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Love at First Flight
What if you met the love of your life and he wasn't your husband? An AusRom Today People's Choice Award winner that will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty, viewers of Offspring, The Good Wife and movies like Up in the Air.
Mel is living the dream. She's a successful GP, married to a charming anaesthetist and raising a beautiful family in their plush home in Perth. But when she boards a flight to Melbourne, her picture-perfect life unravels. Seated on the plane she meets Matt, and for the first time ever she falls turbulently in love. What begins as a flirty conversation quickly develops into a hot and obsessive affair, with consequences that Mel and Matt seem incapable of facing. As the fallout hits friends and family, Mel's dream romance turns into a nightmare. She learns that there are some wounds that never heal and some scars that you wouldn't do without.
LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT will take everything you believe about true love and spin it on its head.
'I thought this was terrific -- passionate, sexy and wise, with a continual ebb and flow of emotion and utterly persuasive characters. I loved it' Rosie de Courcy, UK editor of author Maeve Binchy
'Love at First Flight is no light romp in the hay. It's a mature, finely drawn effort that examines the emotions and motives behind an affair -- and, ultimately, its ramifications. I dare you to resist' Jennifer Ammoscato, author of Dear It's Me Avery.
Mel is living the dream. She's a successful GP, married to a charming anaesthetist and raising a beautiful family in their plush home in Perth. But when she boards a flight to Melbourne, her picture-perfect life unravels. Seated on the plane she meets Matt, and for the first time ever she falls turbulently in love. What begins as a flirty conversation quickly develops into a hot and obsessive affair, with consequences that Mel and Matt seem incapable of facing. As the fallout hits friends and family, Mel's dream romance turns into a nightmare. She learns that there are some wounds that never heal and some scars that you wouldn't do without.
LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT will take everything you believe about true love and spin it on its head.
'I thought this was terrific -- passionate, sexy and wise, with a continual ebb and flow of emotion and utterly persuasive characters. I loved it' Rosie de Courcy, UK editor of author Maeve Binchy
'Love at First Flight is no light romp in the hay. It's a mature, finely drawn effort that examines the emotions and motives behind an affair -- and, ultimately, its ramifications. I dare you to resist' Jennifer Ammoscato, author of Dear It's Me Avery.
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First published April 1, 2015
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About the author
Tess Woods
7 books244 followers Visit www.tesswoods.com.au
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Email Tess at tess@tesswoods.com.au
Facebook and Instagram - look for Tess Woods Author
Email Tess at tess@tesswoods.com.au
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
August 12, 2016
A powerful painful story of infidelity. Choices, actions, reactions. The ravages of the aftermath, consequences, and the cutting impact. This story left me lost deep in thought in both subject matter and characters regaling under my skin for days. Filled with emotion you will find yourself fully invested in the story. The intricacies and complexities of relationships explored thoroughly. Heartbreaking, excruciating yarn of one woman torn.
Tess Woods is on my radar, unbelievable debut effort. Unforgettable compelling read. I found myself immersed in the characters world, I was left depleted and exhausted, breathless and at times speechless. A rollercoaster ride of every feeling and emotion imaginable, charged, frustrated, eyes brimming with tears.
"The verb love is what counts, not the feeling of love. When you feel love, it’s selfish, it’s just for you and it affects nobody but you. But when you act love, you are committing the act of loving somebody.”
Tess Woods is on my radar, unbelievable debut effort. Unforgettable compelling read. I found myself immersed in the characters world, I was left depleted and exhausted, breathless and at times speechless. A rollercoaster ride of every feeling and emotion imaginable, charged, frustrated, eyes brimming with tears.
February 24, 2017
Mel is a GP, living in a beautiful new house in Perth, Australia. For fifteen years she’s been married Adam, an anesthetist and they have two children. Each year Mel heads to Melbourne to meet her friend Sarah for a girl’s weekend. This year, getting on that plane changes her life.
Mel meets Matt, a younger physiotherapist who had been in Perth interviewing for a job and is now returning home to Melbourne. Matt had spotted Mel in the airport and experienced an instant attraction to her. Sitting next to her on the plane, he can’t believe his luck.
They get chatting and Mel finds that Matt is everything she finds attractive – he’s passionate and holds strong opinions, opinions that she shares. With Matt Mel is able to get the deep and satisfying conversation that she craves, something that her husband has never been able to give her. What begins as a flirty conversation, a way to pass the hours in the air quickly develops into something more and neither of them can get the other out of their head.
Weeks later and Matt tracks Mel down in Perth and the two tumble quickly into an intense affair that borders on an obsession. Mel is torn – she can’t see herself giving up this passion and intensity with Matt but neither can she see herself leaving Adam and tearing their two children’s lives apart. For a while, Mel thinks she can have it all but Matt makes it clear that he has all of her or it’s nothing.
Tackling infidelity in such a manner is always I think, a brave move. Quite often in books, infidelity is used as a way to announce a character who has usually wronged a protagonist. This book alternates between Mel and Matt as they both narrate their interactions and the spiraling into their heady and damaging affair. To be honest, I find infidelity selfish and inexcusable at the best of times. But I’m interested in the motivations and circumstances behind it – I like to explore human nature and let’s face it, it’s a very prevalent part of that.
However I’m not really sure this story gave me any real deep insights into it. It’s portrayed for Matt as an instant sexual attraction from the moment he spots Mel in the airport and he makes a bit of a fool of himself fumbling through their first conversation in several ways, making her uncomfortable but also a bit intrigued. Even though she finds Matt attractive, I’m not sure that was the basis for Mel as it was for Matt originally. It was Matt’s passion for politics and humanitarian issues that really seemed to be the thing that drew her in. Mel doesn’t really seem to embrace the life of money and privilege that Adam seems so set on – she doesn’t love their big fancy new house or care about the status symbols like Adam does. Although they’ve been happy, it seems there are things that Mel is missing – and Matt can provide those for her.
Ultimately though, I found myself really actively disliking Mel. She attempts to justify her behaviour to herself with increasing ridiculousness and she becomes just…really hard to read. Her voice is shrill and self-entitled as she tries to figure out how she can deceive her family and continue to keep Matt in her life and at the same time it’s full of self-pity that she’s being made to feel this guilt. However she doesn’t attempt to turn her back on the temptation and once Matt shows up in Perth she really just goes for it. She lies to her husband in order to spend full nights with Matt and I think the moment that showcased Mel in the worst light was when she assumed Matt wouldn’t mind just being her lover when she could manage it and he’d be cool with understanding that she had to stay married to Adam. That was at best, naive and at worst, utterly delusional.
I felt sorry for both Adam, Mel’s suffering husband and also Lydia, Matt’s fiancee even though I think it was attempted to paint Lydia as someone not to feel all that sorry for. She was obsessed with the wedding, shallow and silly but Matt knew all of those things long before he asked her to marry him. I feel as though Matt was in utterly the wrong frame of mind to commit to making life changing decisions after he returned from Perth the second time and the fact that he made these decisions only served to prolong the misery.
I know a lot of people say you don’t have to love the characters to love a book and I think in some cases that’s very true. But if I’m not invested in characters, if I can’t bring myself to care about them and what happens to them then I find it very hard to connect with a story. I really, really disliked Mel the more the book went on. I think I found Matt a little more likable and I’m not sure why that is. Maybe it was the fact that he didn’t have kids, so he didn’t have the endless cycle of guilt and attempting to justify his behaviour. He had less baggage, less people that stood to get really hurt and have their lives impacted by his decisions.
This one really didn’t change my mind how I feel about cheating and those that do it. I’m skeptical at the best of times about the ‘grand love you can’t deny’ and I think that when you’re married, you’ve made a choice and if you want to step away from that, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it. If you don’t want to step away from it, then don’t do things that jeopardise it. Everyone has a choice and the ones you make affect not just you, but others too. So I can’t really say that I enjoyed this as such – but I found it incredibly interesting in a portrayal of human nature and an exploration of marriage and relationships.
Mel meets Matt, a younger physiotherapist who had been in Perth interviewing for a job and is now returning home to Melbourne. Matt had spotted Mel in the airport and experienced an instant attraction to her. Sitting next to her on the plane, he can’t believe his luck.
They get chatting and Mel finds that Matt is everything she finds attractive – he’s passionate and holds strong opinions, opinions that she shares. With Matt Mel is able to get the deep and satisfying conversation that she craves, something that her husband has never been able to give her. What begins as a flirty conversation, a way to pass the hours in the air quickly develops into something more and neither of them can get the other out of their head.
Weeks later and Matt tracks Mel down in Perth and the two tumble quickly into an intense affair that borders on an obsession. Mel is torn – she can’t see herself giving up this passion and intensity with Matt but neither can she see herself leaving Adam and tearing their two children’s lives apart. For a while, Mel thinks she can have it all but Matt makes it clear that he has all of her or it’s nothing.
