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Love in Plane Sight
With her brother’s grumpy best friend—and her longtime nemesis—as Beth’s flight instructor, her pilot lessons could be a plane disaster or their first-class ticket to forever.
Mayday. Mayday. Engine failure.
When flying with George Bunsen, the last thing Beth Lundberg wants is to be horny in the cockpit. But when her first ride-along dives toward disaster, the perpetually stoic George is forced to execute a skillful emergency landing, and Beth is horrified to find herself with an adrenaline-fueled crush on the pilot. She’s even more shocked when her brother’s best friend offers her discounted flight lessons—possibly out of guilt for almost killing them.
And despite George’s annoying habit of departing any room the moment Beth enters, she really wants to accept. No matter that it’s an egregiously expensive hobby, or that her waitressing wages go right toward her mother’s medical bills, or that she’s already in debt up to her eyebrows. Flying is Beth’s dream, and she could use her private license to earn real money.
The more time they spend navigating the sky, the more the turbulence between George and Beth dissipates. But Beth has seen the burning wreckage that comes from mixing business with pleasure—plus, she’s been keeping a secret that, once revealed, will send all her relationships into a tailspin. Can she really take a risk on romance when her pilot career isn’t even off the ground?
Mayday. Mayday. Engine failure.
When flying with George Bunsen, the last thing Beth Lundberg wants is to be horny in the cockpit. But when her first ride-along dives toward disaster, the perpetually stoic George is forced to execute a skillful emergency landing, and Beth is horrified to find herself with an adrenaline-fueled crush on the pilot. She’s even more shocked when her brother’s best friend offers her discounted flight lessons—possibly out of guilt for almost killing them.
And despite George’s annoying habit of departing any room the moment Beth enters, she really wants to accept. No matter that it’s an egregiously expensive hobby, or that her waitressing wages go right toward her mother’s medical bills, or that she’s already in debt up to her eyebrows. Flying is Beth’s dream, and she could use her private license to earn real money.
The more time they spend navigating the sky, the more the turbulence between George and Beth dissipates. But Beth has seen the burning wreckage that comes from mixing business with pleasure—plus, she’s been keeping a secret that, once revealed, will send all her relationships into a tailspin. Can she really take a risk on romance when her pilot career isn’t even off the ground?
400 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2025
212 people are currently reading
21723 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Connolly
39 books1,247 followersLauren Connolly is an award-winning author of contemporary and magical romance stories. She’s lived among mountains, next to lakes, and in imaginary worlds. Lauren can never seem to stay in one place for too long, but trust that wherever she’s residing there is a dog who thinks he’s a troll, twin cats hiding in the couch, and bookshelves bursting with stories written by the authors she loves.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 595 reviews
June 15, 2025
What do you get when you mix a brother’s best friend with Jason Statham meets Austin Butler vibes (yes, think Masters of the Air intensity), a dash of enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, and one steamy dose of forced proximity? You get a romcom that flies straight into your heart—and yes, I’m talking about the kind of romance that makes you grin like a fool, fan your face, and fall in love a little more with every page.
The book starts mid-crisis: engine failure mid-flight. Our heroine Beth Lundberg—24, fiery, determined, broke, and hiding big emotional scars—is stuck in a tiny cockpit with George Bunsen, her brother’s best friend and the infuriatingly hot flight instructor who’s been giving her the cold shoulder for as long as she can remember. George: grumpy, serious, guarded, but with unexpected tenderness beneath the surface. When he calmly takes control of the failing aircraft and lands them safely on a highway, something shifts. Suddenly, Beth’s hatred starts to feel suspiciously like… desire.
She doesn't want to admit it, but she’s crushing hard on the man who never seems to stick around when they’re alone. And things get even more complicated when George starts showing up at the local diner where Beth works—sometimes with her brother Shawn, sometimes not. The diner staff even name a sandwich after him (because of course they do), dubbing him “The Hot Pilot.” Oh, and then he offers her free flying lessons.
Beth is convinced his offer is nothing but pity—charity extended from a sense of obligation as her brother’s friend. And yet, despite her pride, her frustration, and the weight of everything she's juggling (two jobs, sky-high debt, a crumbling house, and an estranged father who refuses to give her the trust fund he owes), she says yes.
And suddenly? She sees a whole new side of George. He’s not just the aloof, unreadable man she’s built up in her head. He’s thoughtful, gentle, warm… and totally, irreversibly into her. Their spark becomes a slow, steady flame—and Beth finds herself navigating more than just flight patterns. She’s wrestling with vulnerability, independence, and the fear of falling in love when everything around her already feels like it’s on the brink.
The emotional stakes in this book are beautifully layered. Beth’s sense of duty to her mother, her financial burdens, and her complicated family history make her fiercely independent—and deeply relatable. And George? He’s a cinnamon roll wrapped in a grumpy pilot exterior. Watching them come together, break down walls, and rewrite their connection is incredibly satisfying.
Overall: I was hooked from page one. This book had me giggling, swooning, and cheering for two messy, loveable characters finding their way back to each other—and toward a future that felt earned and heartfelt. I also loved the supporting characters, especially Shawn and Darla, who deserve their own spin-off (yes, I would devour a novella about them!). Lauren Connolly has made her way onto my auto-read list, and I’ll be watching for everything she writes next.
If you love emotional slow burns with fierce heroines, grumpy-hot heroes, and big-hearted storytelling that balances heat with heart, don’t miss this one!
A big thank-you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this beautiful romcom in exchange for my honest thoughts.
The book starts mid-crisis: engine failure mid-flight. Our heroine Beth Lundberg—24, fiery, determined, broke, and hiding big emotional scars—is stuck in a tiny cockpit with George Bunsen, her brother’s best friend and the infuriatingly hot flight instructor who’s been giving her the cold shoulder for as long as she can remember. George: grumpy, serious, guarded, but with unexpected tenderness beneath the surface. When he calmly takes control of the failing aircraft and lands them safely on a highway, something shifts. Suddenly, Beth’s hatred starts to feel suspiciously like… desire.
She doesn't want to admit it, but she’s crushing hard on the man who never seems to stick around when they’re alone. And things get even more complicated when George starts showing up at the local diner where Beth works—sometimes with her brother Shawn, sometimes not. The diner staff even name a sandwich after him (because of course they do), dubbing him “The Hot Pilot.” Oh, and then he offers her free flying lessons.
Beth is convinced his offer is nothing but pity—charity extended from a sense of obligation as her brother’s friend. And yet, despite her pride, her frustration, and the weight of everything she's juggling (two jobs, sky-high debt, a crumbling house, and an estranged father who refuses to give her the trust fund he owes), she says yes.
And suddenly? She sees a whole new side of George. He’s not just the aloof, unreadable man she’s built up in her head. He’s thoughtful, gentle, warm… and totally, irreversibly into her. Their spark becomes a slow, steady flame—and Beth finds herself navigating more than just flight patterns. She’s wrestling with vulnerability, independence, and the fear of falling in love when everything around her already feels like it’s on the brink.
The emotional stakes in this book are beautifully layered. Beth’s sense of duty to her mother, her financial burdens, and her complicated family history make her fiercely independent—and deeply relatable. And George? He’s a cinnamon roll wrapped in a grumpy pilot exterior. Watching them come together, break down walls, and rewrite their connection is incredibly satisfying.
Overall: I was hooked from page one. This book had me giggling, swooning, and cheering for two messy, loveable characters finding their way back to each other—and toward a future that felt earned and heartfelt. I also loved the supporting characters, especially Shawn and Darla, who deserve their own spin-off (yes, I would devour a novella about them!). Lauren Connolly has made her way onto my auto-read list, and I’ll be watching for everything she writes next.
