued my interest in this book. This story follows Meena and Nikhil, who have been separated for years but never divorced; however, now that Meena is on the verge of a burgeoning political career and now that she’s romantically ready to move on with someone else, she’s back to Texas to solidify her divorce with Nikhil. But, a hurricane leaves them both stranded in his house for a few days, which leaves them questioning their past and potential future together.

The premise of this story hooked me right away and I was a big fan of this author’s debut book so, I was super excited to read this one. However, ultimately I think it just fell a bit flat for me. We jump straight into the plot of Meena arriving in Texas to demand a divorce, with no background on the couple or real character building at all of our two main characters. With this minimal foundation, I found it hard to believe in the chemistry between the main characters or to really feel invested in their story. We do get little bits of their past interspersed in the text but, it felt a bit fragmented to me and it didn’t really add anything for me. It also seemed like there was more “tell” than “show” throughout this book, which deflated the sense of tension I think the reader is intended to feel as these characters get to know each other again.

Some parts of the book I did enjoy were the character evolution of each main character individually over the course of their six year separation; it’s clear both characters spent a lot of time working on themselves after their separation and I enjoyed seeing them come back together. Their own self reflections were a highlight in the story and I enjoyed seeing how they came together. I also really enjoyed the reimagining of Sweet Home Alabama, since it’s a favorite of mine, and liked the spin that the author put on this story. It was a heartwarming read for sure and I’d still be interested to read any future works by this author.

I’d definitely recommend this book to romance readers, especially those who love second chance romances, and fans of the move, Sweet Home Alabama!

Love second chance romances, love Sweet Home Alabama. This was on my "want to read" list even before I could get the ARC. And I ended up loving this book. It was so emotional (in a good way!) and after finishing this book, I had to take a day to process my feelings before I wrote my review.

It has a little bit of everything: romance, culture, family, community, career. Meena and Nikhil had great chemistry and the angst was GREAT and really pulled at my heartstrings. They had impulsively gotten married at Vegas and all was going well for about a year (but conflicts were building), until they get into a huge fight that leads to Meena leaving to D.C. for her career. SIX (!!) years later (with no contact whatsoever), Meena comes back to get her divorce papers signed by Nikhil so that she can advance in her career. When they are unexpectedly stuck with each other in a house due to a big hurricane, they are forced to spend time with each other and realize that their feelings for each other are very much unresolved.

I really liked Meena and Nikhil's characters. They each had their own insecurities that they needed to acknowledge. I could relate to what they experienced with their respective parents, especially in terms of the expectations from immigrant parents. That and a fear of failure really influenced the way Meena acted in her career and relationship. We are able to see important parts of their first relationship through flashbacks, and the reason why their relationship didn't work that time essentially boiled down to a huge communication issue. But these characters have evolved over the 6 years they were apart, and that made the second chance trope work. It was nice to see the contrast between their relationship now and the flashbacks. Now, we see them fight with and for each other and communicate their feelings in a more forthcoming way. They are so supportive of each other's career goals and in the end, it was nice to see their resilience and perseverance in the face of obstacles that come their way. And it was heartwarming to see Meena resolve some of the issues with her family, especially her sister.

Overall, this book had a lot of depth in its content and characters (definitely teared up a few times), and this was definitely one of my favorite reads of this year. I can't wait for it to be published Jan 14, 2025.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC!

Wow! This is a heartwarming reimagining of Sweet Home Alabama, featuring a small-town, second-chance romance between a couple with unresolved issues about their past, stuck together in a house during a storm—the very house they once shared when they were married! Tension escalates as their lingering feelings, attraction, and yearning clash with resentments and misgivings.

Meena has always been driven—ambitious, successful, and currently pursuing her career as a high-powered lawyer on Capitol Hill. Recently, she broke up with her boyfriend, but she’s determined to reconcile—not out of love, but because she sees them as a potential power couple aiming for a Senate run in Maryland. The only thing standing in the way of her plans is her husband, Nikhil, whom she married in Vegas. After a year of a rocky marriage, she left him to move to Washington, D.C., to chase her dreams.

She finally sends him divorce papers, but when she doesn't hear back, she decides to take matters into her own hands and flies to her home state of Texas to confront him. When she arrives at the house where they once lived, she realizes her timing couldn’t be worse—a hurricane is forming in the Gulf and heading straight for them. While her ex prepares for the storm, boarding up windows and stocking supplies like their wise neighbors, Meena is caught off guard, having acted impulsively without checking the news.

With no hotels available, no flights, and no cars to rent, she’s trapped with her ex. She optimistically thinks this will give her the perfect opportunity to convince him to sign the papers so she can move on with her life. But as they begin to communicate honestly for the first time in their relationship, the real question becomes: Can she truly let go of her first love when there are still unresolved feelings and sparks flying between them?

Overall, Meena frustrated me at times—her insecurities fueling her ambition, often leading her to act selfishly without considering others' perspectives. It even bothered me that, despite getting closer to Nikhil, she kept making plans with Shake (honestly, what kind of name is that? It made me hungry enough to order a burger and shake from Shake Shack!). I loved Nikhil—his struggle to support Meena while facing his own issues made him more honest and likable. But in the end, this is still a well-written, angsty, and heartfelt love story that explores how people evolve, learn to change, and make peace with themselves as they engage in self-reflection. That’s what ultimately made me appreciate Meena and Nikhil’s flawed, imperfect, but compelling story, which I happily give 4 rekindling stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for providing this heartfelt romance’s digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.