Tackling infidelity in such a manner is always I think, a brave move. Quite often in books, infidelity is used as a way to announce a character who has usually wronged a protagonist. This book alternates between Mel and Matt as they both narrate their interactions and the spiraling into their heady and damaging affair. To be honest, I find infidelity selfish and inexcusable at the best of times. But I’m interested in the motivations and circumstances behind it – I like to explore human nature and let’s face it, it’s a very prevalent part of that.
However I’m not really sure this story gave me any real deep insights into it. It’s portrayed for Matt as an instant sexual attraction from the moment he spots Mel in the airport and he makes a bit of a fool of himself fumbling through their first conversation in several ways, making her uncomfortable but also a bit intrigued. Even though she finds Matt attractive, I’m not sure that was the basis for Mel as it was for Matt originally. It was Matt’s passion for politics and humanitarian issues that really seemed to be the thing that drew her in. Mel doesn’t really seem to embrace the life of money and privilege that Adam seems so set on – she doesn’t love their big fancy new house or care about the status symbols like Adam does. Although they’ve been happy, it seems there are things that Mel is missing – and Matt can provide those for her.
Ultimately though, I found myself really actively disliking Mel. She attempts to justify her behaviour to herself with increasing ridiculousness and she becomes just…really hard to read. Her voice is shrill and self-entitled as she tries to figure out how she can deceive her family and continue to keep Matt in her life and at the same time it’s full of self-pity that she’s being made to feel this guilt. However she doesn’t attempt to turn her back on the temptation and once Matt shows up in Perth she really just goes for it. She lies to her husband in order to spend full nights with Matt and I think the moment that showcased Mel in the worst light was when she assumed Matt wouldn’t mind just being her lover when she could manage it and he’d be cool with understanding that she had to stay married to Adam. That was at best, naive and at worst, utterly delusional.
I felt sorry for both Adam, Mel’s suffering husband and also Lydia, Matt’s fiancee even though I think it was attempted to paint Lydia as someone not to feel all that sorry for. She was obsessed with the wedding, shallow and silly but Matt knew all of those things long before he asked her to marry him. I feel as though Matt was in utterly the wrong frame of mind to commit to making life changing decisions after he returned from Perth the second time and the fact that he made these decisions only served to prolong the misery.
I know a lot of people say you don’t have to love the characters to love a book and I think in some cases that’s very true. But if I’m not invested in characters, if I can’t bring myself to care about them and what happens to them then I find it very hard to connect with a story. I really, really disliked Mel the more the book went on. I think I found Matt a little more likable and I’m not sure why that is. Maybe it was the fact that he didn’t have kids, so he didn’t have the endless cycle of guilt and attempting to justify his behaviour. He had less baggage, less people that stood to get really hurt and have their lives impacted by his decisions.
This one really didn’t change my mind how I feel about cheating and those that do it. I’m skeptical at the best of times about the ‘grand love you can’t deny’ and I think that when you’re married, you’ve made a choice and if you want to step away from that, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it. If you don’t want to step away from it, then don’t do things that jeopardise it. Everyone has a choice and the ones you make affect not just you, but others too. So I can’t really say that I enjoyed this as such – but I found it incredibly interesting in a portrayal of human nature and an exploration of marriage and relationships.
August 30, 2016
Recently, in the middle of a busy day, I called it quits and sat down and read 'Love at First Flight'. I couldn't put it down until I'd finished. It has some steamy scenes, and there's an affair, but it's more than that—it's an examination of a marriage.
The characters are incredibly well crafted. They're flawed, all of them, as humans are, and therefore they're utterly believable. I saw his side, I saw her side, and I felt her husband's pain. I also saw them all grow and change.
I thought it was a wonderful book and the characters will stay with me for a long while. My biggest concern is that people will judge it as a romance or judge it believing it's about an affair. But it's about much more than that.
The characters are incredibly well crafted. They're flawed, all of them, as humans are, and therefore they're utterly believable. I saw his side, I saw her side, and I felt her husband's pain. I also saw them all grow and change.
I thought it was a wonderful book and the characters will stay with me for a long while. My biggest concern is that people will judge it as a romance or judge it believing it's about an affair. But it's about much more than that.
February 6, 2017
I couldnt put this book down after I began. It is written so well its so easy to read, pick up where you left off and keeps you hooked to the last page. Cant wait for more books from this author. Well done you've given me a book that I want to tell all about.
September 28, 2016
Oh wow this book!!
The first couple of chapters are deceptive... you think you're in for a light and easy read and you're not sure where exactly it's going to take you and you're not sure if you're going to love or hate the main characters for what they're about to do, but then... suddenly you're just IN. Whole-heartedly and completely IN. Matt, Mel and Adam are all such well rounded characters, they're flawed but you love them and you ache with them and you want so desperately for everything to work out the right way for them. There is so much beneath the surface with these people, they are incredibly real on the page.
And there were so many beautiful, touching and heart-breaking moments to love... The moment when Matt spoke about how he'd lie awake at night trying to be still. The moment with the sea-eagle and everything it represents for Mel, the moment when Mel overhears her children speaking about her on the phone, the moment with the limbo.
There's joy and there's pain and there's lust and there's tears and the ending was unexpected but it just worked, it worked perfectly and you're left feeling a sort of bittersweet nostalgia for these people you got to know so well and for me, I was left with an overwhelming desire to give my husband a great big hug.
I loved it, absolutely loved it.
The first couple of chapters are deceptive... you think you're in for a light and easy read and you're not sure where exactly it's going to take you and you're not sure if you're going to love or hate the main characters for what they're about to do, but then... suddenly you're just IN. Whole-heartedly and completely IN. Matt, Mel and Adam are all such well rounded characters, they're flawed but you love them and you ache with them and you want so desperately for everything to work out the right way for them. There is so much beneath the surface with these people, they are incredibly real on the page.
And there were so many beautiful, touching and heart-breaking moments to love... The moment when Matt spoke about how he'd lie awake at night trying to be still. The moment with the sea-eagle and everything it represents for Mel, the moment when Mel overhears her children speaking about her on the phone, the moment with the limbo.
There's joy and there's pain and there's lust and there's tears and the ending was unexpected but it just worked, it worked perfectly and you're left feeling a sort of bittersweet nostalgia for these people you got to know so well and for me, I was left with an overwhelming desire to give my husband a great big hug.
I loved it, absolutely loved it.
May 21, 2015
What a powerful story of love and lust, agony and ecstasy. This is the kind of story I LOVE. The characters are real and complicated and a little foolish. The storyline smart, brave, believable and a little tragic.
It is a story about today and one that makes me (someone of yesterday) think about the 'what ifs' and 'if onlys' of my own life and the ramifications of choices made, especially those that we know will break someone's heart or shatter their world..
I didn't know what to expect in the end of the book and I wasn't prepared for some things that happened.
My five stars is because I enjoyed the story for all of the above reasons but in particular because the author chose a subject many would deem 'unsafe', especially for a debut novel. I know that being brave as an author means sometimes taking a risk with characters and plots. So well done on not going with 'the flow'.
It is a story about today and one that makes me (someone of yesterday) think about the 'what ifs' and 'if onlys' of my own life and the ramifications of choices made, especially those that we know will break someone's heart or shatter their world..
I didn't know what to expect in the end of the book and I wasn't prepared for some things that happened.
My five stars is because I enjoyed the story for all of the above reasons but in particular because the author chose a subject many would deem 'unsafe', especially for a debut novel. I know that being brave as an author means sometimes taking a risk with characters and plots. So well done on not going with 'the flow'.
December 30, 2016
Wow Tess! What an immersive read! I loved its connection to Perth and the south west (and Fiji, where my own married life began).
The characters were so well written, I felt that I knew Matt & Mel personally - making it hard to take sides or place blame on either of them for what happened.
I heard the author, Tess Woods, during an interview talk about being encouraged to change the ending. I'm glad she didn't as it added poignancy to the story.
This book was really well written and dealt realistically with such a sensitive situation.
I'm looking forward to the sequel and finding out what happens to Mel's grown up children.
The characters were so well written, I felt that I knew Matt & Mel personally - making it hard to take sides or place blame on either of them for what happened.
I heard the author, Tess Woods, during an interview talk about being encouraged to change the ending. I'm glad she didn't as it added poignancy to the story.
This book was really well written and dealt realistically with such a sensitive situation.
I'm looking forward to the sequel and finding out what happens to Mel's grown up children.
Read
September 13, 2016“The verb love is what counts, not the feeling of love. When you feel love, it’s selfish, it’s just for you and it affects nobody but you. But when you act love, you are committing the act of loving somebody.”