If you love emotional slow burns with fierce heroines, grumpy-hot heroes, and big-hearted storytelling that balances heat with heart, don’t miss this one!
A big thank-you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this beautiful romcom in exchange for my honest thoughts.
December 9, 2025
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕?” 𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒆. “𝑰’𝒎 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒅 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒆 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖!”
This book had me in a chokehold the entire time 😭🔥 idk if it was the brother's best friend trope, or the whole “they think the other hates them but actually it's the opposite” situation but WOW… YES, YES, AND YES 😌 I enjoy this book so freaking much.
Love in Plane Sight is about Beth accompanies George in the sky for the first time resulting in an emergency landing 😳 let’s just say tensions were HIGH, and not all adrenaline based WINK WINK 😉🔥 All Beth wants to do is get her pilot license, so who better than George for the job hehehe.
I adore the way the author not only brings top tier romance filled with tension 💘 (yes i'm taking about your one bed scene because EXCUSE ME 🥵) but also creates situations where the characters struggle from the start, and you slowly see how those struggles tie them together through their actions and decisions ultimately shaping the final outcome in the romance department ❤️
Beth Lundberg ⇛ her financial struggles and insecurities around money are present in so many moments throughout the story. I loved her so much 😭 She is such a resilient character who understands the reality of the world, yet doesn’t let that stop her from pursuing her goals periodddd
George Bunsen ⇛ he’s the grump of the story, and once you truly understand him, OMG you fall in love with him ASAP. His internal battles aren’t as obvious initially, but as the story unfolds, everything comes together in a way that makes you adore him even more 🥹✨
Anyywaaay the spice is spicy and I love me a good "good girl" which we get here more than once 🤭
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a story that balances real-world struggles with a sprinkle of having the hots for your flight instructor hehe😮💨🔥
tropes
✈️ brother's best friend
✈️ pilot instructor x pilot student
✈️ only one bed
✈️ found family
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ꪆৎ ˚ i love me a punny book title
thank you Berkley for my eARC I cried like a baby for her debut book aka i love her
This book had me in a chokehold the entire time 😭🔥 idk if it was the brother's best friend trope, or the whole “they think the other hates them but actually it's the opposite” situation but WOW… YES, YES, AND YES 😌 I enjoy this book so freaking much.
Love in Plane Sight is about Beth accompanies George in the sky for the first time resulting in an emergency landing 😳 let’s just say tensions were HIGH, and not all adrenaline based WINK WINK 😉🔥 All Beth wants to do is get her pilot license, so who better than George for the job hehehe.
I adore the way the author not only brings top tier romance filled with tension 💘 (yes i'm taking about your one bed scene because EXCUSE ME 🥵) but also creates situations where the characters struggle from the start, and you slowly see how those struggles tie them together through their actions and decisions ultimately shaping the final outcome in the romance department ❤️
Beth Lundberg ⇛ her financial struggles and insecurities around money are present in so many moments throughout the story. I loved her so much 😭 She is such a resilient character who understands the reality of the world, yet doesn’t let that stop her from pursuing her goals periodddd
George Bunsen ⇛ he’s the grump of the story, and once you truly understand him, OMG you fall in love with him ASAP. His internal battles aren’t as obvious initially, but as the story unfolds, everything comes together in a way that makes you adore him even more 🥹✨
Anyywaaay the spice is spicy and I love me a good "good girl" which we get here more than once 🤭
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a story that balances real-world struggles with a sprinkle of having the hots for your flight instructor hehe😮💨🔥
tropes
✈️ brother's best friend
✈️ pilot instructor x pilot student
✈️ only one bed
✈️ found family
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ꪆৎ ˚ i love me a punny book title
thank you Berkley for my eARC I cried like a baby for her debut book aka i love her
September 28, 2025
The author’s debut novel wrecked me in the best way possible so I was super excited to be able to get an ARC of her sophomore novel and it did not disappoint.
I saw a lot of myself in the female lead Beth. She was a people pleaser and constantly afraid of overstepping boundaries. Since her family accumulated so much debt with her mother’s cancer diagnosis, money was something that was always on her mind. She ended up not pursuing her dreams of becoming a pilot and instead was forced to be realistic. However, an opportunity to get her pilot’s license presents itself when her half-brother’s best friend offers to teach her. You could just tell how passionate she was about flying and how badly she wanted to become a pilot. I loved watching her learn to be vulnerable and honest and to go after what she wanted. It was also really admirable that she maintained a positive disposition despite all the financial burdens and roadblocks that were thrown her way.
As for the male lead George, I adored him! He was the grumpy to Beth’s sunshine. The author sprinkled so many hints throughout the book so readers knew that this man has been yearning for Beth for years and I ate it up. He was protective, hot and sweet and I really fell in love with him in this book. Whenever he got jealous, it was actually some of my favorite sections of the book.
As for the romance, I was a little worried at first since there seemed to be some insta-lust coming from the female lead Beth. However, it did not end up bothering me as much as I thought it would because Beth was still resistant towards George and wasn’t his biggest fan at the start. It was more like a crush, but mainly on George’s physical appearance. But she slowly begins to fall for all of him with every act of kindness he showed her and her loved ones. While I enjoyed their romance, I do wish there were more emotional moments between them. It’s a small complaint though.
The found family aspect was really strong in this book. I really loved all the supporting characters, especially the little romance between Shawn and Darla. They were such a good depiction of the golden retriever and black cat trope. I kind of wanted them to have their own book. Shawn was also a really great big brother to Beth and I loved the dynamic between the siblings. It was so cute and heartwarming, especially the chapter at the end when everything comes out.
All in all, I had the best time reading this book and Lauren Connolly is solidifying herself as an auto-buy author for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
———————
pre-read: After so many rejections, I finally got approved by Berkeley! So excited to read it!!
I saw a lot of myself in the female lead Beth. She was a people pleaser and constantly afraid of overstepping boundaries. Since her family accumulated so much debt with her mother’s cancer diagnosis, money was something that was always on her mind. She ended up not pursuing her dreams of becoming a pilot and instead was forced to be realistic. However, an opportunity to get her pilot’s license presents itself when her half-brother’s best friend offers to teach her. You could just tell how passionate she was about flying and how badly she wanted to become a pilot. I loved watching her learn to be vulnerable and honest and to go after what she wanted. It was also really admirable that she maintained a positive disposition despite all the financial burdens and roadblocks that were thrown her way.
As for the male lead George, I adored him! He was the grumpy to Beth’s sunshine. The author sprinkled so many hints throughout the book so readers knew that this man has been yearning for Beth for years and I ate it up. He was protective, hot and sweet and I really fell in love with him in this book. Whenever he got jealous, it was actually some of my favorite sections of the book.
As for the romance, I was a little worried at first since there seemed to be some insta-lust coming from the female lead Beth. However, it did not end up bothering me as much as I thought it would because Beth was still resistant towards George and wasn’t his biggest fan at the start. It was more like a crush, but mainly on George’s physical appearance. But she slowly begins to fall for all of him with every act of kindness he showed her and her loved ones. While I enjoyed their romance, I do wish there were more emotional moments between them. It’s a small complaint though.
The found family aspect was really strong in this book. I really loved all the supporting characters, especially the little romance between Shawn and Darla. They were such a good depiction of the golden retriever and black cat trope. I kind of wanted them to have their own book. Shawn was also a really great big brother to Beth and I loved the dynamic between the siblings. It was so cute and heartwarming, especially the chapter at the end when everything comes out.
All in all, I had the best time reading this book and Lauren Connolly is solidifying herself as an auto-buy author for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
———————
pre-read: After so many rejections, I finally got approved by Berkeley! So excited to read it!!
June 7, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
╰► 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!
