Winging It

Catching Flights and Feelings #1

by Nicole Bell

Lola Andrews loves her prestigious travel writing job, but lately it’s been hanging on by a thread. After losing her dad unexpectedly four months ago, Lola’s work has been suffering as she’s been doing her best to grieve in secret. She doesn’t need to burden her terrifying boss with her problems. She can find her way on her own.

At least she thinks she can.

When a spot opens up on an assignment in Greece—the very place she had planned to visit this year with her dad—she thinks it’s a sign from the universe. Go to Greece, immerse herself in her dad’s homeland, and get through her grief all while saving her job.

After begging for the spot, Lola gets the job, but on one instead of the usual staff photographer joining her, director of photography Kai Harrington is going along to keep her in line.

With her job hanging in the balance, Lola needs to focus on finding herself and proving that she’s worth keeping on staff. She can’t afford the distraction that this perfect, beautiful golden boy provides.

But there’s just something about his hypnotic hazel eyes that has her questioning everything.

Genres: Amazon

358 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2024

About the author

Nicole Bell writes swoony, closed-door romances in dreamy destinations. Her stories combine heart-warming emotion, slow-burn tension, and lovable characters who feel like friends. When she’s not writing romantic getaways, she’s likely soaking up the sun at the lake, chasing around her two lovable littles, enjoying a vanilla latte (or three), or daydreaming about her next adventure. Stay in the loop on new projects by connecting with Nicole on Instagram, @nicolebellbooks.

Reviews

[Stephanie Leonardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read.

Lola had good character development and how she had to start speaking up for herself, be vulnerable & take charge of her life. Although she was kind of irritating here and there with ongoing problems that didn’t really add up from time to time.

Kai is an amazing book boyfriend. Loved his emotional intelligence, him willing to talk to her and work thru situations with her and also help her with her healing.


I think it’s a cute read. I enjoyed certain parts and thought the ending was adorable. It’s def a hallmark book if you’re wanting to read one of those!

[Menia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5⭐️

I received this novel in the Reveal Book Box monthly subscription for August 2026 and absolutely loved it! This was such a heartwarming story. I appreciated Lola's personal growth, especially with her anxiety and grief. This is one of the better books I've read with grief as an underlying component, and I felt like the grieving process was portrayed well and in a very real-life way.

Kai and his emotional intelligence were such a great addition, not only for the romance, but as part of Lola's support while she coped with her grief. I really enjoyed how their relationship played out, but also how their friendship blossomed.

I absolutely could not stand Ella and the toxic workplace she created, so I was very happy with Lola's confidence and that she stood up for herself at the end. Lola had great character development and proved to show that it's not always a bad thing to step out of your comfort zone to try new things.

Tropes: slow burn, closed door romance, workplace romance, anxiety, grief, romantic getaway
Trigger warnings: off-page death of parent, toxic workplace

This was a quick and lovely summer read. I will be adding more from Nicole Bell onto my TBR!

[Molly Gage · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute “strangers” to lovers book.
The FMC was immature, overreacted to things poorly and played victim a lot. The MMC was understanding, mature, and didn’t make her feel bad for her little outbursts but would explain and discuss with her. He helped her grow.
I do think that the FMC is extremely misunderstood by others who have read this book. She had a lot of things going on and felt like there wasn’t anyone she truly deeply could fully rely on and let herself really feel and deal with what was and had happened. Yes she had her best friend but she still kept her at length. I do think she is misunderstood.
Once Lola really felt safe with Kai that I think is when her character really started to develop. Yes she still had her moments and bratty tendencies but he really let her grow into her own person in her own time and her own way. He truly is a real supportive partner.
I loved also how they both just stick it to Ella in the end it was a joy reading that part. Her character sucks and she literally just didn’t like Lola because Lola cared and she was trying to say that wasn’t the case. Like what a loon.

[Apoorva Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book if you like:

-Workplace Romance
-Forbidden Romance
-Love in Vacation
-Taking care when sick
-Standing up for her
-You don't know for how long I have liked you

Lola has been struggling at work, and it doesnt help because she has a boss who doesnt have a good standing in being supporting.

due to recent departure of a colleague from work, Lola gets an opportunity to visit her roots, the place which has home to her dad but the condition is, she will be accompanied by Kai, who is the director aka, her senior.

there is instant dislike but once, they start talking and getting to know each other the connection grows.

What I didnt like was how Lola acted childishly at so many occasions, moments where she could have talked and expressed her feelings.

but overall a fun read where the MC took a stand for FMC.

Lola's boss was a... I dont have much words...

Kai won my heart with how much he tried to make her feel that its ok to be how you are without stressing out.

[Just_a_nerd_withcats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Lola lost her dad and she spiralled. She gets a last chance assignment with Kai, in Greece. Her dad is from Greece so she had always wanted to go. She is sad that she couldn't experience Greece with her dad. She thinks that Kai resents her for having to babysit her. Miscommunication at it finest.
Kai is a good bookboyfriend. He has alot of emotional intelligence, he is willing to help her heal and the to-do list her friend made.
Lola can be a little indecisive at times, but overall I like her character growth.
A very Hallmark book.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I enjoyed this romance, especially the parts in Greece (I love travel & have been to parts of Greece, including Athens). I adore the MMC, Kai, but am a bit ambivalent about Lola (the FMC).
There are some heavy issues too (death of parents before events in the book but the impact is very prevalent throughout the story so beware for those who may be sensitive to this)... I would have liked to see a bit more about getting professional mental health help (there just 1 or 2 almost offhand remarks).