Infidelity is a dicey subject matter to tackle. I was hesitant to read this book being of the mindset it would somehow exploit and validate a reason and promotion of betrayal – I WAS WRONG.
Tess Woods takes on infidelity complete with the pleasure and pain, anguish and joy such an act commits. She beautifully displays the emotional and mental wreckage not limited to the parties involved but the children as well. Woods in no way glamorizes infidelity and she doesn’t allow her characters to either. Providing an in depth glimpse into the chaos and aftermath infidelity leaves long after the offense is committed.
The narrative is raw, brutal and heartbreaking. I felt as if I was spying on the parties involved, witnessing their ecstasy and sorrow. Their trials and tribulations became mine, I was completely invested in the entire cast. A very realistic view of infidelity.
Woods gives the reader three varied characters. You learn of them intimately which allows you to feel their pain, regrets, delight. Characters so well-developed you find it difficult to dislike any of them, instead you empathize, sympathize and feel for them with your heart and mind.
Full of twists and a compelling ending, this book was amazing especially given the subject matter. Tess Woods demonstrates her talent, creativity and emotional depth with this incredible and memorable portrayal of one woman torn. POWERFUL. PROVOKING. AFFECTING.
For this and other reviews visit http://ravenhairedgirl.com
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April 18, 2021Another DNF for me, three library ebooks in one week. Hoping for a good one soon. This was not bad, having read and loved the two books Ms Woods wrote after this one, her first. I was hoping to enjoy it, but the topic and angst of meeting someone on a plane when you are already married with children and engaged to someone else, I found uncomfortable and unrelenting. Interesting topic, just not for me now, too painful.
April 7, 2015
This book came out today and just barged its way right to the top of my TBR pile. I'm not sure what it was about it, but when I read the line in the promo trailer which was something like, 'But what if your soulmate is the one who destroys you', I just had to read this book. I wonder if I was so drawn to it because it turns the adultery cliché on its ear. In this story, the wife isn’t the ‘victim’ – she’s the perpetrator. So, the main character is flawed - often my favourite kind of main character - and she knows it. Reading her story and absorbing all the intricacies of emotion experienced by a cheating wife was absolutely fascinating to me - the fact that she thought about it potentially depriving her teenage children of their family home (do cheating husbands think about those kinds of practical ramifications?); the fact that her justification lay not in the fact that she wasn’t getting enough physical attention from her husband (who in addition to being 'reliable' in the bedroom department is also a drop-dead-gorgeous anaesthetist whose love makes Mel the envy of all the women she knows) - which is so often the rationale of the cheating husband - but that their conversations were never deep enough for her liking; and the fact that it was a man 9 years her junior who had captivated her from their first interactions on a flight. It was in many ways the opposite of the cheating stories which we have read, and seen, time and time again. I was intrigued to find out how the happily married woman with the seemingly perfect life could take herself on this course of likely self-destruction. Needless to say, this state of intrigue lasted all day, as I have already finished the book. I know that many reviewers withhold their five star ratings for pure literary genius, but for me, a five star book is one that makes me want to stay with it, to hell with everything else, and Love at First Flight certainly fulfilled that criterion for me. I loved it and highly recommend it. See the book trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQFIU...
August 23, 2015
I entered a giveaway for this book knowing it would be a stretch for me. Adultery, after all, is one of the "third rails" of romance - an issue so decisive that no one dares touch it. But Woods does more than touch, she grabs the electrified wire and doesn't let go. The result is an unflinching look at the havoc an affair has on everyone involved.
Mel is a family doctor, married to anesthetist Adam and with two kids in tow. When she meets Matt on a flight across the country sparks fly, etc. The perspective alternates between Matt and Mel and the different voices are well done with the switches strategically placed.
The thing with an affair is you know it's not going to go well. She's married with kids, he has a fiancee... there is no simple happily ever after at the end of this. The most cringe-worthy parts aren't skipped (so the narrative feels whole) but they are short enough to keep the actual cringing bearable (I don't want to know what kind of faces I pulled while reading, though).
One of the largest themes for me is the thought that the easy way is rarely the best way. The affair that presents itself as an answer to your humdrum existence will not heal you. Ignoring problems by falling into a beer bottle does not make them go away. Doing something you know in your heart is wrong will likely end up badly. Not having tough, deep conversations with the people you love means you'll only skim through life with them. Life is messy, even without cheating on spouses, and that mess is a thing to be embraced.
This book is solidly written, well-characterized, and throws some nice curve balls into the plot. So while this "stretch" book landed outside of my sweet spot I'm sure there are many people that will enjoy it.
Mel is a family doctor, married to anesthetist Adam and with two kids in tow. When she meets Matt on a flight across the country sparks fly, etc. The perspective alternates between Matt and Mel and the different voices are well done with the switches strategically placed.
The thing with an affair is you know it's not going to go well. She's married with kids, he has a fiancee... there is no simple happily ever after at the end of this. The most cringe-worthy parts aren't skipped (so the narrative feels whole) but they are short enough to keep the actual cringing bearable (I don't want to know what kind of faces I pulled while reading, though).
One of the largest themes for me is the thought that the easy way is rarely the best way. The affair that presents itself as an answer to your humdrum existence will not heal you. Ignoring problems by falling into a beer bottle does not make them go away. Doing something you know in your heart is wrong will likely end up badly. Not having tough, deep conversations with the people you love means you'll only skim through life with them. Life is messy, even without cheating on spouses, and that mess is a thing to be embraced.
This book is solidly written, well-characterized, and throws some nice curve balls into the plot. So while this "stretch" book landed outside of my sweet spot I'm sure there are many people that will enjoy it.
April 17, 2017
A messy love affair, real people and a story to break your heart...
Finally on holiday I settled down with Tess Woods' debut novel, Love At First Flight. And it was well worth the wait. What happens if you meet your soulmate too late? What happens when life gets complicated? Do you chuck it all in for the great sex and soul connection?
Love At First Flight is the story of Mel, Matt, and Adam. Woods gives us beautifully real characters with messy emotions and a story line that compels readers to keep reading. I loved the rawness and honesty of this story. I sobbed quietly by the fire in the hotel lounge and prayed people wouldn't notice the tears streaking down my face.
Woods story is unforgettable. Each character is well-developed so that by the end of the book, you're still thinking of Mel, Matt, and Adam and you still care about them.
An excellent holiday read. Can't wait to read more from Woods. Definitely an author to watch in the future.
Finally on holiday I settled down with Tess Woods' debut novel, Love At First Flight. And it was well worth the wait. What happens if you meet your soulmate too late? What happens when life gets complicated? Do you chuck it all in for the great sex and soul connection?
Love At First Flight is the story of Mel, Matt, and Adam. Woods gives us beautifully real characters with messy emotions and a story line that compels readers to keep reading. I loved the rawness and honesty of this story. I sobbed quietly by the fire in the hotel lounge and prayed people wouldn't notice the tears streaking down my face.
Woods story is unforgettable. Each character is well-developed so that by the end of the book, you're still thinking of Mel, Matt, and Adam and you still care about them.
An excellent holiday read. Can't wait to read more from Woods. Definitely an author to watch in the future.
October 2, 2017
I have finished this book. I read this one in reverse order as I have read the following book Beautiful Messy Love (BML) first. I went back to BML to read the Epilogue again!!
Goodness...it was an emotional rollercoaster and there were things that happened with Adam which I did not expect.
An interesting light read looking at the real issue of infidelity. Mel and Matt kept saying they loved each other but I felt it was the excitement, lust, something new and infatuation.
Also interesting with the contact between Matt and Adam.
As Adam and Mel were trying sort things out I enjoyed reading about their honest discussions about their marriage...how they have really felt. I loved the trip to Fiji for Adam and Mel and getting on track again.
The counsellor gave great insight about "Acting Love" and Mel's reflections at the end were really good. Sad ending but for a light read it really shone a light on real issues.
It was great to read the back story of Nick and Lily (Mel's children). Nick and Lily were so close and interesting to read about these characters later in life in BML.
A great read even though a rollercoaster of emotions. Well written and intriguing!!
Goodness...it was an emotional rollercoaster and there were things that happened with Adam which I did not expect.
An interesting light read looking at the real issue of infidelity. Mel and Matt kept saying they loved each other but I felt it was the excitement, lust, something new and infatuation.
Also interesting with the contact between Matt and Adam.
As Adam and Mel were trying sort things out I enjoyed reading about their honest discussions about their marriage...how they have really felt. I loved the trip to Fiji for Adam and Mel and getting on track again.
The counsellor gave great insight about "Acting Love" and Mel's reflections at the end were really good. Sad ending but for a light read it really shone a light on real issues.
It was great to read the back story of Nick and Lily (Mel's children). Nick and Lily were so close and interesting to read about these characters later in life in BML.