❰ 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐜! ❱
lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıılıı.lllııılı.
Now Playing:
[You Are In Love - Taylor Swift]
0:26 ———♡——— 4:27
◁◁▐▐ ▷▷
"𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫."
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨📋
╰┈➤ beth never expected to fall for her brother’s grumpy best friend—especially not while learning to fly. but as her dream of becoming a pilot takes off, so does an unexpected connection with george bunsen. with secrets looming and emotions soaring, beth must decide if love is worth the risk.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭
╰┈➤ in all honesty, i didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as i did but i thoroughly enjoyed it! when i requested it on netgalley, the cover and description really had me hooked so i was so happy that i received the arc! from the beginning of the book, it’s clear that there’s something simmering beneath the surface between beth and george, and watching that relationship unravel was very interesting.
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙝🫶
╰┈➤ i think beth is a such an endearing character. i really enjoyed how much she cared for her family and always had a fierce loyalty towards them. i respected how hardworking she was—in her dreams as well as providing for her family. i related to her due to how closed off she was about expressing her feelings and struggles. i like beth a lot because even with all her problems, she still managed to smile.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚🐻
╰┈➤ i always love a grumpy mmc, but it turns out that george wasn’t as grumpy as he seemed. he was so sweet and supportive of beth in everything she did. he was respectful towards her and i enjoyed how he shared his family life with her even though it was such a sensitive topic. he is such a golden retriever boyfriend and i am here for it. i felt like he was in tune with his emotions and he was confident in them, but when it came to beth, he would get nervous sometimes, and i found that so hot. i love nervous men.
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 💕
╰┈➤ the tension between beth and george was pretty good in my opinion. however, the repeated focus of beth’s physical attraction to george (how horny she was for him) got a bit repetitive to the point where it felt like there was no emotional connection. but… that emotion did develop throughout the story, making everything feel balanced out. i loved how george loved beth in silence because he couldn’t love her loudly, due to a certain reason…
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣🔒
╰┈➤ i am very pleased with my first ever arc, and i enjoyed how the chapters flowed easily, so the story didn’t just focus on one thing for the whole book. usually this wouldn’t be a book i’d pick up, but the plot was fun and i enjoyed it a lot. if you’re into grumpy/sunshine and slow burn, i suggest you should definitely pick this up.
ೃ ✦ ✧ ∗ ❥ ҉
𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ✈️
𝗠𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗥𝗖!!! 𝗶'𝗺 𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱! 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 😘
╰► 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!
❰ 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐜! ❱
lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıılıı.lllııılı.
Now Playing:
[You Are In Love - Taylor Swift]
0:26 ———♡——— 4:27
◁◁▐▐ ▷▷
"𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫."
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨📋
╰┈➤ beth never expected to fall for her brother’s grumpy best friend—especially not while learning to fly. but as her dream of becoming a pilot takes off, so does an unexpected connection with george bunsen. with secrets looming and emotions soaring, beth must decide if love is worth the risk.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭
╰┈➤ in all honesty, i didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as i did but i thoroughly enjoyed it! when i requested it on netgalley, the cover and description really had me hooked so i was so happy that i received the arc! from the beginning of the book, it’s clear that there’s something simmering beneath the surface between beth and george, and watching that relationship unravel was very interesting.
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙝🫶
╰┈➤ i think beth is a such an endearing character. i really enjoyed how much she cared for her family and always had a fierce loyalty towards them. i respected how hardworking she was—in her dreams as well as providing for her family. i related to her due to how closed off she was about expressing her feelings and struggles. i like beth a lot because even with all her problems, she still managed to smile.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚🐻
╰┈➤ i always love a grumpy mmc, but it turns out that george wasn’t as grumpy as he seemed. he was so sweet and supportive of beth in everything she did. he was respectful towards her and i enjoyed how he shared his family life with her even though it was such a sensitive topic. he is such a golden retriever boyfriend and i am here for it. i felt like he was in tune with his emotions and he was confident in them, but when it came to beth, he would get nervous sometimes, and i found that so hot. i love nervous men.
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 💕
╰┈➤ the tension between beth and george was pretty good in my opinion. however, the repeated focus of beth’s physical attraction to george (how horny she was for him) got a bit repetitive to the point where it felt like there was no emotional connection. but… that emotion did develop throughout the story, making everything feel balanced out. i loved how george loved beth in silence because he couldn’t love her loudly, due to a certain reason…
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣🔒
╰┈➤ i am very pleased with my first ever arc, and i enjoyed how the chapters flowed easily, so the story didn’t just focus on one thing for the whole book. usually this wouldn’t be a book i’d pick up, but the plot was fun and i enjoyed it a lot. if you’re into grumpy/sunshine and slow burn, i suggest you should definitely pick this up.
ೃ ✦ ✧ ∗ ❥ ҉
𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ✈️
𝗠𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗥𝗖!!! 𝗶'𝗺 𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱! 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 😘
January 20, 2026
I spent a good portion of my reading wishing I could take Beth (h) by the hand and tell her to stop letting her anxieties, self-doubts, and negative thoughts win. This poor h was overwhelmed, unable to use honest communication with the ones she loved, and then when she FINALLY faced these hard conversations, everyone was vulnerable and understanding and supportive and THE WORST DID NOT HAPPEN. Big sigh. Thankfully, George (H) was fantastic as a counter balance for the internal emotional journey Beth put me on. He's stoic but with deep waters under that smooth surface. He’s also a hugger, a dirty talker handing out praise, a fellow heights fearer, someone who isn’t afraid to grab an asshole by the collar, and I loved him. This is a romance, however, I would say that it’s character-driven by Beth and her progression rather than the relationship itself driving the story. Also, the book isn’t heavy, but does touch on some heavier moments and scenarios so mind the author content warning please.
Written in first person, single POV of h (there’s a single late chapter in H’s POV but that’s it). No om/ow drama and both are experienced. No history given on the H other than he has negative test results, he's definitely not a playboy type anyway and he had an unrequited crush on the h for years. The h thinks about how she hadn’t been with anyone in 2 years, no other deets that I can recall.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Brother’s best friend (no drama from the brother about the romance)
☆ Concerns of financial instability
☆ FMC wants to be a pilot x MMC is a pilot instructor
☆ So… hot for teacher
☆ Book starts with an emergency
☆ She thinks she has an adrenaline crush…
☆ Cute animal sidekick x 2
☆ Amazing best friends + brewing side romance
☆ People pleaser FMC
☆ Grumpy presenting MMC
☆ Sloooooooow burn
☆ Will it fit? 👀
☆ She thinks he hates her, I can’t think of something appropriately dramatic to say he’d do for her
☆ Cool plane/flight info
☆ Misogyny
☆ Standing up for those you love
☆ Learning to be honest with those you love too
The plot of the book focuses on Beth worrying about finances while also wishing she could pursue being a pilot. George gives her the ability to pursue her dream. However, there are layers to her interactions with him because even though he’s Shawn’s best friend, her relationship with Shawn is beautiful but complicated too. As Beth progresses through flight instruction, does the whole daily survival dance, and approaches a potentially devastating deadline, she becomes closer to George and closer to having to face truths and those hard conversations. The story also touches heavily on the misogyny that women in flight face, which was not something I was familiar with, but I’m glad the author shone a light on.
Because the story is a slow build, Beth did have moments where she felt one dimensional. She internally circles around her lack of money, her worries over her mom, and over whether she’s going to lose her brother in a cyclical way that doesn’t get broken until later in the book. I did find my attention span wavering at times because of this stagnation. I would say the best parts of the book hit around the last third. That’s when Beth stops making as many assumptions and listens to others, including George, who she had some big judgements about. Dots are connected and the narrative became more compelling.