[Ashlea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed every part of this book and it felt so surreal to me as I lost a parent and kind of understood the feelings of what Lola was going through. But then she found Kai to help her through such a rough time but end in the sweetest love story. They got to spend it in Greece together and Kai couldn’t have been more sweet and romantic. I enjoyed reading about Lola and Kai’s romance and I wonder where there story went from here. It was hard to put this book down for sure. I would have finished it probably in three days if life didn’t get in the way. I would def recommend 🩷

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance that felt like stepping into a hallmark movie. Kai has to be one of the most emotionally mature MMCs that I've read. He is so sweet and understanding. Lola's personality was frustrating at times with her indecision. But I was happy with her overall character growth.

The end of the book had one of the most loving, heartfelt, and thoughtful scenes I have ever read in a book. I was tearing up!

[Kailee Kaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never felt so seen by a book before. I think what I loved so much was my ability to relate to Lola. She was dealing with real life problems that a lot of these romcom books don’t necessarily get into a lot. I loved how you could watch the lightbulb moments where Lola was figuring out her life. While it was heavy at some parts it was also light, and fun. I am SO looking forward to the next book!

[Siddhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Arc Review]
This book was so wholesome like just wow 🥹❤️. The humour , the love the cheesiness it had. And oh I love Kai like how can someone be this cute , this sweet like he was. 🥹. So supportive and the way he showed her love in her parents form , that was so thoughtful of him 🥹. This book is a must read guys. (Ps : the jealousy and one room trope is totally selling it)

[Amanda (amandasreadinglist) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful debut novel for Nicole! 💙

✈️ Lola is a travel writer who lost her dad four months ago, and finds herself on a work assignment in Greece with creative director, Kai, in an effort to keep her job.

💬I loved how Kai was so confident in Lola throughout the book. He was confident in her and confident in his feelings. He was the push she needed to believe in herself again. I loved Lola’s character development and growth throughout the story. And Kai was obviously such a swoon-worthy book boyfriend. The little hints throughout the book that showed how long he had been interested in her…. AWWWWW

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with grief in such a real and relatable way. I was hesitant about liking the main character at first but as the story went on I related to her quite a bit.

This story is EXTREMELY well written and I would highly encourage others to read it. I feel like it’s a movie just waiting to happen!!

I receive an ARC of this book but all my views are my own. I don’t have time to lie 🤣

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book🙌🙌 This is the type of book where you can't put it down and end up reading it in one weekend! It's a great travel meets love story. Cannot wait to see what other books get added to the series! This will be the type of feel-good novel that you can reread and not get tired of it.

[Tina Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really this was a 4.5 for me, I feel in love with this book. If you are looking for an office romance, rom-com that made me cry, then this is the book for you. I loved the character development and the seeing Lola fight through the grief of her parent. I plan on reading others as well!

[Caroline]

proofread

[Diane Sokolowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summer read!
There may be a little bit of Lola in all of us when it comes to finding out just what happiness is and how to achieve it! ❤️

[Katie McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Summer romance novel! Loved Lola’s character development. You could really feel the vulnerable moments in the book come to life!

[Kim Lisko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and loving

This book is funny and keeps your attention. The characters are people that make you feel how they are and enjoy life with them!

[Michele Laufer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very engaging story! It kept me interested until the end! What a fantastic first novel! I can’t wait for more from Nicole Bell!!

[Sarah Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me out of my reading slump! Great read- looking forward to future novels!

[Marta Masnyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5 ⭐️….Lola is insufferable.

[Tessa Darnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun, cute romance book. It does deal with the death of a parent so if thats a trigger it may not be for you but it was a great read. I laugh, I cried, it was a journey.

[Megan O'Keefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved watching Lola come back to life after loosing her dad while on a work trip to Greece.
Having Kai with her as her photographer and getting her to communicate with him made my heart melt. He was always there to catch her when she fell and to support her whenever she needed it! 🥹💕

[natalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5★
Not a fan of the FMC.

[Fairy’s_Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winging it by Nicole Bell
Book Stats:
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(3.9/5)
Spice Rating: Closed Door 🚪
Tropes: Travel Romance, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Workplace Romance
Publisher: Indie

Review:
*Thank you to the author for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review*
After her dad dies, the only stability in Lola’s life is her job. Little does she realize her performance is slowly slipping and her boss is NOT happy about it. She has one more chance to prove herself, a trip to Greece-which happens to also be were Lola’s dad is from. Only problem tho? Her boss thinks she needs a babysitter…. And that babysitter happens to be none other than Kai, the office golden boy.

First off, this book really really surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it this much. There was great character growth. It was written very well, and I also enjoyed how believable it felt. I loved that it had a different style to it then most workplace romances. The couple was very cute-The MMC, Kai is definitely a sweet talker(There was several different moments of jealousy that had me kicking and screaming my feet)!

I think if you enjoyed the Spanish love deception, you will enjoy this book- it has the same sort of vibes!

My only major thing is that the plot felt a tiny bit repetitive. The couple kept launching into fights that to me seem about very small things. That being said, I think it did help to add some depth to the characters so.

I highly recommend this to anybody who likes a cutesy rom-com read where the characters have to grow to be together.

[s. v. regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was like stepping into a Hallmark movie. Winging It had me smiling at every moment between Lola and Kai, rapidly turning pages to get to the next chapter. I was absolutely hooked, The setting was so gorgeous and the writing was so well done. The character growth was great and they both had different depths to them. Overall, such a cute and heartwarming debut!!

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4/5

[Kim Lisko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, fast read. Keeps your attention and brings you through all the feelings!