A great read even though a rollercoaster of emotions. Well written and intriguing!!
May 14, 2015
I won a copy of the book on Mythical Books Blog. I was really happy I got the chance to read this awesome book! I mean... I couldn't stop reading.
When I was 42% done with the book, I thought I knew how the book is going to end, but for my surprise, it twisted my mind by ending in different way.
I hated Adam in the beginning, but after the first half of the book, I started to love him. I thought that Mel and Matt would end up together and that was all I wanted! I somehow understood what it means to cheat, because I could actually feel Mel's pain and desire. At the same time, I hated Nick's attitude toward his mother. Lily was kind and forgiving and she was rewarded by finding a good man to fall in love with.
I recommend this book to everyone! It deserves to be read!
P.S. I can't wait for the next book!
When I was 42% done with the book, I thought I knew how the book is going to end, but for my surprise, it twisted my mind by ending in different way.
I hated Adam in the beginning, but after the first half of the book, I started to love him. I thought that Mel and Matt would end up together and that was all I wanted! I somehow understood what it means to cheat, because I could actually feel Mel's pain and desire. At the same time, I hated Nick's attitude toward his mother. Lily was kind and forgiving and she was rewarded by finding a good man to fall in love with.
I recommend this book to everyone! It deserves to be read!
P.S. I can't wait for the next book!
December 31, 2016
More than chick lit:
"The verb love is what counts, not the feeling of love. When you feel love, it's selfish, it's just for you and it affects nobody but you.But when you act love, you committing the act of loving somebody. Do you understand the concept?"
Do you?
Read the book and discover the depth of real meaning, real feeling, real life... in these words.
See more here: http://wp.me/p3aMo4-2OW
"The verb love is what counts, not the feeling of love. When you feel love, it's selfish, it's just for you and it affects nobody but you.But when you act love, you committing the act of loving somebody. Do you understand the concept?"
Do you?
Read the book and discover the depth of real meaning, real feeling, real life... in these words.
See more here: http://wp.me/p3aMo4-2OW
April 11, 2015
I’m not usually one for enjoying my fiction with a dose of extra-marital affair - after all I’ve been in a monogamous marriage for sixteen years and both my husband and I have witnessed first-hand the pain and devastation that occurs with these types of situations - but I must admit I was just slightly curious when I received the request from debut author Tess Woods(thank you Ellie O'Neill) to read and review her novel. After reading the blurb, that curiosity was compounded by the fact that I wanted to find out what motivates people to do the things they do … and so, I started reading!
Mel, a GP in Perth with a couple of teenaged children, has been happily married to her anaesthetist husband, Adam, for fourteen years - until she boards a Melbourne-bound flight to spend the weekend with her best friend Sarah, something that they’ve decided to do annually after the last one went so well.
On the flight, she meets Matt, a physiotherapist headed home to his fiancée after a job interview. It’s an instant physical attraction that makes her feel somewhat uncomfortable as Matt, so taken with her, dishes out compliments left right and centre – yep, he’s got it bad – but so has Mel even though she continues to raise red flags when he enters territory she’s not comfortable in.
In the three hours they spend together chatting, Matt is astounded by the fact that Mel actually “gets him”. No-one else ever has, not even Lydia. Likewise, Mel has never had a man pay so much attention and compliments to her and she somewhat reluctantly begins to revel in it even though she's happily married.
Once they reach their destination, they say their goodbyes and each goes their own way. But, neither of them can rid themselves of the thoughts that consume them and, after a night on the town with Sarah, Mel finds a hastily scribbled note with Matt’s number tucked into the novel that she was planning on reading on the flight and makes a decision - even though she continually thinks back to the devastation that occurred in her parents’ marriage when her father strayed. Is this really love at first sight, enduring love or a fatal attraction that will have repercussions for all involved?
Wow! For a debut novel, this is simply outstanding. Perth-based author Tess Woods gets right into her characters mind-sets and capably managed to bring so many of my emotions to the fore ranging from antipathy to sympathy as she explores the reasons why some relationships work and why wives (or husbands) stray! For me, the initial reluctance I felt about reading a novel showcasing infidelity soon dissipated as she deftly conveyed the pure range of emotions experienced by these characters and, by the last quarter of the book, I found myself sobbing uncontrollably thinking that I’d somehow found my way into the emotional debris of a Nicholas Sparks’ novel (whose stories I love by the way). It’s the way Tess portrays her subject that makes all the difference as Mel finds herself caught in a web of lies and moral subterfuge as this novel takes the cheating trope and turns it upside down.
When asked the question “What do you hope readers will take from your book?”, Tess simply states that “I’m not out to challenge anybody and I don’t have a life-changing message for anybody. I simply want to entertain” but I do believe that this novel will open your eyes and possibly teach a valuable lesson – after all, we’ve always been told to learn from someone else’s mistakes!
Told in first person from the perspectives of both Mel and Matt, Tess has chosen the perfect point of view from which to convey the character’s motivations which also lends a sense of immediacy and intimacy that makes the narrative all the more convincing and ups the pace of both the tension and the guilt. Her character development is pitch-perfect and for me, both the characters and her vividly painted backgrounds of Melbourne and Perth lived and breathed on the page.
Unsettling but entertaining and tastefully written, Tess has taken a combustible issue and given us a gut-wrenching and thought-provoking novel about obsession, love, choices and guilt so, put aside all the notions you’ve ever held about the motivations behind love at first sight and infidelity and pick up this novel – go on, don’t let the premise be a deal-breaker!
Tess is definitely an author to keep on your watch-list and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in her next novel, Flat White with One.
Fans of Liane Moriarty will not want to miss this one.
Mel, a GP in Perth with a couple of teenaged children, has been happily married to her anaesthetist husband, Adam, for fourteen years - until she boards a Melbourne-bound flight to spend the weekend with her best friend Sarah, something that they’ve decided to do annually after the last one went so well.
On the flight, she meets Matt, a physiotherapist headed home to his fiancée after a job interview. It’s an instant physical attraction that makes her feel somewhat uncomfortable as Matt, so taken with her, dishes out compliments left right and centre – yep, he’s got it bad – but so has Mel even though she continues to raise red flags when he enters territory she’s not comfortable in.
In the three hours they spend together chatting, Matt is astounded by the fact that Mel actually “gets him”. No-one else ever has, not even Lydia. Likewise, Mel has never had a man pay so much attention and compliments to her and she somewhat reluctantly begins to revel in it even though she's happily married.
Once they reach their destination, they say their goodbyes and each goes their own way. But, neither of them can rid themselves of the thoughts that consume them and, after a night on the town with Sarah, Mel finds a hastily scribbled note with Matt’s number tucked into the novel that she was planning on reading on the flight and makes a decision - even though she continually thinks back to the devastation that occurred in her parents’ marriage when her father strayed. Is this really love at first sight, enduring love or a fatal attraction that will have repercussions for all involved?
Wow! For a debut novel, this is simply outstanding. Perth-based author Tess Woods gets right into her characters mind-sets and capably managed to bring so many of my emotions to the fore ranging from antipathy to sympathy as she explores the reasons why some relationships work and why wives (or husbands) stray! For me, the initial reluctance I felt about reading a novel showcasing infidelity soon dissipated as she deftly conveyed the pure range of emotions experienced by these characters and, by the last quarter of the book, I found myself sobbing uncontrollably thinking that I’d somehow found my way into the emotional debris of a Nicholas Sparks’ novel (whose stories I love by the way). It’s the way Tess portrays her subject that makes all the difference as Mel finds herself caught in a web of lies and moral subterfuge as this novel takes the cheating trope and turns it upside down.
When asked the question “What do you hope readers will take from your book?”, Tess simply states that “I’m not out to challenge anybody and I don’t have a life-changing message for anybody. I simply want to entertain” but I do believe that this novel will open your eyes and possibly teach a valuable lesson – after all, we’ve always been told to learn from someone else’s mistakes!
Told in first person from the perspectives of both Mel and Matt, Tess has chosen the perfect point of view from which to convey the character’s motivations which also lends a sense of immediacy and intimacy that makes the narrative all the more convincing and ups the pace of both the tension and the guilt. Her character development is pitch-perfect and for me, both the characters and her vividly painted backgrounds of Melbourne and Perth lived and breathed on the page.
Unsettling but entertaining and tastefully written, Tess has taken a combustible issue and given us a gut-wrenching and thought-provoking novel about obsession, love, choices and guilt so, put aside all the notions you’ve ever held about the motivations behind love at first sight and infidelity and pick up this novel – go on, don’t let the premise be a deal-breaker!
Tess is definitely an author to keep on your watch-list and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in her next novel, Flat White with One.
Fans of Liane Moriarty will not want to miss this one.