I expected a large fallout related to some of these negative factors. I was brought to tears over her hashing out the truth with her brother and her mom, but the author doesn’t put us through an emotional wringer unnecessarily. No third act breakup either thankfully, there is a bit of a break from a disagreement, not a breakup. Double thank goodness because George just wanted to be present for Beth and support her, while also doing dirty things to her body. He does things throughout the story like set aside his own personal discomfort to help her and say beautiful things like, “If they don’t want us together, then they can go to hell, and I’ll say that to their face.” This man simply wants her. Also her body. There is on page steam in case that wasn’t clear lol.
The side characters! Beth’s brother and George’s BFF, Shawn, is the goldenest of golden retrievers I think I have ever read and the most adorable older brother. He’s so fun and loving and sweet. The fact that he finds himself pining over Beth’s best friend, Darla, who’s the epitome of a black cat made for such an entertaining side romance set up. Beth and Darla also both have a pair of moms and both pairs are lovely supporting characters as well.
I did have some difficulties not judging Beth’s mom for some of her choices and the pressures that Beth found herself under. I feel like she should have known, but the woman had gone through multiple traumas and her daughter isn’t great at saying the things that need to be said. Some other folks are also great, then there are some flies in the ointment unfortunately. I’m sad that even though there were some conversational comeuppances that occurred and distinct actions taken, that no one mysteriously disappeared never to be heard from again. Oh and to end the side characters on a joyous note - two precious animal companions with all the personality.
I would say that this ends in a HEA, some might consider it a HFN since there’s no wedding or engagement, the epilogue is only a year later, but it’s so heartwarming and right for them. By the end, the air is clear and all the relationships that matter are flourishing and healthy. Beth and George are in love and together. There are updates on all those folks that matter. We get a full circle, completion scene. I was wondering if I would rate this book 3.5 rounded down because of my earlier frustrations with the negative motivations. I’m giving it 4 stars because of the end. By the end, everything hit the right stride for me, I felt my heart get ten times bigger, and I finally clicked with Beth.
Written in first person, single POV of h (there’s a single late chapter in H’s POV but that’s it). No om/ow drama and both are experienced. No history given on the H other than he has negative test results, he's definitely not a playboy type anyway and he had an unrequited crush on the h for years. The h thinks about how she hadn’t been with anyone in 2 years, no other deets that I can recall.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Brother’s best friend (no drama from the brother about the romance)
☆ Concerns of financial instability
☆ FMC wants to be a pilot x MMC is a pilot instructor
☆ So… hot for teacher
☆ Book starts with an emergency
☆ She thinks she has an adrenaline crush…
☆ Cute animal sidekick x 2
☆ Amazing best friends + brewing side romance
☆ People pleaser FMC
☆ Grumpy presenting MMC
☆ Sloooooooow burn
☆ Will it fit? 👀
☆ She thinks he hates her, I can’t think of something appropriately dramatic to say he’d do for her
☆ Cool plane/flight info
☆ Misogyny
☆ Standing up for those you love
☆ Learning to be honest with those you love too
The plot of the book focuses on Beth worrying about finances while also wishing she could pursue being a pilot. George gives her the ability to pursue her dream. However, there are layers to her interactions with him because even though he’s Shawn’s best friend, her relationship with Shawn is beautiful but complicated too. As Beth progresses through flight instruction, does the whole daily survival dance, and approaches a potentially devastating deadline, she becomes closer to George and closer to having to face truths and those hard conversations. The story also touches heavily on the misogyny that women in flight face, which was not something I was familiar with, but I’m glad the author shone a light on.
Because the story is a slow build, Beth did have moments where she felt one dimensional. She internally circles around her lack of money, her worries over her mom, and over whether she’s going to lose her brother in a cyclical way that doesn’t get broken until later in the book. I did find my attention span wavering at times because of this stagnation. I would say the best parts of the book hit around the last third. That’s when Beth stops making as many assumptions and listens to others, including George, who she had some big judgements about. Dots are connected and the narrative became more compelling.
I expected a large fallout related to some of these negative factors. I was brought to tears over her hashing out the truth with her brother and her mom, but the author doesn’t put us through an emotional wringer unnecessarily. No third act breakup either thankfully, there is a bit of a break from a disagreement, not a breakup. Double thank goodness because George just wanted to be present for Beth and support her, while also doing dirty things to her body. He does things throughout the story like set aside his own personal discomfort to help her and say beautiful things like, “If they don’t want us together, then they can go to hell, and I’ll say that to their face.” This man simply wants her. Also her body. There is on page steam in case that wasn’t clear lol.
The side characters! Beth’s brother and George’s BFF, Shawn, is the goldenest of golden retrievers I think I have ever read and the most adorable older brother. He’s so fun and loving and sweet. The fact that he finds himself pining over Beth’s best friend, Darla, who’s the epitome of a black cat made for such an entertaining side romance set up. Beth and Darla also both have a pair of moms and both pairs are lovely supporting characters as well.
I did have some difficulties not judging Beth’s mom for some of her choices and the pressures that Beth found herself under. I feel like she should have known, but the woman had gone through multiple traumas and her daughter isn’t great at saying the things that need to be said. Some other folks are also great, then there are some flies in the ointment unfortunately. I’m sad that even though there were some conversational comeuppances that occurred and distinct actions taken, that no one mysteriously disappeared never to be heard from again. Oh and to end the side characters on a joyous note - two precious animal companions with all the personality.
I would say that this ends in a HEA, some might consider it a HFN since there’s no wedding or engagement, the epilogue is only a year later, but it’s so heartwarming and right for them. By the end, the air is clear and all the relationships that matter are flourishing and healthy. Beth and George are in love and together. There are updates on all those folks that matter. We get a full circle, completion scene. I was wondering if I would rate this book 3.5 rounded down because of my earlier frustrations with the negative motivations. I’m giving it 4 stars because of the end. By the end, everything hit the right stride for me, I felt my heart get ten times bigger, and I finally clicked with Beth.
December 16, 2025
This was such a good read! Complex characters that jump off the page, including the side characters. SO MUCH HEART! I would die for Shawn as a brother. Sexy as hell. Sweet. Emotional. AHH! I love them!
I LOVE me a stoic MMC, they are my fav! And a stoic MMC who can also make an emergency plane landing. Get in my bed now please!
Honestly it is downright criminal that Darla and Shawn do not have their own book. I need more of them! A LOT MORE!
I also finished this book thinking, maybe I should look into getting a pilots license. LOL at that though bc I get hella motion sick on planes.
Whats to love…
- brothers best friend
- complex family dynamics
- found family
- spectacular side characters that honestly steal the show a bit
- laugh out loud funny
- starts with an absolute disaster of a first scene (LOVE THAT)
- SEXY & SWEET
- emotional (a touch of trauma, just how I like it)
- single POV, with a touch of his POV at the end (which keeps some much needed tension imho)
Whats not to love…
- I honestly really enjoyed this book and don’t have much to complain about personally but there are two things I’ll note for others.
- the FMC is down-bad for our MMC instantly and in a mostly physical way. I know some ppl don’t love this, I typically do not. BUT, it works very well in this book. The instant attraction adds to the humor and the tension and since we’re only seeing her pov it never got frustrating or overly repetitive. What I am saying is, I think the insta-attraction is VERY realistic - I would certainly have a crush of the hot guy that kept me safe!
- plenty are going to say this has miscommunication… and I’ll admit it did get occasionally frustrating, but it is another trope I typically dislike that worked well here.
🌶️- Two open door scenes (Ch 28 & 30 I believe)
4.5⭐️ | IG | TikTok |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
I LOVE me a stoic MMC, they are my fav! And a stoic MMC who can also make an emergency plane landing. Get in my bed now please!
