Exquisite and exceptional. Easily one of my favorite romances of the year! I loved everything about FLIRTING WITH DISASTER, just like I did with the author's other book. The writing, the pining, the tension, the chemistry, the complexity and depth to the characters and their relationship had me so captivated and consumed by Meena and Nikhil's story.

Meena and Nikhil are the loves of each other's lives... yet seven year laters, Meena flies to Houston to force Nikhil to finally sign the divorce papers, so Meena can move on with her life and career in DC. Though her spur of the moment decision couldn't have been made at a more terrible time...during a hurricane. Forced to stay with Nikhil in the brick house that they started their union together to weather out the storm, Meena and Nikhil can no longer run from each other and the mistakes they made in wrecking their marriage. Not only is the storm outside brewing but also inside the anger (and passion!) between them is another storm on its own. Being around Nikhil, it brings out the irrational impulsive part of Meena that she seem to can't ever control around him. Meena wants to help Nikhil, yet Nikhil wants to feel needed by Meena.

I loved both of their strong yet different personalities and how they play off of one another. They both have a desire to help their community, Meena with policy and Nikhil with fixing houses. Meena is independent, stubborn and a "nerd," while Nikhil is a do-er and a provider, and has this strong and steady quality. He also seems to remember every little thing about Meena even after all these years later. For a living Nikhil is great at construction and used to building things, but he's also really good at building emotional walls to prevent Meena seeing his pain and vulnerable truths.

With how Meena's parents treated her sister after she had disappointed them, Meena's sole focus on life becomes making her parents proud and for them to believe she will be okay in life with a great career in law. Afraid to admit to her parents she failed her bar exam the first try and not telling them about Nikhil for fear of her parents affecting the one great thing she's accomplished (her happiness with Nikhil), Nikhil can't help but take it personally and see it as Meena is embarrassed by him. What will it take for them to admit their errors and repair their past? What will it take for them to realize if they're better together or off doing their own things, never to see each other again?

I can only say it was an absolute pleasure and privilege to experience Meena and Nikhil's love and story. And I look forward to reading whatever the author grants us with next!! And to recover from the emotional hangover I know I'll have, I can remedy it with watching the great SWEET HOME ALBAMA movie as I'm not ready to say goodbye to Meena and Nikhil just yet!

Much gratitude to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.