February 16, 2017
I was given an ARC copy of this book and initially when I heard about one of the main topics I dismissed it. However, hearing someone I know raving about this book, softened me to the idea of it. She is also a debut author from my home state, so how could I not try it?
I'm not going to go into detail about the characters or plot in this review, in my opinion it is much better if you go into this one as blind as possible. When hearing about some topics addressed in this book I automatically judged it which I now regret and have considered a learning curve.
Instead I'm going to tell you how it made me feel....
I LOVED this book... Now here's the funny part... for the same reasons I loved this book... I also HATED this book.
Weird right?
This book made me feel love, hate, anger, sadness, sympathy, confused, happiness, frustrated, depressed, resentment, excited, scared, devastated, regret, relief... and so much more! All at the same time! Most of all.. I'm impressed... :)
Books in the past have made me have feelings, but never this extreme. This has been written in a very realistic and clever way, that while you love the main characters but hate what they're doing, you want them to be happy together. You may even understand. In some ways you will relate to them and feel a connection. I know I did.
I do have to mention one of my favourite things about this, the author has created characters that are flawed... She hasn't tried to create a fairytale with perfect flawless and pore-less creatures that are amazing and everyone loves... You will love and hate them. They will frustrate you. You will understand them. They will feel like family... You will be conflicted the whole way through. I think I am still conflicted?
It will put you to the test and make you question yourself. I also believe that this book may impact a little differently on people depending on if they're single or in a relationship.
I had the pleasure of meeting the beautiful Tess Woods on the same day I completed this book.. I'm so happy and sad I decided to pick it up. No regrets.
Tess has now cemented herself as a favourite of mine. I cannot wait for the next one! 5 Stars.
I'm not going to go into detail about the characters or plot in this review, in my opinion it is much better if you go into this one as blind as possible. When hearing about some topics addressed in this book I automatically judged it which I now regret and have considered a learning curve.
Instead I'm going to tell you how it made me feel....
I LOVED this book... Now here's the funny part... for the same reasons I loved this book... I also HATED this book.
Weird right?
This book made me feel love, hate, anger, sadness, sympathy, confused, happiness, frustrated, depressed, resentment, excited, scared, devastated, regret, relief... and so much more! All at the same time! Most of all.. I'm impressed... :)
Books in the past have made me have feelings, but never this extreme. This has been written in a very realistic and clever way, that while you love the main characters but hate what they're doing, you want them to be happy together. You may even understand. In some ways you will relate to them and feel a connection. I know I did.
I do have to mention one of my favourite things about this, the author has created characters that are flawed... She hasn't tried to create a fairytale with perfect flawless and pore-less creatures that are amazing and everyone loves... You will love and hate them. They will frustrate you. You will understand them. They will feel like family... You will be conflicted the whole way through. I think I am still conflicted?
It will put you to the test and make you question yourself. I also believe that this book may impact a little differently on people depending on if they're single or in a relationship.
I had the pleasure of meeting the beautiful Tess Woods on the same day I completed this book.. I'm so happy and sad I decided to pick it up. No regrets.
Tess has now cemented herself as a favourite of mine. I cannot wait for the next one! 5 Stars.
August 8, 2016
This is definitely not your average love story. Instead, it is a cautionary tale about dissatisfaction, lust, betrayal, heartache and heartbreak, and how the decisions we make can impact on those we love. Ultimately, it is also a story of hope, honesty and the enduring power of commitment and love. Perth-based author Tess Woods has sparked intense debate about her decision to write about marital infidelity, but in confronting this issue that is often swept under the carpet she has also prompted readers to examine their own conscience. While I found it hard to come to terms with some of the decisions made by her protagonist, Mel (and those decisions ensured I didn't really like her all that much for most of the book), I recognised that many people in long-term relationships make those same decisions in similar circumstances. The consequences of Mel's behaviour are devastating -- for herself and those she loves -- but her consequent journey from self-indulgence to self-knowledge is beautifully executed. One for those who can appreciate romance with a confronting dose of reality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2016
Tess Woods has written a blockbuster! The kind of obsessive lust and selfishness shown by the two main characters in Love at First Flight reminded me a little of the red-hot, illicit love affair in The English Patient. It makes for uncomfortable, compelling reading and Tess Woods handled her multi-layered, emotionally charged debut novel with such skill that those pages didn't stop turning for me, until the very end. Fabulous!
May 1, 2015
FIVE SHINY STARS!
• this review contains some pretty big spoilers so stop reading right this moment if you wish to avoid that!
Love at First Flight made me FEEL ... it made me feel & fall in love, in hate and in despair over and over and over again. i was a mess while reading -
i loved Mel = our heroine. she was someone i could so easily connect to... in so many ways. she just might be my favourite heroine so far! she is so undeniably real, raw, vulnerable... so undeniably human. reading about her journey (because for me, this was HER book) was such an emotional & heartbreaking experience. not once did i hate her, not once did i thought about her as someone who was malicious or evil. and even though she did some inexcusable things and caused some incredible pain... i still couldn't think about her as some kind of careless villain. i felt for her so strongly... i felt her pain, doubts, guilt, passion, desire... i just wanted to hug her, comfort her and tell her it will all be just fine in the end.
that being said, i disliked both of Mel's men - Matt = our hero & Adam = her cheated-on husband.
my heart broke for both of them... but i just didn't feel them the way i felt Mel.
my soul cried for Adam... because i'm unfortunate enough to know the pain of that kind of betrayal, all too well. it's even harder when you have your spouse's lover humiliating you & demonizing you, hating you for merely existing. Adam was, of course, a perfect father and a perfect husband... on paper. in reality - he was also partially to blame for the sad state their marriage was in when the affair happened. he made many mistakes and failed to really see Mel. he actually got more likeable and human AFTER he found out about the affair and there was one scene where i literally cried my eyes out for him. i ended up NOT feeling that bad for Adam... not as bad as i probably should've.
that being said... i couldn't connect with Matt either. my heart broke for him, too... and i cried for him and his love. while i did understand him (because once again... like a true loser, i was unfortunate enough to live through the same kind of heartbreaking and forbidden love Mel & Matt lived through) & i really DO understand that blind rage & pain that you go through when the passion & love is so strong... when you feel like your lover's partner "deserved" it because they couldn't love and cherish your lover the way you're able & ready to... when you view your lover's partner as some kind of nuisance that's standing on your way to be happy... when you're so madly in love that suddenly all reason, common sense, conscience and empathy just kind of... disappear. when you're sexually, emotionally and intellectually obsessed with another person. when you're out of your mind with grief because they didn't "choose" you. so you focus all the rage and anger on that one person you think is "guilty" of stealing what really belongs to you. needless to say, that kind of rage and anger is always misdirected - Matt hated himself & resented Mel the most.
but it wasn't enough. Matt simply wasn't enough. he was too careless, too selfish, too immature. too easily hurting others and making big life moves for all the wrong reasons... and he wasn't a clueless teen anymore so i couldn't even excuse his mistakes with his age. one thing that absolutely baffled me with Matt... he LOVED Mel... yet he couldn't care less about those she loved the most - her own children. his reactions were just so... childish. it's like i waited for Matt to emotionally mature the entire book and that moment never came.
now, ALL OF THAT BEING SAID ... the book was very well written, the characters were realistic and human, the story flowed perfectly, i loved the way this author pulled the dual POVs, i loved how cliché-free the story was and i felt that all of that really happened... so i'm wondering about the inspiration (and maybe a true love story?) that inspired the author to write this book.
i highly recommend this read - it will, for sure, add a little more depth to your own character. i will most definitely read other work from this author, i can't wait to see what other stories she'll come up with.
p.s. i apologize for all the spoilers, once again but i just couldn't stop myself from discussing/writing it all down. if there is any discussion/FB group or something like that where we all gather around and talk about the book, cry, listen to Adele and eat a lot of chocolate... sign me in.
p.p.s. a little birdy told me that there is a second book coming about Mel's son and i hope that we'll see some more of Mel's & Matt's story again!!!!!!! i can already tell i'll love Nick's character, can't wait to read about him! I AM SO FREAKIN' EXCITED!
February 17, 2020
Once I picked this up I could not put it down. A story about two people who fall madly in lust. The storyline was perhaps a little bit unrealistic with a few crazy coincidences but the emotions and reactions from all the characters was totally believable and real. Was very well written to hook you in and one of those books you will remember!
October 22, 2016
I met Tess Woods at an author event run by publishing house HarperCollins. I gate-crashed a conversation she and a few others were having about the Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book. The consensus was how the finished cake never ever looks like the pictures.
Tess has huge lively eyes and a wicked mane of dark hair. Her laugh is infectious. She loves desserts. Instant connection. We start talking.
‘What have you written?’ I ask.
‘Love at First Flight,’ says Tess.