Honestly it is downright criminal that Darla and Shawn do not have their own book. I need more of them! A LOT MORE!
I also finished this book thinking, maybe I should look into getting a pilots license. LOL at that though bc I get hella motion sick on planes.
Whats to love…
- brothers best friend
- complex family dynamics
- found family
- spectacular side characters that honestly steal the show a bit
- laugh out loud funny
- starts with an absolute disaster of a first scene (LOVE THAT)
- SEXY & SWEET
- emotional (a touch of trauma, just how I like it)
- single POV, with a touch of his POV at the end (which keeps some much needed tension imho)
Whats not to love…
- I honestly really enjoyed this book and don’t have much to complain about personally but there are two things I’ll note for others.
- the FMC is down-bad for our MMC instantly and in a mostly physical way. I know some ppl don’t love this, I typically do not. BUT, it works very well in this book. The instant attraction adds to the humor and the tension and since we’re only seeing her pov it never got frustrating or overly repetitive. What I am saying is, I think the insta-attraction is VERY realistic - I would certainly have a crush of the hot guy that kept me safe!
- plenty are going to say this has miscommunication… and I’ll admit it did get occasionally frustrating, but it is another trope I typically dislike that worked well here.
🌶️- Two open door scenes (Ch 28 & 30 I believe)
4.5⭐️ | IG | TikTok |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
January 3, 2026
DNF, IM SRY!!!
I just couldn't with this book. Woman has an affair knowingly with a married man, has a child who's close to the legitimate son ( i don't know what world that would fly in). Gets cast aside and for some reason it's all the man's fault with zero accountability from her side. Yeah this was too outside the realm of suspension of belief!
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for this ARC!!!!! Grateful
Solid 1 star!
"LOVE IN PLANE SIGHT", out Dec 16th 2025
I just couldn't with this book. Woman has an affair knowingly with a married man, has a child who's close to the legitimate son ( i don't know what world that would fly in). Gets cast aside and for some reason it's all the man's fault with zero accountability from her side. Yeah this was too outside the realm of suspension of belief!
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for this ARC!!!!! Grateful
Solid 1 star!
"LOVE IN PLANE SIGHT", out Dec 16th 2025
December 29, 2025
There were a lot of places I wanted Beth to fly into, not excluding a mountainside.
July 19, 2025
Let me just start off by saying…I am NOT the audience for this book.
I can absolutely see where the story was going, and I appreciate the author for her work, but my god was I annoyed this entire time. I almost DNF’d it because I couldn’t take it no more.
Beth…if I could get into this book, I’d grab a shovel and start digging her grave just to shut her ass up. She pmo this entire book. Granted the author left a “warnings” list prior to this book that there was financial issues noted in the book. What she didn’t note is that the whole entire book is about Beth complaining about how broke she is…
Imagine reading: I’m so broke, I’m poor, I need tips, I need more money, I can’t pay for that, I have no money, I can’t afford it, my brother will be mad when he finds out I can’t pay him back…this list goes on and on and I’m too tired to type it all out.
Would I recommend this book to you? HELL NO
Expected Release Date: 12/16/2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.
I can absolutely see where the story was going, and I appreciate the author for her work, but my god was I annoyed this entire time. I almost DNF’d it because I couldn’t take it no more.
Beth…if I could get into this book, I’d grab a shovel and start digging her grave just to shut her ass up. She pmo this entire book. Granted the author left a “warnings” list prior to this book that there was financial issues noted in the book. What she didn’t note is that the whole entire book is about Beth complaining about how broke she is…
Imagine reading: I’m so broke, I’m poor, I need tips, I need more money, I can’t pay for that, I have no money, I can’t afford it, my brother will be mad when he finds out I can’t pay him back…this list goes on and on and I’m too tired to type it all out.
Would I recommend this book to you? HELL NO
Expected Release Date: 12/16/2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.
September 17, 2025
Beth dreams of becoming a pilot, but she doesn’t have the money for training. Her brother, Shawn, asks his best friend—who happens to be a flight instructor—to fly with her. It nearly ends in disaster, but George saves them by performing an emergency landing. After that, Beth starts feeling a strong attraction to him. Then George shocks her by offering to teach her for free.
This was my first book by Lauren Connolly, and I really enjoyed it! The plot is so unique—I’ve never read about a woman who dreamed of getting her pilot’s license. I liked the characters, not only the main ones but also the supporting cast. The central trope here is grumpy/sunshine. Beth is such a positive heroine; despite the difficulties in her life, she works hard to pay off her mother’s medical bills and repay her brother. George starts out as a grump, but I loved how straightforward he was, how he always spoke his mind, and how he helped Beth.
Shawn was my favorite side character—he’s so sweet! I adored his relationship with Beth and how, despite their different lifestyles, he always wanted to stay close to her. Their book club was so cute and funny! I would absolutely read a whole book about Shawn and Darla!
Overall, the book carries a positive tone, but it also has plenty of emotional moments that give it depth.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓grumpy/sunshine
✓brother's best friend
✓one bed
✓opposites attract
✓found family
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was my first book by Lauren Connolly, and I really enjoyed it! The plot is so unique—I’ve never read about a woman who dreamed of getting her pilot’s license. I liked the characters, not only the main ones but also the supporting cast. The central trope here is grumpy/sunshine. Beth is such a positive heroine; despite the difficulties in her life, she works hard to pay off her mother’s medical bills and repay her brother. George starts out as a grump, but I loved how straightforward he was, how he always spoke his mind, and how he helped Beth.
Shawn was my favorite side character—he’s so sweet! I adored his relationship with Beth and how, despite their different lifestyles, he always wanted to stay close to her. Their book club was so cute and funny! I would absolutely read a whole book about Shawn and Darla!
Overall, the book carries a positive tone, but it also has plenty of emotional moments that give it depth.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓grumpy/sunshine
✓brother's best friend
✓one bed
✓opposites attract
✓found family
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 3, 2025
if anyone needs convincing, the mmc is a hot pilot with a buzzcut so I pictured drew starkey the entire time and it worked wonders thank you and goodnight
brother’s best friend trope has a queen and her name is lauren connolly. I love love LOVED this one. I fell in love with lauren’s writing last year reading PS I Hate You and this did not at all disappoint. it’s fun, its FULL of banter and witty quips that literally had me laughing out loud and smiling in public, it’s HOT, and it’s gorgeous and full circle and emotional.
I adored beth and george so much (I am a complete sucker for a stubborn girl trying to make her way in a male dominated field and a grumpy, intense, sulking man who she thinks hates her but is so obviously completely obsessed with her) but I can’t NOT mention beth’s best friend and brother, who stole the show in the best possible way (this isn’t a slight to beth and george, I love them so much but WOW darla and shawn??? how do i sign up to read multiple novels of darla being mean to shawn and him LOVING IT)
brother’s best friend trope has a queen and her name is lauren connolly. I love love LOVED this one. I fell in love with lauren’s writing last year reading PS I Hate You and this did not at all disappoint. it’s fun, its FULL of banter and witty quips that literally had me laughing out loud and smiling in public, it’s HOT, and it’s gorgeous and full circle and emotional.