‘I’ve heard of it. I can visualise the cover.’
Tess is shocked. ‘You’ve heard of my little book? Really? All the way here in Melbourne?’
Modest Tess.
Tess and I spent the next five minutes talking about what I’ve written (Polite Tess), Guilt (yes, it too has a capital ‘G’) and our shared love of food. Then Tess has to run off to catch a flight back to Perth, where she lives. I’m left with the heady feeling of having met a kindred spirit—a passionate, outspoken and energetic fellow writer.
I find out afterwards that our literary agent, Jacinta Dimase, couldn’t get the story in Tess’s manuscript out of her head every time she boarded a flight. That HarperCollins saw fit to convert this popular e-book into hard copy, which is no mean feat in the current book environment. And that Love at First Flight is the winner of the 2015 Ausrom Today Reader’s Choice Book of the Year. Modest Tess morphs into Marvellous Tess.
A few weeks later Tess sends me a link to a Goodreads review—she has read and written about my memoir Afternoons in Ithaka. And what she writes is articulate, personal and heartfelt. She then goes on to send the review to our publisher, our agent and all her cousins in the Melbourne suburb of Altona. Generous Tess.
‘Yours in the next book I’m going to read,’ I email soon after. ‘Please don’t feel obliged,’ she replies. More Modest Tess. But I won’t be deterred. By now, I’ve had a whole bunch of impressions of this larger-than-life-woman—and I want to know what Author Tess can do.
And so, I buy Love at First Flight and I start reading it on a Friday evening. And I keep reading—late into the night, early the next morning, and furtively during my daughter’s 16th birthday celebrations that evening (thankfully, I have been excused from making a Women’s Weekly birthday cake now that my daughter makes here own). I race to the book’s thrilling ending on Sunday morning.
There’s so much to like about this book. The messy business of love and desire is portrayed with sensitivity and pathos. The passionate and touchingly-flawed main characters are rendered confidently. The setting of Perth is beautifully drawn—it’s a city the author clearly loves and feels as a place. And yes, there’s the deliciously naughty sex. But most of all, I connected with the main protagonist’s aching need to be fulfilled as a woman, and the havoc that this causes within the seemingly perfect confines of her family life. Clever, Clever Tess.
All this from a first-time author. And author who says this book simply ‘just poured out of me’. An author who then went on to draft and re-draft the manuscript nearly a dozen times before it got to where it is today. Tenacious Tess.
Tess Woods deserves every accolade she gets for this book.
Watch out—I think we can safely expect More Tess.
I can’t wait.
Tess has huge lively eyes and a wicked mane of dark hair. Her laugh is infectious. She loves desserts. Instant connection. We start talking.
‘What have you written?’ I ask.
‘Love at First Flight,’ says Tess.
‘I’ve heard of it. I can visualise the cover.’
Tess is shocked. ‘You’ve heard of my little book? Really? All the way here in Melbourne?’
Modest Tess.
Tess and I spent the next five minutes talking about what I’ve written (Polite Tess), Guilt (yes, it too has a capital ‘G’) and our shared love of food. Then Tess has to run off to catch a flight back to Perth, where she lives. I’m left with the heady feeling of having met a kindred spirit—a passionate, outspoken and energetic fellow writer.
I find out afterwards that our literary agent, Jacinta Dimase, couldn’t get the story in Tess’s manuscript out of her head every time she boarded a flight. That HarperCollins saw fit to convert this popular e-book into hard copy, which is no mean feat in the current book environment. And that Love at First Flight is the winner of the 2015 Ausrom Today Reader’s Choice Book of the Year. Modest Tess morphs into Marvellous Tess.
A few weeks later Tess sends me a link to a Goodreads review—she has read and written about my memoir Afternoons in Ithaka. And what she writes is articulate, personal and heartfelt. She then goes on to send the review to our publisher, our agent and all her cousins in the Melbourne suburb of Altona. Generous Tess.
‘Yours in the next book I’m going to read,’ I email soon after. ‘Please don’t feel obliged,’ she replies. More Modest Tess. But I won’t be deterred. By now, I’ve had a whole bunch of impressions of this larger-than-life-woman—and I want to know what Author Tess can do.
And so, I buy Love at First Flight and I start reading it on a Friday evening. And I keep reading—late into the night, early the next morning, and furtively during my daughter’s 16th birthday celebrations that evening (thankfully, I have been excused from making a Women’s Weekly birthday cake now that my daughter makes here own). I race to the book’s thrilling ending on Sunday morning.
There’s so much to like about this book. The messy business of love and desire is portrayed with sensitivity and pathos. The passionate and touchingly-flawed main characters are rendered confidently. The setting of Perth is beautifully drawn—it’s a city the author clearly loves and feels as a place. And yes, there’s the deliciously naughty sex. But most of all, I connected with the main protagonist’s aching need to be fulfilled as a woman, and the havoc that this causes within the seemingly perfect confines of her family life. Clever, Clever Tess.
All this from a first-time author. And author who says this book simply ‘just poured out of me’. An author who then went on to draft and re-draft the manuscript nearly a dozen times before it got to where it is today. Tenacious Tess.
Tess Woods deserves every accolade she gets for this book.
Watch out—I think we can safely expect More Tess.
I can’t wait.
April 19, 2015
Love at First Flight is the story of Mel, a thirty seven year old wife and mother who seems to have everything that a woman could possibly want. To an outsider looking in, her life looks perfect; she has a successful husband, two wonderful children, and a great career. Mel doesn’t feel like her life is perfect. Her marriage of fourteen years has become stagnant, routine, and monotonous. When she goes on a girl’s weekend to meet up with her best friend, she doesn’t expect to meet someone on the plane trip who turns out to be everything that she’s been craving.
Once I started reading this book, I was glued to the pages. When I was reading it, I was completely drawn into the story. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it and wanting to get back to it. When a book can garner such a reaction from me, I know that it’s a winner. I liked that the characters in this book were more mature. I read a lot of and certainly have nothing against the New Adult genre, but it was a refreshing change to read about characters who are a bit older and established in their lives. I think that Tess Woods has done an exceptional job of writing an honest, realistic portrayal of a woman who is going through a mid-life crisis and questioning her marriage and her fidelity.
As often as I wanted to yell at Mel and tell her not to mess up her marriage, I could also sympathize with her. She didn’t feel loved in the way that she wanted to. She never felt that passion or that desire with her husband like she should have. Sure, they loved each other, but the heart palpitations and the butterflies were nonexistent. She never had them with her husband. She did have them with Matt.
Matt is quite a bit younger than Mel, and he is engaged to be married. His relationship with his fiancée isn’t what he really desires anymore. He isn’t in love with her and is having second thoughts about marrying her. He feels that chemistry, that attraction, that interest in Mel from the first moment he lays eyes on her.
What develops from there is not solely based on deep passion, but also real love. Mel and Matt feel as though they have found their soul mates in one another. Mel tried to fight her attraction to Matt. She didn’t really want to mess up her marriage and her family. She never set out looking for another man, she just ended up meeting one that took her breath away (boy, did he ever).
This is not a lighthearted look at infidelity. This is a painful, heartbreaking, explosive story of a woman who is torn between what is right and what feels right. I truly felt for all of the characters in this book – I didn’t always agree with their choices or their actions, but the author wrote in such a way that I felt invested in their lives. With every decision made, there are consequences and repercussions, and Mel finds this out all too well.
Love at First Flight is a very well written book that is brimming with emotion. It is a fantastic debut novel by a talented new author that I will be looking forward to reading more from in the future!
*5 Stars*
*I received a copy from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Once I started reading this book, I was glued to the pages. When I was reading it, I was completely drawn into the story. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it and wanting to get back to it. When a book can garner such a reaction from me, I know that it’s a winner. I liked that the characters in this book were more mature. I read a lot of and certainly have nothing against the New Adult genre, but it was a refreshing change to read about characters who are a bit older and established in their lives. I think that Tess Woods has done an exceptional job of writing an honest, realistic portrayal of a woman who is going through a mid-life crisis and questioning her marriage and her fidelity.
As often as I wanted to yell at Mel and tell her not to mess up her marriage, I could also sympathize with her. She didn’t feel loved in the way that she wanted to. She never felt that passion or that desire with her husband like she should have. Sure, they loved each other, but the heart palpitations and the butterflies were nonexistent. She never had them with her husband. She did have them with Matt.
Matt is quite a bit younger than Mel, and he is engaged to be married. His relationship with his fiancée isn’t what he really desires anymore. He isn’t in love with her and is having second thoughts about marrying her. He feels that chemistry, that attraction, that interest in Mel from the first moment he lays eyes on her.
What develops from there is not solely based on deep passion, but also real love. Mel and Matt feel as though they have found their soul mates in one another. Mel tried to fight her attraction to Matt. She didn’t really want to mess up her marriage and her family. She never set out looking for another man, she just ended up meeting one that took her breath away (boy, did he ever).
This is not a lighthearted look at infidelity. This is a painful, heartbreaking, explosive story of a woman who is torn between what is right and what feels right. I truly felt for all of the characters in this book – I didn’t always agree with their choices or their actions, but the author wrote in such a way that I felt invested in their lives. With every decision made, there are consequences and repercussions, and Mel finds this out all too well.
Love at First Flight is a very well written book that is brimming with emotion. It is a fantastic debut novel by a talented new author that I will be looking forward to reading more from in the future!
*5 Stars*
*I received a copy from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2015
On a flight to Melbourne for a girls’ weekend, Melissa meets Matt. He’s openly attracted to her and over the course of the flight they connect on a rare emotional level that takes them both by surprise. The problem is Matt is engaged and Mel is married with two teenagers. But a return to their lives and respective partners doesn’t cool their desire for what could be and when Matt makes the decision to track Mel down no matter the consequences Mel will have to decide if she’s willing to risk everything to be with this stranger who has captured her heart.
Love at First Flight is a story of temptation, passion and responsibility. The state of Mel’s marriage and her feelings of rejection are beautifully captured and the story draws you in right from the start. Mel and Matt narrate alternative chapters and Matt’s narration shows so much of his character that he leaps off the page. Mel, not so much, but her insecurities and longing for the passion and appreciation missing in her marriage are very relatable. Her dilemma is a moral one and much of her indecision would possibly be difficult to show without it seeming melodramatic, so at times she does come across as self-absorbed and needy. Woods cleverly addresses this by having other characters call her on her behaviour.
There is a lot in this story that could provide the basis for great book group discussions. Yes, her choices may be morally repugnant to some but doesn’t she have the right to have her needs met, to be appreciated and respected for what she does for others? And doesn’t she have just as much responsibility to her family and the promises she made them--whether implicit or explicit—as a wife and mother? Where does the individual end and the role we take on begin, and should one be consumed by the other? I don’t have the answers to that but as a reader I enjoyed thinking about them as I followed Mel and Matt and the supporting characters through this rather troubled journey.
I found this very reminiscent of Jane Green with a nod to Joanna Trollope, so if you enjoy stories of grown up relationships with the promise of sexy love scenes and a moral dilemma this is definitely worth a read.
Love at First Flight is a story of temptation, passion and responsibility. The state of Mel’s marriage and her feelings of rejection are beautifully captured and the story draws you in right from the start. Mel and Matt narrate alternative chapters and Matt’s narration shows so much of his character that he leaps off the page. Mel, not so much, but her insecurities and longing for the passion and appreciation missing in her marriage are very relatable. Her dilemma is a moral one and much of her indecision would possibly be difficult to show without it seeming melodramatic, so at times she does come across as self-absorbed and needy. Woods cleverly addresses this by having other characters call her on her behaviour.
There is a lot in this story that could provide the basis for great book group discussions. Yes, her choices may be morally repugnant to some but doesn’t she have the right to have her needs met, to be appreciated and respected for what she does for others? And doesn’t she have just as much responsibility to her family and the promises she made them--whether implicit or explicit—as a wife and mother? Where does the individual end and the role we take on begin, and should one be consumed by the other? I don’t have the answers to that but as a reader I enjoyed thinking about them as I followed Mel and Matt and the supporting characters through this rather troubled journey.
I found this very reminiscent of Jane Green with a nod to Joanna Trollope, so if you enjoy stories of grown up relationships with the promise of sexy love scenes and a moral dilemma this is definitely worth a read.
April 16, 2015
Told from the first person perspectives of Mel and Matt, Love at First Flight is an unconventional love story which explores the motives for an illicit affair, and the damage left in its wake.
When Mel meets Matt during an interstate flight they recognise each other as soul mates. The problem is Mel is a married mother of two who lives in Perth, and Matt, who lives in Melbourne, is engaged to be married. Despite saying goodbye at the airport, they are both unable to forget their brief time together, and embark on a passionate affair that threatens to destroy them both.
Relationships are complicated things and Woods intelligently and compassionately explores the evolution of Matt and Mel's affair from their first meeting, through their consuming affair, and to the messy, bitter end. It's an emotional journey that draws the reader in with complex characterisation and a compelling narrative.
I was surprised to find I could relate to Mel in some ways, I found it difficult to blame her for reveling in the attention Matt gave her during the flight, but she definitely crossed the line for me when she chose to meet with him later. Her spiral into obsession was unsettling but I believed in it, as I did in her growing self awareness.
I particularly admired the way Mel eventually took responsibility for her failings with her husband. Mel's shame and guilt, and Adam's hurt and anger, in the aftermath is visceral. I've witnessed a similar situation among friends and feel that Woods portrayal of their struggle towards forgiveness and redemption is very well drawn.
Woods convinced me of the overwhelming chemistry between Mel and Matt, no mean feat considering I'm not sure I really believe in the idea of love at first sight. I wasn't a fan of Matt, despite his sympathetic background he struck me as a weak man, but I thought he was a well rounded character.
Love at First Flight is a surprisingly thought provoking story about love, marriage, intimacy and honesty. An impressive debut from a new Australian author.
April 5, 2015
Mel has an amazing life. She's living in an enormous house together with a gorgeous, cheerful husband who adores her and they have two wonderful children. Because mothers also need some time to pamper themselves she and her best friend are going on a trip to Melbourne together. They're not living very close to each other, so it's great to spend some time together. Mel is looking forward to her weekend away very much and she's given herself a makeover to celebrate. She's wearing her new skinny trousers, tight fitting top and killer heels and she looks pretty hot. That's why Matt notices her immediately when he sees her at the airport. They sit next to each other on the plane and have an instant connection, they're soul mates and are perfect for each other. There's only one problem, Matt is engaged and Mel is married, they aren't single and free.
Mel doesn't want to do anything with her feelings. She values her marriage and her family too much. When the days go by both Matt and Mel are unable to forget each other though and that's when the problems really start. Sometimes finding the love of your life can lead to disaster and that's where Mel and Matt are heading for. Will they be all right in the end?
Love at First Flight is an emotional roller coaster. Matt and Mel's love is the kind that can't be ignored and for both of them it's love at first sight. The circumstances aren't ideal though and they both have some tough choices to make if they want to be together. I think Tess Woods has described the feelings that they had in such a realistic and sensitive way. A love that strong can be quite painful and she's described both the beautiful and the ugly side. Her characters were aware of their own flaws which was refreshing. I think Love at First Flight is an amazing and genuine read with a lot of very well described ups and downs. I enjoyed reading it and it's definitely a book that has made me think about love in general and what happens when fate throws something at you you're not ready for at all.
Mel doesn't want to do anything with her feelings. She values her marriage and her family too much. When the days go by both Matt and Mel are unable to forget each other though and that's when the problems really start. Sometimes finding the love of your life can lead to disaster and that's where Mel and Matt are heading for. Will they be all right in the end?
Love at First Flight is an emotional roller coaster. Matt and Mel's love is the kind that can't be ignored and for both of them it's love at first sight. The circumstances aren't ideal though and they both have some tough choices to make if they want to be together. I think Tess Woods has described the feelings that they had in such a realistic and sensitive way. A love that strong can be quite painful and she's described both the beautiful and the ugly side. Her characters were aware of their own flaws which was refreshing. I think Love at First Flight is an amazing and genuine read with a lot of very well described ups and downs. I enjoyed reading it and it's definitely a book that has made me think about love in general and what happens when fate throws something at you you're not ready for at all.
June 14, 2017
First and foremost, I’m going to start this review by stating WOW!! This book is an amazing study in human nature. Tess Woods has skilfully crafted two normal, everyday human beings only to push them to the brink of obsession and insanity, taking them way past the point where I was able to still like them or feel any degree of empathy towards them. Yet, I still remained invested in their journey, right to the very end.
Infidelity. That most controversial of topics.
The reason this book works though is that it’s not so much a story about an affair, as it is a story about the repercussions of an affair. In this, Tess navigates the reader through a veritable minefield of material. The last 100 pages or so were the ones that cemented this story for me. From ‘the day of reckoning’ onwards, I was riveted. There were times when I absolutely loathed Mel, the main character. I had to dig deep to feel anything but contempt for her. Matt was at times equally as despicable, yet my dislike for him was tempered somewhat as on a whole, I felt he was a much more honest human being than Mel. I adored Adam and was entirely heartbroken for him. As you can see, I was wrapped up, not only in the story, but in the characters and who they were under the gaze of my own microscope of humanity.
The ending was satisfactory, if not a little on the sad side in getting there, but life is like that. Not everything ends up sunshine and roses and sometimes even when it does, it’s a long hard road to achieve that end.