I adored beth and george so much (I am a complete sucker for a stubborn girl trying to make her way in a male dominated field and a grumpy, intense, sulking man who she thinks hates her but is so obviously completely obsessed with her) but I can’t NOT mention beth’s best friend and brother, who stole the show in the best possible way (this isn’t a slight to beth and george, I love them so much but WOW darla and shawn??? how do i sign up to read multiple novels of darla being mean to shawn and him LOVING IT)
January 8, 2026
this is probably a three but i’m annoyed right now
romance was fine overall but my god i found the main character so annoying. between her inability to have adult conversations and my just lack of interest in her life, this wasn’t for me. i found myself getting more annoyed at every turn and i just don’t understand how lauren connolly wrote such a good book with emotional depth, p.s. i hate you, and now we have this….
i’m probably being mean but i genuinely don’t care. also why is there a trend in books to have main characters quit good paying jobs to do random shit. how are you making money by having a nonprofit for flight lessons??? like yes it’s a great way to give back to the community but this can be a side gig, not a full time job? maybe i’m dumb but sometimes the unrealisticness of the choices characters make really gets to me.
romance was fine overall but my god i found the main character so annoying. between her inability to have adult conversations and my just lack of interest in her life, this wasn’t for me. i found myself getting more annoyed at every turn and i just don’t understand how lauren connolly wrote such a good book with emotional depth, p.s. i hate you, and now we have this….
i’m probably being mean but i genuinely don’t care. also why is there a trend in books to have main characters quit good paying jobs to do random shit. how are you making money by having a nonprofit for flight lessons??? like yes it’s a great way to give back to the community but this can be a side gig, not a full time job? maybe i’m dumb but sometimes the unrealisticness of the choices characters make really gets to me.
August 9, 2025
2 stars 🌟 see this was going reallyyyy well until the 65% mark when all of a sudden it was like the book flipped a switch 😅 georgebeth had the potential to be really cute (brothers bff, years of pining, etc.) and i was honestly hooked for more than half the book…but it all came crashing down very quickly 💔
the smut and dirty talk was soo cringy and painful to read that i contemplated a DNF but powered thru 🙈 the last 35% felt like a completely different book and not one i enjoyed lolllll
i think after receiving 2 arcs from this author and DNFing the other one, she may not be for me and that’s ok!
a special thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
the smut and dirty talk was soo cringy and painful to read that i contemplated a DNF but powered thru 🙈 the last 35% felt like a completely different book and not one i enjoyed lolllll
i think after receiving 2 arcs from this author and DNFing the other one, she may not be for me and that’s ok!
a special thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
December 15, 2025
Love in Plane Sight had me smitten, y'all! I was so endeared to this storyline and its lively cast of characters. My smile became a grin which led to the dreamy sighs of endless swoons. It all works so well!
I cannot even begin to properly describe how unhinged the beginning of this tale is. Our protagonist Beth is up in a small plane flown by George, her brother's best friend, who's been offered up to take her flying (one of her dreams). The air is tense as Beth is convinced he doesn't like her, then next you know that tension is about life or death as the plane starts to fail in flight. Yet somehow, one "good girl" plea to his plane has Beth going from frozen in fear to hot in horniness over George the pilot. Yeah..that happens.
And I won't even lie, I immediately started side-eyeing Beth. Like, girl, are you okay?! But somehow, along the way, that moment goes from me side-eyeing to being utterly endeared by this heroine. I adoooored her! Inappropriate hot swoons and all, haha! Beth is a wonderful protagonist whose mind is one I loved picking. She's a hard worker, a loving daughter and sister, and a dreamer who yearns to one day earn a pilot's license. Until then, she works at a diner owned by the moms of her best friend who are like a second family to her and her own moms, and I loved how they lovingly support one another. Which made me want to shake Beth into confessing to her hardships in money, but I understood her wanting to basically take the world onto her shoulders. That's just how she is.
Until George steps in and suddenly the weight feels a whole lot lighter.
George had me in stitches! Not that he's a comedian, nay, that grump is anything but! From Beth's POV, I don't blame her one bit for thinking George disliked her. But as a well seasoned reader in romance it was so obvious how in love this man was from afar. It would take a while to understand his initial distance but I just cackled over his behavior towards Beth at the beginning. The quiet jealousy that flew right over Beth's head, the way others noticed and pointing out his distant fawning that she also initially wrote off. You don't understand, I liiiive for MMCs like that! The quiet boy obsessed behavior has my heart thum-thum-thumping! But he steps up to help her realize a dream, he shows up in a diner others of his social circle might snobbily avoid and only issues respect and kindness. He's loyal and generous, just like Beth, and, as it turns out, he's a go getter too, because once he realizes Beth's misconception of him he steps up to clear that right up. And, whew, does he do just that!
The romance worked in every single way. Beth and George are simply meant to be and it was a joy to watch their love story take flight (pun intended)!
I'm still giggling, twirling my hair, and kicking my feet in joy over Love in Plane Sight.
Do me a favor and don't miss out on this beauty!
Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
I cannot even begin to properly describe how unhinged the beginning of this tale is. Our protagonist Beth is up in a small plane flown by George, her brother's best friend, who's been offered up to take her flying (one of her dreams). The air is tense as Beth is convinced he doesn't like her, then next you know that tension is about life or death as the plane starts to fail in flight. Yet somehow, one "good girl" plea to his plane has Beth going from frozen in fear to hot in horniness over George the pilot. Yeah..that happens.
And I won't even lie, I immediately started side-eyeing Beth. Like, girl, are you okay?! But somehow, along the way, that moment goes from me side-eyeing to being utterly endeared by this heroine. I adoooored her! Inappropriate hot swoons and all, haha! Beth is a wonderful protagonist whose mind is one I loved picking. She's a hard worker, a loving daughter and sister, and a dreamer who yearns to one day earn a pilot's license. Until then, she works at a diner owned by the moms of her best friend who are like a second family to her and her own moms, and I loved how they lovingly support one another. Which made me want to shake Beth into confessing to her hardships in money, but I understood her wanting to basically take the world onto her shoulders. That's just how she is.
Until George steps in and suddenly the weight feels a whole lot lighter.
George had me in stitches! Not that he's a comedian, nay, that grump is anything but! From Beth's POV, I don't blame her one bit for thinking George disliked her. But as a well seasoned reader in romance it was so obvious how in love this man was from afar. It would take a while to understand his initial distance but I just cackled over his behavior towards Beth at the beginning. The quiet jealousy that flew right over Beth's head, the way others noticed and pointing out his distant fawning that she also initially wrote off. You don't understand, I liiiive for MMCs like that! The quiet boy obsessed behavior has my heart thum-thum-thumping! But he steps up to help her realize a dream, he shows up in a diner others of his social circle might snobbily avoid and only issues respect and kindness. He's loyal and generous, just like Beth, and, as it turns out, he's a go getter too, because once he realizes Beth's misconception of him he steps up to clear that right up. And, whew, does he do just that!
The romance worked in every single way. Beth and George are simply meant to be and it was a joy to watch their love story take flight (pun intended)!
I'm still giggling, twirling my hair, and kicking my feet in joy over Love in Plane Sight.
Do me a favor and don't miss out on this beauty!
Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
December 4, 2025
4.25⭐️
thank you to PRH Audio for the free audiobook copy, all opinions are my own.
There were a lot of things I loved about this one, and I did read it in less than 24 hours!
I loved the banter between Beth & George, LOVED both Shawn & Darla SO MUCH 😍
(Shawn - Beth's golden retriever of a half brother, & George's best friend, and Darla, Beth's snarky best friend).
What I struggled with mostly was Beth. Her inner monologue was often repetitive, and it was VERY clear that just a few conversations (which were had near the end) would have cleared up ALL her ruminating thoughts & anxieties.
🎧 audio thoughts - I adore Karissa Vacker's narration, and she voiced Beth perfectly. I definitely think she's part of the reason I was so hooked!
I went into this with high expectations - I haven't read PS I Hate You yet, but I've heard nothing but good things from friends with similar bookish taste to me. I'm still planning to read it, I think there's a lot I loved about Lauren's writing, and hopefully with a different main character I'll enjoy her books even more.
✦ tropes & stuff:
💙 (half) brother’s best friend
✈️ pilot & student
☀️ grumpy sunshine
🐈⬛ cat dad + dog mom
🥹 he falls first and HARD & has been pining
🛏 only one bed
🫶🏼 found family
💖 single 1st person pov
*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍
thank you to PRH Audio for the free audiobook copy, all opinions are my own.
There were a lot of things I loved about this one, and I did read it in less than 24 hours!
I loved the banter between Beth & George, LOVED both Shawn & Darla SO MUCH 😍
(Shawn - Beth's golden retriever of a half brother, & George's best friend, and Darla, Beth's snarky best friend).
What I struggled with mostly was Beth. Her inner monologue was often repetitive, and it was VERY clear that just a few conversations (which were had near the end) would have cleared up ALL her ruminating thoughts & anxieties.
🎧 audio thoughts - I adore Karissa Vacker's narration, and she voiced Beth perfectly. I definitely think she's part of the reason I was so hooked!
I went into this with high expectations - I haven't read PS I Hate You yet, but I've heard nothing but good things from friends with similar bookish taste to me. I'm still planning to read it, I think there's a lot I loved about Lauren's writing, and hopefully with a different main character I'll enjoy her books even more.
✦ tropes & stuff:
💙 (half) brother’s best friend
✈️ pilot & student
☀️ grumpy sunshine
🐈⬛ cat dad + dog mom
🥹 he falls first and HARD & has been pining
🛏 only one bed
🫶🏼 found family
💖 single 1st person pov
*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍
January 5, 2026
I simply adored it. If you want a reminder of how delicious a quintessential romcom can be, start here. And yes, Lauren managed to make a man named George sexy. Hats off.
December 15, 2025
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3.75 stars୨୧
Spice: 2/5 🌶️
Love takes flight in this small town romance✈️ This charming novel is filled with swoon-worthy characters that will steal your heart.
Would recommend if you like:
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found Family
🏡Small Town
👩❤️👨He Fell First
What I liked:
-I’m a sucker for a slow burn & this delivered! We are talking snail paced burn 🐌 The timing of when they begin their romantic connection is absolute perfection.
-The characters in this were so charming! I love when an author gives just as much care to the side characters as the main characters.
What I didn’t like:
This book is not for those who loathe the miscommunication trope. This whole foundation of this book is two people who dance around being honest w/ each other.
-It took me forever to care about the MMC. Her brother Shawn, kept stealing the show tbh. (I’m basically on my hands & knees praying that we get a book for him🧎♀️➡️)
Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for the arc🫶🏼
3.75 stars୨୧
Spice: 2/5 🌶️
Love takes flight in this small town romance✈️ This charming novel is filled with swoon-worthy characters that will steal your heart.
Would recommend if you like:
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found Family
🏡Small Town
👩❤️👨He Fell First
What I liked:
-I’m a sucker for a slow burn & this delivered! We are talking snail paced burn 🐌 The timing of when they begin their romantic connection is absolute perfection.
-The characters in this were so charming! I love when an author gives just as much care to the side characters as the main characters.
What I didn’t like:
This book is not for those who loathe the miscommunication trope. This whole foundation of this book is two people who dance around being honest w/ each other.
-It took me forever to care about the MMC. Her brother Shawn, kept stealing the show tbh. (I’m basically on my hands & knees praying that we get a book for him🧎♀️➡️)
Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for the arc🫶🏼
November 19, 2025
generous three stars, I am sad I didn’t like this more. I LOVED PS I Hate You, but this was rushed, underwhelming, and the characters didn’t have a lot of chemistry in my opinion
Want to read
December 16, 2025Release day! I absolutely loved the first book I read form this author so I am really excited for this one! ❤️
December 8, 2025
a fmc thinking about how she wants to bang her flight instructor while in a crashing plane is an insane way to start a book ? right ?
December 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this brother's best friend, forced proximity romance that has a down on her luck aspiring pilot making a deal with her brother's pilot friend for free flying lessons after they almost crashed. There was lots of messy family dynamics, great banter, mutual pining and a hot only one bed situation. It was also EXCELLENT on audio narrated by Karissa Vacker and I enjoyed it just as much as the author's debut, P.S. I hate you! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
January 12, 2026
2.5/5 stars.
Because I did enjoy this, a lot. BUT very problematic for me as well.
1. Beth's mom knowingly had an affair with a married man. How he treated her was horrible, but I felt like we were constantly expected to be sympathetic for her, and I'm sorry but I wasn't. She made her choices and knew what the consequences could have been. Not justifying his actions, but girlie had to take some responsibility too.
2. Beth survived a plane crash and it just got glossed over. A plane landed on the freaking highway and it wasn't all over the national news?? Which leads me to my next point...
3. If Beth was as desperate for money as she says, she'd be taking every interview. That's like her ticket to get out of debt. But she had some weird pride thing and wouldn't take money from others? Including her brother. WHICH, let's talk about him.
4. Shawn, her brother, was a golden retriever. I actually think I'd like to read his story more than hers.
5. How often was Beth going to complain about being poor? I get it, but ffs.
6. The misogyny subplot felt wrong to me. Not because it isn't a huge problem. But it felt too in-your-face, where I feel like the misogyny is usually much more discrete and not solved as easily as they solved it in this book.
7. Why did the author spend so much time talking about George's shaved head?
Did I hate this? No, but I found myself extremely annoyed and rolling my eyes at some point. More likely, I just won't read anything by this author again.
Because I did enjoy this, a lot. BUT very problematic for me as well.
1. Beth's mom knowingly had an affair with a married man. How he treated her was horrible, but I felt like we were constantly expected to be sympathetic for her, and I'm sorry but I wasn't. She made her choices and knew what the consequences could have been. Not justifying his actions, but girlie had to take some responsibility too.
2. Beth survived a plane crash and it just got glossed over. A plane landed on the freaking highway and it wasn't all over the national news?? Which leads me to my next point...
3. If Beth was as desperate for money as she says, she'd be taking every interview. That's like her ticket to get out of debt. But she had some weird pride thing and wouldn't take money from others? Including her brother. WHICH, let's talk about him.
4. Shawn, her brother, was a golden retriever. I actually think I'd like to read his story more than hers.
5. How often was Beth going to complain about being poor? I get it, but ffs.
6. The misogyny subplot felt wrong to me. Not because it isn't a huge problem. But it felt too in-your-face, where I feel like the misogyny is usually much more discrete and not solved as easily as they solved it in this book.
7. Why did the author spend so much time talking about George's shaved head?
Did I hate this? No, but I found myself extremely annoyed and rolling my eyes at some point. More likely, I just won't read anything by this author again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
I actually really enjoyed this. While I could see how Beth's constant refusal to accept help may annoy some, I resonated with it on some level. Lauren Connolly's writing scratches something that itches in my brain, idk she just does something to me.
I listened to this on audio while reading as well, and the narrator did an amazing job. Overall a very pleasant experience. Lauren Connolly is 2/2 for me :)
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
I listened to this on audio while reading as well, and the narrator did an amazing job. Overall a very pleasant experience. Lauren Connolly is 2/2 for me :)
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
February 4, 2026
4.5
I absolutely adored this. Initially was at a 4, but I know I will continue to think about this book for a while! So, so sweet. Such likeable characters & a great little lesson woven in there. Adorable read & great on audio as well!
I absolutely adored this. Initially was at a 4, but I know I will continue to think about this book for a while! So, so sweet. Such likeable characters & a great little lesson woven in there. Adorable read & great on audio as well!
December 24, 2025
This was a really cute funny book
Grumpy /Sunshine
Brothers best friend
Grumpy /Sunshine
Brothers best friend
January 5, 2026
I loved this authors debut so much but this one was very average for me. I wasn’t really into this romance or the side plots.