I enjoyed this book so much. I read it rather quickly, keeping it close by so I could read bits whenever I had a few spare moments and it’s been a long time since I’ve done that. You know you’ve got it bad when you’re reading while stirring spaghetti on the stove!
I can highly recommend this book and to those who might be indecisive about reading it because they don’t like books about affairs, all I can say is that it’s not what you think it’s going to be!! And that’s the only spoiler you'll get from me! #AWW2016
Infidelity. That most controversial of topics.
The reason this book works though is that it’s not so much a story about an affair, as it is a story about the repercussions of an affair. In this, Tess navigates the reader through a veritable minefield of material. The last 100 pages or so were the ones that cemented this story for me. From ‘the day of reckoning’ onwards, I was riveted. There were times when I absolutely loathed Mel, the main character. I had to dig deep to feel anything but contempt for her. Matt was at times equally as despicable, yet my dislike for him was tempered somewhat as on a whole, I felt he was a much more honest human being than Mel. I adored Adam and was entirely heartbroken for him. As you can see, I was wrapped up, not only in the story, but in the characters and who they were under the gaze of my own microscope of humanity.
The ending was satisfactory, if not a little on the sad side in getting there, but life is like that. Not everything ends up sunshine and roses and sometimes even when it does, it’s a long hard road to achieve that end.
I enjoyed this book so much. I read it rather quickly, keeping it close by so I could read bits whenever I had a few spare moments and it’s been a long time since I’ve done that. You know you’ve got it bad when you’re reading while stirring spaghetti on the stove!
I can highly recommend this book and to those who might be indecisive about reading it because they don’t like books about affairs, all I can say is that it’s not what you think it’s going to be!! And that’s the only spoiler you'll get from me! #AWW2016
August 27, 2016
Love at first Flight is the anatomy of an affair. It is raw, honest and leaves no stone unturned as it delves deep into the lives of Mel and Matt, two strangers who end up exploring an undeniable yet inappropriate attraction.
I was introduced to this book when I heard about it on Your Creative Life podcast with Vanessa Carnevale who interviewed the author. The story to publication for Tess with this book is really interesting and is worth hearing, particularly for aspiring authors. Anyway, back to the book.
First let me say, the subject matter isn't going to be for everyone - adultery stirs up very strong opinions in people. But, regardless of your opinion on the subject, the book is worth a read. Tess handles the issue with maturity, honesty and illustrates the emotion, consequences and fall out for all involved and affected by the relationship.
From the first few pages this book pulls the reader in. I liken it to the old analogy of a train wreck - it's awful but you just can't look away - and that's what this book is like. Both Mel and Matt are likable, albeit flawed, characters and regardless of their decisions, the author does well to engage the reader pulling you into the story wanting to know what is going to happen. I found myself torn between wanting them to be happy, yet knowing their relationship built on lies and betrayal, was always doomed.
Tess does a beautiful job with characters, emotion and allows the story to flow. No words are redundant, which is both the telling of good writing and good editing. Throw in a few twists and unexpected revelations, and an ending with is beautifully fitting, and you have a great book.
Love at first flight is an outstanding debut novel that will not only engage you in Mel and Mat's story, but may even have you looking at your own relationship with new perspective.
I was introduced to this book when I heard about it on Your Creative Life podcast with Vanessa Carnevale who interviewed the author. The story to publication for Tess with this book is really interesting and is worth hearing, particularly for aspiring authors. Anyway, back to the book.
First let me say, the subject matter isn't going to be for everyone - adultery stirs up very strong opinions in people. But, regardless of your opinion on the subject, the book is worth a read. Tess handles the issue with maturity, honesty and illustrates the emotion, consequences and fall out for all involved and affected by the relationship.
From the first few pages this book pulls the reader in. I liken it to the old analogy of a train wreck - it's awful but you just can't look away - and that's what this book is like. Both Mel and Matt are likable, albeit flawed, characters and regardless of their decisions, the author does well to engage the reader pulling you into the story wanting to know what is going to happen. I found myself torn between wanting them to be happy, yet knowing their relationship built on lies and betrayal, was always doomed.
Tess does a beautiful job with characters, emotion and allows the story to flow. No words are redundant, which is both the telling of good writing and good editing. Throw in a few twists and unexpected revelations, and an ending with is beautifully fitting, and you have a great book.
Love at first flight is an outstanding debut novel that will not only engage you in Mel and Mat's story, but may even have you looking at your own relationship with new perspective.
July 26, 2016
I'm really divided about this one and I'll say up front that this is not my normal genre. I thought that it was brilliantly described, the subject of infidelity was tackled head on and it was very readable and fast paced.
But.
I thought the two main characters (but especially Mel) were just terrible people! The part where she completely lost me was And I can't decide whether this makes it a really good book for making me feel THIS ANGRY or whether I just feel angry.
I think the dual pov's really added another dimension and it would have been a far lesser story without it. I feel like I don't dislike Matt quite as much as Mel because he didn't want to have everything, he just made his decision and stuck with it. I also think Mel got a little sanctimonious towards the end, I think she should feel guilty for what she's done for the rest of her life, she made her choice and she should live with it. She really didn't think about anyone other than herself and what she wanted. To me, the whole Medicins Sans Frontiers thing was a bit much, that she's a good person or more relatable or something because she's a doctor, like that absolves her because she's helping others.
That all being said, I absolutely blitzed through it in about 6 hours (again, plane) it was definitely an emotionally charged novel and it had me thinking a lot. I would recommend it to someone looking for a fast paced beach or holiday (or plane!) read, it will transport you.
But.
I thought the two main characters (but especially Mel) were just terrible people! The part where she completely lost me was And I can't decide whether this makes it a really good book for making me feel THIS ANGRY or whether I just feel angry.
I think the dual pov's really added another dimension and it would have been a far lesser story without it. I feel like I don't dislike Matt quite as much as Mel because he didn't want to have everything, he just made his decision and stuck with it. I also think Mel got a little sanctimonious towards the end, I think she should feel guilty for what she's done for the rest of her life, she made her choice and she should live with it. She really didn't think about anyone other than herself and what she wanted. To me, the whole Medicins Sans Frontiers thing was a bit much, that she's a good person or more relatable or something because she's a doctor, like that absolves her because she's helping others.
That all being said, I absolutely blitzed through it in about 6 hours (again, plane) it was definitely an emotionally charged novel and it had me thinking a lot. I would recommend it to someone looking for a fast paced beach or holiday (or plane!) read, it will transport you.
June 16, 2015
Flawed and damaged characters, questionable choices, painful consequences – Love at First Flight ticks all these boxes and more. The novel examines the impact of an immediate and powerful attraction between two people who most definitely should not be looking for love in other places. Both are attached – the wife in this case is not the victim; both have reasons for being dissatisfied and for welcoming, if tentatively on Mel’s part at first, flirtation from another person. Destruction is unavoidable, but its pathway is bigger than Mel and Matt ever imagine.
Love at First Flight is well-written, intricate and thought-provoking. It explores the everyday up-and-down cycles of marriage and compounds this with a journey of desire and self-destruction. Conflicting emotions (as much for the reader as the characters) compete for attention; the difference between the male and female experience is cleverly highlighted as Mel is torn between duty and desire, but Matt is quicker to ignore his obligations.
For me, the book was unsettling, but equally hard to put down. It’s not always nice to be in Mel’s head, especially when so many of her actions are questionable, but Woods makes you want to find out why she’s in such a dark place. My only quibble relates to the ending, which seemed glossed over emotionally and unfair to Mel’s husband, Adam; at the same time, I can understand why Woods might have chosen this way, but I can’t write more without revealing spoilers. Big picture, it doesn’t matter. I enjoy books that make me think, books that turn stereotypes upside down … and that’s exactly what Love at First Flight did. I’m keen to see what Woods comes up with next.
Love at First Flight is well-written, intricate and thought-provoking. It explores the everyday up-and-down cycles of marriage and compounds this with a journey of desire and self-destruction. Conflicting emotions (as much for the reader as the characters) compete for attention; the difference between the male and female experience is cleverly highlighted as Mel is torn between duty and desire, but Matt is quicker to ignore his obligations.
For me, the book was unsettling, but equally hard to put down. It’s not always nice to be in Mel’s head, especially when so many of her actions are questionable, but Woods makes you want to find out why she’s in such a dark place. My only quibble relates to the ending, which seemed glossed over emotionally and unfair to Mel’s husband, Adam; at the same time, I can understand why Woods might have chosen this way, but I can’t write more without revealing spoilers. Big picture, it doesn’t matter. I enjoy books that make me think, books that turn stereotypes upside down … and that’s exactly what Love at First Flight did. I’m keen to see what Woods comes up with next.
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