December 7, 2025
FIVE STARS! FIVE STARS! FIVE STARS!!!!!!!
okay see this is why i can’t do a yearly wrap up before december ends because i would have missed out on talking about this absolute BANGER!!!!!
love in plane sight is such a fantastic read. i enjoyed every single moment of this book and did not want to put it down.
george and beth are everything to me, and i mean EVERYTHING!!!!!! talk about yearning, talk about slow burn, talk about WAIT FOR IT!!!!!! george my sweet, sexy pilot - i love you!!!! what a cool character. george was so himself for this whole book and as time progressed and we unpacked his character, so much was brought to light that illuminated what a stand up guy he was and how deeply he loved beth. he just wanted to love her and he was afraid of causing her harm from karl. i NEED george bunsen. now, let’s take a moment to talk about my number one enemy, karl. he can actually rot for everything he did to beth and charlotte and shawn and george and literally everyone else. such a heinous man. now my iconic pilot queen beth!!!! this girl was so cool. she has such a big heart — her love for shawn was so sweet and beautiful, her love for her mom and marge was oceans wide, her love for george was immediate and warm, and her love for darla, billy, sally, and sam was so huge. she WAS love, even when circumstances around her should have made her reticent to it. i also felt her sentiment for people pleasing so hard and really enjoyed watching her overcome a lot of the ways that held her back so that she could be more free and honest and open.
i love this book. everyone needs to read it. this is for the romance girls who love to see a man who knows what he wants but is also kind and gentle and funny!!!!! and for the girls who see themselves in beth and her relentless vigor for life and to feel joy.
okay see this is why i can’t do a yearly wrap up before december ends because i would have missed out on talking about this absolute BANGER!!!!!
love in plane sight is such a fantastic read. i enjoyed every single moment of this book and did not want to put it down.
george and beth are everything to me, and i mean EVERYTHING!!!!!! talk about yearning, talk about slow burn, talk about WAIT FOR IT!!!!!! george my sweet, sexy pilot - i love you!!!! what a cool character. george was so himself for this whole book and as time progressed and we unpacked his character, so much was brought to light that illuminated what a stand up guy he was and how deeply he loved beth. he just wanted to love her and he was afraid of causing her harm from karl. i NEED george bunsen. now, let’s take a moment to talk about my number one enemy, karl. he can actually rot for everything he did to beth and charlotte and shawn and george and literally everyone else. such a heinous man. now my iconic pilot queen beth!!!! this girl was so cool. she has such a big heart — her love for shawn was so sweet and beautiful, her love for her mom and marge was oceans wide, her love for george was immediate and warm, and her love for darla, billy, sally, and sam was so huge. she WAS love, even when circumstances around her should have made her reticent to it. i also felt her sentiment for people pleasing so hard and really enjoyed watching her overcome a lot of the ways that held her back so that she could be more free and honest and open.
i love this book. everyone needs to read it. this is for the romance girls who love to see a man who knows what he wants but is also kind and gentle and funny!!!!! and for the girls who see themselves in beth and her relentless vigor for life and to feel joy.
December 23, 2025
Love in Plane Sight is such a fun, fresh, and genuinely original romance, and I absolutely devoured it. The concept alone hooked me immediately. Beth wanting to become a pilot and ending up instructed by her brother’s grumpy best friend, George? Perfection. Lauren Connolly takes a unique premise and fully commits, giving us a story that soars far beyond a simple romcom setup.
This book hits all the notes of a full fledged, deeply satisfying romance. It’s fun and flirty, has plenty of heat, and still makes room for heavier emotional moments that add real depth. The tension between Beth and George is intense in the best way—this is a true slow burn that keeps you turning pages, desperate for them to finally get together, even though you know the truth has to come out first. And when it does? Let’s just say their backstory will absolutely pull at your heartstrings. No spoilers here, but you will want the world for both of them.
Beth is such a standout heroine. Watching her pursue a career in an industry with so few women, and absolutely boss it, was empowering and satisfying. I loved seeing her determination, growth, and confidence shine. George, meanwhile, is peak grumpy with a soft center, and their dynamic is everything you want from this trope.
The side characters deserve their own round of applause. Beth’s brother, her best friend, and her chosen and real family add so much warmth and humor to the story. And of course, the grumpy grumps—the dog and George’s cat—completely stole my heart.
This book left me with all the feels. It’s heartfelt, sexy, emotional, and uplifting all at once. If you’re looking for a top tier romance that’s soaring high on tension, heart, and originality, Love in Plane Sight is an easy, enthusiastic recommendation.
Thank you Berkely for the eARc. All opinions are my own.
This book hits all the notes of a full fledged, deeply satisfying romance. It’s fun and flirty, has plenty of heat, and still makes room for heavier emotional moments that add real depth. The tension between Beth and George is intense in the best way—this is a true slow burn that keeps you turning pages, desperate for them to finally get together, even though you know the truth has to come out first. And when it does? Let’s just say their backstory will absolutely pull at your heartstrings. No spoilers here, but you will want the world for both of them.
Beth is such a standout heroine. Watching her pursue a career in an industry with so few women, and absolutely boss it, was empowering and satisfying. I loved seeing her determination, growth, and confidence shine. George, meanwhile, is peak grumpy with a soft center, and their dynamic is everything you want from this trope.
The side characters deserve their own round of applause. Beth’s brother, her best friend, and her chosen and real family add so much warmth and humor to the story. And of course, the grumpy grumps—the dog and George’s cat—completely stole my heart.
This book left me with all the feels. It’s heartfelt, sexy, emotional, and uplifting all at once. If you’re looking for a top tier romance that’s soaring high on tension, heart, and originality, Love in Plane Sight is an easy, enthusiastic recommendation.
Thank you Berkely for the eARc. All opinions are my own.
January 6, 2026
This is the kind of book that reminds me why I love romange. Lauren's authorial voice really works for me, and the delicious tension between Beth and George crackles from the first page. This is the kind of single POV that really works for me, because it's clear that George is into Beth, but he's emotionally stunted and has his historical reasons for staying away from her. And since we live in Beth's head, it makes sense that she believes what she does about him. She doesn't know that she's in a romance novel, so like a real person, she's just working with the information she has. Both her wrong ideas about her relationship with George and her brother make sense for her as a character, and gave the story the weight and tension I needed to ravenously turn pages. Also shoutout to her golden retriever of a brother, I love him.
I love to dig into a new hobby or interest via romance novel, and learning more about small planes as Beth navigates trying to follow her dreams and balance the increasingly heavy weight on her shoulders. She's a giver, a pleaser, and is always taking on burdens that don't belong strictly to her. She needs some therapy, but don't we all? George is desperate to spend more time with her and also balance his work and family commitments, and Lauren does a great job of showing us how he feels about Beth without ever having to tell us. Or without being so obvious that we question Beth's intelligence and observation skills. It's a tough needle to thread, but this one felt just right to me.
I am eagerly awaiting more for Lauren and I'm already anticipating a reread of this one.
I love to dig into a new hobby or interest via romance novel, and learning more about small planes as Beth navigates trying to follow her dreams and balance the increasingly heavy weight on her shoulders. She's a giver, a pleaser, and is always taking on burdens that don't belong strictly to her. She needs some therapy, but don't we all? George is desperate to spend more time with her and also balance his work and family commitments, and Lauren does a great job of showing us how he feels about Beth without ever having to tell us. Or without being so obvious that we question Beth's intelligence and observation skills. It's a tough needle to thread, but this one felt just right to me.
I am eagerly awaiting more for Lauren and I'm already anticipating a reread of this one.
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